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."22Please respect copyright.PENANAk0TRBfCEoa
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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?22Please respect copyright.PENANARfeRLYS3NC
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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."22Please respect copyright.PENANAri29VKmy4A
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"That's not true at all–"22Please respect copyright.PENANAfI12XSpKVw
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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..."22Please respect copyright.PENANABUNgnri1XF
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I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.22Please respect copyright.PENANAjjPgY8zBKu
22Please respect copyright.PENANAyCxSJyrlxW
"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!?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAPGFI4NsSQQ
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I fell to my knees.22Please respect copyright.PENANAPO8RBj650u
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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..."22Please respect copyright.PENANAIkHb8ae9Hc
22Please respect copyright.PENANAv34yXe0oiY
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAwSEL7yJMi8
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"...Kenny."22Please respect copyright.PENANAQCqacrJFaP
22Please respect copyright.PENANA9hsx61OHUG
"What!?"22Please respect copyright.PENANA8wVXpJshIH
22Please respect copyright.PENANAyqMHqpWNAl
He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.22Please respect copyright.PENANAirfzDXtyaO
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"You're not lying to me, are you?"22Please respect copyright.PENANASuGGduEJcf
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The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.22Please respect copyright.PENANAd1f4FWLq1m
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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."
...22Please respect copyright.PENANAy1oV2SY4Rr
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I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?22Please respect copyright.PENANAaZ8auFMDBG
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I'm not... I'm not doing that, am I? What I'm doing, it's just to preserve what I have, right?22Please respect copyright.PENANAB2gBUvNyYC
22Please respect copyright.PENANAEl0Sjz17ri
"N-No..."22Please respect copyright.PENANAGt6HLqEsVR
22Please respect copyright.PENANAjOOCE1qJv6
Oh, God.22Please respect copyright.PENANAEVuwcpIaaF
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Oh, God.22Please respect copyright.PENANABjTF5lVr4z
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"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"22Please respect copyright.PENANAXrrLFqx1uR
22Please respect copyright.PENANAjCDPTJYzPE
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAg0rR3TTbDT
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But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.22Please respect copyright.PENANAzNtEXWiS42
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"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."22Please respect copyright.PENANAVRhwZspIJ4
22Please respect copyright.PENANAC774gxx8fg
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAHXNQxfSp7S
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But if I went back then what if it goes wrong? What if I go back and I see that I've truly failed? What if I go back and I see her– her–22Please respect copyright.PENANAEMWbCrvyvN
22Please respect copyright.PENANAR8jVj96aG4
"--Hrk!"22Please respect copyright.PENANARcywo4Oest
22Please respect copyright.PENANA30rZMmOnp6
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANA8MuJJ4T4tl
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One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.22Please respect copyright.PENANALlWu27rjJI
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"There you are."22Please respect copyright.PENANA5s8oUtM7od
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Ng already found me, huh?22Please respect copyright.PENANAppKrxQVBSU
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"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"22Please respect copyright.PENANABHv3cUdYzR
22Please respect copyright.PENANAh6KPUToEbH
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–22Please respect copyright.PENANATn8TdC81DJ
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"...Fine."22Please respect copyright.PENANAIOJ4omJHFb
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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.22Please respect copyright.PENANALIyPkvh5H0
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"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAZAFRW9DsmW
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Nevermind. What a strange question.22Please respect copyright.PENANAGDWSLU7Tc1
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"No. They died a long time ago."22Please respect copyright.PENANAf6T1FozLpD
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"I see. You have my condolences."22Please respect copyright.PENANA9Tt7bHoETm
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"I don't need them."22Please respect copyright.PENANAWEFm2EOs0f
22Please respect copyright.PENANATYmuvBmtbX
A pause.22Please respect copyright.PENANA5KTcY5fVuR
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"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAVrjdNZ7Xnf
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"..."22Please respect copyright.PENANAdFRipygyTE
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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.22Please respect copyright.PENANA8ocGYBqgIY
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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.22Please respect copyright.PENANA8tSY0FPflz
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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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAmhnkjEIRiP
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"Did I–"22Please respect copyright.PENANAK6FgunEVNg
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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."22Please respect copyright.PENANAZCpaLcdaPD
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"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"22Please respect copyright.PENANA5wo5MpENLG
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I had to make sure I heard him.22Please respect copyright.PENANA8zljGOT9sa
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"Assistants?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAdixlbxpEow
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"Of course. I can still use the mana here to make some. It doesn't have to be anything powerful, just enough to grab Kim while you're fighting Jeremiah."22Please respect copyright.PENANAjEcz1ccneU
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"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."22Please respect copyright.PENANAQBkUgDcdoK
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"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."22Please respect copyright.PENANA3FgqkFjQ9d
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"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."22Please respect copyright.PENANAXHbDkUkPem
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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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAMtF4AHdK5d
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Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.22Please respect copyright.PENANAZFJKfRDF9k
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"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"22Please respect copyright.PENANAgzYctPx10U
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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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAMuNiYimxPL
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Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.22Please respect copyright.PENANAHmUOje20mX
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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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAQ4FGzb8B88
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"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAaVy9AJKxK2
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"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."22Please respect copyright.PENANAQ674gsp2V6
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"Of course."22Please respect copyright.PENANAu9wy0GZpbr
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"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAHnEE5IXfZc
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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."22Please respect copyright.PENANApiFJzGhInK
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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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAcCBJ7EBuVO
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But, no, something else was bugging me.22Please respect copyright.PENANA3TEVegPOWN
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"How did you know where to find us here?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAROtnlnw2Qq
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"I simply spent the day searching."22Please respect copyright.PENANAcC6eOwhsjz
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"The whole day?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAEe5xwqzUyg
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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."22Please respect copyright.PENANAvc9X4SVlmF
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Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?22Please respect copyright.PENANArOthhszpHk
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"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."22Please respect copyright.PENANAeb96junEtK
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He sighed.22Please respect copyright.PENANAe4xmYnZLHN
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"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAHbh6Wap78d
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"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"22Please respect copyright.PENANA467iNK4x9X
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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."22Please respect copyright.PENANAJT1e9l6oGi
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"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"22Please respect copyright.PENANA0QQhcR22yw
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"...Why do you ask?"22Please respect copyright.PENANA8i33iVK8lf
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"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."22Please respect copyright.PENANA7ehiqv9ZG4
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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.22Please respect copyright.PENANArvoXeH67td
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"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAZITSiYO0Lh
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"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAo2TAfIUn1N
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"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."22Please respect copyright.PENANAYpbfNHMTrh
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"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."22Please respect copyright.PENANAVMEzU00Pmv
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"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAQHS2VvYifa
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"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAPWSkrBhh3y
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He put a hand to his chin.22Please respect copyright.PENANAMqm2ABM8nS
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"...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."22Please respect copyright.PENANAIzW0PPIi24
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"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAQVPERdX3c1
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"No."22Please respect copyright.PENANA1uk8egvJWz
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"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAGOvX9h2Qmk
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"Do you mean in the woods?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAUiYP3RWCaL
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"Yes. I'm just curious."22Please respect copyright.PENANAUvFSutxjMZ
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"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."22Please respect copyright.PENANAwU5012kmUB
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I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.22Please respect copyright.PENANAGdJ7tHVgXF
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"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."22Please respect copyright.PENANApA17ZtGkZe
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"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."22Please respect copyright.PENANAwAzogmpHpA
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"Me too."22Please respect copyright.PENANA6GzAZCEOIm
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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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAsbKkui5hOj
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"Is that all you wanted to ask?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAf7KA7WAuif
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"Yes. For now, at least."22Please respect copyright.PENANAFkimPMME18
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"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."22Please respect copyright.PENANABsv0eZEP0G
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"..."22Please respect copyright.PENANA63Xi2RMzfI
22Please respect copyright.PENANAip09D5EXB4
It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.22Please respect copyright.PENANAjFvETVxW12
22Please respect copyright.PENANAhrpoRqfFFr
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAgrf2WTjTiH
22Please respect copyright.PENANAykH3dW4yey
"...Huh?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAS5REJlaBuR
22Please respect copyright.PENANA3WCz99sydh
–
–
–
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANABC4xouT90I
22Please respect copyright.PENANAZSwSLd1TTL
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAhpNChvvsyo
22Please respect copyright.PENANASFIfW7JePB
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAU86OgeDMaH
22Please respect copyright.PENANAIKNF3uJPD7
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.22Please respect copyright.PENANA9HJWfs6u6H
22Please respect copyright.PENANAleuesoEnkH
"Good morning, Kenny."22Please respect copyright.PENANATOoNNbhraz
22Please respect copyright.PENANAeRlAFrc61M
"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAVLzyYgng0V
22Please respect copyright.PENANAJ4pA8ZdjaH
"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."22Please respect copyright.PENANAcS4wSE4aZ1
22Please respect copyright.PENANAkUIzCDaGtR
When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.22Please respect copyright.PENANA4ioCttElDX
22Please respect copyright.PENANA8lBDAk4kKz
"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.22Please respect copyright.PENANArFXiGZomQD
22Please respect copyright.PENANAFe1kTm2udn
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"22Please respect copyright.PENANANK3qsvPPtE
22Please respect copyright.PENANAFchGsQMjh0
"Yes! I have, ha!"22Please respect copyright.PENANAk8jKehCWXV
22Please respect copyright.PENANA2jJk9na3xf
She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.22Please respect copyright.PENANAjbGPI4ql7y
22Please respect copyright.PENANAzhhPyvoQKy
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."22Please respect copyright.PENANAJz1h3id7Fg
22Please respect copyright.PENANA5MPe94WxVt
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.22Please respect copyright.PENANAhQBkxYNtCG
22Please respect copyright.PENANAUwQaU2zwos
"Thank you, teacher."22Please respect copyright.PENANAJ0GdiWJkLN
22Please respect copyright.PENANAjKLPbAaVji
"Yeah. Don't call me that."22Please respect copyright.PENANA5mFY3Bh5Gt
22Please respect copyright.PENANAIE8qSWIO4C
"Okay."22Please respect copyright.PENANARtTDlDav2e
22Please respect copyright.PENANAUjlTLCtnLS
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.22Please respect copyright.PENANAvwBE81VHDZ
22Please respect copyright.PENANAoHuYDPuDJA
"Hm? What's wrong?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAkuzJxtBS9W
22Please respect copyright.PENANANTFoaTXE3Q
"Um..."22Please respect copyright.PENANAPJrhflpZMa
22Please respect copyright.PENANAjRUggSJQZZ
She let go of me and began taking off the coat.22Please respect copyright.PENANAmXvabzwoE6
22Please respect copyright.PENANA5irP253NY1
"Here. Have it back."22Please respect copyright.PENANAIWILIydP65
22Please respect copyright.PENANA7Tevab9Aiy
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."22Please respect copyright.PENANAOtaiIkztxa
22Please respect copyright.PENANAeTLnOr2wRP
She shook her head no.22Please respect copyright.PENANAze9U1DqLsC
22Please respect copyright.PENANA8JeXVmVyf0
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."22Please respect copyright.PENANAGpwdAQFn02
22Please respect copyright.PENANAC8cvQui1xf
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.22Please respect copyright.PENANAVTUTLLj5Bh
22Please respect copyright.PENANAoLkRNzdtK4
"Thank you, Flinty."22Please respect copyright.PENANAWa2IcfQiUO
22Please respect copyright.PENANAA1MGhIU2pz
I grabbed the coat and put it back on.22Please respect copyright.PENANAgVvPnygOtP
22Please respect copyright.PENANArdkLAREiKo
"Kenny, do you feel better?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAdyhyQi1bRN
22Please respect copyright.PENANAliag0SDHTD
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.22Please respect copyright.PENANAv17cokdA4j
22Please respect copyright.PENANA0rNQLsGXyx
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."22Please respect copyright.PENANAyYfK8pLoVZ
22Please respect copyright.PENANAIuWmmaxHMM
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."22Please respect copyright.PENANAs1cMi6aEXL
22Please respect copyright.PENANALukA2Vr1RP
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.22Please respect copyright.PENANAdcZeVpG05W
22Please respect copyright.PENANAEaj37WGw1D
"Good morning, Kenny."22Please respect copyright.PENANAlrhaknDHK8
22Please respect copyright.PENANA14ArGH3Hb9
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."22Please respect copyright.PENANA3RSrsyiVxL
22Please respect copyright.PENANAkevGYY5eH4
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAWIT86Knmm0
22Please respect copyright.PENANA8C7y60iS2w
"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAyWZV6Wvh9s
22Please respect copyright.PENANApera7tuJOJ
I scooted closer to him.22Please respect copyright.PENANAhtafVpvod4
22Please respect copyright.PENANAxP1rSpcT0c
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAN6VSqG9HPj
22Please respect copyright.PENANAjKoTaTy8QN
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."22Please respect copyright.PENANAqIYmGeOVzX
22Please respect copyright.PENANAuOCg7e1gvh
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAf2woDopHcf
22Please respect copyright.PENANAsRMzfrf3bC
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."22Please respect copyright.PENANATB9ma3lV14
22Please respect copyright.PENANA3bZP9Ti36d
He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.22Please respect copyright.PENANAsSZHJ769FM
22Please respect copyright.PENANAbC7SjOU3y1
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."22Please respect copyright.PENANAmqapplWpjX
22Please respect copyright.PENANAThItm3R9D0
"What?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAJOW1lmqRmK
22Please respect copyright.PENANAF4s4YU4wta
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."22Please respect copyright.PENANAjqtAWad5VD
22Please respect copyright.PENANAuKWR8Q9WeP
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAWyZRYXJljD
22Please respect copyright.PENANAGIP3KgEtN5
"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."22Please respect copyright.PENANA0zmNvmGlH9
22Please respect copyright.PENANA7v5ZL1yBNa
"R-Right."22Please respect copyright.PENANAKP0fsktIzl
22Please respect copyright.PENANAGiT6SB2jU1
"Well then, shall we go?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAfcuUO72h2i
22Please respect copyright.PENANAhwWmkUasmI
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.22Please respect copyright.PENANAIzgnYYUF9P
22Please respect copyright.PENANAqJQpvNs71Z
"Alright."22Please respect copyright.PENANAj2k4Qd4Ubd
22Please respect copyright.PENANAmcp9WAti7A
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAlvFlizTQFT
22Please respect copyright.PENANAXUIyiKp3e6
"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."22Please respect copyright.PENANAXnNXR9K9rm
22Please respect copyright.PENANAgdF0on6UAA
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAedG7WQ4zmk
22Please respect copyright.PENANAXnmBsLeOSw
"What?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAYzhdWFbm0H
22Please respect copyright.PENANAnl0tXPbSVQ
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."22Please respect copyright.PENANAhK5DJsspwa
22Please respect copyright.PENANAnGeMJNRXz8
"I know he will."22Please respect copyright.PENANAPZJhLSyFVk
22Please respect copyright.PENANA015tNIZSYi
"Then why are you shaking?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAUghNI9gC8i
22Please respect copyright.PENANAp7G2OI9MdU
"...I just can't help myself."22Please respect copyright.PENANAhqppW0Is30
22Please respect copyright.PENANA6LMmpdL76f
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANApW0hswe2Ku
22Please respect copyright.PENANAf3JFd9g8bR
"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAnmme493vGC
22Please respect copyright.PENANAfzofPrVhF2
"What do you want to talk about?"22Please respect copyright.PENANA7mys8D7rdf
22Please respect copyright.PENANAGmQrgFe6af
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"22Please respect copyright.PENANABm2KdvY5Xa
22Please respect copyright.PENANATk3FHzJiej
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."22Please respect copyright.PENANAqbt5qqfCHx
22Please respect copyright.PENANAFVmxB0bNLy
"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."22Please respect copyright.PENANA7UfyatIiQB
22Please respect copyright.PENANAClpycqKxIF
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAO8rq9WM9w5
22Please respect copyright.PENANA5iybPjndPM
"Ha!"22Please respect copyright.PENANA8d9dlbpVSR
22Please respect copyright.PENANAA5lV7zQhKE
She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.22Please respect copyright.PENANAUeH6LuksT9
22Please respect copyright.PENANArfRj18FYJx
"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!"22Please respect copyright.PENANAc8R0ETXNob
22Please respect copyright.PENANAt4r35K87Iy
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAtSzM2Q8vfE
22Please respect copyright.PENANAmy63tAYS75
"Hehe, something like that."22Please respect copyright.PENANA3KKWWfRljX
22Please respect copyright.PENANAfsZFvSO4FW
She didn't sound confident.22Please respect copyright.PENANANd5BHztj3P
22Please respect copyright.PENANA09ohLbtrhM
"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."22Please respect copyright.PENANA6XsiIPSaHb
22Please respect copyright.PENANAunKnbVLUOW
"Ah. That makes sense."22Please respect copyright.PENANAFiju7x7aPv
22Please respect copyright.PENANAZF1KyQDwQd
I was very close to saying something insensitive.22Please respect copyright.PENANAU0ewrsDc7k
22Please respect copyright.PENANAICzZqZRG2H
"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."22Please respect copyright.PENANA8AQ8JjISuA
22Please respect copyright.PENANAJkN9YwNZmu
"...Wolf?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAw5iwVyr67D
22Please respect copyright.PENANAEoKkhNYAq6
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAvSigNonK3H
22Please respect copyright.PENANA4cUT57rls7
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?22Please respect copyright.PENANAAGDF2X8Xx0
22Please respect copyright.PENANAk8dzZaYSbO
"Kenny?"22Please respect copyright.PENANATQEefcSIt2
22Please respect copyright.PENANAINwKJ3x0jr
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANALbHHKt8xEQ
22Please respect copyright.PENANA0lsbOEyKaR
I stood up and walked forward.22Please respect copyright.PENANAZrsk0ZRJCW
22Please respect copyright.PENANAW2rlTjVD3I
"Kenny? What's wrong?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAOXavqEDgox
22Please respect copyright.PENANAx5oN3lpIWW
"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."22Please respect copyright.PENANAPP13B4SPo4
22Please respect copyright.PENANATCrXSp78eC
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAnoQT816pVr
22Please respect copyright.PENANASlQSml74jl
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANA5W36wjhujz
22Please respect copyright.PENANAV6ZEOlFg20
And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.22Please respect copyright.PENANAVvmveDmE4F
22Please respect copyright.PENANAjWCjaNg0Xr
**BANG**22Please respect copyright.PENANA6DvrReR8jO
22Please respect copyright.PENANAPyEM0UWmkx
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAUQpfyf5doX
22Please respect copyright.PENANAu6cSAcwfOK
"Victoria."22Please respect copyright.PENANADszpx1m6b0
22Please respect copyright.PENANALvVYMYc6bY
"Right."22Please respect copyright.PENANA5THPMkd84q
22Please respect copyright.PENANAq8SnFZbkb4
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANA4yvsRytJ3a
22Please respect copyright.PENANAHMAxfGPtbq
**SMASH**22Please respect copyright.PENANAtcMbRbRLW1
22Please respect copyright.PENANAgg8BHZugXs
There he was.22Please respect copyright.PENANADXqRZpVh8G
22Please respect copyright.PENANAUgT3wEn2Ik
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAD8Rm9hdbSd
22Please respect copyright.PENANAGJH0aVJapB
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAhJx5rB5t8M
22Please respect copyright.PENANANfJtTWbwrr
"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."22Please respect copyright.PENANAtluUvOKSlO
22Please respect copyright.PENANA8YQa5QOa9P
"Right."22Please respect copyright.PENANAt3oIz1khQl
22Please respect copyright.PENANAtqOPgwST0l
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAU1vsbVOAZF
22Please respect copyright.PENANATUYpHBrb8W
"Thank you!"22Please respect copyright.PENANAPvjtRdREtJ
22Please respect copyright.PENANAwOpUIrjl6t
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAWEvSZqJYFY
22Please respect copyright.PENANAMmOckXKwWO
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAr9a4Z2MQ1K
22Please respect copyright.PENANAFngfAbxsBN
"Huh?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAvZPReWrMzy
22Please respect copyright.PENANAwSuILpqGet
Not just that, he clamped down on it, shattering it instantly. The fire was proven to be ineffective as smoke casually escaped his mouth.22Please respect copyright.PENANA3LXFJlFUjX
22Please respect copyright.PENANA01IG1ilY6C
The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.22Please respect copyright.PENANAgIYsPDtpeg
22Please respect copyright.PENANAojI05l1gEO
"Shit!"22Please respect copyright.PENANAa49azD4WAD
22Please respect copyright.PENANAQoyDD8pNfQ
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAVAPUHLTfyz
22Please respect copyright.PENANAEXEbRjYr6r
"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"22Please respect copyright.PENANA593KHvfN2C
22Please respect copyright.PENANAicXZHSG0XY
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAGeghZikWZ7
22Please respect copyright.PENANAZS5X8GW01E
"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."22Please respect copyright.PENANALqujcGD8JV
22Please respect copyright.PENANAQBIOm4RGBe
"I understand."22Please respect copyright.PENANAwHCvHmHbvH
22Please respect copyright.PENANAZQevOOkn0R
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAhoCvH4LOQ9
22Please respect copyright.PENANAuT8yJnzXlv
"Uh oh, Kenny."22Please respect copyright.PENANAB0xUVYWOiz
22Please respect copyright.PENANAmgRC3il9kC
Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.22Please respect copyright.PENANAKfxM7IWO1o
22Please respect copyright.PENANALGZdIHAoIZ
"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."22Please respect copyright.PENANAecxkWnOxKT
22Please respect copyright.PENANAbbxNwbUh57
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAtnuandSWFQ
22Please respect copyright.PENANAjRdRNQbf7q
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAFnGbg13KkQ
22Please respect copyright.PENANAM4TZIK9DKo
"Hrk!"22Please respect copyright.PENANA9nMBeJi5KF
22Please respect copyright.PENANAMNQpUHvLD2
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAHQJTYHcptG
22Please respect copyright.PENANAbobqPqalPV
"Victoria! Close your eyes!"22Please respect copyright.PENANAXtyYuQePXl
22Please respect copyright.PENANApOUkvSkPMG
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANA8g00xp8BSB
22Please respect copyright.PENANAvmdFIeUxLt
"Victoria!"22Please respect copyright.PENANANv1CPWewZu
22Please respect copyright.PENANAqrnFq9xKO5
"Right!"22Please respect copyright.PENANAHscAO6TZpq
22Please respect copyright.PENANAlaPYlBrT4U
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAQ5bHJAjByl
22Please respect copyright.PENANAHUQSYQ4sSL
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANA42Osm2Esug
22Please respect copyright.PENANA6NLUHu3brr
"GRAHHHH!"22Please respect copyright.PENANAdvz2sZKN2f
22Please respect copyright.PENANAKZ8dCxVe4P
A warcry. She was a total barbarian.22Please respect copyright.PENANAs3m2zsmawm
22Please respect copyright.PENANAFcfkTqx3vK
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAlvh1V09XHy
22Please respect copyright.PENANAu7RpAU0hd5
"..."22Please respect copyright.PENANALWyE7u6MQu
22Please respect copyright.PENANAN0wW05N21D
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANA4wKR5BWzyn
22Please respect copyright.PENANARxPqzCrgyN
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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAW0WFRWXc3l
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We did it. We really did it.22Please respect copyright.PENANAc6p9VEcGlZ
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"Kenny!"22Please respect copyright.PENANAVqax8TuzBc
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Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.22Please respect copyright.PENANAlvRV4qkcKQ
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"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"22Please respect copyright.PENANADWFXMH8fsF
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"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."22Please respect copyright.PENANAWMmg2bM7QN
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She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.22Please respect copyright.PENANAWV2yflxyk2
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"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."22Please respect copyright.PENANAyqb61gj8F3
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"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"22Please respect copyright.PENANASRdw0l70n9
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She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.22Please respect copyright.PENANAE0pQ7JF6f5
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"We did it," I muttered.22Please respect copyright.PENANAqlyUrTUhb5
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I struggled to believe it. Not just because the wolf was taken down without much hassle, but because of how I was feeling.22Please respect copyright.PENANAKGww8Qo9AP
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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.22Please respect copyright.PENANA374w6bLEOB
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I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.22Please respect copyright.PENANAHnuoWqZVx6
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"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"22Please respect copyright.PENANA7HyVynswea
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"...It could've been a lot worse."22Please respect copyright.PENANA3qF2SxE5Ka
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"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."22Please respect copyright.PENANAe6ZRllW7E7
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Victoria looked at something above me.22Please respect copyright.PENANADn5HNuw3zz
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"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAAqazm6Yfvq
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Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.22Please respect copyright.PENANAvVpMoXNFcC
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"No. Why do you ask?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAA8ccI0caZc
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"I haven't heard a single thing coming from the building. Our fight was noisy, so I thought that maybe someone would come out. I'm starting to get worried."22Please respect copyright.PENANAGXrRiZy7RB
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"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."22Please respect copyright.PENANAeBzXQHMrHa
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"O-Oh, sorry."22Please respect copyright.PENANAte88cVQVOK
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She scratched her cheek a little.22Please respect copyright.PENANAS4ncLgBjET
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"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"22Please respect copyright.PENANASrkcrCimQ0
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"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."22Please respect copyright.PENANAKVSxJx00Xc
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"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."22Please respect copyright.PENANAm0Szu7l9MD
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"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.22Please respect copyright.PENANAoRPeADBStW
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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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAymwCAwbPYp
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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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAVCrsuE68TN
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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.22Please respect copyright.PENANAQ3izscyfUF
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"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"22Please respect copyright.PENANAyrrMNkZzqr
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"We fought something, Kenny and I."22Please respect copyright.PENANAfDNIceuOHL
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She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.22Please respect copyright.PENANAXQKNLsy4v5
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"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."22Please respect copyright.PENANAbRw2BW85C3
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"How is Kim?" I asked.22Please respect copyright.PENANASkoSRZdjJq
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"She's fine, just unconscious."22Please respect copyright.PENANADCbZSNKCSP
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I could only say one thing.22Please respect copyright.PENANAmgasWmaYM1
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"...Haaaa. Thank God."