Reborn as an Extra

Chapter 581: One more Final Gamble, Both or None! Part-6.

A look of anger and irritation appeared on Ellie’s face as she saw an unfamiliar person standing near Liam’s soul.

Originally, she had noticed that the torch pole located near the grand seal was very suitable for stabilizing and supporting souls; that’s why she had placed Liam’s soul there.

She had no other artifact or ability to store a soul in such a way that it could be kept stable and secured for a long period of time.

It took Rio nearly a year to finally arrive; if Ellie had not stored Liam’s soul on that torch, his soul would have long shattered and disappeared into nothingness, making it impossible to save him anymore.

Moreover, as no one had ever been able to enter this cage before, she wasn’t worried about Liam’s soul’s safety or it being stolen by anyone.

Even the demon prince Alverto, who had a legendary skill, was never able to make it inside this impenetrable fortress-like cage; only Rio was the sole anomaly.

Thus, Ellie had never thought, even in her dreams, that someone would make it through the cage and reach so close to Liam’s soul!

Ellie was angry and frustrated at herself for being so careless, but Rio was not too surprised after seeing that stranger.

"Raika... the self-proclaimed humble bard... you are here again... I am not even surprised that you actually made it inside this place too..."

"Your random appearing and disappearing ability is really something bizarre..."

That stranger standing near Liam’s soul was none other than Raika the travelling bard!

A smile appeared on Raika’s face as he stroked his lyre before saying,

"Thanks for praising me... I can actually teach you this ability of mine as long as you agree to be my friend, hehe~"

Although Raika was giggling and smiling, Ellie and Rio were not in the mood to smile back at him.

"What do you want? Why are you targeting Liam?"

Rio didn’t bother with any pleasantries or anything and got straight to the point.

But Raika didn’t seem to be in the mood to give a straightforward answer at all.

"Hehe... didn’t I already tell you so many times, become my friend Rio... I want you to be a hero! I want you to save a great number of lives..."

"Take my hand Rio... we can do a lot of great things together... in return of your friend’s life... I only ask you to be my friend..."

"Isn’t it quite a good deal? Hehe..."

Ellie frowned at those words but she barely calmed her anger as it was Liam’s life on the line at the moment as she looked at Rio and asked,

"Who is this person, Rio? Did you bring him here?"

Rio shook his head at those words.

"No... I also don’t know who this weirdo is... but I for sure know that I didn’t bring him here... he’s got a weird ability that lets he appear and disappear randomly..."

"Perhaps he’s got some powerful legendary skill or something like that..."

Hearing Rio’s words, Ellie was stunned; she glared at Raika and looked at Liam’s soul with worry on her face but couldn’t find any words to say.

Seeing her go quiet, Rio looked into Raika’s eyes as he said,

"After failing to get my approval... now you have decided to find a way to force me to make me chose between my friend’s life or my own future..."

"You are quite crafty I must say..."

At those words, Raika smiled a bit and raised his lyre a bit higher as Liam’s soul instantly disappeared from its place.

"Yes, the choice is yours Rio Flash... either it’s your friend’s life... or you become my friend and let me help you become a hero..."

"I just want to help you, Rio, hehe~"

Seeing Liam’s soul disappear almost made Ellie lose control and go berserk, but Rio stopped her.

[Don’t fall for his trap; I can still sense Liam’s soul fluctuation from that Lyre of his... he likely stored Liam’s soul inside that artifact...]

[He’s trying to make you do some wrong move and fall in his trap; stay calm and pay attention to all his moves...]

[This guy is very bizarre, and even I can’t get a full grasp of his intentions. let me deal with him first and you should try to create opportunities at your own discretion while I keep him distracted...]

Rio used telepathy to communicate with Ellie through his mind and at the same time, he stepped forward, looked straight at Raika and said,

"I do not care about being a friend of yours... return Liam’s soul right now; this is my final warning..."

Rio would have definitely liked to become friends with anyone, but for some reason, he just couldn’t bring himself to accept Raika’s offer.

His sword intent, his soul, and his very existence were feeling repulsive toward Raika; there was no way Rio was going to be his friend and put his own life on the line.

"And what if I refuse to return him?"

Raika’s smile and words finally snapped the strings keeping Rio restrained.

"If you do not return him, I will force you to return him..."

As he said those words out loud, Rio turned his flute back into its sword form, and his clothes reverted back from that of a traveller to that of a ’Hunter,’ which he used to hunt down criminals.

Although the change of clothes and the transformation of the flute did not bring any real power-ups or anything, they were a method to show that Rio was now in full combat mode.

"I will obviously not play a game that is already well prepared against me... I will not choose between one or another... I will take both..."

Rio’s face returned to its usual emotionless state as he declared his intentions.

Rio was not going to play according to Raika’s rule; either he will take none of the options, or he will take both!

It was a gamble! A Final gamble, Either both or none!