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

they understood her instructions, the huntress turned around and rolled the massive slab of granite that blocked the exit from the tower to

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

glimpse of his stare, Effie raised an eyebrow and

"Like what you see?"

He answered on autopilot:

that's not why I was looking. How

glanced at the granite slab, then

that. That's my Aspect Ability. It's a strong

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

large amount of soul essence over the years of hunting monsters in the Dark City. All those shards the recalcitrant huntress

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

surprise,

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

a mischievous glint in

anyone is insane enough

Aspect not only enhances all my physical attributes, it also does the same with all my physical needs. Why do you

and shook her

it was fun, not

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

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

was the reason why Effie was out here in the first place. Perhaps she had become a huntress not because she wanted

have?" Sunny thought, a little confused. "Air, then water and food, then… uh…

not

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

'Don't flatter yourself, beanpole!'