Reborn as an Extra Chapter 549: Raika and The Lyre of Faith. Part-2.
Previously on Reborn as an Extra...
"So, you're the sort who avoids chasing fame and favors lurking in the shadows, huh..."
"Lurking in the shadows feels good too... hehe... you get to scheme and pull off all sorts of stuff without a soul spotting you... it's great... hehe..."
With a grin, Raika ran his fingers through his hair, twirling strands as he chatted.
"When it comes to Shadow dragons... I actually know their whereabouts, but they're everywhere in droves... how do you plan to track down the specific one you're after?"
In his typical flat voice, Rio squinted and shot back.
"Just give me the spot, and I'll handle everything else on my own... I can locate the one I'm seeking without help..."
As long as Rio captured a single shadow dragon, he possessed plenty of ways to pull out the details he required.
Whether by scanning its memories or twisting its soul, he could grab every bit of intel needed; no reason to lean on outsiders for such tasks.
To this stranger, Rio had no intention of mentioning Ellie or Liam, unwilling to lay bare their dire predicament.
"Sure, I can share that info since it's no huge secret... but only if you meet one condition of mine."
Rio's brow creased at Raika's statement, yet he held his tongue, letting the man press on.
"Here's my condition: you have to take me with you on this hunt for that 'special dragon' you're after..."
That demand prompted Rio to shake his head right away.
"No way, I turn down your condition; I'm not taking you along because I don't trust you..."
Rio aimed to rescue Liam and Ellie, not pile on more woes or unleash catastrophes upon them.
Things stood grim enough for them already, and he refused to make it any worse.
"What about something different..."
A sly grin crossed Raika's face as he responded in his soft, familiar manner.
"How about handing over the dearest treasure in your life, the one you cherish above all else..."
Once more, Rio shook his head, refusing the proposal outright.
"Nope, I reject that too; no deal on this one either..."
Raika was boldly demanding that Rio surrender his affection for Lia!
To Rio, that love anchored his last tie to his human side; Lia meant everything to him now, and he adored her deeply.
He wouldn't yield it to anybody, no matter the terms.
"Fine, then spill your biggest, most buried secret? And don't bother fibbing—I spot lies easily..."
Rio shook his head yet again, turning down Raika's latest offer.
"No, I say no to this one as well; I'll never bare my innermost secrets to a single person... not even the one closest to my heart..."
Deep inside, Rio guarded the truth that this world wasn't his origin, that he had no place in this existence, and that he didn't fit into this vibrant, wondrous realm.
Voicing that reality could unleash a cascade of disasters.
The 'heavenly luck' that ruled the cosmos might twist against him; declaring himself a 'flaw' in the world's fabric would only summon doom.
That's why Rio had kept this hidden from everyone to this point, Lia included.
At best, he might admit to 'transmigrating' aloud; claiming he came from another world outright would spell danger.
And he sure wouldn't confess it here.
Sure, Liam was Rio's buddy, but Rio stayed plenty self-centered; he wasn't some 'hero.' He wouldn't risk his valuables for anyone but Lia.
"Sigh, you reject this, you reject that... your excellency, you're one tough customer, you know..."
Raika kept his smile, his voice gentle as ever, but irritation clearly simmered beneath at Rio's stubborn stance.
Rio preferred letting Liam perish over parting with his own valuables; it wasn't from indifference toward Liam, just that he valued his possessions higher.
"You won't even mask your self-centered ways and still expect to finish your task without surrendering a thing... you're pretty avaricious, aren't you..."
Those remarks drew a nod from Rio.
"You're right, and I couldn't care less what folks think of me... I'd rather stay self-serving and grasping than forfeit what's vital to my existence..."
The tense quiet between them settled back in as Rio shot down Raika's proposals one after another.
With a heavy sigh, Raika eyed the wrecked temple before he continued.
"You realize... it was avarice and self-interest that doomed this temple and its inhabitants as well..."
"Rather than yielding their treasures, aiding one another, and uniting as one, they turned on each other and grew vulnerable to the miasma's onslaught..."
"Their demise was so gruesome it could unsettle even the hardiest warriors..."
Gazing at the statue of the sword of promised destiny, Raika added in a taunting tone,
"They lingered and prayed endlessly for a 'Hero' to rescue them, yet never bothered to band together into a society worth saving..."
"You're treading that very 'path' of 'self-interest and avarice,' you know... it's foolish and senseless, if you ask me..."
At those words, the scowl eased from Rio's features, and he tucked his flute at his waist before stepping up to the massive statue.
"I get it... so that's the story behind this place. I wondered why a temple existed in the spirit realm... turns out it was built by some long-gone ancient race..."
"They stuck to their principles right to the finish; what a motivating group they were..."
"They probably saw themselves as 'special' until the last breath... that's a commendable life approach..."
Once Raika delved into 'paths' and 'ideologies,' Rio could lower his defenses a notch.
Their clash had shifted from fists to a duel of 'ideologies' and 'convictions.'
"Given your 'unique' approach of striving for a brighter tomorrow just for yourself, while dodging the ordinary views of the masses..."
"That's a renowned 'path' that plenty have taken... numerous SS-rankers climbed to power by embracing it..."
A smile played on Raika's lips at Rio's remark, as he answered in his mild, customary way.
"Hoh, I figured you'd lean toward the 'path' of 'protection' and 'compassion,' since you come off with human roots..."
"I recall that the creed of playing 'hero' and 'guardian' to the world thrives among that folk..."
"You truly aren't human, right, Rio?"
Rio's eyes narrowed as he fired back,
"And what makes you so fixated on that? What do you gain if I admit I'm not human?"
"Sorry to disappoint, but I am human—a simple wandering bard from the human empire..."