"Hey, wake up."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVLz62zsca
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmINfDiqUZa
"H-Huh!?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8olIHcPMUJ
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnMs4vEQOF
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYBYhqX8bk
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJI8NyXIF7A
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare ya."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbr3tIf0rF
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTIMOn4UYi
"No no, it's fine."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrWwN6AQDY
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0QjAQgLOM
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0l7iJtGtv
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoys5j1nrN
"Goodness kid, did ya sleep at all?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnYp7ucQ7G
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQICiUP7vC
"Huh? Yeah, sure I did."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5QZ3msCXv
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XNpm1KGsQ
I let out another yawn. After a dozen firm blinks, I was able to keep my eyes open for longer than two seconds.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibLywHHEkp
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJIVOgCk7J
"Are ya sure–"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5Dhk3jcHQ
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EJs15mFUC
"Listen, Juke, I'm fine. I'm, perfectly fine. My neck is just a little sore, that's all."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36H2PsZu3x
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXe0TRbMaEU
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRItTstt4cr
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUi1wMY3ZJ
"Well, if ya say so. When yer ready, come meet me outside."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISBXKopBKQ
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMJwvZNWBH
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYgjfDDHus
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTFPYHfUhF
"..."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3x84nRop78
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53jamFsDOk
Now that the grogginess had left me, my mind worked at total capacity. It came with unwanted by-products.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEf2MgbFaZ6
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRIwTFz7mV
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAAPlwV7fG
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKBs4rxqtb
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSzNcYEHMR
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86mTVieiGP
The plate was full of fish. It wasn't a food I'd associate with breakfast.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PqqjSKMtj
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPU0UmNJPUF
"Hi young man, how did you sleep?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnfluuXEbp
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNxwROoZyS
His tone was cheery and amiable. He sounded like a pleasant person to speak to.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXSAUC20Mu
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vwluCFaGC
"Hmm. Huh? Oh, were you talking to me?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvOLXRN6sS
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLQ7EC6Ofz
The man nodded. Now that I thought about it–105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZYDy21cDZ
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9dzQODFx1
"What's your name anyway? I don't believe you've ever told us."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjRTEk2nt3
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouEaLrvI1O
"...You must be right. My name is Hank, it's a pleasure."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFhMGcGMr0
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEIzeTsQ9l
"Hank... did you cook this breakfast?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmJEPO5hDD
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUPOIqlTKN
"I certainly did. Well, go on now, try it."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GP0oz1PTQ
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPgV7njWPI
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–105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIITJ2CwTx
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITZrwL5UCF
"Don't gotta waste yer time ogling at it, kid."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ecO3Mo28R
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRsg6WNc8z
Juke's statement interrupted my necessary analyses.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdqo7ylPAL
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Mhfznn19s
"I guess you're right. Is good, Juke?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKl7gZvTjck
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuW05epk2p3
"Yeah, it is. If ya don't eat it now though, some bird might poop on it and ruin the taste."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKfUdvbuxW
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zJ29OMew4
"What?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCes0wufHvT
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknq6mt17EF
He sighed and flicked his head.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGHgU9O97k
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQOD9rv2St
"Come on, let's enjoy our last breakfast here, why don't we?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hx8rGuDyR
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KQtvTyAJt
"Last... yeah, let's."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoNbzqo1Kh
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtntXKN2WHS
I took the fork and began to eat the fish. It had a kick to it that I didn't expect, but otherwise–105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3hMLYuhy3
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwNcnSTsHL
"This is good. This is really good."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtSFKpt1TK
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmPp92nifP
"I told ya."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2UrCibUJ4
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhCDp1GdMG
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMyohZSgvc
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ69V0zDhtX
"Wait a minute, Juke," Hank started, "how are you eating with your helmet on?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnTu3asa5k
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltEE93qD7N
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBmRSJwS86
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDflO7Ghp2
"Trade secret, don't worry 'bout it. Just keep eating."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1GGwCz4Zh
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLs2YvfchS
The man backed down. I kept looking at Juke, but he wouldn't eat the fish in front of me.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjU7hjmGHgL
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8ZrZZGMUV
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5G11LHFKde
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncYGPqKyPX
–
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–105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9n0hqXLiOq
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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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GAOuzCT7s
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUl3WPDntO5
"So, you two want to leave the city, correct?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHC0x4LCGdS
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfQySExxXF
"That's right," Juke responded.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKzVggcEJF
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIPNFKzknG
"I see..."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVRlrIrmDs
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUvJ3sy706
He pinched his chin and gazed at the table.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eOHT9tB1e
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfFgIVVedR
"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."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNnlfUtCBV
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08bThKehp4
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRpcwmZV4L
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1lsFxN8N1
"However, I do believe you two can get out fine."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCQ85Oezkr
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyBdO8LHfx
"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."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtask2uGMP
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oQy45cx1m
I nodded along to Juke's reasoning. Hank did too, less tense than twenty seconds ago.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jthT9RPRb
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlshlvza77
"Do you two have a plan in mind?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqB3Kk5TMOc
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnjAHoGHiT
Juke turned his head to me, confusing me more than pressuring me.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRCK8XuCIC
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeVEV55ULG
"What are you looking at me for?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AOouPXJqg
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG44MgH4Z5t
"Ya got any ideas?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLBtVIR3d8
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3vV2JoJh1
"Why do you think I do, anyway?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKThFb8kN69
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33XfILQZ9X
He shrugged at my inquiry. I just sighed and rubbed my temple, racking my brain for anything.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhQGLw9KDi
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTppCgogkqJ
"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."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwyC2m5jAH
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWSq8y3VIk
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxOAcbyZhQ
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWXu4GRkYl
"Hank, can you go outside and check the surroundings?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUPRI7HRn9
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRtRkBETCi
"U-Uh, I very well may, however..."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeEdGPfdPl
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡty5K9ohc6l
I raised my brow, then realized that just because Hank wasn't me or Juke didn't mean that he was entirely safe.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9U2dD5PuYR
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcSi1GQq6Z
Rover's visage flashed in my mind. I brushed it aside for the moment, barely.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2oZ5sSxQp
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡML4PWzS4iy
"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."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RH87ZqMQS
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKk5D6Hxl55
"I see. I apologize for asking so much from you."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyt15K0hjr
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSAv0Ie9kV
He shook his hands frantically and.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomF7uI5Ln4
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoAGLZNml9
"Oh no no, I'll do it. I just don't think I'll be able to scout very far ahead."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDNeZS3ZrD
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6mMQcm2N9
"That ain't an issue. Just the first block should be alright."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Av8QP8jg9
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlepgojCb9n
Hank's gaze turned abnormally stern. He stood up and did a few gesticulations to assure himself.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmYIJ8p2ZV
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGgONDaKFv
"Pray for me."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcqVyn9kyw
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjawGb52j3
"Don't worry. We'll arrange yer funeral for ya."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fNVni1Xl5
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WeUbux16G
"Juke!"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjr6vBNU7T
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHi0tkqPYn
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQazM24TVW
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWRjBn6pIR
"Thanks for trying to lighten the mood, Juke."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2snri3VZ45
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnxttJffhj
He turned his head to me, stuttering his words before taking a breath and speaking them coherently.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0KlrYspai
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3O9G3wnNI
"No need to thank me. The atmosphere's tense, I just don't want it to stay that way."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHQbaE3jDu
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZsmqBmc6Y
"Still, I appreciate it."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXtyCXAzVj
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ731Pnp7MB
I sat with my legs spread out, lowering my head and leaning over to stare at the ground.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqHEyBlSrl
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOicxVvV2w
"I can tell that my wisecracks ain't all that effective, though."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfPjfqXlcE
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVgLHssSvk
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4weAH4ZoAx
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡug9kAwBN7t
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ496Y7BvcvJ
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtrIlsLZHj
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAdZHFSV1l
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsGODXshZt
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurgmHJSKNO
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiH8xKDXwr
"Thank you for your help, Hank."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6yC5HkJnT
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTvQ7sILOT
"Yeah, we really of ya."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPYhR1WGBH
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMnbjKtWRo
He gave us a light smile and waved.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1up99NDM8
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQ05EhK0nH
"No no, it's fine. It's what Dennis would have wanted, I'm sure."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdcOSGLMzG
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDQ9pXXGc4
"...Y-Yeah."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WjiDESUJh
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgNgtd63DW
A morbid parasite was planted in me before we left. It began to eat at me instantly, but I did nothing to address it.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3UPWBxv1z
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPhjGisJKD
–
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–105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSY2cC4VZkH
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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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39SrhlIjpb
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuesPUZ0DP
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfXKPGf3KL
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUu3av7TgQ9
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLMXx8iLHN
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9CaMM5qoW
"Hey, are you sure we're going the right way?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYyycQZ4XE
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAgv250VzY
"Yeah, I'm sure. I remember that chipped building when I visited the stables earlier."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0SMtu7672
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuW6DrxGQOy
He pointed at a building opposite us. Indeed, it was chipped, but somehow I didn't find his memory reliable.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiDf4PCfig
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrNkHh4CH4
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwu53Bcvs4w
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvXVUB4ki5
"--Crap!"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxwBL9R8Tg
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0FEU7pAI8
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAr9awQwgF
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zXTKjuZPy
"Crap. Crap!"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaQTtcna2T
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4SyHZD4ml
"Eh? What's the situation, kid?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCR1wePbxZx
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyxcVdWJap
"People are heading our way!"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dBl2ZDnec
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsTnbedBgZ
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqiNKD5A04
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gDeOrjD6s
"I guess we gotta jump 'em."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpd1eUD666
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88OCTaxqdL
"What!? That's a terrible idea!"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXtodsR66L
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2T45YIKgGP
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nFJQHE2Vd
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTNiLsHQDH
"Okay, maybe it isn't a terrible idea, but we need to knock them out quickly."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUSpbMfVem
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyg0RXqDha8
"Yeah, killin' 'em will just make a mess and draw attention, ya make a good point."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91bGeBQvkM
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMizRn7I0ZP
"...Murder is the first thing you– nevermind, you gave me a good idea."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIL2EuZFS3z
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5go3ZqSlw4
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPtZHm2ap9
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DSAjeEMlD
It was unexpectedly heavy. The weight of the shield brought me to the floor and strained my arm terribly105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9KSVTBNmt
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QiXVXSbkR
"Ack!"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgV24Mv6ix
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5nX1281Js
"G-Goodness, kid. Are ya alright?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjajKaKKdeL
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1S1KQhFivr
"I-I'm fine, just keep quiet!"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgqrwx86sy
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQMQRk3Kj3
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4EBrgyihB
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaicRSC5OWa
"Ya strong folk really are crazy."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDvpvZXIOj
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxldXorI3v
"Shut up. Now isn't the time for this."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhGbCSfXch
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hIfgC9jEZ
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2CsXnWNtH
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5MktCAUhT
And, by doing so, I heard something that made my hair stand on its ends.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fH1hDL65X
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAT0KBbTaTA
"--Yeah, we should find a place to hide, don't ya think?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdS9qYLA6X
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgM3vqX32G
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuKI1yjoNH
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHMpeoToUL
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhz4ltqtkxf
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HER3gx0OP
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–105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHggjLnSgK
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JjWagfFum
"--Kenny, I don't know if that'll do ya any good."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUh4yumO1S6
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3JcA4RZdN
"Huh?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyVx7KabkY
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkR0eMhpuT
Juke's deep voice pierced through the thunderous train of footsteps.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPY6DDPWqNI
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuoM5EpBM9
"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."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JkdkiekWT
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2Rdj7SD0i
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelNtfzLZCk
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3RRU0N9VT
"Why? Is it because I'm strong?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdm4CocWFCv
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqi3Nky9JK
"Nah, it's cuz yer a kid."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXRssePnYa
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdR21DIOqp
His response left me more stunned than I could've imagined.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogP3QNIjP8
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatwB5TykYI
"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."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JLHKjGVXO
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPidUniEPd2
"..."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1At6XhGTE5
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCS2JtkuZCD
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWV23pvTvl
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtvhbaToum
So, I let my mouth run amok.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6HNZk3nK2
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9gsFkwa3U
"I'm sure you know, but what Rover told me has... affected me, I suppose."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ32mBrxORi
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ334sc3xJN7
"Yeah, I know."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJk8JVrua90
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiZsb9TJrU
A pause. I used it to formulate my following words more effectively.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciJCb92dau
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMzsBbKzv7
"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."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNa0V3sKzUn
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jnk5qwFMx
I darted my eyes to the side. He nodded along. He stared at the wall across. I did the same.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7HUDbi1gl
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCzE0GyvnU
"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."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7l2GgZOMD
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHHVJCvOOw
"That sounds familiar..."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWfbuMSmPl
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KkkybyKES
"Huh?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhvgFsSUZV
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAZ6eQPrOB
"Nevermind. Ya carry on."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU30Lc8jBE5
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeV0M2mbYZd
I felt a little let down, but did as I was told.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXaVTnMEp6
"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."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEdPH4LkF2
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoudhqm6Veu
"Well?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEnXhWUjuT
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliZieqqk5q
"...The thing is, if I voice it, I'll probably break apart here and now."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSkZNcCTup
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaS3ioS2Az0
"Ah."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4dsb2Kn5X
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8TNapidQO
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but articulating it in my brain was difficult.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDb3nAHRDpq
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAM8ElVd36U
"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."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmwQRbn58H
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyOGGlzT9a
"Ah, the Lionant?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBYpkVBfZn
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTwGP0eNYU
"Yeah. The one you saved me from. Thank you for that, by the way."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ji0iRLHqv
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6fhbww96h
"..."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeQl3X4cEl
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcuZkl6TCp
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9U6aqLD5fg
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGo39QyMPvQ
"This might be a dumb question, but why did you save me back then?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnzh1FB1dV
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaDfyBnImN
"...Yeah, why did I?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXeMNSnjmd
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8syRmkxKf
I didn't expect to be met with another question.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlOu9XmUMo
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jfr6JmOkO
"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."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhqWfVpYQj
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4SF9og5su
I turned my head to him. He had his eyes pointed at the sky, one arm slung over his knee.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQyQRLC9D8
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDJHuBs6AD
"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."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcFdbTu6yp
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ897ypR8vFO
"..."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4HQF4nHQ6
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ufb2NSgNY
I felt as if I should have said something, but I remained silent. Juke continued his gentle monologue.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwLFvdo7Ls
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQTyUSHmIg
"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?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlIZ8e7ERW
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSmTjyQM8R
"What?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUIQWUxmMl
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6TqL5Tfo9
"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."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiyUiQqgYs
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXda9N7tqT
"That sounds... boorish?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFljz5TQcxm
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUo8g5ubPSz
"Pff, yer just too young."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPXGLKjxNK
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbC4k3eq1R
He paused for a moment.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGipDqXy8nQ
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPLgsvFbHN
"Why the hell am I saying this to a kid?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA00ZNExx1c
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOTZoVKp3d
"D-Don't mind that, just keep talking."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsNxLj6qsk
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAsEPEwsbr
"...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."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOBjc9En8X
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fKASv3Amh
He took a second to readjust himself. I used that time to spill my own thoughts.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZx3fC1tngV
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZ3Cno09ju
"That's silly... O-Oh–"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GsIzlwwFe
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2r60DzVMR
I realized I had just blurted out something insensitive yet again.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXVPsXcPpA
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vkEHSjDzr
"I didn't mean to be rude, but–"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsphSGobP6
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFN6e57ihj
"Nah, I get why ya think it. To each their own, that's what the masses say, yeah?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAXhSOqOza
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkzlTjFjKd
"I... yes, I suppose so."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADb1cwdvNV
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4Fsooeaqh
Another pause. Juke directed his gaze to the floor this time.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcIL61F71e
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Vl6V7p1vC
"I think the weak shouldn't have to deal with what the strong does."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNRH0vTrYk
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9fn8WsnHD
"Yes, I know."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXx8BIH6P7
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcB6o7O4B46
"But I wanna make sure Dennis is still kickin'."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8y0fFjayc
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvUyt8dsz0
He said that with conviction I had never heard from him before.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SFtTckM6I
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZzJZr2LKO
"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."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSv57Wuy4V
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeI0gvmiY9
"..."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTsQFO75vR
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiahquBlnE
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDl5RK3l8YV
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtk1rqaWmsR
"Ya hear that?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rnwxwXCIu
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfq8b33A2H
"Huh?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRbqTo7FHs
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JFVvr21WS
I perked my ears. I didn't hear anything. Then, I realized what Juke meant.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqttz2ZQITt
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZ6iLSrWqG
"They passed."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbl6w7XE7g
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehEsir8Z8z
"Yeah. I can't hear them anymore."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsuvxgLAGS
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxa29wnU2EF
Juke stood up first. He brushed the dirt off his pants and peered around the corner.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCE4tiXec1
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQ6HlVmMi4
"Looks like we're in the clear. Phew."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxxHpcdkA2
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fliwuoSdV
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRVsxI8yIr
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3vtbYAA6K
Juke had already taken his first steps, though. He looked back at me once he noticed I wasn't moving.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm34fyHDq2p
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ND2a0knq2
"Shit... hey, kid, I know what yer thinking."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKX0SGI4Ay
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1qT0jmebp
"You've been saying that a lot."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPE1XILLYbj
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLV0Aut9TC
"That's just cuz yer easy to read."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4xnEStNS9
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWWfZEAS1S
We stood stock still in silence.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH92MBdy0tm
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OiFwGilIV
"W-Well, what are you waiting for," I muttered, "Let's get going."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gaVROxvMb
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VUI8R6lck
"Are ya sure?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXy9JTea35
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Jdvb3B0aP
I walked out of the alleyway, looking both ways before standing beside Juke.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6OBIHUOfE
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hL2reS2AB
"I should be asking you that."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHF1m3mBAj
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQo71vliAEK
"Hehe, I guess so. We've come this far, haven't we?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiS82Xv80m
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtptB96SGT9
"Yes. You get it."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1h25N6X7k
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IBHPTZDQP
But before we continued, there was one last thing I wanted to mention.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTKOWICSrp
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pKFXzrQKw
"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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QP5ygN5ds
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJsGctpvSJ
"Fine by me."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6pENZeB8J
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjAKy4tPmw
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UVzoUveyo
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQsP8L4Q2y
–
–
–
"Ya see that?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRSdgHHK6d
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtTkjWW1ft
"Yeah, we're almost there."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLN4LzZf8du
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHQ9q2cH8J
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2XMCFcCVT
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjdgjugH8m
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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaflFeg8Dj
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And as we got closer and closer, a sudden stench assaulted my nostrils.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgvYFRHDbZ
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"Blurg, what was that?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabd5krmqJk
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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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTwwvyPWZW
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"What was what?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbM5kbh3gI
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"I caught a whiff of something."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5n2gTw59T
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"Ah, gotcha. I ain't stopping, just so ya know."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKxpNNZ9Vd
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Clicking my tongue, I continued following Juke to the stables, occasionally sniffing the air as we encroached it.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6l4H8FsrMg
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And then, it came again. This time, more putrid than before.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIreg17onA
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"Ugh– ack, what in the world?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejfP6up9mO
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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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpDUcKxbGL
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But never had I wished for a door to be present more than now.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSGujuYNku
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"...This is fuckin' horrid."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYdN6D1r5V
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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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8GOwg0Gkt
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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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0S14SB04C
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Bile rose to my throat, but I was able to suppress it. That disturbed me deeply.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjuOnXQ7cq
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"Well, Kenny, I dunno if we'll be leaving by carriage any time soon."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKkNivktiR
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"You 'don't know', huh? Are you kidding me?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuddw1gYyNM
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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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SOdBAxEU7
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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."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GqlFaQLH1
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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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlAAqBHjdK
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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–105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqGqWNz2V9
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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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjBtoC1fVm
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Then, Juke began to talk, but it was clear that it wasn't to me.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdzzYHyXEV
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"Who are ya people?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEARsTjiF6
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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."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nA0YM5jHI
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"Buddy?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjEONvTvOt
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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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhnZHVRCOm
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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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡembfJhQWjX
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"Quiet now."105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQ2l7ZglGR
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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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZ8DWF1jxu
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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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LpHmnXj7Q
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"Where did she go? Do I smell that bad?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtGRBTvGyu
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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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpf3Sli4Q78
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"K-Kenny? Where did you come from!?"105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNeAQUila3
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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.105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRLUmWM2jk
