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

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

to weigh a couple of

his stare, Effie raised an eyebrow

"Like what you see?"

He answered on autopilot:

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

at the granite slab, then

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

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

City. All those shards the recalcitrant huntress refused to pay as tribute to the tyrannical lord of the castle had to go

her Ability was? Sharing secrets like that was not a wise

his surprise,

knows what my Ability can do. Do you want me to

was a mischievous glint in her

As if anyone is insane enough

needs. Why do you think I ate enough meat to create a literal pile of gnawed bones, for the

laughed and shook her

fun,

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

would 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 wanted to,

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

not

flinched and looked up at Effie, who was staring at him and

'Don't flatter yourself, beanpole!'