An Extra’s POV

"For the longest time since I came to this world, I've always known what I wanted."

Rey and Esme sat on chairs as they remained in Alicia's room. The former was staring at the girl's sleeping body, while the latter only looked at him in silence.

"I initially wanted to gain the recognition of my classmates. But, after seeing their reactions toward me, I decided to grow stronger than all of them without showing my strength."

Slowly, his motivations and goals had changed over time. However, through them all, he still had some measure of clarity.

His goals were always achievable; with a clear path he had to tread.

To get strong, all he had to do was kill Monsters in the Dungeon. Stopping the Criminal Empire just meant taking out everyone on the board.

Even helping his classmates out, or conquering the Grand Calamity Class Dungeon had clear objectives and methods to achieve them.

"But… right now, I have no idea what to do."

He was the savior of humanity, so he had to help them defeat the Dragons. He also had to protect everyone close to him in the process.

Then, there was Alicia.

He had to figure out a way to cure her, but he didn't even know where to start.

"I… have these goals and ambitions, but how do I achieve them? I've messed up so many times already. I no longer have any confidence in my plans, and even if i did… what exactly am I supposed to do about all of this?"

Rey knew he sounded pathetic, but these were words he couldn't utter in front of anyone else.

He felt stuck somehow.

"I'm supposed to be the strong and smart one—the one who has come up with so many plans and led so many people…"

As Ralyks, he was revered as such.

And now, the same was expected of him. But Rey was nothing like that.

He was just, in principle, a 16 year old boy who was blessed with enough power and information to act accordingly.

But, when faced with a situation where both his power and information failed him—like in the case of Alicia's curse—he had to cave in.

"What should I do?" Rey whispered, turning his eyes to Esme.

It was clear he was lost at the moment. All the ideas he had either couldn't be trusted, or wouldn't work regardless.

he needed

But—

"I… I don't know…"

such an answer from someone equally powerless and

give him the answer he

already desperate

However…

have no idea

Even the Symbiote was

fell silent and let Rey brood in

room remained like this for a while as Rey closed his eyes and breathed a

as he opened

"What about you, Ater?"

~VWUSH~

black suited man presented himself before Rey, bowing his

should I do?" The boy murmured,

his head, stood upright, placed a hand in his pocket, and responded

and go to the land

Rey heard this, something flickered within his

and saw Ater's confident smile showering

will I find

for your friend. Resources for your business. Allies for humanity. And

instantly vanished as he hardened his

"Elaborate."

Elves revere them as the mouthpiece of

"R-really…?"

some answers that we seek. And since the Elves revere them, bringing them to your side means that humanity will be able to count on the Elves as allies. Finally, the land of the Elves is rich in

to be at the moment more than the

this, his eyes widened

Ater was right!

out just recently? Is that why you've been missing

only broadened as

exactly. I learned a considerable deal during the investigative task that you entrusted me with all

didn't you say anything sooner?" Rey felt himself get

moment, Rey couldn't help but feel

you knew, why

incident at the Capital, when you nearly lost your life. I ceased my investigation efforts and returned to your side as

was busy protecting the Capital and also rebuilding it—following the struct orders of his