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.

after everything...

when Ralyks came and saved everyone,

Conquest was their first ever independent mission, and

we screwed up, and people are going to die as a result?" Alicia took a few steps forward, anger now evident

weight of failure that hung on

had to carry the lives of thousands on their shoulders. Living in H'Trae had made many desensitized to the heavy burdens they carried, considering it as normal,

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

one. None of them were adults, no

times like this that you're meant to offer words of support and encouragement... not spilling out more depressing

point, she was right in front of Adonis,

you're our friend, our leader, or the goddamn Hero. Nothing gives

Adonis' head hung shamefully as

and gritted his teeth as he heard what she said.

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

hugged him tightly, allowing his sunken head to rest

whispered, crying as she

the one who was experiencing the most pain was Adonis. No one in

moment Alicia hugged Adonis, everyone began to leave their positions and draw close to the two.

sorry, guys… I shouldn't have said it like that." Adonis' words were

was there to comfort him—and one another—as they kept up their group

his smile not

Then, Clark spoke up.

too. I get it,

muttered his own words. "You've been a great leader. There's no

blame yourself." Alicia nodded

"Yeah…" Trisha murmured.

enough. That's not on you, or on us. Life's just fucked up like that

time, he did not flex his glasses. Instead,

might have saved

uttered that needed no introduction. The moment she said this, though,