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…"

someone equally powerless and ignorant, if

give him the answer he

desperate for

However…

Master. I have no idea what to

Even the Symbiote was unable

ever, she fell silent

air of the room remained like this for a while as Rey closed

as he opened his eyes, his voice

"What about you, Ater?"

~VWUSH~

himself before Rey, bowing his head

I do?" The boy murmured,

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

place and go

heard this, something flickered within

instantly raised his head and saw Ater's confident smile showering him

I

Allies for humanity.

face instantly vanished as he hardened his eyes and straightened

"Elaborate."

revere them as the mouthpiece of nature, and

"R-really…?"

revere them, bringing them to your side means that humanity will be able to count on the

no place you ought to be at the

this,

Ater was right!

find all of this out just recently? Is that

the Familiar only broadened as he

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

you say anything sooner?" Rey felt himself get

be annoyed at Ater at the moment, Rey couldn't help but feel that way once he heard what he

you knew, why

Capital, when you nearly lost your life. I ceased my investigation efforts and

comatose period, he was busy protecting the Capital and also rebuilding it—following the struct orders of his