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

do you

as if it never existed to begin with. Replacing it

Please take none of

than to ignore Ater's killing intent towards Emil. He could also

though they're very capable…' He held his forehead and

with me, Ater. You know the terrain more than anyone present, and your abilities are

or subordinate as strong as Ater at the moment. The only one

It was non-negotiable.

all preparations to secure everyone's safety,

Ater mumbled, bowing his head

~Hihihihihi!~

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

erupted into the air, both of her hands tightly clenched as she looked at him with

"What?"

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

The Elves don't take too well to your

But… I really don't want to sit this one out. I want to help you however I can, and if possible, I want to change how they view me and my

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

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

idea, Esme. I am in full

his emotions. He wasn't expecting Ater to say something

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

an Elf, albeit a Half one, grants her some form of connection

little in confusion, so Ater

is said that the Oracle is connected to all Elves and sometimes speaks to them. I could confirm this from a few people—even from their memories—during my investigation.

stated, trying his best to convince both Ater

was too dangerous

[Shapeshift] Skill to become an Elf and

"And? Did it work?"

is certainly something special among the Elves in that land, which is what

said made sense, but Rey still felt uncomfortable with the

protectiveness began to course through his body, and he searched for any excuse or alternative

to be with

also didn't want her to