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."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfOFtExyyn
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtliB8U8XM9
Ng tilted his head. He started to look a little nervous, and also slightly annoyed. I wasn't talking much sense, was I?370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSeXD3OXc8
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxkvTtafNQ
"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."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMu68u7MAh
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8UIpvmlG3
"That's not true at all–"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJgCYqUbXX
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPMYnvMX91
"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..."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPOMVxnqE0
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKGXRt5mCp
I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TGqPZOPzd
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnbQEdX1xE
"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!?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFab5H6bu2
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGabDCY785
I fell to my knees.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyCHfhdqF4
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdfAD987OK
"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..."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2J7ACWkMr
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqrpFrhETb
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Shuh1KVQN
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuK78WZz6KX
"...Kenny."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rK4SPlSJr
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1swK6nvVX1
"What!?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonG1zXpUU3
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXZF3eyZkC
He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwfYM6ZhS3
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuorORVuOHW
"You're not lying to me, are you?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1J1pD5Uh7V
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOICoGafs0O
The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKa1wkV9yT
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ409I9g2hw2
"That was quite a performance, but all I'm hearing is that you're just going to leave your friend to die."
...370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdjyJIEVBM
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyEG3mK37l
I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wMKqGj8fF
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4U7LyZXdu
I'm not... I'm not doing that, am I? What I'm doing, it's just to preserve what I have, right?370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Rgt5xrhN5
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJ87iWWBFD
"N-No..."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitYip7d7iy
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusTidDwnr6
Oh, God.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwu8OuUU771
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTeQHi6rsu
Oh, God.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnTjtZTPsB
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbeSjDO42g
"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqUo2bPaxE
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtRHDn5sgO
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXk1MhIvc6K
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLEf5AFGrk
But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv75q96fQmp
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHPMP3JO8c
"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzBlI3aM1f
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4gsWDKgXg
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rqprOcyHr
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWr6jRdt1c3
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–370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSopn6kgjH
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohPUGp7suf
"--Hrk!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TYDRLWf89
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbm0DHrUvp
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IRqVqjfjz
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1m21HU0LKp
One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVKkuhlIkB
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqmQtBGe75
"There you are."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FikKW2Z7O
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJneZ2PZD4
Ng already found me, huh?370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoSxOY7NUk
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvd15TegqDF
"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7ShQnCG5p
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaDkPwxRp2
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–370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22DwmzSSDi
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNAEos4KHf
"...Fine."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjBWuZqprB
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJJGgoWJe3
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJOIrQADKj
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mzgGLzd5u
"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoaPLC82Pg
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnF2NZs7CNp
Nevermind. What a strange question.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaTwk47XB3
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzplnqRE6uk
"No. They died a long time ago."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEAgkrE7At
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23sj1SjaGf
"I see. You have my condolences."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPDVaXjYSG
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgakIrH7xg5
"I don't need them."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8XC3E9PWH
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWg92R9hKB
A pause.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QFC6uhsNW
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qYGA9fSGM
"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsTMoOg4ZO
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUCRqsoRcZ
"..."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wVoOoAIjZ
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0S2xkp3Me
I stopped walking. Ng stopped shortly after. I don't know what it is that just happened, but a button of mine was pressed.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8ZOVWlJ5f
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9KyWJyk5b
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj738VyATqu
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JgrbMLBD8
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IwODJHafy
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tR21R1PSL
"Did I–"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOfMX2OPVR
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6WlUHA84N
"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."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGb8mwdNlv
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZU8auBhwj
"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rbvufYY1B
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKue8a2ZTj
I had to make sure I heard him.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkQwAXwTqG
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreoLZ1B8WP
"Assistants?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCjbAkxk3h
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDKtZQId41
"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."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAed1LUH0m
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlXj1r6Jlh
"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwlQNvPV5y
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoCSe871JS
"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRFnnfzSt8
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesQU2B4bAL
"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VHUgsyloe
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmfDEeHwVD
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAvE4mBEh4
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4Wnq48mvX
Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoG3tIKCVQm
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0tk75gRJV
"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTLXC0vVh5
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUWY3STDng
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZ7kqTWPkH
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhY5KwbXbA
Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLMIxdefxm
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kEeVXcYGI
–
–
–
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj42fvwe1Yi
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLTPqyEOIn
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMW6rWWDOJ
"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNeDJlKuaR
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmQxNaU4NN
"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHFZddKwaU
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgv7tFwoFyU
"Of course."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimtzLxtIti
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFj396Ozzcd
"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AaPAlzPKS
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5WLfq59tD
"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."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvVxe3b2aW
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6NXLhQcbU
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRzhWdPwwD
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhSPHn3JDP
But, no, something else was bugging me.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oXDhR18SG
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Pa8AbApVo
"How did you know where to find us here?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzaaViadDA
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AnwVU3TsK
"I simply spent the day searching."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfV0fqUImoe
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1AFRGacTf
"The whole day?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaZ4k6dEjC
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xsY6sag5K
He didn't respond to that. "Victoria's mother informed me of your whereabouts. This forest may be small, but it sure is dense."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UVRlN4cnU
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DzcnCFZ2u
Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmsLyebQER
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhRCrkHoMm
"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGP86Z5vyX
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLHcSPBuZd
He sighed.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQ5G17ku09
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPkB6o0RpR
"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecQp117aDa
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfF6vK7Efdx
"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERlLcuijU0
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMs69Vd7xVI
"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."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MSr6lVknj
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3dIcs4v3I
"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNwcqKJv5x
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qn07WV22K
"...Why do you ask?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWtYOjtiNG
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQcRKvowZ0
"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6YoMC7LRP
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWH5Objh0J
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNSa4LfVTh
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWtcbHN5MC
"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78yqdWsLTG
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIV8uJDg9S
"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSYi45PMqt
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtur441dE8c
"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1zsB1hOkW
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡie1iVZwSmh
"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."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnjNQTIV7V
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYPp7rEDjU
"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmk20PT5wOa
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hBPVMECWo
"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtK8IHaP1o1
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqi33h8FoaG
He put a hand to his chin.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uQpJih5iU
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgVu2rxAk9
"...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."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8l1zFlViG3
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjM15WwhmJw
"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnu6ytFAtk6
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFXTxw38g5
"No."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8Q5VxRS3h
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOx62cb1SLf
"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6Pw9Wwr1k
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNqR5SfaqG
"Do you mean in the woods?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTy9dSHht1e
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLdHvSk76p
"Yes. I'm just curious."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3sUVWc03q
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6AGKF6VyK
"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."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JD9aXXZ2S
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1bIg65gmg
I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPV6piNrZzX
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1l7rw9Kpit
"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dpiJZILFa
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIfL8qUAov
"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxMvOaiWLU
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMg4LkghwO
"Me too."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aPJhj7Aqc
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lG4p7WVTP
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeqhVwOueZ
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEv7wCBBCV0
"Is that all you wanted to ask?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsql7AC5O7
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcYFo9G59D
"Yes. For now, at least."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVi7WZV2Fx7
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Mm7MDOkwG
"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."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCLeEysKyC
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySjCmdQZQO
"..."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKKSpAuxSq
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHjfEoXiey
It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLXa3pWbsB
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPrmxajxPX
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hBnKdmjoa
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg40qBAKbGe
"...Huh?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sSnNbZurY
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbvg8nh3ar
–
–
–
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH99pPUVB5G
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodLSanad0O
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdsOkFkMsR
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGUjg7uLf2
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lhLkBnUea
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCk1XyHPMU
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCen8qk3JzQ
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgJtraae3S
"Good morning, Kenny."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREb4cap2vJ
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yEIHDAUUT
"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGxntHVQC2
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiC9YpjOHcp
"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡet0Ef2230Z
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHtOAQswze
When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnxQM58IjB
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLltuObKKkE
"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNAlblXvq2
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFI3tz1sLVL
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXb1bKKpcV
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhRe9CBiPt
"Yes! I have, ha!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvxDs03T3S
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnuZnUQdUg
She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEEmCLQgG0
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvajSBpH7wh
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlhhxghYk5
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDlbTepvPA
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvkQ8U4GsJ
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddMId1Ysex
"Thank you, teacher."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGtgQ2o87X
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3v2CzRGQtS
"Yeah. Don't call me that."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNdJO5S60r
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVDsfChUw9
"Okay."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2OpIxdE2X
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIftI2Fpmz
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ197BAa924t
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4J4L285UJN
"Hm? What's wrong?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoot3w4ElGD
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRk3HeviOg
"Um..."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdmV3R0cnW
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZGOO3lLLB
She let go of me and began taking off the coat.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYO1Bp1r9I
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kxrwM4uHE
"Here. Have it back."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfhVLvzInm
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfjjGxcNf4
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNMPxi4DmF
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12kHDGWQej
She shook her head no.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaI0SfO1Dr
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92kqfHUPdQ
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwu2yBqz3q
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡti8vQplvCg
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJFXnit2JO
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7l5NHgoAC0
"Thank you, Flinty."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNpD6tVZDr
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUk9uvGgTY
I grabbed the coat and put it back on.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmI8lk5oM7
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiziE0X7eDi
"Kenny, do you feel better?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0GlsM6Xuh
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpWKmUQkKx
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDQNFXJeoh
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBcgn9ITM6
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbggpeURawk
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMuD5ITf7f
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tHkqAqHhD
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMa7zDFHyzn
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsR8xggugYc
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBDZ5edOFj
"Good morning, Kenny."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTqi0MGu1T
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm303AjBPgq
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0aYYEW4Ue
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlPRkdSNe3
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxJL7C61p6
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bQlIUIIus
"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sKwKPQ7AZ
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvykTlWQP5
I scooted closer to him.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4V20QGOou1
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgxQuATfd7
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsXST2MX3Y
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPosr84XERv
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99QdF9rxau
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalPvpqUEw8
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBN8OmyzL2
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTMfRASGi2
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI13DLIuOug
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSixAS9ejhV
He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnTixhUHTd
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpVRhhVXBZ
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9BiXdJWec
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6qpttoal1
"What?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqG6TKaYAkF
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZH59fkNe3f
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4G7FMlqf30
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCpidklLJ0
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLFAEGbRvY
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQkBchxCUJ
"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."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamZvhPZufH
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMQhO5rsei
"R-Right."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5w1DLhdk8
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfG0qmPp8pO
"Well then, shall we go?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjfUkVHXJL
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2B40udwrH
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDjViTGy5k
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9e3rUxU9DE
"Alright."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHibIAJSU32
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MYYl2qgdu
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkf4Wy79WL
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8uku43gj3
"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgR2o0yXu1Z
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcY8b8VD76u
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijKJqIAAAN
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHjQSP3GOM
"What?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhWLmEU84e
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KdrXCnv0X
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBV8skU99cA
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgj6dZPoTbr
"I know he will."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4TmBtSmBG
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVEPh9Y1g6
"Then why are you shaking?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzt7YZNApbI
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWy1iIGMZp
"...I just can't help myself."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFYF7otOAL
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzrMGWF0JF
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAavgJNCyf
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12gwmjTyGq
"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1I2xKKKHg9
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06uHJUZ9RT
"What do you want to talk about?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1QGXcAlsk
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLLCMn7YJb
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC721nH8wP9
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdwSQOyd8P
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpany9u4XM
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhQn9QVRTF
"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8thPhbpm10
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcagWMf848S
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CQBu9IfYm
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItozXzB2kd
"Ha!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7ZX4Ijy64
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzE91g9hgA
She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjGd1Cufon
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcAvViKC5I
"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!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzsMc3GTWm
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIdNqP0o8N
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnctM6YJlAu
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkiLNhC7h1
"Hehe, something like that."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQvNx3bpWd
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXjLYskpkL
She didn't sound confident.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMJi26N7VF
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2Ak2gdbY2
"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGD5tWd5lho
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9IwyjWwoQ
"Ah. That makes sense."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5O7G4yGjk
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobhz76FZqN
I was very close to saying something insensitive.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6427LtSBaY
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNuLd3REBO
"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."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZrwW6G071
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mgfeojyFB
"...Wolf?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdm4phA7Dy
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIfpTMDhZb
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSrGRF51Yw
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9Gizrihnt
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKiUo8kpEQ
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YMCvHCdAP
"Kenny?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpf51gieio4
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUj9rHOKZS
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnr7YTz9Sby
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxt1fc6VHja
I stood up and walked forward.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdmGvtFMvB
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRT7Pfk5XQ
"Kenny? What's wrong?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjE3g28JUt
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqtaWRvmWN
"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztQ7FZxfmr
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcz4CcLW8vt
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvRni8Cgqu
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKM1JZLgkO
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnToiReJs0
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCht4QXhRo
And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpJS4tTK3P
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiMqvMWEgs
**BANG**370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwlTS5Hp7v
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkz262VADJ
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVZaIg7oEu
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9ibVZlXjq
"Victoria."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPG5CXM67gB
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHpgMpy3Qh
"Right."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdb7MhUmtV
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgnn0OCSQx
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkm7qKUjk7
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4np9UNWWE
**SMASH**370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItfxxP4M2U
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJP84zPxp8
There he was.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoxiVi9yAX
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6vVcId7fd
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJLNALeBeY
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOb7tSdAM2A
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNZ9EIn83w
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjHhnDLS42
"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."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkSXbfnwHm
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduRKjaepqi
"Right."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQINawDA9T
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kxKtgTDVu
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6SfRRYps4
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdb6WTuFzW
"Thank you!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniqto5owIq
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoq44hB6M2
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCD0VnLAdXM
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAfXMNn61V
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJ1XRgnp00
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnutSGErYcj
"Huh?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vto9bE1Hg
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTRMdGVqlk
Not just that, he clamped down on it, shattering it instantly. The fire was proven to be ineffective as smoke casually escaped his mouth.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWvDPt6QQp
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GcUDvLYBo
The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvghC7BIqDm
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oobkX73uu
"Shit!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMjyJyKpRm
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlpLWThExI
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBzLS0KB2r
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPIjMbyLRa
"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRktF9BqBy8
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCOLUYC5TY
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkKAILTCBc
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGrg354Ysb
"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgV5l7IPfkd
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9W6nFXcBuc
"I understand."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmjrOUY0sS
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzabrgQwj3
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PoxXrvxRT
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeY22v0y88J
"Uh oh, Kenny."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54OG7A7J3N
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIe9wS4assw
Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGEX8lxYaF
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoC92H9Q59
"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYDEQXvvud
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oB9LsAn8b
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkfK4Ck3CL
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrZzIFNSfG
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3xB1HOAMx
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4S13yLfYQc
"Hrk!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJDPaBcIMz
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK677yRFLkH
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1VKSkbzNC
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMFv15sr6Y
"Victoria! Close your eyes!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5auXnO8QF
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFTKcC4M7q
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYI7dTCoCC
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOGc5QNVOS
"Victoria!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8YVkGLJvo
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdH1VxzUz9
"Right!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpx0NSIOenl
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXuVr0tPKq
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fa2gJEMtn
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1GsydXiaa
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdW6h5xar7e
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXoNyrljh5
"GRAHHHH!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdluhmUsdm
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFlBhnPbwm
A warcry. She was a total barbarian.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzFdWrAeMG
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2HJXP13hy
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dwhg8cTru
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVU5V0AimIK
"..."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBspggQ1iO
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2B5nzVIqa0
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FQyXoZWNv
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwlVafkpLa
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3Ke7l46EO
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76F8y1pu2m
We did it. We really did it.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubKTJxkmCe
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcYyVzQvdR
"Kenny!"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7Nutozftd
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHWOTEiAFQ
Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveDCnw5PZx
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuMLpfF8AN
"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYCtzGZO7G
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcqbwcuxGk
"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfW6mUPLuQ
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAS5ihTwXST
She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyWGY1MR5U
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVPPUBqOb3
"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjRWEBkOGJ
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6O1rfMA7i
"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rjmm4vMNH
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOTLzIqSaP
She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHnJPrv6PW
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm51wXmwklb
"We did it," I muttered.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpf6g0kEAU
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdRurSq9WM
I struggled to believe it. Not just because the wolf was taken down without much hassle, but because of how I was feeling.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWg1VGYmxP
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Aw4SJAvuH
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Bf2UadatC
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqMj3eqQl7
I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwjRf78sUR
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZj1wTglVr
"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRebHV9KaB
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemYqSFt0i1
"...It could've been a lot worse."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYjLwe1VyD
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagVwG2eYOb
"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8f19usfTxU
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7MpQs3q0c
Victoria looked at something above me.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2lRI67c6e
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJwR3ookyU
"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrNGAZoXZa
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggMNGV6wgA
Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtipBMCTcTn
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3A0pMwp0l
"No. Why do you ask?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5eywfRI5S
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd188ddl3BK
"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."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykDDNPEfOr
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76ZsspyW6a
"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ575wJ2gO3v
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtXNQDLKsk
"O-Oh, sorry."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡid0G1mIOqm
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhvMtLdVlW
She scratched her cheek a little.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwC12nkf2Xi
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZUmnVAKcf
"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjOnXgRe6f
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dnG8sFlUZ
"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."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8dhUmOOkg
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDE0yHTnhN
"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTXK1GoNqK
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJcPnLDUIc
"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LZJeTYlOa
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4om6DLE50
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgVHqlfLUd
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyHXQFSKSy
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPJNVVkPc3
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRQw3fjKv4
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.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBY9fIGSSy
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoL6H3gEJmg
"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5Rr2UAcoN
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGUpaZuSXV
"We fought something, Kenny and I."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2o1n9RbUBG
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmpokgZAWu
She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8VNO2Ujt4
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMgIuXNomN
"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FWq5FNy2U
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8L377UIfOH
"How is Kim?" I asked.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtHzwumcFg
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qVJIRKvay
"She's fine, just unconscious."370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZWvJYz3S5
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0C9Ki3rX23
I could only say one thing.370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJi5XVjlZJ
370Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAlo8bx4j5
"...Haaaa. Thank God."
and then Add to home screen.