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…~

not particularly helpful to threaten Emil like that."

you mean,

gone, almost as if it never

joking. Please take

Emil. He could also sense the animosity that the latter

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

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

as Ater at the moment. The only one he could count on to protect humanity's stronghold

It was non-negotiable.

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

Master…" Ater mumbled, bowing his

~Hihihihihi!~

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

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 would be for

The Elves don't

out. I want to help you however I

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

to Ater for assistance, hoping his blunt

Esme. I am in

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

a joke on the part of a

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

a little in confusion, so Ater

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

best to convince both

too

So I used my [Shapeshift] Skill to become an

"And? Did it work?"

the Elves in that land, which is what makes

made sense, but Rey still

body, and he searched for any excuse or alternative to make her

much as he wanted to be with her—as a

want