The Extra Who Shouldn’t Exist

Alex's eyes fluttered open, his vision hazy. The first thing he registered was the throbbing pain in his cheek, followed by a pounding headache. He winced, groaning softly.

But then—

[Hahahahaha—oh, gods, I can't—pffft—]

The system's voice echoed inside his head, convulsing with laughter like never before.

Alex blinked in confusion.

"What the hell…?" he muttered. "Why the hell are you laughing like you've just binged a rom-com?"

[Nothing… Pfft.]

His brows knitted together as fragments of memory tried to resurface.

"I was… dreaming. Everything was white. And someone was pulling on my tongue… it got harder and harder to breathe…" He rubbed his face, groaning.

"And then out of nowhere, a damn truck-kun slammed into me. Felt like I got isekai'd all over again…"

The system howled even harder.

[Hahaha—host, you are—pfff—the most sinful person I've ever seen! Pulling out your tongue—seriously?! Maybe—hahaha—maybe it was someone's first time trying to pull a tongue out of someone's mouth!]

Its voice cracked into uncontrollable laughter.

[Hahaha… oh gods… hahah… I can't believe it either…!]

A vein throbbed visibly on Alex's forehead.

'This damn system was already useless enough. Now it's gone insane after I left it alone for a few days?'

Grinding his teeth, Alex tried to ignore it. He glanced down at his body, frowning as he noticed several medical devices attached to him.

The wires, the mana-infused tubes, the faint beeping—it all made his chest tighten.

Memories of his previous life surfaced—cold hospital rooms, endless treatment, machines keeping him alive. He clenched his fists.

"I don't like this feeling one damn bit," he muttered.

One by one, he yanked the devices off, his motions sharp and irritated. The beeping stopped, and the silence gave him room to breathe again.

Finally sitting upright, Alex scanned the room. It was nothing like a sterile hospital. Instead, it radiated luxury—polished wood, intricate chandeliers, gold-trimmed curtains.

It was the kind of place nobles would rest.

"Where… the hell am I?" he whispered.

'How many days have I been out?'

The system, its laughter finally subdued, answered calmly.

[Exactly ten days. Just as I predicted you would be.]

Alex sighed, scratching the back of his head.

"Figures…"

"Alright, next question—where am I?"

[The Duchy of Crestvale. To be precise, you're inside Crestvale Manor.]

Alex's eyes widened slightly.

"Crestvale Manor? Wait—if I remember correctly… I was saved by Miss Vega… and… a white-haired woman…"

Realization dawned on him, and his breath hitched.

'That's right. That was Alden's mother… the Grand Duchess of Crestvale herself.'

Rubbing his temple, he exhaled slowly.

"Yeah… I remember now. I asked her… and Miss Selena… for a favor."

The system's tone shifted—playful, smug.

[Host… you're welcome.]

Alex raised a brow.

"For what?"

[For saving your ass, obviously. If you recall correctly, without my intervention, you'd be six feet under right now.]

Alex leaned back, feigning ignorance.

"Looks like I've got amnesia too. Guess I don't remember much."

He smirked.

"Maybe if you remind me again tomorrow, I'll recall something."

The system sputtered.

[You ungrateful bastard! The least you could do is worship me—fall to your knees, offer your praises, sing of my greatness!]

Alex roared in his mind, veins throbbing again.

"You narcissistic bastard! Where the hell did you even learn to spout such cringe lines?!"

For a moment, silence.

Then the system deadpanned:

[…You already know who taught me that, don't you?]

Alex froze. His eye twitched violently.

Taking a deep breath, he exhaled heavily, forcing his anger down.

"I'll let it go… because I have a big heart," he muttered through gritted teeth.

But then his expression hardened, serious now.

"Alright. Enough messing around. Tell me…"

His voice dropped low and serious.

"How is she?"

The system's voice suddenly lost its usual playful tone.

[Host, her condition is not good. From the information I've gathered, it's getting worse day by day. When the city was attacked, the medical devices that were suppressing the corruption in her body… they were removed so the staff could prioritize evacuation.]

Alex's chest tightened. His fists clenched around the bedsheet.

'So it must be spreading faster due to that… damn it.'

"Who saved her?" Alex asked, his tone sharp.

[Well… from what I know, due to many VIPs receiving treatment at the hospital, security forces were stationed heavily around it. The staff managed to move the patients to safety.

But when they were overwhelmed… on your friend Alden's request, Serena von Crestvale herself and Selena Vega personally took responsibility. They rescued Lily—along with many other civilians.]

At the mention of Alden's name, a faint smirk tugged at Alex's lips.

But he quickly pushed the thought aside. Time was too short to dwell.

"We don't have time. Where is she right now?"

[Sorry, host. That's the only thing I don't know. But… Serena von Crestvale knows.]

Alex exhaled, nodding once.

"Fine. Then we'll ask her directly."

Swinging his legs off the bed, Alex stood carefully. His body was heavy, but manageable.

The moment he glanced down, he frowned.

A flimsy hospital gown clung to him even though he was not at the hospital.

He muttered under his breath.

"Isn't there something else I can wear?"

His eyes darted to the bedside. Neatly folded there was a set of fresh clothes—trousers, a crisp white shirt, and a dark vest.

Almost as if someone had predicted he would wake up today.

'That's odd… how did they know?'

Just then, a sharp sting flared across his cheek and lips. He touched them, hissing softly.

"Why the hell do my lips feel swollen… and my cheek hurts like someone chewed on them?"

The system instantly burst out laughing.

[Pfffft—hahaha—HAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh, host, if only you knew!]

Alex's eye twitched.

"Stop laughing and say something useful for once!"

[Nope.] The system was wheezing with mirth. [I'll let you spend your life in suspense and mystery. Consider it my gift for not acknowledging my greatness.]

Alex's mouth twitched. He ran a hand down his face.

'Just as useless as always…'

Alex picked up the trousers first, slipping them on. His torso remained bare, lean muscles flexing as he reached for the shirt. Just as he lifted it—

Creak.

The door opened.

Three figures stepped inside: Serena, Alicia, and Reynard.

Alicia froze. The moment her eyes landed on Alex's bare chest, her breath hitched. Heat surged up her neck, her cheeks burning crimson.

She squeaked, quickly bringing her fingers up to cover her eyes—though the gaps between them betrayed her, peeking through despite herself.

Serena, on the other hand, was far too entertained. She brought a hand to her mouth, eyes twinkling mischievously.

"My, my… quite the physique you have, I must say."

A low cough echoed behind her. Serena turned slightly and found Reynard standing stiffly at the threshold, his face carved into a dark scowl.

She barely stifled a laugh.

'Is he… jealous? How cute.'

Serena stepped close to Reynard, brushing her shoulder against his arm and whispering.

"Relax, I only have eyes for you in this lifetime."

Reynard didn't reply immediately, but the corner of his lips curved into the faintest smirk.

Meanwhile, Serena leaned toward Alicia and murmured with a sly grin.

"Enjoying the view, aren't we?"

Alicia stiffened as though struck by lightning. Her voice pitched high, trembling.

"S-Shut up!"

Alex, stuck in the middle of this absurd spectacle, gave them all a flat look.

'Now I know exactly where that bastard Alden gets his ridiculous social skills and shamelessness from.

They could at least leave the damn room and let me change properly…'

With a resigned sigh, he quickly pulled the shirt over his head, buttoning it in haste.

When he glanced up, his gaze met Reynard's.

For some unfathomable reason, the Duke was glaring at him with the intensity of a man whose daughter had just been proposed to by a stranger.

Alex blinked.

'What the hell is with this old man's eyes? Did I accidentally seduce his daughter in my sleep?'

Alicia, trying to break the tension, stepped forward. Her voice came out in a stutter.

"H-How are you feeling?"

Alex softened, offering her a small smile.

"Better. Much better, actually."

He thought quietly to himself, 'It's been a while since I last saw her… the dance ball feels like a lifetime ago.'

Stretching, he rolled his shoulders, cracking his neck with a sharp motion.

Reynard's eyes narrowed, scrutinizing him.

As he thought grimly.

'Hmph. He's weirdly handsome for a commoner,'

Then in low voice he said.

"Did you seduce my daughter with those vile looks of yours? Unforgivable."

Alicia's face turned pale white.

"F-Father…!"

Serena, however, erupted into laughter.

Alex pinched the bridge of his nose.

'I don't have time for this nonsense.'

Stepping forward, he bowed with the poise of a high noble.

"Lady Serena, I thank you for your hospitality. You've been far more generous than I deserve."

Reynard's eye twitched violently.

'…Did this brat just ignore me?!'

Serena's smile widened.

"Oh, don't be a stranger. Think of this as your own home. After all, you're my son's friend and my daughter's…"

Her words trailed deliberately, eyes flicking toward Alicia, who was glaring at her with fire in her eyes.

Serena chuckled and finished lightly.

"…good friend, too."

Watching the mother-daughter exchange, Alex smirked faintly.

But his expression quickly sobered.

"Lady Serena," he said firmly, "can you please take me to my sister? I have to see her. It's very urgent."

Serena's playful air vanished. Her lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes turning grave as she studied Alex.

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A/N:

So how was the chapter? Tell me in the comments!

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@Hikigaya_Hachiman_8769, @BluuuuTea,

@chokz_Slam, @Bjarne_H, @Agent_Black,

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