Reborn as an Extra Chapter 521: The Next Mission is... Part-3.

Given modern medical technology and the intervention of S-rank healers, restoring a person to peak health without a single blemish is a simple task.

Damaged skin can be rejuvenated so perfectly that it appears brand new!

If a scar remains on an individual's body despite these advancements, it typically indicates one of two scenarios.

The first is that the person failed to receive timely medical attention, or perhaps they lacked the financial means to secure a high-level healer or access a premium hospital.

Alternatively, the scar might serve as a "representation" of a previous defeat that the person has consciously decided to preserve.

Considering Ashtel’s immense wealth and power, he clearly possessed the resources to employ dozens of S-rank healers at a moment's notice.

Furthermore, he is an acquaintance of the elf queen, an SS-rank healer, meaning recovery was never a concern for him.

The fact that a scar still marks his body implies it "represents" a past failure that Ashtel has intentionally kept.

Many awakeners choose to retain their scars as trophies of past triumphs or as reminders of their own shortcomings.

Every scar carries a narrative, and even in this contemporary era, many awakeners occasionally choose to keep them.

...

"The spirit realm is far from a tranquil sanctuary; those lush groves and joyful spirits you speak of only exist within small, isolated pockets of that world..."

"In reality, the spirit realm is a gargantuan expanse with no visible boundaries..."

The spirit realm is a dimension situated between existence and void; it is a plane that exists parallel to our material world.

Its scale matches that of the entire universe; every specific coordinate in the material world has a corresponding location within the spirit realm.

If the coordinates of a physical location are known, complex math can be used to determine the equivalent coordinates in the spirit realm, and the reverse is also true.

Those peaceful and merry spirits actually inhabit only tiny, secluded areas; the true spirit realm is a massive entity stretching across the cosmos.

Ashtel directed his gaze toward Rio and the others, speaking in a heavy tone,

"You were taught about 'The Sea Of Endless Miasma' in your studies, weren't you? It is a boundless, ocean-like phenomenon in space saturated with infinite miasma..."

"That anomaly has already consumed one-tenth of this entire world's surface area! And it continues to grow!"

Rio’s gaze sharpened at the mention of 'The Sea Of Endless Miasma.'

"That colossal formation doesn't just impact the material plane; even the Spirit Realm is severely affected by its presence..."

"Actually, the spirit realm is even more susceptible to its influence, and the majority of it has been tainted by miasmic corruption; only a few rare spots and hidden enclaves remain protected..."

Processing Ashtel’s explanation, Rio inquired,

"Does that mean Liam’s soul might have landed in a region choked with miasmic corruption? Since Ellie is a shadow dragon and has resided there for ages, she might have more resilience..."

"However, Liam’s soul is delicate; he could succumb to corruption if he isn't saved quickly..."

Ashtel was surprised by how fast Rio connected the dots and nodded in agreement.

"Correct... you seem quite familiar with miasma... Wait! Of course! You can manipulate miasma! How did I overlook that!"

Ashtel’s eyes glowed with realization as he remembered that Rio was immune to miasma's effects.

"To be honest, I've wanted to ask: how are you able to handle miasma so effortlessly?"

Noticing the inquisitive look on Ashtel’s face, Rio gave a small shrug and answered truthfully,

"I honestly don't know the reason myself. Ever since I attained rank A, I've been capable of it for some reason..."

"Actually, with every rank I gain, I seem to master new and unique elements... it might be linked to my sword technique; it's called the 'Elemental Sword Art'..."

"It allows me to command various elements..."

Ashtel dismissed this with a shake of his head, looking puzzled as he asked,

"No, that's not it. Miasma isn't an element at all... things like light, dark, fire, and water are elements. Mana and Miasma aren't elements; they are the 'Laws' of the 'World'..."

"To become an 'Awakener' means gaining the right to manipulate the 'law' of 'mana' to a certain degree, using it to enhance oneself..."

"Miasma operates in the exact opposite way; it grants 'qualification' by force, imposing itself on people and triggering Demonification to grant them power..."

Ashtel scanned Rio from top to bottom, his confusion deepening.

"But you show no signs of demonification; there isn't a trace of miasma in your system, and your aura remains tranquil and steady... So what on earth is happening with you?"

Rio was just as baffled as Ashtel was.

"Like I said... I have no clue..."

Ashtel shook his head and decided not to press Rio any further on the matter.

"Well, try to use that power as sparingly as possible. Miasma isn't something meant to be tamed by anyone; it is inherently aggressive toward everything, whether living or inanimate..."

"It’s as if it harbors a grudge against the 'world' itself and is attempting to rot the 'world' from the inside out... I doubt such a malevolent force will simply submit to someone's will..."

Ashtel cocked an eyebrow, asking in a slightly awkward manner,

"Be honest with me... Is it possible... you’re the secret child of the demon king or something?"

Hearing the same ridiculous theory Raji had once proposed, Rio let out a defeated sigh and began to question his life.

'Ugh, all these powerful people keep asking me the same thing... I miss my adorable waifu who always treats me well... sigh...'

Rio disregarded Ashtel’s strange question and steered the conversation back.

"So, what you're saying is that to find Liam’s soul, we must first navigate through the spirit realm's miasmic corruption."

"Fine, that's a mission perfectly suited for me; I can handle it without trouble..."

Everyone was stunned by Rio’s confident claim, yet they couldn't find a way to argue against it.

It was an established fact that Rio could manipulate miasma and was immune to its rot, making him the most logical candidate to enter the spirit realm and retrieve Liam.

"Even if you can bypass the miasma, the spirit realm's dangers are immense; there are formidable SS-rank evil spirits roaming those lands..."

"Furthermore, the place is vast; traditional maps and compasses are worthless there, and most importantly..."

Ashtel looked Rio directly in the eye and continued.

"To get into the spirit realm, you must locate a specific weak 'node' and tear open a portal through it. Naturally, I could just rip a hole in the fabric of space and step through..."

"But that would drop you in a random part of the spirit realm; getting lost is inevitable unless you can calculate your exact position relative to your starting point with every single step..."

Rio’s eyes narrowed as he listened, and he asked in a level voice,

"You make it sound like going through a random point is a death sentence... we don't even have a location for Liam and Ellie; if the spirit realm is as big as the universe..."

"Then searching for them without a lead is like hunting for a needle in the vastness of space; it’s practically impossible..."

Ashtel nodded in agreement, and a wave of discouragement washed over the group.

"It is indeed a daunting task... but a solution exists."

Fortunately, there was a glimmer of hope; Ashtel knew of a specific method to navigate the spirit realm and find Liam.

"In the far-off Kingdom of Dwarves, there is a relic that can assist in finding anyone, provided you carry it with you..."

"It is an artifact that guides the wielder to their desired destination based on their intent. It’s a legendary tool of great power, forged by a master dwarf during the era of King Allen Von Reinhart..."

As Ashtel spoke, Rio felt a strange fluttering in his chest. His intuition spiked, giving him the distinct feeling that he was being pulled toward the 'Dwarf Kingdom.'

'I was already planning to head to the dwarf kingdom, and now this happens. How can this be a mere coincidence?'

'It feels as though something is pushing me there; even during the supreme tournament, the only candidate who invited me to their homeland was a dwarf...'

A peculiar sense of dread settled over Rio, as if a significant event awaited him in the dwarf kingdom and the 'world' itself was conspiring to lead him there.