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…~

to threaten Emil like that." Rey said,

you mean,

never existed to begin with. Replacing it was

take none of my words to

to ignore Ater's killing intent towards Emil.

are such problematic Familiars, though they're very capable…' He held his forehead and sighed despite having

You know the terrain more than anyone

subordinate as strong as Ater at the moment. The only one he could count on

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 to leave just

mumbled, bowing his head in

~Hihihihihi!~

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

too, Rey!" Esme's voice suddenly erupted into the air, both of her hands

"What?"

just how problematic it would be for everyone

sure? The Elves don't take too well

to help you however I can,

interactions with them, the Elves were

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

idea, Esme. I

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

was just a joke on the part of a Familiar—perhaps revenge for not

albeit a Half one, grants her some

raised a little in confusion, so Ater went on to

said that the Oracle is connected to all Elves and sometimes speaks to them. I

his best to convince

too

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

"And? Did it work?"

Elves in that land,

Ater said made sense, but Rey

and he searched for any excuse or alternative to make

he wanted to be with her—as a friend,

didn't want her