Reborn as an Extra Chapter 692: Make Me Move If You can. Part-1.

While Rio and the others were engrossed in their work within the underground laboratory, the situation beyond its confines was far from peaceful.

"You cannot be serious..."

Raji’s gaze was fixed on the oppressive dark clouds looming overhead, her face a mask of astonishment at the immense pressure they exuded.

"It’s no wonder they refer to it as a heavenly punishment... this is utterly insane... the mere aura emanating from it is enough to send shivers down the spines of most SS-rankers."

Ashtel let out a smirk upon hearing Raji’s words, never tearing his eyes away from the chaotic dance of purple lightning coursing through the darkened sky.

"Do you observe that abominable purple thunder? That is precisely what has prevented us SS-rankers from ascending to the next realm until this very day..."

"The heavenly tribulation you witness now is, in actuality, a significantly diminished form... the one that transpired during Link’s birth was considerably more potent than this..."

"I surmise this event is approaching the magnitude of the tribulation that occurred when Riya awakened her legendary skill in the ancient elven empire."

Raji's eyes widened in disbelief at his declaration.

"It can actually be even more formidable than this!?"

In the era of Link's birth, Raji was merely an ordinary girl, utterly incapable of perceiving the vast powers of the heavens or comprehending the hidden secrets of those dwelling in higher circles.

She had not even been present during Riya’s awakening; this very day marked Raji’s first personal encounter with a heavenly tribulation!

"Naturally, it can be stronger... the tribulation during Link's birth was hundreds of times more intense than this... yet even that pales in comparison to the one that guards the gateway to the next realm..."

"Once an SS-ranker achieves their pinnacle state, their only path forward is 'stagnation'..."

"For should you dare to venture any further, you would be subjected to a heavenly wrath so potent it could annihilate your very existence!"

"This is the fate that befell the most accomplished magician in history, 'Ivan,' and numerous other formidable SS-rankers of ages past..."

Ashtel continued, a smile gracing her lips.

"Consequently, many have come to the conclusion that merely attaining the peak SS-rank is insufficient; one must simultaneously achieve the highest level of 'World Authority' and acquire 'divinity,' a mythical power..."

"Only by meeting all three of these stringent conditions can one possibly stand a chance of transcending the realm of demi-gods..."

"However, to date... no one has succeeded in achieving such a feat... not even the illustrious King Allen Von Reinhart!"

While King Allen did, at one point, momentarily reach the 'True God' realm, this was a transient state of power achieved through the assistance of the 'Sword of Promised Destinies.'

And as Astra had revealed to Lia, the Sword of Promised Destinies was a weapon for single use; its activation would simultaneously result in the forfeiture of one's 'True God' status.

In essence, although King Allen had indeed technically become a 'True God' for a fleeting instant, he was not a genuine 'True God' who had surpassed the demi-god realm through conventional means!

Although Ashtel and the others were unaware that King Allen had technically ascended beyond the demi-god realm, their assertion that even he had never surpassed it through ordinary methods was not incorrect.

"You have only just recently recovered from a life-threatening injury... Are you, are you well?"

Raji expressed concern, knowing Ashtel had not yet fully recuperated to his peak condition after narrowly escaping a fatal situation not long prior.

Should any harm befall Ashtel, the nation would undoubtedly descend into chaos, much like it had begun to falter when he was in a coma.

"Haha, fret not, for when I endured a far more potent heavenly tribulation during Link’s birth... my World Authority was merely at Level 3!"

"I am significantly, vastly stronger than I was then... even if I haven't fully regained my peak condition, I have recovered at least 90% of my strength by now..."

Raji let out a sigh, casting a defensive spell to shield herself and Liam, who remained unconscious, diligently absorbing the surrounding mana.

"Putting aside the heavenly punishment... I am certain those individuals from the World Association have already taken notice of all this..."

"Issue a decree through my authority within the World Association, representing the entirety of the human empire, stating that a remarkably talented individual from our nation has achieved something extraordinary, hence this occurrence..."

"If we do not provide a satisfactory explanation, they will undoubtedly converge upon us shortly, and we cannot afford for them to uncover the true nature of our current activities..."

In response to Ashtel’s directive, Raji nodded solemnly and promptly retrieved an artifact resembling a laptop, commencing her typing.

As Raji focused on this crucial task, Ashtel ascended into the sky, surveying the surrounding area with a keen eye.

The underground laboratory was situated within a vast, desolate wasteland, extending for hundreds of kilometers without any signs of cities or settlements.

The portal Rio and Lia utilized to reach this facility was merely one among numerous gateways linked to this concealed location.

Numerous physical entrances, fortified with potent concealment spells, also granted access to this place.

"I initially suspected Neo employed some artifact to cast such formidable concealment spells, preventing even me from detecting his hidden bases..."

"But after Rio’s explanation... it’s plausible that another individual is involved in this affair, someone I have yet to uncover..."

Neo's collaboration with Alverto was undeniably established; however, with both now deceased, they posed no further threat.

The primary concern was the potential clandestine involvement of another party assisting them.

This unknown entity possessed the capability to generate powerful projections, such as Raika, who could effectively mask their presence from even formidable individuals like Rio.

It was highly probable that the very person who impeded Rio in the guise of Raika was also secretly aiding Neo and Alverto.

’Just who could it be...’