[{"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-27":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},1549950,2013,"Chapter 27: Money and Shocked Smith","the-extra-who-shouldn-t-exist-chapter-27",27,"\u003Cp>Alex stood before the mirror, admiring his reflection like a narcissist who just got a haircut. His silver hair shimmered, his blue eyes gleamed with mischief, and his newly advanced aura buzzed around him like static electricity. He cracked his knuckles and smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay. I've got the skill, the knowledge, the charm. Now all I need is... cash,\" Alex muttered, staring at the ceiling of his old house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said that as he thought about an interesting NPC.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, to the average person, that sounded like the most generic villainous line ever. But to Alex Dragonheart—future genius investor and the most handsome Extra in Etheron (self-proclaimed)—it was the next step of his perfectly unhinged master plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, tilted his head, and added, \"Wait, not for me—for someone else. Because I'm generous like that. Totally not plotting to become a billionaire by backing the future sword-forging overlord of the world. Nope.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's not bribery... it's strategic funding, he mused internally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, what's the point of being reborn into a game world if you can't make use of your insider knowledge to become disgustingly rich?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, next step of my genius plan: money! Glorious, sweet, precious money!\" he announced to no one in particular. \"Not for me, of course... I mean, technically, it is for me, just through someone else. It's called investing. I'm being mature about it. Definitely not just throwing cash at someone who'll become rich later. Nope.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But I will also need a substantial amount of money to invest... which I don't have right now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But one thing I do have is knowledge—which is worth more than anything in this world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rummaging through his memories, Alex recalled a low-rank hidden dungeon in the outskirts of the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He cracked his knuckles and grinned. \"Time to go dungeon crawling... solo-style.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hidden dungeon Alex picked was technically ranked E. That meant low-level monsters, minimal risk, and excellent loot for the effort—if one happened to be an Advanced-rank powerhouse. Which, thanks to his recent breakthrough, Alex now was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He cleared it in one day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Correction: he cruised through it in one day. The monsters barely lasted a second each, which made it feel less like a dungeon crawl and more like a one-day cardio session with bonus treasure chests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearing a dungeon alone is so beneficial. You don't have to share the loot with anyone at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the end of it, Alex stood tall with 308 gold coins, 109 silver coins, and 154 copper coins jingling in his pouch, a shiny rare-ranked artifact glowing in his hand, a common-ranked artifact anyone could find, and a very confused expression on a slime he'd spared for no reason other than its puppy-like eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Coin Exchange System:]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>1 platinum coin = 10,000 credits\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>1 gold coin = 1,000 credits\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>1 silver coin = 500 credits\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>1 copper coin = 100 credits\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stored the loot in his storage ring and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Live, little one. Go forth and tell tales of the mighty Alex Dragonheart!\" he declared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It gurgled in reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two days later...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After exchanging the coins and selling the rare-ranked artifact through auction...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One point four two million credits,\" Alex whispered, staring at his EtherPad and his bank account balance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately reclined in his chair, arms spread wide, imagining himself diving into a pool of golden coins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah yes, money... sweet, sweet money. So crisp. So clean. So—wait, is that a transaction fee?! Thieves!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snapping back to reality, he reminded himself: only three days remained before the Zenith Academy entrance exam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Which means... time to get a proper weapon. And definitely not rely on my current sword that's held together with hope and emotional trauma.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Exhibition District of Avaloria was bustling with energy. Neon signs blinked over glass buildings where big-name companies flaunted their newest weapons—all sleek designs and overpriced sparkle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the flashy crowds, Alex's eyes locked onto a humble booth at the corner of the plaza. It was nestled between a massive banner that said \"Klassen Forgeworks!\" and a pretzel stand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There it is, he thought. The holy grail of plot progression. The shop where my legendary sword will be born.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He casually wandered inside, hands in pockets, whistling. He stopped in front of a display case featuring a basic but beautifully forged longsword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Interested in something that won't break mid-swing?\" came a voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex turned to find a man around 25, messy black hair tied back, blacksmith apron smeared with soot. This was Jack Klassen—the man, the myth, the NPC.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nice shop you've got here,\" Alex said, glancing around. \"Bit quiet though.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jack snorted. \"Because everyone's chasing after bedazzled garbage. You add one LED light to a hilt and suddenly it's 'innovative weaponry.' Idiots.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex chuckled. \"Let me guess—you sell real stuff?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly! Weapons that don't snap if the user sneezes too hard. But no one has the eye to appreciate proper craftsmanship anymore.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well,\" Alex said, picking up a short dagger and inspecting the balance, \"maybe I've got that eye.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They locked gazes. Then smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You know,\" Jack said, \"I like you. You don't look like the type to fall for glitter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, I fall for glitter. Just the expensive kind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jack laughed. \"Touché.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex leaned in closer, pretending to study a blade. This is it, he thought. I've found him. The money magnet. The blacksmith destined to forge weapons that will sell for enough to buy small countries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who would've thought this plain-looking guy had dwarven bloodline in him? Ancient dwarven. Legendary-forge-tier bloodline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the game, Jack Klassen would one day found Klassen Forgeworks—the most influential weapon manufacturer on the continent. Billion-credit contracts, royalties, fanboys drooling over limited-edition blade sets—the works. But right now? He was just a scrappy smith trying to make rent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So,\" Alex said aloud, placing the dagger back. \"You got anything decent in C-rank? Sword and dagger.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jack nodded, stepping to the back and returning with two wrapped items.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Here. Balanced, durable, customized grips. Sword's edge is micro-reinforced with mana threading. Dagger's coated with venom-nullifying steel.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex gave a low whistle. \"All that for...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"30,000 credits,\" Jack replied. \"For both.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stealing from you feels immoral, but here you go.\" Alex transferred the credits and strapped both weapons onto his belt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, with the same casual tone one might use to ask for directions, he said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By the way... I want to invest in your company.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jack blinked. \"Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I said,\" Alex repeated with a grin, \"I want to invest. In your company. Forgeworks, whatever you'll call it. I'll throw in some startup capital.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jack stood frozen. Mouth slightly open. Eyes wide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jack continued staring, as if a magical unicorn had just walked in and ordered a\u003C\u002Fp>",1124,"2026-06-06T07:14:56.876Z",1,"novelbin.me","b862ad25178b48b990624cbd12d23a60d16da6f58cddf6d4bdf2ff2661766ce5","the-extra-who-shouldn-t-exist-chapter-28","the-extra-who-shouldn-t-exist-chapter-26",418,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-extra-who-shouldn-t-exist-cover.jpg"]