Samael Morningstar?

Yeah... that was a lie.

As I listened to Yami talk about his encounters, I began to wonder what else he was lying about. I knew his real personality enough to know that he was clearly putting on a polite act.

Maybe, it could be that he really did stumble upon us by coincidence. But even if that were true, what was his goal for stopping here and acting the way he is right now? Why lie about his identity? Was he just being cautious?

Had he truly survived all he claimed and simply needed a place to recover?

…There was also something else that really bugged me. Who the hell was this Michael?

I checked with Gamer Privileges and his name was indeed…

[Michael Tobias]

However, there was just no way I was going to believe that someone like Yami, who killed people just to grow his power, would have a teammate he helped and cared for.

I was still lost in the tangle of my suspicions when Aika's voice abruptly echoed in my mind.

'Hey Ced, take a look at the map.'

I immediately shifted my gaze to the map that appeared in front of me. I almost asked her why, when, after a brief few seconds, the critical detail became obvious.

Except for Aika and the demon of resignation who were currently in their dormant forms, there were a total of eight people on the grass near the fireplace. That's including both Yami and Michael.

However, on my map, I could only see seven blue dots near the fireplace. The blue dot that should have represented Michael was missing.

That detail was enough to instantly confirm the deep, chilling suspicion I had about Michael.

Michael was dead.

…But not truly dead.

'My hunch was right.'

Yami did in fact kill him before they even got here.

From what I know about Yami's abilities, the reason he was really powerful was because his abilities revolved around souls, and one of them allowed him to shatter and puppet a person's soul.

Once he shattered a person's soul, the person would be in a state where they were neither dead nor alive.

Because they are not truly dead, but hollow, their bonds would not vanish.

With Yami puppeting the hollow soul, he also commands the bond of that soul.

This wicked ability is the reason he kills as he can literally create an army of puppeted dominants.

'Aiissh. Why did we have to run into this guy? …What are the odds that he won't try to add us to his puppet legion?'~

Aika sighed inwardly, then said resignedly, 'Let's just hope he doesn't try anything funny.'~~

…Just then, Yami finished speaking. He paused, throwing a quick look at everyone again, before adding: "You guys are heading to the Puppeteer's Grove, right? Since we are also heading there, mind if we tag along?"

The others didn't say anything after he spoke and for a moment, it was silent. Then my party members all turned to me.

Whether I accepted or not, if he was going to try anything funny, he would do it regardless. Plus, even if we wanted to chase him away, there was no valid way to. The journey to the Puppeteers Grove was a straight route from here and there weren't any creatures in between. So, in a way, he was stuck with us.

After a long moment of hesitation, I narrowed my eyes and said, "Understand that we are not responsible for you as you are not a part of our party."

Yami stared at me for a brief moment with an unreadable expression, then assented politely.

I looked away and right after, the others left Yami sitting alone beside Micheal.

Ino picked up where she left off with making dinner, after which the party members all began eating in strained silence.

"If you want some, you'll need to trade something of value for it." Ino spoke looking up from her meal to Yami who sat some meters from us, drooling as he watched us eat.

Yami quickly reached into the haversack that was over his shoulder and pulled out a mana elixir. "Uhm… will this be enough to fetch a meal for me."

Ino stared at it for a bit, then walked up to him with some meat.

When she traded it, she arched a brow and asked, "Aren't you going to trade something for your party member too?"

Yami turned to the sleeping Micheal then when he looked back to Ino, he replied sheepishly, "I had only one mana elixir. I have nothing else of value to trade. When he wakes up, he would have to trade something for his meal."

Ino shrugged and turned away.

…Once we were all done with our meal, I left the others who were chatting by the fire to stand alone some meters away.

In my hand was a small stick that had a sharp edge. I stared at it for a long moment, before raising the stick to my left arm and drawing a thin shallow cut. I then slipped an empty vial from my inventory and discreetly allowed several drops of my blood to pour into it before sealing the cork quickly.

Taking out a small cloth, I wrapped the injury on my hand, then I turned and went back to the others.

"Who's taking first watch?" Ino asked, looking at Evelyn.

Evelyn shot her a glance and replied tiredly, "Not me. I'm too tired today."

Celeste looked like she wanted to volunteer when I quickly cut in. "I'll take the first watch."

Everyone turned to me, but then I took a quick glance to Yami who lay some meters away, seemingly getting ready to sleep.

When I looked back to the others, I threw the vial in my hand to Evelyn then said. "In case you need it tonight."

The others upon seeing that gesture immediately understood the message I was trying to pass, and so, even after they left the fire to go sleep on the grass, no one really fell asleep as everyone suddenly grew wary of the two boys that had joined us.

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