When Rover separated from Kenny, she created a mission for herself. She wanted to find the way up the tower and rub it in his face. She knew Kenny wouldn't mind it very much, but she didn't particularly want to enrage Kenny. She just wanted to throw a jab or two his way. It was fun for her. A type of fun that was harmless and calm, one she usually found in hearing stories.
Besides, the quicker she delivered this stupid letter to the stupid Dean, the faster they could leave and avoid all the stupid nonsense this city was going through.
So, Rover didn't traverse the building all lax and slow. She didn't spend her time ogling at the architecture or meticulously investigating what was behind those doors. No, when she deemed the distance between her and Kenny far enough, she broke into a sprint, covering the grounds of the hallway almost immediately.
When she turned the corner, she saw something at the end that was unlike the walls. From this distance, she could only tell that it was an opening, but there were signs beside it. Rover, proud of her senses for a reason, spotted the engravings on the signs from across the hallway. It was the caricature of somebody ascending rudimentary steps.
Rover smirked. She found her head start. She made it to the end of the hallway in a near instant. However, she didn't walk up the stairs immediately.
"..."
Kenny had told her to meet back at the entrance if they found anything. This suggestion was holding her back, which surprised Rover.
But, many things have been surprising her today. Many things about herself, about others, the list could go on. Though Rover had a part of her that wanted to honor Kenny's suggestion, her eager, daring part wanted to rise up those steps and get this letter delivered right here and now. In fact, she wanted to do it so fast that by the time Kenny would finish his inspection, she'd be back to meet him with their mission completed.
She listened to the latter part and ran up the stairs.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQj9EfnfiC
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58qX9izF2x
What she found when she arrived on the second floor– which was a longer trek than she expected –was a series of rooms isolated in glass boxes. The floor was carpeted and there was a central path that branched off to all the rooms, with a few leading to doors embedded into the walls. Rover didn't care for the framework of the room, instead focusing on finding an exit. Unfortunately, the maze-like structure of the floor made navigating it difficult. Rover concluded that one of the doors lodged into the wall must've led to the next floor, but even though there were no obstructions to her vision courtesy of the glass, finding an exit from any point of the room was impossible.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AUWB0tzCS
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHN4BmJ76gl
"W-Who makes their rooms this confusing!?"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACZHW2w4TL
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhez0mueuky
Rover had nobody to voice her complaint to, however, so she saved it for whatever draftsmen would face her first and scoured the room for an exit. Though she compared the structure to a maze, in reality, the paths lead to destinations without any deliberately puzzling forks. Still, traveling in this area, where everywhere she looked had a desk and chair loitering around, was disorienting.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYdbziTqib
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDC8o0qvCas
She managed to arrive at one of the wall-embedded doors. She tried to open it, but the door didn't budge. She tried to kick it down, but even with her physical prowess, the door didn't falter.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIPYkntf7u
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SMYSFUaPz
It was reinforced with mana– that was Rover's conclusion, and as Rover was unable to use any magic, there was no way she could tear the door down with just her strength. Maybe if she was stronger, she thought, but she discarded the idea quickly. She turned around and retraced her steps, tilting her head downward and fixing her eyes on the carpet. She returned to an intersection, and with two other paths to choose, she decided on the left one. The path only led to an ensemble of glass boxes, however, so she retraced her steps yet again.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8R1iOrBCe
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWiqjwOBJf
She was beginning to get a little thirsty. She began to regret her self-imposed restlessness. Nevertheless, she continued searching, and searching, and searching–
"--Who's there?"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTFyO94FAP
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAq3CeYzwtD
It was faint. It could've just been a trick of the mind, or maybe the floor was settling from all the garbage placed onto it. But, she heard a distinct noise. She was sure it wasn't her body making it, or the rustling of her baggage. No, it was a noise of something foreign. So, she spoke out, sharpening her eyes and hearing to where even her heartbeat didn't fall upon her.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkBdu6d8T2
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOd1MmFeuhq
–Again. There it was again. She began crossing out the possibilities. It could no longer be a trick of her mind, nor could it be the settling of the room. Therefore, she asked again.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXYEk0N1VK
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8jKdwYU8D
"Who's there?"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3QFFUqF18
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ySkLAWlOr
She drew her rapier. Her eyes darted around the room. Whatever, or most likely, whoever made the noise, was hiding behind one of the dozens of desks sprawled around.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkJUKKyE4k
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNCW53VUR4
Therefore–268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8a8C1op85d
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkBdzIez7k
**SHATTER**268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6t3Jd02fKs
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YjJ7HnFjp
She would attempt to draw them out. And what better way to do so than to cause a little mayhem?268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMasFcEDtP
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomSv84Eqyq
With a series of swift kicks, she shattered the glass boxes in her immediate vicinity and toppled over all the desks and chairs that her limbs could reach. But, even through all the noise and rumbling, she never let her vision drift away from her surroundings.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtoK9xw8pG
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI21I3ArSWI
Her hasty action drew out her desired result.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqJ3crUHbv
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7S4QwohQh
"You're an insolent, deleterious girl, but you have good discretion."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaMvME1jMt
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡml5LFjClSq
A man popped up from a distant set of tables. He grabbed a chair and chucked it, shattering a glass wall in its trajectory toward Rover. She merely kicked the flying object into a wall.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMx9OCdyoJx
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVOKZlhx5k
"Powerful, too."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72EorOccmz
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYCDgehKXv
Rover raised her rapier, brandishing it and pointing it at the man.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CiciAaPSG
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Cf8DeyZHu
"I don't know what deleterious means. Is that supposed to be a compliment?"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QnorOCeqy
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqnS3jle4I
"If the poor man who will have to clean up after your mess thinks so, then yes."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTSmWYPc7b
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHojKVRHiol
Rover narrowed her eyes. It wasn't just the fact that he liked to hide, but his articulation infuriated her. She was naturally wary, but holding back the desire to rush in and ravage him was difficult.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rAFO1JBJ7
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTMde92dWj
She inspected the man's outfit, seeing a large coat, reaching to his ankles. He likely had a set of weapons hidden beneath it. After all, Rover thought, men with hair as kempt as his always carried an excessive deal of weaponry.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFY9l3h92xN
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsURmhqcqRS
"...I don't know how you got up here, but it's obvious that you're a threat. Sorry, I'll have to fight you now."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZ48XO1DoL
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABx98RnWY9
The man fiercely unzipped his coat and reached both his hands inside, taking out a duel set of–268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgObR3ipKoN
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXPcM1weiB
"Crossbows!?"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5AgEEnsG0
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxFzwYcocW
Rover's heart sank, but only for a moment. The crossbows weren't big or imposing, and Rover couldn't begin to fathom how he would reload them, meaning that handling them was clunky. It wasn't so different from fighting a mage. At least, it shouldn't have been.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvI6WtV43ca
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJL75kMUzGv
But Rover saw two pillars– or, what could be better described as chimneys –attached to the ends of the crossbow, creeping from the depths of his coat. The man fired them, and Rover evaded them easily, but then another couplet followed, and then another, and another, and another–268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5uTMJll7m
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53mEgbVHgY
"Ngh! How!?"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNDuTFeaiI
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgySykoTmKu
She flipped a desk over and used it as a shield, blocking the maelstrom of arrows to little effect. Their momentum was stopped, but the arrowheads happily pierced through the several inches of thick wood, stopping just short of hitting her face. Unfortunately, the cumulative force of the arrows ruptured the table, splitting it in two and forcing Rover to roll away to grab a new one. She went through two more desks before the flurry of arrows ceased. Cold sweat ran down her spine, but with the quantity of her sweat, it would be more accurate to call it a river.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo834k1ym3X
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsB9ewo3kd1
Rover peered over the desk. The man clicked his tongue and put his crossbows back inside his coat, and Rover exhaled in relief. The man dug through his coat and pulled out a large, serrated knife.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzHNRChYVl
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKKLw4i27N
"I'm a fool, using my crossbows in a place like this where you can simply block them. Arrows don't come cheap."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuYse5a290
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRE4lG1iOgF
"What are you talking to me for? Are we going to fight or not?"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNy11kLwrqb
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCjEQzxQ16
"You ought to know the answer by now."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOvbr3L8cW
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPFs0x5Ukj
The man entered into a restrained fighting stance, taunting Rover by jerking his fingers and telling her to bring it. Rover was more than happy to oblige.
As she ran to the man, bursting through glass walls, she grabbed her parrying dagger and raised it. The man backed away and hopped onto a desk, kicking a chair at Rover. She blocked it with her arms and shoved it aside.
"--Huh?"
The chair had blocked her vision for barely over a second, and yet, the man had disappeared from her view. She frantically looked around the floor but found nobody, likely meaning–
"You're hiding behind a table again!"
With how little time had passed, the man must have been hiding by the desk he stood on. Rover rushed to the desk and kicked it and nearby ones over. Indeed, Rover had found the man, but she also found a ball of water hovering right in front of his palm.
Rover's instincts kicked in and forced her to duck, allowing her to get by with just a few grazed strands of hair. But the man didn't let up, rushing at her with his knife in both hands. Rover backed away from the first thrust, but the man caught up quickly and thrust at her again, forcing Rover to parry it with her dagger.
She'd typically be thrilled about such a situation, as having the opponent's weapon interlocked with her dagger made their movement cumbersome. But his weapon was light and smaller than hers. Rover realized it too late, and thus, the man was able to easily deliver a kick to her abdomen, knocking her away.
She didn't go far, and though the kick hurt, it granted her beneficial information.
"Ack," the man shouted, shaking his foot like he'd stubbed his toe, "that was through a shoe, too! Are you made of iron?"
She smirked. Rover now knew her physical strength was superior to his.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeALml0ZHK
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXzy4eZg1k
"Before we keep going," she started, "what is your name?"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7TFpnyb5K
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodxDgLbaDE
"Hmm? What's this, are you trying to duel me?"
"What else would I be doing!?"
The man lowered his knife for a moment, tapping his chin–
"I decline."
And dashing towards Rover yet again. The split second of rage Rover felt from his response was enough to stun her and allow the man to close the distance. He thrust his knife at her repeatedly, then switched to slashing, the first of which Rover quickly blocked with her rapier. She reacted faster than the man and delivered a kick from the side, but her foot didn't meet with the man's body. Rover looked down and saw the man's free hand open, and a tiny yet dense mass of stone was in between that and her foot.
"Tch!"
She dashed away, shaking her head and clearing her mind, then took the offensive. She poked her rapier at the man, able to stay at a distance where his knife couldn't reach her. The man kept backing away and dodging her thrusts until he collided with a table. Rover smirked, reeling her arm back and stabbing the rapier into the man's leg– but it failed. Instead, the man perfectly blocked the oncoming strike with the flat side of the knife. Rover's eyes widened, the brief moment of disbelief weakening the force she was applying, and allowing to shove her rapier aside. Nonplussed, but more so because of her broken stance, a punch to the face and subsequent kick to the stomach sent Rover rolling across the floor. The glass tore her clothes and dug themselves into her lower legs.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6hpctFRwa
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WilUmRndm
"Hrk! Ahh, this sucks!"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmvLmvl2Fb
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8kO6gQJun
The prickling pain of dozens of miniature shards lodged into her skin was as oppressive as it was unique. Rover struggled to grit her teeth through it, and more than that, struggled to keep her legs standing straight.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6joXGleYzU
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTCcUSxRHB
"Phew. Give up now?"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohFDfpxUQr
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOtcyOW7oz
"'Course not, just thinking."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQt3msiBTPS
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnC8vHG0ZQ
Her rapier was an effective but exploitable tool. She also lost a substantial amount of mobility, and now blood was slowly leaking from her body. The one time she utilized her dagger only led to a counterattack, but that instance was a defensive use.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5eS794kHM
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpE3HXJLXUN
The man didn't let her analyze the situation unperturbed. He broke into a sprint, yet again clutching his knife in both hands. But Rover had already sheathed her rapier brandished her dagger, and challenged the man's rush.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNy6OimXwh0
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BH0NIGFZm
The surprise on his face was evident, and he skidded to a stop. Rover weakly slashed at him and the man backed away. She caught the hem of his coat but missed his body. The man didn't rush in again, instead, continuing to back off. He freed one of his hands and began mana expulsion.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPwzaOX6RB
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBly9OJOVOT
"--Shit!"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pHizxa7Xm
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuwfMchEAD
Rover realized how precarious the situation had become. After all, if the very thing locomoting her had been impeded, then evasion became a mountainous task.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFLNjbeqxz
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2be6T08UP
The man must have had a similar epiphany.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkhtkRt6z1
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLmP7yzxe0
It was a blade of wind this time. It was speedy, but Rover could tell that its strength was far less than the water spell from before. Instead of dodging it, she grabbed her rapier, still in its scabbard, and blocked the spell.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxO0jVEgbzJ
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPAxkr4e2X
"--Huh?"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5rY7U8BL4
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVuGsdpde2
Rover was surprised by her move's effectiveness. Or, rather, she was surprised by how weak the spell was. Then, she lowered the scabbard and looked at the man again, who was preparing a far more voluminous spell.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZeBtIrxgZ
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63If3IAd1F
Before she could even react, she was sent flying.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCJhsKzdrz
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23qgOgYhKN
The spell itself didn't hurt her, but the distance she was flung was simply absurd. She flew across the entire floor, only stopping when making contact with the wall. She slid down, rubbing her back when she met with the floor.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6nBsUULD8
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoNK8PejVW
"Ngh..."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe19WqN0FT1
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAgDgjoRMN
She got on her feet, using the scabbard to help her rise. Her breathing was heavy, and her vision was becoming hazy.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iYRq7isWL
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzJzGbVDrB
"This just... isn't my day, damn it."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpccByDpcvr
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9GrU5ADVX
"--Rover!"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Mr6sqbPbl
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0nsAksBq8
And then, she was taken out of her exhaustion, if only for a moment. A familiar voice, yet one that should not be here, called out to her. She turned her head to the person with the voice and saw a red-haired boy with a white coat peeking out of the floor's entrance.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWfPTtPg7K
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCtC6bUBHX
"K-Kenny!?"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAg1N7vqwgb
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79EirZutUd
"Rover– goodness, what the hell happened here!? Actually, nevermind that, listen, you–"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFxuJn3Vbz
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31oOOfVTaR
"Sorry, Kenny, I'm in the middle of something here."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8x6jozilE4
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3ww3zzGZG
She straightened her posture and rubbed the saliva off her chin, limping to continue her fight.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZy8Bl8yQ8y
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFj8BZxsOl
"What are you doing!? Look at yourself, you're in no state to fight!"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Cqtl2XUfQ
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKHRhyKqov
She turned her head to him, conflicted.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXi6JFtp9DL
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1GwancQ9z
"I... So what, I don't need your help! I've got it under control, it's fine."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEndXgqkNE
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IWXEV27Ji
Kenny grimaced and pinched his nose. Then, the door opened again, and out from the threshold walked a white-haired woman in a robe.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44SXlbKQEX
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4MKwU1rAC
"W-who's that," she asked, confusion momentarily overtaking her burning drive.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBAE9gfScG
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiArWOGCwN
"Ah, you must be Kenny's friend. We can introduce ourselves later. Please, stand aside for the time being."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MCqXjJuCb
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQ6HnVpkma
"H-Huh?"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWvPpQg4l7
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxpZ4efCu2
The woman walked with a bold gait, brushing past Rover without even sparing a glance. Kenny ran up to her, gnawing at his finger as he looked over her wounds.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlzPUoneeX
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Au2gPfqFB
"You... you are so reckless!"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiap2INEcs
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0xOAaVfR2
Then, the boy raised his voice, stunning her.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YBT4zH23y
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnausfIAeJ
"Why is fighting the first thing you do, huh!? Can't you use that head of yours for something else!?"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHa9qj6ygn
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKDQRKuJOu
His words, to her surprise, slashed at her egregiously.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEy8W5EYCYs
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3lyVWPRxW
"...T-The hell are you talking about!? What else was I supposed to do!?"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOVaVGB2ow
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAifnpslfVD
"Didn't you think of waiting, or running back to me or something!? I could have shown him that note! Or, if nothing else, we could have fought together!"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BKTb9Gr7O
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNwRiMfglL
"--!"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOG8yYNfhp
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2N0lDgTC7
His words had left her paralyzed and her mouth agape. Kenny's expression was suddenly tainted by guilt. He exhaled and rubbed his head.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xHdSUqiyr
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbC41ychFG
"Sorry, I'm just a little angry right now. But, I'm glad that you're fine. Relatively speaking."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzit8KzThk0
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypp3uGUOvY
"I... hmph, of course I'm fine!"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RsAiXKmFa
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4cVvFVcQO
A light smile found itself on his face.
"We'll talk later. For now, let's defuse the situation."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlv5D8rPXZ
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJoIk2Cu9H
Kenny walked past her but stopped just short of passing her to speak.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjXLFKovmq
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVGAHQR7xV
"S-Seriously, though. You have no idea how glad I am that you're still alive. I don't know if I could've handled it."
"...Handled it? What do you mean?"
Kenny blinked a few times and shook his head.
"N-Nevermind, I said something weird, ignore that."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcahYtpXUkO
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSO6fg0d7Ve
Rover turned around, eyeing the two new figures in the room. Kenny was behind the mysterious woman with his tendril out and a bellicose stance. The woman had a peculiar two-pronged dagger. Rover found it strange; she knew that they would be trying to talk the situation out, but they were poised to battle at any moment.
"Pars," the woman spoke, "I'll keep it quick. These two are here to deliver a letter issued by the Zariel Kingdom itself. I know you're a stuck-up guy, but please, don't force me to fight alongside them."
"..."
The man didn't immediately respond, but his posture did loosen.
"Stuck-up? Really? What'd I do to get on your bad side?"
"Oh, come on, you know your sins."
The man sighed.
"Is there a reason I should believe them?"
"Why, yes, there is."
Kenny took it as a cue and reached for his pocket, unfolding and showing the note. The man nodded, opened his coat, and placed the knife in.
"That better be authentic. Not like it matters though. It isn't as if I'd win a fight against you Lola."
–
–
–
I had a lingering anxiety during the exchange. After all, Lola had told me that Pars was an obstinate individual. I was left doubting her assessment. Judging by the look on her face, even she was reconsidering it.
Still, though, a victory was a victory, and it deserved some kind of celebration. I spent mine dropping to the floor, narrowly avoiding the sea of glass and panting as the delayed exhaustion set in.
"Phew... that was nightmarish."
I retracted the tendril and wiped the sweat off my brow. A little this sounded beside me, and I turned to find that Rover had joined in my rest.
"You don't look happy," I said.
"Hmph. I've got a sour taste in my mouth. I dunno how to feel about this."
"Well, be glad you're still kicking, and dread the scolding I'll be dishing to you."
"You already gave me a good one, there's no need to waste your energy."
Then, Rover began to pick the glass out of her legs. It was obvious from her wincing that the process hurt. I didn't have a potion on me, but I did have something to soothe her. I took out the tendril and summoned a Soothe-Bloom. Rover looked at it quizzically.
"...So that's the tendril you were talking about."
"Hmm? Did I not show it to you?"
"No! Don't you remember how much of a priss you were about it!? Eh, forget it, what does that flower do?"
"Just watch. Or, listen, I suppose."
The Soothe-Bloom shook, and a gentle chime rang throughout the room. It was a single and quick occurrence, and it left Rover only more perplexed.
"Alright, try picking the glass now."
"Okay."
Much to her nature, she tugged the largest one she could find, her mouth agape at the speed at which the wound was closing.
"W-Woah, it barely hurts. Is this some kind of black magic?"
"Black magic!? Don't insult my plants like that!"
She paid little heed to my demand, continuing to pluck the glass out of her legs. She finished a few minutes later. I offered to wash her legs with water magic, which she accepted when I insisted. Afterward, she got on her feet. Her leg was still injured, but the bleeding had stopped thanks to the Soothe-Bloom.
"I feel... kinda tired, though."
"You just fought somebody and had your wounds speed-healed. I'm surprised you didn't fall asleep."
"Huh? That flower knocks people out?"
"No. Not directly, at least. Anyway, enough of that."
I got up, swiped the debris off my shorts, and walked to Lola and Pars, moving around all the toppled furniture. The two of them were talking about something, but from the little bit I caught, I couldn't distinguish what.
"Hello, kid," Pars started, "Kenny, right? Look, I don't want you to get the wrong idea from Lola here. I'm a decent guy, just a hard worker. She likes to ignore that part, though, which–"
"I do not care about that. I just wanted to know if you two were ready to lead us to the Dean."
Lola let out a chuckle and Pars, a tired sigh. Lola took the initiative in the conversation.
"Don't mind him, he's still young. Whenever your friend is ready, we'll gladly lead you."
I turned my head behind me and looked at Rover. I threw her an oscillating thumb, asking her for an assessment of her condition. She smiled and returned a stern thumbs-up.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hH6XbIvAM
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrLQwOStyF
"Looks like we're ready. If you don't mind, though, could you please get her some bandages?"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXoJlwvemy
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUpnpAMPV9
–
–
–268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCdPvqpL2e
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84z7KDS3aH
Rover and I were at the final stretch. We were walking through the floors of the building like it was a morning stroll, all thanks to our guides. Truly, if it weren't for them, we would have gotten hopelessly lost.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgYtCw7SMZ
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKUyo82XTh
According to Pars, the interior of the Pillars was designed to disorient those unfamiliar with it. Rover spoke from her experience and confirmed that the design worked. The Pillars were perfectly defended from the outside, but hiring someone to infuse their mana for every square inch of the building was an impossible proposition. So, instead, the builders were ordered to make each floor– with the first being a notable exception –like a maze. The walls were also stuffed with foam, which explained how I didn't catch any noise from Rover's fight until I reached the stairs.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeAw4MfgFb
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1LJwv4ijf
Speaking of Rover, she was glum, moody, and seemingly deep in rumination. I thought that it had something to do with her pride since she scratched at her bandages very frequently, but it turned out that they were just made of shoddy fabric that normally irritated skin. I realized that I was overthinking and that it would be best to just ask her, but I hesitated to do it. The mood was gloomy, however. If nothing else, I could claim I was just trying to liven the place up.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5QnHW2dwg
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWAWYVn2WS
"So... Rover, what's on your mind?"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDPOK80ZBX
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFT1vnb30x5
"I'm thinking about what you said. Don't talk to me right now."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCKqpgFYOF
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19tnIRVAa7
"O-Oh. Carry on, then."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEIV1ojYIw
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwudQaaGtc
I was shot down quickly and was left feeling sheepish. Somehow, hearing that she was thinking over my words was foreboding. It scared me into being silent, but I still wanted to talk about something, since simply talking and walking through these floors was nerve-wracking.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDMWclvo4t
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfxPZwliqk
So, I decided that now was a better time than ever to ask a question that had been plaguing me for hours.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUZtV4VqIb
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5Jo210xl8
"Hey, Lola, do you mind if I ask that question I was talking about?"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66SZYeQ701
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJHiTBm7JV
"Hmm? What are you referring to?"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3XqQ9Ii4X
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4y41km7P3
"...Nevermind. Can I ask you a question?"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqDnntQqbk
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrr1lCkPVVw
"Of course."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBPuGn4ztg
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHShl2TlU5J
"Hey," Pars interrupted, "Why don't you ask me that question? Come on, give me a try."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6PXIVdknp
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSH9ZeubKtF
I blinked a few times, failing to see any reason why not.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbIr3oL445
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBj7aPmRsT
"Very well. What is going on to make the security so tight?"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6fSJm68Sv
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLpT4uH4Ea
"..."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQ0RQSbRdi
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcz78fMVeY
I was met with silence. Lola and Pars exchanged looks, Pars' expression grim.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58hAxIhfSf
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrb8lkewPmr
"Since they are delivering to the Dean, why don't we–"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLw3kFOqBPW
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciUgATwckD
"No. We have been explicitly told not to share. I won't make any exceptions."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6okrOU5XfD
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPSgOpmdPD
Lola frowned and let out a tired sigh, rubbing her brow.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9mRtRoLn6
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbP68qr0Hi
"If you can't answer, that's fine. It would ease my anxiety if you did, though."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNCZC5jhk1
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixQdHcfMDy
"Then I suppose I have no choice."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1csY4pMzA
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mTFL4NfZA
"Lola! Are you kidding me!?"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmovgG9Hl0T
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKicxiMxKy
Pars glared at Lola, his hazel eyes lit aflame.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKB6PuHc9dE
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMUkoxWcDC
"What? They aren't citizens anyhow, they're unlikely to spread the information."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiOPuYRu11
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkb0CgcT0AD
"That's beside the point! We were told not to tell them!"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Eww75m9kd
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8AKys7Dsu
"You are such a priss, Pars."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbOafKMgm5
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXVXn3Tkku
I perked up, hearing that word from someone that wasn't Rover. It was ultimately a coincidence, so I just kept listening.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOne6Zx5HsH
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcIhSpl99G
"Hurl your insults, but we can't tell them anything. Even if it wasn't demanded, what if they told everyone in Zariel Capitol, hmm?"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoUvIourq1
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PDHmYJy4m
"That won't happen, and I know you know that."
"Yeah yeah. But it might."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgexGMZyFL
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvPO9UrQRc
Though I didn't see her face, I could by the movement of her head that Lola rolled her eyes.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXY21OUeJsG
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAf9VAtvkLv
"I'm going to tell them."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquinTtEymG
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCB8dkbzSQf
"Don't you do it."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtPt9QdlL8
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnx5GlOIrT
"Listen up, Kenny. The reason for the increase in security–"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNIIb8J3mM
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCSximDf2y
"Lola, I'm for real about this."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjVLdPOLoa
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBc6JChekR0
"--is because of a series of assassinations."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2DyoOLVKn
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjGxcxS4cN
Pars let out an exhausted, lengthy groan. Lola leaned in beside my ear, not giving me a chance to digest the information.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzPabGjqx9
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7ne90hiRo
"Pars is a pushover, too. Watch, he won't do a thing."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1f2aAHCCgU
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTNmxUWAkP
"...Well, cat's out of the bag, so I might as well elaborate. Don't want the kid thinking I'm all fussy too."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYZpDS1p35
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4PFphvbeU
Lola's eyes widened. An overwhelming quantity of thoughts were swerving in my mind, but at the very least, I could be sure to never trust Lola's assessments of people's character.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2s8gkEQP3D
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73WoE6Inig
"Lola told the truth. There was a series of assassinations just a week ago that happened right under our noses. Assassinations are naturally a cause for concern, but the people who were assassinated are why security is so tight right now."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZOFeWqWue
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBz0NEzHx09
"Uh, well, who got killed?"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwpS0ZoiTp
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMFS9ek2oI
"Three of the four Sherrifs, and three of the eight Officers. Some of the strongest defenders the city has to offer, and half of them were killed. Some of them were my friends, too."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkPMqM82hY
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rN13Q38UP
His voice became sullen. I was about to comfort him, but he continued speaking before I could.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtA4Nyj54zw
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiGIR7mBPy
"I'm an Officer, and Lola here is a Sherrif. Since we're prime targets, we've been living in this Pillar for the past few days, having the Head Guards on watch duty. The other pillars are in a similar situation. Let me tell you, this place sucks to crash in."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLam4LxJ14
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aL45gxo50
"I-I see."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDftM6HhNYd
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKvsbyIIgy
The explanation put everyone's behavior into perspective. Frankly, it made me surprised that they believed me and Rover so readily, even with the letter. I felt lucky.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZQKba0PTC
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8eKsGRyQx
"The worst part is that we don't have any suspects, let alone culprits," Lola spoke, "It's been nothing but hassle and heartbreak."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQO6bLGhwK
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLo2LHi5nIU
"...You have my condolences."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbnpOiFxiX
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOf8fwHd8d
"Thank you, Kenny. You're sweet."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwfGXO4jL6
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2aA9nKH8F
"Mmm."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡef1Z1Xipe8
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeSKjtgiuT
I suddenly began to admonish myself for the previous frustrations I had about this mission. I cleaned my slate and loosened my muscles.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGOEWk47hK
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNryejNSjbJ
"Alright, we've made it.'
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnLhdtlYxD
And then, we stood before a set of double doors. Not particularly grand, but certainly not shabby. There was a plaque above it with "Dean's Office" written in bold.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2lzD8l0j1
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWnWxK530y
"I'll ease us in," Pars said, "It's time to utilize my expert charisma."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAhdEK8zPP
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55CM1mNLvL
"You need to stop talking," Lola replied in a deadpan while Pars flung the doors open. Lola walked into the room. Rover and I followed, but I stopped right beside Pars while Rover went ahead. It looked like he was on the brink of tears, but erased the look once he noticed I was looking at him.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHyGDohU14
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoO1MXCr2k
"Hey, Kenny. Do you think I'm unfunny?" He asked, pointing a finger at his chest.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUy9CD3btij
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJytUO4hmB
"...Well, you haven't made me laugh."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTwUMYJKCG
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3uCeyUikd
"Come on, kid. I can't even get a 'yet?'"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4HD2Sh0ZT
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWe9VM7M2rT
I shook my head and walked away from him, rejoining with the others. They were standing before a lengthy and opulent desk. An older man flipping through documents and stacks of paper stopped his activities to look up at us, raising an eyebrow.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnN4KnuoWcq
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsxN9RwZsn
"Sherrif Nico, you bring along unfamiliar faces. I assume that they are here for good reason?"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFQFEtTwoO
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5EtuyHdrz
"Of course, sir. Here, you two, give him what you must."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡax8jsZwdnJ
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaStRHJQC5
She signaled me and Rover to pull out our cargo, and we obliged. I grabbed the package from Rover's hands and delivered it with the note on top, placing it on the Dean's desk.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYfWefZZEt
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRmc2dZ1rv
"..."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsgbc7cnv2
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuh1yo4w6Lh
He looked at me as if he was expecting something. I realized that he likely wanted elaboration.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC01vua6Xwx
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9RiaryGnO
"U-Uhm, we're here on official business, sent by the Zariel Kingdom. All necessary information should be listed in the note, and–"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QqyYtesdH
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0ta9U6xZE
"I see, thank you. I'll see to the letter being delivered."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4ZuDuy368
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHdXToj6Qe
The man took the package and placed it aside, giving me a novel smile.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXXPnyINng
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujmxIornHn
"You two are free to go. Sheriff Nico, Officer Abbas, please escort them back."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sgchP0Zpt
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9utf8AwfO
I looked back at Rover, who was brimming with a giant smile. I couldn't help but copy it. I walked up to her and held my palm up, and she slapped it powerfully.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUsyoF6AR8
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIOR1xrkz0
"Nice," she shouted, "Good job," I yelled. We weren't quite in sync, but our points crossed over.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4gNdOvqbk
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeL4y7D8E4
We had completed the mission.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAWrfXQj37
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIQ6dIlzqu
–
–
–
The trek back was quiet but laden with good spirits. Rover and I commemorated our job well done with silent exchanges of looks and gesticulations. We separated with Pars and Lola once we reached the first floor, and Rover and I practically sprinted to the exit.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNotGvieuS2
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDcc5dVaus
When we got out, we were blasted by fresh air and a breath-taking sunset. It was so invigorating that I didn't even pant from the running. Truly, it was the best of times.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8ypqspBgy
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPW7S7GH4E
"One last high-five, Kenny!"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBoZFNOazF
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6ollzeFCC
"Alright alright, geez."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfAGDHaUzN
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYc9rWtUdUk
Despite my tone, I reciprocated the gesture with a smile.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHYhSO7SFG
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XGFawOEYt
"I can't wait to see Juke's face," Rover continued, "He's gonna look like a such a dolt."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Vnlewax0m
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzheDUseyQ4
"I'm just glad that we're done. Let's meet up with him and leave this place."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGlz4lfTg3
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRfS9MMV13
Nodding along to my suggestion, Rover and I began to exit the premises of the Pillar. Mason wasn't here, and neither was anyone by the fence, but that didn't deter the start of our footslog. We passed through the tiny gated entrance and traversed the streets. Surprisingly, the hustle and bustle I've grown accustomed to was absent, but I was in such a good mood that I didn't bother to think about it.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV50gGGWgBl
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYwHpHxPdV
"...This is quite convenient. I feel like I'm flying, and nobody's here to block me."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBp4KjcMSF
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGK9LqHrXJ
"Huh? What are you talking about?"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bgrwX1OqL
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqMsKm9NeF
"I'm talking about the crowd, or the lack thereof I suppose. It's nice, being able to travel here with some peace and quiet."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfPQGmcRSA
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3gPiaF4Pb
She looked conflicted about my statement.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uREO5Rl7u
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4ja10CxXw
"I dunno, it just feels creepy to me, but I can see where you're coming from."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZopfrklqAU
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KWwRg2zdh
"Our dispositions are just too different. It's not much of an issue."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0Hha7FDSD
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfgGEf0A3D
"Dispositions...? What?"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIduVRNWAI
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ijx1LL0we
"Uh... our natures, basically."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwP2RcafWpO
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr771RIhmBF
"Ah, why didn't you just say that then!?"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwoXpbYoDO
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15Zn3TCmyo
I answered her with a shrug, which elicited a stern huff out of her. We walked in silence afterward, giving me a chance to mull over her words.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxd9MMRPzI
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I could understand why she would think it was creepy, especially considering how busy it was not too long ago. But at the same time, it was the evening, so it made sense.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEon1eBvsmU
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByAhKla1i0
But, as I briefly looked into the passing alleyways, failing to spot a single soul, I wondered if the time of day was the whole picture.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1OEAY0YJD
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMwV4OgAhb
"Hey, Kenny, I think I made up my mind."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyg6SgtYLd
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXoljTYGEK
She pulled me out of my rumination.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7OvuGsnDL
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"About what?"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VKK8LPF31
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYLyJmWRdT
"About what you said."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlChsETV9Rs
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnen60Rfue
A speck of dread entered my body, but I kept my ears open all the same.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIFltuhnub
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvo3CPisddi
"Well, what is it?"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFYqqekrFf
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKsBdgMmLF
"See, when you said that thing about fighting the guy together, that stumped me. I already told you that I used to only work alone, so it didn't even cross my mind."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJB7KAXi3s
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKietVayXq
"Right."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uV4qnkxcK
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TUmNKNZQv
"So I decided that I'm gonna consider the idea. If I can, then I'll gladly work with people. I just hope that it won't have to be with a priss. If it is, then I'd rather not work with anybody."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyKWlP7DJ3
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY47zHWsZTK
"..."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpbwXHFXw1
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Somehow, I was left disappointed. Certainly, I was glad that she opened her mind to the idea of collaboration, but I was upset that she didn't address any aspect of her recklessness. Her wording struck me as dubious. 'Consider the idea?' Really? I set those thoughts aside, and for this one moment, I let it slide. I didn't want to trample upon either of our moods. Instead, I shot her a thumbs-up with a neutral expression.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalSWSsdwhX
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggQ1r1kP5x
"That's great."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCs60C6hVFd
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxh7lO3giRZ
She thumped her chest proudly. And so, we returned to silently roaming the streets, moseying down to our inn–
"Kenny."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoEe8XCtpe
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBqz2fR5TM
"Uh, what's the matter?"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZChXYgd8lm
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbumGbVL4K
Rover suddenly stopped moving and called my name. Her face was grave. It made my hair stand at its end.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnYiU5KKhX
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwuBsgSVy1
"Don't you hear that?" She asked, curling her palm around the back of her ear. I copied the gesture, but still, the silent street remained the same.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7ChauIbI9
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFG9Fw8xk7
"I can't say that I do."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkCSBbZOyw
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIKq4qbYEB
Her face morphed into one of irritation. She suddenly clasped my arm and began to drag me away.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTl6LYlXBw
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsyjyAtYC2
"W-Woah, what are you doing!?"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlZweKoomk
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrD52d9shZt
"Just trust me here!"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3AEVI3nBd
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6krBmvFLB
Her sentence, mixed with a pleading one with gravity, shut me up. She let go of her grip, but I followed her to wherever it was that she was taking me. We diverted from the main street, weaving between alleyways and even climbing walls. And, as I progressed further and further into the depths of the city, I began to hear a noise.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaoDV6Y4XS
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rfeU6a0jB
It sounded like chatter.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxEALfNkGe
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6iBJojZco
Tens of minutes passed by the time we finished. Rover stopped by the edge of an alley, motioning me to do the same. I peeked around the corner and laid eyes upon a plaza brimming with people. The sheer number was overwhelming, likely in the hundreds– no, even in the thousands. I couldn't make an accurate assessment, so I gave up on it, instead focusing on the surroundings. I noticed that the crowed had gathered around a stage. The stage had dozens of figures in robes.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11dNgD76XP
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYquCDEw6t
"Kenny, wait here."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVgBsPHrRK
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5905aGG0E
"Huh? Why?"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3Z2bzfJDi
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF32vlxwU9s
She didn't respond. Instead, she crept out of the alley and took a left turn. I heard a thud, and a minute later, she returned with an unconscious body locked between her elbows.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7s5ZIJw1p
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPc7v4Y0Hbs
"W-Wha–"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VCpGErN3e
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"Shhh! Shut up!"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTTOhvBgTj
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtiaWKdLwJ
I wanted to protest, but the appearance of the robe caught my eye. It was lengthy fitted with a hood. But, most of all, I noticed its distinct dark blue color. Rather, it was a distinct color until I laid my eyes on it at that moment.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekX6MS0dq2
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"This is..."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡba8g7sZ2mv
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwehNuHxbH
"Something fishy is going on here."268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmD9hAaLSiK
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyBk6RPFeS
I couldn't voice the connection I made, but my mind still thought it, and it horrified me. It paralyzed me and left me standing there like a fool. Rover paid no heed to it. She likely thought that I was spectating the ceremony, much like herself. I couldn't call her assessment inaccurate.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiSUMQqWH2
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡai94ececUc
Two halves of my brain worked separately. One focused on the robe, the other, on the stage. A woman in baggy clothing walked up to the podium, the crowd quieted down.268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXrRF3gEBa
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oY0pkQd7y
"Alright, can you all hear me?"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyglU88HTfq
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQMyQHBjp2
I noticed that around her baggy clothing, she wore the same robe. No, it wasn't the same robe as this random man, but the one robe that I truly had seen before, the one robe that I associated with an entirely different person. It was the robe–
"I don't want to waste my time, so I'll keep it brief. I am Hard-Bringer's Harbinger of Rage, and we're seizing this city!"268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEMBstCeA8
268Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpo2jsG65RQ
It was the same robe that Ng wore.
然後按「加至主畫面」