Shadow Slave

Sunny stared at Aiko, secretly delighted that he didn't have to look up for a change. The young woman's eyes darted into the depths of the corridor, clearly evaluating how good her chances of running away were.

...They weren't.

In the end, she sighed and turned to Sunny with a deep frown. For some reason, such a serious expression looked a bit comical on her petite face.

"Sunny, was it? Listen, buddy… uh… boss. I am really thankful to you for helping me out, but honestly, do I look like a hunter? How am I supposed to help you hunt? Maybe go ask one of your strong manly friends…"

Then, her eyes widened.

"You're not planning on using me as bait, are you?"

Sunny chuckled.

"No, no. Nothing like that. It's just that for this particular hunt, you are the only one who can help. By the way, I didn't just stumble on you by chance. I was watching you for a long time, actually."

She paled a little.

"Ah, I see. Well… to each their own, I guess. But still, I am no warrior. I really think that I won't be able to help you out this time, sadly…"

Sunny shook his head.

"Relax, Aiko. You see, the big one I'm hunting… is a friend of yours. Big, fat bastard named Stev. He's the one I'm after. And I know for a fact that you know where he is hiding. Because you're the one hiding him. So…"

An expression of utter surprise appeared on Aiko's face. With sincere confusion, she asked:

"Wait, what? Stev? The Memory Market guy? Why the Spell would I know where he is?!"

She blinked a couple of times, then said in a hesitant tone:

"Are you sure you're not confusing me with someone, Sunny?"

He sighed and lingered for a few moments, then rolled his eyes.

"Alright. I don't really want to waste time here, so we'll do it the quick way. Look there."

shadow. Aiko lowered her eyes, which then widened when the shadow suddenly

"What the…"

crossed his arms

things, it can walk around on its own and report back to

paled, staring at the shadow with

back at

pretend that you don't know

her teeth. Then, she asked

you want from

Sunny raised his eyebrows.

guy is walking around

her

friend. I'm not

her hand and interrupted

dramatic. I'm not going to do anything bad to him. If I wanted to, I would have killed you already. My shadow saw where you were going

hiding Stev because of how much food she was stealing every couple of days — too much for such a tiny girl to eat on her own — he had no idea where

was situated somewhere past the Guard's territory, and Sunny had avoided sending his shadow

expression appeared on her face. After

really are not going to

his most friendly,

reason, the

I am the most honest man in the world,

***

the corridors of the Bright Castle. One was a pale young man in dark leather armor, the second was a petite girl with mischievous eyes, and the third was a giant of a man with

him, all their attempts of being stealthy were rendered

corner, Sunny sighed and gave the

ahead. We'll have to wait

Aiko glanced at each other and shrugged. Because of their difference in size, the two looked nothing short of comical together. Shaking his

you hiding from everyone anyway,

at him with a sullen expression, then said in a

else? As soon as this mess started, I knew that people would be coming for me

Sunny frowned.

Host, so why didn't you just go to either Tessai