The morning light was bashful, not even piercing through the tiny gaps in the blinds. I yawned and got out of my bed. I peered through the window; it was a cloudy day.
"Huh... maybe it'll rain."
I began my morning routine, washing myself and brushing my teeth before putting on a fresh set of clothes. Considering the conditions outside, it was a better time than ever to put on my jacket. Though, I would've put it on regardless of the weather.
I grabbed my keys and left my apartment room. Breakfast was going to start soon, and I wanted to make sure I had the best food from the get-go. I already made it into the dining hall and was the only one there.
"Good morning, Kenny," one of the lunch ladies called.
"Good morning. Are there any eggs on the menu?"
"Sure are."
"I'll have those, then."
I received my meal for the morning and sat by a table. The residents slowly made their way into the kitchen. I made sure to sit in a faraway corner. Not because I wanted to avoid a conversation, per se, but because I had a lot on my mind.
"...Transporting a letter, huh?"
Mulling over it last night made sleep difficult, but I had a much clearer consciousness now. I was anxious about the operation, to say the least. Not so much because it was important, but because of what failure would entail.
"..."
N-Nevermind, it probably wouldn't be so bad, would it? Still, though, I haven't had to do a mission where I needed to travel to a different city, and this is the first mission that I've ever had to cooperate on.
"These nerves are killing me."
Mission this, mission that. I ruminated over it for so long that my food grew cold. I ate it quickly then left the cafeteria and the apartment complex.
"...Alright, let's do that."
I figured that doing a warm-up mission would ease my nerves, so I traversed to the combatant's guild, trying not to heed any of the looks I was getting. Arriving at the guild, I pushed the doors open. It was a bustling place at this hour so nobody's eyes were on me, fortunately. I walked up to the job board, looking for something challenging, but short.
"W-Woah, is that Bison Frost?"
"I think it is! Watch out, don't make him mad."
Ignoring the other combatants scouting the board, I kept reading the pinned papers. My eyes stopped moving on the one right before me.
"This is perfect."
I tore it off and jogged to the receptionist's desk. It was the same woman as always, wearing a different, more modest outfit.
"Ah, good morning Kenny. Or, 'Bison Frost', as they say."
My face morphed into a deep frown.
"I'm just teasing ya. So, you've got a job you wanna do?"
"Yes."
I handed the paper and my license over to her. She went through some papers and stamped the request and put a sticker on my license, handing it back to me.
"Take care, and go easy on them."
"Of course. Have a good day."
I waved her goodbye and grabbed my stored supplies from the combatant's locker room, quickly leaving the guild after acquiring my things.
–
–
–
If my memory serves me well, this marked the fifteenth time I've left the capital. I was in the vast badlands, still able to see the city of course, but in a harsh environment nonetheless.
This particular section of the badlands was as sandy as they were rocky. Traversing it was a pain, but due to how cloudy it was today, I could take solace in the fact that the sun wasn't around.
Large boulders were sprawled around the field, making seeing from a distance nigh impossible. What was surprising though were the few bits of greenery sticking out of the rocks. I didn't know what kind of plants they were, and frankly, calling it greenery was disingenuous, but it was plant life nonetheless.
"So... what am I looking for again?"
I pulled out my combatant's license. A short description of the job was in a box to the side. It was a feature of the license; the words in the box would magically change depending on the job an combatant took. I had no idea how this was possible, but I chose not to question it.
The description was simple: "Return a Bearded Draco, dead or alive." I was informed that these Bearded Dracos rested in the sandier areas of the badlands. They must've been quite rare, though, because I've yet to see or hear one of them moving around.
"Then again, these rocks are obstructing me."
I sighed. Regret for accepting this mission began to seepl but I quickly dispelled it with a firm shake of my head. It was bound to be annoying, but the day was still fresh, so I was sure I would find one of these things before long. Before resolving myself, I sat beside one of the boulders, taking a sip from my gourd.
"...I should've changed my clothes. This outfit is terrible for the desert."
I hung the gourd back on my backpack and sighed. It was too late now of course, but complaining eased my mind a little.
"Ya got a good point there, kid. I ain't ever seen someone wear autumn clothes out here."
"Huh?"
I jumped and on my feet, facing the holder of the sudden voice that spoke to me. On top of the boulder I was against was a man with a grungy bucket helmet, completely obstructing his face aside from the wide slint for his eyes to see through. The few tiny holes at the lower half made his voice not as muffled as one would expect. Also, I mentioned that he was on top of it, but really, he was in the process of climbing the boulder. It was an obvious and awkward struggle.
"Hah, damn, I'm gettin' old. Can't climb these things like I used to..."
Now that his whole body was in view, I found myself more confused than alarmed. He had gray sweatpants on and seemed shirtless at first, but his shirt was tied around his neck like a mock cape, a knot being formed from the lengthy sleeves. He also had a blade attached to his hip, and it came with a complimentary belt.
"...Who are you?"
"'That's what I'd like to ask,' Is what I would've said, but yer face and name became pretty well-known 'round the capital. Bison Frost, they call ya, eh?"
I scowled. He clicked his tongue and 'ooo'd.
"I take it ya don't like that name? My fault, my fault."
"Seriously, who are you?"
"Right right. The name's Juke. Honor to meet ya."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYPjAvMWW6
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuYZIC8QE1
"Just Juke, huh..."
The man jumped off the rock and landed in front of me, offering a hand. I stared at it with prudence. His demeanor might've been amiable and disarming, but appearing out of the blue still made him suspicious.
"You're taking a long time. Is the heat getting to ya? That's what you get for wearing a jacket, I guess."
"No, it's not the heat. If I may ask, why are you here?"
Juke tilted his head.
"Huh? I'm here on a mission. I was gonna ask ya that too, actually, but greetings usually come first. Yer a weird one, breaking the order of things."
"I'm strange? You're using a shirt as a cape and have a lone helmet on your head! What's even the point of that?"
"Now yer just asking too many questions. I told ya my reason for being here, so what's yers? And yer name, too, don't forget that."
I sighed. I failed to mention that his behavior above all else was strange, but it would be pointless to say it now. So I just took his hand and shook it.
"Call me Kenny. I'm here to hunt a Bearded Draco."
"Woah, that's why I'm here too! Ain't that a crazy coincidence?"
He said it in a saccharine jovial tone. I'd be a fool not to see the sarcasm. It made me feel more at ease.
Still, I had to ask–
"Were you stalking me?"
"Nah. What kind of creep would I be, stalking kids?"
"You already look plenty creepy; I wouldn't put it past you."
"Yikes, ya got bite. Fine, ya caught me– but I was just following ya, not stalking, alright?"
"So, what are you doing here? Surely it's not because you're just bored, is it?"
"...Boredom's part of it. But this time, I'm just curios."
"Curiosity? You want to 'gauge my abilities' or something?"
"Yeah."
"That's a bad omen."
I sighed and rubbed my hair. I wasn't the superstitious type, so it wasn't as if I was going to run back home, but I couldn't help but frown.
This stupid nickname and status have been causing me nothing but trouble.
"I'll help ya find the big lizard. I imagine yer not used to the badlands. The jacket gave it away."
"Can you stop focusing on the jacket? This isn't my first excursion out of the city, for the record."
"Yer calling these things excursions? Yer crazy weird."
I could feel my eyes twitch.
"You say you want to help me, right? Well, scram! I like working solo, and I have no patience for your antics."
I made a brushing motion with my hand and walked away from Juke. I didn't hear him following me, which was surprising, but I was grateful for it.
"Ya know, ya might work best solo, but there'll probably be a time when ya gotta work with others, right?"
I stopped in my tracks. Sadly, I couldn't help but listen to him.
"Since this is just an excursion for ya, why not take my help? Might be a good lesson for ya, good to learn them while yer young."
I thought of the incoming mission and the prince's words. He told me distinctly that I was going to have others working with me. I wasn't against the idea of course, but even then, Juke made a good point. If I couldn't collaborate with people on a simple mission, then what good would I be on something so important?
I didn't want to screw up then.
"...Alright. Since you want to help, let's collaborate. Do you happen to know anything about the Bearded Draco?"
"Wow, that didn't take a lot of convincing. Uh, I know they're pretty big, walk on four legs, and got something akin to a beard under their chin. Ya'd recognize 'em when ya see 'em, don't worry."
I nodded, thinking of what to do while intaking this new information.
"Well, being able to recognize them easily is nice, but how do we go about finding them? These boulders make it impossible to see."
"Ah, ya seem to be mistaken. They're our greatest asset."
"Huh?"
"Watch this shit."
Juke walked back to the rock and began to climb it. A minute of struggling later, and he stood tall and proud, using his hand as a visor.
I understood then exactly what he meant. I punched my open palm.
"Of course! How'd I not think of that!?"
I knew I was inexperienced, but this made me feel plain stupid. Still, I had no time to waste mulling over it. I kneeled on one leg and began mana expulsion, creating and raising a stone pillar under my legs. I made the pillar taller than the rest of the boulders, enabling me to get a view of the whole thing.
"...They weren't lying 'bout your magical abilities, were they?"
Juke made a comment that sounded like it was for himself, but he spoke it loud enough to where I can hear it.
"They know I'm a magician? Actually, that's not surprising."
It was difficult to discern anything at a distance, so I just watched for any movement. I did notice that there was a field void of rocks nearby. However, nothing was moving.
"I can't spot anything."
"Ya serious? If ya can't see it then I got no shot– well, shit."
"What is it?"
"I see something bobbing over there!"
He pointed in the opposite direction I was facing. Indeed, something was moving, though I couldn't tell what exactly. It was beside a similar open area to the one I saw.
"If that's our target, then we ought to hurry!"
The stone tower slowly crumbled. I jumped off and landed on the ground and broke into a sprint.
"Hey, slow– ah, never mind."
Juke caught up and then ran past me just as fast. Considering our height differences, it wasn't a surprise, but something about his gait miffed me.
I managed to follow him through the rocks just fine. He stopped before the field, and I stopped by him.
"There's our target," he whispered. I followed his gaze with my own and landed on a four-legged scaly beast. Judging from the spikes on his back and the flouncy mush below his neck, it was the Bearded Draco.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NCnfpHJwm
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"Do you think he noticed us?"
"Probably. These guys don't like to move very much, but they're very finicky. Just don't do anything rash."
"Alright."
I eyed the beast, trying to judge the best approach. We were in his field of view, but whether or not he could see us was a whole other matter.
I crouched down and took out the tendril, producing a Freeze-Dry from the tip.
"The hell is that!?"
"My tendril."
"That's one crazy Endowment– is that flower freezing the air?"
I concentrated the mana into my tendril and aimed the Exotica at the lizard. A second later, the entire field was coated in ice, and the lizard was entirely encased in it. I caught a jerk from his limbs before he was trapped, but it wasn't enough to escape.
"...So that's where ya nickname's from. Shit, you're brutal."
I was panting on my knees. The amount of mana I had to suddenly drain for that speed made me feel like I just got decked in the chest in addition to being exhausted. But, the mission was over now, so I indulged in the moment of respite.
"Ya alright?"
"Yes."
I stood up and walked to the frozen lizard.
"Wait, what're ya doin'!? Don't move!"
"Huh?"
I turned around with a raised eyebrow and gazed at Juke. Except, I wasn't looking at Juke anymore. What overtook my vision was a blur of blue and then a sea of beige.
Huh? What's going–
When I felt the coarse sand rub against my back, I knew what was happening. I looked back the other way. I was sliding down a sand pit.
"Whaa!?"
It was so sudden I couldn't even think. I slid and slid, not doing anything but descending into the crater. When my mind processed the situation, I stuck my heels into the sand to break my speed. It hardly worked, which wouldn't have been an issue ordinarily, but something popped out from the bottom of the pit.
Jaws– thick jaws the same color as the sand emerged from the bottom and rushed towards me. A second later, I noticed the creature's pincer, and then I began to identify what it was that I was descending upon.
An oversized, famished insect.
"A-AHHH!"
My instincts took control. I began mana expulsion, creating a spear of stone as I fell. But, I could tell– I could tell by the time it even formed into a coherent shape, I'd be torn asunder by the insect's teeth.
I didn't know what to do. I didn't have the time to figure it out. I kept sinking, and sinking, and sinking, and sinking, and sinking, and sinking, and sinking, and sinking, and sinking, and–
"--Ah?"
The scene changed– the angle too. I was no longer glaring at the maw of the beast, but I was still looking at it. Only, it was from the side, and it was upside down.
The spear was still being manifested before me, so on top of my disorientation, I could hardly see. But, even through the thundering of my heart, my ears functioned perfectly.
**SLAM**
Steel against steel. That's what it sounded like. But, as I continued to plummet, I got a glimpse of what it was.
Juke was there with one hand on his broadsword, the blade of which was stuck between the pincers.
"--hrk!"
I surrendered all thoughts, no longer in control. The piece of earth before me didn't turn into a majestic, intricate spear, but an obtuse clump of rock that blocked my vision entirely.
I didn't care if it was inefficient, or if rushing the process like this would drain my mana like a faucet. I couldn't care, frankly. But I could, and did have desire.
I wanted to see that thing gone.
And so–
**SPLATTER**
I shot the rock, obliterating the head of the insect, and making a grave laceration in the very world.
And then, I landed on the ground.
"Ack– pluh pluh, blah!52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9iDXVWIaj
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcd6wNu1REC
The sand worked to my detriment and benefit. It cushioned my fall greatly, meaning that I didn't sustain any injury. However, I was now spitting intrusive sand out of my mouth, and my eyes vigorously watered, trying to kick out the grains that have found their way under my eyelids.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPP2DusbSIJ
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Needless to say, it hurt. Goodness, did it hurt.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLq85rUhk0E
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"Blah! Ah, crap!"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqZYnGnPDK
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My first instinct was to wash it away, so I began making an orb of water, but the thought of even moving my eyelids and the ensuing pain paralyzed me for a moment. Still, gave in, and unleashed the water onto my eyes. I felt relieved for a moment, and I tried to forcefully blink out the sand. Eventually, the pain subsided, but I was still affixed to terrible discomfort and refused to move my eyes again.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xctDM24Zs
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"Yo, are ya alright?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZwZxHJf5S
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"Eh? Juke, is that you?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8jhDJ3BmH
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I felt something on my shoulder. Juke likely put his hand on it–52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBc5jBGJ3EI
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDNdVkjKau
I froze. Juke put his hand on my shoulder, which meant one thing.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1iZwxVDjM
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"You're alive! Bleh, ack, are you okay?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMzGRO266l
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"Am I okay? Ya strong folk always ask the craziest things– look at yourself! Ah, ya can't, can ya? My fault."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2Y203PnWQ
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I didn't like his attitude, but the fact that he could dish out such brazen sentences meant he was alive and well. I felt relieved.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflWQzaU0Y1
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"Did sand get in your eyes?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhERHEpFSPT
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"Y-Yes... I'll be fine, they'll wash away eventually."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZbAKSZr9x
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"Phew, had me worried. The thing you did to that Lion Ant was crazy, by the way. You blasted it to shreds! I thought for sure I was a goner, or that I had to get a new helmet at least, so thanks."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3basmloAC
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For a moment, I was lost, because the person who put me out of harm's way was now thanking me. But I didn't argue with him, I just took the words in stride and eeked out a response.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgk4oxkeQR
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"T-Thanks for saving, Juke. I was sure I was going to die just now."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1QDVOer0k
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"Ah... yeah, I did save ya, what the hell? The strong are supposed to help the weak, aren't they? What are ya doing, breaking the order of things?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Y0z8R1ppP
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I didn't respond. I rubbed my eyes a few times, then gently opened them. The sudden burst of light blinded me– it looked like the sun snuck in a ray through the clouds.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLG0JRbBD6e
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I let out a breath. I was alive, Juke was alive, the beast was dead, and best of all, the Draco was–52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmauXvQHmld
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NVR9fqp5t
"...Wait, what about the Bearded Draco?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduNb0MvTeJ
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIdeXCYjVr
"Eh? Ya probably killed it, those things hate the cold."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtAd8b3FMU
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"I-I see..."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FO7CASkWl
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Somehow, this news was disheartening to me. I leaned against the sand and gazed at nothing in particular.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhepCWN2o5P
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"Was it supposed to be alive? If so, then ya really screwed up, didn't ya Kenny?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1PRVk0I14
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"I-I didn't screw up! I was just supposed to retrieve one, it didn't matter if it was dead or not."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8tVkTDF5D
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"Ah, if ya say so. Are ya eyes back and runnin', by any chance?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLPpozCDr7
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"That's a strange way to phrase it, but yes."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJFuT7EyLn
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"How about ya get us out of this pit, then? I can't use earth magic, and I know sand ain't a good rung for climbing."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqrpkf8GDv
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"Right. Getting out sounds good, yeah."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcKtyKgN0u
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I tried to stand on my legs, but I had difficulty. My legs were rocky, so I bent my foot harshly a few times before I could stand on my legs.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mcuzJmzdM
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Before I began any mana expulsion, I took a gander at the insect's corpse. Juke's description was proven to be accurate; the head was missing completely from the body, but a few strands of flesh and chitin were sticking out, making seem like it was haphazardly torn off the body. The sand had already covered the hole I made in the earth. The sight shook me, and I suddenly felt quite light-headed.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSd1WWEZvq
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It was a hard prospect to entertain– that I, really, was that close to dying. I remember being told before that near-death experiences were indelible, and when I sifted through my memories, encountering the vomit of anxiety and despair, despite its briefness, I understood why. I was shuddering. I was truly shuddering, because, how couldn't I? How– how could–52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpSyTbrgTc
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"Gah, what's wrong with ya now?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8c0sUOqNV
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The strength in my legs was suddenly sapped, and I promptly fell on my butt. It knocked me out of my haze, but now I was smitten with a wave of exhaustion. Juke's irritated inquiry made me ask questions myself, and I blurted the answer instantly.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQd96GONEX
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh75hsIfeIp
"...I think that spell drained my mana."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzhUyTfOmw
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"Huh? It was just a rock, wasn't it?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0agSOi1qYN
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"Yes, but I rushed the process; the spell was inefficient, and I'm paying the price for it now."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhh1lHpdxYO
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"Ya gotta be kidding me..."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLtYXQlVGq
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Juke sighed and fell on his butt himself, clasping his helmet in one of his hands.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsE6rN6Vq2k
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"I'm sorry. I just–"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6i3Xi1XyW
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"Nah, don't be. I could've become grub for a creepy-crawly if ya didn't blast its head off. But for goodness sake, how're we supposed to get outta here?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1l17vcKWw
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I widened my eyes. His concern was, well, something that I adopted myself. If I had to gauge, my mana bank was empty. Before I could even make another pebble, I likely had to wait a few hours.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1U441mxAxv
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"I can use wind magic at Grade 5, but that's it. Ya got any bright ideas?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhTQzkKsyl
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"...N-No, I don't. I-I'm sorry, but this isn't a situation I've had to deal with before..."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvprTT6ptXb
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He sighed again and looked to the sky. The clouds cast over the sun yet again, making the atmosphere even more gloomy. I stared at the ground. The shuddering from before returned, and my mind projected images and thoughts of the worst– how my body would've looked had I been caught, how it would've felt being crunched by the thing's teeth. Imagining it gave me goosebumps. I couldn't–52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7OXtGEX6v
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"--W-Whaa?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwivczGtvTb
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Two hands were clasping my shoulders, one hand for each limb. I was stunned for a second but then looked at the cause of this sudden touching. Juke's eyes gazed into mine, and despite the darkness cast over them from his helmet, I could see them– they were a light brown.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡye10LKceBB
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsMjA9czpk
"Ya gotta relax, Kenny. I dunno what's wrong with ya, but yer strong, aren't ya? They don't give ya a bigshot nickname and look at ya with awe for nothin', right?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALrVzVYPtY
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlT4X5TvwtU
"W-Whaa?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMptFGo6sv
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxExX93JlK4
"Calm the hell down, that's what!"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJs1oZF1fjt
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4A9gsP2XbH
He suddenly, and violently shook me, stopping only when I grasped his forearms with my hands. I felt dizzy and furious.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfq5Xtwv3Z
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3XRYISEDv
"What was that for!?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fG1NgAlA9
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONQ76dgrVg
"I'm tired of seeing ya sulk. Get the hell up and start thinking of what to do– shit ain't just gonna solve itself. Yer alive, ain't ya?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XGrW75qr4
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFohGANmKze
"Y-Yes?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcLb58Q7C4
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTCY4W2TtZ
"Good, now are ya gonna waste yer blessings and freeze like a dumbass, or are ya gonna get up and do something!?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaWMPTkGPY
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwMRVR9Hv7
"I–"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFZZZycHwM
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySqbcp5VJQ
I cut my sentence short. I had no response. But there was merit to what he was saying. I found myself agreeing with it, though it took a moment.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8p6rxP0WT
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwN0uf3MLm9
A weak smile found itself on my face. An image of my brother flashed in my mind.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCOfnemwHS
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdMDjKFTrk
"You're right. Thank you."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRyfN4jofO
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktyODt19oL
"Thanking me ain't gonna get us outta here! Ya got any ideas? Any?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQfBDug58V
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJONwRvfDcf
"Well, we could wait for my mana to return–"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6IHJGHIct
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33FGZhvjb6
"Nah! I gotta take a piss, and I ain't gonna do it in front of a kid. Think of something else!"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuS4oSMMJrO
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRc0w0zA0s
I was taken aback by the sudden vulgarity, but he undeniably prompted me to think faster and clearer. I didn't have mana, the sand was impossible to climb, and when I thought about it, the idea of Juke taking a leak anywhere near me was disturbing.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡersHvxDLdj
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMcvtBLCkL
Therefore, I came up with a half-baked idea. I didn't know how effective it would be, but I tried regardless.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWpgxtYWl2
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwNU7s8vMY
I took my tendril out and stood up. I couldn't produce any flowers from the tip, meaning that I was entirely dry on mana. But, after a second of testing, I found out that I could still extend and retract it just fine.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFBcILks5t
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwqeShKXJh
"Ah, yer weird wood thing! But how're ya gonna use it to get out?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4sUSKsbyR
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbKfGoofyG
I shrugged.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oXIMLrA0J
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHahySP4f0
"I didn't think that far. I'm surprised I can even pull it out."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1uNZAo18R
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9QEC7YeK2
"Eh? Why? Ain't all Endowments something independent of mana?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhAk8zBrrJ
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy266ngNkmH
"...I don't think all of them are. After all, in some aspects, this one isn't."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuzXB7dBFE
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoUdZVHoLC
"That's crazy. I just learned something new from an underage brat. I'm ashamed of myself."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFXuYoVSFi
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYW3kxoDUh
"Shut up."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NHLVlzYLE
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3KPerzqm1
Looking around, there wasn't anything I could wrap the tendril around by the ledge of the pit. There was no way to use the tendril as a rope.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUQkuYDMCB
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVWqs1ZmZk
"...Wait, Juke, do you think you can climb my tendril?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAiJU9PlSK
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtratPg9aB
"I'll give it a shot, but ain't it too short?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUdRK4hWfl
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLO7Nox5nVN
I extended the tendril to its limit, which was just enough for it to stick out of the pit. Juke made a sound of surprise and amusement then gripped the tendril.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YLNVF0gUv
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQB93P2JUd
"Even if I get up there, how are ya gonna get out?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZXVN3iheM
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ip1yhSqvJ
"Uh... maybe pull me up? You look like a strong guy."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9frm43fs2
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoo4vsU5rmn
"Pff, you've got the worst impression of me, I tell ya."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntzqyiYdsK
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA56iyfpb4k
Neglecting to specify that I was talking about his muscle, I just sat down and watched as Juke used the tendril to stabilize himself as he ascended the sand. Miraculously, and despite the few times he lost footing, he was able to make vertical distance. It was strenuous on my tendril, and admittedly painful, but I was able to maintain it for long enough for him to make it to the surface.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gczu3fhmK
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbmPKt9Fw8
"Ha, holy shit, I'm out– ah, hell nah."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvAem3zXRo
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoiour8gpx
"Huh? What's wrong?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcsjgWe3j5
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7rU1Pi5kz
Juke turned and looked down at me.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiSHIvfIlB
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXDU9MNSMl
"I got some bad news for ya, Kenny. The lizard ain't up here."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OG3p8DSnZ
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpm4MYsYjSx
Even my ears weren't ready for the volume.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEEzuqWy3w
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWKQVVZCX7
"WHAT!?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRsoKiGU9g
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Nde6iJllm
–
–
–
Juke's muscle strength was surprisingly enough to get me out of the pit. When I reached the top, I looked around to confirm his words. Sure enough, the landscape was bereft of any lizards.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesi7tCijwv
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4TL3rFyZd
I groaned and fell to my knees, more out of exhaustion than distress, but to my knees all the same. Not only did I have no mana, but now my progress in completing the mission regressed entirely. I thought of quitting. It was the only option that seemed to make sense to me at this point. All embarking on this quest did was–52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhpTCqwqyt
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCSYQnbdyS
"Gack! What–"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHftjVcsIfA
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4VTDjaW9L
"Come on, the thing couldn't have gone far. He was still frozen solid."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUe3rwjqM5I
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNSiQ4QF7l
After slapping my back, he presented me with a good point.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsDH6jNXfo
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORKxcquDsb
"Remember: I'm here to help ya. It's all a weakling like me's good for, helping the strong."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4z9gdOa7R
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4cRVDmhaj
"...Huh? You, a weakling?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuT2DmSKnT8
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaVIacnMNo
"Yep, ya heard me."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡequMGFVE8y
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjic93V1hwr
"Are you sure? I'm the one who's barely able to stand."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMCUdxhxFI
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEi6a8qNktH
"Yer also the one who took out a Lion Ant with a single spell."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Kim0KxKEF
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mJZV1yAVH
I didn't retort, more because it was pointless rather than me lacking one. I chuckled and got on my feet.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnpZQbqHj1
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBJGGl04Gc
"Alright, thank you. Let's move."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdlIZ104GA
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1fX1hDvEA
I followed him through the valley of sand and boulders. And, as if reality was following his predictions, the Bearded Draco took only a minute to find. The creature managed to climb into one of the rocks, clinging onto it like the floor was made of deadly poison. Juke and I were hiding behind a boulder, sparing glances at the beast.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LR7vTjbzg
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlYiBUW343
"It's completely still."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzl4Hy8mygD
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwVbCcJPKO
"It must be tryna warm up. Poor bastard, it just ain't its day."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBRfc4KASK
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLf6QED6nM
The moment we moved away from the boulder, the beast would likely spot us and run, or worse, attack. My tendril wouldn't be able to reach it at this range, meaning that I've found myself in a deadlock.
"I can't do anything to it from here. What about you?"
"Do ya have faith in my accuracy?"
"How could I? I've never seen you use magic before."
"Ya really suck with words."
I gave him a deadpan frown.
"Alright, then don't miss."
"Ya really suck with words."
He took a step away from the boulder and raised his hand, beginning mana expulsion. A barely visible gust of wind was forming in front of him, and soon he turned it into an elongated vertical blade. Juke sent the blade soaring across the sky, and then–
**SMASH**
A cloud of dust burst from the boulder, obscuring the status of the lizard. Juke and I broke into a sprint. By the time we arrived at the rock, the dust had settled. The boulder had a giant dent in it, but the lizard was nowhere to be seen.
"Crap, it ran away!"
I huffed in frustration, scanning the boulder once again as if it would magically make the beast reappear. It didn't of course, but I did catch something unnatural; it was a red liquid, slowly dripping into the boulder's newfound crater.
"Juke, you injured the Draco! We can follow a blood trail now!"
I circled the boulder, finding more blood on the other side and even a missing limb. It was still writhing, which unnerved me a little, but I shook it away and followed the trail, Juke tailing me a few feet away. I caught a glimpse of the lizard between the boulders. The speed it was moving at was astounding, especially considering its missing appendage.
"This bastard's slimy!"
"Just keep chasing it! It will bleed out eventually!"
Though I didn't have the stamina nor the desire to chase it until that happened, it was a safety net that encouraged me to keep pushing. The trail of blood grew darker and thicker as time went on, meaning any second now, we would find–
"W-Woah!"
A stream of white water suddenly flew past my head, causing me to trip and fall on my butt.
"Haaa, what was that?"
Juke caught up with me, panting.
"That was the Draco's magic! Ya almost got yer head lopped off!"
"Did you have to word it that way!?"
I gave a curt reply and got back on my feet, successfully suppressing the swelling anxiety and breaking into chase again. Another stream of water came from my left, but I managed to duck right before it hit me.
"Wait, if it's from my left...!"
I sprinted in that direction. As expected, the Draco was but a dozen meters away. Once he noticed me, he turned in the other direction and swiftly limped away.
But I didn't let him make meaningful distance.
"Hah!"
I extended the tendril to its limits and slammed the lizard, pinning it down. I had trouble keeping it still with all its squirming; though it was getting noticeably weaker, the way it thrashed around caused me a great deal of pain.
"Juke!"
He ran right past me with his sword out, and as soon as he arrived near the lizard he stabbed at its neck, over and over. It was difficult to discern precisely what was happening from the angle I looked at, but in less than a minute, the lizard became stock still.
I sighed, retracting my tendril back into my chest, and fell onto the ground. Juke came back to me with his body and blade slathered in blood.
"Do ya mind washing me off?"
"I'm out of mana, remember?"
"Ack! I forgot."
Juke rubbed his helmet as if it was his head and sighed. I got back on my feet and walked toward the fallen Bearded Draco.
"..."
Its head had been cut off. The severed neck was periodically spewing out blood like a broken pump. The sheer amount left me dumbfounded, completely unable to move.
"What's wrong this time?"
"That's a lot of blood."
"Does it bother ya?"
"...And it doesn't for you?"
Juke simply shrugged.
"I see. I suppose it just brought back unpleasant memories."
I took out my tendril again, absentmindedly wrapping it around the body.
"You grab the head. Let's just transport this thing to the city."
Juke nodded and scooped the head into his arms, shaking it a few times to remove leaking blood.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyf5lFkIuJ
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJlfbPc5Kx
–
–
–
"Ya know, ya don't look happy about completing yer mission."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZflKhdEoYv
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mqI9hggjH
"...How do I look like, then?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEp8ORYqZc
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPNRHfdvjH
"Tired for one, but also dreary. It ain't a pleasant look on a young face like yers."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5zQhuYykp
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdd9hnih0ev
"What– never mind. I am tired, and I suppose seeing the lizard in that state damaged my morale."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRBZbbknMy
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLW6W9vSKI
"Looks like a lot more than just damage to morale."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgPj10AKm9
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxf4kCfoiA5
"If you insist on making assumptions based on my face, you should at least have the courtesy to show your own."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGdD6rQ3P3
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUuPKxgVir
"Ha, the hell's that even supposed to mean?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvGdsfnoqB
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrRM98y2hs
"Why are you wearing that helmet, anyway? It's stained with blood, probably smells terrible, is clunky, and so many other inconvenient things."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyQulQAZNU
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8YKM1jGcn
"That's cuz I have an Endowment of my own, and I can deal with clunkiness if the helmet's sturdy. This one is."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYEFjhzvBS
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk053Jd815y
"An Endowment? What does it have to do with your helmet?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhxj5p4Tn2
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtjYDNw3HZ
"Damage redirection. Ya know, I was planning on telling ya this in the future, but I guess the sooner the better."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQBVWvgCFR
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TetkyDYI1
"What are you on about?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6IItYWlDV
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DkU8UcErE
"It's nothing. Ya holding up the lizard well?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qMheTODZI
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZQ1wx83sL
"It's like I'm carrying an overweight backpack coated with tiny pricks. And then, there's my actual backpack."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15KuA4SMkz
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDePED6xStA
"I could lighten yer load if ya want."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloqXX1srML
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIfVDBxyFs
"Sure. Here, take my bag."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRXd3DsTt6
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EdblNRg3D
"But yer tendril– ah, I guess getting rid of it works."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNXIbTJOL7
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCk9n60CwKq
"Here."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqhUMcRv8d
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeeFMSxo2i
"I gotcha. Let's keep going. We're almost there."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0LSZXtI3h
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQv14CldQEV
"Uh-huh."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjuJL24aZU
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHofAYkj0zA
"..."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQV35f3dIi
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rd4zDnqpY
"..."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mnzUy8tc6
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTylvFGTNse
"..."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNO8TsV13C
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JrAVBiCVs
"...Hey, Juke, I have a question for you."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJFsASRsdn
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqn9Qi9OKOt
"What?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNaiDoWVLw
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlqXE3kMEl
"Did you really tail and help me because you wanted to 'gauge my ability?'"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZrvkaN6Tu
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3resnP1mmz
"--I didn't tell ya a lie. But I guess I didn't tell ya the whole truth either."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCqInKZ4ev
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHTUKN4Ar7
"What?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5HmGG39Qk
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqT6KCWS2f
"Yer gonna find out eventually. I can't wait to see yer face when ya do."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnz4Rxwwxfe
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrThRS4eRcM
"...What?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFkcg0eKuH
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSwisl1Ci5
"Quit asking me what. Can't ya see where we are?"52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjk9SeInCS
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6Tev9HllK
I looked up in front of me. It was a big gate. It was the entrance to the place my whole being registered as my second home.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwDEuEPb6L
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbOgWcsLPx
"Huh... we made it."52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQ7G9DWQdg
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLR7z0zZQU
"So, did ya like the mission?" He asked, a hint of anticipation in his voice.52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPngg3evyS
52Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RdnjPovm3
"...It wasn't mollifying at all."
