Reborn as an Extra Chapter 601: Let’s Go Home. Part-1.
Previously on Reborn as an Extra...
Reclining on a chair in Kifrid, he gazed far away, lost deep in thought.
Noticing his distant behavior, Grandpa Kehrid, who sat nearby on his own lounger, let out a soft sigh and addressed him kindly,
'How much longer will you dwell on this, Kifrid? ... Didn’t you claim earlier that you’re a big boy now and can handle things on your own?'
'You need to realize that not everything turns out as planned—'
Upon hearing his grandfather's advice, Kifrid pursed his lips slightly and shook his head, then replied,
'Big Bro promised he’d return to visit me in just a few months, yet he still hasn’t shown up!'
'I’m mad at him!'
Facing Kifrid’s outburst, Kehrid could merely sigh and shake his head in resignation.
Six months had passed since Rio departed with the cube of possibilities, and no trace of his return had appeared since then.
Kifrid frequently visited his grandfather’s home, inquiring if Rio had come back, only to feel downcast upon receiving the negative response every time.
'I figured he’d come back in a day or two after his attempt failed... but with such a long absence... perhaps... sigh...'
Everyone knew the spirit realm overflowed with deadly miasma, turning it into a nightmarish pit even for the strongest awakeners!
No one in their right mind would enter such a terrifying domain for even a moment, much less endure it for half a year!
When Rio approached Kehrid and took the cube of possibilities to rescue his companion, Kehrid was certain the mission would end in failure.
After all, the cube wasn’t an all-powerful relic; it had boundaries to its powers and clear restrictions.
Besides, Kehrid remained unaware that Rio was utterly resistant to the corrupting effects of miasma!
He assumed Rio intended to rely on anti-miasma tools and his sword intent to navigate the spirit realm.
Under those conditions, Rio would likely withdraw within days, drained of mana and mentally worn out, forced to return without success.
Finding someone vanished in that actual 'hell-hole' bordered on impossible; Kehrid strongly believed Rio’s mentioned friend was probably deceased by now.
Rio would return unsuccessful soon and head home.
Yet, against all expectations, Rio stayed away for months!
As time dragged on day after day, Kehrid’s astonishment faded into a dull acceptance.
After half a year, Kehrid became convinced that Rio had most likely perished.
'I can’t help but wonder if that poor boy ran into some fearsome beast or worse...'
'Sigh... such a promising youth... that’s exactly why I cautioned him about venturing there... sigh...'
Kehrid regretted the loss of a prodigy who had achieved rank S at such a tender age, now vanished from existence.
This tragedy represented a huge setback not just for humanity but for the whole world alliance.
Having endured a lengthy existence, Kehrid had witnessed countless gifted individuals meet early ends; the pain of watching those radiant talents dim was immense.
This very reason prompted Kehrid’s retirement and his choice to detach from worldly affairs.
It served as a desperate measure to safeguard his inner calm, born from sheer need.
Yet, intricate matters like these eluded the grasp of a child like Kifrid.
He continued believing Rio was deliberately delaying his return, arriving late on purpose!
He clung to the hope of seeing the impressive big brother Rio again!
Just as Kehrid prepared to comfort Kifrid once more, a recognizable aura rushed toward them from the distance at great velocity.
'What!?'
Detecting that aura, Kehrid jolted upright from his seat, his expression twisting in astonishment as he stared in one direction!
Witnessing his grandfather’s odd reaction, Kifrid felt startled, but before he could question it, a known figure neared from afar.
It was Rio himself!
Rio soared on his sword and touched down before the dwelling atop the hill on the border town’s edge.
'Big bro Rio! You’re finally here! Hehehe! I knew you’d return for me!! Hehehe!!!'
Kifrid’s gloom vanished instantly upon spotting Rio, and he even overlooked his earlier anger over the delay!
'Yeah, I’m back... oh? You’ve gotten taller since our last meeting...'
Rio ruffled the young boy’s hair with a gentle grin and gave Kehrid a nod of acknowledgment.
'It’s been some time; sorry for the delay... I never imagined locating my friend would demand so long...'
Though Rio wore a faint smile, Kehrid, as a top SS-ranker, could discern the concealed elements so near to him.
Hovering behind Rio through his telekinesis was a large coffin suspended in the air.
Though invisible to ordinary sight and hard to detect thanks to sword intent and camouflage, at this proximity, Kehrid instinctively perceived it.
'Sigh... Ultimately... my suspicion proved correct. His friend didn’t survive... still, he returned safe—that’s a relief...'
As Rio avoided mentioning the levitating coffin, Kehrid wisely skipped the subject to spare him grief, instead clapping his shoulder and remarking,
'You gave me quite the scare, kiddo; I honestly thought you’d perished given the endless wait!'
'Glad to see you in one piece! Truth be told, you’re the boldest fellow I’ve encountered in all my years!'
'Lingering in a miasma-infested zone for half a year... the mere idea sends shivers through me!'