Shadow Slave

Rain was used to spending time in the wilderness, so it did not take her a long time to pack her things and take down the tent. Her bow was unstrung and attached to the pack, and so were her quiver and sword — usually, she would have kept the weapons on the ready, but since there would be a cohort of Awakened leading the survey team, it was better to keep a low profile.

There weren't a lot of mundane people who habitually hunted Nightmare Creatures, and since Rain was supposed to be hiding, she didn't want to attract undue attention.

Saying goodbye to the few acquaintances she had made in the main camp, she hurried to the tent the road manager had mentioned.

Rain felt both relieved and a little wistful, knowing that she might never see this place again.

As she was nearing the large tent, there was the sound of several voices. Her teacher suddenly mumbled something from the shadows:

«No, it can't be… can it? Curses, it is! Damn, I knew this would happen!»

He sounded alarmed.

She slowed down and stared at her shadow in confusion.

«Teacher, is something the matter?»

He remained silent for a few moments, then said in a grave tone:

«Rain, I need you to listen to me very carefully She tensed, overcome by sudden fear, Her teacher, meanwhile, continued somberly.»

«There is a guy named Ray in that tent. Keep away from him… at all costs! Don't talk to him, don't listen to him… better yet, don't even look at him. Treat him like he has the plague. Do you understand? Nod if you understand!»

Rain stared at her shadow in bewilderment.

«W-why? Is he some kind of terrible fiend? Is he v-very dangerous?»

Her shadow stirred.

«Yes! Very, very dangerous! And he is something way worse than a terrible fiend…»

His voice shook with some dark, chilling emotion.

«…He's a male teenager! So, keep your distance, alright? Nod if you understand!»

Rain blinked a couple of times.

«Huh?»

Her teacher hissed.

«What are you spacing out for? I said to nod if you understood. Why aren't you nodding?»

took a deep breath, holding back many unflattering

scared

He scoffed derisively.

guy like that is a

for a while, then looked down

by bruises, dirty bandages

sheltered young ladies her

she exhaled

it. I'll keep that in

«Crazy bastard.»

Her shadow followed.

didn't see you

him, Rain approached the tent, knocked on the

own. The tent Rain used was meant for one person to sleep in, while this one was basically a small building.

all laborers like her — most

people were having a quiet conversation. Rain didn't need

beautiful silk robe. One was a young man in leather armor, who was leaning on a table with

a young woman with tan skin and strange ashen hair, wearing an intricate suit of full plate armor forged from lustrous steel.

three were undeniably gorgeous,

person that

Rain held her breath.

a Master. And not just any Master, but one of the Blood Sisters — an elite group of Ascended who served Saint Seishan, and had come from the Forgotten

was saying in

Do not get too close to the Hand, and whatever you do, do not cross the realm boundary: You should know the consequences. Be well, and I hope to see

The Legacy nodded.

be any problem. Please relay my gratitude to the

bowed slightly and left, not sparing the mundane humans

then, the Legacy

«Gods…»

She was a baby!

of them were. None of the three Awakened was older than eighteen… Rain wasn't that far in terms of age, but she felt old and wizened

Legacy frowned,

You should have been told about the nature of the task… our goal is to conduct the final survey of the

studied Lady Tamar with curiosity. She didn't seem especially mean, but definitely had a severe personality. Although… considering her age, she must have Just Awakened recently. This survey was most likely the first

«Great.»

matter too much. Rain was not planning on following the road manager's advice to gain the girl's friendship and affection during the journey — she did not need another benefactor. In fact, dealing with the one she had was already testing the limits of

would barely exchange a few words with the proud Legacy in

each of the mundane laborers to learn their names and evaluate their

and stopped in front of

«Name?»