Shadow Slave

Sunny stared at Nephis, stunned by her answer. He didn't expect her to admit it so easily.

Meanwhile, she just shrugged.

"What? Was I supposed to deny it? Why should I? You are the one who is obsessed with lies, Sunny, not me."

The corner of Changing Star's mouth twitched.

"Actually, I have to thank you. If it wasn't for you, I would have never learned how to deceive people so easily. I had a very sheltered upbringing, for obvious reasons. Communicating with others had always been something I knew very little about."

She smiled darkly.

"How fortunate it was to meet you, of all people, on this forsaken shore. Lucky me. Right?"

Sunny blinked. What was she talking about? He remembered how, during their journey to the Dark City, Nephis had tried to mimic Cassie in how she spoke to people. Had she been studying him, too?

Neph took a step forward and pierced him with an intense, burning gaze.

"No one survives in the Dream Realm alone. I knew that I won't be an exception to this rule, so I watched Cassie and you and tried my hardest to learn from you both. That's when I noticed that nothing you ever said — or did — was true. Wasn't it?"

'Crap.'

Sunny felt a cold shiver running down his spine.

She scoffed.

"No matter what happened, you somehow always managed to keep your real thoughts, desires, and reasons hidden. I've never seen anyone so adept at deception. Congratulations, Sunny! The mind games you played with us were almost as devious as the mental hex of the Soul Devourer. It was nothing short of inspiring."

paused and shook her

turn truths into lies. How… brilliant. I never even knew that such a

She smiled.

you. So please, Sunny, accept my sincere gratitude. I could not have

at him. Then, with anger

get the audacity to blame me for doing the

the truth? Did Neph actually learn

'Oh, no…'

a worse role model even if they tried. What a cruel twist of fate, to be sent into the Dream Realm together with

Sunny gritted his teeth.

"That's not the same…"

Changing Star scowled.

to these people. I gave them just enough truth to make them deceive themselves, just like you taught me. But what, now that it was turned around on you, it is suddenly not fair? Now you

She smirked.

of blood. That is my plan. So what? How is it worse than this pathetic, hopeless existence? It isn't. I am going to kill Gunlaug. After he is dead, the Bright Castle will become engulfed in a civil war, with each of the five lieutenants vying for

Her eyes glistened.

remain alive and make a road of bones for the lucky few to reach the Gateway. That is my promise. That is the salvation I offer to the people of Dark City — a chance to return to the real

could… how could she be so nonchalant about the idea of causing the deaths of so many people? Had

all wrong. He was looking at it from his own perspective, the perspective of someone who was used to surviving at all costs, to putting survival above all else.

coming to the Forgotten Shore, Sunny had learned that there were things more valuable than

her, a life that was not worth living was that much worse than a worthy

right to make that decision

head,

really so terrible to live here? Is Gunlaug really so bad that you would rather see all of us die than let us remain under

expression appeared on Changing Star's face. With cold contempt

people alive in this

Sunny raised an eyebrow.