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.

she think she is?! Wait… why am I

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

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

a glimpse of his stare,

"Like what you see?"

He answered on autopilot:

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

the granite

Ability. It's a strong all-around physical

practically the ultimate warrior Ability. With not only her strength but also her speed, agility, endurance and

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 to go

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

a mischievous glint

right. As if anyone is insane

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

laughed and

was fun,

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 therefore risk injury and

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

had become a huntress not because she

physical needs do people have?" Sunny thought, a little

not to

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

'Don't flatter yourself, beanpole!'