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

do you

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

joking. Please take none of my words

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

He held

wish I could bring you along with me, Ater. You know the terrain

Ater at the moment. The only one

It was non-negotiable.

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

mumbled, bowing his head in all

~Hihihihihi!~

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

want to come with you too, Rey!" Esme's voice suddenly erupted into the air, both

"What?"

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

The Elves don't

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

idea, Esme. I

He wasn't expecting Ater to

this was just a joke on the part of a Familiar—perhaps revenge for not signing him up

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

his eyebrows raised a little in

that the Oracle is connected to all Elves and sometimes speaks to them. I could confirm

to convince both

too dangerous

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

"And? Did it work?"

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

but Rey still felt uncomfortable

wave of protectiveness began to course through his body, and he searched for any excuse or alternative to make her remain in the Capital—where it was

be with her—as a

also didn't want her