"Hey, wake up."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCC1l3f1ncG
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8SqFHw9co
"H-Huh!?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxcaNh0PP8
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPWNbxIv9A
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFT8CX7YFM
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxhEtVv5QE
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare ya."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAuuiXQIXm
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIfZhcv6Pd
"No no, it's fine."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCufPttQ06L
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYi0WMuVqfM
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXXwTo069C
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFX4MNfFgW
"Goodness kid, did ya sleep at all?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMtYqloWj7
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DUtaceikB
"Huh? Yeah, sure I did."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7H09rQwaGy
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTdq3rS7xv
I let out another yawn. After a dozen firm blinks, I was able to keep my eyes open for longer than two seconds.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUboJTsLSs0
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsr1FB5qrja
"Are ya sure–"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxD6nx5vH5Q
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9pbjukUVR
"Listen, Juke, I'm fine. I'm, perfectly fine. My neck is just a little sore, that's all."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5CdJKGkE7
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSlkTlaWBH
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpfiBEl5zj
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPM0MOUSRY
"Well, if ya say so. When yer ready, come meet me outside."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZaGGszYeO
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHlQBGtkd5
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80eSXsB47q
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgHDcWuRMX
"..."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8amxUMVV0x
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQLnlbIsNL
Now that the grogginess had left me, my mind worked at total capacity. It came with unwanted by-products.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawTKyxQ4yW
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKaCNSzR03
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6fWR3VFgS
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAdhJKAxD4
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5H62ge2fo0
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgdEp4kLy2
The plate was full of fish. It wasn't a food I'd associate with breakfast.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVqDEGbCF7
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTa5MX8CRnE
"Hi young man, how did you sleep?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxwDWYqAK4
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9Spc4QsCz
His tone was cheery and amiable. He sounded like a pleasant person to speak to.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CCNonMIp1
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptKvIF6V1y
"Hmm. Huh? Oh, were you talking to me?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhu0GFo2N5p
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Sgh1n9j8x
The man nodded. Now that I thought about it–84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR519NrTFI0
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RVhn0Nt1i
"What's your name anyway? I don't believe you've ever told us."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaRWVZf7mD
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoWdBcJUxf
"...You must be right. My name is Hank, it's a pleasure."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLe9YJcTNP
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeKKUl0O0I
"Hank... did you cook this breakfast?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFD3RTTdmhk
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENjQ6QxYwm
"I certainly did. Well, go on now, try it."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLxGv3Ayyr
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9YbrY4GKY
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–84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vWfY6rRtk
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJW8sTXdo7
"Don't gotta waste yer time ogling at it, kid."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwe93RqpYwB
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuTTV3IWLR
Juke's statement interrupted my necessary analyses.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEijDNWwOsu
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFR5nFU0gAh
"I guess you're right. Is good, Juke?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XHFdurQiN
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcO67tznIhq
"Yeah, it is. If ya don't eat it now though, some bird might poop on it and ruin the taste."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2oKaiLfWx
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnALelxjDf
"What?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnpAo41dkb
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkQqu44fRa
He sighed and flicked his head.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBAIzqLvid
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32ltt2dpP1
"Come on, let's enjoy our last breakfast here, why don't we?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWA7SBwf62
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVl5kKnKQa
"Last... yeah, let's."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPONGxfl1i
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KwmB0V6dR
I took the fork and began to eat the fish. It had a kick to it that I didn't expect, but otherwise–84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuYiL72xMW
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFkWhuEwDZ
"This is good. This is really good."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH88xI6ESrP
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM44q9pQMBG
"I told ya."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMq6ciiIfhe
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCzCIQcNkL
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2vguZl42O
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUDGqtnrjC
"Wait a minute, Juke," Hank started, "how are you eating with your helmet on?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0S9QyfELyC
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oWhAmbX78
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDb0J9LgEA5
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1K7fxUvLw
"Trade secret, don't worry 'bout it. Just keep eating."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXBZMHYkK2
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UdkiQfuUa
The man backed down. I kept looking at Juke, but he wouldn't eat the fish in front of me.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazQHmqgvOO
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oneLa6Q6c
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsBALHyr0b
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJyQHBCguf
–
–
–84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTYPEq6sos
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30dnt1bIYZ
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf63RDfVBcq
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdS2JcVcbDJ
"So, you two want to leave the city, correct?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJKBEPfbv6
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhe7A1s4v3s
"That's right," Juke responded.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujit1SOwlq
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQVoZeH4bS
"I see..."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5ZxhgMVdg
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ48JqC6BCk
He pinched his chin and gazed at the table.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkC6DgmVAJ
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWPDTqsXaU
"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."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vfJ9gDD50
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSGTs7in2x
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxVirgvjti
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQVsPRmnwZ
"However, I do believe you two can get out fine."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfla0pbPcwN
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zRMBKXvKD
"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."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAm3TrpvRj
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPun2QxYg3J
I nodded along to Juke's reasoning. Hank did too, less tense than twenty seconds ago.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcX6xmNWL5Q
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweBO6xtnsc
"Do you two have a plan in mind?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LMfGaAQBP
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0DPLIpxLt
Juke turned his head to me, confusing me more than pressuring me.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSegGATVRnk
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mGOfCTa2y
"What are you looking at me for?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFaqDXkXF7
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCjgrGVQfQ
"Ya got any ideas?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDC0rGgJA2
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIu0ftncaV
"Why do you think I do, anyway?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIi1rhHkaC1
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEL47uljkh
He shrugged at my inquiry. I just sighed and rubbed my temple, racking my brain for anything.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvW1E23lvu
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeELpLGKxno
"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."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLImO5LHxql
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXDp28PVIG
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PWm7VzL9p
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVdZmi4rt4
"Hank, can you go outside and check the surroundings?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdR3m4ydOlg
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7WdCaUDRs
"U-Uh, I very well may, however..."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudt5oUgtNj
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzm1glImO7g
I raised my brow, then realized that just because Hank wasn't me or Juke didn't mean that he was entirely safe.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5soeLCJAk
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAQuq7ecuI
Rover's visage flashed in my mind. I brushed it aside for the moment, barely.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu85pCliYW3
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gtrdhBGBc
"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."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWlScSiaFP
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcMe34Utli
"I see. I apologize for asking so much from you."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSBmUK6Xpj
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3bwU3QNo5
He shook his hands frantically and.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBCEzxtNEg
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNbqaqHCCW
"Oh no no, I'll do it. I just don't think I'll be able to scout very far ahead."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95ZhbjtPTd
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJWuZs4EAR
"That ain't an issue. Just the first block should be alright."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlSPKElP1R
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEJDXQfCvU
Hank's gaze turned abnormally stern. He stood up and did a few gesticulations to assure himself.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtD40R4ZYze
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5G70LiFOG
"Pray for me."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFi4MNOUoS4
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjt8PeACWt
"Don't worry. We'll arrange yer funeral for ya."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqHO08OmEi
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSU1TwYtv6
"Juke!"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZmBS8qHn6
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6x26mUW3y
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7rS52vR4h
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOn2AUSPceu
"Thanks for trying to lighten the mood, Juke."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRxXtspBX0
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XE3YlKujM
He turned his head to me, stuttering his words before taking a breath and speaking them coherently.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92b1U5M8e6
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWZd9kxIxQ
"No need to thank me. The atmosphere's tense, I just don't want it to stay that way."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRBfkugPep
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJM2nIAiQU
"Still, I appreciate it."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimBlXZGwkK
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6avTwdqE2
I sat with my legs spread out, lowering my head and leaning over to stare at the ground.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jtmZBXHXB
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5W2blOK2Kj
"I can tell that my wisecracks ain't all that effective, though."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlPRpF9F2p
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtMhGIv0bs
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlJA0Bdru2
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqXtC3GOZL
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQCEhjDAER
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7LKWr4vnl
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnvGGmwBUR
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1I0n3jyJg
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tojHqTcvV
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrMixcDLB3
"Thank you for your help, Hank."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhVgZ8C0oN
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGG8DMpJoad
"Yeah, we really of ya."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFqdQD2SVI
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjAmmgR82J
He gave us a light smile and waved.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAepGQSGWt
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGLWsIHoQq
"No no, it's fine. It's what Dennis would have wanted, I'm sure."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73nPoohOAV
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdHFDFShpx
"...Y-Yeah."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJC5fV9q1O
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwGqcb0nnl
A morbid parasite was planted in me before we left. It began to eat at me instantly, but I did nothing to address it.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhThhlCPTwl
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vw2Gwf2Yl
–
–
–84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGNqJMKKaw
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBCnnfjlA1
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mVWImlpQQ
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQWtFPXPaW
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQU8gTJJiVi
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmsN08s6R6
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKANf4LmYFb
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRgEVbVeWJ
"Hey, are you sure we're going the right way?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0A3yo3EyUj
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwChkMQ9Irp
"Yeah, I'm sure. I remember that chipped building when I visited the stables earlier."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeZPUOqpEh
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQ1xFwJ5Ko
He pointed at a building opposite us. Indeed, it was chipped, but somehow I didn't find his memory reliable.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NErF1u3dG
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7it5JwZP9
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoR7ElhVEc
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoRuNhED8F
"--Crap!"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmS4bGCx1Wy
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVHedm3vUE
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIu75ZjNXrK
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgj3VZulT9
"Crap. Crap!"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9T6l3LGkd
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KMDoo1dTJ
"Eh? What's the situation, kid?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEhdaf1AYl
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWp1KBxhYdr
"People are heading our way!"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96wlFVPET7
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ENgZMTwhK
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4zUTooVhQ
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpi0xIxcTk
"I guess we gotta jump 'em."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7hVMxJgm6
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOGuxXoOxi
"What!? That's a terrible idea!"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPQnNNXo2G
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwzNkNMI4X
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmskd64O4sy
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN29o5wO1KA
"Okay, maybe it isn't a terrible idea, but we need to knock them out quickly."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VhJZQEGVM
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6C5aTJLUj
"Yeah, killin' 'em will just make a mess and draw attention, ya make a good point."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7HBXZiM1Y
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeccMJQ8gQ3
"...Murder is the first thing you– nevermind, you gave me a good idea."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡas1SJwQRhF
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu92BgVY8kE
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmETuI7jay9
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsg8kBTvevo
It was unexpectedly heavy. The weight of the shield brought me to the floor and strained my arm terribly84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrV5sATHvoT
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjgTZzYVpO
"Ack!"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXnurGhw7a
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBgy23tVqD
"G-Goodness, kid. Are ya alright?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Q1GsYYGWA
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnMO7V7P1t
"I-I'm fine, just keep quiet!"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyAizNB3uz
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDF1c5db0O
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUStkTRps6
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0OjnLsgZM
"Ya strong folk really are crazy."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcYal7zY25
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuQefnjIp5
"Shut up. Now isn't the time for this."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8xuzLOpxy
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9omx7GaUE5
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv33PhlzrTV
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSFxSz4l3r
And, by doing so, I heard something that made my hair stand on its ends.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgwzOciEa2
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvjBXr5gQr
"--Yeah, we should find a place to hide, don't ya think?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yxb7CSHSs
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJp3O6vD0D5
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwJcEfyIOD
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nMxyRQywE
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEQFqwKuqX
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTw9eLZEVQ1
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–84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmRYOAqSFj
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tgIwORovo
"--Kenny, I don't know if that'll do ya any good."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCJARoGNaX
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlShobtEeRT
"Huh?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiC042ab3cd
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNVEOEnUp4
Juke's deep voice pierced through the thunderous train of footsteps.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgLGY6Hot9
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjbaVUSc0D
"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."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuPONczChn
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHrru2StEL
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OQdfp2w4E
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNU739M5Sso
"Why? Is it because I'm strong?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJw4rd9MUO
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5CYYv2VzO
"Nah, it's cuz yer a kid."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAr6G12tvMh
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjDAT8B8dO
His response left me more stunned than I could've imagined.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuBVTwejae
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMcbVc6WU3
"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."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuoY05huu8
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9zhOesiw2
"..."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnIXTnRm1F
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXs0jaylkdN
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevlRH25cCy
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4Ftjzu5wR
So, I let my mouth run amok.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPHAciZtYq
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUraXKAFBN
"I'm sure you know, but what Rover told me has... affected me, I suppose."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6BFfy8bQn
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqHb0Gbdtx
"Yeah, I know."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPFrTS8EIw
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWgYYSBnhI
A pause. I used it to formulate my following words more effectively.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFEos4JOz9
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl98ZKKXDCj
"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."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8qV8qYUdo
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTC6I52eC74
I darted my eyes to the side. He nodded along. He stared at the wall across. I did the same.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfvdgFq1yK
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiWYcupern
"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."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmy1t4vUMe
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlgdPgSs7y
"That sounds familiar..."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nkCiIHvF8
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLtKn50IS0
"Huh?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNsX0XuFfi
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5MhfYmpQ7
"Nevermind. Ya carry on."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesOlZ7QFIB
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4eOOaeK8W
I felt a little let down, but did as I was told.
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv72ZMupArs
"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."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMictRraywb
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwO81g2u8ju
"Well?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFYGQmt9gg
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGfwGWxhu2
"...The thing is, if I voice it, I'll probably break apart here and now."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMduDXSldZ
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEZdVw6fCa
"Ah."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJtGH2fKMA
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4tH69ebfe
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but articulating it in my brain was difficult.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNr87kuoq9A
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaw9i5QdW8H
"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."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70DiDb8eqC
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXq7pxBXECb
"Ah, the Lionant?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmSgBnKhPw
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGZpWyCUDs
"Yeah. The one you saved me from. Thank you for that, by the way."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOlO9DG4U0
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77fyu4WHcr
"..."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIC41Vgg7aR
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9lUCprOcS
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpgoZM0wn0
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8xRrwWO1h
"This might be a dumb question, but why did you save me back then?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQjNNvWAXo
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwB6vgdMHmr
"...Yeah, why did I?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcb7imkJJW
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ewv30R69u
I didn't expect to be met with another question.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxe7e8ql4MR
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPGNNhrZG1
"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."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBW7yioEqp
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ211Ukxy7af
I turned my head to him. He had his eyes pointed at the sky, one arm slung over his knee.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0p7GEfx1js
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7H2bydOB0V
"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."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkwtiVOdjF
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEZQJSsrlc
"..."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfnJh2Sd8O
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJYtLLHrnB
I felt as if I should have said something, but I remained silent. Juke continued his gentle monologue.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMlsrD227D
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPcZCQE0fh
"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?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡng2EBGiVVg
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfimmGR4UYR
"What?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cM0gtmXgS
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjcrYTZt47
"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."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVe6M7RGlus
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyO7IKzhlkY
"That sounds... boorish?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjycuxvUo0R
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAAinVBHf7
"Pff, yer just too young."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnUPVMEl8H
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoa2zTgEHS
He paused for a moment.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6UMPH7ZIn
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiBWofaYE0
"Why the hell am I saying this to a kid?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqGwr4GQYb
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xxilqFKrn
"D-Don't mind that, just keep talking."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwGwefbzos
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYE3PEcOJuf
"...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."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcoW5PegMG
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWTLrB0zoL
He took a second to readjust himself. I used that time to spill my own thoughts.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXxmAOimhK
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfv6WLruCa
"That's silly... O-Oh–"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLr6uluY1L
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETH0goVXwL
I realized I had just blurted out something insensitive yet again.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uTD1yYaWh
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTbyK7BYHw
"I didn't mean to be rude, but–"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjuSi60ux7
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJfAUKemo2
"Nah, I get why ya think it. To each their own, that's what the masses say, yeah?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIqJUQtjPU
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInoUKIYGhT
"I... yes, I suppose so."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwElEKqivX
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLcdaqVFQL
Another pause. Juke directed his gaze to the floor this time.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4jBE2piva
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZiUjLipHv
"I think the weak shouldn't have to deal with what the strong does."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofr6OIFLwD
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsopU7oI6xp
"Yes, I know."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHafUBajLO
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EqMGHohCL
"But I wanna make sure Dennis is still kickin'."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cM1XASyOy
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDczBvsWf8i
He said that with conviction I had never heard from him before.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99i2Ps6Kes
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85jxZIaR2e
"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."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoBaOF6C2s
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jJrYyznre
"..."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStVJEasWp7
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaP3OGXv3Ue
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33OUd56Gbw
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mx3mEcRjS
"Ya hear that?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HVWvfj7tH
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeMybFqKzN
"Huh?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3N2OnWHcFg
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OANzlosHH
I perked my ears. I didn't hear anything. Then, I realized what Juke meant.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbHm763M8P
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gcrdVTDj8
"They passed."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBpQmUgAmM
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3dRXBDW9C
"Yeah. I can't hear them anymore."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguYuFq2W7j
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrLDTLByDE
Juke stood up first. He brushed the dirt off his pants and peered around the corner.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkAgVqyts5
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRXs562NdZ
"Looks like we're in the clear. Phew."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgYQdl7Axg
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBaPGjKfAd
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzJuEVHd42
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHsDCMf329
Juke had already taken his first steps, though. He looked back at me once he noticed I wasn't moving.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefos7OWGNO
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsNmKym2EZ
"Shit... hey, kid, I know what yer thinking."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSBAgcFmkZ
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHX2IPjband
"You've been saying that a lot."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrAsyl8XZ5
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3OxEvI89F
"That's just cuz yer easy to read."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvL1i00UsuE
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiL9j9sL7Si
We stood stock still in silence.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2iNJL0Qoy
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEh5rwhD2oU
"W-Well, what are you waiting for," I muttered, "Let's get going."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmwsDJZIGu
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWKZPLSs3k
"Are ya sure?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBI9afrNRj
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsySi87M9y
I walked out of the alleyway, looking both ways before standing beside Juke.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGcbz6ykvI
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxxIidO2mZ
"I should be asking you that."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsohfMMCDcI
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYbGfcOlmj
"Hehe, I guess so. We've come this far, haven't we?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXqz28TdeX
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbKVoCNJjq
"Yes. You get it."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteTcarlMmr
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡol1WS1G8tO
But before we continued, there was one last thing I wanted to mention.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNwRyLTe06
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5Aw1JkbWk
"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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlvi0yk9Ng
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdKwElbNe4
"Fine by me."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1PqmEXyOp
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyvbbTQWfR
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ964GuQ7R0c
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4vtTBKwpL
–
–
–
"Ya see that?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBxz6pT69f
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9icbc83Cxa
"Yeah, we're almost there."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUatI7QeCQ
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVA2dvf4t8I
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrl2hJBlznh
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rRJcxyv7b
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQw4yhv4fjy
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And as we got closer and closer, a sudden stench assaulted my nostrils.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRze1xjjD3O
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"Blurg, what was that?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2vHGR6oIp
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQzC9y72lR
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"What was what?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pNXkhaML0
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"I caught a whiff of something."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMY1uK9Hb3
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"Ah, gotcha. I ain't stopping, just so ya know."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC44O5bhoMG
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Clicking my tongue, I continued following Juke to the stables, occasionally sniffing the air as we encroached it.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTNO6XaKLT
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And then, it came again. This time, more putrid than before.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstKzmMDSFx
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"Ugh– ack, what in the world?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5mnG1dDVP
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5n2XJx6Yr
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But never had I wished for a door to be present more than now.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyP0SrBkQRg
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"...This is fuckin' horrid."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrkioiuuqx
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhfjtuKp6t
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHasVuGcfE
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Bile rose to my throat, but I was able to suppress it. That disturbed me deeply.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpH3cCAhigc
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"Well, Kenny, I dunno if we'll be leaving by carriage any time soon."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgRJ0Q60gW
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"You 'don't know', huh? Are you kidding me?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzAb2qDrlz
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMVpLptmWB
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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."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡON2UMIKV9Y
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkqCChuPre
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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByChWqwP7h
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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–84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhID3V6Xgyd
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXreUYu0QHK
"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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLed5Hr9RDa
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Then, Juke began to talk, but it was clear that it wasn't to me.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8oup8Jqks
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"Who are ya people?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP18xp2nu6x
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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."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDOB7Jxy8K
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"Buddy?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtytlAYn7G
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpB58Oa2crk
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuyfyyxuTM
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"Quiet now."84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykoHbfeTHe
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6uSAGjssI
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdWX9Lyb1C
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"Where did she go? Do I smell that bad?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtGIW3yn3P
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBOWoSji6L
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"K-Kenny? Where did you come from!?"84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteOX5UGRWm
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bWFNIhe2B
