Shadow Slave

Sunny stared at Nephis with a complicated expression. After a while, he asked:

"Why did you entrust me with something so precious?"

She glanced at him, lingered for a few moments, then shrugged.

"We had a deal, remember? My knowledge in exchange for your share of the spoils we earn."

There had indeed existed such a deal. However, he had not exactly acted in good faith when proposing it. After all, he had no use for those spoils, in the first place.

Sunny scowled. If Changing Star had really revealed a family secret to him because of a lie, she had a valid reason to be resentful of him.

Just like he was of her.

With a dark smile, he looked away and said:

"You must have realized by now that I have cheated you in that deal."

Nephis turned to him and said, her voice calm and even:

"You mean the fact that you don't need to absorb soul shard to grow stronger?"

Sunny froze for a moment, then gave her a nod.

"You don't seem very surprised."

Figures. When Sunny first learned about this ability of his, he was stunned. But Neph seemed to know a lot more than a normal person did.

She didn't even try to pretend otherwise.

"It's a very rare Aspect trait, but not unheard of among the upper echelons of the Awakened. In fact, I am capable of something like that myself. Although your case does seem to be especially unique."

Sunny glanced at her.

"How so?"

Changing Star remained silent for a few moments and then said, her voice hinted with a bit of wonder:

"Usually, when an Awakened absorbs the soul essence directly, the process leaves the remnants of the soul core empty. But when you do it, the shards are left brimming with it. This is very… unusual."

uncomfortably,

have your share of secrets, too, Neph. Don't think that I didn't notice.

and looked at

Sunny. I am serious. Just knowing them might get

at her for a long

Since you showed me the courtesy of not prying into my secrets, I won't pry into yours. I don't really want to know, anyway. The

Sunny frowned and

is one question I have to ask you, because it involves

She raised an eyebrow.

"Sure. Ask away."

He grimaced.

are you hiding the true core of your technique

Star looked at him for

Yes… I've been using a different style

at her

"Why?"

She shrugged.

of the Stone Saint's technique into

He shook his head.

won't fall for your tricks. I'm the one who taught them to you,

glancing at the silhouette of the Crimson Spire that loomed in the distance. After a while, she

the Dark City. It won't change anything until then, anyway. Your safety

is that

stood up and turned to leave. Before that, however,

sword, Sunny. I expect

that, she walked away, leaving

what does she

***

had figured out the essence and foundation of the elusive battle art that hid inside it, he

experience and mastery to be able to create

the Aspect if

in the distant future, he would be able to. But right now, it was as though he had found the door, but was not strong enough to turn the key and unlock it. It just stood there and teased him endlessly, just like the damn Gateway inside the

It was pure torture.

supposed to notice the existence of the

its secrets. Was it all

Spell do this to

talking about!