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."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0JINYWvFI
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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?123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxIXLAD54j
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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."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUQAWKRbqM
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"That's not true at all–"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyLMJddRT4
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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..."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1JjljMIER
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I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKEQuUNWGR
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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!?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69ELtd89Ih
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I fell to my knees.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOleAaQYUE
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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..."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMnzG4lQ0x
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBN68PxaOkd
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"...Kenny."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbg2G32O5PH
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"What!?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXh5AkBMEUP
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He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoo2UtXtHk
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"You're not lying to me, are you?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCKIJvzXb7
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The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkwoaBa3uD
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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."
...123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEskA3BcOgf
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I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kPAYvRUQf
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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?123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAnisfkjwR
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"N-No..."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3Lxoqj3rj
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Oh, God.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiS26Jplmcc
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Oh, God.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPoyfmemmr
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"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzniDe3dXqc
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHifULYv4FI
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But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdA7OMAovm
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"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzFoKBQK0C
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4jwNIVbDy
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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–123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmV4eaPA8x
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"--Hrk!"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmlZ7DASvj
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zuKAUHtIA
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One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AOZKEpPBF
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"There you are."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXZTJ3mv8m
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Ng already found me, huh?123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsVi1XzVEr
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"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj29UktvsYQ
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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–123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSISCkxIRs
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"...Fine."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmSdW9zOd0
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FpeVwNrTx
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"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7Yjb6Co1F
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Nevermind. What a strange question.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYWxAF73gR
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"No. They died a long time ago."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjD3dfce2vQ
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"I see. You have my condolences."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMCMfubeqJ
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"I don't need them."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKswDsPbCLy
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A pause.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvWgkrX8q6
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"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJohmmjf04
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"..."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqvJR3o6hs
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7U3weT0HQc
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3r5clYSs4
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzr3PtWhsY2
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"Did I–"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3Ar7pSEAK
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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."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSh4B0WiOj
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"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWAtwXFBOx
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I had to make sure I heard him.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPq1YlTlrvS
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"Assistants?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCLb8yRmWN
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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."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUJODlWoOE
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"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzsgZoXGhw
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"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJbPMLTnLl
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"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPyxk7IOHI
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47FWznXwzK
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Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXIrI7KvTt
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"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7HQhM7iiO
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7gV00ZFEw
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Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzVeVcVsV6
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4qaPXZucQ
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"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡons2Hc4eN0
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"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBO6yoQOHB
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"Of course."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgp326qisCS
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"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlJRo5tXYH
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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."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6V3fuNK8ch
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAf9JADcs46
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But, no, something else was bugging me.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdTDBRd9Nn
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"How did you know where to find us here?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpGfWdut3i
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"I simply spent the day searching."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvWsBvAt27
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"The whole day?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0WayL8G7c
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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."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrr64ED8sNw
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Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqWxqKGLUk
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"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjyssDAKnc
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He sighed.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJjQU0bfhZ
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"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DsNMAWmHm
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"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkjM9sI3si
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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."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSxI9t1V5a
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"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8ye1iK94F
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"...Why do you ask?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2TYkvK5Cd
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"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltw3b1iqTq
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLrdfwFPBV
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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hJ0gKFfqU
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"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMqTt4cNYV
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"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkx4UxueNNP
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AAIHLvqiS
"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKsxKlK0VA
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"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."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhv54CqeXK
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"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagn1HQUaog
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"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzswoJIOEGP
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He put a hand to his chin.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgh2nsxAHep
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"...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."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxYFeE2Hlx
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4Jfwaibio
"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuL60Y0qLyG
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswrmPYxhWt
"No."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLCSZ7oDpF
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"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGQK54jSKP
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"Do you mean in the woods?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NKCo1fSMy
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"Yes. I'm just curious."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8Bi57H052
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"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."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepP2XOwUZd
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9UrMsERbT
I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujSZnVm3Jk
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDoXYnn81g
"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajsiZw23wg
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40fVrsk8H9
"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNS4m6m3W6
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHpb97bQy8
"Me too."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmGxDbnIa2
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pfU5TUvsW
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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjBam8rA3L
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"Is that all you wanted to ask?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyDRc6EyU3
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpPPfJssHp
"Yes. For now, at least."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgV3tyZN4g
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6ge19TDpE
"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."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQz7UdTAr0S
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡef6qX8Luqr
"..."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMu2KYXUeM
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It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9pXkxex1B
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OuxvCj4N3
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUfGiqRXA0
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSa7VmtcnTm
"...Huh?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEtM9yZBoY
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–
–
–
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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKAAmqv3DY
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcF9JBIWcx
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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjbTDKzitz
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYguhQ40HrS
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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBiJUWS7j4
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgb62fttiZO
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQq5fGhQi2
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgr7amPitki
"Good morning, Kenny."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8winN0wHb
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"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpc7PBdZADj
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"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7ShtVjfTg
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNwcKkPu2G
When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoENeAhjegx
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"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucpgCSKDuN
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAVhhqsefb
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmEX5Y2hG4
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"Yes! I have, ha!"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzf2j94JKpD
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She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVzk7iuKIW
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaaRxeMd04
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DrjxH9k70
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2S31IYRoWD
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETA9k6npyR
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DWnbxUBZE
"Thank you, teacher."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjccLGJyRv
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"Yeah. Don't call me that."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoADXn3Eij
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"Okay."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEU2HNoSNr
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ATudFLp42
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDuhRo6qPc
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0mT0eGmnH
"Hm? What's wrong?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAMI9zM10g
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"Um..."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrTMqCY3Ce
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She let go of me and began taking off the coat.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXMxxSRw93
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"Here. Have it back."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9HabgXAcq
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWpNqy7FOK
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4rZaowl51
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobCSJi003s
She shook her head no.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpY8DiHHf5d
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzEsr1qt5C
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgC1B0kNg2b
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2KdfkBQou
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXPc0kABso
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHnNBTo1gA
"Thank you, Flinty."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BxrYVe8SB
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I grabbed the coat and put it back on.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ARf6gpg7a
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZvIoEtgJn
"Kenny, do you feel better?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbWbCco82m
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IN66tr9k7
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqybhy6wuu
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GmwPjYY1d
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFJSR9TkG7
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtTa3r5BIU
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4eRbFALzJ
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFUFiScuJ7
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNfkM8QHNq
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHIyp0Fi4h
"Good morning, Kenny."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZhr8NSYSP
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMHdQEfgBt
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnP2ZXZrgN7
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3HHy17FYB
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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLX5yMS8kG
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"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeepBi9Wom
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I scooted closer to him.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAJrjIeF9l
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"Hmm? Is something the matter?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRigIPLM9D
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFp6XblV3S
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhfKiGEVe9
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78oet5uiw5
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskl6aulH9s
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrtOKroKHt
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1cLh6AwDc
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He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBM7q3VOmM
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7bRLErplQ
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNj3UorMK3
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"What?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2kAQmCnk2
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqcN54Ebfh
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TkDI4FmL8
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjU6DT3Ivh
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnThwcXqwIm
"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."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIT3TDk98A
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZK22bB8ykL
"R-Right."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLCCDEdc1A
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"Well then, shall we go?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMARJRDf6Iw
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFKJI7rmTG
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJm3T8gYf7G
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"Alright."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SeaRPxL5T
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYJXFCSI3t
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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToG7TKFbsC
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"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmQ1N5C0QP
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDHRs27g38
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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡde4IPiDOeT
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW69FUJnzPG
"What?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyDEeDVBO4
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7VHSfoaM8
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPtkNrpVug
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83jQD6XdgV
"I know he will."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9Z9yWPPzQ
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKNCPUgXRf
"Then why are you shaking?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RTE8aPEl5
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5765d7Cl3Y
"...I just can't help myself."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPCWu6ziVv
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG02WvNi54E
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"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00q8KBNXNJ
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"What do you want to talk about?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlzNMrhUEI
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXtsTun5lx
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzbfsOfBq5
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xig1Hwon1
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYr24EwF2I
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"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJxmzTwMwf
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuh5wtlMKK
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDII6p7gOUP
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"Ha!"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKIBdVTskm
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She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvGacSNWF4
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHV8ZsdmcfX
"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!"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23NuVCDj1z
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBddQZZEjAt
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaB93hK4m7b
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAr93TwEm7
"Hehe, something like that."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2jVlAYECu
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR35s0u2SLY
She didn't sound confident.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RqDEi4RiC
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"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VLx5tUgaZ
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqn6C2rwLua
"Ah. That makes sense."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwt9xKd3q4
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I was very close to saying something insensitive.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLfl4zCFrZ
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"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."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakQAemc5A9
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfb0VHffHa
"...Wolf?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwfARCeIdr
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRdadHDxP9
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dY0f3yipA
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUO8NpOVrn
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVo9l9DAua
"Kenny?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVXhub54g5
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1FS3i1vCN
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I stood up and walked forward.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9Zatlwy1v
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"Kenny? What's wrong?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSt52epDxXi
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"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJ5A1cXZvh
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqcAV2A5XN
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXQUs2AokE
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And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2cRXmF8sH
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**BANG**123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzs6AykfFf
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6e75qhZgaL
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"Victoria."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVvQXLUZJ5
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"Right."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJaBmaGIi7
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3muMtzYcH
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**SMASH**123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWNPWCvOso
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There he was.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWy6gvqTsA
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKqZgByhP3
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHEIEfePSP
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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KBpmIBU3l
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"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."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBJ09KiUX1
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"Right."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yj7k6w3ZG
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OXO2imos9
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"Thank you!"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAkilhPKpL
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafMZy8prMh
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDqxQCCa12
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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYVFDoHLQH
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"Huh?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbbrgRiM7G
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Not just that, he clamped down on it, shattering it instantly. The fire was proven to be ineffective as smoke casually escaped his mouth.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfYSq1NX9S
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The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRy8pp2jxf
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"Shit!"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzCqloVg6I
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1LLd3uo5k
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"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhzPuOQWmy
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7RwcOsgEb
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"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCC3ZUAW1q
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"I understand."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNcYTFwX3J
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMEKFsC06Z
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"Uh oh, Kenny."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDkzkhKDRm
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Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxJgnxxisP
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"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLKTpeqGE5
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvX76m8wkfH
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhj2TuhFo1M
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"Hrk!"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9D3AOOodGk
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAOsdY5sf5
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"Victoria! Close your eyes!"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2VUMDqAEa
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIlB8KHoMT
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"Victoria!"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpH82zI3dfu
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBDPfOv2p7
"Right!"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiuhnxkzxx
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIDh4D9qTO
123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobC1AIpu49
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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKt1gOO5Jbb
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"GRAHHHH!"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLrduo8PBT
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A warcry. She was a total barbarian.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfB1zEGS0S9
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbVuI2ZzLC
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"..."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfv9QjOAlGf
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyl7m9E4XD
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIdzYDPP2C
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We did it. We really did it.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcJuNK87TL
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"Kenny!"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMPyUlpdHm
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Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79e31I7NnR
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"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaxPE6ngK5
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"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9XonEYzXF
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She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzivJJ8nhX
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"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUD3cyO0fS
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"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVgURQuuXL
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She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDji9L6Ql2s
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"We did it," I muttered.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHubqZJGiK
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I struggled to believe it. Not just because the wolf was taken down without much hassle, but because of how I was feeling.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bL2CKbubc
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5IyWSA9Ro
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I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nWbniK2tb
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"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUNK88NXPU
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"...It could've been a lot worse."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxq2FblHEC3
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"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEnA4CCOBR
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Victoria looked at something above me.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9ZJ4DHfRS
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"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOByTk2ZZ4C
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Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrN7dClhOi
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"No. Why do you ask?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHSzk11sTZ
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"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."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOA4rmkUnPe
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"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEOHNobATx
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"O-Oh, sorry."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CgALp3K9M
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She scratched her cheek a little.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgOKBDNKGr
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"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6PWH0aYfV
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"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."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZxHlRJZZT
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"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEHwwLymlS
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"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhc6rXamNOJ
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBEMRJdE7Y
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTdq3mT7PW
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWG2yvf5dAx
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"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2I9HEf71UU
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"We fought something, Kenny and I."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vvqD79tRU
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She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKxyCmiCTU
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"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsH0scIOCtN
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"How is Kim?" I asked.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyrcy16I1a
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"She's fine, just unconscious."123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1EgZz61Vs
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I could only say one thing.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Y3VHrEaVz
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"...Haaaa. Thank God."
