The Extra Who Shouldn't Exist Chapter 405 - 406 : From Saviours To Robbers

Clara observed Alex's unusual silence.

She squinted faintly. "Do you know something about this Evil Spawn?"

Alex blinked, snapping back from his reverie. He shook his head.

"I just arrived here. How could I know? Even you guys, who’ve been here for quite some time, haven’t found it yet."

Clara hesitated, then shrugged lightly. "Well... you got me there."

James advanced a step. "Luc—"

He cut off abruptly, seeming embarrassed. "I can call you Lucifer, right?"

Alex waved dismissively. "Of course. Feel free to call me directly. I don’t like honorifics or titles anyway."

James offered a faint smile. "Alright then. Lucifer... if you don’t mind, why don’t you come with us? You seem strong. And we can help you adjust here. You said you just arrived today."

Alex pondered briefly.

'Gathering information from them wouldn’t hurt.'

He nodded. "Okay. That works for me."

James relaxed noticeably. "Alright then. But first..."

His eyes drifted to Solen’s body, his face darkening.

He glanced at Clara. "Clara... if you will."

Clara gulped nervously and approached Solen slowly. Her footsteps dragged heavily.

Kneeling by his side, her resolve broke. Tears welled in her eyes. A shaky hand rested on his chest as she chanted in a whisper.

A gentle spell.

Warm light wrapped around Solen’s form. It gradually dissolved into specks of light that ascended into the sky, floating like fireflies before vanishing amid the clouds.

Clara bowed her head while tears streamed down her face.

Elias averted his gaze, biting his lip.

James gritted his teeth firmly.

Silence fell as they watched him fade away.

Alex watched without a word.

'Makes sense.'

'Better than leaving him buried in some remote spot.'

'In a world that wasn’t even his own.'

Once the final mote disappeared, James faced Lucifer.

"Follow me."

Alex nodded.

They started moving.

The town nearby lay half-ruined—houses charred, shops crumbled, smoke curling from various spots.

Yet the watchful eyes stood out even more.

Townsfolk hid behind splintered doors and cracked windows. Children clutched their mothers tightly.

Fear.

Hatred.

A young child burst from behind a wrecked cart, snatched a stone, and flung it their way.

"Go away! Leave our town!"

The stone skipped harmlessly near Elias’s feet. The boy’s mother yanked him back indoors swiftly.

Alex eyed James. "Why do the people here hate us so much?"

James let out a heavy sigh. "Their hatred is justified. It’s not their fault."

Alex furrowed his brow. "What do you mean?"

Clara responded in his place.

"A month ago, when the Tower assigned the trial and challengers began arriving, this town wasn’t in such bad condition. The Fallen Angels attacked occasionally—but not like this.

"But after we came, the attacks became more frequent. More aggressive."

Elias murmured softly, "It’s as if our presence attracted them."

Clara nodded. "The town asked us for help. And we needed food, shelter, and supplies. So a contract was formed with the mayor. We would protect the town, and they would provide resources.

"But as the attacks continued, food started running out. Supplies ran thin. Fear grew.

"And then..."

Her fists tightened.

"Some challengers stopped asking. They started taking. Forcefully."

James said darkly, "Not every challenger who comes here is a good person. Some only care about power. They harassed townspeople, took their resources, seized mansions, and occupied land to build their own bases."

Clara motioned to the shattered streets. "And this... is the result."

Alex listened in silence. No interjections. No humor.

Then he murmured gently.

"In pursuit of power... people themselves become monsters, huh."

Clara folded her arms. "You’re right. Most challengers here only care about their own survival."

She eyed the terrified locals. "To a lot of them, these people are like NPCs in a game. As long as they serve their purpose, no one cares if they die."

Alex nodded deliberately. "Yeah. I figured as much."

He turned back to James. "So, did you guys have any luck finding the Evil Spawn?"

James, Clara, and Elias shook their heads in unison.

"We’ve tried everything," James explained. "Tracking spells, information brokers, interrogating Fallen—but no luck."

"And not just us," Clara chimed in. "None of the challengers have found anything either. It’s almost like it doesn’t even exist."

Alex stroked his chin. "Is that so? Seems like it’s going to be a lot of trouble finding it."

James sighed again. "Of course. And if we don’t find it, we’re going to die anyway. The Fallen will return, and they won’t stop until they find it."

Alex flashed a subtle smile. "Looks like I haven’t found it either."

James let out a dry chuckle. "Seems so."

Abruptly, Clara's stomach rumbled loudly.

The noise reverberated awkwardly across the silent street.

Her cheeks flushed deep red. "It wasn’t me!"

All of them gazed at her for a moment.

Elias then burst into laughter.

James joined in with laughter.

Alex even chuckled softly.

James brushed a tear from his eye. "Our base is nearby. Hold on a bit longer."

They pressed on with their walk, chatting casually to dispel the awkwardness.

Before long, they arrived at the spot James had described.

Alex came to a halt.

Blinking in surprise.

His face went rigid.

What lay before him wasn't a fortress. Not some advanced headquarters. Not a concealed underground hub.

Merely several tents pitched in an abandoned children's playground.

Rusted swings swayed creakily in the breeze. A damaged slide tilted to one side. The earth was fractured and covered in dust.

Alex gawked.

The rest suddenly appeared uncomfortable.

James rubbed the back of his neck. "For now... this is the best we've got. Beats invading someone else's home."

Alex scanned the area slowly. "I can't believe the Power Rangers’ base is nothing but tents. Where's the futuristic headquarters? The hidden bunker? The cool gadgets?"

He shook his head. "You're tarnishing your own reputation."

James blinked in confusion. "Power Rangers? What's that supposed to be?"

Alex dismissed it with a wave. "Never mind."

All at once, a tent flap parted.

A girl with vibrant green hair emerged. Her long, wavy locks gleamed in the sun. Her eyes sparkled with life, and her fine features resembled those from a fairy tale.

She was utterly adorable.

Spotting them, her face brightened, and she dashed over.

"Any leads from your search?"

Her gaze eagerly swept over their faces.

Then she stiffened.

"Where is Solen?"

A heavy silence fell.

James advanced softly and murmured the explanation.

Once done, her eyes grew wide. Tears welled up immediately. She clasped her hand over her mouth.

"No..."

Her voice cracked as she sobbed freely.

Clara embraced her. Elias averted his gaze once more.

Nearly thirty minutes later, she dried her eyes and drew a steadying breath.

"He picked this road himself... so we must keep going."

Though shaky, her tone held resolve as she stood tall.

Clara offered a gentle smile. "That's our Maera."

James nodded with pride, then faced Alex. "Meet Maera."

Alex nodded faintly. "Lucifer."

She sniffled and returned the nod. "Thanks... for aiding them."

Alex shrugged it off. "No big deal."

He cocked his head. "What's the name of your group?"

James's face lit up. He thrust his chest out a bit.

"Great question. We're the Rainbow Guardians."

Silence hung in the air.

Alex's mouth quirked before he exploded into laughter.

Clara couldn't contain herself. "I've begged him to rename it so many times, but he refuses."

Elias roared with laughter, bobbing his head.

James alone objected. "Hey, it's not that awful!"

Clara dabbed at her eyes. "Maera, I'm famished. Is dinner prepared?"

Maera's face fell. She glanced down as fresh tears gathered.

"Sorry... thieves took our supplies once more."

Clara's eyes bulged. "Those Scorpion Clan jerks did it. Bet on it."

Maera nodded reluctantly.

Muttered curses rippled through the group.

Alex inquired coolly, "Where's their hideout?"

James eyed him. "Why the interest?"

Alex's tone grew resolute. "Just point it out."

James paused, then gestured afar.

A grand mansion perched on a modest hill—pristine, fortified, opulent. A stark mismatch to the devastated town.

Alex's eyes gleamed.

A grin spread across his face. "Follow me. I'll fetch those supplies back."

The others gaped at him in shock.

James's eyes misted over. "Lucifer... you're willing to help us this much? You're truly a good soul."

Alex met his gaze earnestly. "Naturally I am."

Within his thoughts, the system chimed in.

[Drop the nice guy routine. You hate tents, right?]

Alex responded mentally.

’How dare you think that?’

’I’m simply aiding my buddies—who are as useless as you.’

The system retorted fiercely.

[Save that lie for strangers, you pampered fool.]

Alex nearly grinned.

’Like always... you get me all wrong.’

’I’m a guy with a pure heart.’