Don't Want to Be Ordinary Even Though I'm an Extra Character

I carefully read the contract provided by the Marquis. The document was meticulously detailed, leaving no room for significant losses on my part. In fact, from everything written, it was clear I stood to gain a substantial profit from this agreement.

The Marquis would bear all the resources needed for the project, including raw materials, labor, and logistics. My role would solely involve providing the knowledge and innovations I'd brought from the modern world.

It was a golden opportunity, a business venture so promising it seemed almost impossible to decline.

Yet, despite the contract's allure, something made me hesitate.

I placed the document back on the table and looked at the Marquis with a serious expression. "Your Grace…"

"Hm?" He raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

I took a deep breath before speaking. "Would it be possible for me to delay agreeing to this deal?"

The Marquis's expression shifted slightly. Crossing his arms over his chest, he scrutinized me with sharp eyes. "Why?" he asked, his tone cool yet non-aggressive.

"That…" I hesitated, trying to find the right words. Strangely, my thoughts drifted to Rainer.

Rainer was the protagonist of this story. He was the hero destined to save this world from a massive crisis five years from now. But… my presence here had already derailed much of the narrative.

Rainer was supposed to remain a mere mercenary who happened to meet the Marquis at tonight's banquet. However, because of my interference, the butterfly effect may have already set the story on a different course.

I should've stayed in the village, running the herbal shop left by old man Oldan as the original Arkan did. But I had chosen a different path. And now, here I was, at the Marquis' manor, altering the story's trajectory with every decision I made.

"Are you doubting the terms of this deal?" the Marquis asked, breaking my reverie.

I met his gaze, struggling to explain without seeming suspicious. "Not at all, Your Grace. The terms are indeed generous, and I greatly appreciate this opportunity. It's just… there's something I need to ensure before fully committing myself to this project."

The Marquis narrowed his eyes, as though trying to see through me. "Something? Or… someone?"

His directness caught me off guard, hitting right at the heart of my concerns. This man was truly shrewd.

"Well…" I laughed awkwardly, trying to hide my unease. "Perhaps a bit of both."

He was silent for a moment before finally giving a faint smile, his eyes remaining as sharp as ever. "Very well. I'll grant you time, Mr. Arkan. But don't take too long. Good business requires swift and decisive action."

I nodded, relieved he didn't press the matter. "Thank you, Your Grace. I promise to provide my answer soon."

He nodded, lifting his teacup again. "I hope so. I'm eager for this project to begin."

As the meeting ended, I left the room feeling a mix of emotions.

On one hand, I knew this was an opportunity I couldn't afford to miss. But on the other, I couldn't ignore my worry about Rainer.

If he were to fail or die because of the changes I'd made to the story's path, what would happen to this world?

I had to tread carefully. Between business and the fate of this world, I needed to ensure everything remained on track.

"His Lordship invites you to attend tonight's banquet," the manor's butler announced politely as he handed me an ornate invitation bordered with golden designs.

I accepted the invitation, responding briefly, "Yes, I'll be there."

The butler gave a respectful nod before turning and leaving.

Closing the door behind me, I walked over to a small table in the corner of the room, placed the invitation down, and let out a long sigh before collapsing onto the bed.

The simple yet elegant ceiling became my view as I stared blankly upward, trying to organize the countless thoughts swirling in my mind.

Exhausted.

One word that summed up everything. My brain felt as if it were running non-stop, processing all the possibilities of what might happen next.

Tonight's banquet. The deal with the Marquis. And, of course, Rainer.

Closing my eyes briefly, I tried to quiet my restless thoughts.

"Ignorance is bliss."

That saying suddenly felt more accurate than ever. If I were just someone living in the present without foreknowledge of what was to come, everything would likely feel much simpler.

But I knew.

I knew who Rainer was. I knew how this story was supposed to unfold. And I knew what would happen if things diverged too far from the intended path.

"It's better to focus on the now than dwell on the future," I whispered to myself, attempting to calm the storm in my mind. But the truth was, I couldn't stop thinking about what might happen if Rainer failed to save this world five years from now.

Taking a deep breath, I tried to expel my anxiety. "I have to focus," I murmured. "Focus on what I can do now."

But even as I reassured myself, the shadows of the future loomed ever larger in my mind.

As the evening approached, I began preparing for the noble banquet. Honestly, I didn't have high expectations for events like this, but an invitation from a Marquis couldn't be ignored.

I dressed in simple yet elegant attire suitable for the era. The material was fine, with clean, precise tailoring, enough to project an air of sophistication without being overly ostentatious. I deliberately avoided the frilly, ribbon-adorned trends typical of this period, which often felt unnecessarily excessive.

No, not tonight.

Perhaps my lingering modern sensibilities were to blame. The fashion of this world, with all its quirks and elegance, always made me feel slightly out of place. It was like stepping into a classical painting, yet feeling an odd dissonance I couldn't shake.

Shaking my head, I pushed those thoughts aside. "Focus, Arkan," I muttered, straightening the collar of my jacket in front of a small mirror.

This wasn't about the clothes—it was about how I presented myself among the nobles.

The banquet.

A gathering that was more than just dinner or entertainment. It was a social arena for the elite, a space where information circulated swiftly amidst seemingly lighthearted conversations and carefree laughter.

Yet beneath the smiles and small talk lay hidden depths. Banquets like this were a jungle of social intricacies, where every movement, every word, and every expression carried a hidden meaning.

Here, anonymity was both shield and blade. The nobles greeted one another with civility, speaking of trivial matters like the weather or the harvest, yet ulterior motives were always hidden behind their polished facades.

And tonight, I would step into that space.

As a newcomer with a rising reputation, I knew every eye would be on me, every ear attuned to my words.