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…~

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

do you mean,

never existed

Please take none of

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

Familiars, though they're very capable…' He held

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

Rey possessed no ally or subordinate as strong as Ater at the moment. The only one he could

It was non-negotiable.

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

Master…" Ater mumbled, bowing his head

~Hihihihihi!~

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

come with you too, Rey!" Esme's voice suddenly erupted into the air, both of her hands tightly clenched as she looked at him with

"What?"

but he also understood just how problematic it

don't take too well to your

well aware. But… I really don't want to sit this one out. I want to help you however I can, and if possible,

to be a bad idea. Based on his interactions with them, the Elves were quite stubborn. He already had his hands full

assistance, hoping his blunt rejection of her desires would

I am in full

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

just a joke on the part of a Familiar—perhaps

Her heritage as an Elf, albeit a Half one, grants her some form of connection to

raised a little in confusion,

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

his best to convince both Ater and himself not to bring Esme

was too dangerous

an Elf and try

"And? Did it work?"

special among the Elves in that land, which

but Rey still felt uncomfortable with

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

be with her—as a friend, of

also didn't want