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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTmlSrGAOF
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3cy5tTf87
Ng tilted his head. He started to look a little nervous, and also slightly annoyed. I wasn't talking much sense, was I?166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqW4qKgLYtI
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUp7WvqOzO1
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkUKAOd0YI
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHc6gDN8xvy
"That's not true at all–"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5pjNxDbQy
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv50F2PIwkC
"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..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61tB7q86uF
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5cnk6sYhK
I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jdbxdlWpB
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ctLI4FjZg
"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!?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12mlwbtqfH
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjy2WJvctTK
I fell to my knees.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1knvQMV8J
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6jK4SdiVs
"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..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZ43CfFePa
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKIGn03vYj
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuocmzBngQJ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhv26w12gIg
"...Kenny."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiveIsX5Qy
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqN1Clmi6m
"What!?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJZkY4IdGa
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUSU17T0k7
He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQExWaLMOk
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeQDAENCxV
"You're not lying to me, are you?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71hoU3YCU8
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2JOqKCJLG
The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLxoC7z3QQ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMy7lxwVFe6
"That was quite a performance, but all I'm hearing is that you're just going to leave your friend to die."
...166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJc8H81eSh
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYhzOfK6I1
I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQr7rZYuXF
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qadS9knnZ
I'm not... I'm not doing that, am I? What I'm doing, it's just to preserve what I have, right?166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9QgO3K3yO
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuNBXgI7Ia
"N-No..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTrWun2Ky6
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqESAkAgcV2
Oh, God.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeePPBylop
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOiQ3lxhGz
Oh, God.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8Du5Hgx5Y
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8JvDj7K1W
"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQ3kSegpfs
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHt93WYWwSY
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwKlaiK8I0
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxCpJX7zvl
But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SixrJMOo0
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgENBR6FUA
"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgb6KnjtIFP
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbPTPCp74s
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHQcZuoMNV
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6HAaxzIG9
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–166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43fzICvGyK
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHfTqdFg1u
"--Hrk!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFGn5OX997
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRe4S2Zt9Z
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaitDDKpSZO
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnzfr0F2cv
One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFDXzOkMnB
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiuecqvTX5
"There you are."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxADE9X4vo
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJGr6VcN61
Ng already found me, huh?166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVlNtAHTpj
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22AGW8NPqn
"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLXeG3N6UX
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUIqAczM6B
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–166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCntk1qIOoY
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcNpJY72KR
"...Fine."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguV3GuaYZe
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfHb9p7YCi
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpy7xH4pg80
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeff8kIcjPe
"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8WZrzWTPK
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgvFClbN62
Nevermind. What a strange question.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FsdLWYyZj
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXvWGE4eU0
"No. They died a long time ago."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JihCF4NUd
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMk8RwtE61V
"I see. You have my condolences."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPrHXm8VgU
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoof5nNL59
"I don't need them."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vP3NEYLyr
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A pause.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJdqrEpMNg
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmvXpiRvtB
"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtg7h2235z7
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwX6semOOO
"..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHAp23kpop
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZL1ubk2ZO
I stopped walking. Ng stopped shortly after. I don't know what it is that just happened, but a button of mine was pressed.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTfuBYD4TP
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8nud5VZFj
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOpKvOF5MJ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHe4GaR4AK
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCXwYwpST8
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"Did I–"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SKTkEu3Ac
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0B3F4sDYoj
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFgnnn7Fwc
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUMI3OaV5t
"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80K2obFc3x
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRxCQCC7qo
I had to make sure I heard him.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlXctDmeN1
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxhnRnsPSl
"Assistants?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeJZFwvNCp
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8qR6YrbJf
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTO2cWhwUJ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFs3OBHtGtF
"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEx1ISw29oW
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9azLD6oLBz
"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPueVweqNn
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPaZfqYxqX
"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpclhmx6v4c
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEnwcWoACi
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8nwvMLicS
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnE84871qL
Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8AGOu4fcW
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgXKF7E4AM
"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgv6plMXkNg
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGbDH17zzI
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiHknHCOVp
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjg3zV4bPTi
Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkU37HDNkY
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–
–
–
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1T2IMgZZ15
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJeeNETfgy
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqRpIc7dHW
"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh08C0WtLkH
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPJ7gt996U
"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZxvtvVnpQ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsXUsV4dPE
"Of course."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡza41l7n0Uj
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBhDClPAUS
"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBqdjOaotk
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4qqcn2DQK
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsctuxKdCBX
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSpSG8dYAF
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5DVGJNhdf
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJlDjg8GY9
But, no, something else was bugging me.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfX5lZSchE
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmHJzaFnzq
"How did you know where to find us here?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdIN8Mw9yY
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0DbEmlxcI
"I simply spent the day searching."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsP1zSeE9L
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWjQwBdEBH
"The whole day?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQvPV2nOQz
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglJbo9CaJN
He didn't respond to that. "Victoria's mother informed me of your whereabouts. This forest may be small, but it sure is dense."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokKrimtAnb
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUoyKJJSnN
Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWEHdYFci7
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMplM9ednv
"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5ExcFrVKB
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He sighed.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBGi3pUaBq
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKRWTsqQHQ
"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjBQAib9Rg
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAI84RD0uhv
"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxdZcgLlyG
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpN9xtWWjI
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuWZASdMBq
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuihe1JBXXQ
"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Gqm55Vuac
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"...Why do you ask?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxKOo1DbBj
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RXjh5kHUG
"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSugdpxavHp
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFug6Wt2fT5
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJxrSS5QRr
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AMsIypV8B
"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DzMTLe6Hl
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtgT7HILbo
"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAq0q9T8kjr
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xoM60jxCB
"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntgaIr6NOG
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYAxpP8DoD
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULVRp409VB
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpp3LVeds0
"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ME3DQFhjH
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPdJcbGQiq
"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQotraq8yx
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPyjKgprLb
He put a hand to his chin.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1bTPI6eTc
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sDsCPQr74
"...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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkq0gtXbUng
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQn3ZE1g4V
"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PuipshLZ9
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSVrrRRrXB
"No."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrCH2h2rfv
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIgj8HdBnF
"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80wY6eKFu0
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuRYo3WeLK
"Do you mean in the woods?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwq6EpEXxs
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDrsRQGqU8
"Yes. I'm just curious."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0DyYUA7DR
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOSi8MQ756
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGXNxnrQG8
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgMThaZj0j
I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡid1zcASlOF
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYavFljcrD
"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9nQKEvNyQ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBl6LmZpUQ
"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVsDM64GYZ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWRItjLtiD
"Me too."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCzqGSh0YA
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9EsqHqovd
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmezcok7KUD
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RdJ58gmwm
"Is that all you wanted to ask?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvn6JAD8v7r
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFPvDGLRAB
"Yes. For now, at least."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFTgUAqOdq
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58vOsPWImg
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneIC334GRF
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4yZDkCncA
"..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55ZCjk5cbJ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgD1xkc0FEq
It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtXYmCr03v
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5NMPp5c97
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xlsrdz4Dp
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78VISMXb5G
"...Huh?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCN3gD2LAF
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjEfUmdGyK
–
–
–
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaxcmLGIua
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVL7x83XsAp
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNzHxx3Uu3
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmesqgxGo6U
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVYDuj3Vuc
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zN86TAWJZ
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhIgmCriDj
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7uctzs9tr
"Good morning, Kenny."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJn6oqaSBX
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokZ1DW9TcD
"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LjKsPjs1C
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvUzNUHXnG
"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcGXuUaXbm
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjC3Y6PoO4
When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOaP85z94B
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkI8eszspUt
"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PbPFInXiv
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBugu9Ld1p
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdruhdhh2q3
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JIgKaMljN
"Yes! I have, ha!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmvG9pb0JQ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7HPsKXZNv
She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVwp6Jz4ec
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFVH9P85u8
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESUby4m7nS
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalR9THGrAh
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniIjSVuUVM
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiDIUx8s7d
"Thank you, teacher."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBN6hS5bKg8
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJJrD95vs0
"Yeah. Don't call me that."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMKPLxJaVp
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdqRBes4WR
"Okay."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNbP2oa4qN
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqT18p8Na5B
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARzho3ZGkz
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eWu6sf6OG
"Hm? What's wrong?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXQ0ZF8Smz
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaT1o1bbppK
"Um..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXxXlY8S5j
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgKco6AWTA
She let go of me and began taking off the coat.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mOPvPFZ40
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17amRtkFG0
"Here. Have it back."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorWqSVPYTh
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKp7b3DTjIC
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPoYe9rJyy
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyACpWvBwt3
She shook her head no.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0J5QRfRyq
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoii4b8LO6B
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4YsrQayhJ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFmoic9qae
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiITv6t7fJ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcwVbSkoyz
"Thank you, Flinty."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsD2YctsAp
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2FCuFxkNA
I grabbed the coat and put it back on.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCAdzTdezO
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mKdISZXZL
"Kenny, do you feel better?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTX695yenoB
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyy38YxVRm
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMqadHl9To
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCPVXRspJn
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVNgN57IY4
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVHfHNlCL6
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77dNqcfjtP
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDISTMTHWl
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bRr2GQTWR
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR13AQY4Wa1
"Good morning, Kenny."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo10mrM1fy2
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8V1DU1JFS3
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSo0ETInage
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEKGxZs0Ec
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWSFhbneAv
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliizraQC3B
"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2P5rBQMrP
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANZSn6zE4j
I scooted closer to him.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVxPFQF74l
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZVcILRvQB
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUP9ZZ2IA8
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstmoELzkSK
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqC02V2aSDS
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbfjltfgGn
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgVSJEyjJu
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpzFogW2X9
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10yj1s0F8a
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRh4RVR8UT
He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQbsVNS19L
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vWI47cTDq
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95mjslCeXW
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yE3bKuvtY
"What?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnYsfOwbRW
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOwUnHS8yK
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIBS45hA2n
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9RalJ9jlR
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4Qhh38LZE
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHxxNCG5H9
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2sbtfihID
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWK7BiCKttB
"R-Right."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlROipnxVEj
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFz80nvJY8
"Well then, shall we go?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yJaN8cOol
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjMPiyy9gP
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UAvomOIJu
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZ5j1slA6K
"Alright."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0yxr7iBzo
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBhTX7bMge
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCLxSUz3TN
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTbExBEDnk
"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpa25PzWmwa
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaujtxYohp
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dirfKFJfl
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1FxzWqs4e
"What?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInR4mLL4pt
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0A8lIaZgk4
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtC5LkQCCev
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFbCzDhxiO
"I know he will."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1QPEYhlSC
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoCI3jwGOQ
"Then why are you shaking?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlclW0Eychl
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzUiHS2J88
"...I just can't help myself."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTB5uMmTnNf
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJDKG10KaR
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzWuml6Coo
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbR4f4fVJnF
"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMik7F3o0Y
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESICiu9Wdh
"What do you want to talk about?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldLXnca7AF
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqy6j1x80R1
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24IuCJ7PY4
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXv55maBpg
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQd5ZJ1O4M
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxke9XwTon
"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxF1RzUB5yn
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡju5Vv0dDTu
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHsFFM5fdI
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNKxhmzTZC
"Ha!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eHWHz0GnI
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tU7tMPY9c
She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3wWI0EeyX
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCKIk24SuM
"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!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYfzYHkvbo
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRiW86AoEa
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKs8zABWEEJ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfES2jk52x
"Hehe, something like that."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tkTgKjq3C
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUaPZ0dTJG
She didn't sound confident.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBD7GbzXdbG
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGs1WhKKeDZ
"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ093iybmEmW
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHT53APX1yf
"Ah. That makes sense."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUD5UNMD1b
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QQBVBT12m
I was very close to saying something insensitive.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5lXc5LRiX
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvw4ddL6mpv
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnthDZnCqdZ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKh3dCcSNfb
"...Wolf?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzftsIJH1u
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLVII1CjPj
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADJFOuzh4v
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3oEsctYJp
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSaWExXFZS
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsq2CwwxcC
"Kenny?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6VDCtbIlr
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6j5TJyKZa
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkthkiu3obt
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡac2fSZwBS6
I stood up and walked forward.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsu4ZAayeJ9
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5q6PhQLos
"Kenny? What's wrong?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGluLxAA20i
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRfCj6BZRU
"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd67s7v1SFs
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1YwYUnbGF
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigUWJIq3PW
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7VohHNq3U
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvhedSzku7
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTwllIr5sf
And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdMLBM7AMz
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbn3FhSl8N
**BANG**166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjeEC748bu
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndLl0V4wFP
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAy71b9uvX
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfUi6lYWTW
"Victoria."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5HdenXQ36
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz292SfQoMj
"Right."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88uwh3Bixh
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zianiIRey
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgywBc35N2
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOu0AsX9AV4
**SMASH**166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGSur4sOaS
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsMrHGSuXW
There he was.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpx3HyJveO
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBV4Y97ncbT
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQZGB2xP3o
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bWuqEePW2
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMr4Lfxvl27
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0KHnPZGOX
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVerSCoLaYS
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwhivw9q2Y
"Right."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBNMVDzNVV
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSxS5UODlH
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6yiyynpha
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtG7q53LgN
"Thank you!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfbT5uTidx
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LnVzcJydz
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6fpBWkw8j
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBQfdfitDs
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRU9V5nIlMz
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJwA5B3X3S
"Huh?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhFNXThCIA
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Jt917DvKL
Not just that, he clamped down on it, shattering it instantly. The fire was proven to be ineffective as smoke casually escaped his mouth.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMvrqct8ZZ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡld0ub6dr0D
The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeq8fpKj0fW
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbraFCRM5l
"Shit!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmX9C6GjP7j
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtV6a0Z72l
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2O1zXEQCQv
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0D5Q4iZIqR
"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3hlKXElUO
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0GRIBjEzY
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzk1qD3dri
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZbOyq1tVT
"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7YzlB8TCu
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2t1bhuYPGx
"I understand."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2T1smDZ0n
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkex7WMXT0
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4IieHXI1s
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscKSHTLEvh
"Uh oh, Kenny."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrsl6lAz7O
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6w84MyAPe9
Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2f6U26s7J
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxonDbmYUZL
"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIalLsMx00Y
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopnN3hVDox
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGOuzpKGl7
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuqGP39W6D
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpR6QYUGa2
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYlkdRoOVK
"Hrk!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrrSaQZOhR
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QDi62FdbL
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQ2JoESD1F
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvxWqNjpRj
"Victoria! Close your eyes!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxRpeuy2S8
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdinHoIQMa
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Qy06hBML9
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIQ5w7kB6W
"Victoria!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPQ3iM2lid
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4YcVQR1Kv
"Right!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAWbpkEJ7D
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuPbvzgsR2
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1DN6MLpgy
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcU89E38Vj
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6X1EXvV7x3
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLddSWJ2LO
"GRAHHHH!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7t7LodbpS
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzT2Q9q2mn
A warcry. She was a total barbarian.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OGMbXJOx9
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYS13P45Obf
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jtutV8loE
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmDRr7TVaw
"..."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0StGrgvOl
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI90PoHGfPj
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gAoQTPJGA
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjaFEiRGVu
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1op0pYntE
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dvXvcx0ge
We did it. We really did it.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjjmBYXgbr
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqVhUnFyfd
"Kenny!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCddMDrrHty
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRMuLlrGKp
Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dp3YHzVdE
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1oAC1Czjk
"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuz6OYyqyK
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwqr8aVj8N
"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tMRIeloHI
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgXvWqje2A
She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYn2V8RrdaI
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQ3BCTRASr
"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4HyL9WvSx
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OLDZ6Lmmu
"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NWgkRWjrf
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexFC1bqtok
She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBh36Ag6e4
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNA2LkZijp
"We did it," I muttered.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheoEAwRDPO
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLKupAf5KF
I struggled to believe it. Not just because the wolf was taken down without much hassle, but because of how I was feeling.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWWSfoIroU
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcT0NwzCQb
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlK1J7HnfQ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nqNSAnQVo
I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhyjOahhBz
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SZw3bz9B1
"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7dV2BvlQ6
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpfpxO9Jz6
"...It could've been a lot worse."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03pPXGcTeo
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuqWCH61Su
"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gUmbHRj0d
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yypqwU812
Victoria looked at something above me.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2Ul6yFmfl
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFhYdEDqgN
"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSjQksNsJB
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJQpx2IWjL
Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGtFXu6ZRP
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSDuzcwpyL
"No. Why do you ask?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdT5DQnxiyZ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxu4g2BRjSa
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4qltaCHaV
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpq9ZwHKT8
"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHwn3e02sv
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltpCqgCHax
"O-Oh, sorry."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzpQZhJp1V
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPO2761YFm
She scratched her cheek a little.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkcskD8Kf6
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2s4iVCCNm
"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlP0Rw6JBu6
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ML5qX8b76
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtslBgSLRPb
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjeCposdlm
"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkPRpHQMx9
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sii97BQkX
"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ72txpbD4J
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOd1cHOi3d
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vwvRJZQTG
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qJPGKlMRY
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4VIPbvBg1
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bR0d6ErVE
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKteWbMzpWp
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZGKsE6h9p
"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFkRG11ryk
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFjsRY1LAR
"We fought something, Kenny and I."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3Mx6wDKxx
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBBte5nLci
She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQgDVGRW2c
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hRzMQPaJi
"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBzwuYLOdv
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2YePlJ2K8
"How is Kim?" I asked.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7JRexIHyx
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32mRfr5li6
"She's fine, just unconscious."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeD9pNIyMk
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDLndwWuJg
I could only say one thing.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWiwQTfTda
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32kGNdVZ6f
"...Haaaa. Thank God."
