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…~

helpful to threaten

you mean,

almost as if it never existed to begin with. Replacing

joking. Please take none of my

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

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

could bring you along with me, Ater. You know the terrain more than

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

It was non-negotiable.

preparations to secure everyone's safety, it would

Ater mumbled, bowing his head in all

~Hihihihihi!~

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

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

"What?"

help, but he also understood just how problematic it would be for everyone if she tagged along with

Elves don't take too well to your

to help you

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

add Esme to the mix…' He turned to Ater for assistance, hoping

Esme. I

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

Rey muttered, looking to see if this was just a joke on the part of a Familiar—perhaps revenge

an Elf, albeit a Half one, grants her some

raised a little in confusion, so Ater went on to

to them. I could confirm this from a few people—even from their memories—during my investigation.

fabricated." Rey stated, trying his best to convince both Ater and himself not to

was too dangerous

to become an Elf and try to tap into this special

"And? Did it work?"

the Elves in that land, which is what

but Rey still

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

be with her—as a friend, of

also didn't want