"Hey, wake up."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkFEVlw4A7
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKPy4wYaDs
"H-Huh!?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXAVAfIFnD
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5obMqYCll
I was rashly wrung out of sleep, jumping at the sudden touch on my shoulder. I fell pathetically to the floor, groaning and rubbing my chin as I got on my feet.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwm8AQigKD
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefZR7OIu8r
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare ya."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMP1zO9O0I
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAvgeDx5mk
"No no, it's fine."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpKYJhSaEn
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMigSnVfTR7
Once the pain subsided, I let out a lengthy yawn and rubbed my eyes. I had difficulty keeping them open. I rubbed my face and took a seat on the couch, hoping to wipe away the grogginess.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4ieOdgZHx
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrKFqBf90r
"Goodness kid, did ya sleep at all?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXoaB3vwhV
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGhYwKuBks
"Huh? Yeah, sure I did."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTM3nPIxKB
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfduZxuY0e
I let out another yawn. After a dozen firm blinks, I was able to keep my eyes open for longer than two seconds.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqtmeMfbmK
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kIoUCpUTi
"Are ya sure–"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOtKK2UVHK
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNyVCuylQJ
"Listen, Juke, I'm fine. I'm, perfectly fine. My neck is just a little sore, that's all."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQPyzDtMXu
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYNmc2TfL3
It must've been because of my sleeping position. Perhaps that was also the reason behind my shakiness. It had to be. Using mana expulsion, I produced a bit of water and gulped it all down, then began stretching my limbs.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLhIwUKPXJ
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpgiSB4kT4
"Well, if ya say so. When yer ready, come meet me outside."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0uHcBCsfl
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1r9xYMRp8A
Juke exited the living room, leaving me alone. I wasted no time going through my morning routine in the bathroom. Once I finished, I returned to the living room. Outside the bathroom door, idling, gazing at the couch where I slept.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf50TTmmCiI
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQPNrxkFI9
"..."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHvx0EvQxe
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NLM2SLydX
Now that the grogginess had left me, my mind worked at total capacity. It came with unwanted by-products.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgAfxKAqIG
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5sj9vzZsW
It had barely been ten minutes. Since I wasn't counting, likely less than that. So little time since I woke up, yet the flow of time had already become contorted. I clutched my head and looked at the floor.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSBYo0NB66
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KuQb7bbu6
It was no use mulling over it now. Besides, I was hungry. So I left the living room. Juke and the man were sitting at a nearby table, eating their food with a third plate unattended. I tottered to their table and took a seat.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIlUHQ6GKn
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo97HAXTgXJ
The plate was full of fish. It wasn't a food I'd associate with breakfast.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOl2UCNcAZF
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStnx9HO1AA
"Hi young man, how did you sleep?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡie5HkPHqJF
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxjL84OSOB
His tone was cheery and amiable. He sounded like a pleasant person to speak to.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtp2tG6cRi
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0Lww3K9g4
"Hmm. Huh? Oh, were you talking to me?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhedWZzcIi
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjAvwPskOP
The man nodded. Now that I thought about it–443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tbjWJPZyO
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9r4YyASDUm
"What's your name anyway? I don't believe you've ever told us."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0pf1vN1Pt
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0fle5J5vu
"...You must be right. My name is Hank, it's a pleasure."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxUT7U5k33
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9y9uXioUp
"Hank... did you cook this breakfast?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDBJELRVDO
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaTac9jG7l
"I certainly did. Well, go on now, try it."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIw01Z1d0Z
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFslyGwngh7
I turned my face away from him and looked at the fish. At first glance, even a toddler could discern that it was undeniably well-cooked. The fish was coated in spice and–443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gUhhqMjBS
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTGO7b95G7
"Don't gotta waste yer time ogling at it, kid."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZmdvPj8Pu
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyWR6nmNRG
Juke's statement interrupted my necessary analyses.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJRZqssDCz
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAdpbSuaVi
"I guess you're right. Is good, Juke?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHtl23pSmh
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPf8L2P1NaE
"Yeah, it is. If ya don't eat it now though, some bird might poop on it and ruin the taste."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8fjCVR2ei
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrR891nwCQ
"What?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDi7TC9VCfC
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91IXk1UuCs
He sighed and flicked his head.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgip0hkMx8
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQoTyqIiOR
"Come on, let's enjoy our last breakfast here, why don't we?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKDbzRapWo
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNYk2obBog
"Last... yeah, let's."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmzigozgYj
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDE17uGxSB
I took the fork and began to eat the fish. It had a kick to it that I didn't expect, but otherwise–443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHoxJvYTVG
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07yl6huepL
"This is good. This is really good."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzpmXvINlT
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dXdKzGY5V
"I told ya."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52KEVIp8Oi
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNZQ6zFd5Q
I kept eating. It was pleasant and satisfying. The dish brightened my mood. Marginally so, but it was still something, so I was grateful for that.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WQGwvijLu
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPNwGuBofB
"Wait a minute, Juke," Hank started, "how are you eating with your helmet on?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RDQqgL9xf
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtFGrSeRYH
His question caused me to look away from my fish and at his own. Indeed, half of it had already been eaten, but Juke never once removed his helmet to do so.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefOWbHuUBh
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuYrqisELU
"Trade secret, don't worry 'bout it. Just keep eating."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASI8jaCxF8
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDM69gxRKH
The man backed down. I kept looking at Juke, but he wouldn't eat the fish in front of me.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfcPvkUiLn
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ33l1V3deh
In the face of that obstinance, I smiled. I knew it wouldn't last, but at least I would be able to eat my food without any daunting thoughts.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8pN9W4Vcn
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2zb0CgBxY
–
–
–443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnUuUBNNuu
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVPNnTSuFi
Once we put our tableware aside, Hank corralled us back to the table. Juke and I sat by each other. Hank had a pensive and nervous look, giving me a sense of foreboding for what was to come out of his mouth.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSuauABys7
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85jmMN5vOQ
"So, you two want to leave the city, correct?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazswZtilfR
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipH2ShsZd4
"That's right," Juke responded.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0yRFUdgVZ
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbygVRx6z3z
"I see..."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWTbKbRY7E
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3429h8h2To
He pinched his chin and gazed at the table.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdzVJ4IGuI
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMWvwcwmYw
"Well, I won't try to stop you, but I'd like to give you two a word of warning: the streets aren't empty. Those folks at Hard-Bringer are surveilling the area quite compellingly."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXK6GZ1JZLu
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzyCBgpqq3
Juke let out a sigh and I rested my head on my hand. Honestly, this was in my expectations, but hearing it be confirmed was a blow to my psyche all the same.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINWni3zsGR
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SqPP5xq4u
"However, I do believe you two can get out fine."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLTVgLuksi
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hAjpS1qmA
"Yeah, that's what I was thinking too. I doubt those Hard-Bringer bastards got the staff to keep an eye on every part of the city."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdA4NNQwT6
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OOk2pgRgy
I nodded along to Juke's reasoning. Hank did too, less tense than twenty seconds ago.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXmdW3vIqB
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lmAN785HK
"Do you two have a plan in mind?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYckEnd0Kc0
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6DKSNJXJu
Juke turned his head to me, confusing me more than pressuring me.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eYG8KzWrl
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdx2GQahTnh
"What are you looking at me for?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLiGwS100y
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPA7PB6ELF
"Ya got any ideas?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ECrxIASZW
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqWkvDHmgG
"Why do you think I do, anyway?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLh40xY0N3
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2kgrv1aeV
He shrugged at my inquiry. I just sighed and rubbed my temple, racking my brain for anything.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjP8spR4k9O
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0yfbqejm9
"I suppose we'll have to gauge just how heavily the streets are being supervised. If they aren't in every nook and cranny of the area, we can probably weave in-between alleyways and whatnot just fine."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6GRw3B54X
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKEwztP9Dg
Juke and Hank nodded at my statement. As concrete as the idea was, it hinged on a factor too risky for either me or Juke to confirm.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7GWzfx8Sl
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqXih9KImS
"Hank, can you go outside and check the surroundings?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh250mEXiQJ
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcz3hMBJ8Aj
"U-Uh, I very well may, however..."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0xk1rEtI5
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJOvTfObg3
I raised my brow, then realized that just because Hank wasn't me or Juke didn't mean that he was entirely safe.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymSzvVgwpM
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehGkd65AIh
Rover's visage flashed in my mind. I brushed it aside for the moment, barely.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALNyXhWiv2
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFzITM8iv9
"I'd rather not run too far away. Otherwise, I'd get apprehended and questioned, and then it would be evening by the time I come back."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQ4gHiVXKG
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUb4Z3WSB0
"I see. I apologize for asking so much from you."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nnbEgPGMf
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcpS84A92V
He shook his hands frantically and.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtd8tJNGAvZ
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyMKiJpnJC
"Oh no no, I'll do it. I just don't think I'll be able to scout very far ahead."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEoFZBSfVe
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6FGqzpnvY
"That ain't an issue. Just the first block should be alright."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55i7dgR8CB
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvu3d3jYniT
Hank's gaze turned abnormally stern. He stood up and did a few gesticulations to assure himself.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcAtamTrZI
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNgSTzY2eV
"Pray for me."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlMiv6EFGC
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoGiaW1HBH
"Don't worry. We'll arrange yer funeral for ya."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TBKXzMuPj
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAF6A79HCDk
"Juke!"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbI4r6cj2m2
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwtc7v4WXW
Juke's comment vanquished all of Hank's efforts to pump himself up. Still, though, he rambled to the door, taking a deep breath before opening and exiting the building. Juke and I were alone, now. An awkward and elongated silence permeated through the room.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjK75bRL4d4
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusel37n7xn
"Thanks for trying to lighten the mood, Juke."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWj5ug0WBPE
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHxKgdt3zR
He turned his head to me, stuttering his words before taking a breath and speaking them coherently.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApW9Whm2Hu
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvs9meiJbQ
"No need to thank me. The atmosphere's tense, I just don't want it to stay that way."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxpHwNbatV
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8c3tIFOQV2
"Still, I appreciate it."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzCKBethoV
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzU5qE8bKJ
I sat with my legs spread out, lowering my head and leaning over to stare at the ground.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUsxfxqdqA
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTHc3JGkKU
"I can tell that my wisecracks ain't all that effective, though."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH04Goi0twX
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3wwwjA7Dz
I wanted to rebuke that statement, to tell him that he was wrong and that I was feeling much better. I would be lying to him, but that wasn't why I stopped myself. That was because of the tinge of melancholy I caught in his voice, so faint that I was unsure if I was just hearing things.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCROkihZksH
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyNenOGI1e
I wanted to press him on that. But I was in no state of mind to do so. So, we continued to wait in silence.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGv5KFEjTn
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfWr71zzDx
Hank came shortly after. His face was drenched in sweat and anxiety. He let out an arduous sigh when he closed the door and sank to the floor.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKvK52g9bh
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtz8SxvvH9W
I was expecting the worst, but he shot us a thumbs-up with a wink. A smile found its way on my face. I looked at Juke and we nodded at each other. We stood up and stretched our muscles, helping Hank get to his feet and standing before the door.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTE87D6MIk
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWKiLFil2G
"Thank you for your help, Hank."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmVXZit1al
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrH2z4uUAH5
"Yeah, we really of ya."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5baFHtOBSs
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4avTRa8xsW
He gave us a light smile and waved.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vLvBKS71Q
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYkdXXg2Cc
"No no, it's fine. It's what Dennis would have wanted, I'm sure."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEdlyZ1Vlr
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCcLLnVwxR
"...Y-Yeah."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPr9YbC3Xo
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13YVxlOSgE
A morbid parasite was planted in me before we left. It began to eat at me instantly, but I did nothing to address it.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5khhnNBXr
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FMlIGQW3z
–
–
–443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgG7Op0zlOw
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEfCIGIQ2N
The streets were void of any busy citizens traveling from one place to another. All inhabitants were inimical people in robes. The only remedy was the relative lack of them.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQL4xehY7PC
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtrheRDTNc
Weaving in and out of alleyways was a surprisingly easy task, as the Hard-Bringer members couldn't stay in one place even if they were paid to. Though it made moving in the streets nerve-wracking with the unpredictability of these people, it was better than having to wait for them to fall asleep or find a detour as they obstinately remained in one spot.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTj7cnK2coW
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejU7f0KTug
With all the pauses in between movements and focus on not getting caught, I stopped paying attention to our routing quickly. I was anxious that Juke did too.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYp3n3tlNa
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7xpgICfQ5
"Hey, are you sure we're going the right way?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcsFP3xXKS
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6UF1PjqVW
"Yeah, I'm sure. I remember that chipped building when I visited the stables earlier."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1Jw32sj9r
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWcpsR7gXP
He pointed at a building opposite us. Indeed, it was chipped, but somehow I didn't find his memory reliable.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9UNn3hPBR
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWpBH9f7Zp
Still, I had no better way to make it to the stables myself, so I kept following Juke as we skittered diagonally across the street.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yDuws1IfA
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHMpuLPFBC
"--Crap!"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1H5ksOZgr
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlKgRtLn8o
This alleyway was void of anything to hide behind, meaning that we had to leave it now or suffer an embarrassing and egregious discovery. I peered over the corner and saw a duo of robed people turning a corner and into our street.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVkyAKTBq4
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Rw8joyYCA
"Crap. Crap!"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZbPVtPp9v
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRq6qWjzCM
"Eh? What's the situation, kid?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrd0QIbq6U
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaF5KlHLpz
"People are heading our way!"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYoz51ckPM
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzn6bLwsyia
With a hoarse whisper, I relayed the information to Juke, whose eyes I could see widen even through his helmet. He looked behind him and deeper into the alleyway, reaching the same conclusion that I did.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5X8VyGpLac
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfd5O9J8PID
"I guess we gotta jump 'em."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPqTQxuETG
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTc4iVOfcq
"What!? That's a terrible idea!"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNqdqBJ9kL
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHZk7TrjRQ
Despite the incorrect usage, I knew precisely what Juke meant by jumping the two people. I discarded the idea, as engaging in a fight would only draw more attention. But, as I sifted through my mind, I couldn't conjure up a course of action more tangible.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlcysR5DtO
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzxoPe7uV7
"Okay, maybe it isn't a terrible idea, but we need to knock them out quickly."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozXe6GNmvx
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtp7N3fwBz
"Yeah, killin' 'em will just make a mess and draw attention, ya make a good point."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUfDj8Iqz6
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqAeADfpkT
"...Murder is the first thing you– nevermind, you gave me a good idea."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1o24qMDkLP
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgS8GwGdV2s
I produced my tendril and created a Valencia-Bloom at its tip. Then, I ran as far back into the alleyway as I could, signaling Juke to do the same. When we made it to the wall, I began mana spinning and produced a shield from the flower big enough to cover us both.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKabyQhoqy
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldtCnzhnsl
It was unexpectedly heavy. The weight of the shield brought me to the floor and strained my arm terribly443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhpdACAJkx
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84byevU5sn
"Ack!"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1sj6pLItw
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oFMaH8JNi
"G-Goodness, kid. Are ya alright?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEom9PZewM4
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLIUgt3SBF
"I-I'm fine, just keep quiet!"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXsonGmt5T
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMT6zC9XHq1
We waited out behind the shield until I heard two sets of footsteps pass by the alleyway. Once they vanished, I removed the shield, massaged my arm, and with Juke's help, we made it back onto the street.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufuzh7JYOh
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZzQ8FLy1b
"Ya strong folk really are crazy."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJtVKFwDvG
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6TADYwrOu
"Shut up. Now isn't the time for this."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOLDubiqeL
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGwvg4eilg
We traveled the road a bit faster since we had to cross through an intersection. We made sure both sides were clear before continuing forward. The road curved at this point, so we kept close to the wall, using our ears instead of our eyes to sense any oncoming persons.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj800OL5XG4
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVffsKSxN7
And, by doing so, I heard something that made my hair stand on its ends.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoJ61z021r
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnAbyZzmMl
"--Yeah, we should find a place to hide, don't ya think?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXA0rJN0bCf
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuEHiBHCLX
I hastily nodded with him and scanned the surroundings. I spotted an alleyway with a gigantic dumpster at the front. Juke already began running to it before I could point it out, so I followed him.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXMjy7GSKM
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOleriRYfh
We sat down behind the dumpster. I gnawed on my finger as I heard what I could only describe as an army of people walking down the street. I didn't see them, nor did I want to, but the footsteps never ended– it was as if the hustle and bustle of the streets had returned, but now, it only disturbed me.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3MaIn7Cyx
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlDjZGelyl
It went on for far, far too long. I couldn't keep my cool. The gnawing turned into rampant chomping, and my breathing became labored and heavy. I rocked back and forth, back and forth back and–443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5x24kndWh
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpZ73Bz5R2
"--Kenny, I don't know if that'll do ya any good."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXI22dMcVt
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegiL8TOpGn
"Huh?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LEIfbBq0p
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNcfB5DUAf
Juke's deep voice pierced through the thunderous train of footsteps.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3jZDDRFkG
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkP8ETKjrLV
"That whole biting thing, and that whole shaking thing. That shit freaks me out. I get why yer doing it, but seeing someone like ya do so just don't sit with me right."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUB9D1nyjRS
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdqJTD2Ws4
I knew he was trying to console me. But, I didn't feel as if he was. I felt as if it was a precursor to just another one of Juke's ramblings about his ideology.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNpzVxPwpn
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyLPzhA83X
"Why? Is it because I'm strong?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRe86EyzNX
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrzfwWREce
"Nah, it's cuz yer a kid."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDyQ9LatYJ
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4G6PA54ma
His response left me more stunned than I could've imagined.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWOq6e3ms0
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZ87eNOX90
"I can tell ya got something plaguing ya. I ain't dense, so I can already guess what it is. Still, I think ya should spill it."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZNh6KNKuS
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjx4h4SmXXL
"..."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPg0hXR7V9D
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7yVxlKIVk
I brought my knees up to my head, wrapping my arms around my legs. Usually, I'd be concerned about the crowd overhearing us, but the dumpster was far enough, and the thousands of footsteps would veil my voice.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP56Dzjt8qs
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeAgHK3X5H
So, I let my mouth run amok.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVOTfCoP0h
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXRRBkFLMj
"I'm sure you know, but what Rover told me has... affected me, I suppose."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyBVuyOl0b
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtsYTLwlFV
"Yeah, I know."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSI6a0zybVB
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVq9Z6rfWLV
A pause. I used it to formulate my following words more effectively.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkvuQd3zij
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ121Kc2Dg4S
"It left me confused. It was like I was asking myself questions with words I couldn't understand. I didn't even know how to begin to answer them. So, for the time being, I decided to ignore them."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4c5j2Np4w
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHf1sIGYPD
I darted my eyes to the side. He nodded along. He stared at the wall across. I did the same.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvgNUPQAfE
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EXKdwT0U3
"When I was at the door last night," I continued, "right after Rover left, I suppose the prospect of going after her, of facing her, was too intimidating. I didn't get why, exactly. I just knew that I couldn't do it. I didn't think that doing so would be bad or something, quite the contrary. I just thought that, somehow, it was an impossible task. So, I didn't do it. Instead, I sat back on the couch and fell asleep."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyP27WSM0ZZ
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGH0RSyXhXQ
"That sounds familiar..."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fMf0nUOHo
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgbrmTYfCP
"Huh?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5ISxxF7Wy
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzmTNfRsZn
"Nevermind. Ya carry on."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttPzSfKlPp
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ753Jkno6OY
I felt a little let down, but did as I was told.
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQUhNBVr0F
"I am just, very confused. I don't quite get how I feel, but I do understand that all the forces inside of me are fighting over the decision I made last night, to do this. And, I guess I say I'm unsure of it, but I do know what I really am."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1H5pbqMC3S
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBAJt3P4tk
"Well?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfCiYFUpF5
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77lRg7inUk
"...The thing is, if I voice it, I'll probably break apart here and now."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngwGbE0r0b
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4GwlRDpBC
"Ah."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxnmVRRDNo
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbnUPmf77x
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but articulating it in my brain was difficult.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUoqg39CEj
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUJLV7pGXp
"Some part of it came from the distant past. I'm talking about what drove me to make this decision, I mean. Another part, I'm unsure. And the last one was more recent. It was only for a moment, but when I thought about going outside with Rover, that overgrown bug flashed in my mind."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLs70Ipjx6
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffmVP1dP5c
"Ah, the Lionant?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGabgY7euu
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8YymGenkW
"Yeah. The one you saved me from. Thank you for that, by the way."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUjBfk2LCo
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWeiJIZwKn
"..."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmLw1mQ7b9
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmuyYVuE6k
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but I hung on to the thoughts left behind by my last sentence and formed a question out of it.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQITkjQ5kI0
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKpt7LdOyr
"This might be a dumb question, but why did you save me back then?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoBOuDkHzd
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEzaiblEiY
"...Yeah, why did I?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYghO0mkYVS
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfbka6kVns
I didn't expect to be met with another question.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDirWdYydkf
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4RPF5GSYy
"It doesn't make much sense, does it? After all, I'm weak, and yer strong. A weak guy like me shouldn't have to save strong folk like ya. But I did save ya. I really did save ya."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8Iox1RmPm
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmdZfPnWub
I turned my head to him. He had his eyes pointed at the sky, one arm slung over his knee.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGZu0FiIr7
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7cFtqk8cN
"I don't know why I saved ya. It wasn't in my mind, I didn't think of doing it, but I did save ya."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbt2Cg1wc4
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GmYcCdO87
"..."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNjYkfBWRm
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNJgX4xzX5
I felt as if I should have said something, but I remained silent. Juke continued his gentle monologue.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzUgeQwhW7
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZiHCyN0ty
"Rover's got a brutal tongue. Usually, I just brush off what loud folk like her say, but she was blunt and rude about it, so it really stuck with me. I couldn't care less about that 'you should do and think this and that' shit, but, ya know what, Kenny?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7dZc1vBja
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOg2Hf784T4
"What?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2IQTGV9IO
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdexohpBxY
"Before I went out to look for ya two, I talked with Dennis. I had a real good conversation with him 'bout politics, women, and a bunch of dumbshits we've met in our olden days."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwSBlvK6QG
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjmB3lj4Ko
"That sounds... boorish?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEIFtcJEyG
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7Is55gdlb
"Pff, yer just too young."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0uQvhGtr2
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dBkLWYA50
He paused for a moment.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeupyIZgYvh
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeQKdatE7s
"Why the hell am I saying this to a kid?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhi8ObUw2S
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SsBKaSiqr
"D-Don't mind that, just keep talking."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hbGAsEOcf
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXToaiLFwO
"...The thing is, a weak guy like me shouldn't concern himself with Hard-Bringer. It makes sense, doesn't it? Leave the big problems to the big strong folk. Weak guys shouldn't have to fight for other weak guys. That's what I think."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3b3bzdJyOs
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiEIeB7htc
He took a second to readjust himself. I used that time to spill my own thoughts.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuhv2jVYbE
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SdbqNqm22
"That's silly... O-Oh–"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejiCJcHTbw
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7rBCqCGOC
I realized I had just blurted out something insensitive yet again.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkSch7Pj2z
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvUXrD7536
"I didn't mean to be rude, but–"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXJZTfjUIG
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeA68ZP0xP
"Nah, I get why ya think it. To each their own, that's what the masses say, yeah?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeWReEIagt
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnB5Gfpsz5j
"I... yes, I suppose so."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcfE2dEyJr
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGatC8lJRwG
Another pause. Juke directed his gaze to the floor this time.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVz0sgWkFj3
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26m9nfHGUS
"I think the weak shouldn't have to deal with what the strong does."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9ygKbDkzk
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmA290UTa4
"Yes, I know."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjr0gLmmZKF
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiL737zc2L6
"But I wanna make sure Dennis is still kickin'."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIWDgfrGMf
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3isbrC006r
He said that with conviction I had never heard from him before.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNNZR4PrlG
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzMeMgx4QX
"I believe what I said yesterday. I think he's just fine. 'Sides, I got no interest in fighting Hard-Bringer. But that ain't changing the fact that I wanna make sure with my eyes."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjq7gDFbhF6
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOHD24RhlF
"..."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8DdUhomMD
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUyN7jhydM
I didn't say it outright, but I agreed with him. I wanted to make sure Dennis was fine as well. Yet, unlike Juke, I doubt I could muster the will to do so.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOOCyb3cuD
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSCgdu6Rzp
"Ya hear that?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSv6341M9UZ
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMTQ2DHQR8
"Huh?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzYWt879zF
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEo7cDyeAk6
I perked my ears. I didn't hear anything. Then, I realized what Juke meant.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVnueTci75
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHOMeEOL2k
"They passed."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jJBp1GJst
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3Xda1jgmf
"Yeah. I can't hear them anymore."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlfl7rerL6
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnedObjoaNz
Juke stood up first. He brushed the dirt off his pants and peered around the corner.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOhfPONAyx
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vDOaMiQ51
"Looks like we're in the clear. Phew."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNBg5j1KDR
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfChdlzMWD
I stood up and ambled to the front of the alleyway. Sure enough, Not one robed person was in sight. It was a clear indicator that I should have taken a step forward, but I didn't. No, I couldn't, not after what I had just said.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡairE2mW92B
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1DO6kZ9fz
Juke had already taken his first steps, though. He looked back at me once he noticed I wasn't moving.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHICGXfxdVE
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7ocEmzBqu
"Shit... hey, kid, I know what yer thinking."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgX2kujs2z
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxUFMV31n1
"You've been saying that a lot."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzk4E5AGwxh
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeI29W1Lvsy
"That's just cuz yer easy to read."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcnK9GnzYB
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvAmWmHfJy
We stood stock still in silence.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32crwapcTP
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYoBBJU0na
"W-Well, what are you waiting for," I muttered, "Let's get going."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RKJLHGyWq
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzghw7CB77F
"Are ya sure?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3fLSMCy5m
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjkFa7gN4n
I walked out of the alleyway, looking both ways before standing beside Juke.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1WgEhAik5
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxExxM0rnh
"I should be asking you that."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziUVQkZp7I
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NjapvZeyl
"Hehe, I guess so. We've come this far, haven't we?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0N70d5nJh4
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1FlY2PdOM
"Yes. You get it."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8aXmE5V0k
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5URXBmxcy
But before we continued, there was one last thing I wanted to mention.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcngcrRXgAg
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBWETwGCXo
"If we see something that might change the accuracy of your hypothesis, then... I'm going to turn back, understand?"
Juke released a lethargic chuckle. I wasn't offended by it, instead, it caused me to think.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtccnWS46r
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxZaDcmGXP
"Fine by me."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ta67GPHbT
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Q78p0dKMp
I wondered how seriously he took my word. I wouldn't blame him if he thought it duplicitous.
We kept going down the streets, running between the alleyways as we avoided being spotted.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuzbMGRiqb
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5MpXmnnoZ
–
–
–
"Ya see that?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VS3qlopD1
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbIjjZ3Yxa
"Yeah, we're almost there."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgd2Se99KGc
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRGWZkAhyo
After hours of dodging lines of sight, taking tedious pauses in smelly alleyways, and having one too many heart-attack-inducing close calls, the stables were finally within our view. It was still a good distance away, but being able to see it was relieving. We were fortunate enough to find it unsupervised, too.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDouFh11Z1
443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6V8QPorput
We approached it with a pep in our step, but not forgetting to employ prudence. I turned my head in every direction as we got closer and closer.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzd3KTnvy2O
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And as we got closer and closer, a sudden stench assaulted my nostrils.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1qxPUKxf7
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"Blurg, what was that?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZRV4EOQFT
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I skidded to a stop. I reluctantly sniffed the air again but didn't catch the same whiff. Juke looked back at me, confused.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPG3rvE9GDf
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"What was what?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmiILeldT5
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"I caught a whiff of something."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jeMdddciA
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"Ah, gotcha. I ain't stopping, just so ya know."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwCFvuY9us
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Clicking my tongue, I continued following Juke to the stables, occasionally sniffing the air as we encroached it.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgEPyuWk0m
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And then, it came again. This time, more putrid than before.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rIMRUPbfc
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"Ugh– ack, what in the world?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssiD07BbBc
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Juke didn't stop to ask me what was wrong this time. He turned the final corner and already made it to the stables. I knew that I had visited this place before, but I didn't quite acknowledge the structure until that moment.
It was like an open barn house with only a meager roof over the parking spaces. Inside these parking spaces were carriages, and opposite them were miniature pens housing the animals responsible for heaving the carriages. These pens were fitted with roofs and thick gates to block the animals from wandering off. Of course, because of the structure of the stables, he barged in without having to bust open any doors. Naturally, I entered without issue myself.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPA2cPiVuUE
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But never had I wished for a door to be present more than now.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesL9MoA7lM
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"...This is fuckin' horrid."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgIvhTu71S
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The carriages were untouched, but the carriages were only there for me to distract myself with. It didn't last for long, of course. After all, the stench and overwhelming, blinding quantity of red permeating through every crevice of the area made it impossible to keep up the charade.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGviBo10rj
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The pens were broken, but the animals hadn't escaped. They were still in their pens, but as cadavers opposed to breathing beings.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZyejnRIa1
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Bile rose to my throat, but I was able to suppress it. That disturbed me deeply.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDt5o5VycuP
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"Well, Kenny, I dunno if we'll be leaving by carriage any time soon."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnaCHCjP2E
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"You 'don't know', huh? Are you kidding me?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9GVbCOyRv
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I glared at the scene. It was grotesque, but my eyes couldn't divert from it. Every animal in every pen– no exception was made, none were spared. They were unapologetically slaughtered. Juke spoke of the sight perfectly; It was horrid. it evoked such visceral repulsion even when closing the eyes and glancing at it through memory.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyOuEovSD0
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But, as much as I hated it, as much as it made me want to turn the other way and run, seeing our way out be cut off like this relieved me of a subconscious weight.
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Juke ventured further into the stables, and I begrudgingly followed. I fixed my gaze to the right, passing by the open pens and observing the carrion they contained. I didn't try to immerse myself in the details; I would've truly thrown up if I did. But, from what I did see, I could judge the means used to kill them. From lacerations to burns, to pulverizations of their bodies, it was obvious that a mix of magic and weaponry was utilized.
I was lucky that the blood had dried long ago.
"Sly bastards. How'd they know we'd try to get out?"
"...They probably just did this preemptively. Did they have to murder all the animals, though? Why not damage the carriages?"
My question had not just reminded Juke, but also myself of our carriage. We steered directions and beelined towards it. From an outside view, it looked unharmed. As Juke pulled out a key and unlocked the doors, I could only hope that the same could be said for the inside.
"Nagging Dennis for this shit paid off."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Eukvc0prb
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Juke muttered something under his breath before flinging the doors open and entering. I followed, releasing a heavy breath as I confirmed that the carriage was unharmed.
"'Fore we head back out, we oughta pack some supplies."
"I agree, but I hope you know I won't be able to carry much."
"That's alright. This big body of mine ain't just for show."
We entered the back. Juke took the bag of food and placed his arms through the straps, carrying it like an oversized backpack.
"Anything else ya think we oughta bring?"
"...I can't lift the big bags, but–"
I grabbed a smaller one and emptied its contents, stuffing it with the few potions I had left in the larger bags, leaving me with a pleasantly light load. Juke hummed in an amused, yet agitated tone.
"Ya had potions this whole time? Ya should'a told me!"
"Oh, sorry. I thought I had."
We exited the carriage and returned to the stables, Juke grumbling as he descended the steps. I didn't leave just yet. Before that, I spared one more glance at the animals, meagerly clenching my fists.
"Hey, Juke."
He turned around and faced me. Before I got my words out, I had to stop shaking.
"What do we do now?"
He looked at me intently, or was it blankly? Either way, I could tell that he was digesting my question. Then, he turned his gaze away.
"We can't get out with the carriage, that's for sure."
"I know that much. But, do we... do we try anyway?"
"...Nah, ya should know that yerself."
My facial muscles dropped, forming an ugly frown. He was right, and because he was right, I was upset.
If they took measures this drastic to make sure nobody escaped, then the gates were unquestionably, undoubtedly guarded.
That undeniable notion frightened me.
"Yeah, you're right. But, still, what do we–"
I couldn't finish my sentence. My speech was interrupted by a jerk movement from Juke. He leaned in– almost pouncing at me and pushing me to the ground as he haphazardly fell to it himself.
I hadn't the time to formulate any complaints and questions, but all that I could have formed were addressed by the soaring ball of fire narrowly avoiding my head.
"--Ack!"
I landed awkwardly on my shoulder. Whether it was dislocated, I didn't know, nor could I afford to find out. I scrambled to my feet and faced our assailant. My blood turned cold when I saw her.
"That man is a quick actor. What about you, child? Are you the brains of your clique?"
It was the woman at the plaza. She was not in her unequivocal robe that was the sigil of Hard-Bringer but in a slackened coat, plain shirt, skirt, pants, and boots.
"Well, answer me, won't you?"
"Don't humor 'er, kid, she's got a screw loose!"
"N-No need to tell me!"
Juke got up on his feet and brandished his sword. I took out the tendril. The woman grabbed a curvy, seemingly customized, serrated knife. She raised it as she began to speak.
"So you two won't speak? Fine by me. A mute roadblock is easier to handle."
With a slide of her back foot and a drop in her posture, she burst into a sprint heading in our direction. Then, she veered into me.
The sudden shift left me panicked. I instinctively took a step back and produced a Valencia-Bloom, but before I could utilize it, she slashed her knife at me. I narrowly avoided the swing, but she didn't let up, spinning the blade in her hand and thrusting it to jab me.
That's at least what it looked like she would've done.
She did thrust her knife, but she spun as she did it, clashing with Juke's broadsword so suddenly that even he was taken by surprise. The woman exploited his shock well by delivering a kick to his chest. Juke's body didn't budge from the kick at all, though. A metallic sound rang throughout the stables and his head jerked back.
"Ack! My neck!"
"--I see."
Realizing I wasn't doing anything, I extended my tendril, using it like a dull spear. The woman ducked my attack and slammed her fist into it. I recoiled from the strike, but not enough to paralyze me. Thus, I slammed the tendril on the ground. She rolled away, dodging it effortlessly.
My tendril still near her, I switched the Valencia-Bloom for a Freeze-Dry. But I couldn't use it; the woman leaped and stomped on the flower before any ice came out.
My eyes widened by themselves. I couldn't think of what to do next, but I was fortunate enough to not have to. Juke swung his sword at the woman. She dodged it, but Juke didn't let up with his assault. The woman took a series of backsteps too great for Juke to immediately catch up to. Almost instinctively, she kicked her leg up, and though Juke was a couple of meters away, his head jerked up and a sound rang out as if he was hit.
Though Juke was struck in the chin, and though he was partially airborne, he aimed his palm at the woman, firing a wind spell at her.
And, it connected.
"Hng!"
It was a weak spell, and she was able to block most of it with her arms, but the point was that it connected. Somehow, that fact alone was enough to shock me.
"Yer power's confusing. Is it an Endowment? I dunno, I've got one, and yers sure don't feel like it."
Juke rubbed his chin. I could tell that he felt it, meaning the hit wasn't deflected to his helmet.
"Shit. How'd ya know my weakness, huh?"
The woman narrowed her eyes at Juke. Using the downtime, I began mana expulsion with my right hand and produced a Sunlight-Blossom from the tendril.
"You are right about one thing, oaf: my power is nothing like that absurd Endowment of yours."
"And yer calling my whole thing absurd? That's just–"
Juke's speech was cut short. I shot at the woman with a water spell. She dodged it, but I accounted for this and made the spell a powerful geyser, following her movements as it continuously sprayed. The woman clicked her tongue as she kept backing away, producing a ball of fire and firing it at the walls.
I gasped and processed her actions to make sure I understood what I saw. She threw a fireball at the walls, which were made of wood. She threw a quick wind spell at it right after and smashed through the weakened structure.
My geyser put the sudden fire out but had missed the woman entirely. It aligned with my expectations, though. She came back bursting through near the ashened hole. However, I had another attack prepared.
The seed was already loaded. I aimed the flower at her and fired, crossing my fingers in my head, praying that it would land.
It didn't. It didn't even come close. She ducked before the bullet had even been launched. I bit my lip in frustration.
"That's why I hate being aggressive. How cruel that I have to act against my nature."
She cracked her neck and swayed her lengthy hair in the air, glaring at us with her blue eyes. She looked ready to perform a deadly pounce at any moment.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eS2H0As3Z
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I stood beside Juke. We eyed the woman vigilantly. My prior assessment was overwritten as she didn't look like she would move at all, leaving me bemused.
But, then, a fireball formed in her hands. I expected her to throw it immediately, so I prepared to duck, but it continued to grow in size; it was far larger than her previous ones, almost as tall and wide as Juke was.
"Ah, shit."
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. Frankly, I didn't expect her to be so adept in fire magic that she could make a spell of that size. It was stupid of me not to consider it. The woman reeled her arm back. I had to act fast.
I ducked, placing both my hands on the ground. I began mana expulsion with one hand and performed spinning with the other. A wall of stone sprung from the ground before me. Then, I produced a Valencia-Bloom from the tendril, expanding it as far as I could reasonably do so. Juke already took cover behind me. Now, all that was left was too–
**SLAM**
"--Ack!"
I didn't suffer any severe damage. In fact, my defenses were hardly penetrated. But the heat from the fire nipped at me through it all. The spell dissipated in no more than five seconds, but it felt like forever.
"How the hell are we breathin'!?"
"Is now really the time for–"
**THUD**
I felt a sudden force clash against my shield. Due to my already shaky balance, I fell to the ground, but I made sure to retract the Valencia-Bloom so my arm wouldn't be dislodged. When the shield vanished, the woman took its place, her leg raised. She continued her assault, raising her knife and, with her other hand on the top of the hilt, plunging it into me.
I shut my eyes and grit my teeth, expecting the sensation of a blade being lodged into my body. But that never came. Instead, a metallic clang reverberated through the stables.
I opened my eyes. Juke intercepted her with his sword. He was on the ground with both his hands on the blade's hilt. Judging by how he was lying on the ground, gripping the hilt with both his hands like a rope, he must've slid.
They remained that way for a moment, engaged in a struggle between their blades. When it became apparent that she couldn't win, she clicked her tongue.
"Irritating," the woman sighed before kicking his helmet and sending him flying. She returned her attention to me, but I had used my borrowed time to regain my composure and swing the tendril.
My tendril hit her. But it felt as if I was the one who was struck, and it wasn't by a blunt object, but by a steel blade. Purple liquid erupted from my chest.
Yes, she was flung away. Yes, my tendril had connected. But when it retracted by itself, I found the woman void of bruises and her knife slathered in a viscous purple.
"D-Damn it."
I rose to my feet with shaking legs. She hadn't just blocked my attack but hurt me back as well. I clutched my chest and coughed harshly.
"How are ya?"
Juke stood beside me, brandishing his sword. We eyed the woman who was flicking the liquid off her knife.
"This ain't looking like a winning fight."
As much as it frustrated me to agree with his notion, I was forced to. Every attack I launched had been avoided, and the one time either of us landed one on her, it was more of a fluke than anything.
"So what do we do?"
"'Till I get how she keeps seein' the future, I ain't got a clue."
"See the future...? Do you think that's what it is?"
"Can't think of anythin' else."
I narrowed my eyes at her, mulling over Juke's theory. When I thought about it, certainly, it would make sense that she could see the future. However–
"There has to be a limit, or some kind of restriction. Her behavior is too inconsistent."
"I agree with ya, and I still got no clue how she kicked me from across the damn room."
Indeed, she had too many unknown factors about her, and combined with her astonishing physical and magical prowess, it made this fight impossible to win. I was wounded, Juke's weakness had been discovered, and the woman didn't look like she even broke a sweat.
"Are you two plotting something? I ought to interfere."
She broke into another dash, but it wasn't an utter rush; her steps were laced with trepidation, and her knife was raised defensively. It was as if she was approaching expecting us to attack her back.
My moment of clarity subsided as the pain washed over my being. But Juke, pulling me by the collar, had fortunately noticed the same, and–
"Book it, kid!"
Helped me turn tail as we both broke into sprints of our own.
I ran. I ran like the wind. I ran to abuse my legs. I ran to survive. But I wasn't so naive; my legs were small and my stamina was pathetic. Whether it was my lack of endurance or my lack of speed, the woman would undoubtedly catch up to me. No thanks to his luggage, I couldn't hitch a ride on Juke's back.
I swiveled my head. She was catching up to me like a wolf in pursuit, and I was sure to be caught in her fangs at any moment. I didn't try to speed up; too many factors prevented me from doing so.
So, if I couldn't speed up, then there was only one thing left for me to do.
I began mana expulsion with both of my hands, creating a mass of earth in one and a mass of fire in the other, expanding it. The woman didn't show an expression of surprise. She was expecting me to do this– no, not expecting, she knew.
Something about that pissed me off. So, instead of throwing it–
"--You!"
Her eyes widened. She skidded to a stop and leaped away. Despite that, I had to see this through.
I discharged as much mana into the fire as I recklessly could, and naturally–
**BOOM**
A Flinty incident occurred.
I used the stone I conjured up to defend myself, but truthfully, it hardly did anything. The most I could do was defend my head, and sure, my eyes hadn't burst, and my face wasn't seared, but they were still rolling on the stone pavement along with the rest of my body, picking up spikey pebbles and other trash like they were seashells on the beach. I only stopped when I collided with, something. I didn't know what and the means to find out were stripped from me. My ears rang, my nose burned, and I had to clobber dozens of particles off my face before I could even think of opening my eyes. But, my arms were too heavy for me to even lift.
So, I remained there, waiting for all the internal chaos to subside before I moved. Then I felt something touch me, then shake me, and I groaned in response. I didn't know who it was. Since I was alive, it probably wasn't the woman. Was it a street dog, or maybe one of those robed men?
Was it Juke? I dismissed the thought. That was a ridiculous proposition.
I was lifted and tussled with. It wasn't done harshly, but goodness, was it irritating. At that point, my annoyance powered over my fatigue, and I rubbed my eyes before slackening my arms yet again.
I opened them and saw the ground. Whoever it was that was messing with me was behind me. I couldn't turn my head to see them, though, so I groaned and heaved my breaths.
"Good to know yer still kicking. Which bottle 'ere is gonna patch ya up?"
Hearing a familiar voice, I was struck with an inordinate amount of clarity.
"Green, one," I mustered.
"Yer lucky I caught that first try. Open wide."
Even if I wanted to, I couldn't. He understood that too, so he grabbed my jaw and pulled it down, sticking the bottle inside my mouth. I was sure that I was going to drown; the amount of liquid entering my throat was overwhelming. But it passed as quickly as it came. I coughed vehemently, and Juke patted my back to help. I cursed my inability to voice my thanks.
"Take it easy, ya really did something crazy back then. Strong folk, I tell ya."
Now I just wanted to tell him to shut up. He lifted me and hung me over his shoulder, then he continued to run.
"Did ya get that crazy bitch? Err, tap once for yes, twice for no."
All I could exert myself to do was pinch, so I pinched his skin twice.
"Shit. Shit! Is she followin' us now!?"
I pointed my eyes up. I could only see a little bit of the ground, so I painstakingly raised my neck.
It devastated me to have to pinch once.
"Are ya kidding me!?"
Juke's running increased in tempo. Unlike me, he was able to at least keep the distance between him and the woman the same. Unfortunately for me, my head was bouncing up and down every step. I was sure that I'd vomit any minute, and then pathetically pass out a moment after.
But I couldn't afford to do so. I couldn't afford to be a burden when our lives were being threatened like this.
I tried to call it forth, but my tendril wouldn't appear. I tried mana expulsion– tried, but struggled. The explosion hadn't drained me of my mana, but my supply was so low I might as well have been shaking a bottle for droplets. I couldn't form anything grandiose or dangerous, meaning that I had to do something to just slow her down.
So, I formed a small mass of water. Supporting it with my other hand, I lifted my arm, aiming my open palm at her feet.
She didn't react preemptively at all. It gave me a surge of hope, and with that borrowed vigor, I fired the spell at her feet.
Except, I didn't fire it. It unceremoniously plummeted to the ground. She simply jumped over the puddle the spell created.
"Damn, it."
"--Ay kid, are ya seeing this!?"
"Seeing what", I wanted to ask, because I was still incapable of moving my body more than an inch at a time. But I didn't have to turn my head to see what he saw. As Juke kept running through the street, we passed by a myriad of bodies loitering about. My first assumption was that they were corpses– and, well, judging by all the red, it was likely correct.
But what really caught my eye was their attire: dark, hooded robes. All of these bodies were that of the people in Hard-Bringer.
Did a fight break out? Is that what happened? I looked up at the woman and she was entirely unperturbed. I was hoping to gauge a different reaction, but not only was hers uninformative, it was disturbing.
And then, my vision swerved.
"Huh?"
"I'm takin' a gamble."
"Gamble!?"
That was the loudest noise I had made that day. Juke didn't elaborate on what gamble he was taking. I thought of wiggling out his grasp right there, as obviously foolish as it was. But–443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwXftjVJjs
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"Just trust me!"
He said it as a feverish plea. It shocked me into staying in place. With nothing else to do, I placed my faith in him. The sun-lightened streets disappeared and we ventured into a darkened alleyway. We came to a stop shortly after, leaving me confused and worried.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZ8e3BJ1wb
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Then, Juke began to talk, but it was clear that it wasn't to me.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpH4BLaapeU
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"Who are ya people?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12OvEcSKlw
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"Wow, he really followed us. Well, sir, we're here to help. My buddy will be doing the dirty work, though."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBVilfevHa
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"Buddy?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByzYz1uC2k
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I froze– froze more than I already was frozen, anyway. The voice that Juke spoke with was familiar to me, though I struggled to put a name to it. But then a set of footsteps sounded through the alley, and a man in a trench coat brushed passed Juke and me.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwfVybsn2g
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Of course, with an article of clothing that distinct, I'd be lying if I didn't recognize him. My recognition was only solidified when he drew his hands in it and pulled two crossbows out.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsToCOKimJ
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"Quiet now."443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfl1mYH8AO
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Pars gave a command to us all, aiming his crossbows at the entrance of the alleyway. I didn't understand why he was using two of them, but there was a tube of earth protruding from inside the coat and connected to the ends of the crossbows, so I knew there was some trick going on.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5BNR3WLFf
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Pars kept his aim steady, and steady, and kept it up for seconds, then minutes. I realized then that we had lost our pursuer, but Pars only tilted his head.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jUuWrwx4D
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"Where did she go? Do I smell that bad?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCo7DYAnu1K
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He pulled his crossbows back and sighed, rubbing his head as he turned around. His eyes met with mine, and he practically blenched.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qFOxTsj1A
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"K-Kenny? Where did you come from!?"443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZXJDZFKll
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I sighed, and I smiled. There was something heartwarming about seeing this man act as usual, even if it pained me.443Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPwloaQOt6
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