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.

he emerged from his secret chamber. Sunny's lair was situated in the upper part of a ruined cathedral, the entrance hidden behind a tall statue of some unknown goddess. There was a small balcony that allowed him to observe the grand hall of the temple

the floor, making it impossible for any creature to climb on it by accident. Falling down would certainly kill a

the cathedral through the hole in its roof and landed

of this place. He patrolled the grand hall, killing anyone

was a Nightmare Creature of considerable power

that he was at

monster would be able to reach the inner sanctum alive. Of course, he had

upside, he could observe the devil as much as he wanted, waiting for a chance to

Sunny had to become stronger. Much, much

beams of the cathedral, he approached the hole in the

was already reigning over the

was time

***

city. The creature had long arms that ended with vicious claws and a deformed head with a wide mouth full of razor-sharp

tall. It was dressed in a

This was Sunny's prey.

creature, which was called a Blood Fiend, was among the weakest dwellers of the cursed city. It was merely an awakened monster, barely intelligent and

all, each

were less formidable than Carapace Centurions in terms of strength and speed. However, that was only until they smelled blood, which sent them into a murderous

thought, stalking the Nightmare Creature

except for this one encounter where he had accidentally scratched himself on a sharp stone. That was not

to die, you

to turn the corner when a sudden sound attracted his attention. With unnatural speed, the monster turned around and fell on all fours, his sensitive ears picking up the slightest rustle. Then, he took a

ordinary-looking rock was lying on the

second later, the rock suddenly

you," it said

a moment, then turned around

the air, and the upper part of the Blood Fiend's body separated from the lower. Still refusing to die, the monster reached out with its