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…~

please calm yourself. It's not particularly helpful to threaten Emil

you mean,

almost as if it never existed to begin with. Replacing it was a bright, unassuming

joking. Please take none of

knew better than to ignore Ater's killing intent towards Emil. He could also sense the

such problematic Familiars, though they're very capable…' He held

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

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

It was non-negotiable.

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

bowing his head in all

~Hihihihihi!~

ignore it. At the very least, she

the air, both of her hands tightly clenched as she looked at him with determined

"What?"

desire to help, but he also understood just how problematic it

you sure? The Elves don't take too well to your

am well aware. But… I really don't want to sit this one out. I want to help you however I can, and if possible, I want to change how they

he considered it to be a bad idea. Based on his interactions with them, the Elves were quite stubborn. He already had his hands full trying to convince them

He turned to Ater for assistance, hoping his blunt rejection of her desires would

I am in full

popped out of his eyes if he wasn't controlling his emotions. He

about that?" Rey muttered, looking to see if this was just a joke on the part of a Familiar—perhaps revenge for not

Her heritage as an Elf, albeit a Half one, grants her some form of connection to The

found his eyebrows raised a little in confusion,

Elves and sometimes speaks to them. I could confirm this from a few people—even from their memories—during my investigation. It's

could be fabricated." Rey stated, trying his best to convince both Ater and himself not to bring

too

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

"And? Did it work?"

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

sense, but Rey

he searched for any excuse or alternative

wanted to be with her—as a friend, of

didn't want her to get