Shadow Slave

Dropping the bow, she hurriedly picked up a long javelin that had been laying under the ash.

Rain's weapon of choice was a bow. However, that did not mean that she was only versed in using a bow. Her teacher insisted that a ranged weapon was only good if one could keep the enemy at range, and in the Dream Realm, not even Saints could guarantee something like that.

Therefore, she was proficient not only with ranged weapons, but also with a wide range of weapons.

Rain was nothing if not resourceful.

By the time she grabbed the javelin and jumped to her feet, the Stone Worm was almost upon her.

With fetid blood spilling from its torn maw, the horrid creature raised its front limbs to slice her into pieces…

And suddenly disappeared from view.

The pit Rain had dug up and covered with branches might not have been deep, but it was perfectly placed to stop the charge of a mindless monster.

There was a great benefit in being able to handle a multitude of weapons, but there was an even greater benefit in always being prepared. Her teacher had hammered that simple principle into her head a long time ago.

Before the Stone Worm could recover from suddenly dropping through the ash, the heavy javelin struck it with all the force she could muster Its white scales were broken by the wide spearhead, and the abominable monster let out a piercing screech.

Rain paled a little and finally drew her sword. The enemy was severely wounded, but it was not dead yet.

A mess of hideous flesh and thin limbs staggered out of the pit, only to be met by the blade of the tachi. Rain severed the front limbs of the sluggish monster, then delivered a ruthless slash across its scaly neck, putting a gash into it.

A few more precise strikes and well-timed dodges, and the abomination finally grew motionless. Only half of its vile body managed to crawl out of the shallow pit, and was now laying on the ash.

Rain slumped and grabbed her knees, panting heavily. She could feel a trickle of foreign essence seeping into her soul, and a river of adrenaline coursing through her blood.

«D-d-dam it..!»

Then, a voice resounded from behind her.

«You have slain a Dormant Monster, Stone Worm Your shadow grows stronger!»

Turning around, she threw a dark look at her teacher, who had finally deigned to crawl out of her shadow in all his shameless splendor.

«…What the hell are you on about?»

wearing light armor woven

that. Don't mind me. Just something i

turned away with a stoic expression on her pale,

to kill him

it possible to kill a

—— —— ——

was a

in her shadow, only showing up when no one else was around. At first, she thought that she had gone insane and was

that, but also

the apparition was mostly benevolent, and did not seem to harbor any ill will toward her. On the contrary, it… he… treated Rain with something that resembled familial affection. It was almost as

had such an ancestor, though. But then again, Rain was adopted, and didn't know much about her biological parents. So… it might have been possible that

look a little bit like her. A much more glamorous, handsome, and male version

he was on the

he looked like a young man with flawless

teacher did not have a shadow of

she was prohibited from having any in

her to believe that

not seem interested in drinking her blood. Or any blood,

spending four years in the company of her teacher, Rain still had no idea what he

attempt to ask him questions about his identity resulted

Like:

tell me. Who are

I told you already? Gods, how many times do I have to repeat it? I

pretty sure I would remember

the river of time, which flows inside the great pyramid that an dreadful demon had built from the blood and flesh of an Unholy Titan, I was attacked by a vile, odious, very nasty, no good bird and had my fate stolen. So, no one in the world remembers

«…Uh-huh.»

famous, but even my secret alter ego was famous. World-renowned, even. I was a war hero, too. And extremely wealthy. In fact… do you know Princess Nephis? Changing Star of the Immortal Flame clan? I was

«Uh-huh…»

Or:

a question? How old

One might say that I am a few years older than you. But, at the same time, this incarnation of me has only been born about four years ago?

How

told it to be gone. And it was gone. Your teacher

«…»