[{"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-397":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},1550020,2013,"Chapter 397 - 398 : A Dying God","the-extra-who-shouldn-t-exist-chapter-397",397,"\u003Cp>The moment Alex and Lina stepped out of the portal—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world felt wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sanctuary ruled by Hephaetaestus was collapsing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was dying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky above was dim and fractured, as if cracks had spread through reality itself. Mountains in the distance crumbled slowly into glowing ash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rivers of molten lava which were used to forge weapons had thinned into weak, sluggish streams, their glow fading with every passing second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The very air felt exhausted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Structures flickered—half-real, half-erased—dissolving piece by piece like memories being forgotten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Alex could open his mouth—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lina spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This sanctuary exists because of Lord Hephaetaestus,\" she said quietly. \"Every inch of it was created by him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex turned toward her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As his divinity fades,\" Lina continued, \"so does everything tied to him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She clenched her fists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There are only a handful of believers left. His authority is collapsing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her breathing became uneven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I... I don’t think he has much time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tears welled up in her eyes again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They kept walking through the dying realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, alright,\" he said lightly. \"Stop crying, will you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He waved a hand dismissively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Save it for when he finally croaks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lina stopped dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She glared at him with pure venom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Sorry,\" he said quickly. \"Please don’t kill me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lina exhaled sharply and resumed walking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a short distance—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stopped in front of a small, broken house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cracked walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sagging roof.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Barely standing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex stared at it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sorry if I’m being rude,\" he said, rubbing the back of his neck, \"but if I remember correctly, last time I came here, Hephaetaestus lived in a massive forge-castle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gestured around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A gigantic one. Where he worked and lived.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What happened to that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lina turned slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sometimes,\" she said flatly, \"I really don’t get why Lord Hephaetaestus thinks so highly of you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She crossed her arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When you’re clearly a dumbass.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex gasped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How rude.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could continue—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lina snapped loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you already forget what I told you a few minutes ago?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh... that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lina’s eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You really weren’t paying attention, huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex looked away and whistled casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lina smacked the back of his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Listen carefully now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex straightened instantly, like a scolded child, and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, ma’am.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lina took a breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everything you’re seeing in this realm,\" she said, \"is tied to Lord Hephaestus.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gestured around them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This sanctuary and him are one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice softened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As he loses his divinity with every passing moment... this place disappears with him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Slowly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Piece by piece.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex’s eyes widened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So that’s why the massive forge-castle is gone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lina nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned toward the house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now stop wasting time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And get in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They entered the house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, it was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three small rooms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two bathrooms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A narrow kitchen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing fancy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing divine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex glanced around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Reminds me of middle-class houses on Earth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then his expression sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where is he?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lina didn’t answer immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She led him down a narrow hallway and pushed open a door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room beyond wasn’t a bedroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a forge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mid-sized one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An anvil stood at the center. Old tools lay scattered across the floor. A forge pit sat dormant—cold and lifeless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At a table near the wall—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hephaetaestus sat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if he had been waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His rugged face, once proud and unyielding, looked worn. Small, barely noticeable scars marked his skin. His posture was slumped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Defeated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a man who had lost everything and was simply waiting to die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His bronze skin had lost its powerful glow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dark bags hung beneath his eyes, proof he hadn’t rested in ages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In one hand, he clutched a bottle that reeked of strong alcohol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex’s eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’The divinity...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was gone—or barely there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The overwhelming pressure that once could crush even monsters like Zarkov without effort—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nowhere to be felt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without turning around—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hephaestus spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re finally here, kid.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex stiffened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I really wanted to meet you before I’m completely erased from existence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hephaestus lifted the bottle slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And give you something.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something dangerous lingered in his tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Something that’ll at least prove a god once existed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint, broken smile touched his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A god... who created a monster of a weapon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For a human who’s more like a devil.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A slow smile spread across Alex’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you going to die, old man?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lina’s eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned sharply, about to yell—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Hephaestus raised a hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The god finally turned his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time since Alex entered the room, a small smile appeared on his worn face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You don’t have a shred of sympathy for this dying old god, do you?\" Hephaetaestus asked calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex tilted his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you want me to sympathize with you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hephaestus burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hoarse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Genuine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He laughed so hard his shoulders shook, the sound echoing through the dying forge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he finally looked at Alex again, his eyes burned faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems my hunch was right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ve lived long enough to believe nothing surprises me. You proved me wrong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hephaestus smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You think you can hide it well,\" he said. \"Because Lina didn’t notice anything.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But you’re thousands of years too young to deceive my eyes, Lucifer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex feigned ignorance, smiling lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t know what you’re talking about.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lina frowned and stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord?\" she asked, confused. \"What are you saying?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How did he deceive me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hephaestus chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When you look at him,\" he said calmly, \"how do you measure his strength?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lina scoffed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I thought he was special,\" she said bluntly. \"After all, you asked something special of him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She crossed her arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But I don’t see much difference.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sure, he’s gotten a bit stronger,\" she continued, \"but no... he wouldn’t last even a second against those fallen angels—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly, she turned toward Alex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn’t feel anything from him... as if he didn’t possess a speck of energy in his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which was impossible—because even the weakest creatures had energy, no matter what kind or how little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the thought struck her—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How did I miss that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You fooled me,\" she said quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell me. How much stronger did you get?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And why should I tell you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Lina could respond—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hephaestus spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mid pseudo-divine rank.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room went silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex’s eyes narrowed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked toward Hephaestus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lina froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her mind refused to process the words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mid pseudo-divine rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her breath caught.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stared at Alex as if seeing him for the first time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Looks like even while dying, you still have good eyes, old man.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hephaestus nodded slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ve seen my fair share of geniuses,\" he said. \"But you’re the first who, in just three months...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze softened with disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...rose from grandmaster level to the brink of divine rank.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m flattered and all, to be honest, but that’s enough chit-chat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He waved a hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where’s the weapon you promised me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hephaestus chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was waiting for you to ask.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lifted a trembling hand and pointed toward a dark corner of the forge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There it is.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1237,"2026-06-06T07:14:57.193Z",1,"novelbin.me","aaea5382f827179268bb57acf73a95fca13588a3021d0d8cd7f0ca8199221438","the-extra-who-shouldn-t-exist-chapter-398","the-extra-who-shouldn-t-exist-chapter-396",418,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-extra-who-shouldn-t-exist-cover.jpg"]