Shadow Slave

Back in the Brilliant Emporium, Sunny was standing motionlessly in the middle of the dining hall. His face was frozen.

The streets of Bastion had long turned dark, and he was enveloped by a peaceful silence.

Some time later, he looked down and stared at the gloomy shadow.

'I... did not imagine the whole thing, did I?'

The shadow stared at him back and shrugged. Nevertheless, it seemed strangely elated.

'Maybe?'

No... Nephis had definitely been here just now. Her plate was still on the table, and her glass was still mostly full of water.

Not only had she been here, but Sunny was now apparently making a soulbound sword for her.

Slowly, his face paled.

'...What did I do?!'

It all seemed perfectly reasonable and cunning in the moment. Not only would he be able to fulfill his ambition of replicating the [Bound] enchantment with Neph's help, but she would also reveal the secrets of her Transcendent battle art to him, completely of her own volition.

Not to mention the hefty sum he would earn for the commission. But now, Sunny was panicking!

Why did he insist on spending lots of time with her? That was the exact opposite of what the humble shopkeeper was supposed to do! His only task was to stay as far away from Nephis as possible and live a tranquil, peaceful life.

And now, in the span of just a few days, Sunny ended up being entangled with Nephis and Cassie both. Somehow.

'This wasn't a part of the plan!'

But it was also... not that bad?

Despite how contrary to his plans the current situation was, Sunny found himself smiling.

In fact, despite his panic, he was just as elated as the gloomy shadow.

point that his second avatar was currently humming a happy melody in Ravenheart... which

Sunny abruptly stopped humming.

'...Crap.'

had done did it

***

somewhat sleepy Aiko that Changing Star had visited the shop late in the evening to commission

for a moment

came in? Was

the unfamiliar name, Sunny

is that? Is there a new Transcendent

her head

me that both Cassie and Changing Star herself have visited the Brilliant Emporium, but both waited until I was gone to spend some time with you

blinked a

that is a strange way of putting it, but yes. That is

She nodded.

I shouldn't

Sunny was starting

would be happy! We'll get a

Aiko yawned.

bonus, then." Her tone told him to leave her alone, but Sunny was not willing to. "It's true! She

up to the ceiling. He stared at

"What are you doing?"

Aiko responded sarcastically:

just made an inventory yesterday, so don't think I'll fail to find out how

threw his arms

how you

She scoffed.

Don't think I'll fail to find out how much

a few curses and went about getting ready for the

happening in the Brilliant Emporium, so Sunny simply waited to be contacted by

the same situation. The elders of clan Valor were taking their sweet time discussing

the avatar in Ravenheart was busy, since he and Rain were in the initial

few more days passed, and then, Sunny was distracted by the sound of plates rolling in the dining hall. Looking