Shadow Slave

Life, indeed, was good. In fact, Sunny would even go so far as to say that, currently, it was wonderful.

One would expect that being stuck in a cursed city located in the middle of an actual hell, surrounded by nothing but ruins and horrifying monsters, was not really the best way to live your life. But to him, this was somewhat of a paradise.

To his surprise, Sunny had found out that this type of existence suited him pretty well. He had no obligations, no need to worry about the future and, most importantly, was not required to interact with other humans.

Humans always made things hard and complicated. He was sick of them.

Being on your own was much better. He didn't have to pretend to be someone else, force himself to behave differently from how he wanted to, and strain his mind trying to understand people's convoluted feelings.

For the first time in his life, Sunny could simply be himself.

Turns out, his true self was very easy to please. He had no shortage of interesting things to do, explore, and kill. His life was very entertaining and comfortable, all things considered.

It was at least way better than his pathetic existence in the outskirts, back in the real world.

The key to this harmonious feeling was very simple. It was to have no hope.

Sunny discovered that hope was the true enemy of peace. It was the most vile and poisonous thing in the universe. If there was even a glimmer of hope to return home, he would have been desperate, full of anxiety, and probably in the middle of some insane disaster right now.

Like he had always been before.

But without hope, things were simple and pleasant. He really couldn't wish for more.

"Keep telling yourself this crap. You might really believe it."

Sunny grinned.

"What is there to believe? It's the truth!"

The shadow silently shook its head, long accustomed to his crazy tirades. Lately, Sunny had been talking with himself a lot, having long arguments that sometimes descended into screaming matches. It was a good way to pass the time.

the entrance hidden behind a tall statue of some unknown goddess. There was a small balcony that allowed him

for any creature to climb on it by accident. Falling down would certainly kill a normal

the hole in its roof and landed on one of the wide

in fact, the guardian of this place. He patrolled the grand hall, killing anyone who dared to come inside. Sunny saw plenty of powerful Nightmare Creatures fall to his sword, cleaved apart without much

course, the bastard was a Nightmare Creature

he was at least a

sleep easy knowing that no monster would be able to reach the inner sanctum

chance to exact his revenge. Sunny was hellbent on

had to become stronger. Much,

the beams of the cathedral, he approached the

already reigning over the

was time to

***

skeletal, hunched figure was slowly walking along the narrow street of the cursed city. The creature had long arms that ended

in a torn shroud that was once white, but had

This was Sunny's prey.

among the weakest dwellers of the cursed city. It

here. After all, each

Carapace Centurions in terms of strength and speed. However, that was only until they smelled blood, which sent them into a murderous frenzy. In that state, these

thought, stalking the Nightmare Creature from

monsters in the past and had a great time each time… well, except for this one encounter where he had accidentally scratched himself on a sharp stone.

to die, you ugly

sudden sound attracted his attention. With unnatural speed, the monster turned around and fell on all fours,

fiend, an ordinary-looking

later, the rock suddenly

you," it said

froze for a moment, then turned around

Blood Fiend's body separated from the lower.