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 that."

do you mean,

almost as if it never existed to begin with. Replacing it was a bright,

was just joking. Please take none of my words

course, knew better than to ignore Ater's killing intent towards Emil. He could also sense the animosity that

very capable…' He held his

Ater. You know the terrain more than anyone present,

as strong as Ater at the moment. The only one

It was non-negotiable.

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

mumbled, bowing

~Hihihihihi!~

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

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

"What?"

to help, but he also understood just how problematic it would be

The Elves don't take too well to

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

the Elves were quite stubborn. He already had

Ater for assistance, hoping his blunt rejection of her desires

idea, Esme. I am in full

his eyes if he wasn't controlling his emotions. He wasn't expecting Ater to say something

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

Half one, grants her some

eyebrows raised a little in confusion, so Ater went

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

fabricated." Rey stated, trying his best to convince

too dangerous

[Shapeshift] Skill to become an Elf and try

"And? Did it work?"

among the Elves in that land, which is

Ater said made sense, but Rey

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

wanted to be with her—as a friend,

also didn't want her to