episode_0009

Three days later, we stood in front of the previously announced location.

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“···Didn’t you say it was a forest?”

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“···Phew.”

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Benny glanced at my confused reaction as if he wanted to laugh at me. I ignored that response. Because I knew it was best not to get involved in the past few days.

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However, it was also true that my curiosity was not satisfied. Professor Ned clearly explained that flag drawing takes place in the forest. However, in front of us was a forest that was vaguely large enough to be called a forest.

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“Ah, junior. Don’t worry, it’ll be soon-”

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“Has everyone arrived?”

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Just before Werner could explain something to me, a woman came racing through the sky on a broomstick.

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“The joy of drawing a flag is seeing new students confused because it’s not a forest! Well then, let me show you! The power of faculty!”

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Whilick! The woman on the broom took out a wand from her bosom and swung it once.

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And not only the woman, but also the professors stationed around her each raised their mana and concentrated.

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How long had passed? The woman waved her cane like a conductor and shouted.

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“Sprout! Rise! Rise up!”

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– Quad deud deuk! As if the woman’s words were the trigger, trees and plants sprouted at a tremendous speed in what was clearly a large flat area.

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It was blurry because the forest was growing so fast, but I saw it. Strange, uniquely shaped golems made of clay were also placed here and there as they resonated with the professors’ mana.

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“If it is an emergency, shoot the flares distributed to the leaders! Then you will be disqualified and we will guarantee your safety!”

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Well then! The female professor waved her hand and disappeared from sight in the wind.

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“Go, let’s go!”

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As soon as the forest was completed, Werner began to advance, extending his finger forward.

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It was the beginning of the test.

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***

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Half a day has passed since I entered the forest.

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The target flag was located in the center of the forest, on a hill.

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Students are placed on the outskirts of the forest at equal distances around a central hill.

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This test was not just a running race, but also a test of how well one could endure in extreme situations. This was a measure taken because if the starting point were the same, it would be a test without variables.

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“At most, it’s four days, but I don’t know if it can be called an extreme situation.”

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“Hehe, hehe, junior, what do you mean…?”

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“No.”

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Tsk. I clicked my tongue briefly.

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“there.”

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“···What is it?”

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“I would have clearly said that we should share the load, but why didn’t we?”

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We left off a few items from the list Benny wrote three days ago.

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The items that were mainly missing were those related to food, clothing, and shelter. We excluded unnecessary items such as tents with space compression magic and simple stoves.

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It was natural that my relationship with Benny got worse in the process. I was a little hopeful that Sonia would stop me in the middle, but that didn’t happen.

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The items related to ‘main’ were somehow resolved, but the items related to ‘food’ could not be reduced. So, I wasn’t able to reduce my luggage as much as I wanted.

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And the increased burden due to Benny’s stubbornness was placed on the backs of Werner and I. Benny and Sonia had no heavy objects strapped to their backs.

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“That problem must have been clearly explained, right?”

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“I also clearly explained why we had to share things. How could you be so confident when you didn’t even listen to me?”

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“I’ll stick it in your stupid head too, so listen carefully.”

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Tuk-tuk. Benny tapped the play with his fingers.

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“The lady and I have to use magic in case of emergency. And of course, in order to use magic, you have to lift a wand.”

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“If you think about it that way, a wizard without a vanguard standing in front of him is practically dead.”

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“What’s so great about standing in front? Just greet them from the front. The lady and I will take care of it.”

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I sighed. Because I doubted whether he was speaking in his right mind.

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And fundamentally, there was one more reason to share food. In fact, it was the most important reason.

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Just as I was about to say something to Benny, Werner came forward.

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“Huuk, Huuk, junior. It’s okay.”

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“But-”

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“Phew, four days at most, right? I can endure it.”

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Werner stopped me with a tired look.

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Roughly, if we were to divide the distribution of luggage into numbers, it was like this.

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Benny 5

Sonia 5

Revan 50

Werner 40

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In fact, this level of burden was not too much of a burden for Revan. However, it was different for Werner.

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Werner is not the type of person who fights with his body like Revan. He was infinitely closer to a theoretical wizard.

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According to Benny’s logic, it was right to lighten Werner’s hand as well. This topic was brought up by Revan before the exam.

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And in response to Revan’s point, Benny spoke confidently right where Werner was listening.

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-That’s okay. Because the lady and I are better than Senior Werner.

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Even in Levan’s opinion, Werner’s skills were not that great. It’s to the point where I wonder if I’m probably close to last place in the second year’s Golden Dragon.

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– Yes, that’s right. Since Benny and Sonia are famous even in first grade… I’ll carry the luggage with Revan.

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However, that fact did not mean that it could be said directly in a place where the person concerned could be heard. After that incident, Revan kicked away all expectations he had placed on Benny.

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To be honest, Revan didn’t like Werner’s behavior either. Sonia stands by and Werner sympathizes with Benny.

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It was a structure in which discussions to achieve common goals could not take place. However, if Levan goes further, Werner may take Benny’s side more strongly.

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If that was the case, it was obvious that this group would really be destroyed. So Revan forced his boiling insides to calm down and continued walking.

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“···Senior, please give me some luggage.”

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“Uh, huh? It’s okay… thank you.”

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Among Werner’s luggage, I received mainly small and heavy items. Werner’s breathing became easier than before.

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And Revan prayed inwardly. Please, I hope Benny doesn’t go on a rampage here any longer.

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However, something happened soon after that, putting those expectations in vain.

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***

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“Senior, what on earth are you doing?”

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Benny was scolding Werner with a red face. And the huge baggage that Werner had been carrying until a moment ago had disappeared from his back as he was being scolded.

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“······.”

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However, Werner’s face, which must have felt lighter because the burden on his back was gone, did not seem to sympathize with Benny like before.

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“···Ha.”

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It was when the sun was setting that something happened.

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Werner somehow held on while carrying a heavy load on his back. It seemed like it was quite helpful for me to carry more luggage.

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But as I was walking forward, I found a group.

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Benny preemptively attacked Joe, who had witnessed it as if it were natural. It was an unexpected act without any top on.

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Sonia also did not hesitate to support Benny, perhaps because she thought there was nothing she could do since the preemptive attack had begun. I also put down my luggage for a moment and helped.

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Joe, who had seen it for the first time, was wiped out cleanly. But, it didn’t end there.

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The surrounding groups heard the fighting and started attacking us. This is why I called Benny’s attack an unexpected action. Because this exam was completely competitive. There was no need to scrape and make crumbs.

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Benny faced us confidently at first, but as the number of groups attacking us increased by one, two, and three, his complexion gradually hardened.

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In the end we chose to retreat. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but Werner lost the luggage he was carrying.

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“We still have to go three to four more days to reach the center. Oh, did you intentionally throw away the luggage because it was so heavy that you didn’t want to lift it?”

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“Well, that can’t be possible!”

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“Why? In my heart, I think what that masker said is right-”

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“So I told you?”

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“···What?”

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I was listening quietly and then opened my mouth. The plan had already gone awry. I felt like my mind would wear out if I just listened to Benny’s bullshit.

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“The reason I asked to share the load was to prepare for something like this to happen. If you all share your luggage, you won’t lose everything at once!”

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“What? I’ve said everything now-”

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“In the first place, why did they continue the fight when they had already eliminated one group? You are a thought. Can’t I?”

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Tuk-tuk. I tapped my temple like Benny did earlier.

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“You, you…!”

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Benny just pointed his finger at me and couldn’t say anything. Even from the perspective of a five-year-old child, the culprit of this situation was Benny. I couldn’t stand to watch as they insidiously placed the blame on Werner.

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The atmosphere became increasingly heated. Werner also did not take Benny’s side like before, perhaps because he felt unfair at being criticized.

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“Stop!”

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Meanwhile, Sonia came forward.

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“···First of all, I’m sorry. It’s Benny’s fault this time. I am also responsible for agreeing.”

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“Ah, lady…”

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Benny’s eyes were trembling, probably because he was shocked that Sonia pointed out to him.

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“But, the sun will set soon. And it is also clear that if you make noise at night, you can easily be attacked. So, why not make a base camp and relax today?”

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“······.”

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It wasn’t wrong. Even if we hadn’t lost our luggage, we would have made camp by this time.

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However, the thought that it would have been better if he had come a little earlier and stopped Benny from going on a rampage never left Revan’s mind.

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“Well, let’s set up accommodation first. Sis, the exam isn’t over yet?”

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In the delicate atmosphere where Revan and Sonia were facing each other, Werner came out.

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“···Tsk.”

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When Werner, the biggest victim of this situation, took it upon himself to create a lodging house, Levan also did not remain silent.

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Not long after that, the base camp was completed.

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***

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‘···hungry.’

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Geoff Academy. Werner, a second-year student at Golden Dragon, was clutching his hungry stomach.

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Werner was not a very good student of combat. In terms of pure combat, they are similar or even lower than the Silver Eagle students.

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However, Werner, whose lifelong dream was to enter the Golden Dragon, made repeated efforts. And, he was able to be in the Golden Dragon by receiving close to perfect scores in all categories except combat.

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So Werner was satisfied with this group.

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‘Sonia Bismuth, the first year’s runner-up, and Benny…!’

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Sonia was a famous talent even among second graders. And the servant, Benny, was subject to some negative comments, but his skills were flawless.

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Although I was concerned about an unidentified transfer student named Revan… I was hoping that I could get pretty good grades with just the two of them.

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However, the current situation was very shabby.

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“······.”

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“······.”

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Everyone sitting around the bonfire didn’t look good. Revan is wearing a gas mask so you can’t see his face, so strictly speaking there are three of them.

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Group 9 planned to skip breakfast and lunch, move quickly, and eat dinner in the evening. However, all food was lost.

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All that was left now were the cooking utensils and spices contained in Revan’s backpack. Since there were no basic food ingredients, all that was left was bright apricots.

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All three sitting around the campfire were trying to pretend they weren’t, but they were clutching their hungry stomachs.

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‘What should I do next?’

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On the first day, you can starve like you do now. But, the next day. And will I be able to survive the next day as well?

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‘···No way.’

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Moving through the dense forest was difficult in itself. But it was obvious that I would get tired if I couldn’t eat anything.

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Werner’s face was dark and hard. For the first time, I thought I would get a good score in the combat category, but it must have been a dream.

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“···Ha.”

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As the atmosphere became increasingly gloomy, a man wearing a gas mask stood up. It was Revan.

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“···Revan, where are you going?”

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“Let me get some food.”

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Revan, who spoke indifferently, got up and started heading somewhere.

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“···Ha, I’m sure you’ll be eliminated.”

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As soon as Revan’s doll disappeared, Benny started gossiping. Werner saw that and thought.

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‘In fact, I think the rumors about Benny’s personality are greatly understated.’

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And the three of them haven’t said anything since Revan left. I didn’t even have the energy to speak.

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After silence had surrounded the base camp for a while, I heard footsteps.

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‘I guess it’s Revan.’

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Werner naturally turned his eyes to the place where the sound of footsteps was heard. As expected, Revan was coming this way.

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-Flap flutter!

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“?”

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Revan, approaching the base camp, had several fish on a rope in his hands.

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“Uh, how did you get that?”

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Revan answered, twirling the rope with the fish tied around it like a toy.

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“Somehow, I managed to find it.”

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