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

you mean,

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

Please take none of my words to

course, knew better than to ignore Ater's killing intent towards Emil.

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

with me, Ater. You know the terrain more than

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

It was non-negotiable.

preparations to secure everyone's

bowing his head in all

~Hihihihihi!~

he decided to ignore it.

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

"What?"

help, but he also understood just how problematic it

sure? The Elves don't take too well to your

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

Based on his interactions with them, the Elves were quite stubborn. He already

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

idea, 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 smile no

part of a Familiar—perhaps revenge for not signing him up for the mission—or if

one, grants her some form

his eyebrows raised a little in confusion, so Ater went on

speaks to them. I

trying his best to convince

too

to become an Elf and try to tap into this

"And? Did it work?"

Elves in that land, which is what makes

Rey still felt

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

much as he wanted to be

also didn't want