Shadow Slave

As he walked through the empty streets, Sunny breathed in the cold winter air and tried to calm his wildly beating heart. He should not have been that fatigued, but he was. The strange ailment tormenting him had become less severe in the last couple of days, however, it was not gone yet.

'All, curse it...'

Sunny grimaced, then noticed a group of soldiers ahead and forced himself to put on the mask of a confident commander. Mundane humans looked up to Masters, and if they saw one walking around with hollow eyes and a troubled expression, their morale would suffer.

He had never thought that being preoccupied with concerns about people's morale would become something he bothered with, yet here he was.

As Sunny walked closer, he heard bits and pieces of their conversation.

"I saw Mongrel fight yesterday. Gods, he truly is a fiend. My whole unit would have been dead if not for him. I wish I could thank the man... but he is definitely not from the First Army. Maybe he's a Legacy from a local Antarctica clan?"

"No, no... haven't you heard the rumors? Mongrel is that Master from the First Irregular Company. The Devil."

"You lost your damn mind, fool. Mongrel is like two meters tall, while Master Sunless is on the shorter side. Believe me, I saw them side by side, the day the wall was first breached. Also, Mongrel is definitely a woman."

"Yeah, I saw it too. She even caressed his cheek... well, uh, more like poked it. Wait... guys, do you think there's something going on between them?"

"You are all idiots. Mongrel is obviously several people..."

Usually, hearing such conversations amused Sunny, but this time he remained detached and indifferent. The soldiers grew silent when he approached, straightened, and then bowed respectfully. He nodded at them in passing and continued on his way, uncaring.

'Alt. But that reminds me...'

Sunny summoned the runes and glanced at the description of Saint:

Shadow Fragments: [185/200].

'So close.'

With the two Memories he received today - one from an Awakened Monster, the other from a Fallen Beast - the counter would increase by two fragments, bringing it to one hundred and eighty-seven. From here, he only needed thirteen more for Saint to Transcend.

few of his personal Memories that could be

weaving that is the problem... I feel like I am almost

clamor of the distant battle grew

passed through the barricades, left the secondary defense ring, and

not as dire as one could have expected. The naval convoy had been busy ferrying the refugees across the strait, after all. By now, somewhere around eighty million people had already been transported

though

proof that all his efforts were not in vain made Sunny feel a little

ahead, a crowd of refugees was waiting in line to receive rations. He studied it for a moment, noticing a familiar figure handing out packs

direction. As he walked closer, the person growled

not be

up and blinked a couple of

are you

He shrugged.

my way back

then led him aside, to a humming heat projector. Beth stopped in front of it, shivering and rubbing her hands

"How was your day?"

bit, not knowing how to answer.

young woman peeked at

of few words, are

Sunny dismissed again.

you guys receive

Beth sighed.

As for Professor, he is doing fine.

at

you coming over

hesitated, then slowly shook

tomorrow will be a tough day.

woman turned back

"Yeah, yeah..."