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."23Please respect copyright.PENANAALwLozE5FW
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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?23Please respect copyright.PENANARUhKQ1DcM6
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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."23Please respect copyright.PENANAnALGGEI98b
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"That's not true at all–"23Please respect copyright.PENANAHek64kynO8
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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..."23Please respect copyright.PENANA5BtS7djqo0
23Please respect copyright.PENANAQmW9BnYKPY
I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.23Please respect copyright.PENANAcJspH7e0Vd
23Please respect copyright.PENANAoC68J3sKaf
"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!?"23Please respect copyright.PENANA0NTrXIhVHV
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I fell to my knees.23Please respect copyright.PENANAKI5CXdiYW3
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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..."23Please respect copyright.PENANAu3Ir94MLGb
23Please respect copyright.PENANAlSRtyjli1w
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAlAgFd01Adq
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"...Kenny."23Please respect copyright.PENANA0N8cCFjGjX
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"What!?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAbg6QOceFl7
23Please respect copyright.PENANABiaZCN16xh
He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.23Please respect copyright.PENANAxBIX0IlfuZ
23Please respect copyright.PENANAoIHh5AoTUk
"You're not lying to me, are you?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAySWbgoisJC
23Please respect copyright.PENANAc2MjmpOyT8
The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.23Please respect copyright.PENANAHL5v8e9uFd
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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."
...23Please respect copyright.PENANAiEzlHgBFZG
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I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?23Please respect copyright.PENANAz8E4liRpwY
23Please respect copyright.PENANAoUSG7ZkvEO
I'm not... I'm not doing that, am I? What I'm doing, it's just to preserve what I have, right?23Please respect copyright.PENANAgEFGD4yC6B
23Please respect copyright.PENANAlhSHVX3dus
"N-No..."23Please respect copyright.PENANASLSerUnGhE
23Please respect copyright.PENANAKAvtVhj7qJ
Oh, God.23Please respect copyright.PENANA6PP9dh09sF
23Please respect copyright.PENANALnd7EUl1yQ
Oh, God.23Please respect copyright.PENANAnO9tUFcYJh
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"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"23Please respect copyright.PENANAsrikCbUjDA
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAJeU1Wq2mlI
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But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.23Please respect copyright.PENANAJzmNmaltud
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"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."23Please respect copyright.PENANANhrGwBDjbf
23Please respect copyright.PENANAOE5soCq6di
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAPZgL4O2G1k
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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–23Please respect copyright.PENANAIpqEbFZE9p
23Please respect copyright.PENANA0msYV02e82
"--Hrk!"23Please respect copyright.PENANAdPJScwzRWf
23Please respect copyright.PENANASBxktvR7ME
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAzoC138p1tu
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One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.23Please respect copyright.PENANAT6hZkvxgxZ
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"There you are."23Please respect copyright.PENANAKmp5Og9dJZ
23Please respect copyright.PENANAaqdwIO4rZH
Ng already found me, huh?23Please respect copyright.PENANAV3rqoEyRhI
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"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAL6NQzrUBDp
23Please respect copyright.PENANA5Pt8jo6OXY
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–23Please respect copyright.PENANAXod9RTglJg
23Please respect copyright.PENANAz4rNZnpuKS
"...Fine."23Please respect copyright.PENANAlMJBgmcOo6
23Please respect copyright.PENANAC1qiuAFN2S
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANANmsTU9Oo5G
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"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"23Please respect copyright.PENANATDSwcuoF3L
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Nevermind. What a strange question.23Please respect copyright.PENANAZlelGy9E8o
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"No. They died a long time ago."23Please respect copyright.PENANAFMV3bT3JuS
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"I see. You have my condolences."23Please respect copyright.PENANAJcoDpcfnsP
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"I don't need them."23Please respect copyright.PENANAy69XhAWbvG
23Please respect copyright.PENANAUJAq9DcMtH
A pause.23Please respect copyright.PENANAb2HvqXI9J4
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"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAUdVcEAxH9b
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"..."23Please respect copyright.PENANA8UKL2ILOQY
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAaP8zPJqsWF
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAYGArhBSOHq
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAx3PrPOB4jR
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"Did I–"23Please respect copyright.PENANAUHUM1mDWu5
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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."23Please respect copyright.PENANAq4C23j5F5v
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"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"23Please respect copyright.PENANA9PAApJtqVD
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I had to make sure I heard him.23Please respect copyright.PENANA9Ad8C1lrIp
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"Assistants?"23Please respect copyright.PENANA6V7JsMUb8D
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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."23Please respect copyright.PENANAUqhr9OCTkM
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"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."23Please respect copyright.PENANADGABOUB81Z
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"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."23Please respect copyright.PENANAd49JV5GkSw
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"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."23Please respect copyright.PENANArxYV9SEWKK
23Please respect copyright.PENANAV0WbImguA8
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAQeWUjQG0OU
23Please respect copyright.PENANAJLMTwP1q0g
Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.23Please respect copyright.PENANAJlQToW9PxS
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"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"23Please respect copyright.PENANAAcmCxvrQPx
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAex3kOukyjD
23Please respect copyright.PENANAgWzZpayNFj
Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.23Please respect copyright.PENANADOD7yL0gsf
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANApf0rV1nqwX
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"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAhNKKlFHLiR
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"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."23Please respect copyright.PENANAnIgubTgsKO
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"Of course."23Please respect copyright.PENANAdCKduJ3Q2V
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"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAmKxC3oxUr8
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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."23Please respect copyright.PENANAE9Mds1zyhN
23Please respect copyright.PENANAWvUgcqrDDU
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAKF0R7ncdlQ
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But, no, something else was bugging me.23Please respect copyright.PENANACxy535ctpK
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"How did you know where to find us here?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAX4Nvz8RKy6
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"I simply spent the day searching."23Please respect copyright.PENANAm8ti6ry7Mx
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"The whole day?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAHZ6ItAaKj7
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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."23Please respect copyright.PENANAdfFGEQxKin
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Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?23Please respect copyright.PENANASTW6Rml9Kl
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"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."23Please respect copyright.PENANAMXP2gvpfcQ
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He sighed.23Please respect copyright.PENANAEpmytJbYcL
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"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAFsuehmYRxa
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"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"23Please respect copyright.PENANAFekjsrPUzf
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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."23Please respect copyright.PENANAHf7rH52BPW
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"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAcOVv4G6iQx
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"...Why do you ask?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAr9k0R3i5wJ
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"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."23Please respect copyright.PENANAUe3GjZieVL
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Those words made me perk up. They had two meanings to me. Ng went on to explain the blob's ability to contort its body and produce a hypnagogic haze when injured. Skylark didn't look intimidated at all. I didn't see him in action yet, but I imagined that such confidence didn't come from foolishness. Skylark's presence was still strange, and I'd be lying if I said that I didn't have any suspicions about his relation to Kim, but– frankly, it didn't matter. Frankly, I was just glad that I was able to pass the baton onto somebody far more capable than me. A short while later we all returned to sleep; aside from me, of course. And, apparently, aside from Skylark. I lifted my body and stared at him. As we stared at each other, I tried to unbridle certain words from my throat, but he talked first before I could.23Please respect copyright.PENANAqgArpQCezD
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"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAPVvrWEnIJn
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"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAzld2pzYUi2
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"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."23Please respect copyright.PENANAILu03LMtl4
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"I see. I'll get sleepy eventually, it's just a matter of time. But since you're awake, I might as well talk with you. Talking with people is especially exhausting."23Please respect copyright.PENANAtbiPvGDGnA
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"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAlJOKLP4FCf
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"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAj93l0iu5Ck
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He put a hand to his chin.23Please respect copyright.PENANAjeyRQH4GSF
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"...Well, I'm sure you in particular will find out soon. For now, let's just say that I was sent to defend her, in case anything goes awry."23Please respect copyright.PENANAUZXgKIIIkh
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"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAoSUkKXbTKf
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"No."23Please respect copyright.PENANAMvjCeC2Sc6
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"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"23Please respect copyright.PENANA1VJcK8znPC
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"Do you mean in the woods?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAXk8QyzFKZU
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"Yes. I'm just curious."23Please respect copyright.PENANACIVc392ol3
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"I entered the woods two hours ago. I was told by Linda to wait until it became dark. Honestly, these woods are a bit of a nightmare to navigate."23Please respect copyright.PENANAZw41LEgYOr
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I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.23Please respect copyright.PENANA8VoS6chRYJ
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"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."23Please respect copyright.PENANAvKNeAffEjt
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"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."23Please respect copyright.PENANA0ErTyrYeUZ
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"Me too."23Please respect copyright.PENANA685hQQ3vx5
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I realized how strange it was that he called it knightly duty, since he met us by coincidence, but didn't press him on that matter.23Please respect copyright.PENANAgkFqTRLH2h
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"Is that all you wanted to ask?"23Please respect copyright.PENANALO1Mh4tlKo
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"Yes. For now, at least."23Please respect copyright.PENANAnwHpLKmUEb
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"Are you sure? I may not be able to answer all questions related to Kim, but I have a lot of knowledge of other things."23Please respect copyright.PENANAWll7fm4BAE
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"..."23Please respect copyright.PENANADseQwqbaqL
23Please respect copyright.PENANAmZr0zlzTwD
It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.23Please respect copyright.PENANAKOJV9Q37Zd
23Please respect copyright.PENANADnj1EVEUK0
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"23Please respect copyright.PENANA8MHjsUjd65
23Please respect copyright.PENANAtxmKcQ0pzi
"...Huh?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAsu18iNk8sR
23Please respect copyright.PENANAjcJwX8mISU
–
–
–
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAv3r9Ddrsny
23Please respect copyright.PENANAGHLdQbeYdA
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANADR452cX1Gp
23Please respect copyright.PENANAgm3JYJ4NQW
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAJhbCDa7mvs
23Please respect copyright.PENANA2cbXU3R30M
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.23Please respect copyright.PENANAbPGau2THm2
23Please respect copyright.PENANAeUWfDNodlS
"Good morning, Kenny."23Please respect copyright.PENANAJG4QXRD6xd
23Please respect copyright.PENANAFzMcLu39vt
"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAOWTvTOyfdv
23Please respect copyright.PENANA5x7kk03zA1
"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."23Please respect copyright.PENANAjgLaBKRR4s
23Please respect copyright.PENANAvOTdaU98eh
When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.23Please respect copyright.PENANAT2DP4UrtFI
23Please respect copyright.PENANAguuEsi86ZF
"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.23Please respect copyright.PENANAFyXOz1fOso
23Please respect copyright.PENANAwQ0TRIG35M
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAJ9fLpS1qpS
23Please respect copyright.PENANAWfKieEGSUO
"Yes! I have, ha!"23Please respect copyright.PENANA7qOd4HBQuS
23Please respect copyright.PENANA1e8hH2aGcu
She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.23Please respect copyright.PENANArAfap9wVJW
23Please respect copyright.PENANAx1CNz70hdo
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."23Please respect copyright.PENANAPR4NgTmsRd
23Please respect copyright.PENANA3yEvh6ZKCx
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.23Please respect copyright.PENANAgTJqSAdFCn
23Please respect copyright.PENANAwrviiyvbzx
"Thank you, teacher."23Please respect copyright.PENANAa3piaUK8Ed
23Please respect copyright.PENANA7pIgzSMaLP
"Yeah. Don't call me that."23Please respect copyright.PENANA6jOjlC70Wf
23Please respect copyright.PENANALoXbT4Cwn5
"Okay."23Please respect copyright.PENANA12xVL2BxIH
23Please respect copyright.PENANADhGSQLReEh
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.23Please respect copyright.PENANAWSSDajdWbt
23Please respect copyright.PENANAWoFqiwcAoO
"Hm? What's wrong?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAL4GrTt7tjz
23Please respect copyright.PENANAp4G7nC27jH
"Um..."23Please respect copyright.PENANAJzeaph2bTI
23Please respect copyright.PENANAG9e8bspRU8
She let go of me and began taking off the coat.23Please respect copyright.PENANAWNj7z6YARL
23Please respect copyright.PENANAFVrCVxnMLF
"Here. Have it back."23Please respect copyright.PENANAUznoK8P3vq
23Please respect copyright.PENANAlatbO4FuL4
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."23Please respect copyright.PENANAISRGuPCSei
23Please respect copyright.PENANA9jalAXteVs
She shook her head no.23Please respect copyright.PENANAFWXaHl8Aoz
23Please respect copyright.PENANAyTuGNN807e
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."23Please respect copyright.PENANA1YwD22SreG
23Please respect copyright.PENANAcXrTTZSBu9
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.23Please respect copyright.PENANAMd9jHjHamz
23Please respect copyright.PENANASEVDDMat6e
"Thank you, Flinty."23Please respect copyright.PENANAlMkt7riQfz
23Please respect copyright.PENANALEIKjh63jZ
I grabbed the coat and put it back on.23Please respect copyright.PENANAdRGJ8bleEV
23Please respect copyright.PENANAcbT7zP6NjY
"Kenny, do you feel better?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAOisYG8DR4E
23Please respect copyright.PENANATdsweIXKhs
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.23Please respect copyright.PENANAFFjdkwoPMx
23Please respect copyright.PENANAkOgAU4NtJ8
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."23Please respect copyright.PENANAsjwhBkIqhe
23Please respect copyright.PENANAnqvXiLmtvr
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."23Please respect copyright.PENANAK0E9gK70HH
23Please respect copyright.PENANAAYLf3WvnmU
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.23Please respect copyright.PENANA1tX2WmJkUE
23Please respect copyright.PENANAC3tUka8wJ0
"Good morning, Kenny."23Please respect copyright.PENANAqiYjEZ2Ttn
23Please respect copyright.PENANAsDIkjIKm7B
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."23Please respect copyright.PENANAMW0xr3GiYH
23Please respect copyright.PENANARVHpDHnkQP
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAIy83UUlMFy
23Please respect copyright.PENANAs8dXfgiGSq
"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAXbdk5bDk5r
23Please respect copyright.PENANAM9qSrGI1wM
I scooted closer to him.23Please respect copyright.PENANAmncWNxeXZc
23Please respect copyright.PENANAv6wYDOjkJM
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"23Please respect copyright.PENANALIrz2N702F
23Please respect copyright.PENANAbjxz0phLoj
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."23Please respect copyright.PENANA9ACvKeC65n
23Please respect copyright.PENANArqT55L24ig
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAgRa0YYOqdl
23Please respect copyright.PENANAlKnh5soJ1P
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."23Please respect copyright.PENANALfmQvgQ3k0
23Please respect copyright.PENANA6EK3IDObEq
He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.23Please respect copyright.PENANAeREqcdTPSy
23Please respect copyright.PENANACc1fjJr6rF
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."23Please respect copyright.PENANArpg2lvl8Ot
23Please respect copyright.PENANAjGF7Wh4CSK
"What?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAgRp9Im9svk
23Please respect copyright.PENANAC2GiR9NdGs
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."23Please respect copyright.PENANAb42Rr88goP
23Please respect copyright.PENANA3dkUSCR8LJ
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANANiu4RCErmK
23Please respect copyright.PENANAOuILoSc09e
"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."23Please respect copyright.PENANAAVDudl68tH
23Please respect copyright.PENANA2aeIahJXJe
"R-Right."23Please respect copyright.PENANAcJWGKIROM7
23Please respect copyright.PENANAkG6Zo1XOms
"Well then, shall we go?"23Please respect copyright.PENANApVd8XNYCk2
23Please respect copyright.PENANAl6ujVVf7h0
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.23Please respect copyright.PENANA8hOpHxSJr6
23Please respect copyright.PENANAeHDAN8BLEM
"Alright."23Please respect copyright.PENANAlYpDrn2Wvt
23Please respect copyright.PENANALrPBbSXY8F
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAjoTNkBhGCr
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"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."23Please respect copyright.PENANAj0HCb7YbRY
23Please respect copyright.PENANAqAvY51i79G
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAEXDQIH11zp
23Please respect copyright.PENANAeQzequL6KQ
"What?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAql5BbR7ZiB
23Please respect copyright.PENANAJPERCzooWZ
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."23Please respect copyright.PENANAC2wD7RKlmW
23Please respect copyright.PENANALonJvF1vZN
"I know he will."23Please respect copyright.PENANAAtx1Tv29ST
23Please respect copyright.PENANAfOenbcEGDg
"Then why are you shaking?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAmopAgxInY0
23Please respect copyright.PENANAVpgTzT6kw7
"...I just can't help myself."23Please respect copyright.PENANAdGlfwrjxjR
23Please respect copyright.PENANApObmxrOWXI
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAkq9Vs5i4Ug
23Please respect copyright.PENANAzB054zO5b7
"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"23Please respect copyright.PENANA50siqp0Mse
23Please respect copyright.PENANAflQhTbGEHy
"What do you want to talk about?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAeq4JZ52xLe
23Please respect copyright.PENANAc02QKqWjbj
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAgNbmuWw1NH
23Please respect copyright.PENANAzmaL1Ier1O
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."23Please respect copyright.PENANAEG1HDwgiuC
23Please respect copyright.PENANA5NFLUSzQmH
"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."23Please respect copyright.PENANAXkEfE6ctwP
23Please respect copyright.PENANAwfDit9QgRs
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAogLJdiSEZK
23Please respect copyright.PENANApRUJyTylGB
"Ha!"23Please respect copyright.PENANArCMtiFYfuw
23Please respect copyright.PENANAKyux9sZVLc
She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.23Please respect copyright.PENANAqHoXYcRtBU
23Please respect copyright.PENANAfKmZnwChdh
"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!"23Please respect copyright.PENANAZMlf2WWFBn
23Please respect copyright.PENANA4TqfEcN5JU
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAKv5tHsOAVU
23Please respect copyright.PENANAmD0HzB4pwc
"Hehe, something like that."23Please respect copyright.PENANAW3ob69L8vu
23Please respect copyright.PENANAVTYyv6Xo2H
She didn't sound confident.23Please respect copyright.PENANA1SZ9TDoDzc
23Please respect copyright.PENANAVuyNExTG64
"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."23Please respect copyright.PENANAC4bHgtnIjT
23Please respect copyright.PENANANdMUIQVTAJ
"Ah. That makes sense."23Please respect copyright.PENANAW0oIkqnkiU
23Please respect copyright.PENANApQlpefgvgm
I was very close to saying something insensitive.23Please respect copyright.PENANABS1pmot3A5
23Please respect copyright.PENANAKiNxAQU04E
"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."23Please respect copyright.PENANAdCx2rdX8qj
23Please respect copyright.PENANAyfynQd1gug
"...Wolf?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAZYWKW8TZs4
23Please respect copyright.PENANAWYXvMy2Y9C
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAfP4ksaO7bZ
23Please respect copyright.PENANAS05a5YcVtp
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?23Please respect copyright.PENANAoHu1n3jAYW
23Please respect copyright.PENANANc7CbtQ6Rb
"Kenny?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAWFUD62iZPK
23Please respect copyright.PENANAq3eU4ex85v
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAS6NCdo5vmZ
23Please respect copyright.PENANA2aTPFA3YpU
I stood up and walked forward.23Please respect copyright.PENANAv4Nyq2lO2B
23Please respect copyright.PENANA7QkzkFsSA8
"Kenny? What's wrong?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAO15OuJpw1I
23Please respect copyright.PENANAoouwmuCVvW
"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."23Please respect copyright.PENANA8SShCEz5rw
23Please respect copyright.PENANAGJc8VO3nIM
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAVCKWVzIKBx
23Please respect copyright.PENANA9IbuZ14oq3
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANA0c3LVxp4Ni
23Please respect copyright.PENANAkXIWRGuopf
And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.23Please respect copyright.PENANAXMSHhuDpgb
23Please respect copyright.PENANAFF7G4vfymq
**BANG**23Please respect copyright.PENANAMCEhhHFUVv
23Please respect copyright.PENANAmEqlYN72wK
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANA13WVZsJPWE
23Please respect copyright.PENANA4iA0OXX7u8
"Victoria."23Please respect copyright.PENANAcuPhUO3iEk
23Please respect copyright.PENANAOnKj8IiUKI
"Right."23Please respect copyright.PENANA8ZebxxvfMf
23Please respect copyright.PENANAiFPakz9I9E
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAwOujR8SJ1Z
23Please respect copyright.PENANARmL4Bl4ijY
**SMASH**23Please respect copyright.PENANAOskxYq6J5X
23Please respect copyright.PENANAfF67B3gpru
There he was.23Please respect copyright.PENANAAF8Z5xG94V
23Please respect copyright.PENANAxUXvLv7V05
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAB3EWitPwpG
23Please respect copyright.PENANA7A7AK5Ueds
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAL2QPFiRC3Q
23Please respect copyright.PENANAphPX4577cC
"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."23Please respect copyright.PENANA2QAW0OJquJ
23Please respect copyright.PENANAQISJa9drfF
"Right."23Please respect copyright.PENANAsVz9AKjlGP
23Please respect copyright.PENANAAvl26HyDfk
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANALLfcjcYg3Q
23Please respect copyright.PENANAnGEeC9U9cN
"Thank you!"23Please respect copyright.PENANAqIbFTCGXps
23Please respect copyright.PENANA76lfaL2Lud
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAvyJuZB0X4d
23Please respect copyright.PENANAkot3vSeRAZ
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAh6XBzBCefS
23Please respect copyright.PENANAymPkQchZYA
"Huh?"23Please respect copyright.PENANArZf7g20ilK
23Please respect copyright.PENANAcRMiQsX2LQ
Not just that, he clamped down on it, shattering it instantly. The fire was proven to be ineffective as smoke casually escaped his mouth.23Please respect copyright.PENANAukuTGV20A7
23Please respect copyright.PENANAnrfQTCpatH
The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.23Please respect copyright.PENANA5pIkG1Sb8d
23Please respect copyright.PENANAxKg6bn5kep
"Shit!"23Please respect copyright.PENANAvHXFcnUgJU
23Please respect copyright.PENANA6jy3PZy2WY
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAkwVaBDDRFR
23Please respect copyright.PENANAzUBU6U1qJo
"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAmlbJ7u0gAJ
23Please respect copyright.PENANAYgq2J7EZHF
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANALBJ95yg8iJ
23Please respect copyright.PENANAJRq6NaKKKU
"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."23Please respect copyright.PENANAsQHQiw3toh
23Please respect copyright.PENANAyv7FsSGzam
"I understand."23Please respect copyright.PENANAgN9F9e1Xtn
23Please respect copyright.PENANAoIAu7ieHjZ
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAKhgCK5xv1Z
23Please respect copyright.PENANAypsVL9oINu
"Uh oh, Kenny."23Please respect copyright.PENANAN1NFkJQIZz
23Please respect copyright.PENANAhC4gLgKxio
Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.23Please respect copyright.PENANAEjIs5YaAQg
23Please respect copyright.PENANApQe4xVlyz8
"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."23Please respect copyright.PENANArFZB4JQy6Q
23Please respect copyright.PENANA3JUuWhlk9K
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAOCySkAE7gt
23Please respect copyright.PENANA4ZJnJm92CR
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANACUJL7jUxdi
23Please respect copyright.PENANA26k6CjKoxT
"Hrk!"23Please respect copyright.PENANA4jVAQoGssH
23Please respect copyright.PENANAN5Ybbaupsa
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAztgLmCBmjt
23Please respect copyright.PENANAKrHO3QfFzE
"Victoria! Close your eyes!"23Please respect copyright.PENANA3EqlNnO42l
23Please respect copyright.PENANA9t5vv8nalj
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAsphtCqDpvi
23Please respect copyright.PENANA6rZCh8WxsW
"Victoria!"23Please respect copyright.PENANAxGt9dAwd6s
23Please respect copyright.PENANAuupnHTjCrm
"Right!"23Please respect copyright.PENANA9X0qnmdPRA
23Please respect copyright.PENANAz4GpDAl8EA
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAxrJyRxmfdm
23Please respect copyright.PENANASFh16IW1Qs
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANA2d8dWrp4I9
23Please respect copyright.PENANAUHnKc2eR7Q
"GRAHHHH!"23Please respect copyright.PENANAuXeTMlvMfC
23Please respect copyright.PENANAe282Z1EGr9
A warcry. She was a total barbarian.23Please respect copyright.PENANAwhmJalefca
23Please respect copyright.PENANA0bG8HYOFPa
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAXcDtbUMPBW
23Please respect copyright.PENANAWZUllhGJlX
"..."23Please respect copyright.PENANADoNOwq4uZi
23Please respect copyright.PENANAGay2B2i4Mw
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.23Please respect copyright.PENANAC1ouZBisTL
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANA0r63fCt5dc
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We did it. We really did it.23Please respect copyright.PENANAtZEwitEXaK
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"Kenny!"23Please respect copyright.PENANASS5ZYnwI65
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Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.23Please respect copyright.PENANAwThLf4S1th
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"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAoJWv3d2ZYE
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"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."23Please respect copyright.PENANAMZBSvbUtye
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She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.23Please respect copyright.PENANAUZE97hG9Ga
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"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."23Please respect copyright.PENANAl8cqI2cD6w
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"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAZTsIsFIdUx
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She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.23Please respect copyright.PENANApmGugwEw3P
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"We did it," I muttered.23Please respect copyright.PENANAjZyBLFi2Nf
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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.23Please respect copyright.PENANA71Zgll2OxN
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Right now, I was immensely satisfied. I glanced at Victoria, and she was fine, and I was fine, and the beast was dead, and I was satisfied.23Please respect copyright.PENANAPNg7Pbq7UM
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I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.23Please respect copyright.PENANAEueZKRbDix
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"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"23Please respect copyright.PENANA9H3JFDcjhj
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"...It could've been a lot worse."23Please respect copyright.PENANANnpSJ5FCiO
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"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."23Please respect copyright.PENANAUA2AjG5fa8
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Victoria looked at something above me.23Please respect copyright.PENANAKB8GpolFje
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"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAiJBUbMnjAU
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Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.23Please respect copyright.PENANABVeXEI1vTs
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"No. Why do you ask?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAUZrM1wrzj6
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"I haven't heard a single thing coming from the building. Our fight was noisy, so I thought that maybe someone would come out. I'm starting to get worried."23Please respect copyright.PENANAKPUeiAL3lp
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"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."23Please respect copyright.PENANA7Rd8Ml869R
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"O-Oh, sorry."23Please respect copyright.PENANAwjDGge6bxd
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She scratched her cheek a little.23Please respect copyright.PENANABiCsP255kR
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"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAneX5CiocAk
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"That's just how you need to be with monsters. Equally brutal. It's something I got used to. I watched my mom fight a lot when I was a kid."23Please respect copyright.PENANA5dm003My8U
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"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."23Please respect copyright.PENANA2HdFSJq1jt
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"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.23Please respect copyright.PENANAxIc8Roa3FB
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I sighed. My face returned to the grass as I indulged in the silence. I could feel the fatigue worm its way into every nook and cranny of my body. I was surprised at the toll the fight had on me. Eventually, I stood up and brushed the dirt off my shirt. It was even more purple than before.23Please respect copyright.PENANA9kGFKt82F2
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I helped Victoria up. I limped to the busted gate and stared at the compound. A weight formed in my stomach. I almost began to pray, but the doors to the building slowly opened.23Please respect copyright.PENANA1EZXqh82Vo
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Skylark was there. Kim was on one shoulder, and when he opened one door wide enough he grabbed Panz by the hood. He had a lot of dust on his body. When he caught up to us, he frowned.23Please respect copyright.PENANACjEerffHyo
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"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"23Please respect copyright.PENANAF4Wf6pZ7h2
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"We fought something, Kenny and I."23Please respect copyright.PENANAsBOLbUQ1LY
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She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.23Please respect copyright.PENANAOkrj2Bj38a
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"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."23Please respect copyright.PENANAFEAsDt23E1
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"How is Kim?" I asked.23Please respect copyright.PENANAUlqXJnPLq9
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"She's fine, just unconscious."23Please respect copyright.PENANAde2vgIZcdR
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I could only say one thing.23Please respect copyright.PENANAn54wVyUdrh
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"...Haaaa. Thank God."