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."

you mean,

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

joking. Please take none of

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

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

with me, Ater. You know the terrain more than anyone present, and your abilities are pretty

the moment. The only one he could

It was non-negotiable.

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

bowing

~Hihihihihi!~

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

suddenly erupted into the air, both of her hands

"What?"

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

don't take too

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

idea. Based on his interactions with them, the Elves were quite stubborn. He already had his hands full trying

Ater for assistance, hoping his blunt

I am

controlling his emotions. He wasn't expecting Ater to say something

looking to see if this was just a joke on the part of a Familiar—perhaps revenge for not signing him up for

an Elf, albeit a Half one, grants her

in confusion, so Ater went

the Oracle is connected to all Elves and sometimes speaks to them. I could confirm this from a few people—even from their memories—during my

could be fabricated." Rey stated, trying his best to

was too dangerous for

I used my [Shapeshift] Skill to become an Elf and try

"And? Did it work?"

Elves in that land, which is

but Rey still felt uncomfortable

sudden wave of protectiveness began to course through his body, and he searched for any

be with her—as a friend,

also didn't want