"Hey, wake up."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVbWl9ynqw
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbjdSaRtBM
"H-Huh!?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLA5CDFzo1c
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OuvNYzKBo
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdznRz2Euhj
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE42lALsMv7
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare ya."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcTeIHlQYc
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkehKX3Di9
"No no, it's fine."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGBsr6NGwA
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmK7giRgXcM
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHYZtdJZNm
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNN93796QI
"Goodness kid, did ya sleep at all?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83OnBCWfm1
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmvh0AcEy3
"Huh? Yeah, sure I did."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvjFeP2gmk
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7zs3mOJHm
I let out another yawn. After a dozen firm blinks, I was able to keep my eyes open for longer than two seconds.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBPka3Qme4
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX542o55VtR
"Are ya sure–"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tCKT7Mbem
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hvq6obPrT
"Listen, Juke, I'm fine. I'm, perfectly fine. My neck is just a little sore, that's all."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20HLJ4iUHe
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHUbPmkSeP
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqDr58fO1S
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfJpIKuU6D
"Well, if ya say so. When yer ready, come meet me outside."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL39N1GC6v2
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK16ayAJjks
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDFuQVMEeE
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTSyz8Y13U
"..."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6QkoArMvO
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxwcX681vG
Now that the grogginess had left me, my mind worked at total capacity. It came with unwanted by-products.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUnG5aaLqV
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzntVpF4YN
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazr4UPD1tQ
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMDUGfCE8L
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLI4vsWTZsy
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2xU6tl1M7
The plate was full of fish. It wasn't a food I'd associate with breakfast.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCRzQsHfXu
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCbqwRWWFl
"Hi young man, how did you sleep?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzblZSdS7iv
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9NK0WWrg9
His tone was cheery and amiable. He sounded like a pleasant person to speak to.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCanB5XzVhN
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoX1OmWlXIf
"Hmm. Huh? Oh, were you talking to me?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGXBhB9u9e
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbdk17IJcN
The man nodded. Now that I thought about it–124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUOtduS5zd
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLWfqinZ8Q
"What's your name anyway? I don't believe you've ever told us."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bCv2qI41S
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglMHNUq4Wx
"...You must be right. My name is Hank, it's a pleasure."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQl80Xsnnm
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqUUqrR7uz
"Hank... did you cook this breakfast?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NKenlFfBr
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKkcHQP5yv
"I certainly did. Well, go on now, try it."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrzGBtqPwI
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOkKOvpVra
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–124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlNKjdCv2n
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WeLxyIj82
"Don't gotta waste yer time ogling at it, kid."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTuVlOrJee
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRz8CU6FYp6
Juke's statement interrupted my necessary analyses.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk76HWXV7Kt
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dXlfuGhvT
"I guess you're right. Is good, Juke?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwf8WvIPc6D
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6I9Nf9nCAo
"Yeah, it is. If ya don't eat it now though, some bird might poop on it and ruin the taste."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaZcNLFoqJ
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFG8GuhhLRQ
"What?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZkKef1cET
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzN3t22NdGW
He sighed and flicked his head.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWHL1R7SYs
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSicmqCkG0
"Come on, let's enjoy our last breakfast here, why don't we?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgno55qme1I
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFloI5GqRlD
"Last... yeah, let's."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIC4SvhuI9
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsmjtL0n6b
I took the fork and began to eat the fish. It had a kick to it that I didn't expect, but otherwise–124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7FTjJ8rwF
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyq2PsFAsYg
"This is good. This is really good."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTIz1jEJyQ
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAzPgw46ru
"I told ya."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAi1Z344bLK
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtn73Y6iEJ
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5m15hy5CJ4
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NZONyyFOO
"Wait a minute, Juke," Hank started, "how are you eating with your helmet on?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUHf9enirC
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IVvmtpZ8r
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcn573dpWt
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uvQ3USjAF
"Trade secret, don't worry 'bout it. Just keep eating."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkSOxNI88B
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcydNHd0avO
The man backed down. I kept looking at Juke, but he wouldn't eat the fish in front of me.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUrWBCcJaP
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JYLDATnsq
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6tO9KJwsj
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–
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–124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIY4mtjeaz
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gYhXDuMh8
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1eWsI3fAV
"So, you two want to leave the city, correct?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RndLEuyYH
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNiMMczmeJ
"That's right," Juke responded.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHvVexEr6J
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm78nikjnmB
"I see..."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkN32GGKsiG
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAigdsmdFD
He pinched his chin and gazed at the table.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQONI00JFE
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpi12Ja3bb
"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."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5R8Ng0KV5j
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6uBCeyghK
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmlqBwpmXh
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8J3DIbFjOP
"However, I do believe you two can get out fine."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRx8H2buxs
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExqihTX3QF
"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."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrWTfhcY5J
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjn3nDEdHgU
I nodded along to Juke's reasoning. Hank did too, less tense than twenty seconds ago.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVjpbA0wJb
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBwQQnEU4s
"Do you two have a plan in mind?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCxVNwwvQO
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQQ2qHlKI7
Juke turned his head to me, confusing me more than pressuring me.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1whoIkPTRT
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGzvQUiNy0
"What are you looking at me for?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7trkMBIFeK
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0eBqzqXmo
"Ya got any ideas?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NLUmu5Oat
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxmT42ru5n
"Why do you think I do, anyway?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHscwvaPCPe
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgStmQYK8b2
He shrugged at my inquiry. I just sighed and rubbed my temple, racking my brain for anything.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ck7OEnaZf
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkRD0XKrmT
"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."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpPwI07qg4
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAN163LkbRE
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKOQMljF3a
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDli3dszSU
"Hank, can you go outside and check the surroundings?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPOsQzUMVV
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSLKo9lthJ
"U-Uh, I very well may, however..."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwW6C8dJlbY
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVWEKX0gvk
I raised my brow, then realized that just because Hank wasn't me or Juke didn't mean that he was entirely safe.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3imfsvNym
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRFXZub5V5
Rover's visage flashed in my mind. I brushed it aside for the moment, barely.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7If86QnaD
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKGdjPLVA7
"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."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnk3uOkDLp3
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGajQd1VYan
"I see. I apologize for asking so much from you."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1w66LXLt4
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhBkPKJE5P
He shook his hands frantically and.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzqSL71kq2
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45EzaYRVJ2
"Oh no no, I'll do it. I just don't think I'll be able to scout very far ahead."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmzX3uIoLI
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYILywo1DzJ
"That ain't an issue. Just the first block should be alright."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2IGP7XG8n
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyM7LYqEsPw
Hank's gaze turned abnormally stern. He stood up and did a few gesticulations to assure himself.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPkFiTa5fV
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vjZpGC4Jd
"Pray for me."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLIYzo3Pb6
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYCXx0zvgt
"Don't worry. We'll arrange yer funeral for ya."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzR8hqLIJS
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouImXoh79B
"Juke!"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbG9WAI9MG
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDdJoezp8f
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLLvk8Q9yx
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPvTwUYYuz
"Thanks for trying to lighten the mood, Juke."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNKPRkJvMF
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehCTNJgTTn
He turned his head to me, stuttering his words before taking a breath and speaking them coherently.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgqWseVdfJ
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihrH8fItlE
"No need to thank me. The atmosphere's tense, I just don't want it to stay that way."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwmduBMuUX
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnWgtcZwqw
"Still, I appreciate it."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPymfG1eXEv
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzpfok9hFm
I sat with my legs spread out, lowering my head and leaning over to stare at the ground.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pYTzMbFqA
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTktfTCZiy
"I can tell that my wisecracks ain't all that effective, though."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlUb1CSuup
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesMXij2V7v
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFl6IsgoCvS
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZtC24lJ81
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIl76F889I
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9s5zwNODF
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8n8L3Deuj
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgQs2u8nY6
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjY1doOZJdO
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpPzv84aTQ
"Thank you for your help, Hank."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdn1KJHI6DP
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWj9DRC9wn
"Yeah, we really of ya."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsBrrGGZOz
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLdUYVoz0e
He gave us a light smile and waved.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yrlLckShE
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYXaVKOX7E
"No no, it's fine. It's what Dennis would have wanted, I'm sure."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUouxSK02Nf
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4vE7M6rvh
"...Y-Yeah."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vCIMkZEk2
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjBUMvVvCU
A morbid parasite was planted in me before we left. It began to eat at me instantly, but I did nothing to address it.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyt2JPihAkI
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–
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–124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaYqWZniQY
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlH4LW9DIL
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WlWmG9uXL
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlhiUs7bdU
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBZvzdZIIE
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefuru9dkaS
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLni80CRYUq
"Hey, are you sure we're going the right way?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlkcxI0o79
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7jYnE0Ipr
"Yeah, I'm sure. I remember that chipped building when I visited the stables earlier."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYaZttmiHj
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DQaVTL7le
He pointed at a building opposite us. Indeed, it was chipped, but somehow I didn't find his memory reliable.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRn9X2S1gaq
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8TB5005Ni
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHev9uOzZXv
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgr3zmBTUm
"--Crap!"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4vqcGnnzP
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGPBg9ACZH
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcv3YZB0CD
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvx0BiJjQK
"Crap. Crap!"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiW1P01MQ34
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qLqFRqcCh
"Eh? What's the situation, kid?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8J3yKqfQi
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobO8N1qy0R
"People are heading our way!"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV27KFWxzAt
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaaYE5362V
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH87LX0l8R3
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqh36Ovz5y
"I guess we gotta jump 'em."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ifq3gnaf0
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tMQ76dP9J
"What!? That's a terrible idea!"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡql1XA1iI5s
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1pSbRhr2o
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSrnGkRHFQ
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspDjEOQpfp
"Okay, maybe it isn't a terrible idea, but we need to knock them out quickly."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkG37rP3M7h
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71Cj05o7eK
"Yeah, killin' 'em will just make a mess and draw attention, ya make a good point."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3bh4TcADE
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFm6IH3EjpK
"...Murder is the first thing you– nevermind, you gave me a good idea."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuB8B4hOo1
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFDH5JG2Kz
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuSw1Duqla
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsV8SbDCS2
It was unexpectedly heavy. The weight of the shield brought me to the floor and strained my arm terribly124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpt7lmRpw7s
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawrsFmbedv
"Ack!"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAWmJKfUKd
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgzaIssRwX
"G-Goodness, kid. Are ya alright?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugHNZZHyVY
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiykwERlghv
"I-I'm fine, just keep quiet!"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYdYdPUXTb
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLnAsNCNWE
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDHW1UxgOx
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGA9kcpC3d
"Ya strong folk really are crazy."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qKqHDGb8K
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXNKvxdAxH
"Shut up. Now isn't the time for this."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqBauffkRe
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAbgT78rDX
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52koB5zU58
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86xs6C5APz
And, by doing so, I heard something that made my hair stand on its ends.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0wUs3DFgE
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiv1REHoesf
"--Yeah, we should find a place to hide, don't ya think?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriNVmuM69V
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LauVq1Z5t
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUsleXiVrW
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc49xUBRWl0
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwieK9WrpfV
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASLIpQ5CtZ
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–124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lAendGBfk
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxcTRQmPDy
"--Kenny, I don't know if that'll do ya any good."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxBkKak7Hh
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgT1oTm41n4
"Huh?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe03YUNOPmz
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LPXWcR7Qz
Juke's deep voice pierced through the thunderous train of footsteps.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFMSKVditI
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTxyqt25dg
"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."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMJj85KQ7K
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwRokw3R7w
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTdgmOM42J
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcFka3tlVm
"Why? Is it because I'm strong?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdIeM4tfFH
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnWgEjGtbm
"Nah, it's cuz yer a kid."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1N2gW00mdy
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5enKQihDBL
His response left me more stunned than I could've imagined.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvHAG1SBxr
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxK7EpQS240
"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."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT93GBM0sDD
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGJdSaSfHA
"..."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymjgozLgTr
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3jDIOIFxx
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡej6djynLWa
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECEcq9tiDR
So, I let my mouth run amok.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwi6FTrBrC1
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68fj4oWqkM
"I'm sure you know, but what Rover told me has... affected me, I suppose."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdtYdiugQY
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy99tvNCyqA
"Yeah, I know."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqm2qqUBYB
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmf3wAIH8E
A pause. I used it to formulate my following words more effectively.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LdxslWofO
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJePAeWyCz
"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."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP07nI9YEcZ
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCw2xkotF2
I darted my eyes to the side. He nodded along. He stared at the wall across. I did the same.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAP1bywbOEv
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMujfPC5ad
"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."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtI2dbgsn8
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUmnvXlavf
"That sounds familiar..."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0YbLdIfqH
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YaJ7UrPlC
"Huh?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJFbj7ZFZj
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWB4iGJmAw1
"Nevermind. Ya carry on."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tmAsmNOr3
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgomNpIAXv
I felt a little let down, but did as I was told.
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWw3erYZq9R
"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."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgBOHnYVFm
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZEPmwEfHH
"Well?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbYtIvzzUY
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK28q37UvrO
"...The thing is, if I voice it, I'll probably break apart here and now."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5H32vLln1
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwLfR97IJ7
"Ah."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTuj6CfDto
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPTvvPgAWr
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but articulating it in my brain was difficult.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpj2D9Adwhr
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0srHoUyFq
"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."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJot6VLF4Bu
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckHB8u1J8c
"Ah, the Lionant?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvBU6lS77P
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtaNplnmaJ
"Yeah. The one you saved me from. Thank you for that, by the way."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZA82hS9JYY
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMNhrCCY4b
"..."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmg94L47CTz
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaHcPJCvcX
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFBOPdcmtX
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WvUIA5sNG
"This might be a dumb question, but why did you save me back then?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPOn1L3BRx
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMLs63JfSw
"...Yeah, why did I?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2EDyoWxMX
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOdcgKXWbw
I didn't expect to be met with another question.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGoqkuVGf1
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRpsZrcprv
"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."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24J9MkURyM
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0hDAbLEVq
I turned my head to him. He had his eyes pointed at the sky, one arm slung over his knee.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsWLK6n3WV
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhW03sZQeU
"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."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SHApuvSAm
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1K2ZPgU8j2
"..."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37vYCq7T5r
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfl9IvH5fIE
I felt as if I should have said something, but I remained silent. Juke continued his gentle monologue.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtlXJT0XcP
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNj7XYBovJq
"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?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUypniGgT0
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoSemMbqWv
"What?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VmWk7TOu5
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFHALelLg8
"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."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtzSwkVY50
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLXYRiCS3W
"That sounds... boorish?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5s46D3MjmD
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xq178cZ3N
"Pff, yer just too young."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0rQw3ib8r
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vq3nno63E
He paused for a moment.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9dy6X6kFb
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwST5TIrKHx
"Why the hell am I saying this to a kid?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8BjcrizfE
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9F6DTRsSj
"D-Don't mind that, just keep talking."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94dUqGVYn3
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6No99NOlw
"...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."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJ1GSi1VM0
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZn6oTyEN7e
He took a second to readjust himself. I used that time to spill my own thoughts.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwb0itaqSx8
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5V4KCPjo8U
"That's silly... O-Oh–"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcPzJ13vou
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOB3PqXgBJ2
I realized I had just blurted out something insensitive yet again.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AdgZzLNSc
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeHwniYr5f
"I didn't mean to be rude, but–"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkjXYDl4Bn
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmfm1lQnGw
"Nah, I get why ya think it. To each their own, that's what the masses say, yeah?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zYKUYC21l
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8TdkAGVp8
"I... yes, I suppose so."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZurUnuvbq
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSCejLOGix
Another pause. Juke directed his gaze to the floor this time.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNJyPpCZCm
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTWVSox0JV
"I think the weak shouldn't have to deal with what the strong does."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqWaZ8ztSs
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1ailELOYk
"Yes, I know."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKw5BiYszr
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1YZtLdwMk
"But I wanna make sure Dennis is still kickin'."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1jn6JnKcQ
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2a59qDEgc
He said that with conviction I had never heard from him before.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnU6QClnscx
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiVv2GBwa6
"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."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dnwThiUnc
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyY7reEW2vk
"..."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCY343dbUI
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfK3WeqfsSM
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BxxZ8LAL2
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFnrN4N6RV
"Ya hear that?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbCq0DyqNV
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosWEPpKihz
"Huh?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3vptBIMkJ
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2dimCso90
I perked my ears. I didn't hear anything. Then, I realized what Juke meant.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSz7CdZcIEp
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBaUiXuGZs
"They passed."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PAmbkCsI9
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwx9yPhDT6M
"Yeah. I can't hear them anymore."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtL7rE7wCkq
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzDksPiKTJ
Juke stood up first. He brushed the dirt off his pants and peered around the corner.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7Mft9tXMY
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FAqeNkmP8
"Looks like we're in the clear. Phew."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPisKQkNlu2
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcatWuDt8dJ
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58Pm0Ln2bT
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JSxezRoml
Juke had already taken his first steps, though. He looked back at me once he noticed I wasn't moving.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRiTvCTRbs
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SFv6qqVjR
"Shit... hey, kid, I know what yer thinking."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5gcVj2sXd
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkm3L7Xsgj
"You've been saying that a lot."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4PRg1tPVp
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZYAe3z7l1
"That's just cuz yer easy to read."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96kvMfE5vL
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyk5uU7VXN
We stood stock still in silence.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36OK7xIe2P
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZeU6y3Yc4
"W-Well, what are you waiting for," I muttered, "Let's get going."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwfFRIIzMy
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡka84s8r5PH
"Are ya sure?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpZ0EW18c4
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbs0h1Myd2L
I walked out of the alleyway, looking both ways before standing beside Juke.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mycvKiQzY
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfTSyTZBOf
"I should be asking you that."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRTYWrPFnG
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGrnCtcyVD
"Hehe, I guess so. We've come this far, haven't we?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAan8EYUUoD
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcBrGSuLm0
"Yes. You get it."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxXwengVet
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNAJy5fWp9
But before we continued, there was one last thing I wanted to mention.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDl90wArzje
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWhm21REwz
"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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjn2WCDPlB
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZe0XL3gnG
"Fine by me."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxf5d8J50h
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgild9svby
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNs3uunEe6
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNlmkzyynH
–
–
–
"Ya see that?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hIVcN4Xbt
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzx41pffl1Q
"Yeah, we're almost there."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GbrNlPN4h
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FYTiwa0X5
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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YvwNDntVX
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaM0aBkPS6b
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And as we got closer and closer, a sudden stench assaulted my nostrils.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6ttVGzcfK
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"Blurg, what was that?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sdTR7z5PN
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQt8uR6mAm0
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"What was what?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYdLQBv3VN
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"I caught a whiff of something."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡml8uyiJzc2
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"Ah, gotcha. I ain't stopping, just so ya know."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmh2gtU9eX
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Clicking my tongue, I continued following Juke to the stables, occasionally sniffing the air as we encroached it.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGsSkkJZ0i
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And then, it came again. This time, more putrid than before.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCa7dlwe3F
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"Ugh– ack, what in the world?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs14DfK5mpt
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0DQasjcPT
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But never had I wished for a door to be present more than now.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkn4t6sifJM
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"...This is fuckin' horrid."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFC1WXTia8e
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAV894ddqv4
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YmPPt2zvu
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Bile rose to my throat, but I was able to suppress it. That disturbed me deeply.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKYHlpZrPs
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"Well, Kenny, I dunno if we'll be leaving by carriage any time soon."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhqH9gHrhy
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"You 'don't know', huh? Are you kidding me?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJ68VrOtih
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiC5vq2GxYv
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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."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpUpSOYES6
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPYWC7RKXj
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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–124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72rYxRXyPJ
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEyUxxP9uq
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Then, Juke began to talk, but it was clear that it wasn't to me.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgsfp1XDdx
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"Who are ya people?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILftUDMYll
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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."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTDulE0QIs
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"Buddy?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkoJ60EfFC
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzeTH9Pkjb
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hzDKyVVl4
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"Quiet now."124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFjvvtKqof
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoajc1proI
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1yTLOMk1D
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"Where did she go? Do I smell that bad?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpF8DAx8BML
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11JGYSHzDx
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"K-Kenny? Where did you come from!?"124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zX8kSqzLv
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqoTGiLahu
