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.

my ass… who does she think she is?!

that they understood her 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 moved under her

of granite had to weigh a couple of tons, at

his stare, Effie raised an eyebrow

"Like what you see?"

He answered on autopilot:

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

glanced at the granite slab, then

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

it was practically the ultimate warrior Ability. With not only her strength but also

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

Sharing secrets like that was not a wise thing to

surprise, Effie

mystery. Around here, anyone with a pair of eyes knows what my Ability

was a mischievous glint in

As if anyone is

my physical attributes, 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, for

and shook

fun, not gonna

well. Out here in the Dark 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

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

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

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

said not

looked up at Effie, who was staring at him and

'Don't flatter yourself, beanpole!'