"Hey, wake up."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdE1WXy8QGx
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkXVfP4MAj
"H-Huh!?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSgOcpTWMY
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡis67Qswi1S
I was rashly wrung out of sleep, jumping at the sudden touch on my shoulder. I fell pathetically to the floor, groaning and rubbing my chin as I got on my feet.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjPRmJakKN
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yZmDfVea7
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare ya."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8LKCMUSVr
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaX1kGPVtY
"No no, it's fine."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljELSHV4Z3
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhZ7BnJspN
Once the pain subsided, I let out a lengthy yawn and rubbed my eyes. I had difficulty keeping them open. I rubbed my face and took a seat on the couch, hoping to wipe away the grogginess.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkSAxHsWgd
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXr7CcFrjF9
"Goodness kid, did ya sleep at all?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYSOqOc0bJ
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQnqY5eQo1
"Huh? Yeah, sure I did."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9ewcQX7yf
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnJms2REyM
I let out another yawn. After a dozen firm blinks, I was able to keep my eyes open for longer than two seconds.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKscHdkeqGK
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyH5z02WDQ1
"Are ya sure–"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumHhcqQD7A
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWPGUdQQah
"Listen, Juke, I'm fine. I'm, perfectly fine. My neck is just a little sore, that's all."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96sOjZ1L2m
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Xv7CDVo8R
It must've been because of my sleeping position. Perhaps that was also the reason behind my shakiness. It had to be. Using mana expulsion, I produced a bit of water and gulped it all down, then began stretching my limbs.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUL3I3DKvmU
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjRmGmoBBa
"Well, if ya say so. When yer ready, come meet me outside."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbTXYb18Qq
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocuAtzxiSX
Juke exited the living room, leaving me alone. I wasted no time going through my morning routine in the bathroom. Once I finished, I returned to the living room. Outside the bathroom door, idling, gazing at the couch where I slept.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfqt9pD17Z
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcezgPsp6M
"..."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMFa0nMtJ4
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FOidMtsUu
Now that the grogginess had left me, my mind worked at total capacity. It came with unwanted by-products.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nQktcyuLJ
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57RHtwtjZx
It had barely been ten minutes. Since I wasn't counting, likely less than that. So little time since I woke up, yet the flow of time had already become contorted. I clutched my head and looked at the floor.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIz5UK6bh1
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkJqB0AnI4
It was no use mulling over it now. Besides, I was hungry. So I left the living room. Juke and the man were sitting at a nearby table, eating their food with a third plate unattended. I tottered to their table and took a seat.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPswxCq8Xp
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF64ijy0AFk
The plate was full of fish. It wasn't a food I'd associate with breakfast.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWoHxlB3NM
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYaHbOYcLx
"Hi young man, how did you sleep?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQoGobFJES
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyCkG6PEjM
His tone was cheery and amiable. He sounded like a pleasant person to speak to.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNzU6yuEFO
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWE6MnFnb1
"Hmm. Huh? Oh, were you talking to me?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqlKlCPsZ5
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8y6XJXoUPs
The man nodded. Now that I thought about it–146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnV1uNfXTu
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaWKQWLaPB
"What's your name anyway? I don't believe you've ever told us."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGcFgnFgO7
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsaJQOKPBX
"...You must be right. My name is Hank, it's a pleasure."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLNY5Cvp1o
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJBuJZqrRc
"Hank... did you cook this breakfast?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLfzpgwP5B
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmswWbwKHwP
"I certainly did. Well, go on now, try it."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcLxtYfcch
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMf3udieobi
I turned my face away from him and looked at the fish. At first glance, even a toddler could discern that it was undeniably well-cooked. The fish was coated in spice and–146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6JkUVWVkV
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtopdv3iCOF
"Don't gotta waste yer time ogling at it, kid."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmwPgLE3Jl
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5fPU154ag
Juke's statement interrupted my necessary analyses.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgPDF7y71f
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLX9ItuKa0
"I guess you're right. Is good, Juke?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbC1ioCCp1
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wboxr54E6
"Yeah, it is. If ya don't eat it now though, some bird might poop on it and ruin the taste."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8X2NCMVKxx
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QvZOy6JGt
"What?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjc4sBz9bZc
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4A44zHjMz
He sighed and flicked his head.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFPPgxF0kl
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKI6g15iNat
"Come on, let's enjoy our last breakfast here, why don't we?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgUncRYgtu
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4gTMFA2jj
"Last... yeah, let's."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy09GvDnmRJ
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiOUwpoQh3
I took the fork and began to eat the fish. It had a kick to it that I didn't expect, but otherwise–146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRhkK67XJ7
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcvVs6JhsM
"This is good. This is really good."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThxeKWnLgv
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnO9oCiSxa
"I told ya."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDZprEweH3
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwp9cIqSi4
I kept eating. It was pleasant and satisfying. The dish brightened my mood. Marginally so, but it was still something, so I was grateful for that.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCy4Us0AWgy
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyTf5Wtasf
"Wait a minute, Juke," Hank started, "how are you eating with your helmet on?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrM7Fc3D3xK
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNSzpyQaVD
His question caused me to look away from my fish and at his own. Indeed, half of it had already been eaten, but Juke never once removed his helmet to do so.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2bfvDSuTp
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHyp0ctOQV
"Trade secret, don't worry 'bout it. Just keep eating."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBK6SLjoF5
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKS7gG4bPr
The man backed down. I kept looking at Juke, but he wouldn't eat the fish in front of me.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtnEqTjPte
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUeMFIy23h
In the face of that obstinance, I smiled. I knew it wouldn't last, but at least I would be able to eat my food without any daunting thoughts.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLAscevlXB
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFzHYpV15C
–
–
–146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡef5YHpBJyF
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wT0U46Zxc
Once we put our tableware aside, Hank corralled us back to the table. Juke and I sat by each other. Hank had a pensive and nervous look, giving me a sense of foreboding for what was to come out of his mouth.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Q5JXOvIEI
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJkmxwbcKO
"So, you two want to leave the city, correct?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtdfYQDBJe
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iVqxgzKw6
"That's right," Juke responded.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIwyG4EVSQ
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTsJiMC3zc
"I see..."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJ1gXHZGFB
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyUTdmmpKU
He pinched his chin and gazed at the table.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUW5qsxCUl
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgwGc6WXVX
"Well, I won't try to stop you, but I'd like to give you two a word of warning: the streets aren't empty. Those folks at Hard-Bringer are surveilling the area quite compellingly."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPy6SJYAf04
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWY44xf4N6
Juke let out a sigh and I rested my head on my hand. Honestly, this was in my expectations, but hearing it be confirmed was a blow to my psyche all the same.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZchPRczYdF
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmyRlPKvbE
"However, I do believe you two can get out fine."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEk3RqtWfe
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdd0lBzDjc
"Yeah, that's what I was thinking too. I doubt those Hard-Bringer bastards got the staff to keep an eye on every part of the city."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DgkHSUHx7
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhn4gV46J2
I nodded along to Juke's reasoning. Hank did too, less tense than twenty seconds ago.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGDqes7L4q
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGo4D0uDsb
"Do you two have a plan in mind?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAoRtQ48aH
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZtcovj9bP
Juke turned his head to me, confusing me more than pressuring me.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYdZ1Ov5JA
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjRWOoRbmr
"What are you looking at me for?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlWOKoBTzl
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXDveRjHtb
"Ya got any ideas?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyB5fj0IPr
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRqoV3QEvb
"Why do you think I do, anyway?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqS0RPqjMa
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNcajj2IhO
He shrugged at my inquiry. I just sighed and rubbed my temple, racking my brain for anything.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLfDMv5kDJ
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmEjlFEFbb
"I suppose we'll have to gauge just how heavily the streets are being supervised. If they aren't in every nook and cranny of the area, we can probably weave in-between alleyways and whatnot just fine."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1SG4lqwh8
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IiwcRFnRo
Juke and Hank nodded at my statement. As concrete as the idea was, it hinged on a factor too risky for either me or Juke to confirm.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOJpeg9Bjx
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gdAXc5RsG
"Hank, can you go outside and check the surroundings?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOMghgQgMr
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4yn9SHZHn
"U-Uh, I very well may, however..."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlXCSbegsJ
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWkagEgIkG
I raised my brow, then realized that just because Hank wasn't me or Juke didn't mean that he was entirely safe.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEGFCgOWsJ
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxHLyM3eJ0
Rover's visage flashed in my mind. I brushed it aside for the moment, barely.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqC2woUnn2
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzZnLNNs2F
"I'd rather not run too far away. Otherwise, I'd get apprehended and questioned, and then it would be evening by the time I come back."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZ5MA0qBEL
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fslpXsMk7
"I see. I apologize for asking so much from you."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6tzsdRjyt
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanYiSoJUSy
He shook his hands frantically and.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHgkZPkGwL
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KNjWN3tH3
"Oh no no, I'll do it. I just don't think I'll be able to scout very far ahead."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFAuIIz4MZ
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXj8FeFd3N
"That ain't an issue. Just the first block should be alright."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVO3yMoM2Lr
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuY7OdVGF3U
Hank's gaze turned abnormally stern. He stood up and did a few gesticulations to assure himself.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6m2jIs2mDA
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgGh8licmT
"Pray for me."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9AoJWNq0h
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiu8U6MguV
"Don't worry. We'll arrange yer funeral for ya."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaG4ap5zTRn
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HW9Q58TUK
"Juke!"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Q9oB62fH0
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLDTC06QFI
Juke's comment vanquished all of Hank's efforts to pump himself up. Still, though, he rambled to the door, taking a deep breath before opening and exiting the building. Juke and I were alone, now. An awkward and elongated silence permeated through the room.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qdg3QXRvZ
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAcVilCKI8
"Thanks for trying to lighten the mood, Juke."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUok5Qa9Ny
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPl229E2Mhu
He turned his head to me, stuttering his words before taking a breath and speaking them coherently.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqc7UIzPuP
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8DUs6FAy1
"No need to thank me. The atmosphere's tense, I just don't want it to stay that way."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wh9XBzyW8
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPTqQOaPWF
"Still, I appreciate it."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEAWodImtI
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUGzUWMJHe
I sat with my legs spread out, lowering my head and leaning over to stare at the ground.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJcad18ECX
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KGGVRvOLB
"I can tell that my wisecracks ain't all that effective, though."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQfnSMITgH
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsm78dEB03
I wanted to rebuke that statement, to tell him that he was wrong and that I was feeling much better. I would be lying to him, but that wasn't why I stopped myself. That was because of the tinge of melancholy I caught in his voice, so faint that I was unsure if I was just hearing things.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7q1h4fWjd
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv30HaVwFz2
I wanted to press him on that. But I was in no state of mind to do so. So, we continued to wait in silence.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGZ2HnVZGy
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrVvzYv9I5
Hank came shortly after. His face was drenched in sweat and anxiety. He let out an arduous sigh when he closed the door and sank to the floor.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzrB0UIdkl
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFud6NYGGs
I was expecting the worst, but he shot us a thumbs-up with a wink. A smile found its way on my face. I looked at Juke and we nodded at each other. We stood up and stretched our muscles, helping Hank get to his feet and standing before the door.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYY1qUOg3Ps
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTPtNoORXc
"Thank you for your help, Hank."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51QO8eEz15
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZz5EGEQdJ5
"Yeah, we really of ya."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOcwgMJK2M
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UeSMHNsNv
He gave us a light smile and waved.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjySNWR6chR
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrMCFRpvHI
"No no, it's fine. It's what Dennis would have wanted, I'm sure."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCN8dAdpJBY
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgeGaAPXle
"...Y-Yeah."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMtrHThXl4
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzuSkrAFy6
A morbid parasite was planted in me before we left. It began to eat at me instantly, but I did nothing to address it.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInqSIscHQe
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnNYaW6PqL
–
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–146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VWziol3Hh
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5ksf4926G
The streets were void of any busy citizens traveling from one place to another. All inhabitants were inimical people in robes. The only remedy was the relative lack of them.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaHHK0HJsW
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLtLAVz15K
Weaving in and out of alleyways was a surprisingly easy task, as the Hard-Bringer members couldn't stay in one place even if they were paid to. Though it made moving in the streets nerve-wracking with the unpredictability of these people, it was better than having to wait for them to fall asleep or find a detour as they obstinately remained in one spot.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlENHphOrw5
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5STLULBEMT
With all the pauses in between movements and focus on not getting caught, I stopped paying attention to our routing quickly. I was anxious that Juke did too.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0izgluMS9
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadXAXdWH0c
"Hey, are you sure we're going the right way?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYCdDAB9V9
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eY3tdeRVv
"Yeah, I'm sure. I remember that chipped building when I visited the stables earlier."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjkhcZO0KH
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCRYBHEbrO
He pointed at a building opposite us. Indeed, it was chipped, but somehow I didn't find his memory reliable.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGabZRfde0
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzGzzxutFC
Still, I had no better way to make it to the stables myself, so I kept following Juke as we skittered diagonally across the street.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7vhcTNYnj
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNN2Hh8qPB
"--Crap!"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HXb74AM5L
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1fB7z0mVx
This alleyway was void of anything to hide behind, meaning that we had to leave it now or suffer an embarrassing and egregious discovery. I peered over the corner and saw a duo of robed people turning a corner and into our street.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVjbpSv0UC
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQ4xwId3OB
"Crap. Crap!"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqYQV3uoaP
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHADDnri1sl
"Eh? What's the situation, kid?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlVif6dncO
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItY0uvxjRb
"People are heading our way!"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpsL1bSsI7
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjZbQ73tTq
With a hoarse whisper, I relayed the information to Juke, whose eyes I could see widen even through his helmet. He looked behind him and deeper into the alleyway, reaching the same conclusion that I did.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJj7fyeEOf
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFb40JExfCs
"I guess we gotta jump 'em."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt754LWkJ7m
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDFyMWdqMH
"What!? That's a terrible idea!"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlBQyV1UEa
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsF9ca0roFG
Despite the incorrect usage, I knew precisely what Juke meant by jumping the two people. I discarded the idea, as engaging in a fight would only draw more attention. But, as I sifted through my mind, I couldn't conjure up a course of action more tangible.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7Y1md7qds
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadyPNlNFFY
"Okay, maybe it isn't a terrible idea, but we need to knock them out quickly."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PiKV0pWV1
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBYIPiC2Rc
"Yeah, killin' 'em will just make a mess and draw attention, ya make a good point."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsb1GdsxHB1
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLltv85gl5
"...Murder is the first thing you– nevermind, you gave me a good idea."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXQLgWq4SA
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwI6g3mCsR
I produced my tendril and created a Valencia-Bloom at its tip. Then, I ran as far back into the alleyway as I could, signaling Juke to do the same. When we made it to the wall, I began mana spinning and produced a shield from the flower big enough to cover us both.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbUihZCWYc
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWzfyoPMfE
It was unexpectedly heavy. The weight of the shield brought me to the floor and strained my arm terribly146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPj3Hjo3XPe
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkAMCKTM5L
"Ack!"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51fa9kXsCm
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBq4xQiYpjX
"G-Goodness, kid. Are ya alright?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDppbvc4Qf
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFkjFLwh5Z
"I-I'm fine, just keep quiet!"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEVop11aAO
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyLTVj0Me3
We waited out behind the shield until I heard two sets of footsteps pass by the alleyway. Once they vanished, I removed the shield, massaged my arm, and with Juke's help, we made it back onto the street.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBx9Jrcr9z4
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HUA7WgUU6
"Ya strong folk really are crazy."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdAiyQr3Fj
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDu69QNUio
"Shut up. Now isn't the time for this."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qH1qzzFW8
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92crBlKpfD
We traveled the road a bit faster since we had to cross through an intersection. We made sure both sides were clear before continuing forward. The road curved at this point, so we kept close to the wall, using our ears instead of our eyes to sense any oncoming persons.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwmnmQNKOf
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9u5fA6MU1m
And, by doing so, I heard something that made my hair stand on its ends.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQnE67nIZD
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGYV0qYVuX
"--Yeah, we should find a place to hide, don't ya think?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrF0ua7a3p6
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DhwmnsgPu
I hastily nodded with him and scanned the surroundings. I spotted an alleyway with a gigantic dumpster at the front. Juke already began running to it before I could point it out, so I followed him.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMKcWghuLm
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9jeCxKVgJ
We sat down behind the dumpster. I gnawed on my finger as I heard what I could only describe as an army of people walking down the street. I didn't see them, nor did I want to, but the footsteps never ended– it was as if the hustle and bustle of the streets had returned, but now, it only disturbed me.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhOtAnR4qj
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2PdNLyW0u
It went on for far, far too long. I couldn't keep my cool. The gnawing turned into rampant chomping, and my breathing became labored and heavy. I rocked back and forth, back and forth back and–146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNOBE6iAGz
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGQDf35MxB
"--Kenny, I don't know if that'll do ya any good."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5DJAdQdTh
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvy8r7QJHx
"Huh?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFfZwKTGLy
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpP1H4mgJn
Juke's deep voice pierced through the thunderous train of footsteps.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVY4n5zFdNF
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixGPD0dSjK
"That whole biting thing, and that whole shaking thing. That shit freaks me out. I get why yer doing it, but seeing someone like ya do so just don't sit with me right."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6Wj2Hh4m2
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4qbngBQMI
I knew he was trying to console me. But, I didn't feel as if he was. I felt as if it was a precursor to just another one of Juke's ramblings about his ideology.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2IhWUE8zX
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oCoUxUUC1
"Why? Is it because I'm strong?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcQQYnGUif
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgc9C4cMVo
"Nah, it's cuz yer a kid."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2IA0AQEZi
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBqL2kioWy
His response left me more stunned than I could've imagined.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRu1FxmFOB
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoriOuGXR1
"I can tell ya got something plaguing ya. I ain't dense, so I can already guess what it is. Still, I think ya should spill it."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNdun9oMTw
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa74feNg8u6
"..."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqpMczczfs
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8vxqr047O
I brought my knees up to my head, wrapping my arms around my legs. Usually, I'd be concerned about the crowd overhearing us, but the dumpster was far enough, and the thousands of footsteps would veil my voice.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Gh80qcAyv
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoJo2qkajH
So, I let my mouth run amok.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYkcWK1DMT
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpVzQfc8vc
"I'm sure you know, but what Rover told me has... affected me, I suppose."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoIbS3uCx1
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHJ1Rzxhdn
"Yeah, I know."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6EP2XnpZz
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUGFdZQmJ1
A pause. I used it to formulate my following words more effectively.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjqjSrb08I
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSeZj3kFBx
"It left me confused. It was like I was asking myself questions with words I couldn't understand. I didn't even know how to begin to answer them. So, for the time being, I decided to ignore them."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWauZscsXh
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5NfQLpKau
I darted my eyes to the side. He nodded along. He stared at the wall across. I did the same.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW776bQuMcn
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2NRdXjhuG
"When I was at the door last night," I continued, "right after Rover left, I suppose the prospect of going after her, of facing her, was too intimidating. I didn't get why, exactly. I just knew that I couldn't do it. I didn't think that doing so would be bad or something, quite the contrary. I just thought that, somehow, it was an impossible task. So, I didn't do it. Instead, I sat back on the couch and fell asleep."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsocPj51SWt
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8L7vUg35r
"That sounds familiar..."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACWeogKJJb
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxpaXpvC8a
"Huh?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoqyhPKCsd
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZcCHhp0P9
"Nevermind. Ya carry on."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OkJw5LcRz
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUO6Z2jYPFz
I felt a little let down, but did as I was told.
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaLy6gJWCD
"I am just, very confused. I don't quite get how I feel, but I do understand that all the forces inside of me are fighting over the decision I made last night, to do this. And, I guess I say I'm unsure of it, but I do know what I really am."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTanc2BNUNw
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDvHt2Ybg5
"Well?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43xqHdPBWf
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhB6aBHVJSk
"...The thing is, if I voice it, I'll probably break apart here and now."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hZLiKSdgJ
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoBp4d3CK4
"Ah."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiW6pf3eHuI
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDVSBm2Ot1
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but articulating it in my brain was difficult.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WE6rzKKeR
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRDh7lwN5F
"Some part of it came from the distant past. I'm talking about what drove me to make this decision, I mean. Another part, I'm unsure. And the last one was more recent. It was only for a moment, but when I thought about going outside with Rover, that overgrown bug flashed in my mind."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVu5DhREk75
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiMiw1gayg
"Ah, the Lionant?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0XLdQ0S15
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mW7bMu7dg
"Yeah. The one you saved me from. Thank you for that, by the way."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3zdR3LGDa
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMX8NkvWU5
"..."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbPfp5ZiFQ
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Vdk6zks6n
Another pause. I felt like I had more to say, but I hung on to the thoughts left behind by my last sentence and formed a question out of it.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUJoqGridZ
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlC1uYzQyB
"This might be a dumb question, but why did you save me back then?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzaINIClCf
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKEruyVXrE
"...Yeah, why did I?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryTmIK10Wp
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEdWS8Rnj4
I didn't expect to be met with another question.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhy7iqSn7W
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfKaWlfQJP
"It doesn't make much sense, does it? After all, I'm weak, and yer strong. A weak guy like me shouldn't have to save strong folk like ya. But I did save ya. I really did save ya."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvlD0HbliR
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fAXHMppyy
I turned my head to him. He had his eyes pointed at the sky, one arm slung over his knee.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnl5VxH3S5
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCFKm3lZc0
"I don't know why I saved ya. It wasn't in my mind, I didn't think of doing it, but I did save ya."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7WWZfPPhG
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWOfCfvABT
"..."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfQEprjjVI
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoW8Cinoy2X
I felt as if I should have said something, but I remained silent. Juke continued his gentle monologue.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1aZc1XkGN
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPya6O5cpRl
"Rover's got a brutal tongue. Usually, I just brush off what loud folk like her say, but she was blunt and rude about it, so it really stuck with me. I couldn't care less about that 'you should do and think this and that' shit, but, ya know what, Kenny?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5BOCl1k7k
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2SJb046YG
"What?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5bIv21GZz
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7Bedh7Lr7
"Before I went out to look for ya two, I talked with Dennis. I had a real good conversation with him 'bout politics, women, and a bunch of dumbshits we've met in our olden days."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAUKdfFn87
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpveA8PvLSC
"That sounds... boorish?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLyiKyGDDe
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWvKvANGoC
"Pff, yer just too young."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTgSWzB88p
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7QnLHCXbH
He paused for a moment.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfr7CgMQ6Jb
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4YzGl0P2s
"Why the hell am I saying this to a kid?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJOGyv5063
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1S6DEK2NF
"D-Don't mind that, just keep talking."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapIG2WH9Ig
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VQ2D75fOO
"...The thing is, a weak guy like me shouldn't concern himself with Hard-Bringer. It makes sense, doesn't it? Leave the big problems to the big strong folk. Weak guys shouldn't have to fight for other weak guys. That's what I think."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Bm0JiD5RF
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGibFlgiHL
He took a second to readjust himself. I used that time to spill my own thoughts.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOIFPrEpyh
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oKpnERn1K
"That's silly... O-Oh–"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qS0DVErLv
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyBB47xfeT
I realized I had just blurted out something insensitive yet again.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrTI3H7a0x
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHrV7vEbx1
"I didn't mean to be rude, but–"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEf9po4v5zB
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAG6t2JtgUJ
"Nah, I get why ya think it. To each their own, that's what the masses say, yeah?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWGi3kkmiT
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjEdwImS5g
"I... yes, I suppose so."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2dnElsiOC
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvcanpcJrA
Another pause. Juke directed his gaze to the floor this time.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFl19bkQVT7
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Gj8Cb44NC
"I think the weak shouldn't have to deal with what the strong does."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZ4H9qhZrW
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8Hk0ZL5nX
"Yes, I know."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyHo7jpBiV
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYJFHNmyZE
"But I wanna make sure Dennis is still kickin'."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrg4R2nzEav
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIswnkhsoBC
He said that with conviction I had never heard from him before.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqM3CPMNuR
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyW8xHypWj
"I believe what I said yesterday. I think he's just fine. 'Sides, I got no interest in fighting Hard-Bringer. But that ain't changing the fact that I wanna make sure with my eyes."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWMsNXtZMF
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfRzJGKG9U
"..."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAZIUQhW5v
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmks2Sj9fq8
I didn't say it outright, but I agreed with him. I wanted to make sure Dennis was fine as well. Yet, unlike Juke, I doubt I could muster the will to do so.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAJLTYYxt3
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRfXvMoi9C
"Ya hear that?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYFjsnUfuB
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpZun3Dje7
"Huh?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNyn40IxdT
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9KscY4NGC
I perked my ears. I didn't hear anything. Then, I realized what Juke meant.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzrGoizPwB
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPnVlJN4u6
"They passed."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHfiQ6CKg3
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJcZaBdLX5
"Yeah. I can't hear them anymore."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruqxyBMCvh
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZiMK4UoC9
Juke stood up first. He brushed the dirt off his pants and peered around the corner.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMDf4mxVdN
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXImyvH75o
"Looks like we're in the clear. Phew."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55gFGeqOiS
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVLYKAnMIq
I stood up and ambled to the front of the alleyway. Sure enough, Not one robed person was in sight. It was a clear indicator that I should have taken a step forward, but I didn't. No, I couldn't, not after what I had just said.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPdl5e744b
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcnf89Epu4
Juke had already taken his first steps, though. He looked back at me once he noticed I wasn't moving.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xwPDQONtt
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vBAU802KQ
"Shit... hey, kid, I know what yer thinking."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AdO00x7wG
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQS1QALJaZX
"You've been saying that a lot."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZMBAyf2RE
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ks4dfCjCn
"That's just cuz yer easy to read."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUU7HWuIO5
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRFLVKvc37
We stood stock still in silence.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65Nih92OLD
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLwO4aH6Mi
"W-Well, what are you waiting for," I muttered, "Let's get going."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9htzo20SF
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JLnBtM8GQ
"Are ya sure?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2rmOwabP9
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hVb3BKtLL
I walked out of the alleyway, looking both ways before standing beside Juke.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMoXvW1gEo
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1idYPKx4Rc
"I should be asking you that."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEnu6sq7xs
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEA8SgfZhV
"Hehe, I guess so. We've come this far, haven't we?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsW1pinsp7
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERwiCfqE0G
"Yes. You get it."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhC2P2gPmZ
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVgMq49b6C
But before we continued, there was one last thing I wanted to mention.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2DwJhwxJQ
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BZr0bS4zm
"If we see something that might change the accuracy of your hypothesis, then... I'm going to turn back, understand?"
Juke released a lethargic chuckle. I wasn't offended by it, instead, it caused me to think.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCu6U6f8xxx
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR89hEyTXy7
"Fine by me."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRsQQbjsuc
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjDSrPcUAC
I wondered how seriously he took my word. I wouldn't blame him if he thought it duplicitous.
We kept going down the streets, running between the alleyways as we avoided being spotted.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXw8X3d9OT3
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcKI7ikP1H
–
–
–
"Ya see that?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2COSddnAw
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5aKc8AxjN
"Yeah, we're almost there."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLacCw43DhP
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNooF7t0nJA
After hours of dodging lines of sight, taking tedious pauses in smelly alleyways, and having one too many heart-attack-inducing close calls, the stables were finally within our view. It was still a good distance away, but being able to see it was relieving. We were fortunate enough to find it unsupervised, too.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKw6tYy0rn
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3KGKb5t5B
We approached it with a pep in our step, but not forgetting to employ prudence. I turned my head in every direction as we got closer and closer.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdQOXihNNk
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And as we got closer and closer, a sudden stench assaulted my nostrils.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunpl9wuM1F
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"Blurg, what was that?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOFyrJ8ka3
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I skidded to a stop. I reluctantly sniffed the air again but didn't catch the same whiff. Juke looked back at me, confused.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡff8Lu88GbZ
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"What was what?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMjLYApruk
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"I caught a whiff of something."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qItrF5lUF
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"Ah, gotcha. I ain't stopping, just so ya know."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVExRuZ5sah
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Clicking my tongue, I continued following Juke to the stables, occasionally sniffing the air as we encroached it.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaEldi9eo7
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And then, it came again. This time, more putrid than before.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeapGjrzuvB
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"Ugh– ack, what in the world?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYtD2EBi7C
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Juke didn't stop to ask me what was wrong this time. He turned the final corner and already made it to the stables. I knew that I had visited this place before, but I didn't quite acknowledge the structure until that moment.
It was like an open barn house with only a meager roof over the parking spaces. Inside these parking spaces were carriages, and opposite them were miniature pens housing the animals responsible for heaving the carriages. These pens were fitted with roofs and thick gates to block the animals from wandering off. Of course, because of the structure of the stables, he barged in without having to bust open any doors. Naturally, I entered without issue myself.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31xctuuwGV
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But never had I wished for a door to be present more than now.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzP7IsccqXV
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"...This is fuckin' horrid."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZr0rTWGxL9
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The carriages were untouched, but the carriages were only there for me to distract myself with. It didn't last for long, of course. After all, the stench and overwhelming, blinding quantity of red permeating through every crevice of the area made it impossible to keep up the charade.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPl0mKa2FBi
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The pens were broken, but the animals hadn't escaped. They were still in their pens, but as cadavers opposed to breathing beings.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvzBLqIKFf
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Bile rose to my throat, but I was able to suppress it. That disturbed me deeply.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMidzpc8mSB
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"Well, Kenny, I dunno if we'll be leaving by carriage any time soon."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcha1FVGpo
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"You 'don't know', huh? Are you kidding me?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UuBdwpQCP
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I glared at the scene. It was grotesque, but my eyes couldn't divert from it. Every animal in every pen– no exception was made, none were spared. They were unapologetically slaughtered. Juke spoke of the sight perfectly; It was horrid. it evoked such visceral repulsion even when closing the eyes and glancing at it through memory.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkRY9843ka
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But, as much as I hated it, as much as it made me want to turn the other way and run, seeing our way out be cut off like this relieved me of a subconscious weight.
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Juke ventured further into the stables, and I begrudgingly followed. I fixed my gaze to the right, passing by the open pens and observing the carrion they contained. I didn't try to immerse myself in the details; I would've truly thrown up if I did. But, from what I did see, I could judge the means used to kill them. From lacerations to burns, to pulverizations of their bodies, it was obvious that a mix of magic and weaponry was utilized.
I was lucky that the blood had dried long ago.
"Sly bastards. How'd they know we'd try to get out?"
"...They probably just did this preemptively. Did they have to murder all the animals, though? Why not damage the carriages?"
My question had not just reminded Juke, but also myself of our carriage. We steered directions and beelined towards it. From an outside view, it looked unharmed. As Juke pulled out a key and unlocked the doors, I could only hope that the same could be said for the inside.
"Nagging Dennis for this shit paid off."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAXvpUw7oM
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Juke muttered something under his breath before flinging the doors open and entering. I followed, releasing a heavy breath as I confirmed that the carriage was unharmed.
"'Fore we head back out, we oughta pack some supplies."
"I agree, but I hope you know I won't be able to carry much."
"That's alright. This big body of mine ain't just for show."
We entered the back. Juke took the bag of food and placed his arms through the straps, carrying it like an oversized backpack.
"Anything else ya think we oughta bring?"
"...I can't lift the big bags, but–"
I grabbed a smaller one and emptied its contents, stuffing it with the few potions I had left in the larger bags, leaving me with a pleasantly light load. Juke hummed in an amused, yet agitated tone.
"Ya had potions this whole time? Ya should'a told me!"
"Oh, sorry. I thought I had."
We exited the carriage and returned to the stables, Juke grumbling as he descended the steps. I didn't leave just yet. Before that, I spared one more glance at the animals, meagerly clenching my fists.
"Hey, Juke."
He turned around and faced me. Before I got my words out, I had to stop shaking.
"What do we do now?"
He looked at me intently, or was it blankly? Either way, I could tell that he was digesting my question. Then, he turned his gaze away.
"We can't get out with the carriage, that's for sure."
"I know that much. But, do we... do we try anyway?"
"...Nah, ya should know that yerself."
My facial muscles dropped, forming an ugly frown. He was right, and because he was right, I was upset.
If they took measures this drastic to make sure nobody escaped, then the gates were unquestionably, undoubtedly guarded.
That undeniable notion frightened me.
"Yeah, you're right. But, still, what do we–"
I couldn't finish my sentence. My speech was interrupted by a jerk movement from Juke. He leaned in– almost pouncing at me and pushing me to the ground as he haphazardly fell to it himself.
I hadn't the time to formulate any complaints and questions, but all that I could have formed were addressed by the soaring ball of fire narrowly avoiding my head.
"--Ack!"
I landed awkwardly on my shoulder. Whether it was dislocated, I didn't know, nor could I afford to find out. I scrambled to my feet and faced our assailant. My blood turned cold when I saw her.
"That man is a quick actor. What about you, child? Are you the brains of your clique?"
It was the woman at the plaza. She was not in her unequivocal robe that was the sigil of Hard-Bringer but in a slackened coat, plain shirt, skirt, pants, and boots.
"Well, answer me, won't you?"
"Don't humor 'er, kid, she's got a screw loose!"
"N-No need to tell me!"
Juke got up on his feet and brandished his sword. I took out the tendril. The woman grabbed a curvy, seemingly customized, serrated knife. She raised it as she began to speak.
"So you two won't speak? Fine by me. A mute roadblock is easier to handle."
With a slide of her back foot and a drop in her posture, she burst into a sprint heading in our direction. Then, she veered into me.
The sudden shift left me panicked. I instinctively took a step back and produced a Valencia-Bloom, but before I could utilize it, she slashed her knife at me. I narrowly avoided the swing, but she didn't let up, spinning the blade in her hand and thrusting it to jab me.
That's at least what it looked like she would've done.
She did thrust her knife, but she spun as she did it, clashing with Juke's broadsword so suddenly that even he was taken by surprise. The woman exploited his shock well by delivering a kick to his chest. Juke's body didn't budge from the kick at all, though. A metallic sound rang throughout the stables and his head jerked back.
"Ack! My neck!"
"--I see."
Realizing I wasn't doing anything, I extended my tendril, using it like a dull spear. The woman ducked my attack and slammed her fist into it. I recoiled from the strike, but not enough to paralyze me. Thus, I slammed the tendril on the ground. She rolled away, dodging it effortlessly.
My tendril still near her, I switched the Valencia-Bloom for a Freeze-Dry. But I couldn't use it; the woman leaped and stomped on the flower before any ice came out.
My eyes widened by themselves. I couldn't think of what to do next, but I was fortunate enough to not have to. Juke swung his sword at the woman. She dodged it, but Juke didn't let up with his assault. The woman took a series of backsteps too great for Juke to immediately catch up to. Almost instinctively, she kicked her leg up, and though Juke was a couple of meters away, his head jerked up and a sound rang out as if he was hit.
Though Juke was struck in the chin, and though he was partially airborne, he aimed his palm at the woman, firing a wind spell at her.
And, it connected.
"Hng!"
It was a weak spell, and she was able to block most of it with her arms, but the point was that it connected. Somehow, that fact alone was enough to shock me.
"Yer power's confusing. Is it an Endowment? I dunno, I've got one, and yers sure don't feel like it."
Juke rubbed his chin. I could tell that he felt it, meaning the hit wasn't deflected to his helmet.
"Shit. How'd ya know my weakness, huh?"
The woman narrowed her eyes at Juke. Using the downtime, I began mana expulsion with my right hand and produced a Sunlight-Blossom from the tendril.
"You are right about one thing, oaf: my power is nothing like that absurd Endowment of yours."
"And yer calling my whole thing absurd? That's just–"
Juke's speech was cut short. I shot at the woman with a water spell. She dodged it, but I accounted for this and made the spell a powerful geyser, following her movements as it continuously sprayed. The woman clicked her tongue as she kept backing away, producing a ball of fire and firing it at the walls.
I gasped and processed her actions to make sure I understood what I saw. She threw a fireball at the walls, which were made of wood. She threw a quick wind spell at it right after and smashed through the weakened structure.
My geyser put the sudden fire out but had missed the woman entirely. It aligned with my expectations, though. She came back bursting through near the ashened hole. However, I had another attack prepared.
The seed was already loaded. I aimed the flower at her and fired, crossing my fingers in my head, praying that it would land.
It didn't. It didn't even come close. She ducked before the bullet had even been launched. I bit my lip in frustration.
"That's why I hate being aggressive. How cruel that I have to act against my nature."
She cracked her neck and swayed her lengthy hair in the air, glaring at us with her blue eyes. She looked ready to perform a deadly pounce at any moment.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjugUz0NTh
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I stood beside Juke. We eyed the woman vigilantly. My prior assessment was overwritten as she didn't look like she would move at all, leaving me bemused.
But, then, a fireball formed in her hands. I expected her to throw it immediately, so I prepared to duck, but it continued to grow in size; it was far larger than her previous ones, almost as tall and wide as Juke was.
"Ah, shit."
Juke voiced my thoughts perfectly. Frankly, I didn't expect her to be so adept in fire magic that she could make a spell of that size. It was stupid of me not to consider it. The woman reeled her arm back. I had to act fast.
I ducked, placing both my hands on the ground. I began mana expulsion with one hand and performed spinning with the other. A wall of stone sprung from the ground before me. Then, I produced a Valencia-Bloom from the tendril, expanding it as far as I could reasonably do so. Juke already took cover behind me. Now, all that was left was too–
**SLAM**
"--Ack!"
I didn't suffer any severe damage. In fact, my defenses were hardly penetrated. But the heat from the fire nipped at me through it all. The spell dissipated in no more than five seconds, but it felt like forever.
"How the hell are we breathin'!?"
"Is now really the time for–"
**THUD**
I felt a sudden force clash against my shield. Due to my already shaky balance, I fell to the ground, but I made sure to retract the Valencia-Bloom so my arm wouldn't be dislodged. When the shield vanished, the woman took its place, her leg raised. She continued her assault, raising her knife and, with her other hand on the top of the hilt, plunging it into me.
I shut my eyes and grit my teeth, expecting the sensation of a blade being lodged into my body. But that never came. Instead, a metallic clang reverberated through the stables.
I opened my eyes. Juke intercepted her with his sword. He was on the ground with both his hands on the blade's hilt. Judging by how he was lying on the ground, gripping the hilt with both his hands like a rope, he must've slid.
They remained that way for a moment, engaged in a struggle between their blades. When it became apparent that she couldn't win, she clicked her tongue.
"Irritating," the woman sighed before kicking his helmet and sending him flying. She returned her attention to me, but I had used my borrowed time to regain my composure and swing the tendril.
My tendril hit her. But it felt as if I was the one who was struck, and it wasn't by a blunt object, but by a steel blade. Purple liquid erupted from my chest.
Yes, she was flung away. Yes, my tendril had connected. But when it retracted by itself, I found the woman void of bruises and her knife slathered in a viscous purple.
"D-Damn it."
I rose to my feet with shaking legs. She hadn't just blocked my attack but hurt me back as well. I clutched my chest and coughed harshly.
"How are ya?"
Juke stood beside me, brandishing his sword. We eyed the woman who was flicking the liquid off her knife.
"This ain't looking like a winning fight."
As much as it frustrated me to agree with his notion, I was forced to. Every attack I launched had been avoided, and the one time either of us landed one on her, it was more of a fluke than anything.
"So what do we do?"
"'Till I get how she keeps seein' the future, I ain't got a clue."
"See the future...? Do you think that's what it is?"
"Can't think of anythin' else."
I narrowed my eyes at her, mulling over Juke's theory. When I thought about it, certainly, it would make sense that she could see the future. However–
"There has to be a limit, or some kind of restriction. Her behavior is too inconsistent."
"I agree with ya, and I still got no clue how she kicked me from across the damn room."
Indeed, she had too many unknown factors about her, and combined with her astonishing physical and magical prowess, it made this fight impossible to win. I was wounded, Juke's weakness had been discovered, and the woman didn't look like she even broke a sweat.
"Are you two plotting something? I ought to interfere."
She broke into another dash, but it wasn't an utter rush; her steps were laced with trepidation, and her knife was raised defensively. It was as if she was approaching expecting us to attack her back.
My moment of clarity subsided as the pain washed over my being. But Juke, pulling me by the collar, had fortunately noticed the same, and–
"Book it, kid!"
Helped me turn tail as we both broke into sprints of our own.
I ran. I ran like the wind. I ran to abuse my legs. I ran to survive. But I wasn't so naive; my legs were small and my stamina was pathetic. Whether it was my lack of endurance or my lack of speed, the woman would undoubtedly catch up to me. No thanks to his luggage, I couldn't hitch a ride on Juke's back.
I swiveled my head. She was catching up to me like a wolf in pursuit, and I was sure to be caught in her fangs at any moment. I didn't try to speed up; too many factors prevented me from doing so.
So, if I couldn't speed up, then there was only one thing left for me to do.
I began mana expulsion with both of my hands, creating a mass of earth in one and a mass of fire in the other, expanding it. The woman didn't show an expression of surprise. She was expecting me to do this– no, not expecting, she knew.
Something about that pissed me off. So, instead of throwing it–
"--You!"
Her eyes widened. She skidded to a stop and leaped away. Despite that, I had to see this through.
I discharged as much mana into the fire as I recklessly could, and naturally–
**BOOM**
A Flinty incident occurred.
I used the stone I conjured up to defend myself, but truthfully, it hardly did anything. The most I could do was defend my head, and sure, my eyes hadn't burst, and my face wasn't seared, but they were still rolling on the stone pavement along with the rest of my body, picking up spikey pebbles and other trash like they were seashells on the beach. I only stopped when I collided with, something. I didn't know what and the means to find out were stripped from me. My ears rang, my nose burned, and I had to clobber dozens of particles off my face before I could even think of opening my eyes. But, my arms were too heavy for me to even lift.
So, I remained there, waiting for all the internal chaos to subside before I moved. Then I felt something touch me, then shake me, and I groaned in response. I didn't know who it was. Since I was alive, it probably wasn't the woman. Was it a street dog, or maybe one of those robed men?
Was it Juke? I dismissed the thought. That was a ridiculous proposition.
I was lifted and tussled with. It wasn't done harshly, but goodness, was it irritating. At that point, my annoyance powered over my fatigue, and I rubbed my eyes before slackening my arms yet again.
I opened them and saw the ground. Whoever it was that was messing with me was behind me. I couldn't turn my head to see them, though, so I groaned and heaved my breaths.
"Good to know yer still kicking. Which bottle 'ere is gonna patch ya up?"
Hearing a familiar voice, I was struck with an inordinate amount of clarity.
"Green, one," I mustered.
"Yer lucky I caught that first try. Open wide."
Even if I wanted to, I couldn't. He understood that too, so he grabbed my jaw and pulled it down, sticking the bottle inside my mouth. I was sure that I was going to drown; the amount of liquid entering my throat was overwhelming. But it passed as quickly as it came. I coughed vehemently, and Juke patted my back to help. I cursed my inability to voice my thanks.
"Take it easy, ya really did something crazy back then. Strong folk, I tell ya."
Now I just wanted to tell him to shut up. He lifted me and hung me over his shoulder, then he continued to run.
"Did ya get that crazy bitch? Err, tap once for yes, twice for no."
All I could exert myself to do was pinch, so I pinched his skin twice.
"Shit. Shit! Is she followin' us now!?"
I pointed my eyes up. I could only see a little bit of the ground, so I painstakingly raised my neck.
It devastated me to have to pinch once.
"Are ya kidding me!?"
Juke's running increased in tempo. Unlike me, he was able to at least keep the distance between him and the woman the same. Unfortunately for me, my head was bouncing up and down every step. I was sure that I'd vomit any minute, and then pathetically pass out a moment after.
But I couldn't afford to do so. I couldn't afford to be a burden when our lives were being threatened like this.
I tried to call it forth, but my tendril wouldn't appear. I tried mana expulsion– tried, but struggled. The explosion hadn't drained me of my mana, but my supply was so low I might as well have been shaking a bottle for droplets. I couldn't form anything grandiose or dangerous, meaning that I had to do something to just slow her down.
So, I formed a small mass of water. Supporting it with my other hand, I lifted my arm, aiming my open palm at her feet.
She didn't react preemptively at all. It gave me a surge of hope, and with that borrowed vigor, I fired the spell at her feet.
Except, I didn't fire it. It unceremoniously plummeted to the ground. She simply jumped over the puddle the spell created.
"Damn, it."
"--Ay kid, are ya seeing this!?"
"Seeing what", I wanted to ask, because I was still incapable of moving my body more than an inch at a time. But I didn't have to turn my head to see what he saw. As Juke kept running through the street, we passed by a myriad of bodies loitering about. My first assumption was that they were corpses– and, well, judging by all the red, it was likely correct.
But what really caught my eye was their attire: dark, hooded robes. All of these bodies were that of the people in Hard-Bringer.
Did a fight break out? Is that what happened? I looked up at the woman and she was entirely unperturbed. I was hoping to gauge a different reaction, but not only was hers uninformative, it was disturbing.
And then, my vision swerved.
"Huh?"
"I'm takin' a gamble."
"Gamble!?"
That was the loudest noise I had made that day. Juke didn't elaborate on what gamble he was taking. I thought of wiggling out his grasp right there, as obviously foolish as it was. But–146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpY4nGkgYC
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"Just trust me!"
He said it as a feverish plea. It shocked me into staying in place. With nothing else to do, I placed my faith in him. The sun-lightened streets disappeared and we ventured into a darkened alleyway. We came to a stop shortly after, leaving me confused and worried.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtR4e2agMu
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Then, Juke began to talk, but it was clear that it wasn't to me.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9h8ZCBivJ
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"Who are ya people?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NZ9uOXUm2
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"Wow, he really followed us. Well, sir, we're here to help. My buddy will be doing the dirty work, though."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEBc9six3Y
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"Buddy?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtoAKUSkIe
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I froze– froze more than I already was frozen, anyway. The voice that Juke spoke with was familiar to me, though I struggled to put a name to it. But then a set of footsteps sounded through the alley, and a man in a trench coat brushed passed Juke and me.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVtkDFnNl9
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Of course, with an article of clothing that distinct, I'd be lying if I didn't recognize him. My recognition was only solidified when he drew his hands in it and pulled two crossbows out.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlVXOi9zhQ
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"Quiet now."146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4tDeeTQzI
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Pars gave a command to us all, aiming his crossbows at the entrance of the alleyway. I didn't understand why he was using two of them, but there was a tube of earth protruding from inside the coat and connected to the ends of the crossbows, so I knew there was some trick going on.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXEUI32NaO
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Pars kept his aim steady, and steady, and kept it up for seconds, then minutes. I realized then that we had lost our pursuer, but Pars only tilted his head.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡum4RiMSQux
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"Where did she go? Do I smell that bad?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtJwiDgWLR
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He pulled his crossbows back and sighed, rubbing his head as he turned around. His eyes met with mine, and he practically blenched.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbQ1bKoZYT
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"K-Kenny? Where did you come from!?"146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mxed4pwNS
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I sighed, and I smiled. There was something heartwarming about seeing this man act as usual, even if it pained me.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLD9KsJvuV
