The Extra Who Shouldn’t Exist

Alex now stood in front of Alina, rubbing both his hands together like a shady merchant closing in on a deal.

"So… when you say anything, how much are we talking about here?"

Alina's lips curved into a wide smile. She tilted her chin up ever so slightly, eyes gleaming. "Looks like you have both talent and intellect. I like people like you… they're easy to work with."

At that, Alex smirked. "Our thoughts are the same then."

And he started laughing, the sound carrying a teasing undertone.

Alina didn't waste more time. "Lucifer, since you're a smart guy, I'll get straight to the point. Join my guild—the Black Phoenix. I'll give you any position you want."

Her eyes sharpened like a blade. "Even the seat of Vice Guild Master, second in command in my absence."

The words sent a shockwave through the air. Natly, standing just behind Alina, widened her eyes in disbelief.

"Madam, you… you can't be serious! Your son, Young Master David, is the current Vice Guild Master!"

Alina's head slowly turned toward Natly. "Shut your mouth when I am talking."

Natly instantly lowered her gaze, her voice small. "I'm sorry, Madam. I was out of line."

With a dismissive sigh, Alina muttered, "Forget that idiotic son. Ever since I appointed him, the guild's reputation has been going downhill."

A sharp laugh rang out. Alyssa leaned back on the sofa, smirking. "Like mother, like son. Neither can be trusted."

A vein throbbed on Alina's forehead. "What did you just say?"

"Is your hearing failing too?" Alyssa shot back with venom.

Just as Alina was about to spit a retort, Alex raised his hands like a referee breaking up a brawl.

"Alright, looks like we're going off-topic here. Weren't we discussing how much joining her guild will benefit me?"

Alina inhaled deeply and forced her expression calm. "Yes… yes, you're right." She turned to Alex, her tone lighter. "Can we talk inside? These matters aren't for open air."

"Okay, let's go inside," Alex replied casually.

But Alyssa's voice rang out, harsh and cold. "No. I won't let that woman set foot inside my house."

Alex sighed dramatically, looking at her with mock seriousness. "Relax already. What if you croak from a heart attack? You do realize you're not getting any younger, right?"

A sharp *smack!* resounded. Alyssa's hand sent Alex flying several feet, his skeleton mask snapping off and tumbling across the floor.

"Brat," Alyssa snarled, her gaze murderous. "Comment one more time about my age and I'll throw you into a dungeon you'll never crawl out of."

Clutching his cheek, Alex straightened, lips twitching. "Yes ma'am…"

Alina chuckled, unable to hold back. And then she saw his face. For a moment, she faltered, stunned into silence.

Messy black hair framed his sharp jawline, and his amethyst eyes shimmered like they could pierce through souls themselves. Even disheveled from sleep, his features carried an infuriating, almost divine allure.

A low whistle escaped Alina. "This guy could become a top model if he wanted to."

Natly, despite herself, glanced at him before quickly looking away. "You're right about that, Madam. He's annoyingly handsome. But… that personality of his is the real problem."

"What do you mean?" Alina asked, intrigued.

"You'll see," Natly muttered darkly.

Meanwhile, Alex stretched his arms like he had just woken up from a nap. "As much as I tried to hide it, now my divine beauty is on full display. Good thing I scared those reporters off, or they'd still be here drooling."

Alina's thoughts sharpened. 'So that's why he forced them to leave. Clever brat.'

Turning to Alyssa, Alex folded his hands in mock pleading. "Let's at least hear her out before you chase her away. Please, Master." His eyes shimmered like a puppy's, full of fake innocence.

Alyssa grit her teeth, clearly hating every second. "Fine. It's not like you'd listen to me anyway."

Finally, Alex, Alina, Alyssa, and Natly entered the house. He directed them toward the guest room, and soon they were all seated across from each other on luxurious sofas.

Alina leaned forward with confidence. "Lucifer, I will make you Vice Guild Master of the second strongest guild in the empire. And more importantly, I'll give you what you desire the most."

Alex's eyes narrowed. "Oh? And what could that be?"

Alina's smile widened. "You requested Awakening Nectar from King Edward, didn't you? I will provide it for you."

Inside, Alex's heart skipped a beat, but outwardly his expression remained unreadable. 'Never let your emotions show in a negotiation,' he reminded himself.

Alyssa, however, did not mask her shock. She leaned forward, glaring. "Liar. The king would never part with Awakening Nectar. Stop trying to deceive him."

Alina turned her gaze on her with a patronizing smile. "That may be true for the likes of you. But I am not you. I have my ways."

Alyssa's mouth twitched in fury, ready to retort, but Alex's voice cut in, calm and steady.

"So… you're saying you can give me the Awakening Nectar… while making me Vice Guild Master of your guild?"

Alina leaned back gracefully. "That's not all. For someone as special as you, I'll also provide high-ranking weapons, artifacts, and wealth beyond measure."

Alex leaned back, a sly smile tugging at his lips. "I know I'm special. Not just special—there's no one in this world like me." His tone carried the arrogance of a man who believed it.

But then he tilted his head slightly, voice dropping into a curious drawl. "Still… it makes me wonder. Why would you invest so much in me?"

Alina smirked knowingly, her gaze sliding briefly toward Alyssa before returning to Alex. "Are you kidding? You dragged an unknown guild like Shadow Legion into the top ten. You've cleared multiple unranked rifts. You're famous across the entire Human Empire—hardly anyone doesn't know your name."

Her eyes sharpened like a hawk honing in on prey. "And most importantly… you just cleared a Paraflux Dungeon. A place where even Grandmasters entered but never returned alive."

Alex's expression didn't change, but his thoughts churned.

'So that's what this old hag is after. Not me… not my talent… but the Paraflux Dungeon. In a world like Etheron, information about the unknown is the truest power. With it, even a nobody can rise to the very top.'

Forcing his face to remain unreadable, Alex chuckled. "All right, all right. You're right. I'm amazing."

"Damn right you are," Alina shot back smoothly. "So, what do you say about joining my guild?"

Alex pretended to think for a moment, tapping his chin dramatically. "The offer is very tempting…" He let the silence stretch before flashing a grin. "Fine. I'll join."

Alyssa's head snapped toward him, her face darkening with fury and disbelief. She didn't yell, but her tone was sharp as a blade. "Is this your final decision?"

Alex met her gaze calmly. "Yes. I don't want to keep struggling. I have bigger things to deal with."

Her teeth clenched audibly. "Fine. Suit yourself." With a flare of her robes, she stood and stormed out of the room.

Alina smirked victoriously, watching Alyssa's retreat. "Lucifer, you're a smart kid. You've made a wise choice, and I assure you, you'll never regret it."

Alex returned a weak smile. "I hope not."

Sensing the moment, Alina conjured a scroll shimmering with faint runes. "Then let's finalize this deal." She extended the parchment. "A mana contract."

'Oh, so she came prepared,' Alex mused as he accepted it. He skimmed the clauses, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly. "Everything seems fine."

Just as his pen brushed the surface, he paused. His hand froze mid-motion.

Alina arched a brow. "What happened? Why did you stop?"

Natly tilted her head, equally curious. "Is something wrong?"

Alex glanced up, his tone casual. "Wait a minute. Can I ask you something first?"

He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. "I just heard this woman—" he gestured lazily toward Natly—"say that your son David clington holds the position of Vice Guild Master."

Alina sighed, annoyance flickering across her features. "Yes, but you don't have to worry about him. He's already a student at Zenith Academy, second year."

Alex raised a brow. "Oh? Isn't he also a close friend of Prince Lucas Evans Avaloria? The second prince, and the one most likely to succeed the current emperor?"

Alina's lips curved proudly. "Well, looks like you know your stuff. You're right. As idiotic as my son is, he knows how to make connections."

Alex's smile turned thin. "That's a problem. I don't want to antagonize someone close to a prince who may very well become king."

Alina's voice softened into a velvet reassurance. "Don't worry. I'll handle it. Besides, he barely does guild work anyway."

Alex chuckled lightly. "Well, that's reassuring. But… I'd like to add one of my own terms. Just as a safety net."

Alina smirked. "Of course you can." But Alex didn't miss the sharp glint of caution in her eyes.

He bent down and wrote a clause into the parchment:

< In the unlikely event that Alina Clington's son, David Clington, refuses to relinquish the Vice Guild Master position, Lucifer Morningstar will be immediately relieved of the contract. He will not be held accountable, nor will he be required to return any resources, artifacts, or rewards provided by the Black Phoenix Guild.>

Alex pushed the parchment back across the table. "There Just a little insurance."

Alina read it carefully, her eyes narrowing. Finally, she scoffed. "What a childish term. My children would never dare go against my wishes."

"I hope so," Alex said smoothly. Without hesitation, he signed his name.

Alina's aura flared, oppressive and heavy, as she lowered her pen. Her eyes locked onto his, cold and warning. "Boy… I hope you don't play any games with me. If you do, there will be hell to pay."

Alex raised his palms in mock innocence. "Madam, what game could I possibly play against someone as powerful as you? We're even signing a contract, aren't we?"

Alina studied him for a long moment before nodding. She pressed her pen to the scroll, signing her name.

The parchment glowed brilliantly before dissolving into motes of light, sinking into both their bodies. The pact was sealed.

Alina stood, regal and composed. "Welcome to the Black Phoenix Guild."

Alex rose with her, shaking her hand. "I'm honored."

Her lips curled into a satisfied smile. "The Awakening Nectar will be delivered to you within ten days."

Alex's own smile sharpened. "And I'll provide you with information about the Paraflux Dungeon that same day."

A twitch flickered at the corner of Alina's mouth, but she nodded. "Very well."

With that, she turned, and Natly followed.

As the two women stepped outside, Natly leaned close and whispered, "Madam, are you truly going to hand over Young Master David's position to that Lucifer fellow?"

Alina's laughter was low and cruel. "You fool. No outsider will ever hold true command of my guild. That man reeks of suspicion—and he's Alyssa's disciple on top of it."

Her eyes glinted with icy ambition. "I'll use him. All I need is the information about the Paraflux Dungeon. Information is the key to staying on top of this world. And we'll have it before anyone else."

Natly smirked in return. "I knew it. You were playing him all along."

Alina's laughter echoed in the courtyard, sharp and triumphant.

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A/N:

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