The morning light was bashful, not even piercing through the tiny gaps in the blinds. I yawned and got out of my bed. I peered through the window; it was a cloudy day.
"Huh... maybe it'll rain."
I began my morning routine, washing myself and brushing my teeth before putting on a fresh set of clothes. Considering the conditions outside, it was a better time than ever to put on my jacket. Though, I would've put it on regardless of the weather.
I grabbed my keys and left my apartment room. Breakfast was going to start soon, and I wanted to make sure I had the best food from the get-go. I already made it into the dining hall and was the only one there.
"Good morning, Kenny," one of the lunch ladies called.
"Good morning. Are there any eggs on the menu?"
"Sure are."
"I'll have those, then."
I received my meal for the morning and sat by a table. The residents slowly made their way into the kitchen. I made sure to sit in a faraway corner. Not because I wanted to avoid a conversation, per se, but because I had a lot on my mind.
"...Transporting a letter, huh?"
Mulling over it last night made sleep difficult, but I had a much clearer consciousness now. I was anxious about the operation, to say the least. Not so much because it was important, but because of what failure would entail.
"..."
N-Nevermind, it probably wouldn't be so bad, would it? Still, though, I haven't had to do a mission where I needed to travel to a different city, and this is the first mission that I've ever had to cooperate on.
"These nerves are killing me."
Mission this, mission that. I ruminated over it for so long that my food grew cold. I ate it quickly then left the cafeteria and the apartment complex.
"...Alright, let's do that."
I figured that doing a warm-up mission would ease my nerves, so I traversed to the combatant's guild, trying not to heed any of the looks I was getting. Arriving at the guild, I pushed the doors open. It was a bustling place at this hour so nobody's eyes were on me, fortunately. I walked up to the job board, looking for something challenging, but short.
"W-Woah, is that Bison Frost?"
"I think it is! Watch out, don't make him mad."
Ignoring the other combatants scouting the board, I kept reading the pinned papers. My eyes stopped moving on the one right before me.
"This is perfect."
I tore it off and jogged to the receptionist's desk. It was the same woman as always, wearing a different, more modest outfit.
"Ah, good morning Kenny. Or, 'Bison Frost', as they say."
My face morphed into a deep frown.
"I'm just teasing ya. So, you've got a job you wanna do?"
"Yes."
I handed the paper and my license over to her. She went through some papers and stamped the request and put a sticker on my license, handing it back to me.
"Take care, and go easy on them."
"Of course. Have a good day."
I waved her goodbye and grabbed my stored supplies from the combatant's locker room, quickly leaving the guild after acquiring my things.
–
–
–
If my memory serves me well, this marked the fifteenth time I've left the capital. I was in the vast badlands, still able to see the city of course, but in a harsh environment nonetheless.
This particular section of the badlands was as sandy as they were rocky. Traversing it was a pain, but due to how cloudy it was today, I could take solace in the fact that the sun wasn't around.
Large boulders were sprawled around the field, making seeing from a distance nigh impossible. What was surprising though were the few bits of greenery sticking out of the rocks. I didn't know what kind of plants they were, and frankly, calling it greenery was disingenuous, but it was plant life nonetheless.
"So... what am I looking for again?"
I pulled out my combatant's license. A short description of the job was in a box to the side. It was a feature of the license; the words in the box would magically change depending on the job an combatant took. I had no idea how this was possible, but I chose not to question it.
The description was simple: "Return a Bearded Draco, dead or alive." I was informed that these Bearded Dracos rested in the sandier areas of the badlands. They must've been quite rare, though, because I've yet to see or hear one of them moving around.
"Then again, these rocks are obstructing me."
I sighed. Regret for accepting this mission began to seepl but I quickly dispelled it with a firm shake of my head. It was bound to be annoying, but the day was still fresh, so I was sure I would find one of these things before long. Before resolving myself, I sat beside one of the boulders, taking a sip from my gourd.
"...I should've changed my clothes. This outfit is terrible for the desert."
I hung the gourd back on my backpack and sighed. It was too late now of course, but complaining eased my mind a little.
"Ya got a good point there, kid. I ain't ever seen someone wear autumn clothes out here."
"Huh?"
I jumped and on my feet, facing the holder of the sudden voice that spoke to me. On top of the boulder I was against was a man with a grungy bucket helmet, completely obstructing his face aside from the wide slint for his eyes to see through. The few tiny holes at the lower half made his voice not as muffled as one would expect. Also, I mentioned that he was on top of it, but really, he was in the process of climbing the boulder. It was an obvious and awkward struggle.
"Hah, damn, I'm gettin' old. Can't climb these things like I used to..."
Now that his whole body was in view, I found myself more confused than alarmed. He had gray sweatpants on and seemed shirtless at first, but his shirt was tied around his neck like a mock cape, a knot being formed from the lengthy sleeves. He also had a blade attached to his hip, and it came with a complimentary belt.
"...Who are you?"
"'That's what I'd like to ask,' Is what I would've said, but yer face and name became pretty well-known 'round the capital. Bison Frost, they call ya, eh?"
I scowled. He clicked his tongue and 'ooo'd.
"I take it ya don't like that name? My fault, my fault."
"Seriously, who are you?"
"Right right. The name's Juke. Honor to meet ya."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJUyG0tuvl
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"Just Juke, huh..."
The man jumped off the rock and landed in front of me, offering a hand. I stared at it with prudence. His demeanor might've been amiable and disarming, but appearing out of the blue still made him suspicious.
"You're taking a long time. Is the heat getting to ya? That's what you get for wearing a jacket, I guess."
"No, it's not the heat. If I may ask, why are you here?"
Juke tilted his head.
"Huh? I'm here on a mission. I was gonna ask ya that too, actually, but greetings usually come first. Yer a weird one, breaking the order of things."
"I'm strange? You're using a shirt as a cape and have a lone helmet on your head! What's even the point of that?"
"Now yer just asking too many questions. I told ya my reason for being here, so what's yers? And yer name, too, don't forget that."
I sighed. I failed to mention that his behavior above all else was strange, but it would be pointless to say it now. So I just took his hand and shook it.
"Call me Kenny. I'm here to hunt a Bearded Draco."
"Woah, that's why I'm here too! Ain't that a crazy coincidence?"
He said it in a saccharine jovial tone. I'd be a fool not to see the sarcasm. It made me feel more at ease.
Still, I had to ask–
"Were you stalking me?"
"Nah. What kind of creep would I be, stalking kids?"
"You already look plenty creepy; I wouldn't put it past you."
"Yikes, ya got bite. Fine, ya caught me– but I was just following ya, not stalking, alright?"
"So, what are you doing here? Surely it's not because you're just bored, is it?"
"...Boredom's part of it. But this time, I'm just curios."
"Curiosity? You want to 'gauge my abilities' or something?"
"Yeah."
"That's a bad omen."
I sighed and rubbed my hair. I wasn't the superstitious type, so it wasn't as if I was going to run back home, but I couldn't help but frown.
This stupid nickname and status have been causing me nothing but trouble.
"I'll help ya find the big lizard. I imagine yer not used to the badlands. The jacket gave it away."
"Can you stop focusing on the jacket? This isn't my first excursion out of the city, for the record."
"Yer calling these things excursions? Yer crazy weird."
I could feel my eyes twitch.
"You say you want to help me, right? Well, scram! I like working solo, and I have no patience for your antics."
I made a brushing motion with my hand and walked away from Juke. I didn't hear him following me, which was surprising, but I was grateful for it.
"Ya know, ya might work best solo, but there'll probably be a time when ya gotta work with others, right?"
I stopped in my tracks. Sadly, I couldn't help but listen to him.
"Since this is just an excursion for ya, why not take my help? Might be a good lesson for ya, good to learn them while yer young."
I thought of the incoming mission and the prince's words. He told me distinctly that I was going to have others working with me. I wasn't against the idea of course, but even then, Juke made a good point. If I couldn't collaborate with people on a simple mission, then what good would I be on something so important?
I didn't want to screw up then.
"...Alright. Since you want to help, let's collaborate. Do you happen to know anything about the Bearded Draco?"
"Wow, that didn't take a lot of convincing. Uh, I know they're pretty big, walk on four legs, and got something akin to a beard under their chin. Ya'd recognize 'em when ya see 'em, don't worry."
I nodded, thinking of what to do while intaking this new information.
"Well, being able to recognize them easily is nice, but how do we go about finding them? These boulders make it impossible to see."
"Ah, ya seem to be mistaken. They're our greatest asset."
"Huh?"
"Watch this shit."
Juke walked back to the rock and began to climb it. A minute of struggling later, and he stood tall and proud, using his hand as a visor.
I understood then exactly what he meant. I punched my open palm.
"Of course! How'd I not think of that!?"
I knew I was inexperienced, but this made me feel plain stupid. Still, I had no time to waste mulling over it. I kneeled on one leg and began mana expulsion, creating and raising a stone pillar under my legs. I made the pillar taller than the rest of the boulders, enabling me to get a view of the whole thing.
"...They weren't lying 'bout your magical abilities, were they?"
Juke made a comment that sounded like it was for himself, but he spoke it loud enough to where I can hear it.
"They know I'm a magician? Actually, that's not surprising."
It was difficult to discern anything at a distance, so I just watched for any movement. I did notice that there was a field void of rocks nearby. However, nothing was moving.
"I can't spot anything."
"Ya serious? If ya can't see it then I got no shot– well, shit."
"What is it?"
"I see something bobbing over there!"
He pointed in the opposite direction I was facing. Indeed, something was moving, though I couldn't tell what exactly. It was beside a similar open area to the one I saw.
"If that's our target, then we ought to hurry!"
The stone tower slowly crumbled. I jumped off and landed on the ground and broke into a sprint.
"Hey, slow– ah, never mind."
Juke caught up and then ran past me just as fast. Considering our height differences, it wasn't a surprise, but something about his gait miffed me.
I managed to follow him through the rocks just fine. He stopped before the field, and I stopped by him.
"There's our target," he whispered. I followed his gaze with my own and landed on a four-legged scaly beast. Judging from the spikes on his back and the flouncy mush below his neck, it was the Bearded Draco.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDvxpJ1z5T
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"Do you think he noticed us?"
"Probably. These guys don't like to move very much, but they're very finicky. Just don't do anything rash."
"Alright."
I eyed the beast, trying to judge the best approach. We were in his field of view, but whether or not he could see us was a whole other matter.
I crouched down and took out the tendril, producing a Freeze-Dry from the tip.
"The hell is that!?"
"My tendril."
"That's one crazy Endowment– is that flower freezing the air?"
I concentrated the mana into my tendril and aimed the Exotica at the lizard. A second later, the entire field was coated in ice, and the lizard was entirely encased in it. I caught a jerk from his limbs before he was trapped, but it wasn't enough to escape.
"...So that's where ya nickname's from. Shit, you're brutal."
I was panting on my knees. The amount of mana I had to suddenly drain for that speed made me feel like I just got decked in the chest in addition to being exhausted. But, the mission was over now, so I indulged in the moment of respite.
"Ya alright?"
"Yes."
I stood up and walked to the frozen lizard.
"Wait, what're ya doin'!? Don't move!"
"Huh?"
I turned around with a raised eyebrow and gazed at Juke. Except, I wasn't looking at Juke anymore. What overtook my vision was a blur of blue and then a sea of beige.
Huh? What's going–
When I felt the coarse sand rub against my back, I knew what was happening. I looked back the other way. I was sliding down a sand pit.
"Whaa!?"
It was so sudden I couldn't even think. I slid and slid, not doing anything but descending into the crater. When my mind processed the situation, I stuck my heels into the sand to break my speed. It hardly worked, which wouldn't have been an issue ordinarily, but something popped out from the bottom of the pit.
Jaws– thick jaws the same color as the sand emerged from the bottom and rushed towards me. A second later, I noticed the creature's pincer, and then I began to identify what it was that I was descending upon.
An oversized, famished insect.
"A-AHHH!"
My instincts took control. I began mana expulsion, creating a spear of stone as I fell. But, I could tell– I could tell by the time it even formed into a coherent shape, I'd be torn asunder by the insect's teeth.
I didn't know what to do. I didn't have the time to figure it out. I kept sinking, and sinking, and sinking, and sinking, and sinking, and sinking, and sinking, and sinking, and sinking, and–
"--Ah?"
The scene changed– the angle too. I was no longer glaring at the maw of the beast, but I was still looking at it. Only, it was from the side, and it was upside down.
The spear was still being manifested before me, so on top of my disorientation, I could hardly see. But, even through the thundering of my heart, my ears functioned perfectly.
**SLAM**
Steel against steel. That's what it sounded like. But, as I continued to plummet, I got a glimpse of what it was.
Juke was there with one hand on his broadsword, the blade of which was stuck between the pincers.
"--hrk!"
I surrendered all thoughts, no longer in control. The piece of earth before me didn't turn into a majestic, intricate spear, but an obtuse clump of rock that blocked my vision entirely.
I didn't care if it was inefficient, or if rushing the process like this would drain my mana like a faucet. I couldn't care, frankly. But I could, and did have desire.
I wanted to see that thing gone.
And so–
**SPLATTER**
I shot the rock, obliterating the head of the insect, and making a grave laceration in the very world.
And then, I landed on the ground.
"Ack– pluh pluh, blah!131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12sJtL2y3R
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcolJ9u7yyn
The sand worked to my detriment and benefit. It cushioned my fall greatly, meaning that I didn't sustain any injury. However, I was now spitting intrusive sand out of my mouth, and my eyes vigorously watered, trying to kick out the grains that have found their way under my eyelids.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP63jZ0Rrlf
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Needless to say, it hurt. Goodness, did it hurt.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvKQf5mPrs
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"Blah! Ah, crap!"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oKWYGRqpW
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My first instinct was to wash it away, so I began making an orb of water, but the thought of even moving my eyelids and the ensuing pain paralyzed me for a moment. Still, gave in, and unleashed the water onto my eyes. I felt relieved for a moment, and I tried to forcefully blink out the sand. Eventually, the pain subsided, but I was still affixed to terrible discomfort and refused to move my eyes again.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4K5bOyp7J
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"Yo, are ya alright?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mbtNu8YC1
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"Eh? Juke, is that you?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYi3PLvrUvx
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I felt something on my shoulder. Juke likely put his hand on it–131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MFLVlaC97
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I froze. Juke put his hand on my shoulder, which meant one thing.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIHLCJETlN
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"You're alive! Bleh, ack, are you okay?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubntXzW8Rs
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"Am I okay? Ya strong folk always ask the craziest things– look at yourself! Ah, ya can't, can ya? My fault."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGbgHpYwRF
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I didn't like his attitude, but the fact that he could dish out such brazen sentences meant he was alive and well. I felt relieved.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnK13stxTPA
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"Did sand get in your eyes?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEOTCQhBCA
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"Y-Yes... I'll be fine, they'll wash away eventually."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaYwcc2wwg
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"Phew, had me worried. The thing you did to that Lion Ant was crazy, by the way. You blasted it to shreds! I thought for sure I was a goner, or that I had to get a new helmet at least, so thanks."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZGjXhh0P9
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For a moment, I was lost, because the person who put me out of harm's way was now thanking me. But I didn't argue with him, I just took the words in stride and eeked out a response.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzDib8srkk
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"T-Thanks for saving, Juke. I was sure I was going to die just now."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBrWhJcjYb
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"Ah... yeah, I did save ya, what the hell? The strong are supposed to help the weak, aren't they? What are ya doing, breaking the order of things?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPFeKQE10X
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I didn't respond. I rubbed my eyes a few times, then gently opened them. The sudden burst of light blinded me– it looked like the sun snuck in a ray through the clouds.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwREqIZ42Z
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I let out a breath. I was alive, Juke was alive, the beast was dead, and best of all, the Draco was–131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeRH5teOeI
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"...Wait, what about the Bearded Draco?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HhN3dfdzt
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfafTHxNUj5
"Eh? Ya probably killed it, those things hate the cold."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeOZkYeXnb
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"I-I see..."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡompXGJjkcS
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Somehow, this news was disheartening to me. I leaned against the sand and gazed at nothing in particular.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhNnN084C4
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"Was it supposed to be alive? If so, then ya really screwed up, didn't ya Kenny?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyXrN8u5nB
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"I-I didn't screw up! I was just supposed to retrieve one, it didn't matter if it was dead or not."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKZQIb1Tkg
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"Ah, if ya say so. Are ya eyes back and runnin', by any chance?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXEUZ2Edmg
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"That's a strange way to phrase it, but yes."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZTACDWWG3
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"How about ya get us out of this pit, then? I can't use earth magic, and I know sand ain't a good rung for climbing."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVwGJG5i13
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"Right. Getting out sounds good, yeah."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqGT5hh5rK
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I tried to stand on my legs, but I had difficulty. My legs were rocky, so I bent my foot harshly a few times before I could stand on my legs.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFwiGIVXpc
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Before I began any mana expulsion, I took a gander at the insect's corpse. Juke's description was proven to be accurate; the head was missing completely from the body, but a few strands of flesh and chitin were sticking out, making seem like it was haphazardly torn off the body. The sand had already covered the hole I made in the earth. The sight shook me, and I suddenly felt quite light-headed.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESieecBquz
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It was a hard prospect to entertain– that I, really, was that close to dying. I remember being told before that near-death experiences were indelible, and when I sifted through my memories, encountering the vomit of anxiety and despair, despite its briefness, I understood why. I was shuddering. I was truly shuddering, because, how couldn't I? How– how could–131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhD02amHG3
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"Gah, what's wrong with ya now?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGFyO1OXjy
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The strength in my legs was suddenly sapped, and I promptly fell on my butt. It knocked me out of my haze, but now I was smitten with a wave of exhaustion. Juke's irritated inquiry made me ask questions myself, and I blurted the answer instantly.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIcwmbTGyU
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"...I think that spell drained my mana."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwzLEcsHVT
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"Huh? It was just a rock, wasn't it?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPdGbdW6Vi
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"Yes, but I rushed the process; the spell was inefficient, and I'm paying the price for it now."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9toNxsBAEP
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"Ya gotta be kidding me..."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyPrRYJgq9
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Juke sighed and fell on his butt himself, clasping his helmet in one of his hands.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeV27sXNW0m
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"I'm sorry. I just–"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45T0PM3rqP
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"Nah, don't be. I could've become grub for a creepy-crawly if ya didn't blast its head off. But for goodness sake, how're we supposed to get outta here?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2EYAnxeUK
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I widened my eyes. His concern was, well, something that I adopted myself. If I had to gauge, my mana bank was empty. Before I could even make another pebble, I likely had to wait a few hours.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlr4DtvxSfp
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"I can use wind magic at Grade 5, but that's it. Ya got any bright ideas?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoatzRRFsfR
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"...N-No, I don't. I-I'm sorry, but this isn't a situation I've had to deal with before..."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAEJOLICW6
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He sighed again and looked to the sky. The clouds cast over the sun yet again, making the atmosphere even more gloomy. I stared at the ground. The shuddering from before returned, and my mind projected images and thoughts of the worst– how my body would've looked had I been caught, how it would've felt being crunched by the thing's teeth. Imagining it gave me goosebumps. I couldn't–131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNgt87nMQY
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"--W-Whaa?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OdX17GJ78
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Two hands were clasping my shoulders, one hand for each limb. I was stunned for a second but then looked at the cause of this sudden touching. Juke's eyes gazed into mine, and despite the darkness cast over them from his helmet, I could see them– they were a light brown.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZs9xZHztxH
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLkOtdnKaL
"Ya gotta relax, Kenny. I dunno what's wrong with ya, but yer strong, aren't ya? They don't give ya a bigshot nickname and look at ya with awe for nothin', right?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpOf0sY8dr
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUEL5eiE2Z
"W-Whaa?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHCYtPDwDp
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiVkHF7wcv
"Calm the hell down, that's what!"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNv5AqcvWJu
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGFVridLBo
He suddenly, and violently shook me, stopping only when I grasped his forearms with my hands. I felt dizzy and furious.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNOXDIUmvs
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAS33pESsNw
"What was that for!?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrA0PvEfziy
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzyHekUdpI
"I'm tired of seeing ya sulk. Get the hell up and start thinking of what to do– shit ain't just gonna solve itself. Yer alive, ain't ya?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIzlkMlxxg
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfQHND91om
"Y-Yes?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuy0cUObhPV
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIX0YNoj8t
"Good, now are ya gonna waste yer blessings and freeze like a dumbass, or are ya gonna get up and do something!?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKXp5xaekL
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31WIPdi9lY
"I–"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSl53l2gRS0
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA39faNVMe4
I cut my sentence short. I had no response. But there was merit to what he was saying. I found myself agreeing with it, though it took a moment.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZt6MgUxkcH
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdTWhG27xx
A weak smile found itself on my face. An image of my brother flashed in my mind.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4bEW6hoH8
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvEBOtYnDk
"You're right. Thank you."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvD3E67UzD
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVDeFxF0WU
"Thanking me ain't gonna get us outta here! Ya got any ideas? Any?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnMTEkBFzV
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2ZUBxJfLX
"Well, we could wait for my mana to return–"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0odTJUImq
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yRIZu9qsK
"Nah! I gotta take a piss, and I ain't gonna do it in front of a kid. Think of something else!"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEi5i3yU9Kz
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5DQ53ACyh
I was taken aback by the sudden vulgarity, but he undeniably prompted me to think faster and clearer. I didn't have mana, the sand was impossible to climb, and when I thought about it, the idea of Juke taking a leak anywhere near me was disturbing.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUkyo5O9aN
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzmxzst6zW
Therefore, I came up with a half-baked idea. I didn't know how effective it would be, but I tried regardless.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ug2klbOhv
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCpvORBw6s
I took my tendril out and stood up. I couldn't produce any flowers from the tip, meaning that I was entirely dry on mana. But, after a second of testing, I found out that I could still extend and retract it just fine.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOjJIQ5cg7
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOB8K9pw9fF
"Ah, yer weird wood thing! But how're ya gonna use it to get out?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKSbEkYdTn
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKJFHfdf0w
I shrugged.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnToTgDyGX
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0ZoIFBNCF
"I didn't think that far. I'm surprised I can even pull it out."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxarv1PJnI
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VZztxQWpR
"Eh? Why? Ain't all Endowments something independent of mana?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLu3Nxy6phY
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKSRu8BH1O
"...I don't think all of them are. After all, in some aspects, this one isn't."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILbpfllOBA
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQFyY9V2Kc
"That's crazy. I just learned something new from an underage brat. I'm ashamed of myself."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXh87TU6jH5
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHDclR3WUx
"Shut up."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryAo8Bao3A
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexrlvrFdWn
Looking around, there wasn't anything I could wrap the tendril around by the ledge of the pit. There was no way to use the tendril as a rope.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVTCOm1gxo
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqkhJodxVi
"...Wait, Juke, do you think you can climb my tendril?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQsbltiA5r
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtA9WGyCWd
"I'll give it a shot, but ain't it too short?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEP4y9eNTc
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXO5X0QTcX
I extended the tendril to its limit, which was just enough for it to stick out of the pit. Juke made a sound of surprise and amusement then gripped the tendril.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVSfUvinbk
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtnlZj9mig
"Even if I get up there, how are ya gonna get out?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIIVQ2GFJP
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyIo6m7LNs
"Uh... maybe pull me up? You look like a strong guy."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEr7gFI9PVZ
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FkwTy3tlo
"Pff, you've got the worst impression of me, I tell ya."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpk9Rw9j0hy
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNi2VweeD0x
Neglecting to specify that I was talking about his muscle, I just sat down and watched as Juke used the tendril to stabilize himself as he ascended the sand. Miraculously, and despite the few times he lost footing, he was able to make vertical distance. It was strenuous on my tendril, and admittedly painful, but I was able to maintain it for long enough for him to make it to the surface.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ilS7ydsEv
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6p4cFxjQcE
"Ha, holy shit, I'm out– ah, hell nah."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEaAAiWzQu
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RXq7A5u6B
"Huh? What's wrong?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgCt9AWzjG
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4Q9YJ77gk
Juke turned and looked down at me.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BR5iTMoZs
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xIeKxVGV4
"I got some bad news for ya, Kenny. The lizard ain't up here."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefyl3DvJT3
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRuVvWKDrR
Even my ears weren't ready for the volume.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtH34XGfyiC
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbx8dMgmGv
"WHAT!?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2i89C63SB
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHokQ8WPTE
–
–
–
Juke's muscle strength was surprisingly enough to get me out of the pit. When I reached the top, I looked around to confirm his words. Sure enough, the landscape was bereft of any lizards.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfO3Ws4uJh5
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lzjKaTZMu
I groaned and fell to my knees, more out of exhaustion than distress, but to my knees all the same. Not only did I have no mana, but now my progress in completing the mission regressed entirely. I thought of quitting. It was the only option that seemed to make sense to me at this point. All embarking on this quest did was–131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Wu07q64jz
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wovTosRFa
"Gack! What–"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBOQAccJ8W
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5ShTK21bW
"Come on, the thing couldn't have gone far. He was still frozen solid."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZO33vIc2n5
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LLpVtFLam
After slapping my back, he presented me with a good point.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrp9YxwHTLc
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMLFmrOnaz
"Remember: I'm here to help ya. It's all a weakling like me's good for, helping the strong."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOq3IpUgrW
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRtyCx1X0N
"...Huh? You, a weakling?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMEkHKLojo
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyG15eTw6bv
"Yep, ya heard me."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbPaKrQkRA
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLNfbE32lq
"Are you sure? I'm the one who's barely able to stand."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzZU9DjZra
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡay7KygCpTl
"Yer also the one who took out a Lion Ant with a single spell."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzrnLZuIau
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaKiVwjC8s
I didn't retort, more because it was pointless rather than me lacking one. I chuckled and got on my feet.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqytdQQpJw
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MBtTROXJS
"Alright, thank you. Let's move."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnOh3rqLjQ
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJ0m7H60J3
I followed him through the valley of sand and boulders. And, as if reality was following his predictions, the Bearded Draco took only a minute to find. The creature managed to climb into one of the rocks, clinging onto it like the floor was made of deadly poison. Juke and I were hiding behind a boulder, sparing glances at the beast.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyjoLIReMJ
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhIfuSoal5
"It's completely still."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFGumW8SP2
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyuT3Zd2Xb
"It must be tryna warm up. Poor bastard, it just ain't its day."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt86o5MATRP
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnTOXdrszW
The moment we moved away from the boulder, the beast would likely spot us and run, or worse, attack. My tendril wouldn't be able to reach it at this range, meaning that I've found myself in a deadlock.
"I can't do anything to it from here. What about you?"
"Do ya have faith in my accuracy?"
"How could I? I've never seen you use magic before."
"Ya really suck with words."
I gave him a deadpan frown.
"Alright, then don't miss."
"Ya really suck with words."
He took a step away from the boulder and raised his hand, beginning mana expulsion. A barely visible gust of wind was forming in front of him, and soon he turned it into an elongated vertical blade. Juke sent the blade soaring across the sky, and then–
**SMASH**
A cloud of dust burst from the boulder, obscuring the status of the lizard. Juke and I broke into a sprint. By the time we arrived at the rock, the dust had settled. The boulder had a giant dent in it, but the lizard was nowhere to be seen.
"Crap, it ran away!"
I huffed in frustration, scanning the boulder once again as if it would magically make the beast reappear. It didn't of course, but I did catch something unnatural; it was a red liquid, slowly dripping into the boulder's newfound crater.
"Juke, you injured the Draco! We can follow a blood trail now!"
I circled the boulder, finding more blood on the other side and even a missing limb. It was still writhing, which unnerved me a little, but I shook it away and followed the trail, Juke tailing me a few feet away. I caught a glimpse of the lizard between the boulders. The speed it was moving at was astounding, especially considering its missing appendage.
"This bastard's slimy!"
"Just keep chasing it! It will bleed out eventually!"
Though I didn't have the stamina nor the desire to chase it until that happened, it was a safety net that encouraged me to keep pushing. The trail of blood grew darker and thicker as time went on, meaning any second now, we would find–
"W-Woah!"
A stream of white water suddenly flew past my head, causing me to trip and fall on my butt.
"Haaa, what was that?"
Juke caught up with me, panting.
"That was the Draco's magic! Ya almost got yer head lopped off!"
"Did you have to word it that way!?"
I gave a curt reply and got back on my feet, successfully suppressing the swelling anxiety and breaking into chase again. Another stream of water came from my left, but I managed to duck right before it hit me.
"Wait, if it's from my left...!"
I sprinted in that direction. As expected, the Draco was but a dozen meters away. Once he noticed me, he turned in the other direction and swiftly limped away.
But I didn't let him make meaningful distance.
"Hah!"
I extended the tendril to its limits and slammed the lizard, pinning it down. I had trouble keeping it still with all its squirming; though it was getting noticeably weaker, the way it thrashed around caused me a great deal of pain.
"Juke!"
He ran right past me with his sword out, and as soon as he arrived near the lizard he stabbed at its neck, over and over. It was difficult to discern precisely what was happening from the angle I looked at, but in less than a minute, the lizard became stock still.
I sighed, retracting my tendril back into my chest, and fell onto the ground. Juke came back to me with his body and blade slathered in blood.
"Do ya mind washing me off?"
"I'm out of mana, remember?"
"Ack! I forgot."
Juke rubbed his helmet as if it was his head and sighed. I got back on my feet and walked toward the fallen Bearded Draco.
"..."
Its head had been cut off. The severed neck was periodically spewing out blood like a broken pump. The sheer amount left me dumbfounded, completely unable to move.
"What's wrong this time?"
"That's a lot of blood."
"Does it bother ya?"
"...And it doesn't for you?"
Juke simply shrugged.
"I see. I suppose it just brought back unpleasant memories."
I took out my tendril again, absentmindedly wrapping it around the body.
"You grab the head. Let's just transport this thing to the city."
Juke nodded and scooped the head into his arms, shaking it a few times to remove leaking blood.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuUWp4xakf
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwr4yVkL9R
–
–
–
"Ya know, ya don't look happy about completing yer mission."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTCQdVHYc2
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlYroOok4v
"...How do I look like, then?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyWCrpRDvZ
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORwQc2g4ds
"Tired for one, but also dreary. It ain't a pleasant look on a young face like yers."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqc5rAXNxu6
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBnlNZiqbl
"What– never mind. I am tired, and I suppose seeing the lizard in that state damaged my morale."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdUZ2l5evx
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1HeJovuEo
"Looks like a lot more than just damage to morale."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZ0lreCFrr
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQC5mnHD5H
"If you insist on making assumptions based on my face, you should at least have the courtesy to show your own."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJaOPd8f8U
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9xjaR109I
"Ha, the hell's that even supposed to mean?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9WV9qbiLo
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9K8y2Q7fC
"Why are you wearing that helmet, anyway? It's stained with blood, probably smells terrible, is clunky, and so many other inconvenient things."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUQe89bGne
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvuL3UMEvF
"That's cuz I have an Endowment of my own, and I can deal with clunkiness if the helmet's sturdy. This one is."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqxe9zuicT
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30PZzNWjPn
"An Endowment? What does it have to do with your helmet?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9hrYYwtYU
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltO2zNR0Dy
"Damage redirection. Ya know, I was planning on telling ya this in the future, but I guess the sooner the better."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaFTvCrim5
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gCS66YD3c
"What are you on about?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRk4Iu2dhaR
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3znQitw3J
"It's nothing. Ya holding up the lizard well?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBU1ru6I718
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88BPSzoXTj
"It's like I'm carrying an overweight backpack coated with tiny pricks. And then, there's my actual backpack."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gViMITkBd
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekf3stuseq
"I could lighten yer load if ya want."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5p3PkYdGWO
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWuKv14mZf
"Sure. Here, take my bag."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxrspPiY4q
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5oyqSWWL4
"But yer tendril– ah, I guess getting rid of it works."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbqKYRvuU7
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySx9Fg5GZZ
"Here."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZxDZIsXHu
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrb7Yd3xJ46
"I gotcha. Let's keep going. We're almost there."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECIn6hu1KW
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmv91YZdEUh
"Uh-huh."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xQgtfonaE
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41TwCOnUMF
"..."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcZKstPiuN
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycRbrNbTmN
"..."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzoPnSS3lM
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyhq0Z9cNV
"..."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWppzcr6qv
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZDl1aRYTJ
"...Hey, Juke, I have a question for you."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRj0CAPwLiK
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nelAYd8rB
"What?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42UkQkYBnu
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0dSBSut7f
"Did you really tail and help me because you wanted to 'gauge my ability?'"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3T20BPCWS
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXLZMGauz2
"--I didn't tell ya a lie. But I guess I didn't tell ya the whole truth either."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbajOgnemk0
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6nzXqAeXS
"What?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLRiH449PK
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nOpIQSPK3
"Yer gonna find out eventually. I can't wait to see yer face when ya do."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4RCv3VK3U
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0sRbRPfWO
"...What?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcyiJAt5Yk
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhiMVVXIfK
"Quit asking me what. Can't ya see where we are?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1ozfItpuj
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDk20tJxK23
I looked up in front of me. It was a big gate. It was the entrance to the place my whole being registered as my second home.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx147AjgtKJ
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUblpYrv0bx
"Huh... we made it."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmC5ZSXRD6
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTs3bQhmSJd
"So, did ya like the mission?" He asked, a hint of anticipation in his voice.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiaMWuumy3
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1G1AtUtkpx
"...It wasn't mollifying at all."
