Shadow Slave

For a few moments, there was an awkward silence between the three of them. Eventually, Sunny sighed.

"Listen, it is what it is. I have my own reasons to join the campaign in the Southern Quadrant. Both of you are smart enough to realize that the picture painted by the government is far removed from the truth. The truth… the truth is that Antarctica is going to be a disaster, and no one — not even Masters like us — can guarantee their survival. So… you have to decide for yourself."

He looked at Effie and Kain with a heavy expression and added:

"If you decide to join the Second Army, do it for a good reason. Do it for yourself, your desires, your principles… point is, whatever you do, definitely don't do it for me. Chances are that we won't meet even if you ship to Antarctica. It's a big place, you know?"

His friends stared at him with unreadable expressions.

A few moments later, Kai shook his head with a subtle smile.

"Thank you very much for caring, Sunny. But you don't have to remind us, really. We both have good heads on our shoulders. We are more than qualified to make prudent decisions."

Effie nodded.

"Exactly! If anyone should be giving sage advice here, it's us. We're older than you, and also… it's pointless, anyway, because we have already enlisted."

Sunny blinked.

"You what?"

The huntress grinned and patted him on the shoulder.

"What, did you think that we would miss our chance to fight an apocalyptic horde of Nightmare Creatures? Dream on, buddy! Both Kai and I were among the first ones to submit our applications to the recruitment bureau."

her for a

"Wait… you did? Why?"

each other and shrugged. The archer was the first

people that need

shook

warrior. When an enemy invades your home, you don't hide. You go to war and kick the enemy's butt. We humans need to protect what's ours — if we can't even do that much,

faces, then scratched

is probably salivating over your applications right now. Chances are, you

'Prudent decisions, huh? Doubtful!'

he shared some details about the operation with them, including the disposition of human forces, the intended phases of the campaign, and his own role as a captain of the First Irregular

Effie and Kai grew

am not sure that the government can actually pull it off. Even if we maintain control over the evacuation centers, repelling the siege of the Nightmare Creatures for months won't be easy. It would be a miracle

a moment, then tentatively

needed to support a massive

His face grew darker.

is only if the convoys don't meet obstacles of their own. So, who can say? I doubt that these

Kai sighed.

soon. By the time we arrive in

shared the

to happen before you guys have the chance to experience it personally. The Chain of Nightmares is going to be ramping

been imprisoned. As always, Sunny felt a subtle shiver run through his body and soul when he saw the great hall

seven broken chains lay on the ground, forming the wide borders of the circle that served as the Gateway. Myriads

pagoda, so the first level was mostly empty. Only a couple of them were here, busy with chores. Noticing Sunny, they greeted him with excited

'Weirdos…'