Shadow Slave

Sunny left the office of the government agents in a strange mood.

The conversation went exactly as he had planned. Even after a higher-ranking specialist had been called in, he managed to steer the interview in the right direction, manipulating both answers and questions to achieve the desired result. In the end, he wanted everyone to know that he was someone exceptional… but not so exceptional as to overshadow the best of the best.

Someone who was in the very highest tier of young Awakened, but also at the very bottom of that tier.

Even though he had kept his most outrageous accomplishments to himself, it felt weird to give away so many secrets about his skill, power level, and achievements. Sunny had grown so used to pretending to be a pathetic clown that removing that mask to reveal another, less outlandish mask was not easy for him.

And yet, it was something he had to do.

After he had Awakened, there was not a single moment for him to properly think things through. He had to go through a series of medical and psychological tests, followed by a lengthy debriefing. However, he had been able to realize one thing very clearly.

His situation had fundamentally changed.

Now that his most important secret was revealed and Nephis had become his master, it was as though a crushing burden had been removed from his chest.

...Replaced by another, even more terrible weight.

In any case, he could finally allow himself to relax a little… for a while, at least. Not because he trusted her that much, but because she was currently imprisoned in the Dream Realm, unable to enforce her control over him even if she wished to.

In a sense, as far as his worst nightmare becoming reality went, this was the absolute best version of how things could happen.

He had a lot of time time to think about countermeasures and prepare for whatever the future held, after all.

Walking through the corridors of the hospital complex, Sunny was engrossed in thought.

One thing he was sure about was that a divine shadow like him could only have one master. So, he didn't have to worry about someone else finding out his True Name and enslaving him, not anymore. The guillotine blade that had hung above his neck all that time was now gone.

However, he still kept the existence of his True Name a secret, for one simple reason — he didn't know what was going to happen if Nephis died.

Would he be free forever? Or die with her?

He felt that neither of these theories was correct. Firstly because the description of the Aspect described him as a divine shadow that had lost its master… which probably meant that he could lose another one and remain alive. Secondly, because the runes of the Shadow Bond had become grey and lifeless, but did not disappear.

they might shine with

and if she

deep scowl appeared

so was the sun. Most of the Nightmare Creatures were dead, but the

Mountains to reach the human Citadels, or try her luck in the unexplored regions to the north, west, or east? What were the chances of her making it back

Sunny would say that the probability was zero. But it was Nephis,

though many things remained unclear, his situation

meant that there were countless possibilities in front of him. To get access to the best opportunities and the most advantageous treatment, he

he could without putting himself at risk. That's why he shifted his usual pattern of behavior and gave the government agents enough information to

learn at least some things about his time on the Forgotten Shore and see that a weakling simply

had Awakened today. On any other day, Sunny's description of his

Speaking of that hundred…

suddenly found himself in the middle of a small crowd of people. Dozens and dozens of young men and women were standing in the middle of a small hall, most dressed in the simple training clothes provided by the hospital, just like he himself was. On their faces, there was

were looking at a small screen displaying a long list

were the survivors

here, of course. Some spent many years on the Forgotten Shore and had been transferred to

…Or Cassie.

His face darkened.

while Seishan had to be kept in the stronghold of her clan. However, he

at the list of names

however, someone

'What the…'

passionate embrace. A moment later, the young man let go of him and looked down with glistening

are here,

appeared on the young man's face. In

you! Thank you so much, Sunny. If it wasn't for you and

the sound of these words, the others turned around. As soon as they saw

"Guys! It's Sunny!"

"Thank you, man!"

what

at

this is