Shadow Slave

After a while, Sunny and Effie returned to his home — just in time to receive the delivery of the refrigerator. Two tall and broad-shouldered store workers unloaded it from the cargo hold of their delivery vehicle and placed the big box down with a bit of strain. After that, one of them smiled and asked:

"Good day. Where should we put it?"

Sunny waved a hand.

"Ah, no need. I'll do it myself."

The loaders looked at him doubtfully, then simply shrugged and left after getting his signature.

After the vehicle drove off, Sunny looked around, then easily lifted the heavy box and carried it inside the house without any effort whatsoever.

Soon, the refrigerator was standing in the place where his old one used to be, the synthwood panels covering its doors blending in with the minimalist design of the kitchen. Effie and Sunny stared at it for a while, satisfied. Then, he said:

"I like it… a lot. "

Effie smiled.

"Yeah. Really ties the whole room together… doesn't it? Well, in any case, I hope you won't break it again."

After that, she yawned and said in a tired voice:

"Ugh… I'm beat. Time to retire to the Dream Realm. What about you?"

Sunny thought for a few moments. Suddenly, a wide smile appeared on his face.

"I have an errand to run, but after that, I am going in, too. Oh… wait. Where are going to sleep?"

Effie shrugged.

guest room,

He blinked.

need a sleeping

The former huntress giggled.

Why are you staring at me like

a

put one there, to begin

for the door as she

what he was going to

***

shopping cart forward and slowly filling it to the brim with all kinds of food, as well as some

but even do so without having to count his money or feel apprehensive about the cost. He could just… buy as much he wanted, of any quality that he wanted,

had changed so

from the real world to the Chained Isles! That

he could even bring a tent

this is

bought in a general store. But he could visit other places or

was heading for the registers, a familiar voice suddenly

we

froze for a moment, then slowly turned his head and looked to his left, down a

in her forties. An eight-year-old boy with blonde hair and a bright smile was pushing a tub of ice

for a few moments, then turned away and continued on his way,

least she's doing fine. Well, of course she is. I've only been gone for a month. Why

then hesitated for a bit, and

several tubs of delicious ice cream added to his

***

dawn shined on the Chained Isles, Sunny appeared on the Altar Island of the Sanctuary of Noctis. He stared at the sky, grimaced at the absence of the moon, and

iron legs. With the Covetous Coffer in tow, Sunny walked into the