The Extra Who Shouldn't Exist-Chapter 392 - 393 : One Last Goodbye (3)

Suddenly, Alden looked toward Ethan and Draven, who met his gaze in return.

Alden huffed, "Suddenly I’m not feeling bad for him at all."

Ethan crossed his arms. "Me too."

Draven grunted. "Yeah, same here."

Seraphina and Ava laughed harder, breaking the hug from Alex, who now glared at the trio playfully.

"Yeah, well, I didn’t ask for sympathy from weaklings either," Alex shot back.

Ethan, Draven, and Alden barked in unison, "What do you say, you bastard?!"

Alex grinned. "Didn’t you hear that?"

Alden jabbed a finger. "You wanna go?"

Alex cracked his knuckles. "Bring it on."

Suddenly Zara emerged from the shadows, her voice low and urgent. "I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself... but 30 minutes remain now. Let’s go."

Hearing that, everyone’s expressions fell, the banter dying like a snuffed flame. The reality crashed back—heavy, final.

"Alright guys," Alex said, his tone shifting serious as he looked toward all of them. "I’ll miss you all, but it’s time to go now."

He glanced at Ethan and Alden specifically. "Assist Lucas a little so he becomes a good king, alright?"

They nodded firmly.

Alex turned to Alden and Ethan again. "After you guys break through to at least Transcendent (Low)-rank... come to the Tower of Ascension. I can’t take you with me right now because you will not survive there with the strength you possess right now. Sure, you won’t remember me... but if you survive and meet me, then I’ll help you a little."

They both nodded solemnly toward him.

Alex finally looked to Draven and said, "And you... your real strength is your brain. So while I’m gone, you’ll be managing all my businesses. I trust you to take them to the highest—make me the richest man without even lifting a finger. So I can buy a nation or two when I come back. Also, make sure Lily doesn’t overspend."

He added sternly, "All of you, take care of Lily while I’m gone... or I’ll kick all of your asses."

They all chorused, "Don’t worry about Lily—she’s like our own family."

Alex smiled faintly. "I trust you all with that."

Draven suddenly came running and crushed Alex in a bear hug, his massive arms enveloping him.

Alex yelped, "Oh seriously... I said no bromance!"

Before he could finish, all of them excluding Alyssa piled on—Seraphina, Ava, Ethan, Alden, Draven—squeezing in a chaotic group embrace, laughter mixing with sniffles.

Alex grumbled but relented. "Okay, okay... I’ll allow it. Just this one time."

After a few lingering seconds, they broke the hug, faces flushed, eyes wet.

Alex finally looked toward Alyssa, his gaze gentle. "I disappointed you yet again, didn’t I?"

Alyssa forced a smile, hiding her sad expression, her voice steady despite quivering. "I’m used to it by now. In fact, I even had a sneaking suspicion you were hiding something big from the day we talked... but I never thought it would be something this huge."

Alex pulled her into a tight hug; she broke down fully, sobs wracking her shorter frame against his chest. "I’m sorry," he murmured into her hair. "But please take care of Lily while I’m gone."

Alyssa clung tighter. "Don’t worry—I’ll protect her with my life. After all, aside from you, she’s the only one I have left now."

Alex whispered firmly, "I promise you, it will not stay like this forever. Selena will be back."

Alyssa pulled back slightly. "Now I just want you to come back safely."

Alex smiled reassuringly. "I will."

They finally broke the hug, Alyssa’s eyes puffy but resolute.

Suddenly Alex asked, "Where’s Lily?"

Alyssa wiped her face. "She needed some alone time, so I let her be. Do you want me to call her?"

Alex shook his head. "No need—I can already guess where she is."

He looked toward Zara. "I take it you have everything we need?"

She nodded curtly. "Don’t worry—everything is ready."

Alex looked toward all of them one final time, memorizing every face. "Alright guys, take care of yourselves."

Everyone nodded, a silent vow.

Alex felt it then—the weight settling like lead chains. The clock ticking down mercilessly.

Soon, he would walk to the Tower of Ascension.

Soon, the curse would activate fully.

Soon... they wouldn’t remember his face. His voice. His name.

’Guess this is it,’ he thought, his chest tightening with uncharacteristic ache.

He looked at them one last time—every detail: Seraphina’s tear-streaked grey eyes, Ava’s defiant quiver, Draven’s heaving shoulders, Ethan’s clenched jaw, Alden’s fogged glasses, Alyssa’s brave smile.

He wanted—no, needed—to remember them even when they couldn’t remember him.

Draven wiped his eyes roughly with a forearm, turning away gruffly, his broad back shaking.

Ava finally broke completely, stepping forward and clutching his sleeve desperately. "Will it hurt knowing that no one will remember you anymore?" she whispered, her voice breaking.

Alex hesitated, his eyes flickering with truth. Then he smiled softly. "A little," he admitted honestly. "But I’ll be fine. Always am."

They all knew what that meant—the finality crashing like a wave.

Seraphina took a shaky step closer, her robes whispering. "So this is really goodbye?"

Alex nodded slowly. "For you," he said softly, his throat tight. "Yeah."

Seraphina leaned in close, whispering in his ear so only he heard, her voice husky with confession. "Maybe I did have hidden feelings at the beginning when we first met... but you’re just too dazzling for me. Ethan is someone I know will remain with me... even if he may have another wife. One final time, let me say this... Alex, maybe in the next life."

Alex smiled warmly. "Yeah, no thanks—you’re not my type."

Hearing that, Seraphina was baffled, her eyes widening—then she burst out laughing loudly, the sound echoing down the corridor like bells amid tears. "You should leave before I punch your face!"

Ethan frowned, confused. "What’s happening? What did you say to him? And why did he say—you’re not his type?"

Seraphina smiled tenderly toward Ethan. "You don’t need to know.

And if you do want to know break up with ophelia first."

Ethans mouth twiched as he became silent.

Alex broke out in laughter too, the tension shattering momentarily. "Farewell, guys."

No one moved. No one spoke further.

They just stood there, eyes locked, carving his image into their souls...

Even if their minds would soon forget him completely.

Alex finally turned, striding away with Zara at his side, the corridor swallowing them as they disappeared.

As he stepped outside the palace grand doors into the cool night air, he saw Azreal standing just beyond the gates—tall, shadowy figure cloaked in midnight black, his eyes glowing faintly, wings folded, waiting patiently amid swirling mist.