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."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFlL9kqqC7
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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?204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqleXpYrit
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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."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHkkdmKd3l
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"That's not true at all–"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokmrie7Gv4
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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..."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikYhtjjqon
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I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtGsFjF6zJ
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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!?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6AHS0cT5P
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I fell to my knees.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3Z4VZWmVp
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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..."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDaIWR5K9B
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDF8XLYeyxq
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"...Kenny."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7RNK86iih
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"What!?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfi4NrIrVCn
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He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6ayxOjeTq
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"You're not lying to me, are you?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNetRlplqoQ
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The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Vn701CX2t
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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."
...204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLlZDGmNWL
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I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIc58CCJQT
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhs42gZTJYb
I'm not... I'm not doing that, am I? What I'm doing, it's just to preserve what I have, right?204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dWWvXx5tz
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"N-No..."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfRkt46qe6
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Oh, God.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWF5Zd1vLSg
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Oh, God.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnqRbvhwhy
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"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7MbjRdv2y
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStTcoNHrGq
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJc3zHx2Rv
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But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoeoiNjSCU
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"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeBPmuU4sJ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsSAWZhBaP
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJHASETJCG
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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–204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGAI2xBtkV
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"--Hrk!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtMASMwmB4
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDgX5YKpxH
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One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSV6mbuqwmO
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"There you are."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8NJamMP4x
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Ng already found me, huh?204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX74q3e2KX1
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"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ty4OF7laU
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ148eUc68y4
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–204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6J71zdGgA
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"...Fine."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9dFq88ksF
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmVidMHl6z
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"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ363THPtCNK
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Nevermind. What a strange question.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUddsQKTnH
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"No. They died a long time ago."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnYBOH2ngc
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"I see. You have my condolences."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KdmEdGcMp
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"I don't need them."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fs2WhhC3X
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A pause.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8Qd0aWHKE
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"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWbJI77NHr
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"..."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22O6nNth7M
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBvwlGkvgF
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSr0kWEb8j3
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WW0my7GS5
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"Did I–"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg54wqMv9kE
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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."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1LfcVV47l
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"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7gyDFnpmP
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I had to make sure I heard him.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cHAHl5RoU
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"Assistants?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9M3UX6EeY
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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."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vsG0idyEQ
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"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0RdBH0rFD
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"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAL3L1pUMew
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"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRyEalNueO
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rQ0q8GB9t
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Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbrdJGKJMp
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"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLG30OAe2L
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORJ2DrpYVn
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Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnv2wslLyzx
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCgF9dnNht
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"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7Jie2cYY9
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"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVP5Q2fnVwa
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"Of course."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCxeRwXeyv
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"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6V54yqLzqV
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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."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd91VZH3Rfd
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIgMX8dEDJ
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But, no, something else was bugging me.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPJroDqEWJ
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"How did you know where to find us here?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcpjBub7p3
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"I simply spent the day searching."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJx3lm0rhCA
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"The whole day?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQucj6l3Ne
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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."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxRtJUlHFF
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Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XPS1OuJKn
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"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbC7XUaeaBq
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He sighed.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhG5koN7W3
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"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiHZkqWQkg
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"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGpLGdxFGl
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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."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2B1EZWYn3
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"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXWkCh16Wy
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"...Why do you ask?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWYCQj957p
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVfly8JKvo
"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cirf8p4TC
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUL65R8v1YH
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRa9HEHNfsV
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7cIcCg9XG
"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowJ4tJJHhq
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZr4fZg4Uai
"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrvjqibTFf
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDwFNWJcNy
"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTCwGiGsVK
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhMn3ux7Lr
"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."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0J9RMMnYD4
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vSKPlLy7x
"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jPY5PomAh
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8fQznsMI4
"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3TfYQ90mT
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYIQlkkuP9
He put a hand to his chin.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFNqfAdtKM
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYnPoxvvke
"...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."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseqB5WjopV
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsPsyGVv6B
"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPF6Rj3q3JY
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCGwTHNYcb
"No."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiPONCIy16
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0b60oBtTuX
"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngEmy4lXAG
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmROhnAivp
"Do you mean in the woods?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjoaX4spK8
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65TuEWcsyH
"Yes. I'm just curious."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2xHUAsnXV
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfU4gPORADU
"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."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4NCChS9F7
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGJpyHovxp
I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEu9qCqO9g
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoe4BpBbA0
"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyopzsQt9h
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMOGaoqcjT
"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykBqBUl4Wb
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHXxUib8IN
"Me too."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iMmtfEDDA
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNQkpCcMzY
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0u3iGM7M1
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZmmiWGDbC
"Is that all you wanted to ask?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtEPamRNfp
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ680hly4Agy
"Yes. For now, at least."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmAAUl3HP5
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNfUoqVKCA
"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."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYT1C83Qho
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBLjjD8t4b
"..."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WmI6a2Z6U
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbNI9qFHJV
It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLs4b1Xm46Q
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBEQnn4igO
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKfRw9rSi1
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdyp5Tg4GE
"...Huh?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuTJU3sMA3
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0w9WQ3ezr
–
–
–
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxpyCKh3em
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQ5VR2CkUt
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdkZmjHcSd
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswJ5NMOaKA
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡru3hP7OwTx
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjBtUiCILx
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkBkmYbQcA
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHvvExWCD0
"Good morning, Kenny."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMDOU0Zfqi
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseH4cL9aFA
"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DJJxVHiA6
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzqCmpSCSU
"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFUrnM49cx
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSakimMOWD
When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzEcteowpB
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnc0IT03ga
"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7ZsndTBuk
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YiiY6VfCC
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtZXK4onPt
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbxyAOvBsH
"Yes! I have, ha!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3tRzlKV1U
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRn6kI8QDp7
She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJpowSwM1u
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9DDK7oYqw
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aLG0iDbmO
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LFx8tYSif
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡik7fifwid3
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOaf91RGe9
"Thank you, teacher."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYbngU3far
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizX6MHMdjn
"Yeah. Don't call me that."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBFDG6ryzC
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEu4SZMjmQc
"Okay."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyQCV6lZNl
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HOhFv8C8P
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJ4AnF96td
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPQtSy6UwS
"Hm? What's wrong?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCghgaVmeZh
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yq8nK0BEL
"Um..."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXW1DpaPj05
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwBb4LY80e
She let go of me and began taking off the coat.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOhTjDWa3Q
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQrqPwdPzm
"Here. Have it back."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIacU7QXyYD
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LRBkhdeBV
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSq80ufz7n
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpBJ79pL0C
She shook her head no.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfQZ2uGWtW
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GW6787woI
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEof9g1ez1
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgT9anYrlh
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFDyiNP7Zl
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR390SGOq2F
"Thank you, Flinty."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3QeknNCS7
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIOARGpNnf
I grabbed the coat and put it back on.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMsANACR5C
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cbvIfvfgI
"Kenny, do you feel better?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4UQ2GgGQV
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCguJa0py2L
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIfcnMBqAf
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJRlXX4Eqr
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXGK08mgop
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1VSYY0mwe
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahdmZvKOVy
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFfOnJ0ZyK
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwLbZ3AGxG
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQATciXg01
"Good morning, Kenny."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡino2eVu1s6
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDdfBkdnv7
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmtdn8SR4l
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUrxnvJvr1
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJ1adoDgDk
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwT5RQPpcb
"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuR4wiKQgM
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZbdzETkGr
I scooted closer to him.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUvkCxGgIg
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBG5dKO6mWd
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6n5tDrZYef
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjzXz0JGbL
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eQn4tZK7m
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYS5eAqA8vz
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEq6kJdrwG
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsCDzG72Md
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Y4rKTWWmn
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTniU5BMrwK
He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg44dh20hyQ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdG7KD4Rb9
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdd8lDjRuI
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4DO9AqsIn
"What?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Bnvw1znwD
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxXm8vRjuo
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhckzut1DXw
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cFdOIGppB
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkBTx7SQ7k
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDyqQMYjb9
"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."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RSsrxG1Io
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSX5kY9pV5H
"R-Right."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI97RdZwYRD
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4DmOibcfL
"Well then, shall we go?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNVM23ibES
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXi1sYZ6Kcf
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ocNpVz3xp
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzejvK2O3J
"Alright."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrQp98kwft
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rJDX3kYz3
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUteBUzSS1h
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3IKIS8BHN
"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Uyg6uSGvl
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPpMUAxU8G
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlIge6Xs5L
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTr8l3T9ch
"What?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9mnrAdoun
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhpQOyxcaX
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYWIMNz88q
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFj4LpQRVXi
"I know he will."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pZu0O5utR
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGzmYMu42S
"Then why are you shaking?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk91GRmaVql
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLwA1IkO5x
"...I just can't help myself."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡno4BfZABPF
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrt03Uw55zz
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWi8J90UJSg
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iHroLNeAH
"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnSNmFFMl7
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zbE7eK5td
"What do you want to talk about?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWmTwpOWoO
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6RylVQi8D
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPAMV9hRAx
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrnFlidgCT
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlP1F7r9oT
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Y68SGjbo7
"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5x4ma8z7Nz
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjuyO4paUq
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK24pmh0gIp
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbq8LZtlF5
"Ha!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qocaB2Kos
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoADbFo2stL
She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbB4OebYVoE
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjWjzMRJpP
"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!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOV0RUTlQrm
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOcl8HwOkl
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuO4c8iwlcV
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJjrPA4jhe
"Hehe, something like that."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRgxDJOAbH
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoAo58sO2f
She didn't sound confident.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡys0Ic66QRN
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AvZpOgGVp
"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ359mVlgXGi
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqifZHn579c
"Ah. That makes sense."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhPze0T1xy
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbBAAonz8y
I was very close to saying something insensitive.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrzI8Y3u4m
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAf8qiNogE
"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."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSeQCIe3kX
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iXZvvWCjb
"...Wolf?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk85xQIUsRY
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoArrQYsCy
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKws7wdcYA
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMe2kH5QP8
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ169azfjmrc
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjIpSqX5XU
"Kenny?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOZVtIPXCd
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrzQXARNNZ
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ubnQiV9dz
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I stood up and walked forward.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqpi2Oraj4
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"Kenny? What's wrong?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94MLhGZFUt
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"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7I3JPPqn4N
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSBQRZWiJB
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrvJIARtSS
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRGfsonT2D
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeI1VS44Q3x
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And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2trBywwCQ
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**BANG**204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtY6QdwjlQd
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5h8CJx4da
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"Victoria."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQD2IsQj08
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"Right."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVODS0MHmK
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonFLkItofJ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHWhXPiMqa
**SMASH**204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbxxeDbDmm
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There he was.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPKFsk4Ukq
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFg28K8l8bu
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rc890Ggmb
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjqMzk1eyC
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwJRs4eZdL
"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."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy82OBjkQ9h
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"Right."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjABboVzkq1
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJei1Wa4KW
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMjaxY0JMS
"Thank you!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HeE9VspWQ
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BiiZAKTs7
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaI6nCx9zsj
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqerb1sPcvn
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"Huh?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtG8qqUls3
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZLFpTsFCC
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBy1731HSku
The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmihhDdQN1
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"Shit!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhqPyX3Qd7
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ReYKwuTTS
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvb6yLr27r
"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNygKbAoTHR
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItHOPLPAEm
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMXQZ2Ds36
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFhgpkhKD3
"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0SbzsjYX2
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"I understand."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmrpFFonmv
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCo6ZMrm2GR
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSz6PJmKdjh
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"Uh oh, Kenny."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CvnlA8jsd
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Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzGvOtr5yK
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"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5O32xkOS4m
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08teT3UEcC
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1PQAfAWS9
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCrIbntShy
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfIXGJCvVS
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVPKGoX8kO
"Hrk!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kCL7JiRRs
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18A2ZTfvYW
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"Victoria! Close your eyes!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAJRYaSmfR
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkT3CzkdKF
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6yLynurfM
"Victoria!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEb46rBTyKC
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRv3KO9L3jn
"Right!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKMLcXHZ6s
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenqBZJhM9a
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZttpywZlV
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLGkfyYBfO
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9rVWYdXwJ
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"GRAHHHH!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB489OhDdmf
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A warcry. She was a total barbarian.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsThdSwdvh
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uCdpkzNEz
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"..."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcubODlnnuF
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirB8meXefQ
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNNm9eAziH
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We did it. We really did it.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cahsAfn1c
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"Kenny!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6rNDh5Ooc
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Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJ5rHRvcnu
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEuWlmopi4
"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8bn513mMJ
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"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyh2Pg02W93
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEod7Psc2w
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"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2w6pb3BYx
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"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXrr8SUvsv
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsaZIeIsxa
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"We did it," I muttered.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHh6AuO8Y2
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbVeI3nUQq
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfoO7R58oB
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I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ721RhEiO8
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"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNketoDxgB
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"...It could've been a lot worse."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmC973DFh0F
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"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCo2Wf7FYM
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Victoria looked at something above me.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6JZBo7GAt
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"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YV5hC5e1O
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Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlynAw2i5oo
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"No. Why do you ask?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6da3x06Hxf
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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."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qT6HH9GMS
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgF5OlZZ54
"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8brCi387bg
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"O-Oh, sorry."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApU4HHyNUl
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She scratched her cheek a little.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTyYsrMknz
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"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqg9I2xjiY
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6ma9NPdh7
"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."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1a33S5CWCv
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40DVCwNqQs
"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1hV1QwKFP
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eLUGctoA7
"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAVSvdsHHb
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVUFTcx7pw
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwdEp57OAB
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRMjlHmp85
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwGemPYpKe
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0RjcEXh4S
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"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CH530hFJl
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"We fought something, Kenny and I."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8qPcKcith
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She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjgIZVLQCl
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"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMb5qoUspvk
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEhnPlRTwA
"How is Kim?" I asked.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgilblLDBwW
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"She's fine, just unconscious."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XlOmr4EPd
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I could only say one thing.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJTmSkcUt5
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"...Haaaa. Thank God."
