The Extra Who Shouldn’t Exist

While all of this chaos was unfolding elsewhere, the dwarven empire was facing its own disaster.

Alarms blared across the entire kingdom, echoing through metallic halls, ancient caverns, and bustling forges. Emergency red lights flashed over the walls as multiple rifts tore open above the mountains, vomiting out hordes of abyssal monsters.

At the same time, cultists of the Abyssal Order launched a coordinated assault on the kingdom, clearly aiming to prevent the dwarves from sending reinforcements to the human empire.

Explosions shook the stone ground as dwarven soldiers fired husstech rifles, railguns, and mana-pulse cannons at the invading monsters. Streets filled with thunderous clashes, gunfire, and the roars of beasts with too many limbs.

Inside a high-security underground complex, prisoners were locked behind shimmering energy barriers and obsidian-gate cells. One of those cells held Draven Strom Everforge—the dwarven prince.

He sat on the cold floor, chains binding his wrists, but his eyes remained sharp. Even deep underground, he could feel faint tremors traveling through the earth, like distant earthquakes.

He muttered quietly, "What the hell... is the world ending...?"

A deafening boom suddenly erupted in the hallway.

Dust and smoke flooded his cell as the metal gate was blown completely off its hinges. When it crashed to the floor, the ground shook beneath his boots.

Draven coughed through the dust. "What in the name of the godd—"

Then he froze.

A large humanoid robot stepped into view, its metallic body shining with dwarven sigil-etchings and mechanical runes. Its glowing cyan eyes locked onto Draven.

The robot spoke with a crisp, synthetic voice. "Mr. Draven. Glad to see that you're alive and unharmed."

Draven blinked. He wasn't sure whether to be relieved or terrified. "What the hell is going on? Who sent you?"

The robot stepped closer. "I do not have time to explain the full situation. But listen carefully. Your friend is in dire need of your help."

Draven frowned, completely thrown off. "My friend? Who are you talking about?"

"The one named Alex Dragonheart."

Draven's entire body went still.

A tear slipped from his eye before he could stop it. He whispered, voice cracking, "I knew it. That bastard… he wouldn't die that easily..."

Even though he cursed, more tears fell—raw frustration, fear, and something deeper mixing in his chest.

The robot's voice echoed again. "You may cry later. Right now, he needs you. Without your help, he may die today."

Draven's shock vanished, replaced by a hardened resolve. "Then tell me what the hell is happening outside."

The robot shook its metallic head. "There is no time. Listen carefully."

It extended an arm, projecting a small compartment. From it, a sleek, high-tech storage device floated out. The casing was obsidian with glowing blue veins across its surface.

"This contains a program," the robot said. "You will know what to do with it soon."

"And don't worry your father is currently occupied fighting the cult. He will not notice. In a few seconds, someone will arrive to escort you. Someone you know very well. Go with him. He will lead you to where you are needed."

Draven raised his voice, panic rising. "This is way too vague! At least explain what I'm supposed to do with this thing!"

The robot did not answer.

Instead—

BOOM.

Its entire body detonated in a flash of blue light, pieces scattering across the prison floor like shattered armor.

Draven covered his head from the blast. "Are you serious!? That's it?!"

Before he could fully process anything, a calm voice echoed behind him.

"Long time no see, Draven. How have you been?"

Draven spun around so fast he almost tripped.

Standing in the half-lit corridor was Aldric Verlane—the Headmaster. The Archmage whose very name commanded respect worldwide.

Draven's breath hitched. "H-Headmaster...? What are you doing here?"

Aldric stepped forward, coat fluttering behind him, eyes glowing faintly with ancient runes. "We don't have time to chat."

With a flick of Aldric's finger, a massive magic circle bloomed beneath their feet, illuminating the entire hall in blue-white light.

Draven shouted in panic, "At least tell me where we're going! I deserve that much!"

Aldric smirked slightly. "Somewhere very dangerous. But don't worry. I'm coming with you—for your safety. Consider it… a personal lesson."

Draven gulped so hard it hurt. "Th-that doesn't make me feel any better!"

The magic circle expanded, swallowing them whole.

In the next instant—

They appeared outside a massive island fortress floating over a stormy sea. A colossal castle stood at its center, protected by dozens of elite guards roaming around, securing every inch of the property.

Lightning cracked across the sky as the wind howled through the towering spires.

Draven stared, stunned. "What… is this place?"

Their arrival had only marked the beginning.

While Draven was still trying to make sense of the island fortress, Aldric suddenly spoke.

"Look closely, Draven. We are going to raid that castle and take back something very important… something we desperately need right now."

Draven stiffened. "W-wait. Raid? As in… charge in? Destroy things? Why do you need me? Can't you just do it alone? I mean… you have all the strength and all that."

Aldric slowly turned his head and gave him the flattest deadpan look in history.

While all of this chaos was unfolding elsewhere, the dwarven empire was facing its own disaster.

Alarms blared across the entire kingdom, echoing through metallic halls, ancient caverns, and bustling forges. Emergency red lights flashed over the walls as multiple rifts tore open above the mountains, vomiting out hordes of abyssal monsters.

At the same time, cultists of the Abyssal Order launched a coordinated assault on the kingdom, clearly aiming to prevent the dwarves from sending reinforcements to the human empire.

Draven. Aren't you a man? Grow a backbone."

Draven's eye twitched as a mental monologue exploded inside him.

'I swear this is the perfect moment to remind this old man about gender discrimination… and then beg him to take me back home.'

But he kept his mouth shut. Arguing with Aldric Verlane was equal to suicide.

Aldric continued speaking. "Besides, if I had the gift of technical knowledge that you have… I would have done it myself."