Reborn as an Extra Chapter 601: Let’s Go Home. Part-1.
Previously on Reborn as an Extra...
Reclining on a chair in Kifrid, he gazed far away, lost deep in thought.
Noticing his distant behavior, Grandpa Kehrid, who occupied the adjacent reclining chair, let out a soft sigh and addressed him kindly,
'How much longer will you dwell on this, Kifrid? ... Weren't you the one who claimed to be a big boy capable of handling things on your own?'
'You must realize that not everything turns out as planned—'
Upon hearing his grandfather's advice, Kifrid sulked slightly and shook his head, then replied,
'Big Bro assured me he'd return to visit in just a few months, yet he still hasn't shown up!'
'I'm really mad at him!'
Faced with Kifrid's outburst, Kehrid could merely sigh and shake his head in resignation.
Six months had elapsed since Rio departed with the cube of possibilities, and no trace of his return had appeared since then.
Kifrid frequently visited his grandfather's home, inquiring whether Rio had come back, only to feel downcast each time upon receiving the negative response.
'I figured he'd come back within a day or two after an unsuccessful attempt... but with such a prolonged absence... perhaps... sigh...'
Everyone knew the spirit realm overflowed with deadly miasma, transforming it into a nightmarish abyss even for the mightiest awakeners!
No one in their right mind would venture into such a terrifying domain for even a moment, much less endure it for half a year!
When Rio approached Kehrid and took the cube of possibilities to rescue his companion, Kehrid was certain the mission would end in failure.
After all, the cube of possibilities wasn't an all-powerful relic; its powers had boundaries and constraints.
Besides, Kehrid remained unaware that Rio possessed total immunity to the corrupting miasma!
He assumed Rio intended to rely on anti-miasma relics and his sword intent to navigate the spirit realm.
Under those conditions, Rio would withdraw after mere days, depleted of mana and utterly drained mentally, forced to return home without success.
Finding someone vanished in that true 'hell-hole' was virtually impossible; Kehrid strongly believed Rio's mentioned friend was probably deceased by now.
Rio would return unsuccessful shortly and head home.
Yet, astonishingly, Rio stayed away for months!
As time dragged on day after day, Kehrid's initial astonishment faded into a dull acceptance.
By the six-month mark, Kehrid felt convinced that Rio had most likely perished.
'I can't help but wonder if that poor boy crossed paths with a formidable beast or worse...'
'Sigh... such a promising youth with a brilliant path ahead... that's exactly why I cautioned him against that realm... sigh...'
Kehrid regarded it as tragic that a prodigy who achieved S-rank at such a tender age had vanished from existence.
This loss impacted not just humanity but the global alliance as a whole.
Having endured a lengthy existence, Kehrid had witnessed countless gifted individuals meet premature ends; the pain of watching those radiant talents dim was immense.
This very reason prompted Kehrid's retirement, choosing to detach from worldly affairs.
It served as a safeguard for his sanity, a desperate yet essential decision.
However, such profound matters eluded the grasp of a young child like Kifrid.
He persisted in believing Rio was deliberately delaying his return and running late!
He clung to the hope of reuniting with his admired, dashing big bro Rio!
Just as Kehrid prepared to offer more comfort to Kifrid, a recognizable aura swiftly neared from the distance.
'What!?'
Detecting that aura, Kehrid jolted upright from his seat, his features twisting in astonishment as he fixed his gaze in one direction!
Witnessing his grandfather's odd reaction, Kifrid felt startled, but before he could question it, a known figure drew near from afar.
It was Rio himself!
Rio soared atop his sword and touched down before the hilltop house on the border town's edge.
'Big bro Rio! You're finally here! Hehehe! I was certain you'd return to see me!! Hehehe!!!'
Kifrid's gloom vanished instantly upon spotting Rio, and he even overlooked his earlier irritation over the delay!
'Yeah, I'm back... hmm? You've gotten taller since our last meeting...'
Rio ruffled the young boy's hair with a faint smile and gave Kehrid a nod of acknowledgment.
'It's been quite some time; sorry for the delay... I never anticipated it would take this long to locate my friend...'
Though Rio wore a gentle smile, Kehrid, as an elite SS-ranker, could discern the concealed elements so near to him.
Hovering behind Rio was a large coffin, suspended by his telekinesis.
Despite its invisibility to plain sight and elusiveness due to sword intent and camouflage, at this proximity, Kehrid instinctively perceived it.
'Sigh... Ultimately... my suspicions proved correct. His friend didn't survive... but at least he returned safe; that's a relief...'
As Rio avoided discussing the suspended coffin, Kehrid wisely refrained from mentioning it to spare any grief and instead clapped him on the shoulder before remarking,
'You gave me quite the scare, young one; I honestly thought you'd perished given the endless wait!'
'Glad to see you're in one piece! To be frank, you're the boldest soul I've encountered in all my years!'
'Enduring a miasma-infested zone for half a year... the mere idea sends shivers through me!'