Extra simply wants to live in Novel

"The dream is over, let's face reality."

— John Lennon

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After spending the entire Saturday training his body and perfecting his mana control, Sunday arrived quickly.

He woke up early, feeling an unusual lightness in his body and a strange connection with his surroundings, a feeling he had been experiencing ever since the fight against the Stone Wolf. However, there was no time to ponder that now; he needed to prepare for the traveling club's orientation.

[Travel Club Announcement]

– There will be a short trip on Sunday to serve as an orientation for the freshmen.

The traveling club's orientation was today. The meeting place was the "Cube Portal Station," which connected Cube to Seoul.

After putting his two guns in his bag, Oreki headed to the meeting place. Upon arriving, he noticed that many of the main characters—Kim Suho, Ye Yeonghan, Chae Nayun, and Yoo Yeonha—were already present. He kept a distance, observing them as that strange connection with the surrounding elements enveloped him once again.

Kim Suho and Ye Yeonghan were completely oblivious to Oreki's presence. He knew that today, in Seoul, an unexpected incident would occur, the first major event in history.

As he was mentally organizing the details of the impending incident, the club president arrived.

"Hello, I'm the club president, Oh Hanhyun," he said with a shy smile. "I couldn't believe it when I saw so many applications for my club, but… it really happened. Who would have thought that such amazing cadets would join my club?"

With an average height and a gentle first impression, Oh Hanhyun looked around at the club members as he scratched his neck, visibly nervous.

"First, I will give you a brief introduction about the travel club." He continued, taking out a piece of paper from his pocket. It looked like he had prepared a speech, which was in keeping with his shy nature.

"Kuhum. Once or twice a month, we will leave Cube to travel. The purpose of the trip is to relax. Therefore, training during the trips will be strictly prohibited. This is also why our club is called 'Healing Rain.'"

Kuhum. After clearing his throat once more, he put the paper away.

"Today, as part of the orientation, we will take a short trip to Seoul."

The orientation involved forming groups of two to explore the city.

"We'll have a theme for each trip," Oh Hanhyun explained. "Since today is supposed to be an orientation, we'll have a free trip without anything complicated. But instead of traveling alone, we'll split into groups of two."

Here, Kim Suho would be paired with Chae Nayun, and they would face problems while exploring a museum. This would be the first major test Oreki would soon experience.

"Then let's start the drawing."

The drawing was completely based on luck, but Oreki wasn't about to allow a drastic change in history. He decided to go first.

"I'll go first."

But clearly, he wasn't going to rely on luck. Thanks to the 'LOA', Oreki could freely choose whoever he wanted.

"Yoo Yeonha."

Yoo Yeonha looked at Oreki with her 'habitua mask', her calm eyes meeting his. Oreki returned the gaze, maintaining the same composure.

***

"Cadet Houtarou Oreki. Confirmed."

The portal operator handed them a seal. This seal would contact the Portal and take them to Seoul.

"Let's go."

Without hesitation, the club president was the first to step into the swaying blue portal, followed by Kim Suho, Yi Yeonghan, Chae Nayun… and finally, Oreki.

A strange feeling enveloped his body, but only for a moment.

In the blink of an eye, the scenery around him changed, revealing an unfamiliar environment, a futuristic mix of blue and gray, that could only be the Seoul Portal Station. In just two steps, he had crossed the East Sea.

"It's 12 at night now, so we'll meet here at 6 o'clock," the president instructed.

The direct portal connection to the Cube meant that the station was virtually deserted, unlike the neighboring portal that connected Seoul to Busan, which was always bustling with people. Both cities were global hubs of activity, and the movement here was constant.

"For now, follow me," the club president said, leading the cadets to another portal employee, who gave them a second stamp before they exited the station.

The words 'Yongsan Station' were immediately visible on the system.

"You can go wherever you want using the public transportation system," the president continued. "We won't require you to write a report today, but make sure you're back by six. Anyone who's late will be penalized."

With that warning, the cadets began to disperse in pairs. Oreki decided to separate from Yoo Yeonha once they were far from the group.

"Where are you going?" Yoo Yeonha asked, slightly surprising him.

"To the museum. Do you want to come along?" he replied, followed by a question.

"No. But the place I need to go is on the same path as yours."

Oreki nodded and started walking towards the museum. He had already researched its location, so he wasn't worried about getting lost.

Thus, Yoo Yeonha and Oreki went on their way, temporarily together.

"Maybe she's going to visit her father's company or something," Oreki thought as they walked.

A short while later, Yoo Yeonha moved away from Oreki, not wanting to be seen with him. Even though they were separated, they both decided to take the time to appreciate the city of Seoul. The air was fresh, and a gentle breeze passed through the busy streets.

As Oreki walked, he felt that strange connection with the elements around him again. It was as if the world had become more vivid.

As he crossed a busy street, he noticed something new. The sound around him seemed clearer, as if every conversation, every footstep was subtly amplified. He could hear the murmur of people talking in the distance, even the quietest words reached him clearly, even without using the LOA.

"The air... it's like it's bringing me the sounds," he thought, concentrating briefly.

He continued walking, letting his senses absorb the details of the city. Sunlight shone through the tall buildings, casting soft shadows on the ground. The colors around him seemed more defined. It was as if he were seeing the world with new eyes.

The square ahead was full of people. Some of them sat on benches, others walked quickly, each wrapped up in their own world. There were children playing around a fountain, their laughter ringing through the air.

He passed by a street vendor, who was offering small toys and souvenirs to tourists. He had a friendly smile on his face, a smile that Oreki returned. He didn't buy anything, but the brief interaction brought a sense of calm.

"This connection... it seems to make me understand the world in a different way," he mused as he continued on his way.

As he walked through the streets of Seoul, his stomach began to grumble. The morning was passing quickly, and he remembered that he hadn't eaten anything since breakfast. He looked around, looking for something to eat, and soon spotted a street food cart. The irresistible aroma of tteokbokki and hotteok filled the air, drawing him toward the cart.

"Hello, friend," the vendor greeted, remembering to maintain Korean courtesy. "I'll have a hotteok, please."

The vendor, an elderly gentleman with a welcoming smile, looked on curiously. "Of course, young man. It's one of my best."

Before he began preparing the hotteok, I took out my wallet and paid. Now that he was preparing it, I began to analyze the scene with my critical eye, albeit with a slight sneer of contempt inside.

My mind immediately began to think of ways to improve this simple recipe. The hotteok looked great, but I couldn't help but wonder how I could add a special touch to the filling, perhaps with a blend of exotic spices or a more elaborate crust.

"I like the smell of hotteok. However, it's always fascinating to see how traditional recipes can be improved," I commented, more to myself than to the vendor.

The vendor laughed, shaking his head. "You're one of the few who say that. Most people just want their food quick and easy."

I took the hotteok that was handed to me, still warm and wrapped in thin paper. "You know, in my experience, the real pleasure comes from creating something from scratch. But not everyone has the time or talent for that. Still, I appreciate simplicity done well."

The vendor smiled, perhaps a little confused by my comment, but pleased with the compliment. "Thank you. I hope you enjoy it."

I took a bite, and was immediately greeted by an explosion of flavors. The outer shell was crispy, lightly caramelized, with a sweetness that contrasted perfectly with the filling. Inside, the hotteok was filled with a viscous mixture of sugar syrup, cinnamon, and crushed nuts. The syrup spread across my tongue, with a comforting warmth and a deep, sweet flavor that was balanced by the slight acidity of the cinnamon. The crushed walnuts added a satisfying crunch, complementing the soft, fluffy texture of the pastry.

"It's not exactly what I would make, but it's a great example of how a traditional recipe can be done well," I commented as I continued to savor the delicacy.

The vendor, now laughing more easily, thanked me again and wished me a safe journey.

As I chewed, I could taste the nuances of each ingredient: the sweet, dark molasses that lightly clung to my teeth, the aromatic cinnamon that left a slight warmth in my mouth, and the walnuts that broke through the sweetness with their earthy, rich flavor. The combination was simple yet intoxicating, bringing a sense of comfort.

When he finally started to walk away from the cart after receiving his hotteok, he began to savor the sweet, warm piece of dough. But something interrupted his tranquility. As he turned the corner, he heard a familiar name mentioned in a nearby conversation: "Lilith."

His feet stopped. The name echoed in his mind, bringing back memories that were almost recent. He turned toward the sound, his heart racing for a moment. What he saw, however, left him stunned.

Two women walked ahead, their backs to him. Both had silver hair that shone in the sunlight. The first had her hair loose, falling to just above her beautiful buttocks, and the second had her hair tied in two ponytails. They walked side by side, their slender, graceful figures standing out in the crowd.

"It can't be..." he thought, his eyes fixed on the two figures in front of him. The memory of Lilith, one of his closest friends, surfaced. But discomfort soon set in. Was it really possible? The appearance was different, but... the name... the name was the same.

Oreki observed them carefully, almost devouring them with his eyes, trying to find anything that would confirm or deny his thoughts. But at the same time, a feeling of nostalgia enveloped him, bringing a mixture of longing and sadness. Memories of his friend flooded his mind.

However, at the same time, a hint of discomfort grew inside him. The possibility that he was imagining things, that he was creating hopes based on a coincidence, was disturbing.

With a heavy sigh, he shook his head and decided to push those thoughts away. "It's just a coincidence," he thought, trying to convince himself. "There's no way it's her... I hope not."

He continued on his way, accepting to put nostalgia aside.

As he walked away, something caught his attention. When he looked back, he saw Yoo Yeonha watching from afar, an expression of distrust and contempt on her face.

Oreki realized that from her point of view, he must have looked like a pervert, staring at those two women.

She narrowed her eyes, seeming to have formed a definitive opinion about his character. "Great, just what I needed," I thought, rolling my eyes inwardly.

Leaving his thoughts for later, Oreki crossed a small square and saw a group of boys playing soccer. They were having fun, laughing and running, enjoying the weekend. He couldn't help but watch, remembering the times he himself played soccer when he was younger.

For a brief moment, Oreki closed his eyes, lost in nostalgic thoughts. "It's a good thing those two aren't here," he thought, referring to two of his classmates, "otherwise they would be teasing me for being terrible at soccer."

Suddenly, one of the boys kicked the ball with excessive force, and it came straight towards Oreki. Instinctively, he felt something change around him, as if the air was invisibly adjusting.

With his eyes still closed, Oreki felt a slight change in air pressure through his Elemental Connection, as if the wind were guiding the ball's path.

Oreki confidently controlled the ball with his chest, keeping it suspended as if it were held by an invisible thread. His movements were precise. He lifted the ball smoothly and, spinning swiftly, delivered a well-aimed kick.

The ball flew with stunning effect, tracing a perfect arc through the air, like a work of art in motion.

The kick not only returned the ball to the boy, but also caused it to spin gracefully before landing softly at his feet. The boy's jaw dropped open in surprise.

The others around him watched in silence, their eyes wide, before bursting into laughter and applause. The sense of control and the quick response of his body were gratifying.

As he walked away, Oreki smiled with satisfaction. The fluidity of the execution confirmed what he had already suspected: his Corporeality was emerging, allowing him to perform feats that had previously seemed impossible.

"If this is what I can do now," he thought, "I can only imagine how far I can go when I truly master these skills."

As he approached the museum, Oreki finished eating the hotteok and threw the wrapper away.

He had never visited a museum in the world he came from, so he couldn't tell if this one was large or not compared to other museums. However, this one seemed gigantic, as if to make up for his lack of experience. He hoped that this museum wouldn't burn down like the National Museum.

The entrance to the museum was adorned with marble columns, and as he walked through the doors, his eyes were drawn to the main hall, with a vaulted ceiling decorated with ancient paintings that glowed under the light of an imposing chandelier.

As he walked through the museum, he heard a child ask:

"Daddy, what's that?"

– Ah, that's the Four Tigers Sword…

It was a weekend, and the museum was full of parents and children who dreamed of becoming heroes.

But even in the midst of a crowd, some people stood out. Chae Nayun and Kim Suho were examples of this, but for now, Oreki could only see Chae Nayun.

"…I want this one," Chae Nayun said, smacking her lips as she stared at a bow in a glass display case.

Chae Nayun being Chae Nayun. She seemed harmless, but anyone who knew her knew that wasn't even close to the truth.

Oreki decided not to talk to her at that moment; his goal was to find Kim Suho. Locating him wouldn't be difficult, just look for the tall guy with blue hair.

He approached Suho casually.

"Seven-branched sword?" Oreki internally thanked his gift, as he had no idea what the name of the sword was.

"Hmm? Ah…" Kim Suho seemed to hesitate, as if he couldn't remember Oreki's name.

"Houtarou Oreki," Oreki said, filling the silence.

"Oh, right. Sorry, I didn't expect to find you here, so I forgot."

With a gentle smile, he pointed to another section of the museum.

"Apparently, the rifle Napoleon used is here. Have you seen it?"

"Napoleon's rifle?" Oreki asked, wondering how long it would take him to touch a tool of that caliber.

"Yes. Apparently, it was a reward from a dungeon in France."

"Thanks, I'll take a look later," Oreki said, but in his thoughts, he pondered, "If I can," I thought.

It was then that something struck him. Something was wrong. The energy around him began to change, as if the air itself had become denser and more charged.

Activating his LOA and preparing his body with CC, Oreki felt a surge of tension. Every particle around him seemed to be warning him of something.

Through his Elemental Connection, he realized that the energy of the environment had transformed, becoming heavy and charged with something dark.

His eyes swept the room, and that was when he saw her. A lone figure, seemingly harmless, looking at a piece in one of the display cases. To anyone else, he would have seemed just another visitor, perhaps a bit bored. But to Oreki, the energy around him was like that of a wolf in sheep's clothing.

If the LOA hadn't been activated, Oreki might have thought the figure was just having a nervous tic. However, he realized that he was saying something, something whispered in a voice so low and thick that not even Chae Nayun, a few meters away, could hear:

"Just a little more. Just a little more until the explosion. I can't let myself fail and disappoint the master."

Realizing the imminent danger, Oreki kept his voice low, almost casual, as he addressed Kim Suho. "So, Suho," he said, feeling adrenaline start to course through his veins, "that guy over there seems to have lost something... like his sanity."

Kim Suho followed Oreki's gaze, his senses quickly picking up on the tension permeating the air around them. The gravity of Oreki's words was evident, reflected in Suho's rigid posture, who immediately prepared to act.

Oreki's smile was a mask, hiding the chill that ran down his spine. "I hope he's strong, but that his strength is proportional to how scary he is, because if he's as strong as he looks weird, then things will go wrong."

Kim Suho narrowed his eyes seriously and muttered back, "He's acting strange..."

Before Oreki could respond, a deafening boom reverberated in the distance, cutting off his voice.

Thus, chaos ensued.

"Kyaaaak!"

"What is this!?"

Panic gripped all the museum visitors. Frightened and urgent screams emerged from within the museum. Civilians ran back and forth, trying to get out. They thought the outside was safer, but it was the worst place at the moment.

"Stay here! Don't go out!" Kim Suho's firm voice cut through the confusion, his immediate authority ensuring that some at least hesitated to flee. He knew, as did Oreki, that facing an unknown person outside would be suicide.

Currently, the outside of the museum was under attack by a mid-rank monster and its subordinates.

Despite this, Oreki's eyes remained fixed on the strange man. As chaos unfolded around him, the man did not move, remaining as still as a statue in the midst of the storm. But then, amidst the commotion, Oreki caught the word he muttered, like venom dripping from his lips: "It's here."

The sharp sound of shattering glass broke through the tension, and Oreki instinctively turned his head toward the source of the noise. Chae Nayun stood there, holding a bow that had previously been protected by a glass display case.

"Are you crazy!?" Kim Suho shouted in disbelief as the museum's sirens blared, activating its defense mechanisms. Within seconds, all the exits were sealed, further increasing the panic among the civilians. But fortunately, not even an intermediate monster could breach the barriers protecting the exits.

"No, I'm perfectly sane."

"This is better than trying to calm people down one by one," Chae Nayun declared, clearing her throat before shouting at the panicked citizens. "Everyone! Stay still! It's safer here! We're heroes too!"

"Hey you…"

"Shut up. Don't just stand there, grab a weapon too."

"What? Why should I?"

"Because it's worse outside," she replied, as she pointed with her bow. "Look over there."

She aimed her sight in the same direction. The man in the black coat, the source of the evil aura, was standing there, motionless as before, but now his eyes burned with an inhuman fury. The hostility emanating from him was so thick that it seemed to corrupt the air around him.

"Hey, don't…" Kim Suho's voice trailed off before he could finish his sentence.

The arrow shot across the hall, its trajectory being the man's throat and piercing it. Immediately, Kim Suho froze. He seemed stunned by the sudden murder of Chae Nayun.

Any ordinary person would have died. However, the man grabbed the arrow from his neck and pulled it out. The power of dark magic then surged from his hand, burning the arrow to ash.

Tap, Tap.

The soft sound of his footsteps echoed on the marble floor. He slowly turned around, his red eyes fixed on Chae Nayun. The pressure in the air intensified, as if the predator was enjoying the presence of multiple prey.

Kim Suho's face paled. Just like Chae Nayun, with a swift movement, he broke another display case and wielded the Seven Branches Sword.

Although it was a replica, its faithful reconstruction made it similar to a high-ranking weapon. It should be strong enough to destroy a Djinn of that level.

"Oh, that's a cool weapon. I heard it splits into seven branches," Chae Nayun said with a smile, approaching Kim Suho.

Oreki, already with his eyes wide open, noticed the glass display cases and the chandelier above as potential strategic advantages. He drew one of his pistols, but he knew he needed something more. The chandelier could be just the distraction he needed.

"Better stay back," Chae Nayun commented dismissively, her typical confidence showing even in the face of danger. "Someone like you won't do anything."

A blue sword qi rose around the Seven Branches Sword. The purity of the blue mana illuminated the blade of the sword. Taking a look at Kim Suho's Seven Branches Sword, Chae Nayun asked.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes."

Meanwhile, Oreki stepped back, following Nayun's request.

"Help me."

Gripping the sword, Kim Suho spoke.

"Support? Please, I'll kill him."

Answering him playfully, Chae Nayun nocked another magic arrow.

"Guooo-!"

But before she could fire, the Djinn activated its magic power. An evil, black qi shot towards them like hellfire. But a single ray of light annihilated it. The Holy Sword could cut through fire, wind, as well as magic power.

Chae Nayun's arrow then flew through the opening created by Kim Suho. The arrow containing condensed mana then pierced the Djinn's shoulder.

Kim Suho didn't miss this opportunity. Jumping up, he slashed diagonally with his sword.

This attack should have cut through the Djinn's flesh, immobilizing it.

But despite having its flesh cut, the Djinn smiled. Kim Suho instinctively felt that something was wrong.

Immediately after, a fierce magic power shot out from the cut.

As if he was under a torrential rain, Kim Suho was swept away by the magic power. He didn't even have a chance to scream. He flew through the air and was trapped inside the museum wall.

"..."

Chae Nayun was speechless.

"It doesn't seem to have changed, at least not yet," he thought, watching Kim Suho struggle to his feet, his body showing signs of the wounds inflicted by the magical force.

"Hey, are you okay?"

"I'm fine..."

Kim Suho needed time to recover from his wounds. Now, the Djinn was walking towards Chae Nayun. Her face hardened.

Chweek-

Chweek-

She didn't hesitate; two magical arrows shot out quickly from her bow, but the Djinn withstood them with ease, his resilience making him seem impenetrable.

As Chae Nayun tried futilely to attack, Oreki knew he had to act. The Djinn seemed absorbed in trying to neutralize Chae Nayun, and the distraction of the crystal chandelier above could be used to give us time to organize ourselves.

"This Djinn is so arrogant that he won't dodge a simple chandelier falling on him," he thought. With precision, Oreki shot the chandelier support, which began to sway dangerously.

As the Djinn looked up, the chandelier fell with a metallic crash and a blinding flash, scattering crystals and dust. The Djinn remained still, his unflappable posture immune to the impact. The chandelier crumbled around him, but he suffered no injuries.

"Chae Nayun, reposition yourself," Oreki ordered, trying to coordinate the efforts.

Noticing the opening they had created, Nayun quickly moved away, dispelling the fear her intuition was telling her about the dangerous Djinn.

The Djinn, upon being struck by the chandelier, simply extended one hand and, with a carefree gesture, pushed the chandelier away with ease.

The heavy structure flew through the air, crashing into a distant wall and shattering into pieces. His fixed, impassive gaze revealed that the distraction had not affected him in the least, and his presence seemed all the more menacing.

Taking advantage of the opening created, Kim Suho quickly regained his composure and advanced with his Seven Branches Sword.

With a quick and precise strike, the blade cut through the air with a sharp hiss, aiming for the Djinn's shoulder. His objective was clear: to strike the Djinn with all the strength he could muster at the moment.

Suho's sword cut through the Djinn's flesh, but the wound was superficial.

Suho, aware of the difficulty of the battle, quickly moved away and joined Oreki. With a look of determination, he assessed the situation, knowing that the fight against the Djinn would be long and difficult.

Chae Nayun, noticing the movement of her allies, approached with her bow ready to act. The three heroes exchanged quick glances, understanding that they needed to join forces and strategies to overcome the challenge that lay ahead.

"Suho, focus on landing a strong blow once Nayun and I can distract him. Nayun, use your foresight to neutralize his movements. I'll strike at his vital points to destabilize him. We have to make sure the Djinn dies instantly." Oreki's voice was firm, filled with an almost military confidence.

"Understood," Suho replied promptly.

Chae Nayun, though reluctant, had no choice but to agree.

As Oreki's mind turned and focused on Corporeality, preparing his body for action, the elemental connection he possessed began to spark ideas. A spark of understanding ignited in his mind, and he realized a way to strengthen himself. The scenery around him seemed to transform as his brain released dopamine, fueled by the growing sense of possibility.

Oreki pulled out his second revolver and said excitedly, in his native language, "This is going to be tricky."