Reborn as an Extra Chapter 705: Maybe I should start a tea shop... Part-1.

"You're already past eighteen, a full-fledged adult, yet here you are, sharing tea with this old man..."

"Youngsters your age usually frequent bars, indulging in late-night revelry with wine and the company of women..."

Upon hearing old man Irvin's pronouncements, Rio let out a click of his tongue.

"Tch, old man, you're aware I have a girlfriend, correct? I steer clear of bars and clubs; if I were to go, she'd cease speaking to me, you understand..."

Rio took a sip of his tea with his right hand, leaning forward and propping his face on his other hand.

"As for wine... I don't comprehend the fascination with it... it possesses an unpleasant odor and tastes akin to petrol; I'd much rather consume bitter karela juice than that rubbish..."

Hearing Rio's declaration, old man Irvin reclined against his chair, his voice laced with amusement.

"You speak as though you've truly sampled petrol, hahaha~ While it is indeed unpalatable, one does grow accustomed to it eventually... As the saying goes, the beauty of an art lies within the beholder's perception!"

Upon hearing Irvin's words, Rio felt a semblance of awkwardness but maintained a neutral expression.

'Err.... I have, in fact, tasted petrol before... though it was quite by accident...'

In the present world, petrol and other fossil fuels have become relics of the past, having been consumed at an exceedingly rapid pace during the era of mana descent. Back then, humanity was still a fledgling race, reliant on technology for their defenses.

In those bygone days, the majority of military vehicles and critical equipment operated on either petrol or diesel; even electricity generation was predominantly fueled by coal or petroleum-based power plants!

During that tumultuous period, humankind engaged in numerous conflicts to repel the invasions of other races upon their territories.

Given that the world's petroleum reserves were finite, their eventual depletion was an inevitability.

However, brilliant scientists emerged and succeeded in developing vehicles powered by mana cores. Consequently, the entire transportation sector transitioned to this cleaner energy source as fossil fuels faded into history.

Therefore, the Rio of this current world could never have consumed petrol, even if he had desired to.

'Ugh, I sometimes question if I was an imbecile in my previous existence?'

In his past life, the world was still mired in the age of petrol. Compounding matters was his friend, a peculiar individual prone to outlandish pranks. Rio inadvertently fell victim to one such jest and nearly ingested petrol!

'Thankfully, I managed to spit it out the very next moment though... I distinctly recall subjecting that friend to a severe beating afterward...'

Petroleum, even in minuscule quantities, poses a significant threat to the human body. Fortunately, Rio did not ingest it and expelled it immediately; otherwise, a hospitalization would have been unavoidable.

Rio only comprehended the gravity of such incidents much later, leaving him perplexed as to whether his friend had genuinely intended to end his life back then.

'Speaking of that eccentric individual, once I attain sufficient strength, I shall apprehend him and administer a thorough thrashing for transporting me to this world without so much as a by-your-leave!'

'But then again... I did end up meeting Lia due to my arrival in this world... so, perhaps I can allow him the choice between a beating by fists or being cleaved by my sword...'

While Rio was meticulously plotting his revenge against his peculiar friend, Irvin let out a sigh as he surveyed his deserted tavern. He spoke,

"Sigh... kiddo, ever since you commenced the hunt for criminals, my patrons have either vanished entirely or found themselves incarcerated thanks to your efforts..."

"My humble tavern barely sees any business these days..."

In response to Irvin's lament, Rio rolled his eyes, replying in his characteristic, unexpressive tone,

"It's not as though an abundance of people frequented this dilapidated establishment to begin with, and your primary operation involves running a clandestine information-gathering network, does it not..."

"Most of your clientele consisted of ne'er-do-wells engaged in minor offenses, whom I've subsequently placed behind bars... as for those responsible for more heinous crimes... hehe..."

Irvin dabbed the beads of cold sweat from his forehead, taking a substantial swig of wine from a bottle. He remarked,

"Kiddo, I would greatly prefer it if you refrained from laughing in my presence altogether... your peculiar laughter strikes a chilling chord with this old man's frail heart; I fear I might succumb to a heart attack from sheer terror one day..."

Having known Rio for an considerable duration, Irvin had grown accustomed to his stoic demeanor, which rarely betrayed any discernible emotion.

Consequently, whenever Rio offered a smile, it appeared unnervingly out of place to him.

"Incidentally, we've conversed about inconsequential matters long enough. Might I inquire as to the actual reason for your visit?"

Upon hearing Irvin's query, Rio offered a subtle smile and responded,

"That is precisely why I favor your organization, old man; you possess an astute understanding of me..."

"Indeed, I have a matter of some urgency at hand; it is a task of considerable importance, yet it pertains more to a personal commission. Therefore, I shall compensate you monetarily this time..."

"Ensure the information regarding this commission remains strictly confidential..."

Rio's pronouncement made Irvin sense a significant event looming, yet he couldn't bring himself to decline Rio's request, so he simply nodded.

"Alright, state your demands for this time?" Rio responded with a knowing smirk, his voice laced with amusement.

"I require a comprehensive map of the 'Beast Archipelago'... More than just a standard chart, I need it to detail military strategies and dungeon locations..."

"Furthermore, pinpoint the locations of all clandestine military laboratories and track down a girl named 'Aino Felicia.' She's a mermaid-type beast girl, roughly my age..."

"While an exact location would be ideal, an approximation would suffice if the precise spot cannot be ascertained..."

Upon hearing Rio's demands, Irvin's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Wha-what business could you possibly have with a nation's military intelligence? Tha-that... I-i..."

"My organization operates solely within the human empire; we have no personnel stationed elsewhere-"

Rio cut him off, his eyes narrowing and his voice deepening, "Just do as you are ordered, old man... My knowledge of your organization surpasses what you imagine... Do not attempt deception... I am well aware of the extent of your organization's reach..."

"Believe my words... I possess considerable information..."