The meeting commenced. I was standing behind Linda. Victoria was to my left. We were on top of the rock, and before us was a gigantic group of people.38Please respect copyright.PENANAigp1vTHr2Y
38Please respect copyright.PENANAQoEVY8RSHF
I would be lying if I didn't say I was nervous. I wasn't the center of attention, sure, but there were still so many people. I gulped and tried my hardest not to move. Linda began talking.38Please respect copyright.PENANA0DY9Mm7Hf1
38Please respect copyright.PENANAEtQypw47Kk
"I've called all of you today for the sake of the safety of the Green Zone. Since last week, a monster from the forest has been periodically appearing and ravaging my crops. As of right now, I believe that one of us may be responsible for this incident. If one of you is, then I'd like to offer a proposal."38Please respect copyright.PENANAjP7mlyARqj
38Please respect copyright.PENANAkqWDtneDWg
Linda paused. Chattering came from the crowd. About a minute later, Linda resumed.38Please respect copyright.PENANAB88X8xoGF4
38Please respect copyright.PENANAEL6lpENdAh
"I implore the perpetrator, should they be here, to confess right here and now. I understand very well that it might've been an accident, so if it was, please stand before me and confess. If done, no charges will be held, we will call it bridge under the water, and this boy here will handle the beast without fail."38Please respect copyright.PENANANAXaeI33gP
38Please respect copyright.PENANA7D97Il40MF
She was pointing at me. Gah, why'd you do that? Now all their eyes were meeting mine!38Please respect copyright.PENANAYbzRvEl5nQ
38Please respect copyright.PENANAe4hp480fdE
I tried calming myself down, remembering not to move rashly. Time passed by painfully and slowly. I felt sweat drip down my back and chest. I never knew I even had this much stage fright.38Please respect copyright.PENANAfZ3INERmKj
38Please respect copyright.PENANAYb2LsG319M
"...Very well. Then, I apologize for wasting all of your time."38Please respect copyright.PENANAv7CrgM2Xq2
38Please respect copyright.PENANAAqO01l1r4M
Linda suddenly announced the ending of the gathering and bowed. I was thankful. I put a hand on my chest and exhaled. The residents were returning to the barracks. I looked over to my left. Victoria had her head down.38Please respect copyright.PENANA0QmgOhLO8D
38Please respect copyright.PENANAXafgvHV47u
"It looks like plan A failed," said Linda, who was now facing us. "Let's get off this dumb boulder and discuss."38Please respect copyright.PENANAvPjZCIbywq
38Please respect copyright.PENANA6vRW8NK2l4
We did just that. Flinty ran to us once the crowd cleared. Before anything else, she told us that nobody in the crowd looked suspicious.38Please respect copyright.PENANAiG3GkvJWQs
38Please respect copyright.PENANAGeLFMBd6HT
"I see," started Victoria, "then the person responsible is likely an outsider."38Please respect copyright.PENANAbxrirjUNO9
38Please respect copyright.PENANA3fS7hx7SoS
"That isn't necessarily true," I said.38Please respect copyright.PENANAZWod7lszJc
38Please respect copyright.PENANAMwQsbvqrGj
"But it's likely. We don't have much to work with here, Kenny, so why don't you give me a break?"38Please respect copyright.PENANAhNwU5WRcWe
38Please respect copyright.PENANAeEuZkWRyXm
I shut my mouth and nodded. Victoria quietly apologized to me.38Please respect copyright.PENANAMF9l93xxDJ
38Please respect copyright.PENANAY6RQ13GsdV
"Well, it isn't all bad," Flinty said, "we can wait for the lady from earlier to get help and keep going from there."38Please respect copyright.PENANAT9SXgNqFKR
38Please respect copyright.PENANAamca1vkm13
Linda nodded. "For the time being though, let's take care of the monster."38Please respect copyright.PENANAXZ6R2MzceM
38Please respect copyright.PENANAyWbPnJNofL
"How are we going to do that?" Flinty asked. I butted in.38Please respect copyright.PENANAU0NlAwf4Vf
38Please respect copyright.PENANAzAQOIVIzcF
"We can lure it in, and then I can quickly kill it."38Please respect copyright.PENANAoh6xbL2b3n
38Please respect copyright.PENANAnAEtq67Jd7
"That's a sound plan, but with how big our crop field is, it would be difficult to spot him. And y'know, the beast only appears during the night."38Please respect copyright.PENANA5BG6ZfF0g0
38Please respect copyright.PENANA8XOi4bjJ1j
"That's not much of an issue. I happen to possess something that could catch his attention."38Please respect copyright.PENANAK1wu3j38nZ
38Please respect copyright.PENANAa9GJ6liLb4
Linda raised an eyebrow but didn't ask me anything.38Please respect copyright.PENANAuQHmYXF0p7
38Please respect copyright.PENANAICedr2YO7Q
"Very well. Then we will wait until the sun sets. Flinty, Kenny, how about you join us for dinner? I'll write a letter to your mother in the meantime, Flinty."38Please respect copyright.PENANAe0WkJxw4ZZ
38Please respect copyright.PENANAZKTEhOPNdp
"O-Okay," Flinty responded. I nodded. The four of us returned to the farmhouse.38Please respect copyright.PENANAU9FWMWLwcP
38Please respect copyright.PENANAlM3g9W76rj
–
–
–
It was about six o'clock. In three hours, it would become dark enough for the monster to come out.38Please respect copyright.PENANAXO9Mgpp8YS
38Please respect copyright.PENANAatsrI0UgsV
"What's the matter?"38Please respect copyright.PENANAsAI1J7mUaE
38Please respect copyright.PENANAlrf7xKuCYm
"Just thinking, Flinty. Just thinking."38Please respect copyright.PENANAV0s3dvfBde
38Please respect copyright.PENANA8UdnYZPjFH
Flinty and I were seated at a rectangular table. We were in a different room from before, likely the kitchen since Victoria and Linda were preparing food a few feet away from us. I was staring into nothingness. Flinty looked bashful. Seeing her in that state reminded me of a concern I had since the first phase of the plan failed.38Please respect copyright.PENANAwZ2viVmol2
38Please respect copyright.PENANA3ONGj23k5q
"Hey, Flinty, can I speak with you?"38Please respect copyright.PENANAtKG1hWzhAb
38Please respect copyright.PENANA0eZIzYxmFT
"Of course."38Please respect copyright.PENANAGjeLfpZBYn
38Please respect copyright.PENANApQKOUrOYgQ
"Flinty, if the situation ever gets so dangerous that I cannot protect you people, then run and forget about me."38Please respect copyright.PENANAT277TVS4cx
38Please respect copyright.PENANAbJycIu1kWx
Her face froze. Crap. I probably should've worded that better.38Please respect copyright.PENANAnZiZC60b4d
38Please respect copyright.PENANAxRxJMjZvQ4
"N-Not to say that it will get that bad, but, as a safety measure. You don't have much combat power, and I don't think the other two do either."38Please respect copyright.PENANANlLLlLlihw
38Please respect copyright.PENANA2Ct6lQJBDS
"B-But, you're asking me to just leave you!"38Please respect copyright.PENANAWCQiN65GLz
38Please respect copyright.PENANAtL3OxAAkqc
"No. I'm asking you to save yourself if I can't save you."38Please respect copyright.PENANAssiMOAJaK5
38Please respect copyright.PENANAHXtJQLdlIE
Heh, a bit of a cheeky sentence from me. Flinty didn't see it that way, though.38Please respect copyright.PENANA5iLYyOJRWD
38Please respect copyright.PENANARXw4ytXMrB
"I can't do that, Kenny. I just... I just can't–"38Please respect copyright.PENANA6TSBet8kNI
38Please respect copyright.PENANANmvgKC85mO
She started tearing up. I felt a pang of guilt, realizing how terrible I was at these things. I put my hands on her shoulders and stared into her eyes.38Please respect copyright.PENANApQVNSyg3wj
38Please respect copyright.PENANAfiC4XMjvhc
"Flinty, it's just as a last resort, okay? It probably won't get so bad anyway."38Please respect copyright.PENANA0JV1tj3Gga
38Please respect copyright.PENANA33eRLC4503
"...Probably?"38Please respect copyright.PENANARBBRusueX6
38Please respect copyright.PENANAdyLYINeTzX
"Sorry, definitely."38Please respect copyright.PENANAV7WekyALDA
38Please respect copyright.PENANAO3003UYQ4o
She meekly nodded. I returned to staring into space. I think of asking the Tea Mage to teach me how to articulate myself better.38Please respect copyright.PENANAyRaFSKRMkC
38Please respect copyright.PENANAz0mhe3xg4n
"Food's ready!"38Please respect copyright.PENANAL23ePwspf8
38Please respect copyright.PENANAU6lmvK1LNu
Linda and Victoria, each carrying two plates worth of food, served the whole table dinner. It was scrambled egg. Linda later brought a whole plate worth of corn, and another with bread.38Please respect copyright.PENANAg58s1kRQ1U
38Please respect copyright.PENANAFWZtFSDNCB
I stared in awe at the meal. It wasn't anything spectacular, but I'd never seen this much food on top of a table before. I grabbed a fork and took a nibble out of the egg, just to test the waters.38Please respect copyright.PENANAD38rUfpjLr
38Please respect copyright.PENANAfc78aidFwl
It was incredible. Looking at Flinty, her face expressed similar remarks. Victoria had a satisfied smile on her face.38Please respect copyright.PENANAHePlGwVGVX
38Please respect copyright.PENANAMjrTPmK3UY
"I cooked this, y'know. Don't you think I'd make a pretty good wife?"38Please respect copyright.PENANACzi016Psiu
38Please respect copyright.PENANAU80Cez4iNb
I kept eating my food, then noticed that Victoria's eyes were on me.38Please respect copyright.PENANA9rq6k8RAkV
38Please respect copyright.PENANASDpXjs4X9o
"Are you asking me?"38Please respect copyright.PENANADMkoYZ2SU5
38Please respect copyright.PENANA4Tf14TJDB5
She sighed, "Nevermind. You wouldn't know anything anyway."38Please respect copyright.PENANAmYYyZAeqhe
38Please respect copyright.PENANAjXMilYGZOz
I shrugged. I wasn't in the mood to talk over food anyway.38Please respect copyright.PENANAmY3y8PmjdM
38Please respect copyright.PENANAlEEAnuMUVS
–
–
–
Eight'o'clock.38Please respect copyright.PENANAIHHy1vgzLo
38Please respect copyright.PENANAsNEZH7tGVR
I could still feel the food in my system. I was lying on one of the beds in the living quarters. I could hardly even move.38Please respect copyright.PENANAROcg0xRg3X
38Please respect copyright.PENANAJmNLetOmYo
It felt heavenly.
38Please respect copyright.PENANAyuUPSNCEtI
Flinty was on the bed beside me, reading a book that Linda let her borrow. I couldn't read the title from this angle.38Please respect copyright.PENANAtA0uYQQwMf
38Please respect copyright.PENANA49n3JZn3d6
"What are you reading?"38Please respect copyright.PENANARmGv0PTTJb
38Please respect copyright.PENANAAR5i1PuBtF
"Oh! Uhm, nothing important..."38Please respect copyright.PENANAAEFH91BxtY
38Please respect copyright.PENANAgY3XpElD3X
It was obviously something important. I lifted my upper body to a seating position and tried to get a peek at the pages. Flinty just moved the book away. I got a better look at the cover, but the lighting was too poor to make out the words.38Please respect copyright.PENANAkiVMcZPxsp
38Please respect copyright.PENANAnSgCgbIItY
"Hey, seriously, what are you reading?"38Please respect copyright.PENANApRKWXSQGIG
38Please respect copyright.PENANAFfCOkK6Ums
"...It's a book about magic."38Please respect copyright.PENANAwwFKu0YNII
38Please respect copyright.PENANA6KPTbpz4Oo
Ah, magic, that makes sense. Considering its size and width, it was probably a very informative book, in the same vein as my tome.38Please respect copyright.PENANA2BjjpkpITa
38Please respect copyright.PENANAD5T1gl9Y0n
"Are you that excited to get back to studying?"38Please respect copyright.PENANAvOaFghysEM
38Please respect copyright.PENANAnMmHGCpHoo
"Y-Yeah, of course."38Please respect copyright.PENANAKpc7mlFUR4
38Please respect copyright.PENANAAWTFW6JRGo
She didn't sound very excited.38Please respect copyright.PENANABWW2vF13dh
38Please respect copyright.PENANAfwbcudNHcc
"Do you want to practice right now?"38Please respect copyright.PENANAX5mxlqlPER
38Please respect copyright.PENANAzuProMyC4e
"I'm okay, Kenny. I'll pass."38Please respect copyright.PENANAcIC8nh2qL4
38Please respect copyright.PENANA9qSpxxSzQl
"If you say so."38Please respect copyright.PENANAMS4g3Cvze3
38Please respect copyright.PENANAXzVYOBfesu
I laid back down. The pillow was very comfortable. Since it was only eight, I could probably take a quick nap before the big encounter. So, I shut my eyes and was lulled away.38Please respect copyright.PENANA4zuzIsZHjx
38Please respect copyright.PENANAQjLnGH2Oj9
"...You don't know this Kenny, so I think I should tell you."38Please respect copyright.PENANAm96HyhEvtT
38Please respect copyright.PENANAk3NI475zuo
I opened one of my eyes and leaned my head to the right.38Please respect copyright.PENANAqQxB7sV4wd
38Please respect copyright.PENANAQi4yW34J2s
"You weren't the first person to try and teach me. Or the second, or the third. The first was my father, but since he was always outside of the house, he couldn't properly teach me. Mother tried next. She wasn't very good at magic, and she was a pretty bad teacher, hehe. After those two, I asked Mister Freed to teach me."38Please respect copyright.PENANASeJxecohkx
38Please respect copyright.PENANAI0RYOI5IQN
"...Did he decline?"38Please respect copyright.PENANAdOjQOrC4Jc
38Please respect copyright.PENANAGX914RjQN4
Flinty shook her head no. She put the book down on her lap and stared at it.38Please respect copyright.PENANAYCJqZKJVuJ
38Please respect copyright.PENANA8IabA1n2lU
"He tried teaching me. He really did. And, I learned quite a lot from him. Everything you told me earlier today, he taught me as well. I forgot it though, so don't think it was a waste, telling me all of that."38Please respect copyright.PENANA1whp6fFEb5
38Please respect copyright.PENANAbA8aNg0hff
She paused and stared at the sheets.38Please respect copyright.PENANA7sok6rctwr
38Please respect copyright.PENANAismMTalYsC
"Today was the first time I made a spell."38Please respect copyright.PENANARUXNA1c8pj
38Please respect copyright.PENANAGJ0PfxoQmQ
"Huh? What about when the Tea Mage taught you?"38Please respect copyright.PENANAMF5QMOh8VV
38Please respect copyright.PENANARdFYnPJh6C
"It wasn't for very long. He gave me a book, but I was too lazy to read it, so I gave it to Vikky after a week."38Please respect copyright.PENANAoZCXcTirFz
38Please respect copyright.PENANAhvGMdSaX01
Oh, so that's what that book is, huh?38Please respect copyright.PENANABEJSSOoMcX
38Please respect copyright.PENANAVU88zF5iAR
"I was too lazy to learn magic. You might not think it, but I'm actually very lazy, Kenny."38Please respect copyright.PENANAACKD5za16W
38Please respect copyright.PENANAbek42YhfJM
"You? You're joking, right? You're always trying to help people. You're going through a lot more trouble than I ever would."38Please respect copyright.PENANA8Se8nWERZg
38Please respect copyright.PENANAmT2pmAb16d
"Maybe... Maybe you're right."38Please respect copyright.PENANA21LwIYi6Wc
38Please respect copyright.PENANASh0aKGNoG9
We sat in silence for a few minutes.38Please respect copyright.PENANAsEqT3ckoXv
38Please respect copyright.PENANAQE8mn8jhKC
"Thank you, Kenny. I really want to thank you. Even though my first lesson was a disaster, I think that, as long as you keep teaching me, I can really do it this time, learn how to use magic."38Please respect copyright.PENANA57c7qwzZyN
38Please respect copyright.PENANAR4AaQswEMR
"W-Where is this coming from all of a sudden?"38Please respect copyright.PENANASoCP0GUbjQ
38Please respect copyright.PENANAMAGtvVVZK2
"Sorry, that was abrupt. I just always felt that way."38Please respect copyright.PENANAJA2nZHurcV
38Please respect copyright.PENANAbg2sJuDQBR
"Alright, but, It would probably be better if the Tea Mage taught you, though..."38Please respect copyright.PENANAxaVb7ciWm7
38Please respect copyright.PENANASj78J35abT
She shook her head no.38Please respect copyright.PENANAaE95AGDCbB
38Please respect copyright.PENANAw8pzMgT7z2
"No, I want Kenny to teach me. I think it'll be best that way."38Please respect copyright.PENANAYT6i0O4wg8
38Please respect copyright.PENANALPjhthRl9W
"A-Are you sure? I'm only a year older than you, you know, and my normal spells aren't that good..."38Please respect copyright.PENANA9xIozk8vC0
38Please respect copyright.PENANAKj0a8eFFH7
"Yes, I'm sure. Stop asking me if I'm sure, I know I'm sure."38Please respect copyright.PENANAmLYuN2HY6g
38Please respect copyright.PENANA7yxuBKR9n9
I felt like I made a mistake just now.38Please respect copyright.PENANAA1FrzbH6yX
38Please respect copyright.PENANANQN7KmDbdJ
"But, Kenny, I have to admit something first."38Please respect copyright.PENANAjKxh7Xx8T7
38Please respect copyright.PENANAzSytyJ6mkj
"What is it?"38Please respect copyright.PENANA1aHmlk1kxE
38Please respect copyright.PENANAROSBLIVHld
She scratched her chin whilst nervously smiling.38Please respect copyright.PENANAZFziIRUoKk
38Please respect copyright.PENANAe57j9OJP7H
"I'm a bit scared to make a spell again."38Please respect copyright.PENANApvGgqeYxhq
38Please respect copyright.PENANA7EiAWYlBhW
Ah, that made sense. After such a total disaster, being a bit shaken up made sense. With how strange she's been acting, I was glad she said something that made sense, so I did the same.38Please respect copyright.PENANA8364dLKARI
38Please respect copyright.PENANAuqBUZHvTwp
"You can always just practice with water magic. It's what I did."38Please respect copyright.PENANAHKbq0XWpQ6
38Please respect copyright.PENANA8a4hJQGjme
"I know I can do that! But, well..."38Please respect copyright.PENANAVUWY0spaAV
38Please respect copyright.PENANAXX2LBMxsXr
She had her fingertips conjoined.38Please respect copyright.PENANAPnhrrwLo9x
38Please respect copyright.PENANAsOa1uUsF68
"Can you show me your spell? I think if I see it, I'll get a better understanding."38Please respect copyright.PENANA4OpNurEiUd
38Please respect copyright.PENANAvZksFHElnQ
She looked at me with pleading eyes. I sighed and stared at the ceiling, ruminating. The felt the lengths I'd go through for her expanded.38Please respect copyright.PENANAS9Qi7frpdx
38Please respect copyright.PENANAq0TlH9qVck
"Alright, I'll show you."38Please respect copyright.PENANA3BGl87tOKB
38Please respect copyright.PENANAq4i8Qqbnfl
"Yay!"38Please respect copyright.PENANAWIRyGwoJhq
38Please respect copyright.PENANAgwtOzIgjvM
Flinty started clapping and got off the bed. She sat beside the round table. I got off my bed and sat across from her.38Please respect copyright.PENANAyvYQy4TVE5
38Please respect copyright.PENANAo7pc5TeGxb
"I think it's best if we do this outside."38Please respect copyright.PENANAz7mhjNGDKe
38Please respect copyright.PENANAN6xzdoK5oE
"Okay, then let's go!"38Please respect copyright.PENANASoqbguFZly
38Please respect copyright.PENANATzEbWf6lDA
She rushed out of the door and I followed her. We were at the field of crops now. We sat parallel to it. Flinty was next to me.38Please respect copyright.PENANA2RJPMKH52M
38Please respect copyright.PENANAbJSw4FgBDS
"Alright, I think I'll do an earth spell."38Please respect copyright.PENANAtJtmiK2DQV
38Please respect copyright.PENANAmPlimHRUMJ
"Earth?"38Please respect copyright.PENANAcFarmbOSht
38Please respect copyright.PENANAmFA1NjHgVl
"Yes. I practiced earth the most since it makes usable soil readily available."38Please respect copyright.PENANAibUILFjUfc
38Please respect copyright.PENANAQKWHBR4QGy
Flinty "ahhh"'d and nodded as if that was obvious. I lifted my arm up and thought of what spell to use. Much like all types of magic, the form my earth spell could take was nearly infinite. I didn't want to tamper with the actual ground since I'd have to clean it up if I did, so I decided on creating a little pebble.38Please respect copyright.PENANA7aC7tMXhiM
38Please respect copyright.PENANAKr5IamdOZn
Not too big, not too dense, and since it was small it didn't take much control. Flinty's eyes opened wide.38Please respect copyright.PENANAqFFy7AxtGf
38Please respect copyright.PENANAfwzC6yB1YV
"It's really not that impressive."38Please respect copyright.PENANASlgYVWBUe8
38Please respect copyright.PENANA8eKXwDPAdc
"O-Of course it is! It hasn't blown up, so it's way better than I could ever do."38Please respect copyright.PENANAC0nWtEFCKp
38Please respect copyright.PENANAewwtKPmMya
I chuckled. I decided to make the rock bigger, so I let a little more mana out. Now, it was about the size of my palm. To show off a bit, I thinned it and made it oblong. Then, I turned it into a flat square. Flinty was giggling, and I was laughing a bit too. Next, I turned it into a perfect sphere. This one was a lot harder to do, but I practiced manipulating Earth a decent amount.38Please respect copyright.PENANAAChoelyuhA
38Please respect copyright.PENANANXbW1Xj7xF
Actually, this was a lot like just using my tendril. It wasn't very hard to do at all.38Please respect copyright.PENANAgOdBOlnZ3s
38Please respect copyright.PENANAfi4oE0kox7
"W-Woah, it's a ball now."38Please respect copyright.PENANAQjEamvi4ge
38Please respect copyright.PENANAP039pcbJqk
"If it was lighter, we could play catch with it."38Please respect copyright.PENANA8Yc5JhaeKm
38Please respect copyright.PENANAkWaFtz4j0J
I let the ball hover for a bit. I dispelled more mana to smoothen the rind of the ball. It wasn't a citrus, but it was about the same size as a grapefruit. I lowered my hand and the ball stayed in place.38Please respect copyright.PENANA1rFOrRe9ck
38Please respect copyright.PENANAbOZs7uRfVY
"How'd you do that!?"38Please respect copyright.PENANABGjnqnyBjp
38Please respect copyright.PENANAke9Lan9E0T
"That's mana suspension in its most basic form. I just left a bit of extra mana to let it stay. Watch this."38Please respect copyright.PENANAmuA5z92kTK
38Please respect copyright.PENANA0Wm4g8fzPE
I raised my hand against the ball again and raised it higher. The ball followed it as it kept spinning.38Please respect copyright.PENANAyUIq9L4u4S
38Please respect copyright.PENANAD4kML92oxW
"Wow. Did you get control of it again?"38Please respect copyright.PENANAswTq89H0ka
38Please respect copyright.PENANAVmLSZdbVLL
"Yes. What I specifically did was, when I suspended it, I canceled mana expulsion and then did it again to regain control."38Please respect copyright.PENANAqx2SUbcDjs
38Please respect copyright.PENANAwWK4BIkLIm
I kept messing with the pall. I even spun it on my finger, though that was mana manipulation too. Flinty was looking at it like it was a Star Grant. I'm glad I could entertain her that well.38Please respect copyright.PENANAh8RvRFVY4I
38Please respect copyright.PENANA1oFDheLuKi
But, all of a sudden, she stopped making excited faces.38Please respect copyright.PENANA1fUwPfhhv2
38Please respect copyright.PENANAys5uXn6u7s
"What's wrong, Flinty?"38Please respect copyright.PENANAV1QOEyFHYA
38Please respect copyright.PENANAxNNLGZusFD
She began to shudder. She pointed behind me. That's where the crops were.38Please respect copyright.PENANAc6Dda6uz2e
38Please respect copyright.PENANAous8bqQYCW
My body began to shake too. Flinty started to slowly back away. I took a deep breath and swiftly turned around, aiming my earth ball at the monster.38Please respect copyright.PENANAW1U5iIEHMT
38Please respect copyright.PENANAUphxKDbSoe
...But there was no monster. All I saw was the face of a dog with blonde fur. His head was sticking out of the field of corn. He frankly looked adorable.38Please respect copyright.PENANA8JuTGJwH3L
38Please respect copyright.PENANAugSAB6BcEO
"Wait, Flinty, isn't this just one of Victoria's dogs?"38Please respect copyright.PENANA77xEaX6MlW
38Please respect copyright.PENANABLIYZLCRoI
"V-Vikky doesn't have a dog that looks like that!"38Please respect copyright.PENANAHQkwOk4rGw
38Please respect copyright.PENANAJLFZZuHSa3
Oh.38Please respect copyright.PENANAwar4XrAHAf
38Please respect copyright.PENANAiES5omT21H
Oh.38Please respect copyright.PENANA4ljjgl3Ng8
38Please respect copyright.PENANAkVuTLjBDBw
The dog's head suddenly elevated. He barked at us and continued panting. Something grabbed onto the face of the dog; two tiny hands that were black and purple. Then, the dog stepped out of the corn.38Please respect copyright.PENANAdWK5LE2Uin
38Please respect copyright.PENANAw1tyxN1wQJ
The dog's head was the same, but the dog's body was humanoid. Decrepit, thin, but the fur was thick and jagged and gray. Something was attached to the head of the dog– no, the monster. It looked like a goblin, but it obviously wasn't.38Please respect copyright.PENANAOieoj0HsOw
38Please respect copyright.PENANA1Mpg3akUt8
The dog barked. Flinty didn't make a noise, but I heard her fall onto the ground.38Please respect copyright.PENANABoFUmzIIxj
38Please respect copyright.PENANAc1jvSpuBKj
As for me?38Please respect copyright.PENANA6zJ0tbk4P9
38Please respect copyright.PENANAHb0Bw180db
Well...38Please respect copyright.PENANAK0dK5ISnHk
38Please respect copyright.PENANAVRtEv6MSTL
"AHHH! WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT!?"38Please respect copyright.PENANAaM4pN9orRk
38Please respect copyright.PENANAu9AhdX2DeX
**CRUSH**
The dog's head vanished, along with the creature. In the distance, I heard the sound of my ball hitting the walls of the city. It was unbelievably loud. I think I pierced through it.38Please respect copyright.PENANArK4CZrwCR5
38Please respect copyright.PENANAOXVgIRI5BN
Oh, and the monster limply fell to the ground.38Please respect copyright.PENANADvvT64Mk71
38Please respect copyright.PENANAo9cft32PGj
"Flinty, Kenny, what's wrong?"38Please respect copyright.PENANA3meZBVKglE
38Please respect copyright.PENANAu3YHovnfQT
That must've been Victoria. I could hardly hear her over the sound of my breathing and beating heart.38Please respect copyright.PENANAK5rIArKsO6
38Please respect copyright.PENANAO4Y5oJkWtw
"Kenny, what's– oh my God!"38Please respect copyright.PENANACFC9EgfOaK
38Please respect copyright.PENANAgv3kvVivLW
I wasn't going to sleep tonight. But I did end up passing out.38Please respect copyright.PENANAwbyE6JmWov
38Please respect copyright.PENANALCluwfiDVH
–
–
–
"Wuah? Huh?"38Please respect copyright.PENANAlsHO6ySE4p
38Please respect copyright.PENANA1LFGS29wTO
I woke up a minute later. I was passed out for such a small amount of time, I could just tell. I quickly got on my feet, but I just ended up hitting something.38Please respect copyright.PENANAkVKqAqMP1p
38Please respect copyright.PENANASbL7o84yB7
"Ow! Gah, sorry!"38Please respect copyright.PENANAf38rvieqRo
38Please respect copyright.PENANALfZLk3ihKg
I turned around. I struck Victoria square in the nose with my head. She was clenching her face with squinted eyes.38Please respect copyright.PENANAwisvzuJYtD
38Please respect copyright.PENANAzBDoKF4vYw
"I-It's okay. I'm glad you're fine... ow."38Please respect copyright.PENANAOm9NNuWoEk
38Please respect copyright.PENANAqTkgdRpqtc
I looked around. We were still outside. The body of the monster was still there. Linda was standing over it, carefully observing. Flinty was sitting down nearby, still shaking a little.38Please respect copyright.PENANATsOwj4STjn
38Please respect copyright.PENANAMn4kaTMt8N
"H-Hey, Flinty, are you alright?"38Please respect copyright.PENANAvprxFGxSAF
38Please respect copyright.PENANApIL5jr6hNb
"...Yes. I'm fine. Sorry, Kenny. I froze up, I should've told you I–"38Please respect copyright.PENANAemqMSwVc0J
38Please respect copyright.PENANAwI8MdwndV0
"It's fine, we got the monster, didn't we?"38Please respect copyright.PENANAblBsI0EGoh
38Please respect copyright.PENANALsIfPATMh0
"You did. You got the monster, but I just froze... I couldn't move."38Please respect copyright.PENANAKqOwr9YFVh
38Please respect copyright.PENANALdgSMTOCbm
She started to cry. Oh boy. I didn't know what to do, so I just pat her on the shoulder a few times. She jumped and hugged me. I didn't lose my footing this time.38Please respect copyright.PENANAK6qjyZKwAZ
38Please respect copyright.PENANA2gLRqkZWFG
"It's okay. I was scared of it too."38Please respect copyright.PENANAypoKunmrhK
38Please respect copyright.PENANAP9b13tAgu6
"No, that's not it! I was useless! I thought that, should the time come, I could at least– I could–"38Please respect copyright.PENANAwRfAv3PDLO
38Please respect copyright.PENANAQbdYvvbrhu
I couldn't make out her words under the sea of tears and blubbering. Oh boy. I pat her back a few times, then when she calmed down, separate from her hug. Victoria stared daggers at me. I didn't understand why.38Please respect copyright.PENANAreAkvh4uyb
38Please respect copyright.PENANAs40gpOqMSY
"Kenny, can I ask you something?" Linda said.38Please respect copyright.PENANAXHPMgOKj1Z
38Please respect copyright.PENANAW9zwyxzoHh
"Of course. What is it?"38Please respect copyright.PENANAkfJa90Cpcz
38Please respect copyright.PENANAXt7uIZp4LE
"When you killed the beast, was there more than one?"38Please respect copyright.PENANAOxS7a7E8Up
38Please respect copyright.PENANAzPt9w8qWpf
"Yes. There was a tiny goblin-looking creature on his back. I got them both with one shot."38Please respect copyright.PENANAWeWFIH6rvB
38Please respect copyright.PENANA2RcTNgsdu8
"I see. So, there are two monsters, then."38Please respect copyright.PENANAhnFNP2tnrL
38Please respect copyright.PENANA050J0zQion
When she put it that way, it suddenly made the situation look terrible. If there were two monsters, then that means the one responsible was still active. Wait, no, this was a good thing.38Please respect copyright.PENANArVC6sc4ANs
38Please respect copyright.PENANAYMmQVxu3bI
"That means that it's definitely one of the residents here, right?"38Please respect copyright.PENANAgZxFE5Tvwp
38Please respect copyright.PENANA7x4IoLv8Cd
"I think so too. Kenny, Victoria, Flinty."38Please respect copyright.PENANAoggqgxxkns
38Please respect copyright.PENANA5JEHUo8X1d
We all looked at her.38Please respect copyright.PENANASwNRBGkrLR
38Please respect copyright.PENANA1EY1v3Ksvb
"Tomorrow, we will, along with someone from the combatant's guild, go into the forest and investigate."
Linda and Victoria started disposing of the monster. I sat down next to Flinty. I didn't know what to say, but I definitely felt like I should say something.38Please respect copyright.PENANA4mSeWqI7Vi
38Please respect copyright.PENANAf1VtmKuq9e
"Kenny."38Please respect copyright.PENANADFYUmW4mUM
38Please respect copyright.PENANAXmQahtamNw
"Yes?"38Please respect copyright.PENANAVyIZ3LtVCj
38Please respect copyright.PENANAGKrwG0cSrr
"I'm sorry I freaked out."38Please respect copyright.PENANAZvzQSLqc58
38Please respect copyright.PENANAXOvGVyI8dt
I rubbed my head. I was clueless. What should I tell her? What!?38Please respect copyright.PENANABcRG6tgPLH
38Please respect copyright.PENANAC1VjhORiUz
"D-Don't worry about it, really. I already said that it was fine."38Please respect copyright.PENANA5gQKEIMHfm
38Please respect copyright.PENANAtZ9Kc4DjRY
"Okay. Kenny?"38Please respect copyright.PENANAtDB2J8saYS
38Please respect copyright.PENANASIc6iNyhlc
"Yes?"38Please respect copyright.PENANANzijjUrBWI
38Please respect copyright.PENANAJwuTz9tXYs
"Please let me go to the forest tomorrow."38Please respect copyright.PENANAe0VDXs2nYf
38Please respect copyright.PENANAR1CclHZAFh
"Huh?"38Please respect copyright.PENANAHFJ4E9Zkqg
38Please respect copyright.PENANAJZIWnWdnfJ
I didn't mention anything about the forest. But, now that she brought it up, bringing Flinty along would put her in danger.38Please respect copyright.PENANAs0m3alRO1W
38Please respect copyright.PENANAWPm9iTSTHO
"Why do you want to go?"38Please respect copyright.PENANAbsLAML6ijr
38Please respect copyright.PENANAlFENPPABWb
"I... think I need to."38Please respect copyright.PENANApKAAEm6EJx
38Please respect copyright.PENANA85As2UFVOZ
I didn't understand. I didn't understand at all. But I didn't say anything. I just nodded. We waited like that for a few more minutes. Victoria came back.38Please respect copyright.PENANAuhdPmgUhoD
38Please respect copyright.PENANAyUMRohmQ8r
"Kenny, Flinty, our assistant finally came."38Please respect copyright.PENANAK7MbhI7rJ1
38Please respect copyright.PENANAdcL1APz5uf
"Assitant? Like the one from the combatant's guild?"38Please respect copyright.PENANAGbWsYIwoL8
38Please respect copyright.PENANA9kgqR022MR
"Yes. After we meet her, we'll call it a night and resume tomorrow."38Please respect copyright.PENANAfkE04Ps4YQ
38Please respect copyright.PENANAUSeXMW4GVS
I got up and helped Flinty get on her feet. She was holding my hand tightly. We walked into the farmhouse. Victoria brought us to the living quarters and opened the door for us.38Please respect copyright.PENANAIpsGLIgneq
38Please respect copyright.PENANAP8kDhLv2UJ
My heart sank.38Please respect copyright.PENANAljodb70f2V
38Please respect copyright.PENANAv8ZO02pqa0
There, right beside Linda, was the cloaked woman Flitny and I saw at the guild.