Path of the Extra

Vergil was what one would typically call a villain in the original book—constantly creating trouble for the protagonist behind the scenes, making life even more difficult than it already was.

But despite being labeled a villain, he was also one of the main characters in the story.

Not much was known about his background, as it wasn't revealed in the first half of the book.

The only thing known about Vergil was that he was a...

Void Streamer.

In this age, the term referred to content creators who live-streamed their fights against Void creatures, generating income from their dangerous exploits.

Vergil was renowned as one of the youngest and most successful Void Streamers.

Almost no one dared to gamble with their life like Vergil did, fighting Void creatures at such a young age.

He was notorious for illegally streaming his battles in death zones, often taking on Beast-ranked Void creatures.

Perhaps that's why he became so popular.

After certain events, Lumine and Vergil had no choice but to work together, eventually becoming friends.

Vergil wasn't overshadowed by the protagonist; in fact, what Azriel liked most about the book was that each main character had their moments to shine.

But Vergil?

He was a fan favorite—unpredictable, smart, and... reckless.

'I thought he'd not attend on the first day, given his personality, but...'

Now it made sense why Lumine had gotten into a duel on that first day—it was all orchestrated by Vergil.

Vergil raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"Didn't think you'd know my name."

A smile cracked on Azriel's face.

"Didn't think you'd use my name to start a fight."

Vergil laughed wryly, scratching his cheek.

"I guess that's my fault. But can you blame me? I was curious about the Apex who's also the king of rumors."

Azriel raised his eyebrows.

"So, to satisfy your curiosity, you make Cadet Kai—one of the top students in the academy—your pawn, and use him to lie to a friend of mine to bait me out?"

Vergil shook his head.

"I didn't think you'd actually jump in and handle everything yourself. I thought a little duel between the second rank and the ninth rank of the first years on the first day would be fun. I didn't expect you to figure it out before the duel even started."

'...He's not lying.'

Azriel hadn't expected a deep reason behind all of this, but what didn't make sense was—

"Why did you use my name in the first place, knowing I'd figure it out eventually?"

Vergil was reckless, but not stupid.

So why would he do something knowing that Azriel would come for him?

"Why, huh..."

Vergil muttered, turning his head to glance at the confused students.

They couldn't hear the conversation since he and Azriel were speaking too quietly.

Azriel furrowed his brows slightly.

The stares of the students were beginning to get on his nerves.

He wasn't a fan of being the center of attention—it was as if his body rejected it.

But unfortunately, he knew he had to get used to it.

Vergil met Azriel's eyes.

"I guess it's like you said... for my own curiosity."

After those words, there was only silence.

Then, Azriel sighed.

"...I see."

Without another word, Azriel suddenly turned around.

Vergil looked puzzled as Azriel's back grew more distant.

"You're just leaving? You're not going to fight or get angry at me?"

His voice was loud enough for the other students to hear, most of whom were either annoyed or impatient, eager to see another fight with the Apex.

Seeing Azriel suddenly walking away from Vergil left them even more confused.

Azriel stopped in his tracks and turned around, meeting Vergil's eyes directly.

"You're telling me that after seeing through me, you're just going to walk away like that?"

Azriel blinked a few times.

"I already got what I wanted."

That was all Azriel said before turning away again, leaving a bewildered Vergil behind as the students began murmuring among themselves.

*****

"Cadet Vergil, ranked fourth among the first years... what a little devil he is."

Ranni remarked with a chuckle as she and Solomon observed everything unnoticed by the others.

"You're calling him a devil after what Azriel just did?"

Solomon replied with a grin.

Ranni didn't respond immediately.

"Or are you sulking because Azriel didn't use his sword art against Cadet Kai or Cadet Vergil?"

Solomon teased.

Ranni turned toward Solomon, her eyes narrowing.

"You seem to have taken a liking to the boy, Solomon. Did hell freeze over?"

Solomon raised his eyebrows in mock surprise.

"No, but I did see some flying pigs at the Sunken Islands."

A scowl appeared on Ranni's face.

"What? You went to the Voidrealm on your own again?"

Turning his face away, Solomon pretended not to hear her and whistled innocently.

Given the recent events in Europe and the increasing number of Void rifts appearing across Asia, most Saints had been requested by the Four Great Clans to stay on Earth in case of an emergency.

But it seemed Solomon had ignored that directive.

Ranni sighed.

"Well, anyway... Cadet Azriel managed to beat Cadet Kai easily."

Solomon scoffed.

"Of course he did. While that brute only has muscles, Azriel has intelligence and speed. Hell, his speed is on par with that purple-haired brat's—and he even surpassed him at the banquet."

"So it's true. He managed to defeat Cadet Caleus."

Solomon nodded proudly.

"It is. The rumors about him being in the Voidrealm, then ending up in Europe and resisting a Titan-ranked Void creature's mind attack for 15 minutes, only to later defeat Caleus—those are all true."

Ranni's eyes widened in shock.

"What... what did you just say?"

Solomon looked at her with an innocent expression, blinking as if he didn't understand her reaction.

"What do you mean?"

Ranni gritted her teeth, her voice sharper.

"That part about him being in Europe and encountering a Titan-ranked Void creature!"

"Oh, that!"

Solomon suddenly smiled, as if he'd just pulled off a prank.

There had been no rumors about Azriel being in Europe at all, and the fact that he had countered a Titan-ranked Void creature was even more baffling to Ranni.

Many operations in Europe had been halted, and soldiers were retreating because they had no idea what was happening there.

High-ranking Void creatures had been appearing in countries far from where they were originally reported, and no one knew how or why.

"Right, I wasn't supposed to tell anyone about that... well, what's done is done."

Solomon admitted, shrugging.

"When was he in Europe?"

Solomon thought for a few seconds before answering.

"Well, Ragnar and I found him three months ago. Gods, his hair was awful—made me think of a mini Joaquin. I went to fetch him because Ragnar was being a little girl, scared he might be a skinwalker."

Solomon continued, smirking at the memory.

"He even thought Azriel might be some defiled skinwalker since the Leviathan had suddenly disappeared—Ragnar suspected Azriel might be responsible. Anyway, some stupid fog attacked Azriel's mind when I went to get him. Luckily, he survived, but the fog ran away crying..."

Ranni looked skeptical.

"A fog? And that fog was a Titan-ranked Void creature? You mean the Crying Fog?"

Solomon nodded.

It was one of the few recorded Void creatures that hadn't inexplicably appeared in a different country.

"It was."

"And how can you be sure it's a Titan-ranked Void creature?"

Ranni asked, her gaze questioning.

Solomon met her eyes.

"Azriel told me."

Ranni furrowed her brows, doubtful.

"And you believe him?"

"I do,"

Solomon replied confidently.

Ranni sighed once again.

"If you say so..."

She looked back at the arena, where Vergil and Kai were still standing.

Azriel had already left.

"We have a lot of interesting students this year."