"Hey, wake up."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jWjSlnqUx
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbmsxQviV4
"H-Huh!?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdGHAcUARq
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWT3AtcisgU
I was rashly wrung out of sleep, jumping at the sudden touch on my shoulder. I fell pathetically to the floor, groaning and rubbing my chin as I got on my feet.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXVUpPk3MG
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlDfWqFFZj
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare ya."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENzbXmVGfe
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqJGz7PGxZ
"No no, it's fine."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOzbMQ0YGE
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNP4UJ7uhAq
Once the pain subsided, I let out a lengthy yawn and rubbed my eyes. I had difficulty keeping them open. I rubbed my face and took a seat on the couch, hoping to wipe away the grogginess.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXbNNhd77U
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68nczqjjDS
"Goodness kid, did ya sleep at all?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjloNMWjMM6
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikL3SwOmyx
"Huh? Yeah, sure I did."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0rvwHnyc8
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaw4c9a5w22
I let out another yawn. After a dozen firm blinks, I was able to keep my eyes open for longer than two seconds.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9C8ZBqeGr
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWr4kNkULe
"Are ya sure–"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2Aieikwnj
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3g0snPwe9
"Listen, Juke, I'm fine. I'm, perfectly fine. My neck is just a little sore, that's all."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqR8fw77By
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eI098VklC
It must've been because of my sleeping position. Perhaps that was also the reason behind my shakiness. It had to be. Using mana expulsion, I produced a bit of water and gulped it all down, then began stretching my limbs.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgMUMTDNUI
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmgDAIsSoQ
"Well, if ya say so. When yer ready, come meet me outside."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWhNZ3RExj
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxujvTiVc8
Juke exited the living room, leaving me alone. I wasted no time going through my morning routine in the bathroom. Once I finished, I returned to the living room. Outside the bathroom door, idling, gazing at the couch where I slept.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVZNuUA9QB
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPmkNqbYwX
"..."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qu8VWE23S
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIxpzGIESC
Now that the grogginess had left me, my mind worked at total capacity. It came with unwanted by-products.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZQbJI8oUq
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIJlt8G3KK
It had barely been ten minutes. Since I wasn't counting, likely less than that. So little time since I woke up, yet the flow of time had already become contorted. I clutched my head and looked at the floor.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0pb1R9l4W
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTplCWX4eAo
It was no use mulling over it now. Besides, I was hungry. So I left the living room. Juke and the man were sitting at a nearby table, eating their food with a third plate unattended. I tottered to their table and took a seat.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwysgKJVk7z
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdF655ya775
The plate was full of fish. It wasn't a food I'd associate with breakfast.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9FCWn5iNg
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpt7ZsmGho
"Hi young man, how did you sleep?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NDerlmKga
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUk4weZ5P8S
His tone was cheery and amiable. He sounded like a pleasant person to speak to.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jbdQqTmSn
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDPN8UA3a7
"Hmm. Huh? Oh, were you talking to me?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssSsjCzjAH
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6ohmpSgv1
The man nodded. Now that I thought about it–177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGl2nu7DYxQ
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7JkpdNbHv
"What's your name anyway? I don't believe you've ever told us."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDVMsMTMDq
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBk0V24NAV
"...You must be right. My name is Hank, it's a pleasure."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fVviwmnUO
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nGz6jpIGG
"Hank... did you cook this breakfast?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8WzSfyvsn
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9xMgRLzvj
"I certainly did. Well, go on now, try it."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6JdMT4LoP
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpK4E9ZCan
I turned my face away from him and looked at the fish. At first glance, even a toddler could discern that it was undeniably well-cooked. The fish was coated in spice and–177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXB0W9sUFzr
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bNkpnzyrX
"Don't gotta waste yer time ogling at it, kid."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEL4LdQcsbN
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0I5j6owG3t
Juke's statement interrupted my necessary analyses.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9F9Jq2wdd
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHASKglE8f
"I guess you're right. Is good, Juke?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6wA6LlHWT
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FSjWCU6AS
"Yeah, it is. If ya don't eat it now though, some bird might poop on it and ruin the taste."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7MTmikXmq
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNMsbXAqYa
"What?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH54vcX1j90
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOq69qlDPg
He sighed and flicked his head.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSExi8O0Nd
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMrnkcwAOf
"Come on, let's enjoy our last breakfast here, why don't we?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwcrFIVu1U
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxapQ9k57kn
"Last... yeah, let's."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCVuCkdD0p
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BqKzlwGXg
I took the fork and began to eat the fish. It had a kick to it that I didn't expect, but otherwise–177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrRgxem8S9
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakc0Uk8Ifh
"This is good. This is really good."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtzsPITSvt
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0aCwO6pYv
"I told ya."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMxDZLVIjB
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFMJSaa4fV
I kept eating. It was pleasant and satisfying. The dish brightened my mood. Marginally so, but it was still something, so I was grateful for that.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHfX21Hoqq
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVTVMtpOcG
"Wait a minute, Juke," Hank started, "how are you eating with your helmet on?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ONK9GlifR
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpHoSJz2cx
His question caused me to look away from my fish and at his own. Indeed, half of it had already been eaten, but Juke never once removed his helmet to do so.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWMDKU7riV
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8svo6F9mg
"Trade secret, don't worry 'bout it. Just keep eating."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrUdToNzsz
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ndhEGptdp
The man backed down. I kept looking at Juke, but he wouldn't eat the fish in front of me.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDiQcz7wFu
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsM2ZXpDjF
In the face of that obstinance, I smiled. I knew it wouldn't last, but at least I would be able to eat my food without any daunting thoughts.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijjq1PVARx
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNVXK2kzPx
–
–
–177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bktRfUV1h
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFUpAr93V8
Once we put our tableware aside, Hank corralled us back to the table. Juke and I sat by each other. Hank had a pensive and nervous look, giving me a sense of foreboding for what was to come out of his mouth.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDL90vyz9O8
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUzcljktw4
"So, you two want to leave the city, correct?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8ufpXeuw1
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSJrmuJMwo
"That's right," Juke responded.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOEc7fuZL9
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsKpdkrm1h
"I see..."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVly66vhzth
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBDuSrOozi
He pinched his chin and gazed at the table.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKF1AqeCyt
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHb21SdJRg
"Well, I won't try to stop you, but I'd like to give you two a word of warning: the streets aren't empty. Those folks at Hard-Bringer are surveilling the area quite compellingly."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbIOpnuAmf
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PF7ttTAAU
Juke let out a sigh and I rested my head on my hand. Honestly, this was in my expectations, but hearing it be confirmed was a blow to my psyche all the same.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwViyC0Kqc8
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooT39eEYtg
"However, I do believe you two can get out fine."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYrw6CQ7KD
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0Vt4e1co5
"Yeah, that's what I was thinking too. I doubt those Hard-Bringer bastards got the staff to keep an eye on every part of the city."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Vsqtn7lH2
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkGxODgn6T
I nodded along to Juke's reasoning. Hank did too, less tense than twenty seconds ago.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdH87cmkhjw
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJikQfPB9j
"Do you two have a plan in mind?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCL1PTMSvN
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vFbtAKhFA
Juke turned his head to me, confusing me more than pressuring me.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BplaHrDrp
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvcLGdsBVQ
"What are you looking at me for?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQ0XFc29zn
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgee89sU57
"Ya got any ideas?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamNHonNDjG
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2Gn3XND18
"Why do you think I do, anyway?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCJnfcae4R
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQXNyDnhr0
He shrugged at my inquiry. I just sighed and rubbed my temple, racking my brain for anything.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkw3n6ToGM
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHKqqmX9gV
"I suppose we'll have to gauge just how heavily the streets are being supervised. If they aren't in every nook and cranny of the area, we can probably weave in-between alleyways and whatnot just fine."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEycTVKuM0
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKE0QItT3XL
Juke and Hank nodded at my statement. As concrete as the idea was, it hinged on a factor too risky for either me or Juke to confirm.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ162bLtUpwP
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSk5LqZa2Uo
"Hank, can you go outside and check the surroundings?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHpey9UxqY
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgjhcXbUxJ
"U-Uh, I very well may, however..."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZo32M94D5t
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14Bt2ZTD6X
I raised my brow, then realized that just because Hank wasn't me or Juke didn't mean that he was entirely safe.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbFP1ek7tw
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPi4ns5B9A
Rover's visage flashed in my mind. I brushed it aside for the moment, barely.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtw4Zi56brQ
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIpjGUP79A
"I'd rather not run too far away. Otherwise, I'd get apprehended and questioned, and then it would be evening by the time I come back."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMcCMEgtUP
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJe1Bqdnv7
"I see. I apologize for asking so much from you."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqszdFpuujM
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkepqNrkzH
He shook his hands frantically and.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0nTzofiIJ
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6Z09g9LgB
"Oh no no, I'll do it. I just don't think I'll be able to scout very far ahead."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7MolEE3K1
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsAg3gZ2ER
"That ain't an issue. Just the first block should be alright."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXooGVlgHx4
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCbylY0DJI
Hank's gaze turned abnormally stern. He stood up and did a few gesticulations to assure himself.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhOynG5Q6M
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rw8U60YWI
"Pray for me."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVX3PK1Cj0
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimSe5iNwCu
"Don't worry. We'll arrange yer funeral for ya."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNluTPSn9j
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vVQdzv2lS
"Juke!"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNLr5eYKB4
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsue00bKycS
Juke's comment vanquished all of Hank's efforts to pump himself up. Still, though, he rambled to the door, taking a deep breath before opening and exiting the building. Juke and I were alone, now. An awkward and elongated silence permeated through the room.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5caKeATJq
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBk7tc1rg5u
"Thanks for trying to lighten the mood, Juke."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9yG9FdwLv
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMa6e37sMEd
He turned his head to me, stuttering his words before taking a breath and speaking them coherently.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdKiJgcO6h
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7JZsgDt6O
"No need to thank me. The atmosphere's tense, I just don't want it to stay that way."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUBZIInHmR
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdGVyMKSTO
"Still, I appreciate it."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2OGID4Roc
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9BreJp6Y5
I sat with my legs spread out, lowering my head and leaning over to stare at the ground.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeNaaf4bKq
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFdTarXLjI
"I can tell that my wisecracks ain't all that effective, though."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbYSS4iRJA
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUfLoS8poQ
I wanted to rebuke that statement, to tell him that he was wrong and that I was feeling much better. I would be lying to him, but that wasn't why I stopped myself. That was because of the tinge of melancholy I caught in his voice, so faint that I was unsure if I was just hearing things.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8F3NXz5Iii
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMR4XJ2yhWk
I wanted to press him on that. But I was in no state of mind to do so. So, we continued to wait in silence.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUEAZvyeu5
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AWJ3y4S84
Hank came shortly after. His face was drenched in sweat and anxiety. He let out an arduous sigh when he closed the door and sank to the floor.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmMUb57Stn
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnnXlGRktp
I was expecting the worst, but he shot us a thumbs-up with a wink. A smile found its way on my face. I looked at Juke and we nodded at each other. We stood up and stretched our muscles, helping Hank get to his feet and standing before the door.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MdgnBXteK
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4noYdILPLW
"Thank you for your help, Hank."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmoA2rbKXY
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmg0ierPbA
"Yeah, we really of ya."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cBFRvVfp0
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkJzqgmk36
He gave us a light smile and waved.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarauQ1ecd1
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsg72xYTXW
"No no, it's fine. It's what Dennis would have wanted, I'm sure."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡft4HSitit4
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqirFEAo4y
"...Y-Yeah."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5RTItHaQn
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqTeuRq0pk
A morbid parasite was planted in me before we left. It began to eat at me instantly, but I did nothing to address it.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVi6AnwxLy
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKaGLIWIE6
–
–
–177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2lLnyjEI2
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1wQtcfT9a
The streets were void of any busy citizens traveling from one place to another. All inhabitants were inimical people in robes. The only remedy was the relative lack of them.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7iTgF8ves
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBBrujM2ld
Weaving in and out of alleyways was a surprisingly easy task, as the Hard-Bringer members couldn't stay in one place even if they were paid to. Though it made moving in the streets nerve-wracking with the unpredictability of these people, it was better than having to wait for them to fall asleep or find a detour as they obstinately remained in one spot.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIKnNNylLV
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSq7keuTMm6
With all the pauses in between movements and focus on not getting caught, I stopped paying attention to our routing quickly. I was anxious that Juke did too.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5S4pDRxENz
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4ydM2C1Fj
"Hey, are you sure we're going the right way?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNIyNHVE2j
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusxtdbaLDI
"Yeah, I'm sure. I remember that chipped building when I visited the stables earlier."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQ2CDcxY7v
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRn1JMkNYR
He pointed at a building opposite us. Indeed, it was chipped, but somehow I didn't find his memory reliable.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKyyFsfCKC
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqGxmAZqAn
Still, I had no better way to make it to the stables myself, so I kept following Juke as we skittered diagonally across the street.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxx3Useupe
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcbGol8Xo8
"--Crap!"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsNbMKkmd1
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDq9X4plJKl
This alleyway was void of anything to hide behind, meaning that we had to leave it now or suffer an embarrassing and egregious discovery. I peered over the corner and saw a duo of robed people turning a corner and into our street.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVN9DfPWAHH
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mpOwYcJHL
"Crap. Crap!"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSURRpgrK5
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiViCVje4Sb
"Eh? What's the situation, kid?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXCR1UWqG3
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWiqSGVqT4
"People are heading our way!"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXiLUwKhqv
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0snMdPZzc
With a hoarse whisper, I relayed the information to Juke, whose eyes I could see widen even through his helmet. He looked behind him and deeper into the alleyway, reaching the same conclusion that I did.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mLSu8Zi0R
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvUhwMUhDP
"I guess we gotta jump 'em."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4uB2gUt1Y
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aY6GGqoBE
"What!? That's a terrible idea!"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IKm1fwomJ
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALPo2Q1bzY
Despite the incorrect usage, I knew precisely what Juke meant by jumping the two people. I discarded the idea, as engaging in a fight would only draw more attention. But, as I sifted through my mind, I couldn't conjure up a course of action more tangible.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGfd8v0tUq
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbAMyqqSZx
"Okay, maybe it isn't a terrible idea, but we need to knock them out quickly."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlldxHDYiRl
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66qpOwIEbw
"Yeah, killin' 'em will just make a mess and draw attention, ya make a good point."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0VyHYf7dC
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMO0FXtjiCj
"...Murder is the first thing you– nevermind, you gave me a good idea."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AJBYtHO9h
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTufMhDI2qh
I produced my tendril and created a Valencia-Bloom at its tip. Then, I ran as far back into the alleyway as I could, signaling Juke to do the same. When we made it to the wall, I began mana spinning and produced a shield from the flower big enough to cover us both.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVpaLNACa0
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TVLDGPPL4
It was unexpectedly heavy. The weight of the shield brought me to the floor and strained my arm terribly177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeCILnKUBr
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBQnqKWNnn
"Ack!"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzN4zlkIwJ7
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeshwsWOVc
"G-Goodness, kid. Are ya alright?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1bXtnNp5n
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMgoPc0z2q
"I-I'm fine, just keep quiet!"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8A0jSVnG0
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAip6zJjJG
We waited out behind the shield until I heard two sets of footsteps pass by the alleyway. Once they vanished, I removed the shield, massaged my arm, and with Juke's help, we made it back onto the street.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq87KI1Ksxt
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eg0VB7Q1i
"Ya strong folk really are crazy."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDA2aQxHAd
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHSGNYBeEP
"Shut up. Now isn't the time for this."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9nMWpNkRq
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxP8TTHdnn
We traveled the road a bit faster since we had to cross through an intersection. We made sure both sides were clear before continuing forward. The road curved at this point, so we kept close to the wall, using our ears instead of our eyes to sense any oncoming persons.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKP1hvnYCf
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBO6Okl4bT
And, by doing so, I heard something that made my hair stand on its ends.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWJ11ZRHvu
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcosJKDogv
"--Yeah, we should find a place to hide, don't ya think?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhxNaV2XSg
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrg7YNs4klD
I hastily nodded with him and scanned the surroundings. I spotted an alleyway with a gigantic dumpster at the front. Juke already began running to it before I could point it out, so I followed him.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnLzHxH7Rs
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWCEpeBHg4
We sat down behind the dumpster. I gnawed on my finger as I heard what I could only describe as an army of people walking down the street. I didn't see them, nor did I want to, but the footsteps never ended– it was as if the hustle and bustle of the streets had returned, but now, it only disturbed me.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs75apihAKp
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZYQSDucdZ
It went on for far, far too long. I couldn't keep my cool. The gnawing turned into rampant chomping, and my breathing became labored and heavy. I rocked back and forth, back and forth back and–177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZeyhjTe1e
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2egDpNLRS
"--Kenny, I don't know if that'll do ya any good."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaKe6E2SSm
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDk5PjIU2R
"Huh?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhOREqfZhG
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uy9gfRI1O
Juke's deep voice pierced through the thunderous train of footsteps.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWduW84ipD
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XvGysUc0m
"That whole biting thing, and that whole shaking thing. That shit freaks me out. I get why yer doing it, but seeing someone like ya do so just don't sit with me right."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuq88STx43x
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftKQopOX7Y
I knew he was trying to console me. But, I didn't feel as if he was. I felt as if it was a precursor to just another one of Juke's ramblings about his ideology.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGaid8MJN7
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfop2N9KFE
"Why? Is it because I'm strong?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrVYvxMDZk
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyKW13LWgE
"Nah, it's cuz yer a kid."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aXU0KcU5H
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5D4S6vk2jP
His response left me more stunned than I could've imagined.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLfgyJx6Jw
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmb37xzUiBe
"I can tell ya got something plaguing ya. I ain't dense, so I can already guess what it is. Still, I think ya should spill it."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaKtzoB8zx
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexRlhyTtiR
"..."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dLbrKg44E
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFKGOBV46I
I brought my knees up to my head, wrapping my arms around my legs. Usually, I'd be concerned about the crowd overhearing us, but the dumpster was far enough, and the thousands of footsteps would veil my voice.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjob5uA5Vrl
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGc8UBAiCOS
So, I let my mouth run amok.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5fbYOOvyv
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtDDaKy20o
"I'm sure you know, but what Rover told me has... affected me, I suppose."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Zu6M83Nhm
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡth055LAU2x
"Yeah, I know."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTbM9SWab2
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUiBhlDZ5L
A pause. I used it to formulate my following words more effectively.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5aohuegIJ
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAgPs6gibn
"It left me confused. It was like I was asking myself questions with words I couldn't understand. I didn't even know how to begin to answer them. So, for the time being, I decided to ignore them."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuSu6GQUxM
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBYqc1y94T
I darted my eyes to the side. He nodded along. He stared at the wall across. I did the same.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzQnoHnOOq
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYMCXs8Nil
"When I was at the door last night," I continued, "right after Rover left, I suppose the prospect of going after her, of facing her, was too intimidating. I didn't get why, exactly. I just knew that I couldn't do it. I didn't think that doing so would be bad or something, quite the contrary. I just thought that, somehow, it was an impossible task. So, I didn't do it. Instead, I sat back on the couch and fell asleep."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNc8J0isA2
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudD1ljVXdM
"That sounds familiar..."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6TSiZbJm0
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSpeMyGXkW
"Huh?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hYZOg5Aiq
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JeToVFvfX
"Nevermind. Ya carry on."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OB1di9c0h
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Uvs9lokp6
I felt a little let down, but did as I was told.
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKH8iVi1XVi
"I am just, very confused. I don't quite get how I feel, but I do understand that all the forces inside of me are fighting over the decision I made last night, to do this. And, I guess I say I'm unsure of it, but I do know what I really am."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUD8TCxHkS
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOjLXhJt1P
"Well?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KdNuQ3KgU
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdORIpb3Bw
"...The thing is, if I voice it, I'll probably break apart here and now."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfBZnVcVoe
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNQ7x3P1Z8
"Ah."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32b4n4DPJ9
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiPSAT2uzv
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but articulating it in my brain was difficult.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC59o53NllZ
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcfLziz43H
"Some part of it came from the distant past. I'm talking about what drove me to make this decision, I mean. Another part, I'm unsure. And the last one was more recent. It was only for a moment, but when I thought about going outside with Rover, that overgrown bug flashed in my mind."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12zHMtRN8L
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRhfuleCYj
"Ah, the Lionant?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgttQwCZcl
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaB8Tl74HQY
"Yeah. The one you saved me from. Thank you for that, by the way."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOFFm4GuZy
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInJODybxw1
"..."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1p6k7B4TE
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4evYwdqHgk
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but I hung on to the thoughts left behind by my last sentence and formed a question out of it.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mQhSb7jr4
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0zInX87L4
"This might be a dumb question, but why did you save me back then?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVrxS74d0M
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNychDC5VkR
"...Yeah, why did I?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSFvjeAhOZ
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hh6dnLFdH
I didn't expect to be met with another question.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4AG4ocbjh
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPTUd0GROI
"It doesn't make much sense, does it? After all, I'm weak, and yer strong. A weak guy like me shouldn't have to save strong folk like ya. But I did save ya. I really did save ya."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkObxiiGqQ
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpjq5CgQnb
I turned my head to him. He had his eyes pointed at the sky, one arm slung over his knee.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aFpel9j3G
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYROocjM1Fk
"I don't know why I saved ya. It wasn't in my mind, I didn't think of doing it, but I did save ya."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEOpbWzD1n
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoFvnh1wSS
"..."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaWGCc3Sj6
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuIrtedGVF
I felt as if I should have said something, but I remained silent. Juke continued his gentle monologue.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiWa5caEg3
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjTwTNLth4
"Rover's got a brutal tongue. Usually, I just brush off what loud folk like her say, but she was blunt and rude about it, so it really stuck with me. I couldn't care less about that 'you should do and think this and that' shit, but, ya know what, Kenny?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxSdHcGq2m
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OZok3dHsW
"What?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLBeqq6Bks
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22zHhvYbUV
"Before I went out to look for ya two, I talked with Dennis. I had a real good conversation with him 'bout politics, women, and a bunch of dumbshits we've met in our olden days."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeXevmOQts
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQuCYKHCif
"That sounds... boorish?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡas6UmCOKLH
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87xwcYkueE
"Pff, yer just too young."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEadPoXb998
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjSA5I6mn8
He paused for a moment.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3ff70Ku2l
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVxV1RDBOz
"Why the hell am I saying this to a kid?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyExS8FfF4
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyAFhFMWmI
"D-Don't mind that, just keep talking."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjxaSWWy8h
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xz0xcVX9g
"...The thing is, a weak guy like me shouldn't concern himself with Hard-Bringer. It makes sense, doesn't it? Leave the big problems to the big strong folk. Weak guys shouldn't have to fight for other weak guys. That's what I think."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovluJvjYCw
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRAU2ecMXr
He took a second to readjust himself. I used that time to spill my own thoughts.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EXfac6YoP
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAsoERNdqf
"That's silly... O-Oh–"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfqoKP7ny8
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVK3CPAG68
I realized I had just blurted out something insensitive yet again.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2LgRjLN0Z
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JLFcRDuU7
"I didn't mean to be rude, but–"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAjEhlGrqQ
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJI1DxOLd7F
"Nah, I get why ya think it. To each their own, that's what the masses say, yeah?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3S1Db7AtD
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZG0g8Gr2D
"I... yes, I suppose so."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4BOeIqDt6
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVtYFDWvei
Another pause. Juke directed his gaze to the floor this time.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQaKgDN965
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsN7tVpTrVZ
"I think the weak shouldn't have to deal with what the strong does."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8cmRn11mf
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSx2vuv5WKy
"Yes, I know."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjxEwI2Tx8
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1SCIXZKkS
"But I wanna make sure Dennis is still kickin'."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2MxdswAIh
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqm8Jo6MTP
He said that with conviction I had never heard from him before.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69oBKqcjAg
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMSu96MHmF
"I believe what I said yesterday. I think he's just fine. 'Sides, I got no interest in fighting Hard-Bringer. But that ain't changing the fact that I wanna make sure with my eyes."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FkxHkIgMG
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJW3Tel2JO
"..."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpL7oAJnOkb
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4mw3ImCXQ
I didn't say it outright, but I agreed with him. I wanted to make sure Dennis was fine as well. Yet, unlike Juke, I doubt I could muster the will to do so.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoAVh5Y6CK
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsolG92FW4w
"Ya hear that?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcyOTDQAzi
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAM84pMHaY
"Huh?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElcIuxckte
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNd03bpXU6
I perked my ears. I didn't hear anything. Then, I realized what Juke meant.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZ8pEgyqMd
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYMto9RbVW
"They passed."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnfxFHvNIm
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMAK2Vuftp
"Yeah. I can't hear them anymore."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwnr0dtRiA
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJZ7hhR8yF
Juke stood up first. He brushed the dirt off his pants and peered around the corner.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcwuPZZWzE
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUhBqTMQkR
"Looks like we're in the clear. Phew."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrf6CEqmYk
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8c3dnnodoQ
I stood up and ambled to the front of the alleyway. Sure enough, Not one robed person was in sight. It was a clear indicator that I should have taken a step forward, but I didn't. No, I couldn't, not after what I had just said.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8MRbvIBzo
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5EuqNXpKE
Juke had already taken his first steps, though. He looked back at me once he noticed I wasn't moving.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IDJDUoM4K
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTQN4jFdzQ
"Shit... hey, kid, I know what yer thinking."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHivO6MCcm3
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnMJNdOpfw
"You've been saying that a lot."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2Ta3mtm7I
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfipm4xkmz
"That's just cuz yer easy to read."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrsAxNqhbE
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkgAARuxqn
We stood stock still in silence.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAPX93IzOx
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUp8GxfPz4s
"W-Well, what are you waiting for," I muttered, "Let's get going."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphwIOt0OP7
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66ZD4q8nez
"Are ya sure?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlNBKjkXuK
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmQqb52NQI
I walked out of the alleyway, looking both ways before standing beside Juke.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucJqTlvmau
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZxvkm8kJu
"I should be asking you that."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NH88h5kpq
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2l3N080Rzt
"Hehe, I guess so. We've come this far, haven't we?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwZqHuqZq7
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYaXOoC7AL
"Yes. You get it."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyo702qQQge
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHpW0QhckF
But before we continued, there was one last thing I wanted to mention.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KZSljeUdv
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ik3siGtGm
"If we see something that might change the accuracy of your hypothesis, then... I'm going to turn back, understand?"
Juke released a lethargic chuckle. I wasn't offended by it, instead, it caused me to think.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGqhiu94EH
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazoUsPCpjv
"Fine by me."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Om1wNjB77
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQzH8YMnC9
I wondered how seriously he took my word. I wouldn't blame him if he thought it duplicitous.
We kept going down the streets, running between the alleyways as we avoided being spotted.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EpZAE6wV4
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9QgW5MD2Z
–
–
–
"Ya see that?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElWlsKQ9GB
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmK8Bt1ANJ
"Yeah, we're almost there."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBzjklYeMw
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBC9j7tCUH
After hours of dodging lines of sight, taking tedious pauses in smelly alleyways, and having one too many heart-attack-inducing close calls, the stables were finally within our view. It was still a good distance away, but being able to see it was relieving. We were fortunate enough to find it unsupervised, too.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJjSKDVGKQ
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtWq983ZKx
We approached it with a pep in our step, but not forgetting to employ prudence. I turned my head in every direction as we got closer and closer.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIusRlmmFk
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmTjYpufIn
And as we got closer and closer, a sudden stench assaulted my nostrils.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYb6o2I0yco
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"Blurg, what was that?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AVlFLOox3
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I skidded to a stop. I reluctantly sniffed the air again but didn't catch the same whiff. Juke looked back at me, confused.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xZq48nJzW
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"What was what?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKM1Rezxtj
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"I caught a whiff of something."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGs3DpKsuDF
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"Ah, gotcha. I ain't stopping, just so ya know."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoAOKe97Kg
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Clicking my tongue, I continued following Juke to the stables, occasionally sniffing the air as we encroached it.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67b5CP6fOQ
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And then, it came again. This time, more putrid than before.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8J8b7ASfR
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"Ugh– ack, what in the world?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAS4x8204Wf
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Juke didn't stop to ask me what was wrong this time. He turned the final corner and already made it to the stables. I knew that I had visited this place before, but I didn't quite acknowledge the structure until that moment.
It was like an open barn house with only a meager roof over the parking spaces. Inside these parking spaces were carriages, and opposite them were miniature pens housing the animals responsible for heaving the carriages. These pens were fitted with roofs and thick gates to block the animals from wandering off. Of course, because of the structure of the stables, he barged in without having to bust open any doors. Naturally, I entered without issue myself.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJqR0bnsGP
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But never had I wished for a door to be present more than now.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04o6GHSMPk
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"...This is fuckin' horrid."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRvHhJvvFJ
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The carriages were untouched, but the carriages were only there for me to distract myself with. It didn't last for long, of course. After all, the stench and overwhelming, blinding quantity of red permeating through every crevice of the area made it impossible to keep up the charade.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEb2BsVegc
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The pens were broken, but the animals hadn't escaped. They were still in their pens, but as cadavers opposed to breathing beings.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLd5eR1wfwf
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Bile rose to my throat, but I was able to suppress it. That disturbed me deeply.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffYBMixp98
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"Well, Kenny, I dunno if we'll be leaving by carriage any time soon."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzgp6YW2B6
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"You 'don't know', huh? Are you kidding me?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUcttpqh6O
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I glared at the scene. It was grotesque, but my eyes couldn't divert from it. Every animal in every pen– no exception was made, none were spared. They were unapologetically slaughtered. Juke spoke of the sight perfectly; It was horrid. it evoked such visceral repulsion even when closing the eyes and glancing at it through memory.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBcauGI4jo
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But, as much as I hated it, as much as it made me want to turn the other way and run, seeing our way out be cut off like this relieved me of a subconscious weight.
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Juke ventured further into the stables, and I begrudgingly followed. I fixed my gaze to the right, passing by the open pens and observing the carrion they contained. I didn't try to immerse myself in the details; I would've truly thrown up if I did. But, from what I did see, I could judge the means used to kill them. From lacerations to burns, to pulverizations of their bodies, it was obvious that a mix of magic and weaponry was utilized.
I was lucky that the blood had dried long ago.
"Sly bastards. How'd they know we'd try to get out?"
"...They probably just did this preemptively. Did they have to murder all the animals, though? Why not damage the carriages?"
My question had not just reminded Juke, but also myself of our carriage. We steered directions and beelined towards it. From an outside view, it looked unharmed. As Juke pulled out a key and unlocked the doors, I could only hope that the same could be said for the inside.
"Nagging Dennis for this shit paid off."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVuYVQS9gY
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Juke muttered something under his breath before flinging the doors open and entering. I followed, releasing a heavy breath as I confirmed that the carriage was unharmed.
"'Fore we head back out, we oughta pack some supplies."
"I agree, but I hope you know I won't be able to carry much."
"That's alright. This big body of mine ain't just for show."
We entered the back. Juke took the bag of food and placed his arms through the straps, carrying it like an oversized backpack.
"Anything else ya think we oughta bring?"
"...I can't lift the big bags, but–"
I grabbed a smaller one and emptied its contents, stuffing it with the few potions I had left in the larger bags, leaving me with a pleasantly light load. Juke hummed in an amused, yet agitated tone.
"Ya had potions this whole time? Ya should'a told me!"
"Oh, sorry. I thought I had."
We exited the carriage and returned to the stables, Juke grumbling as he descended the steps. I didn't leave just yet. Before that, I spared one more glance at the animals, meagerly clenching my fists.
"Hey, Juke."
He turned around and faced me. Before I got my words out, I had to stop shaking.
"What do we do now?"
He looked at me intently, or was it blankly? Either way, I could tell that he was digesting my question. Then, he turned his gaze away.
"We can't get out with the carriage, that's for sure."
"I know that much. But, do we... do we try anyway?"
"...Nah, ya should know that yerself."
My facial muscles dropped, forming an ugly frown. He was right, and because he was right, I was upset.
If they took measures this drastic to make sure nobody escaped, then the gates were unquestionably, undoubtedly guarded.
That undeniable notion frightened me.
"Yeah, you're right. But, still, what do we–"
I couldn't finish my sentence. My speech was interrupted by a jerk movement from Juke. He leaned in– almost pouncing at me and pushing me to the ground as he haphazardly fell to it himself.
I hadn't the time to formulate any complaints and questions, but all that I could have formed were addressed by the soaring ball of fire narrowly avoiding my head.
"--Ack!"
I landed awkwardly on my shoulder. Whether it was dislocated, I didn't know, nor could I afford to find out. I scrambled to my feet and faced our assailant. My blood turned cold when I saw her.
"That man is a quick actor. What about you, child? Are you the brains of your clique?"
It was the woman at the plaza. She was not in her unequivocal robe that was the sigil of Hard-Bringer but in a slackened coat, plain shirt, skirt, pants, and boots.
"Well, answer me, won't you?"
"Don't humor 'er, kid, she's got a screw loose!"
"N-No need to tell me!"
Juke got up on his feet and brandished his sword. I took out the tendril. The woman grabbed a curvy, seemingly customized, serrated knife. She raised it as she began to speak.
"So you two won't speak? Fine by me. A mute roadblock is easier to handle."
With a slide of her back foot and a drop in her posture, she burst into a sprint heading in our direction. Then, she veered into me.
The sudden shift left me panicked. I instinctively took a step back and produced a Valencia-Bloom, but before I could utilize it, she slashed her knife at me. I narrowly avoided the swing, but she didn't let up, spinning the blade in her hand and thrusting it to jab me.
That's at least what it looked like she would've done.
She did thrust her knife, but she spun as she did it, clashing with Juke's broadsword so suddenly that even he was taken by surprise. The woman exploited his shock well by delivering a kick to his chest. Juke's body didn't budge from the kick at all, though. A metallic sound rang throughout the stables and his head jerked back.
"Ack! My neck!"
"--I see."
Realizing I wasn't doing anything, I extended my tendril, using it like a dull spear. The woman ducked my attack and slammed her fist into it. I recoiled from the strike, but not enough to paralyze me. Thus, I slammed the tendril on the ground. She rolled away, dodging it effortlessly.
My tendril still near her, I switched the Valencia-Bloom for a Freeze-Dry. But I couldn't use it; the woman leaped and stomped on the flower before any ice came out.
My eyes widened by themselves. I couldn't think of what to do next, but I was fortunate enough to not have to. Juke swung his sword at the woman. She dodged it, but Juke didn't let up with his assault. The woman took a series of backsteps too great for Juke to immediately catch up to. Almost instinctively, she kicked her leg up, and though Juke was a couple of meters away, his head jerked up and a sound rang out as if he was hit.
Though Juke was struck in the chin, and though he was partially airborne, he aimed his palm at the woman, firing a wind spell at her.
And, it connected.
"Hng!"
It was a weak spell, and she was able to block most of it with her arms, but the point was that it connected. Somehow, that fact alone was enough to shock me.
"Yer power's confusing. Is it an Endowment? I dunno, I've got one, and yers sure don't feel like it."
Juke rubbed his chin. I could tell that he felt it, meaning the hit wasn't deflected to his helmet.
"Shit. How'd ya know my weakness, huh?"
The woman narrowed her eyes at Juke. Using the downtime, I began mana expulsion with my right hand and produced a Sunlight-Blossom from the tendril.
"You are right about one thing, oaf: my power is nothing like that absurd Endowment of yours."
"And yer calling my whole thing absurd? That's just–"
Juke's speech was cut short. I shot at the woman with a water spell. She dodged it, but I accounted for this and made the spell a powerful geyser, following her movements as it continuously sprayed. The woman clicked her tongue as she kept backing away, producing a ball of fire and firing it at the walls.
I gasped and processed her actions to make sure I understood what I saw. She threw a fireball at the walls, which were made of wood. She threw a quick wind spell at it right after and smashed through the weakened structure.
My geyser put the sudden fire out but had missed the woman entirely. It aligned with my expectations, though. She came back bursting through near the ashened hole. However, I had another attack prepared.
The seed was already loaded. I aimed the flower at her and fired, crossing my fingers in my head, praying that it would land.
It didn't. It didn't even come close. She ducked before the bullet had even been launched. I bit my lip in frustration.
"That's why I hate being aggressive. How cruel that I have to act against my nature."
She cracked her neck and swayed her lengthy hair in the air, glaring at us with her blue eyes. She looked ready to perform a deadly pounce at any moment.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cPJpPIvLd
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I stood beside Juke. We eyed the woman vigilantly. My prior assessment was overwritten as she didn't look like she would move at all, leaving me bemused.
But, then, a fireball formed in her hands. I expected her to throw it immediately, so I prepared to duck, but it continued to grow in size; it was far larger than her previous ones, almost as tall and wide as Juke was.
"Ah, shit."
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. Frankly, I didn't expect her to be so adept in fire magic that she could make a spell of that size. It was stupid of me not to consider it. The woman reeled her arm back. I had to act fast.
I ducked, placing both my hands on the ground. I began mana expulsion with one hand and performed spinning with the other. A wall of stone sprung from the ground before me. Then, I produced a Valencia-Bloom from the tendril, expanding it as far as I could reasonably do so. Juke already took cover behind me. Now, all that was left was too–
**SLAM**
"--Ack!"
I didn't suffer any severe damage. In fact, my defenses were hardly penetrated. But the heat from the fire nipped at me through it all. The spell dissipated in no more than five seconds, but it felt like forever.
"How the hell are we breathin'!?"
"Is now really the time for–"
**THUD**
I felt a sudden force clash against my shield. Due to my already shaky balance, I fell to the ground, but I made sure to retract the Valencia-Bloom so my arm wouldn't be dislodged. When the shield vanished, the woman took its place, her leg raised. She continued her assault, raising her knife and, with her other hand on the top of the hilt, plunging it into me.
I shut my eyes and grit my teeth, expecting the sensation of a blade being lodged into my body. But that never came. Instead, a metallic clang reverberated through the stables.
I opened my eyes. Juke intercepted her with his sword. He was on the ground with both his hands on the blade's hilt. Judging by how he was lying on the ground, gripping the hilt with both his hands like a rope, he must've slid.
They remained that way for a moment, engaged in a struggle between their blades. When it became apparent that she couldn't win, she clicked her tongue.
"Irritating," the woman sighed before kicking his helmet and sending him flying. She returned her attention to me, but I had used my borrowed time to regain my composure and swing the tendril.
My tendril hit her. But it felt as if I was the one who was struck, and it wasn't by a blunt object, but by a steel blade. Purple liquid erupted from my chest.
Yes, she was flung away. Yes, my tendril had connected. But when it retracted by itself, I found the woman void of bruises and her knife slathered in a viscous purple.
"D-Damn it."
I rose to my feet with shaking legs. She hadn't just blocked my attack but hurt me back as well. I clutched my chest and coughed harshly.
"How are ya?"
Juke stood beside me, brandishing his sword. We eyed the woman who was flicking the liquid off her knife.
"This ain't looking like a winning fight."
As much as it frustrated me to agree with his notion, I was forced to. Every attack I launched had been avoided, and the one time either of us landed one on her, it was more of a fluke than anything.
"So what do we do?"
"'Till I get how she keeps seein' the future, I ain't got a clue."
"See the future...? Do you think that's what it is?"
"Can't think of anythin' else."
I narrowed my eyes at her, mulling over Juke's theory. When I thought about it, certainly, it would make sense that she could see the future. However–
"There has to be a limit, or some kind of restriction. Her behavior is too inconsistent."
"I agree with ya, and I still got no clue how she kicked me from across the damn room."
Indeed, she had too many unknown factors about her, and combined with her astonishing physical and magical prowess, it made this fight impossible to win. I was wounded, Juke's weakness had been discovered, and the woman didn't look like she even broke a sweat.
"Are you two plotting something? I ought to interfere."
She broke into another dash, but it wasn't an utter rush; her steps were laced with trepidation, and her knife was raised defensively. It was as if she was approaching expecting us to attack her back.
My moment of clarity subsided as the pain washed over my being. But Juke, pulling me by the collar, had fortunately noticed the same, and–
"Book it, kid!"
Helped me turn tail as we both broke into sprints of our own.
I ran. I ran like the wind. I ran to abuse my legs. I ran to survive. But I wasn't so naive; my legs were small and my stamina was pathetic. Whether it was my lack of endurance or my lack of speed, the woman would undoubtedly catch up to me. No thanks to his luggage, I couldn't hitch a ride on Juke's back.
I swiveled my head. She was catching up to me like a wolf in pursuit, and I was sure to be caught in her fangs at any moment. I didn't try to speed up; too many factors prevented me from doing so.
So, if I couldn't speed up, then there was only one thing left for me to do.
I began mana expulsion with both of my hands, creating a mass of earth in one and a mass of fire in the other, expanding it. The woman didn't show an expression of surprise. She was expecting me to do this– no, not expecting, she knew.
Something about that pissed me off. So, instead of throwing it–
"--You!"
Her eyes widened. She skidded to a stop and leaped away. Despite that, I had to see this through.
I discharged as much mana into the fire as I recklessly could, and naturally–
**BOOM**
A Flinty incident occurred.
I used the stone I conjured up to defend myself, but truthfully, it hardly did anything. The most I could do was defend my head, and sure, my eyes hadn't burst, and my face wasn't seared, but they were still rolling on the stone pavement along with the rest of my body, picking up spikey pebbles and other trash like they were seashells on the beach. I only stopped when I collided with, something. I didn't know what and the means to find out were stripped from me. My ears rang, my nose burned, and I had to clobber dozens of particles off my face before I could even think of opening my eyes. But, my arms were too heavy for me to even lift.
So, I remained there, waiting for all the internal chaos to subside before I moved. Then I felt something touch me, then shake me, and I groaned in response. I didn't know who it was. Since I was alive, it probably wasn't the woman. Was it a street dog, or maybe one of those robed men?
Was it Juke? I dismissed the thought. That was a ridiculous proposition.
I was lifted and tussled with. It wasn't done harshly, but goodness, was it irritating. At that point, my annoyance powered over my fatigue, and I rubbed my eyes before slackening my arms yet again.
I opened them and saw the ground. Whoever it was that was messing with me was behind me. I couldn't turn my head to see them, though, so I groaned and heaved my breaths.
"Good to know yer still kicking. Which bottle 'ere is gonna patch ya up?"
Hearing a familiar voice, I was struck with an inordinate amount of clarity.
"Green, one," I mustered.
"Yer lucky I caught that first try. Open wide."
Even if I wanted to, I couldn't. He understood that too, so he grabbed my jaw and pulled it down, sticking the bottle inside my mouth. I was sure that I was going to drown; the amount of liquid entering my throat was overwhelming. But it passed as quickly as it came. I coughed vehemently, and Juke patted my back to help. I cursed my inability to voice my thanks.
"Take it easy, ya really did something crazy back then. Strong folk, I tell ya."
Now I just wanted to tell him to shut up. He lifted me and hung me over his shoulder, then he continued to run.
"Did ya get that crazy bitch? Err, tap once for yes, twice for no."
All I could exert myself to do was pinch, so I pinched his skin twice.
"Shit. Shit! Is she followin' us now!?"
I pointed my eyes up. I could only see a little bit of the ground, so I painstakingly raised my neck.
It devastated me to have to pinch once.
"Are ya kidding me!?"
Juke's running increased in tempo. Unlike me, he was able to at least keep the distance between him and the woman the same. Unfortunately for me, my head was bouncing up and down every step. I was sure that I'd vomit any minute, and then pathetically pass out a moment after.
But I couldn't afford to do so. I couldn't afford to be a burden when our lives were being threatened like this.
I tried to call it forth, but my tendril wouldn't appear. I tried mana expulsion– tried, but struggled. The explosion hadn't drained me of my mana, but my supply was so low I might as well have been shaking a bottle for droplets. I couldn't form anything grandiose or dangerous, meaning that I had to do something to just slow her down.
So, I formed a small mass of water. Supporting it with my other hand, I lifted my arm, aiming my open palm at her feet.
She didn't react preemptively at all. It gave me a surge of hope, and with that borrowed vigor, I fired the spell at her feet.
Except, I didn't fire it. It unceremoniously plummeted to the ground. She simply jumped over the puddle the spell created.
"Damn, it."
"--Ay kid, are ya seeing this!?"
"Seeing what", I wanted to ask, because I was still incapable of moving my body more than an inch at a time. But I didn't have to turn my head to see what he saw. As Juke kept running through the street, we passed by a myriad of bodies loitering about. My first assumption was that they were corpses– and, well, judging by all the red, it was likely correct.
But what really caught my eye was their attire: dark, hooded robes. All of these bodies were that of the people in Hard-Bringer.
Did a fight break out? Is that what happened? I looked up at the woman and she was entirely unperturbed. I was hoping to gauge a different reaction, but not only was hers uninformative, it was disturbing.
And then, my vision swerved.
"Huh?"
"I'm takin' a gamble."
"Gamble!?"
That was the loudest noise I had made that day. Juke didn't elaborate on what gamble he was taking. I thought of wiggling out his grasp right there, as obviously foolish as it was. But–177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOFiQVU7Ud
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"Just trust me!"
He said it as a feverish plea. It shocked me into staying in place. With nothing else to do, I placed my faith in him. The sun-lightened streets disappeared and we ventured into a darkened alleyway. We came to a stop shortly after, leaving me confused and worried.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PEH1QrZnM
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Then, Juke began to talk, but it was clear that it wasn't to me.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIShIDxvPTQ
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"Who are ya people?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAuBXDutgo
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"Wow, he really followed us. Well, sir, we're here to help. My buddy will be doing the dirty work, though."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7zvgFaBYp
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"Buddy?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEFmz84U5d
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I froze– froze more than I already was frozen, anyway. The voice that Juke spoke with was familiar to me, though I struggled to put a name to it. But then a set of footsteps sounded through the alley, and a man in a trench coat brushed passed Juke and me.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPEdzJyDDz
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Of course, with an article of clothing that distinct, I'd be lying if I didn't recognize him. My recognition was only solidified when he drew his hands in it and pulled two crossbows out.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhsiLXqQSM
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"Quiet now."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhwFYLXPil
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Pars gave a command to us all, aiming his crossbows at the entrance of the alleyway. I didn't understand why he was using two of them, but there was a tube of earth protruding from inside the coat and connected to the ends of the crossbows, so I knew there was some trick going on.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKmUwgYs1I
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Pars kept his aim steady, and steady, and kept it up for seconds, then minutes. I realized then that we had lost our pursuer, but Pars only tilted his head.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GzJp0gwlx
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"Where did she go? Do I smell that bad?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOJJEwwWpr
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He pulled his crossbows back and sighed, rubbing his head as he turned around. His eyes met with mine, and he practically blenched.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcVPjmAqto
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"K-Kenny? Where did you come from!?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQcG67D3ig
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I sighed, and I smiled. There was something heartwarming about seeing this man act as usual, even if it pained me.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjXontqRXC
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