Shadow Slave

Sunny was walking at the back of the cohort, but his shadow was scouting ahead. Without it by his side, he was rather uncomfortable.

'I wonder if I can summon the Stone Saint while it is away. How have I never thought to check it?'

Without both his shadow and his Shadow, Sunny felt almost nacked. At least he had other people with him, including three powerhouses — Nephis, Caster, and Effie.

Come to think of it, he had never seen Kai in action. The beautiful archer didn't look like someone extremely dangerous, but Sunny wasn't deceived. Weak people did not survive on the Forgotten Shore for years, especially not if their Aspect Ability made them the perfect person to venture outside the Dark City.

With his unique Aspect Ability, Kai had to fight against the type of terrifying creatures that Sunny knew very little about, too — the flying abominations that lived in the clouds. Like the Spire Messengers.

'Scary.'

Speaking of Kai…

Sunny hastened his steps and caught up to the charming young man. Glancing at Cassie, who did not seem like she wanted to say anything to him, he frowned for a moment, and then turned to Nightingale:

"Hey there, Night. How's life?"

The archer looked at him with a friendly smile.

"Oh, hey. Good, I guess? I mean… the weather is nice."

Sunny blinked a couple of times. The weather was never nice on the Forgotten Shore. It was either too cold, too damp, or too hot. Honestly, he even missed the Black Mountain sometimes. At least it was consistent.

Not one to make polite talk, Sunny went straight to the question he really wanted to ask:

"So, really… what are you doing here?"

Kai glanced at him with a bit of confusion.

"What do you mean?"

Sunny sighed.

You have enough shards to stay there for a long time, everyone likes you, and even the Host treats you nicely because of how useful your Ability is. Why would you risk it

archer lingered

think. The deaths of those Guards who locked me in the well are being used to

thought about it for a bit,

face in this expedition be much worse

Kai smiled.

certainly will. But, Sunny… there is something else that

Sunny frowned.

Please… please don't tell me that you became one of

young

so. At least not

a long

see things clearly. But really,

a somber expression on his usually carefree face,

months ago. Do you know how many of

Sunny shook his head.

The archer grimaced.

four hundred. And do you know how

was silent for a

two years, more than half of us perished. People die all the time in the Dark City, you see. The castle may seem safe, but actually, the Host is constantly bleeding people. Every week, a few hunters

Kai sighed.

something comes into the outer settlement and simply drags away people. That's not even mentioning those who die of hunger, desperation, or by another human's hand. Do you… do you see where I am going with

scowled, a new understanding dawning on him. Seeing his expression, Kai

hundreds more come to take their place. But, Sunny… this year, there were only four. Not four hundred, but

thought about it before? Sunny's

Meanwhile, Kai continued:

What happens if that Spell Cycle theory that people have is true and five months from now, when the

his head, a dark expression on his

that a year from now, there will be maybe six hundred humans left in the Dark City. And two years from now… there will be only a dozen or two. It

glanced at him and added

strong enough to be among those few? I'm not