Shadow Slave

There were a few moments of silence. In these moments, Sunny managed to dodge a spiked tentacle, slice through it with his sword, grab the bleeding stump, and toss the slithering creature over his head, impaling it on the horns of a different abomination. Then, he sidestepped the charging beast and cut through its legs, causing it to topple to the ground.

A third strike of the Sin of Solace finished both creatures off.

That was when Neph's response finally arrived:

[...It's a bit distracting, you know, to have someone speak in your head all of a sudden.]

Sunny grinned.

The connection the Blessing of Dusk established was a mental one, so it was not exactly like hearing her voice. Nevertheless, Changing Star's... thoughts... sounded a bit strained.

[You didn't answer my question.]

Now that Sunny lost the protection of the shadow fiend shell and retracted the Mantle back into his skin, he had to be more careful. Receiving direct blows was not out of the question, but it could throw him off balance. He had to use the [Feather of Truth] judiciously to account for the difference in mass between him and the opponents. ...And, of course, being struck by anything Corrupted could end in disaster.

Something flashed from the direction where Nephis was fighting, and a moment later, her voice resounded in his head:

[As expected, I guess. But, Sunny... what has gotten into you? You don't... don't seem like yourself today.]

'Ah, so she noticed...'

His grin widened.

A dozen or so meters to his left, the air rippled slightly. A chameleon-like creature was moving there, unseen... if not for the subtle fluctuation of the shadows, he would have never noticed it. The abomination had already moved past Sunny, swiftly approaching the Awakened soldiers behind him.

good - since it had enough presence of mind to ignore the pull of the Dying Wish, the chameleon had to

the Sin of

but take glances at the spectacularly brutal slaughter that was taking place in front of them. Those who knew Sunny were all surprised and a little startled. Those

people noticed the jade sword seemingly slipping out

abruptly, floating above ground. A stream of blood suddenly flowed out of thin

was mere steps away from reaching the

up or crawl forward, several spears pierced its flesh,

busy fighting another abomination. Sin of Solace dissipated, so

so I was bound to change a little. Don't mind it, though. I'm just performing in front of your

jian returned, dodging a flurry of blows like a

get rid of you, or what? Surely, you've noticed that the reinforcements that were supposed to replace us are nowhere to be seen. If this continues, we will have to retreat... or die. Wait, it's not some

lingered for

she is doing. There must be a reason, but it is hard to say. Perhaps it has to do

Sunny grimaced.

calm,

Nightmare Creatures. Neph had summoned her helmet, brilliant white radiance shining through the slit of

but he knew how much pain fighting like

likely approaching her

[Do I... seem calm?]

Sin of Solace in his hand. Shifting his stance,

know? You

to crush him with a stone hammer by

go all

of them was holding something back. They could reveal

only