The Extra Who Shouldn't Exist Chapter 417 - 418 : Rejected

Victoria’s severed arm did not bleed.

For a single suspended second, the edge of the wound on her shoulder shimmered as if it were shattered glass. Then, the flesh unraveled, transforming into strands of molten gold. The dismembered arm, lying on the decaying, ash-colored ground, dissolved into particles of radiant light, scattering like embers caught in a silent tempest.

The dead world surrounding them let out a low groan.

The sky above was a putrid shade of violet. Cracked earth stretched out endlessly, its surface brittle and flaking, as if existence itself was decaying. Black trees stood frozen in a state of mid-decay, their trunks half-crumbled into dust.

Golden fragments ascended from the ground, spiraling upwards. They converged at her shoulder, condensing into a blinding sphere of energy before sinking back into her flesh.

Her new arm grew forth from that light.

Bone threaded itself into existence first, stark white and sharp. Muscles wrapped around it in twisting strands. Skin sealed over it smoothly, flawless and unmarred.

Her fingers flexed once.

The very air trembled.

Her fury intensified.

For a fleeting moment, her eyes widened in disbelief.

Because Alex was standing there. Perfectly unharmed.

Mere moments ago, she had pressed her palm against his chest and invoked the Law of Decay. She had felt its activation – the invisible principle governing rot, erosion, and dissolution. With a mere touch, she could curse anyone; their bodies would begin to collapse from within, cells turning to ash, bones hollowing, organs dissolving until nothing remained but drifting dust.

She had extinguished numerous beings far stronger than him with less effort.

Yet, Alex stood there, breathing.

His body had not blackened, his skin had not cracked, and there was no crumbling.

And what was worse—

She could sense it.

The same current. The same cold, creeping essence of decay... emanating from him.

Her eyes narrowed slowly.

For the first time, she conceded a truth.

The man before her was dangerous.

Extremely dangerous.

But was she afraid?

No.

In the distant epochs of her existence, she had annihilated beings revered as gods, beings who approached godhood and were almost imperceptible. She had witnessed the mightiest among them kneel, their arrogance stripped away.

She lifted her chin.

"You will be no different."

Alex tilted his head slightly.

"Did you say something? Apologies. My hearing isn't the best. An acquaintance of mine mentioned that recently."

Her eye twitched.

In the next heartbeat—

Two swords materialized in her hands.

They were forged from condensed flame, but the fire burned a deep crimson, appearing almost black at the edges. The intense heat distorted the decayed air around them, carving ripples through the fabric of space.

And then—

She vanished.

Not moved. Vanished.

Even Alex’s pupils narrowed beneath his mask. He was unable to track her movement.

Then—

A sound split the world.

A slash tore through the void, aimed at his neck.

He twisted violently, bending backward at an impossible angle. The sword grazed his collarbone instead of cleaving his throat.

The fabric of his attire disintegrated instantly.

A thin red line opened across his skin.

The blade passed by.

He landed, staggering back a single step.

His hand instinctively went to his neck.

It came away slightly purple.

He looked down at his hands.

The veins beneath his skin were darkening rapidly.

He coughed.

A small amount of blood spilled from behind his mask, staining the ground.

Victoria reappeared several feet away, one sword resting on her shoulder.

"What happened now?" she inquired coldly. "Unable to counter it?"

Alex stared at his hands as the purple hue deepened, spreading up his arms like creeping ink.

It was poison.

And not just any ordinary poison.

Three-Headed Basilisk venom.

Even divine-tier entities steered clear of it.

His breathing slowed.

Then—

A translucent blue screen flickered into existence before his eyes.

[ Your body has adapted to the Three-Headed Basilisk poison ]

The purple discoloration halted.

Then, it began to recede.

Slowly.

Steadily.

His skin returned to its natural tone. The blood he had coughed up dried and flaked away.

He rolled his shoulders.

He looked at her.

"Try again. It didn't work. Try something stronger. I want to see how far I can push my physique."

Silence descended.

The wind in the decayed world ceased.

That sentence struck deeper than any blade.

Her grip tightened.

The man standing before her had just survived one of the most lethal poisons known to existence.

While only being at the pseudo-divine rank.

Her eyes sharpened.

"How are you accomplishing all this?" she demanded. "Surviving the most fatal poison while merely being at the pseudo-divine rank. It's impossible."

Alex exhaled slowly.

"Yeah. I hear that quite often. Initially, people like you are all arrogant brutes, boasting about your own greatness." He shrugged. "Until I utterly defeat them. Then they all display the same expression."

He dramatically widened his eyes and raised his voice into a mocking tone.

"How are you this strong? Who are you? Blah blah blah."

He dropped the act instantly.

His gaze locked onto hers.

"That's why I'm warning you. Just get on your knees like a good little dog before I'm forced to teach you a lesson." His tone was nonchalant, almost playful. "Besides, I'd rather enjoy this. You're quite attractive, you know. And my girlfriend isn't around to mete out a fatal punishment right now."

He took a step forward.

Extending his hand for a handshake.

"So, what do you say? A deal?"

For a fleeting moment, stillness permeated the air.

Then—

SCHLK.

The sound was sharp and precise.

His outstretched hand severed, spinning through the air.

It landed several yards away, giving one bounce on the fractured ground.

Alex's arm was cleanly cut off.

Concealed by his mask, his mouth twitched intensely.

He gazed at the dismembered stump.

Then, at her.

"That was rather impolite. A simple 'no' would have sufficed."

Victoria offered no reply.

Her eyes burned with intensity.

Casually, Alex ambled towards his severed hand. Each footstep resonated distinctly within the desolate expanse. He stooped, retrieved it, and brushed away some clinging dust.

He lifted it.

And pressed it back against his severed wrist.

The flesh instantly became one.

Muscle fibers reconnected. Bones mended. Skin sealed without a trace.

He wiggled his fingers.

"Flawless."

Victoria's voice emerged, low, steady, and ablaze with fury.

"I would sooner die than submit to anyone." Her gaze transcended mere anger; it held an ancient depth. "I will achieve my vengeance, regardless of the cost. Anyone who obstructs my path will perish. Without exception. Their identity matters not."

The desolate land fractured beneath her feet as more potent Laws surged violently around her, her decision to unleash her full power made manifest.