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."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95bFJZ0tNK
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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?231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTzidY9qTD
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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."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKVLNBewnW
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"That's not true at all–"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWhydfQMYL
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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..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqSn1o6liy
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I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8AZ9RxWOI
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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!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZNlMOymZP
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I fell to my knees.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19PnWWBfev
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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..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UNiyhRSJO
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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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJ5lPVIFzR
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"...Kenny."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcMjgOTV7C
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"What!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2rPxswWUb
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He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgdPS6we6J
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"You're not lying to me, are you?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObcsOSSRkA
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The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQsMM9m7Pu
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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."
...231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYwMXpyOTv
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I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijQG6yPr2u
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XNPmqCWXN
I'm not... I'm not doing that, am I? What I'm doing, it's just to preserve what I have, right?231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42beqaaVTG
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"N-No..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSp3iOPV4Ww
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Oh, God.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKWc8fzA3T
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Oh, God.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn47aBigIbo
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"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTd9Zk4EhpP
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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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1ZLhAunqO
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But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdl7eC9v9M
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"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDb3HUq9ENr
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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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEbG8PtBgX
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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–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEy0bgN6OS
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"--Hrk!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGOriUIIE1
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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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xLgdP5zBQ
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One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BJozVd7hy
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"There you are."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XsIfwTrUI
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Ng already found me, huh?231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlde11E7faJ
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"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDU7yvEJmD
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qsBZs5Kzb
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–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsdVszCkQL
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"...Fine."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzcB244xjI
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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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHxPSTTxxZ
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"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFK4z8jKzK
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Nevermind. What a strange question.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxFb2MPqst
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"No. They died a long time ago."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLNwwsh4jF
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"I see. You have my condolences."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd85SCgOBVm
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"I don't need them."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMz9lc25lTI
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A pause.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCAA4crRAY
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"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDF1qgVRrK
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"..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzoL2tpyY3
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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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdatiMucwzR
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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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yb9QnyXRj
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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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcixK4TVdcq
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"Did I–"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFImisdciSX
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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."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJZSkM59hP
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"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ltS1Ie73a
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I had to make sure I heard him.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrY74hIbNu
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"Assistants?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGV3fu6gPRO
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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."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8vlu1TCLF
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"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgUVUcx8Do
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"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FzH57idZB
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"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3BQ4hLaH6
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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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAjyhRkrKR
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Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemNfrQt1it
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"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEv0sMuJ0N
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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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQ6XXmDQH0
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Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JsjRIhe9o
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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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAgkbOa30i
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"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4efCKhHXTX
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"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgXJ1c5jp8
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"Of course."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBAzLVCmT0
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"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42rL3dKbra
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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."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3MCrYvWsm
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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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBYoL5CSyl
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But, no, something else was bugging me.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZn6UGEFfr
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"How did you know where to find us here?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0we1cRBy8n
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"I simply spent the day searching."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbn4BPx9Ak4
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"The whole day?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpxB59V7Fn
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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."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvhOFbUTBZ
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Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPIHWk7Mhx
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"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAgL75Ldwx
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He sighed.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneLDOYzngS
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"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1YJbuuKcc
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"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSR0KOtNvL
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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."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rZL8qwQao
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"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHsKkWeNL4
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"...Why do you ask?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXeQysoGvw
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLt1pl1t6rZ
"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRC4cGnjew
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDhApZTxdL
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjL93zBYmbM
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1Ncp7c1KO
"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UfYz8RNgn
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ537iCHCAz8
"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduZE85kSpr
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8V2fE3wAEY
"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuKGOroRBj
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MPOUYw1KS
"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."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ufASZRJpf
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRd5mOGkaQO
"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91X3yRUU7k
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLbJ4dCID8
"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWB6BKYSzwt
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAkzPC3got
He put a hand to his chin.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXb9L4JDLg
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDaIzmDlMn
"...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."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Cw9NP7sQm
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcn89HSSei6
"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6frFN0AmBA
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHHCNeLT4p
"No."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5hRWhnlu7
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBT3GMFnCP0
"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31DnzfkYU8
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvswCBWIVs
"Do you mean in the woods?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElAozeL8E1
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgl3iWl8LlN
"Yes. I'm just curious."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLlFnzTDfS
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBU4hW9kWsA
"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."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrxvNYx8eE
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcFPQv87is
I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqtI8BadtQ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfv67BBFuSH
"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDSTMjxlRP
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlU0I1gxqr
"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOwm2maiAE
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMW227GEVXj
"Me too."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKs0O11fQCp
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6zMChWwTG
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJ2gFvjXoQ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHmr3V40wg
"Is that all you wanted to ask?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVmuqIShlN
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eH4BYl6dN
"Yes. For now, at least."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfw8jFbmX2
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgE4ZTM3La
"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."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN520mlLx0R
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6J8g54s7ON
"..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFExIJHJZPj
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBHexuVVUt
It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBkJYUdGun
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMunnKjpkyR
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GCZSTsBQv
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlexem5U2D
"...Huh?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqDy2NVCS7
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQjFDwlJcX
–
–
–
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKWYBbUJ8w
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlK3ops0g7
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4ZujB4ha2
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYJ3m5xiDc
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHFl3ZKoi4
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwlOX0V9IF
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3XYzCgy0n
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiXPyRMWZn
"Good morning, Kenny."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEPP2AHlOU
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQxYhMFvOR
"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4sQSzLxzO
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFq8BYi2jm5
"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zFkpDWjTb
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLm9vAy5LK
When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutwokFQWQQ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9ANICfUwh
"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRVf5gabvB
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fBgqXHAsW
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwadD0JU42
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdnKWlCHy0
"Yes! I have, ha!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdXKtHKRQo
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjDJQwYHZb
She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnI0n7CvcuU
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgrN9tMKVS
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96uK4jAuRh
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOKJ3wWdRc
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4Tw3KAMcn
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TetpT8wxI
"Thank you, teacher."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQxYyVMGiO
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9mL76U1VS
"Yeah. Don't call me that."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttZV01AFtu
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDKjIvXoOI
"Okay."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2d0KG2fa1
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCrlnIn56S
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKmkc1soLx
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2VaCt2zr2
"Hm? What's wrong?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlo9KhtMfEF
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFMXdaUXp3
"Um..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivx4omrmjh
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIkThVLDhy
She let go of me and began taking off the coat.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUyZqitT8G
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMt0R6YRhhh
"Here. Have it back."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0EGxsxDDd
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzDmURZutR
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7l21otf2Oy
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡug0NBF4eqy
She shook her head no.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxzBVzYgIW
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDngPiWPwa
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIPYg3GfsI
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBGrWkcyG9
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvW68kHuLwD
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEX2H9RmrG
"Thank you, Flinty."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJM5rdnVtCf
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmK54Hd7mQ
I grabbed the coat and put it back on.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWpBsCGBlj
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcW8hv614wp
"Kenny, do you feel better?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtjLBzGEAo
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcHwmT79Ct
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIChVS31Bbp
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DkPJUevag
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLf8mTE7iNE
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjYlyDYpgz
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABtmznrCql
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOF25e6sL5I
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2FLRi7fQN
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfmNGzBpfY
"Good morning, Kenny."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7ciHtPxmu
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3miVG0GXha
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqkwtxJfVZ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWnq1K5bTw
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIPdAu8Llp
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvwDhQpoAz
"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMNK2XSp6i
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaoZY8kO2C
I scooted closer to him.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHB6zy373Zw
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfYzzP24mD
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbS11I0DCZ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwJmt0Tgcr
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyHwK9IdKO
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8jHfLwDFT
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRdZjT395m
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EjrLzlMZG
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdf5pKDTHAr
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pbNRn8EAO
He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQb2uE6d9yf
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZheMcfPN38
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEWkw0Hny9
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjJnoDG6B7
"What?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFci1wcGAZr
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lp6Zat6ut
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJu9NavpYK
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChtIJGbO5A
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCXRecVPic
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SKXx19Fg9
"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."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3nAyriqx6
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDoJ98XHJ9
"R-Right."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH93Wv3ejSN
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfq4WdrgKq3
"Well then, shall we go?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM99apEWXn1
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUAtfZzk5z
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ186Wsg9dy4
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYFnkfpiut
"Alright."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzywyKdzbfn
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BBoA3ngas
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJT13U2Uo8A
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDgr05yExs
"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0jxg6kfT6
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEbBY2VK5L
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ropRWA1Ud
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeRCu2SxO9
"What?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcp5SpbDxxb
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75AKgOdjTA
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8NnjPY0bj
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3NAyL3OpU
"I know he will."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8TZJVIimI
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMb5EIphHZH
"Then why are you shaking?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76oYES1Xm7
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAbikGLLJU
"...I just can't help myself."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPl7wjPmOq
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZDk9r37Uy
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzIY7vmsqe
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtG3YyDjM2
"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufTkj4O1PZ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKsWtl5utZ
"What do you want to talk about?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZxcHM9gR7
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQeRIoKw8c
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvy3hCGOxw
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjkcJsyMBh
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf67oAA37Va
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ck5GiMGY6
"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1F5uBXUfck
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelQ4CwXvLr
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNf7ssc5JYk
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbL4GTI3SP
"Ha!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPMWDsuchp
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHYJpmWC6p
She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMVmUDFfdW
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuwRjYOAwk
"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!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahRbJdcIWE
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsDQBbfdEn
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbfyqDegFR
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7lOkEB84m
"Hehe, something like that."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxn74N9qeV
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbA5MLpIU5
She didn't sound confident.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubFsjtXqDG
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AmJFuiLa6
"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3ThQep8FT
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EVRH0XOvI
"Ah. That makes sense."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuiQIehlUE
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hGRThXTCM
I was very close to saying something insensitive.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRNy7ZRKrx
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68EWCs2938
"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."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszcfzB0rtt
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6vKklkLsZ
"...Wolf?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6GywZ8eEN
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKNfJ0fCpC
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwkZvzLojY
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcu7IoCj7zj
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlH3TDo2VG
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NUZgcTLL6
"Kenny?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXs7JaMaWM
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvvk0AIuPY
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQ55ZaPNd6
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6C4zisiNad
I stood up and walked forward.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDvrarE89C
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdvsQ82qfg
"Kenny? What's wrong?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvqfBsxjkJ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfWgxmDqQ8
"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXTgP2snwN
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBobXWInTS
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1mpJYJD0N
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbNLgNlGwc
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgG85aohj0
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rBiDE6uO6
And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKbFHnloZR
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqL0M8xp0Qk
**BANG**231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1spOgtWF4z
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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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4sWFByx8Y
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZi31ItM1l
"Victoria."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOgsLVhLFK
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMI4wjWV6qm
"Right."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheCGgaOxsK
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2Vb9U0yuQ
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9M4lAVBwj
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEa8Y1pE3Xk
**SMASH**231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyrMWYdsru
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbr3SWUWgVx
There he was.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡik4Zc8qXwY
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgcIjOQnAn
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7x8WF94Qq
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuXfoYetmP
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0jN7IzFul
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnKRtK5ufE
"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."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwFHNm1le3
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGIqA0FaU0
"Right."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1l0NEQaat
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPNrXbADcx
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizuuk3RS0w
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwsMixcIAD
"Thank you!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZX7a3v5jqn
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJoEO8Rekm
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmMbdJuue9
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdq7a9IPf8Y
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwWJATkd6Z
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjSzEZhKMK
"Huh?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7TfbbrtQP
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zOPxisGlp
Not just that, he clamped down on it, shattering it instantly. The fire was proven to be ineffective as smoke casually escaped his mouth.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlELBZxvCJ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1EVVppV2B
The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggyNOU7LvQ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8rERBqipM
"Shit!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYnDrOzFEn
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIyCi5PfPz
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7usn2aqVMM
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUapvrUEMd
"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZ7LrL6yjO
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3fcsZLyJG
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe08AlHSNnF
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gtlxUYMoc
"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGe6UbMXLI2
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUAdc76Mj8
"I understand."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAXKhSM6fZ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoft2vzOjQd
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJFVU78iXN
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydYssdutuO
"Uh oh, Kenny."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtN4OYFoFU
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Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5Qj6yHsdZ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXZMoDGs7U
"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTR9EPGjXR
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46VLP5NgLf
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8EWoNsW0o
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjke8qFeTrX
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHOqUvq9dV
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TtiaznqFw
"Hrk!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kgPY6piL8
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ON8Iuy0S4
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXvcNd1aFp
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxPPosuZiJ
"Victoria! Close your eyes!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLlxBOadST
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKUy8Ei5Xg
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3qSkOzrYF
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtZY7cDEDm
"Victoria!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeCqAsAPow
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpNTIH6hFq
"Right!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElayUtObFR
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGfPCEp7DW
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9APdXF2oc
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQan0nZVQeG
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwr6bM2Usix
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteArKfmpxc
"GRAHHHH!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRTwW40VEE
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AwBfrfXAI
A warcry. She was a total barbarian.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8lmRJWqRG
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk23Ln8mj2A
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgItfu5ykM
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaWXXy5xKb
"..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBjnN6OQ8g
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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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xl2JQ5Wk5
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAWSqQDwxS
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7MxTUgfmV
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfXaIsYMRU
We did it. We really did it.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8kVwGhfPi
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSpf5DWS0z
"Kenny!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oLHpWNBX7
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrS8QYQQ05
Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wGB9TZVRu
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TaMuuMury
"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KI2bi6UBu
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKouih1hr4A
"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOahlWnaYnq
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5iVUuUhE8
She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQtcMb8r3j
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamf72ZKp1b
"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvZBp6tvQ3
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjflKlzqJ3h
"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPXYaCaPa2
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOjUOVz0dC
She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9C4jBh1Iz
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyTd0LzMJO
"We did it," I muttered.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnBELte8Id
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I struggled to believe it. Not just because the wolf was taken down without much hassle, but because of how I was feeling.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4a2isGNtz
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSSR9Gbkbz
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoB4xWMtZZ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBonc6UquG
I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4puUegVzO
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbqIPLFoNO
"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYttlwMIjdB
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9e7PiCvWy
"...It could've been a lot worse."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fL7GL0YKU
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAw0goxYczd
"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoB1r994sl
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPx0aWhLaxn
Victoria looked at something above me.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPa2FqkNvSN
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYVpWMvofA
"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPva9JdzEnf
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBF992qa7q
Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8N8TavByY
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"No. Why do you ask?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSfGhhilj3
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfI37YhdQW
"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."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdpTAmxc6G
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY50GBSq2Po
"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNN1S4Jdkg
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1tqlcr9Ks
"O-Oh, sorry."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HDsfWHmNr
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She scratched her cheek a little.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8F2VTjfq5R
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3Y6jKH6Ll
"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGPpEs4yO0
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9O4FXumB0X
"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."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgmqnEeuZs
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUfOrxYYPC
"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQg90mc5id
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbDArgfV6b
"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVqDXPiFLM
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEugXv7f6r
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcgFWcc1Hw
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQtAfmExWJ
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxG7CNaowNs
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3iQlUPRRt
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.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6eZ7usf3P
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5vWET754Q
"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xeugrYjfM
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzPPn9puiP
"We fought something, Kenny and I."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqG433vGz4
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGZFa8QEA7
She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDkPVc9Z2K
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobidIaRwOB
"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvh5uzRKBU
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBde1lWFZuP
"How is Kim?" I asked.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnMgWuFLt5
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIgWteJcj6
"She's fine, just unconscious."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QDqXLKWI8
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVX6PkvWaJZ
I could only say one thing.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEYbg73B7B
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KpCICLXTt
"...Haaaa. Thank God."
然後按「加至主畫面」