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?"

at him with expectation clearly written on her face, then sighed in disappointment

wanted to demonstrate my second Ability to you. Basically, it makes my whole body invulnerable. Well… comparatively, of course. Skin of steel, that sort of deal. A very sweet comprehensive

gaunt young woman with a bit of awe. Indeed, that was a very powerful Ability. Combined with Effie's previous one, it turned her into an exceedingly formidable presence on the battlefield. As if she had not been a real menace

glanced at him and asked

"Well, what about you?"

He shifted slightly.

teleportation. Kai can see through walls, I can go through walls… while you can just plow through them, I guess.

Effie grinned.

choice of words.

changed the

uh… what are your plans, guys? What Citadels are you going

strange silence settled among them. All three had

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,

about to go their separate ways. Perhaps fate would bring them together again, one day... or perhaps

while,

well with authority. Plus, none of them have moved a finger to help me when I really needed it.

wheelchair, then

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

the Second Nightmare, one's spiritual body became their physical body. Reaching the rank of a Master would free Effie from her terrible disability, so Sunny

for her, striving to conquer the Second Nightmare

wish of his own, Sunny had ended up in a

few moments. Then, he

I'll be going there soon. I won't have

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

Sunny frowned.

a person should, not having to worry about being eaten every goddamn

man smiled sadly

Please forgive my ungratefulness. But what about you,

the back of his head, then

guys, but as it turns out, scribbling a few words about the things you see in the Dream Realm can actually earn you money. And! I think I can weasel my way into receiving a salary from the Academy as a research assistant, whatever that means. So, uh… actually, I haven't decided on a particular