"Hey, wake up."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkvlI37Ftj
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sBwxWAnYT
"H-Huh!?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6am1S5sOIn
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzO8a0FSNQM
I was rashly wrung out of sleep, jumping at the sudden touch on my shoulder. I fell pathetically to the floor, groaning and rubbing my chin as I got on my feet.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Lq2fkWNCM
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfaCtPV9ei
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare ya."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhedSlT1pv6
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDWaj4EXOh
"No no, it's fine."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEVL4yIh2z
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDD49CwU2c
Once the pain subsided, I let out a lengthy yawn and rubbed my eyes. I had difficulty keeping them open. I rubbed my face and took a seat on the couch, hoping to wipe away the grogginess.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJC9OGvO4m9
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4JuTafzcK
"Goodness kid, did ya sleep at all?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNaXcxOAtt
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCYvvUZ8U5
"Huh? Yeah, sure I did."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtR26WOuZPn
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSjlewznbe
I let out another yawn. After a dozen firm blinks, I was able to keep my eyes open for longer than two seconds.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa75XZh5vlJ
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4FWm7NeBl
"Are ya sure–"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMR60HYuTG2
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7m2B4fScEL
"Listen, Juke, I'm fine. I'm, perfectly fine. My neck is just a little sore, that's all."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgfaezhM1Z
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlZklrGkGJ
It must've been because of my sleeping position. Perhaps that was also the reason behind my shakiness. It had to be. Using mana expulsion, I produced a bit of water and gulped it all down, then began stretching my limbs.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2qFCl2ogx
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8OD0O2eVq
"Well, if ya say so. When yer ready, come meet me outside."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNSzrFfJan
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjv28Ufm3OQ
Juke exited the living room, leaving me alone. I wasted no time going through my morning routine in the bathroom. Once I finished, I returned to the living room. Outside the bathroom door, idling, gazing at the couch where I slept.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5oqv111Li
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXVFeonUNu
"..."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HJ6JKVbWC
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVM5Oz6JtJ
Now that the grogginess had left me, my mind worked at total capacity. It came with unwanted by-products.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofiQhONdwG
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1THqqjwqv
It had barely been ten minutes. Since I wasn't counting, likely less than that. So little time since I woke up, yet the flow of time had already become contorted. I clutched my head and looked at the floor.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7mJQiIiq5
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQk9awBYvj
It was no use mulling over it now. Besides, I was hungry. So I left the living room. Juke and the man were sitting at a nearby table, eating their food with a third plate unattended. I tottered to their table and took a seat.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJneqFycQ5
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdP8g6SVuY
The plate was full of fish. It wasn't a food I'd associate with breakfast.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw67VnpY92T
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1U13iqMvPn
"Hi young man, how did you sleep?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJLC8sfkkI
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkQh8pbIGW
His tone was cheery and amiable. He sounded like a pleasant person to speak to.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPONlKKh8zz
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaRaWhEYza
"Hmm. Huh? Oh, were you talking to me?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0I0yTcxNh
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ab2ekd6lT
The man nodded. Now that I thought about it–139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiOoAegH5p
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdXIWelPyS
"What's your name anyway? I don't believe you've ever told us."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKe6ct0aw8
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7knDigiKL
"...You must be right. My name is Hank, it's a pleasure."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcU0uiZ7DdF
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtKUL1TXpe
"Hank... did you cook this breakfast?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcv9IiWTOEJ
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEI9wGCxbB
"I certainly did. Well, go on now, try it."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvhqrp3PLm
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr63ZGiKSaQ
I turned my face away from him and looked at the fish. At first glance, even a toddler could discern that it was undeniably well-cooked. The fish was coated in spice and–139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYEzUX5DJ3
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Igo1cn49h
"Don't gotta waste yer time ogling at it, kid."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dzpOfi98u
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxUOy3vAKx
Juke's statement interrupted my necessary analyses.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcKEA5tHaC
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNpmkpTQ1l
"I guess you're right. Is good, Juke?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAyMSVVMFL
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISZSTKB9Nf
"Yeah, it is. If ya don't eat it now though, some bird might poop on it and ruin the taste."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNrNQRMMZd
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnONaoLz7t
"What?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UVdSItAJk
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXih4WpYjUj
He sighed and flicked his head.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqhi1LHK1M
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaqLaQUSWJ
"Come on, let's enjoy our last breakfast here, why don't we?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTQb5HHa8f
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvSLxtseDM
"Last... yeah, let's."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrre7txlQaK
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6l7V9DVLIc
I took the fork and began to eat the fish. It had a kick to it that I didn't expect, but otherwise–139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWsVyc7pgA
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybIjmsEuO4
"This is good. This is really good."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8Z3kT91Gx
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbAzP3E5rk
"I told ya."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HckMyJYfw
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsc3dy9wgrr
I kept eating. It was pleasant and satisfying. The dish brightened my mood. Marginally so, but it was still something, so I was grateful for that.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPZjtIxgsL
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4By85wL5pl
"Wait a minute, Juke," Hank started, "how are you eating with your helmet on?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSVWsnZPVZ
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92aN6upkk7
His question caused me to look away from my fish and at his own. Indeed, half of it had already been eaten, but Juke never once removed his helmet to do so.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmM46ZI3FEl
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPREysmIil
"Trade secret, don't worry 'bout it. Just keep eating."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUNt0AZEok
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ752mEcMjd5
The man backed down. I kept looking at Juke, but he wouldn't eat the fish in front of me.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmC3fvwdcEO
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfzkFKodU6
In the face of that obstinance, I smiled. I knew it wouldn't last, but at least I would be able to eat my food without any daunting thoughts.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM45Tyjdv0M
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2puPmIhyiX
–
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–139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPZM4o42Pc
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Once we put our tableware aside, Hank corralled us back to the table. Juke and I sat by each other. Hank had a pensive and nervous look, giving me a sense of foreboding for what was to come out of his mouth.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWjXPtxZmG
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jcjS4K7IJ
"So, you two want to leave the city, correct?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImWurx86RT
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDDFDUhFmh
"That's right," Juke responded.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50BA8sl9w6
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUxDfIzYFH
"I see..."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Bo2m5wtS7
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVG82KoORL4
He pinched his chin and gazed at the table.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFzZZbcC5f
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBNa0YcU6f
"Well, I won't try to stop you, but I'd like to give you two a word of warning: the streets aren't empty. Those folks at Hard-Bringer are surveilling the area quite compellingly."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhsIRILpFa
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUuiPgdbPL
Juke let out a sigh and I rested my head on my hand. Honestly, this was in my expectations, but hearing it be confirmed was a blow to my psyche all the same.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk30RsOEGap
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyymAntGB9
"However, I do believe you two can get out fine."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp74CCc3g2b
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIz89eVyDd9
"Yeah, that's what I was thinking too. I doubt those Hard-Bringer bastards got the staff to keep an eye on every part of the city."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13bArizjBE
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfemx1vi6o
I nodded along to Juke's reasoning. Hank did too, less tense than twenty seconds ago.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyXQaGKg8Q
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlynhBlM8LS
"Do you two have a plan in mind?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoY5usXFFZ
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UHhYxfOtv
Juke turned his head to me, confusing me more than pressuring me.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkyYsiyCq7
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqXw8w9mQp
"What are you looking at me for?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAuTbjtXyV
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoBIRSKKZL
"Ya got any ideas?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvLuDv5O2t
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctaebAwrFV
"Why do you think I do, anyway?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPDFveshyD
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfFt57QJjp
He shrugged at my inquiry. I just sighed and rubbed my temple, racking my brain for anything.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIP0jQDTWd
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxUIN8XrJB
"I suppose we'll have to gauge just how heavily the streets are being supervised. If they aren't in every nook and cranny of the area, we can probably weave in-between alleyways and whatnot just fine."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdG8Xtl9oF
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZdX8WlKg9
Juke and Hank nodded at my statement. As concrete as the idea was, it hinged on a factor too risky for either me or Juke to confirm.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXQGeNKZpU
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CUCDixc8w
"Hank, can you go outside and check the surroundings?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsl7Zksb5kO
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCokIbCv8Y
"U-Uh, I very well may, however..."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6O52WvcV5D
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDh7MiTlFNx
I raised my brow, then realized that just because Hank wasn't me or Juke didn't mean that he was entirely safe.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNx8cel1anv
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93Q2XcFnaS
Rover's visage flashed in my mind. I brushed it aside for the moment, barely.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOtch8VFbG
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMWvGkSOWc
"I'd rather not run too far away. Otherwise, I'd get apprehended and questioned, and then it would be evening by the time I come back."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGutdMnU1c
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7kix5IXqi
"I see. I apologize for asking so much from you."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxihln418Nh
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8urbU45j5
He shook his hands frantically and.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiT3iPMjgTK
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXPnNkpmFl
"Oh no no, I'll do it. I just don't think I'll be able to scout very far ahead."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04OcraGlSI
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKDy5iSawt
"That ain't an issue. Just the first block should be alright."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8QAJ4fZYe
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUQrP2xf3N
Hank's gaze turned abnormally stern. He stood up and did a few gesticulations to assure himself.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKr2Ci3U5pl
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6rUDTn2RG
"Pray for me."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWDoA9qruH
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVDmnSKbuj
"Don't worry. We'll arrange yer funeral for ya."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZsyA4xX1U
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCJxGmmCTa
"Juke!"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRVUutakEL
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgqOsfWvze
Juke's comment vanquished all of Hank's efforts to pump himself up. Still, though, he rambled to the door, taking a deep breath before opening and exiting the building. Juke and I were alone, now. An awkward and elongated silence permeated through the room.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYh8MMB2sP
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzD4oOLQ35
"Thanks for trying to lighten the mood, Juke."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRJMme3p2S
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrchtK4obeE
He turned his head to me, stuttering his words before taking a breath and speaking them coherently.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmtj5qnDfN
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZvDFOJuZn
"No need to thank me. The atmosphere's tense, I just don't want it to stay that way."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZkS1geMLR
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RceWvz3kB
"Still, I appreciate it."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedmaPyiS3D
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1EBZksvAz
I sat with my legs spread out, lowering my head and leaning over to stare at the ground.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMx9OT2LLmL
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLYzqT5rR5
"I can tell that my wisecracks ain't all that effective, though."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD43cTPRYh8
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNA7SbplvS
I wanted to rebuke that statement, to tell him that he was wrong and that I was feeling much better. I would be lying to him, but that wasn't why I stopped myself. That was because of the tinge of melancholy I caught in his voice, so faint that I was unsure if I was just hearing things.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf80FFyQ2C2
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXP4ZAhkHO
I wanted to press him on that. But I was in no state of mind to do so. So, we continued to wait in silence.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPiRf1Ca83
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xuot43rRr
Hank came shortly after. His face was drenched in sweat and anxiety. He let out an arduous sigh when he closed the door and sank to the floor.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2plJTxlF0
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlw0iX5wFKz
I was expecting the worst, but he shot us a thumbs-up with a wink. A smile found its way on my face. I looked at Juke and we nodded at each other. We stood up and stretched our muscles, helping Hank get to his feet and standing before the door.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnhwyTRRtA
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5M26c1g6LC
"Thank you for your help, Hank."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHKbwtstKM
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHNQTF9Jpv
"Yeah, we really of ya."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqR3oQVXlf
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wPQsnzmlt
He gave us a light smile and waved.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOl2CwOdQfT
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtlbaaEOtf
"No no, it's fine. It's what Dennis would have wanted, I'm sure."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Lj8HlsuZV
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD18295AbuZ
"...Y-Yeah."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioXkVVDMiH
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQJv7n68jj
A morbid parasite was planted in me before we left. It began to eat at me instantly, but I did nothing to address it.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxkoZ0FGbP
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–
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–139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWvBydbH1R
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The streets were void of any busy citizens traveling from one place to another. All inhabitants were inimical people in robes. The only remedy was the relative lack of them.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAnWmtnT6T
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUP4ZmLlZHO
Weaving in and out of alleyways was a surprisingly easy task, as the Hard-Bringer members couldn't stay in one place even if they were paid to. Though it made moving in the streets nerve-wracking with the unpredictability of these people, it was better than having to wait for them to fall asleep or find a detour as they obstinately remained in one spot.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRD56pWuUSl
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLCC4TVxdm
With all the pauses in between movements and focus on not getting caught, I stopped paying attention to our routing quickly. I was anxious that Juke did too.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMLAeoCvb3
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLB1PU8O1O
"Hey, are you sure we're going the right way?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcf2GjFwrn7
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuYys7BubC
"Yeah, I'm sure. I remember that chipped building when I visited the stables earlier."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VZWbVD6Cg
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsKUi4Tq2r
He pointed at a building opposite us. Indeed, it was chipped, but somehow I didn't find his memory reliable.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzCORb5MFW
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjddjBlIfZa
Still, I had no better way to make it to the stables myself, so I kept following Juke as we skittered diagonally across the street.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYProqWZMZ
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1fF4vdqqB
"--Crap!"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UbEKsTOvO
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJsSzbfuCQ
This alleyway was void of anything to hide behind, meaning that we had to leave it now or suffer an embarrassing and egregious discovery. I peered over the corner and saw a duo of robed people turning a corner and into our street.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvoVaMNMU6
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBMRckom2C
"Crap. Crap!"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmp3JQPJNhx
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QN9iNlUgs
"Eh? What's the situation, kid?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfa0f7ZljPj
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2ggNapXcq
"People are heading our way!"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UzAE2MMIv
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4MME9zQUu
With a hoarse whisper, I relayed the information to Juke, whose eyes I could see widen even through his helmet. He looked behind him and deeper into the alleyway, reaching the same conclusion that I did.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14w5HZr1i1
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4OmpZPSyP
"I guess we gotta jump 'em."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzd5tsuLdf3
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrrulod9cx
"What!? That's a terrible idea!"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGu68wm5jR
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfHR6tYoJC
Despite the incorrect usage, I knew precisely what Juke meant by jumping the two people. I discarded the idea, as engaging in a fight would only draw more attention. But, as I sifted through my mind, I couldn't conjure up a course of action more tangible.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjtSRr0KuI
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rxBhKNTaq
"Okay, maybe it isn't a terrible idea, but we need to knock them out quickly."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nCqX2sQg0
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OgI6BD6NM
"Yeah, killin' 'em will just make a mess and draw attention, ya make a good point."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqQEbEBRoa
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYmS2lLT55
"...Murder is the first thing you– nevermind, you gave me a good idea."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnM3rO7rHOl
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFHoJ6yVH8
I produced my tendril and created a Valencia-Bloom at its tip. Then, I ran as far back into the alleyway as I could, signaling Juke to do the same. When we made it to the wall, I began mana spinning and produced a shield from the flower big enough to cover us both.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnXe5m0Gm3
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmDOmj3faC
It was unexpectedly heavy. The weight of the shield brought me to the floor and strained my arm terribly139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CeTFqqNmZ
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbd0E3vt4zz
"Ack!"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzQrvNj5jK
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmZRnfos4X
"G-Goodness, kid. Are ya alright?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUPsrRPnf9
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOcHr6b7Uo
"I-I'm fine, just keep quiet!"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPv1zUhtptf
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uRxdBxKk9
We waited out behind the shield until I heard two sets of footsteps pass by the alleyway. Once they vanished, I removed the shield, massaged my arm, and with Juke's help, we made it back onto the street.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GXk87GXux
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9p5VVtm7v
"Ya strong folk really are crazy."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwOCIzazxl
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdF8LTviL8a
"Shut up. Now isn't the time for this."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVDzkFlgsp
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViiPHm99Bq
We traveled the road a bit faster since we had to cross through an intersection. We made sure both sides were clear before continuing forward. The road curved at this point, so we kept close to the wall, using our ears instead of our eyes to sense any oncoming persons.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXC9dp9d6J
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlolnGZiH18
And, by doing so, I heard something that made my hair stand on its ends.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlY7H2Uetd4
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYtGnpBJAb
"--Yeah, we should find a place to hide, don't ya think?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgygce4pNo
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPRbwYAShK
I hastily nodded with him and scanned the surroundings. I spotted an alleyway with a gigantic dumpster at the front. Juke already began running to it before I could point it out, so I followed him.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLshjMHHET
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriuLHG2CrR
We sat down behind the dumpster. I gnawed on my finger as I heard what I could only describe as an army of people walking down the street. I didn't see them, nor did I want to, but the footsteps never ended– it was as if the hustle and bustle of the streets had returned, but now, it only disturbed me.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAnaVdi269
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEhiQadm8v
It went on for far, far too long. I couldn't keep my cool. The gnawing turned into rampant chomping, and my breathing became labored and heavy. I rocked back and forth, back and forth back and–139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9hJWNKj57
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsuzE0h1n8
"--Kenny, I don't know if that'll do ya any good."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QOPeSAsCw
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttLPWgNZhe
"Huh?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLtevi7lbx
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORt31QrMQU
Juke's deep voice pierced through the thunderous train of footsteps.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5t7uzlhEC
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpDHmITFa0
"That whole biting thing, and that whole shaking thing. That shit freaks me out. I get why yer doing it, but seeing someone like ya do so just don't sit with me right."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLHTDqac2E
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoKd9RNFZp
I knew he was trying to console me. But, I didn't feel as if he was. I felt as if it was a precursor to just another one of Juke's ramblings about his ideology.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiZrMV5uDU
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9l0UsYv4if
"Why? Is it because I'm strong?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9BNEiB30R
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGbee5aykD
"Nah, it's cuz yer a kid."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReGNoyR2ng
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNkKZGXg78
His response left me more stunned than I could've imagined.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMR5tIlT49t
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWn1abQ4wN
"I can tell ya got something plaguing ya. I ain't dense, so I can already guess what it is. Still, I think ya should spill it."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoW555EnA97
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadavoH8K6X
"..."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFE2V3zDEx
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvnKkumqGA
I brought my knees up to my head, wrapping my arms around my legs. Usually, I'd be concerned about the crowd overhearing us, but the dumpster was far enough, and the thousands of footsteps would veil my voice.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5iV9sjwDh
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPxfg6tImC
So, I let my mouth run amok.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzkK90UpSe
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9Fl9En2YP
"I'm sure you know, but what Rover told me has... affected me, I suppose."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH441wqTol4
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpIsOjvICn
"Yeah, I know."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6anRndYf8i
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEH5AOzDhw
A pause. I used it to formulate my following words more effectively.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hJbH0xNpv
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJovZF9JpIM
"It left me confused. It was like I was asking myself questions with words I couldn't understand. I didn't even know how to begin to answer them. So, for the time being, I decided to ignore them."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWyRISvjPu
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzAIoXHVAM
I darted my eyes to the side. He nodded along. He stared at the wall across. I did the same.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27EkVC6w0p
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XMVCkNSFi
"When I was at the door last night," I continued, "right after Rover left, I suppose the prospect of going after her, of facing her, was too intimidating. I didn't get why, exactly. I just knew that I couldn't do it. I didn't think that doing so would be bad or something, quite the contrary. I just thought that, somehow, it was an impossible task. So, I didn't do it. Instead, I sat back on the couch and fell asleep."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcc9fO8efeL
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPm0cGT1cyA
"That sounds familiar..."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMPV4d2FM3
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UQN3eUGuv
"Huh?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSoW9YHgPd
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbvOHp4cFc
"Nevermind. Ya carry on."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUmDNg1yTc
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7i0sD0aLn8
I felt a little let down, but did as I was told.
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0JE4LHefB
"I am just, very confused. I don't quite get how I feel, but I do understand that all the forces inside of me are fighting over the decision I made last night, to do this. And, I guess I say I'm unsure of it, but I do know what I really am."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcE1ldypdz8
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmF93uXW83
"Well?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCTVUABMNj
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkn1uxrNyH3
"...The thing is, if I voice it, I'll probably break apart here and now."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRkUFhabez
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0insOgrgX
"Ah."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIFd4Slp5k
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgLw1m3ieY
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but articulating it in my brain was difficult.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ739I5GdE7c
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLOP871ZJK
"Some part of it came from the distant past. I'm talking about what drove me to make this decision, I mean. Another part, I'm unsure. And the last one was more recent. It was only for a moment, but when I thought about going outside with Rover, that overgrown bug flashed in my mind."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50k6oy4LJG
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2Am4fUqVb
"Ah, the Lionant?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6p3IIUUQiI
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrtl07L3b0
"Yeah. The one you saved me from. Thank you for that, by the way."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUPxvriUc4
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCN99re3KHu
"..."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPzURLvCXh
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yZSS1fkaH
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but I hung on to the thoughts left behind by my last sentence and formed a question out of it.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHq62dymijT
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzJJqEC2Ix
"This might be a dumb question, but why did you save me back then?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEKo2jGX1R
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6u8C8QKCxQ
"...Yeah, why did I?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLvS2idxvQ
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLHH4CVfUM
I didn't expect to be met with another question.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35AhzWNudf
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunHQWew2p8
"It doesn't make much sense, does it? After all, I'm weak, and yer strong. A weak guy like me shouldn't have to save strong folk like ya. But I did save ya. I really did save ya."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqlRmYp5wK
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMCPmJsSjE
I turned my head to him. He had his eyes pointed at the sky, one arm slung over his knee.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1eHBADbGI
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYnpe56IUq
"I don't know why I saved ya. It wasn't in my mind, I didn't think of doing it, but I did save ya."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCf5fiYjjs
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkiJjxd4Zs
"..."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHUZF261sM
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4MR37gCTK
I felt as if I should have said something, but I remained silent. Juke continued his gentle monologue.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbA8kMIzjc
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0a9xlyXK1
"Rover's got a brutal tongue. Usually, I just brush off what loud folk like her say, but she was blunt and rude about it, so it really stuck with me. I couldn't care less about that 'you should do and think this and that' shit, but, ya know what, Kenny?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakEPwlxRqG
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXM1SvBDa1
"What?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqV88umyfOe
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7jVFya0B4
"Before I went out to look for ya two, I talked with Dennis. I had a real good conversation with him 'bout politics, women, and a bunch of dumbshits we've met in our olden days."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdU93JCyFC
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuLkoEhMd2
"That sounds... boorish?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBimOLE1JtE
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEEwySCUOT
"Pff, yer just too young."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNKHws7fno
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8u7xygwLvT
He paused for a moment.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2BGFoTufB
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JAqCx7m3p
"Why the hell am I saying this to a kid?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XxZ8hvjEw
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0PnvNg9QQ
"D-Don't mind that, just keep talking."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT50kU2OyKY
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7tCuKwN1Y
"...The thing is, a weak guy like me shouldn't concern himself with Hard-Bringer. It makes sense, doesn't it? Leave the big problems to the big strong folk. Weak guys shouldn't have to fight for other weak guys. That's what I think."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXAVVYP0bl
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vRvZsWxx5
He took a second to readjust himself. I used that time to spill my own thoughts.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicK22wTzSS
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1WTD4l3zF
"That's silly... O-Oh–"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf43OEDdnWQ
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRladJnSRxS
I realized I had just blurted out something insensitive yet again.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5BrMJMn4b
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhylhnMStn
"I didn't mean to be rude, but–"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzgepoMxt7
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eh37cV95B
"Nah, I get why ya think it. To each their own, that's what the masses say, yeah?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvi8r6f3OH
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrB2ieTZMx
"I... yes, I suppose so."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCtoZiulTz
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMdZ9JVt4H
Another pause. Juke directed his gaze to the floor this time.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2OYAegV3f
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpktEH1nfWM
"I think the weak shouldn't have to deal with what the strong does."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwXgRsIVFT
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡID78VQfU9M
"Yes, I know."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3knUQqfh74
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWx1K1FRSO
"But I wanna make sure Dennis is still kickin'."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ94FxOSZLD
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDplBZy0Rjl
He said that with conviction I had never heard from him before.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwbk8yraNn
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gF7if8CRA
"I believe what I said yesterday. I think he's just fine. 'Sides, I got no interest in fighting Hard-Bringer. But that ain't changing the fact that I wanna make sure with my eyes."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXqRvXugpZ
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PlvHmgnzy
"..."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJVzFARsUB
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡej8kokIcDj
I didn't say it outright, but I agreed with him. I wanted to make sure Dennis was fine as well. Yet, unlike Juke, I doubt I could muster the will to do so.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XMPUKjpMp
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mrMkFmseG
"Ya hear that?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAbB725GJD
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MYlw6DsBV
"Huh?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbuzbt51z1
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtaA5WXfS6
I perked my ears. I didn't hear anything. Then, I realized what Juke meant.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUzZwg1RJ3
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAtdEoNo7s
"They passed."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZs2AstBjT
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauX0Hi4Nr3
"Yeah. I can't hear them anymore."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmcpp4G3a5
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlykc6ARDW
Juke stood up first. He brushed the dirt off his pants and peered around the corner.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiE7Ed8VlH5
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4mDLIg6bH
"Looks like we're in the clear. Phew."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ137OSTt4LN
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVL6MBqOhX
I stood up and ambled to the front of the alleyway. Sure enough, Not one robed person was in sight. It was a clear indicator that I should have taken a step forward, but I didn't. No, I couldn't, not after what I had just said.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWlF07HNg1
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4CxNFWdeo
Juke had already taken his first steps, though. He looked back at me once he noticed I wasn't moving.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqXs4N37eI
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0zdWnwUgi
"Shit... hey, kid, I know what yer thinking."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4XBnTa2lz
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPagddvz9n7
"You've been saying that a lot."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblcQ4ZkTfb
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DNzGXzqax
"That's just cuz yer easy to read."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2z6rpPRF4
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWz2RatZdUB
We stood stock still in silence.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pR4RsbujY
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sxZlbp9e4
"W-Well, what are you waiting for," I muttered, "Let's get going."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGyPZb8ciZ
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMB9s0f9cG
"Are ya sure?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLUNogMvdT
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiyOuMROhV
I walked out of the alleyway, looking both ways before standing beside Juke.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK65EN2IwmF
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uR13WIkiA
"I should be asking you that."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkyyprR5ix
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67tYviKTXl
"Hehe, I guess so. We've come this far, haven't we?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BSwUGCs7K
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUoiNbowVo
"Yes. You get it."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMbrMxcNEC
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmynRg2SvD
But before we continued, there was one last thing I wanted to mention.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKJ7e3AHlY
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpERWEojUd
"If we see something that might change the accuracy of your hypothesis, then... I'm going to turn back, understand?"
Juke released a lethargic chuckle. I wasn't offended by it, instead, it caused me to think.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqH0ut4DRUw
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkomJPesrh
"Fine by me."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnompn1Awb2
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpqcYezz0r
I wondered how seriously he took my word. I wouldn't blame him if he thought it duplicitous.
We kept going down the streets, running between the alleyways as we avoided being spotted.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNkQE8G2dg
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JVxHWSM7h
–
–
–
"Ya see that?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgn9WZmpsfM
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQxy12Izb7
"Yeah, we're almost there."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0b3ZNHOgl2
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIijKZE5Ko
After hours of dodging lines of sight, taking tedious pauses in smelly alleyways, and having one too many heart-attack-inducing close calls, the stables were finally within our view. It was still a good distance away, but being able to see it was relieving. We were fortunate enough to find it unsupervised, too.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9VurvOixh
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We approached it with a pep in our step, but not forgetting to employ prudence. I turned my head in every direction as we got closer and closer.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayjGr5CmmC
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And as we got closer and closer, a sudden stench assaulted my nostrils.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzu6gFoxn1
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"Blurg, what was that?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIv1WIMZOe
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I skidded to a stop. I reluctantly sniffed the air again but didn't catch the same whiff. Juke looked back at me, confused.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2C1jl1choB
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"What was what?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRQkpo6a2d
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"I caught a whiff of something."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKYfwFv249
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"Ah, gotcha. I ain't stopping, just so ya know."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAfncWKAyC
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Clicking my tongue, I continued following Juke to the stables, occasionally sniffing the air as we encroached it.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbM3UbUDtwM
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And then, it came again. This time, more putrid than before.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKx2TKHWpY
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"Ugh– ack, what in the world?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CARgy8Ir2
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Juke didn't stop to ask me what was wrong this time. He turned the final corner and already made it to the stables. I knew that I had visited this place before, but I didn't quite acknowledge the structure until that moment.
It was like an open barn house with only a meager roof over the parking spaces. Inside these parking spaces were carriages, and opposite them were miniature pens housing the animals responsible for heaving the carriages. These pens were fitted with roofs and thick gates to block the animals from wandering off. Of course, because of the structure of the stables, he barged in without having to bust open any doors. Naturally, I entered without issue myself.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7H4L1BczIc
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But never had I wished for a door to be present more than now.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFJa5KY9Dv
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"...This is fuckin' horrid."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXS1nUTTHa
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The carriages were untouched, but the carriages were only there for me to distract myself with. It didn't last for long, of course. After all, the stench and overwhelming, blinding quantity of red permeating through every crevice of the area made it impossible to keep up the charade.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYB59SgRyN9
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The pens were broken, but the animals hadn't escaped. They were still in their pens, but as cadavers opposed to breathing beings.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Vkpq3cuTi
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Bile rose to my throat, but I was able to suppress it. That disturbed me deeply.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7UWAFEHmi
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"Well, Kenny, I dunno if we'll be leaving by carriage any time soon."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNSw8J8jbQ
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"You 'don't know', huh? Are you kidding me?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEllU3wMmCz
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I glared at the scene. It was grotesque, but my eyes couldn't divert from it. Every animal in every pen– no exception was made, none were spared. They were unapologetically slaughtered. Juke spoke of the sight perfectly; It was horrid. it evoked such visceral repulsion even when closing the eyes and glancing at it through memory.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxssgDZOL9B
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But, as much as I hated it, as much as it made me want to turn the other way and run, seeing our way out be cut off like this relieved me of a subconscious weight.
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Juke ventured further into the stables, and I begrudgingly followed. I fixed my gaze to the right, passing by the open pens and observing the carrion they contained. I didn't try to immerse myself in the details; I would've truly thrown up if I did. But, from what I did see, I could judge the means used to kill them. From lacerations to burns, to pulverizations of their bodies, it was obvious that a mix of magic and weaponry was utilized.
I was lucky that the blood had dried long ago.
"Sly bastards. How'd they know we'd try to get out?"
"...They probably just did this preemptively. Did they have to murder all the animals, though? Why not damage the carriages?"
My question had not just reminded Juke, but also myself of our carriage. We steered directions and beelined towards it. From an outside view, it looked unharmed. As Juke pulled out a key and unlocked the doors, I could only hope that the same could be said for the inside.
"Nagging Dennis for this shit paid off."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Is8nBU0bU
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Juke muttered something under his breath before flinging the doors open and entering. I followed, releasing a heavy breath as I confirmed that the carriage was unharmed.
"'Fore we head back out, we oughta pack some supplies."
"I agree, but I hope you know I won't be able to carry much."
"That's alright. This big body of mine ain't just for show."
We entered the back. Juke took the bag of food and placed his arms through the straps, carrying it like an oversized backpack.
"Anything else ya think we oughta bring?"
"...I can't lift the big bags, but–"
I grabbed a smaller one and emptied its contents, stuffing it with the few potions I had left in the larger bags, leaving me with a pleasantly light load. Juke hummed in an amused, yet agitated tone.
"Ya had potions this whole time? Ya should'a told me!"
"Oh, sorry. I thought I had."
We exited the carriage and returned to the stables, Juke grumbling as he descended the steps. I didn't leave just yet. Before that, I spared one more glance at the animals, meagerly clenching my fists.
"Hey, Juke."
He turned around and faced me. Before I got my words out, I had to stop shaking.
"What do we do now?"
He looked at me intently, or was it blankly? Either way, I could tell that he was digesting my question. Then, he turned his gaze away.
"We can't get out with the carriage, that's for sure."
"I know that much. But, do we... do we try anyway?"
"...Nah, ya should know that yerself."
My facial muscles dropped, forming an ugly frown. He was right, and because he was right, I was upset.
If they took measures this drastic to make sure nobody escaped, then the gates were unquestionably, undoubtedly guarded.
That undeniable notion frightened me.
"Yeah, you're right. But, still, what do we–"
I couldn't finish my sentence. My speech was interrupted by a jerk movement from Juke. He leaned in– almost pouncing at me and pushing me to the ground as he haphazardly fell to it himself.
I hadn't the time to formulate any complaints and questions, but all that I could have formed were addressed by the soaring ball of fire narrowly avoiding my head.
"--Ack!"
I landed awkwardly on my shoulder. Whether it was dislocated, I didn't know, nor could I afford to find out. I scrambled to my feet and faced our assailant. My blood turned cold when I saw her.
"That man is a quick actor. What about you, child? Are you the brains of your clique?"
It was the woman at the plaza. She was not in her unequivocal robe that was the sigil of Hard-Bringer but in a slackened coat, plain shirt, skirt, pants, and boots.
"Well, answer me, won't you?"
"Don't humor 'er, kid, she's got a screw loose!"
"N-No need to tell me!"
Juke got up on his feet and brandished his sword. I took out the tendril. The woman grabbed a curvy, seemingly customized, serrated knife. She raised it as she began to speak.
"So you two won't speak? Fine by me. A mute roadblock is easier to handle."
With a slide of her back foot and a drop in her posture, she burst into a sprint heading in our direction. Then, she veered into me.
The sudden shift left me panicked. I instinctively took a step back and produced a Valencia-Bloom, but before I could utilize it, she slashed her knife at me. I narrowly avoided the swing, but she didn't let up, spinning the blade in her hand and thrusting it to jab me.
That's at least what it looked like she would've done.
She did thrust her knife, but she spun as she did it, clashing with Juke's broadsword so suddenly that even he was taken by surprise. The woman exploited his shock well by delivering a kick to his chest. Juke's body didn't budge from the kick at all, though. A metallic sound rang throughout the stables and his head jerked back.
"Ack! My neck!"
"--I see."
Realizing I wasn't doing anything, I extended my tendril, using it like a dull spear. The woman ducked my attack and slammed her fist into it. I recoiled from the strike, but not enough to paralyze me. Thus, I slammed the tendril on the ground. She rolled away, dodging it effortlessly.
My tendril still near her, I switched the Valencia-Bloom for a Freeze-Dry. But I couldn't use it; the woman leaped and stomped on the flower before any ice came out.
My eyes widened by themselves. I couldn't think of what to do next, but I was fortunate enough to not have to. Juke swung his sword at the woman. She dodged it, but Juke didn't let up with his assault. The woman took a series of backsteps too great for Juke to immediately catch up to. Almost instinctively, she kicked her leg up, and though Juke was a couple of meters away, his head jerked up and a sound rang out as if he was hit.
Though Juke was struck in the chin, and though he was partially airborne, he aimed his palm at the woman, firing a wind spell at her.
And, it connected.
"Hng!"
It was a weak spell, and she was able to block most of it with her arms, but the point was that it connected. Somehow, that fact alone was enough to shock me.
"Yer power's confusing. Is it an Endowment? I dunno, I've got one, and yers sure don't feel like it."
Juke rubbed his chin. I could tell that he felt it, meaning the hit wasn't deflected to his helmet.
"Shit. How'd ya know my weakness, huh?"
The woman narrowed her eyes at Juke. Using the downtime, I began mana expulsion with my right hand and produced a Sunlight-Blossom from the tendril.
"You are right about one thing, oaf: my power is nothing like that absurd Endowment of yours."
"And yer calling my whole thing absurd? That's just–"
Juke's speech was cut short. I shot at the woman with a water spell. She dodged it, but I accounted for this and made the spell a powerful geyser, following her movements as it continuously sprayed. The woman clicked her tongue as she kept backing away, producing a ball of fire and firing it at the walls.
I gasped and processed her actions to make sure I understood what I saw. She threw a fireball at the walls, which were made of wood. She threw a quick wind spell at it right after and smashed through the weakened structure.
My geyser put the sudden fire out but had missed the woman entirely. It aligned with my expectations, though. She came back bursting through near the ashened hole. However, I had another attack prepared.
The seed was already loaded. I aimed the flower at her and fired, crossing my fingers in my head, praying that it would land.
It didn't. It didn't even come close. She ducked before the bullet had even been launched. I bit my lip in frustration.
"That's why I hate being aggressive. How cruel that I have to act against my nature."
She cracked her neck and swayed her lengthy hair in the air, glaring at us with her blue eyes. She looked ready to perform a deadly pounce at any moment.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByPwvbDqvV
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I stood beside Juke. We eyed the woman vigilantly. My prior assessment was overwritten as she didn't look like she would move at all, leaving me bemused.
But, then, a fireball formed in her hands. I expected her to throw it immediately, so I prepared to duck, but it continued to grow in size; it was far larger than her previous ones, almost as tall and wide as Juke was.
"Ah, shit."
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. Frankly, I didn't expect her to be so adept in fire magic that she could make a spell of that size. It was stupid of me not to consider it. The woman reeled her arm back. I had to act fast.
I ducked, placing both my hands on the ground. I began mana expulsion with one hand and performed spinning with the other. A wall of stone sprung from the ground before me. Then, I produced a Valencia-Bloom from the tendril, expanding it as far as I could reasonably do so. Juke already took cover behind me. Now, all that was left was too–
**SLAM**
"--Ack!"
I didn't suffer any severe damage. In fact, my defenses were hardly penetrated. But the heat from the fire nipped at me through it all. The spell dissipated in no more than five seconds, but it felt like forever.
"How the hell are we breathin'!?"
"Is now really the time for–"
**THUD**
I felt a sudden force clash against my shield. Due to my already shaky balance, I fell to the ground, but I made sure to retract the Valencia-Bloom so my arm wouldn't be dislodged. When the shield vanished, the woman took its place, her leg raised. She continued her assault, raising her knife and, with her other hand on the top of the hilt, plunging it into me.
I shut my eyes and grit my teeth, expecting the sensation of a blade being lodged into my body. But that never came. Instead, a metallic clang reverberated through the stables.
I opened my eyes. Juke intercepted her with his sword. He was on the ground with both his hands on the blade's hilt. Judging by how he was lying on the ground, gripping the hilt with both his hands like a rope, he must've slid.
They remained that way for a moment, engaged in a struggle between their blades. When it became apparent that she couldn't win, she clicked her tongue.
"Irritating," the woman sighed before kicking his helmet and sending him flying. She returned her attention to me, but I had used my borrowed time to regain my composure and swing the tendril.
My tendril hit her. But it felt as if I was the one who was struck, and it wasn't by a blunt object, but by a steel blade. Purple liquid erupted from my chest.
Yes, she was flung away. Yes, my tendril had connected. But when it retracted by itself, I found the woman void of bruises and her knife slathered in a viscous purple.
"D-Damn it."
I rose to my feet with shaking legs. She hadn't just blocked my attack but hurt me back as well. I clutched my chest and coughed harshly.
"How are ya?"
Juke stood beside me, brandishing his sword. We eyed the woman who was flicking the liquid off her knife.
"This ain't looking like a winning fight."
As much as it frustrated me to agree with his notion, I was forced to. Every attack I launched had been avoided, and the one time either of us landed one on her, it was more of a fluke than anything.
"So what do we do?"
"'Till I get how she keeps seein' the future, I ain't got a clue."
"See the future...? Do you think that's what it is?"
"Can't think of anythin' else."
I narrowed my eyes at her, mulling over Juke's theory. When I thought about it, certainly, it would make sense that she could see the future. However–
"There has to be a limit, or some kind of restriction. Her behavior is too inconsistent."
"I agree with ya, and I still got no clue how she kicked me from across the damn room."
Indeed, she had too many unknown factors about her, and combined with her astonishing physical and magical prowess, it made this fight impossible to win. I was wounded, Juke's weakness had been discovered, and the woman didn't look like she even broke a sweat.
"Are you two plotting something? I ought to interfere."
She broke into another dash, but it wasn't an utter rush; her steps were laced with trepidation, and her knife was raised defensively. It was as if she was approaching expecting us to attack her back.
My moment of clarity subsided as the pain washed over my being. But Juke, pulling me by the collar, had fortunately noticed the same, and–
"Book it, kid!"
Helped me turn tail as we both broke into sprints of our own.
I ran. I ran like the wind. I ran to abuse my legs. I ran to survive. But I wasn't so naive; my legs were small and my stamina was pathetic. Whether it was my lack of endurance or my lack of speed, the woman would undoubtedly catch up to me. No thanks to his luggage, I couldn't hitch a ride on Juke's back.
I swiveled my head. She was catching up to me like a wolf in pursuit, and I was sure to be caught in her fangs at any moment. I didn't try to speed up; too many factors prevented me from doing so.
So, if I couldn't speed up, then there was only one thing left for me to do.
I began mana expulsion with both of my hands, creating a mass of earth in one and a mass of fire in the other, expanding it. The woman didn't show an expression of surprise. She was expecting me to do this– no, not expecting, she knew.
Something about that pissed me off. So, instead of throwing it–
"--You!"
Her eyes widened. She skidded to a stop and leaped away. Despite that, I had to see this through.
I discharged as much mana into the fire as I recklessly could, and naturally–
**BOOM**
A Flinty incident occurred.
I used the stone I conjured up to defend myself, but truthfully, it hardly did anything. The most I could do was defend my head, and sure, my eyes hadn't burst, and my face wasn't seared, but they were still rolling on the stone pavement along with the rest of my body, picking up spikey pebbles and other trash like they were seashells on the beach. I only stopped when I collided with, something. I didn't know what and the means to find out were stripped from me. My ears rang, my nose burned, and I had to clobber dozens of particles off my face before I could even think of opening my eyes. But, my arms were too heavy for me to even lift.
So, I remained there, waiting for all the internal chaos to subside before I moved. Then I felt something touch me, then shake me, and I groaned in response. I didn't know who it was. Since I was alive, it probably wasn't the woman. Was it a street dog, or maybe one of those robed men?
Was it Juke? I dismissed the thought. That was a ridiculous proposition.
I was lifted and tussled with. It wasn't done harshly, but goodness, was it irritating. At that point, my annoyance powered over my fatigue, and I rubbed my eyes before slackening my arms yet again.
I opened them and saw the ground. Whoever it was that was messing with me was behind me. I couldn't turn my head to see them, though, so I groaned and heaved my breaths.
"Good to know yer still kicking. Which bottle 'ere is gonna patch ya up?"
Hearing a familiar voice, I was struck with an inordinate amount of clarity.
"Green, one," I mustered.
"Yer lucky I caught that first try. Open wide."
Even if I wanted to, I couldn't. He understood that too, so he grabbed my jaw and pulled it down, sticking the bottle inside my mouth. I was sure that I was going to drown; the amount of liquid entering my throat was overwhelming. But it passed as quickly as it came. I coughed vehemently, and Juke patted my back to help. I cursed my inability to voice my thanks.
"Take it easy, ya really did something crazy back then. Strong folk, I tell ya."
Now I just wanted to tell him to shut up. He lifted me and hung me over his shoulder, then he continued to run.
"Did ya get that crazy bitch? Err, tap once for yes, twice for no."
All I could exert myself to do was pinch, so I pinched his skin twice.
"Shit. Shit! Is she followin' us now!?"
I pointed my eyes up. I could only see a little bit of the ground, so I painstakingly raised my neck.
It devastated me to have to pinch once.
"Are ya kidding me!?"
Juke's running increased in tempo. Unlike me, he was able to at least keep the distance between him and the woman the same. Unfortunately for me, my head was bouncing up and down every step. I was sure that I'd vomit any minute, and then pathetically pass out a moment after.
But I couldn't afford to do so. I couldn't afford to be a burden when our lives were being threatened like this.
I tried to call it forth, but my tendril wouldn't appear. I tried mana expulsion– tried, but struggled. The explosion hadn't drained me of my mana, but my supply was so low I might as well have been shaking a bottle for droplets. I couldn't form anything grandiose or dangerous, meaning that I had to do something to just slow her down.
So, I formed a small mass of water. Supporting it with my other hand, I lifted my arm, aiming my open palm at her feet.
She didn't react preemptively at all. It gave me a surge of hope, and with that borrowed vigor, I fired the spell at her feet.
Except, I didn't fire it. It unceremoniously plummeted to the ground. She simply jumped over the puddle the spell created.
"Damn, it."
"--Ay kid, are ya seeing this!?"
"Seeing what", I wanted to ask, because I was still incapable of moving my body more than an inch at a time. But I didn't have to turn my head to see what he saw. As Juke kept running through the street, we passed by a myriad of bodies loitering about. My first assumption was that they were corpses– and, well, judging by all the red, it was likely correct.
But what really caught my eye was their attire: dark, hooded robes. All of these bodies were that of the people in Hard-Bringer.
Did a fight break out? Is that what happened? I looked up at the woman and she was entirely unperturbed. I was hoping to gauge a different reaction, but not only was hers uninformative, it was disturbing.
And then, my vision swerved.
"Huh?"
"I'm takin' a gamble."
"Gamble!?"
That was the loudest noise I had made that day. Juke didn't elaborate on what gamble he was taking. I thought of wiggling out his grasp right there, as obviously foolish as it was. But–139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWEWSrYh1o
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"Just trust me!"
He said it as a feverish plea. It shocked me into staying in place. With nothing else to do, I placed my faith in him. The sun-lightened streets disappeared and we ventured into a darkened alleyway. We came to a stop shortly after, leaving me confused and worried.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LXHLBLnJT
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Then, Juke began to talk, but it was clear that it wasn't to me.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9XOg8b4cT
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"Who are ya people?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBNDiuX9tg
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"Wow, he really followed us. Well, sir, we're here to help. My buddy will be doing the dirty work, though."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnf1qFYX3Hv
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"Buddy?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVIUGUhEHC
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I froze– froze more than I already was frozen, anyway. The voice that Juke spoke with was familiar to me, though I struggled to put a name to it. But then a set of footsteps sounded through the alley, and a man in a trench coat brushed passed Juke and me.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkAKeUQJHG
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Of course, with an article of clothing that distinct, I'd be lying if I didn't recognize him. My recognition was only solidified when he drew his hands in it and pulled two crossbows out.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1x6FouP1z
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"Quiet now."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiWHUZECgc
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Pars gave a command to us all, aiming his crossbows at the entrance of the alleyway. I didn't understand why he was using two of them, but there was a tube of earth protruding from inside the coat and connected to the ends of the crossbows, so I knew there was some trick going on.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrH8GOqNh9
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Pars kept his aim steady, and steady, and kept it up for seconds, then minutes. I realized then that we had lost our pursuer, but Pars only tilted his head.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZxX0Uvlnk
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"Where did she go? Do I smell that bad?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPverq0ZA3
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He pulled his crossbows back and sighed, rubbing his head as he turned around. His eyes met with mine, and he practically blenched.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDFkmWuV0j
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"K-Kenny? Where did you come from!?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1QQCrSev0
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I sighed, and I smiled. There was something heartwarming about seeing this man act as usual, even if it pained me.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxyIGzp3rM
