Shadow Slave

Sunny was the only one who could prevent more people from silently walking into the cold ocean. Even if he returned the borrowed Memories and gave the Undying Chain to someone else, the other person would not be able to enjoy the augmentation of the four shadows. So, the mind hex would remain unbroken.

If there was one good thing about the situation, it was that after Sunny had rid himself of the hex, he did not need to keep up his mental defenses at such a high level anymore. It was as though he was now inoculated against the unknown creature's influence.

At least for now.

He returned the charm, the mercurial cloak, and the flint dagger to their owners. One shadow continued to follow Professor Obel, while the other three remained wrapped around the Undying Chain, just in case. After that, everyone got to work.

Although Sunny was the only person who could perceive the mesmerized, it did not mean that nobody else could help prevent more people from vanishing. Now that Verne knew what they were dealing with exactly, he could tune the safety protocols of the fortress to make it harder for the enemy to snatch victims away.

Soldiers received new instructions, while all non-essential personnel were confined to their living quarters. If they couldn't leave, they would most likely be unable to reach the water, after all.

Sunny, meanwhile...

Walking onto the dark beach, he sighed, then placed an intricate wooden chair at the very edge of the rustling waves and sat down with his back to the ocean. Facing the wall of the fortress. Sunny shivered in the cold wind for a few moments, leaned back, and leisurely crossed his legs.

'It's a bit chilly..."

The world was dark, and the only sounds surrounding him were the howling of the wind and the incessant murmur of the waves. Sitting with his back to the ocean was not pleasant, especially with a Corrupted Terror hiding somewhere beneath its lightless surface.

The only thing that made Sunny feel better was the unmoving silhouette of Saint, who was hidden in the shadow of the wall with Morgan's Warbow in her hands. Even then, Sunny had a lot to worry about.

Would he really be able to stop people from reaching the water?

Would they resist, or would they allow themselves to be brought back inside L049?

the Terror do if its source of sustenance was suddenly cut

and take them away before the creature could cast its hex on the

sigh, Sunny released his shadows and sent them forward. The shadows climbed the wall and separated, assuming watching positions

all he could do was wait and listen

then another. Then, a

of fragrant coffee. Sipping it in the bitter cold, he continued

to chase away sleepiness, then put the thermos down and stood up. One step through the shadows brought

man. It was one of the Awakened officers in charge of the local garrison. This soldier had usually been cheerful and energetic, even after staying awake for close to two weeks. But now,

slowly walking Awakened and the

he did not step aside

him. The

slowly turned his head, staring at Sunny with calm,

'Damn. That's creepy!'

the rampart, he broke

'Argh. What the hell?"

strike was much, much stronger than anything a mere Awakened should have been able to deliver. Even without augmenting his body with the shadows, Sunny was a Master. He also had four cores and a sea of essence

was the mesmerized officer

steps away from him, swayed a little, and continued marching toward the dark waves. Since Sunny

fast, you damned

chain out of the shadows, Sunny made a loop out of it and tossed it forward, ensnaring the mesmerized man. Taking the unexpected strength that the soldier had shown into account, he added another chain for good measure and grinned

the

the Mountain King was

sure that Verne's officer was immobilized, Sunny