Shadow Slave

With a bit of disappointment, Sunny realized that all types of physical activities were out of the question. Not only because Effie was going to win every damn game, but also because Cassie couldn't participate in most.

If that was the case, they would have to settle for a battle of wit, instead.

After thinking for a while, he made a few preparations and addressed his companions in a mischievous tone:

"Alright, let's have another competition. This time, it will be a challenge for your minds."

Sunny paused for a few moments and then smiled.

"And to spice things up, this time, there will be a prize. The winner will get this!"

With that, he produced the ascended soul shard that he had gotten from the Corpse Eater from behind his back and showed it to everyone. The beautiful crystal shined with an alluring, ethereal light.

Except for Nephis, who was resting with her eyes closed, everyone stared at the shard with a lot of interest. Sunny grinned.

Of course, they were interested! It was very rare to see one of these, after all.

He didn't really have a use for this thing right now, though. And making the cohort stronger would, in turn, increase his own chances of getting through the expedition alive. So parting with the shard was not that detrimental.

Especially if he could have some fun in return.

Effie was the first one to speak:

"What are the terms of the competition?"

Sunny put the crystal away before answering:

"It's really simple. I'll give you a riddle, and the first person to answer correctly wins. How does that sound?"

The huntress looked at him with doubt and shrugged.

"Sounds boring. But alright, let's play."

Smiling, Sunny commanded the shadow to separate from him and put the Ordinary Rock on it. Then, he turned to Effie and said:

"Listen carefully. Imagine if you will that the two of us, my shadow and I, are in possession of a rare treasure. One of us is an honorable, extremely attractive Awakened that can tell no lie, while the other one is a vile, ugly, stupid devil that would never tell a word of truth. But you don't know which one is which."

Effie grinned.

isn't it

Sunny blinked.

hiding the treasure. If you do, you'll get the treasure. If you

giggled and flexed

the answer out

her vigorous figure for a moment too long,

can. Also, you're

at him

"What? Why?!"

in her direction with

one question? Well who told you to ask whether you can beat me up

unruly was huntress was throwing daggers at him with her eyes, Sunny turned away and

"Next!"

smiled apologetically at Effie and approached

our roles might have changed

charming young man gestured at the marble beneath his feet

color is the stone I

of events, the Ordinary Rock immediately answered in the deepest voice he

"...White."

Sunny with a triumphant smile and

I win? The shadow is obviously

gave him a

indeed learned which one of us is a dirty liar. Surprise... it was me. However, that was not the task. The task was to find out which one of us is hiding the treasure, and you have already used up your only question. So… sorry, buddy, but you're also dead.

and looked at him with reproach. Sunny raised his

play at all! With your Flaw, you

He scowled, then added:

have a Flaw is an affront to

to sit near Effie. Sunny had to suppress his laugh when he noticed that the boisterous huntress reacted to being this close to the charming young man's deific body pretty

of

head, Sunny turned away to call the next

you know," he

Sunny raised an eyebrow.

"About what?"