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."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Aa5MHWpwh
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Ng tilted his head. He started to look a little nervous, and also slightly annoyed. I wasn't talking much sense, was I?170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATygR3664D
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"Then what is it?" He asked. I had to take a moment to put it into words.
"...If I go back in there, then all of it will hinge on me again. Your lives, your well-being, all of it. If I go back there, then all of it will be up to me. If one of you die, then that's my fault. If one of you get hurt, then that's my fault."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6CRt6Daek
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"That's not true at all–"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhi0UcBXKsk
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"Let me finish! You, have you ever had a feeling like that before? You said you know, you said you've been there, but you haven't! I can't stomach it; I can't stomach that feeling that, it's all up to me, that I'm the one who has to be the shoulder for all of you to lean on! I can't, I just... I just can't..."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmp1aKHJc3N
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I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWl4dTVDuTB
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"All of you say I'm a genius, but I'm not a genius. A genius wouldn't have gotten us into this mess in the first place. And now, now that I at least have Flinty, and at least Victoria is here– and hell, at least now that you're here, you're telling me to go back in there, and then just, risk it all again? What if I mess up or, God, what if I cause Kim to die? I-I'm not– I can't do it! I can't! I can't do it alone! Kim is already gone, I don't have her to help me anymore, so if something goes wrong then it's going to go terribly wrong! D-Don't you get it? Don't you get it, Ng!? How am I supposed to do anything, absolutely anything, knowing that if it all goes to shit then I'm the one who's responsible!?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsOQPJ3Hbe
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I fell to my knees.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡve8rQAJyJA
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"K-Kim said it herself... all of it, all of it hinges on me... but I'm not someone to make that bet on, I'm not... I'm not..."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfs1WaIwR6
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I fell. I was in a fetal position and the top of my head was glued to the ground. I couldn't hear anything over my crying. I couldn't even move. I felt something touch my shoulder. I looked up to see Ng's face.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7ero0um0U
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"...Kenny."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJGhkTGUr5
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"What!?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0TZI6xQBx
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He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6b5V1FqnWP
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"You're not lying to me, are you?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyVjSBM440
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The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HCizOf662
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"That was quite a performance, but all I'm hearing is that you're just going to leave your friend to die."
...170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKs1EWLKI8
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I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpZidMibxD
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLNkbJC5lw
I'm not... I'm not doing that, am I? What I'm doing, it's just to preserve what I have, right?170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyM2CW5VrAS
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"N-No..."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23YdSHqcge
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Oh, God.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvvcOuLR8N
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Oh, God.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswntl7e4Y8
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"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCAK2eE6Qg
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzyvUnP18R
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6saqy9BdV
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But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgs2ON9wL4
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"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmL0vP3eUW
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32Yqwsqw9n
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSE1rdpo0i0
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But if I went back then what if it goes wrong? What if I go back and I see that I've truly failed? What if I go back and I see her– her–170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjtnfPeMW9
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"--Hrk!"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUifz3nrmXN
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I managed to hold back my vomit. Somehow that cleared the haze in my mind. I leaned against a nearby tree. I didn't think. If I thought, then I would've heard Ng's words again, and if I thought, my anxieties would've crawled back, and then I would be endlessly running. So I sat there instead.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IaNeeXVyQ
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One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXn2NSzxIux
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"There you are."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqY6RJX8KuW
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Ng already found me, huh?170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YcpTm6C3f
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"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqLs78IlA8
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvDomiFqNB
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–170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqfch6WJgk
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"...Fine."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNQWs6XEBL
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He offered me a hand but I stood up by myself. I followed him through the woods. I was staring at his heels. Sometimes he turned his body to me, likely to say something, but he didn't speak it.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBuvRJExHF
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"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIv3IMF6un
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Nevermind. What a strange question.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwyqCQOfSi
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"No. They died a long time ago."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiz0BNWOH2u
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"I see. You have my condolences."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIZ6Q494X2
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"I don't need them."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37hSeRm9Ep
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A pause.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOxt4NIzYR
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"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSjOUnkCJd
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"..."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptobYwoPpa
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I stopped walking. Ng stopped shortly after. I don't know what it is that just happened, but a button of mine was pressed.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6q4ZybLgzg
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And then the memories came flooding back. Those months where I refused to walk outside, being taken in by Anabelle, and lastly the talk. That vital conversation I had with Anabelle and Jackson. I started biting my nails.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsMKZj1IsH
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Despite it, nothing changed. My mind was still at odds with itself. But I calmed down. I calmed down a lot. At that moment, a bundle of warmth spread throughout my body. I was feeling fine.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOISIoCBmBJ
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"Did I–"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YsGIPmRSP
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"I'm sorry Ng. I still don't think I can do it. At least, not now, not by myself. Even thinking about it is making me shudder. I can't go in there."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaAwncvBWo
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"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡch9kBGxv5V
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I had to make sure I heard him.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSj5WgAuSGu
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"Assistants?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64nuSJDlPP
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"Of course. I can still use the mana here to make some. It doesn't have to be anything powerful, just enough to grab Kim while you're fighting Jeremiah."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZIYS47WvO
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"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6liRUATJm
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"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1b6XyOb6F
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"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaY6HeI2kB
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We kept walking. We didn't exchange another word but I could feel the air around us lighten. Thanks to the campfire, we made it back to the others.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xssQOW9m6
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Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKAqj9kw4h
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"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIncezNwm7
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Flinty ran up to me and gently hugged me, patting me on the back a few times. I would've been embarrassed if I wasn't so bewitched by the presence of the third person.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQxff3GnLX
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Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQcAr5D7GN
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–
–
–
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We were all sitting by the campfire. Though I was sleepy, the knight's presence alone made me unable to sleep. I had too many questions to ask, and it looks like I wasn't alone.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkLltkkEd6
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"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8z87klHvp8
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"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCheNn77iX
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"Of course."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkwvt07TAV
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"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZuJhKXuYJ
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"Ah, of course. I am here because I've been tasked with tailing Kim. My reasons are secret, but I assure you it isn't anything malicious, not from either party."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGVXZSLd3L
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Tailing her? Well, if that was the case, he must not have been very good at it. But when your target is as disguised and inconspicuous as Kim, then even a knight would have difficulty pursuing you.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7Vdw8S41X
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But, no, something else was bugging me.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UQks6WfF2
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"How did you know where to find us here?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1p7L4WoQD
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"I simply spent the day searching."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ND7yUpv3v
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"The whole day?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjlnjpNUDy
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He didn't respond to that. "Victoria's mother informed me of your whereabouts. This forest may be small, but it sure is dense."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeSijxRaOP
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Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUwBUxgYPA
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"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwNszFZgSi
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He sighed.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRf9XgJPsj
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"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKjwHU965U
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"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBW2LNtLwKG
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"Oh! Yes! Kim is being held captive by a magical beast my ex-colleague has created. He is formidable, and occasionally reckless, but not a creature who would intentionally kill. He wasn't programmed that way."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2QLKo71Ev
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"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBiolJUkUm
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"...Why do you ask?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJdU4GV7p7
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYF5WA0WdWQ
"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPuUp2OlIa
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkANz6fEWNC
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhx90xe81j
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1nNWOa0qM
"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6Ie1e2Ryk
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUMeRhdWZk
"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0Z7QigckM
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaV6O5W4FAc
"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8grbWppEA
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIIKBidtO8
"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."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqqUqEYHrJ
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzdg9FOVdq
"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGuMQWgsWc
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ODhGQg7iW
"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNibMh3253q
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrHTOxLxfQ
He put a hand to his chin.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSACZHvBas5
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjt3gRyAl2
"...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."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvb4SDGbWxQ
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAzIjYaccV
"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9qbycLc8x
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF30ShrIT6i
"No."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9PQeHZvu1
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQ5lthBnqn
"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1TEba0tH8
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilhu4iDMuE
"Do you mean in the woods?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OXlzIdE6a
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11g3h1v4Ax
"Yes. I'm just curious."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgYwUf39Fe
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqegdWpRUmn
"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."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgg9xebUq4
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7EDn1rp3M
I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKNoLbGEW6
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFV65O7GJY
"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0X6aFaN3qK
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiCvx8stLs
"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFC9AwHYND
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZydvKy811X
"Me too."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7j0GtLuGsS
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZXo59fM0E
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMY2w3FJCr
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzTeyCEpNK
"Is that all you wanted to ask?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWAiqPbicp
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKWnIEQ9Nc
"Yes. For now, at least."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QaO7leURp
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXLqU9Ypqk
"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."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxMHoZAjFM
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvjvICxAva
"..."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuGdZmQbe8
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMy0c8VMdKC
It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6AsdujAD7
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtTLNyK6iw
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjj5mkleCv
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYArzhuRUOk
"...Huh?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibOAfDRQ9H
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIZW4wYP5i
–
–
–
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuhHHRrjEZ
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1ql2yw2m6
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4g5U1JaQd
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSkzCglXoI
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfM1jSYnrXt
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkYPpat9gY
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGt3fCKH4wg
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcWlkY9Xdw
"Good morning, Kenny."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZIW0kxUKo
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0mntYGVyN
"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgX9VzfVm1
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OCAjfbFON
"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdStqdDJ752
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ980qqUOwGA
When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oKXzKxakK
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK30uQgKFk2
"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDpjtFTrhR
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxp1GhSbyyC
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytH9pbkPoo
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWE1SDCIKSe
"Yes! I have, ha!"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyMjmb2V0Q
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0WoNEAMkV
She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6aCjWte7M
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwjzXJkF74
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrXLq1wSdt
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYJNNc4dBG
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBEyaELn48
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIR9U91ihKL
"Thank you, teacher."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPz7qVsyJn
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUHW87ezjP
"Yeah. Don't call me that."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LFNtAP7n1
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBJBPZJ4OK
"Okay."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWuBCVH4Bp
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIrLa6kvA0
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuWeF1iVnH
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsbc72Uc5q
"Hm? What's wrong?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sFCEFh0Xg
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqm3csgDyEe
"Um..."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvhXKajGpk
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EcObHu5il
She let go of me and began taking off the coat.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDBQsOnrmG
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEXfri4qeW
"Here. Have it back."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUbSZQR7Wl
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzt38sVzVip
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIAaT7lC1m
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJ8nWzsizc
She shook her head no.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2o0ki4q8jM
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyrCMVCWEi
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RFMobeaRz
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRafRxw9Vt
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQZdNQczOK
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGtsHjcMYp
"Thank you, Flinty."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1u3ZZcNgd
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fuWDVx0ao
I grabbed the coat and put it back on.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYtcv0GPh6
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVTlqXxp3J
"Kenny, do you feel better?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUXfM3WpKN
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6a17Z20t1l
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTZO6YM9Fy
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PiFlQE745
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgFtWlPeYD
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkh71S9gnIc
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt858zcNuGr
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwbzaZ2rKU
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcddUK6m2HA
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWrKQ8btGQ
"Good morning, Kenny."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pZSj9cw09
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQJbTj3XWg
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmFBHUNUsB
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgBrBQrKML
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqOnqcol85
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0y7ZUOfAxJ
"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2V2e2elI6t
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQupdlOkF6
I scooted closer to him.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJVhPgHuV3
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopfO6L0NUj
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kpxB9GRwz
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFV0WrDz2S0
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxRuvgawrA
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQurXkpO0Xj
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3uP2R3IEl
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LhA587JGT
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjrktxi3ck
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33UHlQ8eTN
He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49jH20sTVO
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwFy4ZzAqo
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNKu8iL4Ig
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gdp8fU0ES
"What?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HyRBSOXjS
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijQwot0Y8p
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsm5PphkRjn
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoT6vCrqpJ
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxUEKJpCsz
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RTAyE1nHL
"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."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYfBbCTir5
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zsMwSMWPW
"R-Right."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrc0k9Bt7t
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKS9uhYD5Gc
"Well then, shall we go?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnc6W5i2sJ
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkpXR6XWGM
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtaAlM17fb
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxoJYSZt6X
"Alright."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwG46CIRQ16
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyIMMnpgBt
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xhVDpCLeO
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eYxTtojCk
"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaGMOBF08Y
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlo9PgAvmCs
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5Rn9OWkaz
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhyv0RGscQ
"What?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaasedMhGZV
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmB8FQWu1E1
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEp5NKcJKYg
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwI66qkhfgV
"I know he will."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchvGQzwa6g
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7fiTsCizD
"Then why are you shaking?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVycABVCzH3
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKetg5Krd1
"...I just can't help myself."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUtXNf6CRk
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyx13J69Nn
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlH83wGneO
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLE5c3hKgAw
"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUWL0b2Xbk
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5n61iDngr
"What do you want to talk about?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVkSZgReuZ
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTi14jEk92p
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iYUAaf3iN
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4ww6Yomq0
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBhHNGBc2P
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdkQH3PVqS
"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvgGNSeFqI
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrZciuZsUo
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcFDYK8zrq
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrqc5g0KJO
"Ha!"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRWTvOXfv1
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdI0wVoBXt
She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qmsoxinWm
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYREa4V7ZNr
"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!"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Bz2iYiiq3
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNRXrXH4Rz
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgU5YzNwfI
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx746tL3tKy
"Hehe, something like that."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMba7tGMncD
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFXSYVOGQ0
She didn't sound confident.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVi6r2ICvLm
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DxI7wTYtB
"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaxi5PCWdw
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeVAdSAGCR
"Ah. That makes sense."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuf920QzRsg
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSMYJNkZFr
I was very close to saying something insensitive.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmUtX7RSoB
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaZ8mQLOjs
"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."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafqdyJbD1F
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwjixijefh
"...Wolf?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBil8BjLqA
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TD81hpZ4j
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23AIETEhG9
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1djcdxQt7
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkqF04qUvu
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgwjfApsuj
"Kenny?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zLI70iyRA
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8RVnhbDAw
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2L4Fxfys3C
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWvanpGZ1A
I stood up and walked forward.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhaZfa7PAX
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXoquXiOTW
"Kenny? What's wrong?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz88vYC97Vw
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFR5dlptyb
"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EXibVNtfg
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDbuhNpArj
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK83FNSCReX
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOHyb8b2L6
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwvO1i15SY
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyk94vlBjMi
And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMVtTLhe5r
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNClaetMcR
**BANG**170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKd87nAXwPo
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bBdpwPFyR
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYaAkuLbt1
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHxfHrWGHL
"Victoria."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22FG8RN4RW
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7PjHkxwZk
"Right."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvmLfEU2Sl
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60o1J7L3vC
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOGPEPwbis
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnUYTkqk3K
**SMASH**170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHIfJxlPIT
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FPiON5E3l
There he was.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7PMtM3epA
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuwGJJ1NBg
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBnK1ic0Tc
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xiLeYKRaF
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CNOlFDtPL
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWmXP4YLrK
"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."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wz4TRD07g
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjx42FaaJY
"Right."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6NZUQACGJ
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5V2eOnu6Sw
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mkLjpBbaI
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvjxPRhIXu
"Thank you!"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cdtNGc80W
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwjtfXZAi8
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pYFqlPYnw
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG972moeli8
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33QBPVowQX
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjF6ay2rS1O
"Huh?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlVpABG8cn
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2YuutQhhr
Not just that, he clamped down on it, shattering it instantly. The fire was proven to be ineffective as smoke casually escaped his mouth.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJhv7SRtSk
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqFvmwCDmj
The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXqtZTxosF
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZYWL5DLby
"Shit!"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhG9e9UEV9h
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2syttD9Py3
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31vMa6dO88
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwxSOdRftK
"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvjHma4MtZ
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0ojJO03Ep
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6fF9hKh2j
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nPaPxrsDm
"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEStkxIwSIK
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFK7kdVukI
"I understand."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgAc5F3onf
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjL249kh1W
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZPhSUFXW8
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQYJ0w7ClC
"Uh oh, Kenny."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrJBQdlv05
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQlotrFgPh
Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivapoaI8HT
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwJsMx8qda
"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgz16h1FTz
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TU1u2g2rE
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jy8VSVh2Z
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcysaLITjyb
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8TppHViTd
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5269Hllzm
"Hrk!"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hyEmR9Pyg
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGMpzRUUZD
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2BCKcyEfA
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCpUBfOFIh
"Victoria! Close your eyes!"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZHjfSEG8d
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKt6AnnpcW3
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDWsTmJyKL
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxx6YW0117A
"Victoria!"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWZk83t203
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MAcL6Rsf7
"Right!"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMhkZujRj3
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IX6NIrgnk
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UzTvxF1MG
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHws1kWbeh
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7H3m56u3ob
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1dl3kTlk5
"GRAHHHH!"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslEg1tgPl5
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMd762nezt
A warcry. She was a total barbarian.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrS2FCYlFP7
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugXVw2HFpL
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7a0noMRJ0y
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlR7diAuFRq
"..."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKve6nYVqt
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuJLtmpNtR
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHerbVtRz0E
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlfDqCxwfJ
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYFeyEoZWZ
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpuUd4PU8i
We did it. We really did it.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7st2ZClvt9
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QrAtdCSNY
"Kenny!"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbyISt9qAl
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sZ7AJSt65
Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyATIRILUX
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0hNw5Pb1Z
"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUT98TJViDx
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqUPTe3FNe
"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhEdWQ913v
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvWERj7hE2
She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kEfQJnl8q
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMngkIEMHr
"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWweDWBRbY
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXBcglVlbI
"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAeX84KeSj
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCpLPyGLop
She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcbrkuHF6T
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3ZviEiKpw
"We did it," I muttered.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbBoAJa53S
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXUO8pkvAJ
I struggled to believe it. Not just because the wolf was taken down without much hassle, but because of how I was feeling.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79j4pGCSt0
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIt5nrcPZ4
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBfZQTefBE
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9809mk9z3
I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIE5IaJhom
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUKWDEvkrR
"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0X7aePv519
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WsfTgc9kC
"...It could've been a lot worse."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrFd80Wjix
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1X5CcqMC8B
"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJGjnNrW8o
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXh0EYThahI
Victoria looked at something above me.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFkWicWRvq
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguJBSWknKD
"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqlPsUfEfp
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQJFzmVU6K
Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GilaBLy3n
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2o6akuXj3
"No. Why do you ask?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLSalo1aUg
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjX4e06xfd5
"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."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XssbVxJDi
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzUXFruzXH
"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpRh9lPOhh
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyhExvMHnu
"O-Oh, sorry."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlQ09cYuet
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7BzbEM4GE
She scratched her cheek a little.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5t6GnajnwR
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPz12eY77W
"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnxxumIXOa
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZl1GI2Qf4
"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."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKjEmcQ1eT
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdRoNbVd0B
"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFmwHSvG66
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgCsGVFNb7
"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTprlkO67Kx
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXf4wRMvTdh
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVX4ugLNaKV
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvNqplfuqS
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEtWdKN4Wf
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGW2ZyZUMs
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCjtf8WekE
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4pTpQhtKa
"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6R63951Kh0
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHVZyA1HL4
"We fought something, Kenny and I."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lGYt8dg6i
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPK2nwwv6NV
She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgDSrVG7qp
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LhA0XmopM
"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZHip4mE8n
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxZGoOOQn3
"How is Kim?" I asked.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdN6D1eHmc
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39xWpJiav9
"She's fine, just unconscious."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UD5AnVnvT
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRl5psOTZdq
I could only say one thing.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqybhZSnWB
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7QNyIw5Z4
"...Haaaa. Thank God."
然後按「加至主畫面」