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…~

please calm yourself. It's not particularly helpful to threaten Emil like that." Rey said, staring

do you mean,

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

joking. Please take none of my words

Emil. He could also sense the

of them are such problematic Familiars, though they're very capable…' He held his forehead and sighed

You know the terrain more than anyone present, and your abilities are

Ater at the moment. The only one he

It was non-negotiable.

to secure everyone's safety, it would be foolish for

Master…" Ater mumbled, bowing his head in

~Hihihihihi!~

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

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

"What?"

to help, but he also understood just how problematic it would be

Elves don't take too well

you however I can, and if

a bad idea. Based on his interactions with them, the Elves were quite

for assistance, hoping his blunt rejection of

idea, Esme. I am in full

his emotions. He wasn't expecting Ater to say something like that, and with a

just a joke on the part of a Familiar—perhaps revenge for not signing him up for the mission—or if he was being genuine about

Elf, albeit a Half one, grants her some

eyebrows raised a little in confusion, so Ater went on

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

to convince

was too dangerous

my [Shapeshift] Skill to become an Elf

"And? Did it work?"

the Elves in that land, which is what makes Esme quite

sense, but Rey still felt uncomfortable

protectiveness began to course through his body, and he searched for any excuse or alternative

to be with her—as a friend,

want