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 is?!

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

of granite had to weigh a couple of tons, at least. How strong was the beautiful giantess,

stare, Effie raised

"Like what you see?"

He answered on autopilot:

not why I was looking. How are

at the granite slab,

my Aspect Ability. It's

warrior Ability. With not only her strength but also

of hunting monsters in the Dark City. All those shards the recalcitrant huntress refused to pay as tribute to

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

his surprise, Effie

anyone with a pair of eyes knows what my Ability can do.

was a mischievous

if anyone is insane enough to share

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,

laughed and shook her

was fun, not gonna

come by, it was a dangerous Flaw to possess. It was a curse that could force a person to hunt more, and

scoff at its severity, but not Sunny. He knew what hunger, real hunger,

the first place. Perhaps she had become a huntress not because she wanted to, but because

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

I said not

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

'Don't flatter yourself, beanpole!'