Path of the Extra

Azriel doubted what he'd just heard.

'World of Eternity?'

What?

Not a Forest of Eternity, but a World of Eternity?

What nonsense…

How could that be possible?

"I altered her [Unique Skill], of course… with Astrium," Pollux said calmly, as if reading Azriel's very thoughts.

Azriel's heart skipped a beat.

"The very moment the participants entered this scenario, they were already ensnared in my spell."

"How…?" Azriel whispered, mind racing with confusion.

It didn't make any sense.

"Simple, really," Pollux continued lightly.

"At this moment, both of us stand in the real world, outside my illusion. I'm shielding you from it, but honestly—"

Pollux suddenly laughed, cold and mocking.

"Your luck was astounding, spawning precisely in the only place my spell couldn't reach."

Azriel, processing each shocking word, hesitated before asking cautiously, "Where… exactly was that?"

Pollux was clearly amused beneath his mask.

"The Forest of Eternity, of course."

Azriel froze, realization hitting him like a wave.

"All of it… Losing my eye, the Dark Basilisk blood… everything…"

His mind began to ache unbearably, and slowly he sank to the ground.

"Yes," Pollux affirmed softly.

"Everything was a lie crafted by the withered little flower herself. She was simply that desperate… to die."

Azriel released a trembling breath, feeling sickening bile rise, burning his throat as he swallowed it back painfully.

Then… he never lost an eye to Pierre?

Azriel quickly glanced down at himself.

Of course… he still wore the clothes from the auction.

His face paled sharply.

'I feel sick.'

"I suppose what she did was indeed cruel," Pollux murmured with quiet amusement.

"I don't understand," Azriel whispered weakly, utterly drained and lost.

Had he fallen into a dream while escaping into the Forest of Eternity, only to find himself trapped within another illusion?

Or had it all simply been lies?

Azriel's eyes widened as realization dawned.

'What is the truth is a lie, and what is a lie is the truth…'

Pollux hummed softly, as if sensing Azriel's epiphany.

"Though she borrowed fragments of my power, everything you experienced before entering the Forest of Eternity was entirely fabricated. Those encounters, those people—they were illusions. Well, illusions based on real people, but illusions nonetheless.

Now, here's where it gets intriguing. Both her version of the spell and mine contain the Forest of Eternity as their core—like a black hole that exists simultaneously in reality and illusion. If anyone within the spell used their [Unique Skill] on the Forest, the effect would ripple through both illusions… and even into reality itself."

Pollux chuckled darkly.

"Why the long face, Son of Death? Perhaps you should spare some empathy for your fellow humans. After all, every soul who sets foot on this planet falls helplessly into my spell. They all share the same dream—the real story, my epigone, the actual wars and revolutions—a story you've yet to join."

His laughter turned icy, piercing Azriel's soul.

"They don't even realize their actions are meaningless. Victories, defeats—none of it matters in the end."

"That…" Azriel struggled desperately.

"How… how can this even be considered a scenario…?"

Certainly, this was far beyond what should be permissible at this point in time.

"As if they would notice," Pollux said dismissively.

"…What?"

Azriel stared at Pollux, stunned and numb.

"I merely cloaked the entire world in illusion magic," Pollux laughed again, a cruel gleam in his eyes.

"No one suspected a thing."

"…"

"Well, not until—"

['The Fourth Authority' looks extremely shocked.]

A sudden panel flashed urgently before their vision—this time the true 'Fourth Authority.'

['The Fourth Authority' doubts what it sees.]

['The Fourth Authority' feels extreme turmoil.]

['The Fourth Authority' appears panicked.]

['The Fourth Authority' considers ending this scenario.]

['The Fourth Authority' breaks into a cold sweat, seeing the viewer count.]

['The Fourth Authority' experiences rare dread.]

['The Fourth Authority' feels dreadfully pressured to cancel such a popular trial.]

Pollux clicked his tongue with chilling amusement.

"Why burden yourself unnecessarily, 'Fourth Authority'? There's a simpler solution."

['The Fourth Authority' looks confused at the Great Divine Star Spirit Emperor, stating that if Scenario: Royal Revolution ends, he will cease to exist, resolving all unfairness and dire complications.]

"Yet cancelling your beloved stream would cause quite an inconvenience, wouldn't it?" Pollux countered lightly, silencing the Authority momentarily.

"Your best option is simply… to do nothing."

['The Fourth Authority' appears deeply confused.]

Pollux chuckled darkly again.

"Nobody except the Son of Death knows that they're all trapped within a shared illusion. No fool in that dream would dare enter the Forest of Eternity. And even if they did, they'd be imprisoned in endless nightmares until breaking completely. Let everything continue smoothly, and when the scenario reaches its climax… wouldn't such a grand twist delight the 'Twelve Scenario Tyrants of the Divine Court' and the gods themselves?"

Pollux paused, voice silky and reassuring.

"I promise—once the truth emerges, simply end the scenario. No participant will suffer unfairly."

['The Fourth Authority' hesitates, asking cautiously about the Son of Death.]

Azriel glared silently, teeth gritted, hatred smoldering.

"He, of course, will remain unharmed by my hands."

['The Fourth Authority' remains confused about your goal.]

Pollux shook his head slowly.

"Trust me, 'Fourth Authority'… you'll love it."

['The Fourth Authority' hesitates once more.]

['The Fourth Authority' has reached a decision.]

['The Fourth Authority' has given approval, with conditions: If the Great Divine Star Spirit Emperor interferes before the 'Final Night,' the scenario will be immediately terminated.]

"Whatever eases your conscience," Pollux replied, dark amusement coloring every word.

"Hey…"

Azriel's emotionless voice suddenly cut through, capturing their attention. A shadow veiled his features as he stared downward.

"I disapprove."

"Oh?" Pollux laughed softly, mocking amusement filling his voice.

"And what power do you currently possess, Son of Death, to dare voice disapproval?"

Slowly, Azriel raised his face, his gaze fierce and dark enough to rip Pollux apart.

"The trials are meant to be fair, 'Fourth Authority.' Tell me—what was fair about my situation?"

['The Fourth Authority' looks at the Son of Death with complicated emotions.]

"Had it been anyone else, they would've long been shattered, reduced to empty shells—dead. Everything was beyond your control. What use are you if you don't even know what transpires within your own scenarios? Fate's whim allowed our paths to cross, but what if it hadn't? Do you think the other 'Twelve Scenario Tyrants of the Divine Court' would overlook such negligence? Imagine their reactions once they find out… The gods might find amusement in all of this, but the Tyrants—"

Azriel suddenly laughed, low and cold.

"Oh, how I dread being in your position right now."

['The Fourth Authority's' face darkens, asking the Son of Death what he desires.]

"Compensation, naturally," Azriel replied evenly.

"After all I've endured, especially considering I've made no impact or even participated thus far—don't you agree my suffering merits compensation?"

Pollux laughed sharply.

['The Fourth Authority' hesitates briefly but ultimately approves, agreeing to grant the Son of Death one appropriate boon related to achieving victory in the scenario.]

Azriel restrained a satisfied smile, smoothly continuing,

"I want an ability that reveals the location of all participants. Something that belongs exclusively to me, cannot be stolen or destroyed until the scenario concludes."

['The Fourth Authority' approves enthusiastically, pleased by the Son of Death's reasonable request and willingness to cooperate actively with others.]

Azriel offered a warm, diplomatic smile towards the floating panels.

"Cooperation is often easier than going alone, isn't it?"

['The Fourth Authority' nods in agreement, visibly pleased by the Son of Death's intelligence.]

A new panel appeared, flashing briefly across Azriel's vision alone:

[Status Update!]

['The Fourth Authority' has transferred you the skill: Map of the Judged.]

Azriel blinked slowly, murmuring quietly,

"Skill received."

He longed to press further, to claim more compensation—something greater—but not here. Not now.

Not yet.

['The Fourth Authority' wishes you good luck and issues a warning to the Great Divine Star Spirit Emperor.]

Pollux chuckled dismissively.

"If you're that bored, feel free to descend and chat with me yourself."

['The Fourth Authority' politely declines, preferring not to perish prematurely.]

Ignoring the Authority's retort, Pollux turned towards Azriel.

"Well, Son of Death. It seems our time has come to an end."

Azriel met his gaze coldly, uttering nothing in return.

Pollux stepped closer, standing directly before him, voice softening to an almost gentle tone.

"Even though you remain a coward, incapable of learning from your mistakes—perhaps nothing more than a child desperately seeking validation—try embracing who you truly are."

He turned away, footsteps echoing softly toward the fractured palace gates.

"Trust me—it's like tasting freedom."

Azriel opened his mouth to respond, but dizziness stole his voice, darkness bleeding into the corners of his vision. His heart erupted into chaos—fear, anxiety, anger, hatred, sadness—all blending into a storm of emotions.

'I am not a slave of fate.'

'I am not someone who contradicts himself.'

'I am not someone inconsistent.'

'I am not a...'

His mind hesitated, the thought wavering on the edge of consciousness.

'...oh, right.'

'...maybe...'

Consciousness began to slip away as familiar memories erupted violently, flashing through his mind, searing his soul like white-hot flames. His body collapsed toward the cold, unforgiving ground, the final realization resonating clearly through his fading awareness.

'I am… a coward.'

[End of Part Two: Spotlight for the Coward.]

*****

One more part left.