The Extra's Rise-Chapter 254: Prelude to Second Mission (4)

Kali stared at me like I had just announced I was going to arm-wrestle a dragon.

Jin, on the other hand, had the expression of a man slowly coming to terms with the fact that he had made a very, very bad decision.

"So what you're telling me," Kali began slowly, her fingers drumming against the table, "is that you blackmailed Prince Jin Ashbluff and forced him to join our guild?"

"Yep." I nodded.

Jin's glare could have cut steel.

Kali exhaled through her nose, then looked at Jin. "I understand you, Your Highness," she said, shaking his hand solemnly. "This crazy bastard did the same thing to me. I want you to know—you are not alone."

Jin blinked at her. "What."

"Shut up and sit down," I said, rubbing my temples.

Kali sat down with exaggerated obedience, giving me a deadpan stare. "As you say, Sir."

"And why are both of you acting like you don't get benefits from this?" I sighed.

"Benefits in the future," Kali corrected, her arms crossed.

Jin nodded.

I resisted the urge to groan. These two together were going to be a nightmare.

"So," Kali drawled, "why did you call me here? Just to tell me that you've added another victim to your collection?"

"No," I shook my head. "Choose a mission in Redmond city. I need you there."

Kali leaned back, arms still crossed. "And what exactly are we doing in Redmond?"

"Destroying a Silver-ranked guild and getting a reward from a Baron."

There was silence.

Jin blinked. Kali stared.

Then Kali leaned forward, very slowly, her hands flat on the table. "Arthur."

"Yes?"

"Are you insane?"

Jin, to his credit, remained composed. "A Silver-ranked guild is far too high a target. Their strength varies, but at minimum, their guild master will be Ascendant-rank, maybe even mid or high tier. A Bronze-ranked guild, sure. We could handle that. But Silver? That's suicide."

"It's not," I said, shaking my head. "You both need to think more."

Kali let out a laugh. A loud, unhinged laugh.

"Think more," she repeated, her voice shaking. "Oh. Oh. Yes. Why didn't I think of that? I should just think. That fixes everything. What a genius you are, Arthur. You should write a book. 'Just Think Harder: How to Survive Utterly Stupid Situations.'"

"Geez, keep your yelling down," I sighed. "I'm not asking you to kill an Ascendant-ranker. There's only one in Redmond, and he's just closing in on mid Ascendant-rank. I'll handle him."

Kali's mouth snapped shut.

Jin frowned. "You're planning to take on an Ascendant-ranker alone?"

"Yes."

More silence.

Then Kali leaned toward Jin. "Did he hit his head recently?"

Jin shook his head. "Not that I know of."

"Maybe he needs to," she muttered.

Jin exhaled sharply. "Arthur. You're strong. Ridiculously strong for our age. But an Ascendant-ranker is—"

"I know exactly what an Ascendant-ranker is." I met his gaze. "And I know how to kill one."

That shut them both up.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Kali exhaled, rubbing her temples. "You're really not going to let this go, huh?"

"Nope."

"Of course not," she muttered. "Why did I even ask?"

Jin crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. "...Fine. But I want every detail of your plan before we go in."

"Naturally," I agreed.

And so, I explained the plan to them in detail.

Kali got up from her chair without a word.

She paced across my room once. Then twice.

Then, without warning, she slapped herself across the face.

"Holy shit, I'm awake," she muttered, blinking rapidly like she was trying to clear a hallucination.

I narrowed my eyes. "Sit down."

She flopped back into her seat, rubbing her temple. "What a crazy plan."

Jin exhaled, his fingers laced together, his expression unreadable. "Alright. Let's assume for a second that you're correct. That means we're going up against a Bishop of the Red Chalice Cult. Explain to me how there's a Bishop left when they should have all been wiped out?"

I met his gaze evenly. "I don't know."

That was a lie. But they didn't need to know that.

"Either way, our goal is clear," I continued. "We expose the cult's presence in Redmond and eliminate the Bishop before they gain enough influence to act openly."

Kali leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. "The plan seems foolproof," she admitted, "but there's something I don't get. This Reika girl—she's really worth all this trouble? Why not just have Cecilia pull some strings and get an investigation going?"

I shook my head. "It's not that simple."

Jin frowned. "Why not?"

I sighed. "The Twelve Diamond-ranked guilds balance the Imperial Family and the Council, forming a quad of power alongside the Tower of Magic."

Their eyes flickered with understanding.

The Empire was not under complete control of a single entity. Although the Imperial family technically ruled the Empire, in reality it was a four-way chess match between:

The Council of Nobles, representing the wealth and influence of the aristocracy. The Imperial Family, wielding authority over the government and military. The Tower of Magic, controlling the regulation of spellcasters and magical research. The Summit of Guilds, an assembly of the Twelve Diamond-rank guilds, ensuring that adventurers and mercenaries had autonomy from the state.

Each faction had its own interests, its own power struggles. And no single faction could afford to act unilaterally without stepping on the toes of the others.

"It's difficult for the Imperial Family to randomly investigate any guild," I explained. "Even a Bronze-rank one. They need solid evidence, or at the very least, strong probable cause."

Jin clicked his tongue. "How annoying."

I glanced at him. Of course, he would find this kind of system frustrating.

On the Western Continent, things were different. The Ashbluff family was the law.

There was no balancing act, no political struggle between factions. The entire West bowed to their rule, and any noble house that thought otherwise had been crushed beneath their heel.

Power there was absolute.

Here? It was a game. One with far too many players, all carefully weighing their next move.

Jin exhaled, shaking his head. "In the West, we don't waste time on bureaucracy. If someone needs to die, they die."

Kali snorted. "Yes, very inspiring. 'Kill first, ask questions never.' No wonder people are scared shitless of your family."

Jin didn't argue.

I leaned back in my chair. "That's exactly why we can't rely on official channels. If we want to solve this problem, we do it our way."

Jin and Kali exchanged a glance.

Then Jin sighed, rubbing his temples. "Fine. I'll help."

Kali groaned, running a hand through her hair. "I can't believe I'm doing this. Fine. I'll get us a mission in Redmond. But if we die because of your ridiculous plans, I will haunt you in the afterlife, Arthur. And I will be annoying."

I smirked. "Duly noted."

"Seriously, how do you come up with this kind of stuff?" Kali muttered, shaking her head like she was experiencing a migraine in real time. "And you still didn't answer Jin. Is Reika worth all of this?"

Both of them were staring at me now, waiting for an answer.

I exhaled. "Yes."

Jin narrowed his eyes. "Just like that?"

"You'll understand when you meet her," I said simply. "Don't judge too quickly. Reika is... a monster."

Kali scoffed. "You are the only monster in this world."

Jin nodded in agreement. "I don't think we need another one."

I smirked but said nothing. They would see soon enough.

"Also," I continued, shifting the subject, "I need you to get Elias to do some digging. We need information on the last of the special four."

This chapt𝙚r is updated by freeωebnovēl.c૦m.

Jin frowned. "This is going to be someone weird, isn't it?"

"Probably," Kali shrugged. "But whatever. I'll send the request to him."

She stretched, arching her back with a tired groan. Then, she peered at me with a familiar look in her eye.

"Can I shower in your room again?"

I raised a brow. "Why?"

"Because I came straight here after training since someone said it was urgent," she huffed, gesturing vaguely at herself. "Look, I'm covered in sweat."

"You'll live," I replied dryly. "Go shower in your own room."

Kali clicked her tongue. "Fine, fine. See if I care."

Jin got up as well, rolling his shoulders. "I'm heading out too."

With that, the two of them left.

I exhaled, rubbing the bridge of my nose before collapsing back onto my bed.

The mission was set. The pieces were moving.

And Redmond was waiting.