Shadow Slave

The four people in the room reacted to his arrival differently.

Nephis seemed to be indifferent, as always. However, Sunny knew her well enough to notice a strange tension hiding in the depths of her calm grey eyes.

Caster greeted him with an amiable smile, but there was coldness hiding behind it. It seemed as though the handsome scion was not happy about this turn of events. Did he see him as a rival for Neph's attention, or was there more to it?

In any case, it was not Sunny's problem. He did not plan on returning to the cohort on a permanent basis. Caster could have all the attention to himself.

Effie looked at him with a genuine surprise.

"Doofus? You are actually alive?"

Sunny blinked and stared at her for a few moments, then said in an acrid tone:

"Sorry to disappoint."

She shook her head.

"No, no. Just… how the hell did you manage to survive three whole months in the ruins?"

He grinned.

"What can I say? I had a good teacher."

Since Effie was the one who taught him how to navigate the Dark City, that compliment was directed at her. However, the huntress simply shook her head.

"No student of mine would be stupid enough to actually live in the ruins. Not to mention returning looking so… feral."

'Do I look feral?'

Sunny took a mental picture of himself. Ragged clothes, dirty hair, a crooked grin, a hint of madness burning in his eyes… no, he couldn't see anything wrong with how he looked. In fact, the thought he looked great.

With an offended frown, he glanced at Effie and said:

"Yeah? Well… you look like you've gained a little weight."

…In all the right places.

'Focus, fool!'

glared at him for a

got to eat. But

finally, there

changes were not instantly apparent, but to Sunny, who knew her so well, they were

was as if there was an invisible weight pressing down on her, the

Sunny. I'm so happy that

and turned away. This… wasn't exactly the kind of welcome he had expected from her. He had been

is shy because of

true reason for her subdued attitude. He just

the vision. That damn

feeling of dread, he sat down on one of the chairs and offered another

did you

Caster exchanged glances. Before saying anything, Caster walked over to the door and closed it. After that, he summoned a Memory that looked like a

Sunny raised an eyebrow.

"What is that thing?"

young man sat on a chair next to

silence. No one outside this room will be able to hear what we're talking about

something that had to do with the Bright Lord, Gunlaug himself. Suddenly, he felt an irrational desire to be anywhere else but in

He sighed.

that I'm surprised. If anything, it's strange that he didn't make a move

Effie giggled.

"Oh, did he ever…"

huntress fall

just a rehearsal. A few provocations to test out strength. Now, he is ready to act in earnest. And that's why I need your

Sunny raised his eyebrow:

like me help the great and mighty Changing Star of the Immortal Flame

and Nephis a strange look,

Sunny. What can this little imp… uh, no offense, Sunny…

"Hey! Offense taken!"

smiled, then looked at

Sunny might behave like a cowardly weakling, but in fact, he's the last person in the Dark City I would want to face in combat. He is far more dangerous than anyone thinks he is. Isn't it right,

on his face. A few moments passed in

well. I guess the secret is out of the box. Surprise, everybody! I am actually not a

at Effie and added in

you already knew. It seems that you

However, Neph interrupted him: