An Extra’s POV

"No one knows, you know?"

As those words danced in the air, Justin struggled to comprehend their meaning.

Perhaps this was because his heart was beating too fast, and the loud pounding in his head just wouldn't stop. He found himself barely clinging onto Ater's words.

This felt like a haze… a dream.

No, not a dream.

This had to be a nightmare.

He was helpless—paralyzed in sheer hopelessness—as he listened to Ater's words as the latter circled around him, like a shark swirling around the wounded prey in bloodied waters.

"Rey, Belle… all of them don't know about you yet. Not to the extent that I do, Justin Blake."

Saliva was stuck in Justin's throat, but he was too frightened to swallow.

"Now, if you do not wish to be exposed, then you will listen to me well and do as I say. Is that understood?" As Ater asked this, Justin made no response.

He simply froze there, blankly staring at the man.

"I said… is that understood?"

As Ater drew closer, filling him with even more of his malevolent aura, Justin forcefully swallowed his saliva and shuddered in recoil. He quickly bobbed his head, nodding ferociously as he took a few steps back.

"I-I understand! I understand!"

If you do, then relax. Sit down and let's talk." Ater smiled, plopping to sit in what could be defined as

but there was no available place to really sit. The only place left was the filthy ground, and

do as Ater

As Justin began lowering himself to sit on the ground, he found himself occupying a rather

'E-eh…?'

from what he had just noticed a second ago. Not only were there no walls, fences, or any familiar sights associated with the Royal Estate's expansive

was a place he recognized all too

"T-this is…?!"

high ceiling, the incredible vastness, and the remnant malevolence;

at Ater, who was also on a sofa similar to his,

"Indeed."

made Justin look around him

in this Dungeon. For one, it appeared perfectly polished—worlds apart from the grimy and unkempt state that the Dungeon had in previous

effect than ever

could find no flaw with it no matter

little cleaning to surprise Master, considering the plans he has for this place. What do you think? Do

Justin was speechless.

of the Dungeon—at the very least, the ground floor that he was in—was more than enough

think… he'll like it

that effort wasn't for nothing." Ater's smile

he was a child who looked forward to seeing the proud look in their parents' eyes after a

he was fated to witness it for very long. In merely a few seconds, Ater's demeanor changed back to

mask of

a good mood, Justin, so I don't plan to hound you too much. After getting a gist of your situation, and also hearing your clearly unbiased thoughts on this place…

confused, conflicted, and

didn't even know how they arrived here, talkless of what Ater could be talking about at the given period. He

like