The fire cracked and popped. It was already dark out. Four hours had passed since the infiltration. Flinty, Ng, and Kenny were sitting beside the fire. Victoria just returned with more firewood. Kenny took a tiny bite out of an apple
Victoria sat down. Everyone was staring at the fire. The silence was oppressive, but Kenny didn't have the power nor gall to interrupt it.
"...I apologize for what has happened. My cowardice, my fear, it all led to this," Ng said.
"It isn't your fault," Victoria said, "as much as I'd like to say that it was nobody's fault, I think all of us messed up, hehe."
"Perhaps it was. But still, I feel as if I'm mostly to blame."
And thus, a needless back-and-forth started. Kenny didn't interject.
"Seriously, it's fine, you don't need to take all the blame."
"But–"
"Guys!"
Flinty suddenly raised her voice.
"M-Maybe it's Ng's fault, or Victoria's, but at the end of the day, Kim is still in trouble!"
"Right. Of course."
"You're right, Flinty."
"So... what do we do? We need a plan."
"Well," Ng started, "Jeremiah is formidable, but one of Panz's beasts has already been exterminated. Panz himself is also injured. Once we regain our strength, an upfront assault may be the best course of action.
"Right," Flinty replied, "Kenny can take the blob on by himself. Do you think you can do it, Kenny?"
Kenny didn't respond. He lifted his head and gazed at Flinty with beady eyes.
"...I'm not going back in there," he muttered, and their eyes widened.
"W-What, why not!?" Flinty cried. Shock permeated Victoria's expression. Kenny put a hand on his knee.
"It's best if we leave. Everyone will be in danger if we go back."
"But Kenny, what about Kim? We need to help her!"
"..."
Kenny turned his head away. Flinty's words didn't reach him. Frustrated, confused, surprised, and worried, Flinty didn't know what to do or say under such pressure. So, she didn't.
"F-Fine, but if you won't do it, then I will!"
"Don't! You're just asking to die!"
Kenny spat his rebuttal, Flinty flinched, and Kenny returned to gazing at the ground.
"Let's just... get out. At least, I can guarantee that you'll be fine if we do."
It hit her then. Flinty understood what was wrong with him. But still, she didn't have the words. Still, she didn't know how to convince his friend. Still, she couldn't help him. Flinty was dejected, upset that she didn't have the words.
She looked at Victoria. She was at a loss well, Flinty could tell. But, Victoria was older, and Victoria was smarter. Flinty was sure that she would think of something.
"Why don't we sleep on it?" She suggested, "We'll think of something in the morning."
"Yes! That sounds like a good idea!"
Flinty peered at Kenny, waiting for anything from him.
"...Fine."
Flinty felt relieved. Still angry, still worried, but at least she had time to think of something. And thus, the group readied for bed. None of them had any blankets or pillows, so they had to be content with sleeping on the ground. It wasn't comfortable, but before long they all fell asleep.
All, except for Kenny.
–
–
–
I couldn't get that thought out of my mind. This situation, this incident, none of this was like the one with my parents.
This was my fault. This was undeniably my fault. From the beginning, it was my fault.
That bullet. Why did I miss it? Why? Why? None of this would've happened if I just hit that bullet. That damn, tiny bullet made of stone.
I should've made it bigger. I should've been more patient. I should've gotten closer. I should've just used my tendril, or used fire magic. Who would've cared if I killed him? That alternative was so much better than this. Kim has been captured. The wolf is still out.
These thoughts, they kept me awake. I couldn't even close my eyes without that scene playing back in my mind; the bullet. If I just didn't miss that bullet.
"..."
I needed to take a piss.
I stood up. I tried not to wake up the group. I walked for a few minutes until I found a passable tree, then I took care of my business.
"...Crap."
I was already feeling groggy. I washed my hands with water magic and walked back, but stopped. Somebody was walking up to me. It was Ng. He stopped before me, carrying a makeshift torch.
"What do you want?"
"Kenny, do you mind us having a chat?"
I didn't even have any suspicions. It was ridiculous. But, really, talking was the last thing I wanted to do, so I walked around him.
"Kenny, what has you acting this way? Is it truly today's failure?"
"That's none of your business."
Ng followed me.
"I'll be blunt, this is abnormal."
"Shut up."
"Whether we escape the forest or not, you are the only one who can do anything about it."
"Shut up."
"Are you upset at me?"
I turned around.
"Huh? Why the hell would I be?"
"I see. Then, Kenny, let me ask you this; is this truly the best way to go about it?"
I didn't say anything, just tilted my head.
"You clearly feel at fault. I know, I've been in such a situation before."
"--!"
I couldn't say anything more. I couldn't even pretend to be mad anymore. I just sighed.
"Kenny, as an adult, allow me to grant you a piece of advice."
I didn't respond.
"I don't believe today's incident was your fault, but that is irrelevant. No, what I want to tell you is that, if you truly feel like you're at fault, then atone."
"...Atone?"
"Of course. It's simple, isn't it? You apologize for your mistake, and then you make up for it."
"...That is too simple."
"But it holds true, doesn't it?"
I turned my head away.
"It's..."
Ng walked up to me.
"You have a lot of power, Kenny. So much so, I'm envious of you. Perhaps you think you can't use it, but at the end of the day, who else can rescue Kim and fight Jeremiah but you?"
I turned around. I couldn't deny his words. He was right. And yet...
"That isn't it. That isn't it at all."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDa7bZSVYQz
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dWUK4gzx7
Ng tilted his head. He started to look a little nervous, and also slightly annoyed. I wasn't talking much sense, was I?90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xIsMWwDuE
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"Then what is it?" He asked. I had to take a moment to put it into words.
"...If I go back in there, then all of it will hinge on me again. Your lives, your well-being, all of it. If I go back there, then all of it will be up to me. If one of you die, then that's my fault. If one of you get hurt, then that's my fault."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡel2SyUVhZb
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"That's not true at all–"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBa7DsoGgaJ
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"Let me finish! You, have you ever had a feeling like that before? You said you know, you said you've been there, but you haven't! I can't stomach it; I can't stomach that feeling that, it's all up to me, that I'm the one who has to be the shoulder for all of you to lean on! I can't, I just... I just can't..."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgO83ZCYnsU
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I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYn2vgsJ9U
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"All of you say I'm a genius, but I'm not a genius. A genius wouldn't have gotten us into this mess in the first place. And now, now that I at least have Flinty, and at least Victoria is here– and hell, at least now that you're here, you're telling me to go back in there, and then just, risk it all again? What if I mess up or, God, what if I cause Kim to die? I-I'm not– I can't do it! I can't! I can't do it alone! Kim is already gone, I don't have her to help me anymore, so if something goes wrong then it's going to go terribly wrong! D-Don't you get it? Don't you get it, Ng!? How am I supposed to do anything, absolutely anything, knowing that if it all goes to shit then I'm the one who's responsible!?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJxfGOdqov
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I fell to my knees.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWITiC9VR2
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"K-Kim said it herself... all of it, all of it hinges on me... but I'm not someone to make that bet on, I'm not... I'm not..."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2X3ro1e5u6
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I fell. I was in a fetal position and the top of my head was glued to the ground. I couldn't hear anything over my crying. I couldn't even move. I felt something touch my shoulder. I looked up to see Ng's face.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDy8VKMGD0U
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"...Kenny."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9zKLu0FtR
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"What!?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9xj6RX4ks
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He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLvJ9we9UU
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"You're not lying to me, are you?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBSMobCV58
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The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2P9wwjKT57
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"That was quite a performance, but all I'm hearing is that you're just going to leave your friend to die."
...90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINHL5I1AW2
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I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpEkbAnDv9
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I'm not... I'm not doing that, am I? What I'm doing, it's just to preserve what I have, right?90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfopzjbgAsN
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"N-No..."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HT0I5Cws9
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Oh, God.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzjwRLirD3
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Oh, God.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMeUQNy6EA
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"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWnTqzRbr9
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Ng leaned down to pat me again. I slapped his hand away. I scurried backward on the ground, panting, tears still rolling down my face. Ng didn't look like a man to me anymore. I couldn't identify what he was. All I saw was something I didn't like. I kept scurrying back and I hit a tree, then I stood up, and then I ran away. I didn't know where it was that I was going but the light from his torch was fading and that's all that mattered. I kept looking back and eventually, I stumbled. Right, the roots here, they were massive. I got up and five steps later I tripped again. The exhaustion from before still hadn't subsided. I could barely move. But, at the very least, Ng wasn't here. At least Ng wasn't there.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2x6hAvlgNT
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But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT866YXdXvU
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"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIT9418OyS
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWARVeF7ncx
It wasn't the way I thought about it. So, here I was on the ground, affirming myself. Of course, I wasn't leaving her to die. Of course, I was just trying to make sure Flinty and the others were safe. Of course, Ng was right. Ng was totally right. He saw through me, but worst of all, I knew Ng was right, I knew completely but that didn't change a thing. I still couldn't even grasp the idea of going back there and fighting and– and maybe Kim really was killed because of me, because I couldn't do it. But Ng was right. I needed to go back.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy621QN5sKu
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But if I went back then what if it goes wrong? What if I go back and I see that I've truly failed? What if I go back and I see her– her–90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIomFBTMEKa
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"--Hrk!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIF79CFX2j
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I managed to hold back my vomit. Somehow that cleared the haze in my mind. I leaned against a nearby tree. I didn't think. If I thought, then I would've heard Ng's words again, and if I thought, my anxieties would've crawled back, and then I would be endlessly running. So I sat there instead.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1hJMFtyLs
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One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFsg8LuPbw
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"There you are."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUl8zHsqKs
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Ng already found me, huh?90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVA7sd8dqC
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"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgW0krBxUU
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I casted a gaze his way. An indescribable tug on my stomach was telling me to forgive him. It felt terribly unnatural, but I couldn't help but give into it. I didn't accept his apology, but–90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrqjAvCdw6
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"...Fine."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtk77d4Tlj
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He offered me a hand but I stood up by myself. I followed him through the woods. I was staring at his heels. Sometimes he turned his body to me, likely to say something, but he didn't speak it.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdc19XcIgLK
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"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuK2MQpGGJ
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Nevermind. What a strange question.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56HBmxP1Qs
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"No. They died a long time ago."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IiP4KYDYi
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"I see. You have my condolences."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybtkCvEpJP
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"I don't need them."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQJDG6gSuX
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A pause.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtwoZ4fEMQ
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"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00FsYo5Qll
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"..."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJpo3nJUNj
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I stopped walking. Ng stopped shortly after. I don't know what it is that just happened, but a button of mine was pressed.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaI27PeoID
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And then the memories came flooding back. Those months where I refused to walk outside, being taken in by Anabelle, and lastly the talk. That vital conversation I had with Anabelle and Jackson. I started biting my nails.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrJiQB7Dvq
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Despite it, nothing changed. My mind was still at odds with itself. But I calmed down. I calmed down a lot. At that moment, a bundle of warmth spread throughout my body. I was feeling fine.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGCJYsWDvw
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"Did I–"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7XkU3r5PK
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"I'm sorry Ng. I still don't think I can do it. At least, not now, not by myself. Even thinking about it is making me shudder. I can't go in there."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMr7PALVZYh
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"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0cY5FWvdY
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I had to make sure I heard him.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbgNyMpv6p
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"Assistants?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMh00A2RzsU
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"Of course. I can still use the mana here to make some. It doesn't have to be anything powerful, just enough to grab Kim while you're fighting Jeremiah."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnWCau2rBv
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"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJq51asGRQ
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"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRJzeMknOz
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"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rQ4hlGAUh
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We kept walking. We didn't exchange another word but I could feel the air around us lighten. Thanks to the campfire, we made it back to the others.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3DwKirMCw
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Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfeebXy9rj
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"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6OCKz9OoQ
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Flinty ran up to me and gently hugged me, patting me on the back a few times. I would've been embarrassed if I wasn't so bewitched by the presence of the third person.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHcTIdYKJ6
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Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdgHg25MdZ
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–
–
–
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We were all sitting by the campfire. Though I was sleepy, the knight's presence alone made me unable to sleep. I had too many questions to ask, and it looks like I wasn't alone.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANicbB7NeI
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"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgMOQESDBf
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"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlARtQZyJm4
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"Of course."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRq5LnYMfEb
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"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXH3nXecvrS
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"Ah, of course. I am here because I've been tasked with tailing Kim. My reasons are secret, but I assure you it isn't anything malicious, not from either party."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciAnGyitB9
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Tailing her? Well, if that was the case, he must not have been very good at it. But when your target is as disguised and inconspicuous as Kim, then even a knight would have difficulty pursuing you.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmtxXmInVX
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But, no, something else was bugging me.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqIvhGO02F
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"How did you know where to find us here?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuEM4Bt8Vf
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"I simply spent the day searching."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNK0PFywV5
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"The whole day?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdb7ss3EJi
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He didn't respond to that. "Victoria's mother informed me of your whereabouts. This forest may be small, but it sure is dense."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMzoyQsE7x
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Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzR4WJywArf
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"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn69mjnDqyL
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He sighed.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHMxPihEuf
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"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVoBEtrd5w
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"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3tvP4gOwf
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"Oh! Yes! Kim is being held captive by a magical beast my ex-colleague has created. He is formidable, and occasionally reckless, but not a creature who would intentionally kill. He wasn't programmed that way."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0XZUqdCkM
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"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKxPHD1MWc
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"...Why do you ask?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfzqbza3OC
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqKaAW2llq
"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTXM4lhhq5
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62PYm7HPCd
Those words made me perk up. They had two meanings to me. Ng went on to explain the blob's ability to contort its body and produce a hypnagogic haze when injured. Skylark didn't look intimidated at all. I didn't see him in action yet, but I imagined that such confidence didn't come from foolishness. Skylark's presence was still strange, and I'd be lying if I said that I didn't have any suspicions about his relation to Kim, but– frankly, it didn't matter. Frankly, I was just glad that I was able to pass the baton onto somebody far more capable than me. A short while later we all returned to sleep; aside from me, of course. And, apparently, aside from Skylark. I lifted my body and stared at him. As we stared at each other, I tried to unbridle certain words from my throat, but he talked first before I could.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tJtUVjcQo
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn63Vyor9AT
"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFnHK12OGF
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKoRfWLY1t
"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP53E6Lc4wI
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDvz8sklAC
"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThKSnZROrV
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXdFIFIkYV
"I see. I'll get sleepy eventually, it's just a matter of time. But since you're awake, I might as well talk with you. Talking with people is especially exhausting."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIMczAFfvo
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡievzqXJkcD
"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHVbs99gtQ
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzp5ZKbmsva
"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9cBXfOxdf
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeih9n7gBV
He put a hand to his chin.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27KkYwXGR3
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Dyt0CBlKW
"...Well, I'm sure you in particular will find out soon. For now, let's just say that I was sent to defend her, in case anything goes awry."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqFysBsOka
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykSnR3HthV
"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0e57YyxFpH
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGxjzDFq5G
"No."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaX4pntBQdP
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVHEgqHtZT
"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXiDG59hL4
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnHT2NSHfu
"Do you mean in the woods?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7T8hTEwzxP
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsBTymE2Bb
"Yes. I'm just curious."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFyNfNhh4f
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1NMx6YOSF
"I entered the woods two hours ago. I was told by Linda to wait until it became dark. Honestly, these woods are a bit of a nightmare to navigate."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBN8ot2bDu
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIILGAXeO9
I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlqnbDz9vi
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszFMNDGu7o
"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUsBqj3Vwo
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYnQpm9kAp
"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wdnFoBQfj
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgfcCLy9Vl
"Me too."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3rcGTON1g
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMEci8z3ZQ
I realized how strange it was that he called it knightly duty, since he met us by coincidence, but didn't press him on that matter.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJU3d70O3D
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVMMflSlM6
"Is that all you wanted to ask?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AUvqGd0yx
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlejhBM3EGk
"Yes. For now, at least."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6akvZtT1L
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPC0AaJYFq
"Are you sure? I may not be able to answer all questions related to Kim, but I have a lot of knowledge of other things."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fNgr4Rw8E
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg80nNhMA0w
"..."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7MwDNKTmK
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsROm0wZUCP
It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEL6ZnECJi
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPYMLldXAT
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5OfSKfYb1
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJC4oXee5H4
"...Huh?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpDk5F9Gnx
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxYmT2ZqcG
–
–
–
There was a gap in the trees perfectly positioned to where the sun hit my face. I woke up with an uneasy feeling in my chest and had difficulty keeping my eyes open. Needless to say, I didn't sleep well. Despite that, I was feeling fine. Everyone else was still sleeping. Everyone, aside from Flinty, who was not present.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIbfaUxEd0
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZQRYvhIq3
I thought of the worst immediately. I calmed down once I heard a sound nearby. I walked towards it and saw Flinty standing with her arm out, creating water balls and... firing them.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qdl1yyB6g
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3L6nzEUL4M
I wouldn't repeat the same mistake as before, so I stood by the sidelines and watched. She didn't even have her eyes closed, yet she was able to create a water ball and maintain it for twenty seconds. And then, she fired it. It was a very weak spell; it hit a tree and merely splashed it. If it was another element, it likely would've only scratched the bark off. I was still impressed.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKJdg5FJte
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq34KhKLA1u
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdv0wopoDz
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVF4hfqw5jD
"Good morning, Kenny."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNyvfK25tP
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOZZk236kz
"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkK2aebdGdR
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPJj6db9SS
"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITsGqWwpOW
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OfJbxknTg
When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDLLYzbaFl
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJsOXnt1jd
"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXEe7mkOOh
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01kcbuHMv2
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiD13J0oaJi
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLN6HEgyOy
"Yes! I have, ha!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvAVNsFpp3
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhOZB6rtH5
She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8M4mhnGksp
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGumP9Ekbt
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Qhdlzecy7
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviZeaerVW7
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKy9BcLXkTo
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9VXBngaAv
"Thank you, teacher."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡah1iof6QXg
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dcNf1B5Kd
"Yeah. Don't call me that."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPAUg2sxrC
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0E2At7Ez6Y
"Okay."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSU6DNCFVur
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobmtbhoFid
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uvLYzGDfj
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPdrdFNEgM
"Hm? What's wrong?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFc9UuGGk0
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqoiGHOkbN
"Um..."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6lj1CBsgI
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehrHhr2JQq
She let go of me and began taking off the coat.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzv4of09hds
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIMjvlNuLz
"Here. Have it back."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDTImreqKo
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7yTn8VwRz
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkaIQKNxHM
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbjLWDxgjJ
She shook her head no.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajrFPzuwtj
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtiyWVSvzr
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyML9qpAis5
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEWX8s478F
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3s8N8euFQq
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRI00WeJoi
"Thank you, Flinty."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMxjuTrNqM
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8CcJjMDyL
I grabbed the coat and put it back on.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHko2st7nFU
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pPPBIVcvw
"Kenny, do you feel better?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXP59tGF4b
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljMNRgTLPP
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TJAaXc2D7
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVzZj1Tndb
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0QoYVoHhj
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnL8K99AhrI
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7Vh3sz5pc
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSDFDKXgAM
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeGlOe5PAf
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPV5sduiGW
"Good morning, Kenny."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAf24KH935
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZAw7gNVdy
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFheDhn2zU
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIhrPqzcN0
He nodded. When Victoria and Ng got on their feet our strategy meeting began. It was simple; Skylark would enter the compound and battle Jeremiah while Victoria, Ng, and I would surround the building to capture any escapees. With that set, we began our breakfast. It was just simple rations, but they tasted especially fresh. Flinty and Victoria were engaged in conversation while Skylark vigilantly watched our surroundings. I looked at Ng and was suddenly reminded of last night.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyBBTJDfB1
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TVur2NnAn
"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPujuudZ5x
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfjeAyllPo
I scooted closer to him.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BocYOuvtY
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcF7maPbfT3
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9FTlhO2Y5
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbU54XLYuNa
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIBcG7rPli
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTLyGQx3or
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUueepDnqfV
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJe9cgzcM8
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6xO6CBPoN
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PMD72WDDI
He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaXFsXPovj
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybXeBLW8Ng
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPm0mRAXCx
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Yw9uYKqr8
"What?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOC5TiKe2x6
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWfSJQoPMW
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxuGil2hy9
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxswwSce6M
But then I thought about his behavior back in the cellar, and during the initial stage of the infiltration. He lightly punched me in the shoulder.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpalSgRvD89
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCza1Pvu8u
"You and I are alike, I've realized. But unlike me, you are powerful and gifted. I know you can liberate yourself from the fungus in your brain. You are still young, after all."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeU3QqrbVtv
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffr8K2f7Cn
"R-Right."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoFfzDaWCN
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qZR5RJFAD
"Well then, shall we go?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb13fEAhwtD
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqjPInKLbk
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxfVoHNYTe
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNMGuJcScX
"Alright."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOv9zg6HN9j
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsw8XQTPMs
We grabbed our bags and left the campsite. With Ng leading us, we arrived at the compound thirty minutes later. Flinty and Ng stood nearby in the woods guarding our things, and more importantly, away from any attention. Skylark, Victoria, and I stood before the broken gates of what was essentially the compound's front yard. Skylark took a step forward. He had a rag covering his mouth.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXJeJTT057
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSKzaNt8Jv
"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1si9gSNMfB
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBnOQOeYJx
And then he walked across the field and into the building. Now Victoria and I stood there alone. I felt a hand on my shoulder.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyuTZ0GABg
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvQjbiQVVa
"What?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0XCq89p9M
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMETFD0vHf
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExE8H8QiRf
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxGaviSM6h
"I know he will."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPP9sfpJDZ
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEufjaVjysE
"Then why are you shaking?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUPGnGi6Qu
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQS8PqPecS
"...I just can't help myself."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmz0K7xgiZi
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUhXyT4KPA
I walked to the walls and sat against it. Victoria joined me. We sat and waited. Five minutes passed without anything happening. Ten minutes passed without anything happening. Victoria was jittering a little.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIxY75nTL5
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2YU3Ui40g
"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKZ26NfhYV
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCjmpPkt5n
"What do you want to talk about?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Z4yMzsRY6
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRWWeYMl3q
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFAG11QDVj
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7y3KnfOLI
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtTYjdDi6N
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEuUpgohZK
"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKff3SNEZF0
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuVmFRlJhx
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAxf5U6d8b
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjW53eRIMMA
"Ha!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81z0u5tZDV
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7gjhoADEZ
She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJIjw9p07a
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeSk4XSVET
"These muscles came from all the work at the farmhouse, and fighting is something Mom taught me. Y'know, she used to be a combatant! An extraordinary one, too!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyg5bLZYJZ
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCvXGumnH8
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWpKjTYMVc
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ky1MsfelW
"Hehe, something like that."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnqWftrHxk
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MUOq1yNmF
She didn't sound confident.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbjIb8VDiD
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MzDPAuh0t
"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEJZCKHrEG
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyMPQTk5kS
"Ah. That makes sense."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzHjwyFrhS
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5J5XKL1ScR
I was very close to saying something insensitive.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIo1dHlU0O
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDI1hadj3cU
"That blob thing was a bit too much for me to handle. I think though, if we were to fight that wolf, I would be fine."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNibDomy5N
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMfAgn1SLW
"...Wolf?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8kEWjL0uP
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KjQhFbQh9
All the air suddenly left my lungs. I looked to my left. The broken gate. Its mauled doors were sprawled on the grass, and chunks of stone accompanied them.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PETqRptXe
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3TxBgBwIu
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDEB3yzpsn
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaajP81td3T
"Kenny?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0RuZfvuVE
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFR9uGeUlgm
With how quiet it was in the compound, I naturally began to theorize. I did not doubt that Skylark was alright, but we should've heard something, anything by now. Because we weren't, then Panz must've been hiding. And I already knew from Ng that Panz had the ability to summon his creations.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6NQZG7mF8
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsXZmHKZEl
I stood up and walked forward.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2PARVXasQ
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClDqbVgih0
"Kenny? What's wrong?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡis8lz2a94V
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqj1G4G66kW
"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3lMV0O8H5
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Bl6zqVUHk
I took my tendril out and grew a Sunlight-Blossom. I snatched a seed and stuck it in the ground, then grew it to full size. I clasped the flower by its stem and aimed it at the woods.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYikCKO49nY
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXC4odhpkR
Victoria stood beside me with her hands raised. She caught on fast. I keenly eyed the woods, almost like a hawk, waiting for anything to flutter.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK37S9XDa1u
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNrQhXY2ss
And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYuQgGdUvo
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuSCmK5iwz
**BANG**90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQo5Lrzr2wM
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCVutXGK7n
The Sunlight-Blossom's seed rend the wind and trees. It left my line of sight in a second. I didn't catch the beast, but that wasn't an issue. A resounding wail echoed throughout the woods. I saw the bushes fly in the distance.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3S4FSFRsjz
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhICo6X66y
"Victoria."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZu0A9sIw74
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHycupBy5Ds
"Right."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyKawLUXeN
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKyQpISKv6
I had to think fast. I produced a Freeze-Dry and encased the ground in ice. Next, I brought out Dragon-Maw Jr. and raised the tendril over the ice.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMrZqZqXPA
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnh15vtXYr
**SMASH**90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwDVFDnrjo
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYmVwVANWz
There he was.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzENPWuAxW0
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmQfvny2CX
The wolf crashed through a tree and landed on the ice field. He lost his footing quickly. I lowered the tendril and Dragon-Maw Jr. snapped his jaws immediately, nipping at the wolf's back. The wolf slid towards us with his maw agape, brandishing hundreds of sharp, unsightly teeth.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7j5rzdXct1
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjC9mqxsOSF
Victoria crouched. The wolf jumped. I retracted the tendril and prepared to strike, but the size of the wolf surprised me. I hesitated. But that was fine. Victoria clenched the wolf's neck as it soared through the air. She slammed the beast to the ground, hardly able to keep it pinned, but she was able to punch its snout a few times. The wolf struggled and clawed Victoria in the chest. She winced, and the beast escaped from her grasp. He was bleeding, but so was Victoria. She reached for her pocket and doused herself in a healing potion, then threw the glass bottle at the wolf who stepped aside to avoid it.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8an1Mm2Nw
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSXRAMs7i5
"That thing is strong," she said, "We can either wear it down or pin it again, but if I do, you need to kill it."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyNtnw8NtQ
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQnUzI6NHz
"Right."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mHMWGRhsy
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbW3Frb8rdJ
With my other hand, I began mana expulsion and created a bundle of thin, elongated rocks. I threw them at the wolf one at a time. He avoided them all, but as I threw, Victoria inched closer. The wolf jumped at her with his jaws wide open. Victoria stepped to the side in the nick of time, but as the wolf landed he turned around and leaped again. I struck him with the tendril and he spun across the field.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycecqor6nF
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPi2lgwxIiB
"Thank you!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4PhEXz4GC
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqoGAtqYEf
I nodded. The wolf was temporarily incapacitated. He was still bleeding from Dragon-Maw Jr's wound. Victoria and I were unharmed. We could do this.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAlMT4Ot0m
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKoIM48oiG
I began mana expulsion again, creating a stone and suspending it in the air. I covered it with fire magic. The wolf came back to his senses and sprinted at me. I stretched the tendril out; he avoided it but I struck him as I retracted it. I threw the fire-rock at it. The wolf caught it with his mouth.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02vJnDF7hK
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJO1QKeYFpo
"Huh?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZk47y2rCq
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlPliOaj98
Not just that, he clamped down on it, shattering it instantly. The fire was proven to be ineffective as smoke casually escaped his mouth.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbPdneH6XR
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADb9b2fVmm
The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvDxVKmY9n
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQU6ACHKLM
"Shit!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tSA3qgRvF
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VlnIY3lDh
I put my hand on the floor and created a small wall of earth before me. A stream of fire pummeled it. I wasn't harmed, but the heat made me feel woozy.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfi4jc1i7u
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDPgGwaQRf
"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFn8oXnaK8Y
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbauUoZbJaF
I removed the wall and began mana expulsion again, this time, creating a ball of water. Victoria was beside me, her palms open and her fingers strained.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbctzsm0lv
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55oLpsOpfV
"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDz3zPv0Ur
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstN5AdrCPH
"I understand."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgltmNRemeu
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnpnzTTmMN
I retracted my tendril and began mana expulsion with my right hand, creating a bundle of pebbles. I shrunk the water ball down and clasped it with my left. A pure-white water geyser erupted from my palm. The wolf avoided it but found himself on the ice field again, and thus lost his footing. The geyser ran out before I could hit him, so I created another ball of water. The wolf blew fire on the field and melted the ice, and unfortunately, made the grass catch fire as well.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUV7lRYtqUP
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrbzfRkMBd
"Uh oh, Kenny."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4DCu0TFiI
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAof2pBkFP9
Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIs9Xu9Tdd
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsKmwZPx9D
"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrPMlzcrTJ
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1virYkUPml
I didn't clasp the ball this time but spread it out across the field. The fire was extinguished and the wolf was now wet, but seemingly unbothered. He started charging at us again. I scattered the pebbles in my right hand with intense force. They were small, but the wolf would undeniably be hit and staggered.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHGpC1J1gc
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIZpcr02Gr
But, though he was hit, his charge didn't halt even a little. I panicked and brought the tendril out, stretching it out yet again. He didn't avoid it. Instead, he snapped his jaws at it.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAmteXsr2Z
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ372rNJnfD7
"Hrk!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNAoy8ZMRs
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcRyJCglHx
Pain permeated my whole body. Maybe even my soul. It was terrible, but the situation wasn't irredeemable. The tendril was in between the wolf's jaws but was still intact. I quickly thought of a way to retaliate and produced a Flash-Bloom. I'd be lying if I said I expected it. I hurriedly held my hand over my eyes.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTW79TVmZ5i
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgQGvdJHcJ
"Victoria! Close your eyes!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmNJAsQSX7
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr27NC1SWwx
Even with my eyes covered, all I saw was white. Pushing the Flash-Bloom beyond its limit was exhausting my mana supply but I didn't have to keep it out for long. A few seconds later I stopped it and opened my eyes. The wolf was still gripping my tendril but was nabbing at its own face as if the light was on him. I produced Dragon-Maw Jr. and he bit at the wolf's nape. The wolf let go of my tendril. I coughed out some purple goop.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cq0IdjvOP
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvodZRBPdRZ
"Victoria!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87V6UWQ74z
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYK9Tli74t
"Right!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDHGmHadCv
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSWDBI2w9a
Victoria ran over to the wolf. She didn't pin him down, but instead, grabbed one of his oversized hind legs and bent it in an impossible direction. The wolf opened its mouth and wailed and readily spat fire. With all his squirming, Dragon-Maw Jr. could hardly keep him in place. I produced another water ball and flung it at the wolf. I managed to perfectly land it inside its maw, and the beast was forced to cough it all out.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptvt2Y0DCN
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1ehu0gxWd
Dragon-Maw Jr.'s teeth sunk deeper into its neck. The wolf was still desperately clawing at its eyes, but each succesive swipe made it obvious that the beast's strength was fading. Victoria broke its other hind leg. The wolf struggled, but he didn't attempt to spit out fire this time. The wolf simply howled, and howled, and its howls grew weaker by the second. Dragon-Maw Jr. kept clamping down. I noticed it myself, how the neck was being sluggishly pulled off the body. Victoria clasped the wolf's snout. She began pulling at it.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpiKv47p7Y
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmKeNSRMNI
"GRAHHHH!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfYBhCnqM1
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A warcry. She was a total barbarian.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40QJYiGx05
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEHoYnulSm
With the help of Dragon-Maw Jr, Victoria tore off the wolf's neck and threw across the field. The head crashed and spallered against a tree. It immediately evaporated into the air, and the rest of the wolf's body followed suit. She grabbed her knees and began to pant.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMDdyWXqlm
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbt02uZilf
"..."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnmLHOf9ko
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPbvauwjCw
I retracted the tendril. My mana supply was relatively plentiful. Still, I plummeted to the ground, face-first. I stopped coughing up purple goop, and a minute later, it stopped oozing from my chest.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENENPNGJOL
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHzSQI67VF
I had questions about it, but those were for later. At the time being, I was happy. I relishing the moment. Even with grass pressing against my face, I was relishing.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZAbA8CLVQ
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPMqz0kMX9
We did it. We really did it.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJkCgsH8d3
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QKStWIB4Q
"Kenny!"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwSM3Ogskr
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YJGZXte6l
Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTjeLhjs3W
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBNT7tuqOT
"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZqEzRkZWR
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwqhntzc7g
"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sn1QUdMee
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12bAe47NeW
She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyeNqWbAHe
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUe6wgAndV
"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfg5rDfAYbD
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAIhCzkW37
"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAhqWUoYFU
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsY0TdOAys
She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDnvjtmrID
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIywcys6ag8
"We did it," I muttered.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXSTAQHvSh
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I struggled to believe it. Not just because the wolf was taken down without much hassle, but because of how I was feeling.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ357okyDvKl
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mmLiR8tVA
Right now, I was immensely satisfied. I glanced at Victoria, and she was fine, and I was fine, and the beast was dead, and I was satisfied.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVVmw7MoEH
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjb5mVfRXC
I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcwFhg3aWR
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTCAkIRHHJ
"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5be2USPmH
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXs4cdPzgL
"...It could've been a lot worse."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpu87n5e9g
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbu3JYJzeD
"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLDFq4TAQP
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwp1g4dEUr
Victoria looked at something above me.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFwCmwOGiS
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELkOzOZNUX
"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLR7AhkecF
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qD20EKpr9
Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINfOKD4qWK
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"No. Why do you ask?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTl3V2ydi2c
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"I haven't heard a single thing coming from the building. Our fight was noisy, so I thought that maybe someone would come out. I'm starting to get worried."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGe6peZ2pQH
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0pmuVJN50
"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4uZD8bZkD
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61AEPV46Wz
"O-Oh, sorry."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWUpMIj4JP
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She scratched her cheek a little.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYyypQxMhY
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL22J4mqHSA
"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktJcN7ddAb
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KY34b87YY
"That's just how you need to be with monsters. Equally brutal. It's something I got used to. I watched my mom fight a lot when I was a kid."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssJNYJ88sb
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedPwIGm7oZ
"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeH7TRmqHk
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3nw4TOVOW
"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlobsNoBZH
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMVo3fCr5o
I sighed. My face returned to the grass as I indulged in the silence. I could feel the fatigue worm its way into every nook and cranny of my body. I was surprised at the toll the fight had on me. Eventually, I stood up and brushed the dirt off my shirt. It was even more purple than before.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhr5PM6JfCj
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTguOAJJIY
I helped Victoria up. I limped to the busted gate and stared at the compound. A weight formed in my stomach. I almost began to pray, but the doors to the building slowly opened.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBYBIhS4D8
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuTO6VsTbD
Skylark was there. Kim was on one shoulder, and when he opened one door wide enough he grabbed Panz by the hood. He had a lot of dust on his body. When he caught up to us, he frowned.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17cbqHG8NW
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8t9oOPvUL
"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHnrjOL1NC
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroQaK19Cfm
"We fought something, Kenny and I."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURBjTPAHKt
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Iw8IYFBa7
She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGCmrW3QaC
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtNOep9Fx4
"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTeIGsgjoU
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapuF1HmBxW
"How is Kim?" I asked.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSU0VxEGUOB
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tgqhNfJLB
"She's fine, just unconscious."90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcyjkKtbf6
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I could only say one thing.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4j9DkSm0w
90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgC5LwjukL
"...Haaaa. Thank God."
