Shadow Slave

Sunny smiled and leaned back on his chair, then looked at his friends with curiosity.

There was a question he really wanted to ask, but tried not to up until now.

"...What's your second Ability, anyway?"

His words hung in the air for a few moments. Suddenly, Kai coughed with embarrassment and looked away. After a couple of seconds, he said in a strange tone:

"I, uh… can see really far now, when I want to. Even when there's no light. I am also supposed to be able to see through illusions and all forms of obfuscation, whatever that means. And… uh… I can also see through objects.

Sunny and Effie stared at him and asked almost simultaneously:

"Like, through walls?"

"Like, through clothes?"

Kai hid behind his glass, lingered for a bit, and then answered in a small voice:

"...Yes. But I would never!"

While Sunny tried to imagine why would Kai refuse to look through walls, Effie laughed out loud.

"I see, I see. What a great Ability!"

She shook her head, then turned to Sunny and asked:

"Hey, doofus. I bet you often wanted to stab me with something sharp. Wanna try?"

He frowned in confusion, then raised an eyebrow.

"No. Why would I stab you?"

written on her face, then sighed in disappointment

body invulnerable. Well… comparatively, of course. Skin of steel, that sort of deal. A very

with Effie's previous one, it turned her into an exceedingly formidable presence on the battlefield. As if she had not been

him

"Well, what about you?"

He shifted slightly.

I can go through walls… while you can just plow through them, I guess. In

Effie grinned.

choice of words.

hurriedly changed

your plans, guys? What Citadels are you

For a while, a strange silence settled among them. All three

situation was inevitable, really, but they tried to avoid the discussion for as long as possible. Mostly because it was both slightly awkward and slightly sad. Back on the Forgotten Shore, the three of them had forged a bond, and now, depending on their choices, that

about to go their separate ways. Perhaps fate would bring them together

a while,

clan Song, but… you know me. I don't do well with authority. Plus, none of them have moved a finger to

wheelchair, then slumped in

get ready for the Second Nightmare would be. Maybe I'll have a better chance of becoming a Master soon if I stay independent and don't have to compete against the actual heirs for resources

spiritual body became their physical body. Reaching the rank of a Master would free Effie from

said that for her, striving to conquer the Second Nightmare was the only

through no wish of his own, Sunny had ended up

for a few moments.

be going there soon. I won't have to fight another Nightmare Creature for a long, long time. I guess. Maybe

and comfortable for the rest of his life, he didn't sound too happy. There was a note of reluctance in his voice.

Sunny frowned.

immediately, Kai. There's nothing wrong with living like a person should, not having to worry about being eaten every goddamn day.

charming young man smiled sadly and

do. Please forgive my ungratefulness. But what about

of his head, then

Realm can actually earn you money. And! I think I can weasel my way into receiving