[{"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-28":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},1549951,2013,"Chapter 28: Investment and Shocked smith","the-extra-who-shouldn-t-exist-chapter-28",28,"\u003Cp>\"I'm sorry, what did you just say?\" Jack blinked at me, face blank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You heard me. I want to invest in your future company,\" I said, casually flipping a silver coin in the air like I was some noble with too much money and too little sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jack blinked again. Once. Twice. Then he dropped the hammer in his hand with a loud clang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"ARE YOU A SECRET NOBLE?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There it is.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smirked. \"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then... is this a prank? Is there a hidden camera? Is this part of a bet you made with your rich friends to 'adopt a failed blacksmith project'?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was spiraling. Truly beautiful to watch. His hands were flailing now, gesturing to the forge like it was some cursed site.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You do know this place was called the 'Iron Joke' by critics, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm aware.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And I've failed three guild weapon certifications in a row.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's not your fault. That's the guild being blind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay now Iknowyou're insane. Who put you up to this? Is this some advanced scam? Am I being recruited into a cult?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I bit the inside of my cheek to stop the grin. His reaction was even better than I imagined. Chaos truly is an art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, I raised a hand to stop the ranting. \"Jack. Breathe.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stopped mid-sentence. \"...I forgot how to do that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I waited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He inhaled. Exhaled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Look, I'm serious,\" I said, now speaking in a calmer tone. \"I believe in you. I've seen your work. That sword you forged? It's top class. Best balance I've felt in a blade. You said it yourself—your weapons are the real deal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jack blinked again. But this time, slower. The disbelief was still there, but now it was battling with something more vulnerable. Hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But... why me?\" he asked softly. \"No one believes in me. Not the guild. Not the merchants. Not even my old master. So why would you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even my uncle thinks I should've become a baker. And I'm allergic to gluten!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I chuckled. \"Of course, it had to be you. Because you care. Because your forge isn't just about steel—it's about soul. And more importantly...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex looked at him dead in the eye. \"Because you said it. 'Your weapons are the real deal.' And guess what? You were right. They're the best I've ever handled.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A lump formed in Jack's throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex continued, smiling. \"And I believe in you. Not just the guy who makes swords, but the guy who's going to build the best damn forge this city's ever seen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave a half-laugh, half-snort, clearly still trying to process it all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Internally, I was laughing too—but for a very different reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Ethan Williams said the exact same words to Jack in the game... word for word. I'm literally quoting the protagonist like a fanboy.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still... he glanced at the swords displayed around the forge. The quality really was top-notch. Clean edges, balanced cores, the kind of craftsmanship that whispered masterpiece with every shimmer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even with all the meta-humor swimming in my head, one thing remained true: Jack's craftsmanship was the real deal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>**\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deal-making began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright,\" Jack said, suddenly business-like as he wiped his face on his soot-stained apron. \"Let's talk numbers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pulled out a thick parchment scroll with a half-formed contract template. Legal runes flickered on the surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Looks... official,\" I muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's from GuildContractors.gov. Totally legit,\" Jack added helpfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex squinted. \"So many words...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>' Where's my lawyer? Oh right, I'm broke and this is a game world. '\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They sat down at the table as Jack scribbled updates into the contract.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Legal terms. Percentages. Subsections. Clauses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Alex stated his conditions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright. Here's the deal. I invest one million credits now for 40% equity in Klassen Forgeworks. You also give me exclusive access to any new weapons or custom projects.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jack nodded slowly, taking notes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Also,\" I continued, \"In one year, I'll give you another five million credits.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He choked. \"F-Five million?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you keep delivering quality like that blade, it's worth it. But I want one more thing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He narrowed his eyes. \"What? A secret blood pact? My future firstborn?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, nothing that dramatic. I want priority service. If I request a weapon—even if it's during a festival, a fire, or your wedding—you drop everything and work on mine first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"so In exchange for forty percent equity, exclusive weapon access, and... top forging priority regardless of client rank or nobility status?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jack blinked. Then shrugged. \"Yeah, okay. I wasn't planning on getting married anyway.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex started laughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Anything else?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex tapped his chin. \"Hmm. Yeah, add this: any unique or prototype weapons must be discussed with me before being sold or shown to others. I want first dibs.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jack raised a brow, then nodded. \"Fair enough. Done.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inwardly jack was also thinking about the contract.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>' Even though it looks like alex is making excessive demands but it is nothing excessive he just wants first priority in my every work which also makes me happy.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>' Even though giving 40% stake was not something I exactly had in my mind but alex giving me a starting point and more importantly he believes in me so it's exactly not big of a deal after all he's also risking his money. '\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at alex face and he wondered why does it looks like he knows exactly what I'm thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then suddenly alex said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, and one last condition.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There's more?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I get to name your first prototype model line.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He groaned. \"You're going to name it something dumb, aren't you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I grinned. \"Behold: 'The Dragonheart God slayer Series.'\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...That actually sounds cool. Dammit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We shook hands, and just like that—the deal was sealed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a final rune-etched seal, the contract pulsed with a faint golden light and scattered towards both of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And a mana contract was formed if any of them broke the contract the mana inside them will go berserk and they will explode.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mana contract is absolute with no way out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that Alex Dragonheart has officially became a Investor in Klassen Forgeworks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex opened his EtherPad and transferred the funds with a few taps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Transaction Complete – 1,000,000 Credits Sent to Jack Klassen]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jack looked at the confirmation and nearly collapsed. \"It's real... it's actually real.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>**\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as we were wrapping up, a deep scoffing sound echoed across the forge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A burly blacksmith from across the street, arms crossed, sneered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Look at that. Rich kid throwing credits at a failed forge. Probably never even swung a real sword.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jack stiffened beside me, fists clenched. His expression twisted with shame and fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I, on the other hand, just slowly reached for the blade Jack had handed me earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Say that again,\" I said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blacksmith snorted. \"Did I stutter? You're wasting your—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>FWOOOSH.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With one smooth motion, I slashed horizontally toward the enchanted steel dummy nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no mana. No skill. No enhancement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just cold, flawless steel and craftsmanship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dummy split cleanly in half. A perfect, silent cut. The top half slid off and hit the ground with a metallic thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blacksmith's jaw? On the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What... what kind of alloy is that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The kind you'll never get your hands on,\" I said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jack's face lit up brighter than the forge flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We turned back inside, high on victory and smugness. The papers were signed. The forge was officially in business.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I—y'know what? Forget the C-rank sword you ordered. I'm giving you something better.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He ducked into the back and returned with a blade wrapped in dark leather. \"This here is an A-rank sword, enchanted with Auto-Sharpening, Mana Stabilization, and Shock Dampening.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Seriously?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jack grinned. \"Consider it a bonus for believing in me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex whistled and unsheathed it. The blade glowed faintly, its edge perfect. He swung it once—light, balanced, deadly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn, I'm in love.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jack laughed, a rare bright sound. \"Thanks, Alex. You have no idea what this means to me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex smiled and slung the sword over his shoulder. \"Oh, I have a pretty good idea.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You really meant it,\" Jack said quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I did. Now go make me something ridiculous. Maybe a dual-mode transforming spear-hammer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jack started laughing at the joke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...You're insane. I like it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>**\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later that night, I walked home, a grin plastered on my face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Investing in a company? Check.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Exclusive weapon access? Check.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Making a protagonist-tier blacksmith owe me his future? Checkmate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This world may not have lawyers, but damn if I wasn't playing it like a businessman from Earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I stepped through my apartment door, a notification pinged in my vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As my etherPad hummed with a notification.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Zenith Academy Entrance Exam – Final Notice: 2 Days Left. Be Prepared.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smiled wider.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Well then... it's almost showtime.'\u003C\u002Fp>",1470,"2026-06-06T07:14:56.876Z",1,"novelbin.me","e7d583fd6beac4fe3b2ab43e2a910637f6fb1523640e4b274ad319f5b6a8a364","the-extra-who-shouldn-t-exist-chapter-29","the-extra-who-shouldn-t-exist-chapter-27",418,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-extra-who-shouldn-t-exist-cover.jpg"]