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.

does she think she is?! Wait… why am

turned around and rolled the massive slab of granite that blocked the exit from the tower to the side. Lean muscles tensed and moved under her olive skin, making for a picturesque

had to weigh a couple of

of his stare, Effie raised an

"Like what you see?"

He answered on autopilot:

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

at the granite

my Aspect Ability. It's a

only her strength but also her speed, agility, endurance and resilience boosted, Effie was like one of those ancient heroes Neph sometimes talked

most likely absorbed a very large amount of soul essence over the years of hunting monsters in the Dark City. All those shards the recalcitrant huntress refused to pay as

Ability was? Sharing secrets like that was not a wise thing

his surprise, Effie

it's a great mystery. Around here, anyone with a pair of eyes knows what

was a mischievous

anyone is insane enough to

enhances all my physical attributes, it also does the same with all my physical needs. Why do you think I ate enough meat to create a

laughed and

fun, not gonna

men was to have the hunger of many men, as well. Out here in the Dark City, where food was scarce and hard to come

its severity, but not Sunny. He knew what hunger, real hunger, felt like. What it could

the reason why Effie was out here in the first place. Perhaps she had become

thought, a little confused. "Air, then water and food, then… uh…

I said not to

looked up at Effie, who was staring at him and cackling. Embarrassed, he gritted his teeth in

'Don't flatter yourself, beanpole!'