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…~

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

do you

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

joking. Please take none of my words

knew better than to ignore Ater's killing intent towards Emil.

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

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

subordinate as strong as Ater at the moment.

It was non-negotiable.

as last time. Unless I've made all preparations to secure everyone's safety,

bowing

~Hihihihihi!~

ignore it. At the very least, she

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

"What?"

how problematic it would be for everyone if

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

sit this one out. I want to help you however I can, and if possible, I want to change how they view me and my Half

her intentions, but 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 to assist him without

Esme to the mix…' He turned to Ater for assistance, hoping his blunt rejection

I am

out of his eyes if he wasn't controlling his emotions. He wasn't expecting Ater to say something like that, and

a joke on the part of a Familiar—perhaps revenge for

a Half one, grants her some

his eyebrows raised a little in confusion, so Ater went on to

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

stated, trying his best to convince both

was too dangerous for

an Elf and try to tap

"And? Did it work?"

something special among the Elves in that land, which is what

said made sense, but Rey still felt

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

be with her—as

didn't want her to