"Hey, wake up."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DQnoAppwF
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabcT0XNA8N
"H-Huh!?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01nZk32ase
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRILg96M4E
I was rashly wrung out of sleep, jumping at the sudden touch on my shoulder. I fell pathetically to the floor, groaning and rubbing my chin as I got on my feet.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyN396vKthu
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2r5aBMsIL
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare ya."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHV468A1EL5
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJtPIi3cNh
"No no, it's fine."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWHtuq1C9r
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQy9ZGbIuHW
Once the pain subsided, I let out a lengthy yawn and rubbed my eyes. I had difficulty keeping them open. I rubbed my face and took a seat on the couch, hoping to wipe away the grogginess.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41SvnHGZla
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7zLZHnWMI
"Goodness kid, did ya sleep at all?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lkcWDGFiA
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NdAJqiOIg
"Huh? Yeah, sure I did."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzPxpVPxS4
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4niNnnov3
I let out another yawn. After a dozen firm blinks, I was able to keep my eyes open for longer than two seconds.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRaxQj2w0y
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIwBxw9uKV
"Are ya sure–"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK15VlwD7bE
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCLhHm0rDP
"Listen, Juke, I'm fine. I'm, perfectly fine. My neck is just a little sore, that's all."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUeeQngFvN
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRM1rz6Edpu
It must've been because of my sleeping position. Perhaps that was also the reason behind my shakiness. It had to be. Using mana expulsion, I produced a bit of water and gulped it all down, then began stretching my limbs.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawtOWQP1vy
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UnC4SRQnR
"Well, if ya say so. When yer ready, come meet me outside."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGrzhy7Aj5
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnGIzZ0Xno
Juke exited the living room, leaving me alone. I wasted no time going through my morning routine in the bathroom. Once I finished, I returned to the living room. Outside the bathroom door, idling, gazing at the couch where I slept.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡau0306Y3sR
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBuZuB2j8I
"..."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOmv9aNidg
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8AesZ38RO
Now that the grogginess had left me, my mind worked at total capacity. It came with unwanted by-products.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWN51rfGeC5
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEZY3C2F3P
It had barely been ten minutes. Since I wasn't counting, likely less than that. So little time since I woke up, yet the flow of time had already become contorted. I clutched my head and looked at the floor.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6I6Yjzeqbm
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSgjeiuzWM
It was no use mulling over it now. Besides, I was hungry. So I left the living room. Juke and the man were sitting at a nearby table, eating their food with a third plate unattended. I tottered to their table and took a seat.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvz2genXk8x
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRJWVw87Ki
The plate was full of fish. It wasn't a food I'd associate with breakfast.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9FRRWhCSF
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5H489RGmv
"Hi young man, how did you sleep?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcO6cPeHCy
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ueogPLguy
His tone was cheery and amiable. He sounded like a pleasant person to speak to.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavtlzDLJjL
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZnzpKSzg7
"Hmm. Huh? Oh, were you talking to me?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUNOia2mcV
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0sGVICMdJ
The man nodded. Now that I thought about it–83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPjerC1fyc
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzafhgDBIHQ
"What's your name anyway? I don't believe you've ever told us."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0qYZiXSZe
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgMig0EBWD
"...You must be right. My name is Hank, it's a pleasure."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4FEyOxqL8
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgQ3Bm0C9T
"Hank... did you cook this breakfast?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiyr1JGE6f
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgkeEEwo08
"I certainly did. Well, go on now, try it."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9Kq4tKbsA
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEH57Tm1O2
I turned my face away from him and looked at the fish. At first glance, even a toddler could discern that it was undeniably well-cooked. The fish was coated in spice and–83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvVHGxG9BI
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlWxMT3Pqh
"Don't gotta waste yer time ogling at it, kid."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ALLlJQyLV
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHBZx0Grz1
Juke's statement interrupted my necessary analyses.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cUwVv2z3U
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdfaHJ0H3v
"I guess you're right. Is good, Juke?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0tajE53ST
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVhbj8loNF
"Yeah, it is. If ya don't eat it now though, some bird might poop on it and ruin the taste."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBvGKl4MQj
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmDaQh6YM1
"What?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1l3hsS7tB
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtySMUrtAW
He sighed and flicked his head.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2Trry5L9o
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4ngxk5IJn
"Come on, let's enjoy our last breakfast here, why don't we?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdx2oLbmvL9
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cR1OUqgwj
"Last... yeah, let's."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhGOy0m6IR
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bL1MTG3Kv
I took the fork and began to eat the fish. It had a kick to it that I didn't expect, but otherwise–83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhzLoKYqT0
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdb6kUw18U
"This is good. This is really good."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMbDpVtEzu
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8PHUuljU6
"I told ya."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJOWL06fIX
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVoWtAWcPf
I kept eating. It was pleasant and satisfying. The dish brightened my mood. Marginally so, but it was still something, so I was grateful for that.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxewljPSv9
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBZ0zkcxh2
"Wait a minute, Juke," Hank started, "how are you eating with your helmet on?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33WjuFMNTA
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdsXqa5F89
His question caused me to look away from my fish and at his own. Indeed, half of it had already been eaten, but Juke never once removed his helmet to do so.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkQgGr1zkU
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6T2uidUaOr
"Trade secret, don't worry 'bout it. Just keep eating."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2Zl6YasBO
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94kmbk0rGG
The man backed down. I kept looking at Juke, but he wouldn't eat the fish in front of me.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfSDxqwlO4
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bPixyAyZO
In the face of that obstinance, I smiled. I knew it wouldn't last, but at least I would be able to eat my food without any daunting thoughts.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTdGdgegqh
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aS7vjkzYD
–
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–83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQifS6Ew4vq
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57L8I4XUmV
Once we put our tableware aside, Hank corralled us back to the table. Juke and I sat by each other. Hank had a pensive and nervous look, giving me a sense of foreboding for what was to come out of his mouth.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKUU3rLOqW
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1AFtpOgi3
"So, you two want to leave the city, correct?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrumi3zytNv
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEduHCstIl
"That's right," Juke responded.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYN9WIr3ZyG
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPMpgtTrYD
"I see..."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMbjphsqj6
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5phSOaljB
He pinched his chin and gazed at the table.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEB12EhZ8b3
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUiIQAp4qE
"Well, I won't try to stop you, but I'd like to give you two a word of warning: the streets aren't empty. Those folks at Hard-Bringer are surveilling the area quite compellingly."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunKPwCDPzi
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvkT2Lcvql
Juke let out a sigh and I rested my head on my hand. Honestly, this was in my expectations, but hearing it be confirmed was a blow to my psyche all the same.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96lDYfF7JM
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxRIIrAFTJ
"However, I do believe you two can get out fine."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqOcZjbbhc
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6GqsOHBfI
"Yeah, that's what I was thinking too. I doubt those Hard-Bringer bastards got the staff to keep an eye on every part of the city."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOLqIKAx27
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbs8poGYPpC
I nodded along to Juke's reasoning. Hank did too, less tense than twenty seconds ago.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdR61yDM0b2
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QoeyqzVtf
"Do you two have a plan in mind?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6Kb1UoftM
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDITjP1enz
Juke turned his head to me, confusing me more than pressuring me.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1s2zrSw9cE
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruadiKNYfN
"What are you looking at me for?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqn83lloSv
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrZtwerwYv
"Ya got any ideas?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcofN67xg2
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdwwL8pQjv
"Why do you think I do, anyway?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRxL7FXY1P
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdbH54KZ1h
He shrugged at my inquiry. I just sighed and rubbed my temple, racking my brain for anything.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT81IphjmsH
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8BKPNIdHd
"I suppose we'll have to gauge just how heavily the streets are being supervised. If they aren't in every nook and cranny of the area, we can probably weave in-between alleyways and whatnot just fine."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCKvjZksiV
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8R51OF2RJW
Juke and Hank nodded at my statement. As concrete as the idea was, it hinged on a factor too risky for either me or Juke to confirm.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bqLECsAER
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJneiPXRzsR
"Hank, can you go outside and check the surroundings?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qbKWV2GXn
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOS3VXjzNM
"U-Uh, I very well may, however..."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aQeNipYfz
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOKQ4oO2hf
I raised my brow, then realized that just because Hank wasn't me or Juke didn't mean that he was entirely safe.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqLhZuk1l1
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUb5itXw1Vd
Rover's visage flashed in my mind. I brushed it aside for the moment, barely.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFuLXeonS8
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNSgDW0OUi
"I'd rather not run too far away. Otherwise, I'd get apprehended and questioned, and then it would be evening by the time I come back."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXEx64nOY9
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnuDuProew
"I see. I apologize for asking so much from you."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwivTSlTaC
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4tZxOpuGY
He shook his hands frantically and.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0TETcDsbH
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUq6hAyADbR
"Oh no no, I'll do it. I just don't think I'll be able to scout very far ahead."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrORQFAwOlM
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczyyIEvzxo
"That ain't an issue. Just the first block should be alright."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkIgtB4yKt
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhegGIoJx1Y
Hank's gaze turned abnormally stern. He stood up and did a few gesticulations to assure himself.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglhrqoUjm8
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzje6bShEa
"Pray for me."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXZGmOyM78
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEft53tvbLt
"Don't worry. We'll arrange yer funeral for ya."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYyDfGDRHC
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIQMXGURVq
"Juke!"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdO8SMyy1F
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRKWQSImlQ
Juke's comment vanquished all of Hank's efforts to pump himself up. Still, though, he rambled to the door, taking a deep breath before opening and exiting the building. Juke and I were alone, now. An awkward and elongated silence permeated through the room.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjw52lwAw0Y
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCAGJR2n6i
"Thanks for trying to lighten the mood, Juke."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyY9QNiMku
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQ4SkNb979
He turned his head to me, stuttering his words before taking a breath and speaking them coherently.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Al9zPvXYK
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVE5xGKvz0u
"No need to thank me. The atmosphere's tense, I just don't want it to stay that way."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfSgh8UopJ
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRb2LcSyNm
"Still, I appreciate it."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYHnoFBoAE
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMciHliVgka
I sat with my legs spread out, lowering my head and leaning over to stare at the ground.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa33PyGsIxd
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNSPL4ReF1
"I can tell that my wisecracks ain't all that effective, though."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6bIi1TaC4
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFenTSkIOS
I wanted to rebuke that statement, to tell him that he was wrong and that I was feeling much better. I would be lying to him, but that wasn't why I stopped myself. That was because of the tinge of melancholy I caught in his voice, so faint that I was unsure if I was just hearing things.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxEDra4RKV
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMA1ycwGcs
I wanted to press him on that. But I was in no state of mind to do so. So, we continued to wait in silence.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRSSCFqWtv
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ895ZIhz90O
Hank came shortly after. His face was drenched in sweat and anxiety. He let out an arduous sigh when he closed the door and sank to the floor.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIiHS4H9tV
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeZ3WJWdO4
I was expecting the worst, but he shot us a thumbs-up with a wink. A smile found its way on my face. I looked at Juke and we nodded at each other. We stood up and stretched our muscles, helping Hank get to his feet and standing before the door.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNXcEJb4VA
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03nrTaNKK7
"Thank you for your help, Hank."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmekHpen8Bx
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRfABf2xEz
"Yeah, we really of ya."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzpua1MXSH
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOEwBmGOH9
He gave us a light smile and waved.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLexYdVoKE
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfzWIWRGsP
"No no, it's fine. It's what Dennis would have wanted, I'm sure."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmRrNLW84J
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyJ2AIyysO
"...Y-Yeah."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFa9VnlQRl
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIh8bUOOKbC
A morbid parasite was planted in me before we left. It began to eat at me instantly, but I did nothing to address it.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwSx79xNOP
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrA8JbGmQc4
–
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–83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvV7FLCMRQ
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The streets were void of any busy citizens traveling from one place to another. All inhabitants were inimical people in robes. The only remedy was the relative lack of them.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJjVaet0AK
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZLjAO0EWr
Weaving in and out of alleyways was a surprisingly easy task, as the Hard-Bringer members couldn't stay in one place even if they were paid to. Though it made moving in the streets nerve-wracking with the unpredictability of these people, it was better than having to wait for them to fall asleep or find a detour as they obstinately remained in one spot.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsuwMigpc3
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWagZvgtok
With all the pauses in between movements and focus on not getting caught, I stopped paying attention to our routing quickly. I was anxious that Juke did too.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDZ6o9qOt8
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsGMu9yjzw
"Hey, are you sure we're going the right way?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGn7wE8UkG
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpAXMyskWB
"Yeah, I'm sure. I remember that chipped building when I visited the stables earlier."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6fGW3RYa8
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1IMEMFaFQ
He pointed at a building opposite us. Indeed, it was chipped, but somehow I didn't find his memory reliable.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdncgKSdik
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRqPgKAhYf
Still, I had no better way to make it to the stables myself, so I kept following Juke as we skittered diagonally across the street.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVerWub1Qhk
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbySUQss19
"--Crap!"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxn3WyczGAK
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLVTfDGbt4
This alleyway was void of anything to hide behind, meaning that we had to leave it now or suffer an embarrassing and egregious discovery. I peered over the corner and saw a duo of robed people turning a corner and into our street.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbC6TPZVBSc
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVrzxdf3HM
"Crap. Crap!"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iTd0s26v3
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2M8TgXkbSf
"Eh? What's the situation, kid?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNLJMCKjBn
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHr8PtZmHdu
"People are heading our way!"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvy9orCzfgV
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyuomDlLdG
With a hoarse whisper, I relayed the information to Juke, whose eyes I could see widen even through his helmet. He looked behind him and deeper into the alleyway, reaching the same conclusion that I did.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdrszkKZWI
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQiu6ZjsLM
"I guess we gotta jump 'em."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgrx61Um0Z
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVI1UNYRbv
"What!? That's a terrible idea!"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GZAVIv5n2
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndlU4jIoa7
Despite the incorrect usage, I knew precisely what Juke meant by jumping the two people. I discarded the idea, as engaging in a fight would only draw more attention. But, as I sifted through my mind, I couldn't conjure up a course of action more tangible.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgVXSRSE6t
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvT2sT7uBP
"Okay, maybe it isn't a terrible idea, but we need to knock them out quickly."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsWArsMIzJ
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoQ4P7IlPg
"Yeah, killin' 'em will just make a mess and draw attention, ya make a good point."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjt6HPPYPz
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrvIOvdeJs
"...Murder is the first thing you– nevermind, you gave me a good idea."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ735SENUZAi
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNa6RDd10cl
I produced my tendril and created a Valencia-Bloom at its tip. Then, I ran as far back into the alleyway as I could, signaling Juke to do the same. When we made it to the wall, I began mana spinning and produced a shield from the flower big enough to cover us both.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfhECboOaV
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74crNKJwgV
It was unexpectedly heavy. The weight of the shield brought me to the floor and strained my arm terribly83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpQGco60oM
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyLoCAX6SN
"Ack!"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxh6tMGsXL
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYVD80ZtzY
"G-Goodness, kid. Are ya alright?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7128upGYz0
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAxiRyqlnb
"I-I'm fine, just keep quiet!"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrA7AnLeTSs
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRh6UuSox1j
We waited out behind the shield until I heard two sets of footsteps pass by the alleyway. Once they vanished, I removed the shield, massaged my arm, and with Juke's help, we made it back onto the street.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzpL40Ka4H
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimNL2yu1yL
"Ya strong folk really are crazy."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXXjXJ0JKi
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtyiKlc1Xr
"Shut up. Now isn't the time for this."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbllVLhXUH
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sceWwX0la
We traveled the road a bit faster since we had to cross through an intersection. We made sure both sides were clear before continuing forward. The road curved at this point, so we kept close to the wall, using our ears instead of our eyes to sense any oncoming persons.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sWRlGTpmH
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdONoMSxujw
And, by doing so, I heard something that made my hair stand on its ends.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJR35D2HHi
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9aFbLDnLe
"--Yeah, we should find a place to hide, don't ya think?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzJgjTzBSn
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXPL8PbnHI
I hastily nodded with him and scanned the surroundings. I spotted an alleyway with a gigantic dumpster at the front. Juke already began running to it before I could point it out, so I followed him.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bHbFS0pnR
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWg6ULjeb0
We sat down behind the dumpster. I gnawed on my finger as I heard what I could only describe as an army of people walking down the street. I didn't see them, nor did I want to, but the footsteps never ended– it was as if the hustle and bustle of the streets had returned, but now, it only disturbed me.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMVMpW4wxO
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNs802BxVe
It went on for far, far too long. I couldn't keep my cool. The gnawing turned into rampant chomping, and my breathing became labored and heavy. I rocked back and forth, back and forth back and–83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplBl55tdgp
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiItxmVTdGg
"--Kenny, I don't know if that'll do ya any good."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpwQRougsw
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsmFF42ty2
"Huh?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhC2A8c883
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5mf0d4oKt
Juke's deep voice pierced through the thunderous train of footsteps.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLIwKA9reP
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJXBTJZM4i
"That whole biting thing, and that whole shaking thing. That shit freaks me out. I get why yer doing it, but seeing someone like ya do so just don't sit with me right."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqoPdWETbh
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuw3KwZ4IO
I knew he was trying to console me. But, I didn't feel as if he was. I felt as if it was a precursor to just another one of Juke's ramblings about his ideology.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSkWRsyDbd
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLwFXUJMbp
"Why? Is it because I'm strong?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb37t2GwAun
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkd1DYkJX48
"Nah, it's cuz yer a kid."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2ABs1WiuL
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMyTackaPs
His response left me more stunned than I could've imagined.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhYGbr8KyY
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsQFyMd4pX
"I can tell ya got something plaguing ya. I ain't dense, so I can already guess what it is. Still, I think ya should spill it."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUliSHjbJnV
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93p6MnRzpH
"..."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLu0JZ3qEK
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYup2940rXR
I brought my knees up to my head, wrapping my arms around my legs. Usually, I'd be concerned about the crowd overhearing us, but the dumpster was far enough, and the thousands of footsteps would veil my voice.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkX6uUTJqS
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CUZzjvdQv
So, I let my mouth run amok.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GAePAvRFx
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnMkQwtfjc
"I'm sure you know, but what Rover told me has... affected me, I suppose."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqBBLfgCl2
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIC1LAOfrlZ
"Yeah, I know."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQa9VdSlji
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5O5GTs87Wb
A pause. I used it to formulate my following words more effectively.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdrdbmqQx9
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6DWHuDZlB
"It left me confused. It was like I was asking myself questions with words I couldn't understand. I didn't even know how to begin to answer them. So, for the time being, I decided to ignore them."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfW5LRuZzN
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42KXOIhmQe
I darted my eyes to the side. He nodded along. He stared at the wall across. I did the same.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBT9YSxHEaW
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVJCoi7TOK
"When I was at the door last night," I continued, "right after Rover left, I suppose the prospect of going after her, of facing her, was too intimidating. I didn't get why, exactly. I just knew that I couldn't do it. I didn't think that doing so would be bad or something, quite the contrary. I just thought that, somehow, it was an impossible task. So, I didn't do it. Instead, I sat back on the couch and fell asleep."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dZ2OqYmnY
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHUzqUgPn9
"That sounds familiar..."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oU3Sn9klJ
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqi3htV5dSa
"Huh?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mEzwV7Zmy
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4lyY2P2KS
"Nevermind. Ya carry on."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffzHT45Pwb
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGJBdw0zCo
I felt a little let down, but did as I was told.
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVKPHnmVu9
"I am just, very confused. I don't quite get how I feel, but I do understand that all the forces inside of me are fighting over the decision I made last night, to do this. And, I guess I say I'm unsure of it, but I do know what I really am."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSyw7RD6Wa
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdVt1JKJjb
"Well?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDWuiDUkcl
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sem176ffv
"...The thing is, if I voice it, I'll probably break apart here and now."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuyPyRE53f
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpsAGgOOaw
"Ah."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ueDXbrVEM
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkg9gGEUAX
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but articulating it in my brain was difficult.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNl9YX89VH
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYd3hjxFt1n
"Some part of it came from the distant past. I'm talking about what drove me to make this decision, I mean. Another part, I'm unsure. And the last one was more recent. It was only for a moment, but when I thought about going outside with Rover, that overgrown bug flashed in my mind."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CVVy3nFMH
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviHvN0Cruu
"Ah, the Lionant?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cl2bkNlVv
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XVR1m9W7E
"Yeah. The one you saved me from. Thank you for that, by the way."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jjAih6Z7M
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNUo3Iq9JQ
"..."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTMvnOdG0S
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72JfksudLv
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but I hung on to the thoughts left behind by my last sentence and formed a question out of it.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewXCd5zomQ
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWMWkv2Knc
"This might be a dumb question, but why did you save me back then?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20kGGoj6YD
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnqxjzBlVz
"...Yeah, why did I?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoKPfVS2vc
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90DEVrt4xA
I didn't expect to be met with another question.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgvJNNOYKg
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJvxQJ4RBy
"It doesn't make much sense, does it? After all, I'm weak, and yer strong. A weak guy like me shouldn't have to save strong folk like ya. But I did save ya. I really did save ya."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXaRoszOvp
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2ZR75xv80
I turned my head to him. He had his eyes pointed at the sky, one arm slung over his knee.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGbtRzBedq
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDWVDjOtUN
"I don't know why I saved ya. It wasn't in my mind, I didn't think of doing it, but I did save ya."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtplyLRbxCE
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8wSdbf1Ja
"..."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYK91DygYO
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3tUOwQPCX
I felt as if I should have said something, but I remained silent. Juke continued his gentle monologue.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpvFGFCaiv
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9FGIAK9c8
"Rover's got a brutal tongue. Usually, I just brush off what loud folk like her say, but she was blunt and rude about it, so it really stuck with me. I couldn't care less about that 'you should do and think this and that' shit, but, ya know what, Kenny?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN65IGLglqR
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8gdHmsshW
"What?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibF10Env57
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBE3YKoySLA
"Before I went out to look for ya two, I talked with Dennis. I had a real good conversation with him 'bout politics, women, and a bunch of dumbshits we've met in our olden days."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHukGs7DOEn
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tyujJpSoX
"That sounds... boorish?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QfsJltkgH
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4sY1Lqs4m
"Pff, yer just too young."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0eFmHEA9a
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviwu0J8JeW
He paused for a moment.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVqTb9uL5G
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYX7f41i5ET
"Why the hell am I saying this to a kid?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYrI42sq7Z
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKh1pt7EXN
"D-Don't mind that, just keep talking."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNiELlQyQI
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzFN0uN8wa
"...The thing is, a weak guy like me shouldn't concern himself with Hard-Bringer. It makes sense, doesn't it? Leave the big problems to the big strong folk. Weak guys shouldn't have to fight for other weak guys. That's what I think."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzUrLTAMPN
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVdPY4ktTQ
He took a second to readjust himself. I used that time to spill my own thoughts.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEifcgnSAt
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNemPHpQnW
"That's silly... O-Oh–"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbq4VWNAvT
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kq6qujr4G
I realized I had just blurted out something insensitive yet again.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYHeuiSmM6
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0oIX5lA46
"I didn't mean to be rude, but–"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAKwfv94Mf
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQu3GMzXoKY
"Nah, I get why ya think it. To each their own, that's what the masses say, yeah?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEqJFav9mR
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE01l0Uuyze
"I... yes, I suppose so."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxIx3TEThp
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVka6Kcm23
Another pause. Juke directed his gaze to the floor this time.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiKDsYsJC4
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4gaRMt2gD
"I think the weak shouldn't have to deal with what the strong does."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCGtRAxfqH
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTV1RD1RPI9
"Yes, I know."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGEKRbqwDO
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrmXgg0KJZ
"But I wanna make sure Dennis is still kickin'."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhX9QmdaTn5
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yIRMERY3k
He said that with conviction I had never heard from him before.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98jp84McdL
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2kTkYl1Ed
"I believe what I said yesterday. I think he's just fine. 'Sides, I got no interest in fighting Hard-Bringer. But that ain't changing the fact that I wanna make sure with my eyes."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhMOuTnruq
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfeWZHuUdA
"..."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCwqt5ubnr
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSk73l9ksE
I didn't say it outright, but I agreed with him. I wanted to make sure Dennis was fine as well. Yet, unlike Juke, I doubt I could muster the will to do so.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07FkpINDfo
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwqUQUtmuw
"Ya hear that?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3oxHM77a4
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKvAMyOUlj
"Huh?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefS1C2H8U6
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZN9ISDDfGT
I perked my ears. I didn't hear anything. Then, I realized what Juke meant.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOCwaLQqiU
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEIOKvn930
"They passed."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2pxSqIXcA
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbpwOqzju0
"Yeah. I can't hear them anymore."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumzpVOrTiF
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIR1hUlsawu
Juke stood up first. He brushed the dirt off his pants and peered around the corner.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQBiL3Q76C
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUBW3Hgi61
"Looks like we're in the clear. Phew."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvxPjfoBbm
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoWW5xzCve
I stood up and ambled to the front of the alleyway. Sure enough, Not one robed person was in sight. It was a clear indicator that I should have taken a step forward, but I didn't. No, I couldn't, not after what I had just said.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqduVc92YYa
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5daEB5lvi
Juke had already taken his first steps, though. He looked back at me once he noticed I wasn't moving.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6ALSyDVHp
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BIcPNlnco
"Shit... hey, kid, I know what yer thinking."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TUrjRvFzZ
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiseNevzfk
"You've been saying that a lot."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2A0WTJERY
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxcKAljt91
"That's just cuz yer easy to read."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBu41E384si
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KDEmS7wD0
We stood stock still in silence.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnT35vtZib
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHiePw7NhY
"W-Well, what are you waiting for," I muttered, "Let's get going."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQ1csxSPjA
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNIHIYdRx0
"Are ya sure?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbIcVwBg0v
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMF1HOwIvp
I walked out of the alleyway, looking both ways before standing beside Juke.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3cRo63eGU
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52lQoygDMH
"I should be asking you that."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWK2u9AjkF6
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPDFGoAT56
"Hehe, I guess so. We've come this far, haven't we?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpuLlxpzvz
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxzY1Ka72O
"Yes. You get it."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSTYDUrlBI
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAf79ISog8A
But before we continued, there was one last thing I wanted to mention.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzywKdXLeKt
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVcBRFh3di
"If we see something that might change the accuracy of your hypothesis, then... I'm going to turn back, understand?"
Juke released a lethargic chuckle. I wasn't offended by it, instead, it caused me to think.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvkifnx7Jd
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOVyq017qr
"Fine by me."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVzgoRI1o9
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMw3QPRtGc
I wondered how seriously he took my word. I wouldn't blame him if he thought it duplicitous.
We kept going down the streets, running between the alleyways as we avoided being spotted.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnf4HYEc1v
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilEb2Pox29
–
–
–
"Ya see that?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HO4T5EwRo
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryD12Hdaiy
"Yeah, we're almost there."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37LcOdiS2C
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipAyw66CK0
After hours of dodging lines of sight, taking tedious pauses in smelly alleyways, and having one too many heart-attack-inducing close calls, the stables were finally within our view. It was still a good distance away, but being able to see it was relieving. We were fortunate enough to find it unsupervised, too.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJoKGCDpyt
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZKDTBe94Q
We approached it with a pep in our step, but not forgetting to employ prudence. I turned my head in every direction as we got closer and closer.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01ue3uDzgC
83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wFUCXtj0G
And as we got closer and closer, a sudden stench assaulted my nostrils.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9W8dOC5qU
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"Blurg, what was that?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2foGWLv3Ju
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I skidded to a stop. I reluctantly sniffed the air again but didn't catch the same whiff. Juke looked back at me, confused.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4PRBq34PC
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"What was what?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs53K5FBBSx
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"I caught a whiff of something."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzG7QhmHp7T
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"Ah, gotcha. I ain't stopping, just so ya know."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDxpFFHJZV
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Clicking my tongue, I continued following Juke to the stables, occasionally sniffing the air as we encroached it.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzPIJK92ne
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And then, it came again. This time, more putrid than before.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54AN6J6xQX
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"Ugh– ack, what in the world?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeAFGpIdsO
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Juke didn't stop to ask me what was wrong this time. He turned the final corner and already made it to the stables. I knew that I had visited this place before, but I didn't quite acknowledge the structure until that moment.
It was like an open barn house with only a meager roof over the parking spaces. Inside these parking spaces were carriages, and opposite them were miniature pens housing the animals responsible for heaving the carriages. These pens were fitted with roofs and thick gates to block the animals from wandering off. Of course, because of the structure of the stables, he barged in without having to bust open any doors. Naturally, I entered without issue myself.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqzv2ItKZR
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But never had I wished for a door to be present more than now.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYjXOv72wA
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"...This is fuckin' horrid."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltrvY8YBF9
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The carriages were untouched, but the carriages were only there for me to distract myself with. It didn't last for long, of course. After all, the stench and overwhelming, blinding quantity of red permeating through every crevice of the area made it impossible to keep up the charade.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6u1brsl4pH
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The pens were broken, but the animals hadn't escaped. They were still in their pens, but as cadavers opposed to breathing beings.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyIHN9diu5
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Bile rose to my throat, but I was able to suppress it. That disturbed me deeply.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOX4iGyq7G
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"Well, Kenny, I dunno if we'll be leaving by carriage any time soon."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHKpQNSSMz
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"You 'don't know', huh? Are you kidding me?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ecWDtJ4fG
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I glared at the scene. It was grotesque, but my eyes couldn't divert from it. Every animal in every pen– no exception was made, none were spared. They were unapologetically slaughtered. Juke spoke of the sight perfectly; It was horrid. it evoked such visceral repulsion even when closing the eyes and glancing at it through memory.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20AjAxhsur
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But, as much as I hated it, as much as it made me want to turn the other way and run, seeing our way out be cut off like this relieved me of a subconscious weight.
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Juke ventured further into the stables, and I begrudgingly followed. I fixed my gaze to the right, passing by the open pens and observing the carrion they contained. I didn't try to immerse myself in the details; I would've truly thrown up if I did. But, from what I did see, I could judge the means used to kill them. From lacerations to burns, to pulverizations of their bodies, it was obvious that a mix of magic and weaponry was utilized.
I was lucky that the blood had dried long ago.
"Sly bastards. How'd they know we'd try to get out?"
"...They probably just did this preemptively. Did they have to murder all the animals, though? Why not damage the carriages?"
My question had not just reminded Juke, but also myself of our carriage. We steered directions and beelined towards it. From an outside view, it looked unharmed. As Juke pulled out a key and unlocked the doors, I could only hope that the same could be said for the inside.
"Nagging Dennis for this shit paid off."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfcbSvAWNb
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Juke muttered something under his breath before flinging the doors open and entering. I followed, releasing a heavy breath as I confirmed that the carriage was unharmed.
"'Fore we head back out, we oughta pack some supplies."
"I agree, but I hope you know I won't be able to carry much."
"That's alright. This big body of mine ain't just for show."
We entered the back. Juke took the bag of food and placed his arms through the straps, carrying it like an oversized backpack.
"Anything else ya think we oughta bring?"
"...I can't lift the big bags, but–"
I grabbed a smaller one and emptied its contents, stuffing it with the few potions I had left in the larger bags, leaving me with a pleasantly light load. Juke hummed in an amused, yet agitated tone.
"Ya had potions this whole time? Ya should'a told me!"
"Oh, sorry. I thought I had."
We exited the carriage and returned to the stables, Juke grumbling as he descended the steps. I didn't leave just yet. Before that, I spared one more glance at the animals, meagerly clenching my fists.
"Hey, Juke."
He turned around and faced me. Before I got my words out, I had to stop shaking.
"What do we do now?"
He looked at me intently, or was it blankly? Either way, I could tell that he was digesting my question. Then, he turned his gaze away.
"We can't get out with the carriage, that's for sure."
"I know that much. But, do we... do we try anyway?"
"...Nah, ya should know that yerself."
My facial muscles dropped, forming an ugly frown. He was right, and because he was right, I was upset.
If they took measures this drastic to make sure nobody escaped, then the gates were unquestionably, undoubtedly guarded.
That undeniable notion frightened me.
"Yeah, you're right. But, still, what do we–"
I couldn't finish my sentence. My speech was interrupted by a jerk movement from Juke. He leaned in– almost pouncing at me and pushing me to the ground as he haphazardly fell to it himself.
I hadn't the time to formulate any complaints and questions, but all that I could have formed were addressed by the soaring ball of fire narrowly avoiding my head.
"--Ack!"
I landed awkwardly on my shoulder. Whether it was dislocated, I didn't know, nor could I afford to find out. I scrambled to my feet and faced our assailant. My blood turned cold when I saw her.
"That man is a quick actor. What about you, child? Are you the brains of your clique?"
It was the woman at the plaza. She was not in her unequivocal robe that was the sigil of Hard-Bringer but in a slackened coat, plain shirt, skirt, pants, and boots.
"Well, answer me, won't you?"
"Don't humor 'er, kid, she's got a screw loose!"
"N-No need to tell me!"
Juke got up on his feet and brandished his sword. I took out the tendril. The woman grabbed a curvy, seemingly customized, serrated knife. She raised it as she began to speak.
"So you two won't speak? Fine by me. A mute roadblock is easier to handle."
With a slide of her back foot and a drop in her posture, she burst into a sprint heading in our direction. Then, she veered into me.
The sudden shift left me panicked. I instinctively took a step back and produced a Valencia-Bloom, but before I could utilize it, she slashed her knife at me. I narrowly avoided the swing, but she didn't let up, spinning the blade in her hand and thrusting it to jab me.
That's at least what it looked like she would've done.
She did thrust her knife, but she spun as she did it, clashing with Juke's broadsword so suddenly that even he was taken by surprise. The woman exploited his shock well by delivering a kick to his chest. Juke's body didn't budge from the kick at all, though. A metallic sound rang throughout the stables and his head jerked back.
"Ack! My neck!"
"--I see."
Realizing I wasn't doing anything, I extended my tendril, using it like a dull spear. The woman ducked my attack and slammed her fist into it. I recoiled from the strike, but not enough to paralyze me. Thus, I slammed the tendril on the ground. She rolled away, dodging it effortlessly.
My tendril still near her, I switched the Valencia-Bloom for a Freeze-Dry. But I couldn't use it; the woman leaped and stomped on the flower before any ice came out.
My eyes widened by themselves. I couldn't think of what to do next, but I was fortunate enough to not have to. Juke swung his sword at the woman. She dodged it, but Juke didn't let up with his assault. The woman took a series of backsteps too great for Juke to immediately catch up to. Almost instinctively, she kicked her leg up, and though Juke was a couple of meters away, his head jerked up and a sound rang out as if he was hit.
Though Juke was struck in the chin, and though he was partially airborne, he aimed his palm at the woman, firing a wind spell at her.
And, it connected.
"Hng!"
It was a weak spell, and she was able to block most of it with her arms, but the point was that it connected. Somehow, that fact alone was enough to shock me.
"Yer power's confusing. Is it an Endowment? I dunno, I've got one, and yers sure don't feel like it."
Juke rubbed his chin. I could tell that he felt it, meaning the hit wasn't deflected to his helmet.
"Shit. How'd ya know my weakness, huh?"
The woman narrowed her eyes at Juke. Using the downtime, I began mana expulsion with my right hand and produced a Sunlight-Blossom from the tendril.
"You are right about one thing, oaf: my power is nothing like that absurd Endowment of yours."
"And yer calling my whole thing absurd? That's just–"
Juke's speech was cut short. I shot at the woman with a water spell. She dodged it, but I accounted for this and made the spell a powerful geyser, following her movements as it continuously sprayed. The woman clicked her tongue as she kept backing away, producing a ball of fire and firing it at the walls.
I gasped and processed her actions to make sure I understood what I saw. She threw a fireball at the walls, which were made of wood. She threw a quick wind spell at it right after and smashed through the weakened structure.
My geyser put the sudden fire out but had missed the woman entirely. It aligned with my expectations, though. She came back bursting through near the ashened hole. However, I had another attack prepared.
The seed was already loaded. I aimed the flower at her and fired, crossing my fingers in my head, praying that it would land.
It didn't. It didn't even come close. She ducked before the bullet had even been launched. I bit my lip in frustration.
"That's why I hate being aggressive. How cruel that I have to act against my nature."
She cracked her neck and swayed her lengthy hair in the air, glaring at us with her blue eyes. She looked ready to perform a deadly pounce at any moment.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXQ8budt5k
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I stood beside Juke. We eyed the woman vigilantly. My prior assessment was overwritten as she didn't look like she would move at all, leaving me bemused.
But, then, a fireball formed in her hands. I expected her to throw it immediately, so I prepared to duck, but it continued to grow in size; it was far larger than her previous ones, almost as tall and wide as Juke was.
"Ah, shit."
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. Frankly, I didn't expect her to be so adept in fire magic that she could make a spell of that size. It was stupid of me not to consider it. The woman reeled her arm back. I had to act fast.
I ducked, placing both my hands on the ground. I began mana expulsion with one hand and performed spinning with the other. A wall of stone sprung from the ground before me. Then, I produced a Valencia-Bloom from the tendril, expanding it as far as I could reasonably do so. Juke already took cover behind me. Now, all that was left was too–
**SLAM**
"--Ack!"
I didn't suffer any severe damage. In fact, my defenses were hardly penetrated. But the heat from the fire nipped at me through it all. The spell dissipated in no more than five seconds, but it felt like forever.
"How the hell are we breathin'!?"
"Is now really the time for–"
**THUD**
I felt a sudden force clash against my shield. Due to my already shaky balance, I fell to the ground, but I made sure to retract the Valencia-Bloom so my arm wouldn't be dislodged. When the shield vanished, the woman took its place, her leg raised. She continued her assault, raising her knife and, with her other hand on the top of the hilt, plunging it into me.
I shut my eyes and grit my teeth, expecting the sensation of a blade being lodged into my body. But that never came. Instead, a metallic clang reverberated through the stables.
I opened my eyes. Juke intercepted her with his sword. He was on the ground with both his hands on the blade's hilt. Judging by how he was lying on the ground, gripping the hilt with both his hands like a rope, he must've slid.
They remained that way for a moment, engaged in a struggle between their blades. When it became apparent that she couldn't win, she clicked her tongue.
"Irritating," the woman sighed before kicking his helmet and sending him flying. She returned her attention to me, but I had used my borrowed time to regain my composure and swing the tendril.
My tendril hit her. But it felt as if I was the one who was struck, and it wasn't by a blunt object, but by a steel blade. Purple liquid erupted from my chest.
Yes, she was flung away. Yes, my tendril had connected. But when it retracted by itself, I found the woman void of bruises and her knife slathered in a viscous purple.
"D-Damn it."
I rose to my feet with shaking legs. She hadn't just blocked my attack but hurt me back as well. I clutched my chest and coughed harshly.
"How are ya?"
Juke stood beside me, brandishing his sword. We eyed the woman who was flicking the liquid off her knife.
"This ain't looking like a winning fight."
As much as it frustrated me to agree with his notion, I was forced to. Every attack I launched had been avoided, and the one time either of us landed one on her, it was more of a fluke than anything.
"So what do we do?"
"'Till I get how she keeps seein' the future, I ain't got a clue."
"See the future...? Do you think that's what it is?"
"Can't think of anythin' else."
I narrowed my eyes at her, mulling over Juke's theory. When I thought about it, certainly, it would make sense that she could see the future. However–
"There has to be a limit, or some kind of restriction. Her behavior is too inconsistent."
"I agree with ya, and I still got no clue how she kicked me from across the damn room."
Indeed, she had too many unknown factors about her, and combined with her astonishing physical and magical prowess, it made this fight impossible to win. I was wounded, Juke's weakness had been discovered, and the woman didn't look like she even broke a sweat.
"Are you two plotting something? I ought to interfere."
She broke into another dash, but it wasn't an utter rush; her steps were laced with trepidation, and her knife was raised defensively. It was as if she was approaching expecting us to attack her back.
My moment of clarity subsided as the pain washed over my being. But Juke, pulling me by the collar, had fortunately noticed the same, and–
"Book it, kid!"
Helped me turn tail as we both broke into sprints of our own.
I ran. I ran like the wind. I ran to abuse my legs. I ran to survive. But I wasn't so naive; my legs were small and my stamina was pathetic. Whether it was my lack of endurance or my lack of speed, the woman would undoubtedly catch up to me. No thanks to his luggage, I couldn't hitch a ride on Juke's back.
I swiveled my head. She was catching up to me like a wolf in pursuit, and I was sure to be caught in her fangs at any moment. I didn't try to speed up; too many factors prevented me from doing so.
So, if I couldn't speed up, then there was only one thing left for me to do.
I began mana expulsion with both of my hands, creating a mass of earth in one and a mass of fire in the other, expanding it. The woman didn't show an expression of surprise. She was expecting me to do this– no, not expecting, she knew.
Something about that pissed me off. So, instead of throwing it–
"--You!"
Her eyes widened. She skidded to a stop and leaped away. Despite that, I had to see this through.
I discharged as much mana into the fire as I recklessly could, and naturally–
**BOOM**
A Flinty incident occurred.
I used the stone I conjured up to defend myself, but truthfully, it hardly did anything. The most I could do was defend my head, and sure, my eyes hadn't burst, and my face wasn't seared, but they were still rolling on the stone pavement along with the rest of my body, picking up spikey pebbles and other trash like they were seashells on the beach. I only stopped when I collided with, something. I didn't know what and the means to find out were stripped from me. My ears rang, my nose burned, and I had to clobber dozens of particles off my face before I could even think of opening my eyes. But, my arms were too heavy for me to even lift.
So, I remained there, waiting for all the internal chaos to subside before I moved. Then I felt something touch me, then shake me, and I groaned in response. I didn't know who it was. Since I was alive, it probably wasn't the woman. Was it a street dog, or maybe one of those robed men?
Was it Juke? I dismissed the thought. That was a ridiculous proposition.
I was lifted and tussled with. It wasn't done harshly, but goodness, was it irritating. At that point, my annoyance powered over my fatigue, and I rubbed my eyes before slackening my arms yet again.
I opened them and saw the ground. Whoever it was that was messing with me was behind me. I couldn't turn my head to see them, though, so I groaned and heaved my breaths.
"Good to know yer still kicking. Which bottle 'ere is gonna patch ya up?"
Hearing a familiar voice, I was struck with an inordinate amount of clarity.
"Green, one," I mustered.
"Yer lucky I caught that first try. Open wide."
Even if I wanted to, I couldn't. He understood that too, so he grabbed my jaw and pulled it down, sticking the bottle inside my mouth. I was sure that I was going to drown; the amount of liquid entering my throat was overwhelming. But it passed as quickly as it came. I coughed vehemently, and Juke patted my back to help. I cursed my inability to voice my thanks.
"Take it easy, ya really did something crazy back then. Strong folk, I tell ya."
Now I just wanted to tell him to shut up. He lifted me and hung me over his shoulder, then he continued to run.
"Did ya get that crazy bitch? Err, tap once for yes, twice for no."
All I could exert myself to do was pinch, so I pinched his skin twice.
"Shit. Shit! Is she followin' us now!?"
I pointed my eyes up. I could only see a little bit of the ground, so I painstakingly raised my neck.
It devastated me to have to pinch once.
"Are ya kidding me!?"
Juke's running increased in tempo. Unlike me, he was able to at least keep the distance between him and the woman the same. Unfortunately for me, my head was bouncing up and down every step. I was sure that I'd vomit any minute, and then pathetically pass out a moment after.
But I couldn't afford to do so. I couldn't afford to be a burden when our lives were being threatened like this.
I tried to call it forth, but my tendril wouldn't appear. I tried mana expulsion– tried, but struggled. The explosion hadn't drained me of my mana, but my supply was so low I might as well have been shaking a bottle for droplets. I couldn't form anything grandiose or dangerous, meaning that I had to do something to just slow her down.
So, I formed a small mass of water. Supporting it with my other hand, I lifted my arm, aiming my open palm at her feet.
She didn't react preemptively at all. It gave me a surge of hope, and with that borrowed vigor, I fired the spell at her feet.
Except, I didn't fire it. It unceremoniously plummeted to the ground. She simply jumped over the puddle the spell created.
"Damn, it."
"--Ay kid, are ya seeing this!?"
"Seeing what", I wanted to ask, because I was still incapable of moving my body more than an inch at a time. But I didn't have to turn my head to see what he saw. As Juke kept running through the street, we passed by a myriad of bodies loitering about. My first assumption was that they were corpses– and, well, judging by all the red, it was likely correct.
But what really caught my eye was their attire: dark, hooded robes. All of these bodies were that of the people in Hard-Bringer.
Did a fight break out? Is that what happened? I looked up at the woman and she was entirely unperturbed. I was hoping to gauge a different reaction, but not only was hers uninformative, it was disturbing.
And then, my vision swerved.
"Huh?"
"I'm takin' a gamble."
"Gamble!?"
That was the loudest noise I had made that day. Juke didn't elaborate on what gamble he was taking. I thought of wiggling out his grasp right there, as obviously foolish as it was. But–83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAWh5KNC3d
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"Just trust me!"
He said it as a feverish plea. It shocked me into staying in place. With nothing else to do, I placed my faith in him. The sun-lightened streets disappeared and we ventured into a darkened alleyway. We came to a stop shortly after, leaving me confused and worried.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCWu9O7LM0
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Then, Juke began to talk, but it was clear that it wasn't to me.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVtPth9PKY
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"Who are ya people?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1wX6JmbJI
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"Wow, he really followed us. Well, sir, we're here to help. My buddy will be doing the dirty work, though."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxFlXhklWy
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"Buddy?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUXDu1w6pF
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I froze– froze more than I already was frozen, anyway. The voice that Juke spoke with was familiar to me, though I struggled to put a name to it. But then a set of footsteps sounded through the alley, and a man in a trench coat brushed passed Juke and me.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUe12e7oxkS
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Of course, with an article of clothing that distinct, I'd be lying if I didn't recognize him. My recognition was only solidified when he drew his hands in it and pulled two crossbows out.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ394oyXSPki
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"Quiet now."83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvjcQVxXUY
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Pars gave a command to us all, aiming his crossbows at the entrance of the alleyway. I didn't understand why he was using two of them, but there was a tube of earth protruding from inside the coat and connected to the ends of the crossbows, so I knew there was some trick going on.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1YgFwtEw3
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Pars kept his aim steady, and steady, and kept it up for seconds, then minutes. I realized then that we had lost our pursuer, but Pars only tilted his head.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AqWB77rmn
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"Where did she go? Do I smell that bad?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYl6pBXkKB
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He pulled his crossbows back and sighed, rubbing his head as he turned around. His eyes met with mine, and he practically blenched.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0eKeDOBFB
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"K-Kenny? Where did you come from!?"83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPonSYMPrnf
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I sighed, and I smiled. There was something heartwarming about seeing this man act as usual, even if it pained me.83Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1N2D4TQKW9
