An Extra’s POV

"W-what do you mean all wrong?"

For a moment, Ater remained quiet after Rey's question. Instead, he took time to observe the boy's appearance once more, his gaze scrutinizing even the littlest detail. It even almost felt like he was undressing him with his eyes.

"Your appearance… it feels odd—almost like you are cosplaying as a Dragon—if you know what I mean…"

"Wait…" Rey knew this wasn't an important thing to bring up at the moment, but he just had to satisfy his curiosity. "How do you know about cosplaying?"

"Belle told me about it."

"O-ohh…" It all made perfect sense once he knew who the knowledge came from.

'I guess the two of them really talk a lot, huh?'

"In any case, it doesn't feel very authentic. I believe it also does very little to hide your human-like features, and doesn't blend the two together. For example, you need slightly bigger eyes and more defined jaws. Your ears should also…"

By the time Ater was done with explanations, Rey realized just how off he was when it came to disguising as a Dragon. It wasn't that he wasn't that he didn't know what a Dragon looked like, but it was simply that he didn't know how to incorporate it into his own custom appearance.

The only thing he really got right was the number of horns. Even the age of his disguise was slightly off, but that was only because Rey had only encountered adult Dragons. In conclusion, he needed to rework his design from scratch—and that was exactly what he did.

Under Ater's supervision, he was finally able to get the design right. ************

"Thanks. I finally figured it out." Rey sighed, collapsing on his bed for a moment, mostly due to mental exhaustion.

He wasn't tired in the true sense of the word, but he definitely felt like he was.

"This is nothing, Master. You can always rely on me."

Ater bowed his head after saying this, and the sincere manner by which he said this caused Rey to feel a slight pang of guilt within him. It genuinely seemed like Ater was doing his best for the sake of his Master, yet Rey was viewing everything through the lens of suspicion.

At that point, Rey had two options—remain the way he was, or address the ever-growing gap of trust between the two of them.

He chose the former.

"Hm. Thank you."

will resort to as little violence as possible, and also ensure they become our cooperative allies no matter what. Of course,

I look forward

was really surprised and impressed by

as time went on. In fact, he rarely ever brought up suggestions or plans unless asked, and his evil alignment hardly showed in his

of these changes were due to the conditions that Rey

preferences and chosen to act in accordance with them.' He smiled, clearly satisfied with the

more difficult to view Ater in a

reward for

he gave a slight

"Ah, yes…"

other plans, it skipped his

get this strong as well.

assistance, even though he no longer trusted

what he wants.' And so

upon being asked to mention what he wanted most

if I

what Ater chose as his reward the last time—being petted as

at Ater with pleading eyes while the unaware Familiar seemingly wrestled with his thoughts about what he considered a fitting

praise from you, but… I believe there is one thing I desire most

what is it that you desire most?" Rey smiled, relieved it wasn't what he feared, but also fearing what was

Silence.

without saying anything, as if studying his countenance. He then approached the boy with a few steps

no longer trust me,

a sledgehammer, cousin yet another pang

guilt from Rey. He wanted to believe that Ater was merely trying to manipulate the situation, but everything about him oozed genuineness. It began to

watching you and thinking for quite a while, I have come to the conclusion

could not deny those allegations,

fact that the usually smiling figure in the

trust me.

fell to his knees and made a subservient bow that chilled Rey

"Ater, I—"

you to make your decision." Ater raised his head and lifted his hand, causing a black box

the Cursed Box that belonged

enter a pact that can be enforced with a curse from this world. As you are well aware, I have no means to alter a