The fire cracked and popped. It was already dark out. Four hours had passed since the infiltration. Flinty, Ng, and Kenny were sitting beside the fire. Victoria just returned with more firewood. Kenny took a tiny bite out of an apple
Victoria sat down. Everyone was staring at the fire. The silence was oppressive, but Kenny didn't have the power nor gall to interrupt it.
"...I apologize for what has happened. My cowardice, my fear, it all led to this," Ng said.
"It isn't your fault," Victoria said, "as much as I'd like to say that it was nobody's fault, I think all of us messed up, hehe."
"Perhaps it was. But still, I feel as if I'm mostly to blame."
And thus, a needless back-and-forth started. Kenny didn't interject.
"Seriously, it's fine, you don't need to take all the blame."
"But–"
"Guys!"
Flinty suddenly raised her voice.
"M-Maybe it's Ng's fault, or Victoria's, but at the end of the day, Kim is still in trouble!"
"Right. Of course."
"You're right, Flinty."
"So... what do we do? We need a plan."
"Well," Ng started, "Jeremiah is formidable, but one of Panz's beasts has already been exterminated. Panz himself is also injured. Once we regain our strength, an upfront assault may be the best course of action.
"Right," Flinty replied, "Kenny can take the blob on by himself. Do you think you can do it, Kenny?"
Kenny didn't respond. He lifted his head and gazed at Flinty with beady eyes.
"...I'm not going back in there," he muttered, and their eyes widened.
"W-What, why not!?" Flinty cried. Shock permeated Victoria's expression. Kenny put a hand on his knee.
"It's best if we leave. Everyone will be in danger if we go back."
"But Kenny, what about Kim? We need to help her!"
"..."
Kenny turned his head away. Flinty's words didn't reach him. Frustrated, confused, surprised, and worried, Flinty didn't know what to do or say under such pressure. So, she didn't.
"F-Fine, but if you won't do it, then I will!"
"Don't! You're just asking to die!"
Kenny spat his rebuttal, Flinty flinched, and Kenny returned to gazing at the ground.
"Let's just... get out. At least, I can guarantee that you'll be fine if we do."
It hit her then. Flinty understood what was wrong with him. But still, she didn't have the words. Still, she didn't know how to convince his friend. Still, she couldn't help him. Flinty was dejected, upset that she didn't have the words.
She looked at Victoria. She was at a loss well, Flinty could tell. But, Victoria was older, and Victoria was smarter. Flinty was sure that she would think of something.
"Why don't we sleep on it?" She suggested, "We'll think of something in the morning."
"Yes! That sounds like a good idea!"
Flinty peered at Kenny, waiting for anything from him.
"...Fine."
Flinty felt relieved. Still angry, still worried, but at least she had time to think of something. And thus, the group readied for bed. None of them had any blankets or pillows, so they had to be content with sleeping on the ground. It wasn't comfortable, but before long they all fell asleep.
All, except for Kenny.
–
–
–
I couldn't get that thought out of my mind. This situation, this incident, none of this was like the one with my parents.
This was my fault. This was undeniably my fault. From the beginning, it was my fault.
That bullet. Why did I miss it? Why? Why? None of this would've happened if I just hit that bullet. That damn, tiny bullet made of stone.
I should've made it bigger. I should've been more patient. I should've gotten closer. I should've just used my tendril, or used fire magic. Who would've cared if I killed him? That alternative was so much better than this. Kim has been captured. The wolf is still out.
These thoughts, they kept me awake. I couldn't even close my eyes without that scene playing back in my mind; the bullet. If I just didn't miss that bullet.
"..."
I needed to take a piss.
I stood up. I tried not to wake up the group. I walked for a few minutes until I found a passable tree, then I took care of my business.
"...Crap."
I was already feeling groggy. I washed my hands with water magic and walked back, but stopped. Somebody was walking up to me. It was Ng. He stopped before me, carrying a makeshift torch.
"What do you want?"
"Kenny, do you mind us having a chat?"
I didn't even have any suspicions. It was ridiculous. But, really, talking was the last thing I wanted to do, so I walked around him.
"Kenny, what has you acting this way? Is it truly today's failure?"
"That's none of your business."
Ng followed me.
"I'll be blunt, this is abnormal."
"Shut up."
"Whether we escape the forest or not, you are the only one who can do anything about it."
"Shut up."
"Are you upset at me?"
I turned around.
"Huh? Why the hell would I be?"
"I see. Then, Kenny, let me ask you this; is this truly the best way to go about it?"
I didn't say anything, just tilted my head.
"You clearly feel at fault. I know, I've been in such a situation before."
"--!"
I couldn't say anything more. I couldn't even pretend to be mad anymore. I just sighed.
"Kenny, as an adult, allow me to grant you a piece of advice."
I didn't respond.
"I don't believe today's incident was your fault, but that is irrelevant. No, what I want to tell you is that, if you truly feel like you're at fault, then atone."
"...Atone?"
"Of course. It's simple, isn't it? You apologize for your mistake, and then you make up for it."
"...That is too simple."
"But it holds true, doesn't it?"
I turned my head away.
"It's..."
Ng walked up to me.
"You have a lot of power, Kenny. So much so, I'm envious of you. Perhaps you think you can't use it, but at the end of the day, who else can rescue Kim and fight Jeremiah but you?"
I turned around. I couldn't deny his words. He was right. And yet...
"That isn't it. That isn't it at all."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW95YV4Mn8U
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Ng tilted his head. He started to look a little nervous, and also slightly annoyed. I wasn't talking much sense, was I?75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40L3ZG0kzr
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"Then what is it?" He asked. I had to take a moment to put it into words.
"...If I go back in there, then all of it will hinge on me again. Your lives, your well-being, all of it. If I go back there, then all of it will be up to me. If one of you die, then that's my fault. If one of you get hurt, then that's my fault."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevXB8J0OGI
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"That's not true at all–"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfDhBJKx38
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"Let me finish! You, have you ever had a feeling like that before? You said you know, you said you've been there, but you haven't! I can't stomach it; I can't stomach that feeling that, it's all up to me, that I'm the one who has to be the shoulder for all of you to lean on! I can't, I just... I just can't..."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCfkYta6uW
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I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzicgjbSDlM
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"All of you say I'm a genius, but I'm not a genius. A genius wouldn't have gotten us into this mess in the first place. And now, now that I at least have Flinty, and at least Victoria is here– and hell, at least now that you're here, you're telling me to go back in there, and then just, risk it all again? What if I mess up or, God, what if I cause Kim to die? I-I'm not– I can't do it! I can't! I can't do it alone! Kim is already gone, I don't have her to help me anymore, so if something goes wrong then it's going to go terribly wrong! D-Don't you get it? Don't you get it, Ng!? How am I supposed to do anything, absolutely anything, knowing that if it all goes to shit then I'm the one who's responsible!?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJb3a0YCD0l
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I fell to my knees.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWEImjMDWY
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"K-Kim said it herself... all of it, all of it hinges on me... but I'm not someone to make that bet on, I'm not... I'm not..."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oWzPjx1Fj
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I fell. I was in a fetal position and the top of my head was glued to the ground. I couldn't hear anything over my crying. I couldn't even move. I felt something touch my shoulder. I looked up to see Ng's face.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6N7ufM1mX
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"...Kenny."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpn4bCks4f
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"What!?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOBm7lPjFw
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He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6Yv51goIy
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"You're not lying to me, are you?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssOcLcbNIf
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The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUAQ5ljepX
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"That was quite a performance, but all I'm hearing is that you're just going to leave your friend to die."
...75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4N8s3xXEI9
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I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pWIcL0li0
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I'm not... I'm not doing that, am I? What I'm doing, it's just to preserve what I have, right?75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriz3wXiGGk
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"N-No..."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnZXCKfVBf
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Oh, God.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8CVN47lXF
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Oh, God.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnC6jh6zwHB
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"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkH5N9VcgDz
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Ng leaned down to pat me again. I slapped his hand away. I scurried backward on the ground, panting, tears still rolling down my face. Ng didn't look like a man to me anymore. I couldn't identify what he was. All I saw was something I didn't like. I kept scurrying back and I hit a tree, then I stood up, and then I ran away. I didn't know where it was that I was going but the light from his torch was fading and that's all that mattered. I kept looking back and eventually, I stumbled. Right, the roots here, they were massive. I got up and five steps later I tripped again. The exhaustion from before still hadn't subsided. I could barely move. But, at the very least, Ng wasn't here. At least Ng wasn't there.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZnc4hMqk7
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But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUXNFmjaAb
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"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH16JIGhND8
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It wasn't the way I thought about it. So, here I was on the ground, affirming myself. Of course, I wasn't leaving her to die. Of course, I was just trying to make sure Flinty and the others were safe. Of course, Ng was right. Ng was totally right. He saw through me, but worst of all, I knew Ng was right, I knew completely but that didn't change a thing. I still couldn't even grasp the idea of going back there and fighting and– and maybe Kim really was killed because of me, because I couldn't do it. But Ng was right. I needed to go back.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqrLelJQWb
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But if I went back then what if it goes wrong? What if I go back and I see that I've truly failed? What if I go back and I see her– her–75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFgMBCUr3p
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"--Hrk!"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZ1l7uZBqM
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I managed to hold back my vomit. Somehow that cleared the haze in my mind. I leaned against a nearby tree. I didn't think. If I thought, then I would've heard Ng's words again, and if I thought, my anxieties would've crawled back, and then I would be endlessly running. So I sat there instead.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyDKtUk6Nz
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One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ444eFiGNRD
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"There you are."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52DVx2bNjQ
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Ng already found me, huh?75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDCTABZxlS
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"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxxahSQlV3
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I casted a gaze his way. An indescribable tug on my stomach was telling me to forgive him. It felt terribly unnatural, but I couldn't help but give into it. I didn't accept his apology, but–75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJM08UBgnH
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"...Fine."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjljZwlnI8
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He offered me a hand but I stood up by myself. I followed him through the woods. I was staring at his heels. Sometimes he turned his body to me, likely to say something, but he didn't speak it.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEy2y2hcM9a
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"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0OiP8wZO4
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Nevermind. What a strange question.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LD2iw9SV1
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"No. They died a long time ago."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfcBUczI4y
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"I see. You have my condolences."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKHP5OQgQj
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"I don't need them."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40sShbSECv
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A pause.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ixeUAch9y
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"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVWknePgge
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"..."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFwT7WQ82x
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I stopped walking. Ng stopped shortly after. I don't know what it is that just happened, but a button of mine was pressed.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8NBumlzbl
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And then the memories came flooding back. Those months where I refused to walk outside, being taken in by Anabelle, and lastly the talk. That vital conversation I had with Anabelle and Jackson. I started biting my nails.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkWHxqX9OF
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Despite it, nothing changed. My mind was still at odds with itself. But I calmed down. I calmed down a lot. At that moment, a bundle of warmth spread throughout my body. I was feeling fine.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOulKCNxtwM
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"Did I–"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQHQno9D2K
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"I'm sorry Ng. I still don't think I can do it. At least, not now, not by myself. Even thinking about it is making me shudder. I can't go in there."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFEGlTuKf7
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"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jy3FP2e6e
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I had to make sure I heard him.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzClaOZ9MGQ
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"Assistants?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iW2UDtm7g
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"Of course. I can still use the mana here to make some. It doesn't have to be anything powerful, just enough to grab Kim while you're fighting Jeremiah."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHstbyVqNs
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"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8WSbFFMkE
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"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6k3PP2bxDF
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"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9yJBFXT6s
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We kept walking. We didn't exchange another word but I could feel the air around us lighten. Thanks to the campfire, we made it back to the others.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuvxOWGtmA
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Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71E9rTVfpD
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"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJ9hJd7dRs
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Flinty ran up to me and gently hugged me, patting me on the back a few times. I would've been embarrassed if I wasn't so bewitched by the presence of the third person.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBlFvcz7Ws
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Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBj5vs1grjs
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–
–
–
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We were all sitting by the campfire. Though I was sleepy, the knight's presence alone made me unable to sleep. I had too many questions to ask, and it looks like I wasn't alone.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9UTBn76at
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"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLHXdjyIzG
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"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRWWO4hUT3
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"Of course."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHG19BuzKZ
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"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9h7O7x8cV
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"Ah, of course. I am here because I've been tasked with tailing Kim. My reasons are secret, but I assure you it isn't anything malicious, not from either party."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gxkj1RNmU
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Tailing her? Well, if that was the case, he must not have been very good at it. But when your target is as disguised and inconspicuous as Kim, then even a knight would have difficulty pursuing you.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3nGHFIlil
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But, no, something else was bugging me.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjZbrCk6Mz
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"How did you know where to find us here?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2vb8EiNiu
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"I simply spent the day searching."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJ9YjaAFNp
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"The whole day?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLETpJM7ADz
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He didn't respond to that. "Victoria's mother informed me of your whereabouts. This forest may be small, but it sure is dense."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUwlWQyKPw
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Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCWCV5ebck
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"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqop03kvV9
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He sighed.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7vtTyiJxT
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"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwE23ImGvvZ
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"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkbhIR65Em
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"Oh! Yes! Kim is being held captive by a magical beast my ex-colleague has created. He is formidable, and occasionally reckless, but not a creature who would intentionally kill. He wasn't programmed that way."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVk6lYIAJb
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"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0FrvAnY14
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"...Why do you ask?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6pxZdpUbr
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"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9OMn4ZWJa
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDMHsCgkyH
Those words made me perk up. They had two meanings to me. Ng went on to explain the blob's ability to contort its body and produce a hypnagogic haze when injured. Skylark didn't look intimidated at all. I didn't see him in action yet, but I imagined that such confidence didn't come from foolishness. Skylark's presence was still strange, and I'd be lying if I said that I didn't have any suspicions about his relation to Kim, but– frankly, it didn't matter. Frankly, I was just glad that I was able to pass the baton onto somebody far more capable than me. A short while later we all returned to sleep; aside from me, of course. And, apparently, aside from Skylark. I lifted my body and stared at him. As we stared at each other, I tried to unbridle certain words from my throat, but he talked first before I could.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGABqUs5Se
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPVOFO4hbu
"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNjM4s5TWI
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHpToAUxYx
"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0e8G9xpcw
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bsFmsqpE8
"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUiOdvTrod
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJHMu4ePbY
"I see. I'll get sleepy eventually, it's just a matter of time. But since you're awake, I might as well talk with you. Talking with people is especially exhausting."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6ws3w5btQ
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohjzQGDjPK
"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwL6074IAA
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUq6lssEet
"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeCtxQCJnx
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SZeQqYWKn
He put a hand to his chin.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAKLekOE5d
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVg0Ifj1Ce
"...Well, I'm sure you in particular will find out soon. For now, let's just say that I was sent to defend her, in case anything goes awry."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljzh3r2DGm
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbskVcKhg7Q
"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8xU3tVsyL
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuChJXlyX5H
"No."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbow77Cv5sl
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIL2squdvf
"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1jwLcpgp7
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8DtCjd2xY
"Do you mean in the woods?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzX8roABEO
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgGA3yy8VP
"Yes. I'm just curious."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgKtHoKapA
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJonQ6m2TZ
"I entered the woods two hours ago. I was told by Linda to wait until it became dark. Honestly, these woods are a bit of a nightmare to navigate."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywIlAW8bWo
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmJp4FnGCZ
I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmppA2Rnmc
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AXeh6t0FF
"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlFWOt8Wxh
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8QGzYDUh8
"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSmdYI5Axp
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKC1O4G6oAG
"Me too."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9tMPY604a
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJ9DJeO7Mm
I realized how strange it was that he called it knightly duty, since he met us by coincidence, but didn't press him on that matter.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXvdOlN1MX
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5tFcYQOHx
"Is that all you wanted to ask?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCrcialacO
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLI29QTXXw
"Yes. For now, at least."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7icSwW5PdF
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktKigKOrwZ
"Are you sure? I may not be able to answer all questions related to Kim, but I have a lot of knowledge of other things."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoz3d0MTQjB
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFs42NxCYB
"..."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVhRODP9Dk
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5YVHhBOP0
It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNd71Me5omu
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmf20ONJqn
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsH3O92EEo
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZagvWPnIy
"...Huh?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphUwz71L6W
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqGTccq0to
–
–
–
There was a gap in the trees perfectly positioned to where the sun hit my face. I woke up with an uneasy feeling in my chest and had difficulty keeping my eyes open. Needless to say, I didn't sleep well. Despite that, I was feeling fine. Everyone else was still sleeping. Everyone, aside from Flinty, who was not present.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKBjXZwOuC
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRWJruPi4S
I thought of the worst immediately. I calmed down once I heard a sound nearby. I walked towards it and saw Flinty standing with her arm out, creating water balls and... firing them.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5vxXyjPyB
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7ze3UYdeD
I wouldn't repeat the same mistake as before, so I stood by the sidelines and watched. She didn't even have her eyes closed, yet she was able to create a water ball and maintain it for twenty seconds. And then, she fired it. It was a very weak spell; it hit a tree and merely splashed it. If it was another element, it likely would've only scratched the bark off. I was still impressed.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOT6n4TFx3
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSbxgX1oVD
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOjZXn7UfG
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwhFQ3ft13
"Good morning, Kenny."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PsJC6Wi6h
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuNfUDiRC2
"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLekUq1S3oo
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkroqHom6QL
"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJt8DQ0J7q
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbCplETJvJ
When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJ3tCMT8DV
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ871P8En128
"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJXmS64DbZ
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyw1crHQIti
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSKvsGsrXr
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7GFZNjqaP
"Yes! I have, ha!"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguWhqKfxPI
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluItsuzl4P
She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw73nXZ5jff
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrouCfnJtWM
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUSSuN5UHi
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAphR8Oit5a
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPewZaifIOS
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyxREX3VEL
"Thank you, teacher."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAOjiDqul8
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE64s9mYnq6
"Yeah. Don't call me that."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyVeP4XRzr
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAK1ZlKaD8Y
"Okay."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSvOGiwJG4
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡto1UCWmmb0
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nwT6SQriS
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQygkrTs8XS
"Hm? What's wrong?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJ80nD2JtW
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJk7V8euSQ
"Um..."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnxIO8FYzT
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkjPeC1Q1D
She let go of me and began taking off the coat.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PE12DBVfT
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqTCMkb7Yc
"Here. Have it back."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kvSf1Z9l7
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNnsykJgoW
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODJ1emn5l2
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1lFRhkZJK
She shook her head no.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKGJWFDuJH
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yXX10hJc2
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPstDwiAMz
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmVyKNDDPR
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWNpogdcrR
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaofKZM3wpZ
"Thank you, Flinty."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Mt1k68ARO
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjD45P16xHB
I grabbed the coat and put it back on.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8WhEwM88w
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuqMNxWkVE
"Kenny, do you feel better?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejF9xGukNX
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHwspwfPMo
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ccRbyWzS9
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZ7tjq7tvJ
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyk9Ko5s9Q
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGDAXfTXNL
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZWuLoWyOR
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nHt47UZkK
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKO006ffKV
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhZ8TvtOju
"Good morning, Kenny."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtohB8SFWi
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghkK9iILZe
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAv2wJrrcmZ
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡow08DrmvQu
He nodded. When Victoria and Ng got on their feet our strategy meeting began. It was simple; Skylark would enter the compound and battle Jeremiah while Victoria, Ng, and I would surround the building to capture any escapees. With that set, we began our breakfast. It was just simple rations, but they tasted especially fresh. Flinty and Victoria were engaged in conversation while Skylark vigilantly watched our surroundings. I looked at Ng and was suddenly reminded of last night.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSxMCP3SVy
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1A4Ackqb89
"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrMtlw0Mvc
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pNXputvQU
I scooted closer to him.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvi8FtrInW
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAPRMH0zAV
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6r4199HGBs
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8tcDiQ6tV
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoq3QYxda4
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QSvnw86a0
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTR6jfE4vk
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDYWp4kNZ8
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWh6F8SghR
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpnyEArdrE
He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuzia4Emvn
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgxQic0SsV
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVwKumviy1
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFkamJRbcU
"What?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEINCad2tPe
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuW67b2txVL
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemRzQyLFyF
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmUDyxPk8d
But then I thought about his behavior back in the cellar, and during the initial stage of the infiltration. He lightly punched me in the shoulder.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYg0UO0KEJH
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08QkZ2xKUP
"You and I are alike, I've realized. But unlike me, you are powerful and gifted. I know you can liberate yourself from the fungus in your brain. You are still young, after all."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JdMOwbEdA
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4t15dd67E
"R-Right."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwXqnGhiFh
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cqFgLaSsH
"Well then, shall we go?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8l8cLtrwCR
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwHPcfyOI2
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSaE5PECKK
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQLNkBPdIi
"Alright."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1nk3wmwWh
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhj4u5kJdPs
We grabbed our bags and left the campsite. With Ng leading us, we arrived at the compound thirty minutes later. Flinty and Ng stood nearby in the woods guarding our things, and more importantly, away from any attention. Skylark, Victoria, and I stood before the broken gates of what was essentially the compound's front yard. Skylark took a step forward. He had a rag covering his mouth.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjv62nAzL9
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IePy7PAKL
"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjunlHlT5q
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJphAO39Uc
And then he walked across the field and into the building. Now Victoria and I stood there alone. I felt a hand on my shoulder.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3B10815pm
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEKSJAhkWG
"What?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRd8TWaXul
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBD410txFti
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWENQKwpGTn
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Bo2fwvWQF
"I know he will."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOwc7RXEDR
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnhnZ4wzSI
"Then why are you shaking?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSDwlyVB1F
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOtpBQb9at
"...I just can't help myself."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6Fyqk4aOp
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1ZtWvxw9q
I walked to the walls and sat against it. Victoria joined me. We sat and waited. Five minutes passed without anything happening. Ten minutes passed without anything happening. Victoria was jittering a little.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjrHUPd31A
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QWLQjTCQ4
"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBT3xUT2Lah
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewu5JWmMKu
"What do you want to talk about?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzctPq7QoG1
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1s1lHbPLb
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡya4JmPnipP
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdqL7ql0wg
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVH5VqinoOE
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdWjG9Ow2r
"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9KvXKIEou
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiZzIVedXj
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58KC7Iw9e3
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwysBwh3hn
"Ha!"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhWtudmzeE
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ojGTqr4u5
She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2nQx7W1i3
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"These muscles came from all the work at the farmhouse, and fighting is something Mom taught me. Y'know, she used to be a combatant! An extraordinary one, too!"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLrw0CThmE
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMA0RmsyWP5
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2p22m4g6g
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIWhYiTt5P
"Hehe, something like that."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJw4UtnE3Ct
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPvZ6fcXfN
She didn't sound confident.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcBVHwi7cI
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNX9I4GODb
"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxiDVpvXrh
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNITumItYD
"Ah. That makes sense."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtddSVXNnB5
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgw5mhtzjiu
I was very close to saying something insensitive.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8CNDcF4V4
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rqsLULbbY
"That blob thing was a bit too much for me to handle. I think though, if we were to fight that wolf, I would be fine."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3BBax23SD
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJEcZrTd48
"...Wolf?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvX8UOEsC8C
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnwblq7NC0
All the air suddenly left my lungs. I looked to my left. The broken gate. Its mauled doors were sprawled on the grass, and chunks of stone accompanied them.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFR5yaOKbl
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvm0eWvfRN
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbR5QihQUIb
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPY54IE5Ea
"Kenny?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7fSctth5x
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPdTzEIxAI
With how quiet it was in the compound, I naturally began to theorize. I did not doubt that Skylark was alright, but we should've heard something, anything by now. Because we weren't, then Panz must've been hiding. And I already knew from Ng that Panz had the ability to summon his creations.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzmyJWQT0h
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I stood up and walked forward.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfd4rwle3H5
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"Kenny? What's wrong?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYZqGr3IpI
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"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8yz9RG9N8
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I took my tendril out and grew a Sunlight-Blossom. I snatched a seed and stuck it in the ground, then grew it to full size. I clasped the flower by its stem and aimed it at the woods.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFfnfl8wnJ
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4g8qR8Hkk
Victoria stood beside me with her hands raised. She caught on fast. I keenly eyed the woods, almost like a hawk, waiting for anything to flutter.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyozEeu9iV
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And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUJYqmwPxj
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**BANG**75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIsreJVSWo
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The Sunlight-Blossom's seed rend the wind and trees. It left my line of sight in a second. I didn't catch the beast, but that wasn't an issue. A resounding wail echoed throughout the woods. I saw the bushes fly in the distance.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zfJKFDHYN
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeJSFXqnIH
"Victoria."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKR7OdMWdcC
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"Right."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBrpB514i5
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I had to think fast. I produced a Freeze-Dry and encased the ground in ice. Next, I brought out Dragon-Maw Jr. and raised the tendril over the ice.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmjnWU4QJd
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**SMASH**75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8quQmsIM5E
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There he was.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltEDaIloi6
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The wolf crashed through a tree and landed on the ice field. He lost his footing quickly. I lowered the tendril and Dragon-Maw Jr. snapped his jaws immediately, nipping at the wolf's back. The wolf slid towards us with his maw agape, brandishing hundreds of sharp, unsightly teeth.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuv5d4Jwwvz
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdvQsoBWgV
Victoria crouched. The wolf jumped. I retracted the tendril and prepared to strike, but the size of the wolf surprised me. I hesitated. But that was fine. Victoria clenched the wolf's neck as it soared through the air. She slammed the beast to the ground, hardly able to keep it pinned, but she was able to punch its snout a few times. The wolf struggled and clawed Victoria in the chest. She winced, and the beast escaped from her grasp. He was bleeding, but so was Victoria. She reached for her pocket and doused herself in a healing potion, then threw the glass bottle at the wolf who stepped aside to avoid it.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrtSD1aIiU
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhZQ8On31w
"That thing is strong," she said, "We can either wear it down or pin it again, but if I do, you need to kill it."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrB2xKXT0j
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"Right."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxV9TFcIsaw
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With my other hand, I began mana expulsion and created a bundle of thin, elongated rocks. I threw them at the wolf one at a time. He avoided them all, but as I threw, Victoria inched closer. The wolf jumped at her with his jaws wide open. Victoria stepped to the side in the nick of time, but as the wolf landed he turned around and leaped again. I struck him with the tendril and he spun across the field.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkptHpqfXP
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AkPE5WT3D
"Thank you!"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BHMtiNXzF
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I nodded. The wolf was temporarily incapacitated. He was still bleeding from Dragon-Maw Jr's wound. Victoria and I were unharmed. We could do this.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxBqyXPGkB
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAC6MatKQE
I began mana expulsion again, creating a stone and suspending it in the air. I covered it with fire magic. The wolf came back to his senses and sprinted at me. I stretched the tendril out; he avoided it but I struck him as I retracted it. I threw the fire-rock at it. The wolf caught it with his mouth.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBz7PUGo5E
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"Huh?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiscaoT8bFF
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Not just that, he clamped down on it, shattering it instantly. The fire was proven to be ineffective as smoke casually escaped his mouth.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZK8ziLhXIq
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The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3OdYbVVzH
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"Shit!"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHgrvwOwEl
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I put my hand on the floor and created a small wall of earth before me. A stream of fire pummeled it. I wasn't harmed, but the heat made me feel woozy.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVLhFwhYxK
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJinJvLUOVR
"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmybDoq0wL6
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYhs1K1k3O
I removed the wall and began mana expulsion again, this time, creating a ball of water. Victoria was beside me, her palms open and her fingers strained.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexdwm8ASC6
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZK6XzOxD2
"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeAbDG7lCh
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"I understand."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YzzLaoaTk
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I retracted my tendril and began mana expulsion with my right hand, creating a bundle of pebbles. I shrunk the water ball down and clasped it with my left. A pure-white water geyser erupted from my palm. The wolf avoided it but found himself on the ice field again, and thus lost his footing. The geyser ran out before I could hit him, so I created another ball of water. The wolf blew fire on the field and melted the ice, and unfortunately, made the grass catch fire as well.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MOYga4hPe
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"Uh oh, Kenny."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0LlNy6VPv
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Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1PMjlxBQM
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"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ITMypWMuD
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I didn't clasp the ball this time but spread it out across the field. The fire was extinguished and the wolf was now wet, but seemingly unbothered. He started charging at us again. I scattered the pebbles in my right hand with intense force. They were small, but the wolf would undeniably be hit and staggered.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoV5g97rqTe
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaiJt6eW0A
But, though he was hit, his charge didn't halt even a little. I panicked and brought the tendril out, stretching it out yet again. He didn't avoid it. Instead, he snapped his jaws at it.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjZUF2GLju
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"Hrk!"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeQZFpxOoP
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Pain permeated my whole body. Maybe even my soul. It was terrible, but the situation wasn't irredeemable. The tendril was in between the wolf's jaws but was still intact. I quickly thought of a way to retaliate and produced a Flash-Bloom. I'd be lying if I said I expected it. I hurriedly held my hand over my eyes.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4U5dOwNng
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"Victoria! Close your eyes!"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6nAlNIBOv
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Even with my eyes covered, all I saw was white. Pushing the Flash-Bloom beyond its limit was exhausting my mana supply but I didn't have to keep it out for long. A few seconds later I stopped it and opened my eyes. The wolf was still gripping my tendril but was nabbing at its own face as if the light was on him. I produced Dragon-Maw Jr. and he bit at the wolf's nape. The wolf let go of my tendril. I coughed out some purple goop.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7I9sFRg0I
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNYvjIH0US
"Victoria!"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXI3jeXdeHk
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFsqq4qVfF
"Right!"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVLMOZ7Onm
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOfPtmcgU4
Victoria ran over to the wolf. She didn't pin him down, but instead, grabbed one of his oversized hind legs and bent it in an impossible direction. The wolf opened its mouth and wailed and readily spat fire. With all his squirming, Dragon-Maw Jr. could hardly keep him in place. I produced another water ball and flung it at the wolf. I managed to perfectly land it inside its maw, and the beast was forced to cough it all out.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEfJHXGey5
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XlLAGG8I0
Dragon-Maw Jr.'s teeth sunk deeper into its neck. The wolf was still desperately clawing at its eyes, but each succesive swipe made it obvious that the beast's strength was fading. Victoria broke its other hind leg. The wolf struggled, but he didn't attempt to spit out fire this time. The wolf simply howled, and howled, and its howls grew weaker by the second. Dragon-Maw Jr. kept clamping down. I noticed it myself, how the neck was being sluggishly pulled off the body. Victoria clasped the wolf's snout. She began pulling at it.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzesUKT3Wo4
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"GRAHHHH!"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8sMWnWGBm
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A warcry. She was a total barbarian.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwhPtPukXG
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With the help of Dragon-Maw Jr, Victoria tore off the wolf's neck and threw across the field. The head crashed and spallered against a tree. It immediately evaporated into the air, and the rest of the wolf's body followed suit. She grabbed her knees and began to pant.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTSXNtw3Ci
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"..."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGOUsxkwQe
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I retracted the tendril. My mana supply was relatively plentiful. Still, I plummeted to the ground, face-first. I stopped coughing up purple goop, and a minute later, it stopped oozing from my chest.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4ohnehjhv
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I had questions about it, but those were for later. At the time being, I was happy. I relishing the moment. Even with grass pressing against my face, I was relishing.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mpW96lxeK
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWD8ALw937h
We did it. We really did it.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoyATA7DWC
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"Kenny!"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzS0Iw14GMm
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Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJIMvICEUd
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"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkYEB4GiVd
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhRMVDAY67
"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIES3fM7WKP
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She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3avrg4f9l
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bFQdm1LIL
"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8kzHHIGdd
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"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmpCyYvBLI
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She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFoboCKJx4
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"We did it," I muttered.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rJRGaqdUW
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I struggled to believe it. Not just because the wolf was taken down without much hassle, but because of how I was feeling.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUP8JcgDoS
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Right now, I was immensely satisfied. I glanced at Victoria, and she was fine, and I was fine, and the beast was dead, and I was satisfied.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfa3HyMFbVw
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I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTUi4VWcd4
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiClY0vMbLA
"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8WSYhizMh
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDn16W77JO
"...It could've been a lot worse."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyMMS7l54K
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"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQoIL4a14V
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Victoria looked at something above me.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVMTDEXNJl
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"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhOksOKTun
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Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0dAMwrqmQ
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"No. Why do you ask?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZVPFBXN9J
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"I haven't heard a single thing coming from the building. Our fight was noisy, so I thought that maybe someone would come out. I'm starting to get worried."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlezeqmGrE
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UJsZyr7iQ
"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVjqP2lwyD
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"O-Oh, sorry."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSquRNDcfg
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She scratched her cheek a little.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqgXrudaaM
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"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJFQ8lkSdV
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"That's just how you need to be with monsters. Equally brutal. It's something I got used to. I watched my mom fight a lot when I was a kid."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzy76Am8roY
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tfLkFK37S
"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUlS4PwmJR
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"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVF7Kd4B7zk
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhvYKDldds
I sighed. My face returned to the grass as I indulged in the silence. I could feel the fatigue worm its way into every nook and cranny of my body. I was surprised at the toll the fight had on me. Eventually, I stood up and brushed the dirt off my shirt. It was even more purple than before.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4GPfCTiA0
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNjQ3x71kX
I helped Victoria up. I limped to the busted gate and stared at the compound. A weight formed in my stomach. I almost began to pray, but the doors to the building slowly opened.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHZYOtWwcR
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Skylark was there. Kim was on one shoulder, and when he opened one door wide enough he grabbed Panz by the hood. He had a lot of dust on his body. When he caught up to us, he frowned.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXucrVxr3E
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"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsttTFOOJf
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"We fought something, Kenny and I."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz74CMMDt5a
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She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLEAdRsOCw
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"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlMeOKk13j
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"How is Kim?" I asked.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvK1WzjL4pJ
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"She's fine, just unconscious."75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4JFnHSl9n
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I could only say one thing.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwOdh1cMKD
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"...Haaaa. Thank God."
