When Rover separated from Kenny, she created a mission for herself. She wanted to find the way up the tower and rub it in his face. She knew Kenny wouldn't mind it very much, but she didn't particularly want to enrage Kenny. She just wanted to throw a jab or two his way. It was fun for her. A type of fun that was harmless and calm, one she usually found in hearing stories.
Besides, the quicker she delivered this stupid letter to the stupid Dean, the faster they could leave and avoid all the stupid nonsense this city was going through.
So, Rover didn't traverse the building all lax and slow. She didn't spend her time ogling at the architecture or meticulously investigating what was behind those doors. No, when she deemed the distance between her and Kenny far enough, she broke into a sprint, covering the grounds of the hallway almost immediately.
When she turned the corner, she saw something at the end that was unlike the walls. From this distance, she could only tell that it was an opening, but there were signs beside it. Rover, proud of her senses for a reason, spotted the engravings on the signs from across the hallway. It was the caricature of somebody ascending rudimentary steps.
Rover smirked. She found her head start. She made it to the end of the hallway in a near instant. However, she didn't walk up the stairs immediately.
"..."
Kenny had told her to meet back at the entrance if they found anything. This suggestion was holding her back, which surprised Rover.
But, many things have been surprising her today. Many things about herself, about others, the list could go on. Though Rover had a part of her that wanted to honor Kenny's suggestion, her eager, daring part wanted to rise up those steps and get this letter delivered right here and now. In fact, she wanted to do it so fast that by the time Kenny would finish his inspection, she'd be back to meet him with their mission completed.
She listened to the latter part and ran up the stairs.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8017KLbj2s
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaMEFRR6Ce
What she found when she arrived on the second floor– which was a longer trek than she expected –was a series of rooms isolated in glass boxes. The floor was carpeted and there was a central path that branched off to all the rooms, with a few leading to doors embedded into the walls. Rover didn't care for the framework of the room, instead focusing on finding an exit. Unfortunately, the maze-like structure of the floor made navigating it difficult. Rover concluded that one of the doors lodged into the wall must've led to the next floor, but even though there were no obstructions to her vision courtesy of the glass, finding an exit from any point of the room was impossible.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2E8wjr29H
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKP9ywxyVvV
"W-Who makes their rooms this confusing!?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMlHWSUIsi
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJGQMmRIkO
Rover had nobody to voice her complaint to, however, so she saved it for whatever draftsmen would face her first and scoured the room for an exit. Though she compared the structure to a maze, in reality, the paths lead to destinations without any deliberately puzzling forks. Still, traveling in this area, where everywhere she looked had a desk and chair loitering around, was disorienting.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4JOavdvKL
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwGtEaQWO5
She managed to arrive at one of the wall-embedded doors. She tried to open it, but the door didn't budge. She tried to kick it down, but even with her physical prowess, the door didn't falter.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01TQzIMQ0f
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlU81oO9wxv
It was reinforced with mana– that was Rover's conclusion, and as Rover was unable to use any magic, there was no way she could tear the door down with just her strength. Maybe if she was stronger, she thought, but she discarded the idea quickly. She turned around and retraced her steps, tilting her head downward and fixing her eyes on the carpet. She returned to an intersection, and with two other paths to choose, she decided on the left one. The path only led to an ensemble of glass boxes, however, so she retraced her steps yet again.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VMg88u9gc
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVwL0aoOss
She was beginning to get a little thirsty. She began to regret her self-imposed restlessness. Nevertheless, she continued searching, and searching, and searching–
"--Who's there?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXSNe5LFS9
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkOcYYnTqo
It was faint. It could've just been a trick of the mind, or maybe the floor was settling from all the garbage placed onto it. But, she heard a distinct noise. She was sure it wasn't her body making it, or the rustling of her baggage. No, it was a noise of something foreign. So, she spoke out, sharpening her eyes and hearing to where even her heartbeat didn't fall upon her.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZxz3YYJCM
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7VmTWviWz
–Again. There it was again. She began crossing out the possibilities. It could no longer be a trick of her mind, nor could it be the settling of the room. Therefore, she asked again.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFkldLUxKo
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9MBHyjle9
"Who's there?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWPx6IzaLf
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEa4Y6cvwN
She drew her rapier. Her eyes darted around the room. Whatever, or most likely, whoever made the noise, was hiding behind one of the dozens of desks sprawled around.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOC1dvmDPRC
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXI7ZlIXP5U
Therefore–164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevCl0J8tW7
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRcgoI3ISD
**SHATTER**164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQ7ojBwPIy
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVWBVjCc5o
She would attempt to draw them out. And what better way to do so than to cause a little mayhem?164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDijfIM1g48
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TKPUDOLKD
With a series of swift kicks, she shattered the glass boxes in her immediate vicinity and toppled over all the desks and chairs that her limbs could reach. But, even through all the noise and rumbling, she never let her vision drift away from her surroundings.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYs3xxz3XAB
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3PQvuwELz
Her hasty action drew out her desired result.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrQih8hyfF
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbdGV28IiP
"You're an insolent, deleterious girl, but you have good discretion."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdK3p7WthiG
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpIRQqH3jt
A man popped up from a distant set of tables. He grabbed a chair and chucked it, shattering a glass wall in its trajectory toward Rover. She merely kicked the flying object into a wall.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAGjwDhc8t
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXweGFqUvhQ
"Powerful, too."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBmXqbmbKL
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgBQCaEO7D
Rover raised her rapier, brandishing it and pointing it at the man.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmDTRjXD6d
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NHy37Zcmh
"I don't know what deleterious means. Is that supposed to be a compliment?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakUR6aHXPG
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvr8eBU2Q1m
"If the poor man who will have to clean up after your mess thinks so, then yes."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rcYXd7ceP
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUm4KWhfd1N
Rover narrowed her eyes. It wasn't just the fact that he liked to hide, but his articulation infuriated her. She was naturally wary, but holding back the desire to rush in and ravage him was difficult.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSX5soejOJz
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddFmflJFTx
She inspected the man's outfit, seeing a large coat, reaching to his ankles. He likely had a set of weapons hidden beneath it. After all, Rover thought, men with hair as kempt as his always carried an excessive deal of weaponry.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqlXzjZTBY
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pUnTsT0gr
"...I don't know how you got up here, but it's obvious that you're a threat. Sorry, I'll have to fight you now."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡud9fSp7K7v
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvRpzZ9djm
The man fiercely unzipped his coat and reached both his hands inside, taking out a duel set of–164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMG5ekavaE
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LfABBhJq3
"Crossbows!?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfUty18Thw
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6emY6UJyMY
Rover's heart sank, but only for a moment. The crossbows weren't big or imposing, and Rover couldn't begin to fathom how he would reload them, meaning that handling them was clunky. It wasn't so different from fighting a mage. At least, it shouldn't have been.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjyFSxGmvq
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡni0lPprmxQ
But Rover saw two pillars– or, what could be better described as chimneys –attached to the ends of the crossbow, creeping from the depths of his coat. The man fired them, and Rover evaded them easily, but then another couplet followed, and then another, and another, and another–164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0ud5vua35
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFkCLibxoU
"Ngh! How!?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEILTejRRv
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLouzBhica
She flipped a desk over and used it as a shield, blocking the maelstrom of arrows to little effect. Their momentum was stopped, but the arrowheads happily pierced through the several inches of thick wood, stopping just short of hitting her face. Unfortunately, the cumulative force of the arrows ruptured the table, splitting it in two and forcing Rover to roll away to grab a new one. She went through two more desks before the flurry of arrows ceased. Cold sweat ran down her spine, but with the quantity of her sweat, it would be more accurate to call it a river.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfNCnmHxzX
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPqMjNKsuU
Rover peered over the desk. The man clicked his tongue and put his crossbows back inside his coat, and Rover exhaled in relief. The man dug through his coat and pulled out a large, serrated knife.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHs0JMAoTL
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1HkA620yw
"I'm a fool, using my crossbows in a place like this where you can simply block them. Arrows don't come cheap."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWUtt5D1Ne
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwONslcbAT
"What are you talking to me for? Are we going to fight or not?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFFa6Aw7Cu
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLiVxqUkHn
"You ought to know the answer by now."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyo2WbHuxle
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYGa9DDTFQ
The man entered into a restrained fighting stance, taunting Rover by jerking his fingers and telling her to bring it. Rover was more than happy to oblige.
As she ran to the man, bursting through glass walls, she grabbed her parrying dagger and raised it. The man backed away and hopped onto a desk, kicking a chair at Rover. She blocked it with her arms and shoved it aside.
"--Huh?"
The chair had blocked her vision for barely over a second, and yet, the man had disappeared from her view. She frantically looked around the floor but found nobody, likely meaning–
"You're hiding behind a table again!"
With how little time had passed, the man must have been hiding by the desk he stood on. Rover rushed to the desk and kicked it and nearby ones over. Indeed, Rover had found the man, but she also found a ball of water hovering right in front of his palm.
Rover's instincts kicked in and forced her to duck, allowing her to get by with just a few grazed strands of hair. But the man didn't let up, rushing at her with his knife in both hands. Rover backed away from the first thrust, but the man caught up quickly and thrust at her again, forcing Rover to parry it with her dagger.
She'd typically be thrilled about such a situation, as having the opponent's weapon interlocked with her dagger made their movement cumbersome. But his weapon was light and smaller than hers. Rover realized it too late, and thus, the man was able to easily deliver a kick to her abdomen, knocking her away.
She didn't go far, and though the kick hurt, it granted her beneficial information.
"Ack," the man shouted, shaking his foot like he'd stubbed his toe, "that was through a shoe, too! Are you made of iron?"
She smirked. Rover now knew her physical strength was superior to his.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyBOZHK2k2
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByWwN1tftz
"Before we keep going," she started, "what is your name?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWdoTDpkS0
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWq3GDukkzZ
"Hmm? What's this, are you trying to duel me?"
"What else would I be doing!?"
The man lowered his knife for a moment, tapping his chin–
"I decline."
And dashing towards Rover yet again. The split second of rage Rover felt from his response was enough to stun her and allow the man to close the distance. He thrust his knife at her repeatedly, then switched to slashing, the first of which Rover quickly blocked with her rapier. She reacted faster than the man and delivered a kick from the side, but her foot didn't meet with the man's body. Rover looked down and saw the man's free hand open, and a tiny yet dense mass of stone was in between that and her foot.
"Tch!"
She dashed away, shaking her head and clearing her mind, then took the offensive. She poked her rapier at the man, able to stay at a distance where his knife couldn't reach her. The man kept backing away and dodging her thrusts until he collided with a table. Rover smirked, reeling her arm back and stabbing the rapier into the man's leg– but it failed. Instead, the man perfectly blocked the oncoming strike with the flat side of the knife. Rover's eyes widened, the brief moment of disbelief weakening the force she was applying, and allowing to shove her rapier aside. Nonplussed, but more so because of her broken stance, a punch to the face and subsequent kick to the stomach sent Rover rolling across the floor. The glass tore her clothes and dug themselves into her lower legs.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpE4XRXbaf
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXIs1rHLfo
"Hrk! Ahh, this sucks!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86V976Z9gp
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAusZt7rG8y
The prickling pain of dozens of miniature shards lodged into her skin was as oppressive as it was unique. Rover struggled to grit her teeth through it, and more than that, struggled to keep her legs standing straight.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1xd5nVmhE
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ322y7rSLAN
"Phew. Give up now?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIIzdAmJOw
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWNUlsyQjx
"'Course not, just thinking."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAAffN0yv8
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEWaJXStzN
Her rapier was an effective but exploitable tool. She also lost a substantial amount of mobility, and now blood was slowly leaking from her body. The one time she utilized her dagger only led to a counterattack, but that instance was a defensive use.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeS1QHzfNdo
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAT2WbHJOM
The man didn't let her analyze the situation unperturbed. He broke into a sprint, yet again clutching his knife in both hands. But Rover had already sheathed her rapier brandished her dagger, and challenged the man's rush.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBt0bvclGXG
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7dfkzxCxK
The surprise on his face was evident, and he skidded to a stop. Rover weakly slashed at him and the man backed away. She caught the hem of his coat but missed his body. The man didn't rush in again, instead, continuing to back off. He freed one of his hands and began mana expulsion.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jJ3wjgpYq
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7TyaO0bTz
"--Shit!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOC2HwGdy8
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BngR8qGAs
Rover realized how precarious the situation had become. After all, if the very thing locomoting her had been impeded, then evasion became a mountainous task.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84t9Fqq6mi
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4DKfDLevU
The man must have had a similar epiphany.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpWZT7ovHb
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiwBPRIALc
It was a blade of wind this time. It was speedy, but Rover could tell that its strength was far less than the water spell from before. Instead of dodging it, she grabbed her rapier, still in its scabbard, and blocked the spell.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKLgd1RO6S
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXKFAGo7pt
"--Huh?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1SJAxLQgC
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Igt7Josm7
Rover was surprised by her move's effectiveness. Or, rather, she was surprised by how weak the spell was. Then, she lowered the scabbard and looked at the man again, who was preparing a far more voluminous spell.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScRcaDojx7
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0XSjKYIOt
Before she could even react, she was sent flying.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1e5LC8cZev
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCtS7JeAHs
The spell itself didn't hurt her, but the distance she was flung was simply absurd. She flew across the entire floor, only stopping when making contact with the wall. She slid down, rubbing her back when she met with the floor.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZSFDmlhXj
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0VernqisD
"Ngh..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXmtbEfgdJ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTlr8yhM8a
She got on her feet, using the scabbard to help her rise. Her breathing was heavy, and her vision was becoming hazy.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEabn8Wuhe3
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXnQocjfu7
"This just... isn't my day, damn it."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5itaAptdBF
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtq7LW6CXba
"--Rover!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5q5f9TlLWw
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtI3MGUFkvt
And then, she was taken out of her exhaustion, if only for a moment. A familiar voice, yet one that should not be here, called out to her. She turned her head to the person with the voice and saw a red-haired boy with a white coat peeking out of the floor's entrance.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nJ93kPxfG
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVtCRFERLH
"K-Kenny!?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oXRyKkB1F
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBpMZhaH4L
"Rover– goodness, what the hell happened here!? Actually, nevermind that, listen, you–"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPDc9gyY1z
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡac0kUr3dKA
"Sorry, Kenny, I'm in the middle of something here."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhrzQV8lsK
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VLE1StrzQ
She straightened her posture and rubbed the saliva off her chin, limping to continue her fight.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzKHNNB5zm
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6UTfvoG79
"What are you doing!? Look at yourself, you're in no state to fight!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsS6Tsz1lv3
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPaK17urcg
She turned her head to him, conflicted.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzreW9bg9C8
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NrTqFLeZT
"I... So what, I don't need your help! I've got it under control, it's fine."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNyXPSFlE6
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡht1WanU5xa
Kenny grimaced and pinched his nose. Then, the door opened again, and out from the threshold walked a white-haired woman in a robe.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqj6ntfqyJ0
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2wTU8gqDr
"W-who's that," she asked, confusion momentarily overtaking her burning drive.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxISJuDid2w
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPMiUdj4Xx
"Ah, you must be Kenny's friend. We can introduce ourselves later. Please, stand aside for the time being."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgCrwewLhW
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeHhlGMZUy
"H-Huh?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchUMYqPVBw
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdL5pfjOlG
The woman walked with a bold gait, brushing past Rover without even sparing a glance. Kenny ran up to her, gnawing at his finger as he looked over her wounds.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpNShMisQo
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlLwqyaIvb
"You... you are so reckless!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvAHRO7XOC
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUYRIHazee
Then, the boy raised his voice, stunning her.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KFZfi1Nao
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8FjJJYNVO
"Why is fighting the first thing you do, huh!? Can't you use that head of yours for something else!?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxcpAYafHe
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLV5lWO5BYq
His words, to her surprise, slashed at her egregiously.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsh0G15WFGb
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNN3AadVQCj
"...T-The hell are you talking about!? What else was I supposed to do!?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWSTaOT9lV
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQlO4IPM0j
"Didn't you think of waiting, or running back to me or something!? I could have shown him that note! Or, if nothing else, we could have fought together!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyeec7kAlF
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtmMT9sjQr
"--!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQk4kdKsmC
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VpvCNS6QA
His words had left her paralyzed and her mouth agape. Kenny's expression was suddenly tainted by guilt. He exhaled and rubbed his head.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Tr76Zr8zD
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0tQJAIfLC
"Sorry, I'm just a little angry right now. But, I'm glad that you're fine. Relatively speaking."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPRqNmfHnT
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vbJbXOUEp
"I... hmph, of course I'm fine!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJe7qObX81
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCBgAfVObP
A light smile found itself on his face.
"We'll talk later. For now, let's defuse the situation."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEuwvFTkAh
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOTFSp4HWR
Kenny walked past her but stopped just short of passing her to speak.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIuBymL4lt
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡks87nKBbkM
"S-Seriously, though. You have no idea how glad I am that you're still alive. I don't know if I could've handled it."
"...Handled it? What do you mean?"
Kenny blinked a few times and shook his head.
"N-Nevermind, I said something weird, ignore that."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozPVnpno1J
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTz5ocOkcu
Rover turned around, eyeing the two new figures in the room. Kenny was behind the mysterious woman with his tendril out and a bellicose stance. The woman had a peculiar two-pronged dagger. Rover found it strange; she knew that they would be trying to talk the situation out, but they were poised to battle at any moment.
"Pars," the woman spoke, "I'll keep it quick. These two are here to deliver a letter issued by the Zariel Kingdom itself. I know you're a stuck-up guy, but please, don't force me to fight alongside them."
"..."
The man didn't immediately respond, but his posture did loosen.
"Stuck-up? Really? What'd I do to get on your bad side?"
"Oh, come on, you know your sins."
The man sighed.
"Is there a reason I should believe them?"
"Why, yes, there is."
Kenny took it as a cue and reached for his pocket, unfolding and showing the note. The man nodded, opened his coat, and placed the knife in.
"That better be authentic. Not like it matters though. It isn't as if I'd win a fight against you Lola."
–
–
–
I had a lingering anxiety during the exchange. After all, Lola had told me that Pars was an obstinate individual. I was left doubting her assessment. Judging by the look on her face, even she was reconsidering it.
Still, though, a victory was a victory, and it deserved some kind of celebration. I spent mine dropping to the floor, narrowly avoiding the sea of glass and panting as the delayed exhaustion set in.
"Phew... that was nightmarish."
I retracted the tendril and wiped the sweat off my brow. A little this sounded beside me, and I turned to find that Rover had joined in my rest.
"You don't look happy," I said.
"Hmph. I've got a sour taste in my mouth. I dunno how to feel about this."
"Well, be glad you're still kicking, and dread the scolding I'll be dishing to you."
"You already gave me a good one, there's no need to waste your energy."
Then, Rover began to pick the glass out of her legs. It was obvious from her wincing that the process hurt. I didn't have a potion on me, but I did have something to soothe her. I took out the tendril and summoned a Soothe-Bloom. Rover looked at it quizzically.
"...So that's the tendril you were talking about."
"Hmm? Did I not show it to you?"
"No! Don't you remember how much of a priss you were about it!? Eh, forget it, what does that flower do?"
"Just watch. Or, listen, I suppose."
The Soothe-Bloom shook, and a gentle chime rang throughout the room. It was a single and quick occurrence, and it left Rover only more perplexed.
"Alright, try picking the glass now."
"Okay."
Much to her nature, she tugged the largest one she could find, her mouth agape at the speed at which the wound was closing.
"W-Woah, it barely hurts. Is this some kind of black magic?"
"Black magic!? Don't insult my plants like that!"
She paid little heed to my demand, continuing to pluck the glass out of her legs. She finished a few minutes later. I offered to wash her legs with water magic, which she accepted when I insisted. Afterward, she got on her feet. Her leg was still injured, but the bleeding had stopped thanks to the Soothe-Bloom.
"I feel... kinda tired, though."
"You just fought somebody and had your wounds speed-healed. I'm surprised you didn't fall asleep."
"Huh? That flower knocks people out?"
"No. Not directly, at least. Anyway, enough of that."
I got up, swiped the debris off my shorts, and walked to Lola and Pars, moving around all the toppled furniture. The two of them were talking about something, but from the little bit I caught, I couldn't distinguish what.
"Hello, kid," Pars started, "Kenny, right? Look, I don't want you to get the wrong idea from Lola here. I'm a decent guy, just a hard worker. She likes to ignore that part, though, which–"
"I do not care about that. I just wanted to know if you two were ready to lead us to the Dean."
Lola let out a chuckle and Pars, a tired sigh. Lola took the initiative in the conversation.
"Don't mind him, he's still young. Whenever your friend is ready, we'll gladly lead you."
I turned my head behind me and looked at Rover. I threw her an oscillating thumb, asking her for an assessment of her condition. She smiled and returned a stern thumbs-up.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU17vn4dRtH
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvPs3fSOCz
"Looks like we're ready. If you don't mind, though, could you please get her some bandages?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmmegM2OS1
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3wdLnYfdm
–
–
–164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tvCCsr5L8
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKVA7jh1mU
Rover and I were at the final stretch. We were walking through the floors of the building like it was a morning stroll, all thanks to our guides. Truly, if it weren't for them, we would have gotten hopelessly lost.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3qfB1imHN
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFVuWYn0N5
According to Pars, the interior of the Pillars was designed to disorient those unfamiliar with it. Rover spoke from her experience and confirmed that the design worked. The Pillars were perfectly defended from the outside, but hiring someone to infuse their mana for every square inch of the building was an impossible proposition. So, instead, the builders were ordered to make each floor– with the first being a notable exception –like a maze. The walls were also stuffed with foam, which explained how I didn't catch any noise from Rover's fight until I reached the stairs.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWopmNRDR8
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrgHjysjrJ
Speaking of Rover, she was glum, moody, and seemingly deep in rumination. I thought that it had something to do with her pride since she scratched at her bandages very frequently, but it turned out that they were just made of shoddy fabric that normally irritated skin. I realized that I was overthinking and that it would be best to just ask her, but I hesitated to do it. The mood was gloomy, however. If nothing else, I could claim I was just trying to liven the place up.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OBNRXA2EA
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCJ4D7eXEw
"So... Rover, what's on your mind?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9uEM1aNDJ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwH3HaBFxvj
"I'm thinking about what you said. Don't talk to me right now."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZJhodmbfI
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuzDTyPxi5
"O-Oh. Carry on, then."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzx4ukBABzZ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBZD2Owybb
I was shot down quickly and was left feeling sheepish. Somehow, hearing that she was thinking over my words was foreboding. It scared me into being silent, but I still wanted to talk about something, since simply talking and walking through these floors was nerve-wracking.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JMzhOBI7s
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCGEO2LEp8
So, I decided that now was a better time than ever to ask a question that had been plaguing me for hours.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe34K2UdhZw
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFS337ChjYR
"Hey, Lola, do you mind if I ask that question I was talking about?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhruCqmuziG
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKHLmUknb3
"Hmm? What are you referring to?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdD5yRXQuR
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeG4IYbDt8d
"...Nevermind. Can I ask you a question?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvARvm05X7c
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHVBqT1n3Y
"Of course."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojLSALIOxo
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL579B7jzQK
"Hey," Pars interrupted, "Why don't you ask me that question? Come on, give me a try."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vU6O6IzPy
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwTjUavHoa
I blinked a few times, failing to see any reason why not.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVebIZZWXYt
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWWtkwUscd
"Very well. What is going on to make the security so tight?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLBV6CW8h3
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxwTCpiIdt
"..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3XgPkUfV4
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eoEZvHzHP
I was met with silence. Lola and Pars exchanged looks, Pars' expression grim.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRcyDYct04
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxvcVjO63a
"Since they are delivering to the Dean, why don't we–"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBJIgwuirZ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiEIqE5PYd
"No. We have been explicitly told not to share. I won't make any exceptions."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SRv2n91z6
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjUjiXhcNw
Lola frowned and let out a tired sigh, rubbing her brow.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo68zZMtY3E
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8BtPgXwn5
"If you can't answer, that's fine. It would ease my anxiety if you did, though."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhjHQWMyM0
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbZfWn4awN
"Then I suppose I have no choice."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNWJ0FBltL
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoaP1XfLMe
"Lola! Are you kidding me!?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUNbV04HTC
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWV4TsMwf7f
Pars glared at Lola, his hazel eyes lit aflame.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzcpXkLXcN
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu83ISP8lCs
"What? They aren't citizens anyhow, they're unlikely to spread the information."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooj3veAS2H
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi58HVUY40e
"That's beside the point! We were told not to tell them!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuxVJIqk8P
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LDbp8k9f0
"You are such a priss, Pars."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyK3GzYCSK1
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfj5IOgF7yX
I perked up, hearing that word from someone that wasn't Rover. It was ultimately a coincidence, so I just kept listening.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQEV8ei5HN
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZShn7x6IyK
"Hurl your insults, but we can't tell them anything. Even if it wasn't demanded, what if they told everyone in Zariel Capitol, hmm?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡic6acAI9Tw
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85ZOVyjbEC
"That won't happen, and I know you know that."
"Yeah yeah. But it might."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWR4kDytHLS
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckhW4Fd3Dc
Though I didn't see her face, I could by the movement of her head that Lola rolled her eyes.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYnHzAcxqR
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThDZ67OEzx
"I'm going to tell them."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRZP5WO0BU
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lOPEBTq0o
"Don't you do it."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJW2ZUxQkqL
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZa4LbTCvQc
"Listen up, Kenny. The reason for the increase in security–"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZeFFRzHad
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ABCflFEf4
"Lola, I'm for real about this."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJDZfnosdE
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9BwFW558e
"--is because of a series of assassinations."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK44uiZerVM
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvN4BSnGuR3
Pars let out an exhausted, lengthy groan. Lola leaned in beside my ear, not giving me a chance to digest the information.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGR72RfCZC1
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXZ6Dd9eBd
"Pars is a pushover, too. Watch, he won't do a thing."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFyI8CxHnD
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaFreVEKPJ
"...Well, cat's out of the bag, so I might as well elaborate. Don't want the kid thinking I'm all fussy too."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAFTJ1yfKx
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeKk0q5fnr
Lola's eyes widened. An overwhelming quantity of thoughts were swerving in my mind, but at the very least, I could be sure to never trust Lola's assessments of people's character.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTElAID0JG
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74P8wcblZe
"Lola told the truth. There was a series of assassinations just a week ago that happened right under our noses. Assassinations are naturally a cause for concern, but the people who were assassinated are why security is so tight right now."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmx12kI0CyY
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwZfSxdxHK
"Uh, well, who got killed?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyr2VF1FSyu
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdV6spfLA1Z
"Three of the four Sherrifs, and three of the eight Officers. Some of the strongest defenders the city has to offer, and half of them were killed. Some of them were my friends, too."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicWbmAj0uQ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXeGpTxKFi
His voice became sullen. I was about to comfort him, but he continued speaking before I could.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CKbdKI6FQ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuJxyXwvfT
"I'm an Officer, and Lola here is a Sherrif. Since we're prime targets, we've been living in this Pillar for the past few days, having the Head Guards on watch duty. The other pillars are in a similar situation. Let me tell you, this place sucks to crash in."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1qqBOx5Kc
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsoz9ZThrB
"I-I see."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFwcs1NMhx
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGR0tePqAJG
The explanation put everyone's behavior into perspective. Frankly, it made me surprised that they believed me and Rover so readily, even with the letter. I felt lucky.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBYfHs27i9
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhNOComp4h
"The worst part is that we don't have any suspects, let alone culprits," Lola spoke, "It's been nothing but hassle and heartbreak."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpdkfbsTKV
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjUvJfEQUu
"...You have my condolences."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgAisDz8fA
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60RXbgqCaA
"Thank you, Kenny. You're sweet."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrZElDvhb9
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGurMLlTPok
"Mmm."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdw3e86YuEG
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQywL2S8cW1
I suddenly began to admonish myself for the previous frustrations I had about this mission. I cleaned my slate and loosened my muscles.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXqvjI2iHk
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQUYu6Aqld
"Alright, we've made it.'
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6skPo1up3e
And then, we stood before a set of double doors. Not particularly grand, but certainly not shabby. There was a plaque above it with "Dean's Office" written in bold.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRc3JPO1I1w
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXGPSmJmtB
"I'll ease us in," Pars said, "It's time to utilize my expert charisma."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtFQ0LoInd
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6USvZHJdo
"You need to stop talking," Lola replied in a deadpan while Pars flung the doors open. Lola walked into the room. Rover and I followed, but I stopped right beside Pars while Rover went ahead. It looked like he was on the brink of tears, but erased the look once he noticed I was looking at him.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCCXnvRLIz
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfidRw6xEq
"Hey, Kenny. Do you think I'm unfunny?" He asked, pointing a finger at his chest.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKX43GIA5PR
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKDsRbMQWo
"...Well, you haven't made me laugh."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RYI5uZ09Y
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0kYlwWGTv
"Come on, kid. I can't even get a 'yet?'"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQF95Int1FK
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRSB3PTft3
I shook my head and walked away from him, rejoining with the others. They were standing before a lengthy and opulent desk. An older man flipping through documents and stacks of paper stopped his activities to look up at us, raising an eyebrow.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKo6JZn6vB
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACv2xBlpRa
"Sherrif Nico, you bring along unfamiliar faces. I assume that they are here for good reason?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0KjhNJSHC
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxH8x391wGN
"Of course, sir. Here, you two, give him what you must."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjc2HdvnIcU
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHcWR1jNWY
She signaled me and Rover to pull out our cargo, and we obliged. I grabbed the package from Rover's hands and delivered it with the note on top, placing it on the Dean's desk.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLSqX7PysK
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12a76ZTfSi
"..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVfDjBkVSm
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTk2FkkR9ri
He looked at me as if he was expecting something. I realized that he likely wanted elaboration.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiuGyYZC6h
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCAQGcjYFv
"U-Uhm, we're here on official business, sent by the Zariel Kingdom. All necessary information should be listed in the note, and–"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTxgie7qeD
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWz0mnSo2t
"I see, thank you. I'll see to the letter being delivered."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QX1QtPRMu
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQifhkUnPY
The man took the package and placed it aside, giving me a novel smile.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Pk0vUXyVy
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBfOhpcETe
"You two are free to go. Sheriff Nico, Officer Abbas, please escort them back."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2yq1XHOzS
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBUtFNtyGj
I looked back at Rover, who was brimming with a giant smile. I couldn't help but copy it. I walked up to her and held my palm up, and she slapped it powerfully.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzi4H5dtaDk
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIq16TmFE2
"Nice," she shouted, "Good job," I yelled. We weren't quite in sync, but our points crossed over.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvkBUs6XrS
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLqfbqzpsw
We had completed the mission.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGdfNaqnNt
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYAF1l48H7
–
–
–
The trek back was quiet but laden with good spirits. Rover and I commemorated our job well done with silent exchanges of looks and gesticulations. We separated with Pars and Lola once we reached the first floor, and Rover and I practically sprinted to the exit.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UQbIdf6pm
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iaBi9tKk8
When we got out, we were blasted by fresh air and a breath-taking sunset. It was so invigorating that I didn't even pant from the running. Truly, it was the best of times.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgX8Dm1rJF
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGbT7ksDUH
"One last high-five, Kenny!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqqphQHxU9
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjBz6MJVLs
"Alright alright, geez."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNasC70OYq
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYoUG1TFtQ
Despite my tone, I reciprocated the gesture with a smile.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjinb6CTZv
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ801KeL2Vhs
"I can't wait to see Juke's face," Rover continued, "He's gonna look like a such a dolt."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡos6sacVqfZ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBogbBp9Yo
"I'm just glad that we're done. Let's meet up with him and leave this place."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvCsLu56Rh
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXk62RbU4h
Nodding along to my suggestion, Rover and I began to exit the premises of the Pillar. Mason wasn't here, and neither was anyone by the fence, but that didn't deter the start of our footslog. We passed through the tiny gated entrance and traversed the streets. Surprisingly, the hustle and bustle I've grown accustomed to was absent, but I was in such a good mood that I didn't bother to think about it.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebtzSN6wce
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5xDUTeSTL
"...This is quite convenient. I feel like I'm flying, and nobody's here to block me."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6ME4MfK7b
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GAZNKxrgC
"Huh? What are you talking about?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPj68axeA4
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUVvbDKxF1
"I'm talking about the crowd, or the lack thereof I suppose. It's nice, being able to travel here with some peace and quiet."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyBMOdwCRr
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBC3XGtM2Qt
She looked conflicted about my statement.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAhuVvha6S
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GDLI0VJC6
"I dunno, it just feels creepy to me, but I can see where you're coming from."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6c31x8TCjd
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVCPCx22cD
"Our dispositions are just too different. It's not much of an issue."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7BaktAAYI
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIsz6Z28CK
"Dispositions...? What?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPthn5k8j8Y
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADCuM2LWto
"Uh... our natures, basically."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzURJoNoneK
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqV8LgftMrQ
"Ah, why didn't you just say that then!?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJCoYbgwQM
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRhmQfY8Gp
I answered her with a shrug, which elicited a stern huff out of her. We walked in silence afterward, giving me a chance to mull over her words.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAl9FBkbutW
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMLFkIpQWF
I could understand why she would think it was creepy, especially considering how busy it was not too long ago. But at the same time, it was the evening, so it made sense.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlYqBHlCjr
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweelVSYWyf
But, as I briefly looked into the passing alleyways, failing to spot a single soul, I wondered if the time of day was the whole picture.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qWTOTMcZJ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDB6t86caE4
"Hey, Kenny, I think I made up my mind."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2boiE8v3Ld
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0d6ITHMaf
She pulled me out of my rumination.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWwwXoTrLg
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJ2y9PEvOA
"About what?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1B9x2vMe5r
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNbxQX3Tf1
"About what you said."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXRu283t6G
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74eVy6Awu8
A speck of dread entered my body, but I kept my ears open all the same.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBfZrZgDZt
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPseHYL1xA
"Well, what is it?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vubLdWdTs
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScbmOLZgWQ
"See, when you said that thing about fighting the guy together, that stumped me. I already told you that I used to only work alone, so it didn't even cross my mind."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMFWaiSHhi
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CZECRYLjv
"Right."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWhaCGzNFC
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrHxmWnr3R
"So I decided that I'm gonna consider the idea. If I can, then I'll gladly work with people. I just hope that it won't have to be with a priss. If it is, then I'd rather not work with anybody."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IkoQ6g2xp
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVwin8EAWq
"..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XbaGHiGaB
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzvylASmwA
Somehow, I was left disappointed. Certainly, I was glad that she opened her mind to the idea of collaboration, but I was upset that she didn't address any aspect of her recklessness. Her wording struck me as dubious. 'Consider the idea?' Really? I set those thoughts aside, and for this one moment, I let it slide. I didn't want to trample upon either of our moods. Instead, I shot her a thumbs-up with a neutral expression.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX83Ex0j0vP
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZFebgXA7H
"That's great."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLsuI24LE3
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oBjVVe3Jk
She thumped her chest proudly. And so, we returned to silently roaming the streets, moseying down to our inn–
"Kenny."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflGI3o55J9
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgKZcbRvFc
"Uh, what's the matter?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lblemowrZ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BOyKkTejb
Rover suddenly stopped moving and called my name. Her face was grave. It made my hair stand at its end.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbwov8ijk8
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KK9sAGPmo
"Don't you hear that?" She asked, curling her palm around the back of her ear. I copied the gesture, but still, the silent street remained the same.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVmT8Km9Fa
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaejyOgnRx
"I can't say that I do."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pppkrCdX9
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVBhOz76zN
Her face morphed into one of irritation. She suddenly clasped my arm and began to drag me away.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5JtABtxbz
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNWLiJfsOU
"W-Woah, what are you doing!?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVp6OSsELKj
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspTg5Jp4EA
"Just trust me here!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CkskazOZS
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaMpsCv41D
Her sentence, mixed with a pleading one with gravity, shut me up. She let go of her grip, but I followed her to wherever it was that she was taking me. We diverted from the main street, weaving between alleyways and even climbing walls. And, as I progressed further and further into the depths of the city, I began to hear a noise.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAidTn0ZcCz
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrjsDVScFK
It sounded like chatter.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjay6Fl0XE
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFMxWEiREt
Tens of minutes passed by the time we finished. Rover stopped by the edge of an alley, motioning me to do the same. I peeked around the corner and laid eyes upon a plaza brimming with people. The sheer number was overwhelming, likely in the hundreds– no, even in the thousands. I couldn't make an accurate assessment, so I gave up on it, instead focusing on the surroundings. I noticed that the crowed had gathered around a stage. The stage had dozens of figures in robes.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5C8E61XtM
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1gwbS5jsz
"Kenny, wait here."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyNN1Bch6m
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVhHJuiNif
"Huh? Why?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GOgp6Ci95
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcEojL7gY0
She didn't respond. Instead, she crept out of the alley and took a left turn. I heard a thud, and a minute later, she returned with an unconscious body locked between her elbows.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81EUrjAnRl
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbu8MKgcIW
"W-Wha–"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFS4D9EFuHF
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JCh6EGf4m
"Shhh! Shut up!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqFNwNcHmW
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBOd6UPCxJ
I wanted to protest, but the appearance of the robe caught my eye. It was lengthy fitted with a hood. But, most of all, I noticed its distinct dark blue color. Rather, it was a distinct color until I laid my eyes on it at that moment.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejZugkcLNs
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡralWjDBaRQ
"This is..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡei9CIG8bU2
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtREaE2klnN
"Something fishy is going on here."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdv6JybfdAg
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMUjXNFAnI
I couldn't voice the connection I made, but my mind still thought it, and it horrified me. It paralyzed me and left me standing there like a fool. Rover paid no heed to it. She likely thought that I was spectating the ceremony, much like herself. I couldn't call her assessment inaccurate.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeD488HKzkU
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCXWJix3nP
Two halves of my brain worked separately. One focused on the robe, the other, on the stage. A woman in baggy clothing walked up to the podium, the crowd quieted down.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsH5bbvlKs
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlko4hOEOoB
"Alright, can you all hear me?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgW1HF6oI7
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbuS3i7LLT
I noticed that around her baggy clothing, she wore the same robe. No, it wasn't the same robe as this random man, but the one robe that I truly had seen before, the one robe that I associated with an entirely different person. It was the robe–
"I don't want to waste my time, so I'll keep it brief. I am Hard-Bringer's Harbinger of Rage, and we're seizing this city!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqjUeMnrZY
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hf0g60L90
It was the same robe that Ng wore.
