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."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkmZyqtNzG
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Ng tilted his head. He started to look a little nervous, and also slightly annoyed. I wasn't talking much sense, was I?122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDqeSBHFPS
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"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."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIYPwXJVYU
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"That's not true at all–"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl73JZE8hir
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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..."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPq1EFu5J6
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I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQgkH9rdoF
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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!?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrC0iSrYOPL
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I fell to my knees.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmaWP6S8pm
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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..."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxftIfwQ8ar
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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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DRKBMRNyi
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"...Kenny."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylUugt1BIL
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"What!?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffNDyCrNuD
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He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ry1JVFP6m
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"You're not lying to me, are you?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fFm6ibbP8
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The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsAbobrBlS
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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."
...122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5kl6M5Gtk
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I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34621a0pPh
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I'm not... I'm not doing that, am I? What I'm doing, it's just to preserve what I have, right?122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSFIMSPtul
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"N-No..."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzczsERL8K
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Oh, God.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HCsjQiiBS
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Oh, God.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ766P2I2H7X
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"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgccLOu0NgD
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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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApBMvCUwyG
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But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsDBGTtw06
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"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjM4vM3yXuH
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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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnkXKRJYld
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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–122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtO9zSlffNd
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"--Hrk!"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwwW1eDUPe
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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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEHvzpwTkf
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One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHBtoBsKk4
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"There you are."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbB3pxqs7z
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Ng already found me, huh?122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwfSP4CG2N
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"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3EYI7JHS7
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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–122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3yKKGXGr9
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"...Fine."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnhpScl3I9
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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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aUDKINSP8
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"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRwJD06sai
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Nevermind. What a strange question.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOf9cSQOSP
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"No. They died a long time ago."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBUT3mqZ1g
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"I see. You have my condolences."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIZRs6eirl
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"I don't need them."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHC1yAsBxgt
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A pause.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrl1GXjBaI
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"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJHx6pGVaG
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"..."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1GXtlxcgX
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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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGK4XgHuGQG
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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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3nbv4Zdtb
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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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4Edzf7nKE
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"Did I–"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVdeR543dY
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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."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MkDUE3Yb8
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"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeat7eo5zv
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I had to make sure I heard him.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2DUW6Yi9r
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"Assistants?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsVVcMRvPN
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"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."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlHZsRqxrB
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"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntThfbriZX
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"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HyZl7m0VY
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"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnSnmqGGOV
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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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjDwH3Bk4b
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Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBo0fFmGGY
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"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPZfsYB4Ae
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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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8RLsuAFq2
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Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYNIM8Ismu
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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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lJHqrW7W6
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"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCXMHAEvaC
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"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlQsYYuRb4
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"Of course."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Yu20DA7oL
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"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8zuEGuU3b
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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."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMo4i3diszG
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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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiv6NmLnOP
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But, no, something else was bugging me.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4H7Zn7EFgR
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"How did you know where to find us here?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISWePZylB3
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"I simply spent the day searching."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXjIQ9a9LK
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"The whole day?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKW0oUFlSXd
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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."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUvxSFHIH3
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Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZRNrLz3bm
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"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRP1CMAkTjH
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He sighed.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysv8p8FqEz
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"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRu2FjAH0EL
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"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCznX4VbdA
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"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."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgyJb3UD2C
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"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7Cy1YiFl9
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"...Why do you ask?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrRjsu61NE
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"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ11cb5dMkR
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjo0AvpAkr
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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLR6UblTlF
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOj2ihXUSJ
"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVrUZQiy9h
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHRL55Cb4M
"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiWIUFaCQ2
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXLkb6dvs9
"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBFTfrp0hX
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7Pou9o7hE
"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."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmx6WzOb0Q9
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7eMQyXKLv
"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoVeEw8FQt
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8XlFJY3UF
"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd41chzHvDJ
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7ZhJ2t5me
He put a hand to his chin.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzALjXNgd8h
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5QcIxsDC9
"...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."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENw5ur6hzr
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuQ8N0KhK8
"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbBJ4Jx0Id
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLqRZyYph0
"No."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnKA6Je4tm
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PjOg7ZS7x
"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Wu8mSjPx6
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MlfQyC6F9
"Do you mean in the woods?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0tV2CAXfE
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgD5HrfM1l
"Yes. I'm just curious."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWKCV2qGzm
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xgWsIQ3m1
"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."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWaVKLpzAp
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NgiutBzy6
I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6CSxE3VSA
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeasxa7Rpin
"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2YoWq1oeW
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJB9BZNTPq1
"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWTsf5E5q5
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd21HMgQbBj
"Me too."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCV3zdys2Fu
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4Diq2ONDx
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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLI6m8rbBg
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIZWTzWscg
"Is that all you wanted to ask?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcz7LVNbqR
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMkNhUrBeS
"Yes. For now, at least."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMyKZumyFJ
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRf16fbnRB
"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."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyinmMqpxq
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hxpCy0cIm
"..."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9IJGjiGsb
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FdiPAkyUP
It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49rewTJww1
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaqFS5QzJ9
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagcKTMXApi
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxXoPAM0UB
"...Huh?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5H7LGQFaaX
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0J6i9td9bm
–
–
–
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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjegU9Wbur0
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWIlF2OFAq
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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoM4Iab0A4
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5VHLN1TqK
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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvVCOgod7K
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqezhLTGsXa
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdwa2laVbF
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzIS3QI7ax
"Good morning, Kenny."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡan6iXHrUnF
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwHtGq60M5
"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCcmCYplsX
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5spQUpqPD
"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE56KiIqMFF
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMvEE2mSjQ
When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAJNBV08j2
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1KRtDqnjb
"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tnqzvIGRu
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbXoGmREDm
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiEfeNvNcE
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluzyAfHZrz
"Yes! I have, ha!"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡze65GOcWGi
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYyXr6VYJR
She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHLQfWFpuR
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6x4DsPHIe5
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNT2CyyKZ0l
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQqGUasH3x
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyV7fUJZ8Cw
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jUEYvTa8G
"Thank you, teacher."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9MJjtxH3n
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGI6dKuSat
"Yeah. Don't call me that."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37TQSkbOul
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UoM9E1TuC
"Okay."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhJOqEM0Zf
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjREP02YDBx
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqm7ucsiaC
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNYEKNVis2
"Hm? What's wrong?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInk2dAnp2e
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrGwgyZWTg
"Um..."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRw1zRLAOC
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9NBOpkzvF
She let go of me and began taking off the coat.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Q9eacbbrT
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKI0rw0iyyd
"Here. Have it back."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasQ07AKvlr
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CvGww9Brj
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxdDO5ZlqY
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGADcgNdGE
She shook her head no.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pX5YN1C4A
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL33ywA6Jjl
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05rbvKpCFM
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduoLmO9u1I
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ibdehUv9C
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3rZIeeMx1
"Thank you, Flinty."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1JZZzvwRT
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqSippaevG
I grabbed the coat and put it back on.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTbbNTCT8b
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirbVIpU2ff
"Kenny, do you feel better?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7qqx2hWvP
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3K8CLcNTQ
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rxTjBCRDg
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AyAGOfs8X
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiqKV5m2Hz
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfU3IGIV3Qm
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8jY41UPlD
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEW8kaqw1Lz
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSaeP5d9it
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtOLiwhqTj
"Good morning, Kenny."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMWROiVYj9
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLvf7hFVvN
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NuQ4jqMlA
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3EkmOtjAa
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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkegkLEzMK
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSesanmWKw
"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7ev8haZoF
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YJexRzbii
I scooted closer to him.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzkf6XwVxt
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhR44Lvxoh1
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0p0CLsNaW
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6gJOVLfsD
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfiB0uhjzG
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAsaYg2RTm
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJ3J0z98KQ
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRB11yJ5q4Q
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOv9giJEzi
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaahrM9rKo7
He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYkKjYY430
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHfwpRTM6A
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tg3iLXhXu
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAdxByyx7p
"What?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EQWZMNuG2
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYJ1kIJ5c8
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVFGYUhd2y
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqj8Pldx39
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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtXDdksSfW
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRwMyfcvJx
"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."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz26aDXsadw
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTJQ5t5JjS
"R-Right."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wX8XleLr8
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09XAL2mM0V
"Well then, shall we go?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4AQ628miv
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJsWReL2Og
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVO54RE7KPd
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizjDXQiGtA
"Alright."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJWVeOMcx4
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxP78XDMCIG
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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMg7Odxeug
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQbFs034gY
"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jujHtxw1d
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgxjW07wTa
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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmf1LJBF2LR
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoSFibIW1d
"What?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDR2QAi5qmO
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfwd8X4I6W
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvC8gXfBuGG
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JDMboz4G9
"I know he will."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7SKfCC4l4
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNZjduBcZk
"Then why are you shaking?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIK4i1AalK
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytHpH0KnUz
"...I just can't help myself."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMG86EzXKRn
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWONrv4cd0Y
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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQA5TMmTlj
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qYxGJZRRA
"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZuA0pzYXJ
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HngfhmqQF
"What do you want to talk about?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiM1U1lxod
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTVop8CjEl
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQieQUeSWXr
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvVzeZOh7R
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaZmM3DxrA
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcqofSjU7Q
"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFhTVxrC5H
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGNgr2OXaS
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wLgn5EdmY
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa07lMA1ODe
"Ha!"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCOicXTCEr
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzsW91K7Gk
She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0Jd4sqNUQ
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwKatFx4Fl
"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!"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSpjBV7sR8
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLj0qa9lA4r
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmU0ghAdgnH
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZU9jG54Tq
"Hehe, something like that."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSJxgDL5Pn
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4C5YpbRZ1
She didn't sound confident.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtE3XnhiUep
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTdRjU754l
"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLc73IgbIZ
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4EMptkwLL
"Ah. That makes sense."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsiCSq8SAc
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLcuRYyKEC
I was very close to saying something insensitive.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfbDjPE4ud
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluxKoBeEe6
"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."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXzoTksdXH
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dpzTx8FxL
"...Wolf?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYjxscD5bU
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSX1OJsxJth
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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbtohkYSrn
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nmW91OBcc
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnf8QnZLzrD
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhjAQeo2ob
"Kenny?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWpYMaesh2
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vCLy9wHUi
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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoecs5IB6G
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I stood up and walked forward.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzyG2H5yUI
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"Kenny? What's wrong?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUBcBGcdOq
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"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKerOqqcnL
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrxcuScHib
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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFwW5wgH5m
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF90RwsKvPP
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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgLs2vv1ya
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And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzgEvGPexi
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**BANG**122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnmEMD5uSW
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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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEUFE8RcZK
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"Victoria."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKb2pTvO3S
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxskC5qkSxF
"Right."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrgX932aiD
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiBTx2Fiou
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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYx2YKhdfI
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**SMASH**122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxDMb6THD1
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There he was.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYcxKbv7aS
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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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ722ceJJAK3
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQx0MsKjhJ
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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4PRkUuUsy
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqCCDCfL35
"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."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldL5cfgIGv
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"Right."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgkeqjxrBZ
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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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0iCOp1I3Z
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuz0p7HaIx
"Thank you!"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuOSuFcrN3
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAA3M6NxV3m
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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSfJrFdVFt
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZA4NiZ2at3
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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwXM8Gtvdp
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"Huh?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKmV3ykglj
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Not just that, he clamped down on it, shattering it instantly. The fire was proven to be ineffective as smoke casually escaped his mouth.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0mxke4dfG
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhtCuFa2BP
The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWtkkYwXDs
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"Shit!"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulaXhMxpHG
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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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJdvotBhhu
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"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91EpKFSttL
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuZB5vIxo1
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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQaVam0Jdv
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgqd3kaO0V
"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFX38Q26Qj
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"I understand."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vKXn9PSxd
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqORJyoVU9
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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZZKKW716a
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"Uh oh, Kenny."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXR4fQietIe
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Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNNCZA2uFB
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcdGbFtcwp
"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiB8D0mXf9
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiUkwgzezQ
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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7uixnxaLD
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATXyVonf19
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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdfcP57uQE
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"Hrk!"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv13hzO5Tcu
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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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRo2PiKKUa4
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJf2ahiImh
"Victoria! Close your eyes!"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGRA0IWvDm
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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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxsdhWmSBF
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrWzZpFtFZ
"Victoria!"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayzNOEhJn3
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgreEQDckH
"Right!"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCl02DnA7AQ
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwittYNXA7
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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBLCxB2TDI
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyLTA9P9xk
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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvZp5Z9A3K
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"GRAHHHH!"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVc3EgoFTcu
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A warcry. She was a total barbarian.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF64mzFzofZ
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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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2G4GdJBhc
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"..."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlX1rXaA714
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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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08PXBOo8WU
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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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdBbFgIqBb
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We did it. We really did it.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBP1vOzmwft
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"Kenny!"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJUJ84bUl5
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Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60Q0DiStYY
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGS3URNNxt
"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLKmrGHPC8
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoTfZIctsA
"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdi7C3RyGel
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She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJEHfcHDM2
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7cjxWeNbj
"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu61068lYCL
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyQLt1TRDg
"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1BPPUiQoZ
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She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSozLm5hKQ5
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"We did it," I muttered.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEHRY0Wo4e
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I struggled to believe it. Not just because the wolf was taken down without much hassle, but because of how I was feeling.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRSyhbDSot
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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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9niwVgveUV
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I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LPYvNgVm1
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"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHIgirW8rg
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"...It could've been a lot worse."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRKmfi7gtu
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"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oBnLDP7Wp
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Victoria looked at something above me.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6PLOKDcXI
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"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2RxW0K4By
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Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1tMbg8G0p
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"No. Why do you ask?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBO9LP5I4bl
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"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."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpYoskLm0v
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyxUCIYEtn
"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ913oyjpZRt
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"O-Oh, sorry."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFPoCwTc9v
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She scratched her cheek a little.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqGENlLRDO
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"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlz3aeScZR
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75KNGq8kmL
"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."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zkzayYcUh
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡze3hWC9dA6
"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqPrNGL1w4
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"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrrhKtFv5P
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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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hFPXjXZBs
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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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8fTGhh3IU
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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.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXRQV3bE4B
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"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJWWMY2dmO
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"We fought something, Kenny and I."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyARRnd4Ps
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She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeMl8FpANG
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"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo93c46Wfpi
122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14cYM4jZ1T
"How is Kim?" I asked.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBacHPPluDr
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"She's fine, just unconscious."122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQiAHr6RS7
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I could only say one thing.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBguipSh3sp
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"...Haaaa. Thank God."
