Reborn as an Extra Chapter 760: Absolute Detection. Part-2.

Rio's words struck Raika's weak point with pinpoint accuracy, eliciting a pained clenching of his teeth. With a casual flick of his wrist, Raika conjured a teleportation portal, pushing Lia and the others out of his current domain. Rio did not intervene; an instinct told him that detaining the remaining group would only invite further complications, and Raika, reliant on their combined strength for his grand design, would likely refrain from terminating them. Raika himself lacked the ability to properly manipulate the ethereal threads of fate surrounding Fade; for that crucial task, he required Lia's participation. Link, designated as the world's chosen one, and Riya, the world's favored, were both essential for garnering the world's ultimate acknowledgment. "You've truly cornered me, Rio," Raika lamented, his voice tinged with despair. "I had hoped you would remain ignorant, but alas, you've uncovered the truth after all..." "While my desire for vengeance is indeed a factor, it is only a fraction of my true objective," Raika confessed, his gaze fixed on Rio. "I yearn for a world where entire races do not face extinction simply due to their incompatibility with mana or miasma..." "I intend to reshape this world for the better, Rio, and your participation is vital to this endeavor." "My unique gift as the 'Realm Weaver' allows me to meticulously simulate the universe's history within my realms, endlessly repeating the grand cycles. I have witnessed hundreds of thousands of such iterations thus far..." Raika met Rio's gaze, his voice growing heavy with the weight of his revelations. "In every single iteration, the world succumbs to the overwhelming tide of miasma, ultimately resulting in universal annihilation..." "Across all these simulations, Fade Crest perpetually fails to eradicate the miasma. Just like the tragic King Allen, his failure is an absolute certainty!" "I have scrutinized thousands of simulations, yet I've never discovered a singular method to finally put an end to the miasma's pervasive influence. Its sheer potency remains an enigma..." "However, you, Rio, are different. Unlike the myriad iterations I've observed, unlike the simulations I've painstakingly crafted, you exist within the true, unadulterated universe. You are an 'Anomaly,' a variable absent from every simulation I've ever conceived..." Raika's tone grew grave as he continued, his words resonating with profound solemnity. "If any entity possesses the potential to salvage this world, this universe, and the myriad beings within it, it is undoubtedly you, Rio. You are the preeminent 'Anomaly' in all of existence." "Miasma holds no sway over you; mana dares not defy your command; corruption recoils from your unwavering will; and the universe itself refrains from claiming your soul as its own..." "You stand alone as the harbinger of change, the sole force capable of diverting the trajectory of this dying universe and rendering all my simulations null and void." From Raika's extensive observations, the universe's ultimate fate was an unalterable constant; regardless of the methods employed, destruction was the inevitable conclusion. Unless a force operating beyond the universe's inherent limitations intervened, the cosmos would inexorably follow the patterns predicted by Raika's simulations, leading to its ultimate demise. The sole external force known to Raika was Rio, the Anomaly, who existed entirely outside the foundational 'Laws' governing the universe! He alone possessed the power to alter the universe's predetermined course! "This is precisely why I declared you must become the 'Hero.' No one else can fulfill this role." Raika's assertion held undeniable truth: Rio was indeed the only being within the universe capable of defying its inevitable doom. Yet, the mantle of 'Hero' held no appeal for Rio. "Did you not comprehend my question? I inquired about the fate of 'Aino Felicia,' the Fox Maiden who was tasked with guarding the grand seal where you were once imprisoned?" "Cease this diversion and your incessant complaints about your circumstances; I am seeking a direct answer. I detest repetition, so do me the courtesy of revealing Aino Felicia's whereabouts." Seemingly exasperated by Rio's persistent inquiries, Raika's patience finally snapped. "Why do you concern yourself with a mere insignificant woman!? I am discussing the universe's inescapable doom with you! I am revealing your unparalleled uniqueness and immense power!!!" "And you disregard all of this, fixated on a nameless woman you barely know!? Are you utterly bereft of reason!?" Maintaining his characteristic impassive expression, Rio drew his sword and lunged at Raika. Raika, who had previously been entirely unaffected by Rio's assaults, found himself utterly incapable of defending against this swift and decisive strike! Rio's blade met Raika's arm, severing it clean off! Despite being a mere manifestation of the crown's consciousness, devoid of physical blood, Raika was unable to regenerate his limb this time, unlike previous encounters. This was no mere illusion; Raika's arm had been genuinely severed by Rio. The agonizing pain of such a grievous injury overwhelmed him, causing Raika to collapse instantly and emit a deafening scream! Unfazed by Raika's cries of agony, Rio placed his boot upon the manifestation's head, pressing him firmly to the ground. In his usual monotone, Rio began to interrogate him once more.

"Speak, Raika, where do you have Aino Felicia hidden? What have you done to her? I haven't got all day to waste on you; I need to escape this mental plane you've trapped me in and go attend to my wounded girlfriend, you see..."

"So don't dally; tell me what you did to Aino Felicia, and I'll set you free, I give you my word."

Rio uttered these words with a monotone voice, pressing his blade against Raika's remaining arm. It was a clear demonstration that he intended to sever this arm as well, should Raika refuse.

"W-Wait, please! I'll tell you! Stop! Don't do that! I'll confess everything!!"

Upon hearing this, Rio tilted his head, a wicked grin spreading across his face like a demon's.

"Now that's the spirit; you should have been cooperative from the start! Then you wouldn't have had to endure this suffering."

Rio's unsettling smile was more terrifying to Raika than any demon's visage, causing his whole body to tremble with dread.

From the moment Rio mastered the 'Destiny Manipulation' ability, victory was already assured; any further resistance from Raika was utterly futile.