"Hey, wake up."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCceq3VpL7
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvP6TVPJaG
"H-Huh!?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxeGlrpzP0
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6GGxDgQ3r
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcagXlvZ0s
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcilaN21sq
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare ya."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfg2ZTW0yz
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWRF4bCJdh
"No no, it's fine."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0sfFDYe4I
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGy8Q4Q9hYC
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyYOTJsuEf
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgurEVNMVt3
"Goodness kid, did ya sleep at all?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOO1JyXK4sh
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWm3VjTNUuZ
"Huh? Yeah, sure I did."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtbfPQ9N2O
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5FSRxq9Ji
I let out another yawn. After a dozen firm blinks, I was able to keep my eyes open for longer than two seconds.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsotxDdCPV
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6FTrQ0UjT
"Are ya sure–"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKiiVa81ye
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNv6bhijbv
"Listen, Juke, I'm fine. I'm, perfectly fine. My neck is just a little sore, that's all."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhs7pY1Ewge
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvYDmz4S9E
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN93iDKIHkb
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojVgXlvxVQ
"Well, if ya say so. When yer ready, come meet me outside."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡios7wR88vP
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3F38z34ah
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxLI0TdJEq
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSR6paMAsu
"..."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzMYCWcnCf
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8lCer9Isx
Now that the grogginess had left me, my mind worked at total capacity. It came with unwanted by-products.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXnYpsd4Ng
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicmXeH2F0t
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQE4MLutbtQ
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTek9SshsCj
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnAscalFxJ
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONde69BbRJ
The plate was full of fish. It wasn't a food I'd associate with breakfast.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqSyt6lVOz
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMh7cIKpwk
"Hi young man, how did you sleep?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZz3ZhmwwdD
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGmGqBKD5c
His tone was cheery and amiable. He sounded like a pleasant person to speak to.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlzNj0ufS3
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WH2ytHngJ
"Hmm. Huh? Oh, were you talking to me?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfSTgdY6oV
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkt3AWohGu
The man nodded. Now that I thought about it–192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlWo6WvdVi
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqUoj0V6MI
"What's your name anyway? I don't believe you've ever told us."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiThpWKCpJv
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpy4BsYuoV
"...You must be right. My name is Hank, it's a pleasure."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjiTQpvUG7
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSojiszJSH7
"Hank... did you cook this breakfast?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCgzJp0l30
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTjRFEvVjK
"I certainly did. Well, go on now, try it."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MJ6zkkIk4
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4KMwOOB2D
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–192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxmtOdBFj2
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjhFv25YDr
"Don't gotta waste yer time ogling at it, kid."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDSBUpoGVd
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBRjuRVYra
Juke's statement interrupted my necessary analyses.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwax7GAPy2I
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraW0ZTLf2c
"I guess you're right. Is good, Juke?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepu0EM2S7E
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbI2p1W2ln
"Yeah, it is. If ya don't eat it now though, some bird might poop on it and ruin the taste."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKXwYDo0LU
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0u9f6rum56
"What?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg30HSp94lX
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIDm8tR9KW
He sighed and flicked his head.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPLE5JtEDc
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeTPt61NxZ
"Come on, let's enjoy our last breakfast here, why don't we?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWXMxVl4rQ
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxC4p2HPHo
"Last... yeah, let's."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTe8RThgtBV
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkludx6bso
I took the fork and began to eat the fish. It had a kick to it that I didn't expect, but otherwise–192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPy0hSfQC8S
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSYZvfqrsB
"This is good. This is really good."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwH58lgg8gs
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5nYs3pfDr
"I told ya."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fDIbYwAxv
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQY2inyqmWl
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gPoQnjPuw
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NI7mTgIx9
"Wait a minute, Juke," Hank started, "how are you eating with your helmet on?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiUZq5SMWE
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uzYSmWnAr
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagzuedyMOi
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkydYaFYCQu
"Trade secret, don't worry 'bout it. Just keep eating."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6Rs5dFMeG
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGUT0DrraN
The man backed down. I kept looking at Juke, but he wouldn't eat the fish in front of me.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMd7QR6zvqy
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOYimt4iZk
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4JdNkfW8T
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgScHHqFeO
–
–
–192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NO10WFKHq
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX58Lt3dCbK
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDyMEs8pp8
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHy8y8piVKM
"So, you two want to leave the city, correct?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyp5nOkGudM
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXE2diGCQN
"That's right," Juke responded.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28oxSe1M8Q
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2E757rUb5
"I see..."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPrsYWUPMI
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsT19MNk07a
He pinched his chin and gazed at the table.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlVKauOGFl
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkydSrznkm
"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."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AiotdLVxw
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiI171Kzig
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZ6JAnPWy0
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZja6Jyb3a0
"However, I do believe you two can get out fine."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY10G0necNl
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCBBMlUdyA
"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."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxljtRL3YX
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nQgzsYDkG
I nodded along to Juke's reasoning. Hank did too, less tense than twenty seconds ago.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuPIp7H0lH
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmGdsplkTt
"Do you two have a plan in mind?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjIwoniqY5
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJfQozRDS6
Juke turned his head to me, confusing me more than pressuring me.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkJBjfVqwf
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcN3joaGU3
"What are you looking at me for?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtvyH7mDMN
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbzWo72rsX
"Ya got any ideas?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSsjKYQZdn
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0MpOuOKDK
"Why do you think I do, anyway?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPlLNFbNre
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4PL21RheG
He shrugged at my inquiry. I just sighed and rubbed my temple, racking my brain for anything.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEEESzCNmG
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zLJSx8Z5V
"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."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIltDE64Knq
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqcgenUijN
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsOVwftsjz
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaByJbWXreJ
"Hank, can you go outside and check the surroundings?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczyx3WqGSW
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1XZWp3nY9
"U-Uh, I very well may, however..."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBD3SKA7TK
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDABPI7pMD
I raised my brow, then realized that just because Hank wasn't me or Juke didn't mean that he was entirely safe.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jeEWh1v99
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4y5hmqVHgg
Rover's visage flashed in my mind. I brushed it aside for the moment, barely.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvh22MkxlzS
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEItzgOYuS
"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."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Eq0Ge2Z3E
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbYRs4SZeD
"I see. I apologize for asking so much from you."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoTXk55cB5
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMUp0GNaBj
He shook his hands frantically and.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFGD0rDump
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerPNisuWEO
"Oh no no, I'll do it. I just don't think I'll be able to scout very far ahead."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1df2B6MwP4
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKGOPsr4Dz
"That ain't an issue. Just the first block should be alright."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmksQAvkcw
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsKJtVnSzf
Hank's gaze turned abnormally stern. He stood up and did a few gesticulations to assure himself.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5e9Wcamb2Q
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9dsvHO0pa
"Pray for me."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OWDPmOvu7
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZn62ZKyXI
"Don't worry. We'll arrange yer funeral for ya."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6QAItyXAc
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQ1EiMgEKb
"Juke!"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uY9G88WJg
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jaUF62Dmk
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3KU3VRFj6
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbQheD32ZA
"Thanks for trying to lighten the mood, Juke."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOGReCiUcL
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoAKURN2kV
He turned his head to me, stuttering his words before taking a breath and speaking them coherently.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLqohWCB2q
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOiLJ4zhQx
"No need to thank me. The atmosphere's tense, I just don't want it to stay that way."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4v9SJy2lG
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBNVDrFWPK
"Still, I appreciate it."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0kYWb5Ory
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCg1CJYdiV
I sat with my legs spread out, lowering my head and leaning over to stare at the ground.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhufYzQvbw
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTM0yH9rhzt
"I can tell that my wisecracks ain't all that effective, though."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMV4ilMFCbL
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbycQUYS3HK
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtODewjgptO
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkGqk6ZVDJ
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2UxwiAdrp
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqBwW0NBsB
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9etFnsz9r
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6wIadrSrM
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEwDCike2l
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0boCL4pPZ
"Thank you for your help, Hank."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IZnsaIm2p
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXkN9SRce6
"Yeah, we really of ya."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAfcM4I59c
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtpko520bY
He gave us a light smile and waved.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6w96HfjpMX
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkzhM3jvCf
"No no, it's fine. It's what Dennis would have wanted, I'm sure."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Gxl9JBHhR
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDsJqjlC7k
"...Y-Yeah."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMC1xWGPcIU
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcL4qsmteF
A morbid parasite was planted in me before we left. It began to eat at me instantly, but I did nothing to address it.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ977bd0J6uY
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEx3StFfvE
–
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–192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFizsJVcVqd
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTTcBEWd96
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduWMYEGJwA
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxcL2LuWJS
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqY1sa1UwC
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7SvKWgoRd
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqO5wZPEg63
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGoK1Y4jjB
"Hey, are you sure we're going the right way?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGy9H8zEyNi
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9ooHhqnOo
"Yeah, I'm sure. I remember that chipped building when I visited the stables earlier."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNRb39EcDa
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFX8RapLoYC
He pointed at a building opposite us. Indeed, it was chipped, but somehow I didn't find his memory reliable.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5DgtQeLUb
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZn3JZ2LzD
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5vxz6W0zb
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBE9ybMIG1k
"--Crap!"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvv0R8IzbBD
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2L1hNugHFM
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHVPW1iejA
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGF1ysHOGk
"Crap. Crap!"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaRgrsJNeB
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMzwGFNwhG
"Eh? What's the situation, kid?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKdd0EPrqp
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMi2EiOwEq0
"People are heading our way!"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzppcTjRG2
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMK9bjotbmp
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiIe0ziT5D
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdZpm5o93M
"I guess we gotta jump 'em."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lg8iKRwII
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7zS4DYHvx
"What!? That's a terrible idea!"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqukNakuqeb
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHexjKCUDS
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1KVZjkMZ0
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqRFRoB8Gm
"Okay, maybe it isn't a terrible idea, but we need to knock them out quickly."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUjuk6B1lu
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8c7n1qrrZu
"Yeah, killin' 'em will just make a mess and draw attention, ya make a good point."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnegFR9CIlG
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUIMF4HtKu
"...Murder is the first thing you– nevermind, you gave me a good idea."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5HjvG4ty9
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYruzO2ZNB
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA37bq8CMgs
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW99pol5T0b
It was unexpectedly heavy. The weight of the shield brought me to the floor and strained my arm terribly192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16sM632VfR
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dHG5FxKY1
"Ack!"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJOO4miMAw
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGjh6Qx7BE
"G-Goodness, kid. Are ya alright?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIo5IFeeCu
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpZsFuvQsA
"I-I'm fine, just keep quiet!"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyj7ocXbDjp
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazgHzSWnt9
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFi0uNgSp8q
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaf4dL0NkMV
"Ya strong folk really are crazy."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRNLcUutBw
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZCtu9MDJa
"Shut up. Now isn't the time for this."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQJnHK0Y0l
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBm8UyaIXmt
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgeS5PvAT1
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn014auQ4Rr
And, by doing so, I heard something that made my hair stand on its ends.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyhkRWdjO0
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPXlKvdbof
"--Yeah, we should find a place to hide, don't ya think?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BEmkNqkLL
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpa0ck2nR7
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVleHISN94i
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSATyoCKFiL
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XUzPE9cAC
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGmV3tPK9L
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–192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfftQFl5Agp
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6j3cfJ7Nwq
"--Kenny, I don't know if that'll do ya any good."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOujeJh0KP
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASaRagw2rc
"Huh?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vZ406Qhx8
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIj4WsEYtv4
Juke's deep voice pierced through the thunderous train of footsteps.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlsN2iGZDu
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVM8jpu0wH
"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."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQr99ciXLE
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQciPVRh691
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdcG8T9QmY
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hrqu1RiCQ
"Why? Is it because I'm strong?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcrBuAbgu9
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rxmd7wNcs
"Nah, it's cuz yer a kid."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNJr32O8Cs
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIILw9vsEH
His response left me more stunned than I could've imagined.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡui6hmaLzBJ
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIHMmLlx5E
"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."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdG8MgmOfkT
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlkCAN7rIQ
"..."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvYciNWAuF
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNvRIXlqWV
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6kKRf49la
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDItQs3GBe
So, I let my mouth run amok.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAp18TUJXQ
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7R7Wgm4Xi
"I'm sure you know, but what Rover told me has... affected me, I suppose."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0grIAPwou
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Y9x4vwCHn
"Yeah, I know."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ243WV4st09
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRSgNh60VK
A pause. I used it to formulate my following words more effectively.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUsVRUGNqH
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5i9AYuBXR
"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."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBPoEAh4Wl
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW29QkWsGhc
I darted my eyes to the side. He nodded along. He stared at the wall across. I did the same.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxbweMXeal
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMH0VIBXZ65
"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."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuPKhEVJRY
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLltVRcJXM
"That sounds familiar..."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ipuWGDWRc
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPRPZwjafY
"Huh?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XpdJkQN1b
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DhC8y9nKN
"Nevermind. Ya carry on."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEDmkO5cdR
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3s9sf1YrEc
I felt a little let down, but did as I was told.
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGJiTMYZp4
"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."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLk2j2YuEJh
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yX4S70h5T
"Well?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KnpjmXyzE
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWT5iBAu7E4
"...The thing is, if I voice it, I'll probably break apart here and now."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ygWrs4qwR
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7XlhKGbxH
"Ah."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47tDOYB1JR
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCUbXjBnTN
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but articulating it in my brain was difficult.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeohQzF55oK
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChvegnk5Bm
"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."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiG8IwhjH07
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqT1tX6xG6H
"Ah, the Lionant?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdSDbrlbkp
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25ERpIAtpo
"Yeah. The one you saved me from. Thank you for that, by the way."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6B3UHWUgk
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcldSYJ7B5e
"..."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfspauLTct
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjH5cs9YvaU
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2D9o30Gjea
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6ppjBOoW9
"This might be a dumb question, but why did you save me back then?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrqoz9drNc
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq10n2YP3CA
"...Yeah, why did I?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWlMSI8hnC
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61VvmMAUuR
I didn't expect to be met with another question.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XG8XV9g5j
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvv20Ip7WVR
"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."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTnesi1QLz
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZIGPdlPld
I turned my head to him. He had his eyes pointed at the sky, one arm slung over his knee.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtr4RoEm74N
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleHTUN8VbC
"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."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcofgvT7oz
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7cRfEH6o9
"..."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrC4azcg22
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04uu6PmSo2
I felt as if I should have said something, but I remained silent. Juke continued his gentle monologue.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0rcewzfUY
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTNR9bgkAQ
"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?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VAZk1JXEZ
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGmINpBptr
"What?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOb72rMKAn
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5xG3dlt7e
"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."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6AeUdG6oB
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChU8ob6uTo
"That sounds... boorish?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOCy6VhtLc
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbZQ9Tieui
"Pff, yer just too young."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaM1OXrIbt
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwJejMh0Rb
He paused for a moment.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6ZmHTcMtQ
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3hEseRCZt
"Why the hell am I saying this to a kid?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvpptrWB5x
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NZT2MHpWz
"D-Don't mind that, just keep talking."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtogUVZPodR
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvN26YjgSrs
"...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."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpuWrqMt8i
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJ9OC8lMC2
He took a second to readjust himself. I used that time to spill my own thoughts.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVqzxxOcIS
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPyGKArVlP
"That's silly... O-Oh–"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Yp5JQnDxP
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRi5zVkpkgb
I realized I had just blurted out something insensitive yet again.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFaHiO2ar1
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCgwdIfd5C
"I didn't mean to be rude, but–"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjq3ykLbcL
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlI6mWID5J0
"Nah, I get why ya think it. To each their own, that's what the masses say, yeah?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnY8zlxpk5m
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gGJ8pSr3t
"I... yes, I suppose so."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIxYfHJ42o
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9FoZriLOJ
Another pause. Juke directed his gaze to the floor this time.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviMWkSGLhL
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CGe1CTMo7
"I think the weak shouldn't have to deal with what the strong does."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09hvQBE7iL
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0G5B6JgD9
"Yes, I know."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Lpqn47FZK
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnKQJkbu1e
"But I wanna make sure Dennis is still kickin'."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwcaS46kcn
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2N7MA3ReHB
He said that with conviction I had never heard from him before.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sMXgbPfBD
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnioxAW3i4h
"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."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRbALiq3ea
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO29Qae6gZq
"..."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfetFdGRsV
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGB6GzeKbio
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjeHZlCZBG
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEr16IFp4C
"Ya hear that?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxEYexaAmK
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQBkLEUfLJ
"Huh?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2VRGsxKeV
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgHG1pFybp
I perked my ears. I didn't hear anything. Then, I realized what Juke meant.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qfLytEBSZ
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzBlBSbgM9
"They passed."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgfAmp2dyc
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0zjunN1oL
"Yeah. I can't hear them anymore."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4rTZKhJVb
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHCgX5F3kc
Juke stood up first. He brushed the dirt off his pants and peered around the corner.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRzvlxD0ZM
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKElIp8ZIO
"Looks like we're in the clear. Phew."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYg5475Chd
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy66deBZV1V
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bvXjEfKVx
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZUcaXimC3
Juke had already taken his first steps, though. He looked back at me once he noticed I wasn't moving.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2doW47YZS
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JvRpE2wcW
"Shit... hey, kid, I know what yer thinking."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRmylI260l
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcs6hgqZF6E
"You've been saying that a lot."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxAmEIuQSX
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlaadS6fSF
"That's just cuz yer easy to read."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jLXV9bRZM
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjjIoLVQSF
We stood stock still in silence.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvWPbDTJrM
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSf4SCNlJF
"W-Well, what are you waiting for," I muttered, "Let's get going."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8ic9jOpSC
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ot9ROuajJ
"Are ya sure?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBd13wVqk9c
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vNoEzlclI
I walked out of the alleyway, looking both ways before standing beside Juke.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SzcK6bGfg
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVGBrmqZDC
"I should be asking you that."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mEaN9Pwtr
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSZZYqwHyx
"Hehe, I guess so. We've come this far, haven't we?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM04XlkLie4
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtfCkqcnxI
"Yes. You get it."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIF754ElI8I
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbZqFdK5id
But before we continued, there was one last thing I wanted to mention.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiWfoU3zoB
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTmyYxeLL4
"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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkplnFxxG3
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzT2TUEhPy0
"Fine by me."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4Iyw6eET4
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡde4q3e3km7
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TUJaIt9f3
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yHezyqCOx
–
–
–
"Ya see that?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jcdGaouM3
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dYuiIUCml
"Yeah, we're almost there."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimMa6n2veu
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtFOojxosA
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMkQAUl3eI
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfAqYNMoOk
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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1Iyl8jY3f
192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25szBk2Hs3
And as we got closer and closer, a sudden stench assaulted my nostrils.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEGJgOMRVU
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"Blurg, what was that?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxNo7E9sqw
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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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Dg2C68asz
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"What was what?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzvFD4wkNI
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"I caught a whiff of something."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3kcHQiEWD
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"Ah, gotcha. I ain't stopping, just so ya know."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffA1uBTPtC
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Clicking my tongue, I continued following Juke to the stables, occasionally sniffing the air as we encroached it.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6bq7JgCkC
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And then, it came again. This time, more putrid than before.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLJyUD7jUa
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"Ugh– ack, what in the world?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrZ2b2sc6B
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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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HbLJe5SbL
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But never had I wished for a door to be present more than now.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTVbHK94fE
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"...This is fuckin' horrid."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSf2wLMauU
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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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58W05Y3IIX
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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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsg1ChbXoU
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Bile rose to my throat, but I was able to suppress it. That disturbed me deeply.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp39M6GNCTZ
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"Well, Kenny, I dunno if we'll be leaving by carriage any time soon."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjENpQEpP9n
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"You 'don't know', huh? Are you kidding me?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6paqRMtT6
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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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcDYPeHLm8
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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."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCR1lc2inM
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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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrE3IannL00
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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–192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1w5n2thKSt
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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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BmA6GQhWq
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Then, Juke began to talk, but it was clear that it wasn't to me.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwOZCBjdM7
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"Who are ya people?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGRJMOaLZf
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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."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcIJwATbND
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"Buddy?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjTkGvDGHD
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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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLXkPtYLdn
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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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2mqugGGjD
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"Quiet now."192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWnDuOMCRB
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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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5HUDH17lv
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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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDktxu4ytk
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"Where did she go? Do I smell that bad?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7P3tVevw4
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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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrK5WtQbzpB
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"K-Kenny? Where did you come from!?"192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvm2dhfGtM
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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.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sW4ZUiXlp
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