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?

of sustenance was suddenly cut off? Somehow, Sunny doubted that the creature was going to just leave them

the eventual retaliation, and take them away before the creature could cast

them forward. The shadows climbed the wall and

and listen to the

passed, then another.

Sipping it in the bitter cold, he continued

face to chase away sleepiness, then put the thermos down and stood up. One

knew that 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, there was a blank, empty expression on his face, and no light in his

stood between the slowly walking Awakened and the lip

did not

soldier's shoulder, stopping him. The man made a few more awkward steps, not realizing that he was walking in

he ceased moving and slowly turned his head, staring

'Damn. That's creepy!'

blow sent him flying back. Crashing into the rampart, he broke through it and tumbled off the wall, landing

'Argh. What the hell?"

Awakened should have been able to deliver. Even without augmenting his body with the

mesmerized officer so

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

so fast, you

it forward, ensnaring the mesmerized man. Taking the unexpected strength that the soldier had shown into account, he added another chain for good

the good old

Mountain King was still vivid

was immobilized, Sunny dragged him back, and