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…~

It's not particularly helpful to threaten Emil like that."

do you mean,

never

joking. Please take none of my words to

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

they're very capable…' He held his forehead and sighed despite having

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

possessed no ally or subordinate as strong as Ater at the moment. The only one he

It was non-negotiable.

to

mumbled, bowing

~Hihihihihi!~

he decided to ignore it. At the very

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

"What?"

desire to help, but he also understood just how problematic

Elves don't take too well to your

to help you however I can, and if possible, I want to

to be a bad idea. Based on his interactions with them, the Elves

the mix…' He turned to Ater for assistance, hoping his blunt

idea, Esme. I am in

He wasn't expecting Ater to say something

was just a joke on the part of a Familiar—perhaps revenge for

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

found his eyebrows raised a little in confusion,

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

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

too dangerous for

become an Elf and try

"And? Did it work?"

the Elves in that land, which

Rey still

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

he wanted to be

didn't want her to get