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…~

not particularly helpful to threaten

you mean,

it never existed

was just joking. Please take none of my

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

of them are such problematic Familiars, though they're very capable…' He

wish I could bring you along with me, Ater. You know the terrain more than anyone present,

moment. The only one he could

It was non-negotiable.

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

Master…" Ater mumbled, bowing his

~Hihihihihi!~

victory, but he decided to ignore it. At the very least, she was doing

Esme's voice suddenly erupted into the air,

"What?"

also understood just how problematic it would be for

The Elves don't take too

you however I can,

Elves were quite stubborn. He already had his hands full trying to

to the mix…' He turned to Ater for assistance, hoping his blunt rejection of her desires would help

Esme. I am in

out of his eyes if he wasn't controlling his emotions. He wasn't expecting Ater to

this was just a joke on the part of

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

eyebrows raised a little in confusion, so Ater went

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

best to convince both Ater and himself not

was too dangerous

[Shapeshift] Skill to become an Elf and try to tap

"And? Did it work?"

special among the Elves in that land, which

made sense, but Rey still felt

he searched for any excuse or alternative

wanted to be with her—as a

want her to