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…~

calm yourself. It's not particularly helpful to threaten Emil like that." Rey said, staring at

you mean,

if it never existed to begin with.

Please take none

intent towards Emil. He could also sense the animosity that the latter

He held his forehead and sighed despite having

along with me, Ater. You know the terrain more than anyone

Rey possessed no ally or subordinate as strong as Ater at the moment. The

It was non-negotiable.

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

Master…" Ater mumbled, bowing his head in

~Hihihihihi!~

to ignore it. At

come with you too, Rey!" Esme's voice suddenly erupted into the air, both of her hands tightly clenched as she looked

"What?"

how problematic it would be for everyone if she tagged along with

you sure? The Elves don't take too well

out. I want to help you however I can, and if possible, I want to change how they view me and my

intentions, but he considered it to be a bad idea. Based on his interactions with them, the Elves were quite

turned to Ater for assistance, hoping his blunt rejection

I am

have popped out of his eyes if he wasn't controlling his emotions. He wasn't expecting Ater to

joke on the part of a Familiar—perhaps revenge for not signing him up for the mission—or if

albeit a Half one, grants her some form

his eyebrows raised a little in

Oracle is connected to all Elves and sometimes speaks to them. I could confirm this

to convince both Ater and himself not to bring Esme

was too dangerous for

my [Shapeshift] Skill to become an Elf and

"And? Did it work?"

Elves in that land,

Rey still felt uncomfortable

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

he wanted to be with her—as a

also didn't want her