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?!

blocked the exit from the tower to the side. Lean muscles tensed and moved under her

gulped. That slab of granite had to weigh a couple

his stare, Effie

"Like what you see?"

He answered on autopilot:

wait, no! I mean, that's not why I was looking. How are you that

glanced at the granite slab,

my Aspect Ability.

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 those ancient heroes Neph sometimes talked about. Especially since that

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

would she just admit what her Ability was? Sharing secrets like that was not a wise thing to do, especially not in the ruthless

surprise, Effie

It's not like it's a great mystery. Around here, anyone with a pair of eyes knows what my Ability can do. Do you

mischievous glint in

As if anyone is insane enough

same with all my physical needs. Why

laughed and shook her

was fun,

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 death more

knew what hunger, real hunger, felt like. What it could do

out here in the first place. Perhaps she had become

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

said not to get

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

'Don't flatter yourself, beanpole!'