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."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9jGk4BYMP
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGE1AjnpNNZ
Ng tilted his head. He started to look a little nervous, and also slightly annoyed. I wasn't talking much sense, was I?202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRrGrJGh5v
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDiXGPBNRX
"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."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE50MtIc88u
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"That's not true at all–"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoNiLaIfub
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"Let me finish! You, have you ever had a feeling like that before? You said you know, you said you've been there, but you haven't! I can't stomach it; I can't stomach that feeling that, it's all up to me, that I'm the one who has to be the shoulder for all of you to lean on! I can't, I just... I just can't..."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBDwgdVROP
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I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttc6YeAdwr
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"All of you say I'm a genius, but I'm not a genius. A genius wouldn't have gotten us into this mess in the first place. And now, now that I at least have Flinty, and at least Victoria is here– and hell, at least now that you're here, you're telling me to go back in there, and then just, risk it all again? What if I mess up or, God, what if I cause Kim to die? I-I'm not– I can't do it! I can't! I can't do it alone! Kim is already gone, I don't have her to help me anymore, so if something goes wrong then it's going to go terribly wrong! D-Don't you get it? Don't you get it, Ng!? How am I supposed to do anything, absolutely anything, knowing that if it all goes to shit then I'm the one who's responsible!?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsXvyBpHpE
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I fell to my knees.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNlnKSeWw5
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"K-Kim said it herself... all of it, all of it hinges on me... but I'm not someone to make that bet on, I'm not... I'm not..."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5ipZs1FM3
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurL6yju7kp
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaJSFJDYAz
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"...Kenny."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTq8QBY4Wrx
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSsweXJE7r
"What!?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpIPTnu9bf
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He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50aMJjetd4
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"You're not lying to me, are you?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbxqrV46pS
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The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3L9u8eSi0L
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"That was quite a performance, but all I'm hearing is that you're just going to leave your friend to die."
...202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dOh6NzbzU
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUwuK34RSQ
I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOenl30EXBT
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgODQz4ZR3o
I'm not... I'm not doing that, am I? What I'm doing, it's just to preserve what I have, right?202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeH5lySTuya
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwO3xP2U1OA
"N-No..."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVNZcRDogr
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugNQH8mA2g
Oh, God.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuoW3ymqqt
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVM07no4Qn
Oh, God.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnkxKGRnyl
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"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGIeD4Vrhl
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA02kXCJpyx
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP01bE5KY6B
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm090upeFzw
But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehpdoBYW0j
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"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHE3teOgpOX
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1EONf85u3
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlwfYCFYvQ
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But if I went back then what if it goes wrong? What if I go back and I see that I've truly failed? What if I go back and I see her– her–202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7EFQsNZbb
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"--Hrk!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnQQobBsc5
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I managed to hold back my vomit. Somehow that cleared the haze in my mind. I leaned against a nearby tree. I didn't think. If I thought, then I would've heard Ng's words again, and if I thought, my anxieties would've crawled back, and then I would be endlessly running. So I sat there instead.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57QfTIQxI1
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One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFeADDSLr4
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"There you are."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDeSNbpKE6
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Ng already found me, huh?202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpb9LiZBxWU
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"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJob5coRrVk
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaZHDuq6j8
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–202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriPEoTElaP
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"...Fine."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKYYYrGhKX
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42ESDnpIqr
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQx1CeMJqa
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"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsuGYCqjSX
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Nevermind. What a strange question.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ugyq4yGBY
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"No. They died a long time ago."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjONqup2AcE
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"I see. You have my condolences."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JWnjqyodJ
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"I don't need them."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmVcMYn6E8
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A pause.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxRhPa1qyT
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"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8njLsbCPvy
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"..."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjceyrkOWPS
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I stopped walking. Ng stopped shortly after. I don't know what it is that just happened, but a button of mine was pressed.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsAno5fmYf
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And then the memories came flooding back. Those months where I refused to walk outside, being taken in by Anabelle, and lastly the talk. That vital conversation I had with Anabelle and Jackson. I started biting my nails.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGYR2MvN4Q
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Despite it, nothing changed. My mind was still at odds with itself. But I calmed down. I calmed down a lot. At that moment, a bundle of warmth spread throughout my body. I was feeling fine.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5jzlierAc
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"Did I–"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaF4KynZqj
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"I'm sorry Ng. I still don't think I can do it. At least, not now, not by myself. Even thinking about it is making me shudder. I can't go in there."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIVs82Hu2S
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZG55saYrJj
"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1alpboTlZo
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I had to make sure I heard him.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YTUh3nWVZ
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"Assistants?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznSQuMD3Pk
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqidpJBBC0w
"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."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQSQxT3bTl
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3mxvmhFQV
"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tBy1FSbcg
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFYRCHtHD5
"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnIqXAP6eB
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"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwaSQbeJyr
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We kept walking. We didn't exchange another word but I could feel the air around us lighten. Thanks to the campfire, we made it back to the others.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cDRaOm41K
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Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONlhZwzHxg
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"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Zol5GX3iy
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGknBLnW4B
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbABvfJByjj
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Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQiitjTuWd
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–
–
–
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We were all sitting by the campfire. Though I was sleepy, the knight's presence alone made me unable to sleep. I had too many questions to ask, and it looks like I wasn't alone.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Z2pXsIoPV
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"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23s5RMzKuj
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGmO30LAaw
"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhozctvL6Uy
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"Of course."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnh68XlySqT
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"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbekHb41nqI
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"Ah, of course. I am here because I've been tasked with tailing Kim. My reasons are secret, but I assure you it isn't anything malicious, not from either party."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFODQKEhw7
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzUXNbN3xP
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfihNIZ4Gx3
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But, no, something else was bugging me.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhn0nArT1m
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"How did you know where to find us here?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lqULzW7pq
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"I simply spent the day searching."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVqroEVuC0
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"The whole day?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYML2c6D2lc
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He didn't respond to that. "Victoria's mother informed me of your whereabouts. This forest may be small, but it sure is dense."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6Tf1WwLlt
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Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHonxuKTJ0
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"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmxkni6c4x
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He sighed.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3u4sWbC0QD
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"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKctMI2Zx0o
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"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wmFrJmXt4
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWXFKYFqtM
"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."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowLX6n5acy
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"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NW5EC8WJv
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"...Why do you ask?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxgw8Wnnqc
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTo6si45Uoz
"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5V2iLc08vi
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9aXf92JsQ
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvCil0sa4u
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMS3W8iMUIv
"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KWNhKgluE
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoreDmFh2hK
"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63lbhagS6N
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJ9uB1YP2H
"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsoXILlCQ7
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OqK85CFKk
"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."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85rf4f8fAi
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuZM19GPqz
"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqv4i0jc42N
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsUwmgvHkl
"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3qXW7pk9R
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpQijGD0pT
He put a hand to his chin.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgU8VYdwUcA
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡel4KEGdeSH
"...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."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiiGdEtOQi
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjrQLBoTdJ
"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLr6h1ipTn
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9DfCRm7Ka
"No."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5YGMYikPB
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyowjDcwtN
"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgoZUGNJZh
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3K8RTted0m
"Do you mean in the woods?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vwfpP5eUS
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPebUyipRpb
"Yes. I'm just curious."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQw3Di51Nh
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfItpbwLO9
"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."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpDzXoaJhA
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JmBHoLadi
I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfEcNvwdUE
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VUauDYhVd
"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkN7LkVhkA7
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXuYDevru7
"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QuYuJr3nx
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSvhwmhjEp
"Me too."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnx86yEcUXC
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpDJOQYos3
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4jj067SJQ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliNDgvNFry
"Is that all you wanted to ask?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdb0wSIT2ZA
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0kFYF1f7N
"Yes. For now, at least."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEWMbfcp6y
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NUOsBkMaA
"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."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAswrx9ohMZ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAKv9F0DNk
"..."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1B2j5KC8Z
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1z6iQnS7DX
It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfElg0XPqaC
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEO4qtq5j9D
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQmuEnc1Fz
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltJWz7yAJk
"...Huh?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRlfQ8VJ4r
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuI349woqJ
–
–
–
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3mJVcQguC
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCHgV8l1Ka
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDi3Beq8CWz
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTX5i6B8BkE
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7IOUsxrpb
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3M5OFTZMAW
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnc8qOp8CMi
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxuUQ2uNVW
"Good morning, Kenny."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlNJIrWPSW
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4DchaR04Q
"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaEZdcG6pL
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVLsFw0Ruy
"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3X7pOWGgf8
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaUKYVtOEw
When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3bJoFpVYM
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZnDpmQfyI
"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuBNw3Z9xv
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KlWDU6lpJ
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPs9iUPD4h
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcMHaeKlwT
"Yes! I have, ha!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQUF4O13TL
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjWMXs177H
She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDveAaFDmIl
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtidS3QGsd
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kktNhYfbH
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dBXShjyFO
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2WfVI0hLa
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XkGUlUTmo
"Thank you, teacher."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHFXSevqhk
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47VUwZACKD
"Yeah. Don't call me that."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLXHkt4U3t
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvOdbBAzje
"Okay."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3W8y5iPP8o
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiR2qjUbEh1
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLhexqGycr
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQn8wxtxaRH
"Hm? What's wrong?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgw4FhVI47
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRjeVLmP1F
"Um..."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DHPhfgJYL
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDavANVjma
She let go of me and began taking off the coat.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8crKyEW1Bl
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkO0ILoMpAR
"Here. Have it back."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aEgvar48k
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7S6i7ZH6Ob
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xUeEkArQW
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBURfpLZ4B
She shook her head no.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPra33DaHq
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOdS3nZ4nG
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZu1GSUVn9
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQj8nOZa5Gk
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafH5LnfloY
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhHmtbwg1V
"Thank you, Flinty."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvRfhv25YD
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bqqddEx4x
I grabbed the coat and put it back on.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBCz7lqHV3
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVfnuJMfp1
"Kenny, do you feel better?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7La3dwrxid
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIChMSfuVl
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuRmqIvVN1
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYOrNdhkj3
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLp4v4JY6jZ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWRYTYMOg9
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzJO912hLZ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJoLL1iuke
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifLb81pIhd
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDy0pqy4rhC
"Good morning, Kenny."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBejv0E9Y1M
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkgc0239Wj
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbrC5Md1ut
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lr5ffGDHF
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjqoCevkrX
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBMHjbp8yT
"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgUZl4VJNF
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5Xc2nj29S
I scooted closer to him.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsMJ0X2fFk
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijkP8YGs0g
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbtfk7TrbE
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsOpTDJAJ0
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSMSO2CqPo
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqmSlLWIqS
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgLvB4kwV8
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDWr2NoZkS
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyPV8H2G6X
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9ovfLBUYE
He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsumkEciUV6
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuakHCh335
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuQdI97K8v
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2LLkFq3VJ
"What?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcHDTSlG2K
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTm1OSWZyaW
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3ZEqwi3cF
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEih4yYejGm
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hBU8HX1co
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCi4DHY90n
"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."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3RcN0E9oz
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkZAJ14icD
"R-Right."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYjGy268Sp
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7BCXmZyw1
"Well then, shall we go?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeE6u11PR9
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCyYZKvzc0
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwieiVKXoPC
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRa5hVIZNh
"Alright."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45034fCtpm
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPDXjR9yfP
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvUzYTjBYZ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTokJ3UWwA1
"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMPKL2QhIK
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Rf83E4CPq
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZFnbxigFo
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfV4Y5JE0RM
"What?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YppaDTlom
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bLDwVxS4k
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqRHOoY91n
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8anjI03AY4
"I know he will."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNkDDdBpjJ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwM2R2pJdIo
"Then why are you shaking?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5LKfNL4jZ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMmq1nAfqp
"...I just can't help myself."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwu8RXmqa0
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoK70t3NEZ
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCM4rGxiTC
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cK4th7VGE
"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6anRMMCWu
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UoVjWBaSS
"What do you want to talk about?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMW024CdZY6
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcaHwna02h
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQT7U1QShz
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImtQVDUMmX
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9DQwVkBdc
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZBlPLXOfO
"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvZ69auazH
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGUh1Ewxyj
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hz1SrWP3Q
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRATnpLGtw
"Ha!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYaPHUyQon
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANIhrY4EJc
She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtSxtj8mvS
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsuQqfm22t
"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!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDa9Pzygaai
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYViCFEJZS
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJEPjmdOC7
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw83WEwOV7q
"Hehe, something like that."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVmUubW08H
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nlWF293ds
She didn't sound confident.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡge9Qy8caNh
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvlI9E3lWY
"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoMykDUTaU
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiUqgGtXfu
"Ah. That makes sense."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvNQGYbwPi
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpV1r9XZ4Z7
I was very close to saying something insensitive.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhOch8cIxP
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NaVWX2Sua
"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."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAElGC4vGRu
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUNfk1Ay0p
"...Wolf?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiU5UTx4u9B
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiJp00Jwmf
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14CideailN
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOukBRL8eFr
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iwtBNbZo5
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpNBq6Lnvi
"Kenny?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48RDndu6yk
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ec9zFiVf4
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GIbXScAlP
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8mn1IGa7f
I stood up and walked forward.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa83uKxqhZt
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLC8wXWceS
"Kenny? What's wrong?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgasTrbhjFA
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJ0R6KDOSv
"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZ65GFqjnu
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QsvI51udU
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFq3156Ws9
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeMS5TN5KL
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYHhjSP8k6
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWxN5fzv6s
And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxyhM2rORl
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0uiq3PkVM
**BANG**202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabEePH3Me1
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMQ16xcosa
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYSNhm63XW
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡramhdgex0z
"Victoria."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP489fxUlwQ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW61CcfvQy1
"Right."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRe0bNwZdZ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvywN00YAB
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNlp1MmjgP
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLn4siVIp0A
**SMASH**202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQalrp6wXG
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Q0HuGeRkD
There he was.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfC4VEnVXJN
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4F33ycezx
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BFQfHe3P3
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwMAlmYOgR
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3E29VPeZB
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1IAbnESpJ
"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."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVZo4rnbrt
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69xtDrjJ99
"Right."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUaRXAKPln
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7wfGOIyo6
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oWFr24OAc
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBu6A5Tlj8z
"Thank you!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecsFGL7KRa
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VKZqLpsP6
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHppiL8hDN2
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIExquuAoCk
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmbjaULQgd
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1CGDAVexY
"Huh?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQJFCpwzEZ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxya2fvKYu
Not just that, he clamped down on it, shattering it instantly. The fire was proven to be ineffective as smoke casually escaped his mouth.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoDeGSkebx
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7PodYI7C6
The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydDY691DMm
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaJpoz0GNz
"Shit!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDrVResNxM
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwywGd483K1
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIYEarHxYq
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpk02qmIEu
"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4VXzGmCxz
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP89AsCeU8t
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS43JpCSfHs
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLhBjdJjH1
"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVk5rHTs0vU
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9aeqadW2M
"I understand."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhMxV84srA
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibwdNKHgpK
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbutXeusqs
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkZf8OwlEN
"Uh oh, Kenny."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSm8u0Ydod3
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkY9no8RV30
Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fr2qMxLlp
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqtf232sV0
"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpzT1TKIUf
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWMVinbCY0
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbInJBBJtfm
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05ToQtq6Yp
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aAnbtdo3L
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvqKPk3xlZ
"Hrk!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXP9zTnNGfV
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTNrVqPSBk
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwQPVbAZQ4
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzh8z00JxLZ
"Victoria! Close your eyes!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2voJ15fog0
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoZ2grvZuw
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4txTIYyCG
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUoCoOe8WA
"Victoria!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mKQDEF9fK
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgjGHdCKLc
"Right!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6z4eEunNA
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOc9RvbGl0
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvSbtbiGnY
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0BkCWZeMV
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMMBcctyIk
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUVqnnwJZX
"GRAHHHH!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsnURwPx4N
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A warcry. She was a total barbarian.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bl9Kq7ozy
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIr8qEb3M1W
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxklNR0TMS
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhU1z5kLm29
"..."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIWHh0050B
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSDWy8Tes9
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBOTGZaflL
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxmcNadFEg
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzETsT2jG5
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQQIaljLLG
We did it. We really did it.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobiwrUmavB
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwgJj2KnSr
"Kenny!"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC94V8ZCpt2
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡha6mMGgW1m
Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw51aymc9tB
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxH1QcHbKsE
"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKeD4Pj9lD
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBA6LgmVZFk
"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFfephcWpn
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ITUMbDJX5
She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jKoayzzhN
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJm0vGSIVn
"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxWBWouWJh
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZh5T6TwT22
"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5sse9sPJn
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurJegNr1QK
She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tXoh8LOJr
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZLQBRcvnl
"We did it," I muttered.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIAtArVbKA
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWQ3QP17CA
I struggled to believe it. Not just because the wolf was taken down without much hassle, but because of how I was feeling.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQF5tko88lw
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYIa2Rs1hW
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE20QyOalcC
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5KqM7QACc
I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChIk9PPCCv
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lP0oIIzlR
"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspEuIwHF1M
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFd3KKCi25D
"...It could've been a lot worse."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiuNZhHeZJ
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NWJoRcMIa
"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeBE7LaqSO
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYk5mHil4zM
Victoria looked at something above me.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtErFc5RMJt
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg53LlmgTeE
"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLLDvEHF3R
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoDZSUc4g9
Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBQLMvyd0Y
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54wm5crLBY
"No. Why do you ask?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyJxqASaUR
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZPyxzclun
"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."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1N8tTSIvS
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QyDHJ9wcg
"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLlay1Qsie
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnrdcODYGs
"O-Oh, sorry."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCevvVgznPg
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4p4LueSPM
She scratched her cheek a little.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRU39On4m0t
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeqluF5GeT
"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgXPHZTp7o
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsFOJZyQ0x
"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."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bIFpiniPv
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2Z5tPyEiZ
"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1A8t68WON9
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zpcnVp5b1
"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsGGBAFcHd
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaNVRV82QY
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cB1B6WVmi
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7y9FSPol2g
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaZi2Z3MQV
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZy1ICoNEgv
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.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGUjRaB9Ay
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEpUOw861B
"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NDSulCXM4
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm13GskqBdw
"We fought something, Kenny and I."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxCKYjEm2c
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8lbyovBgO
She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJaJ0Uh7tP
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33PUx885cg
"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBw3rjZcMc
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iv6fmq0oN
"How is Kim?" I asked.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4ALM0F3Bc
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizdrbEn5mR
"She's fine, just unconscious."202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQzZlpztAM
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFMB14uDF9
I could only say one thing.202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCtZbXs8bF
202Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Y3zOFwlVf
"...Haaaa. Thank God."
