The morning light was bashful, not even piercing through the tiny gaps in the blinds. I yawned and got out of my bed. I peered through the window; it was a cloudy day.
"Huh... maybe it'll rain."
I began my morning routine, washing myself and brushing my teeth before putting on a fresh set of clothes. Considering the conditions outside, it was a better time than ever to put on my jacket. Though, I would've put it on regardless of the weather.
I grabbed my keys and left my apartment room. Breakfast was going to start soon, and I wanted to make sure I had the best food from the get-go. I already made it into the dining hall and was the only one there.
"Good morning, Kenny," one of the lunch ladies called.
"Good morning. Are there any eggs on the menu?"
"Sure are."
"I'll have those, then."
I received my meal for the morning and sat by a table. The residents slowly made their way into the kitchen. I made sure to sit in a faraway corner. Not because I wanted to avoid a conversation, per se, but because I had a lot on my mind.
"...Transporting a letter, huh?"
Mulling over it last night made sleep difficult, but I had a much clearer consciousness now. I was anxious about the operation, to say the least. Not so much because it was important, but because of what failure would entail.
"..."
N-Nevermind, it probably wouldn't be so bad, would it? Still, though, I haven't had to do a mission where I needed to travel to a different city, and this is the first mission that I've ever had to cooperate on.
"These nerves are killing me."
Mission this, mission that. I ruminated over it for so long that my food grew cold. I ate it quickly then left the cafeteria and the apartment complex.
"...Alright, let's do that."
I figured that doing a warm-up mission would ease my nerves, so I traversed to the combatant's guild, trying not to heed any of the looks I was getting. Arriving at the guild, I pushed the doors open. It was a bustling place at this hour so nobody's eyes were on me, fortunately. I walked up to the job board, looking for something challenging, but short.
"W-Woah, is that Bison Frost?"
"I think it is! Watch out, don't make him mad."
Ignoring the other combatants scouting the board, I kept reading the pinned papers. My eyes stopped moving on the one right before me.
"This is perfect."
I tore it off and jogged to the receptionist's desk. It was the same woman as always, wearing a different, more modest outfit.
"Ah, good morning Kenny. Or, 'Bison Frost', as they say."
My face morphed into a deep frown.
"I'm just teasing ya. So, you've got a job you wanna do?"
"Yes."
I handed the paper and my license over to her. She went through some papers and stamped the request and put a sticker on my license, handing it back to me.
"Take care, and go easy on them."
"Of course. Have a good day."
I waved her goodbye and grabbed my stored supplies from the combatant's locker room, quickly leaving the guild after acquiring my things.
–
–
–
If my memory serves me well, this marked the fifteenth time I've left the capital. I was in the vast badlands, still able to see the city of course, but in a harsh environment nonetheless.
This particular section of the badlands was as sandy as they were rocky. Traversing it was a pain, but due to how cloudy it was today, I could take solace in the fact that the sun wasn't around.
Large boulders were sprawled around the field, making seeing from a distance nigh impossible. What was surprising though were the few bits of greenery sticking out of the rocks. I didn't know what kind of plants they were, and frankly, calling it greenery was disingenuous, but it was plant life nonetheless.
"So... what am I looking for again?"
I pulled out my combatant's license. A short description of the job was in a box to the side. It was a feature of the license; the words in the box would magically change depending on the job an combatant took. I had no idea how this was possible, but I chose not to question it.
The description was simple: "Return a Bearded Draco, dead or alive." I was informed that these Bearded Dracos rested in the sandier areas of the badlands. They must've been quite rare, though, because I've yet to see or hear one of them moving around.
"Then again, these rocks are obstructing me."
I sighed. Regret for accepting this mission began to seepl but I quickly dispelled it with a firm shake of my head. It was bound to be annoying, but the day was still fresh, so I was sure I would find one of these things before long. Before resolving myself, I sat beside one of the boulders, taking a sip from my gourd.
"...I should've changed my clothes. This outfit is terrible for the desert."
I hung the gourd back on my backpack and sighed. It was too late now of course, but complaining eased my mind a little.
"Ya got a good point there, kid. I ain't ever seen someone wear autumn clothes out here."
"Huh?"
I jumped and on my feet, facing the holder of the sudden voice that spoke to me. On top of the boulder I was against was a man with a grungy bucket helmet, completely obstructing his face aside from the wide slint for his eyes to see through. The few tiny holes at the lower half made his voice not as muffled as one would expect. Also, I mentioned that he was on top of it, but really, he was in the process of climbing the boulder. It was an obvious and awkward struggle.
"Hah, damn, I'm gettin' old. Can't climb these things like I used to..."
Now that his whole body was in view, I found myself more confused than alarmed. He had gray sweatpants on and seemed shirtless at first, but his shirt was tied around his neck like a mock cape, a knot being formed from the lengthy sleeves. He also had a blade attached to his hip, and it came with a complimentary belt.
"...Who are you?"
"'That's what I'd like to ask,' Is what I would've said, but yer face and name became pretty well-known 'round the capital. Bison Frost, they call ya, eh?"
I scowled. He clicked his tongue and 'ooo'd.
"I take it ya don't like that name? My fault, my fault."
"Seriously, who are you?"
"Right right. The name's Juke. Honor to meet ya."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BFCvuWGsG
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZKFCCVSXJ
"Just Juke, huh..."
The man jumped off the rock and landed in front of me, offering a hand. I stared at it with prudence. His demeanor might've been amiable and disarming, but appearing out of the blue still made him suspicious.
"You're taking a long time. Is the heat getting to ya? That's what you get for wearing a jacket, I guess."
"No, it's not the heat. If I may ask, why are you here?"
Juke tilted his head.
"Huh? I'm here on a mission. I was gonna ask ya that too, actually, but greetings usually come first. Yer a weird one, breaking the order of things."
"I'm strange? You're using a shirt as a cape and have a lone helmet on your head! What's even the point of that?"
"Now yer just asking too many questions. I told ya my reason for being here, so what's yers? And yer name, too, don't forget that."
I sighed. I failed to mention that his behavior above all else was strange, but it would be pointless to say it now. So I just took his hand and shook it.
"Call me Kenny. I'm here to hunt a Bearded Draco."
"Woah, that's why I'm here too! Ain't that a crazy coincidence?"
He said it in a saccharine jovial tone. I'd be a fool not to see the sarcasm. It made me feel more at ease.
Still, I had to ask–
"Were you stalking me?"
"Nah. What kind of creep would I be, stalking kids?"
"You already look plenty creepy; I wouldn't put it past you."
"Yikes, ya got bite. Fine, ya caught me– but I was just following ya, not stalking, alright?"
"So, what are you doing here? Surely it's not because you're just bored, is it?"
"...Boredom's part of it. But this time, I'm just curios."
"Curiosity? You want to 'gauge my abilities' or something?"
"Yeah."
"That's a bad omen."
I sighed and rubbed my hair. I wasn't the superstitious type, so it wasn't as if I was going to run back home, but I couldn't help but frown.
This stupid nickname and status have been causing me nothing but trouble.
"I'll help ya find the big lizard. I imagine yer not used to the badlands. The jacket gave it away."
"Can you stop focusing on the jacket? This isn't my first excursion out of the city, for the record."
"Yer calling these things excursions? Yer crazy weird."
I could feel my eyes twitch.
"You say you want to help me, right? Well, scram! I like working solo, and I have no patience for your antics."
I made a brushing motion with my hand and walked away from Juke. I didn't hear him following me, which was surprising, but I was grateful for it.
"Ya know, ya might work best solo, but there'll probably be a time when ya gotta work with others, right?"
I stopped in my tracks. Sadly, I couldn't help but listen to him.
"Since this is just an excursion for ya, why not take my help? Might be a good lesson for ya, good to learn them while yer young."
I thought of the incoming mission and the prince's words. He told me distinctly that I was going to have others working with me. I wasn't against the idea of course, but even then, Juke made a good point. If I couldn't collaborate with people on a simple mission, then what good would I be on something so important?
I didn't want to screw up then.
"...Alright. Since you want to help, let's collaborate. Do you happen to know anything about the Bearded Draco?"
"Wow, that didn't take a lot of convincing. Uh, I know they're pretty big, walk on four legs, and got something akin to a beard under their chin. Ya'd recognize 'em when ya see 'em, don't worry."
I nodded, thinking of what to do while intaking this new information.
"Well, being able to recognize them easily is nice, but how do we go about finding them? These boulders make it impossible to see."
"Ah, ya seem to be mistaken. They're our greatest asset."
"Huh?"
"Watch this shit."
Juke walked back to the rock and began to climb it. A minute of struggling later, and he stood tall and proud, using his hand as a visor.
I understood then exactly what he meant. I punched my open palm.
"Of course! How'd I not think of that!?"
I knew I was inexperienced, but this made me feel plain stupid. Still, I had no time to waste mulling over it. I kneeled on one leg and began mana expulsion, creating and raising a stone pillar under my legs. I made the pillar taller than the rest of the boulders, enabling me to get a view of the whole thing.
"...They weren't lying 'bout your magical abilities, were they?"
Juke made a comment that sounded like it was for himself, but he spoke it loud enough to where I can hear it.
"They know I'm a magician? Actually, that's not surprising."
It was difficult to discern anything at a distance, so I just watched for any movement. I did notice that there was a field void of rocks nearby. However, nothing was moving.
"I can't spot anything."
"Ya serious? If ya can't see it then I got no shot– well, shit."
"What is it?"
"I see something bobbing over there!"
He pointed in the opposite direction I was facing. Indeed, something was moving, though I couldn't tell what exactly. It was beside a similar open area to the one I saw.
"If that's our target, then we ought to hurry!"
The stone tower slowly crumbled. I jumped off and landed on the ground and broke into a sprint.
"Hey, slow– ah, never mind."
Juke caught up and then ran past me just as fast. Considering our height differences, it wasn't a surprise, but something about his gait miffed me.
I managed to follow him through the rocks just fine. He stopped before the field, and I stopped by him.
"There's our target," he whispered. I followed his gaze with my own and landed on a four-legged scaly beast. Judging from the spikes on his back and the flouncy mush below his neck, it was the Bearded Draco.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNlR0tLPfM
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzxfYaBzGs
"Do you think he noticed us?"
"Probably. These guys don't like to move very much, but they're very finicky. Just don't do anything rash."
"Alright."
I eyed the beast, trying to judge the best approach. We were in his field of view, but whether or not he could see us was a whole other matter.
I crouched down and took out the tendril, producing a Freeze-Dry from the tip.
"The hell is that!?"
"My tendril."
"That's one crazy Endowment– is that flower freezing the air?"
I concentrated the mana into my tendril and aimed the Exotica at the lizard. A second later, the entire field was coated in ice, and the lizard was entirely encased in it. I caught a jerk from his limbs before he was trapped, but it wasn't enough to escape.
"...So that's where ya nickname's from. Shit, you're brutal."
I was panting on my knees. The amount of mana I had to suddenly drain for that speed made me feel like I just got decked in the chest in addition to being exhausted. But, the mission was over now, so I indulged in the moment of respite.
"Ya alright?"
"Yes."
I stood up and walked to the frozen lizard.
"Wait, what're ya doin'!? Don't move!"
"Huh?"
I turned around with a raised eyebrow and gazed at Juke. Except, I wasn't looking at Juke anymore. What overtook my vision was a blur of blue and then a sea of beige.
Huh? What's going–
When I felt the coarse sand rub against my back, I knew what was happening. I looked back the other way. I was sliding down a sand pit.
"Whaa!?"
It was so sudden I couldn't even think. I slid and slid, not doing anything but descending into the crater. When my mind processed the situation, I stuck my heels into the sand to break my speed. It hardly worked, which wouldn't have been an issue ordinarily, but something popped out from the bottom of the pit.
Jaws– thick jaws the same color as the sand emerged from the bottom and rushed towards me. A second later, I noticed the creature's pincer, and then I began to identify what it was that I was descending upon.
An oversized, famished insect.
"A-AHHH!"
My instincts took control. I began mana expulsion, creating a spear of stone as I fell. But, I could tell– I could tell by the time it even formed into a coherent shape, I'd be torn asunder by the insect's teeth.
I didn't know what to do. I didn't have the time to figure it out. I kept sinking, and sinking, and sinking, and sinking, and sinking, and sinking, and sinking, and sinking, and sinking, and–
"--Ah?"
The scene changed– the angle too. I was no longer glaring at the maw of the beast, but I was still looking at it. Only, it was from the side, and it was upside down.
The spear was still being manifested before me, so on top of my disorientation, I could hardly see. But, even through the thundering of my heart, my ears functioned perfectly.
**SLAM**
Steel against steel. That's what it sounded like. But, as I continued to plummet, I got a glimpse of what it was.
Juke was there with one hand on his broadsword, the blade of which was stuck between the pincers.
"--hrk!"
I surrendered all thoughts, no longer in control. The piece of earth before me didn't turn into a majestic, intricate spear, but an obtuse clump of rock that blocked my vision entirely.
I didn't care if it was inefficient, or if rushing the process like this would drain my mana like a faucet. I couldn't care, frankly. But I could, and did have desire.
I wanted to see that thing gone.
And so–
**SPLATTER**
I shot the rock, obliterating the head of the insect, and making a grave laceration in the very world.
And then, I landed on the ground.
"Ack– pluh pluh, blah!356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQV3hPoUqX
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡml5bI4Os95
The sand worked to my detriment and benefit. It cushioned my fall greatly, meaning that I didn't sustain any injury. However, I was now spitting intrusive sand out of my mouth, and my eyes vigorously watered, trying to kick out the grains that have found their way under my eyelids.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1trzBMbGD
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwXn4y8wuS
Needless to say, it hurt. Goodness, did it hurt.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73LE664Zjo
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOp5cWJ8nB
"Blah! Ah, crap!"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80jS79aUVb
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWqG8F3Xmm
My first instinct was to wash it away, so I began making an orb of water, but the thought of even moving my eyelids and the ensuing pain paralyzed me for a moment. Still, gave in, and unleashed the water onto my eyes. I felt relieved for a moment, and I tried to forcefully blink out the sand. Eventually, the pain subsided, but I was still affixed to terrible discomfort and refused to move my eyes again.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OEemFPLpI
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWJHhsQALA
"Yo, are ya alright?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCrHE01FhO
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsJZ634SLI
"Eh? Juke, is that you?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkcZSpd919
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHD4NpDdsS
I felt something on my shoulder. Juke likely put his hand on it–356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PeZGukjKu
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBj0Zs7wHu
I froze. Juke put his hand on my shoulder, which meant one thing.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKAPvtL3ZG
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQY8nfmAwSb
"You're alive! Bleh, ack, are you okay?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWs2nAsMim
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGW6Ks4EN7
"Am I okay? Ya strong folk always ask the craziest things– look at yourself! Ah, ya can't, can ya? My fault."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGz9lNn0Gc5
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnCGwW3koZ
I didn't like his attitude, but the fact that he could dish out such brazen sentences meant he was alive and well. I felt relieved.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT39ZdpR6Br
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uP8eNb0nT
"Did sand get in your eyes?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidIWDRWh6Z
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaGFPgJrzL
"Y-Yes... I'll be fine, they'll wash away eventually."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7eHXNWxeb
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37AMi7KpvS
"Phew, had me worried. The thing you did to that Lion Ant was crazy, by the way. You blasted it to shreds! I thought for sure I was a goner, or that I had to get a new helmet at least, so thanks."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyCp21irrn
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdN74Dvdcn
For a moment, I was lost, because the person who put me out of harm's way was now thanking me. But I didn't argue with him, I just took the words in stride and eeked out a response.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAHa7undQ0
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QETKfTWK3
"T-Thanks for saving, Juke. I was sure I was going to die just now."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVRSjr0ZSr
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt24XusFaM5
"Ah... yeah, I did save ya, what the hell? The strong are supposed to help the weak, aren't they? What are ya doing, breaking the order of things?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08Ji8WPY5h
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqw2TpSJjhf
I didn't respond. I rubbed my eyes a few times, then gently opened them. The sudden burst of light blinded me– it looked like the sun snuck in a ray through the clouds.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCAzZakKgp
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRdPe4UYKr
I let out a breath. I was alive, Juke was alive, the beast was dead, and best of all, the Draco was–356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ236BmtZHmG
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFTV3Si3Pj
"...Wait, what about the Bearded Draco?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLC4Sqv4Xlp
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNSWF5rghQ
"Eh? Ya probably killed it, those things hate the cold."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09vcwD3pU7
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZT7eaV3it
"I-I see..."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlU0eqmFdKf
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOKIFkEwW3
Somehow, this news was disheartening to me. I leaned against the sand and gazed at nothing in particular.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUT1IZOIEI
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCDaDIltun
"Was it supposed to be alive? If so, then ya really screwed up, didn't ya Kenny?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzZJxEhLji
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8rvGVQ3m0
"I-I didn't screw up! I was just supposed to retrieve one, it didn't matter if it was dead or not."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggIJjvxdle
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxnXw99a2k
"Ah, if ya say so. Are ya eyes back and runnin', by any chance?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRsHQ7Z5nY
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SoJ06D0uW
"That's a strange way to phrase it, but yes."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FBEADjfgh
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LFvNk915E
"How about ya get us out of this pit, then? I can't use earth magic, and I know sand ain't a good rung for climbing."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOk8QcUaDF
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreT1hVv4y3
"Right. Getting out sounds good, yeah."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0CT0cpAJw
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LLd1qOP7v
I tried to stand on my legs, but I had difficulty. My legs were rocky, so I bent my foot harshly a few times before I could stand on my legs.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8yiQrwcyh
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIloJ4QYKar
Before I began any mana expulsion, I took a gander at the insect's corpse. Juke's description was proven to be accurate; the head was missing completely from the body, but a few strands of flesh and chitin were sticking out, making seem like it was haphazardly torn off the body. The sand had already covered the hole I made in the earth. The sight shook me, and I suddenly felt quite light-headed.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAA2Xp4uQSJ
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6wwb8Tthc
It was a hard prospect to entertain– that I, really, was that close to dying. I remember being told before that near-death experiences were indelible, and when I sifted through my memories, encountering the vomit of anxiety and despair, despite its briefness, I understood why. I was shuddering. I was truly shuddering, because, how couldn't I? How– how could–356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡej20VTx9ho
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeU13jNQc0
"Gah, what's wrong with ya now?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4gfMybzds
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9vvBQS4kN
The strength in my legs was suddenly sapped, and I promptly fell on my butt. It knocked me out of my haze, but now I was smitten with a wave of exhaustion. Juke's irritated inquiry made me ask questions myself, and I blurted the answer instantly.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxQiDEksES
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9CNWaNam1
"...I think that spell drained my mana."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ661daEAp3c
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNOenwXxuG
"Huh? It was just a rock, wasn't it?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyeQj2V6h3
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLySNNFr0S
"Yes, but I rushed the process; the spell was inefficient, and I'm paying the price for it now."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjacbBchXM4
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvwMqEykKX
"Ya gotta be kidding me..."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPMYqZLvLC
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgH90IyC8O
Juke sighed and fell on his butt himself, clasping his helmet in one of his hands.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoThqCDJHg
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppJKO0sCvV
"I'm sorry. I just–"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3iMoJ9lH6
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3DWtIgtDC
"Nah, don't be. I could've become grub for a creepy-crawly if ya didn't blast its head off. But for goodness sake, how're we supposed to get outta here?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWSACoPVC1
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsViHjdJ0VC
I widened my eyes. His concern was, well, something that I adopted myself. If I had to gauge, my mana bank was empty. Before I could even make another pebble, I likely had to wait a few hours.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidm7rqfKJP
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgUYoiHdtd
"I can use wind magic at Grade 5, but that's it. Ya got any bright ideas?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmj5D7VYEu
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZBSMaexg0
"...N-No, I don't. I-I'm sorry, but this isn't a situation I've had to deal with before..."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2klxzRb5Km
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuFv1yv0iI
He sighed again and looked to the sky. The clouds cast over the sun yet again, making the atmosphere even more gloomy. I stared at the ground. The shuddering from before returned, and my mind projected images and thoughts of the worst– how my body would've looked had I been caught, how it would've felt being crunched by the thing's teeth. Imagining it gave me goosebumps. I couldn't–356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXkDN7njRH
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2PDzrT16Z
"--W-Whaa?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxeax3eER2
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmrUWIM7jV
Two hands were clasping my shoulders, one hand for each limb. I was stunned for a second but then looked at the cause of this sudden touching. Juke's eyes gazed into mine, and despite the darkness cast over them from his helmet, I could see them– they were a light brown.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GeU7C4v9T
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjgnqu2mHA
"Ya gotta relax, Kenny. I dunno what's wrong with ya, but yer strong, aren't ya? They don't give ya a bigshot nickname and look at ya with awe for nothin', right?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2d6v0oCf6
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjLgox2f7I
"W-Whaa?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQfqwqsNeX
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqpIUcoOcE
"Calm the hell down, that's what!"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh11XYgtM0m
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGQsJeyQ5q
He suddenly, and violently shook me, stopping only when I grasped his forearms with my hands. I felt dizzy and furious.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOn0Zp2CThp
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQb1UAlkbeL
"What was that for!?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyg0n6B2szM
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosNMCOqjJ4
"I'm tired of seeing ya sulk. Get the hell up and start thinking of what to do– shit ain't just gonna solve itself. Yer alive, ain't ya?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrlr7rqlRM
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9cPo4QwgN
"Y-Yes?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKtawg2UFZ
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcj7REnxL3w
"Good, now are ya gonna waste yer blessings and freeze like a dumbass, or are ya gonna get up and do something!?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hyMNcgqE1
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Bkx9cqawQ
"I–"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tyS3KqNZL
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6NoYfOE2x
I cut my sentence short. I had no response. But there was merit to what he was saying. I found myself agreeing with it, though it took a moment.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Y24w4RHJQ
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1CEZnYcyS
A weak smile found itself on my face. An image of my brother flashed in my mind.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztNNFwbfuK
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rWdSUlPqH
"You're right. Thank you."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEW0NDLoUVG
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8KSjAmbFG
"Thanking me ain't gonna get us outta here! Ya got any ideas? Any?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWdgD2tWpm
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwD4KeHBhQx
"Well, we could wait for my mana to return–"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZl4b4EAct
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeePqtKW1pZ
"Nah! I gotta take a piss, and I ain't gonna do it in front of a kid. Think of something else!"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPu9sGa1Zk5
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWS5Qkg9o2g
I was taken aback by the sudden vulgarity, but he undeniably prompted me to think faster and clearer. I didn't have mana, the sand was impossible to climb, and when I thought about it, the idea of Juke taking a leak anywhere near me was disturbing.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxIZT0anbQ
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZ1ecGspE4
Therefore, I came up with a half-baked idea. I didn't know how effective it would be, but I tried regardless.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FOPjzvRb0
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEudd9SYT8
I took my tendril out and stood up. I couldn't produce any flowers from the tip, meaning that I was entirely dry on mana. But, after a second of testing, I found out that I could still extend and retract it just fine.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVkQzz5pm4
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDu8qyWFmxj
"Ah, yer weird wood thing! But how're ya gonna use it to get out?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgQnzvjMDU
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8appB3owzF
I shrugged.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRGYSIoCFs
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Y8690EdsF
"I didn't think that far. I'm surprised I can even pull it out."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3ofapcKJQ
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupM1Eq2JEW
"Eh? Why? Ain't all Endowments something independent of mana?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshozcfF6EK
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCIxB8nkPX
"...I don't think all of them are. After all, in some aspects, this one isn't."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQAJJ3phzE
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ggflnu6cd
"That's crazy. I just learned something new from an underage brat. I'm ashamed of myself."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0q55fIQn2
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AVyshhN7k
"Shut up."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjU8kSwwvhQ
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtJdzQPWbG
Looking around, there wasn't anything I could wrap the tendril around by the ledge of the pit. There was no way to use the tendril as a rope.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YSXFgkG0i
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQydRrcBj6
"...Wait, Juke, do you think you can climb my tendril?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllsqXXnCpA
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvRubX9lU1
"I'll give it a shot, but ain't it too short?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLVaLJRRkA
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjo9RrzUR6
I extended the tendril to its limit, which was just enough for it to stick out of the pit. Juke made a sound of surprise and amusement then gripped the tendril.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5QTLug1L3
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJ91sECn4C
"Even if I get up there, how are ya gonna get out?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHUkugfkmP
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2aybaOJJ9
"Uh... maybe pull me up? You look like a strong guy."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5sDqhCycq
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡau4kUINmJ0
"Pff, you've got the worst impression of me, I tell ya."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmk58suat8g
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLu9TFh0QQs
Neglecting to specify that I was talking about his muscle, I just sat down and watched as Juke used the tendril to stabilize himself as he ascended the sand. Miraculously, and despite the few times he lost footing, he was able to make vertical distance. It was strenuous on my tendril, and admittedly painful, but I was able to maintain it for long enough for him to make it to the surface.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkK1tRfLQ2I
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASfVVlAkdl
"Ha, holy shit, I'm out– ah, hell nah."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJBaPMl6VR
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKkDAXewpa
"Huh? What's wrong?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHQmH1TRxs
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4i9CUglE4
Juke turned and looked down at me.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA662C4QDaf
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlPCLucFKC
"I got some bad news for ya, Kenny. The lizard ain't up here."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5H3YlKDUO
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJpVnXt9sr
Even my ears weren't ready for the volume.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm36M6XVQhQ
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRg7PlLyhW
"WHAT!?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBkEpF3m3n
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvn7UTdB9A
–
–
–
Juke's muscle strength was surprisingly enough to get me out of the pit. When I reached the top, I looked around to confirm his words. Sure enough, the landscape was bereft of any lizards.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfnoNX04yO
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuP1VYat6e6
I groaned and fell to my knees, more out of exhaustion than distress, but to my knees all the same. Not only did I have no mana, but now my progress in completing the mission regressed entirely. I thought of quitting. It was the only option that seemed to make sense to me at this point. All embarking on this quest did was–356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRfDYsngwg
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdkZn5SXli
"Gack! What–"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0M83aTZv4X
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGJWexqgtu
"Come on, the thing couldn't have gone far. He was still frozen solid."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIMVI2blr9
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ77pVcwcoT
After slapping my back, he presented me with a good point.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kGZVe4XDu
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8IlfwvmDm
"Remember: I'm here to help ya. It's all a weakling like me's good for, helping the strong."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOHXiAca3H
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXHRiE6W8K
"...Huh? You, a weakling?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbp1MwkW4P
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5ErZFAN3L
"Yep, ya heard me."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNlzHJuZbI
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDZsFuMHr5
"Are you sure? I'm the one who's barely able to stand."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37DEDr8TyO
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7rMi8BJTN
"Yer also the one who took out a Lion Ant with a single spell."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxpSzuTbZT
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpse4M5Eyd
I didn't retort, more because it was pointless rather than me lacking one. I chuckled and got on my feet.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1I4ZgNzusD
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9JWHA7BXk
"Alright, thank you. Let's move."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZJ2M58pK1
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKTS5rsHjw
I followed him through the valley of sand and boulders. And, as if reality was following his predictions, the Bearded Draco took only a minute to find. The creature managed to climb into one of the rocks, clinging onto it like the floor was made of deadly poison. Juke and I were hiding behind a boulder, sparing glances at the beast.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUQ2hgVvzV
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdDGzGjp6h
"It's completely still."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1fMb2AI4N
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd84K0M4z8R
"It must be tryna warm up. Poor bastard, it just ain't its day."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DJa8XV4da
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEnNjVvEH1
The moment we moved away from the boulder, the beast would likely spot us and run, or worse, attack. My tendril wouldn't be able to reach it at this range, meaning that I've found myself in a deadlock.
"I can't do anything to it from here. What about you?"
"Do ya have faith in my accuracy?"
"How could I? I've never seen you use magic before."
"Ya really suck with words."
I gave him a deadpan frown.
"Alright, then don't miss."
"Ya really suck with words."
He took a step away from the boulder and raised his hand, beginning mana expulsion. A barely visible gust of wind was forming in front of him, and soon he turned it into an elongated vertical blade. Juke sent the blade soaring across the sky, and then–
**SMASH**
A cloud of dust burst from the boulder, obscuring the status of the lizard. Juke and I broke into a sprint. By the time we arrived at the rock, the dust had settled. The boulder had a giant dent in it, but the lizard was nowhere to be seen.
"Crap, it ran away!"
I huffed in frustration, scanning the boulder once again as if it would magically make the beast reappear. It didn't of course, but I did catch something unnatural; it was a red liquid, slowly dripping into the boulder's newfound crater.
"Juke, you injured the Draco! We can follow a blood trail now!"
I circled the boulder, finding more blood on the other side and even a missing limb. It was still writhing, which unnerved me a little, but I shook it away and followed the trail, Juke tailing me a few feet away. I caught a glimpse of the lizard between the boulders. The speed it was moving at was astounding, especially considering its missing appendage.
"This bastard's slimy!"
"Just keep chasing it! It will bleed out eventually!"
Though I didn't have the stamina nor the desire to chase it until that happened, it was a safety net that encouraged me to keep pushing. The trail of blood grew darker and thicker as time went on, meaning any second now, we would find–
"W-Woah!"
A stream of white water suddenly flew past my head, causing me to trip and fall on my butt.
"Haaa, what was that?"
Juke caught up with me, panting.
"That was the Draco's magic! Ya almost got yer head lopped off!"
"Did you have to word it that way!?"
I gave a curt reply and got back on my feet, successfully suppressing the swelling anxiety and breaking into chase again. Another stream of water came from my left, but I managed to duck right before it hit me.
"Wait, if it's from my left...!"
I sprinted in that direction. As expected, the Draco was but a dozen meters away. Once he noticed me, he turned in the other direction and swiftly limped away.
But I didn't let him make meaningful distance.
"Hah!"
I extended the tendril to its limits and slammed the lizard, pinning it down. I had trouble keeping it still with all its squirming; though it was getting noticeably weaker, the way it thrashed around caused me a great deal of pain.
"Juke!"
He ran right past me with his sword out, and as soon as he arrived near the lizard he stabbed at its neck, over and over. It was difficult to discern precisely what was happening from the angle I looked at, but in less than a minute, the lizard became stock still.
I sighed, retracting my tendril back into my chest, and fell onto the ground. Juke came back to me with his body and blade slathered in blood.
"Do ya mind washing me off?"
"I'm out of mana, remember?"
"Ack! I forgot."
Juke rubbed his helmet as if it was his head and sighed. I got back on my feet and walked toward the fallen Bearded Draco.
"..."
Its head had been cut off. The severed neck was periodically spewing out blood like a broken pump. The sheer amount left me dumbfounded, completely unable to move.
"What's wrong this time?"
"That's a lot of blood."
"Does it bother ya?"
"...And it doesn't for you?"
Juke simply shrugged.
"I see. I suppose it just brought back unpleasant memories."
I took out my tendril again, absentmindedly wrapping it around the body.
"You grab the head. Let's just transport this thing to the city."
Juke nodded and scooped the head into his arms, shaking it a few times to remove leaking blood.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb43me36SbZ
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtW8VyKfXo
–
–
–
"Ya know, ya don't look happy about completing yer mission."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2F9836ejmf
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUsemidydY
"...How do I look like, then?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PGHWVZGXj
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgY0wgylDa
"Tired for one, but also dreary. It ain't a pleasant look on a young face like yers."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUidbxtD4Y
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDWws2sRc2
"What– never mind. I am tired, and I suppose seeing the lizard in that state damaged my morale."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMI0c89IDN
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBok9HNz7T
"Looks like a lot more than just damage to morale."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAmI9khco3
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfx7Jpptasq
"If you insist on making assumptions based on my face, you should at least have the courtesy to show your own."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78XJf7c4G4
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwVMAsBp6u
"Ha, the hell's that even supposed to mean?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMV7UZaqw5J
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUdT5kZdiV
"Why are you wearing that helmet, anyway? It's stained with blood, probably smells terrible, is clunky, and so many other inconvenient things."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxMy7RqaTS
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdAdLRZE7d
"That's cuz I have an Endowment of my own, and I can deal with clunkiness if the helmet's sturdy. This one is."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9H84jjSqOl
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9BZBJIw9C
"An Endowment? What does it have to do with your helmet?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhnyRUaSJP
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweRfzZq9zQ
"Damage redirection. Ya know, I was planning on telling ya this in the future, but I guess the sooner the better."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUoRjgt22y
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJoI8idyIk
"What are you on about?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhY6RBfSS6
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LMU6DMdT5
"It's nothing. Ya holding up the lizard well?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONsUDvTx6y
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuRgKkRIV8
"It's like I'm carrying an overweight backpack coated with tiny pricks. And then, there's my actual backpack."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQULCrSIXa
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZbV3SKf6k
"I could lighten yer load if ya want."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83zoYLIbiY
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4bpACTDBb
"Sure. Here, take my bag."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpR3eimwPTV
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLFC5fMOFK
"But yer tendril– ah, I guess getting rid of it works."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMF9kp9OLhi
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQN50PpRiL
"Here."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwZQdPDJXm
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBQEz2x65I
"I gotcha. Let's keep going. We're almost there."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogu39IZmU9
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHhhfszMgw
"Uh-huh."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVj8jjUPST
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9H2MOqDyT
"..."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kF7w7XO9w
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCd7QOfazn
"..."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoQ9IxHMWG
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKF7UB4umo
"..."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXYGvcEEzL
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGsOu1Tw4m
"...Hey, Juke, I have a question for you."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iolYjgfMH
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2UlbSipk1
"What?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ON2gpgNjV
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbWjarQV8R
"Did you really tail and help me because you wanted to 'gauge my ability?'"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dAxSFvaPL
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRqie1CgdV
"--I didn't tell ya a lie. But I guess I didn't tell ya the whole truth either."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZM0HiCqdz
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0wePyFmw6
"What?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuzVNJRj61
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIFyLUj29C
"Yer gonna find out eventually. I can't wait to see yer face when ya do."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgB0PYFLFAt
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBfdNRM9zm
"...What?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrohnQ68Eu
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtssUPADUp9
"Quit asking me what. Can't ya see where we are?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuFyaxcXL7
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RoxRgIS4v
I looked up in front of me. It was a big gate. It was the entrance to the place my whole being registered as my second home.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CgM3jk0Wl
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHE1CtCEm4
"Huh... we made it."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnUrgAe4k9
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OeQ01MDR6
"So, did ya like the mission?" He asked, a hint of anticipation in his voice.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgafyVBgBau
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59is5gi37B
"...It wasn't mollifying at all."
and then Add to home screen.