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."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglv957OoLM
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcJRs3aLUi
Ng tilted his head. He started to look a little nervous, and also slightly annoyed. I wasn't talking much sense, was I?390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvbXXPLqvm
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uShgDqCPR
"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."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIicWbHT3Rg
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOBPfaPgZM
"That's not true at all–"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXVzPrqVw4
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTPVM394Jd
"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..."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45J9UhRRMS
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1Vec67MKl
I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Y7BDH00HW
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbEjOCCNcs
"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!?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiK7WaTrAUQ
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6poXybgB9
I fell to my knees.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFtqVtqLNx
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsw38TkSlRY
"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..."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PWMHqT3yL
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIE2bHBqBO
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppZUPI7bTB
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbD2MiGxmjE
"...Kenny."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPJdruWmXQ
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPJVH0DKZM
"What!?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQqxwEYs7E
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbg50CLultM
He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrn36RcIfaO
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PTaitDLJV
"You're not lying to me, are you?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fZyMIKUpB
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJ0kyjklM9
The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBZfYbtDha
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntjytREPwu
"That was quite a performance, but all I'm hearing is that you're just going to leave your friend to die."
...390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5iKCtu6iR
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1Z6A6y993
I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUIjNYfzLY
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLu48P0tGg
I'm not... I'm not doing that, am I? What I'm doing, it's just to preserve what I have, right?390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJCexCdsOD
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUl1UEL1rg
"N-No..."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8cRZWqxRD
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHGwKJ5xyH
Oh, God.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdIZqaJECz
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA46hm8cTRS
Oh, God.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27K6gE947M
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1inyj6Ov2
"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NJYzRTt9r
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmQGjJGTt8
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0FLIusVaC
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVCYfGrIZx
But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgLdncUDIg
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJky3QVnJQc
"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalrrUWcbF3
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0i04gQgXEj
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpS5ln5EVO
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzs3REEL4zp
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–390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFoaIso4QN
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxiac3iwuy
"--Hrk!"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOuP1TlhbC
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnv9EpqUbv6
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJA7HX4rP3c
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdyYP6wWNb
One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MHm7LOKXq
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgX3mfKsKr
"There you are."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJE9Co9aos
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgYUHuL5lE
Ng already found me, huh?390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9x4Y9JM9t
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8R6ZreSFH
"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8KXWPsU56
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uioU3Z0tI
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–390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxycUWW03X
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVriVmEbARc
"...Fine."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDovht1Ao67
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlMk0l0b0S
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡni5HbYFY58
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kUiv3UJRE
"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQg9EZSn7DK
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2snllm67BY
Nevermind. What a strange question.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiwgSEOxGb
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZt51G5Bzf
"No. They died a long time ago."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPiHR3YHLE
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiTnZumIgE
"I see. You have my condolences."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasP9meZfoR
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ15CsxBJeI
"I don't need them."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBGzui0EGw
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbEgcp8mWW
A pause.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvPWoBXMTJ
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVF8cotbJW
"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡix7hiVZQwc
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirnoJ10JFy
"..."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrZrh583bH
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqm5q0fEljk
I stopped walking. Ng stopped shortly after. I don't know what it is that just happened, but a button of mine was pressed.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYAHJKcrJZ
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DtbDw2E7Q
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSJXNaOXx8
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBS1cwXvDnJ
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojttecEsQi
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJUyBu6Zji
"Did I–"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OeshzPrit
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPCxkT3czM
"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."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJP1OFOOpa
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79ZdfVzJsM
"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNyXQsGjjX
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmuDh1YiNS
I had to make sure I heard him.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84aFiUqHiF
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhY0ilDpKqU
"Assistants?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KxcWs83sB
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vNJejt0L8
"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."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQls6bTBdf
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUR4LDZwCSs
"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjkYre2e5V
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpMgr0y2yV
"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6eO2aVSc2
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmJnxGA2hv
"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCye6o9uhbA
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgNnRUm0fH
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDulzl6k29
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EwPCpMrpS
Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQnWQ9IP4O
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNtHAlLEFp
"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSwNjQzDBY
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TwfrL6RKa
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIryofT6ld
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQ909HwIbk
Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLj1JXMtZ4h
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSit1ms2zy
–
–
–
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWe3KKgp7W
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gIsGQG1zJ
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQqZoSJzPt
"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDMDdIRFSd
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBUFWoevdy
"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFUthBLpd2
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡct2IWmBRhh
"Of course."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzMmGij516
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIAb1i2Xjn
"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwxqBNmpRx
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbP6Z4fYwj
"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."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuJydPlRSA
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCi14E4Lu1t
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZVMTV94sp
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjc2hOzK5WM
But, no, something else was bugging me.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqndgkkRi2
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAin9QzQuX
"How did you know where to find us here?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPHRNrSsiM
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1IWTBLTTP
"I simply spent the day searching."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeimrw5Kd55
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIIFz9jKqH
"The whole day?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnROUqsKLOO
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9qTwF6lUF
He didn't respond to that. "Victoria's mother informed me of your whereabouts. This forest may be small, but it sure is dense."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgO7sEoYO6
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6j2gxvtgxR
Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVF4mgwJlxN
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyTf9SEtap
"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhN4gs0euZP
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfC6NvTQ7ut
He sighed.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ffEW5HA9v
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVgId1zWV0
"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtGHSOmA7l
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tVQr32GDl
"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0gyfpSt4n
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMgq1Az9zq
"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."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjg2JCaCus0
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwo8TGNZc1U
"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8NpZXIDnj
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aMIElBSfC
"...Why do you ask?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboXz78sdFX
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhF3YfaRND
"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tXlfVCEMi
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI67Msisv8y
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLpZYdchtr
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZWLeHJ4bC
"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ex58zJjOq
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApdIizcKJf
"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVlFHKexjI
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0AVQ2Thmj
"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4KhEHKgjK
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡangbnA8X6z
"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."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwCsAn8BWc
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BR8P1BJhW
"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcX33ZzcKer
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UyxCIpx3c
"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11Q3Aa41jH
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkxDQgwVYI
He put a hand to his chin.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCL0aHDe52
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrZQD5W9PJ
"...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."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHeoPEiDG0
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EElyMP25I
"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKNPEMZvO0
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhPG00dbHr
"No."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4m7K9HBnv7
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡac7iXN9RJs
"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbdB2Sp2HX
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfm27f4e2G9
"Do you mean in the woods?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmIdpd7hFB
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbnZiW3ZeT
"Yes. I'm just curious."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYbbozBXOw
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YmzYymhmE
"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."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zbcOSMn1q
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nXhtG85xp
I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqn1kMVUpRI
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4z0MFIMRo
"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJiSqeo01v
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzB1usAeByh
"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4s7lF3wrv
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijseG81n82
"Me too."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBi6xtj0Xo
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVtMz4LME9
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBQXlsTTwv
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4v5RuVHEq
"Is that all you wanted to ask?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6jG8Y1v4F
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTRmhau35N
"Yes. For now, at least."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFWGEXfmEk
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGA2NS5xxDM
"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."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBAk8JQZfw
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEk3hkzkHM
"..."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCj04y1kYc
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGG5eZ8wrB
It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tEtsPK3SO
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBZC5NFCNk
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9rGbmG9zq
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWrsLICdBa
"...Huh?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlw2MvQQWH
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUhVoLoxJE
–
–
–
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sH0Fh7ILw
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEdE5HIWlt
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCUW1VgWNV
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnRkeuzlle
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBbPCzYkG5
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDynNHT5rt
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCXzKWjS9A
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPGfzWumnA
"Good morning, Kenny."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30EKst5FUT
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyD6pyphUM
"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlvnoKlz9J
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZJmmpU8xR
"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEasX8szsVW
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjgsJl0hHv
When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XVIEAsK03
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bv0hZCwgk
"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrbMClPXzO
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflT2cQxVT6
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfPbftJSxw
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwGVzuprhx
"Yes! I have, ha!"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFCncbe78C
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA294jnqJFR
She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡousoXCzZ5v
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcie6tYC4DS
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIls2XZupQJ
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoMVDT4G7q
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkL3RzzbwRx
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVX6F9fVa64
"Thank you, teacher."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqzGlktpD3
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BCORwmJg7
"Yeah. Don't call me that."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2emUZSjJnB
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVW7wvIEMT
"Okay."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILSyunrdth
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnO9t09XIP
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZwHqyGJ7W
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53dyWgByXY
"Hm? What's wrong?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbElVDgUJE
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oxTF8paFp
"Um..."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZ2Ka6qZT3
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyh6PO4HF2F
She let go of me and began taking off the coat.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvl8MygF6VN
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zvlVXZfJ9
"Here. Have it back."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eD85M5ONt
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGAytqVsTi
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazqNsXUPNV
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUhTDvLp8x
She shook her head no.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJo9XbsJPU
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡly4ibBccll
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEukv6NX1a
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggFRkGRmFd
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpdahT480p
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnZoQbm4IA
"Thank you, Flinty."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9ikxVnIoD
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuksVMkw08
I grabbed the coat and put it back on.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10cpooVAoA
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zPh0c83lF
"Kenny, do you feel better?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNImBTCXv9Z
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiioT4AmuO8
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENxhlN5myP
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFk3YmfADg
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchVjeqEPZF
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuCvY869SY
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJrwQcGOx9
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHg4bkWNt1H
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDIndvp4Hb
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjzJOctyv3
"Good morning, Kenny."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxZqTrQtJU
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXP1V0DJmr
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZWLVfxlHr
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7XBy9nyXu
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6nMzXm1TT
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYWXQ7bLAD
"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKRmidNJkP
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OtKoFn8J1
I scooted closer to him.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9v1Y8qNcRL
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMSmPzG8p7
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcUnHIGFHn
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnNIZrPIXI
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwHPW4sZRc
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1uRkE5Ssp
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeQEXlfPjI
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcsdclm5wt
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDovgLuxjZ
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5M74Tn42b
He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjdwyjQuOD
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJDjDRhyd1
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInLVSLNSCz
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8IyqDIw3h
"What?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuM9wU1vSxi
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZxIXHB4Ix
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqf0bernUM
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXRDu9peyN
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JLxbgvlzX
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyzEEPHx7Q
"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."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOnIQbNdup
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDYgTuNlT5
"R-Right."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUcHoFNewo
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtOFk9q4qq
"Well then, shall we go?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSZhqS3aHd
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoeFi60IRg
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWd8rUoqv5
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzC4DyEBcIa
"Alright."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJavvKPBQI
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Zd1UlVbkE
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGUTFBYepL
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgcMKTcKxZ
"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYh5SmSqXh
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZaZFG2NBp
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNwDCwfnNj
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOZmeDhKIQ
"What?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QY71UVnpe
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBxQFWDqR7
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6tegK2rf2
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDEQ1FP9ue
"I know he will."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zoSToepo8
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF09qtct7OD
"Then why are you shaking?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7IiI485Vn
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eEp6qsegn
"...I just can't help myself."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ukoaTqRof
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGY4dAKU3n
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLVQCMSwpv
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5rwYdqiMz
"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7N4hhOShA
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbh2TZltbZQ
"What do you want to talk about?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2Bc9duX9R
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnxph2Cubo
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHLQ0tq39r
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHfNiZOXGc
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWW6FiphWt
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdp7rbqCka
"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXIgY57dSu
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPN2zlV1fFo
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmNwRZFjqJ
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDnOHC1x5J
"Ha!"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujNyM3rjj0
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmT97uKyITh
She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5EEC5uOjp
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5F0OfawfD
"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!"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoROb6l9ov
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡow58HJv6WV
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTDYWKvwKq
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7orKh4aM1
"Hehe, something like that."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtexRomTUHa
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfb4eKpBHQ
She didn't sound confident.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidEm3y3s9P
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXHFXVCC5l
"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwYd7zh6Ru
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhebB8Srhpd
"Ah. That makes sense."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DQxAt8EwC
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7DH4nrHsR
I was very close to saying something insensitive.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanj2eWagiL
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGq6DlLw5wI
"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."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABf3pEsB42
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aHi27JnB8
"...Wolf?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChlT3kztph
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVwe8YSNmC
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwSavZh4IF
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFBN4ZJuYa
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ooa88LbZG
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKTV6QoLDf
"Kenny?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebUjJDdJGA
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfR1LaiIqbX
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiFLZRaFEI
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRZadooQCz
I stood up and walked forward.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLedBtk2V9f
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RG6qKZRy9
"Kenny? What's wrong?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8KeJpr5mG
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJXVdDgrI1
"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQwVr8vASv
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6sH7dtsI3
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHx7UJI6Qq
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSeiaFrB0y
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQQNLpXkYj
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08Dic1buE6
And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfG0s0B5mwe
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNvr8UWcHo
**BANG**390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczS2XPYvlr
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsCyIoiJm7
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQip6JARm7L
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQifDcY9Mwp
"Victoria."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREfJeUluX5
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pzgWMnZvl
"Right."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0r8PpWzG00
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbd60XyJG8x
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKaIQHEvuc
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWcmjwvTmb
**SMASH**390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlS9n6s7AtE
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrGbF8DPDa
There he was.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDciQZhqwu2
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRadzrqqWW
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJEl0wi0sO
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ktVIURVpV
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKPniLVoAQ
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmljPEgB0JP
"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."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8C3uFFPEZz
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3zne4dTFB
"Right."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvLfvlTGA5
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4SisvY8hT
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8xNY3AcYV
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJusJuwTcaS
"Thank you!"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRTVahlb10
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhA5wFNKoUw
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NMmakNtHA
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLEEX4MJoh
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrJC34aM8k
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDawEfba434
"Huh?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLS3BTLlVrU
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeKpcg5kHf
Not just that, he clamped down on it, shattering it instantly. The fire was proven to be ineffective as smoke casually escaped his mouth.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBo1PZ2k8PU
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0KcQtExS6
The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjF7ahyPmun
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRCimvuOTy
"Shit!"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZPOKIdwHu
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPIyFU9dUe
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡah3wUFyOc2
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoDhyc9OoS
"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIyjHt86T0
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsL4QqI4ALO
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJLRDPR82N
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiWUPHJcxY
"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaet0TOviM
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HyKcd6LQY
"I understand."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxyV3wUWL2
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyO9T0Tetun
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVyjWtzHpg
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkj519zCVp
"Uh oh, Kenny."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkNgZwY96e
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4IhuqBKOy
Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkseElPshAu
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErGDFKjAYa
"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1B4WvNY9Rp
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39m4W6U0J5
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIorNQ5d7Nn
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKB6JePVHX5
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mG9rtQtJh
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQHxfC2wzh
"Hrk!"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWI5f0ZudU
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPSLW67Dki
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ly0hTlDZ0
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWyLmUIgkx
"Victoria! Close your eyes!"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6k1z7aKRQ
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzsKXyMSe6
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyKyfZe0gx
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWi3SxI61xj
"Victoria!"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡco6WA4aH96
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg10U2wc0Rv
"Right!"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZ7IAApOTs
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfgGRxzTSs
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIW800W00yV
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQtFKD1Inr
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqLA7vZWLd
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbt3wKcZwi
"GRAHHHH!"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Yi9ZdELdY
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERghwvrwDm
A warcry. She was a total barbarian.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaETtPxllE
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsaletBUAx
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6zUFPOZKl
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQWXjr8pmi
"..."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqF7VqDK9o
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeXDqKoFgv
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGkGUk40Z2
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpMCzs1D0i
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQz7woSZohf
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTJR1NEXZp
We did it. We really did it.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpnwvP9Nnh
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZ48o4e3lm
"Kenny!"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwfWxJd04N
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0I7Zoga6d
Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgjUhA3Ua3
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixtqrXuSLq
"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfP2FSZSr0x
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4ZnmOBJA3
"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFoCqlJBp7
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV237ee7DlE
She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyRkszMNVC
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGiVGhOFT2
"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxysNLGuyv
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViw6PHxF0B
"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCXYIngT7h
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqHSOPDIKb
She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUngHdeMrtp
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwGtEKAHqo
"We did it," I muttered.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡne82ClCfjj
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUOXFWsixO
I struggled to believe it. Not just because the wolf was taken down without much hassle, but because of how I was feeling.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQda9a8EAG
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr99VCCvlvo
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqndrBZQWC
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7reWEjyIEX
I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuw3D239x83
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Wr1F1emeh
"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO87k9332xT
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLlh7RF23c
"...It could've been a lot worse."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4co3HZYJg
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUvkCb8qLc
"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFmkL5P1WU
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfFxHxHzwU
Victoria looked at something above me.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpo5ZILd5vd
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWbB9LTEmS
"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuDiZNpKJp
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuEehxi78k
Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpddXdNY0b
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEONKPioeR4
"No. Why do you ask?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeOfRqzvuh
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdUcoGacdM
"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."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SAJ9RwPgA
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzLBlQlN5f
"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxJZhxs4Sr
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyPEHIMK2u
"O-Oh, sorry."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyPksdk5GG
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJt5sHbncg5
She scratched her cheek a little.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnCrN8KRoa
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSxu0TJKla
"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEm66vwD8r
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFacej0iqQ
"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."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7eTqacRtg
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2j7hlZkOa
"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjK2AtokCho
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzTsYCWPbT
"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWA29o0lOmj
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUO2in5whgL
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlGE54ARZc
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1r2RASILs
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmtQNIrLwT
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8cZ2vTTnH
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.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDCmezdiyA
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDCzR57fnA
"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Qto9o5I6T
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXiAssqNRD
"We fought something, Kenny and I."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvwyJCwMja
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQ8iocQpGG
She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPCsC0a8mP
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0MCJivbMw
"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2wYC92I8Q
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgr9dW3AegW
"How is Kim?" I asked.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnYEtncQ2Z
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedneHBPiIf
"She's fine, just unconscious."390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNQHaJcpT4
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiWiPcTBw8
I could only say one thing.390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQs8GoAHc7
390Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoT5RDTyTE
"...Haaaa. Thank God."
and then Add to home screen.