The Extra Who Shouldn't Exist novel Chapter 187

Chapter 187: Chapter 187 : Lucifer Morning-star (2)

Ava stood firmly in front of Alex, her brown eyes locked onto the cold, skeletal mask hiding his face.

"Take off your mask."

For a split second, Alex froze.

’Did she... notice something?’

But before he could move, the brown-haired girl suddenly bent forward, bowing deeply.

"Please! I’m a big fan. You’re Lucifer Morning-star, right?"

Alex blinked under the mask, taken aback by the abruptness. Then slowly, a smirk curled on his lips, though it remained hidden.

Activating the mask’s voice modulation, his voice changing.

"And why do you think it’s me?"

Ava straightened up, determination written all over her face.

"I’ve seen all your live streams of clearing dungeon-rifts," she said. Her tone softened, almost wistful.

"Every single one of them. I want to be strong like you. Stronger than ever."

Her fists clenched as shadows of painful memories flickered in her eyes.

"There was a time when something unspeakable happened. I didn’t want to meet anyone. Didn’t want to talk to anyone. Because..."

She bit her lip before continuing, her voice trembling but steady.

"Because I felt guilty of a crime I could never forgive myself for—not as long as I live."

Alex tilted his head slightly, the mask’s hollow grin staring back at her in silence.

Ava took a deep breath, her gaze hardening.

"At that time, for weeks, I didn’t even attend my classes as nightmares kept coming every time I tried to sleep.

Then one day... I think it was your first dungeon clear that I saw. You cleared a dungeon that was about to break—I was really impressed.

From that day on, the only thing that kept me sane were your live feeds.

You walked into dungeons that were on the verge of breaking, places others refused to touch.

And you stopped them from unleashing monsters onto innocents. You did it because you could. Because you not only had strength—but courage, too."

Inside Alex’s head, the system’s voice broke the moment with a deadpan tone.

[Host, not to ruin the mood, but didn’t you only save those people because you wanted fame—and because Alyssa said if you didn’t clear that assignment, she’d seize all your money and throw you into the largest unknown-rank dungeon still uncleared?]

Alex’s lips twitched beneath the mask.

’You’re jealous, aren’t you, you bastard? You just don’t want to admit I’m the greatest hunter to ever exist. A savior too... although, coincidentally.’

[Yeah, a savior who was forced to save people coincidentally at that.]

A vein pulsed on Alex’s temple.

’Shut the hell up.’

But Ava didn’t notice the internal argument. She pressed on, her voice breaking slightly.

"If I had that same courage and strength back then... a very dear friend of mine—someone like a brother to me—would still be alive."

Her shoulders trembled, but she straightened again, fire burning in her eyes.

"Watching you step up when no one else would compelled me to train harder than ever. And now... I’ve finally made it into the top ten of our year."

She bowed deeply once more.

"I know it won’t mean much to you, but... you gave me the motivation to stand again. So, thank you—truly."

For a moment, Alex just looked at her. Really looked. Then, against all odds, he reached out and gently patted her head.

"You’ve gotten stronger. Looks like you’ve broken through to the Expert rank."

Ava’s eyes widened at the gesture. For a heartbeat, her world stopped. Then she blinked rapidly and asked, stunned,

"Do... you know me?"

Alex’s tone shifted instantly, growing stern and detached.

"Believe it or not, I’m also a student of this academy. Due to special circumstances, I’m only allowed to appear for tests. I’ve observed every top cadet up until now."

He let a pause linger before adding dramatically,

"There was this one guy, Alex Dragonheart. Incredibly handsome. His looks were almost divine, his talent unmat—"

The system’s voice roared in his head.

[You narcissistic bastard! You’re going to blow our cover!]

Alex coughed loudly, cutting himself short.

"Ahem—what I mean is, he was quite talented."

Ava’s lips curled into a faint, bittersweet smile.

"Yeah... he was." Her voice dipped, sadness weighing her words.

Alex watched her silently. Deep down, a bitterness stirred at the memory of being left alone.

But he knew Ava was different. She had suffered in her own way—almost raped, left half-dead during that nightmarish incident.

She had been the weakest, the most broken. And yet she survived.

He couldn’t bring himself to hate her.

’She isn’t defending herself. She wasn’t trying to shield anyone. Every word she’s said... it was from the heart.’

His voice softened under the mask.

"You’re a good-hearted person, Ava. Believe it or not, I’m not as kind or generous as you think I am. The world needs more people like you, not like me."

He straightened and pulled out a sleek black card.

"The first years will be going into guild training soon, once we’re scouted. Since I’m already part of a guild, I have the authority to recruit people who I deem worthy."

He signed the card with a glowing signature and handed it to her.

"If you want, you can come to my guild anytime. But..." his lips quirked under the mask.

"...you should know—it’s not that high-ranked a guild. Not yet."

Ava looked at the card in her hands, her eyes widening, her lips parting in disbelief.

Ava’s eyes practically sparkled the moment she heard him. She snatched the card from Alex’s hand with a wide grin.

"Are you kidding me?! The guild everyone ignored—unknown to most—shot up into the top ten in just a few months. That’s insane!"

Alex smirked beneath the mask, his violet eyes gleaming faintly through the gaps.

"Oh, you know your stuff. But as I said, it’s not yet at the position I want it to be."

His voice dipped into a challenge. "So... what do you say? Wanna join?"

Without hesitation, Ava bowed again and again.

"I’ll be honored! Thank you so much!"

Alex waved it off, his tone calm.

"I’ll be waiting. But I’m sorry—I can’t show you my face. My guild has strict restrictions on revealing my identity. So for now, I’ll have to decline."

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