Shadow Slave

Back in the Rhino, Saint remained in the cargo hold, standing near the engineering workstation while Quentin continued the slow process of mending her armor and stonelike flesh. If people did not know better, they would have thought that she was an actual statue.

Since the healer was busy with the Captain's Echo, the rest of the Irregulars found themselves robbed of his care. Although no one sustained serious wounds... except for Sunny... there were still a few scrapes that had to be tended to.

Unexpectedly, Beth volunteered to administer first aid. As it turned out, she had some medical knowledge. The members of the cohort did not care too much about who treated their wounds, really... well, except for Luster.

The fool seemed very excited, for some reason.

Sunny himself had long ago dismissed his battered armor and was sitting in the lounge area, looking at his black bodysuit with some regret. The uniform was truly the result of a magnificent design. Among other features, it was even able to repair itself... however, everything had its limits.

With how much abuse he had put it through, the bodysuit was definitely a goner. It was full of holes, looking like a set of rags. His body beneath hurt all over, too.

'Well. Figures...'

At least there was good news, as well.

The convoy was already moving forward. After reaching the valley, the mundane soldiers and the civilians had been shocked to see the scene of slaughter there... they were even more disturbed after witnessing the narrow ravine where Sunny, Saint, and Nightmare had fought the Voiceless.

In fact, even the members of the cohort seemed a bit pale.

Regardless, the battle had gone surprisingly well for the convoy. Not only had they survived without suffering any losses, but the Irregulars even managed to acquire two Echoes. The monstrous hounds were going to be of great help in their long journey.

Sunny's list of assets was slowly growing.

He had made use of the Echoes right there and then, commanding his soldiers to send them to recover soul shards from the corpses of the Fallen and Corrupted abominations of the Voiceless swarm. Fishing out the Black Tongues from the water was too much trouble, so he had just left them there.

Soon, the lake would freeze again, encasing the mangled corpses of the Nightmare Creatures in ice. That would probably be a macabre sight.

Sunny had kept the souls shards of the Corrupted to himself while sending the rest to the lone Sleeper... whatever his name was. Just like that, the lucky bastard got even closer to fully saturating his core, without ever lifting a finger.

At least he was getting stronger. Sunny needed all the strength he could get.

Still, he was a bit infuriated by how easily his subordinates were getting the good stuff. Was there no justice in the world?

the Memories he

summon the runes, however, Beth approached him, carrying one of the unreasonably expensive

"What?"

The young woman frowned.

get out of that raggedy uniform. I don't have all day,

at her

"...No need."

let out a

you are a Master, you are still going to bleed to death if I don't administer the clotting agent, with all these wounds. I need to clean them, too... unless you desire to risk going into

a few moments, then

"I don't bleed."

woman blinked a couple of

"Huh?"

hand and pointed to his body. Indeed, although there were plenty of

pedestrian. So, I do not

hand and pointed to his body. Indeed, although there were plenty of holes

pedestrian. So, I

him, lost for

He shrugged.

all, go

gritted her teeth and

are

for a few moments and then answered in

"...Being miserable."

flung her arms up, turned around,

'Finally...'

alone, Sunny summoned the runes, looking up his shadow fragments

Shadow Fragments: [1601/4000].

progress had slowed after being dispatched to L049, but now, its speed was picking up again. Still, he had a long way

checked on Saint and

Shadow Fragments: [146/200].

Nightmares required: [333/1000].