Shadow Slave

As Nightmare Creatures rushed forward, the six Awakened began to act.

The two with elemental Aspects attacked first. Something flashed in the air, and then one of them was suddenly surrounded by a swiftly spinning ring of fire. The fire disc then flew forward and collided against the mass of abominations, immolating one of the hounds and burning several more.

The other raised her hand, and a thin blade made of nothing but air whistled as it bit into the flesh of one of the hunters, severing one of his arms at the shoulder.

Sunny blinked.

[You have slain a Fallen Monster…]

The fastest of the Nightmare Creatures were already lunging at the defenders. The girl he had spoken to before took a step forward and attacked with a slender saber, striking at the neck of a spiked hound and opening its artery with a precise cut. Two more Awakened were covering her from the sides, both wielding a shield and a Memory weapon of their own — one a short sword, the other a steel pike.

The last one did something to repel the arrows that were already flying toward their bodies, but Sunny had no idea what.

[Your shadow grows stronger.]

The Awakened were performing well… they acted with sufficient coordination and foresight, doing everything in their power to slow down the tide of approaching monsters. Although not elites, each of them was a capable combatant. They were brave and determined.

…And yet, it was not going to be enough. Not nearly enough to survive, let alone prevent the invaders from escaping into the city.

[You have received a Memory.]

'What to do, what to do…'

Not fully realizing what he was doing, Sunny commanded the shadow to wrap itself around his body, and for the Soul Serpent to slither back onto his skin.

Immediately, he felt much more powerful, his head more clear. His muscles brimmed with raw strength, double what he had just a second ago. His breathing became deeper.

Sunny knew that he had to slow the abominations down, and then get back into the fight.

That was the only way...

Making a step forward, he swayed a little, and then grabbed the roof of an abandoned PTV to help himself keep balance.

…Bending down, he then grabbed the bottom of the heavy alloy vehicle with his other hand.

much strength as he

every muscle in

of Nightmare Creatures and crashed into it from the side like a bizarre cannonball, turning several dormant beasts into bloody pulp, breaking numerous bones, and sending most of

front of Sunny, and with no time to waste, he threw just one look at them, searching for the description of his new Memory. He was only interested

Memory Type: Weapon.

'Good enough…'

summoned the weapon and

either attacking the six Awakened or escaping

do anything about

he could do,

head crafted out of a long and sharp piece of black obsidian materialized in his hands, he thrust it into the throat of one of the wraiths, then used its

and brought it down on the head of a lunging hound,

continued to fight, more Nightmare Creatures got past him… and more still were already

die… die, you

***

breached the line of

of the school didn't panic, either. Nevertheless, they could feel that the adults were frightened, and that fear spread like

children were frightened,

Gate. Those who were older knew what to do, in theory… only none of those things could be

— and huddled together. The younger children were

looked menacing and beautiful… at least to Rain, who had never seen her

of bodyguards who happened to be inside the school because of those children

teachers and older students were armed, too, albeit with mundane weapons. Rain herself was holding her training sword, realizing for the

was a real weapon, and not

going to

glance at him and say something in a low voice. Rain wasn't supposed to hear

He said:

held that long, really. Only seven of them… I don't know who these people are, but they should have been overwhelmed

were supposed to die in less than a minute, then what about the five protecting

something like this happen? This school was so prestigious and expensive, and so many important people sent their children here. Surely,

the walls and sent shivers running through everyone's bodies.

like to talk about work, she knew more about these matters than most kids