Reborn As An Extra In My Own Novel

It took Kai about two hours to reach the location Morgan had given him.

With a loud sigh, he opened the front door of HN Group.

The company was large, with a glass exterior and interior, and whatever parts were left for paint were white.

Inside, the massive building resembled a luxurious hotel, with a large reception office a few meters to his right and many high-ranking members of society moving around and speaking to each other.

'Floor 35, right?'

Kai quickly made his way to the elevator, and, strangely enough, the guards and employees did little to nothing to stop him. They just stood there, staring at him, which sent a shiver down his spine.

Was he entering a nightmare? Perhaps it was a trap orchestrated by the original Frieren and Morgan?

Kai didn't know the answer. Honestly, he didn't want that to be the case, because it would only make things more complicated.

After reaching the 35th floor via elevator, Kai headed toward the farthest door. It was made of a strange type of material. It looked like a company head's office door yet somehow different.

Two guards were stationed on either side, and as soon as they saw him, they opened the two doors simultaneously, revealing a luxurious room that resembled a penthouse.

Three figures were inside: a butler, a female guard, and, last but not least, Frieren, who was fiddling with several documents.

Her moonlight-gray eyes looked up at him for a brief moment before she gestured to the butler and guard to leave.

After the two glared at Kai and exited the room, the princess leaned forward, placing her face in her palm. "It took you long enough."

Kai didn't respond, waiting for her to continue. "So who sent you this time..." She sighed. "Never mind that... Kaiser Vanguard, right? Let me give you some advice."

Her words were sharp and cold. "Leave here and go back to your world. You'll gain nothing by trying to save me."

Kai frowned. "What?"

Her gaze locked onto his. "You don't understand, do you? Is there something you're so desperate for—money, power—in the real world? Is it for revenge? Just pleasure? Or something else?"

"Princess, I..."

Before Kai could finish, her voice cut through his. "Isn't that why all of you came here? But let me tell you, nothing will come from this journey. The only thing that will happen is that you'll lose yourself in this world."

She leaned back. "But I suppose you can still remain in my world. I'll be generous enough to grant you anything you want. So could you not bother me again?"

Seeing Reni wave her hand dismissively, Kai's face turned cold. "Cut the crap, Frieren."

Her widened gaze lifted to his, shock written all over it. "This is a first."

Kai, who had been standing like a gentleman or some sort of butler meters away, moved closer to her chair. "Do you think I came here for money?"

She raised a brow. "If not, then why did you come?"

He smiled slightly. "I came to save you." Reni's eyes softened slightly. "See, I don't know what deal you're talking about or anything about a fortune, but that's not why I came in the first place."

Her gaze lingered on him for a brief moment before she burst into laughter. "You're really funny... Kaiser Vanguard, was it?" Her smile widened. "I want to keep you as a pet."

Kai stared her in the eye. "Why is your stupid ass always saying stupid things?"

"Huh?"

"First, you want to lock me up. Then you say I have to call you 'Reni,' and you have to call me 'Darling.' But that wasn't enough, you had to go and get involved in shady things. Are you really the genius princess?"

"You're a weird man, Kaiser Vanguard. You speak as though I knew you in the outside world."

She paused for a moment. "I won't lie. Getting Matthew Von Silver and Cordelia Blackwood to work with you, knowing full well they were my friends, was smart. But your one mistake was thinking I wouldn't know what happens in the outside world."

'What is she even talking about? Is this Reni perhaps still trapped in the original setting of the story?'

Kai swallowed hard. 'Let's test the waters first.'

His eyes narrowed. "What are you even talking about?"

Reni tilted her head slightly, then Kai continued. "How can you know Matt and not know who I am? Wasn't I the one who brought our group together?"

She chuckled softly. "Was that meant to be a joke? No one brought Matt and me together. We became friends after..."

Reni's expression darkened as she gripped her head. "Wait..."

'So that's how it is.'

Kai didn't need profound knowledge to understand what was happening to Reni.

A girl obsessed with a knight, and two souls that want her body for themselves—of course they would hoard important information. They couldn't afford the main soul taking over and destroying their plans.

Her life was pitiful, to say the least.

Reni rubbed her temples for a while, then took a deep breath. "Sorry about that... It seems my soul clones decided to leave you out of the report." She leaned closer, though her pale face had grown even paler. "That means you're my real knight, right?"

Kai lingered for a moment, as though the words had been stolen from his mouth.

Among the countless thoughts echoing in his mind, one specific one resurfaced.

Was he the real knight, or was it his predecessor, the real Kaiser Vanguard?

Was it even right to try to save her and deprive the other souls, the ones he had made actual memories with, and just let them fade away?

And why... why did he have to follow the path of fate?

Was she nothing but someone shackled to the gate of being a damsel in distress, just because the world and the Mad King said so?

Kai couldn't answer the questions spiraling in his mind. Eventually, he knew the time would come when he would have to answer them. Otherwise, he'd be trapped in this world like the remaining so-called knights.

Kai's expression darkened. "To be honest... I don't know."

Reni didn't respond. She just stared at him as he continued. "I don't even know what I want, to be honest. Maybe to find the end of my story. Other than that, I don't know anything else, and the worst topic to bring up would be 'love'."

He waited for her to say something, but she didn't. "I already have a lot on my plate, and I still have to find my family. Telling me I'm a knight and pushing someone's fate onto me, especially someone dear to me, is honestly too much."

Reni's eyes narrowed. "So are you running from your responsibilities?"

Kai shook his head. "I don't know, at least not right now. I don't even know exactly what I feel for you. I know it's love, but I'm not sure..." He paused, his gaze meeting Reni's. "So if it's not asking too much, I want you to teach me what love is and help me understand who Frieren Hohenzollern really is. I might be the knight, but you're not a weak princess, are you?"

He struggled to smile. "The princess has to make the prince fall for her, or at least make him understand what love is, right? Us men are rather simple creatures, after all."

Reni stared at him, then a soft, mischievous smile crept across her lips. "I'll give you one thing, Kaiser Vanguard. You are quite the charmer."

She stood from her chair and moved closer. "Good looks and a sweet tongue. Not many have both. And I can tell you're a bit considerate."

She stepped even closer, leaving little space between them, then gently pulled his tie. "Since I've been bored for some time, and this is a rather unique approach, I'll indulge you."

Her face brushed the side of his cheek.

Kai's face flushed deep red as her face came close, as if she were about to steal a kiss. Then she whispered, "I'll tell you this. I won't take responsibility if you fall for me and I can't fall for you."

"Isn't that a little cocky, Princess?" Kai stammered.

He could smell the faint trace of roses and lilac still lingering around her. The world, dimly lit from the fading sunlight, seemed to dim even more as she gently brushed his hair behind his ear.

"I'm a little clumsy, you know?" She smiled softly, wrapping her fingers around his gently.

Kai could feel the tenderness and warmth from both her fingers and her breath, which touched his neck and brushed the edge of his lips.

"Does it feel good?"

Without restraint, Kai answered, "Yes."

Kai felt like his lips were moving on their own.

And the strange heat building up inside him didn't make it any better—nor did his pounding heart.

"Do you like my scent?"

"Yes, I do."

She smiled, her moonlight-gray eyes narrowing. "I'm happy... I like it too."

At that moment, Kai's mind went blank. It felt like every trace of reason had been stolen from him.

He tried to form words, but nothing came out. He tried to gather strength, but the more he tried, the weaker he became.

"Maybe it won't be such a bad thing to let loose for a bit or show my real self to someone else."

Kai's breath hitched as she raised the hand he was holding slightly. "So from now on, you're mine until I let you go, right, Darling?"

'No... Dammit.'

Kai's face turned beet red. There was no doubt about it.

Even if it had only been subtle before.

Even if he had tried to hide it or push it away.

He had completely fallen for her all over again. 'Isn't using "Darling" just plain cheating?'

'Dammit all...' Kai tried to lower his gaze, but his eyes still met hers. 'How can I be so damn easy?'