The group exchanged information about the weapons they possessed, their skills, and what they were good at. Of course, Nephis and Cassie didn't share everything they had, but Sunny wasn't as reserved as they were. He told Effie about his abilities and what he was capable of doing. Effie smiled at Sunny's honesty and sincerity — to her, this fake killer was surprisingly cooperative.
Effie guided them through the ruins, deciding it would be better to hunt an Awakened Creature instead of stumbling upon a Fallen.
The Gloomy shadow moved ahead, scouting the way for them, making their journey easier. Meanwhile, Happy was observing their surroundings.
"I've got to say, Dufus, this ability of yours is amazing! You can reinforce yourself too?"
"Silence. There's a beast ahead… I think it's Fallen!"
Sunny was watching through Gloom's eyes — at a creature with pale skin stretched tightly over its bones. Its spine and arm bones jutted out prominently. Its limbs were long, tipped with four claws, and its jaw was elongated with fangs protruding from it. The creature was devouring the corpse of a Blood Demon — the Blood Demon's body looked small compared to the beast consuming it.
"What's wrong, Sunny? Is it bad?"
Effie screamed in her mind — were they idiots? That was a Fallen creature! A Fallen creature! Something that could kill any sleeper in moments. She decided to speak.
"Have you lost your minds?! Because I haven't, you morons — that's a Fallen creature! Even if we kill it, the noise will attract more monsters!"
"Why are you worried? It's just a Fallen beast."
"Pardon me, Princess… but can you guarantee it'll be killed quickly?"
"Of course I can. I can guarantee you that bastard will die fast."
"Really? And how will you do that, Dufus?"
Sunny didn't speak. He simply summoned a Memory. A bow made of black wood appeared from the shadow. Effie watched as Sunny held the bow, and after two minutes of him doing nothing, she decided to speak.
"Uh, sorry to interrupt your performance, but may I ask — I didn't mean to become your babysitter. If you're planning to sit there doing nothing, I'll break that bow over your head."
"Effie, you talk too much. Do you think I'm doing nothing? This Memory only works with the soul essence to summon its arrow. I mean, I could use another Memory on Awakened beasts, but not on a Fallen."
Effie burst out laughing at the ridiculous display. She had noticed Sunless was a little crazy — but not mad. She'd been very wrong.
"So how do you plan to—"
"Quiet!"
Sunny cut her off, and when she saw him move, she reluctantly fell silent. Nephis and Cassie followed behind him while Sunny stepped forward with his bow until the hideous creature appeared in front of them.
The Fallen turned its head and stared at them with eyes full of madness. Effie felt the tension, but didn't let it show. She turned her head and saw Nephis facing the creature's gaze with her silver cuirass and long sword, completely fearless.
"Now!"
Sunny shouted, and Nephis charged forward to face the beast — but before she reached it, a black arrow radiating death struck the Fallen. What followed was a blinding explosion. Black flames erupted and engulfed the monster. Effie could even make out three of its limbs flying off in different directions.
"What?! By God sake what did this lunatic just do?!"
"Go, you lunatic!"
Sunny smacked her on the head, then rushed ahead of her toward the monster. Effie snapped out of her shock and followed quickly.
Ahead, the beast had crashed into the wall of a ruined building. Nephis was carving deep wounds into its body, while Sunny leapt onto its back and summoned [Midnight Shard], slashing deep into its flesh. Effie headed for the creature's jaw.
"I swear I'll curse you from the grave if I die, Dufus!"
Effie stabbed her spear deep into the creature's neck, though it wasn't enough to kill it instantly. Blood sprayed on her face, and she felt a rush of euphoria from fighting a Fallen. She yanked her spear free, then pulled her arm back and struck hard. She could feel the monster's flesh shudder from the blow and its bones cracking.
"Wahaha… that's refreshing!"
She jumped onto the creature's neck, then, with a wicked smile on her face, drove her weapon into its brain.
The Fallen collapsed to the ground. Effie's grin remained—if anything, it grew wider as she heard the spell:
[You have slain a Fallen Beast: Ruins Creeper]
[You have received a Memory…]
"This is awesome, isn't it, Effie? Now forget the petty stuff and gather the meat!"
"Oh right, the meat… yes! Yes!"
They quickly carved up the meat and stuffed it into Effie's bag. They didn't want to linger near the corpse—other beasts were being drawn by the sound of battle, but they had gotten what they came for. Sunny turned to Nephis and said:
"Alright, we've got the meat. Now we need to distribute it… even though I'm not fond of this plan, it's the most effective and gives fast results. I'll keep hunting with you for two more weeks, until things settle and you have hunting parties and people who follow your orders."
Nephis looked at him in surprise and sorrow. Then she asked:
"Why?… Don't you feel like you belong with us? Do you want to get away from us, or is there something you're not telling me?!"
"Calm down, calm down, Princess. I don't mean it like that. I'll be living in the Dark City to form my shadow cores—it's the best path for me to become stronger… and I shouldn't attract any unwanted attention. I'll still keep helping you."
"Is that really what you want?"
The pain from his flaw pressed him and forced him to answer.
"Yes… and no."
"I understand."