"Hey, wake up."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYdDc9Bp8A
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hGk1kblLw
"H-Huh!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iinozOrWG
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvIWaxHaa0
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFB5x97rD0s
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKOIO69tM5
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare ya."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCW5CCEtVj
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8kMpT7Sob
"No no, it's fine."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAqviH0ujC
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dOAdXvtWp
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7tbJTskz9
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9X6rBdRU9X
"Goodness kid, did ya sleep at all?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41asohj2iK
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoYyY0KATW
"Huh? Yeah, sure I did."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQw0fOnMwq
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡai3sIVle0r
I let out another yawn. After a dozen firm blinks, I was able to keep my eyes open for longer than two seconds.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImEIpDV9HD
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPP5w06IDn4
"Are ya sure–"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9X3jXYKn47
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCGcYngnZE
"Listen, Juke, I'm fine. I'm, perfectly fine. My neck is just a little sore, that's all."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgH1JVJ9gf6
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFG031Ashq
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCbuOw9TCP
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjVoAgKnfG
"Well, if ya say so. When yer ready, come meet me outside."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ynt5yV5RP
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63GkkLA2HK
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9d71YUKJtG
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCitgzSLwO
"..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1tXlwATcI
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYUM0zpBto
Now that the grogginess had left me, my mind worked at total capacity. It came with unwanted by-products.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpT939toQ5H
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgrwlwlzNg
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYKLBrDRuc
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEDicIZWu2
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIy0WNU6N9
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9C21JldzKc
The plate was full of fish. It wasn't a food I'd associate with breakfast.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpbf56jTsG
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1y4KwBswn7
"Hi young man, how did you sleep?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnW9CwnXqw
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3jUHwypmn
His tone was cheery and amiable. He sounded like a pleasant person to speak to.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Pe9kGjiA0
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaq8SkFS0h
"Hmm. Huh? Oh, were you talking to me?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGa1D8AdHe
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZQjWLV8q8
The man nodded. Now that I thought about it–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzepJgGcfK
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGMlgYz6yz
"What's your name anyway? I don't believe you've ever told us."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNLuoeGOS3
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iIR1LpQVm
"...You must be right. My name is Hank, it's a pleasure."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oX1cXrTQI
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0g48YJ3jCl
"Hank... did you cook this breakfast?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKf34Ko8MbK
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqOa3ChvCb
"I certainly did. Well, go on now, try it."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8m4VfJQ0sp
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2rqFncook
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–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrJHymWnoS
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuNJ2gXl8A
"Don't gotta waste yer time ogling at it, kid."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7Qw1oExsr
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iNmp4D7BR
Juke's statement interrupted my necessary analyses.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFMfauyf2u
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OsH7ghC64
"I guess you're right. Is good, Juke?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxY43qlg3es
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyP2xidPR7
"Yeah, it is. If ya don't eat it now though, some bird might poop on it and ruin the taste."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RBwyzwRY2
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NCfX1HD1q
"What?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7n7OsIa9E
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡME1o5SnxZE
He sighed and flicked his head.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKxTp3LKlg
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82IuOTUl0x
"Come on, let's enjoy our last breakfast here, why don't we?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKUm0t0aDu
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiPiD4Jbjt
"Last... yeah, let's."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1mOkcOm3W
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpSWebRim9
I took the fork and began to eat the fish. It had a kick to it that I didn't expect, but otherwise–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhbrOfzdDP
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblb8jmWo1H
"This is good. This is really good."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcISnzvFmDN
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOctgFWDqQs
"I told ya."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjMC9aCBQY
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSlNvIO79e
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2z489jlKCv
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKYOqUeqJW
"Wait a minute, Juke," Hank started, "how are you eating with your helmet on?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQKXZT0CCp
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZalzVzaO3
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qfeYMDnHL
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmknNN7xSM
"Trade secret, don't worry 'bout it. Just keep eating."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVmLoJ0ffi
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIkkSQeeI4
The man backed down. I kept looking at Juke, but he wouldn't eat the fish in front of me.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuYYvmgN00
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2jpjfVbWc
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr83Cq5osdW
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPv9wR7Z7g
–
–
–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TnizSEgY2
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeu2RW0BcMW
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwTq9jAZ5S
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxVQkzFMau
"So, you two want to leave the city, correct?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVVcKIXCRG
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnM7GeNkCvH
"That's right," Juke responded.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlr2lsXnnF
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKHW6WT3Vx
"I see..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEd8eojLcT
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGbqgh314b
He pinched his chin and gazed at the table.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SCO4eW1qy
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7FFMGncte
"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."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR307F3Qm3w
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYQ6lCzkig
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAm5KrLmmKX
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgrAifa09Q
"However, I do believe you two can get out fine."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRBdCvpT9y
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLt1cY9DwL
"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."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwm24EEbk1
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamr9TXlghx
I nodded along to Juke's reasoning. Hank did too, less tense than twenty seconds ago.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIGYRrxvxT
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREmd6tDR5p
"Do you two have a plan in mind?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbKg3V8PSP
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmUGsZ58pI
Juke turned his head to me, confusing me more than pressuring me.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr41dFfxRj4
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGDxaUbIFY
"What are you looking at me for?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TtG1kZH9C
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMIcc7mIOb
"Ya got any ideas?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9GWPM6tkv
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gUHkW8dOE
"Why do you think I do, anyway?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6R4ElUJsi
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliFJ44ARvI
He shrugged at my inquiry. I just sighed and rubbed my temple, racking my brain for anything.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI367tYQDtW
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqZQql3j4S
"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."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZz0P79MvR
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaw1L8jMOVt
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91J4viNRu5
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ953Xmg5VdD
"Hank, can you go outside and check the surroundings?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrU0y7poKnU
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HOMAH6UIA
"U-Uh, I very well may, however..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJztrJ4P5Td
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhy7BsLGGpI
I raised my brow, then realized that just because Hank wasn't me or Juke didn't mean that he was entirely safe.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjBVDmukng
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHN3SBbBWwc
Rover's visage flashed in my mind. I brushed it aside for the moment, barely.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnE75aXWwQH
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcpnARrZ1w
"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."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZ8Bbn7n9c
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lYR8U9B2f
"I see. I apologize for asking so much from you."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1FxsBm7Lk
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tJY6CmFDM
He shook his hands frantically and.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIgeoywDZ5
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtLyWvCoey
"Oh no no, I'll do it. I just don't think I'll be able to scout very far ahead."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPr7i7kUj4w
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ925kLTPnm9
"That ain't an issue. Just the first block should be alright."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfst4ZRZfkS
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzswI1OvbF
Hank's gaze turned abnormally stern. He stood up and did a few gesticulations to assure himself.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0s39FdwvOp
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLslnggHOz
"Pray for me."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfS4VOP7xo6
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3iixydmFr
"Don't worry. We'll arrange yer funeral for ya."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfGvAJwANJ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEiNAu7Pj0
"Juke!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXZQV5BPER
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9OJjt7CK6
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDKXsf6lLq
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8yzza4Q01
"Thanks for trying to lighten the mood, Juke."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhvDqHBtI9
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmo0pMkSi3
He turned his head to me, stuttering his words before taking a breath and speaking them coherently.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWD3OXV3aBS
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXmJ7QiN1w
"No need to thank me. The atmosphere's tense, I just don't want it to stay that way."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEPiVy9zh9
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb13uO0S2td
"Still, I appreciate it."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOj0UTNc7H
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGRxqyqNJl
I sat with my legs spread out, lowering my head and leaning over to stare at the ground.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkowrVl8Nq
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6QGboGhUn
"I can tell that my wisecracks ain't all that effective, though."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7Ik1ERpxO
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dkaMyqYEV
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pEk73ORbK
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifkCjF18ID
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSULq7gNRI
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgS2lP2aR4F
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0otzwD8KR
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgClVksmaY
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98NFBxbPz0
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhBCtn69F7
"Thank you for your help, Hank."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGMO8csrPW
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkOSGIfZgI
"Yeah, we really of ya."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRjAWzMZDK
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJDN2WTN1S
He gave us a light smile and waved.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdou2Hlz98s
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKR9plMY2n
"No no, it's fine. It's what Dennis would have wanted, I'm sure."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpY8Wpzxs3z
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eMckldNJG
"...Y-Yeah."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWG9IeH8TNz
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAHoVQ2jVK
A morbid parasite was planted in me before we left. It began to eat at me instantly, but I did nothing to address it.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuBs4Xcrdk
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9zYYeNkMJ
–
–
–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQROyV5kCdQ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7YKIWtNPG
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbusknlJjYo
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAnjvKN23t
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetqSYCUNwk
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwDy8YAzOY
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpLp1Q0UIS
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcnRXI3YHJ
"Hey, are you sure we're going the right way?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqOVUE3aya
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwNVezFxiq
"Yeah, I'm sure. I remember that chipped building when I visited the stables earlier."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oRikZzzCG
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMc0HhtgSNY
He pointed at a building opposite us. Indeed, it was chipped, but somehow I didn't find his memory reliable.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMp2A0HyQj9
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnOWOmboVP
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfW9YV5P0PV
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgGYjaFpHx
"--Crap!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJTtrItf9D
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0ZQliDjfa
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAiRDG3a6u
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVwZ8Hi5RO
"Crap. Crap!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9CS8vop5L
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08U8LKmHl3
"Eh? What's the situation, kid?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwOZeZhYqM
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ837bFqbEEP
"People are heading our way!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqCIqpUC9d
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdmTJoM05s
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO53ixvHDTD
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMlAvrDD8F
"I guess we gotta jump 'em."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOdb6D52In
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDmdqrQgzm
"What!? That's a terrible idea!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchqr8kpl4J
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmxvLHkIE9
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjGDQ1AQcY
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LCulcnKxe
"Okay, maybe it isn't a terrible idea, but we need to knock them out quickly."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRmySDGSsF
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVhKvjcckB
"Yeah, killin' 'em will just make a mess and draw attention, ya make a good point."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYcZOoAhA5
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WrzaBfmzr
"...Murder is the first thing you– nevermind, you gave me a good idea."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3f6jOBBCyJ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaZqZclyvm
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqg7Uujrzy7
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUMzAktXEI
It was unexpectedly heavy. The weight of the shield brought me to the floor and strained my arm terribly231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtEi4IJfWV
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQhBD5xoln
"Ack!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiwQ1W5LR9
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW49cGOtUPQ
"G-Goodness, kid. Are ya alright?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFW18LUk4j8
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCK3eY8ler
"I-I'm fine, just keep quiet!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmmVUy9JaQ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbOwe1itAc
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjY7c0QmDH
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Od0hheTPZ
"Ya strong folk really are crazy."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXBPVn8Nrt
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gaQk1Pkkb
"Shut up. Now isn't the time for this."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwtJ8s13C6
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNqftSlB6a
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOUnMcc87R
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiha85B1m7
And, by doing so, I heard something that made my hair stand on its ends.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9vrQumm0f
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03Z8xOylnc
"--Yeah, we should find a place to hide, don't ya think?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkprplv5gIT
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdtUuYaK63
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL69lTvXlgp
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtp3UoFCjK
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKakh13uzX
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAonvscuTix
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–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpDSj2aZT2
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe11AsA5Dah
"--Kenny, I don't know if that'll do ya any good."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYulE5YXyd
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yQVKcbt1j
"Huh?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87K2mtfqph
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgcIeoKemy
Juke's deep voice pierced through the thunderous train of footsteps.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcDcy4Pjvn
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVc1RBuQ8B
"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."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1o5d7JOMTS
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzLYNeGif4
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7SW3G5tWx
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjh4Deh02w
"Why? Is it because I'm strong?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrQCvLLThq
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Pvs6Sn5q9
"Nah, it's cuz yer a kid."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzgxAoKCXl
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFMqukPU7j
His response left me more stunned than I could've imagined.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwHPlnsXNB
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzZbPXZ8V0
"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."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmc2URvT37Y
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPncwSeXlE
"..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTC6UTVq0K
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNDC7Bg9VR
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhgU7V4V01
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnSMiBrYgE
So, I let my mouth run amok.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoIK5maUr0
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Jgn6kRstR
"I'm sure you know, but what Rover told me has... affected me, I suppose."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJkiJCmpng
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWF8HyxgVM
"Yeah, I know."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOesEdFFNL
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURLKD115G8
A pause. I used it to formulate my following words more effectively.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJz38HQp6rb
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftUDEX10H4
"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."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFZpUx4jGS
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHF7R84ixR
I darted my eyes to the side. He nodded along. He stared at the wall across. I did the same.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbH4w29GLFR
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hKU3XUwmq
"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."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyR0hANJ3Ll
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpybXL0k7oI
"That sounds familiar..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFNrpyIjsA
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFY3LRK5Yz
"Huh?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5MhGN0tpa
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6lnRjcMuf
"Nevermind. Ya carry on."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQm6hGsOwzV
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gqKBErEos
I felt a little let down, but did as I was told.
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUOwsVO4DE
"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."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlTThiY2sx
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjTLQPnKdx
"Well?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5z6bKkyqEf
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXsqb6poD1
"...The thing is, if I voice it, I'll probably break apart here and now."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhLtn8ODrs
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UsXbUTqOi
"Ah."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBaz6kDy4C
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsUZVjHtN4
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but articulating it in my brain was difficult.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiPMwW9vtb
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UVQGc6nC2
"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."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZ3m0GF5PU
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5Ehp5HEpk
"Ah, the Lionant?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrUzD9y1aN
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CWEHJvI85
"Yeah. The one you saved me from. Thank you for that, by the way."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzh55Ant45
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPa7T4qKtQ
"..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWomotFDl3m
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4RT62J8Mh
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLud42P32W
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx92ed4RtQD
"This might be a dumb question, but why did you save me back then?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFj3ngeDCk
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGHi4VJ0Xx
"...Yeah, why did I?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyobynbgeG
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhHViBLKJ3
I didn't expect to be met with another question.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZI6QqCZegv
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOUKiMeVeG
"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."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEaGQ9q7me
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOWu2b7yvO
I turned my head to him. He had his eyes pointed at the sky, one arm slung over his knee.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMAkpy4wR2
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YAvyTN8d0
"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."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGdeWZ98fb
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliw4XyyPJ3
"..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYWAK2JHhl
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgi87xgqHWc
I felt as if I should have said something, but I remained silent. Juke continued his gentle monologue.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfNjeG0V7F
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4HxClA8E3
"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?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZgOvYlPme
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynlUjbsYK3
"What?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62ABZgSE7J
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE88cy4NSwV
"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."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWL92WSuB0Z
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNaDjtfqvH
"That sounds... boorish?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvQkr7ZuTO
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6soJZc2Kq
"Pff, yer just too young."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQW8ATeXJ1f
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjskn96HgmI
He paused for a moment.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EFBIC8Rn9
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBQJxstn7i
"Why the hell am I saying this to a kid?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGhlDzxJiy
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT54cpeRRFU
"D-Don't mind that, just keep talking."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9cETRspZ2
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IiLTr4T8k
"...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."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZOIuPIwVt
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXd5IpDBWO
He took a second to readjust himself. I used that time to spill my own thoughts.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgm2jqiDVNH
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkrcmzB9Tq
"That's silly... O-Oh–"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4a6mDLyIx
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10FVDGDFUV
I realized I had just blurted out something insensitive yet again.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgDgwNIPlt
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggre9KdpVZ
"I didn't mean to be rude, but–"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZgCc0zcZD
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUDMVJSQ8r
"Nah, I get why ya think it. To each their own, that's what the masses say, yeah?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JCYGGQHJS
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpX7co7Groo
"I... yes, I suppose so."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkEkH50WCg
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFi1PmPbZ1
Another pause. Juke directed his gaze to the floor this time.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70HjJEyNnj
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5REQkknoU
"I think the weak shouldn't have to deal with what the strong does."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzOkWpe10m
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyvq6QPDU6
"Yes, I know."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCR0lgW53H
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLwUye6gqk
"But I wanna make sure Dennis is still kickin'."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCG9YiezJu
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpavDfoDSxM
He said that with conviction I had never heard from him before.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWzlIvA5gE
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBetmG0hFbM
"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."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1a7B3gB76f
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSkDExENbp
"..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxHBwuVcy2
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1Z8dQxnjp
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLGLlSQrix
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tEB8OoIjJ
"Ya hear that?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIh6rACqJhE
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaNujRgE37
"Huh?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIK01NUFnEO
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcTWnHEs2z
I perked my ears. I didn't hear anything. Then, I realized what Juke meant.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uLNBMEZSS
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfICecxUX1
"They passed."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhb0WSVi2s
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqfsdVI2Ny
"Yeah. I can't hear them anymore."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaRCtKYSXr
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oZ2quPm2c
Juke stood up first. He brushed the dirt off his pants and peered around the corner.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXKvyDFYUd
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrifBw5maa
"Looks like we're in the clear. Phew."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JdxRxOiSQ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7vo3oIp3H
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyShqNIamF
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwUg5IR0rv
Juke had already taken his first steps, though. He looked back at me once he noticed I wasn't moving.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZsXwiXlQG
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTMW3uC8KJ
"Shit... hey, kid, I know what yer thinking."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XtMf4P3sv
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ68k4gIpks
"You've been saying that a lot."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4CjYJyorT
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTNteAK8ua
"That's just cuz yer easy to read."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kL5MFujiw
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ845P4Llq1y
We stood stock still in silence.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6mYWqMD4P
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpZCPpJz22
"W-Well, what are you waiting for," I muttered, "Let's get going."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PV93kI2dB
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0BTWf8ILc
"Are ya sure?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mMMU1cgH5
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWMsVtHC85
I walked out of the alleyway, looking both ways before standing beside Juke.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctkmFqZvf8
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLTTexI1pn
"I should be asking you that."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe01dvU9Qp6
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0nzEmw7EJ
"Hehe, I guess so. We've come this far, haven't we?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZWV78U7F7
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiwq03pRR2
"Yes. You get it."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZUETi13ws
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡid4bE6MOVY
But before we continued, there was one last thing I wanted to mention.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLeIuCJy6G
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXPjB6aa0U
"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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fkT7NLeIZ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10T07rqKVa
"Fine by me."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJspSFejxF
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiunezRGDeN
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIac9KbJ27
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7Rnp6DJkU
–
–
–
"Ya see that?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwE731k53r9
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioIWGbHDbq
"Yeah, we're almost there."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGCvN6rHtN
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvVPPFgrP1
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpfk21xma9
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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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwv1hw7bYM1
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And as we got closer and closer, a sudden stench assaulted my nostrils.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFgHa8AZm1
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"Blurg, what was that?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGd5NNA7Wa4
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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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBa36o0OnA
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"What was what?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCnnDWMGoI
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"I caught a whiff of something."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6dcnioFvw
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"Ah, gotcha. I ain't stopping, just so ya know."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡil3K76AqOf
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Clicking my tongue, I continued following Juke to the stables, occasionally sniffing the air as we encroached it.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0nj14tgfA
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And then, it came again. This time, more putrid than before.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hSEBhNNAP
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"Ugh– ack, what in the world?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZ1ur18yjZ
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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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIlkOaljaF
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But never had I wished for a door to be present more than now.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLVURH3WcC
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"...This is fuckin' horrid."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeorv6sxfkE
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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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuws131dJR
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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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUQ5nYg04t
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Bile rose to my throat, but I was able to suppress it. That disturbed me deeply.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfCZVFgudt
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"Well, Kenny, I dunno if we'll be leaving by carriage any time soon."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXKxk56PKl
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"You 'don't know', huh? Are you kidding me?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHiRLoBhv6
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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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgWTNZx9sk
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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."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaQ0eS2kfQ
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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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVn0kQv8Pl3
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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–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMP6jW12OY
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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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ft6WKErvl
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Then, Juke began to talk, but it was clear that it wasn't to me.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qibqO14H8
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"Who are ya people?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbViuJxFaVM
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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."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspNFwU8h8Q
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"Buddy?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tcbbDidtV
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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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJF9JiMOKya
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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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqqdPBY1lj
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"Quiet now."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlalThaUUis
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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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiMDmwNoz8
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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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4jVJjU1R7
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"Where did she go? Do I smell that bad?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUE5ZZCrdW
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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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7i3ZupEcR
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"K-Kenny? Where did you come from!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsGaidZvrq
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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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bVJdVsgNQ
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