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…~

yourself. It's not particularly helpful to threaten Emil like

do you mean,

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

just joking. Please take none of

course, knew better than to ignore Ater's killing intent towards Emil. He could also sense the animosity that the latter felt towards

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

me, Ater. You know the

subordinate as strong as Ater at the moment. The only

It was non-negotiable.

Unless I've made all preparations to secure everyone's safety, it would be foolish for me

Ater mumbled, bowing his

~Hihihihihi!~

her laughter of victory, but he decided to ignore it. At the very least, she was doing it in his head

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

"What?"

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

sure? The Elves don't take too 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

them, the Elves were quite stubborn. He already had

Ater for assistance, hoping his blunt

Esme. I am in

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

sure about that?" Rey muttered, looking to see if this was just a joke on the part of a Familiar—perhaps revenge

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

little in confusion, so Ater went

sometimes speaks to them. I could confirm this from a few

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

was too

an Elf and try to

"And? Did it work?"

the Elves in that land, which is what makes

sense, but Rey still felt

searched for any excuse or alternative to make her

wanted to be with her—as

want her to