Reborn as an Extra Chapter 674: The next trip?

"So... you're telling me he returned on the flying boat without issue, and right as you were ready to welcome him at the dock, he vanished after saying, ’Wait a second, I have something important to handle’..."

Under his father’s serious interrogative voice, Link used a handkerchief to wipe sweat from his brow and gave a nod.

"Yes, we were there to greet him, but he didn’t return with us and went off to handle something..."

"I believe he’ll return shortly, so no need to fret..."

As he spoke those words, Link stole several glances at his father’s face, trying to gauge if anger was brewing.

It wasn’t fear holding Link back; rather, in the months Rio had been away, Ashtel had thrown himself into rigorously training Link!

Dangerous assignments kept coming Link’s way repeatedly, and failure meant either a lashing from the belt or confinement to reflect on his errors!

The belt lashing was tolerable, something Link had endured since boyhood; but house arrest? That was pure torment!

Being locked in his room meant no visits from Riya!

Enduring days without Riya’s nonstop chatter had become unthinkable! His routine felt incomplete without her eagerly displaying her collection of ultra-rare candies!

"What could demand such urgency that he skips reporting to me?... Something must have arisen... Rio’s always been the more level-headed one, unlike you..."

Link could only feel torn between laughter and tears at that remark.

Since Rio aided in curing Jin and Ashtel, his standing in Ashtel’s eyes had soared, leading to constant scoldings for Link to emulate Rio more.

’Tch! That stone-faced jerk! Just wait until Lia gets back—I’ll spill how you were bridal-carrying other women on missions!’

While Link silently cursed Rio, Riya, sprawled on Raji’s lap munching sweets, piped up abruptly.

"Perhaps he needed a quick bathroom break? After all, the spirit realm might lack toilets, no?"

Riya’s unexpected comment startled Ashtel, who was pondering grave possibilities, nearly toppling him from his seat.

"T-that’s impossible, right?... He’s an S-ranker, after all..."

Brushing off Ashtel’s denial, Riya let out a deep sigh before continuing.

"Speaking of S-rankers... injuries among them have spiked lately... those high-rank dungeons are turning far deadlier..."

"I figured hitting S-rank would mean less work, but... sigh... my duties have only piled up..."

Raji nodded in agreement with Riya’s complaint.

"True, several top guilds have taken unexpected losses recently... it feels like the world’s mana density has risen a bit..."

SS-rankers possess acute sensitivity to mana fluctuations, detecting even minor upticks in global mana levels with ease.

"Actually, I urged Rio to report back swiftly partly due to this issue..."

"The world alliance invited numerous peak SS-rankers and key figures; we’ll debate this very concern..."

"Fresh tactics must be devised against it... sigh... the last gods’ assembly happened merely two years back, yet things have deteriorated enough for another so soon!"

Excitement sparkled in Riya’s eyes at Ashtel’s explanation as she queried,

"Does that mean another tournament of supreme talents!?"

The prior event had propelled Riya forward tremendously, unlocking her legendary skill and letting her explore an entirely new land.

It had been an exhilarating adventure she’d gladly repeat!

"Uh... no, such tournaments occur only every decade or so; too soon for another... and even then, none of you would qualify to join again!"

Disappointment washed over Riya at Ashtel’s response.

"Sigh... if only I could rewind time and relive my childhood... sigh..."

Tuning out Riya’s nostalgic musings on her innocent youth, Ashtel pressed on.

"This gathering will probably be brief, restricted to us peak SS-rankers; venue and timing kept under wraps too..."

Link cocked his head at Ashtel’s statement and inquired,

"Only you peak ones can join... but nothing bars bringing companions along, correct?"

"Doesn’t that mean we can come along too? We won’t join the meeting with you, but we’ll handle our own activities!"

Ashtel pondered briefly before nodding in agreement.

"Yeah, that works... Even if I took you to the meeting, nobody could object anyway, and should anyone speak up, I’d simply smack them quiet..."

"But why are you all so eager to tag along with me?"

At Ashtel’s question, Link and Riya responded together in perfect unison!

"Vacation! We want to go on a vacation!"

Following the Chronos Incident, they’d been toiling away without pause!

Their last getaway happened back when team Astra fully entered the dragon’s valley!

Far too much time had elapsed since, with them yearning for a true vacation all along!

"Um... alright, if the meeting takes place somewhere you can relax in peace... then there’s no issue bringing you guys..."

Those pleading puppy eyes from both Link and Riya left Ashtel with little option but to relent and fulfill their desire!

"Yay! Vacation time it is!"