When Rover separated from Kenny, she created a mission for herself. She wanted to find the way up the tower and rub it in his face. She knew Kenny wouldn't mind it very much, but she didn't particularly want to enrage Kenny. She just wanted to throw a jab or two his way. It was fun for her. A type of fun that was harmless and calm, one she usually found in hearing stories.
Besides, the quicker she delivered this stupid letter to the stupid Dean, the faster they could leave and avoid all the stupid nonsense this city was going through.
So, Rover didn't traverse the building all lax and slow. She didn't spend her time ogling at the architecture or meticulously investigating what was behind those doors. No, when she deemed the distance between her and Kenny far enough, she broke into a sprint, covering the grounds of the hallway almost immediately.
When she turned the corner, she saw something at the end that was unlike the walls. From this distance, she could only tell that it was an opening, but there were signs beside it. Rover, proud of her senses for a reason, spotted the engravings on the signs from across the hallway. It was the caricature of somebody ascending rudimentary steps.
Rover smirked. She found her head start. She made it to the end of the hallway in a near instant. However, she didn't walk up the stairs immediately.
"..."
Kenny had told her to meet back at the entrance if they found anything. This suggestion was holding her back, which surprised Rover.
But, many things have been surprising her today. Many things about herself, about others, the list could go on. Though Rover had a part of her that wanted to honor Kenny's suggestion, her eager, daring part wanted to rise up those steps and get this letter delivered right here and now. In fact, she wanted to do it so fast that by the time Kenny would finish his inspection, she'd be back to meet him with their mission completed.
She listened to the latter part and ran up the stairs.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKy26pDVdW
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqO1TwuJxu
What she found when she arrived on the second floor– which was a longer trek than she expected –was a series of rooms isolated in glass boxes. The floor was carpeted and there was a central path that branched off to all the rooms, with a few leading to doors embedded into the walls. Rover didn't care for the framework of the room, instead focusing on finding an exit. Unfortunately, the maze-like structure of the floor made navigating it difficult. Rover concluded that one of the doors lodged into the wall must've led to the next floor, but even though there were no obstructions to her vision courtesy of the glass, finding an exit from any point of the room was impossible.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DkyinI3PH
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNqAR6W77v
"W-Who makes their rooms this confusing!?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGmPC9Z7jM
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvLgiYERhQ
Rover had nobody to voice her complaint to, however, so she saved it for whatever draftsmen would face her first and scoured the room for an exit. Though she compared the structure to a maze, in reality, the paths lead to destinations without any deliberately puzzling forks. Still, traveling in this area, where everywhere she looked had a desk and chair loitering around, was disorienting.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPEUDurya8
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XFtb2UDfn
She managed to arrive at one of the wall-embedded doors. She tried to open it, but the door didn't budge. She tried to kick it down, but even with her physical prowess, the door didn't falter.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0xZiSFqFe
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnh3F0D0y7
It was reinforced with mana– that was Rover's conclusion, and as Rover was unable to use any magic, there was no way she could tear the door down with just her strength. Maybe if she was stronger, she thought, but she discarded the idea quickly. She turned around and retraced her steps, tilting her head downward and fixing her eyes on the carpet. She returned to an intersection, and with two other paths to choose, she decided on the left one. The path only led to an ensemble of glass boxes, however, so she retraced her steps yet again.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERfLhnuD5p
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTySeVwYKv
She was beginning to get a little thirsty. She began to regret her self-imposed restlessness. Nevertheless, she continued searching, and searching, and searching–
"--Who's there?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rA2CZNewE
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNivbkipE7
It was faint. It could've just been a trick of the mind, or maybe the floor was settling from all the garbage placed onto it. But, she heard a distinct noise. She was sure it wasn't her body making it, or the rustling of her baggage. No, it was a noise of something foreign. So, she spoke out, sharpening her eyes and hearing to where even her heartbeat didn't fall upon her.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAgEQIIJXH
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0lyB3RF7E
–Again. There it was again. She began crossing out the possibilities. It could no longer be a trick of her mind, nor could it be the settling of the room. Therefore, she asked again.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86KLi9NOda
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW29addVlSU
"Who's there?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmMmwfel87
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0s78gdxFJe
She drew her rapier. Her eyes darted around the room. Whatever, or most likely, whoever made the noise, was hiding behind one of the dozens of desks sprawled around.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoL7MZHMUpF
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsP20yjgPE
Therefore–98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8MAjGDPEj
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5ugrbAujV
**SHATTER**98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULoVhsocOD
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLkr9QA60A
She would attempt to draw them out. And what better way to do so than to cause a little mayhem?98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xk8GL8cL6
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKEnXOYGxv
With a series of swift kicks, she shattered the glass boxes in her immediate vicinity and toppled over all the desks and chairs that her limbs could reach. But, even through all the noise and rumbling, she never let her vision drift away from her surroundings.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZq4AUTSprZ
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ378xYLmONx
Her hasty action drew out her desired result.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtUoFi8Q2i
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNVwukbeon
"You're an insolent, deleterious girl, but you have good discretion."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAY5q9qMz8G
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRiXrRxOOA
A man popped up from a distant set of tables. He grabbed a chair and chucked it, shattering a glass wall in its trajectory toward Rover. She merely kicked the flying object into a wall.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMERqriADk
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"Powerful, too."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMv3wJSQKYj
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvrpYgNpPC
Rover raised her rapier, brandishing it and pointing it at the man.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9c2LkQjQn
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzUzKMObh3
"I don't know what deleterious means. Is that supposed to be a compliment?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzCFnb67Ai
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBr5Ke2IHb0
"If the poor man who will have to clean up after your mess thinks so, then yes."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnU0aVLu8y8
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMadE0rNx6J
Rover narrowed her eyes. It wasn't just the fact that he liked to hide, but his articulation infuriated her. She was naturally wary, but holding back the desire to rush in and ravage him was difficult.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJvaWvvClS
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDI7cND8843
She inspected the man's outfit, seeing a large coat, reaching to his ankles. He likely had a set of weapons hidden beneath it. After all, Rover thought, men with hair as kempt as his always carried an excessive deal of weaponry.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsTEpIlAOw
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLrmZYOdZA
"...I don't know how you got up here, but it's obvious that you're a threat. Sorry, I'll have to fight you now."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMygSPIh7Wm
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Qly0NWqxQ
The man fiercely unzipped his coat and reached both his hands inside, taking out a duel set of–98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDaG3T151N
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡof62Kuxb4l
"Crossbows!?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOmrkxmYMD
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAARCmQvUB
Rover's heart sank, but only for a moment. The crossbows weren't big or imposing, and Rover couldn't begin to fathom how he would reload them, meaning that handling them was clunky. It wasn't so different from fighting a mage. At least, it shouldn't have been.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPc90QVKrvi
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjCjfmhVzY
But Rover saw two pillars– or, what could be better described as chimneys –attached to the ends of the crossbow, creeping from the depths of his coat. The man fired them, and Rover evaded them easily, but then another couplet followed, and then another, and another, and another–98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfIpVC5cQV
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjtG1agbYW
"Ngh! How!?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzV4JTqVP6Z
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxK7dgLq3r
She flipped a desk over and used it as a shield, blocking the maelstrom of arrows to little effect. Their momentum was stopped, but the arrowheads happily pierced through the several inches of thick wood, stopping just short of hitting her face. Unfortunately, the cumulative force of the arrows ruptured the table, splitting it in two and forcing Rover to roll away to grab a new one. She went through two more desks before the flurry of arrows ceased. Cold sweat ran down her spine, but with the quantity of her sweat, it would be more accurate to call it a river.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxl2JkRPpc
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PD3zuBWhO
Rover peered over the desk. The man clicked his tongue and put his crossbows back inside his coat, and Rover exhaled in relief. The man dug through his coat and pulled out a large, serrated knife.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzF9GKwpIaD
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtBXyHhbmg
"I'm a fool, using my crossbows in a place like this where you can simply block them. Arrows don't come cheap."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjMTTCB8Ow
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZtBPhPSX0
"What are you talking to me for? Are we going to fight or not?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQhHAyaRq2
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgA0nlGbUO
"You ought to know the answer by now."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxRqyzXNgs
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezOZykJcH5
The man entered into a restrained fighting stance, taunting Rover by jerking his fingers and telling her to bring it. Rover was more than happy to oblige.
As she ran to the man, bursting through glass walls, she grabbed her parrying dagger and raised it. The man backed away and hopped onto a desk, kicking a chair at Rover. She blocked it with her arms and shoved it aside.
"--Huh?"
The chair had blocked her vision for barely over a second, and yet, the man had disappeared from her view. She frantically looked around the floor but found nobody, likely meaning–
"You're hiding behind a table again!"
With how little time had passed, the man must have been hiding by the desk he stood on. Rover rushed to the desk and kicked it and nearby ones over. Indeed, Rover had found the man, but she also found a ball of water hovering right in front of his palm.
Rover's instincts kicked in and forced her to duck, allowing her to get by with just a few grazed strands of hair. But the man didn't let up, rushing at her with his knife in both hands. Rover backed away from the first thrust, but the man caught up quickly and thrust at her again, forcing Rover to parry it with her dagger.
She'd typically be thrilled about such a situation, as having the opponent's weapon interlocked with her dagger made their movement cumbersome. But his weapon was light and smaller than hers. Rover realized it too late, and thus, the man was able to easily deliver a kick to her abdomen, knocking her away.
She didn't go far, and though the kick hurt, it granted her beneficial information.
"Ack," the man shouted, shaking his foot like he'd stubbed his toe, "that was through a shoe, too! Are you made of iron?"
She smirked. Rover now knew her physical strength was superior to his.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVujACfhHC
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1HUI33MbC
"Before we keep going," she started, "what is your name?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgV6KFnsleC
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOBjDgFcGR
"Hmm? What's this, are you trying to duel me?"
"What else would I be doing!?"
The man lowered his knife for a moment, tapping his chin–
"I decline."
And dashing towards Rover yet again. The split second of rage Rover felt from his response was enough to stun her and allow the man to close the distance. He thrust his knife at her repeatedly, then switched to slashing, the first of which Rover quickly blocked with her rapier. She reacted faster than the man and delivered a kick from the side, but her foot didn't meet with the man's body. Rover looked down and saw the man's free hand open, and a tiny yet dense mass of stone was in between that and her foot.
"Tch!"
She dashed away, shaking her head and clearing her mind, then took the offensive. She poked her rapier at the man, able to stay at a distance where his knife couldn't reach her. The man kept backing away and dodging her thrusts until he collided with a table. Rover smirked, reeling her arm back and stabbing the rapier into the man's leg– but it failed. Instead, the man perfectly blocked the oncoming strike with the flat side of the knife. Rover's eyes widened, the brief moment of disbelief weakening the force she was applying, and allowing to shove her rapier aside. Nonplussed, but more so because of her broken stance, a punch to the face and subsequent kick to the stomach sent Rover rolling across the floor. The glass tore her clothes and dug themselves into her lower legs.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtXuNgKgtV
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwHZ0ThQ7D
"Hrk! Ahh, this sucks!"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGfixPvARv
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuAPAmylcY
The prickling pain of dozens of miniature shards lodged into her skin was as oppressive as it was unique. Rover struggled to grit her teeth through it, and more than that, struggled to keep her legs standing straight.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ks4cdK9Zq
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMClDkoStWX
"Phew. Give up now?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzWpRv5hqy
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3QiE3AGMF
"'Course not, just thinking."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaprxEGQjJB
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFk4ByyAZrV
Her rapier was an effective but exploitable tool. She also lost a substantial amount of mobility, and now blood was slowly leaking from her body. The one time she utilized her dagger only led to a counterattack, but that instance was a defensive use.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BfykUkwUS
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEr96CnnZM
The man didn't let her analyze the situation unperturbed. He broke into a sprint, yet again clutching his knife in both hands. But Rover had already sheathed her rapier brandished her dagger, and challenged the man's rush.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssDQdPuxI1
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVZFxvPSZd
The surprise on his face was evident, and he skidded to a stop. Rover weakly slashed at him and the man backed away. She caught the hem of his coat but missed his body. The man didn't rush in again, instead, continuing to back off. He freed one of his hands and began mana expulsion.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRd2urC42I
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1RdeOVb3k
"--Shit!"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRmnbmM9NI
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhl48RSKt9c
Rover realized how precarious the situation had become. After all, if the very thing locomoting her had been impeded, then evasion became a mountainous task.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnz16k7AK7
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0U4j5xkY4i
The man must have had a similar epiphany.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEQLq2jKOt
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiphNPlMOEr
It was a blade of wind this time. It was speedy, but Rover could tell that its strength was far less than the water spell from before. Instead of dodging it, she grabbed her rapier, still in its scabbard, and blocked the spell.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdtX7dnsmS
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxLTstJw4j
"--Huh?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6TPcNRPsR
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDLcjHPb6D
Rover was surprised by her move's effectiveness. Or, rather, she was surprised by how weak the spell was. Then, she lowered the scabbard and looked at the man again, who was preparing a far more voluminous spell.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtSh6uulXn
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHG1BLsileF
Before she could even react, she was sent flying.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxGc57I0k9
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSI4KDrnMuV
The spell itself didn't hurt her, but the distance she was flung was simply absurd. She flew across the entire floor, only stopping when making contact with the wall. She slid down, rubbing her back when she met with the floor.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUI5NwirC4
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"Ngh..."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWOs5XJudS
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NSyGZTsZ1
She got on her feet, using the scabbard to help her rise. Her breathing was heavy, and her vision was becoming hazy.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7obrcDY9h
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRspDCZhH1r
"This just... isn't my day, damn it."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhaGNsKyJD
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PSgUnWdFO
"--Rover!"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1lHWu8wfZ
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZ6vcpM8ux
And then, she was taken out of her exhaustion, if only for a moment. A familiar voice, yet one that should not be here, called out to her. She turned her head to the person with the voice and saw a red-haired boy with a white coat peeking out of the floor's entrance.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4TS1ZTEWl
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuegbQlNAaI
"K-Kenny!?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpA6ekr0oS
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dvNhvkpND
"Rover– goodness, what the hell happened here!? Actually, nevermind that, listen, you–"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyPiEtvebd
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9i68yYnHjG
"Sorry, Kenny, I'm in the middle of something here."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtV26MGfgYR
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUjN6n5GhN
She straightened her posture and rubbed the saliva off her chin, limping to continue her fight.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2WeS1Lxyr
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63kWptgYFH
"What are you doing!? Look at yourself, you're in no state to fight!"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhZZbPwLRq
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeRIjiD2uo
She turned her head to him, conflicted.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EdujMiWkD
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aFCW3lQkn
"I... So what, I don't need your help! I've got it under control, it's fine."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4m851LWC09
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3i3GUjDYx
Kenny grimaced and pinched his nose. Then, the door opened again, and out from the threshold walked a white-haired woman in a robe.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KVG6sSAfa
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTkp9PIlfI
"W-who's that," she asked, confusion momentarily overtaking her burning drive.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPcwOsAuRT
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtmjDnXuHd
"Ah, you must be Kenny's friend. We can introduce ourselves later. Please, stand aside for the time being."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqz1QDIu0aN
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2Y7buZt77
"H-Huh?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafHzNdaYjc
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElzlFE6ZKe
The woman walked with a bold gait, brushing past Rover without even sparing a glance. Kenny ran up to her, gnawing at his finger as he looked over her wounds.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1w9h4ZWXJ5
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOP1ZYVUNjT
"You... you are so reckless!"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xzpWmq8y4
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84hf1LNarP
Then, the boy raised his voice, stunning her.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBYGwqc1wa
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNGgA9UYde
"Why is fighting the first thing you do, huh!? Can't you use that head of yours for something else!?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdvMXwu1wx
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AILWsyAZa
His words, to her surprise, slashed at her egregiously.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4jW3ZWS00
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qJ1mqHbeu
"...T-The hell are you talking about!? What else was I supposed to do!?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTVAB4m6Gs
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Tw3TcYK6Q
"Didn't you think of waiting, or running back to me or something!? I could have shown him that note! Or, if nothing else, we could have fought together!"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaRwk65zHu
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqH86mslTg
"--!"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXFXOXjQMV
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His words had left her paralyzed and her mouth agape. Kenny's expression was suddenly tainted by guilt. He exhaled and rubbed his head.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTK45fbl6V
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUhF9RccDH
"Sorry, I'm just a little angry right now. But, I'm glad that you're fine. Relatively speaking."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1U1RxbaB2o
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HRvkypBRe
"I... hmph, of course I'm fine!"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmRyzHfnsy
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtV1rpXbM90
A light smile found itself on his face.
"We'll talk later. For now, let's defuse the situation."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69xDatiag6
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IqgIdIi5s
Kenny walked past her but stopped just short of passing her to speak.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7VWKoglvx
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsiSCAFE2L
"S-Seriously, though. You have no idea how glad I am that you're still alive. I don't know if I could've handled it."
"...Handled it? What do you mean?"
Kenny blinked a few times and shook his head.
"N-Nevermind, I said something weird, ignore that."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQf3vScLG3
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2sS4PeNqZ
Rover turned around, eyeing the two new figures in the room. Kenny was behind the mysterious woman with his tendril out and a bellicose stance. The woman had a peculiar two-pronged dagger. Rover found it strange; she knew that they would be trying to talk the situation out, but they were poised to battle at any moment.
"Pars," the woman spoke, "I'll keep it quick. These two are here to deliver a letter issued by the Zariel Kingdom itself. I know you're a stuck-up guy, but please, don't force me to fight alongside them."
"..."
The man didn't immediately respond, but his posture did loosen.
"Stuck-up? Really? What'd I do to get on your bad side?"
"Oh, come on, you know your sins."
The man sighed.
"Is there a reason I should believe them?"
"Why, yes, there is."
Kenny took it as a cue and reached for his pocket, unfolding and showing the note. The man nodded, opened his coat, and placed the knife in.
"That better be authentic. Not like it matters though. It isn't as if I'd win a fight against you Lola."
–
–
–
I had a lingering anxiety during the exchange. After all, Lola had told me that Pars was an obstinate individual. I was left doubting her assessment. Judging by the look on her face, even she was reconsidering it.
Still, though, a victory was a victory, and it deserved some kind of celebration. I spent mine dropping to the floor, narrowly avoiding the sea of glass and panting as the delayed exhaustion set in.
"Phew... that was nightmarish."
I retracted the tendril and wiped the sweat off my brow. A little this sounded beside me, and I turned to find that Rover had joined in my rest.
"You don't look happy," I said.
"Hmph. I've got a sour taste in my mouth. I dunno how to feel about this."
"Well, be glad you're still kicking, and dread the scolding I'll be dishing to you."
"You already gave me a good one, there's no need to waste your energy."
Then, Rover began to pick the glass out of her legs. It was obvious from her wincing that the process hurt. I didn't have a potion on me, but I did have something to soothe her. I took out the tendril and summoned a Soothe-Bloom. Rover looked at it quizzically.
"...So that's the tendril you were talking about."
"Hmm? Did I not show it to you?"
"No! Don't you remember how much of a priss you were about it!? Eh, forget it, what does that flower do?"
"Just watch. Or, listen, I suppose."
The Soothe-Bloom shook, and a gentle chime rang throughout the room. It was a single and quick occurrence, and it left Rover only more perplexed.
"Alright, try picking the glass now."
"Okay."
Much to her nature, she tugged the largest one she could find, her mouth agape at the speed at which the wound was closing.
"W-Woah, it barely hurts. Is this some kind of black magic?"
"Black magic!? Don't insult my plants like that!"
She paid little heed to my demand, continuing to pluck the glass out of her legs. She finished a few minutes later. I offered to wash her legs with water magic, which she accepted when I insisted. Afterward, she got on her feet. Her leg was still injured, but the bleeding had stopped thanks to the Soothe-Bloom.
"I feel... kinda tired, though."
"You just fought somebody and had your wounds speed-healed. I'm surprised you didn't fall asleep."
"Huh? That flower knocks people out?"
"No. Not directly, at least. Anyway, enough of that."
I got up, swiped the debris off my shorts, and walked to Lola and Pars, moving around all the toppled furniture. The two of them were talking about something, but from the little bit I caught, I couldn't distinguish what.
"Hello, kid," Pars started, "Kenny, right? Look, I don't want you to get the wrong idea from Lola here. I'm a decent guy, just a hard worker. She likes to ignore that part, though, which–"
"I do not care about that. I just wanted to know if you two were ready to lead us to the Dean."
Lola let out a chuckle and Pars, a tired sigh. Lola took the initiative in the conversation.
"Don't mind him, he's still young. Whenever your friend is ready, we'll gladly lead you."
I turned my head behind me and looked at Rover. I threw her an oscillating thumb, asking her for an assessment of her condition. She smiled and returned a stern thumbs-up.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWX2meJkDSM
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pEEo5Avhy
"Looks like we're ready. If you don't mind, though, could you please get her some bandages?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzawIpIDirB
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoampsFKBs
–
–
–98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0e4C9RZ7af
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Rover and I were at the final stretch. We were walking through the floors of the building like it was a morning stroll, all thanks to our guides. Truly, if it weren't for them, we would have gotten hopelessly lost.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8H0ZOY3iN
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5Qw6VQpGf
According to Pars, the interior of the Pillars was designed to disorient those unfamiliar with it. Rover spoke from her experience and confirmed that the design worked. The Pillars were perfectly defended from the outside, but hiring someone to infuse their mana for every square inch of the building was an impossible proposition. So, instead, the builders were ordered to make each floor– with the first being a notable exception –like a maze. The walls were also stuffed with foam, which explained how I didn't catch any noise from Rover's fight until I reached the stairs.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULacuFANPY
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7UiRywgUf
Speaking of Rover, she was glum, moody, and seemingly deep in rumination. I thought that it had something to do with her pride since she scratched at her bandages very frequently, but it turned out that they were just made of shoddy fabric that normally irritated skin. I realized that I was overthinking and that it would be best to just ask her, but I hesitated to do it. The mood was gloomy, however. If nothing else, I could claim I was just trying to liven the place up.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZbv5jI5BU
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8zNrRx3op
"So... Rover, what's on your mind?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRo6sQX7DfU
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUQlECKvad
"I'm thinking about what you said. Don't talk to me right now."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfrL1eA438
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpQ8dyytRA
"O-Oh. Carry on, then."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcZcHY8leO
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrnWl2TBce
I was shot down quickly and was left feeling sheepish. Somehow, hearing that she was thinking over my words was foreboding. It scared me into being silent, but I still wanted to talk about something, since simply talking and walking through these floors was nerve-wracking.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtQuMKbbUU
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6NujGotNM
So, I decided that now was a better time than ever to ask a question that had been plaguing me for hours.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gBE1XsfW7
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3mahLT2Ns
"Hey, Lola, do you mind if I ask that question I was talking about?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtBV06p4qQ
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1h8OkiErhW
"Hmm? What are you referring to?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiQl0ADsV8
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYItYiMuWJ
"...Nevermind. Can I ask you a question?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0LAtrNUmE
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfgZQRA826
"Of course."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytZilTlbZP
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrol5u4qDDl
"Hey," Pars interrupted, "Why don't you ask me that question? Come on, give me a try."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVaWm33pdd
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWei1koO1z
I blinked a few times, failing to see any reason why not.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53a8hnxkQh
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazzXaJjYGY
"Very well. What is going on to make the security so tight?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYhdpfmKbd
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaB6hkwnzU
"..."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNSuMjSzIo
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbbs6n6qJZ
I was met with silence. Lola and Pars exchanged looks, Pars' expression grim.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmoQWtoKaO
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRgu2Tcyhv
"Since they are delivering to the Dean, why don't we–"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAN5ZDJv58
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3iX79GdFz
"No. We have been explicitly told not to share. I won't make any exceptions."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRzpBClRFJ
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiLwEhwK4G
Lola frowned and let out a tired sigh, rubbing her brow.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgPVwVJmqD
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7UCmpFvXY
"If you can't answer, that's fine. It would ease my anxiety if you did, though."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdx6WtKdpgW
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPo2oqLK2Ve
"Then I suppose I have no choice."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYmDa0KDC9
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPw3nutzl1
"Lola! Are you kidding me!?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYCUkmhGBg
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXpwR02QcW
Pars glared at Lola, his hazel eyes lit aflame.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLn5s32hij
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexXXt579PU
"What? They aren't citizens anyhow, they're unlikely to spread the information."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTFpVRGdeg
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrECsmRXtmm
"That's beside the point! We were told not to tell them!"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfE4PRag37
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DuZh1DIYX
"You are such a priss, Pars."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2goAxggcCE
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYrWyi8dWX
I perked up, hearing that word from someone that wasn't Rover. It was ultimately a coincidence, so I just kept listening.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpHYvvmE55
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElnnSeHZq8
"Hurl your insults, but we can't tell them anything. Even if it wasn't demanded, what if they told everyone in Zariel Capitol, hmm?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNt6YIbub4J
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOBvLqS49f
"That won't happen, and I know you know that."
"Yeah yeah. But it might."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwajF925Bb
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxoV1pDOw9
Though I didn't see her face, I could by the movement of her head that Lola rolled her eyes.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GZjapeoH4
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0It0obRjd
"I'm going to tell them."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZrWfMvQq5
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfIKZWfxty
"Don't you do it."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlOXzmoG7b
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFS1NO9dpj
"Listen up, Kenny. The reason for the increase in security–"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEpEZGNdSB
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIXZSYuiuK
"Lola, I'm for real about this."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwW9nRsknG
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4lWfILfUc
"--is because of a series of assassinations."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMe966NNY3I
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06lx25vJXJ
Pars let out an exhausted, lengthy groan. Lola leaned in beside my ear, not giving me a chance to digest the information.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxtcNY7BHr
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nKMPvA06v
"Pars is a pushover, too. Watch, he won't do a thing."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiyVgZo8jh
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSG50ljWo2
"...Well, cat's out of the bag, so I might as well elaborate. Don't want the kid thinking I'm all fussy too."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOT7Pu2ZoyF
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNTmJ9YgbZ
Lola's eyes widened. An overwhelming quantity of thoughts were swerving in my mind, but at the very least, I could be sure to never trust Lola's assessments of people's character.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJlaYFQcYY
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUckCSF0XG
"Lola told the truth. There was a series of assassinations just a week ago that happened right under our noses. Assassinations are naturally a cause for concern, but the people who were assassinated are why security is so tight right now."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7d6jTxewn2
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidAO2NCXv1
"Uh, well, who got killed?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MdQqfF5oB
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0egpcpvWW
"Three of the four Sherrifs, and three of the eight Officers. Some of the strongest defenders the city has to offer, and half of them were killed. Some of them were my friends, too."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrOQapyDuG
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBL60LYq3Yk
His voice became sullen. I was about to comfort him, but he continued speaking before I could.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwZs9R7F2T
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKj0MEMiRHq
"I'm an Officer, and Lola here is a Sherrif. Since we're prime targets, we've been living in this Pillar for the past few days, having the Head Guards on watch duty. The other pillars are in a similar situation. Let me tell you, this place sucks to crash in."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpS5dL9O6ml
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnSnSlJWcS
"I-I see."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1C3H51kDo
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XnX80sQKf
The explanation put everyone's behavior into perspective. Frankly, it made me surprised that they believed me and Rover so readily, even with the letter. I felt lucky.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRdsPlNl2i
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkZHNkeZrl
"The worst part is that we don't have any suspects, let alone culprits," Lola spoke, "It's been nothing but hassle and heartbreak."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyepAGwdxVS
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhmrRk7hxb
"...You have my condolences."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgdI4rS6JL
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMlQNngLdK
"Thank you, Kenny. You're sweet."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUy0nh00Fl
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYVfqh6Yab
"Mmm."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcPFuBpJ1L
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvoPZ6sOTs
I suddenly began to admonish myself for the previous frustrations I had about this mission. I cleaned my slate and loosened my muscles.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JADrQwL6H
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1CisDiyvI
"Alright, we've made it.'
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3ueMItQNh
And then, we stood before a set of double doors. Not particularly grand, but certainly not shabby. There was a plaque above it with "Dean's Office" written in bold.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAM3r8R9tr
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIyUqDUFpt
"I'll ease us in," Pars said, "It's time to utilize my expert charisma."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsqaw6pfEo
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrGKK5U5BH
"You need to stop talking," Lola replied in a deadpan while Pars flung the doors open. Lola walked into the room. Rover and I followed, but I stopped right beside Pars while Rover went ahead. It looked like he was on the brink of tears, but erased the look once he noticed I was looking at him.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MZcXtjofm
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0W7zXkmP6
"Hey, Kenny. Do you think I'm unfunny?" He asked, pointing a finger at his chest.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cjvuL1Ygy
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWB8GRHrqqo
"...Well, you haven't made me laugh."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2gYQZknP6
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhvB1CgFM6
"Come on, kid. I can't even get a 'yet?'"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINuecZKNHm
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCmDCNds7h
I shook my head and walked away from him, rejoining with the others. They were standing before a lengthy and opulent desk. An older man flipping through documents and stacks of paper stopped his activities to look up at us, raising an eyebrow.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUEVnOTioC
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhX54VzfUs6
"Sherrif Nico, you bring along unfamiliar faces. I assume that they are here for good reason?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21jGRWWsSB
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Dg94Me1VR
"Of course, sir. Here, you two, give him what you must."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgd2VWRNf3
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefJ6KshiUY
She signaled me and Rover to pull out our cargo, and we obliged. I grabbed the package from Rover's hands and delivered it with the note on top, placing it on the Dean's desk.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7EtL2A8ey
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQnepwLpjm
"..."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcoGtG1woO
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgXzmJgSNf
He looked at me as if he was expecting something. I realized that he likely wanted elaboration.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQu80dIIMfm
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1evss2wqTJ
"U-Uhm, we're here on official business, sent by the Zariel Kingdom. All necessary information should be listed in the note, and–"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlruxMKWcAz
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXKa4S1Ba1
"I see, thank you. I'll see to the letter being delivered."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKtQg8L7t3
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoPRMbB3li
The man took the package and placed it aside, giving me a novel smile.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyPdiRtUYO
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsPwz9GutW
"You two are free to go. Sheriff Nico, Officer Abbas, please escort them back."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiV45yyBaB
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYL7v31ETw
I looked back at Rover, who was brimming with a giant smile. I couldn't help but copy it. I walked up to her and held my palm up, and she slapped it powerfully.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ296khklZne
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRXbFFkoci
"Nice," she shouted, "Good job," I yelled. We weren't quite in sync, but our points crossed over.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyB6NMt6HT4
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPCDi7Pn2v
We had completed the mission.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ahhGaoa4c
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHC7Lq9kZj
–
–
–
The trek back was quiet but laden with good spirits. Rover and I commemorated our job well done with silent exchanges of looks and gesticulations. We separated with Pars and Lola once we reached the first floor, and Rover and I practically sprinted to the exit.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gG75gcUHo
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNR6APKM4t
When we got out, we were blasted by fresh air and a breath-taking sunset. It was so invigorating that I didn't even pant from the running. Truly, it was the best of times.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jk0dFs87H
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"One last high-five, Kenny!"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3zJH49xJL
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNbe60ok3R
"Alright alright, geez."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoei5xRrrg
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4VIARdIFU
Despite my tone, I reciprocated the gesture with a smile.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1j2eLw1B9
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeT51DQ95G9
"I can't wait to see Juke's face," Rover continued, "He's gonna look like a such a dolt."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4rJJNb8ME
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlPKOjA91X
"I'm just glad that we're done. Let's meet up with him and leave this place."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2RveZwgaF
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcLqgKIF31
Nodding along to my suggestion, Rover and I began to exit the premises of the Pillar. Mason wasn't here, and neither was anyone by the fence, but that didn't deter the start of our footslog. We passed through the tiny gated entrance and traversed the streets. Surprisingly, the hustle and bustle I've grown accustomed to was absent, but I was in such a good mood that I didn't bother to think about it.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGHep7UBQG
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2nE8aNY0B
"...This is quite convenient. I feel like I'm flying, and nobody's here to block me."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2TEMO6xMf
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyGsECkPxl
"Huh? What are you talking about?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKTa9DJrqK
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4izqmDOg9
"I'm talking about the crowd, or the lack thereof I suppose. It's nice, being able to travel here with some peace and quiet."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfl4lONxok4
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbExGZopyDR
She looked conflicted about my statement.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIwwZ57aW2
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTknaF5U8n
"I dunno, it just feels creepy to me, but I can see where you're coming from."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvDwm2hTPn
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Vw2B3KlY4
"Our dispositions are just too different. It's not much of an issue."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswhSgqIc83
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcWapZkwM0
"Dispositions...? What?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiE0hISXFKG
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGB9DP9kWtB
"Uh... our natures, basically."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlTNy2UGgh
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzI2LQ0URU
"Ah, why didn't you just say that then!?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsFSSgb8y4
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33DCUzQEwb
I answered her with a shrug, which elicited a stern huff out of her. We walked in silence afterward, giving me a chance to mull over her words.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEz8WRGb3x
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLub6WSVTa
I could understand why she would think it was creepy, especially considering how busy it was not too long ago. But at the same time, it was the evening, so it made sense.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADtaRCidbz
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6OGdiXzto
But, as I briefly looked into the passing alleyways, failing to spot a single soul, I wondered if the time of day was the whole picture.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCNSJbZOi6
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgEBA6oTS0
"Hey, Kenny, I think I made up my mind."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQm5sOIc5Z
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoJGqiKbx9
She pulled me out of my rumination.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWq1QvSYoxU
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Iw2Bv6MVP
"About what?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHN8G9Vbgip
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWHigxJgqj
"About what you said."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30E3LoNrjC
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXx5AQhbgG
A speck of dread entered my body, but I kept my ears open all the same.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm25ukphPsW
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJ01Cxehr6
"Well, what is it?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLgSblBNnW
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTVoufgGfP
"See, when you said that thing about fighting the guy together, that stumped me. I already told you that I used to only work alone, so it didn't even cross my mind."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QDt8se6cA
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduLUboCvUd
"Right."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjq9XlvRAnt
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvznjsTU8Zd
"So I decided that I'm gonna consider the idea. If I can, then I'll gladly work with people. I just hope that it won't have to be with a priss. If it is, then I'd rather not work with anybody."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjUZTzFWfd
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAl8yazDyo
"..."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkO30VCXOP
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUu7Q42e35
Somehow, I was left disappointed. Certainly, I was glad that she opened her mind to the idea of collaboration, but I was upset that she didn't address any aspect of her recklessness. Her wording struck me as dubious. 'Consider the idea?' Really? I set those thoughts aside, and for this one moment, I let it slide. I didn't want to trample upon either of our moods. Instead, I shot her a thumbs-up with a neutral expression.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEqtqYMAQZ
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh28qoRzg9c
"That's great."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkIr1BqD8V
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMgR229Gd9
She thumped her chest proudly. And so, we returned to silently roaming the streets, moseying down to our inn–
"Kenny."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWG0L7Ad39
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXdWDa4Hhe
"Uh, what's the matter?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Zf4Z4PVfR
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJtHoNOAtB
Rover suddenly stopped moving and called my name. Her face was grave. It made my hair stand at its end.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EsKvDqaEq
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqIpEhvbaD
"Don't you hear that?" She asked, curling her palm around the back of her ear. I copied the gesture, but still, the silent street remained the same.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbukGH856V
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0XQY2xwRM
"I can't say that I do."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1r9G3IOKoR
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbA9mnP91t9
Her face morphed into one of irritation. She suddenly clasped my arm and began to drag me away.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXAZBb6nBl
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5nlb5RXK3
"W-Woah, what are you doing!?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UeqQjNfI3
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FXoAYSCgP
"Just trust me here!"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNZtA5x4Bg
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1ckbCjMhZ
Her sentence, mixed with a pleading one with gravity, shut me up. She let go of her grip, but I followed her to wherever it was that she was taking me. We diverted from the main street, weaving between alleyways and even climbing walls. And, as I progressed further and further into the depths of the city, I began to hear a noise.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46D4V5iQfF
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2HxfVeYVl
It sounded like chatter.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rROtnKQoP
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18kEFUfrgc
Tens of minutes passed by the time we finished. Rover stopped by the edge of an alley, motioning me to do the same. I peeked around the corner and laid eyes upon a plaza brimming with people. The sheer number was overwhelming, likely in the hundreds– no, even in the thousands. I couldn't make an accurate assessment, so I gave up on it, instead focusing on the surroundings. I noticed that the crowed had gathered around a stage. The stage had dozens of figures in robes.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHA5y6CO5t2
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64hVeRHNke
"Kenny, wait here."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLdnuSngTb
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSkwuBu4MW
"Huh? Why?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNUcufA4Xb
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5J0JKJ6Z40
She didn't respond. Instead, she crept out of the alley and took a left turn. I heard a thud, and a minute later, she returned with an unconscious body locked between her elbows.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKAk3uO8zw
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7I5D8bY1l
"W-Wha–"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFjgsjebu2
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4Lp0BgARu
"Shhh! Shut up!"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CYkxvsclg
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4CDMN0IZe
I wanted to protest, but the appearance of the robe caught my eye. It was lengthy fitted with a hood. But, most of all, I noticed its distinct dark blue color. Rather, it was a distinct color until I laid my eyes on it at that moment.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvQL6h4OKt
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4YPjO0e05
"This is..."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNBTTg2YIX
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemCxIyENws
"Something fishy is going on here."98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1KgUqQx4w
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcBUjuI5RH
I couldn't voice the connection I made, but my mind still thought it, and it horrified me. It paralyzed me and left me standing there like a fool. Rover paid no heed to it. She likely thought that I was spectating the ceremony, much like herself. I couldn't call her assessment inaccurate.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1kqywwA0F
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycOsC6kyDu
Two halves of my brain worked separately. One focused on the robe, the other, on the stage. A woman in baggy clothing walked up to the podium, the crowd quieted down.98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9rPuB4L4g
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScNCGPzbwc
"Alright, can you all hear me?"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcr1pJjcKc
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkQlrnCfxr
I noticed that around her baggy clothing, she wore the same robe. No, it wasn't the same robe as this random man, but the one robe that I truly had seen before, the one robe that I associated with an entirely different person. It was the robe–
"I don't want to waste my time, so I'll keep it brief. I am Hard-Bringer's Harbinger of Rage, and we're seizing this city!"98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBrXo0TSXP
98Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6HCLudfbw
It was the same robe that Ng wore.
