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."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DPvk83Ihe
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iqcii3AlD
Ng tilted his head. He started to look a little nervous, and also slightly annoyed. I wasn't talking much sense, was I?153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREHX0Z6MBl
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mdrMLOsTK
"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."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF55OiJLxz4
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsg1EYEh35D
"That's not true at all–"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5Hx76JdlC
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtpsuePHGV
"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..."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsWfwlirCG
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29317yLCtG
I was slurring my words. Tears were running down my cheeks.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzK3TLvsCx
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdlQdBAwbv
"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!?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmmFpREb2Y
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9B2AJJjobA
I fell to my knees.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWBBvZa2fZ
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXGNXe7G3X
"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..."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRDYGGgIrq
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9xVWrXHGI
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9vTWvyFEo
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRCVAOksUv
"...Kenny."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8dchR3U8j
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2IQuSvuZO
"What!?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaKET9TPS9
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboPlk5G9pv
He tilted his head at me, narrowing his eyes.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSG7NUq5fT
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmV8HcrPRex
"You're not lying to me, are you?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8Dm3WbqwU
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wVGtYZSLD
The environs vanished. All I saw was his face. His condescending face.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP89XENeJEh
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SBSqxQueF
"That was quite a performance, but all I'm hearing is that you're just going to leave your friend to die."
...153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW45Rrt7DSm
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVYQNLihQu
I'm lying? I'm leaving her, to die? To, die?153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqO3WUDR3a
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EcXNLieUK
I'm not... I'm not doing that, am I? What I'm doing, it's just to preserve what I have, right?153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFDJ1cbG9z
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgYJHSl770
"N-No..."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkC3fI0fyX
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjpFF3kVM9
Oh, God.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNNZj6yXws
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpa8TSpCj5
Oh, God.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlSHQYIpUn
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AyMYYsp0M
"I apologize, that must've been a bit too harsh–"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhelQr5SWCT
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXbf6ZMTeo
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2PPn2mw60
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WJeK7fguz
But now I was alone, with my mind. It might've been worse.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGj8NNSHPFh
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsH1Fd5WT2
"To die...? I'm not doing that. I'm not, leaving her to die."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnPN5Ipp2f
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5jC9lDHwU
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡve8atfTf2W
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepmfHL9MLz
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–153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpV84pdFRF
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pS9zGJ2WX
"--Hrk!"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzXfowMrfk
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYWiaEzE0h
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZpxybKWAd
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRk6P2QYMMD
One thought did end up crossing my mind eventually: I'm glad Flinty isn't here to see this.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpjEYjWLyh
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2lGHpysF2
"There you are."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrq5rPHiErD
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhoV7xlyMI
Ng already found me, huh?153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsK51jP63V
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC69Jamsr2H
"I'm sorry for what I said. Let's just go back to the camp and rest, okay?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpbdHsY1jF
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUOeLB7Pcx
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–153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfKFkPpedC
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5W4FDWCoN
"...Fine."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4LdXmMjaE
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxNWW5Th0H
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oK1HzfcFO
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubfTXPxqci
"Kenny, do you happen to have any parents?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgvQVKCSox
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbBaI8tUJB
Nevermind. What a strange question.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7GfPlzdvq
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyOdc4R28C
"No. They died a long time ago."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYp1MHAa6w
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXllfKx0Zl1
"I see. You have my condolences."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JitGQtyfG
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRyv43OyTi
"I don't need them."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBC0NpfGvg
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfpiSgpnus
A pause.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FA1bR9wY7
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8sL1NG26Y
"I imagine that, when they died, you didn't take it very well, did you?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwmjr5AdKM
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmbPNXaOLW
"..."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpg1BjsJlFO
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinCaMIsLjI
I stopped walking. Ng stopped shortly after. I don't know what it is that just happened, but a button of mine was pressed.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnaLCWXlUl
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdyXmncTnr
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Nz7g65o9U
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitq5Sl6WUN
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusUzkxBDfn
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnPtAEz3y5
"Did I–"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVbCHHbOwP
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzRBkiOSUu
"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."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1x72IBzsh
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wy0dy28QZ
"I understand. Then, do you want me to create magical beast assistants?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcaD5VhocG
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiRYA7KvXz
I had to make sure I heard him.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQx1NtplNO
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAiy3nQaA0
"Assistants?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL17gAnwXX3
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9jqZYNIdA
"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."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiFXHCEuBZ
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UiVJJClR9
"Ng, you... you might not be such a bad guy."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9sIFyQYM1
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSx9VEiEHw
"O-Oh no, I'm not at all, hehe."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0ashfF6J8
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Tafe8TmjA
"...Maybe it'll work. Maybe, just maybe."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4ikPh45xp
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6A2Kmi7JF
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZJWDy7MGr
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuvJndtiUy
Except, everyone was awake. And it wasn't just Flinty and Victoria, someone else was here. Somebody that I recognized.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2h2qEYb6c2
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7PXOEvrYF
"Ah! Kenny, Ng, me, and Victoria were just about to go looking for you two!"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sdsuQgsVT
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTK4T3LXpx
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoGbZQVgjI
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBd9pzf3OCA
Right there, beside the fire, sat the first person I saw when I entered the city: Skylark, the commander knight.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6z1ZlCdMb
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFMOp5J9gU
–
–
–
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRNdLoc8b9
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnj2yIVowLi
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMMKI54GM0
"Hello, Kenny. You remember me from earlier, don't you?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bstUC8MaE
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTB0wKQgiYj
"Yes. You're the one who got the prince off my tail. Thank you for that."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgTJCktmy5
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT19UhHshkU
"Of course."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTXVovPJbL
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5ZlrhaHrl
"So, to address the elephant in the room, why are you here?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8uRpxVPHS
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoRY4hgCHq
"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."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIRLN0ZyIf
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA96qvZWFnM
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDQk9MXwRC
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97amtwTrGV
But, no, something else was bugging me.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxpkq8Od3X
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxXfjifbfJ
"How did you know where to find us here?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw25fhCfU4G
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcwYbe3izT
"I simply spent the day searching."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53X72zmFCo
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZStbpeMS5B
"The whole day?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWTzi84X6B
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTBzC76Ij1
He didn't respond to that. "Victoria's mother informed me of your whereabouts. This forest may be small, but it sure is dense."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRqUZnrQhS
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2TpVgrytN
Knight's were some dedicated workers, weren't they?153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IRiX2c8Hr
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvMbReWtrW
"But, Mister Knight," Victoria started, "Kim is currently... well."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ250KMDGqDM
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFglE2byh5q
He sighed.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOloTMUwFVD
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlpzFf4mqx
"So I figured. She isn't dead is she?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsoQOIQeoW
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcr7tys5oAc
"No no, not that we're aware of– Ng. Ng!"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgwOJaBaSf
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAJ45pLzyR
"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."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0uTZz96uZ
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSFRzV3kmM
"I see. Is there anything about this creature I should be aware of?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPvaddrlNw
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGZzrep2h5
"...Why do you ask?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNceZ60qDgF
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JUZBeNShA
"Why, because I will be slaying it, of course."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JohvtItrN
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIIqJn4pb5
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiDeL8uDXv
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3KiOwtHqw
"What is it?" He asked me, "Shouldn't you be getting rest?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2hRAebmNu
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASFWtYZUFf
"Sometimes, you're too tired to sleep. Do you know that feeling?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtavhwiOJCn
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgRry0o80H
"I can't say I'm very familiar with it."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9ffrrAxDb
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPf0yT1Mqa
"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."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GGgfjZ4aW
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KQeZ0o5kY
"Alright. Is there anything you had in mind?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KvMPZjRkz
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcw5Qupih7
"Of course. Can I ask you what your relation to Kim is?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWkfcRDJv2
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRK0zDYlG0i
He put a hand to his chin.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4i2ji9sXH
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrX2VXY2Ah
"...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."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnIfg6XKTJ
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNL7Cbj90AB
"Well, duh, that much was obvious. Is there nothing else you can tell me?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3I5AyTr4l
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfMZb11Id7
"No."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5kc7Df8JT
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhKcTlggJm
"Fine. Then, one more question, when did you get here?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WVRydN6qM
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMDVQGhFPJ
"Do you mean in the woods?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRfvAYpovc
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEYE4NMd2M
"Yes. I'm just curious."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNizrF0G20b
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1HzrHuzyp
"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."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFpyNWrder
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2J7FHnKsi
I nodded. It was about time I just got to the point.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90zRJoxrcY
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡej1iOcVH02
"Skylark... I want to thank you, earnestly. You were needed here badly."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaoCEC6gcb
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVdCVMtYoR
"Ah, well, as a knight, I'm glad I was able to fulfill my duty."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp81pIYMJev
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVTiOXCCOc
"Me too."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohZlTxZSvb
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7sX8A75R9
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpYfrOW2LQ
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKchgcxEN1
"Is that all you wanted to ask?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNjN9lDEqN
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ442zVEXDqK
"Yes. For now, at least."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WURZOEegJ
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQ4vMowfKh
"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."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0On1BwaQ9j
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhTkWPRi3v
"..."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVhZ7chdEO
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBxx5eff9O
It might not have been appropriate, but he did offer, didn't he? I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheJOOv13nh
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzAGEPbeSo
"How many unique magical plants do you have in the royal palace?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGVnMNlKfi
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHldDurGZol
"...Huh?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDn6J5LnQH
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJt7sxnWr3M
–
–
–
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7jpzPnpRv
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFYzFkBXtw
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmLrhwg0Fn
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2tWsgGI9b
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ReH9XLVxz
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ484gLE3jET
I walked to her clapping my hands. She was a little embarrassed, but she smiled when she saw me.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjmyHAw9Xe
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41MeNwBQVH
"Good morning, Kenny."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpDomhsoby
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eScYlE0JL
"Good morning. When did you learn to do that?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FezN4oMTM
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCKD87ZNtX
"Oh, well, when you were infiltrating, and while you were sitting at the camp, I spent a lot of time practicing."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51tAA3JBlN
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqh0ZOjxs5N
When I was at the camp? It must've been during my slump. Crap. My mood was a little soiled.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUCORqYupH
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRsJDYKeJE
"W-What do you think?" She asked. She had her fists to her face in anticipation.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewMRwhdglj
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNN3GyIGiDP
"I think it's impressive. You've been hard at work, haven't you?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsvlueeAws
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLBgcrI0wR
"Yes! I have, ha!"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRf7qfOMUc
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajXiuwy4Hb
She puffed her chest out. I felt happy for her. I was also impressed by how well she allocated her time.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPdsrfq5zY
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsAaz8AkEG
"You passed my preliminary test, Flitny. Congratulations."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40Z1Hc6TSi
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRu0pENUvA
I stretched out my hand. She looked at it in disbelief at first but sternly shook it after.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaVj2eT7cd
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKHByNcn5k
"Thank you, teacher."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWnpZ2luyg
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9K0q4CUAv
"Yeah. Don't call me that."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMibNd5loMj
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4G8ZGuSH7
"Okay."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8KFQrIkAl
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvfZIf7RUI
My spirits were lifted. I turned around and began walking to the campsite, but Flinty put a hand on my shoulder.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmZPN8E8wZ
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUlDWWLsNt
"Hm? What's wrong?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBIfDHnklx
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qHsBu0UQh
"Um..."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu51tG9T7wX
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsmktF2ozR
She let go of me and began taking off the coat.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2y7D8sqGA
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0Z6vQL9hb
"Here. Have it back."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeontHeLxd4
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXA6ffzQIoK
"Huh? Y-You can still keep it, at least until we get out of these woods."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjamkbUl6mi
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlczG4YjwmL
She shook her head no.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkTp92MR6c
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaiA67Raqx
"I think you need it. You like it a lot, right? I think you need something that you like."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUYtarHVQU
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DGRCV8uhY
She had a pensive expression. I felt like refusing again was a bad idea.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokgjuHB1aT
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGP3ZW9HUq
"Thank you, Flinty."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wNCgdizrg
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQk1U05vf7S
I grabbed the coat and put it back on.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOtPyEVJ5T
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasmJi95ZxD
"Kenny, do you feel better?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyOPeOXeUQ
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dX0HMWSGL
Ah, so that's what it was about. I suppose she couldn't tell from my face, I must've looked like a corpse.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyDRX73ckK
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4h4LK0B96
"I feel much better. Thank you for looking out for me. And, sorry for being like that yesterday."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNK4JofqWM7
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKKRQjsB2b
"It's okay. I'm glad you're fine."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzE5tQbDAVY
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQaRsZdUZN
Flinty and I returned to the campsite. Skylark was up and raring while Victoria and Ng were half asleep.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NEBl9DhgS
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRpGL5caoB
"Good morning, Kenny."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqSeUuD3TL
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92uecnWKrM
"Good morning. Let's wait for the others before we discuss a plan."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkuqx5AHbQ
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeb4O4op0L
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4P2EXdvfgj
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirRAYKlXjY
"Hey Ng, can I talk with you for a minute?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwGQ64JrLQ
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8I1qy22uo
I scooted closer to him.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYxUub6VGx
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1af69j2ryK
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsvICe2RjX
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7sjkfOpXM
"I just wanted to thank you for trying to cheer me up, and apologize for being so suspicious of you."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsP8PHYMYWD
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxS2zhsdSaK
"O-Oh, don't be sorry. I completely understand why you'd be wary of me. Besides, I wasn't very successful, was I?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUA1vAVd5V4
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzz8Ahbhed
"...Maybe you're right. I renounce my statement entirely."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAonhJ445x
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfzlTph3t6
He didn't laugh. Crap. He didn't look mad either, so at least I didn't say anything offensive.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9AHdKE9QO
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4ofoozsZ4
"You know Kenny, when I saw you last night..."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdp2OWRCOPM
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkodLQMGfm9
"What?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1RX3eahyC
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8YfrqcQ0s
"Somehow, it reminded me of myself."
"Huh? You're crazy."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntmiddQb2W
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rCLGI5mZW
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIE4ewL2Xy
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfl90Abd9A
"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."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXHwIigyBr
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGnjcUFe1r
"R-Right."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlLOgvgtsM
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlha61EYaeZ
"Well then, shall we go?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XkyBLX2Sx
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSA1z9P2Pws
Ng reached into his robe and took out a miniature wand. I looked at the others. They were up and ready.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtOpKiNvaM
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5eEL7JEAE
"Alright."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNnU4fQ90m
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXhLyJtXjd
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvCLVK3vXV
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8QU6mBblQ
"I'll be sure to be quick. Don't worry."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mDIlnXzWH
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIV5T0CUdq
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKDsSRYYD0
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkMDUgIhuz
"What?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5K9hiQBG7
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacFDnmC3Gw
"Don't worry, Kenny. The knights here are serious business, y'know? He'll rescue Kim for sure."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrHEJ8G2mp
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEzmeZGK16
"I know he will."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlWm7Tcec3
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTT78mYebT
"Then why are you shaking?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeztgI9TuWe
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bHyQpGTsc
"...I just can't help myself."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuSgsaSsOt
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HmPfXCvzE
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGMSs3HpiA
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlscm1XQR52
"It's a little quiet here," she said, "why don't we talk?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fv4xFkUGQ
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8N3vAT6ltP
"What do you want to talk about?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxuAf0EyOY
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZoOdD5J1Y
"Uh, how about... well, is there anything you want to talk about?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6taAFhFO2
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeu3cCexLV6
"Not really. I just want to get this over with."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMom53w2HB
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrKWUBL5LW
"Yeah, tell me about it. At the very least, it doesn't look like we'll be getting our hands dirty."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJxmvsQMCW
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLvKt7BtYP
"Now that you mention it, how did you get so good at fighting, Victoria?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhCbTIIN4q
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWb38SVrtkw
"Ha!"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBvESnwwWI
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEh6KdMBLc
She pulled back on her sleeve and slapped her biceps.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCadcIdpZp
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjCeWN7ucw
"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!"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkzVxAl7v4
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3xUEWiqpj
"Good for her. Was she a martial artist?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACAsmFvPTi
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQksAmarDk
"Hehe, something like that."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpcDOQzPYf
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWVz5pRtLz
She didn't sound confident.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBs46QC0Bxu
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyb3fzspehI
"Mom taught me a thing or two about fighting people, but what she specialized in was hand-to-hand fights with monsters."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTN1hwhwAiX
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaCWWYKSZB
"Ah. That makes sense."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hrcQsJApX
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU65I3G2g6x
I was very close to saying something insensitive.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeu4a7hXxW
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39tl1aAEHG
"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."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3KS4k8by0
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRnVDKEBnA
"...Wolf?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPOemTf3nZ
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlz5PTr5Ed
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHCmq2lCxr
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6f8dBgtynr
Of course, the wolf. He was in the woods earlier, wasn't he? How did I forget?153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBf2hhj9ux
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYW1n65FxI
"Kenny?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLyKtfAyAW
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMkPqzSJVF
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcOrmghfMK
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡranAPq50Pj
I stood up and walked forward.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8CzSK5tj4
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4X7T9kUa5
"Kenny? What's wrong?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaigjTtHQOS
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreE26RpJuH
"Victoria, brace yourself. I think that thing is coming."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9KZZpMtxA
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN09dU4CYLn
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3G0VuNQSP
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNv0ivjNnRd
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3SDXQYNZU
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oGaHey2NT
And then, I saw it. I began mana spinning.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0WaiW8eMu
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQJjeTrE57
**BANG**153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTHXeHcGh9
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZDSUXk3sI
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnulits5aF
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUIqZJcpII
"Victoria."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuSw0s8yfh
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGlU2fc3pT
"Right."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9INfmnVK5X
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0aVaDBEV3
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5bs0LvNiZ
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUegId3RPM
**SMASH**153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDarbt6gIT6
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2hXsNKMTQ
There he was.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwv5UigHGL
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTx2yh35HOe
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBY10u2noB
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUADUUyP9Ls
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVMmkFIOPO
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5t2NaiAQqv
"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."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwFkL3VMNU
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTO4j1n9Yu
"Right."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVXw5kw1dA
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0u0d8I1Qq
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfvmR07VTz
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcMN1NpJkV
"Thank you!"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LxlGhUWKo
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHcyZ9Olde
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ukj9PJ5W4
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6h07HC1AV1
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXfcAt2BrW
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5zMPiiXY8
"Huh?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQ5IBCyNAB
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKYnasZuBU
Not just that, he clamped down on it, shattering it instantly. The fire was proven to be ineffective as smoke casually escaped his mouth.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjG6hp69IR
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhEHmkC2q7
The wolf opened his maw. But he did not charge. His mouth grew brighter and brighter.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gkY0Z676S
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYYvoezmJQ
"Shit!"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEWg2aWVzz
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9S2hytwuXf
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgt0hZQTS7M
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWad79crfYR
"A beast made of mana, using fire magic?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0s2gVYzjb3
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzzKb93EZZ
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8YreE00j1
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWmL07OVux
"I can't keep up with that thing, Kenny."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwV2amQZzT8
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuBOaOjR87
"I understand."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCZnZC6TX2
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0i8ojFq8a2
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡop6UlwK5Ha
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeS60WEWDUX
"Uh oh, Kenny."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruMpx7QDQU
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46MOMkB7HT
Sweat beads were trickling down my forehead, and it wasn't just because of the heat.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyeMOK2GgA
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBM6qNJA1Yf
"I-It'll be fine. Just focus on grabbing him."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxikfIGxK0c
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtHN0TwQtc
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3NUixF0g3
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1cGEEIiQ2
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjll7jvvCpG
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAf2K5OaJt
"Hrk!"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlurTNkaLWM
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1IJ8D35di
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoOuaVIU3I
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwz98f0BAVi
"Victoria! Close your eyes!"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqZ82rGCn2
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfDW5hMfbZ
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTd8hzBzhD
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWODDr4JqhR
"Victoria!"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKH5Q1nUj4a
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxduqzKLTx2
"Right!"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmtfpHLkU3
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1H0tIolEoa
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXqUojlZna
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcN7D0xn4uk
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAtlSBN96Q
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSApJtoTnF6
"GRAHHHH!"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKArjNzdb7h
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dfCMU8Wlh
A warcry. She was a total barbarian.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1qLAjJgQJ
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKH1K3n20G
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxz2dz3iUQ
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFXhAs4NUA
"..."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwy3ebCgxoU
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloI1lm60Xt
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XzYXCYpUd
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvcchfssVu
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbMZKOcYTj
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoa9BbneGI
We did it. We really did it.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKU9f9V8RI5
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEj8MV5JrV
"Kenny!"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYJE9Qev3x
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWXRa5kTfc
Victoria ran up to me. I looked up at her.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiNYnRr8pP
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZqvZMXTai
"What's coming from your chin? Are you okay? Are you poisoned?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxl5WKlFPl3
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbbMDD4QDv
"I-I'm fine, just a little... pained."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdeazgn0xE
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkMoUkFyFq
She sighed. I only now noticed the blood splattered across her dress. The dress was torn, too. That wolf had some sharp claws.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnP8I4Al72P
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhh29WPMRYI
"I'm a little pained, too. The potion I used didn't have any pain suppression."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcqgSNHyMc
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6qnKIVDhK
"No pain suppression? What kind of second-rate potion is that?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84LEM9AtZw
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpLRATps8q
She shrugged. She plummeted to the floor herself but comfortably landed on her butt, unlike me. We waited in silence for a bit.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspkmPTSSWi
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMesWTNtxOg
"We did it," I muttered.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe653czQexo
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fHmIFzXaJ
I struggled to believe it. Not just because the wolf was taken down without much hassle, but because of how I was feeling.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJ42WgDB4f
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFBBP606el
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCljBy8OamG
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJWeFC7FqQ
I had trouble deciphering what that meant. But, I was satisfied. I couldn't help but smile.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31Hj7E8MC9
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Yok8JoiNF
"Yeah. That wasn't so bad, was it?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5H3GNTsUz5
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhf4Q6wFHC
"...It could've been a lot worse."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeg5qbIYXa
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6MijyML5m
"Yeah. I'm lucky my dress is the only thing that got torn."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53mOzZ86hA
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlfoi8hfe9
Victoria looked at something above me.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3O36fXglS
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxy6XJmNvnh
"Hey, Kenny, are you unable to fight?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJ7yVZVJfn
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2HGud52Nw
Feeling a bit rushed, I answered anyway.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOpJ2H87Up
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6Dw4ZndDF
"No. Why do you ask?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbmnyGXRxI
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhEgPK0vkv
"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."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIa614FdSQ
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXu56BY1Xc
"You... for someone who just tore off a living thing's head, you're awfully calm."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNpJRg5P9s
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mCENQxAWD
"O-Oh, sorry."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiQ2ZRsZza
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8RVPgPMIE
She scratched her cheek a little.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQFrtQTesx
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmb5NH7nhi
"Just what kind of fighter was your mom? What did she teach you?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfABuJpywU
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGtFb7uTZE
"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."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxOYKnmgNd
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XN7JCL5kz
"Well, I'm not used to it. Give me a second, please."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwSgcfFrML
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKT05vNELm0
"Of course," she exclaimed with a thumbs-up and one of her eyes closed.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXCOX3Yqjx
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11KewzFUvU
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxKlQ7vHrD
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaupXyTegdQ
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTK7TQpOF1
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyS3Iufg3Qj
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.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjo6zwx1sg7
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAWu5RMLzB
"Victoria, your dress... what happened?"153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluMN9uosXq
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkkdPL9U4v
"We fought something, Kenny and I."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3pWWEncGi
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBlhNypthx
She patted me on the back. The pain jolted across my body yet again, and I clicked my tongue.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0YLxP6GCs
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Upnnkrnzw
"I see. Well, I'm glad you two aren't hurt."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkpqyYOcLN
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegnMAbOpji
"How is Kim?" I asked.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYbhjjPKzh
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMA8zQwpTD
"She's fine, just unconscious."153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7feIE7gVj
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66QFH3AD8A
I could only say one thing.153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4juGQtXED
153Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSPASeEAfM
"...Haaaa. Thank God."
