"Hey, wake up."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYg2Ef3JSF
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPUKcvwU8L
"H-Huh!?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynvoBg10gj
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoz3aamXTjN
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPiLB8Ovtg
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTiVsWYjQm
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare ya."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFvxZVUtaw
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdH4eiHCUMz
"No no, it's fine."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqi8dMJe7DB
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJim8vLfbZ
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cH6THw20l
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKIx65AnIl
"Goodness kid, did ya sleep at all?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqb3EVhwdqy
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABPgnQcxmA
"Huh? Yeah, sure I did."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulmXXjRxTT
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63bfrs0lqq
I let out another yawn. After a dozen firm blinks, I was able to keep my eyes open for longer than two seconds.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeO0QWeDnPg
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKaZPFPORY
"Are ya sure–"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GjCTutaty
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYW6o77UjH
"Listen, Juke, I'm fine. I'm, perfectly fine. My neck is just a little sore, that's all."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05CNuR0YAU
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMuH6fB9Il
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVa0aCdoFWu
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PBhsitzMI
"Well, if ya say so. When yer ready, come meet me outside."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbju9wR3nQ
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sS4cMSb8R
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZkI005gel
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMcfzlTrWV
"..."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFb3uL876Qf
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4xOqGvk21
Now that the grogginess had left me, my mind worked at total capacity. It came with unwanted by-products.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqv2i5NxFGB
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXzsxH8aiv
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKSX5p729g
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMSWB4HgXb
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHs463kYuAx
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLCcvPJIHE
The plate was full of fish. It wasn't a food I'd associate with breakfast.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgcDnSibaz
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxjm2LJmd0
"Hi young man, how did you sleep?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawbSwVAd2W
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGarUU5cxg
His tone was cheery and amiable. He sounded like a pleasant person to speak to.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaopfK4HK1U
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPKiEmMJhh
"Hmm. Huh? Oh, were you talking to me?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOnungdC2l
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJBmtAK3u7
The man nodded. Now that I thought about it–260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPamkpRyQE
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXkIxFSAvQ
"What's your name anyway? I don't believe you've ever told us."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRg9P4GR8Z
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlM3p3mlGoH
"...You must be right. My name is Hank, it's a pleasure."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRnkHFRDGv
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kyunFCE65
"Hank... did you cook this breakfast?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLiFJpZzTe
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUGnkkEn6V
"I certainly did. Well, go on now, try it."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIU78LYTpv
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitkEGKjuQz
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–260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Z09M23eNX
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDe2DSglOW
"Don't gotta waste yer time ogling at it, kid."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9IxV2ID5J
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaxsONWMRV
Juke's statement interrupted my necessary analyses.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweiB8vhUox
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgu3PtAZht
"I guess you're right. Is good, Juke?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIGbI4japE
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyEhCDNLFa
"Yeah, it is. If ya don't eat it now though, some bird might poop on it and ruin the taste."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqG0Yx6Wi1t
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Qns1vWFdv
"What?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCB3z51LiFK
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZh0WONSHx
He sighed and flicked his head.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7n7hipcGr
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmPMBaa896
"Come on, let's enjoy our last breakfast here, why don't we?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaANHdKlUDG
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXblT60LIwT
"Last... yeah, let's."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtrpgRjyOr
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqREFIDSuNH
I took the fork and began to eat the fish. It had a kick to it that I didn't expect, but otherwise–260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAg4V1QInSh
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQacSusd9gV
"This is good. This is really good."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AVQccM8Su
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzErNWc0ce
"I told ya."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2WHLrsKnY
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOeYM7xJNy
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiyh5sfzj7
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCjbpq0kVF
"Wait a minute, Juke," Hank started, "how are you eating with your helmet on?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfn9tGVtQmo
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURqVxTodjd
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWMr2ZtigE
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhxDpixDca
"Trade secret, don't worry 'bout it. Just keep eating."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxS7n7bvQiM
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8k4dMC1zvP
The man backed down. I kept looking at Juke, but he wouldn't eat the fish in front of me.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpNCjvuPy0
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNZ3T8CBQl
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5niJYZFpv
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6rcs60mzM
–
–
–260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1p5BZwJVz
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kbQQV4sOx
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWRQRom1YH
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFNWCe8TS8
"So, you two want to leave the city, correct?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83Vidfm5u1
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIA1S3DW3p
"That's right," Juke responded.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EYgKgBFS0
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQvTRIgiBu
"I see..."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8uHO9wuli
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7HUat5Xhc
He pinched his chin and gazed at the table.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTaCA1xAOp
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8VAkd7hDV
"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."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EnFZwPo0A
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqbYckppuO
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4YJH90Pan
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITbAL3nAW1
"However, I do believe you two can get out fine."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZLF9K4P3k
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LJ9mXHrj7
"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."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoB0qBMOzyq
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbFHXMjqKZ
I nodded along to Juke's reasoning. Hank did too, less tense than twenty seconds ago.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOw1wYFjiq
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyA0V487TH
"Do you two have a plan in mind?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCGCHCocWb
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEjk8ALuTF
Juke turned his head to me, confusing me more than pressuring me.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ISRWwbAyi
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjclbLlZM6g
"What are you looking at me for?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKG5TmKi55
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9I6eukJqXS
"Ya got any ideas?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2fTEVJLK1
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuDn7jmF8U
"Why do you think I do, anyway?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PjPeW4Tx5
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOq5WcdqOrb
He shrugged at my inquiry. I just sighed and rubbed my temple, racking my brain for anything.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡba0deOgNUK
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VBUbdZMCQ
"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."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyLi6WE4Sz
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1GctROhTF
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzo4Xz1NXcq
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbuSa8Eqbk
"Hank, can you go outside and check the surroundings?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99K0wuhL2k
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhKjW4XEUA
"U-Uh, I very well may, however..."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHpdh71kOB
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9Q4Dzkvui
I raised my brow, then realized that just because Hank wasn't me or Juke didn't mean that he was entirely safe.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW39lylfx2K
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNC6jjIrM90
Rover's visage flashed in my mind. I brushed it aside for the moment, barely.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmThYF1q9uU
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cVuRdA6Ni
"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."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdq6JkJMxJg
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZb8tm6ApoD
"I see. I apologize for asking so much from you."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZMgg1urg8
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLfqDKyzYA
He shook his hands frantically and.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRLKyRJe17
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBJCacrUK9
"Oh no no, I'll do it. I just don't think I'll be able to scout very far ahead."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNy9UKnndd
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2H8MrrK39
"That ain't an issue. Just the first block should be alright."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9FvrQiPy2
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJCoFZP351
Hank's gaze turned abnormally stern. He stood up and did a few gesticulations to assure himself.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAgG249Cdp
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRtAAemdsV
"Pray for me."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYbuBLkr5C
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tqpL9xiQA
"Don't worry. We'll arrange yer funeral for ya."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTph3ycNf0Q
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskfH8Z3ATT
"Juke!"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0Gh8h0KPm
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzowIRCXZGL
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsj32YConpS
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bHhOa9jOk
"Thanks for trying to lighten the mood, Juke."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirhZrbPLtZ
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5E2PLJAc7
He turned his head to me, stuttering his words before taking a breath and speaking them coherently.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PICFqQwbE
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbbLNRBtul
"No need to thank me. The atmosphere's tense, I just don't want it to stay that way."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7mbaMMO1Q
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgL7vm6EgbK
"Still, I appreciate it."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCMTOqqI5B
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ni92RGEdH
I sat with my legs spread out, lowering my head and leaning over to stare at the ground.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkfrknI3Vl
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxid3YKaUhz
"I can tell that my wisecracks ain't all that effective, though."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8hzic16h1
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3IsrH9Z0j
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgJZ8zVQu8
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVSk1EcpiP
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbzcly7x8C
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQq8Px12rp
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21uKkYDksX
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYPPT7NHTk
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKhhqvSimJ
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GHZ7MnHnO
"Thank you for your help, Hank."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJH8gT9Fdw4
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizH7ln83fO
"Yeah, we really of ya."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvexys8nyR6
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡer9NImr6rh
He gave us a light smile and waved.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWAzJGxaXK
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvBpQBLv5t
"No no, it's fine. It's what Dennis would have wanted, I'm sure."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygrucIAw4k
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOUqoJAmob
"...Y-Yeah."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gLPD05vCl
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqnoiIHJAN
A morbid parasite was planted in me before we left. It began to eat at me instantly, but I did nothing to address it.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PXjbGQ2qx
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwC2DG69aDx
–
–
–260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTplj4zCNc
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdKlXh2ybw
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8Fc6MTApo
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwqXq2pkLI
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RZYTYBGnD
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMJaE4NFnC
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVpKsPYWMR
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4RUTkNWfT
"Hey, are you sure we're going the right way?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZZBgkc4QX
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkepmA7FSD
"Yeah, I'm sure. I remember that chipped building when I visited the stables earlier."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgGA037zDy
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8j4jqijU8
He pointed at a building opposite us. Indeed, it was chipped, but somehow I didn't find his memory reliable.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgngmuQynj
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKboATEdrH
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgZzyGwDlh
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHJgAAEEwm
"--Crap!"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAoDUhfkq4
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MMZzbpFym
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRTpIUvlv5
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZne2zUZUEA
"Crap. Crap!"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRm1jTFSuqb
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOmvJ7SXTn
"Eh? What's the situation, kid?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULZkXv3Byx
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhsKcMbE8a
"People are heading our way!"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpBtoABgtU
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMBON44Jzi
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5wv2mBdgY
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeb0EBbq2m
"I guess we gotta jump 'em."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfz6Cu8O1Y
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNnaxJwlSD
"What!? That's a terrible idea!"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuMa65FzOR
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHD38NbUfvF
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqU3bY5K7G
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ePd35K3Vk
"Okay, maybe it isn't a terrible idea, but we need to knock them out quickly."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06zcq07c3W
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QmPLnHLYw
"Yeah, killin' 'em will just make a mess and draw attention, ya make a good point."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEi2HrTfyB
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuiWXizaPd
"...Murder is the first thing you– nevermind, you gave me a good idea."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmowaNhgIu
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcJiL9H4II
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40DYCvni0a
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZLil57ruz
It was unexpectedly heavy. The weight of the shield brought me to the floor and strained my arm terribly260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcM8KP0b4Q
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeNT8jacAC
"Ack!"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJeDEnSN5I
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCtcfneU4d
"G-Goodness, kid. Are ya alright?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4ghozGUNU
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMajoMlOH3
"I-I'm fine, just keep quiet!"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIW33kgnliS
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzxOvHWDKP
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRbn2NG1Qn
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FGiyiWLSH
"Ya strong folk really are crazy."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOu7gPm25r
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWz2sSbGyH
"Shut up. Now isn't the time for this."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseM9KRRKHA
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvo9VKWayfq
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXfo6kOyLM
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVMaMPlOZ0
And, by doing so, I heard something that made my hair stand on its ends.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRkoxtnjaH
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSy9gxcVWDg
"--Yeah, we should find a place to hide, don't ya think?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCsaFDPCpR
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGJqJqpIt4
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSaK5VTXWG
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJxMYYFRXI
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGetgk45vA
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7ZMzE4uSn
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–260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EfWSfSfU0
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMu1r2gLqmA
"--Kenny, I don't know if that'll do ya any good."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsoOEVW8qh
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMd6mMBVI6
"Huh?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvESrUv4re
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5KKVmv4Xs
Juke's deep voice pierced through the thunderous train of footsteps.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aXhP0JsN3
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9kmdxEHfB
"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."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKdTneL5vI
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYZI4TN5Qb
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWeQHIu2aF
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWpE736l1w
"Why? Is it because I'm strong?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWdGCPecEu
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Lwt21z9DI
"Nah, it's cuz yer a kid."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjGdWdhVSs
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpiAX4mz6K
His response left me more stunned than I could've imagined.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeQkl8Kjag
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEx0OcgGQDi
"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."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUPExMUYI7
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSlOvSp0iC
"..."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeIDDTFvrW
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEj2n1shIy
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0POVtAITl
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWycDpbVLcI
So, I let my mouth run amok.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWl240I1Gw
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6qU5Cpt5O
"I'm sure you know, but what Rover told me has... affected me, I suppose."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVl4qtjGSq
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcydrbC8laf
"Yeah, I know."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoTtWMLtMq
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0i7KcYi7f
A pause. I used it to formulate my following words more effectively.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUccIX3CNV
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9BMgXBH62
"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."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMwp4m1CEt
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURKdS63b1c
I darted my eyes to the side. He nodded along. He stared at the wall across. I did the same.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklhLI0n7at
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWW1Ha8jBv
"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."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKsuSXNgz2
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtm9zDgMOUq
"That sounds familiar..."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0cqCqMmbp
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnK9F6FcbKs
"Huh?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLC7G0pnIgX
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfncN0I3TU
"Nevermind. Ya carry on."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9ozzJFTfO
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlb6o8C04b
I felt a little let down, but did as I was told.
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCF3RQotkDE
"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."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cOS3s235k
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznBerEfzFt
"Well?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdK0XStkaGQ
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjPrbzhkUA
"...The thing is, if I voice it, I'll probably break apart here and now."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7orgQ4RFou
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2a5fTsPGd
"Ah."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eoN1QFRvU
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaWCKx0sN3
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but articulating it in my brain was difficult.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwGVpTP27b
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cvKViZcYt
"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."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkzi8ruBQu
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgk8i90afIa
"Ah, the Lionant?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1IzT7MQrT
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vD9bBWRea
"Yeah. The one you saved me from. Thank you for that, by the way."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs564Vd0QlY
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KgBFEjBzH
"..."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV21uJgaZCQ
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjExLzIOh0
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWtHxsQC9z
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5A8yEBype8
"This might be a dumb question, but why did you save me back then?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4v6OokTDH
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlLaJbe4kJ
"...Yeah, why did I?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rYh23Bmfo
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuaxtafEew
I didn't expect to be met with another question.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEnLiy610x
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBjG5KVLmC
"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."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhBOe9zBqp
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxj6SpsIzvr
I turned my head to him. He had his eyes pointed at the sky, one arm slung over his knee.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziC5oLi9qW
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcikvNnIF69
"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."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKAfENAP3c
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBwguW1Noo
"..."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uYIMX59Y2
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaekW8Y5IC
I felt as if I should have said something, but I remained silent. Juke continued his gentle monologue.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQx6NFReZu
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfHbSBd8Ce
"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?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsjiTBol9P
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHJu9NX93p
"What?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlgwPvcQaP
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGLf0Ds5wf
"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."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRo9vTc20dG
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBAnvnZDqN
"That sounds... boorish?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvFfQCCm0L
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuS9gEaqjH4
"Pff, yer just too young."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5ws5RAYgC
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTlk91Zh2L
He paused for a moment.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpXevKXfTr
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNx4fQoM4Uh
"Why the hell am I saying this to a kid?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUMRwZ6VeK
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9StF1Cf8bz
"D-Don't mind that, just keep talking."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvp06TqmCFW
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8yaWyQnzT
"...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."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTYYBVHf6e
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQLs9k3asX
He took a second to readjust himself. I used that time to spill my own thoughts.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YVh9AaASq
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuoDJCmzWF
"That's silly... O-Oh–"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVAr89ntq7
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAulVRtww9O
I realized I had just blurted out something insensitive yet again.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPnH5XIv6o
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6jQD66mcy
"I didn't mean to be rude, but–"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYASmFQEcQ
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7LcSSo5ba
"Nah, I get why ya think it. To each their own, that's what the masses say, yeah?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaV2BDCalc
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHKZNjlH3L
"I... yes, I suppose so."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRztnMTplXq
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehZKbMpack
Another pause. Juke directed his gaze to the floor this time.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfd8qQFPl7
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUUuSryoi0
"I think the weak shouldn't have to deal with what the strong does."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlwrIGhCMa
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwsRiamiUM
"Yes, I know."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnN2uHbcFW3
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcPwbRTaHK
"But I wanna make sure Dennis is still kickin'."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0gjtnGpxN
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1Lb0qvAD0
He said that with conviction I had never heard from him before.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFI5fc0jQDD
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4afYaGyf1M
"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."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5wR3rVV2a
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6jCb9aDVH
"..."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyszaw6eJH
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQSLEwmvFy
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq554JVmMXi
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZ01P0tUrm
"Ya hear that?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRdhvUy3gf
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdvPqekuwq
"Huh?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CEgBdBr6C
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaanOAYZSa
I perked my ears. I didn't hear anything. Then, I realized what Juke meant.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGbyfNpLLh
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvEeNvGhaf
"They passed."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPf3FFuJsCP
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOS6aJkX5bK
"Yeah. I can't hear them anymore."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkyxX08Sjo
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNS84UHP51
Juke stood up first. He brushed the dirt off his pants and peered around the corner.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlhe3Qh8v6
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcF8eCauIqj
"Looks like we're in the clear. Phew."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35MRJrxhxR
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0tKBPe0Ix
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3XKvuxy74
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0Df0EUXwQ
Juke had already taken his first steps, though. He looked back at me once he noticed I wasn't moving.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFqggTUbAm
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlyxYpwWnZ
"Shit... hey, kid, I know what yer thinking."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7uLfuE8Ss
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1ybQhZ1h8
"You've been saying that a lot."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bOleavedR
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjhvvEHA3a
"That's just cuz yer easy to read."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2ToQnEuO4
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4WCPum8Gk
We stood stock still in silence.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukBppQVql1
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNV0BAJCle5
"W-Well, what are you waiting for," I muttered, "Let's get going."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMs3xu95hoY
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXbqfGkdbX
"Are ya sure?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFf2mqSdJk
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DecZ3wLs7
I walked out of the alleyway, looking both ways before standing beside Juke.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbQoHmKOG7
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuuPToF2J1
"I should be asking you that."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sXsqkgFai
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtSQ7r4IhK
"Hehe, I guess so. We've come this far, haven't we?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeuS3DWN0k
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6VcRLblLL
"Yes. You get it."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvCgdwcFPR
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjq3YuIbeM
But before we continued, there was one last thing I wanted to mention.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvc92ZlyncV
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRRzmizJPo
"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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJjRJ0GAP9
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgpeFIm7Vz
"Fine by me."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkHYkJwZM7
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0UUw5k8Go
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNaIx3W9V3
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHp00M0lt73
–
–
–
"Ya see that?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeslEcrUqts
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS69qslqIpw
"Yeah, we're almost there."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4nTf96Bil
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvRFUbwyvM
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡub63NwRhWx
260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUwJNiQcEC
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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJlYvG3yDO
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And as we got closer and closer, a sudden stench assaulted my nostrils.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqi3YckWOT
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"Blurg, what was that?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3ubh7QBwU
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3OQFsvfvT
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"What was what?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgS0WXftFd
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"I caught a whiff of something."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqCGy1XguY
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"Ah, gotcha. I ain't stopping, just so ya know."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtP9qHgGhJV
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Clicking my tongue, I continued following Juke to the stables, occasionally sniffing the air as we encroached it.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjS7c5DRxw
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And then, it came again. This time, more putrid than before.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT30Xg1bFRz
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"Ugh– ack, what in the world?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFgnXl8IZ8
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Wjal7Xuot
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But never had I wished for a door to be present more than now.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6P8RWRoZUU
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"...This is fuckin' horrid."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVogQvYy6ku
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1L336umJCb
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZH80N6qBJu
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Bile rose to my throat, but I was able to suppress it. That disturbed me deeply.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfmGaSDhDJ
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"Well, Kenny, I dunno if we'll be leaving by carriage any time soon."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXrFGNL7di
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"You 'don't know', huh? Are you kidding me?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA54aGpPebg
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUXVWFLpxt
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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."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgUD1PpAId
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYh7TRkemTw
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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–260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6RwONM1bh
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYuWyQpUTY
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Then, Juke began to talk, but it was clear that it wasn't to me.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1Zj7SG8eA
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"Who are ya people?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGpENMuDWs
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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."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUJ6RNraSO
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"Buddy?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHit42Seri
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrG65dKtZG
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdUQScg3rL
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"Quiet now."260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrAt1tbWmA
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEHY52UmVm
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WubfahclS
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"Where did she go? Do I smell that bad?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFr5uaMgMKa
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAY2JBE0Ez3
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"K-Kenny? Where did you come from!?"260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2BhWOJuwH
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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.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡff49dgtUdU
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