The morning light was bashful, not even piercing through the tiny gaps in the blinds. I yawned and got out of my bed. I peered through the window; it was a cloudy day.
"Huh... maybe it'll rain."
I began my morning routine, washing myself and brushing my teeth before putting on a fresh set of clothes. Considering the conditions outside, it was a better time than ever to put on my jacket. Though, I would've put it on regardless of the weather.
I grabbed my keys and left my apartment room. Breakfast was going to start soon, and I wanted to make sure I had the best food from the get-go. I already made it into the dining hall and was the only one there.
"Good morning, Kenny," one of the lunch ladies called.
"Good morning. Are there any eggs on the menu?"
"Sure are."
"I'll have those, then."
I received my meal for the morning and sat by a table. The residents slowly made their way into the kitchen. I made sure to sit in a faraway corner. Not because I wanted to avoid a conversation, per se, but because I had a lot on my mind.
"...Transporting a letter, huh?"
Mulling over it last night made sleep difficult, but I had a much clearer consciousness now. I was anxious about the operation, to say the least. Not so much because it was important, but because of what failure would entail.
"..."
N-Nevermind, it probably wouldn't be so bad, would it? Still, though, I haven't had to do a mission where I needed to travel to a different city, and this is the first mission that I've ever had to cooperate on.
"These nerves are killing me."
Mission this, mission that. I ruminated over it for so long that my food grew cold. I ate it quickly then left the cafeteria and the apartment complex.
"...Alright, let's do that."
I figured that doing a warm-up mission would ease my nerves, so I traversed to the combatant's guild, trying not to heed any of the looks I was getting. Arriving at the guild, I pushed the doors open. It was a bustling place at this hour so nobody's eyes were on me, fortunately. I walked up to the job board, looking for something challenging, but short.
"W-Woah, is that Bison Frost?"
"I think it is! Watch out, don't make him mad."
Ignoring the other combatants scouting the board, I kept reading the pinned papers. My eyes stopped moving on the one right before me.
"This is perfect."
I tore it off and jogged to the receptionist's desk. It was the same woman as always, wearing a different, more modest outfit.
"Ah, good morning Kenny. Or, 'Bison Frost', as they say."
My face morphed into a deep frown.
"I'm just teasing ya. So, you've got a job you wanna do?"
"Yes."
I handed the paper and my license over to her. She went through some papers and stamped the request and put a sticker on my license, handing it back to me.
"Take care, and go easy on them."
"Of course. Have a good day."
I waved her goodbye and grabbed my stored supplies from the combatant's locker room, quickly leaving the guild after acquiring my things.
–
–
–
If my memory serves me well, this marked the fifteenth time I've left the capital. I was in the vast badlands, still able to see the city of course, but in a harsh environment nonetheless.
This particular section of the badlands was as sandy as they were rocky. Traversing it was a pain, but due to how cloudy it was today, I could take solace in the fact that the sun wasn't around.
Large boulders were sprawled around the field, making seeing from a distance nigh impossible. What was surprising though were the few bits of greenery sticking out of the rocks. I didn't know what kind of plants they were, and frankly, calling it greenery was disingenuous, but it was plant life nonetheless.
"So... what am I looking for again?"
I pulled out my combatant's license. A short description of the job was in a box to the side. It was a feature of the license; the words in the box would magically change depending on the job an combatant took. I had no idea how this was possible, but I chose not to question it.
The description was simple: "Return a Bearded Draco, dead or alive." I was informed that these Bearded Dracos rested in the sandier areas of the badlands. They must've been quite rare, though, because I've yet to see or hear one of them moving around.
"Then again, these rocks are obstructing me."
I sighed. Regret for accepting this mission began to seepl but I quickly dispelled it with a firm shake of my head. It was bound to be annoying, but the day was still fresh, so I was sure I would find one of these things before long. Before resolving myself, I sat beside one of the boulders, taking a sip from my gourd.
"...I should've changed my clothes. This outfit is terrible for the desert."
I hung the gourd back on my backpack and sighed. It was too late now of course, but complaining eased my mind a little.
"Ya got a good point there, kid. I ain't ever seen someone wear autumn clothes out here."
"Huh?"
I jumped and on my feet, facing the holder of the sudden voice that spoke to me. On top of the boulder I was against was a man with a grungy bucket helmet, completely obstructing his face aside from the wide slint for his eyes to see through. The few tiny holes at the lower half made his voice not as muffled as one would expect. Also, I mentioned that he was on top of it, but really, he was in the process of climbing the boulder. It was an obvious and awkward struggle.
"Hah, damn, I'm gettin' old. Can't climb these things like I used to..."
Now that his whole body was in view, I found myself more confused than alarmed. He had gray sweatpants on and seemed shirtless at first, but his shirt was tied around his neck like a mock cape, a knot being formed from the lengthy sleeves. He also had a blade attached to his hip, and it came with a complimentary belt.
"...Who are you?"
"'That's what I'd like to ask,' Is what I would've said, but yer face and name became pretty well-known 'round the capital. Bison Frost, they call ya, eh?"
I scowled. He clicked his tongue and 'ooo'd.
"I take it ya don't like that name? My fault, my fault."
"Seriously, who are you?"
"Right right. The name's Juke. Honor to meet ya."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymkdTalPbq
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtsz77d7Dx
"Just Juke, huh..."
The man jumped off the rock and landed in front of me, offering a hand. I stared at it with prudence. His demeanor might've been amiable and disarming, but appearing out of the blue still made him suspicious.
"You're taking a long time. Is the heat getting to ya? That's what you get for wearing a jacket, I guess."
"No, it's not the heat. If I may ask, why are you here?"
Juke tilted his head.
"Huh? I'm here on a mission. I was gonna ask ya that too, actually, but greetings usually come first. Yer a weird one, breaking the order of things."
"I'm strange? You're using a shirt as a cape and have a lone helmet on your head! What's even the point of that?"
"Now yer just asking too many questions. I told ya my reason for being here, so what's yers? And yer name, too, don't forget that."
I sighed. I failed to mention that his behavior above all else was strange, but it would be pointless to say it now. So I just took his hand and shook it.
"Call me Kenny. I'm here to hunt a Bearded Draco."
"Woah, that's why I'm here too! Ain't that a crazy coincidence?"
He said it in a saccharine jovial tone. I'd be a fool not to see the sarcasm. It made me feel more at ease.
Still, I had to ask–
"Were you stalking me?"
"Nah. What kind of creep would I be, stalking kids?"
"You already look plenty creepy; I wouldn't put it past you."
"Yikes, ya got bite. Fine, ya caught me– but I was just following ya, not stalking, alright?"
"So, what are you doing here? Surely it's not because you're just bored, is it?"
"...Boredom's part of it. But this time, I'm just curios."
"Curiosity? You want to 'gauge my abilities' or something?"
"Yeah."
"That's a bad omen."
I sighed and rubbed my hair. I wasn't the superstitious type, so it wasn't as if I was going to run back home, but I couldn't help but frown.
This stupid nickname and status have been causing me nothing but trouble.
"I'll help ya find the big lizard. I imagine yer not used to the badlands. The jacket gave it away."
"Can you stop focusing on the jacket? This isn't my first excursion out of the city, for the record."
"Yer calling these things excursions? Yer crazy weird."
I could feel my eyes twitch.
"You say you want to help me, right? Well, scram! I like working solo, and I have no patience for your antics."
I made a brushing motion with my hand and walked away from Juke. I didn't hear him following me, which was surprising, but I was grateful for it.
"Ya know, ya might work best solo, but there'll probably be a time when ya gotta work with others, right?"
I stopped in my tracks. Sadly, I couldn't help but listen to him.
"Since this is just an excursion for ya, why not take my help? Might be a good lesson for ya, good to learn them while yer young."
I thought of the incoming mission and the prince's words. He told me distinctly that I was going to have others working with me. I wasn't against the idea of course, but even then, Juke made a good point. If I couldn't collaborate with people on a simple mission, then what good would I be on something so important?
I didn't want to screw up then.
"...Alright. Since you want to help, let's collaborate. Do you happen to know anything about the Bearded Draco?"
"Wow, that didn't take a lot of convincing. Uh, I know they're pretty big, walk on four legs, and got something akin to a beard under their chin. Ya'd recognize 'em when ya see 'em, don't worry."
I nodded, thinking of what to do while intaking this new information.
"Well, being able to recognize them easily is nice, but how do we go about finding them? These boulders make it impossible to see."
"Ah, ya seem to be mistaken. They're our greatest asset."
"Huh?"
"Watch this shit."
Juke walked back to the rock and began to climb it. A minute of struggling later, and he stood tall and proud, using his hand as a visor.
I understood then exactly what he meant. I punched my open palm.
"Of course! How'd I not think of that!?"
I knew I was inexperienced, but this made me feel plain stupid. Still, I had no time to waste mulling over it. I kneeled on one leg and began mana expulsion, creating and raising a stone pillar under my legs. I made the pillar taller than the rest of the boulders, enabling me to get a view of the whole thing.
"...They weren't lying 'bout your magical abilities, were they?"
Juke made a comment that sounded like it was for himself, but he spoke it loud enough to where I can hear it.
"They know I'm a magician? Actually, that's not surprising."
It was difficult to discern anything at a distance, so I just watched for any movement. I did notice that there was a field void of rocks nearby. However, nothing was moving.
"I can't spot anything."
"Ya serious? If ya can't see it then I got no shot– well, shit."
"What is it?"
"I see something bobbing over there!"
He pointed in the opposite direction I was facing. Indeed, something was moving, though I couldn't tell what exactly. It was beside a similar open area to the one I saw.
"If that's our target, then we ought to hurry!"
The stone tower slowly crumbled. I jumped off and landed on the ground and broke into a sprint.
"Hey, slow– ah, never mind."
Juke caught up and then ran past me just as fast. Considering our height differences, it wasn't a surprise, but something about his gait miffed me.
I managed to follow him through the rocks just fine. He stopped before the field, and I stopped by him.
"There's our target," he whispered. I followed his gaze with my own and landed on a four-legged scaly beast. Judging from the spikes on his back and the flouncy mush below his neck, it was the Bearded Draco.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5heezfP2F
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBW8f80JNn
"Do you think he noticed us?"
"Probably. These guys don't like to move very much, but they're very finicky. Just don't do anything rash."
"Alright."
I eyed the beast, trying to judge the best approach. We were in his field of view, but whether or not he could see us was a whole other matter.
I crouched down and took out the tendril, producing a Freeze-Dry from the tip.
"The hell is that!?"
"My tendril."
"That's one crazy Endowment– is that flower freezing the air?"
I concentrated the mana into my tendril and aimed the Exotica at the lizard. A second later, the entire field was coated in ice, and the lizard was entirely encased in it. I caught a jerk from his limbs before he was trapped, but it wasn't enough to escape.
"...So that's where ya nickname's from. Shit, you're brutal."
I was panting on my knees. The amount of mana I had to suddenly drain for that speed made me feel like I just got decked in the chest in addition to being exhausted. But, the mission was over now, so I indulged in the moment of respite.
"Ya alright?"
"Yes."
I stood up and walked to the frozen lizard.
"Wait, what're ya doin'!? Don't move!"
"Huh?"
I turned around with a raised eyebrow and gazed at Juke. Except, I wasn't looking at Juke anymore. What overtook my vision was a blur of blue and then a sea of beige.
Huh? What's going–
When I felt the coarse sand rub against my back, I knew what was happening. I looked back the other way. I was sliding down a sand pit.
"Whaa!?"
It was so sudden I couldn't even think. I slid and slid, not doing anything but descending into the crater. When my mind processed the situation, I stuck my heels into the sand to break my speed. It hardly worked, which wouldn't have been an issue ordinarily, but something popped out from the bottom of the pit.
Jaws– thick jaws the same color as the sand emerged from the bottom and rushed towards me. A second later, I noticed the creature's pincer, and then I began to identify what it was that I was descending upon.
An oversized, famished insect.
"A-AHHH!"
My instincts took control. I began mana expulsion, creating a spear of stone as I fell. But, I could tell– I could tell by the time it even formed into a coherent shape, I'd be torn asunder by the insect's teeth.
I didn't know what to do. I didn't have the time to figure it out. I kept sinking, and sinking, and sinking, and sinking, and sinking, and sinking, and sinking, and sinking, and sinking, and–
"--Ah?"
The scene changed– the angle too. I was no longer glaring at the maw of the beast, but I was still looking at it. Only, it was from the side, and it was upside down.
The spear was still being manifested before me, so on top of my disorientation, I could hardly see. But, even through the thundering of my heart, my ears functioned perfectly.
**SLAM**
Steel against steel. That's what it sounded like. But, as I continued to plummet, I got a glimpse of what it was.
Juke was there with one hand on his broadsword, the blade of which was stuck between the pincers.
"--hrk!"
I surrendered all thoughts, no longer in control. The piece of earth before me didn't turn into a majestic, intricate spear, but an obtuse clump of rock that blocked my vision entirely.
I didn't care if it was inefficient, or if rushing the process like this would drain my mana like a faucet. I couldn't care, frankly. But I could, and did have desire.
I wanted to see that thing gone.
And so–
**SPLATTER**
I shot the rock, obliterating the head of the insect, and making a grave laceration in the very world.
And then, I landed on the ground.
"Ack– pluh pluh, blah!130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImLFhmWKoF
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlItLz406rt
The sand worked to my detriment and benefit. It cushioned my fall greatly, meaning that I didn't sustain any injury. However, I was now spitting intrusive sand out of my mouth, and my eyes vigorously watered, trying to kick out the grains that have found their way under my eyelids.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ629QCKjhy2
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDu2IL5NLX
Needless to say, it hurt. Goodness, did it hurt.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPkidrsdXL
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5vuetJcjx
"Blah! Ah, crap!"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVdmPUyC7B
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRuQZidGOj
My first instinct was to wash it away, so I began making an orb of water, but the thought of even moving my eyelids and the ensuing pain paralyzed me for a moment. Still, gave in, and unleashed the water onto my eyes. I felt relieved for a moment, and I tried to forcefully blink out the sand. Eventually, the pain subsided, but I was still affixed to terrible discomfort and refused to move my eyes again.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf21ckO55mp
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYebXWOSGRy
"Yo, are ya alright?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4S5shFlVb6
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz32RIxmAkG
"Eh? Juke, is that you?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGL9cLeYaq
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLMze6LsWg
I felt something on my shoulder. Juke likely put his hand on it–130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KFJMZZQ2F
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmu5Ixunq05
I froze. Juke put his hand on my shoulder, which meant one thing.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmvIU2GJkg
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xz1La7NNb
"You're alive! Bleh, ack, are you okay?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGpWdO4TcQ
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIBVyuNols
"Am I okay? Ya strong folk always ask the craziest things– look at yourself! Ah, ya can't, can ya? My fault."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWo6x3sE7w
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStPSr8w2C6
I didn't like his attitude, but the fact that he could dish out such brazen sentences meant he was alive and well. I felt relieved.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfBI2OPXQU
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLdhR93gCO
"Did sand get in your eyes?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeb9mEXehnz
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14yWstq9LK
"Y-Yes... I'll be fine, they'll wash away eventually."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡye0QKQ8P0r
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqVPmhZCmx
"Phew, had me worried. The thing you did to that Lion Ant was crazy, by the way. You blasted it to shreds! I thought for sure I was a goner, or that I had to get a new helmet at least, so thanks."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCwl6M5vXs
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMn4vZhxXQh
For a moment, I was lost, because the person who put me out of harm's way was now thanking me. But I didn't argue with him, I just took the words in stride and eeked out a response.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgH9GZAV0yZ
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuB5it0191h
"T-Thanks for saving, Juke. I was sure I was going to die just now."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgjEaABhcM
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8F6O6S8oE
"Ah... yeah, I did save ya, what the hell? The strong are supposed to help the weak, aren't they? What are ya doing, breaking the order of things?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnpgAU3Imx
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXAifqb715
I didn't respond. I rubbed my eyes a few times, then gently opened them. The sudden burst of light blinded me– it looked like the sun snuck in a ray through the clouds.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVt6I3qisB
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkbNAoUF80
I let out a breath. I was alive, Juke was alive, the beast was dead, and best of all, the Draco was–130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOcio4qcdf
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjC0gGfw7tU
"...Wait, what about the Bearded Draco?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitVDxUTZD8
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZektdiMkgl
"Eh? Ya probably killed it, those things hate the cold."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsBZr4Sw8M
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6pM4bHCjO
"I-I see..."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvTc2cBMX9
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO50TMdhuLz
Somehow, this news was disheartening to me. I leaned against the sand and gazed at nothing in particular.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGY1kfczyTO
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwsRm9L0E3
"Was it supposed to be alive? If so, then ya really screwed up, didn't ya Kenny?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEmMpoa2xA
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93hrJCkL6H
"I-I didn't screw up! I was just supposed to retrieve one, it didn't matter if it was dead or not."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aixLhSnQw
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqarWy3saCn
"Ah, if ya say so. Are ya eyes back and runnin', by any chance?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdIg3pncLl
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhdWHzp0LU
"That's a strange way to phrase it, but yes."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WtkebvhSP
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFH63GXGgx
"How about ya get us out of this pit, then? I can't use earth magic, and I know sand ain't a good rung for climbing."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncTiBST10O
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuK7T5oK3Jp
"Right. Getting out sounds good, yeah."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXw5mnWCBDM
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbMiyousbd
I tried to stand on my legs, but I had difficulty. My legs were rocky, so I bent my foot harshly a few times before I could stand on my legs.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kt2iOShPd
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXnuvkGjDP
Before I began any mana expulsion, I took a gander at the insect's corpse. Juke's description was proven to be accurate; the head was missing completely from the body, but a few strands of flesh and chitin were sticking out, making seem like it was haphazardly torn off the body. The sand had already covered the hole I made in the earth. The sight shook me, and I suddenly felt quite light-headed.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5a71X1R6BU
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf17mNo7OkF
It was a hard prospect to entertain– that I, really, was that close to dying. I remember being told before that near-death experiences were indelible, and when I sifted through my memories, encountering the vomit of anxiety and despair, despite its briefness, I understood why. I was shuddering. I was truly shuddering, because, how couldn't I? How– how could–130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMlXrDincy
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuupgPuxUJ
"Gah, what's wrong with ya now?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEbSV38STT
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7eUl51cfQ
The strength in my legs was suddenly sapped, and I promptly fell on my butt. It knocked me out of my haze, but now I was smitten with a wave of exhaustion. Juke's irritated inquiry made me ask questions myself, and I blurted the answer instantly.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhSu0a1Bxj
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiH77ANMUHh
"...I think that spell drained my mana."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvampbw92O
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTF6HPWv7G
"Huh? It was just a rock, wasn't it?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rgIXwJeUk
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUYNHP9nxC
"Yes, but I rushed the process; the spell was inefficient, and I'm paying the price for it now."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9m7aXXUbu
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzeEyH0TGA
"Ya gotta be kidding me..."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhgypQTz5c
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSEcN4TtpK
Juke sighed and fell on his butt himself, clasping his helmet in one of his hands.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHcqe6Nhvs
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAikiz1tZ7m
"I'm sorry. I just–"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzGsoZsjiY
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYxcdYs0CR
"Nah, don't be. I could've become grub for a creepy-crawly if ya didn't blast its head off. But for goodness sake, how're we supposed to get outta here?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauC33p9k22
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gGDBWjfpo
I widened my eyes. His concern was, well, something that I adopted myself. If I had to gauge, my mana bank was empty. Before I could even make another pebble, I likely had to wait a few hours.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKXc08DPk2
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmj8o04sSu
"I can use wind magic at Grade 5, but that's it. Ya got any bright ideas?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfx9j2aCDj
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAqKIscRyv
"...N-No, I don't. I-I'm sorry, but this isn't a situation I've had to deal with before..."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpsdHQ1dSx
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjpRzCOzEi
He sighed again and looked to the sky. The clouds cast over the sun yet again, making the atmosphere even more gloomy. I stared at the ground. The shuddering from before returned, and my mind projected images and thoughts of the worst– how my body would've looked had I been caught, how it would've felt being crunched by the thing's teeth. Imagining it gave me goosebumps. I couldn't–130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUgGG3aPhi
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnxyPBzGG4
"--W-Whaa?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYf8cF995xt
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVANOCEZbc
Two hands were clasping my shoulders, one hand for each limb. I was stunned for a second but then looked at the cause of this sudden touching. Juke's eyes gazed into mine, and despite the darkness cast over them from his helmet, I could see them– they were a light brown.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pE5Q3gyej
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGNUog56nu
"Ya gotta relax, Kenny. I dunno what's wrong with ya, but yer strong, aren't ya? They don't give ya a bigshot nickname and look at ya with awe for nothin', right?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTHJzB0i2c
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfiBZbpLkL
"W-Whaa?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhL2LS8g8Vs
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzsFlEAhin
"Calm the hell down, that's what!"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKB4CZNG9tY
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqg21AaKybX
He suddenly, and violently shook me, stopping only when I grasped his forearms with my hands. I felt dizzy and furious.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWEbRK41bz
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06Slv076B4
"What was that for!?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHFWeki4bA
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZbhsBMsMa
"I'm tired of seeing ya sulk. Get the hell up and start thinking of what to do– shit ain't just gonna solve itself. Yer alive, ain't ya?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NHqUQsRom
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn96x8I3ZEl
"Y-Yes?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaqM7x5X7L
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5I3nL7jqEG
"Good, now are ya gonna waste yer blessings and freeze like a dumbass, or are ya gonna get up and do something!?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9fcdFkj60
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG75Ija4bOS
"I–"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FcQxzhXRt
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUKB8jH4Pk
I cut my sentence short. I had no response. But there was merit to what he was saying. I found myself agreeing with it, though it took a moment.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CsoyeyLzt
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZsBe5ES0e
A weak smile found itself on my face. An image of my brother flashed in my mind.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1IDaYu71Z
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEtlw9sZJM
"You're right. Thank you."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQXDeIuYxj
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLQHxvvInY
"Thanking me ain't gonna get us outta here! Ya got any ideas? Any?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFemGsIwRP
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOqJpoiX77
"Well, we could wait for my mana to return–"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1A21c3yqx
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡols9oq3m8g
"Nah! I gotta take a piss, and I ain't gonna do it in front of a kid. Think of something else!"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuMsyQ7wTT
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgMxUHZiO7
I was taken aback by the sudden vulgarity, but he undeniably prompted me to think faster and clearer. I didn't have mana, the sand was impossible to climb, and when I thought about it, the idea of Juke taking a leak anywhere near me was disturbing.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4y6kkV9VK
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwakbYrOS6e
Therefore, I came up with a half-baked idea. I didn't know how effective it would be, but I tried regardless.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtFxN94WGs
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtj0RzQRz9c
I took my tendril out and stood up. I couldn't produce any flowers from the tip, meaning that I was entirely dry on mana. But, after a second of testing, I found out that I could still extend and retract it just fine.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXCimpzAWH
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQvKuBytlH
"Ah, yer weird wood thing! But how're ya gonna use it to get out?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX40tggtgus
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZeEpG1GHx
I shrugged.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqc9LBTSaF
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NC0wZdzQV
"I didn't think that far. I'm surprised I can even pull it out."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSSrOsTn2Z
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTW4g8zEMJ
"Eh? Why? Ain't all Endowments something independent of mana?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5cH1DdbCm
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsu2Vls9P2W
"...I don't think all of them are. After all, in some aspects, this one isn't."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MTPHNT76f
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkeXszhyP4
"That's crazy. I just learned something new from an underage brat. I'm ashamed of myself."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2CPYo6H2K
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QmYxWN7lQ
"Shut up."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4txyslElsZ
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4sdm2yHYh
Looking around, there wasn't anything I could wrap the tendril around by the ledge of the pit. There was no way to use the tendril as a rope.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVB5uAx1gwE
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYcShESU8Z
"...Wait, Juke, do you think you can climb my tendril?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzTcuQwtwL
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTL5ST9FFb
"I'll give it a shot, but ain't it too short?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oIFhMUPc7
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAmshcl8tX
I extended the tendril to its limit, which was just enough for it to stick out of the pit. Juke made a sound of surprise and amusement then gripped the tendril.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWk5OPfGn2
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcUUW5MNMt
"Even if I get up there, how are ya gonna get out?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QSq70INuN
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEwWujFT5I
"Uh... maybe pull me up? You look like a strong guy."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAAA1UNqWw
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIkecVZ47A
"Pff, you've got the worst impression of me, I tell ya."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAOLD6G5hP
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5oQrDdjzt
Neglecting to specify that I was talking about his muscle, I just sat down and watched as Juke used the tendril to stabilize himself as he ascended the sand. Miraculously, and despite the few times he lost footing, he was able to make vertical distance. It was strenuous on my tendril, and admittedly painful, but I was able to maintain it for long enough for him to make it to the surface.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6wqQvCUWv
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEZRuDXp06
"Ha, holy shit, I'm out– ah, hell nah."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tATOoJPzq
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNDVTHtPpv
"Huh? What's wrong?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnE2TxKMC8c
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFT7MrNM8AH
Juke turned and looked down at me.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9Z6xxe8v1
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQ87t2oCde
"I got some bad news for ya, Kenny. The lizard ain't up here."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIeegiyTew
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbU1Bu9m7yA
Even my ears weren't ready for the volume.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOySHOG0rQW
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rznWy5MBK
"WHAT!?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cn3JI7Guq
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLVeQxEkzA
–
–
–
Juke's muscle strength was surprisingly enough to get me out of the pit. When I reached the top, I looked around to confirm his words. Sure enough, the landscape was bereft of any lizards.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVUuELYSy6
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZq1EJgSmjH
I groaned and fell to my knees, more out of exhaustion than distress, but to my knees all the same. Not only did I have no mana, but now my progress in completing the mission regressed entirely. I thought of quitting. It was the only option that seemed to make sense to me at this point. All embarking on this quest did was–130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI81FGbeLag
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcY6SUNMtVk
"Gack! What–"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHllfwz2q2q
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43oZzTRnsH
"Come on, the thing couldn't have gone far. He was still frozen solid."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc17nM9OyNM
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3JC7TUuCj
After slapping my back, he presented me with a good point.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzvjpAKHRj
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmgssAD3Ii
"Remember: I'm here to help ya. It's all a weakling like me's good for, helping the strong."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJ5DLvbK8x
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSidlr69TND
"...Huh? You, a weakling?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eVoVBeZ3b
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQgdCA3EuK
"Yep, ya heard me."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpwFlFb8Qq
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswTcw1qDPi
"Are you sure? I'm the one who's barely able to stand."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2az5u7Vwgr
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5fpPKHvT5
"Yer also the one who took out a Lion Ant with a single spell."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8a1HPKunb
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDGygKHpTQ
I didn't retort, more because it was pointless rather than me lacking one. I chuckled and got on my feet.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeO63Q9iWj2
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nkLuurW87
"Alright, thank you. Let's move."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAZ6KPgjvl
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXozmhswIni
I followed him through the valley of sand and boulders. And, as if reality was following his predictions, the Bearded Draco took only a minute to find. The creature managed to climb into one of the rocks, clinging onto it like the floor was made of deadly poison. Juke and I were hiding behind a boulder, sparing glances at the beast.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmO5Tqos747
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaFHQn17NI
"It's completely still."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGxbKcNoyJ
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGHOKW8uNm
"It must be tryna warm up. Poor bastard, it just ain't its day."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yCn3Iyq8Y
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7g0q2X2eY
The moment we moved away from the boulder, the beast would likely spot us and run, or worse, attack. My tendril wouldn't be able to reach it at this range, meaning that I've found myself in a deadlock.
"I can't do anything to it from here. What about you?"
"Do ya have faith in my accuracy?"
"How could I? I've never seen you use magic before."
"Ya really suck with words."
I gave him a deadpan frown.
"Alright, then don't miss."
"Ya really suck with words."
He took a step away from the boulder and raised his hand, beginning mana expulsion. A barely visible gust of wind was forming in front of him, and soon he turned it into an elongated vertical blade. Juke sent the blade soaring across the sky, and then–
**SMASH**
A cloud of dust burst from the boulder, obscuring the status of the lizard. Juke and I broke into a sprint. By the time we arrived at the rock, the dust had settled. The boulder had a giant dent in it, but the lizard was nowhere to be seen.
"Crap, it ran away!"
I huffed in frustration, scanning the boulder once again as if it would magically make the beast reappear. It didn't of course, but I did catch something unnatural; it was a red liquid, slowly dripping into the boulder's newfound crater.
"Juke, you injured the Draco! We can follow a blood trail now!"
I circled the boulder, finding more blood on the other side and even a missing limb. It was still writhing, which unnerved me a little, but I shook it away and followed the trail, Juke tailing me a few feet away. I caught a glimpse of the lizard between the boulders. The speed it was moving at was astounding, especially considering its missing appendage.
"This bastard's slimy!"
"Just keep chasing it! It will bleed out eventually!"
Though I didn't have the stamina nor the desire to chase it until that happened, it was a safety net that encouraged me to keep pushing. The trail of blood grew darker and thicker as time went on, meaning any second now, we would find–
"W-Woah!"
A stream of white water suddenly flew past my head, causing me to trip and fall on my butt.
"Haaa, what was that?"
Juke caught up with me, panting.
"That was the Draco's magic! Ya almost got yer head lopped off!"
"Did you have to word it that way!?"
I gave a curt reply and got back on my feet, successfully suppressing the swelling anxiety and breaking into chase again. Another stream of water came from my left, but I managed to duck right before it hit me.
"Wait, if it's from my left...!"
I sprinted in that direction. As expected, the Draco was but a dozen meters away. Once he noticed me, he turned in the other direction and swiftly limped away.
But I didn't let him make meaningful distance.
"Hah!"
I extended the tendril to its limits and slammed the lizard, pinning it down. I had trouble keeping it still with all its squirming; though it was getting noticeably weaker, the way it thrashed around caused me a great deal of pain.
"Juke!"
He ran right past me with his sword out, and as soon as he arrived near the lizard he stabbed at its neck, over and over. It was difficult to discern precisely what was happening from the angle I looked at, but in less than a minute, the lizard became stock still.
I sighed, retracting my tendril back into my chest, and fell onto the ground. Juke came back to me with his body and blade slathered in blood.
"Do ya mind washing me off?"
"I'm out of mana, remember?"
"Ack! I forgot."
Juke rubbed his helmet as if it was his head and sighed. I got back on my feet and walked toward the fallen Bearded Draco.
"..."
Its head had been cut off. The severed neck was periodically spewing out blood like a broken pump. The sheer amount left me dumbfounded, completely unable to move.
"What's wrong this time?"
"That's a lot of blood."
"Does it bother ya?"
"...And it doesn't for you?"
Juke simply shrugged.
"I see. I suppose it just brought back unpleasant memories."
I took out my tendril again, absentmindedly wrapping it around the body.
"You grab the head. Let's just transport this thing to the city."
Juke nodded and scooped the head into his arms, shaking it a few times to remove leaking blood.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXMiKNgvSV
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0WSA4KnmY
–
–
–
"Ya know, ya don't look happy about completing yer mission."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡue2cvRrx18
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdPdrbjufm
"...How do I look like, then?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAupFCEo3f
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyrHC3QHC1
"Tired for one, but also dreary. It ain't a pleasant look on a young face like yers."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRp6wrMWGxx
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UKSRyWlBJ
"What– never mind. I am tired, and I suppose seeing the lizard in that state damaged my morale."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YheSh8vcY
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5zIsAIkuW
"Looks like a lot more than just damage to morale."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWT001FQc5T
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouhmFMfqBB
"If you insist on making assumptions based on my face, you should at least have the courtesy to show your own."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILlikpDV7T
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7K3M8O2Y3G
"Ha, the hell's that even supposed to mean?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9y5sRIvWI
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvALSALYFlw
"Why are you wearing that helmet, anyway? It's stained with blood, probably smells terrible, is clunky, and so many other inconvenient things."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfluGpwqzN
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoGL2qzrH1
"That's cuz I have an Endowment of my own, and I can deal with clunkiness if the helmet's sturdy. This one is."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfcSZ097hp
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNP42kKvxb
"An Endowment? What does it have to do with your helmet?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtADGo15aP
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8YUNUlbYD
"Damage redirection. Ya know, I was planning on telling ya this in the future, but I guess the sooner the better."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciqZu22rNX
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNHvg2hA7Z
"What are you on about?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7bYHkQqyh
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg19ml8EOYu
"It's nothing. Ya holding up the lizard well?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0GPIy2Xup
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoupiS8UwA
"It's like I'm carrying an overweight backpack coated with tiny pricks. And then, there's my actual backpack."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5c3jqnGxfR
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqEgWSp1DL
"I could lighten yer load if ya want."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oTBKt73jM
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQJbh2ZPMF
"Sure. Here, take my bag."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUSik1Ksun
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYe3ciHnsao
"But yer tendril– ah, I guess getting rid of it works."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡos3xD5GgIp
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4qkBG6i9q
"Here."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRurfBpZmV
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJSdg55Yth
"I gotcha. Let's keep going. We're almost there."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24aDvXo6vI
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrBxxtmZ4E
"Uh-huh."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkwfWgjpyX
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8DLsv9DC6
"..."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xwgKk0iHM
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBE2mWzjWZ
"..."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOydUl21Zow
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6HiaeGO3r
"..."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAxcenzWCU
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqJm5AObXe
"...Hey, Juke, I have a question for you."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2g5TSQF9hI
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitlHgNwsWy
"What?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJZOL5Vlqg
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLwmmNZlqM
"Did you really tail and help me because you wanted to 'gauge my ability?'"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE02FLAJB5v
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiPDwl7IOW
"--I didn't tell ya a lie. But I guess I didn't tell ya the whole truth either."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfTRrEr8P9
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzp6BAhwbZy
"What?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwLiS8kLbg
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiC7HvdqAd9
"Yer gonna find out eventually. I can't wait to see yer face when ya do."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp27hjoEUM3
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFQPWoBqDa
"...What?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqPDZUxtnE
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzBqLiIeCh
"Quit asking me what. Can't ya see where we are?"130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6KsoWi9Gd
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4Gh8lYixu
I looked up in front of me. It was a big gate. It was the entrance to the place my whole being registered as my second home.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmPIJ4T05k
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskk4q53W8S
"Huh... we made it."130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMfcpArnWG
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmaK6gIp4z
"So, did ya like the mission?" He asked, a hint of anticipation in his voice.130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV49NMkMJhI
130Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNc2V5AmDF
"...It wasn't mollifying at all."
