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.

think she

blocked the exit from the tower to the side. Lean muscles tensed and moved under her olive skin, making

gulped. That slab of granite had to weigh a couple of tons, at least. How strong

glimpse of his stare, Effie raised an eyebrow

"Like what you see?"

He answered on autopilot:

that's not why I was looking. How are

at the granite slab, then at

my Aspect Ability. It's a

rare and powerful Ability to 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 of

she had 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 tribute to the tyrannical lord of the castle had

Sharing secrets like that was not a wise thing

surprise, Effie

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

was a mischievous glint in her

anyone is insane enough to share

very simple! My Aspect not only 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 literal pile of gnawed bones, for the fun

laughed and shook her

it was fun,

as well. Out here in the Dark City, where food was scarce and hard to come by,

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

place. Perhaps she had become a huntress not because she wanted to, but because she simply didn't have

people have?" Sunny thought, a little confused. "Air, then water and

I said not to get

looked up at Effie, who was staring at

'Don't flatter yourself, beanpole!'