Reborn as an Extra Chapter 531: A Meeting Arranged By Fate. Part-3.

"That's it, this will ensure you grow up tall and powerful one day..."

Kifrid pouted immediately upon hearing Rio’s remark.

"Hmph! You're treating me like some gullible brat, aren't you? All you did was tap me with that flute! I'm not falling for your tricks!"

Because Rio’s abilities functioned directly on the level of the soul, and since he hadn't caused any harm or negative effects to Kifrid, it was practically impossible for the boy to sense any change.

Truly, even SS-rankers would likely struggle to detect that Rio had altered something within Kifrid’s soul and sea of consciousness.

This represents the most terrifying aspect of Rio’s strength.

Once struck by Rio’s power, even the victim remains completely oblivious to what has transpired.

If such a gift were possessed by a villain, they could have unleashed a literal hell on earth by exploiting it.

"Haha, don't be so greedy, kid. I've already bestowed a magnificent blessing upon you. What more could you ask for? I only have a few candies left now..."

Kifrid’s eyes sparkled at the mention of candy, yet he managed to restrain himself.

"No way! My mother told me never to accept candy from strangers; I won't be fooled by that!"

Rio could only offer a helpless, wry smile in response.

‘If it were Riya, she probably would have taken the bait... though, she’s already so powerful that it wouldn't really matter...’

Even back when she was a mere A-ranker, Riya was capable of obliterating demons and monsters. Now that she had ascended to an S-ranker, her restorative magic might be just as deadly in a fight as Rio’s own miasma.

"The sun is going down; it's time for you to go home, kid. It's getting late—"

Kifrid cut him off before he could finish his sentence.

"Alright, I've made up my mind! If you really want to grant me a wish, then you have to help my grandpa!"

"He's an old man, but he's been miserable because he can't locate his lost weapons!"

Caught off guard by the request, Rio asked,

"Why is an old man like your grandfather searching for weapons? Shouldn't he be relaxing in the sun and enjoying his retirement?"

"Well, I happen to be quite skilled at locating things, so maybe I can assist him..."

Rio did, in fact, possess a potent skill for tracking individuals or objects. He could simply strike Kifrid’s grandfather with his blade and employ soul manipulation to uncover exactly where the weapons were lost.

While people often struggle to remember specific details, their souls and sea of consciousness retain every event of their lives. By tapping into those two realms, one can read a person's entire history.

Having practiced these techniques on several willing test subjects, Rio was confident enough to know that as long as the target was S-rank or below, he could safely peer into their mind.

"Great! Let's go! Grandpa is going to be so happy! Hehe!"

With those words, Kifrid put away his wooden toy sword, securing it at his small waist.

He began trekking toward his grandfather’s house, but his short legs made for slow progress. Seeing this, Rio picked him up and settled him onto his shoulders.

Rio increased his pace, and the pleasant breeze brushing against Kifrid’s face as they moved made the boy laugh with joy.

"Whooo~ this is great! It's decided! From now on, you're my friend! You're my big brother Rio! Hehe!"

Rio rolled his eyes at the declaration and replied.

"You shouldn't trust strangers so easily, kid. What would you do if I were actually a villain?"

Kifrid just giggled at the question.

"I heard that beautiful melody you were playing! It was so nice; only a truly good person could play something like that!"

Rio was momentarily stunned by the answer.

‘Err... this kid is far too naive... well, he’s just a child; he’ll gain wisdom as he grows...’

Sighing to himself, Rio carried the boy on his shoulders as they headed toward a massive nearby hilltop.

"Hey now, why does your grandfather live way up on a hill? How does an old man manage such a steep climb?"

Kifrid giggled again at Rio’s inquiry.

"He's always whining about his back hurting, but he refuses to move in with us! He just sits there in his gloomy little house all the time!"

Rio could only let out another sigh.

Fortunately, the hill was a good distance from the town, so Rio didn't have to worry about being spotted with Kifrid.

As a human in the kingdom of dwarves, he would stand out far too much, which he wanted to avoid. He was only helping the boy to settle the debt he felt he owed him.

Kifrid possessed immense talent, and Rio’s intuition told him the boy might become a significant figure in the future, making it wise to build a friendship now.

"Grandpa!! I've arrived~"

As they reached the small dwelling, Kifrid gave an excited shout while Rio scanned the surroundings.

‘Is this a forge? Is his grandfather a blacksmith?’

The profession of blacksmithing—crafting weapons and artifacts—was a legendary and highly respected trade among the dwarves.

Even in the modern era, if you met any three dwarves at random, the odds were high that at least one would be a blacksmith.

Although factories now mass-produce equipment, truly powerful weapons are still forged by hand.

That remains the ultimate goal for all dwarves.

Every one of them dreams of becoming a master smith capable of creating S-rank or even greater artifacts.

‘I don't sense any mana fluctuations or shifts in the environment... that suggests Kifrid’s grandfather is just an ordinary man...’

Rio brought Kifrid to the entrance, and the boy hopped down from his shoulders before kicking the forge door open.

"I'm here, Grandpa!"

Kifrid’s grandfather was seated in a tattered chair near the small furnace, sipping on a beer.

"Oh! It's you, my wonderful grandson! I haven't seen you in quite a while!"

The two embraced warmly as a greeting.

Rio stepped inside at that moment, and Kifrid moved to introduce him.

"This is my new friend, Big Brother Rio! You mentioned you lost some things; I brought him here to help find them! He says he's an expert at finding stuff!"

As Rio entered the forge, the grandfather looked up to inspect the newcomer.

It felt as though Fate itself had orchestrated this encounter; the world seemed to freeze in that singular moment.

The old man’s gaze landed on the flute hanging from Rio’s waist, and he nearly leaped out of his chair in pure terror!

"Good heavens!!! Is that 'Vinash'!? That's 'Vinash,' isn't it!? How did you get your hands on that sword!?"

A look of sheer horror washed over the old man as he frantically pulled Kifrid behind him, his face pale with shock and disbelief!

"Wha—what!? Why are you carrying that cursed weapon!? And just who are..."

"Wait, I recognize you!! What is your connection to that bastard Kevin Flash!??"

Rio was just as stunned by the old man's outburst, nearly stumbling from the sheer impact of the words.

He never imagined that anyone would identify his sword so easily, especially while it was disguised as a simple steel flute.