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."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YljYlHXbX
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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?129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9ajFD9PVt
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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."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFaipBrtty
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"That's not true at all–"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8hfMcVnEL
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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..."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyRzD07lkv
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I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqU1VSasDwa
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"All of you say I'm a genius, but I'm not a genius. A genius wouldn't have gotten us into this mess in the first place. And now, now that I at least have Flinty, and at least Victoria is here– and hell, at least now that you're here, you're telling me to go back in there, and then just, risk it all again? What if I mess up or, God, what if I cause Kim to die? I-I'm not– I can't do it! I can't! I can't do it alone! Kim is already gone, I don't have her to help me anymore, so if something goes wrong then it's going to go terribly wrong! D-Don't you get it? Don't you get it, Ng!? How am I supposed to do anything, absolutely anything, knowing that if it all goes to shit then I'm the one who's responsible!?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD48f2rfhF9
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I fell to my knees.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXOx24fOSe
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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..."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHvqrZIlK1
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I fell. I was in a fetal position and the top of my head was glued to the ground. I couldn't hear anything over my crying. I couldn't even move. I felt something touch my shoulder. I looked up to see Ng's face.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwTjDDK2DJ
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"...Kenny."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1u41lb50Oa
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"What!?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72eLKz6FLz
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He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWj4gMLWgbd
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"You're not lying to me, are you?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNg5GllvcGR
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The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgj4a2dnNqt
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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."
...129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjc6WmF54V
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I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF99sKVgE5u
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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?129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6j1FcQ9Uie
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"N-No..."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkkTe9NYnQ
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Oh, God.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGO1y52nXnB
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Oh, God.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OcjuddN9h
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"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAlr8tLTuc
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Ng leaned down to pat me again. I slapped his hand away. I scurried backward on the ground, panting, tears still rolling down my face. Ng didn't look like a man to me anymore. I couldn't identify what he was. All I saw was something I didn't like. I kept scurrying back and I hit a tree, then I stood up, and then I ran away. I didn't know where it was that I was going but the light from his torch was fading and that's all that mattered. I kept looking back and eventually, I stumbled. Right, the roots here, they were massive. I got up and five steps later I tripped again. The exhaustion from before still hadn't subsided. I could barely move. But, at the very least, Ng wasn't here. At least Ng wasn't there.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqU3HEb9S1W
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But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNmDgaA226
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"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGo2EIKqrg
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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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rz0JJacGx
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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–129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUQ4yohmLg
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"--Hrk!"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkgBfhp19Y
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I managed to hold back my vomit. Somehow that cleared the haze in my mind. I leaned against a nearby tree. I didn't think. If I thought, then I would've heard Ng's words again, and if I thought, my anxieties would've crawled back, and then I would be endlessly running. So I sat there instead.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWiX9sUawx
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One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMacEWb1Kv
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"There you are."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYcdMYX57s
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Ng already found me, huh?129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YnbWJvUbw
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"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7Faavfj5L
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusk3u83Guq
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–129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvokBBx0UWW
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"...Fine."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XtsYkqbtO
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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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7FoKgsjIq
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"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceNVXsbxrm
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Nevermind. What a strange question.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtm6chvKl2
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"No. They died a long time ago."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWP9CgDhidw
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"I see. You have my condolences."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgpxnIpD2P
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"I don't need them."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVtR0Kn1wy
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A pause.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hghkd0lfF
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"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXrg0WDpuf
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"..."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfnrTkB6ja
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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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VPm0LWm9b
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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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6O46IuU4J
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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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWQLJyq8N0
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"Did I–"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhU6S3gGQJj
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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."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPiH7RVzx8
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"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfRqIz5rho
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I had to make sure I heard him.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3GPVtkBH1
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"Assistants?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHNxnWT81v
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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."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8st6buUkM
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"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFKciZfK50
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"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMeS9hty0r
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"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwdOOEOUqn
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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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVLAHaTgcG
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Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgADS7GaeU
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"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzrIQ2yP3a
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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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpyI3kDVqg
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Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqR6dw9AasX
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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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6YEWMkJFS
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"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpnRsy2oIW
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"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdACoQ0Kt4u
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"Of course."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mgqjWB9BV
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"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3rThkcgkN
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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."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6He1rCpxy
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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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpxurppo3R
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But, no, something else was bugging me.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaA7IHoIVAQ
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"How did you know where to find us here?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRaAZxAzrJ
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"I simply spent the day searching."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfT4KdFcadw
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"The whole day?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JdvTnRDP2
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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."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ724kJrjFNs
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Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchjY7nB3e2
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"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZB7Wfgrhv
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He sighed.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYhX8fIP6B
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"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPcGszde55
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"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbSBCmBWUq
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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."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6EequoZgp
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"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTYRtMpT6x
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"...Why do you ask?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Pi9jH42bc
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9Uujwd4FT
"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJZ8FiBl6Y
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaT5Y5P9lD
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLY9AMQVYN
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpbx68MasC
"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvCZJzixvA
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbf1oNc3Vl
"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmiXEiwFOK
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDtroET9Kr
"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvsSaUE4Dy
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEC8B35nL3
"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."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BZFRDt32b
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykZkl7f4rd
"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHa6k0gFdp
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4d9pTQaKc
"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4IqZsVYfs
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPoXEmHBqh
He put a hand to his chin.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEs2nMBR1Ks
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRk1dgSsK8U
"...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."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLxsAHCDEo
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjYfm3MzdU
"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoZaOIU0sx
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oqxlXOiKp
"No."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIb4ybOg25
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqCjPXQxFD
"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lW2Mskgzg
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqM1WEEtX5
"Do you mean in the woods?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14P8WoNTy8
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUay5a1Fxh5
"Yes. I'm just curious."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMHOvEdUTs
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFcjzQrZxg
"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."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5X2vVsfbnt
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TClDD9gR2
I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCcLav5led
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNScJyG0s5
"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQe1FaYnjz
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUpFWXh8KY
"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtm8Oe7L0V
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWtv6Q7207
"Me too."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNa35iqxsY
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMYZoATne6
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZrsWaLL5w
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKueLavzCc
"Is that all you wanted to ask?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5kvhpB3lK
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0usG8Q1Wc0
"Yes. For now, at least."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLWrV1yEBc
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rVnBPo1H1
"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."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3ySJWxjQs
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV04XgtdG7B
"..."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6Evk698p6
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhYkIlIm8n
It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiwTplPgbh
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqMofttDfx
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmymjhB5eJ
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOUG5Oy8Ie
"...Huh?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IN1YL4tvt
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzS9C6U3cJs
–
–
–
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZG8YSeBjYB
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18QSr2IhKG
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIrYcgTBFv
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPzQ5pK64E
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmDPn79Kpp
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPyJ9Il8zL
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1I4o7LbTl
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5MCGU1Ov2
"Good morning, Kenny."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rI8gdcCev
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4GttzGP6E
"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3aCtOJrSj
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMGpodMVQ0
"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50i9LbUx5c
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdlI0BcYAK
When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6AV10uJeN
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoq8C2MjMfD
"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibxWYGEYyg
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NV03lvLEC
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aGRo0Xomn
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIguQbFhZ6g
"Yes! I have, ha!"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nz3z5JrdC
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9OvSlZsct
She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWCsUPG3mI
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaK2Lo04Dn1
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJs1eS2LCH0
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8cxCeRotb
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjftYZb3hI
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvdKl4OvZw
"Thank you, teacher."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8bPjKK8bS
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTOsUoLF78
"Yeah. Don't call me that."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5JNLBZjAu
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36903nj2fC
"Okay."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaxHGdaliR
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPiOy3mOc6
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YW66SXME4
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1TBFFvu0t
"Hm? What's wrong?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgTDR7iG5s
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYVDhm7Jon
"Um..."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlvcvjzRH8
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sLOVwZltl
She let go of me and began taking off the coat.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZwfAQRnpE
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6OA2WZoXu
"Here. Have it back."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyS6bju7H7y
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonQsdcJFZp
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHznjKAgMy
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRLiM3ZbKN
She shook her head no.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nv9ZDBgbZ
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghz1zmpETs
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTJyoKsYIG
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LausVkVw6
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTAL9qqFoI
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUi7xTuxele
"Thank you, Flinty."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjieNsi01c
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMA13tIOJW
I grabbed the coat and put it back on.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEi6QxVloG
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieynxuW1Jj
"Kenny, do you feel better?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVLRQMvo2H
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTe2BYMTaA2
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqH3npsvJyQ
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsVFRbZXoN
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KYESySmaK
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7vfSmGMOn
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTDGntx6r3
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBQ9TpfNfg
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUNQbBaL6y
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7TdZaZ780
"Good morning, Kenny."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZFSvdLGsd
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6JQWvVAMs
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORoEpo3FrS
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcsLhwByDg
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxYZQnL7Vl
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmLGA3BzMU
"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaJ0AEREtJ
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVUldLKJ1b
I scooted closer to him.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrP0O97TsLh
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIBf7i5JoC
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZl64mHnfGb
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXW5DHqKo8
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqq7CxXI0Jn
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPygnJ5v8S
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NFGVLptFW
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppvSm0r0Zp
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UehwYE5st
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRbqpJPMjj
He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50rVXimaig
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIi5m83tZj7
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWs4JY3WUd
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wTvkhOW5F
"What?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjjtNEO6fe
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJgzo8StlO
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sL0l7XHcU
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMurMx4uYd
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLwMpAc131
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjx1By3XZOg
"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."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvG0E2WzPE
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElZQWpjGmV
"R-Right."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpi7Cl7cpw
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oAIpNXgUF
"Well then, shall we go?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XpL7TEmi2
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GgJD6miJI
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdlstbRsts
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fLUL4PHd1
"Alright."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCkl90iokA
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRjDfqK76u
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQk4Ab6Wly
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89Dovu0OXO
"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLzswpIJG5
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2oNNBdhzR
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQGtzJiClJ
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxfP9OF4Vc
"What?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjE59jGALDg
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpLMjQNHsj
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbKGt7Bdnt
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbq1bkGAwzm
"I know he will."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMrLgQRXLe
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6d88NxSM2
"Then why are you shaking?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdJKRa8SaP
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oYqdmhULM
"...I just can't help myself."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAIvWv5wsA
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuRx2hFqiu
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGa8LNMwa7L
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWwa4OWm3F
"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3irzwfNvO1
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3PjnMkeAe
"What do you want to talk about?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQs2hJJZ9v
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaVWWMx6tC
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzppC0CvjfM
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6nFVmtrxp
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZuHGTfTws
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDuwaGvQvh
"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyB8ufH5mUj
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLhDgKbiIv
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGQNmlEBlc
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKGoBbzFqX
"Ha!"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHHIcqGNvA
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0znlbkqky4
She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFUihXBWvA
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzk5ujvYsdK
"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!"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLb3B3kE4Nc
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ62ZSwQCdu
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRheTxxCPBu
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWjKldkx7h
"Hehe, something like that."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUafDqmFceV
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvWKFgEKcf
She didn't sound confident.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mCvkCPREu
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Q3q2o88cn
"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWJILD47Ne
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMPtOjIM39
"Ah. That makes sense."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYrPOAyvcD
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdG9AVGrX2O
I was very close to saying something insensitive.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8Uk6Q77cc
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbToAdEyZEu
"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."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4BuxdJPen
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BHaVp6RaF
"...Wolf?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvT3cAqzKF
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntRVCjjJtn
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjP6ylBwRE4
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUW64Ofp5X
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeOOnQXJOL
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGvpB30Vpi
"Kenny?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqwVagYOJm
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUL5vKrRFU
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5T2NC8h11
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPx1NVXqbc
I stood up and walked forward.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dAwNIOXx5
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTR7UQb30o
"Kenny? What's wrong?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH20jrnm9CB
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliwB5FaWNp
"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZfKltsQIN
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8wagOxAst
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNtBNgZ9nn
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eD1FU5tAl
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEc4XYt2Zx
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgewdg0yOFo
And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMFql3W5sY
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxjIeXXkOX
**BANG**129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDy7TZvF0ns
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIYgvuMvdk
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPr56EfZvPC
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFEUYV3xkb
"Victoria."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MJjYMm9h2
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCzlNDbrjC
"Right."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLM07S6Sez7
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhB6bERIZlF
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUZVZoaIU6
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6Y3HHKlf9
**SMASH**129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazLW71fxt9
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNVRniPznl
There he was.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucd4zp2ztb
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJIMjhQOhT
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjZVUjArFW
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXw7AnzNxG
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjItJxGaQWq
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VRF4iSP15
"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."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6SCjogx6g
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKP8kcszWT
"Right."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwScVoqyrV
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnjipCZLAm
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ToSzZOCE5
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2tzbuCwAU
"Thank you!"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHLhTnz0qp
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNuDcnhbRD
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEPyBFojaK
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOjK3qQa78
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UyJ45YaiW
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFP1azzUIoP
"Huh?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeNL0yvZw8
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEopisQU0I
Not just that, he clamped down on it, shattering it instantly. The fire was proven to be ineffective as smoke casually escaped his mouth.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaIouK8ZoS
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQJd1jgc2K
The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMDtO6wHQZ
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLcNx5hg2d
"Shit!"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNswQWQnUGo
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNUeI4ExjQ
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyMbeiNbcs
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9x55QhmqXT
"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjO4N7EYWPP
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAweU3xqSYQ
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2c2vfzkPM
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MKeqjdk6P
"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFcMRPGnMq
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiH8F4uyBt
"I understand."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ky1FlCEX9
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfwVazEx7s
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLY2OLOqTHu
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwVF79FubH
"Uh oh, Kenny."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaP1qJnYdH0
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYGRcyzfOr
Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LqcTEANe5
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgs21iq1TXq
"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqMc5OLyhO
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyuAwSWqMH
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvZd51wTdH
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtlFZNxuQX
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpU9vbshSF
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgaGw5kiz1
"Hrk!"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8D5zpiSmLG
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WH2Fqp75k
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH90SrR3wyI
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmn7RLHeFbZ
"Victoria! Close your eyes!"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RDvXROSZt
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHxROQNytQ
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SumTmvQsS
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMK2UWAem9
"Victoria!"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqHkARVHEV
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡze13aHg1rB
"Right!"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKUE0SihF7
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhKmpMTuIr
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNP7yWrAXE
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZfT63qGNk
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnJ0y3kHSP
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwttS6iszza
"GRAHHHH!"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7gqoYWzky
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAAyOOzTd7
A warcry. She was a total barbarian.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31ikw3m3II
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEDNGHLOgS
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwEELZ1y7V
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdgj8MPdby
"..."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXmsYvpOvA
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡish0Gxa3gJ
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HqiCKFzfw
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQA4Xzdr75
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzMgDoqQwm
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKqLML5FnM
We did it. We really did it.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kzsNbuEcu
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UDeDAz2XA
"Kenny!"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIVdTkkNw9
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2CdYrTmi8
Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBh9OCwfOC
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHV9YSpTbY
"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5bQG8AaAT
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlTgvLTPen
"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kB0oIx6PJ
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQb8CFKCulr
She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oJiwhye9b
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEbbhAowsE
"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Zv2F7Os3n
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6W8Jop2Dj
"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9QFD2Hwz6
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4DLsOwPGU
She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBB8fvs35MF
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmb5fSTtgc
"We did it," I muttered.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVsfppU4ge
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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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqwEbKO0TS
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IZFjB6mHO
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1n9Sur621
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWAD6ilmRx
I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKX0NKY5HU2
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOzT11FIek
"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZaFHZxOQA
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vBbMPID5Q
"...It could've been a lot worse."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuvmOmJOSh
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRB3zHIUCv6
"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPn9yQnbHIK
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcI0g44aTVc
Victoria looked at something above me.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnU36yh5e0A
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SumYtDYWQ
"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYgth77fKm
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWL3RSDoFDt
Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFxXFD1p0C
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlf4epM7huo
"No. Why do you ask?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5AZlh1jRb
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoYbR5kKzl
"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."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcxr8SqIgV
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIaWEH434s
"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7CTSZFi5L
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaasrGOkqE9
"O-Oh, sorry."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVwCynWZFH
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQQ1Y8FFoo
She scratched her cheek a little.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFL6dgZcPpw
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQ2iEESJyP
"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvLwr9y7ej
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mnPf3KVzH
"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."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcL7vY6cM87
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HXffE6R4v
"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjpVFKVMCb
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwE3h4YiBT
"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSarX4fx3Pv
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNB03fBKhu7
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSULmRTKGQE
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJNsLxLqym
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFl9S9b7zC
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NTlq7phkt
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXJU9iiTZ2
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bXeIqpvxJ
"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWqMVOoHxe
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUNT2lZHDg
"We fought something, Kenny and I."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoZQ28RGfj
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdRGZQz600
She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpjsAHMPDr
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOqhY1Y37A
"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHeazMS2YP
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4L59ajctW3
"How is Kim?" I asked.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBh4veZTv3
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"She's fine, just unconscious."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8s2A1ngRgr
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRvxPY8OH5
I could only say one thing.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Lvf7eSTBw
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlWIIVyAve
"...Haaaa. Thank God."
