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

do you mean,

almost as if it never existed to

joking. Please take none

killing intent towards Emil. He could also sense the animosity that the latter felt towards

of them are such problematic Familiars, though they're very capable…' He held his forehead and

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

at the moment. The only

It was non-negotiable.

I've made all preparations to secure everyone's safety, it would be foolish for me to leave just like

bowing

~Hihihihihi!~

decided to ignore it.

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

"What?"

how problematic it

Elves don't take too well to

help you however I can, and if possible, I want to change how they view me and my Half

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

assistance, hoping his blunt rejection of her desires would

I am in

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

Her heritage as an Elf, albeit a Half one, grants her some form of connection to The

in confusion, so Ater

to all Elves and sometimes speaks to them. I could confirm this from

fabricated." Rey stated, trying his best to convince both Ater and himself

too

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

"And? Did it work?"

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

Rey still felt uncomfortable

and he searched for any excuse or alternative to make her remain in

be with her—as a friend, of

also didn't want her