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.

life in the castle was nothing short of peaceful. You have enough shards to stay there for a long time, everyone likes you, and even the Host

lingered for a

the well are being used to frame Effie, are they not? Well, what if someone knows

it for a bit,

But won't the danger you will face in this expedition

Kai smiled.

Sunny… there is something else that you

Sunny frowned.

don't tell me that you became one

young man

At least

a long time,

that many people see things clearly.

a somber expression on his usually carefree

Forgotten Shore thirty-one months ago. Do you know how many of us reached the Dark City

Sunny shook his head.

The archer grimaced.

know how many are still alive?

was silent for a

actually, the Host is constantly bleeding people. Every week, a few hunters don't return from the hunt. Every couple of weeks, a Nightmare Creature attacks the walls and

Kai sighed.

not even mentioning those who die of hunger, desperation, or by another human's hand. Do you… do you

a new understanding dawning on

year, hundreds of people die in the Dark City. And every year, hundreds more come to take

not thought about it before? Sunny's eyes widened

Meanwhile, Kai continued:

Bright Castle never got the chance to recoup its losses. What happens if that Spell Cycle theory that

a dark expression on

will be only a dozen or two. It takes a lot of people to maintain the semblance of civilization we have going on here, Sunny. Once we pass the point of no return, it will all come crashing

beautiful archer glanced at him and added in a

powerful enough will die. Eventually, only a few strongest ones will be left. Am I strong enough to be among those few? I'm not sure. And even if I am,