Path of the Extra

Chapter 70: First Floor [4]

The massive corridors all looked the same, creating the unsettling feeling of being trapped in a maze, with identical statues, walls, and floors repeating endlessly.

Yet, despite the uncanny similarity, they knew they werenʼt running in circles.

The first floor of the Void Dungeon was, after all, a maze—the Imperion Maze.

As they ventured deeper, they occasionally encountered prowlers, but the numbers were far fewer than those they faced at the void dungeonʼs entrance.

In fact, no one but Lumine had to lift a finger—he effortlessly decimated the creatures, his calm demeanor eerily reminiscent of Azrielʼs.

The cadets felt a sense of comfort knowing the instructors and two of the academyʼs top students—the apex of the first year and the apex of the second—were right behind them.

Also Vergil.

But what they didnʼt realize was that this comfort was a false sense of security.

If they were attacked from behind, those who gave them reassurance would disengage from the battle immediately.

Perhaps they were lucky not to have encountered a serious threat yet, but all they could do for now was keep moving forward.

Azriel marched along with the rest of the group for the past two hours, positioned between Vergil on his left and Jasmine on his right.

Ahead of him were the instructors, seemingly unconcerned with supervising him and Vergil because of Jasmine.

Still, the situation was awkward.

Vergil appeared lost in thought, walking absentmindedly, while Jasmine occasionally shot narrowed glances his way.

ʼShe mustʼve figured out heʼs the one who messed with me on the first day.ʼ

Fortunately, it seemed she wouldnʼt take any action—at least not in front of him.

For Vergilʼs sake, Azriel knew he had to keep his overprotective sister at bay.

Not that Vergil noticed. The two hadnʼt even introduced themselves to each other yet.

ʼGreat, just what I needed—another problem on my plate.ʼ

Azriel sighed inwardly, finding the situation increasingly awkward.

His attention shifted ahead to the three instructors, all of whom wore furrowed brows, clearly concerned.

Without alerting the other cadets, Instructor Kevin discreetly released a few drones from his storage ring.

Even Azriel, who didnʼt fully understand the situation, could sense the reason for their cautious behavior.

The lack of prowlers or any other Void creatures was unsettling, even to him and the two at his sides.

ʼBut... is this because of Neo Genesis?ʼ

The only sounds echoing through the corridors were the cadetsʼ breaths and footsteps.

ʼThis... never happened in the book.ʼ

Azriel mused, feeling increasingly uneasy.

ʼHas the plot already changed to the point that their attack patterns are different? Or is there another reason for this?ʼ

While the cause of the unease might be connected to his survival, Azriel doubted it was related to Neo Genesis.

He was almost certain they wouldnʼt change their attack patterns.

But then, what was causing the absence of Void creatures?

”...Jasmine, am I overthinking the lack of warm greetings weʼre getting here?”

Azriel asked after a few moments of tense silence.

Jasmine took a few seconds to respond before speaking.

”Youʼre not... something is wrong. Stay alert.”

Azriel nodded at her warning.

Something was definitely amiss.

ʼTrouble before weʼve even conquered the first floor...ʼ

”...Azriel, I need to have a word with you.”

Vergil suddenly spoke, snapping Azriel out of his thoughts.

Jasmine, too, turned her narrowed eyes toward Vergil.

”What is it?”

Vergil glanced at Jasmine before replying.

”Iʼd like to speak without anyone listening.”

ʼTo say that right in front of her...ʼ

Azriel glanced at Jasmine, who was glaring at Vergil before shifting her gaze to Azriel.

”Five minutes. Thatʼs all you get. We should stick close since something here is terribly wrong.”

Jasmine gave a reluctant answer before moving ahead to speak with the instructors.

Once she was gone, Azriel turned to Vergil.

”Now that sheʼs gone, what is it you want to talk about?”

Azriel studied Vergil closely.

It would be a lie to say he hadnʼt noticed Vergilʼs odd behavior today.

He had expected Vergil to step up sooner and join the other cadets, but he hadnʼt.

His complexion was pale, his eyes had dark bags underneath, and he kept glancing around nervously.

Vergil spoke in a low tone, just enough for Azriel to hear.

”…Last night, I had another dream.”

”What?”

Azriel stared at him, stunned.

He didnʼt fully understand how the Apostle of Dreamsʼ powers worked, but he knew they always provided Vergil with valuable insights.

Initially, Azriel thought Vergilʼs dreams only related to other apostles nearby, but something had made him reconsider.

”What was the dream about?”

Vergil hesitated, his expression troubled.

ʼIs he scared…?ʼ

The last time Vergil had shown signs of fear was when he received his blessing.

Finally, seeming to resolve himself, Vergil spoke again.

”…In that dream, I was a baby again. Yet I had all my memories intact, like my meeting with you. At first, I didnʼt even think it was a dream. I thought I had… regressed.”

”Huh?”

Azriel looked at him, confused, but Vergil continued.

”So, I did what anyone would do after regressing: I made my life easier, and that of my family. I became stronger than before and entered the Hero Academy... but I still couldnʼt beat Lumine. He became the apex.”

Vergilʼs gaze was unreadable as he continued.

”Lumine was the apex, not you. You... you didnʼt exist in that dream.”

Azriel blinked, processing his words.

ʼI didnʼt exist?ʼ

What did that even mean?

Was he dead, or did Vergil mean it literally?

As if sensing his confusion, Vergil elaborated.

”You werenʼt dead, missing, or even alive. You simply didnʼt exist. The name Azriel Crimson wasnʼt part of that world... I donʼt know why. Maybe it was because of my regression? Whatever the reason, I ended up second in the Hero Academy, at least managing to surpass Princess Celestina...

but in the end, it all felt meaningless.”

Vergilʼs voice trembled slightly as he met Azrielʼs eyes.

”Just like today, when I entered the Void Dungeon in that dream... something happened.”

Azriel swallowed hard, feeling a cold sweat forming.

”...What happened?”

Vergil bit his lip, glancing ahead to ensure no one else was listening.

He took a few deep breaths to steady himself.

”It all felt so real—breathing, eating, sleeping, dreaming, touching—I swear, I never once thought it was just a dream... but thank the gods it was.”

”Vergil... what the hell happened in that dream?”

Vergil looked at him, his eyes trembling along with his shoulders.

”...I died.”