The fire cracked and popped. It was already dark out. Four hours had passed since the infiltration. Flinty, Ng, and Kenny were sitting beside the fire. Victoria just returned with more firewood. Kenny took a tiny bite out of an apple
Victoria sat down. Everyone was staring at the fire. The silence was oppressive, but Kenny didn't have the power nor gall to interrupt it.
"...I apologize for what has happened. My cowardice, my fear, it all led to this," Ng said.
"It isn't your fault," Victoria said, "as much as I'd like to say that it was nobody's fault, I think all of us messed up, hehe."
"Perhaps it was. But still, I feel as if I'm mostly to blame."
And thus, a needless back-and-forth started. Kenny didn't interject.
"Seriously, it's fine, you don't need to take all the blame."
"But–"
"Guys!"
Flinty suddenly raised her voice.
"M-Maybe it's Ng's fault, or Victoria's, but at the end of the day, Kim is still in trouble!"
"Right. Of course."
"You're right, Flinty."
"So... what do we do? We need a plan."
"Well," Ng started, "Jeremiah is formidable, but one of Panz's beasts has already been exterminated. Panz himself is also injured. Once we regain our strength, an upfront assault may be the best course of action.
"Right," Flinty replied, "Kenny can take the blob on by himself. Do you think you can do it, Kenny?"
Kenny didn't respond. He lifted his head and gazed at Flinty with beady eyes.
"...I'm not going back in there," he muttered, and their eyes widened.
"W-What, why not!?" Flinty cried. Shock permeated Victoria's expression. Kenny put a hand on his knee.
"It's best if we leave. Everyone will be in danger if we go back."
"But Kenny, what about Kim? We need to help her!"
"..."
Kenny turned his head away. Flinty's words didn't reach him. Frustrated, confused, surprised, and worried, Flinty didn't know what to do or say under such pressure. So, she didn't.
"F-Fine, but if you won't do it, then I will!"
"Don't! You're just asking to die!"
Kenny spat his rebuttal, Flinty flinched, and Kenny returned to gazing at the ground.
"Let's just... get out. At least, I can guarantee that you'll be fine if we do."
It hit her then. Flinty understood what was wrong with him. But still, she didn't have the words. Still, she didn't know how to convince his friend. Still, she couldn't help him. Flinty was dejected, upset that she didn't have the words.
She looked at Victoria. She was at a loss well, Flinty could tell. But, Victoria was older, and Victoria was smarter. Flinty was sure that she would think of something.
"Why don't we sleep on it?" She suggested, "We'll think of something in the morning."
"Yes! That sounds like a good idea!"
Flinty peered at Kenny, waiting for anything from him.
"...Fine."
Flinty felt relieved. Still angry, still worried, but at least she had time to think of something. And thus, the group readied for bed. None of them had any blankets or pillows, so they had to be content with sleeping on the ground. It wasn't comfortable, but before long they all fell asleep.
All, except for Kenny.
–
–
–
I couldn't get that thought out of my mind. This situation, this incident, none of this was like the one with my parents.
This was my fault. This was undeniably my fault. From the beginning, it was my fault.
That bullet. Why did I miss it? Why? Why? None of this would've happened if I just hit that bullet. That damn, tiny bullet made of stone.
I should've made it bigger. I should've been more patient. I should've gotten closer. I should've just used my tendril, or used fire magic. Who would've cared if I killed him? That alternative was so much better than this. Kim has been captured. The wolf is still out.
These thoughts, they kept me awake. I couldn't even close my eyes without that scene playing back in my mind; the bullet. If I just didn't miss that bullet.
"..."
I needed to take a piss.
I stood up. I tried not to wake up the group. I walked for a few minutes until I found a passable tree, then I took care of my business.
"...Crap."
I was already feeling groggy. I washed my hands with water magic and walked back, but stopped. Somebody was walking up to me. It was Ng. He stopped before me, carrying a makeshift torch.
"What do you want?"
"Kenny, do you mind us having a chat?"
I didn't even have any suspicions. It was ridiculous. But, really, talking was the last thing I wanted to do, so I walked around him.
"Kenny, what has you acting this way? Is it truly today's failure?"
"That's none of your business."
Ng followed me.
"I'll be blunt, this is abnormal."
"Shut up."
"Whether we escape the forest or not, you are the only one who can do anything about it."
"Shut up."
"Are you upset at me?"
I turned around.
"Huh? Why the hell would I be?"
"I see. Then, Kenny, let me ask you this; is this truly the best way to go about it?"
I didn't say anything, just tilted my head.
"You clearly feel at fault. I know, I've been in such a situation before."
"--!"
I couldn't say anything more. I couldn't even pretend to be mad anymore. I just sighed.
"Kenny, as an adult, allow me to grant you a piece of advice."
I didn't respond.
"I don't believe today's incident was your fault, but that is irrelevant. No, what I want to tell you is that, if you truly feel like you're at fault, then atone."
"...Atone?"
"Of course. It's simple, isn't it? You apologize for your mistake, and then you make up for it."
"...That is too simple."
"But it holds true, doesn't it?"
I turned my head away.
"It's..."
Ng walked up to me.
"You have a lot of power, Kenny. So much so, I'm envious of you. Perhaps you think you can't use it, but at the end of the day, who else can rescue Kim and fight Jeremiah but you?"
I turned around. I couldn't deny his words. He was right. And yet...
"That isn't it. That isn't it at all."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCtYuiRNpb
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccQ8GE4GVv
Ng tilted his head. He started to look a little nervous, and also slightly annoyed. I wasn't talking much sense, was I?165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirwyXqMBTb
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FshnrHwe8
"Then what is it?" He asked. I had to take a moment to put it into words.
"...If I go back in there, then all of it will hinge on me again. Your lives, your well-being, all of it. If I go back there, then all of it will be up to me. If one of you die, then that's my fault. If one of you get hurt, then that's my fault."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmYqcIGIwa
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZAyFt4Jqb
"That's not true at all–"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fBg6KZnkM
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolZT48ze2j
"Let me finish! You, have you ever had a feeling like that before? You said you know, you said you've been there, but you haven't! I can't stomach it; I can't stomach that feeling that, it's all up to me, that I'm the one who has to be the shoulder for all of you to lean on! I can't, I just... I just can't..."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRqyVfg0vd
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlTlBDEn1k
I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ845KGB2Fir
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhU4LEFrWLw
"All of you say I'm a genius, but I'm not a genius. A genius wouldn't have gotten us into this mess in the first place. And now, now that I at least have Flinty, and at least Victoria is here– and hell, at least now that you're here, you're telling me to go back in there, and then just, risk it all again? What if I mess up or, God, what if I cause Kim to die? I-I'm not– I can't do it! I can't! I can't do it alone! Kim is already gone, I don't have her to help me anymore, so if something goes wrong then it's going to go terribly wrong! D-Don't you get it? Don't you get it, Ng!? How am I supposed to do anything, absolutely anything, knowing that if it all goes to shit then I'm the one who's responsible!?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnY2X5XsWxJ
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0T5b6YNAO
I fell to my knees.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzwpr1Jil8
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAmg4xGrhP
"K-Kim said it herself... all of it, all of it hinges on me... but I'm not someone to make that bet on, I'm not... I'm not..."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0iT9QdP7b
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMmSBKyOLL
I fell. I was in a fetal position and the top of my head was glued to the ground. I couldn't hear anything over my crying. I couldn't even move. I felt something touch my shoulder. I looked up to see Ng's face.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZQyZAWa9N
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBJvBwPlOc
"...Kenny."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1pe4N9Szw
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQnirAvnOt
"What!?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71iu1bB5LA
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FhMGL5K4B
He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vsG2LhEE1
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXqepE8KV9
"You're not lying to me, are you?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGMFwJfHR1
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlImoD5SydW
The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvZ455BrbJ
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRDayfNl43
"That was quite a performance, but all I'm hearing is that you're just going to leave your friend to die."
...165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7pePXdOUh
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8j5S7JgAbZ
I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNjJoJCNK9
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUCv876BA8
I'm not... I'm not doing that, am I? What I'm doing, it's just to preserve what I have, right?165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl75xDcLwbr
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbHoTrk8rB
"N-No..."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC13vxCAY1b
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRByEzbWb8i
Oh, God.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvyz8AK8YM
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJ7d4OvEZL
Oh, God.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MwsXsp3cz
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfoDhXaIoI
"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8jCI9VEL7
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfc8MNRgWO9
Ng leaned down to pat me again. I slapped his hand away. I scurried backward on the ground, panting, tears still rolling down my face. Ng didn't look like a man to me anymore. I couldn't identify what he was. All I saw was something I didn't like. I kept scurrying back and I hit a tree, then I stood up, and then I ran away. I didn't know where it was that I was going but the light from his torch was fading and that's all that mattered. I kept looking back and eventually, I stumbled. Right, the roots here, they were massive. I got up and five steps later I tripped again. The exhaustion from before still hadn't subsided. I could barely move. But, at the very least, Ng wasn't here. At least Ng wasn't there.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYnvCrDHeq
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDqitrLB6e
But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWODFnqCpJG
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJYrD1UZag
"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDB9z5t5TwA
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRNWaSfDDn
It wasn't the way I thought about it. So, here I was on the ground, affirming myself. Of course, I wasn't leaving her to die. Of course, I was just trying to make sure Flinty and the others were safe. Of course, Ng was right. Ng was totally right. He saw through me, but worst of all, I knew Ng was right, I knew completely but that didn't change a thing. I still couldn't even grasp the idea of going back there and fighting and– and maybe Kim really was killed because of me, because I couldn't do it. But Ng was right. I needed to go back.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1fNDyxQXy
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qtDiRP3qv
But if I went back then what if it goes wrong? What if I go back and I see that I've truly failed? What if I go back and I see her– her–165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPW1VNGXNt
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgXJqsMQQk
"--Hrk!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchLe9YxNyS
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8bHI2shqq
I managed to hold back my vomit. Somehow that cleared the haze in my mind. I leaned against a nearby tree. I didn't think. If I thought, then I would've heard Ng's words again, and if I thought, my anxieties would've crawled back, and then I would be endlessly running. So I sat there instead.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Rw76A4GBp
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNta5HEC9l
One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqZrluo98L
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXREpqKhoc
"There you are."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8V4v4Hjwac
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVyBaBNDC3
Ng already found me, huh?165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBtDGBQClr
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqB5RejxvC
"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4XG0Pb8XW
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkV4kUiDQJ
I casted a gaze his way. An indescribable tug on my stomach was telling me to forgive him. It felt terribly unnatural, but I couldn't help but give into it. I didn't accept his apology, but–165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCTYXXiPyq
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkATRKoPcA
"...Fine."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7wvevWwcx
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HWQakAD9L
He offered me a hand but I stood up by myself. I followed him through the woods. I was staring at his heels. Sometimes he turned his body to me, likely to say something, but he didn't speak it.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTS1n7j2wba
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBRDvU7hXU
"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaYOpcEtWS
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82ijBZlHLQ
Nevermind. What a strange question.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsi1etuG2uO
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYNx2lufII
"No. They died a long time ago."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIVpfARY8V
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBgE6CEaZL
"I see. You have my condolences."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwLGKCkC8H
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUCYMbTwyt
"I don't need them."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zEKFnptGR
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpHtxtpbiT
A pause.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW33Mfenvxd
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9bXPW3ddz
"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCN5YWaPuzi
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTmu71V0SO
"..."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hR4GL4Vn6
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTtc59Bycx
I stopped walking. Ng stopped shortly after. I don't know what it is that just happened, but a button of mine was pressed.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiWOGd2Dnq
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaaF45IZpH
And then the memories came flooding back. Those months where I refused to walk outside, being taken in by Anabelle, and lastly the talk. That vital conversation I had with Anabelle and Jackson. I started biting my nails.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5SJhAC8aF
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXOgqACy62
Despite it, nothing changed. My mind was still at odds with itself. But I calmed down. I calmed down a lot. At that moment, a bundle of warmth spread throughout my body. I was feeling fine.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7CrLtLPgy
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOc79XCo06h
"Did I–"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BacouIjPL
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fQIwCWwqg
"I'm sorry Ng. I still don't think I can do it. At least, not now, not by myself. Even thinking about it is making me shudder. I can't go in there."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLP63GqAJfA
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTT7uqVEMN0
"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnxnbaJlgn
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mhVc6hFvD
I had to make sure I heard him.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDKYaPcR4O
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBM31WaLkQE
"Assistants?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXyNXmpM8z
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvYCeNVPOO
"Of course. I can still use the mana here to make some. It doesn't have to be anything powerful, just enough to grab Kim while you're fighting Jeremiah."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXODo1ZxOOU
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqU20zG7Jl
"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdb0KPNAxh
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahQMRSUokh
"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYsSZehDTA
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpx07uJx7un
"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzKda8brhH
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgdW0K6C1r
We kept walking. We didn't exchange another word but I could feel the air around us lighten. Thanks to the campfire, we made it back to the others.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiKIAlUbtt
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmY4R99M5PT
Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCfegz3lfV
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBlouyT6fd
"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0wUKFRYAp
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQOhGE3lee
Flinty ran up to me and gently hugged me, patting me on the back a few times. I would've been embarrassed if I wasn't so bewitched by the presence of the third person.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnRxVqLDQm
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lSL27nsZZ
Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVV5EUR1la
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–
–
–
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoQ9jLCJWi
We were all sitting by the campfire. Though I was sleepy, the knight's presence alone made me unable to sleep. I had too many questions to ask, and it looks like I wasn't alone.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuT9cmMFZC5
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97JmNX71wA
"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uwMzd4gf3
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlt3emFxIC
"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEFw5Nxlzn
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMW1KWj0nU
"Of course."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrS30GyxISP
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWdT2izPS4
"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTF5Bepoo0C
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEqUry9ckj
"Ah, of course. I am here because I've been tasked with tailing Kim. My reasons are secret, but I assure you it isn't anything malicious, not from either party."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaL8oCsTbN
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tLajBhs8j
Tailing her? Well, if that was the case, he must not have been very good at it. But when your target is as disguised and inconspicuous as Kim, then even a knight would have difficulty pursuing you.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDTG1v0faA
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSwHIgarce
But, no, something else was bugging me.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESA26uerMg
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAjay14d7T
"How did you know where to find us here?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXcGzGci9r
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JWDd4aEhF
"I simply spent the day searching."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobfOWTgTaf
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVlUGtszka
"The whole day?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBD15jI157
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNo8FM3OWuE
He didn't respond to that. "Victoria's mother informed me of your whereabouts. This forest may be small, but it sure is dense."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DvKvjzLPM
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIl68lbUth
Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCHMqPCTpc
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPILz1KYFu
"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlu3tNiNRH
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNykIr6viE
He sighed.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9cN4ohxxN
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"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiPfvu5owr
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4r8fCZFfK
"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEw3RJ24Rpe
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu368IH4g7J
"Oh! Yes! Kim is being held captive by a magical beast my ex-colleague has created. He is formidable, and occasionally reckless, but not a creature who would intentionally kill. He wasn't programmed that way."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0QP9Ydn0X
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGU2lkvLGOw
"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerUhbW8cwj
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsx8LAa0As
"...Why do you ask?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGmSQTrw17
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQHO1I10Lj
"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVm1U5xU77Z
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCq32bH14nw
Those words made me perk up. They had two meanings to me. Ng went on to explain the blob's ability to contort its body and produce a hypnagogic haze when injured. Skylark didn't look intimidated at all. I didn't see him in action yet, but I imagined that such confidence didn't come from foolishness. Skylark's presence was still strange, and I'd be lying if I said that I didn't have any suspicions about his relation to Kim, but– frankly, it didn't matter. Frankly, I was just glad that I was able to pass the baton onto somebody far more capable than me. A short while later we all returned to sleep; aside from me, of course. And, apparently, aside from Skylark. I lifted my body and stared at him. As we stared at each other, I tried to unbridle certain words from my throat, but he talked first before I could.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsSlvCQv3w
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2or36LtVh
"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglhyEauLvJ
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zVjFIXmaT
"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3XBUSmxlI
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwlnssw4SI
"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eLwOJ2V1T
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHUvOlJrxJ
"I see. I'll get sleepy eventually, it's just a matter of time. But since you're awake, I might as well talk with you. Talking with people is especially exhausting."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFk5yRr797
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XR4iLoDxC
"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUMbquAYTJ
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzU69d0YlvB
"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTcln3g1g4
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAqgEP5XSj
He put a hand to his chin.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSGYqrxHFl
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbpeGWkhTo
"...Well, I'm sure you in particular will find out soon. For now, let's just say that I was sent to defend her, in case anything goes awry."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrah63yIA4
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5bfAeQUMs
"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvmxP6tmmy
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXG7IjWvGP
"No."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKKaPVK2fb
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYyVIw0xma
"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxN8G6r52gP
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZ7s6tyyEz
"Do you mean in the woods?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeew8jsvyI
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqSBFA4CHr
"Yes. I'm just curious."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggpS0Ko4fZ
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGhPNCkt16
"I entered the woods two hours ago. I was told by Linda to wait until it became dark. Honestly, these woods are a bit of a nightmare to navigate."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡactQWYcX5B
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlVi1zKSd3
I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChBwNNlbVh
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXQTMedcth
"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qxyBnu9oH
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZD810k3mx
"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPS2STOboDv
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgfICZ6yrQ
"Me too."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmWtYwOjXy
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41kb3fVCvY
I realized how strange it was that he called it knightly duty, since he met us by coincidence, but didn't press him on that matter.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxEvRXf7gM
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTi3kmXEzN4
"Is that all you wanted to ask?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwYCMw7v9T
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6J44Gh5Xde
"Yes. For now, at least."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBDo7l9MT2
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PvExXUh9B
"Are you sure? I may not be able to answer all questions related to Kim, but I have a lot of knowledge of other things."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOrEyEbyMZ
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHaTDHgruC
"..."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJypwd8BcF2
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbBG5WoMFK
It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6933WaWQ8d
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZXbvlcYT8
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhrkqTuatZ
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamr6eiENE9
"...Huh?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLeVqsblvF
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBV0HXpMSFQ
–
–
–
There was a gap in the trees perfectly positioned to where the sun hit my face. I woke up with an uneasy feeling in my chest and had difficulty keeping my eyes open. Needless to say, I didn't sleep well. Despite that, I was feeling fine. Everyone else was still sleeping. Everyone, aside from Flinty, who was not present.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yTcic4HXW
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMW5bYU3MX
I thought of the worst immediately. I calmed down once I heard a sound nearby. I walked towards it and saw Flinty standing with her arm out, creating water balls and... firing them.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0PAEwKqwH
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA56LYMO4Fo
I wouldn't repeat the same mistake as before, so I stood by the sidelines and watched. She didn't even have her eyes closed, yet she was able to create a water ball and maintain it for twenty seconds. And then, she fired it. It was a very weak spell; it hit a tree and merely splashed it. If it was another element, it likely would've only scratched the bark off. I was still impressed.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4G532WJQPm
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9OHSBJFfV
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQ4lUO7SbR
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JL1t41s5B
"Good morning, Kenny."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqkkWUWFPv
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwOL6lNkLL
"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oIbXk9kOw
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37Jp4FOKRc
"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNSDSUpltr
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51yzCsv1NX
When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGZIKTfJ8c
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxgnquASRb
"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHv1XQMsoP
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSesZOiBT2R
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfruKzkMVg4
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20vEqwK8Oe
"Yes! I have, ha!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROgvT1N2e7
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvHf7INFK3
She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSeWYbIl8r
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXdsCF58eP
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAP2NOUxdFu
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAFyJv4VE1
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHL9CLMBSpk
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1st7TuJFgA
"Thank you, teacher."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0H83zNTJV
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIb7OHqszV
"Yeah. Don't call me that."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmV8Olkhmoi
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuaV6rBrLS
"Okay."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9CsLlErA6
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo857YNyXoy
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLeekyeKvv
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50PooEeLJC
"Hm? What's wrong?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjj3tsczawz
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12webwDt82
"Um..."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZ1scCQdGb
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhavHFLiDvC
She let go of me and began taking off the coat.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNuDEDeBwM
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr65dzvh5s8
"Here. Have it back."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXVMmMNgNr
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAN7tN9o8IT
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqAcJtx6ce
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSm7pMyTe7B
She shook her head no.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhNTR66Q8H
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHFaVa2o1y
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpXZynuF6d
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbO8R7Q773
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwqK8NJH55
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9IJDvRPlT
"Thank you, Flinty."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXnJruSkyi
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtL4wyjqTAs
I grabbed the coat and put it back on.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCCPCs7rLe
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvhMF1nskO
"Kenny, do you feel better?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdoeER9OFj
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0E4v9bm7q
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OuasWaRMx
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0sC64M786
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNNTHcqwxX
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2n2X9L3Go
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5wOK8zJXF
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡry4dm1NdL7
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeigIQsy8vt
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkFr1eIsXY
"Good morning, Kenny."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmIPli1q7V
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZB5jPF6jH
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYKvpALExq
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyx9RcVjGAx
He nodded. When Victoria and Ng got on their feet our strategy meeting began. It was simple; Skylark would enter the compound and battle Jeremiah while Victoria, Ng, and I would surround the building to capture any escapees. With that set, we began our breakfast. It was just simple rations, but they tasted especially fresh. Flinty and Victoria were engaged in conversation while Skylark vigilantly watched our surroundings. I looked at Ng and was suddenly reminded of last night.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ILF7A6oXG
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTOnjFNnwk
"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xCGueHgXH
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqb0i4aWJYj
I scooted closer to him.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfH1EEy5Ti
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvc88XK9he
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNVxFvOcrZ
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgzBfURFdA
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7DJ3bWQJD
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsl41PrGQB
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaA5qwSaWe9
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpEWBLE6ul
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzNIvVV3WT
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bZzj40XRu
He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNukWbCzaGp
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomKeT8YsAe
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQew6QLokz
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMr7WIXi8P
"What?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmrIihdjDp
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mVtbAGuX0
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gjZMKNIXf
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEd8rx1w3qJ
But then I thought about his behavior back in the cellar, and during the initial stage of the infiltration. He lightly punched me in the shoulder.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtT6uCZDTwG
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUr1D9JCXeN
"You and I are alike, I've realized. But unlike me, you are powerful and gifted. I know you can liberate yourself from the fungus in your brain. You are still young, after all."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1Pvza1pEM
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeqGoHKcr1
"R-Right."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbZ3NYnO6m
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5qD91eURH
"Well then, shall we go?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxgpR2DMFa
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcbxejnAez
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGmzOvZ8g5
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSvFPEGt9e
"Alright."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSucwyM3nSO
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuz5CuSlXq
We grabbed our bags and left the campsite. With Ng leading us, we arrived at the compound thirty minutes later. Flinty and Ng stood nearby in the woods guarding our things, and more importantly, away from any attention. Skylark, Victoria, and I stood before the broken gates of what was essentially the compound's front yard. Skylark took a step forward. He had a rag covering his mouth.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLI42GXJDeA
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcKfUUtLHe
"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaV6p9SeMiI
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfDDpnUNSE
And then he walked across the field and into the building. Now Victoria and I stood there alone. I felt a hand on my shoulder.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwnVToVWhh
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoZTIHt9MS
"What?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXESvku6FX4
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZrDCZh3ju
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDeMyvPuTZ
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLh5N4i9CN
"I know he will."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2viAiaOyuo
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSOsIqO76b
"Then why are you shaking?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oz3XS3egj
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRR6fZIibgE
"...I just can't help myself."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dPxKtnrr5
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡII3xaHp5K6
I walked to the walls and sat against it. Victoria joined me. We sat and waited. Five minutes passed without anything happening. Ten minutes passed without anything happening. Victoria was jittering a little.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdP2g9odZr
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuK4xTj7Z8H
"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkUlWCKNlr
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPM8WQZIcV
"What do you want to talk about?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3dOSACVYI
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4IubPkzT8
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAmStURCjW
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1wTlOGnoc
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGDiVGvzZe
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfgO0VxJRm
"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJ8XDGwiAV
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0j6XTZjeET
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6owm8c2dju
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBRmc50Dqx
"Ha!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNiYZ3JZT0
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTe6XIGD1l
She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kr4nDnYtW
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytd93DXX6o
"These muscles came from all the work at the farmhouse, and fighting is something Mom taught me. Y'know, she used to be a combatant! An extraordinary one, too!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkJNhLdvvv
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7VHVVPkxd
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUZ4MSMGua
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLdp8hkZlO
"Hehe, something like that."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAK4RkvMOW
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcl7YkwPugJ
She didn't sound confident.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHRFi2JYa3
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphmvzpBWEG
"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6TXXblwry
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXLtESvlxo
"Ah. That makes sense."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMYsg0HPcL
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrjhAwqCIw
I was very close to saying something insensitive.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyIouN12nw
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLz4HBv1lw
"That blob thing was a bit too much for me to handle. I think though, if we were to fight that wolf, I would be fine."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq30OkHrvHY
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSACkEkR64u
"...Wolf?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbFVH14sgj
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNJ5PCkepw
All the air suddenly left my lungs. I looked to my left. The broken gate. Its mauled doors were sprawled on the grass, and chunks of stone accompanied them.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ588ZMt79G5
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgpYRNNumi
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknGgD9PGtV
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2T3WWMe0XZ
"Kenny?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jw628AQog
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOpKZmL02T
With how quiet it was in the compound, I naturally began to theorize. I did not doubt that Skylark was alright, but we should've heard something, anything by now. Because we weren't, then Panz must've been hiding. And I already knew from Ng that Panz had the ability to summon his creations.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8DtWyCXwG
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeDUK9BupP
I stood up and walked forward.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXFNyYKzIs
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvC3sqbusu
"Kenny? What's wrong?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiB68ht8IA
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1O45yQHMLU
"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkpvWH5DZV
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9MaBn453Q
I took my tendril out and grew a Sunlight-Blossom. I snatched a seed and stuck it in the ground, then grew it to full size. I clasped the flower by its stem and aimed it at the woods.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSl6HuF3JF
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31SXyok7Kz
Victoria stood beside me with her hands raised. She caught on fast. I keenly eyed the woods, almost like a hawk, waiting for anything to flutter.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKKjdbXC9N
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPN5JxZlXfP
And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OgUL9ra0D
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VJfYkiz2q
**BANG**165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadYoOmrlp6
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0fyhsQ5Qx
The Sunlight-Blossom's seed rend the wind and trees. It left my line of sight in a second. I didn't catch the beast, but that wasn't an issue. A resounding wail echoed throughout the woods. I saw the bushes fly in the distance.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOF2ScXZsOP
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZTHwudnV0
"Victoria."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiF9p28cO27
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAG9gn5v8v
"Right."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06hALyZFAD
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUoSEQqzPp
I had to think fast. I produced a Freeze-Dry and encased the ground in ice. Next, I brought out Dragon-Maw Jr. and raised the tendril over the ice.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zT1q9B2yM
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDGYhvHEWa
**SMASH**165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmt5BXi0k9w
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfW7H0lvBxF
There he was.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EtMFFmmxg
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlNKuWiyhH
The wolf crashed through a tree and landed on the ice field. He lost his footing quickly. I lowered the tendril and Dragon-Maw Jr. snapped his jaws immediately, nipping at the wolf's back. The wolf slid towards us with his maw agape, brandishing hundreds of sharp, unsightly teeth.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Cet6VvHvn
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oiU7lh9Ht
Victoria crouched. The wolf jumped. I retracted the tendril and prepared to strike, but the size of the wolf surprised me. I hesitated. But that was fine. Victoria clenched the wolf's neck as it soared through the air. She slammed the beast to the ground, hardly able to keep it pinned, but she was able to punch its snout a few times. The wolf struggled and clawed Victoria in the chest. She winced, and the beast escaped from her grasp. He was bleeding, but so was Victoria. She reached for her pocket and doused herself in a healing potion, then threw the glass bottle at the wolf who stepped aside to avoid it.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3Scj0Nmft
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa48LdYGUfZ
"That thing is strong," she said, "We can either wear it down or pin it again, but if I do, you need to kill it."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAS80oTrE3
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGURkiU55q
"Right."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hDoOXyxEO
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJB2VuxFAU
With my other hand, I began mana expulsion and created a bundle of thin, elongated rocks. I threw them at the wolf one at a time. He avoided them all, but as I threw, Victoria inched closer. The wolf jumped at her with his jaws wide open. Victoria stepped to the side in the nick of time, but as the wolf landed he turned around and leaped again. I struck him with the tendril and he spun across the field.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jNeNeYdl0
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUrpkwFPxb
"Thank you!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kZ1QMvr6v
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlBBKEwjnm
I nodded. The wolf was temporarily incapacitated. He was still bleeding from Dragon-Maw Jr's wound. Victoria and I were unharmed. We could do this.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZbkkB5Hfg
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxA8x2h459l
I began mana expulsion again, creating a stone and suspending it in the air. I covered it with fire magic. The wolf came back to his senses and sprinted at me. I stretched the tendril out; he avoided it but I struck him as I retracted it. I threw the fire-rock at it. The wolf caught it with his mouth.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ggHJD82jh
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdG7W7HPwX
"Huh?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cRxSTSGsv
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lrLB12SdS
Not just that, he clamped down on it, shattering it instantly. The fire was proven to be ineffective as smoke casually escaped his mouth.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3TQNu1uVX
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvJMYPtBpw
The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibniSRZFzc
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFsMnpJtHV
"Shit!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKTl0DDFdh
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDbJ8Qffl2
I put my hand on the floor and created a small wall of earth before me. A stream of fire pummeled it. I wasn't harmed, but the heat made me feel woozy.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvt4Lvn3qBL
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVY8sXxA49
"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvyOz1Y33J
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldluymmsaI
I removed the wall and began mana expulsion again, this time, creating a ball of water. Victoria was beside me, her palms open and her fingers strained.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaXZSnABKl
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLNw7qfrpB
"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOPLfBxBHl
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzA3kA93Bwe
"I understand."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eO2Rsunn7
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjDrLzkyJz
I retracted my tendril and began mana expulsion with my right hand, creating a bundle of pebbles. I shrunk the water ball down and clasped it with my left. A pure-white water geyser erupted from my palm. The wolf avoided it but found himself on the ice field again, and thus lost his footing. The geyser ran out before I could hit him, so I created another ball of water. The wolf blew fire on the field and melted the ice, and unfortunately, made the grass catch fire as well.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYl4ABzhVX
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLZJogamTB
"Uh oh, Kenny."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JypAwcDCk
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbC6Auy5dQ
Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3phw5syQT
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAp0Xi3b3xE
"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZVdFc46OL
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZ7rgIzUDp
I didn't clasp the ball this time but spread it out across the field. The fire was extinguished and the wolf was now wet, but seemingly unbothered. He started charging at us again. I scattered the pebbles in my right hand with intense force. They were small, but the wolf would undeniably be hit and staggered.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzxmgx59RZ
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSqbDD7nZm
But, though he was hit, his charge didn't halt even a little. I panicked and brought the tendril out, stretching it out yet again. He didn't avoid it. Instead, he snapped his jaws at it.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1U8beEmvU
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3syTpHoUi
"Hrk!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJgyce5ar1
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EgFY0ai2C
Pain permeated my whole body. Maybe even my soul. It was terrible, but the situation wasn't irredeemable. The tendril was in between the wolf's jaws but was still intact. I quickly thought of a way to retaliate and produced a Flash-Bloom. I'd be lying if I said I expected it. I hurriedly held my hand over my eyes.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCQlcHLaVH
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjk811oM6Bd
"Victoria! Close your eyes!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ME1TnAwYm
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnm8z672RG
Even with my eyes covered, all I saw was white. Pushing the Flash-Bloom beyond its limit was exhausting my mana supply but I didn't have to keep it out for long. A few seconds later I stopped it and opened my eyes. The wolf was still gripping my tendril but was nabbing at its own face as if the light was on him. I produced Dragon-Maw Jr. and he bit at the wolf's nape. The wolf let go of my tendril. I coughed out some purple goop.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEQD0JBllk
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CNmeckbKa
"Victoria!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwFxKzutJq
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtTBJ5ZbeL
"Right!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5hrAMsARO
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jXpphGcb4
Victoria ran over to the wolf. She didn't pin him down, but instead, grabbed one of his oversized hind legs and bent it in an impossible direction. The wolf opened its mouth and wailed and readily spat fire. With all his squirming, Dragon-Maw Jr. could hardly keep him in place. I produced another water ball and flung it at the wolf. I managed to perfectly land it inside its maw, and the beast was forced to cough it all out.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYnBCmdR7x
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAu3lCE854F
Dragon-Maw Jr.'s teeth sunk deeper into its neck. The wolf was still desperately clawing at its eyes, but each succesive swipe made it obvious that the beast's strength was fading. Victoria broke its other hind leg. The wolf struggled, but he didn't attempt to spit out fire this time. The wolf simply howled, and howled, and its howls grew weaker by the second. Dragon-Maw Jr. kept clamping down. I noticed it myself, how the neck was being sluggishly pulled off the body. Victoria clasped the wolf's snout. She began pulling at it.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNkkbw39XE
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHs9dfOIc2
"GRAHHHH!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2MAyyIFa8
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIT1knjW9F
A warcry. She was a total barbarian.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6U50yqq1ue
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91irmFYYtC
With the help of Dragon-Maw Jr, Victoria tore off the wolf's neck and threw across the field. The head crashed and spallered against a tree. It immediately evaporated into the air, and the rest of the wolf's body followed suit. She grabbed her knees and began to pant.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCStYqp0a8
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvR9rw7Zjw
"..."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvg6Q1rvo7W
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lQN2HR0pl
I retracted the tendril. My mana supply was relatively plentiful. Still, I plummeted to the ground, face-first. I stopped coughing up purple goop, and a minute later, it stopped oozing from my chest.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGrbULVZi3
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9x8QzOtdE5
I had questions about it, but those were for later. At the time being, I was happy. I relishing the moment. Even with grass pressing against my face, I was relishing.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5KgSltDrw
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjt5HV0jAL
We did it. We really did it.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMOuqyPI0m
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmYgbuQ49S
"Kenny!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tcs7aK5h5
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rxrZTa2VP
Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuw4dwvS2Dz
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqWAwa1KJ8
"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZMVvWCMs1
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9n4xRSkT5J
"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSvuldBRin
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUJy0f5Ci8
She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1MlJkFt3A
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7iMS07mKz
"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAc4n97n1V2
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8lcl0dRZ9
"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFraLr3qqs
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkV1ova3Y2V
She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneM6XgF65n
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyL6DZWAYZJ
"We did it," I muttered.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZbBmcIz0K
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqEKgWBm2n
I struggled to believe it. Not just because the wolf was taken down without much hassle, but because of how I was feeling.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wCNLYmTAW
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6hO25VwYl
Right now, I was immensely satisfied. I glanced at Victoria, and she was fine, and I was fine, and the beast was dead, and I was satisfied.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zHyIczYkn
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtTWKaH1Wt
I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhdgJ071yz
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnJ2JHnX6P
"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxrxH9Azyg
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvogDQI8tmN
"...It could've been a lot worse."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZq8Jg8aYQb
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE73sKpMmeV
"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRD9Vc6Bv9x
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8JmNPtIXi
Victoria looked at something above me.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpCYssZsk9
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGwO0HTHOg
"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNrzTFywqx
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4u5QGSjal
Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIxDLLXLt5
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJe2k2VpSQj
"No. Why do you ask?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPB2v8Yuyc9
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwBUCfCuNR
"I haven't heard a single thing coming from the building. Our fight was noisy, so I thought that maybe someone would come out. I'm starting to get worried."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKmdCnsFix
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUPqg5j05l
"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3I7U3tKauk
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqhgcOXtwb
"O-Oh, sorry."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIywQTXBYtg
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZU8GnA41p
She scratched her cheek a little.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4fwzdqYBW
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5yjypepOG
"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxKuXNUqvr
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7nvs8zXYc
"That's just how you need to be with monsters. Equally brutal. It's something I got used to. I watched my mom fight a lot when I was a kid."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PxL36EoZl
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfk0kNzGzUN
"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxoSIrWg4x
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdWukbvqwN
"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhN8xT3CCZi
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlB49ZgR5BZ
I sighed. My face returned to the grass as I indulged in the silence. I could feel the fatigue worm its way into every nook and cranny of my body. I was surprised at the toll the fight had on me. Eventually, I stood up and brushed the dirt off my shirt. It was even more purple than before.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXOpQbfsS0
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HS6EkbP0v
I helped Victoria up. I limped to the busted gate and stared at the compound. A weight formed in my stomach. I almost began to pray, but the doors to the building slowly opened.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNXOPyJ74u
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOX1GvPJJp
Skylark was there. Kim was on one shoulder, and when he opened one door wide enough he grabbed Panz by the hood. He had a lot of dust on his body. When he caught up to us, he frowned.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrsoY5y2GP
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaA93M2u3c
"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluFzo10usx
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3CVOhLWr6
"We fought something, Kenny and I."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPDDxxQFO7
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTcd7j4hHz
She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡin15pVt2Ye
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObWqrTdFGC
"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRyZ7wwnrN
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYEgmA8GKX
"How is Kim?" I asked.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxujMho5gIm
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgfU8Bzvuq
"She's fine, just unconscious."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLSVf3CprL
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3EtsdhmRc
I could only say one thing.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1kLTI2wzl
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2iq2zbBhc
"...Haaaa. Thank God."
