"Hey, wake up."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIx8cKkzdES
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboPJWjx4wS
"H-Huh!?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0D8KLXUAYe
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnLvuWnr0I
I was rashly wrung out of sleep, jumping at the sudden touch on my shoulder. I fell pathetically to the floor, groaning and rubbing my chin as I got on my feet.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4TFc2s1A5
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nCwmxG5xZ
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare ya."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDhU5mMDWI
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLz4AUcRxt
"No no, it's fine."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbrcNZgHGx
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMk8Nbr5aqX
Once the pain subsided, I let out a lengthy yawn and rubbed my eyes. I had difficulty keeping them open. I rubbed my face and took a seat on the couch, hoping to wipe away the grogginess.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qRpWl4TIS
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjF9bMReba3
"Goodness kid, did ya sleep at all?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoWdYW1Ze8
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhA8p7LBJAv
"Huh? Yeah, sure I did."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6ZU2FnLdM
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ukacHg8Uu
I let out another yawn. After a dozen firm blinks, I was able to keep my eyes open for longer than two seconds.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5ibhGbOKD
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjILRm01LcG
"Are ya sure–"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYx43J2teg
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnhvKkX1mW
"Listen, Juke, I'm fine. I'm, perfectly fine. My neck is just a little sore, that's all."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmtoMHeNiG
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQKO8m1oKg
It must've been because of my sleeping position. Perhaps that was also the reason behind my shakiness. It had to be. Using mana expulsion, I produced a bit of water and gulped it all down, then began stretching my limbs.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXDpUJrRhf
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjc98Voia6
"Well, if ya say so. When yer ready, come meet me outside."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGZBaI5MMN
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqeuZdamhd
Juke exited the living room, leaving me alone. I wasted no time going through my morning routine in the bathroom. Once I finished, I returned to the living room. Outside the bathroom door, idling, gazing at the couch where I slept.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFaS8BB5sm
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2d7XX8CnJ
"..."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzy4MzefdT
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPl9GANi1Ui
Now that the grogginess had left me, my mind worked at total capacity. It came with unwanted by-products.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6G4DGUC25
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7kPtsLIbD
It had barely been ten minutes. Since I wasn't counting, likely less than that. So little time since I woke up, yet the flow of time had already become contorted. I clutched my head and looked at the floor.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwWvXB7mib
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgI3JSSkyB
It was no use mulling over it now. Besides, I was hungry. So I left the living room. Juke and the man were sitting at a nearby table, eating their food with a third plate unattended. I tottered to their table and took a seat.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuHR1MKdon
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdW2wgHiWcR
The plate was full of fish. It wasn't a food I'd associate with breakfast.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5JIKTvVnN
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuE06vHstN
"Hi young man, how did you sleep?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Tu819CLzK
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCi0Rb3KqlN
His tone was cheery and amiable. He sounded like a pleasant person to speak to.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyQGptyVxe
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQXwxzHIB9
"Hmm. Huh? Oh, were you talking to me?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfdOKZ8Krd
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3L5V5QsUPZ
The man nodded. Now that I thought about it–147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcQastZVMZ
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2ym36byz3
"What's your name anyway? I don't believe you've ever told us."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlDhgLGzLr
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuaCm3hNYW
"...You must be right. My name is Hank, it's a pleasure."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJXYSKNLyz
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoXDoj3N5j
"Hank... did you cook this breakfast?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bIqp8Uc8X
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznkB5twaLS
"I certainly did. Well, go on now, try it."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnPOGn5CQI
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9e62vPojF
I turned my face away from him and looked at the fish. At first glance, even a toddler could discern that it was undeniably well-cooked. The fish was coated in spice and–147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVxbadtHtK
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qTLAsFHdr
"Don't gotta waste yer time ogling at it, kid."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jV0GDRb0q
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLLCzHCsax
Juke's statement interrupted my necessary analyses.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIQu7yPxEW
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOklSaasdxi
"I guess you're right. Is good, Juke?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6t4bbBOvsX
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHiHacTNZ4
"Yeah, it is. If ya don't eat it now though, some bird might poop on it and ruin the taste."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSs5IcIVmCR
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGrFA3mK6x
"What?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk70vwcI82Q
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4ktYF4jMX
He sighed and flicked his head.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRsn2PBele
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7u2Sm5gEa
"Come on, let's enjoy our last breakfast here, why don't we?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydbyJo0ilR
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqVNgwCRMC
"Last... yeah, let's."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeE0yQEJTM6
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8s1Jhc0yh
I took the fork and began to eat the fish. It had a kick to it that I didn't expect, but otherwise–147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6j8Sh6zHHF
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIKP45yE7f
"This is good. This is really good."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxBdSlkvN2
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFqo6JIrFU
"I told ya."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEugrb4VT5j
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ehfGehyqC
I kept eating. It was pleasant and satisfying. The dish brightened my mood. Marginally so, but it was still something, so I was grateful for that.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ096CaES5AE
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75RMpwpeHo
"Wait a minute, Juke," Hank started, "how are you eating with your helmet on?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIcaOeAAmU
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtylZ9pxBzJ
His question caused me to look away from my fish and at his own. Indeed, half of it had already been eaten, but Juke never once removed his helmet to do so.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEo67VNvad
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEU6Jm2MSu2
"Trade secret, don't worry 'bout it. Just keep eating."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlNhokdvFs
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlwaD73l4b
The man backed down. I kept looking at Juke, but he wouldn't eat the fish in front of me.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43l4a7KTbN
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8S6DBEGfg
In the face of that obstinance, I smiled. I knew it wouldn't last, but at least I would be able to eat my food without any daunting thoughts.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqA2h8mKT0n
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFs1MX9Ji0
–
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–147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskmht8hl6v
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQUaq30tHY
Once we put our tableware aside, Hank corralled us back to the table. Juke and I sat by each other. Hank had a pensive and nervous look, giving me a sense of foreboding for what was to come out of his mouth.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmZRbhIi9V
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCS4TAuYNS
"So, you two want to leave the city, correct?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMuy9QdCQx
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mR0WbDrd6
"That's right," Juke responded.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7Kmb715kV
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUlckAsYDC
"I see..."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrENN7QorJT
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjTUnJTxop
He pinched his chin and gazed at the table.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26f6pZYxCv
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWNUTyiv3Z
"Well, I won't try to stop you, but I'd like to give you two a word of warning: the streets aren't empty. Those folks at Hard-Bringer are surveilling the area quite compellingly."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GAvJU7VMO
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Bd2eeXgKY
Juke let out a sigh and I rested my head on my hand. Honestly, this was in my expectations, but hearing it be confirmed was a blow to my psyche all the same.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTFAOvBy2V
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAML951xYx
"However, I do believe you two can get out fine."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡap7AVEqxJM
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9wvs8wqDe
"Yeah, that's what I was thinking too. I doubt those Hard-Bringer bastards got the staff to keep an eye on every part of the city."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCDs1RJliB
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dcD9H4GmG
I nodded along to Juke's reasoning. Hank did too, less tense than twenty seconds ago.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5sfNqhxAE
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRMc2cO7QW
"Do you two have a plan in mind?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmLVMnlx38
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2snw9s45M1
Juke turned his head to me, confusing me more than pressuring me.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzijMJuVjw
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDccux8oGjI
"What are you looking at me for?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1e9WbIf68y
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9VHmnAtLV
"Ya got any ideas?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA85hXpGnxR
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykhTigOlOY
"Why do you think I do, anyway?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JNmAA6Xl9
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAlc3qJ2Il
He shrugged at my inquiry. I just sighed and rubbed my temple, racking my brain for anything.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9S3rpYkv3z
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvarNYBpMKJ
"I suppose we'll have to gauge just how heavily the streets are being supervised. If they aren't in every nook and cranny of the area, we can probably weave in-between alleyways and whatnot just fine."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLZMiZEVHl
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKiiohIuhD
Juke and Hank nodded at my statement. As concrete as the idea was, it hinged on a factor too risky for either me or Juke to confirm.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ44G0Zkec9
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuU8YbWrrKn
"Hank, can you go outside and check the surroundings?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsnLLIapnx
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOjN1fAwm2
"U-Uh, I very well may, however..."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffjipc26bq
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlxxAzi1r1
I raised my brow, then realized that just because Hank wasn't me or Juke didn't mean that he was entirely safe.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoDq4C0KRf
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBnDTHDKSM
Rover's visage flashed in my mind. I brushed it aside for the moment, barely.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89h1WbTulY
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvN5crBH9qJ
"I'd rather not run too far away. Otherwise, I'd get apprehended and questioned, and then it would be evening by the time I come back."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilBSEhNGPa
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PI4dXZOn1
"I see. I apologize for asking so much from you."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lGBrwNc9r
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5l4slC5SS1
He shook his hands frantically and.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEn1eMRrN0f
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezBF8HyGpi
"Oh no no, I'll do it. I just don't think I'll be able to scout very far ahead."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkROH4kLZSG
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQ1Nc8pom6
"That ain't an issue. Just the first block should be alright."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsHLGiXn2n
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcN5opA3k7k
Hank's gaze turned abnormally stern. He stood up and did a few gesticulations to assure himself.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUiAIMJpTR
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnts0prlAwz
"Pray for me."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBA6oojlMA
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4DeekgdD0
"Don't worry. We'll arrange yer funeral for ya."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZ8D8FHlaN
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0LQYH7Qb0
"Juke!"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfV66ktW5tg
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79nAqcEm3T
Juke's comment vanquished all of Hank's efforts to pump himself up. Still, though, he rambled to the door, taking a deep breath before opening and exiting the building. Juke and I were alone, now. An awkward and elongated silence permeated through the room.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlac2EZQfZ
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxtNCtTNCg
"Thanks for trying to lighten the mood, Juke."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvpAT5FXUk
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGm86irmkd
He turned his head to me, stuttering his words before taking a breath and speaking them coherently.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggoGJmPltN
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaC9X5Cdel
"No need to thank me. The atmosphere's tense, I just don't want it to stay that way."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kaG0gwiJg
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPcpPPKpXj
"Still, I appreciate it."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OWyKhIc76
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HS4ITbG8h
I sat with my legs spread out, lowering my head and leaning over to stare at the ground.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0KbTwo7x5
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipqoehgj0A
"I can tell that my wisecracks ain't all that effective, though."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKdC60Hw4G
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSu7ahHPby
I wanted to rebuke that statement, to tell him that he was wrong and that I was feeling much better. I would be lying to him, but that wasn't why I stopped myself. That was because of the tinge of melancholy I caught in his voice, so faint that I was unsure if I was just hearing things.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYa3Ekd4xQ8
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgP3KClL1qe
I wanted to press him on that. But I was in no state of mind to do so. So, we continued to wait in silence.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqBkxRuZXE
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhAbkcvRPx
Hank came shortly after. His face was drenched in sweat and anxiety. He let out an arduous sigh when he closed the door and sank to the floor.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoyJxUH7bJ
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXSIK0TpME
I was expecting the worst, but he shot us a thumbs-up with a wink. A smile found its way on my face. I looked at Juke and we nodded at each other. We stood up and stretched our muscles, helping Hank get to his feet and standing before the door.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntrXifW4mT
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzjdsoTNg1
"Thank you for your help, Hank."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMin0QeOVeH
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6HFqhIQ9k
"Yeah, we really of ya."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejadG4X9jZ
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJqKooNKlc
He gave us a light smile and waved.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTdBwAe8EM
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt70f2padnZ
"No no, it's fine. It's what Dennis would have wanted, I'm sure."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgooHPbMgI
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaIz6B7trH
"...Y-Yeah."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTtj9TngFt
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmv86viMNfX
A morbid parasite was planted in me before we left. It began to eat at me instantly, but I did nothing to address it.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEfrgnZhFH
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTgdG6A6cs
–
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–147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWyb2XP1gV
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLiy2SijXP
The streets were void of any busy citizens traveling from one place to another. All inhabitants were inimical people in robes. The only remedy was the relative lack of them.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhdHSB72DE
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdHVqiICm9
Weaving in and out of alleyways was a surprisingly easy task, as the Hard-Bringer members couldn't stay in one place even if they were paid to. Though it made moving in the streets nerve-wracking with the unpredictability of these people, it was better than having to wait for them to fall asleep or find a detour as they obstinately remained in one spot.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiICQV5JkxR
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fbSmzuzXv
With all the pauses in between movements and focus on not getting caught, I stopped paying attention to our routing quickly. I was anxious that Juke did too.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRXxMp61ZR
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfnTHXFuxd
"Hey, are you sure we're going the right way?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNIPRGDXxz
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6sG5N20jN
"Yeah, I'm sure. I remember that chipped building when I visited the stables earlier."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Hyn2628Nz
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2FeB0UhrX
He pointed at a building opposite us. Indeed, it was chipped, but somehow I didn't find his memory reliable.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpQLXD5Gyq
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoSRQilQAk
Still, I had no better way to make it to the stables myself, so I kept following Juke as we skittered diagonally across the street.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUVjCEqgLb
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCffQ3K2PB
"--Crap!"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTIqjjavyH
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPu47pUpnQ
This alleyway was void of anything to hide behind, meaning that we had to leave it now or suffer an embarrassing and egregious discovery. I peered over the corner and saw a duo of robed people turning a corner and into our street.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOrpgHV09m
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ07BRTiaqn
"Crap. Crap!"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDb9XZQj3X4
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQIrgCW7Qx
"Eh? What's the situation, kid?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxwGD4AkMK
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKnY7tHv5J
"People are heading our way!"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltZfQ1UPIZ
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonhSnE4ZWs
With a hoarse whisper, I relayed the information to Juke, whose eyes I could see widen even through his helmet. He looked behind him and deeper into the alleyway, reaching the same conclusion that I did.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JmmEh2742
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQnSukk0t5
"I guess we gotta jump 'em."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwdI6lnOyI
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSuXstZMcO
"What!? That's a terrible idea!"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7pP1I045a
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKhmz9zANe
Despite the incorrect usage, I knew precisely what Juke meant by jumping the two people. I discarded the idea, as engaging in a fight would only draw more attention. But, as I sifted through my mind, I couldn't conjure up a course of action more tangible.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgoyTU9JBe
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzO8VLxbobf
"Okay, maybe it isn't a terrible idea, but we need to knock them out quickly."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nXi2xnEQk
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWfuK2e8Aw
"Yeah, killin' 'em will just make a mess and draw attention, ya make a good point."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMgKpFtfbN
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfqpgdEcSb
"...Murder is the first thing you– nevermind, you gave me a good idea."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2bj9mrFkb
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkzCA2mtTi
I produced my tendril and created a Valencia-Bloom at its tip. Then, I ran as far back into the alleyway as I could, signaling Juke to do the same. When we made it to the wall, I began mana spinning and produced a shield from the flower big enough to cover us both.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Cd5Q9uCJx
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtPtKHJH9a
It was unexpectedly heavy. The weight of the shield brought me to the floor and strained my arm terribly147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuj3SaRfP3
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQsYoYTFo1
"Ack!"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfBAfwbjAz
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRniNQPaBpE
"G-Goodness, kid. Are ya alright?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uhaaKsX33
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdWAVu05xh
"I-I'm fine, just keep quiet!"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGcBArd2YR
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuZqIVnFCr
We waited out behind the shield until I heard two sets of footsteps pass by the alleyway. Once they vanished, I removed the shield, massaged my arm, and with Juke's help, we made it back onto the street.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzk2UswLUD
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksWmxnGylG
"Ya strong folk really are crazy."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxx7eDnIg1
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5QM9h7TML
"Shut up. Now isn't the time for this."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFsd0xDvgC
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahGiLxsNew
We traveled the road a bit faster since we had to cross through an intersection. We made sure both sides were clear before continuing forward. The road curved at this point, so we kept close to the wall, using our ears instead of our eyes to sense any oncoming persons.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8s21OmOjFR
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQGlOrLR13
And, by doing so, I heard something that made my hair stand on its ends.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4X94HCIdbp
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0pEfdTN59
"--Yeah, we should find a place to hide, don't ya think?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZjDbQNoeR
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBU8QDltpkf
I hastily nodded with him and scanned the surroundings. I spotted an alleyway with a gigantic dumpster at the front. Juke already began running to it before I could point it out, so I followed him.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoqSUOQ8mf
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdairWPh2o
We sat down behind the dumpster. I gnawed on my finger as I heard what I could only describe as an army of people walking down the street. I didn't see them, nor did I want to, but the footsteps never ended– it was as if the hustle and bustle of the streets had returned, but now, it only disturbed me.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsAcfw4OfU
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNFuOr1VZ2
It went on for far, far too long. I couldn't keep my cool. The gnawing turned into rampant chomping, and my breathing became labored and heavy. I rocked back and forth, back and forth back and–147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELsuinzwVT
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBn2kEG4TNO
"--Kenny, I don't know if that'll do ya any good."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUmltwtmV6
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYb1pK9qFY
"Huh?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoQVKHRpVQ
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vIGWCrEcR
Juke's deep voice pierced through the thunderous train of footsteps.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43XawbBSvk
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3aV2Ji6eG
"That whole biting thing, and that whole shaking thing. That shit freaks me out. I get why yer doing it, but seeing someone like ya do so just don't sit with me right."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoPnjNSwq2
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MVaKXESIY
I knew he was trying to console me. But, I didn't feel as if he was. I felt as if it was a precursor to just another one of Juke's ramblings about his ideology.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUTMmCIim2
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmlYJgrWpQ
"Why? Is it because I'm strong?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ618sgjaTgf
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaGFhBqOWY
"Nah, it's cuz yer a kid."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvvvwvys8W
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpmR41pjjN
His response left me more stunned than I could've imagined.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM26oTHPwhw
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQdpwCFFU7
"I can tell ya got something plaguing ya. I ain't dense, so I can already guess what it is. Still, I think ya should spill it."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKm6DX0xyt9
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnx62T9HtWw
"..."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKkaEEQr3A
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcGp6FtKhM
I brought my knees up to my head, wrapping my arms around my legs. Usually, I'd be concerned about the crowd overhearing us, but the dumpster was far enough, and the thousands of footsteps would veil my voice.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTR0ROKZRA
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGFYpD8y7T
So, I let my mouth run amok.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqqDnVT6zR
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFyDFzebSe
"I'm sure you know, but what Rover told me has... affected me, I suppose."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnSWVQfbjN
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0z2tU0heti
"Yeah, I know."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7IalfGjgc
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2Yqlyf7or
A pause. I used it to formulate my following words more effectively.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdY0W1UY6Je
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcS9pmRo0o
"It left me confused. It was like I was asking myself questions with words I couldn't understand. I didn't even know how to begin to answer them. So, for the time being, I decided to ignore them."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYkuykuAPV
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFloT1XgtB
I darted my eyes to the side. He nodded along. He stared at the wall across. I did the same.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Q6osodrSg
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOF1ntmoMG
"When I was at the door last night," I continued, "right after Rover left, I suppose the prospect of going after her, of facing her, was too intimidating. I didn't get why, exactly. I just knew that I couldn't do it. I didn't think that doing so would be bad or something, quite the contrary. I just thought that, somehow, it was an impossible task. So, I didn't do it. Instead, I sat back on the couch and fell asleep."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKfpldk8ep
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VPudM1r3h
"That sounds familiar..."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTttihSDw6
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKMMDYYDLa
"Huh?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtD93zPvd7Y
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnJ9NKDbkz
"Nevermind. Ya carry on."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvH6wePVzw
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlzCT6A2lD
I felt a little let down, but did as I was told.
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50IT91EqYI
"I am just, very confused. I don't quite get how I feel, but I do understand that all the forces inside of me are fighting over the decision I made last night, to do this. And, I guess I say I'm unsure of it, but I do know what I really am."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwa5PQepH1
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxyM17OQ6r
"Well?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqU6SFyNLj
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSoocGS81M
"...The thing is, if I voice it, I'll probably break apart here and now."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHM9DED5y8
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBR63MUYBz
"Ah."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUsbgCm0p3
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt23VD6pDz3
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but articulating it in my brain was difficult.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrhCkuuWAe
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanKzcHqOLG
"Some part of it came from the distant past. I'm talking about what drove me to make this decision, I mean. Another part, I'm unsure. And the last one was more recent. It was only for a moment, but when I thought about going outside with Rover, that overgrown bug flashed in my mind."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceHRWsBEfK
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoqtkhAEwM
"Ah, the Lionant?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAK6xnJrFil
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sYRqhTVZD
"Yeah. The one you saved me from. Thank you for that, by the way."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHIDFdtFs2
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkgIveuXST
"..."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnPm8eHgvQ
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqXCDRxJQJ
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but I hung on to the thoughts left behind by my last sentence and formed a question out of it.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5lY6dlZwu
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nEQPAmAuc
"This might be a dumb question, but why did you save me back then?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcJlu1hiWm
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjvwIgcp1b
"...Yeah, why did I?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFF8LEAx1Q
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrKNPWkLo9
I didn't expect to be met with another question.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5vuEuVahf
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nfli97Qta
"It doesn't make much sense, does it? After all, I'm weak, and yer strong. A weak guy like me shouldn't have to save strong folk like ya. But I did save ya. I really did save ya."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9OAkvRkuI
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiK5Poz6YqZ
I turned my head to him. He had his eyes pointed at the sky, one arm slung over his knee.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4UTnuZiNv
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESbxfP56oL
"I don't know why I saved ya. It wasn't in my mind, I didn't think of doing it, but I did save ya."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6d0rA1iJib
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rWBe1uqiE
"..."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQGt8bucCD
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZr87id9fSb
I felt as if I should have said something, but I remained silent. Juke continued his gentle monologue.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MPmM50Fvh
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvGwaQoXJu
"Rover's got a brutal tongue. Usually, I just brush off what loud folk like her say, but she was blunt and rude about it, so it really stuck with me. I couldn't care less about that 'you should do and think this and that' shit, but, ya know what, Kenny?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHw66IgwxO
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzBSrl4KcM
"What?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLDuycJaMX
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfp65JKDJ8L
"Before I went out to look for ya two, I talked with Dennis. I had a real good conversation with him 'bout politics, women, and a bunch of dumbshits we've met in our olden days."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFm7xIFxSu
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6ryM4EXYd
"That sounds... boorish?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4kDHPM83U
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5C2Z4WnMS
"Pff, yer just too young."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UqfSO8xRq
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsyIf9XMaE
He paused for a moment.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4WZZWqHWT
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmT6IxMZOLa
"Why the hell am I saying this to a kid?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzrR0DKIKF
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cmYiF3Jjw
"D-Don't mind that, just keep talking."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMrTW6W5qm
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtfhWXipmO
"...The thing is, a weak guy like me shouldn't concern himself with Hard-Bringer. It makes sense, doesn't it? Leave the big problems to the big strong folk. Weak guys shouldn't have to fight for other weak guys. That's what I think."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjyUlMPdcp
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZhLSwVjFt
He took a second to readjust himself. I used that time to spill my own thoughts.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdRuEyuSCX
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaIbz5l25n
"That's silly... O-Oh–"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oGqbf6E8l
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvfS9uNSro
I realized I had just blurted out something insensitive yet again.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbkmnoCbxm
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MV65JqVRq
"I didn't mean to be rude, but–"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01eXL5zvgf
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pTrQ122sL
"Nah, I get why ya think it. To each their own, that's what the masses say, yeah?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡae3l5HpYrJ
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYK2bDKPA3
"I... yes, I suppose so."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcFDKmbKTc
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGM1zEGUoHC
Another pause. Juke directed his gaze to the floor this time.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJH8wvalEt
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fOzNwyqFu
"I think the weak shouldn't have to deal with what the strong does."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YA0Drv1uB
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrAYCtlEoP
"Yes, I know."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXbGoRKc52
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZxx35Gz1M
"But I wanna make sure Dennis is still kickin'."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTrDqFesa7
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1cVQeFAnZ
He said that with conviction I had never heard from him before.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJhJraeDWy
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBEJuuU3O3
"I believe what I said yesterday. I think he's just fine. 'Sides, I got no interest in fighting Hard-Bringer. But that ain't changing the fact that I wanna make sure with my eyes."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvK8eY1PBG5
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ReWggGb8R
"..."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhem8YbbZEc
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCUMPqrXJS
I didn't say it outright, but I agreed with him. I wanted to make sure Dennis was fine as well. Yet, unlike Juke, I doubt I could muster the will to do so.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSQNa4VTKz
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AVsyQYk6t
"Ya hear that?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQM9OS2k9Uc
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaovQEkdPmJ
"Huh?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWU8kR7ScMS
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14JHOdLFEM
I perked my ears. I didn't hear anything. Then, I realized what Juke meant.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKn83xqoly2
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvRLoBoOYV
"They passed."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmtoVbqgCe
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGKFOwrUpf
"Yeah. I can't hear them anymore."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtRv0t5tGo
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpFOqPdMtW
Juke stood up first. He brushed the dirt off his pants and peered around the corner.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQsTKwyTP7
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosCRVkKKzc
"Looks like we're in the clear. Phew."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyOVM0jNbI
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvGHZVkYdW
I stood up and ambled to the front of the alleyway. Sure enough, Not one robed person was in sight. It was a clear indicator that I should have taken a step forward, but I didn't. No, I couldn't, not after what I had just said.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoInGEJz8Xt
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hQI3P8HPz
Juke had already taken his first steps, though. He looked back at me once he noticed I wasn't moving.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTR7DIq2jXj
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNfiRybZjQ
"Shit... hey, kid, I know what yer thinking."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYTaxtOS5r
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGPmaItWPH
"You've been saying that a lot."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ352CnMNaoj
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2l2qlDLGIn
"That's just cuz yer easy to read."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31eJjt4nU2
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJck8Z561W2
We stood stock still in silence.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWYOmXsKFj
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnXR65ODqy
"W-Well, what are you waiting for," I muttered, "Let's get going."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUunwb0tAEI
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEbMF2A3K2
"Are ya sure?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2NKRFNQGi
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNfCx6YAcu
I walked out of the alleyway, looking both ways before standing beside Juke.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOg522E0XaF
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQ1Pnyo39u
"I should be asking you that."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkNmMtxSFc
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjqVTHhPyK
"Hehe, I guess so. We've come this far, haven't we?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirwXVYvRHg
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiUQ6jvMV8
"Yes. You get it."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwJVeBPO9R
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0LmPU1fRZ
But before we continued, there was one last thing I wanted to mention.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7byNoGuacX
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKT3JVG2tj
"If we see something that might change the accuracy of your hypothesis, then... I'm going to turn back, understand?"
Juke released a lethargic chuckle. I wasn't offended by it, instead, it caused me to think.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ihdX3eCFo
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYntSbMZDPk
"Fine by me."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZrPWVadsJ
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuyFrzHCUL
I wondered how seriously he took my word. I wouldn't blame him if he thought it duplicitous.
We kept going down the streets, running between the alleyways as we avoided being spotted.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZHxGwxcI2
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YVWeqgUIB
–
–
–
"Ya see that?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwTRqvj9Cs
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAyLTz3ywA
"Yeah, we're almost there."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfBA4k6wyV
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfs5uli9LMm
After hours of dodging lines of sight, taking tedious pauses in smelly alleyways, and having one too many heart-attack-inducing close calls, the stables were finally within our view. It was still a good distance away, but being able to see it was relieving. We were fortunate enough to find it unsupervised, too.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4jNLKDXdb
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGNbNGxMEk
We approached it with a pep in our step, but not forgetting to employ prudence. I turned my head in every direction as we got closer and closer.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoZkyNySIj
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEMc0CkYOS
And as we got closer and closer, a sudden stench assaulted my nostrils.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnM60l1RGJ
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"Blurg, what was that?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMWmNNpHp0
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I skidded to a stop. I reluctantly sniffed the air again but didn't catch the same whiff. Juke looked back at me, confused.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wwg0m5Yql
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"What was what?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC34VffjDrk
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"I caught a whiff of something."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFSBdxlo3q
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"Ah, gotcha. I ain't stopping, just so ya know."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqnLhguhm5
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Clicking my tongue, I continued following Juke to the stables, occasionally sniffing the air as we encroached it.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7bwS3LFPu
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And then, it came again. This time, more putrid than before.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnIUq2TXgF
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"Ugh– ack, what in the world?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡro8lkHlv5U
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Juke didn't stop to ask me what was wrong this time. He turned the final corner and already made it to the stables. I knew that I had visited this place before, but I didn't quite acknowledge the structure until that moment.
It was like an open barn house with only a meager roof over the parking spaces. Inside these parking spaces were carriages, and opposite them were miniature pens housing the animals responsible for heaving the carriages. These pens were fitted with roofs and thick gates to block the animals from wandering off. Of course, because of the structure of the stables, he barged in without having to bust open any doors. Naturally, I entered without issue myself.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzmywUy8Mc
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But never had I wished for a door to be present more than now.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuO4QeZl7D5
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"...This is fuckin' horrid."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJE1bEeqKU
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The carriages were untouched, but the carriages were only there for me to distract myself with. It didn't last for long, of course. After all, the stench and overwhelming, blinding quantity of red permeating through every crevice of the area made it impossible to keep up the charade.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFWMYYYNyC
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The pens were broken, but the animals hadn't escaped. They were still in their pens, but as cadavers opposed to breathing beings.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxgzG9Yvbc
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Bile rose to my throat, but I was able to suppress it. That disturbed me deeply.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVNDlBTuE4
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"Well, Kenny, I dunno if we'll be leaving by carriage any time soon."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVJYHqow1U
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"You 'don't know', huh? Are you kidding me?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTR7R0uGXFW
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I glared at the scene. It was grotesque, but my eyes couldn't divert from it. Every animal in every pen– no exception was made, none were spared. They were unapologetically slaughtered. Juke spoke of the sight perfectly; It was horrid. it evoked such visceral repulsion even when closing the eyes and glancing at it through memory.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOzY4RL6xk
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But, as much as I hated it, as much as it made me want to turn the other way and run, seeing our way out be cut off like this relieved me of a subconscious weight.
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Juke ventured further into the stables, and I begrudgingly followed. I fixed my gaze to the right, passing by the open pens and observing the carrion they contained. I didn't try to immerse myself in the details; I would've truly thrown up if I did. But, from what I did see, I could judge the means used to kill them. From lacerations to burns, to pulverizations of their bodies, it was obvious that a mix of magic and weaponry was utilized.
I was lucky that the blood had dried long ago.
"Sly bastards. How'd they know we'd try to get out?"
"...They probably just did this preemptively. Did they have to murder all the animals, though? Why not damage the carriages?"
My question had not just reminded Juke, but also myself of our carriage. We steered directions and beelined towards it. From an outside view, it looked unharmed. As Juke pulled out a key and unlocked the doors, I could only hope that the same could be said for the inside.
"Nagging Dennis for this shit paid off."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyn28ATD8w
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Juke muttered something under his breath before flinging the doors open and entering. I followed, releasing a heavy breath as I confirmed that the carriage was unharmed.
"'Fore we head back out, we oughta pack some supplies."
"I agree, but I hope you know I won't be able to carry much."
"That's alright. This big body of mine ain't just for show."
We entered the back. Juke took the bag of food and placed his arms through the straps, carrying it like an oversized backpack.
"Anything else ya think we oughta bring?"
"...I can't lift the big bags, but–"
I grabbed a smaller one and emptied its contents, stuffing it with the few potions I had left in the larger bags, leaving me with a pleasantly light load. Juke hummed in an amused, yet agitated tone.
"Ya had potions this whole time? Ya should'a told me!"
"Oh, sorry. I thought I had."
We exited the carriage and returned to the stables, Juke grumbling as he descended the steps. I didn't leave just yet. Before that, I spared one more glance at the animals, meagerly clenching my fists.
"Hey, Juke."
He turned around and faced me. Before I got my words out, I had to stop shaking.
"What do we do now?"
He looked at me intently, or was it blankly? Either way, I could tell that he was digesting my question. Then, he turned his gaze away.
"We can't get out with the carriage, that's for sure."
"I know that much. But, do we... do we try anyway?"
"...Nah, ya should know that yerself."
My facial muscles dropped, forming an ugly frown. He was right, and because he was right, I was upset.
If they took measures this drastic to make sure nobody escaped, then the gates were unquestionably, undoubtedly guarded.
That undeniable notion frightened me.
"Yeah, you're right. But, still, what do we–"
I couldn't finish my sentence. My speech was interrupted by a jerk movement from Juke. He leaned in– almost pouncing at me and pushing me to the ground as he haphazardly fell to it himself.
I hadn't the time to formulate any complaints and questions, but all that I could have formed were addressed by the soaring ball of fire narrowly avoiding my head.
"--Ack!"
I landed awkwardly on my shoulder. Whether it was dislocated, I didn't know, nor could I afford to find out. I scrambled to my feet and faced our assailant. My blood turned cold when I saw her.
"That man is a quick actor. What about you, child? Are you the brains of your clique?"
It was the woman at the plaza. She was not in her unequivocal robe that was the sigil of Hard-Bringer but in a slackened coat, plain shirt, skirt, pants, and boots.
"Well, answer me, won't you?"
"Don't humor 'er, kid, she's got a screw loose!"
"N-No need to tell me!"
Juke got up on his feet and brandished his sword. I took out the tendril. The woman grabbed a curvy, seemingly customized, serrated knife. She raised it as she began to speak.
"So you two won't speak? Fine by me. A mute roadblock is easier to handle."
With a slide of her back foot and a drop in her posture, she burst into a sprint heading in our direction. Then, she veered into me.
The sudden shift left me panicked. I instinctively took a step back and produced a Valencia-Bloom, but before I could utilize it, she slashed her knife at me. I narrowly avoided the swing, but she didn't let up, spinning the blade in her hand and thrusting it to jab me.
That's at least what it looked like she would've done.
She did thrust her knife, but she spun as she did it, clashing with Juke's broadsword so suddenly that even he was taken by surprise. The woman exploited his shock well by delivering a kick to his chest. Juke's body didn't budge from the kick at all, though. A metallic sound rang throughout the stables and his head jerked back.
"Ack! My neck!"
"--I see."
Realizing I wasn't doing anything, I extended my tendril, using it like a dull spear. The woman ducked my attack and slammed her fist into it. I recoiled from the strike, but not enough to paralyze me. Thus, I slammed the tendril on the ground. She rolled away, dodging it effortlessly.
My tendril still near her, I switched the Valencia-Bloom for a Freeze-Dry. But I couldn't use it; the woman leaped and stomped on the flower before any ice came out.
My eyes widened by themselves. I couldn't think of what to do next, but I was fortunate enough to not have to. Juke swung his sword at the woman. She dodged it, but Juke didn't let up with his assault. The woman took a series of backsteps too great for Juke to immediately catch up to. Almost instinctively, she kicked her leg up, and though Juke was a couple of meters away, his head jerked up and a sound rang out as if he was hit.
Though Juke was struck in the chin, and though he was partially airborne, he aimed his palm at the woman, firing a wind spell at her.
And, it connected.
"Hng!"
It was a weak spell, and she was able to block most of it with her arms, but the point was that it connected. Somehow, that fact alone was enough to shock me.
"Yer power's confusing. Is it an Endowment? I dunno, I've got one, and yers sure don't feel like it."
Juke rubbed his chin. I could tell that he felt it, meaning the hit wasn't deflected to his helmet.
"Shit. How'd ya know my weakness, huh?"
The woman narrowed her eyes at Juke. Using the downtime, I began mana expulsion with my right hand and produced a Sunlight-Blossom from the tendril.
"You are right about one thing, oaf: my power is nothing like that absurd Endowment of yours."
"And yer calling my whole thing absurd? That's just–"
Juke's speech was cut short. I shot at the woman with a water spell. She dodged it, but I accounted for this and made the spell a powerful geyser, following her movements as it continuously sprayed. The woman clicked her tongue as she kept backing away, producing a ball of fire and firing it at the walls.
I gasped and processed her actions to make sure I understood what I saw. She threw a fireball at the walls, which were made of wood. She threw a quick wind spell at it right after and smashed through the weakened structure.
My geyser put the sudden fire out but had missed the woman entirely. It aligned with my expectations, though. She came back bursting through near the ashened hole. However, I had another attack prepared.
The seed was already loaded. I aimed the flower at her and fired, crossing my fingers in my head, praying that it would land.
It didn't. It didn't even come close. She ducked before the bullet had even been launched. I bit my lip in frustration.
"That's why I hate being aggressive. How cruel that I have to act against my nature."
She cracked her neck and swayed her lengthy hair in the air, glaring at us with her blue eyes. She looked ready to perform a deadly pounce at any moment.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXI5m4ZA7Qp
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I stood beside Juke. We eyed the woman vigilantly. My prior assessment was overwritten as she didn't look like she would move at all, leaving me bemused.
But, then, a fireball formed in her hands. I expected her to throw it immediately, so I prepared to duck, but it continued to grow in size; it was far larger than her previous ones, almost as tall and wide as Juke was.
"Ah, shit."
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. Frankly, I didn't expect her to be so adept in fire magic that she could make a spell of that size. It was stupid of me not to consider it. The woman reeled her arm back. I had to act fast.
I ducked, placing both my hands on the ground. I began mana expulsion with one hand and performed spinning with the other. A wall of stone sprung from the ground before me. Then, I produced a Valencia-Bloom from the tendril, expanding it as far as I could reasonably do so. Juke already took cover behind me. Now, all that was left was too–
**SLAM**
"--Ack!"
I didn't suffer any severe damage. In fact, my defenses were hardly penetrated. But the heat from the fire nipped at me through it all. The spell dissipated in no more than five seconds, but it felt like forever.
"How the hell are we breathin'!?"
"Is now really the time for–"
**THUD**
I felt a sudden force clash against my shield. Due to my already shaky balance, I fell to the ground, but I made sure to retract the Valencia-Bloom so my arm wouldn't be dislodged. When the shield vanished, the woman took its place, her leg raised. She continued her assault, raising her knife and, with her other hand on the top of the hilt, plunging it into me.
I shut my eyes and grit my teeth, expecting the sensation of a blade being lodged into my body. But that never came. Instead, a metallic clang reverberated through the stables.
I opened my eyes. Juke intercepted her with his sword. He was on the ground with both his hands on the blade's hilt. Judging by how he was lying on the ground, gripping the hilt with both his hands like a rope, he must've slid.
They remained that way for a moment, engaged in a struggle between their blades. When it became apparent that she couldn't win, she clicked her tongue.
"Irritating," the woman sighed before kicking his helmet and sending him flying. She returned her attention to me, but I had used my borrowed time to regain my composure and swing the tendril.
My tendril hit her. But it felt as if I was the one who was struck, and it wasn't by a blunt object, but by a steel blade. Purple liquid erupted from my chest.
Yes, she was flung away. Yes, my tendril had connected. But when it retracted by itself, I found the woman void of bruises and her knife slathered in a viscous purple.
"D-Damn it."
I rose to my feet with shaking legs. She hadn't just blocked my attack but hurt me back as well. I clutched my chest and coughed harshly.
"How are ya?"
Juke stood beside me, brandishing his sword. We eyed the woman who was flicking the liquid off her knife.
"This ain't looking like a winning fight."
As much as it frustrated me to agree with his notion, I was forced to. Every attack I launched had been avoided, and the one time either of us landed one on her, it was more of a fluke than anything.
"So what do we do?"
"'Till I get how she keeps seein' the future, I ain't got a clue."
"See the future...? Do you think that's what it is?"
"Can't think of anythin' else."
I narrowed my eyes at her, mulling over Juke's theory. When I thought about it, certainly, it would make sense that she could see the future. However–
"There has to be a limit, or some kind of restriction. Her behavior is too inconsistent."
"I agree with ya, and I still got no clue how she kicked me from across the damn room."
Indeed, she had too many unknown factors about her, and combined with her astonishing physical and magical prowess, it made this fight impossible to win. I was wounded, Juke's weakness had been discovered, and the woman didn't look like she even broke a sweat.
"Are you two plotting something? I ought to interfere."
She broke into another dash, but it wasn't an utter rush; her steps were laced with trepidation, and her knife was raised defensively. It was as if she was approaching expecting us to attack her back.
My moment of clarity subsided as the pain washed over my being. But Juke, pulling me by the collar, had fortunately noticed the same, and–
"Book it, kid!"
Helped me turn tail as we both broke into sprints of our own.
I ran. I ran like the wind. I ran to abuse my legs. I ran to survive. But I wasn't so naive; my legs were small and my stamina was pathetic. Whether it was my lack of endurance or my lack of speed, the woman would undoubtedly catch up to me. No thanks to his luggage, I couldn't hitch a ride on Juke's back.
I swiveled my head. She was catching up to me like a wolf in pursuit, and I was sure to be caught in her fangs at any moment. I didn't try to speed up; too many factors prevented me from doing so.
So, if I couldn't speed up, then there was only one thing left for me to do.
I began mana expulsion with both of my hands, creating a mass of earth in one and a mass of fire in the other, expanding it. The woman didn't show an expression of surprise. She was expecting me to do this– no, not expecting, she knew.
Something about that pissed me off. So, instead of throwing it–
"--You!"
Her eyes widened. She skidded to a stop and leaped away. Despite that, I had to see this through.
I discharged as much mana into the fire as I recklessly could, and naturally–
**BOOM**
A Flinty incident occurred.
I used the stone I conjured up to defend myself, but truthfully, it hardly did anything. The most I could do was defend my head, and sure, my eyes hadn't burst, and my face wasn't seared, but they were still rolling on the stone pavement along with the rest of my body, picking up spikey pebbles and other trash like they were seashells on the beach. I only stopped when I collided with, something. I didn't know what and the means to find out were stripped from me. My ears rang, my nose burned, and I had to clobber dozens of particles off my face before I could even think of opening my eyes. But, my arms were too heavy for me to even lift.
So, I remained there, waiting for all the internal chaos to subside before I moved. Then I felt something touch me, then shake me, and I groaned in response. I didn't know who it was. Since I was alive, it probably wasn't the woman. Was it a street dog, or maybe one of those robed men?
Was it Juke? I dismissed the thought. That was a ridiculous proposition.
I was lifted and tussled with. It wasn't done harshly, but goodness, was it irritating. At that point, my annoyance powered over my fatigue, and I rubbed my eyes before slackening my arms yet again.
I opened them and saw the ground. Whoever it was that was messing with me was behind me. I couldn't turn my head to see them, though, so I groaned and heaved my breaths.
"Good to know yer still kicking. Which bottle 'ere is gonna patch ya up?"
Hearing a familiar voice, I was struck with an inordinate amount of clarity.
"Green, one," I mustered.
"Yer lucky I caught that first try. Open wide."
Even if I wanted to, I couldn't. He understood that too, so he grabbed my jaw and pulled it down, sticking the bottle inside my mouth. I was sure that I was going to drown; the amount of liquid entering my throat was overwhelming. But it passed as quickly as it came. I coughed vehemently, and Juke patted my back to help. I cursed my inability to voice my thanks.
"Take it easy, ya really did something crazy back then. Strong folk, I tell ya."
Now I just wanted to tell him to shut up. He lifted me and hung me over his shoulder, then he continued to run.
"Did ya get that crazy bitch? Err, tap once for yes, twice for no."
All I could exert myself to do was pinch, so I pinched his skin twice.
"Shit. Shit! Is she followin' us now!?"
I pointed my eyes up. I could only see a little bit of the ground, so I painstakingly raised my neck.
It devastated me to have to pinch once.
"Are ya kidding me!?"
Juke's running increased in tempo. Unlike me, he was able to at least keep the distance between him and the woman the same. Unfortunately for me, my head was bouncing up and down every step. I was sure that I'd vomit any minute, and then pathetically pass out a moment after.
But I couldn't afford to do so. I couldn't afford to be a burden when our lives were being threatened like this.
I tried to call it forth, but my tendril wouldn't appear. I tried mana expulsion– tried, but struggled. The explosion hadn't drained me of my mana, but my supply was so low I might as well have been shaking a bottle for droplets. I couldn't form anything grandiose or dangerous, meaning that I had to do something to just slow her down.
So, I formed a small mass of water. Supporting it with my other hand, I lifted my arm, aiming my open palm at her feet.
She didn't react preemptively at all. It gave me a surge of hope, and with that borrowed vigor, I fired the spell at her feet.
Except, I didn't fire it. It unceremoniously plummeted to the ground. She simply jumped over the puddle the spell created.
"Damn, it."
"--Ay kid, are ya seeing this!?"
"Seeing what", I wanted to ask, because I was still incapable of moving my body more than an inch at a time. But I didn't have to turn my head to see what he saw. As Juke kept running through the street, we passed by a myriad of bodies loitering about. My first assumption was that they were corpses– and, well, judging by all the red, it was likely correct.
But what really caught my eye was their attire: dark, hooded robes. All of these bodies were that of the people in Hard-Bringer.
Did a fight break out? Is that what happened? I looked up at the woman and she was entirely unperturbed. I was hoping to gauge a different reaction, but not only was hers uninformative, it was disturbing.
And then, my vision swerved.
"Huh?"
"I'm takin' a gamble."
"Gamble!?"
That was the loudest noise I had made that day. Juke didn't elaborate on what gamble he was taking. I thought of wiggling out his grasp right there, as obviously foolish as it was. But–147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ATlVnMmGw
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"Just trust me!"
He said it as a feverish plea. It shocked me into staying in place. With nothing else to do, I placed my faith in him. The sun-lightened streets disappeared and we ventured into a darkened alleyway. We came to a stop shortly after, leaving me confused and worried.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzBWpLbOmL
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Then, Juke began to talk, but it was clear that it wasn't to me.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOg0bCzUqT
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"Who are ya people?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRyclbLeFr
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"Wow, he really followed us. Well, sir, we're here to help. My buddy will be doing the dirty work, though."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMaNskGiBM
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"Buddy?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48ul7CuBB3
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I froze– froze more than I already was frozen, anyway. The voice that Juke spoke with was familiar to me, though I struggled to put a name to it. But then a set of footsteps sounded through the alley, and a man in a trench coat brushed passed Juke and me.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrbpZ3z4Ce
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Of course, with an article of clothing that distinct, I'd be lying if I didn't recognize him. My recognition was only solidified when he drew his hands in it and pulled two crossbows out.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50zYST8UXk
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"Quiet now."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1HaT8Uaip
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Pars gave a command to us all, aiming his crossbows at the entrance of the alleyway. I didn't understand why he was using two of them, but there was a tube of earth protruding from inside the coat and connected to the ends of the crossbows, so I knew there was some trick going on.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbSLN4DuKx
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Pars kept his aim steady, and steady, and kept it up for seconds, then minutes. I realized then that we had lost our pursuer, but Pars only tilted his head.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Kux4cjdIc
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"Where did she go? Do I smell that bad?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKrX0b8IQL
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He pulled his crossbows back and sighed, rubbing his head as he turned around. His eyes met with mine, and he practically blenched.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdANwvogZik
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"K-Kenny? Where did you come from!?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJmLapZFjg
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I sighed, and I smiled. There was something heartwarming about seeing this man act as usual, even if it pained me.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX229qmFSDA
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