The Extra Who Shouldn't Exist novel Chapter 396

Chapter 396: Chapter 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?" 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

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.

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