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,

do you

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

Please take none of my words

killing intent towards Emil. He could also

very capable…' He held his forehead and sighed despite having no headache

along with me, Ater. You know the terrain more

subordinate as strong as Ater at the moment. The only one he could count on to

It was non-negotiable.

mistake as last time. Unless I've made all preparations to secure everyone's safety, it would be foolish for me

Master…" Ater mumbled, bowing

~Hihihihihi!~

tried chastising Emil for her laughter of victory, but he decided to ignore it. At the very least, she was doing it in

you too, Rey!" Esme's voice suddenly erupted into the air, both of her hands tightly clenched as

"What?"

understand her desire to help, but he also understood just how problematic it would

Elves 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, I want to change how they view me and my Half Elf

liked her intentions, but he considered it to be a bad idea. Based on his interactions with them, the Elves were quite stubborn. He already had his hands full

the mix…' He turned to Ater for assistance,

I am

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

sure about that?" Rey muttered, looking to see if this was just a joke on the part of a Familiar—perhaps revenge for not signing him up for the mission—or if

a Half one,

his eyebrows raised a little in confusion, so

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

his best to

was too

my [Shapeshift] Skill to become an Elf

"And? Did it work?"

the Elves in that land, which is

Ater said made sense, but Rey still felt uncomfortable with the

he searched for

much as he wanted to be with her—as a friend,

didn't want