The Extra Who Shouldn't Exist-Chapter 396 - 397 : Too Late

Erwin immediately straightened up.

"My lord," Erwin said at once, standing and bowing deeply.

Alex waved his hand.

"No need to bow."

Erwin nodded once, composed himself, and sat back down.

Raon walked past them and took the chair behind the table, leaning back casually.

Alex stepped forward.

"Raon," he said directly. "Take me to Hephaetaestus."

Raon raised a finger.

"Wait."

He smiled faintly.

"Someone was expecting you."

Before Alex could reply—

A portal materialized beside Raon.

Hot air spilled out.

The scent of molten metal and magma filled the room.

From the portal—

A woman stepped through.

Violet hair cascaded down like flowing silk, shimmering faintly as if lit from within by fire. Golden eyes burned intensely, like miniature suns forged in a furnace.

Alex’s lips curved.

"I knew you’d come, Miss Potato Fac—"

He stopped mid-sentence.

His expression changed instantly.

"Lina..."

The woman stood still.

One of her arms was gone.

A jagged scar ran across her face—ugly and brutal—cutting through what should have been flawless skin.

She looked at Alex.

Cold.

Unforgiving.

Her aura surged violently.

"You came too late."

The room temperature dropped.

Azreal’s eyes sharpened, wings twitching faintly.

"Who are you to raise your voice at us?"

Alex raised his hand calmly.

"Wait."

Azreal closed his mouth instantly.

Lina’s shoulders trembled.

Tears began streaming down her face, burning trails of light as they fell.

"Our predictions were wrong," she said, her voice shaking. "The attack came fifteen days earlier than expected."

Alex’s gaze darkened.

"Continue."

"L–Lord Hephaetaestus’ emergency defenses..." She swallowed hard. "They were breached easily."

She paused.

The silence screamed.

"A massacre happened."

Zara’s fingers tightened slightly.

"Most of his believers are dead," Lina continued. "Those we managed to save... their faith is already wavering."

Her voice cracked.

"We won’t last long. No matter what you do now."

She clenched her teeth.

"Belial will replace him soon."

Her shoulders slumped.

"We’ve already lost."

She wiped her tears roughly.

"There’s no point in fighting anymore."

She turned toward the portal.

"You can go back," she said quietly. "We don’t need you anymore."

She stepped forward—

Alex grabbed her wrist.

Firm.

Unyielding.

"We lose only when I say we’ve lost."

Lina froze.

"And I will not give up on the weapon. No matter what."

She turned back sharply.

"So that’s it?" she snapped. "You only care about that weapon?"

Alex met her gaze calmly.

"You’re right," he said. "I do care about that weapon."

She stiffened.

"But I also made a promise to Hephaetaestus," Alex continued. "And I intend to keep it. No matter what."

His grip tightened slightly.

"So take me to him," he said flatly. "Instead of crying and throwing a tantrum."

Lina trembled.

Then slowly—

She took a deep breath.

Her emotions settled.

She nodded once.

"...Come with me."

She turned and stepped back toward the portal.

Alex moved immediately.

Behind him—

Zara, Azreal, and Erwin stepped forward as well.

Raon’s voice cut through the room.

"Not so fast."

Everyone turned toward him.

Alex raised an eyebrow.

"What is it?"

Raon stood up from his chair, his relaxed demeanor fading into something more official.

"As one of the Tower Managers," he said evenly, "I can’t allow these three—"

He pointed toward Zara, Azreal, and Erwin.

"To accompany you to meet a god. They aren’t just ordinary beings you can meet whenever you want."

The room went still.

"You know it’s not that easy," Raon continued. "Only a handful of top-ranked candidates are permitted to directly interact with gods."

His gaze sharpened.

"And these three haven’t even cleared the First Floor yet."

He adjusted his glasses.

"So I’m afraid they can’t go with you."

Raon sighed lightly.

"Just because it’s you, Lucifer, I brought them here in the first place. But I can’t go further than that."

He spread his hands slightly.

"I’m restricted by the Tower as well."

Zara clicked her tongue.

"I knew it wasn’t going to be that easy."

Azreal folded his arms.

"So we have to clear the First Floor first, huh."

Erwin stood silently.

For a moment, shock flickered across his face.

Then—

He remembered Alex’s words before entering the Tower.

’I won’t babysit you.’

’If you die, that’s on you.’

His jaw tightened.

His resolve hardened.

Alex looked at the three of them.

"Looks like I’m going solo on this one."

He smiled faintly.

"So you’ll have to clear the First Floor on your own."

Zara smirked.

"Don’t worry. We’re not complaining."

She glanced at him.

"We already knew what we were getting into."

"And I have no intention of letting you babysit me."

Alex chuckled.

"Now that’s what I wanted to hear."

Azreal nodded once.

"We’ll follow you soon."

"I’ll be waiting," Alex replied.

Then—

He turned toward Erwin.

His expression sharpened.

"Erwin."

Erwin straightened instinctively.

"You’re the one most likely to die on the First Floor."

The words hit hard.

"So I only have one thing to say to you."

Alex’s eyes locked onto his.

"Survive."

"And prove me wrong."

"So that I won’t ever regret taking you with me."

Determination burned in Erwin’s eyes.

"I will prove myself worthy."

Alex shook his head slowly.

"I don’t want you to just be worthy."

His voice dropped.

"I want you to become so strong that your name is whispered in fear here."

Erwin clenched his fist.

"I will meet every expectation you have," he said firmly.

"Or die trying."

Alex smirked.

"Good."

Alex added with a smirk,

"But try not to die, okay?"

Erwin nodded without hesitation.

"Yes."

Alex turned back to Raon.

"Take them to the First Floor Protection Zone."

"Tell them everything they need to know."

"And let them clear the First Floor."

Raon sighed.

"Alright."

"But that’s all I’m doing."

Alex nodded.

"That’s all they need."

"Thank you."

Raon smirked.

"Don’t mention it."

Then his eyes gleamed.

"Just don’t forget I helped you."

"So in return, whenever I give you a task—prioritize it over tasks from other floor managers."

Alex shrugged.

"I’ll see what I can do."

Raon snorted.

"That’s not reassuring at all."

"But I’ll take it."

A portal opened beside him.

Raon gestured.

Zara stepped through first.

Azreal followed.

Erwin paused for half a second, looking back at Alex.

Their eyes met.

Then Erwin turned and stepped into the portal.

It closed.

Alex exhaled slowly.

Finally—

He turned toward Lina.

"Take me to Hephaetaestus."

Lina nodded.

Another portal opened.

The two stepped through.

The scenery shifted once more.