Reborn as an Extra with the SSS-Divine Debt System and my Past Skills

The first thing Lucian and his group noticed as they stepped past the gates of Lumious was the orderliness.

The entire settlement was organized like a military base, not a starving village. Barracks lined the interior walls, training fields stretched across the open grounds, and armed patrols marched in rhythm, their boots crunching against the frozen ground in unison.

It was far from what they expected.

Berry whistled under his breath.

"For a place that claims to have no food, they sure look busy training for a war. Makes you wonder what they're really planning."

His words carried farther than he thought. A group of soldiers running drills nearby stopped mid-step and turned their heads toward him, eyes narrowing like wolves scenting prey.

Their gazes were sharp enough to cut.

Berry froze.

"...Oops."

Luna nudged him sharply in the ribs.

"You've got the subtlety of a drunk ox."

Before the glares could escalate into something worse, an interruption came.

A man in neat uniform approached briskly, carrying a clipboard under one arm. His posture was stiff, his voice brisk, the tone of someone who spent his life buried in rules and schedules.

"Guests from outside? You must be the group carrying the supplies. General Ryan is expecting you. Please follow me. But—"

He glanced briefly at the wagons before settling his eyes on Lucian. His gaze swept across the others.

"Only your leader is permitted inside. The rest of you will have to wait here."

The air immediately grew tense.

"What?! That's ridiculous. You expect us to just let him walk in alone? For all we know, this is a trap!"

Mira was the first to snap.

Berry folded his arms.

"Yeah, doesn't sound right to me either."

Even Luna scowled, her usual smugness replaced by genuine irritation.

Lucian, however, remained perfectly calm. He raised a hand, silencing them before the argument could gain momentum.

"It's fine. Take me to your general."

"Lucian! Don't just agree! You know exactly how bad this could be."

Mira stepped closer, her voice dropping to a sharp whisper.

Lucian met her eyes, his calmness almost unnerving.

"You're right. It could be a trap. But even if it is, they won't be able to do anything to me."

Mira opened her mouth but faltered, unable to form a counterargument. His confidence wasn't arrogance—it was conviction, the kind that made it hard to doubt him.

Lucian turned back to the group.

"Listen carefully. While I'm gone, don't engage with the locals more than necessary. Keep your heads down. And if trouble comes knocking…"

His eyes sharpened.

"…make sure it doesn't reach the public eye. Deal with it quietly."

Berry smirked knowingly. Luna's lips curled into something dangerous. Mira sighed but nodded.

Only Verus looked utterly lost.

"Wait—what exactly do you mean by that?"

But Lucian didn't answer. He simply gestured for the secretary to lead the way and walked off with steady, unhurried steps.

The others watched until Lucian disappeared into one of the larger structures at the far end of the camp.

Verus shifted awkwardly.

"So… now what?"

Mira crossed her arms.

"We look around. Observe the place. See what they're hiding."

Verus's eyes widened.

"Just like that? What if someone harasses us?"

The three of them turned toward him in perfect unison, their expressions a mixture of disbelief and amusement.

"…What?"

Verus asked, unnerved.

Luna leaned in with a grin that was anything but reassuring.

"If anyone gives us trouble, we'll drag them into a discreet corner, take care of them, and bury them in the snow so they're never found again. Simple."

Verus paled.

"You… you're joking. Right?"

The silence that followed felt far too long. None of them looked like they were joking.

Mira tilted her head, voice flat.

"Do you see us laughing?"

Berry chuckled, though it wasn't exactly comforting.

"Don't worry, kid. Things will be fine as long as you don't attract unnecessary attention. And if you do end up doing something suspicious…"

He tapped Verus on the shoulder lightly, but his smile didn't reach his eyes.

"Make sure you clean up the mess before it becomes Lucian's problem. He's already got more than enough to handle."

Verus swallowed hard, suddenly unsure whether traveling with them was a blessing or a curse.

Still, as he looked around the settlement—at the rigid drills, the soldiers' sharp eyes, the sense of tension hanging in the air—he realized they weren't wrong.

This wasn't a place where weakness would be forgiven.

Meanwhile, Lucian followed the secretary through the maze-like settlement. Soldiers lined the paths, saluting sharply as the two passed.

The longer he walked, the clearer it became that Lumious wasn't merely a struggling village. It was an army base in disguise, built with discipline, secrecy, and war in mind.

And Lucian, as always, was already calculating how to use this knowledge.

The secretary walked briskly, leading Lucian down a long corridor lined with sturdy wooden beams.

At the end stood a reinforced door marked with the emblem of Lumious. He pushed it open and gestured Lucian inside.

"I must apologize, Sir Lucian. For the rough treatment you and your people received upon arrival. Security has been… tense. We've had issues lately—rats sneaking into our settlement, attempting to steal our supplies. We cannot afford to take chances."

The man said, bowing slightly.

Lucian's expression remained calm, unreadable. He lowered himself into the offered chair, his tone steady.

"It's understandable. Desperation makes even the weakest bold. That is exactly why I agreed to bring your supplies. Times like these don't leave anyone untouched."

The secretary exhaled, visibly relieved, as though a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He gave a respectful nod, then moved toward the door.

"Thank you for your understanding. Please, take a seat. The General will be here in just a minute or two to greet you properly."

Lucian leaned back in the chair, his fingers idly tapping against the armrest.

His gaze wandered across the room, already assessing everything—the furniture, the placement of documents, even the faint traces of mana in the air.