Shadow Slave

In the morning, they set out for the castle.

Before leaving the safe haven of the granite tower, Effie gave them a list of instructions:

"Follow behind me. Listen to everything I say. Don't make any noise. Don't bleed. Don't think too much. Some of the creatures out there can hear noisy thoughts, others can sense strong emotions. So don't feel fear, either."

Sunny stared at her with a grim expression. How was he supposed to control what he feels?

The vigorous huntress grinned.

"What? You never tried to solve math equations in your head to impress a lovely lady? Just do the same."

As Sunny's сheeks began to turn bright red, she giggled and turned to Cassie and Neph:

"Correction. The two of you, try not to feel fear. Doofus, you try not to get too excited. If walking behind me turns out to be too much, ask to get slapped, alright?"

Sunny scowled and uttered through gritted teeth:

"That… won't be a problem."

Effie blinked a couple of times, then smiled.

"Ah! Playing for the other team? I see, I see…"

What… what was that supposed to mean?!

Trying to get his emotions under control, Sunny took a deep breath and counted to ten.

ass… who does she think she is?!

the massive slab of granite that blocked the exit

stared at her back and gulped. That slab of granite had to weigh a couple

of his stare, Effie raised an eyebrow

"Like what you see?"

He answered on autopilot:

mean, that's not why I was looking. How

granite slab, then at

my Aspect Ability. It's a strong all-around

have. While not as flashy as many others, it was practically the ultimate warrior Ability. With not only her strength but also her speed, agility, endurance and resilience boosted, Effie was like one

amount of soul essence over the years of hunting monsters in the Dark City. All those shards the recalcitrant huntress refused to

was? Sharing secrets like that was not a wise thing to do, especially not in the ruthless reality

surprise,

like it's a great mystery. Around here, anyone with a pair of eyes knows what my Ability can do. Do you

a mischievous

As if anyone is insane enough to share

my physical needs. Why do you think I ate enough meat to create a literal pile

laughed and

was fun, not gonna

scarce and hard to come by, it was a dangerous Flaw to possess. It was a curse that could force a person to hunt more, and therefore risk injury and death

but not Sunny. He knew what hunger, real hunger, felt

first place. Perhaps she had become a huntress not because

physical needs do people have?" Sunny thought, a little confused. "Air, then water and food,

said not to get

was staring at him and

'Don't flatter yourself, beanpole!'