Extra Nobody

I spent my remaining time this Friday looking around the facilities of Cube. While strolling and honing my observation skills, I played with a pencil as if it were a dagger. The pencil danced between my fingers with both accuracy and agility.

As night approached, I picked a random restaurant with relatively cheap food. After enjoying my meal outside and treating myself to something nice, I returned to the dorm, juggling a bunch of knives. I grew more intimate with the sharpness of the blades. The path I chose to return to the dorm was convoluted, with fewer people and a long walk. It would be a detriment if passersby mistook me for a psycho playing with knives. If I accidentally cut someone while juggling, I would feel terrible.

I knew there were facilities for training, but if I could sneak in training time whenever I got the chance, my odds would improve. I needed to become more accustomed to sharp objects because, in the future, it would be inevitable that I would be cutting some people up.

The thought made me wretch.

How low had I fallen?

Well, there was no real falling…

Who was I kidding?

When I finally reached my dorm, I immediately changed into a fresh set of training clothes. I had managed to convince Kim Suho to train with me once in exchange for answering a few questions. If he could help me avoid accidentally killing myself with magic power, I would consider it a win.

“I cannot help but notice… Perhaps, are you thinking something rude about me?” Kim Suho suddenly commented, fingering his earlobes with his pinky.

“Yeah,” I grinned. “I’m thinking about something perverted.”

“What do you remember of Akatrina?” he asked, his tone shifting to something more serious.

I wanted to joke a bit more, but I acknowledged that the question warranted a more thoughtful response. “Not sure. It resembles this world’s medieval era, except Akatrina has magic and really amazing swordsmanship… Hmmm… And… that’s pretty much it…”

I glanced at Suho. He tried to hide it, but something was clearly bothering him.

“Do you think they will come here?” he asked, his eyes drifting to some distant memory.

“Devils? There are a lot of Djinns already... Normally, my response would be that I don't know. Will they come? I don't know." But deep down, I felt they would come. "For some reason, I feel like they will. Call it a gut feeling.” My answer was vague, but my intention reached him.

"I see... It is best we always assume the worst-case scenario..." Suho nodded appreciatively, though there was a hopeful expectation glimmering in his eyes. If I were as ignorant as he was, I would feel the same. “Preferably, they don’t come at all…”

The mention of the Devil had forged a connection between Nayun, Suho, and me. This was our fortune. I had played a part in these connections forming, and while it hadn't been my clear intent, I believed I had become somewhat of an impetus.

If not for my shenanigans on the first day of class, Chae Nayun would not have noticed me. At that time, my intention was to create an impression on Kim Hajin and the main cast, but I had managed to profit from something more.

This connection I had with Suho was something I valued dearly.

And these connections would only continue to grow... to Yoo Yeonha, Shin Jonghak, Rachel, Kim Hajin, and maybe even Chae Nayun, who had previously been hostile toward me.

"How did you die?" Suho asked, his eyes distant, perhaps reimagining the events before his eventual death.

I continued my lie about my Akatrina origins. "I was lucky enough not to die at the hands of the Devil... I was stabbed to death by a manic bandit. My mind was pretty young and fragile back then, so I don't really remember much..." I faked genuine sadness, trying my best to steer the conversation away from revealing flaws in my deceit.

“Do you remember the grotesque big red monster? Back in Akatrina? Its name is Morax. That Devil… Those Devils... I don't want them to appear in this world,” Suho added, sounding a bit glum but trying to maintain a more positive outlook as he recalled that horrifying memory.

To be honest, I had not seen it… I had just read about it…

I knew Morax; he was the big bad of Akatrina. “I think I was already dead before I got the chance to see it.” Again, another lie. To solidify the deception, I needed to provide closure. “Maybe because I don’t remember much, I died young… How young, I don’t know… But I remember… I idolized you, Savior-nim… I told you, right… I was your fan…”

A distant quiet grew between us as I tried to correct my breathing. I felt that Kim Suho’s meditation method was working less and less effectively for me... and quite fast, which was annoying.

I was sitting in a lotus position, his hands on my back as he helped me guide my magic power.

And then, Suho noticed. “Was? Why is it in the past tense?”

Instead of saying I am his fan, I had said, "I was your fan."

I did not smile. It was only natural. “Because now, I am not your fan. I am now your supporter. We are comrades now, aren’t we?” Such a cheesy line, but I liked how it fit perfectly into the context. "If you’re uncomfortable with that, then feel free to think otherwise... No matter if you trust me or not, I will trust you. That is how much faith I have in you."

***

Kim Suho walked back to his dorm in mindless contemplation, his thoughts spiraling into darker corners. Every time he pondered the fate of his last world, he grew more fearful for the world he currently inhabited. Was this world next?

The end of Akatrina, the end of everything, was what had allowed his transmigration. It was a morbid way to think, but if not for that impossible zillionth chance, he would not have experienced this paradise.

Yes, there were Djinns and numerous villains, but this world was also filled with heroes—people who served as role models to him, far surpassing the Knights and Nobles of his old life. Kim Suho loved this world more than he had ever loved his old world, and that was a fact. He resolved to protect it with all his might. Becoming a Hero was just the first step toward his ambition of safeguarding this realm.

“Chae Jinyoon,” he muttered, the name rolling sourly off his tongue. His mind wandered to the darker echoes of his imagination, haunted by thoughts of Nayun's older brother—the man who currently possessed the Devil’s Seed.

A question he dared not entertain crept into his mind: how did his long-time friend and sparring partner, Nayun, know about the Devil’s Seed? The technology of this world was incredible, but why use the exact term "Devil’s Seed"? It was a suspicious part of Nayun that he couldn’t ignore.

Maybe he had to confront her.

No. He had to kill Chae Jinyoon.

That night, as he tossed and turned in bed, sleep eluded him. Thoughts of how to kill the Devil consumed him. Only he could do it. His attributes should be strong enough to handle such a formidable foe. The idea of Chae Jinyoon wandering free while possessing such dark power ignited a fire within him. He couldn’t let Nayun—or anyone—be caught in the crossfire.

With each passing moment, his resolve solidified. He would train harder, gather allies, and devise a plan. He had to act before it was too late. Protecting this world meant confronting the very darkness that threatened it. And if that darkness took the form of Chae Jinyoon, then so be it. He would become the savior his name implied.

***

I woke up with a start as the alarm clock blared.

“Oh shi— I’m gonna be late…”

Adrenaline kicked in, and I scrambled out of bed. There was no time to comb my hair. I jumped into the shower, toothbrush in one hand and showerhead in the other, trying to multitask like a pro. I threw on socks and underwear simultaneously, then fumbled with my inner shirt and pants, wrestling them on in a mad rush. I shoved my feet into my shoes, tying the laces while pulling on my staple Cube outer garment.

My hands were a blur as I fixed myself up. To think that I was dual-wielding my morning routine this way was kind of amazing. Maybe I could turn this chaos into a new training regimen.

“Looks nice on you, bro…” I praised myself in front of the mirror, exuding positive vibes.

“I FEEL LIKE CONQUERING THE WORLD!” I shouted with spirit as I bolted for the portal station. Today was a big day.

The travel club had announced a short trip for freshman orientation on Saturday, and I couldn't afford to miss it. I dashed through the campus, arriving just in the nick of time, breathless and panting. “H-Hajin… Lend me your shoulder, man…”

I leaned against Kim Hajin, using him as a crutch while I adjusted my breathing.

Yoo Yeonha strolled by, eyeing us with a smirk. “Oh, it’s the two crazies…”

Hajin's expression was priceless—utterly perplexed.

Meanwhile, I seized the opportunity to tease him. “Dude, I told you… the thing you did last time? Looks like you’re definitely flirting with her… Now she’s calling you crazy.” I threw Hajin under the bus, fully aware I was equally to blame for Yeonha’s snarky remark.

Yeah, friendship, right?

My bad, Kim Hajin-ssi.

Please become my entrainment at your own expense.

“Hello, I’m the club president, Oh Hanhyun. I cannot believe it after seeing so many applications, but… it’s true. Who knows such amazing cadets will join?”

Oh Hanhyun stood before us, his average height and gentle demeanor giving off a friendly impression. He looked around, scratching his neck, clearly surprised to see some famous faces in his club.

As the president of the Traveling Club, he radiated joy at knowing such young, spirited kids still possessed a spirit for adventure, even in these times.

“First, I’ll give a short introduction about the Traveling Club.”

He smiled bashfully and pulled a piece of paper from his pocket. His prepared speech lacked reckless passion but also wasn’t boring. It was just engaging enough to hold our attention. His timidity shone through in his little actions, like not maintaining eye contact and rubbing his fingers on the copy of his speech, betraying a hint of nervousness.

“Ahem.” He faked a cough to gather our attention. “Once or twice a month, we will take a trip out of Cube to simply relax. Training during trips will be strictly forbidden. It’s also why our club is nicknamed Healing Rain.”

Healing Rain? Yep, we were doomed. I thought the 'Trouble Magnet' club was a more fitting name.

“Ahem!” After clearing his throat once more, Oh Hanhyun tucked the paper away, which I assumed contained more words than what he intended to share. Judging from the shadow’s fine print, I could tell he was putting in great effort to ensure the Traveling Club’s first experience would be exciting.

I maintained my focus, continuing to observe the people around me. It wouldn’t hurt to stay on my toes. After all, the first confrontation in the novel would happen today.

“Today, we’ll take a short trip to Seoul for orientation.” Oh Hanhyun happily announced, his cheeky grin revealing his excitement.

***

“We usually have a theme for each trip, but today will be an exception since it’s orientation. We’ll split into pairs,” Oh Hanhyun announced, excitement threading through his voice.

As he spoke, Hajin already knew who would end up together. Kim Suho and Chae Nayun were practically destined to pair up; it was the original pairing he had plotted in the novel from the start. So, he took a step back, letting the president of the Traveling Club bask in the spotlight.

“Then we’ll start by drawing lots.” Oh Hanhyun's cheerful call made someone bounce forward. It was Chae Nayun and her enthusiasm was intense.

Drawing lots was supposed to be a matter of chance, but not for him. With his gift, [Observation and Reading], he could easily see the contents of each slip. He didn’t have to think twice about his choice. “Hyon Hyung… that’s a sensible choice. Extras should stick together…” he thought, silently deciding on who to pick.

But then, out of nowhere, he felt an inexplicable shift in the air. It seemed the world had other plans for him. [An incredible luck applies!]

“Oh~ Kim Hajin, is it?” Chae Nayun exclaimed, lifting her lottery result high. Hajin’s heart sank as he glanced at the slip of paper in her hand, which bore his name.

The world seemed to chuckle at his expense. He had intended to pair with Hyon Hyung, but here he was, getting linked with Chae Nayun instead.

“Oh no…” he muttered under his breath, half-expecting the eyes of everyone to be upon him. It felt like he was caught in an unseen web of fate, and he couldn’t help but wonder what twist awaited them on this trip. The story he had been carefully crafting suddenly shifted, leaving him with a sense of dread and curiosity.

Chae Nayun’s bright smile made it harder to be annoyed.

“Looks like it’s just you and me,” Nayun said with an infectious enthusiasm that he couldn’t ignore.

“Yeah,” he replied, forcing a smile. “Just us.”