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 ethereal light once

remained alive, and if she was killed, anyone would be able to use the True Name

deep scowl appeared

of the Forgotten Shore? The dark sea was gone, but so was the sun. Most of the Nightmare Creatures were dead, but the strongest ones survived. It

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 to

But it was Nephis, after all.

Even though many things remained unclear, his

him. To get access to the best opportunities

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

at least some things about his time on the Forgotten Shore and see that

there was no shortage of exceptionally talented individuals who had Awakened today. On any other day, Sunny's description of his prowess would have made a

Speaking of that hundred…

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 an

a small screen displaying a

survivors

been transferred to other facilities by the government or their families. Sunny didn't see Seishan, Kai,

…Or Cassie.

His face darkened.

for in an expensive VIP care facility, while Seishan

then looked at the list of names displayed

however, someone quickly approached…

'What the…'

Sunny saw a vaguely familiar young man holding him in a passionate embrace. A moment

You are here,

answer, a somber expression appeared on the young man's face. In a voice that trembled with emotion,

If it wasn't for you and your shadow, we would have never made it

the others turned around. As soon as they saw Sunny, bright smiles ignited

"Guys! It's Sunny!"

"Thank you, man!"

forget what you

at

is so