Shadow Slave

Eventually, Sunny climbed out of the sleeping niche and went about the business of managing the caravan. They had made it far into the mountains and were already moving north, toward their true goal.

The blizzard was still raging, reducing visibility to almost zero. The landscape was as grim and foreboding as ever.

Surrounding areas needed to be scouted, maps needed to be updated, reports needed to be received, and a hundred other things demanded his attention.

Before getting down to it, Sunny spared a few moments to stare at the grey fabric and lusterless black leather of the Puppeteer's Shroud.

Who could have thought that he would be reduced to seriously using it again, after all that time?

'It sure is much more comfortable than walking around in a full plate of steel armor. Ah, the old me had it good...'

Actually, not really.

Sunny was ready to climb to the roof of the Rhino when he noticed Beth staring at him with a strange expression. He lingered for a moment.

"What?"

She blinked a couple of times, then pulled her gaze away.

"No, no... nothing..."

Sunny frowned.

"Just say it, will you?"

Beth remained silent for a second, then asked hesitantly:

"Are you... uh... are you wearing makeup?"

time, it was his turn

No! Why would

young woman gave him a dubious look and

just look a little

Sunny grinned.

of a marble statue, no makeup involved.

a sigh and

Awakened... how

chuckle, Sunny dissipated into the shadows and appeared on top of the Rhino, sighing as the bone-chilling wind smashed into his

he was not that cold. His passive resistance to the elements

any time, Sunny made himself heavier for better stability, summoned the Memory of Ice, and wrapped the shadow he kept with himself around his body, simultaneously circulating essence to double the

it was in no way bothersome. Additionally, the winds were powerless against him.

Huh.

on the roof

get used to

Scott continued. Traversing the abomination-infested expanse of the Antarctic Center was still hard and dangerous, but with Naeve assisting Sunny in defending the caravan, things became

rarely saw each other, communicating mostly over the chain of relays in the military vehicles. Sunny was stationed at the head of the column, while Naeve stayed in the rear to provide the best possible

an especially dire threat demanded both of them to fight side by side to vanquish it. Going into battle with the Nightwalker was both comfortable

'Ah. Finally, a professional...'

long bone harpoon and a net woven out of unnaturally durable threads to herd

to be under severe restriction, though, so the scion of the House of

more

to notice the difference between the two of them. It was understandable... after all, the Nightwalker

new to Sunny, and made him think about things that he

Field survivors joining it. By then, Sunny was secretly starting to

had enough to feed everyone and arm those who could and knew

other person other than Beth who showed any reaction was Kim. At some point, she gave him a very weird