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

huntress turned around and rolled the massive slab of granite that blocked the exit from the tower to the

weigh a couple of tons, at least. How strong was the beautiful

a glimpse of his stare, Effie raised an eyebrow and

"Like what you see?"

He answered on autopilot:

why I was

the granite slab,

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

her strength but also her speed, agility, endurance and resilience boosted, Effie was like one of those ancient heroes Neph sometimes talked about. Especially since that boost seemed to be so

soul essence over the years of hunting monsters in the Dark City. All those shards the recalcitrant huntress refused to pay as tribute to the tyrannical

admit what her Ability was? Sharing secrets like that was not a wise thing

his surprise, Effie

with a pair of eyes knows what my Ability can do. Do you want me to tell

mischievous

As if anyone is

my physical attributes, it also does the same with all my physical needs. Why do you think I ate

and shook

was fun,

Out here in the Dark City, where food was 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

not Sunny. He knew what hunger, real hunger, felt like. What it

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

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

not to

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

'Don't flatter yourself, beanpole!'