An Extra’s POV

[Moments Later]

'It's a relief I undid the [Replication] when I did.' Rey thought as he looked at Alicia's sleeping face.

After crying her eyes out, she had fallen asleep in Rey's arms.

He already knew she was very exhausted, so none of it came as a surprise to her. The only awkward thing was that he still had his arms wrapped around her.

"Huu…" Rey couldn't help but wonder what his Replica would have done in such an emotionally charged moment.

'I don't even want to think about it.'

In all honesty, he had been very lucky with the way the events had turned out.

'If I had been a bit off, things would have ended up being a little messed up. Maybe even more than that…' He sighed.

The plan from the start was pretty simple.

Rey fed the Boss Monster, as well as the Mobs, on the 98th Floor the Monster Cores that he found in the 99th Floor.

That made them evolve to another level entirely.

Afterwards, he left Ater in charge of overseeing their further evolution and ensuring that they would be viable for use in the fourth day of the Raid—when there would be no Ralyks to save the Otherworlders.

'It's really a shame that Monsters break down once they enter S-Tier. I guess they just don't have it in them to evolve any further.'

Rey wondered if the same applied to humans.

Someone like Lucielle, if she was forcibly thrust into the S-Tier… would she end up the same as the Boss Monster that Rey evolved?

'If that's the case, then I guess humans are doomed to be on this level.'

Rey still wasn't sure if that was strictly the case, but his experience with the Monster had shown him that it was a great possibility.

'Maybe if the Monster had more time to stabilize its evolution, it wouldn't have broken down like that. Its body would have acclimated to the change very slowly, and it would have been successful.'

when he embarked on that project, he couldn't

I'll conduct another experiment some other time to find

had a couple more Monster Cores belonging to the 99th Floor, so there were still assets at

other things occupied

Alicia that I'm

perceived Ralyks, it would be a very difficult thing to ask her to reconcile both

also told him on a few occasions—including not too long ago—about how she admired him for being so determined

liked how he worked hard and struggled to catch

told her that

he revealed his true identity, it wouldn't be that

be a stranger

I don't know if I have it in me to tell her that the guy she looks up to so much intentionally put her in immense danger just so she can grow

had the Boss Monster

that was its directive. Besides, his Replica

had been very careful with his

situation mentally. Given Alicia's trauma,

his actions in such a negative

me the same way she despises

to risk their perfect relationship with

can't tell her

at her, he recognized his decision

He truly was scared

from Alicia's bed, Rey's

was cold, just like the look on his face as he

what I'm about to do next, it's better this

had told him that she was scared

identity as Ralyks is

carved from the shadows, meant to do whatever was necessary—even if

wasn't something he could show

is why I'm so sorry, Alicia." Tears fell from his eyes as he

stays

********

filled the room as Rey returned in his full