An Extra’s POV

"NO!"

Both Ater and Esme said this at the same time, and the expressions on their faces showed just how much they meant every word.

"Master, it's too dangerous for you to go there on your own! You need guidance of the terrain and might require my assistance!"

"Isn't that why you're going to tell me every single thing you found out in that place?" Rey asked with a smile on his face.

"Besides… I can't allow you to leave the Capital while I'm away. It'll be too vulnerable, and there's no one I trust more than you to handle things.

Ater seemed to slightly blush once Rey said this. However, his eyes still displayed concern for his Master. It wasn't really that he was worried for him, but because he didn't want to leave his side.

"No fair. Why don't I get to have my own adventures with Master…" He mumbled, almost sulking at this point.

When Ater looked through his history with Rey, he didn't see a single moment where they both went to an important event or mission together.

He was always apart from him.

'Why do things always end up like this? It sucks!' Perhaps this was his competence coming back to bite him.

Right as he was thinking this, a voice echoed in the air.

~Don't worry, Ater! I'll take care of our Master really well!~

It came from a mouth that had formed from Rey's current attire. A portion of it was stretched out, like dark slime, and the mouth that formed from it was smiling in an overly confident—slightly mocking—manner.

"Y-you…" Ater narrowed his eyes in bottled rage, his eyes now glowing a fierce crimson as he frowned at the Symbiote Slime's sneer.

"I should have destroyed you while I had the chance!"

~Should have? Stop acting like you could, even if you wanted to.~

"Oh? Why not come and find out?"

~Pfft! Please! I don't need to do any—!~

"Emil!" Rey slightly raised his voice. "You shouldn't pop out like that unless I give you permission to."

~B-but Master…~

helpful to threaten Emil like that." Rey

you mean,

never existed to begin with. Replacing it was a bright,

just joking. Please take

of course, knew better than to ignore Ater's killing intent towards Emil. He could

of them are such problematic Familiars, though they're very capable…' He held his forehead and sighed despite having no headache

I could bring you along with me, Ater. You know the terrain more than anyone present, and

possessed no ally or subordinate as strong as Ater at the moment. The only one he

It was non-negotiable.

mistake as last time. Unless I've made all preparations to secure everyone's safety, it would

Ater mumbled, bowing his

~Hihihihihi!~

to ignore it. At the very least, she was doing it in

into the air, both

"What?"

help, but he also understood just how problematic it would be for everyone if she tagged

sure? The Elves don't

out. I want to help you however I can,

Elves were quite stubborn. He already had his hands full trying to convince them to assist him without resorting

add Esme to the mix…' He turned to Ater for assistance, hoping his blunt rejection

I

he wasn't controlling his emotions. He wasn't expecting Ater to say something

the part of a Familiar—perhaps revenge for not signing him up

Half one,

in confusion, so Ater

and sometimes speaks to them. I could confirm this from a few people—even from their

fabricated." Rey stated, trying his best to convince both Ater and himself

too dangerous

[Shapeshift] Skill to become an Elf and try to tap into this special

"And? Did it work?"

is certainly something special among the Elves in that land, which is what makes Esme quite

sense, but Rey still felt uncomfortable

he searched for any excuse or alternative to make her remain in the Capital—where it

much as he wanted to be with

didn't want her