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…"

to show genuine disappointment. Something akin to regret

"… Rey."

heard his name, his eyes

he knows I'm

had spoken as Ralyks, and Adrien had also addressed him

thought Adrien

of that

shock were suppressed by [Dead Calm], so he

He was just quiet.

why you don't trust me. It's about Adam's

other things, yeah.' Rey felt his heart pounding, but

was strangely clear, though that didn't do away with all

would have betrayed the class

you expect me to believe that?' Rey nearly scoffed at the

cannon, and he was very rebellious, but he

sent him off—the same way the Council eventually did

for

me, but it's true. This is probably not relevant anymore, but you should know

'What?!'

a shitty person despite being so young, but it's true. All those crimes were swept under the rug

believe such outlandish

no way for him to verify any of the claims

only thing he knew for sure was that Adam indeed had a rich

bullying and the likes. Despite his terrible behavior, he

was all due to his money

things in the past, but…

if I told you that he

didn't want to

prompted him to kill Adonis, but why do you think he

influenced

because he's done

any comment that would cement his identity as

knew, Adrien

have no idea what you're

casually

"I understand. Fair enough."

one said anything. Both parties

Then—

the entire ordeal you had to go through in

—Adrien spoke once again.

to obtain a bunch of things for my plans back then. I know it's not an excuse,

rendered speechless by what

Mastermind was a heartless machine who manipulated everyone and orchestrated scenarios to suit his selfish

concrete image had been imprinted

this… this

and in fact he was more similar to Rey than the