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." Rey said,

you

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

Please take none of

killing intent towards Emil.

are such problematic Familiars, though they're very capable…' He

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

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

It was non-negotiable.

mistake as last time. Unless I've made all preparations to secure everyone's safety, it would be foolish

Ater mumbled, bowing his head in

~Hihihihihi!~

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

suddenly erupted into the air, both of her hands tightly clenched as she looked at

"What?"

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

The Elves don't take too well

one out. I want to help you however I can, and if possible, I want to change how they view

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

to Ater for assistance, hoping his blunt rejection of

I am in

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

part of

Half one, grants her some form of connection to

found his eyebrows raised a little in confusion,

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

his best to convince both Ater and himself not to

was too

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

"And? Did it work?"

certainly something special among the Elves in that

Ater said made sense, but Rey still felt uncomfortable with the

wave of protectiveness began to course through his body, and he searched for any excuse or alternative to make her remain in

be

want her to get