The fire cracked and popped. It was already dark out. Four hours had passed since the infiltration. Flinty, Ng, and Kenny were sitting beside the fire. Victoria just returned with more firewood. Kenny took a tiny bite out of an apple
Victoria sat down. Everyone was staring at the fire. The silence was oppressive, but Kenny didn't have the power nor gall to interrupt it.
"...I apologize for what has happened. My cowardice, my fear, it all led to this," Ng said.
"It isn't your fault," Victoria said, "as much as I'd like to say that it was nobody's fault, I think all of us messed up, hehe."
"Perhaps it was. But still, I feel as if I'm mostly to blame."
And thus, a needless back-and-forth started. Kenny didn't interject.
"Seriously, it's fine, you don't need to take all the blame."
"But–"
"Guys!"
Flinty suddenly raised her voice.
"M-Maybe it's Ng's fault, or Victoria's, but at the end of the day, Kim is still in trouble!"
"Right. Of course."
"You're right, Flinty."
"So... what do we do? We need a plan."
"Well," Ng started, "Jeremiah is formidable, but one of Panz's beasts has already been exterminated. Panz himself is also injured. Once we regain our strength, an upfront assault may be the best course of action.
"Right," Flinty replied, "Kenny can take the blob on by himself. Do you think you can do it, Kenny?"
Kenny didn't respond. He lifted his head and gazed at Flinty with beady eyes.
"...I'm not going back in there," he muttered, and their eyes widened.
"W-What, why not!?" Flinty cried. Shock permeated Victoria's expression. Kenny put a hand on his knee.
"It's best if we leave. Everyone will be in danger if we go back."
"But Kenny, what about Kim? We need to help her!"
"..."
Kenny turned his head away. Flinty's words didn't reach him. Frustrated, confused, surprised, and worried, Flinty didn't know what to do or say under such pressure. So, she didn't.
"F-Fine, but if you won't do it, then I will!"
"Don't! You're just asking to die!"
Kenny spat his rebuttal, Flinty flinched, and Kenny returned to gazing at the ground.
"Let's just... get out. At least, I can guarantee that you'll be fine if we do."
It hit her then. Flinty understood what was wrong with him. But still, she didn't have the words. Still, she didn't know how to convince his friend. Still, she couldn't help him. Flinty was dejected, upset that she didn't have the words.
She looked at Victoria. She was at a loss well, Flinty could tell. But, Victoria was older, and Victoria was smarter. Flinty was sure that she would think of something.
"Why don't we sleep on it?" She suggested, "We'll think of something in the morning."
"Yes! That sounds like a good idea!"
Flinty peered at Kenny, waiting for anything from him.
"...Fine."
Flinty felt relieved. Still angry, still worried, but at least she had time to think of something. And thus, the group readied for bed. None of them had any blankets or pillows, so they had to be content with sleeping on the ground. It wasn't comfortable, but before long they all fell asleep.
All, except for Kenny.
–
–
–
I couldn't get that thought out of my mind. This situation, this incident, none of this was like the one with my parents.
This was my fault. This was undeniably my fault. From the beginning, it was my fault.
That bullet. Why did I miss it? Why? Why? None of this would've happened if I just hit that bullet. That damn, tiny bullet made of stone.
I should've made it bigger. I should've been more patient. I should've gotten closer. I should've just used my tendril, or used fire magic. Who would've cared if I killed him? That alternative was so much better than this. Kim has been captured. The wolf is still out.
These thoughts, they kept me awake. I couldn't even close my eyes without that scene playing back in my mind; the bullet. If I just didn't miss that bullet.
"..."
I needed to take a piss.
I stood up. I tried not to wake up the group. I walked for a few minutes until I found a passable tree, then I took care of my business.
"...Crap."
I was already feeling groggy. I washed my hands with water magic and walked back, but stopped. Somebody was walking up to me. It was Ng. He stopped before me, carrying a makeshift torch.
"What do you want?"
"Kenny, do you mind us having a chat?"
I didn't even have any suspicions. It was ridiculous. But, really, talking was the last thing I wanted to do, so I walked around him.
"Kenny, what has you acting this way? Is it truly today's failure?"
"That's none of your business."
Ng followed me.
"I'll be blunt, this is abnormal."
"Shut up."
"Whether we escape the forest or not, you are the only one who can do anything about it."
"Shut up."
"Are you upset at me?"
I turned around.
"Huh? Why the hell would I be?"
"I see. Then, Kenny, let me ask you this; is this truly the best way to go about it?"
I didn't say anything, just tilted my head.
"You clearly feel at fault. I know, I've been in such a situation before."
"--!"
I couldn't say anything more. I couldn't even pretend to be mad anymore. I just sighed.
"Kenny, as an adult, allow me to grant you a piece of advice."
I didn't respond.
"I don't believe today's incident was your fault, but that is irrelevant. No, what I want to tell you is that, if you truly feel like you're at fault, then atone."
"...Atone?"
"Of course. It's simple, isn't it? You apologize for your mistake, and then you make up for it."
"...That is too simple."
"But it holds true, doesn't it?"
I turned my head away.
"It's..."
Ng walked up to me.
"You have a lot of power, Kenny. So much so, I'm envious of you. Perhaps you think you can't use it, but at the end of the day, who else can rescue Kim and fight Jeremiah but you?"
I turned around. I couldn't deny his words. He was right. And yet...
"That isn't it. That isn't it at all."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8X69kEfDm
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpff7xeUOR
Ng tilted his head. He started to look a little nervous, and also slightly annoyed. I wasn't talking much sense, was I?183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbgRQ6TaqJ
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"Then what is it?" He asked. I had to take a moment to put it into words.
"...If I go back in there, then all of it will hinge on me again. Your lives, your well-being, all of it. If I go back there, then all of it will be up to me. If one of you die, then that's my fault. If one of you get hurt, then that's my fault."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8kBuVw4Bg
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"That's not true at all–"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWSzIF5BVy
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"Let me finish! You, have you ever had a feeling like that before? You said you know, you said you've been there, but you haven't! I can't stomach it; I can't stomach that feeling that, it's all up to me, that I'm the one who has to be the shoulder for all of you to lean on! I can't, I just... I just can't..."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwEGVwqQFq
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I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1YllmAI7k
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"All of you say I'm a genius, but I'm not a genius. A genius wouldn't have gotten us into this mess in the first place. And now, now that I at least have Flinty, and at least Victoria is here– and hell, at least now that you're here, you're telling me to go back in there, and then just, risk it all again? What if I mess up or, God, what if I cause Kim to die? I-I'm not– I can't do it! I can't! I can't do it alone! Kim is already gone, I don't have her to help me anymore, so if something goes wrong then it's going to go terribly wrong! D-Don't you get it? Don't you get it, Ng!? How am I supposed to do anything, absolutely anything, knowing that if it all goes to shit then I'm the one who's responsible!?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmCyHt3QQE
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I fell to my knees.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHP3uPqaTD
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"K-Kim said it herself... all of it, all of it hinges on me... but I'm not someone to make that bet on, I'm not... I'm not..."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhO75RUBoK
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I fell. I was in a fetal position and the top of my head was glued to the ground. I couldn't hear anything over my crying. I couldn't even move. I felt something touch my shoulder. I looked up to see Ng's face.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzqkKcYzIe
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"...Kenny."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91D7Vcg6lh
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"What!?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAERelSyOY0
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He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1SbGzNpTa
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"You're not lying to me, are you?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiniBlljWF3
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The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBq2rkX9dC
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"That was quite a performance, but all I'm hearing is that you're just going to leave your friend to die."
...183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNp10H1T9a
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkpH0EU56I
I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfox2V9Ps8u
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fqAO7lsZ7
I'm not... I'm not doing that, am I? What I'm doing, it's just to preserve what I have, right?183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZpasJoqHt
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"N-No..."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibouYbSPWh
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Oh, God.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANpiWEVQir
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Oh, God.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNDD3yj4Rz
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"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtY1zXBNz2z
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Ng leaned down to pat me again. I slapped his hand away. I scurried backward on the ground, panting, tears still rolling down my face. Ng didn't look like a man to me anymore. I couldn't identify what he was. All I saw was something I didn't like. I kept scurrying back and I hit a tree, then I stood up, and then I ran away. I didn't know where it was that I was going but the light from his torch was fading and that's all that mattered. I kept looking back and eventually, I stumbled. Right, the roots here, they were massive. I got up and five steps later I tripped again. The exhaustion from before still hadn't subsided. I could barely move. But, at the very least, Ng wasn't here. At least Ng wasn't there.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSH1mf8n5v
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But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ696rT3ZaqR
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"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5kTfqp247
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Y5UdLzWqE
It wasn't the way I thought about it. So, here I was on the ground, affirming myself. Of course, I wasn't leaving her to die. Of course, I was just trying to make sure Flinty and the others were safe. Of course, Ng was right. Ng was totally right. He saw through me, but worst of all, I knew Ng was right, I knew completely but that didn't change a thing. I still couldn't even grasp the idea of going back there and fighting and– and maybe Kim really was killed because of me, because I couldn't do it. But Ng was right. I needed to go back.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcla1RdKtHj
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But if I went back then what if it goes wrong? What if I go back and I see that I've truly failed? What if I go back and I see her– her–183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfADhnr8He
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"--Hrk!"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYqlZPHsnm
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I managed to hold back my vomit. Somehow that cleared the haze in my mind. I leaned against a nearby tree. I didn't think. If I thought, then I would've heard Ng's words again, and if I thought, my anxieties would've crawled back, and then I would be endlessly running. So I sat there instead.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIhQ0agbsc
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One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkYVX8cNap
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"There you are."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwcOkPjWXs
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Ng already found me, huh?183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcyWzNqOxa
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"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6taJUWEGcK
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaVmBHJMGa
I casted a gaze his way. An indescribable tug on my stomach was telling me to forgive him. It felt terribly unnatural, but I couldn't help but give into it. I didn't accept his apology, but–183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk22dGvLyDJ
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"...Fine."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gTFQu252M
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He offered me a hand but I stood up by myself. I followed him through the woods. I was staring at his heels. Sometimes he turned his body to me, likely to say something, but he didn't speak it.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14Gt0zJ70B
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"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEnLs25an4
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Nevermind. What a strange question.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RDngGT2Uh
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"No. They died a long time ago."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9t272WOD1S
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"I see. You have my condolences."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOIx2u0R4N
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"I don't need them."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKC0j4YX4s
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A pause.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLFzFkS7Df
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"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQruFaZlnl
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"..."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8H1ScO8vJ
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I stopped walking. Ng stopped shortly after. I don't know what it is that just happened, but a button of mine was pressed.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm75s5IZckA
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And then the memories came flooding back. Those months where I refused to walk outside, being taken in by Anabelle, and lastly the talk. That vital conversation I had with Anabelle and Jackson. I started biting my nails.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEluikQKw9p
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Despite it, nothing changed. My mind was still at odds with itself. But I calmed down. I calmed down a lot. At that moment, a bundle of warmth spread throughout my body. I was feeling fine.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpP6uWRh0I
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"Did I–"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTEL1Hbbiz
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"I'm sorry Ng. I still don't think I can do it. At least, not now, not by myself. Even thinking about it is making me shudder. I can't go in there."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwbwHYwalD
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"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5I3DDQbk0
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I had to make sure I heard him.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXo7xZGBg3
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"Assistants?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyAQApZDvB
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"Of course. I can still use the mana here to make some. It doesn't have to be anything powerful, just enough to grab Kim while you're fighting Jeremiah."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMgFc29gqQ
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"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxo3TJwgS4
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdo154RuDXO
"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaEq6jPLD1
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"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAG6i55VCV
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We kept walking. We didn't exchange another word but I could feel the air around us lighten. Thanks to the campfire, we made it back to the others.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr84uVvPzGU
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Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1yHVKd3Fm
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"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQ3zQQzejl
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Flinty ran up to me and gently hugged me, patting me on the back a few times. I would've been embarrassed if I wasn't so bewitched by the presence of the third person.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbfBZCcHwH
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Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiFjRj4sb4
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–
–
–
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We were all sitting by the campfire. Though I was sleepy, the knight's presence alone made me unable to sleep. I had too many questions to ask, and it looks like I wasn't alone.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNHEj73kIh
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"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexEZZ7WN2p
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"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRsLESf6at
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"Of course."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpUaOoFvq2
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"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7RiPxNMm7
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"Ah, of course. I am here because I've been tasked with tailing Kim. My reasons are secret, but I assure you it isn't anything malicious, not from either party."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKiZOKyNOd
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Tailing her? Well, if that was the case, he must not have been very good at it. But when your target is as disguised and inconspicuous as Kim, then even a knight would have difficulty pursuing you.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgdFT19nSZ
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But, no, something else was bugging me.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7d8Cd1oQR
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"How did you know where to find us here?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECrywY3h2X
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"I simply spent the day searching."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0lzubcu4r
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"The whole day?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtuvHENOEc
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He didn't respond to that. "Victoria's mother informed me of your whereabouts. This forest may be small, but it sure is dense."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZz0m0pNs2f
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Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiWqY9AGyG
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"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQA1Di2QCI
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He sighed.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC33Ibj62un
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"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizTMwyebvM
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"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MTWxFkszN
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"Oh! Yes! Kim is being held captive by a magical beast my ex-colleague has created. He is formidable, and occasionally reckless, but not a creature who would intentionally kill. He wasn't programmed that way."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCzYjirsUM
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"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0t00SJeEiJ
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"...Why do you ask?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPCtTnzXNd
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8DRktpUnW
"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7pEsJUyDP
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkW91jiMKBd
Those words made me perk up. They had two meanings to me. Ng went on to explain the blob's ability to contort its body and produce a hypnagogic haze when injured. Skylark didn't look intimidated at all. I didn't see him in action yet, but I imagined that such confidence didn't come from foolishness. Skylark's presence was still strange, and I'd be lying if I said that I didn't have any suspicions about his relation to Kim, but– frankly, it didn't matter. Frankly, I was just glad that I was able to pass the baton onto somebody far more capable than me. A short while later we all returned to sleep; aside from me, of course. And, apparently, aside from Skylark. I lifted my body and stared at him. As we stared at each other, I tried to unbridle certain words from my throat, but he talked first before I could.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡME7v1rzNTU
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLjBVYjNSw
"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylkbal9Vgk
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCzrFVIEYZ
"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaN0o1BrGY
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0bDSn13cQ
"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2E34PeHDzQ
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIXqYQgJFr
"I see. I'll get sleepy eventually, it's just a matter of time. But since you're awake, I might as well talk with you. Talking with people is especially exhausting."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHg0SZSoai1
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeI0Cuq0WYE
"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVriRxP5g9b
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkarzef1TxM
"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0smcqnlFhx
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HS0qxqtCI
He put a hand to his chin.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lGqXtmMx9
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7tEL70xZa
"...Well, I'm sure you in particular will find out soon. For now, let's just say that I was sent to defend her, in case anything goes awry."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbfc2kFO9x
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAN9E6G8hX
"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmiVtuzQ3f
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJ2e836wwV
"No."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgQnXaV9GK
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6eD1DBIDl
"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAQozMHerK
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFgoT6bR2s
"Do you mean in the woods?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iVCero1Mj
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqE8UUqQDr
"Yes. I'm just curious."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBcU6PeJbI
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yy548ao5x
"I entered the woods two hours ago. I was told by Linda to wait until it became dark. Honestly, these woods are a bit of a nightmare to navigate."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iPgcZh3SW
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcy58sa0qiw
I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIe72pSLwHH
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQgftfdY5h
"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWOzjIPNDc
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HgXpk0OXY
"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyfDmp5SuJ
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrg2Oj7Wcr7
"Me too."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAicjX1a76
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtfdCPUG2q
I realized how strange it was that he called it knightly duty, since he met us by coincidence, but didn't press him on that matter.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9FzGcq3Jb
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwxDqMoOsR
"Is that all you wanted to ask?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCazEPfTDK
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAkzPQeQm7
"Yes. For now, at least."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3CsKyuxoK
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78NKIas8DK
"Are you sure? I may not be able to answer all questions related to Kim, but I have a lot of knowledge of other things."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NTofLd52E
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JU9NHEW9d
"..."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9EYx0BCCx
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJ71QmiCT3
It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqb43giDBNi
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlFdEyhwRI
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmh7gamQYs
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNpo4OWL2l
"...Huh?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZGqXzlLDk
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiY1dirKkj
–
–
–
There was a gap in the trees perfectly positioned to where the sun hit my face. I woke up with an uneasy feeling in my chest and had difficulty keeping my eyes open. Needless to say, I didn't sleep well. Despite that, I was feeling fine. Everyone else was still sleeping. Everyone, aside from Flinty, who was not present.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBrB8bcbdU
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmboPDr6iu
I thought of the worst immediately. I calmed down once I heard a sound nearby. I walked towards it and saw Flinty standing with her arm out, creating water balls and... firing them.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmO05XrvFBW
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjKm1krOdZ
I wouldn't repeat the same mistake as before, so I stood by the sidelines and watched. She didn't even have her eyes closed, yet she was able to create a water ball and maintain it for twenty seconds. And then, she fired it. It was a very weak spell; it hit a tree and merely splashed it. If it was another element, it likely would've only scratched the bark off. I was still impressed.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpy07tQImX
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFwffoyLSe
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UHWweXgjp
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pMPXd5vlR
"Good morning, Kenny."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEf8jtJELxW
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmtayrlINZ
"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZzBEt5qjv
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1TUssMVTd
"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFznQLkIFun
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ445Q502YNG
When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHpK5RQLau
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIA5vD26u57
"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ar6tJd1Mp
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1m6afvc5w
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ749ecTFO6P
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5ZprnJY10
"Yes! I have, ha!"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0p7EoMSkr
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡau5wMgMo6c
She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZblsM0zYjC
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkQXPuoPHO
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGv5H3cC5r4
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFGPLhHcp2
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4H3Amxkcy
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgnrjBvhmZ
"Thank you, teacher."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPzLkxbWx5
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7J5A6A3FIM
"Yeah. Don't call me that."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyuriPApRz
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMoeTsiykc
"Okay."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIRPhwmzgh
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1e33eNL3K
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4H4THN93Q
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YbwOUsCmh
"Hm? What's wrong?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQUOZ4Md4Z
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMasAn8D5mo
"Um..."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZd7pceik6v
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ516Nn1PfS
She let go of me and began taking off the coat.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTnCIfjPmx
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoiqxAmpxK
"Here. Have it back."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3G3T2fKMkX
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAL29sZ3mah
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjHZKqQ14D
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhsUgllVIi
She shook her head no.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70hYjyjp6U
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIgaElhImK
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQU92gyXtdz
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2JJxPcGdA
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAA0ox10uQe
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYekQhRplJp
"Thank you, Flinty."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb13B8Q3m5p
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyAHwT5miX
I grabbed the coat and put it back on.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PdGSCECes
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimkRTwOQ5A
"Kenny, do you feel better?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLN464C7XR
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKCueE83w6
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwS3PcOipT
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfY50vfTIiF
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQxvfaes3q
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYg3nuIBvm
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCaEbbzoSC
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImTlhNGbdv
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZ9TPBh4Lb
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSsk7CzK8s
"Good morning, Kenny."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWM157Mdbq
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubhORT0Nqq
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvWBLz1K7O
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xqKrvOyEo
He nodded. When Victoria and Ng got on their feet our strategy meeting began. It was simple; Skylark would enter the compound and battle Jeremiah while Victoria, Ng, and I would surround the building to capture any escapees. With that set, we began our breakfast. It was just simple rations, but they tasted especially fresh. Flinty and Victoria were engaged in conversation while Skylark vigilantly watched our surroundings. I looked at Ng and was suddenly reminded of last night.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7l8kmOcpv
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9lsOMYfUK
"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0fcu6BQOt
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKO40uDXdfh
I scooted closer to him.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacvyDggxfy
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6W9w2O0Uy
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3N1nWDoCq
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUloQdg5OH
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2y5bYlbcnR
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFC55phc6Oo
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJnsfSlAS6
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKZviCMDRQ
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2TISDqtta
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUjWSkvWWW
He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaK5N2Bnb8A
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpECSsnFJB
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZqKd0TR1r
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxyHQKYQpe
"What?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuii3OgERj5
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVOgTO1vq2
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC24NEXIp5w
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGRp1BnuW9
But then I thought about his behavior back in the cellar, and during the initial stage of the infiltration. He lightly punched me in the shoulder.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi978u5d9PY
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymMXn5eVsm
"You and I are alike, I've realized. But unlike me, you are powerful and gifted. I know you can liberate yourself from the fungus in your brain. You are still young, after all."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHwZcumZAx
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVspAd5XCJ
"R-Right."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclGN2api66
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPMVqtpoid
"Well then, shall we go?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHytvS6ELDW
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu655uhcBuq
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKBxZhVu9c
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6mpvwgEsh
"Alright."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcRXSvImw0
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcYzMZROa3
We grabbed our bags and left the campsite. With Ng leading us, we arrived at the compound thirty minutes later. Flinty and Ng stood nearby in the woods guarding our things, and more importantly, away from any attention. Skylark, Victoria, and I stood before the broken gates of what was essentially the compound's front yard. Skylark took a step forward. He had a rag covering his mouth.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTzz18mxOA
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytiJ1J21za
"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBjQ1kXKEs
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWM2XFNMtb
And then he walked across the field and into the building. Now Victoria and I stood there alone. I felt a hand on my shoulder.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XtkNtnHI3
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDprABFP2m
"What?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJFkuTVBUJ
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5wjbVqzbI
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr38WexWSnT
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaIg9Gv1mp
"I know he will."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPC2917ZBZs
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTWfyx9HGo
"Then why are you shaking?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadc3C9Fj8W
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSNPFTZwXH
"...I just can't help myself."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Z1BtDRlcf
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6jUnkvSlV
I walked to the walls and sat against it. Victoria joined me. We sat and waited. Five minutes passed without anything happening. Ten minutes passed without anything happening. Victoria was jittering a little.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmf83EcUwpn
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdh030VjsU
"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfI2xVFYA3
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoCQBpgFMB
"What do you want to talk about?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaZpiCqIoj
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXL7iOOTm2
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NJcXmgMj6
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrQV0GhnAA
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzW3fZsJwx
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmW92PSxqw
"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzNh1kyUoA
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3nlk1Rnf0
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbl0VfUqDFZ
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiTKlKOoeI
"Ha!"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLhPWdfg03
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Aonv5pvEP
She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnilMLGdFe6
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JCNCX8UcG
"These muscles came from all the work at the farmhouse, and fighting is something Mom taught me. Y'know, she used to be a combatant! An extraordinary one, too!"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDtTDYbPl6
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKY9lYCkzS
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNvqzL4i0t
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21M8WZTq6Q
"Hehe, something like that."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gUYQT4OnV
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAI59kVtDr
She didn't sound confident.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwJLW2XNMu
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YOw3a8JRi
"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DE0yMZoDc
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgA1t72OjI
"Ah. That makes sense."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnQ6y5XxXB
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXGiwTGCM4
I was very close to saying something insensitive.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MaBATt7ww
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGu0aacPedZ
"That blob thing was a bit too much for me to handle. I think though, if we were to fight that wolf, I would be fine."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4UbaE1Iej
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtkWEyUqSq
"...Wolf?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq04xc5wSsx
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrA6Z7ZrRm
All the air suddenly left my lungs. I looked to my left. The broken gate. Its mauled doors were sprawled on the grass, and chunks of stone accompanied them.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GO7oCfzQh
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWAudlA6j2
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgniKuZHU9W
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlZHEGSVV5
"Kenny?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwfUWitH4V
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9X8xz4Qe5
With how quiet it was in the compound, I naturally began to theorize. I did not doubt that Skylark was alright, but we should've heard something, anything by now. Because we weren't, then Panz must've been hiding. And I already knew from Ng that Panz had the ability to summon his creations.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdC543IS4G
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Bnt0jUynA
I stood up and walked forward.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGHtzi1I6k
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGs13lc527s
"Kenny? What's wrong?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNG303yrhOR
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrpUM7Ag9k
"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8otgTif31y
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoIfCHiqXE
I took my tendril out and grew a Sunlight-Blossom. I snatched a seed and stuck it in the ground, then grew it to full size. I clasped the flower by its stem and aimed it at the woods.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdES9hFmJ2
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAq9hhvHWN
Victoria stood beside me with her hands raised. She caught on fast. I keenly eyed the woods, almost like a hawk, waiting for anything to flutter.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbiX6KG0Ee
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrKOUS5huF
And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3P6n0cHiL
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eZ4rvDSqN
**BANG**183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGG266lco6
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3b8GHFhwd
The Sunlight-Blossom's seed rend the wind and trees. It left my line of sight in a second. I didn't catch the beast, but that wasn't an issue. A resounding wail echoed throughout the woods. I saw the bushes fly in the distance.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg277UJvWdT
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLp7Rbv0P0M
"Victoria."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HhU1kDnRD
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQcVoB2x6u
"Right."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCHIfhYdAR
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8eEKsirIv
I had to think fast. I produced a Freeze-Dry and encased the ground in ice. Next, I brought out Dragon-Maw Jr. and raised the tendril over the ice.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HCtZA6IPa
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaxF7uRneJ
**SMASH**183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCiip9iaBH
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGulCefeVv
There he was.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESLWlTeECO
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTJGEzfyea
The wolf crashed through a tree and landed on the ice field. He lost his footing quickly. I lowered the tendril and Dragon-Maw Jr. snapped his jaws immediately, nipping at the wolf's back. The wolf slid towards us with his maw agape, brandishing hundreds of sharp, unsightly teeth.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdC1Z34dcuH
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrTBTB4q4c
Victoria crouched. The wolf jumped. I retracted the tendril and prepared to strike, but the size of the wolf surprised me. I hesitated. But that was fine. Victoria clenched the wolf's neck as it soared through the air. She slammed the beast to the ground, hardly able to keep it pinned, but she was able to punch its snout a few times. The wolf struggled and clawed Victoria in the chest. She winced, and the beast escaped from her grasp. He was bleeding, but so was Victoria. She reached for her pocket and doused herself in a healing potion, then threw the glass bottle at the wolf who stepped aside to avoid it.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwiQhZOUBS
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafl2EmWUhP
"That thing is strong," she said, "We can either wear it down or pin it again, but if I do, you need to kill it."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlPMRMj9Ad
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNZGXlfYQv
"Right."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bDj2JEQtx
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7eyW3a1uW
With my other hand, I began mana expulsion and created a bundle of thin, elongated rocks. I threw them at the wolf one at a time. He avoided them all, but as I threw, Victoria inched closer. The wolf jumped at her with his jaws wide open. Victoria stepped to the side in the nick of time, but as the wolf landed he turned around and leaped again. I struck him with the tendril and he spun across the field.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQnZO57zix
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfp89Q3MYwg
"Thank you!"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaJFKMp9Kx
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTyxEpjZyS
I nodded. The wolf was temporarily incapacitated. He was still bleeding from Dragon-Maw Jr's wound. Victoria and I were unharmed. We could do this.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLfjBoQemQ
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcekrTD0JMB
I began mana expulsion again, creating a stone and suspending it in the air. I covered it with fire magic. The wolf came back to his senses and sprinted at me. I stretched the tendril out; he avoided it but I struck him as I retracted it. I threw the fire-rock at it. The wolf caught it with his mouth.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hHnHxj76c
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"Huh?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOx9RINpFuj
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMikCh6FUdN
Not just that, he clamped down on it, shattering it instantly. The fire was proven to be ineffective as smoke casually escaped his mouth.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLPzqFm62B
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYbBI3fbaP
The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNEZF3Ubgm
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1kV2UsqQG
"Shit!"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGwXhC0xZB
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9QUH58cqU
I put my hand on the floor and created a small wall of earth before me. A stream of fire pummeled it. I wasn't harmed, but the heat made me feel woozy.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarsivMdtF6
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94s86Bahto
"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0NWE06hZy
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NjghGV0Zw
I removed the wall and began mana expulsion again, this time, creating a ball of water. Victoria was beside me, her palms open and her fingers strained.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxboOW3f48
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6am1xFpIqj
"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSqqs9owC5
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uJCBfragN
"I understand."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2FLJrzaDa
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8ZgWISf4M
I retracted my tendril and began mana expulsion with my right hand, creating a bundle of pebbles. I shrunk the water ball down and clasped it with my left. A pure-white water geyser erupted from my palm. The wolf avoided it but found himself on the ice field again, and thus lost his footing. The geyser ran out before I could hit him, so I created another ball of water. The wolf blew fire on the field and melted the ice, and unfortunately, made the grass catch fire as well.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePJjrZmTXe
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvWl17MXxl
"Uh oh, Kenny."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl17Cbgl4AR
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdnwvUzuVk
Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUyhUxtSCJ
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqHWZjODZj
"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqGbzK8V51
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHM2Kd2ifT
I didn't clasp the ball this time but spread it out across the field. The fire was extinguished and the wolf was now wet, but seemingly unbothered. He started charging at us again. I scattered the pebbles in my right hand with intense force. They were small, but the wolf would undeniably be hit and staggered.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKaJqtCK8N
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCPyrtzNCp
But, though he was hit, his charge didn't halt even a little. I panicked and brought the tendril out, stretching it out yet again. He didn't avoid it. Instead, he snapped his jaws at it.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9CLuNfthT
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvF51SRpQ10
"Hrk!"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BEYtWNfaP
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUs7HN7iBl
Pain permeated my whole body. Maybe even my soul. It was terrible, but the situation wasn't irredeemable. The tendril was in between the wolf's jaws but was still intact. I quickly thought of a way to retaliate and produced a Flash-Bloom. I'd be lying if I said I expected it. I hurriedly held my hand over my eyes.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfq6bxQC41u
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrxUClPxRO
"Victoria! Close your eyes!"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe044Vasm5h
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIi216CJfm
Even with my eyes covered, all I saw was white. Pushing the Flash-Bloom beyond its limit was exhausting my mana supply but I didn't have to keep it out for long. A few seconds later I stopped it and opened my eyes. The wolf was still gripping my tendril but was nabbing at its own face as if the light was on him. I produced Dragon-Maw Jr. and he bit at the wolf's nape. The wolf let go of my tendril. I coughed out some purple goop.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97vXPmvQyj
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf70adt8oCZ
"Victoria!"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVqPK8SXKP
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIa5XEYB4M3
"Right!"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMS4WOJPvK
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdkR4QePd7
Victoria ran over to the wolf. She didn't pin him down, but instead, grabbed one of his oversized hind legs and bent it in an impossible direction. The wolf opened its mouth and wailed and readily spat fire. With all his squirming, Dragon-Maw Jr. could hardly keep him in place. I produced another water ball and flung it at the wolf. I managed to perfectly land it inside its maw, and the beast was forced to cough it all out.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMG1WXKG1Gq
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSy1ESwIfP
Dragon-Maw Jr.'s teeth sunk deeper into its neck. The wolf was still desperately clawing at its eyes, but each succesive swipe made it obvious that the beast's strength was fading. Victoria broke its other hind leg. The wolf struggled, but he didn't attempt to spit out fire this time. The wolf simply howled, and howled, and its howls grew weaker by the second. Dragon-Maw Jr. kept clamping down. I noticed it myself, how the neck was being sluggishly pulled off the body. Victoria clasped the wolf's snout. She began pulling at it.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyzSK4XzWw
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqcKbHavrl
"GRAHHHH!"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCCEn3ewLw
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEA4BIEywxM
A warcry. She was a total barbarian.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXEKE4OvGE
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmsjKkD8Xy
With the help of Dragon-Maw Jr, Victoria tore off the wolf's neck and threw across the field. The head crashed and spallered against a tree. It immediately evaporated into the air, and the rest of the wolf's body followed suit. She grabbed her knees and began to pant.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQlBVEw156
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGH6OLrKthW
"..."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfeVPLzt0b
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmNbnbNief
I retracted the tendril. My mana supply was relatively plentiful. Still, I plummeted to the ground, face-first. I stopped coughing up purple goop, and a minute later, it stopped oozing from my chest.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ539sWJLYpg
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYQh2eT4Kq
I had questions about it, but those were for later. At the time being, I was happy. I relishing the moment. Even with grass pressing against my face, I was relishing.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9xB0lIRxR
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUqLuKr2y1
We did it. We really did it.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCx9wHx2k7
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1JYGYyKIY
"Kenny!"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMGZmp9nnK
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlCBjYZ2D6
Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5aave2GbQ
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBkkKuXY1V
"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgarwOoOFI
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl97Pb6lYA0
"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoII8B2oCw
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVpjX7CMGk
She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwoYjzQbtc
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwchI43kil
"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXxt9Y15v3
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxlIbvyudx
"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwzkXzwhvg
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9qL0Hxevh
She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfLsbUSG9X
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiop46w4u4x
"We did it," I muttered.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZ9hLwnrxN
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I struggled to believe it. Not just because the wolf was taken down without much hassle, but because of how I was feeling.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ugfa5dxlP
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7qJQFWHHK
Right now, I was immensely satisfied. I glanced at Victoria, and she was fine, and I was fine, and the beast was dead, and I was satisfied.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGv5waI9nwA
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYnynz2O1K
I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRKLdHiwru
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpC1M1SsUm
"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwpIQfyAj9
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEmxA4Qo6Z
"...It could've been a lot worse."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRtHYJpTXe
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DUi2a6JoI
"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEJ5G7SE3I
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeh1v5VrB7P
Victoria looked at something above me.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxwFQr2wBF
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVi83aT2VE
"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4D0WbnMhH
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkJ3ZXBhJN
Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4Xl7rZkeF
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3Vbf1MGTr
"No. Why do you ask?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3i88ecF08C
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUZqatrQJY
"I haven't heard a single thing coming from the building. Our fight was noisy, so I thought that maybe someone would come out. I'm starting to get worried."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoiL3wHEYk
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rLPfLuw9T
"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRu9sAwnbco
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7sBbJKaRX
"O-Oh, sorry."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMymVMef4O1
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She scratched her cheek a little.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAdEbvUfUo
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gTp5Eyr6f
"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkWzwSldoe
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzU9F7ZABJ
"That's just how you need to be with monsters. Equally brutal. It's something I got used to. I watched my mom fight a lot when I was a kid."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvL8yJuQA8D
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuUvo7fJWx
"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqnpiVuq8M
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XyteTEaV8
"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHCv4BFIMs
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGciTjrlp6
I sighed. My face returned to the grass as I indulged in the silence. I could feel the fatigue worm its way into every nook and cranny of my body. I was surprised at the toll the fight had on me. Eventually, I stood up and brushed the dirt off my shirt. It was even more purple than before.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzn9kykKOj
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3D3ai5Ec8y
I helped Victoria up. I limped to the busted gate and stared at the compound. A weight formed in my stomach. I almost began to pray, but the doors to the building slowly opened.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QNu15nu3U
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOfiyVShoW
Skylark was there. Kim was on one shoulder, and when he opened one door wide enough he grabbed Panz by the hood. He had a lot of dust on his body. When he caught up to us, he frowned.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YNr1K1aT3
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYHB1TRpoZ
"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoSOuSUxju
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxM3mvEK2d2
"We fought something, Kenny and I."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaHk2lsSGM
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vUqFaCR2o
She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2zUa3fdvg
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHuvnUwMLk
"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJ8hyMLk1y
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXwIyiYXE9
"How is Kim?" I asked.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0VLNJCvUA
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WrbEpanwK
"She's fine, just unconscious."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR28UuAi9gR
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvdanRAxOJ
I could only say one thing.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4QPhTcBH5
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyP30SB6M2K
"...Haaaa. Thank God."
