An Extra’s POV

Rey felt something rise within his chest every time Adrien spoke, but it was always suppressed by [Dead Calm].

His words struck some kind of chord within him.

'If it wasn't for this entire incident, I wouldn't have killed anyone…'

It was Adrien's fault that he became a killer.

'No. That's not fair. I might have had to do it eventually…'

Rey knew he had to take responsibility for his actions. However, looking at the boy before him, he couldn't help but dread something.

'Will I become like him eventually?'

Was that so bad?

It was mostly thanks to Adrien that the Criminal Underworld was crumbling.

'No! He went about things the wrong way. His actions were too extreme!'

But… were they?

Rey dug deep within himself and asked himself a very difficult question—one that he was just considering at the moment.

'Who was hurt during all of this?'

It was only the members of the Underworld. They were the ones affected by Adrien's actions.

The Obsidian Houses that suffered heavy losses, like Kara's family, were not innocents. Objectively, they were a part of the cancer eating into the wealth and progress of the Alliance.

All the dead relatives of the Councilors were also deemed guilty of knowledge and connections to the Underworld thanks to the investigation he personally did.

The victims of the entire Dark Undertaking… they were criminals—the scum of the world.

And so, with all of this flowing into his mind, Rey had to ask himself once again.

'Is he really wrong?'

Rey desperately wanted to say "No" but he couldn't.

That would be hypocritical.

After all…

… He would have done the same if he was in Adrien's shoes.

"I still don't trust you." Rey spoke, almost whispering his words.

"Is that so? That's a shame…"

seemed to show genuine disappointment. Something akin to regret was

"… Rey."

moment Rey heard his name,

on… he

Ralyks, and Adrien had

he always thought Adrien

all of that

were suppressed by [Dead Calm], so he didn't react at

He was just quiet.

trust me. It's about Adam's death…

Rey felt his heart pounding, but it slowed down almost as quickly as

though that didn't do

would have betrayed the class

me to believe that?' Rey nearly scoffed at the words

was a loose cannon, and he was very rebellious, but he wouldn't go that

could have just sent him off—the same way the Council eventually did to

much for one of their

me, but it's true. This is probably not relevant

'What?!'

how he's already such a shitty person despite being so young, but it's true. All those crimes were swept under the rug by his

expect me to believe such outlandish claims?!' Rey's

him to verify any of the claims that Adrien

thing he knew for sure was that Adam indeed had a

was why he was such an asshole to everyone, able to get away with bullying and the likes. Despite his terrible behavior, he was still very popular and constantly surrounded

was all due to his money

did a lot of shitty things in the past, but… isn't rape

I told you that he

didn't want to

but why do you think he readily

you influenced his mind…

he's

make any comment that would cement his identity as

Adrien could be guessing

idea what you're talking about." He

casually

"I understand. Fair enough."

moment, no one said anything. Both parties

Then—

also want to apologize for the entire ordeal you had to go through in the

—Adrien spoke once again.

things for my plans back then. I know it's not an excuse, but… I had good reasons for doing what I

was rendered speechless by

had always thought the Mastermind was a heartless machine who manipulated

that concrete image had been imprinted

this

reasonable, and in fact he was more similar