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."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumlNfUqKDO
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Ng tilted his head. He started to look a little nervous, and also slightly annoyed. I wasn't talking much sense, was I?147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWugYvPtoT
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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."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEky62M3o8u
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"That's not true at all–"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSyvzHOtk5
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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..."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96mzXGSAh2
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I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyywLbqgF0
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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!?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvP00os0tpC
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I fell to my knees.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6DE4ApTMP
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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..."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJJ43XxS8x
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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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAohSVyzFS
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"...Kenny."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlg0RIqzjJ
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"What!?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgiYKZ9EBf
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He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtXlxNQJeD
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"You're not lying to me, are you?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW18PH62Vm9
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The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwtqjOFNmG
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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."
...147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lJRX2WUhm
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I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpPBHxsbYs
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I'm not... I'm not doing that, am I? What I'm doing, it's just to preserve what I have, right?147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1SI4JAKSx
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"N-No..."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhO0xAhYqv
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Oh, God.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qTRNCP03q
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Oh, God.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9F7DO3t5OA
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"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPazBhP4CBp
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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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLz3KQl4RW1
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But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlG9gkfCQl
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"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01k1Hjb0T8
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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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7GFpohxfg
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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–147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNO3u7qo2i
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"--Hrk!"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PsjuvXHQt
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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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EcQ0jZ3K0
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One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaZZwzrpnw
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"There you are."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NDss8fZQQ
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Ng already found me, huh?147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXTzYKEPUZ
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"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjOkUklv4w
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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–147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGpxfbExuS
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"...Fine."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6X6mhd5CDT
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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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCt0tp17csD
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"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBGf9EuQce
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Nevermind. What a strange question.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQt67O5R6R
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"No. They died a long time ago."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1aEnuqIQt
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"I see. You have my condolences."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbzHIIeVUN
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"I don't need them."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHliagQkqUQ
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A pause.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfsPvsadqO
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"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVhYzwNQ98
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"..."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFK3bfjZHR5
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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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4MlBOMkdk
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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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1FMMmAbkz
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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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡah0nGeYTQ2
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"Did I–"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPpqiZOuqs
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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."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7wPznsbbx
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"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHlGgm2FKT
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I had to make sure I heard him.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTmAipy6af
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"Assistants?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7FUpMTDBh
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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."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwspMIGNPMx
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"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHG0zceyqT
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"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5GdEDCTTG
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"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpi3DPvnRAv
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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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnP3qS3zehx
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Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06c2AHY1ec
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"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkHCmmAmAs
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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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJOZJHltAn
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Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoyq9vGiU0
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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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOIl9A36hV
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"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTyTcM1a3X
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAlxrU5zuM
"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKqCRN8mnY
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"Of course."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxx0E7peFKP
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"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1AqNiARwK
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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."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQgMshgbqN
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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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92hrbKxdnI
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But, no, something else was bugging me.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCMQT8pW0x
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"How did you know where to find us here?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYc9Yp9p22l
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"I simply spent the day searching."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdNjlWtRzn
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"The whole day?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55uqOcZVv6
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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."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJItlimkSc
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Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ppJXI7z5v
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"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK338mUtPMj
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He sighed.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ebmeznEdy
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"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvweb3TgNwE
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"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarYtPkTY6X
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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."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjIzCLXmmL
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"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMLTjRBAhP
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"...Why do you ask?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOm2kkhDBZw
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9ATzmIgQC
"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1fd6c6ijF
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmulbsOFqD7
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMEv8DdYlW
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhqv34MM48
"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQ8g0I3dUw
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT28cf32poc
"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpRGDG7uPm
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQWSFvzewi
"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3X0BA56lqQ
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLdGBVkONd
"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."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUhztfl3xc
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjprgnzg9x7
"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3X8EFPBiIA
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWFBOsRsxf
"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBZzc1mXcp
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuo86aEmOq
He put a hand to his chin.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIobBh5QrCL
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wRFe8zJ0b
"...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."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzSRKVFUf7
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVmyQfYZWT
"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGYvtaqPZ2
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ906FfiGF1Y
"No."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eaSobdAgh
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwu7avljVZ
"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5Me8sF2ck
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbUBfC2YU2
"Do you mean in the woods?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dQ9z61GF2
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuAMCnC1BX
"Yes. I'm just curious."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhct0opEXHm
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ644sUWIKIF
"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."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGF2eEJUWkJ
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvESvWcGDNe
I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztKrSdXHMF
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLV3M8MlQR
"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0hOJqaYpg
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAH7o43yO5
"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nu43eTaHe
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfppEM5mId0
"Me too."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvedL2Aye5S
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8M33xM4xL
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlg7v0Arizq
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIdWbvbAoR
"Is that all you wanted to ask?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EyiOylfVN
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSls3I8qfdK
"Yes. For now, at least."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuX7hIz1yjW
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP82yuvwKtq
"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."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxePcv63Wm
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVauojuliUT
"..."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4N9C6xwpB
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2LAk9acCd
It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZee1k3cewl
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4PBTMWwM1
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMBvEwM9re
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyEv9pRkLc
"...Huh?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfng6pCeKK
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawcmZURm5D
–
–
–
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhs5993uAWf
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2COqvcFK18
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdrAP0ExZt
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5UXrFgj6M
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNusfq7K34
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4ym03YQpG
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEriofN8FU
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHFBqeSMTF
"Good morning, Kenny."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgroOmhgdf
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUHJVedT2p
"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RbN40pWEG
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZdpSPrmw0
"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Siift8fR0
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQP0lKuZirP
When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuK0GExK5U7
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsj6s6jiaRr
"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlGEtolmOk
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYFVU8hmiJ
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8AkaYPnvW
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7PkJdLyck
"Yes! I have, ha!"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3eOjwbPG3
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwh18FQ6oF
She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvrIi64loC
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLWcnpQZFO
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1tLyf0HY6
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssPahFhm6h
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj63PBDC9bP
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeg84B28pav
"Thank you, teacher."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5en2474mop
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONypw14pYT
"Yeah. Don't call me that."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE17mA5qkaq
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6yjB3ITy9
"Okay."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBM42tMSefV
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZKWw8v9bs
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0e8qZ78Om
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbQsLxuQHn
"Hm? What's wrong?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1UQNGaJVe
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIuGMCbJg5
"Um..."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DMrf9WJ3L
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CA3XaNR8N
She let go of me and began taking off the coat.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OW5BTOqdw
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0l0NMxe5B
"Here. Have it back."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrmWewySYa
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJ5hmSKsw7
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ97IKqqelc
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Hv28OKNdZ
She shook her head no.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkbvOaMPle
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHD9jfNKym
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYhzExFxyI
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCij9zcLrsM
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPqi5SmV1G
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVShFT6HOd2
"Thank you, Flinty."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELBuXni4VN
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWbf25gCrF
I grabbed the coat and put it back on.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZo3pr4uwS
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAp3QLkLXBG
"Kenny, do you feel better?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6etCkcF2u
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRktZzE5ck
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKfBH6hFpj
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFrdUYT1su
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXX8Jb85rrK
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeXdeWi45P
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9sXNvzZlG
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaYXt9Igos
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgM8rLhKa8
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnQS2pKN2l
"Good morning, Kenny."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNN5xRfRGG
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQV4oPGpW4
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2RLpPlOvJ
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6U5dMSeeH
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaEvqFj8N2
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRjPpFIU7b
"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95AJZdKY6r
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyEGO0PGcP
I scooted closer to him.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6b6EeCnGx
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIb0vdwuXV5
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsb0DvK7z0D
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjKiFSrG2D
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DkbOXVzig
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUusx2gkuA
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8YRC0rW7f
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZnNjOj4HT
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbtOvNoRRw
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepA6UM0hAd
He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbt6p9GYft
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBdN0QHNrO
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWetBVNL3s
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6eQceK93z
"What?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsa8MzmPWl
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nX2urbBP2
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPACIuGPlt
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwMwf1FrLz
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKIJPdkTMq
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwWUjgHqwJ
"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."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEFX0uO6bt
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwJxHOHicw
"R-Right."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDkBGLWnkG
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26PsaSEU24
"Well then, shall we go?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5NkItk7Of
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsDEkaNo8p
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzyIohquMz
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjeBShFRBF
"Alright."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexkp8ArTfK
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLFoHNoI4w
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqh5n4SrsM
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNV6r1c7LZ
"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXXovCINLJ
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwkBaBgRTi
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGvNmEt9eQ
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrT6PlC23Gg
"What?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKWoVO0ZFn
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpdin6FOEU
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmGRzlitAr
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHhIZQKt20
"I know he will."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFlddF5R9z
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeshfGMVSrU
"Then why are you shaking?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNC5EsdMZ9
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡao0o1uSyKv
"...I just can't help myself."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRy2UyrX0YU
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ovb6tvTTI
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wYbJ17E5k
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTexnQa7nFi
"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ391HNAN21i
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV66FGeTjZ7
"What do you want to talk about?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6ueV1VgWq
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQbE73v7uZ
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcw4O77ZuPg
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUInLgFmtk
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryFR1W9UlV
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSKu8VabVZ
"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydkIerGOvZ
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mP7FBWmd4
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCwYOMcWT9
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXaKVKYwZ3
"Ha!"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDRqQbiiIV
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOJiNrRqUa
She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqHHWUiaVh
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrenuuSutS0
"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!"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAVe4s8fOa
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwo27yFGUq
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8bWwrWJiV
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡII6jDupDNq
"Hehe, something like that."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bMS72j6Ep
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3px3sFVl9
She didn't sound confident.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYPaXAVy33
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZc07O6wac
"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdrxyOUIV9
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvDGdimpwz
"Ah. That makes sense."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMrInaVz2Y
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsvHDwJirP
I was very close to saying something insensitive.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8FLh0DJBN
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJu3CDaKRa
"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."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nguPWD2Z2
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7RnVktKuy
"...Wolf?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4JIG4Mo5W
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZtD3wjbLT
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZIkChZtXM
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgR89wMBkJ
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaicedCUFKa
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8AzznKUbl
"Kenny?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzooQkHrISi
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJj6SqSoXbg
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaOv0oA8XY
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD54ahMAugY
I stood up and walked forward.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO77NhOJE4a
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"Kenny? What's wrong?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhFCeojfS1
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIev2mtQoc2
"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Dan5y5hbM
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuW9mYRLKM
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrn3ZeiCSh4
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwiAcGwD2c
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZsbTsmVKa
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIO8RslP0q
And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTqHe0zvsT
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIlpfRSZHO
**BANG**147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kvUjSaU3q
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEqTbr3agC
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkp2UbHCDSC
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrXKzsunKc
"Victoria."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYetFcp5cvZ
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfj1auMK7w6
"Right."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQZHc8CUvJ
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PDLLwgrqm
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImUZDnbiLw
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxl4DW9gskv
**SMASH**147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWprzenXlt
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3uuvbdHKn
There he was.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDOF2gs2nl
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHGDHCliq4
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiuykomWby
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoaH3Ijah8
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHvuZqHskY
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFs3SnYQI3v
"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."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpsckA5ENv
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkQ8ii3KEE
"Right."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRaIHOM2is
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYXiMkkGay
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9d1U5EhYIZ
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKxWIUT68d
"Thank you!"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevwqgR5HOj
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7tzpOgyJy
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhlq6r8RWp
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdibVSL9jSY
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39QiVYbqyR
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckXV4k0p1r
"Huh?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDi6Z7qgpf
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFhKD1nybb
Not just that, he clamped down on it, shattering it instantly. The fire was proven to be ineffective as smoke casually escaped his mouth.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPEuZofPGW
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtmEUPpCWr
The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHQM2Vbcb0
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ibVzAMFvj
"Shit!"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcEcK4LGs1
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhf3MrYxEQC
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvT9ZWo7DF9
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6qxQ5YJ9R
"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0QcriIkI5
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8iwscw32x
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPoB6eTgkV
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzgQNLozli
"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHLQhyBdKn
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdQhKSYRMs
"I understand."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzzcOQDYmd
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KYtGbHFPL
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOs6lBNfRi
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnaIo6g4Ll
"Uh oh, Kenny."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyij5YecWa
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNSv4eGX60
Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4PjfUNMOy
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kqBwoaVw3
"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYCWMHLP6O
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIuc6I797l
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZztUFoZib
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAGLlSYshK
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMDO5OwIwH
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdOdeice6S
"Hrk!"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryHKqJpd9y
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp12HMArNdY
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrz3JWkNxt
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyq7SLIpVu
"Victoria! Close your eyes!"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4w6uewLAif
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWaFfruBrP
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZxka11IU4
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5sPf6ORu1
"Victoria!"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuhW3SoP8W
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEYlisZpi9
"Right!"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguzr1N3HmG
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxeNLA4S4R
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3S2b62nA9G
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1oxtyfkiO
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bPpIk5MlA
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWweIndpC2R
"GRAHHHH!"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkpxJKZ6hk
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVPKju4YE0
A warcry. She was a total barbarian.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQNRo4KDJu
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEtlXvOChV
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEr6533EEP9
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqciPFBTAn
"..."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHn0qkgHWA
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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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRX0TJssDA
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxd6k3dD13
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6pI8FLNqt
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QIUCAfJXd
We did it. We really did it.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIbWm47Y1u
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCTJ7D3NIY
"Kenny!"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUxzX3zrdt
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCLCCUupAk
Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpj8eMzXpyH
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqt8DNc8XUo
"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmQfFblxgl
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjWbLPNSGe
"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHvt4jnhPb
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0024AKFoHm
She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98hqPfMbh5
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMmlt3z2SA
"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MEMaXxqp1
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQPg8ZpFhJ
"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Aw7Os1ZtV
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlYvcIsT3L
She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfhRjyLS2T
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7u24FpJXE
"We did it," I muttered.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0EMR0pHUJ
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpDWBYOX9T
I struggled to believe it. Not just because the wolf was taken down without much hassle, but because of how I was feeling.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SRo9pnVk0
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjs6th4KrVS
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nZKM9yIC5
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNrg5dGHoR
I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFKRmxe9sj
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7R0G0XvzJl
"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoKENWMEhl
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwDl2Z0L2m
"...It could've been a lot worse."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMiQlErOs1
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIUR81CTno
"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5KjAlCLFR
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnQPtP2JvB
Victoria looked at something above me.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKZrgROVvj
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcuF8o8syw
"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHL0DtkMmy
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblcJsrkIPR
Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMdNV5IoJ1
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"No. Why do you ask?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdq748oe0B
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgsUHn3CVP
"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."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwXKiJks0V
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWDWImsrxE
"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxLzfJ6mEb
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0rNODsawq
"O-Oh, sorry."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZD3pATRQo
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqHFiei4KS
She scratched her cheek a little.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50LycWIo65
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7sZunZJT2
"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXEKwEbWdH
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjKuIoZfl2
"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."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZujUbhVHh4
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbN63Y6koa
"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMq3H15eOw
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2f7M1LYq0
"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn87LfhRCgH
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtt6btnglPI
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgg39S2GIOy
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92yHlvJY4G
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsv0mS0FpX
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMANFHMQmrG
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEmDeNPCys
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzvexqOliM
"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMXbOT22B3
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaG3tfawqia
"We fought something, Kenny and I."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nhJCmGhud
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wvPFQsY8A
She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKL96zKmZ6
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHhVhcn6Ya
"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NcjRn5iu4
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytfsFRSFP9
"How is Kim?" I asked.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZydzrLDmI
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"She's fine, just unconscious."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSnSt9auD3
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2VWY1Wc33
I could only say one thing.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWD8slQBWI
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DBpLBoUFJ
"...Haaaa. Thank God."
