An Extra’s POV

"Fine. I will come out."

Rey could see the pleased look on Gratiana's face as he announced his compliance with her words. He couldn't particularly read her mind, but judging from her expressions, he could pretty much guess what was going on in it.

The Elder Elf most likely intended to incapacitate both him and Kara, while they executed Esme. He couldn't sense any particular hostility directed at him or Kara--just disgust.

Lots of disgust.

However, Esme bore the brunt of Gratiana's killing intent, and even Rey could feel it, almost as if it was physical.

'She doesn't even bother to hide her intentions. Are all Elves like this?' He wondered to himself as he slightly glanced at Esme.

The neutral look on her face told him she was fine. Still, he wasn't so sure about that.

"You good?" As his voice softly echoed out, he saw her nod and look at him with glistening blue eyes. They looked full and wet, and he instantly knew why.

'She's holding back her tears. I knew it was a bad idea to bring her here!'

Still, he had to temporarily suspend how he felt about Esme and the current situation at hand. The Elves were beginning to piss him off, but since he already knew this much was going to happen, he didn't overreact.

Besides, with the knowing stare that Kara kept directing at him--one that basically told him to mind his tone and words towards their prospective business partners--Rey decided to remain calm about everything.

'I'll take all necessary defensive requirements to protect myself from harm, and I'll leave Kara and Esme within the barrier until it's confirmed safe for them to come out.'

Despite seeing everyone's Status Windows and already knowing they were much weaker than him, he still didn't want to take any chances.

'Emil, be on full alert.'

~Yes, Master!~

He took a few steps forward until he got to the barrier's boundary. One more step and his first foot--along with a portion of his body--would be out of the barrier.

One more and he would be completely outside.

"What are you waiting for?" Gratiana's voice sounded imposing as she continued folding her arms and looking at him.

They stood about ten meters from each other, but Rey knew that distance meant nothing to both parties. Gratiana seemed like the gap to close the gap within a moment, but Rey could do so even faster.

deep breath,

took

~FSHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU~

prepared to be assaulted by a swarm of dozens of Elves, what

is... what

"P-please stop..."

"S-so good... g-good..."

was something he

knees in submission. Their eyes were rolled up, and their tongues were outside, with drool dripping

cheeks as they tightly embraced their own chests or stomachs, still

you people

could even complete his statement, the Elves began to lower their

from their skin. More drool escaped their lips,

sullied by mucus and expressions of twisted pleasure. All

"U-uuu..."

"A-ahhhh... ahh...."

"O-ohhh... uohhhh..."

air, until Rey took one more step forward, his full body finally

partially out of concern,

did this, however, every single Elf surrounding him— with the exception

help but feel oddly conflicted by what he was seeing. Their tongues literally licked the sands, and each Elf

even want to use his Appraisal

trying to fully grasp the situation and understand why pretty much all the Elves collapsed

a calm and neutral expression on his face despite being just as freaked out as anyone would be,

abilities and told Emil to do the same, so they

was defense, and that mostly by spreading out his senses to increase reaction

the Elves in a fight—not that he wanted to—but precautions still had to be

W-who… w-what

thankfully, and while she didn't lose it like the rest of her comrades, she

was shaking slightly and her lips constantly quivered, causing her to

on." Rey said, taking a few more

and bravado, standing firm in place while folding her hands, now seemed to be retreating—step by step—as he

faster than her, though, and he got closer to

The result was obvious—

"Guhh…"

and