Coin’s Edge: Reincarnated as a Extra

"Urgh… My back!"

The jailer, Lesley, gently stretched his back, arching it backwards until a satisfying crack rang out in the room.

He let out a long breath, then turned his eyes back to Hector—who was hanging from the wall, trembling uncontrollably. Blood streamed down from his torso to his legs.

The air reeked of blood.

Anyone who saw Hector in that state would've vomited on the spot. His skin had been completely flayed off—but disturbingly, it kept regenerating at an unnatural speed.

"Alright then, I'll take a break. That's enough for today."

Lesley casually placed his knife—still stuck with a strip of torn skin—onto the torture table, which was already cluttered with tools.

He stepped toward the prison door with a pleased look, glancing back at Hector and flashing a smile.

"See you tomorrow. More fun awaits. Don't get mad—I'm just following orders."

Despite his light tone, a twisted smile crept behind his words.

Day Two.

"Hello again, my friend. I've come up with something very special for you today."

Lesley picked up a hammer and a handful of nails, slowly approaching Hector.

"You see, I'm gonna nail you. But don't worry, just about… three hundred and forty-five times. Sounds like a nice number, right?"

Of course, Hector didn't respond. His eyes were barely open, blood dripping from his chin.

He was blind and in agony—but he could still think. Still resist.

He knew that screaming would only excite the jailer even more. So he endured. He bit his tongue and trembled in silence.

Because even humans have their limits. And he was no exception.

Every day brought a new kind of torture.

Day Ten.

"Haizz… Buddy, you're getting boring. I guess it's time for the final method."

Lesley scanned the torture table, scratching his chin.

"Ah. That one."

He grinned as he picked up a small basket filled with red worms. Along with it, a short, rusty saw.

"I'll saw a piece of your skull and drop the worms inside. Sounds fun, doesn't it?"

He stepped closer to Hector, a sick smile twisting his face.

"Don't worry, my boy~ it won't hurt a bit."

Suddenly, a small voice echoed out of nowhere, making Lesley freeze.

But there were only two people in the room.

He slowly stepped closer and leaned his ear toward Hector.

After a moment, Hector weakly curled his lips upward and whispered:

"If I'm alive… you die."

…

Lesley's expression shifted. His smile faded.

He spoke coldly.

"Then I'll wait."

***

Hector slowly opened his eyes after hours of unconsciousness. He stared at the ceiling and the decorations around him. Even though all things were nothing but pitch black, yet he made out their shapes or colors based on pressure point, he could tell he was in a common room. A quiet breath of relief escaped him.

"Looks like he took care of everything after that…"

Hector started to sit up, but stopped when he felt something, or someone, leaning against the side of his bed, asleep. His face tensed slightly.

"Tyrone?" he thought.

But he quickly shook off the idea as his fingers brushed against their hair.

It was soft—soft like a girl's. And aside from Violet, no one else should've been able to get here.

" Why are you here?"

Hector forced a tired smile, gently caressing the top of her head as if she was his little sister without waking her. Then he lay back again, simply waiting for her to wake up.

Minute by minute passed.

Memories flooded his mind—memories he hadn't asked for. He wondered if all of this was fate playing games with him… or just a coincidence. Violet—the girl lying beside him—was the same patient he had failed to save in the past.

No, he didn't know for sure. But one thing he did know—he would protect her this time, no matter what, even if it cost him his life. That burning guilt deep in his chest… it was still there. But now, somehow, he could breathe again.

It seemed two-faced, like he said living for someone else. But to him, it was real. The strong feeling of desire protecting her was running over him at that point.

And the first thing he needed to do—was cut those unspoken ties between them. As far as he was concerned, they needed to keep a safe distance. Not too close, not too far. Just enough.

Taking a breath, Hector finally called her name—he knew she'd already woken up a few minutes ago. She was just pretending to stay asleep to feel his hand on her hair.

"Violet."

His voice wasn't loud, but it was enough to wake her up.

…

She slowly opened her eyes, pretending to rub away sleep. Her gaze met him with a sort of lazy softness. She looked like she wanted to say something, but couldn't quite find the words.

Hector sighed deeply and leaned his back against the wall.

"From now on, we need to keep our distance, far enough that people don't get the wrong idea. That's what's best for both of us. This… whatever's among us… it only hurts us more. Kevin's already protecting me now. You don't have to stick by me like a kid anymore."

"You understand?"

Violet opened her mouth to speak, but a loud creak cut her off. Blood suddenly trickled from Hector's finger—he had twisted it with his other hand without changing the color face.

She gasped forward in panic, trying to grab his hand. But then he twisted two more fingers, and his voice turned cold.

"I said, do you understand? Don't say anything. Just leave."

Violet's throat went tight when she understood his implication through the actions. However she tried to form a sentence, but stopped as Hector, without hesitation, began breaking his left hand instead of just his fingers.

She took a shaky step back, tears already filling her eyes as she stepped away, she kept wiping at them, again and again. When she reached the door, she finally tried to say something—but the words wouldn't come out clearly through her trembling voice.

"I'm…Sorry."

It was like she'd let go of a stone sitting on her chest. She opened the door and ran out.

That was the first word she wished that she had said to him for the first time since he'd saved her. But the chance had never come—until now. And finally, she understood.

Her presence weighed heavily on everyone around her. She should have thanked him and given him something meaningful, instead of making a relationship based on a pointless dream.

At least… that's what she thought she was supposed to do.