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." Rey

do you

gone, almost as if it never existed

take none of my words

to ignore Ater's killing intent towards Emil.

capable…' He held his forehead and sighed despite

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

Ater at the moment. The only

It was non-negotiable.

preparations to secure everyone's safety, it would be foolish for me to leave just like

mumbled, bowing

~Hihihihihi!~

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

with you too, Rey!" Esme's voice suddenly erupted into the air, both

"What?"

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

you sure? The Elves don't take too well

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

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 Ater for assistance, hoping his blunt rejection of her desires would

Esme. I am in

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

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

a Half one, grants

little in confusion, so Ater went on to

speaks to them. I could confirm this from a

be fabricated." Rey stated, trying his best to convince both Ater and himself

too dangerous

So I used my [Shapeshift] Skill to become an Elf

"And? Did it work?"

Elves in that land,

Rey still felt

to course through his body, and he searched for any excuse or alternative to make her remain in the Capital—where it was

to be with her—as a friend,

also didn't want her to get