Just Extra

Minerva listened to Minasa's careful analysis, letting the woman's words echo in her mind. She thought it through in silence. Minasa was right—it was indeed possible. The sudden appearance of the spatial cave, so close to her own location, was far too much of a coincidence. Unless… perhaps they were simply overthinking things.

But in the world of great powers, coincidences were dangerous illusions. Assassins were a constant shadow. Minerva was not the only target—every heir from families on par with the Medure family had enemies. Some had been struck down in the prime of their youth, their lives ended before they could even step into their family's true legacy.

Even the Medure family was not innocent in this cycle of blood. They, too, had sent assassins to eliminate the heirs of rival families. It was an unspoken tradition among powerful houses: if you wished to destroy another family, you did not begin with its elders—you began with its future. Cut away the future, and the present would collapse soon after. The "future" meant the heirs and the most gifted children, the living seeds of a family's continued power.

Minerva's lips curved faintly. She was not afraid—not of assassins, and not of borrowed bodies. As long as Minasa stood beside her, there was no one in this galaxy who could truly touch her.

"But miss," Minasa said calmly, "there is no need for fear. The borrowed body can only act for five minutes. Once the time is over, its power will retreat to its home galaxy."

Minerva knew she didn't need to hear the rest. The borrowed body would surely die after its purpose was done.

She gave a slow nod, then turned her eyes toward Minasa. "Aunt Minasa, I think I will go to this spatial cave. If it is a trap, we can capture the assassins—and perhaps uncover the traitor, or traitors, within the Medure family in this lower galaxy. If it is not a trap, then Navika and I have recently broken through. We can use this chance to test our strength."

Minasa inclined her head in acknowledgment. She had no real choice in the matter—her role was to follow her young lady's orders. Unless true danger appeared, she would neither interfere nor object.

Yet, even now, she was still pursuing another hunt: tracking the Phantom Cult. Though she could move against them openly if she wished, Minasa had learned long ago that they were receiving help from a hidden force. Whoever it was, that person might be her equal—or worse, someone even stronger. Because of that, she could not strike recklessly. Even with the Medure family's treasured compass, the trail was slow and winding.

---

The decision was made—they would go to the dungeon.

Navika went to her room first. The sunlight caught on her white dress as she changed, the fabric flowing like quiet water. She took her sword, Black Death, and slid it into her space ring with practiced ease. The air in her room was faintly scented with fresh herbs from the open window as she stepped outside, closing the door behind her.

Her steps carried her down the hall to Minerva's chamber. Inside, Minerva sat gracefully on the edge of her bed, her long hair spilling like ink over her shoulders.

Navika knocked softly on the door.

"Miss, I am coming," she called.

"Hmm," Minerva answered, her tone calm and even.

Navika stepped inside and, without a word, went straight to the wardrobe. Her hands found a deep-purple evening battle gown, its layered silk reinforced with hidden threads of defensive material. She brought it to Minerva and helped her dress. Even with danger ahead, both women knew—presentation was a form of power and beauty. Armor might protect the body, but appearance shaped the battlefield between woman before the first blow was struck.

Once dressed, Minerva retrieved her weapon, Scorching Tyrant, and placed it into her space ring. A new set of crimson armor followed, its polished plates glinting faintly under the lamplight.

The three women left the villa together. No other servants or guards remained there; it was empty except for them. They could have summoned Alex or taken horses to the Medure headquarters, but they chose instead to walk.

The city was alive with noise. Word of the dungeon's appearance had spread like wildfire. In the streets, some faces were tight with worry, while others gleamed with barely contained excitement. Merchants called out their wares more loudly than usual, and messengers raced past with sealed scrolls.

As they walked, heads turned to follow them. The recent breakthrough in their cultivation had not only sharpened their power—it had also deepened their natural beauty. Still, none could see Navika's face; her white mask concealed every feature. Minerva's own beauty was hidden behind a pale, shimmering veil.

---

The Medure headquarters loomed ahead, its tall black gates standing wide open. The emblem of the Medure family, carved into dark stone, caught the sunlight and gleamed like a silent challenge. Inside, the courtyard was a controlled storm of movement—guards drilling in formation, runners carrying urgent messages, and elite cultivators checking their weapons before departure.

Alex stood waiting at the main entrance. His black coat was lined with silver patterns marking his authority, his long hair tied neatly back. His posture was one of disciplined patience, but his sharp eyes missed nothing. At his side was Amira, his loyal secretary, clad in a dark-blue robe and holding a crystal tablet for recording orders.

When they saw Minerva and her companions, Alex and Amira stepped forward, halting a few paces away before bowing deeply.

"Miss, we are ready to send our people to the dungeon," Alex reported.

Minerva's veil stirred in the breeze as she gave him a single nod. "Alex, I will go on my own. If you see me there, do not approach me. Act as though you do not know me. Understand?"

Her tone was sharp, carrying the weight of command.

Alex hesitated for only a heartbeat. A trace of doubt flickered in his eyes, but he quickly pushed it aside. "I will follow Miss's command."

"There is no need to send more of our talented people," Minerva continued. "Tell them to be cautious. This may be a trap."

"Understood," Alex said at once.

"Good. You may go now."

This was not compassion—Minerva simply would not allow the Medure family to lose its brightest heirs without cause.

Alex's expression hardened. He gave a final, deep bow, and Amira mirrored the gesture. Then they turned away, disappearing into the busy inner corridors of the headquarters.

---

Minerva, Navika, and Minasa made their way to the quieter rear courtyard. There, resting on a raised stone platform, was a sleek silver airboat. Its polished hull glimmered under the sunlight, etched with faintly glowing runes. The air around it hummed with restrained energy, the power core inside purring like a sleeping beast.

The three boarded swiftly. Minasa stepped to the control pedestal, her fingers brushing across the rune board. The vessel shuddered, then rose smoothly into the air.

The wind rushed past them as the city fell away below. From above, Medure City was a sprawling web of streets and rooftops, its towers and plazas busy with movement. In the distance, the city walls curved like a steel serpent, guarding the heart of the territory.

Everywhere, there was the same hum of anticipation—citizens whispering about the dungeon, guards doubling their patrols, merchants preparing for the influx of adventurers.

Without delay, Minasa angled the airboat toward the far horizon, the silver craft slicing cleanly through the clouds as they began their journey to the dungeon's location.

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