'Am I that easy?'
When Sunny had been left alone in his room — well, mostly alone — that was the first thought that came to mind. Was he easy? It seemed so.
Had he ever liked another person this much? Probably not. Maybe?
It was terrifying. To be so attached and infatuated from only three meetings. He didn't even think that he could feel so strongly. This overwhelming rhythm of obsession...
It... couldn't be normal, could it? No, perhaps it was. Sunny's affection wasn't quite at the same level as back then — with Rain. But it was... scarily close.
'Oh my God...'
He loved Silver Wolf more than his own parents.
All because she had fought on his behalf one time.
He repressed the urge to let out a miserable laugh. It was... utterly pathetic. It was horrible, sinful even, to choose a girl he barely knew over his own blood.
Almost as reprehensible as also being in love with said girl's girlfriend.
Someone he had never met. Someone he didn't even know the name of. All it took was a single image in a game and a sexy voiceline.
'What the hell?!'
He had been seduced twice over. Sunny couldn't even put up a fight. And the worst part was... that there was no space for him in either girl's life.
Because they already had each other.
'What the fuck, dude?! What is wrong with you, why are you always thinking with your dick, they're just people, other people don't matter, think of money or something—'
Sunny had... stepped into a love triangle. A very crappy love triangle, because it was one dude thirsting over two lesbians for little reason beyond 'she's hot' or 'she slid for me one time, which is also really hot.'
Such shallow catalysts for such strong emotions.
He curled up his hands into fists... before smacking himself in the forehead. The dull throb served as an anchor as his troubles sank back into the deep dark sea where they came from.
What was he so bothered by this unrequited, forbidden love for? Even if it was requited. Even if it wasn't forbidden. He wouldn't pursue it. Why else had he rejected Seele? Pushed her away?
Fear was an emotion all too familiar with Sunny. Especially recently.
And the only way to combat it was to get back to work. He didn't need to think about these things. There was no need for him to long over something so... useless.
He had other things to worry about, like his especially disobedient Shadow... and the updates to her runes.
Shadow: Tingyun.
Shadow Rank: Ascended.
Shadow Class: Devil.
...So, it seemed that she had managed to both jump from a Monster to a Devil, and from the Dormant Rank to the Ascended. He didn't know how she did it, but she did.
More importantly — his expression soured — she had completely ruined his cost-effective plans. He sighed, before moving on to her Attributes.
Shadow Attributes: [Heliofox], [Black Temptress], [Pathstrider], [Kindler Of Ruin], [Awakened].
[Black Temptress] seemed to be an evolution of [Temptress], while [Kindler Of Ruin] was an enhanced version of [Kindler].
[Black Temptress] Attribute Description: "This Shadow has a natural charm that intoxicates those around her, along with a natural talent in glimpsing the secrets of one's heart. Not even shadows could resist her temptation."
'...Well, shit.'
This Attribute was... bothersome. She basically had a mind attack now, one that could enchant anyone in the vicinity. And if he was reading it correctly, it had a heightened effect on Sunny.
That explained what she had been doing to him earlier.
The worst part was that she clearly had no qualms against using it against Sunny himself — even if she wrongly believes that it was beneficial to him. He had to figure something out.
[Kindler Of Entropy] Attribute Description: "This Shadow has a relentless flame in her heart — one that can both warm and consume others. The Destruction and Abundance are repulsed by her fire."
...Did that mean that her flames were now especially effective against the Destruction and Abundance? If so, that was... a conditional boon, but a great one nonetheless. He had crossed paths with the Destruction multiple times.
The Antimatter Legion, the Fragmentum Creatures, Phantylia, Cocolia...
Sunny doubted that he has seen the end of his encounters with Destruction. Then there was the fact that Sunny visited the Xianzhou Luofu often for business reasons (killing something), so the idea that he now had another counter to the Abundance was a welcome one.
Aspect: [Scarlet Vixen].
Aspect Rank: Transcendent.
Innate Ability: [Backup Dancer].
Aspect Abilities: [Fiery Caress], [Neural Invasion], [Heart Demon].
[Neural Invasion] Ability Description: "By taking upon the true infernal form of a Heliofox, Tingyun is able to invade the nervous systems of both living and dead."
Tingyun's Awakened Ability... seemed to allow her to transform into a Heliobus-like creature? Actually, considering that she was currently hiding in his nervous system — from embarrassment, most likely — he was probably correct in his assumptions.
Then, there was her Ascended Ability.
[Heart Demon] Ability Description: "For each tail sprouting from this Shadow's body, she is able to attach a Heart Demon to any being with a nervous system. The Heart Demons are manifestations of the target's negativity."
A mind attack of some kind? He didn't have a clue what these Heart Demons were supposed to do. Perhaps they would physically attack? Erode the mind?
Testing was required.
And for that... he needed Tingyun to get out of his body.