[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-extra-who-shouldn-t-exist":3,"chapter-the-extra-who-shouldn-t-exist-the-extra-who-shouldn-t-exist-chapter-24":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Extra Who Shouldn't Exist",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1549947,2013,"Chapter 24: Rivalry","the-extra-who-shouldn-t-exist-chapter-24",24,"\u003Cp>After the whole \"conquer virtual monsters and accidentally offend a noble\" episode, Alex decided to reward himself with the ultimate victory prize—takeout dinner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing at the local street vendor's cart, he pointed to a greasy box of fried mana-dumplings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One large box. Extra spicy. And don't skimp on the sauce this time, old man!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vendor raised a bushy eyebrow. \"Kid, last time you said that, your mouth was on fire for two days.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly. Builds character.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bag of sizzling food in hand, Alex made his way home, humming a tune that was suspiciously close to the battle theme from the game this world was based on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His humble house looked just as broken-down and charming as ever. He kicked the door open like a seasoned warrior returning from war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm back! And I brought grease!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once inside, Alex carefully placed the food on the table, but instead of digging in, he took a deep breath and sat cross-legged on the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He closed his eyes and started circulating his internal energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could feel the mana within his core pulsing, faint but steady. He focused on it, guiding the flow with practiced intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His breath slowed. His heartbeat matched the subtle rhythm of mana as it moved through his veins like an ancient river.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minutes turned into hours. His body warmed from the inside. His senses sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This... this is working better than I expected,\" he murmured, eyes still closed. \"Combining game knowledge with real cultivation feels weirdly satisfying.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With one last breath, he exhaled and opened his eyes. Beads of sweat trailed down his brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Phew. Internal energy? Checked. Mana control? Improved. Bodily soreness? Maximum.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dragged himself to the bathroom, peeled off his training clothes, and sank into a lukewarm bath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So... this is what a protagonist does in his free time, huh? I miss the part where I get to nap in a floating spa like those rich bastards.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clean and refreshed, he pulled on a shirt two sizes too big, flopped down onto the couch, opened the takeout box, and bit into a mana-dumpling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh yeah... taste of victory.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he chewed thoughtfully, his mind drifted back to the earlier encounter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That guy... Alden von crestvale.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He furrowed his brows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I didn't think I'd meet him before Zenith Academy. \"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared at the ceiling, voice softer now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But I guess fate had other plans.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex remembered Alden from the game—a noble prodigy with a silver tongue, a competitive streak, and a sword sharper than most people's wits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had always been a challenge for players in duels, but never outright antagonistic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A bit arrogant, but... good guy. Lawful stubborn type. Could be a powerful ally—if I play my cards right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stabbed another dumpling with his chopsticks, triumphantly raising it toward the ceiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Here's to accidental rivals!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next morning came with sunlight and sarcasm. Alex groaned as he dragged himself out of bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why does my back feel like I fought a dragon in my sleep?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After another quick bath and a breakfast of slightly burnt mana-toast (he forgot the toaster settings again), he flicked open his EtherPad and tapped Lily's contact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her face popped up on the screen. Bright smile, sleepy eyes, and a blanket over her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alex? It's not even noon yet, are you possessed?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Morning to you too, gremlin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lily stuck her tongue out. \"So? How's your secret training arc going?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex smirked. \"I may or may not have broken a simulation record and mildly insulted a noble yesterday.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You what?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I said good morning! Gotta go, bye!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hung up before her squealing could blow out the speaker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throwing on his jacket, he grabbed his sword and headed out once again for Mirage Core Arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sun was out, the streets buzzing with flying scooters and crystal-mailmen yelling about lost deliveries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a short hoverbus ride, Alex arrived at the training center. He passed through the main entrance, nodding to the receptionist, who gave him a once-over like she wasn't sure whether to file him under \"Regular Customer\" or \"Simulation Menace.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what caught his attention was the massive crystal screen hanging above the main lobby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It displayed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>> \"Level 5 Simulation Record Broken!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>New Record Holder: Alden von Crestvale – 9 minutes, 35 seconds\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex's jaw dropped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No freaking way...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He blinked. Then squinted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rubbed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The name was still there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh-ho. So Mr. Fancy Pants came back for round two, huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He laughed under his breath, a little too impressed for someone who just got outscored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn. That guy didn't just take it personally—he took it as a personal quest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared up at the screen, hands on his hips like an old martial arts master watching a promising student.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This might actually be fun.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with that, a grin spread across Alex's face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, Alden. You want to play? Let's dance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",818,"2026-06-06T07:14:56.876Z",1,"novelbin.me","45979bc8be1443d642e129fcf1bced17710dc8f190a14b9c7161f2249b951577","the-extra-who-shouldn-t-exist-chapter-25","the-extra-who-shouldn-t-exist-chapter-23",418,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-extra-who-shouldn-t-exist-cover.jpg"]