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…~

to threaten Emil like that." Rey said,

you mean,

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

was just joking. Please take none of my

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

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

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

subordinate as strong as Ater at the moment. The

It was non-negotiable.

can't repeat the same mistake as last time. Unless I've made all preparations to secure everyone's safety, it would be foolish for

Master…" Ater mumbled, bowing his

~Hihihihihi!~

laughter of victory, but he decided to ignore it. At

air, both of her hands tightly clenched

"What?"

her desire to help, but he also understood just how

The Elves don't take too well to

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

the Elves were quite stubborn. He already

Esme to the mix…' He turned to Ater for assistance, hoping his blunt rejection of her desires would help her back

I am in full

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

part of a Familiar—perhaps revenge

Half one, grants her some form

his eyebrows raised a little in

Elves and sometimes speaks to them. I could confirm this from a few people—even from their memories—during

fabricated." Rey stated, trying his best to convince

too dangerous for

[Shapeshift] Skill to become an Elf and try to tap into

"And? Did it work?"

among the Elves in that land, which

Ater said made sense, but Rey still

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

to be with her—as a friend, of

also didn't want