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?»

a deep breath, holding

earth, teacher… you scared the hell out

He scoffed derisively.

that

while, then looked

bruises, dirty bandages hiding a barely healed cut on her side, calloused

were these sheltered young ladies her teacher was

head, she exhaled

it. I'll keep

«Crazy bastard.»

Her shadow followed.

didn't

the tent, knocked

different beast from her own. The tent Rain used was meant for one person to sleep in, while this one was basically a small building. There were

entrance, all laborers like her — most of them were men, but there

were having a quiet conversation. Rain didn't need to look twice

young woman with fair skin and red hair, wearing a beautiful silk robe. One was a young man in leather armor, who was leaning on a table with

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

were undeniably gorgeous,

person that

Rain held her breath.

just any Master,

in a

of the essence, Lady Tamar, However, you must be careful. 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 you

The Legacy nodded.

mape you provided, there should not be any problem. Please relay

bowed slightly and left, not sparing the mundane humans

silence, and then, the Legacy turned to them. Her expression

«Gods…»

She was a baby!

wasn't that

Legacy frowned, then

the task… our goal is to conduct the final survey of the environment for the last stretch of the Eastern

survey was most likely the first mission she

«Great.»

manager's advice to gain the girl's friendship and affection during the journey — she did not need another benefactor. In fact, dealing with

far more likely that she would barely exchange a few words with the proud Legacy in the next

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

reached Rain last and stopped in front of

«Name?»