The fire cracked and popped. It was already dark out. Four hours had passed since the infiltration. Flinty, Ng, and Kenny were sitting beside the fire. Victoria just returned with more firewood. Kenny took a tiny bite out of an apple
Victoria sat down. Everyone was staring at the fire. The silence was oppressive, but Kenny didn't have the power nor gall to interrupt it.
"...I apologize for what has happened. My cowardice, my fear, it all led to this," Ng said.
"It isn't your fault," Victoria said, "as much as I'd like to say that it was nobody's fault, I think all of us messed up, hehe."
"Perhaps it was. But still, I feel as if I'm mostly to blame."
And thus, a needless back-and-forth started. Kenny didn't interject.
"Seriously, it's fine, you don't need to take all the blame."
"But–"
"Guys!"
Flinty suddenly raised her voice.
"M-Maybe it's Ng's fault, or Victoria's, but at the end of the day, Kim is still in trouble!"
"Right. Of course."
"You're right, Flinty."
"So... what do we do? We need a plan."
"Well," Ng started, "Jeremiah is formidable, but one of Panz's beasts has already been exterminated. Panz himself is also injured. Once we regain our strength, an upfront assault may be the best course of action.
"Right," Flinty replied, "Kenny can take the blob on by himself. Do you think you can do it, Kenny?"
Kenny didn't respond. He lifted his head and gazed at Flinty with beady eyes.
"...I'm not going back in there," he muttered, and their eyes widened.
"W-What, why not!?" Flinty cried. Shock permeated Victoria's expression. Kenny put a hand on his knee.
"It's best if we leave. Everyone will be in danger if we go back."
"But Kenny, what about Kim? We need to help her!"
"..."
Kenny turned his head away. Flinty's words didn't reach him. Frustrated, confused, surprised, and worried, Flinty didn't know what to do or say under such pressure. So, she didn't.
"F-Fine, but if you won't do it, then I will!"
"Don't! You're just asking to die!"
Kenny spat his rebuttal, Flinty flinched, and Kenny returned to gazing at the ground.
"Let's just... get out. At least, I can guarantee that you'll be fine if we do."
It hit her then. Flinty understood what was wrong with him. But still, she didn't have the words. Still, she didn't know how to convince his friend. Still, she couldn't help him. Flinty was dejected, upset that she didn't have the words.
She looked at Victoria. She was at a loss well, Flinty could tell. But, Victoria was older, and Victoria was smarter. Flinty was sure that she would think of something.
"Why don't we sleep on it?" She suggested, "We'll think of something in the morning."
"Yes! That sounds like a good idea!"
Flinty peered at Kenny, waiting for anything from him.
"...Fine."
Flinty felt relieved. Still angry, still worried, but at least she had time to think of something. And thus, the group readied for bed. None of them had any blankets or pillows, so they had to be content with sleeping on the ground. It wasn't comfortable, but before long they all fell asleep.
All, except for Kenny.
–
–
–
I couldn't get that thought out of my mind. This situation, this incident, none of this was like the one with my parents.
This was my fault. This was undeniably my fault. From the beginning, it was my fault.
That bullet. Why did I miss it? Why? Why? None of this would've happened if I just hit that bullet. That damn, tiny bullet made of stone.
I should've made it bigger. I should've been more patient. I should've gotten closer. I should've just used my tendril, or used fire magic. Who would've cared if I killed him? That alternative was so much better than this. Kim has been captured. The wolf is still out.
These thoughts, they kept me awake. I couldn't even close my eyes without that scene playing back in my mind; the bullet. If I just didn't miss that bullet.
"..."
I needed to take a piss.
I stood up. I tried not to wake up the group. I walked for a few minutes until I found a passable tree, then I took care of my business.
"...Crap."
I was already feeling groggy. I washed my hands with water magic and walked back, but stopped. Somebody was walking up to me. It was Ng. He stopped before me, carrying a makeshift torch.
"What do you want?"
"Kenny, do you mind us having a chat?"
I didn't even have any suspicions. It was ridiculous. But, really, talking was the last thing I wanted to do, so I walked around him.
"Kenny, what has you acting this way? Is it truly today's failure?"
"That's none of your business."
Ng followed me.
"I'll be blunt, this is abnormal."
"Shut up."
"Whether we escape the forest or not, you are the only one who can do anything about it."
"Shut up."
"Are you upset at me?"
I turned around.
"Huh? Why the hell would I be?"
"I see. Then, Kenny, let me ask you this; is this truly the best way to go about it?"
I didn't say anything, just tilted my head.
"You clearly feel at fault. I know, I've been in such a situation before."
"--!"
I couldn't say anything more. I couldn't even pretend to be mad anymore. I just sighed.
"Kenny, as an adult, allow me to grant you a piece of advice."
I didn't respond.
"I don't believe today's incident was your fault, but that is irrelevant. No, what I want to tell you is that, if you truly feel like you're at fault, then atone."
"...Atone?"
"Of course. It's simple, isn't it? You apologize for your mistake, and then you make up for it."
"...That is too simple."
"But it holds true, doesn't it?"
I turned my head away.
"It's..."
Ng walked up to me.
"You have a lot of power, Kenny. So much so, I'm envious of you. Perhaps you think you can't use it, but at the end of the day, who else can rescue Kim and fight Jeremiah but you?"
I turned around. I couldn't deny his words. He was right. And yet...
"That isn't it. That isn't it at all."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJOE67zJDa
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIL9tMDmOaU
Ng tilted his head. He started to look a little nervous, and also slightly annoyed. I wasn't talking much sense, was I?193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqUB3RXTR1
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKB1IKTzFLU
"Then what is it?" He asked. I had to take a moment to put it into words.
"...If I go back in there, then all of it will hinge on me again. Your lives, your well-being, all of it. If I go back there, then all of it will be up to me. If one of you die, then that's my fault. If one of you get hurt, then that's my fault."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoV87IuCai4
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"That's not true at all–"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzY5RYUFmD6
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"Let me finish! You, have you ever had a feeling like that before? You said you know, you said you've been there, but you haven't! I can't stomach it; I can't stomach that feeling that, it's all up to me, that I'm the one who has to be the shoulder for all of you to lean on! I can't, I just... I just can't..."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrZRNld3GR
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8dD07MDAV
I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKN5oiXnYPf
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfmooco6Vp
"All of you say I'm a genius, but I'm not a genius. A genius wouldn't have gotten us into this mess in the first place. And now, now that I at least have Flinty, and at least Victoria is here– and hell, at least now that you're here, you're telling me to go back in there, and then just, risk it all again? What if I mess up or, God, what if I cause Kim to die? I-I'm not– I can't do it! I can't! I can't do it alone! Kim is already gone, I don't have her to help me anymore, so if something goes wrong then it's going to go terribly wrong! D-Don't you get it? Don't you get it, Ng!? How am I supposed to do anything, absolutely anything, knowing that if it all goes to shit then I'm the one who's responsible!?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGZi1rYyxJ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nnDY7nYHf
I fell to my knees.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hcjxZtMhJ
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"K-Kim said it herself... all of it, all of it hinges on me... but I'm not someone to make that bet on, I'm not... I'm not..."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TYPgJmkJY
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVLSWoDBuN
I fell. I was in a fetal position and the top of my head was glued to the ground. I couldn't hear anything over my crying. I couldn't even move. I felt something touch my shoulder. I looked up to see Ng's face.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQftKMAETR
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"...Kenny."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcI21QSZxg
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnukYDmbBWd
"What!?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ARksNucAn
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ370crHKxpK
He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡof9qu8TkMP
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"You're not lying to me, are you?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9av62CSMOn
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The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiTdi4bRZO
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wLSTXvJxD
"That was quite a performance, but all I'm hearing is that you're just going to leave your friend to die."
...193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHUA3WqTZ3
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡay9FQtgkdz
I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4ZFnQimcE
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvw9zFizUk
I'm not... I'm not doing that, am I? What I'm doing, it's just to preserve what I have, right?193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcm7iurQzR
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1T4YeWpLLL
"N-No..."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnxKUl8Bp8
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztaXEbichO
Oh, God.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRM87zURWrx
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA75JNmb7h5
Oh, God.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKATLrVTkSw
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTO2IeqjAO
"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vlbjvyDIW
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LOvCnWoBT
Ng leaned down to pat me again. I slapped his hand away. I scurried backward on the ground, panting, tears still rolling down my face. Ng didn't look like a man to me anymore. I couldn't identify what he was. All I saw was something I didn't like. I kept scurrying back and I hit a tree, then I stood up, and then I ran away. I didn't know where it was that I was going but the light from his torch was fading and that's all that mattered. I kept looking back and eventually, I stumbled. Right, the roots here, they were massive. I got up and five steps later I tripped again. The exhaustion from before still hadn't subsided. I could barely move. But, at the very least, Ng wasn't here. At least Ng wasn't there.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Lmh6dYidG
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hqmkZ3tlz
But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkE1Ti42WLG
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xfjCLoXB9
"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSJrCqvS3Z
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPmBH8CKF1
It wasn't the way I thought about it. So, here I was on the ground, affirming myself. Of course, I wasn't leaving her to die. Of course, I was just trying to make sure Flinty and the others were safe. Of course, Ng was right. Ng was totally right. He saw through me, but worst of all, I knew Ng was right, I knew completely but that didn't change a thing. I still couldn't even grasp the idea of going back there and fighting and– and maybe Kim really was killed because of me, because I couldn't do it. But Ng was right. I needed to go back.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjs7VntrNuU
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKqzhrvX9H
But if I went back then what if it goes wrong? What if I go back and I see that I've truly failed? What if I go back and I see her– her–193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVn47J0h0nI
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"--Hrk!"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDgODLZq0h
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I managed to hold back my vomit. Somehow that cleared the haze in my mind. I leaned against a nearby tree. I didn't think. If I thought, then I would've heard Ng's words again, and if I thought, my anxieties would've crawled back, and then I would be endlessly running. So I sat there instead.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3tcWk0eaM
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One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYd5O2Fn3zb
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"There you are."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDXYoAyl0K
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdGu7IPiTy
Ng already found me, huh?193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUGbcuIZuy
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"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoG4wJh7Z9
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsa2857lCn
I casted a gaze his way. An indescribable tug on my stomach was telling me to forgive him. It felt terribly unnatural, but I couldn't help but give into it. I didn't accept his apology, but–193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDAt90mEHe
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeU6eLKsFD
"...Fine."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDcO29KfJG
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LhbDzdxpr
He offered me a hand but I stood up by myself. I followed him through the woods. I was staring at his heels. Sometimes he turned his body to me, likely to say something, but he didn't speak it.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTy0Q4Ddun
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"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzNOax73LF
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Nevermind. What a strange question.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYYBdSRb09
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"No. They died a long time ago."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKhLIcqSOt
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"I see. You have my condolences."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImrgRAe33p
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"I don't need them."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqKKb9S390
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A pause.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQVnE2psWl
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"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOs1Xr0tfo
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"..."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxEikTKXBM
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I stopped walking. Ng stopped shortly after. I don't know what it is that just happened, but a button of mine was pressed.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqCx49LOa1
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ojdGDrmmb
And then the memories came flooding back. Those months where I refused to walk outside, being taken in by Anabelle, and lastly the talk. That vital conversation I had with Anabelle and Jackson. I started biting my nails.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKI9Rnpf8FB
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Despite it, nothing changed. My mind was still at odds with itself. But I calmed down. I calmed down a lot. At that moment, a bundle of warmth spread throughout my body. I was feeling fine.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTCIziuM0u
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"Did I–"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH77ovi7rOQ
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"I'm sorry Ng. I still don't think I can do it. At least, not now, not by myself. Even thinking about it is making me shudder. I can't go in there."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYDXphBFUA
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"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6rReVk1AX
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I had to make sure I heard him.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxSY4vRFfn
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"Assistants?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9PJYOI6tA
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinQS0E99Tv
"Of course. I can still use the mana here to make some. It doesn't have to be anything powerful, just enough to grab Kim while you're fighting Jeremiah."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRQwDohukg
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr26fzGYd2Z
"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1VzfAPif7
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3Tg8QEIxR
"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZp5Q2Ra2l9
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpP2COavgF
"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rCfNcEUPv
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We kept walking. We didn't exchange another word but I could feel the air around us lighten. Thanks to the campfire, we made it back to the others.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquEPEJiGxT
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Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLXjJZYEUY
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"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcG5eRyZJC
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Flinty ran up to me and gently hugged me, patting me on the back a few times. I would've been embarrassed if I wasn't so bewitched by the presence of the third person.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7rkD2u7zU
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Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2uQXZEsBO
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–
–
–
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We were all sitting by the campfire. Though I was sleepy, the knight's presence alone made me unable to sleep. I had too many questions to ask, and it looks like I wasn't alone.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwVwsJ5WdV
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"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbfCm5SPAU
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcadgj6cUw3
"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ha2wghAi0
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"Of course."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7uyV9wwk0
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"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMduK7865kw
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZivp0ACz7
"Ah, of course. I am here because I've been tasked with tailing Kim. My reasons are secret, but I assure you it isn't anything malicious, not from either party."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbq5KE1fyp6
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Tailing her? Well, if that was the case, he must not have been very good at it. But when your target is as disguised and inconspicuous as Kim, then even a knight would have difficulty pursuing you.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrHiNwO0wK
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But, no, something else was bugging me.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NUtYNF6uN
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"How did you know where to find us here?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAdSMZXxed
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"I simply spent the day searching."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsa74Fw1t4y
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"The whole day?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSb58NJl13
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He didn't respond to that. "Victoria's mother informed me of your whereabouts. This forest may be small, but it sure is dense."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctgA9tjKkX
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Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlf7JINNzo
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"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewdxwJYjEG
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He sighed.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSwzmHJefN
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"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFWXtDwMuU
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"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLIhy0CdVl
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"Oh! Yes! Kim is being held captive by a magical beast my ex-colleague has created. He is formidable, and occasionally reckless, but not a creature who would intentionally kill. He wasn't programmed that way."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4J5EjeUect
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"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQc0SiypC1
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"...Why do you ask?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijYpTel28Q
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rJCRG6JCO
"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOK4b6WK0DY
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5PHSslZTc
Those words made me perk up. They had two meanings to me. Ng went on to explain the blob's ability to contort its body and produce a hypnagogic haze when injured. Skylark didn't look intimidated at all. I didn't see him in action yet, but I imagined that such confidence didn't come from foolishness. Skylark's presence was still strange, and I'd be lying if I said that I didn't have any suspicions about his relation to Kim, but– frankly, it didn't matter. Frankly, I was just glad that I was able to pass the baton onto somebody far more capable than me. A short while later we all returned to sleep; aside from me, of course. And, apparently, aside from Skylark. I lifted my body and stared at him. As we stared at each other, I tried to unbridle certain words from my throat, but he talked first before I could.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQ6e8CYGrM
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatttdkSSJF
"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9yA8sfAaP
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5ixKdiTew
"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKs152xxlGX
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6a1EfG81jz
"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6UpFsn5X4
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0C5ckSDwlk
"I see. I'll get sleepy eventually, it's just a matter of time. But since you're awake, I might as well talk with you. Talking with people is especially exhausting."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoE1WupH0an
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEy4NeiSyEm
"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogevHPbfbN
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw33Qd8zqDy
"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgg1e9wIUM
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqgshAhjLX
He put a hand to his chin.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1oEX0YuLL
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6Ry4Q593y
"...Well, I'm sure you in particular will find out soon. For now, let's just say that I was sent to defend her, in case anything goes awry."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5C81XsPzeT
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHtoKnukDz
"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMl4kHMfU9
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5G5vQc3ff
"No."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJjKpDom95
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQJDM1fkRG
"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyXzMAFQ0T
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzDHvFUjeD
"Do you mean in the woods?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6o74tJoLl3
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxjKFKU1NV
"Yes. I'm just curious."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8hHnlbXFA
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMPLi5raOo
"I entered the woods two hours ago. I was told by Linda to wait until it became dark. Honestly, these woods are a bit of a nightmare to navigate."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyU57WqtvcD
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTvwmfd6Cf
I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELLb0XyB9N
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuAI7YCHai
"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wV4xoIPpU
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKGpU2xSAo
"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsV05Es3Xv
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6u11BlPOL
"Me too."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HS1syakMG
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OOo7v8zLc
I realized how strange it was that he called it knightly duty, since he met us by coincidence, but didn't press him on that matter.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHlycsq1Eh
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAqmsrKiAT
"Is that all you wanted to ask?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElM5mvjIhi
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2RuyL2JOs
"Yes. For now, at least."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkN90QQ8x0
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmvc5da1OK
"Are you sure? I may not be able to answer all questions related to Kim, but I have a lot of knowledge of other things."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3M0kbWMuc
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhx8oajkgd
"..."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXdHiF6zvw
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6As42cGrlm
It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46N8xM7Jbz
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfXtJrWHh9
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTxjetRERE
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0CRk3JEBF
"...Huh?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOB4dgTjOg
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkHwL2ZvTX
–
–
–
There was a gap in the trees perfectly positioned to where the sun hit my face. I woke up with an uneasy feeling in my chest and had difficulty keeping my eyes open. Needless to say, I didn't sleep well. Despite that, I was feeling fine. Everyone else was still sleeping. Everyone, aside from Flinty, who was not present.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0X1xEFViD
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuH9HghWN0
I thought of the worst immediately. I calmed down once I heard a sound nearby. I walked towards it and saw Flinty standing with her arm out, creating water balls and... firing them.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKkvAHw65D
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EeZs2MDAO
I wouldn't repeat the same mistake as before, so I stood by the sidelines and watched. She didn't even have her eyes closed, yet she was able to create a water ball and maintain it for twenty seconds. And then, she fired it. It was a very weak spell; it hit a tree and merely splashed it. If it was another element, it likely would've only scratched the bark off. I was still impressed.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUflJJy1TKw
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqhXj2chRq
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyydrIXCVRg
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXduD5hj61
"Good morning, Kenny."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2Fy72H4nX
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqpZ1NgBec
"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6c3LdF2XY
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO81OHSllzh
"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwdKteCZp6
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrT6hqeBCBv
When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VjMbfbpTL
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9iEy5Mugy
"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYq3K14MgKs
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nf9elusgT
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOsXa5gf4t
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdY7fhGXNYQ
"Yes! I have, ha!"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglCfAY4K9P
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7JLBTdKiE
She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrvJ2nZZjb
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhMC702DSz
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cBAClXAlE
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Jppz7ZYr1
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfLMJKCvv6
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ENmS7OJ56
"Thank you, teacher."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ124CLxEyv
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡke7wmSwXMM
"Yeah. Don't call me that."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9bNlFh1ho
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSghwZyGMaA
"Okay."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizNYiiJKfp
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOiCtJ6wdK
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkmOEvtt9J
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmmrkMhaMM
"Hm? What's wrong?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMtIG6lDxc
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡit0vRP4sD8
"Um..."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRy1bzvIFd
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gLJk7PJ7W
She let go of me and began taking off the coat.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHNxTWFAEr
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchzJDWiR32
"Here. Have it back."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cYVmLHWNf
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vOIYJ5k8L
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEZDiwWVlS
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLbDwx3uf2
She shook her head no.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqIrgNPxxa
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouxOEwvSUp
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgf3ea2Pkit
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5K9jLPxye
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5B3nR4j34
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WSoj9U5f0
"Thank you, Flinty."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKQYMFMo2p
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEnQ7tkmHF
I grabbed the coat and put it back on.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONYRhQ1lCA
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EBJrMuboU
"Kenny, do you feel better?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiHB8jO2bo
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MNCunTXcK
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RJ61Fg6tQ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBs8HW2VLnJ
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49WtTELU49
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmslA8mbfhw
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zIhsbDbd4
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5Tb8ntrfD
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrxnf8B53o
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyL7oikqMg8
"Good morning, Kenny."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4J5nbITrJa
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY14Tu77ORm
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMRJA348uE
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVQxGq0JwQ
He nodded. When Victoria and Ng got on their feet our strategy meeting began. It was simple; Skylark would enter the compound and battle Jeremiah while Victoria, Ng, and I would surround the building to capture any escapees. With that set, we began our breakfast. It was just simple rations, but they tasted especially fresh. Flinty and Victoria were engaged in conversation while Skylark vigilantly watched our surroundings. I looked at Ng and was suddenly reminded of last night.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYC6LFvmzlr
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eQcRDt7p9
"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4Uw3PWezU
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQT4Qn6RO3
I scooted closer to him.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAw4xrPU8a0
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoo0aIUENZJ
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURNVqM8Llq
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLc4L7kSYlD
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9d6g2S1G1
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxi65jTY0qE
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOgfRfNSJu
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsfKWWCpOS
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8LS4vp1XP
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Uzn77IM9J
He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rLsjU3Iwo
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡos2SU3v1YH
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGxeIdZOsF
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJPYOn4KQw
"What?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxZ1CMWmvL
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjYKM7S69t
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktSRJwKk6O
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSwPT3eYVV
But then I thought about his behavior back in the cellar, and during the initial stage of the infiltration. He lightly punched me in the shoulder.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvfosPvQjS
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6kBeRDCVb
"You and I are alike, I've realized. But unlike me, you are powerful and gifted. I know you can liberate yourself from the fungus in your brain. You are still young, after all."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC929ZH8Dgp
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYmGzEmbNw
"R-Right."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLg8HebNNf
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUvPo8arDI
"Well then, shall we go?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtdzH2CSfY
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUxopG77BU
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarYutSj34b
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNM7F3lAbD
"Alright."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8u80olhxN
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZ2XABIQ9d
We grabbed our bags and left the campsite. With Ng leading us, we arrived at the compound thirty minutes later. Flinty and Ng stood nearby in the woods guarding our things, and more importantly, away from any attention. Skylark, Victoria, and I stood before the broken gates of what was essentially the compound's front yard. Skylark took a step forward. He had a rag covering his mouth.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfCwe5YNQw
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotugAPCXv2
"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPlxrZaeOM
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MzaXX6oxm
And then he walked across the field and into the building. Now Victoria and I stood there alone. I felt a hand on my shoulder.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDXaqVRx0M
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnTZZjx9DN
"What?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWAXZbL3vt
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsieMLTdL81
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxihRUx9Fm
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXIcrg03CO
"I know he will."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeujKh8cWIn
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunlnz6QRUS
"Then why are you shaking?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlFrhoYHdQ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMD2bd3149i
"...I just can't help myself."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcKW04zSEa
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DFc0my5vL
I walked to the walls and sat against it. Victoria joined me. We sat and waited. Five minutes passed without anything happening. Ten minutes passed without anything happening. Victoria was jittering a little.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlePgpNZJ4
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemFBa1UWvi
"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnpDkMqDah
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCNYypvzh7
"What do you want to talk about?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpHwl6iFPS
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstnl9X2xcu
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaVl9qU4pB
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwj5xv22vk
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAVeayNifa
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImkb2o4MY8
"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2BxBdwx7O
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CDexezcwK
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwQRsioK1e
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzGqIg5Tyq
"Ha!"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczwjJxb58S
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoOokVry8f
She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEn7BKtoJCd
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZBFq92upF
"These muscles came from all the work at the farmhouse, and fighting is something Mom taught me. Y'know, she used to be a combatant! An extraordinary one, too!"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnsQzWw5Kw
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuyZw7luqg
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuFpqYPQgW
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbBkSUj49F
"Hehe, something like that."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyxtclAV9X
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2K5cbEGtI2
She didn't sound confident.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeu3JKpcvvt
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEB8MckaeF3
"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnV0V6eWAb3
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuyMI1B9OM
"Ah. That makes sense."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjpAQZmc2Y
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WrpzJdQOW
I was very close to saying something insensitive.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06dfTy0WBx
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡol3PSxNPEk
"That blob thing was a bit too much for me to handle. I think though, if we were to fight that wolf, I would be fine."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLiIAIaio9
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOR1vYCWre3
"...Wolf?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUC2ItN8Dz
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuBI2bGENd
All the air suddenly left my lungs. I looked to my left. The broken gate. Its mauled doors were sprawled on the grass, and chunks of stone accompanied them.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgPqhIOuy5
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9jNOp5qFJ
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBS60Ovspz
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28H49ReIX8
"Kenny?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTm3B6cFPj2
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2H2XaBpqr
With how quiet it was in the compound, I naturally began to theorize. I did not doubt that Skylark was alright, but we should've heard something, anything by now. Because we weren't, then Panz must've been hiding. And I already knew from Ng that Panz had the ability to summon his creations.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVkymiuToZ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzGsuthTl7
I stood up and walked forward.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSerMx46yik
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RPpEbHy2w
"Kenny? What's wrong?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSY9AUbRupV
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXM2zBs5bbW
"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡae3hmrmaKE
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WMnSNdCTH
I took my tendril out and grew a Sunlight-Blossom. I snatched a seed and stuck it in the ground, then grew it to full size. I clasped the flower by its stem and aimed it at the woods.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZmcjEeJVt
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7qfRYDPmU
Victoria stood beside me with her hands raised. She caught on fast. I keenly eyed the woods, almost like a hawk, waiting for anything to flutter.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOb0lu9nz1
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2QgfgUIPG
And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMBS5k5a9w
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUN2oHTU20d
**BANG**193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhj7tppMaZ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXfftuVm3r
The Sunlight-Blossom's seed rend the wind and trees. It left my line of sight in a second. I didn't catch the beast, but that wasn't an issue. A resounding wail echoed throughout the woods. I saw the bushes fly in the distance.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKs8A2FbTwZ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9eyA4eE4M
"Victoria."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILnlxC34F0
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Lo6MJJWD5
"Right."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhp7XTEmuZ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLLGlQW30B
I had to think fast. I produced a Freeze-Dry and encased the ground in ice. Next, I brought out Dragon-Maw Jr. and raised the tendril over the ice.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOgGRulBYT
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknwcTnLQPI
**SMASH**193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXFiODs8GN
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpLlAloAXJ
There he was.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQTi4a3ljs
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoe66bGnsOH
The wolf crashed through a tree and landed on the ice field. He lost his footing quickly. I lowered the tendril and Dragon-Maw Jr. snapped his jaws immediately, nipping at the wolf's back. The wolf slid towards us with his maw agape, brandishing hundreds of sharp, unsightly teeth.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcIZaA7588
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvYNprf51p
Victoria crouched. The wolf jumped. I retracted the tendril and prepared to strike, but the size of the wolf surprised me. I hesitated. But that was fine. Victoria clenched the wolf's neck as it soared through the air. She slammed the beast to the ground, hardly able to keep it pinned, but she was able to punch its snout a few times. The wolf struggled and clawed Victoria in the chest. She winced, and the beast escaped from her grasp. He was bleeding, but so was Victoria. She reached for her pocket and doused herself in a healing potion, then threw the glass bottle at the wolf who stepped aside to avoid it.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oKoGoOklE
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3pvSddauf
"That thing is strong," she said, "We can either wear it down or pin it again, but if I do, you need to kill it."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLr3WIXmpi
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4qnoTAl2m
"Right."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevaxOcOyAB
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9t1GaewOVw
With my other hand, I began mana expulsion and created a bundle of thin, elongated rocks. I threw them at the wolf one at a time. He avoided them all, but as I threw, Victoria inched closer. The wolf jumped at her with his jaws wide open. Victoria stepped to the side in the nick of time, but as the wolf landed he turned around and leaped again. I struck him with the tendril and he spun across the field.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuts73XfZv
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCMfuzHRm2
"Thank you!"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GIXjr2el4
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxb9JTcYXaD
I nodded. The wolf was temporarily incapacitated. He was still bleeding from Dragon-Maw Jr's wound. Victoria and I were unharmed. We could do this.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwhlAsz2Eu
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOvpSfVIsZ
I began mana expulsion again, creating a stone and suspending it in the air. I covered it with fire magic. The wolf came back to his senses and sprinted at me. I stretched the tendril out; he avoided it but I struck him as I retracted it. I threw the fire-rock at it. The wolf caught it with his mouth.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXzBQFGgyh
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0HxxlXZan
"Huh?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstANe6hMW1
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WnKIXmTbb
Not just that, he clamped down on it, shattering it instantly. The fire was proven to be ineffective as smoke casually escaped his mouth.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJe8xanGKd
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17SomoK43M
The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKYjaPXgaD
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYMlmylSzg
"Shit!"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstM20xH3Zp
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3ZjMWtlvf
I put my hand on the floor and created a small wall of earth before me. A stream of fire pummeled it. I wasn't harmed, but the heat made me feel woozy.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uCKdYLmsk
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1lbyDJo26
"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZb3wOnVmL
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKHfI65hpz
I removed the wall and began mana expulsion again, this time, creating a ball of water. Victoria was beside me, her palms open and her fingers strained.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixujR090x7
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVMVk5k9Ou
"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGhx75vfRh
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGRjYilPb2
"I understand."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ufaTjvTuB
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmQ9VhvyZf
I retracted my tendril and began mana expulsion with my right hand, creating a bundle of pebbles. I shrunk the water ball down and clasped it with my left. A pure-white water geyser erupted from my palm. The wolf avoided it but found himself on the ice field again, and thus lost his footing. The geyser ran out before I could hit him, so I created another ball of water. The wolf blew fire on the field and melted the ice, and unfortunately, made the grass catch fire as well.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CUZUqTsK5
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOIkJT8waX
"Uh oh, Kenny."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwdmj7SzJR
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeOMpwKoRG
Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhA7IqMIMI
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MkA37MlP4
"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESPqebpYdN
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSsjDBCUtl
I didn't clasp the ball this time but spread it out across the field. The fire was extinguished and the wolf was now wet, but seemingly unbothered. He started charging at us again. I scattered the pebbles in my right hand with intense force. They were small, but the wolf would undeniably be hit and staggered.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJy4mWBKuB
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bhe1Aqr42
But, though he was hit, his charge didn't halt even a little. I panicked and brought the tendril out, stretching it out yet again. He didn't avoid it. Instead, he snapped his jaws at it.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfydpUsZCec
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnowKFBaJEo
"Hrk!"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkNE0twubq
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OyW7SCWV8
Pain permeated my whole body. Maybe even my soul. It was terrible, but the situation wasn't irredeemable. The tendril was in between the wolf's jaws but was still intact. I quickly thought of a way to retaliate and produced a Flash-Bloom. I'd be lying if I said I expected it. I hurriedly held my hand over my eyes.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuusdMy8J9
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbAs9bHGxy
"Victoria! Close your eyes!"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Yl0YhJNXf
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYcxjLUG7b
Even with my eyes covered, all I saw was white. Pushing the Flash-Bloom beyond its limit was exhausting my mana supply but I didn't have to keep it out for long. A few seconds later I stopped it and opened my eyes. The wolf was still gripping my tendril but was nabbing at its own face as if the light was on him. I produced Dragon-Maw Jr. and he bit at the wolf's nape. The wolf let go of my tendril. I coughed out some purple goop.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbiUAnS5e2
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhfN5ghINT
"Victoria!"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAxIFC30jY
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYWLDa1gWZ
"Right!"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqs8RCCJ5h
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6QsMTSU3Y
Victoria ran over to the wolf. She didn't pin him down, but instead, grabbed one of his oversized hind legs and bent it in an impossible direction. The wolf opened its mouth and wailed and readily spat fire. With all his squirming, Dragon-Maw Jr. could hardly keep him in place. I produced another water ball and flung it at the wolf. I managed to perfectly land it inside its maw, and the beast was forced to cough it all out.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXhSHu8bn3
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9r1um7symJ
Dragon-Maw Jr.'s teeth sunk deeper into its neck. The wolf was still desperately clawing at its eyes, but each succesive swipe made it obvious that the beast's strength was fading. Victoria broke its other hind leg. The wolf struggled, but he didn't attempt to spit out fire this time. The wolf simply howled, and howled, and its howls grew weaker by the second. Dragon-Maw Jr. kept clamping down. I noticed it myself, how the neck was being sluggishly pulled off the body. Victoria clasped the wolf's snout. She began pulling at it.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdt58iC7Und
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNUDulFANh
"GRAHHHH!"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVm16StVKQL
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngYn8TCQRQ
A warcry. She was a total barbarian.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJad3g8VNJ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguzCMEfqsB
With the help of Dragon-Maw Jr, Victoria tore off the wolf's neck and threw across the field. The head crashed and spallered against a tree. It immediately evaporated into the air, and the rest of the wolf's body followed suit. She grabbed her knees and began to pant.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcHuehfjd4
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMsUEVMMRm
"..."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1wTaUXse5
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCb6p7Pl1xX
I retracted the tendril. My mana supply was relatively plentiful. Still, I plummeted to the ground, face-first. I stopped coughing up purple goop, and a minute later, it stopped oozing from my chest.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuY7BmewfQ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDr9jgY0gy
I had questions about it, but those were for later. At the time being, I was happy. I relishing the moment. Even with grass pressing against my face, I was relishing.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebxeLz6a57
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkZmu5Q0Ox
We did it. We really did it.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChPScKjysN
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nXTwBpziV
"Kenny!"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38z7a9YQeZ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyu53KxYJK
Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVvf5zXsz9
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTU4oOWEtj
"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLFRf9xpnp
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRYdN6u8un
"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9ruwzimo5
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKO6S3v5Frq
She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWW6Y1jg1X
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7HIKM1tT7
"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLH6t8I3i5
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxs35xnUFoa
"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHwg786bR1
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiaHVO5q67
She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6QHGVZAr5
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIfQyxYVWA
"We did it," I muttered.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMniODU06jm
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcYY1KeMaJ
I struggled to believe it. Not just because the wolf was taken down without much hassle, but because of how I was feeling.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqlExljKNJ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetkdUJ6yfA
Right now, I was immensely satisfied. I glanced at Victoria, and she was fine, and I was fine, and the beast was dead, and I was satisfied.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiPpH2lMXp
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cdtmRNC0T
I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIcbxdByMI
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrCL7TxJSQ
"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfU2YSanxNY
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslO9sA8NOc
"...It could've been a lot worse."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmQCcQeTtO
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FdbnjqPpB
"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctR614QGxb
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQ0rGYNXCa
Victoria looked at something above me.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjde7FXT8W
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xkjpV9mdv
"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Pj5jVO5D2
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBDQVMiPRU
Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgab9D8oSX
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5KEku8mkm
"No. Why do you ask?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnae9VOGFy
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvVFrtwguw
"I haven't heard a single thing coming from the building. Our fight was noisy, so I thought that maybe someone would come out. I'm starting to get worried."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViMJ5il0o5
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcK94pc1Te
"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtv0oB9doq
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8oLbSu1SB
"O-Oh, sorry."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTuejY3TE2
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QawTtKfUW
She scratched her cheek a little.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJ8UqLeSfs
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygMlujdcUq
"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHO91XhrHg
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknMv7sFDnT
"That's just how you need to be with monsters. Equally brutal. It's something I got used to. I watched my mom fight a lot when I was a kid."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkDAX7Sh3p
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PiFifj07w
"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDctdYQz7He
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzTFjtBqBI
"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gdyjYFcQv
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAj6eMrMH0g
I sighed. My face returned to the grass as I indulged in the silence. I could feel the fatigue worm its way into every nook and cranny of my body. I was surprised at the toll the fight had on me. Eventually, I stood up and brushed the dirt off my shirt. It was even more purple than before.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShPvy13zSK
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNttwdZTZ7
I helped Victoria up. I limped to the busted gate and stared at the compound. A weight formed in my stomach. I almost began to pray, but the doors to the building slowly opened.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9KVJnS5iC
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTyXhtPCV8
Skylark was there. Kim was on one shoulder, and when he opened one door wide enough he grabbed Panz by the hood. He had a lot of dust on his body. When he caught up to us, he frowned.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMiHWLa0Pj
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75SOm3JVeb
"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDrUJI5iXZ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonBRk9Nz4u
"We fought something, Kenny and I."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7jg0mNiC4
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCRBIjTBID
She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MgKqnYni8
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoo7VeRLBaN
"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84KHo7YLte
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nf9C5j4vE
"How is Kim?" I asked.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSAugx4FVe
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhNeRSLEKj
"She's fine, just unconscious."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuavVoQb4Sf
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZUi6IBiEd
I could only say one thing.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtkH0mJz3n
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5x3Qp9XuaJ
"...Haaaa. Thank God."
然後按「加至主畫面」