The Extra Who Shouldn't Exist Chapter 408 - 409 : Choice

The dark-haired girl stiffened for an instant, her vacant eyes flaring open slightly as she detected someone right behind her.

She spun around swiftly, scythe shards still dissolving into the air.

Alex lingered there relaxed, hands tucked in his pockets, skeleton mask cocked to one side.

Her shadowy gaze sharpened intensely.

Saying nothing, she retreated several steps at once, widening the gap, her petite body coiled and alert.

Remus, the man with blond locks, grew rigid next to her, amber eyes fixed firmly on Alex.

He called out warily in a booming tone, forcing command through his caution.

"Why are you attacking us?"

"We don’t recall doing anything to offend someone named Lucifer."

Alex gradually swiveled his masked visage toward him.

"Listen, folks, I’m not here to stir up problems. You struck first and seized our supplies."

Remus jabbed a finger at the strewn corpses of his clanmates throughout the yard, his tone escalating.

"You claim that after all this? Do you grasp what happens if our clan master learns of it once we conquer this floor?"

Alex gave a nonchalant shrug, speaking evenly.

"If that worried me, would I have pulled off something like this?"

Remus clenched his teeth tightly, jaw locking.

"What do you want? Spit it out plain."

Alex’s tone lifted cheerfully, sounding delighted.

"Now we’re talking."

He held a beat for emphasis.

"To start—clear out of here. I claim this spot as payback."

Remus and the somber girl at his side stared in utter shock at those words, eyes bulging in total astonishment.

The girl burst out, her soft voice dripping disbelief.

"For worthless supplies, you demand our base? Have you lost your mind?"

Alex cocked his head a touch.

"Folks label me crazy plenty, but trust me, I’m not. And it’s not just payback for those."

All at once, a tiny rift split open near Alex, space twisting with a soft snap.

Through that space fissure, he plunged his hand and yanked out James and Clara.

James and Clara spilled forth, dazed and scared briefly, eyes fluttering fast.

Yet spotting Lucifer poised calmly, they exhaled massively in relief, breaths ragged.

Alex motioned at James’s features, highlighting his puffed jaw and busted lip.

"See his face? One of your goons shoved him roughly then hammered him brutally, snapping his jaw in one blow."

James’s stare whipped to Alex, eyes popping as he marveled at the seamless lie—delivered without a blink.

Alex clapped his shoulder supportively.

"Relax, bro. I’ve got your back. Lay out the facts."

James’s expression jerked at the phony comfort, shock and unease flashing across.

James gradually raised his eyes to the blond man and black-haired girl facing them.

And the instant their features sharpened—

His pulse lurched.

He knew them right away.

Remus Clint.

Camila Hosten.

No mere Tower climbers were they.

No average scrappers clawing ahead.

Core figures of the Scorpion Clan.

Names uttered with dread.

Mighty enough to inspire terror across rival clans.

James gulped heavily.

His words quivered faintly.

"W-we... uh, sir... it wasn’t quite a punch—"

Abruptly—

Alex’s fingers vise-gripped his shoulder.

Fiercely.

Pain twisted James’s face.

"No need to fear them whatsoever."

"Speak the truth boldly."

"I stand by you, James."

James sensed his shoulder groan beneath the squeeze.

’He’ll snap it soon...’

For a heartbeat, he weighed spilling the real story.

Then his gaze hit Remus.

Camila.

The wrecked yard.

Lucifer.

And clarity struck.

This mess had spiraled past ordinary.

James drew a quivering breath.

"One of yours... shoved me hard."

"And... struck me."

"My jaw..."

He waved feebly at his bloated lip.

Alex whipped toward Remus instantly.

"Get it?"

"What’d I just say?"

"Your minions turned violent."

"Now you’ll pay up—"

He halted for drama.

Cleared his throat softly.

"I mean... pay us."

"You robbed us first."

"Then bashed us."

"So I require your mansion as recompense."

Clara almost gagged.

James’s legs buckled faintly.

’This is pure madness now.’

James clutched Alex’s arm desperately.

"Lucifer!"

"What’s that nonsense?"

"Retrieving supplies suffices!"

Alex waved him off carelessly.

"That blow rattled your head."

"So stay silent for a second."

"The grown-ups are speaking."

James gaped at him in stunned silence.

Alex shifted his gaze back toward Remus and Camila.

"So... what’s your choice?"

Remus held back his response at first.

He flicked a glance toward Camila from the side.

A wordless understanding flowed between the pair.

Camila advanced with steady poise.

Her pitch-black eyes gleamed fiercely, without falter.

She pointed straight at James and declared firmly.

"That man lied."

"Apart from the supplies being taken, everything else he said is utter bullshit."

Alex clutched his chest in exaggerated flair.

His voice carried a hurt edge.

"How can you say that?"

"After everything he’s been through?"

"You guys really are heartless, aren’t you?"

Remus's calm facade started to fracture.

His jaw clenched tight for all to see.

"Cut the bullshit, you bastard."

"Camila can always tell when someone is lying."

"So stop acting."

"If you want a fight, just say so."

The atmosphere thickened with tension.

James and Clara backed away on pure instinct.

Remus’s aura erupted fiercely.

Raw power swirled around him like an brewing tempest.

Cracks spiderwebbed across the earth under his boots.

Alex erupted into laughter without warning.

Boisterously.

Utterly carefree.

"If I wanted to fight..."

"You would already be lying on the ground."

Remus’s pride ignited like wildfire.

If he yielded now—

The Scorpion Clan’s prestige would shatter.

Clan survivors peering from afar would etch this disgrace forever.

Alex’s tone chilled to ice.

"So what will it be?"

"Either you vacate this place."

"Or I’ll make you."

Tension soared to its breaking point.

A razor-sharp silence loomed overhead.

And then—

Remus lunged ahead without warning.

His voice rang firm and resolute.

"We will fight."