Reborn as an Extra Chapter 536: The Cube of Possibilities. Part-2.
Previously on Reborn as an Extra...
"That fool Fabian... Sigh... He snatched this cube from me, claiming it would unlock chances for a fresh creation..."
"Yet his true longing was to discover a method for bringing back his deceased wife... I cautioned him against touching this relic, but he pressed me relentlessly..."
"I couldn't let down my own student... and in the end, he succeeded in tearing open a brief rift filled with miasma! He aimed to harness the force of miasma to locate his wife's vanished spirit!"
With a heavy sigh, Kehrid employed telekinesis to refill his beer mug once more and chugged down another hefty swallow.
"In theory, the cube did assist him in spotting the ’possibility,’ though it proved a disastrous path; even had his wife returned, her essence would have twisted under miasma's taint..."
"The rift unleashed waves of miasmic filth, which overwhelmed Fabian, leading to his gruesome demise... this proves the cube's second rule in action..."
"One must possess sufficient strength to endure the fallout from wielding this relic..."
Rio creased his brow upon hearing Kehrid's explanation and inquired,
"Yet you've held onto this relic for ages; why haven't you suffered any harm?"
Kehrid inclined his head in agreement with Rio's query and responded gravely,
"I bear the grace of ’Astra,’ the world's supreme healer; even King Allen bestowed upon me a mighty soul shield for my defense... naturally, this relic leaves me unscathed..."
"Though this relic unleashes terrifying repercussions alongside its might, it ranks at best as a top SS-rank item; it scarcely endangers true SS-rankers..."
"Its dire repercussions emerge vividly when the weak attempt to wield it... the majority of its handlers have perished from miasmic taint or shattered minds..."
"I remain ignorant of its full potential, but it's no toy for just anyone to handle..."
Kehrid recognized Rio as a promising youth brimming with potential; handing over this relic to him seemed unwise, as it could spell disaster.
"Young one, you've befriended my grandson and escorted ’Vinash’ to see me... though we're barely acquainted, I hate the thought of you falling prey to this cursed thing..."
Unaware of Rio's real background and oblivious to his current fame across the world, Kehrid had isolated himself from the outside long ago, steering clear of worldly affairs.
Having stepped away from active life years back, the dwarf nation's troubles no longer concerned him.
Rio's bond with his grandson was the key detail; he brushed aside all the tangled rest.
"Since destiny crossed our paths... refusing your plea would be unjust; I'll hand over this relic, but I strongly advise against employing it..."
"First, question your heart: ’What drives you at your core?’ And does it align with reclaiming your missing companion? If your profoundest yearning diverges from rescuing your friend, this cube holds no value for your quest..."
A slight furrow formed on Rio's face as he pondered Kehrid's probing words.
’My journey, my drive, and my ultimate goals center on growing mightier, vanquishing the looming disaster set to ravage this realm, and securing a tranquil existence...’
’Indeed, this clashes with aiding Liam... viewed this way, the cube of possibilities could prove pointless for me, yet...’
Rio's gaze sharpened as he posed his question,
"Truth be told, I'd like to run a test... You're present, so you could halt it if trouble arises. Could you explain how to activate this relic...?"
"Should my test yield nothing, I'll drop any further interest in this relic..."
Rio's statement left Kehrid puzzled; he couldn't grasp the youth's intentions.
"Fine, provided you activate this relic only with me or another powerhouse nearby, we can avert any mishaps... but what's your plan?"
"Normally, one infuses it with mana to awaken it, but for you, channeling your sword intent might suit better..."
Carefully, Rio settled Kifrid's small head onto the sofa, rose from his chair, and retrieved the cube from the table.
He moved to a spacious spot in the living room, away from Kifrid, to shield the child from the trial, then drew in a steady breath.
’This relic isn't ideal, but I possess something that could safeguard me in such a scenario, maybe...’
Rio gave Kehrid a nod to indicate the start and channeled his sword intent into the relic.
As anticipated, the instant the relic sought to affect Rio, his ability ’True Immunity’ swiftly repelled it, neutralizing the relic's backlash entirely.
After Rio nullified the ’adverse effects,’ the ’Cube’ quivered under the rebound and ceased its interference with him at once.
It grew ’tame’ in the face of Rio's formidable sword intent, shedding its defiant nature like a chastised youth after a harsh reprimand.
"Wha-what the hell!?"
Kehrid nearly tumbled off his seat, utterly stunned!
As a pinnacle SS-ranker and the relic's longtime possessor, he'd kept the ’Cube’ for almost a thousand years!
Yet he'd never witnessed it submit so completely to anyone!
He watched in awe as Rio released the cube, only for it to hover around him like a loyal pup afraid to defy its owner!
"What trick did you pull!? D-damn! You can't seriously not be some demon king's hidden spawn or whatever!?"
Kehrid's mouth gaped in disbelief, wide enough to hit the floor, and he abandoned his beer entirely, too dumbfounded to move!
"T-this is unbelievable!"
Brushing off Kehrid's astonishment, Rio commanded the cube to reveal a secure, direct path to ’Liam.’
The cube obeyed without hesitation, weaving through the world's fate threads to deliver precise guidance to Rio!
It even projected a holographic display independently, marking the way with guiding arrows!
Witnessing the once-defiant relic act so submissively, Kehrid nearly spat blood!
"I struggled to tame it for ages, and you subdued it instantly! You're truly remarkable, kid!..."
Rio shook his head, reclaimed his seat on the sofa, and inquired in his typical flat tone,
"Well, what's your verdict? Will you loan me this relic? I could fetch you some exotic treasures from the spirit realm if desired..."