An Extra’s POV

Silence enveloped everything as Adonis shouted out his thoughts.

No one spoke a word.

They all just stared at him--everyone having distinct, yet similar expressions on their faces.

There was mutual disbelief. None could believe that the Hero, the most upright guy they knew, would ever utter such words.

... And do so in such a crass manner as well.

Many faces fell after hearing those words. The students who tried their hardest not to think about it found themselves breaking down.

No one could deny the truth.

Adonis was right. Everyone here already knew that the likelihood of any human fighting such a creature of unrivaled power was nonexistent. Even Jet an Lux stood no chance, based on what they saw.

The Adventurers were more likely dead than alive.

"Adonis... what the hell are you saying?" Tears began to fall from Alicia's eyes as she looked at the rage-filled face of the boy before her.

He looked angry, but there was no one around who his anger was directed to. The anger was directed only at himself, and when he could not take it anymore, he let it out to those he called friends.

"I--" Adonis wanted to say something, but Alicia was much faster.

"Look around you! Look at your classmates. The people you lead. Do you think we're oblivious to the more likely theory?"

As Adonis heard this, he moved his eyes around and observed the disturbed expressions of all his classmates. Most were hurting, and others looked miserable.

A few were even crying.

"We all joined the Conquest to grow stronger, but also to help the Adventurers. We did our best, but all of us failed." Alicia said, her own face also growing crestfallen.

even after everything... we

came and saved everyone, and it certainly

was their first ever independent mission,

going to die as a result?" Alicia took

just that--the weight of

teenagers, yet had to carry the lives of thousands on their shoulders. Living in H'Trae had made many desensitized to the

to return to Earth, she knew full well that she was only sixteen, soon to

consider herself one. None of them were adults, no matter how they tried to pretend

this that you're meant to offer words of support and encouragement... not

right in front of Adonis, only a few

care that you're our friend, our leader, or the goddamn Hero. Nothing gives you the right to say shit like that at this

head hung shamefully as

clenched his fist and gritted his teeth as he heard what she said. Nodding as

"You're right. I'm sorry."

Alicia hugged him tightly, allowing his sunken head to rest on

idiot." She whispered, crying as

was hurting, but the one who was experiencing the most pain was

and draw close to the two. Before they realized it, they hugged each other—all with bittersweet smiles

sorry, guys… I shouldn't have said it like that." Adonis' words were stifled as he did his best to hold back his

him—and one

up, his smile not as

Then, Clark spoke up.

too. I get

muttered his own words. "You've been a great leader. There's no need to take all of this on

yourself." Alicia nodded in

"Yeah…" Trisha murmured.

our best. It just wasn't enough. That's not on you, or on us. Life's just fucked up like that

glasses.

might have saved

that uttered that needed no introduction. The moment she said this, though, the gloomy mood in the air lightened