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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgprl1sCpcr
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPwhiw9pIS
Ng tilted his head. He started to look a little nervous, and also slightly annoyed. I wasn't talking much sense, was I?149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZeQBkikvz
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"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKTRS9JMb1
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"That's not true at all–"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefgTylM0kg
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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..."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQL5upG7gK
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I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXIrRZ857f
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"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!?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4DKsQNVMy
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I fell to my knees.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNed70q0ZH5
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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..."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAJDK71FO1
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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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoenImYneoJ
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"...Kenny."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGrDt8rnsI
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"What!?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdFpQB92SU
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He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtbLd6E3dM
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"You're not lying to me, are you?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEKj6Cvx8Q
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The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJ255lOwKj
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"That was quite a performance, but all I'm hearing is that you're just going to leave your friend to die."
...149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXIzmGVN22
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I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd72M1EhvE5
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwNCDv4ixe
I'm not... I'm not doing that, am I? What I'm doing, it's just to preserve what I have, right?149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuI3SRxk3q
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"N-No..."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3pgJsFG6k
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Oh, God.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcVfZBcsWn
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEFO1tvtuq
Oh, God.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sKoSONYbF
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"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjS07Tnp4c
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuUWHEUSF5
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNlsc7wT5Z
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But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvKAwlW4Bw
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"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLQcN1sSGC
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yAftSbwSn
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXzyYnS7wn
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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–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yoILr6jre
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"--Hrk!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJnpKMFxoU
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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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8mCaigmm9
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One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcX8aVqDudP
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"There you are."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgbydUftNR
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Ng already found me, huh?149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILadtKjlVn
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"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiI3Hmxn9SM
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfSeF5pGLb
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–149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvTNex8zzv
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"...Fine."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiMKQuLoy7
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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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yovNcKryj
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"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKneGhZcDx
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Nevermind. What a strange question.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxhCCq83WL
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"No. They died a long time ago."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlLtVPBqpZ
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"I see. You have my condolences."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89hRy1piMW
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"I don't need them."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkM6HpPhq6Y
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A pause.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg19hpU6Ndk
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"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvenANREDiV
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"..."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8A7U2AsqYc
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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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIflT0F52JM
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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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBh5DhLIdz
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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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSh1NshoOu
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"Did I–"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WxVb2zIos
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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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFF5qLpKyE
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"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2dHNn0WbO
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I had to make sure I heard him.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuDyDmAgT7
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"Assistants?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAQKwG5KzM
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"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9f0V3o2US
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECJRPkmMKQ
"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqTxkFPbtu
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"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwxw8zgpi6
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"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhoaMJWEOy
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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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUePmoV1sY
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Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyEGxiU1UW
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"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPFiuPLDGQ
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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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzO4J8E6ISl
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Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdmi0nOUmw
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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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqY99Vxv7Id
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"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3mRI2YR79
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"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡms88RnVfjf
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"Of course."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43tlTLzynk
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"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkLBU6HG6j
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"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90drIXTLE7
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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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Vruv8kagT
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But, no, something else was bugging me.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXzbJwmrfl
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"How did you know where to find us here?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehygW860LX
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"I simply spent the day searching."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3Jh58TD1Y
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"The whole day?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGn5ZiPzhR4
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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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtssvnmeRb
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Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYaMkakBvw
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"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvuYzb6P1n
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He sighed.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ypYedsMLG
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"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAaWIlFUhD
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"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzy0XGNxoB0
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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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3jd8oPbQw
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"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNy35jU4kuC
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"...Why do you ask?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4i5go6DUD
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbH28Gln6DP
"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOW3cVA6hJ3
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCRVpEW2mH
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LDDXP6wwz
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOWV4KR7cj
"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0a2zCxraz
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdxS8hPwUF
"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpHq1vW7Jc
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwz6Z2sdUd
"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQSWwTCvaO
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXm2wom4cV
"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEZ8YiSZy2
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4E65Rargeq
"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuNkqy18rz
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2k9POM0cd
"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEYFSVNAmq
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YwLYUNZ77
He put a hand to his chin.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuxOQTEgmr
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLT4jLeFE8X
"...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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDId40xXTpu
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TzFRpUtve
"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1kb0jFdKh
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmSlmFURt0
"No."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjq8MU1c1U7
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZUlvpRB5b
"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOn09aRdfM
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgKUi7rnxD
"Do you mean in the woods?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA30if3d1YL
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTvHN1nTDm
"Yes. I'm just curious."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7utcV7x3ak
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErbLF90BJv
"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSoBUMmWxz
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCeOX67ONE
I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XxVU3igMr
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGza4VDxtG
"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSOXjiLssL
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8cg4UGK19
"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuoi6r395C
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCKaMM77oz
"Me too."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEW4BeprYTw
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8yN8bbS9A
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgF44vptQR9
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbKJEabOcd
"Is that all you wanted to ask?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJO3FRIBusB
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbW94fIwOe4
"Yes. For now, at least."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNtuSrJdBJ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXETHMH2Jc5
"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRjCaqnzCO
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUjKTPRTVd
"..."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHOyoEQps8
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2dPMtDuDs
It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkbfn9CGwz
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9XialdXhm
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkUp6zNcDz
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DOllGaz28
"...Huh?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBusuteD2P5
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2kntWD0le
–
–
–
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoySwbHxjM
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfLPBryqxH
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9G4ZanK9M
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqk3OyKfiTU
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXkon8A2Xq
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw96shPRsDL
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwU3oiFpN2T
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNrIUnLTZM
"Good morning, Kenny."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbX5bAUkOL
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUqtPiHiIb
"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5mc9BkCzB
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iaZDkfc1f
"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAGJdAr9ei
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxoVGQtwCJ
When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡes4rXL2sPY
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3senJVNxyN
"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzy1Q8wv3ig
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbo7YTNGOc
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJCxTX7rYC
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyvycaUBPc
"Yes! I have, ha!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyBmEKENYD
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTe5s6J96J
She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWKMiuhLHr
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7NRPxeZRh
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QSNlA8TF4
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWYZwPvyMQ
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQzLZcYtAX
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJtuzwXtNi
"Thank you, teacher."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77ZfDhWjZH
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX34sML0VFg
"Yeah. Don't call me that."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuj3RIt9Fv
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCzAM9wA1Q
"Okay."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ324ceDniXL
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aXytcNqUo
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFLhl5Ltaq
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡix84AWVmIn
"Hm? What's wrong?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BM7tX3MB8
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeSwNc01ZT
"Um..."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwe72ccDGNn
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXknY1eqAyF
She let go of me and began taking off the coat.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4C448QDvX
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoopw3MUD9Z
"Here. Have it back."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVATmuUd8bS
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNS0ONaEBE
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6LDpkvKeg
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0TVro1JEv
She shook her head no.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ713VOMhbg7
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zj9gDveAf
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Nt39EHwdm
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcOvacNoeW
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYnq9EeAtA
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6n85EuXBot
"Thank you, Flinty."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruydgrx6jL
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2ye2Hgphf
I grabbed the coat and put it back on.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuanRb7uFv
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLhxqsjmnT
"Kenny, do you feel better?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWn3bCCjwWK
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBschcs9cY5
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRIrBmbVEj
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy63KaOMRRP
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5AuIN1edu
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsmhRB0RgA
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiXPTd6Cdg
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpTCBvXSR0
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIyNmj8LQh
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXIAUXGiKU
"Good morning, Kenny."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgW6ltDYcE1
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkTEns2sb0
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHFUtPl98n
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZnLHJdfeW
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVgmjsC0cc
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWNr74Jkle
"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMtuINT8LP
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eevKSTACH
I scooted closer to him.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt01rKcsM4M
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00taVJkRL6
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpS6Uc3mXBg
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAn1eYgTQQp
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgj1dtlubAh
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sTRuvY1Ex
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeVxKsZuUq
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgcltmE67w
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoJBbgM982
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkTWTNY7P9
He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYLhwT6mCn
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡje9advY1im
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcDJk0n8b5
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pigQLVifk
"What?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFmCmq4ByS
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG39MbqDbQK
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhB40yf6Ju
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCE72JDR33o
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLZHyGcBfD
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaqc8ECrpO
"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQIULS5WQ4
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkupCcbhgoD
"R-Right."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0WjO3Nn5a
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFa6liTb5ux
"Well then, shall we go?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtO05OLx5c7
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkNANAPAdi
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2t8G5CavX
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3t8BZs7sFr
"Alright."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGon10o2zn
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjGDvj7mxs
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YBXALNEKL
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7eeYfOZ1S
"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTk1u2Wo4C7
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqDKh5LNtX
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2XCu3sfPD
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTw25xnUMb
"What?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnRju1Abmr
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4k3w3igOHL
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8xtFvZsxe
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiGgwEqWZA
"I know he will."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXun3KgD3EH
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtMjbmSGNw
"Then why are you shaking?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3dSAw82n7
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKOuIuTaGs
"...I just can't help myself."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTIj1Giiry
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33wsay2YqP
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsCHlKnpix
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53YozGTN1O
"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnnK2sdQ3B
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj169Iym2FZ
"What do you want to talk about?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaf4xvI5NKA
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0jKJ7Zopg
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWam4YlSNl
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyGlO53MI1
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSV1508QpZ4
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2Y4Kw63Uf
"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Rvdjzzl96
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvZ1cN8AfM
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mEOJ1tfjH
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSK4ciFfZnj
"Ha!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcp5xg2rEwp
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpNG7McXIa
She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1O5O5pRjL
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zktcORQ4t
"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!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJYEz3R74H
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYiZe2XeHN
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFvbfi2pTs
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJJDgnC3lX
"Hehe, something like that."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM34GNBkGaV
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QCii6RhRl
She didn't sound confident.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzPC8qWVJf
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aS3GPRm2T
"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl91Pa5A2Yu
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk901Gm9YyE
"Ah. That makes sense."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe084VAWfGY
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerTBK4HmTV
I was very close to saying something insensitive.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb89amijXys
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEpBH6UN6r
"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkit6yRpIq
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfdBlJEByp
"...Wolf?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GlMSumj28
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXfwcNVrz5
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXq18tBlNR
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcZHDhBKbI
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunDARQ1vjD
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxo0le0IWfQ
"Kenny?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65Wc0ZSR8Y
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8E0Hj5m3Z
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXw0pEQQSL
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbPKMoEn9v
I stood up and walked forward.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsICmGLbkTt
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"Kenny? What's wrong?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeddBdNDRy
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0B6zVvXIl9
"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcRQ1NoDTs
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLKSlP9Ics
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7nd11BtHD
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JiMAoFQfr
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4sHj1y7Dj
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOEnx3gCIS
And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZCxpB1bgA
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cmgHZucv2
**BANG**149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYblpDeBTr
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPtzRObSoB
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qLofs2NlZ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloPMrM30f0
"Victoria."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87nV8H34ZA
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhPWHRHMOr
"Right."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uc8hjQrB7
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKw62sLShhQ
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKrS54WB48
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9e1Kz9Ay5
**SMASH**149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8OtEy1WFM
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjFEAWS2iJ
There he was.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsgy0ALyHU
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9B0e6BaZTC
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMkHTD9BC1
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKRjyKT2gZ
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1R0pAh9O3
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pVKUIwKZa
"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZBC8QEYuN
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡav2M73jcLv
"Right."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vEC0GGrnD
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdYJ3khDI3
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNP0XdsjQZD
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XEFMDuFSj
"Thank you!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KFA9fyPuH
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3f2oMoTY9
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CouGlP9GG
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBro6wSsoo
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2gnFiObJ6
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLtkOsf7xv
"Huh?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1RQ7RwBvH
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuGLdrrnH7
Not just that, he clamped down on it, shattering it instantly. The fire was proven to be ineffective as smoke casually escaped his mouth.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeK0DtyJm3x
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbnLXDg6Zq
The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNFwCyJdG7
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHTU97WGUA
"Shit!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNobxHlCOdM
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVCFWvgSKz
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRuIk9aDAE
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zUcfMZIbk
"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78goMIjB9G
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtSddJBhzA
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtrpfO9A7V
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcXCB5fBGA
"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJf2oMkDYC
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMkrGGWjr6
"I understand."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7oWgeo4eY
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLND1xLqEL
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcha5AVSRE
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZD0CTAipS
"Uh oh, Kenny."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVSmsDVvOt
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIILlvil1W
Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFnaRve0hh
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkOGThKl5A
"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFMQGdsMfO
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3h1cCaETTn
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIISYgViILG
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGTy1lMmW1
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WSmCQRiGq
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqNGrpSlwN
"Hrk!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMaZLUJJiN
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEVSL8Q1Vj
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyv6icJtAkS
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACcpgCefKG
"Victoria! Close your eyes!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXdt3Z7V5m
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoZLFyPqAp
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bl6N6Hd8l
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Lo4PgFoiS
"Victoria!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLYmfHfcZE
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxJLMXjD1P
"Right!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanSrZtms7h
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSsVthncsu
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxQyoA2hMB
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0359T2KIq
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hw5EP6Q71
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0kHMfZSqZ
"GRAHHHH!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0nsxLutl6
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIWblcuekT
A warcry. She was a total barbarian.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBuDlF0SyN
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNUm8X2y4u
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2gUyQTMls
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"..."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAd0o5nPPm1
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZd66qoMjO
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSdKrn4Fud
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQm2QBs6ex0
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwx0OkSo9q
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6jHwLLHY1
We did it. We really did it.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmfgfILWw5
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFFzmc9RoP
"Kenny!"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1wnUoazkI
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfLgT0jFFU
Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8NSF27Q7R
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rEkTvOQC5
"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHHkpN2ggL
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVUGw8Uw9k
"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvmWLC5UPp
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaxSNICAk8
She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZxXQZVQVj
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDQwflPKce
"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcN4Ouheh4
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2z9b0n1egz
"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSFLg46wN8
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLycrvnqpHe
She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1ZkjYFLBN
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQ7oApYs9g
"We did it," I muttered.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJPN6nUDiN
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I struggled to believe it. Not just because the wolf was taken down without much hassle, but because of how I was feeling.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7tQk8DBRF
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM08NjWXR9n
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gSgc1yEot
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzetIsGo7t
I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpGYQyX4ej
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfwRbzjLwO
"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSwkVyXRoa
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqayJRt6n0v
"...It could've been a lot worse."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMg3sokFX69
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6TX0URE8v
"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNAvAZoPBl
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYQYusmyxd
Victoria looked at something above me.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnu5Nox5k6b
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfQXbKsjpv
"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYx0ygiLHQ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsmf0SNpwJ
Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfYDysmyed
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"No. Why do you ask?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3pdK5sesG
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"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoY3L0IFQP
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLKgtS1Rwk
"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7lMvorBI5
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5xdEkEzww
"O-Oh, sorry."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDd51JghEj
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She scratched her cheek a little.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubmUf39Ieg
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHu55t94N3r
"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzjurGDTBK
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xWSed2t15
"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."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ambpOVoHe
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzuE11F94e
"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoqY3ldliT
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzStYcKPSB7
"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Fd71igesw
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQE0YuyQf8
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehx630qNcd
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKTapKc7UV
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3EFwNgjcU
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5hye9UpbB
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCkJ6XHP6d
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzcB8XE5uL
"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbQhE9pKId
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBdvV3gaki
"We fought something, Kenny and I."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeT3gufHOK
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nP2gpgo5F
She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPjpXCCxYB
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjUtFpFpkl
"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwmSapThsL
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjceQFI7gVa
"How is Kim?" I asked.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNv4KLTrTK
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazcqrJ6uyl
"She's fine, just unconscious."149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxQmy2OVsY
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbd3qRevL6
I could only say one thing.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuLHuosPVR
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnoO8x4MI5
"...Haaaa. Thank God."
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