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…~

Ater, please calm yourself. It's not particularly helpful to threaten Emil like

you

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

take

Emil. He could also

they're very capable…' He held his forehead and sighed despite having no headache of any

you along with me, Ater. You know the terrain more than anyone present, and your abilities are pretty useful—in all

the moment. The only one

It was non-negotiable.

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

Master…" Ater mumbled, bowing his head in all

~Hihihihihi!~

Emil for her laughter of victory, but he decided to ignore it. At the

voice suddenly erupted into the air, both

"What?"

how

sure? The Elves don't take too well

to help you however I can, and if

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

turned to Ater for assistance, hoping his blunt

Esme. I am in full

emotions. He wasn't expecting Ater

just a joke on the part of a Familiar—perhaps revenge for not signing him up for the mission—or if he was being

a Half one, grants her some form of connection to The

in

all Elves and sometimes speaks to them. I could confirm this from a few people—even from their memories—during my investigation. It's

best to convince both Ater and himself not

was too dangerous for

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

"And? Did it work?"

among the Elves in that

made sense, but Rey still

through his body, and he searched for any excuse or alternative to make

wanted to be with her—as a friend, of

want