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."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqhGQbqKXo
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Ng tilted his head. He started to look a little nervous, and also slightly annoyed. I wasn't talking much sense, was I?107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNagc17fi9L
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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."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZPJn0HhaJ
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"That's not true at all–"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVDhk0MIez
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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..."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LAr34GcXn
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I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpDbgO3eaB
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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!?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqi2FWkrcXJ
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I fell to my knees.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcmkleKTYO
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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..."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpjFveSE1H
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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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVebgFFsu0
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"...Kenny."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8TYRN0y4U
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"What!?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgn8K9BmRba
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He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52A66ER1Ll
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"You're not lying to me, are you?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66HalmFAEB
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The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyxmGEPYyu
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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."
...107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTiusxf963
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I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6dkcH1fmJ
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMLJyLlY3z
I'm not... I'm not doing that, am I? What I'm doing, it's just to preserve what I have, right?107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54GAtPEjSc
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03EwjB3U5u
"N-No..."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJBQTOc6Cs
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzNtZaZJ7c
Oh, God.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuMNFh7Zno
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm320zHbOWi
Oh, God.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpasz3r52Rt
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"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6GQxbHRh6
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9jtJtU2P1
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2UVNVfTnM
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcJ62Crq1I
But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvREYlyEz1P
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"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLV10vPLz94
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuV5zankXUH
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjj33MTqqzS
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNjFEKRGOL
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–107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzZF4iYN8s
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"--Hrk!"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKw5I48ZFNq
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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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJbFftBXDH
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One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uy81C6V69
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"There you are."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPuYIEH6LK
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Ng already found me, huh?107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs65z8uwAtb
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"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5whLZneGA
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWa4joItpC
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–107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLkxQ9jvum
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"...Fine."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1FcUhcJjN
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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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8gPmDbcbZ
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"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJR9qlJ4IDC
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Nevermind. What a strange question.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZvbh060PI
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"No. They died a long time ago."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqybeuwEtc
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"I see. You have my condolences."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IQm24R4Dr
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"I don't need them."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4JjiiuEwd
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A pause.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsuq8LIQkd
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"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdA1yqmiMcu
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"..."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYDu7TD9GZ
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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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8mKGEiczJ
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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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RSgvbTOhL
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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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmFR88Dn0J
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"Did I–"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9L1W8DRcG
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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."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMQwv1vFty
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"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xOSI4LQQT
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I had to make sure I heard him.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zu1DMyfVG
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"Assistants?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9u2AIzYo4
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MCdLlAvYj
"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."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpNEhdiugT
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"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXb7N8ymZn
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"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKJSlSMFjO
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"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVo6kxvIUy
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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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSrnIYqg7N
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Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡev39ieHODn
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"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LF0lPxZ8q
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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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZz7bAz3x67
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Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25gnI0emdj
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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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GUAKlyCXI
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"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSqsnqnP8L
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"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAQJzyh76g
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"Of course."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSdHMhGUOb
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"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7B8J4zniP
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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."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqNTd6VZZO
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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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfA0m6Kgse
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But, no, something else was bugging me.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNM8vJ2HHp
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"How did you know where to find us here?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0fK04DQad
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"I simply spent the day searching."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtOacfXLPU
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"The whole day?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3O5xQCJcsE
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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."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLs7luDSIgK
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Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IuCRrV9OJ
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"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7qKTXYxYh
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He sighed.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXshFS3Qz1
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"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKCasUbBvN
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"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyyzUawKVm
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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."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7uXHpk5yi
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"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpphFYRtK5H
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"...Why do you ask?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnUQ7JQzeK
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1DyvXhwjl
"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjqd65v0k9
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyYIR8MU8z
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKnrH0tmW6
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJQwcKvpu7
"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1YvG5IN9q
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NUvX3o2kI
"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rPHEPY5lA
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgollH3L1Li
"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPyj2MI0T8
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9gCXrGvk8
"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."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0oNyj5wcH
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9vIcQjuIz
"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzxBX3Zuq1
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BIvtiPzbB
"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeotv48NfF
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2WHX3hpAd
He put a hand to his chin.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveDZyFgDf7
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLsyhKAkp9
"...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."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqB7dC6m2u
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQETzQjaX5
"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYECxkoJK3
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96tteiDlS1
"No."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89Ig1lptGT
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILeai6HTSb
"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZvk5lJqZz
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEAsOEEJmP
"Do you mean in the woods?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvx7XbgaUZ
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cEv5j21RN
"Yes. I'm just curious."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxb5C4zwI68
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDbsdBYyxD
"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."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJRPBKBGcj
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaSlIbDVDZ
I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw92gkH3Jt1
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXxk0emte3
"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7oQSG1dpv
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCedW41PUn
"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqWBlGSvnz
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSioSjr8uTK
"Me too."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JFZxJZwIZ
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApUZJuYCOa
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38ZLu007q5
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lILzsbn7O
"Is that all you wanted to ask?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9yMeDZ2tc
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOOFye7JzC
"Yes. For now, at least."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhp4NIQIrVH
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizxWNPWhkB
"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."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhy09zKZWX
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPqmK9xHa0
"..."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzIPngM2vO
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmoDdgxL5X
It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BpveG75AP
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MsirxUV1k
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KJEdfKqSv
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaf7Bid01J
"...Huh?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeihVe87eL
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhkz9xT6L4
–
–
–
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2A6aadogO
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NlxvmpFlm
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJlc6zZ7Zm
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBs8EaHepB
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34o5zI3i9g
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifb54x5Eq9
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ETlEKtIDV
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEE2i2o3ekU
"Good morning, Kenny."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpnjHdLwFi
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmp4obkIp5
"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFxciS6mKs
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCKlmMoqK3
"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsgaIm1zr4
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyLUxQID4O
When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTcVunkHVf
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUf8PeUG5yz
"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJlrXVp3Ln
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuuap7teEI
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gipCyzped
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTwg6HDyZT
"Yes! I have, ha!"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0F2BRWu9s
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3r96tSD8wH
She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TrgMd7zE0
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5kY8461zn
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIo5DkcCDZ
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHQfQvt9ES
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBl8KD68Wsa
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOlr56wlo4
"Thank you, teacher."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwm9sPbHibR
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1I4SklAzKM
"Yeah. Don't call me that."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtxTXuT88V
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH68Vigo3U3
"Okay."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVblMX8Lh5
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKKcZRVw71
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktrs6oUt8x
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwApNr9I1Iy
"Hm? What's wrong?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lKj0u8wJk
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCG4zWBRJGi
"Um..."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLS3aFcxgd
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcAlTWEX3c
She let go of me and began taking off the coat.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKFSq8s8BN
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uR6nmkkLA
"Here. Have it back."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9yOjbE0dL
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRGhgikbKk
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSLWnu5Yvd
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaBqhdYcAW
She shook her head no.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWttm46DDD
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPv1dbun04
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvj2Koq2WG
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55Ldn1SrCQ
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡin0ySsfFsf
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1icmgFoNTU
"Thank you, Flinty."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRD1NUla1gH
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4Tj6CJZmA
I grabbed the coat and put it back on.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUIu6kNgV1
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xzplKVXbK
"Kenny, do you feel better?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0qQkf6Zh5
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLbot15yUM
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4Hf0YdAW9
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCBxTLoQMB
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1dpl9Ok3C
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErPeo7dWuA
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVoJCFwXCx
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBz6ZgFJRUq
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WBfzwo6Ro
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxa8epS0OxJ
"Good morning, Kenny."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccBzSRt36b
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfKF1fpUcY
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnBQXKiQ0g
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3phwY9nPzo
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmh20WVyIrH
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUmPtZFrnp
"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKSh1J3tcm
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJGMRc2zkS
I scooted closer to him.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxThqUY7zE
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6CvUI2IrY
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvY5iMgr6q
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyCeO5KQJI
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0gzXaESgH
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrKMTpV1PE
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCiMXGaYW0
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9amNJNd6y
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkydQq0lldn
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLFyhYZQKz
He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyI7UaLYU4
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTAy57Zpt1
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdXDHVppID
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOU1kZQRA2
"What?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3L19U1XrUU
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKHYOguJha
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiwhmEN6u0
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCumYC2xj4v
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEgDmVaPWR
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8CJwIgRKW
"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."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uhejrrJew
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqJsw9aPKX
"R-Right."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUT3urjh1WY
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMAibdLtOD
"Well then, shall we go?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrJYwH8eV2
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRpO9nLpr0
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sKUFpOc73
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtga2oIuw7e
"Alright."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGckOsv61g1
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXMvB5yTPJ
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYAAhleaiO
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6J3IPOw6V
"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUqwAs9A9g
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQU8TopwnG
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39IpVNAv6g
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nNjvUMMgO
"What?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhHFqryHPZ
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aQkovvnYx
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpUtFccUbS
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoeAvJTuK8
"I know he will."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXLbat7r2U
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrNYu0UMwR
"Then why are you shaking?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8M3IZ4Obn
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPThV54y6gD
"...I just can't help myself."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqgntEzivj
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aU2MM1QsU
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FY9A3aEyN
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtDlVu1kpq
"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo81hVMgPI1
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zljBVjKTz
"What do you want to talk about?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVXtOl3GUn
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLebdHfPhPj
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuOjsI2r82
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2a5g9F7TOx
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggDx1aY8by
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPqoVuV5ZL
"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJDsX5ewHl
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTbPdJ4un5
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITTGNF1r0I
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQuAi1y6uR
"Ha!"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9V82lfugvv
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovJt6WjdER
She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5s9WYVb7F
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7e8X2KTaf
"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!"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRSPLerkTQ
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKG9SK8qvo
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxV9MJOADE
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YXfStKHI6
"Hehe, something like that."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXgRl0p6P8
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNknskHgGs
She didn't sound confident.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5J3d212kdl
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqbfxZ6sDC
"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB805wCGnM9
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjkEKQoWbE
"Ah. That makes sense."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9IFg1hgOV
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLfXzG5PnA
I was very close to saying something insensitive.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Wdh87OqJX
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbDLENSXex
"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."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDeCfcQUL9
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdGEDcuMWv
"...Wolf?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLYkicbJz8
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75hkydV18W
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpf5CDsrsaC
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9HZ4PnWKB
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmij32nJkV
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyNX8klwl9
"Kenny?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDZayi8mCm
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYnlIuWhdQ
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVydkrSIk2
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ADOlYrJyw
I stood up and walked forward.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuwzGx0ovU
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4M36AxYhSv
"Kenny? What's wrong?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikuyTOiZUO
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yiEdhR6Ix
"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tXdM50Dzy
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfvt6mS7z6
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfBFHeQZXJ
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTeKeNE9Z9
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0GxEDxv8x
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwstqkhylTW
And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeGGWkxxWH
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxCxFKE8W9
**BANG**107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXhTjSTMK6
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKH05Zm4Wyc
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMj5gbf2mH
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OtDjQ20Hy
"Victoria."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruwSRiQ5o8
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrBovsGk1v
"Right."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYGqVeevOO
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlWPyWjS34
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3it00zFYj
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh36ELAUNDM
**SMASH**107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWPHJWedCY
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5s1spK8zSk
There he was.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CH9aI1vRM
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6DXzvCkKA
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeijByxxqY
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsEaIh9GDK
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgHpblT3NX
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvi6uHAdBQw
"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."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7x9ysNPR4
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTf69QlcKqa
"Right."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsZvomjj1c
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJnCyomnhQ
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWU8AKNcwOr
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAKqgCDAtf
"Thank you!"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SCDh6Rjb2
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdC56aVMui
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnkXRedmAl
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHZQK9hR2d
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkz5CItvXze
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInMQ7bNotr
"Huh?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiE6XRp8nKS
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniSjOaBVsh
Not just that, he clamped down on it, shattering it instantly. The fire was proven to be ineffective as smoke casually escaped his mouth.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWus8V8ycwr
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhQnTIOLl4
The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLZVoZ10bb
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6oGjwqQvk
"Shit!"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmcL4jjr2z
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOL0B6Upfdp
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRKwkl8NtI
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1i394rYorc
"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NcHpnrJeX
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAf7nwJx9S
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9YL9YqwER
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtI6Gvxy633
"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoB52HX6mvL
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HYb7jk3Oj
"I understand."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSE6J62ENC8
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIEvvGXE6f
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzmUHF6cgx
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9lrEK1vJm
"Uh oh, Kenny."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmHdtIEmij
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7QJt30oDt
Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfYbeWs0O8
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIw3XQyqmn
"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7qiqBbEBk
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuAjAeAz1r
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYdpTr8ojr
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqo7x0HXLS
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ118PictXgX
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRk5JueExs
"Hrk!"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbw7FydPAH
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnHEXbEKqb
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkX75SIaX7
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxrq61FLb3
"Victoria! Close your eyes!"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5POXNdjcsk
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9RpWCGm8U
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZtHpKMrw7
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvs2nAOPeZc
"Victoria!"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6f5WKlOQjL
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVv5eGEHz1
"Right!"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfxo1bLKzS
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnJH45mhxQ
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaEuPGvlTt
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKVOkQgtWU
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40BbPoAxKz
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjcMdb7DSi
"GRAHHHH!"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeV9eogY0iF
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87dMtGpMZh
A warcry. She was a total barbarian.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66VHr6sxux
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBOEhfadPm
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTY1R77Wx3
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JtsmqFz3M
"..."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtllasHBg7
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeyIKjhpBi
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzeuxbAYPV
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ActCWaczx
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5D8QH9TjR
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx38njeTY99
We did it. We really did it.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPKeAgINxG
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcDgPJKOf1
"Kenny!"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggGr4lM9dA
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzIvjN1GIK
Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXBV7XPs3T
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pBUmIhECv
"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXgUJc17Gq
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgL9bLQ3dhi
"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02ocwXWsdx
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUT7xWRDWy7
She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZ1nPOf1Ed
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUe7lo1q9F
"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOabaTMHPH
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctvtx22a62
"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3t3Zc6wog
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSBjSHrnJB
She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWO3S7v4q5
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6fNxzseby
"We did it," I muttered.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZWsucEu0I
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyrjz7j3SQ
I struggled to believe it. Not just because the wolf was taken down without much hassle, but because of how I was feeling.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAFDWPI9It
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIDbmyUW7M
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXorNNSkKi
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlyB7AXAWm
I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxi21hiNMQy
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEfkz9l43s
"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgALcRpo0zr
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ751hyEDO76
"...It could've been a lot worse."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8Tz0tPRap
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmGghDXmNO
"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2mswQqpC8
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFEUUj8a0C
Victoria looked at something above me.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwQmcJzXn0
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOa1lCwVvC
"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkU1XJRjr26
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIQq8ACsZg
Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRk0d9iqtf
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGuMpNloSj
"No. Why do you ask?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsdAUQqlph
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zFMxNUKFB
"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."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn41dQKsguW
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1d3u91zqb
"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTR7f82ul6
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY46In4uysH
"O-Oh, sorry."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWtBDERvDF
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYlFaDjJd0
She scratched her cheek a little.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqtUwEh5gP
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHfIOAyCAI
"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5DDZRAQmf
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJtxzWOQAS
"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."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcrVkPIe8O
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTtxlbRJvp
"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOyZVVHwDj
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98hjsC6wb6
"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlTafVEM4m
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJJRW0stoy
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczHJvd8LQI
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiLsVYCIS8
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh07F1cBVKT
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28eXGDBf86
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.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFExouwXeEq
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WsrsrTpoa
"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKdYba3YCb
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5TNo7jJuG
"We fought something, Kenny and I."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jcayQvkri
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDj7HPYtYDN
She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkY8KlPg7q
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgoN3bD2CG
"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDA3bT1yymk
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPBAY3N62m
"How is Kim?" I asked.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWm2ixluO4x
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1YiEeBEut
"She's fine, just unconscious."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSahW9pReC
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWPos2Qx84
I could only say one thing.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuThtn9ilW
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsoxM5BB6l
"...Haaaa. Thank God."
