Reborn as an Extra Chapter 532: A Meeting Arranged By Fate. Part-4.
Previously on Reborn as an Extra...
"W-wait, why are you holding that blade so close to your body!? Are you some kind of fool!? That’s a cursed weapon! Simply being in its proximity causes disturbances in the very fabric of reality!!"
Kifrid’s grandfather discarded his beer and scrambled to manifest a protective barrier of mana around himself and Kifrid.
Rio’s eyes widened with surprise as he realized that Kifrid’s grandfather was, in fact, an awakener.
Up until this moment, Rio had failed to notice this truth.
Despite Rio’s ability to perceive the soul fluctuations of anyone at or below his own rank, he hadn't detected anything unusual within the old dwarf’s body.
This realization pointed toward only one conclusion.
"A Demi-god!?"
For a moment, Rio considered fleeing, but he remained rooted to the spot in a state of confusion.
"W-wait, do you actually know my father? Kevin Flash was his name..."
"Furthermore, you don't have to be so guarded; I can manage this sword. It has been by my side ever since I formed a bond with it..."
Kifrid’s grandfather was so stunned by Rio’s claim that his jaw nearly hit the floor.
"What the f*ck are you saying, kid!? The ’law’ of ’absolute destruction’ is manifested within that weapon! That object isn't something some random brat can control!"
"No, hold on... You’re an S-ranker!? This energy... this is ’Sword Intent’!!"
"To think that I would witness ’Sword Intent’ this powerful again in my lifetime... it's beyond belief!"
His exclamation only served to deepen Rio’s bewilderment.
"Wait, you’ve encountered someone else with ’Sword Intent’ as potent as mine? Bullsh*t!"
Irritated by the escalating argument between the two, Kifrid leaped out from behind his grandfather’s shield and yelled,
"Both of you, calm down!! Stop fighting! Mom always says that every problem can be settled without shouting!"
Kifrid’s outburst brought Rio and the old man back to their senses, causing them to cease their bickering.
Taking a long breath, Kifrid’s grandfather patted the boy's head and regained his composure.
"My apologies, I suppose my old age is getting to me; I lost my temper the second I saw that source of calamity brought so close to me..."
Rio nodded in agreement, stowing his blade into his space ring to diffuse the tension and demonstrate that he harbored no ill intent.
"I was also at fault; I shouldn't have barged in so abruptly..."
Acknowledging Rio’s apology with a nod, Kifrid’s grandfather went to fetch another large mug of beer to soothe his frayed nerves.
After taking a drink, he gestured for the two youths to follow him.
"Sigh, come with me, you two; let’s sit down and have a proper conversation..."
Rio gave a nod, took Kifrid’s small hand, and followed the old man into the living room of the modest house.
A fireplace warmed the interior, making the room feel cozy and inviting.
While Kifrid and Rio settled onto a sofa, the elderly dwarf took a seat in a large, comfortable chair next to the hearth.
"Sigh... That little grandson of mine truly is an unusual child; he certainly brought me a surprise today. How did he end up making friends with you so suddenly?"
"I must admit, seeing humans in the dwarf nation is a rarity. What brings you to these parts, kid? You’re quite young, and an S-ranker of your age wouldn't be roaming through foreign territories just for the fun of it, would they?"
Rio sighed and gave an honest explanation.
"To be honest, a dear friend of mine was lost within the spirit realm. I am currently traveling toward the entrance of that realm..."
"I only stopped in this town for a short rest by pure accident... Or perhaps, it would be more accurate to call it a fated encounter. That was when I met Kifrid..."
The old dwarf was taken aback by Rio’s revelation.
"You intend to enter the spirit realm!? You can't be serious!?"
"If your friend has vanished in the spirit realm, it might be better to just assume he’s dead... finding anyone in a place like that is an impossible task..."
"By the way, I haven't introduced myself. I am Kehrid, a blacksmith by trade..."
Ignoring the grim outlook, Rio replied in his characteristically flat tone,
"Even if it seems crazy, I have to attempt to find him... Wait! Did you say your name was ’Kehrid’!?"
"Are you Kehrid the ’Master Smith’!?"
Rio recognized the name Kehrid from both the original novel and the files provided to him by Ashtel.
The novel had identified the world’s greatest blacksmith as ’Kehrid,’ the ’Master Smith.’
However, because the original story never detailed his appearance or location, Rio had no idea where he lived or that he was a dwarf.
It was only after reviewing Ashtel’s documents that Rio realized the ’artifact’ he sought was forged by a dwarf named Kehrid.
"Err.. so you’re familiar with my old title? That’s strange; I specifically told those b*stards to wipe all records of my existence after I retired..."
Kehrid didn't deny it, confirming that he was indeed the blacksmith who once shared a close bond with King Allen Von Reinhart!
"Does that mean you’ve been alive for 2000 years!?"
Kehrid immediately shook his head at Rio’s query.
"No, I was born much later... I came into the world when the demon extinction war was already nearing its end..."
"I was only about 100 years old when I met that strange human; I was actually quite young back then..."
Kehrid stroked his lengthy beard, a nostalgic look crossing his face as he recalled the distant past.
"Truthfully, that man had a very bizarre temperament; he could be warm one moment and as cold as an iceberg the next..."
"And when I mentioned seeing sword intent as great as yours before, I was talking about him..."
Rio was stunned by Kehrid’s words.
"Wasn't King Allen a martial artist? How could he possess ’Sword Intent’?"
Kehrid gave a small smile and replied,
"Who told you a martial artist can't have ’Sword Intent’... In reality, that freak possessed both ’Dao Rhythm’ and ’Sword Intent’ simultaneously!"
That revelation nearly shattered Rio’s understanding of the world.
He had never considered it possible for a person to master two distinct types of ’legendary skills’ at once.
While ’Sword Intent’ is focused entirely on offense, ’Dao Rhythm’ emphasizes the body, defense, and spiritual equilibrium.
Possessing both was equivalent to using cheat codes in a game, granting invincibility while maintaining devastating power.
"It’s no wonder he is the only person ever granted the title of ’King’... ordinary SS-rankers can't even compare to him..."
Kehrid smirked, his voice filled with pride as he responded,
"I am a peak SS-ranker myself, but even after living for more than a thousand years, I can't comprehend the true extent of that man's strength..."
Kehrid looked Rio straight in the eye and added,
"I knew ’Vinash’ the moment I saw it, because I am the one who forged that ’weapon’ of ’mass destruction’!"
A cold shiver ran down Rio’s spine upon hearing that.
Finally, Rio understood the reason ’fate’ had guided him to this place.
’No wonder my gut was telling me to visit the dwarf kingdom again and again... it was because my blade wanted to reunite with its creator...’