The Extra Who Shouldn't Exist novel Chapter 296

Chapter 296: Chapter 296 : The next ruler (1)

A hover car glided smoothly through the outskirts of the city, its engines humming softly against the backdrop of a recovering skyline. On the way to their destination, the streets told a story of devastation slowly giving way to hope—crumbled buildings half-rebuilt, scaffolds climbing like vines over shattered facades, and workers in hazard suits hauling away twisted metal.

But amid the progress, the scars remained: piles of rubble still yielding bodies, wrapped solemnly in white sheets as recovery teams worked tirelessly under the dim afternoon sun.

Alex sat in the passenger seat, staring out the window. The sight hit him like a punch—families huddled nearby, faces etched with grief, as another form was carefully extracted from the debris.

Immediately, the vision Roselia had shown him flashed in his mind: the holographic carnage of Avaloria, innocents crushed under falling towers, their screams silent but deafening.

Guilt settled heavy in his chest, unfamiliar and unwelcome.

’I never thought I’d care this much about people I don’t even know,’ he thought. ’Maybe I’m not as tough as I pretended to be. Roselia was right—one of the reasons for all this death... is me.’

He sighed deeply. "So this is the weight of a life she was talking about, huh... Gotta say, this feeling is awful."

The system’s voice echoed in his head immediately.

[ Don’t blame yourself too much, Host. It’s true thousands died because of that fight. But it’s also true millions were saved—only because of you. ]

’Maybe you’re right,’ Alex replied silently. ’But it doesn’t make me feel any better.’

Suddenly, the window beside him darkened as a privacy filter activated, blocking the grim view.

A voice cut through his thoughts. "That’s enough. Stop looking outside."

Alex turned toward the driver’s seat. It was Alicia, her hands steady on the controls, expression unreadable.

"And why’s that?" Alex asked quietly.

"Because I know what you’re thinking," Alicia said, her tone serious.

He managed a small smile. "And what am I thinking?"

"You just need to know it didn’t happen because of you."

Alex said nothing, just smiled at her a little longer.

Alex glanced ahead at the road. "Take a left up here."

Alicia frowned, confused. "Aren’t you going home first? To see Alyssa and Lily?"

"I will," Alex replied softly. "But there’s something that needs to be done first." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Alicia shot him a sharp glare through the rearview. "It’s not because you’re afraid to face them, right?"

Alex swallowed hard. "It’s not."

"Really?"

"Really."

Alicia let out a huff, easing off. "Fine. But make sure you meet them afterward."

"Yeah, yeah," Alex said, waving a hand. "And first—will you please stop nagging me?"

Alicia’s mouth twitched. "What did you say?"

"You heard me, woman."

"I don’t nag."

"Try telling that to yourself."

They went back and forth like that, voices rising in playful argument, until the back seat erupted.

Alden and Serena burst out laughing, clutching their sides.

Alden wiped a tear from his eye. "They remind me so much of you and Dad, Mom."

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