The Extra Who Shouldn't Exist Chapter 1: Game Over , Start Again

The faint flicker of fluorescent lights in the hospital room cast ghostly shadows across the pale walls. Only the rhythmic beeping from the heart monitor filled the silence as Alex rested in bed, his fingers drumming steadily on his gaming laptop. His body, once strong and fit, had grown weak from years of sickness, appearing fragile now, though his mind stayed keen and alert.

Alex was deeply immersed in "Etheron Chronicles," the MMORPG that had exploded in popularity worldwide. He had advanced halfway, dominating its systems, revealing hidden lore, and perfecting his tactics.

"Damn, this boss is a pain in the ass," Alex grumbled, his fingers blurring over the keys.

The adversary before him was among the most notorious mid-tier bosses—Vicarus, the Shadow Tyrant—feared for erratic strikes and aggravating mechanics. Alex had battled it many times over, yet tonight stood apart. He burned with resolve for a perfect triumph.

"Come on, just a little more..." Alex grinned while Vicarus's health bar shrank to a mere thread.

Abruptly, darkness engulfed him. His sight hazed over, skull pounding like it might shatter, and searing agony tore through his frame.

"W-What the...?"

His final glimpse was his character crumpling, followed by the GAME OVER screen blazing into view.

---

Upon waking, Alex first sensed sunlight's gentle warmth seeping through the wooden window. A refreshing breeze swayed the curtains, wafting scents of rich soil and fresh morning mist.

'Wait... where the hell am I?'

He jerked upright, only to have a fierce pang stab his head. Strange yet recognizable memories rushed in. Clutching his skull, he endured the barrage of invading knowledge.

Alex Dragonheart.

An orphan. A nobody. A boy who had lost everything.

The recollections merged, flashing fragments of his existence in this realm. Parents vanished when he was twelve, stranding him with little sister Lily. Neighbors pretended compassion at first, but their mask fell fast. Those false allies stripped their house and wealth, banishing the pair to the slums.

Lily sickened a year back, and Alex scraped every possible coin for her medicine.

'Lily... my sister...'

As the head pain ebbed away, an uncanny shift occurred—he surged with fierce protectiveness and affection for her, deeper than any prior emotion.

'These aren't just memories... They're emotions, too.'

Beyond mere history, it felt like Alex Dragonheart's residual feelings and ideas had blended into his own, reshaping his views and bonds with others.

Fists tightened, breaths came ragged. He wasn't merely a soul hijacking a shell—he had become Alex Dragonheart, wholly and truly.

Scanning the simple room, echoes of former hardships clung tight. Rough wooden walls, squeaking bed, desk littered with papers—far too vivid for illusion.

One notion pierced his thoughts.

"System."

A gentle chime rang out, summoning a glowing blue panel before his eyes.

---

[Status Window]

Name: Alex Dragonheart

Age : 16

Rank: Novice (Low)

Bloodline: [Unawakened]

Physique: [Unawakened]

Class: none

Talent: [Dual-Soul Resonance] (Enhanced learning speed, intuition, and adaptability)

Strength: F

Agility: F+

Endurance: F-

Mana: F

Mana Capacity: F+

Will: B

Charm: B+

Luck:???

Skills: [Basic Swordsmanship (F)],

[Basic Mana Control (F)],

[Dodge (F)],

[??? (Sealed)]

---

Alex gawked at the panel, stunned. It mirrored a game interface perfectly.

His focus drifted to physique and bloodline. Both marked unawakened.

'Wait... what?!'

Shock widened his eyes. Possessing a bloodline or physique was rare beyond belief, reserved for geniuses and myths. Both together? Impossible, even dormant.

'Just who was this guy supposed to be?'

Thoughts spun wildly, yielding nothing. A game figure like this deserved lore mention, yet Alex Dragonheart rang no bells.

Heaving a heavy sigh, he massaged his temples. Stats were trash-tier, though charm shone unusually bright.

Beyond stats, the old Alex's passions lingered—love for Lily, fury at betrayers, ironclad will to endure.

Adaptation wasn't the issue. This was his existence now.

"Guess I won't have trouble making friends," he muttered, chuckling softly. "At least I've got a single good talent."

Alex drew in a deep breath, his fists clenching tightly as fierce determination blazed in his eyes.

'No matter what, I'll survive... and I'll save Lily.'