The Extra Who Shouldn't Exist novel Chapter 43

Chapter 43: Chapter 43 : A favour

Alex’s eyes widened.

"Wait, what the he—"

A sharp whoosh of air passed Alex’s cheek.

"Ow—!" he flinched as an arrow barely grazed him, tearing a thread of his collar. "You maniac! You could’ve killed me!"

Behind him, a bat-like monster—barely novice rank—let out a dying screech and crumpled, the arrow having impaled it clean through the head.

Elaria stepped out from behind a moss-covered boulder, lowering her bow and smirking.

"Now we’re even, human."

Alex turned to her, dumbfounded. "Even?! Are you joking? I just saved you from an Abyss Dreadmaw—a mid-rank monster that could turn you into elf pudding—and you skewer a flying rat that was a mild inconvenience at best. And that’s even?

Maybe next time I see a Dreadmaw, I’ll let it nibble your ears off."

"As expected from a brute and by the way i didn’t need your help," Elaria sniffed. "You chose to interfere."

Alex clutched his chest dramatically. "You wound me, princess. Both literally and emotionally. Your arrow grazed me, by the way. I might need years of therapy."

Elaria rolled her eyes. "That’s for dropping me like a sack of potatoes, you brute."

"Oh come on, I saved your life and I didn’t drop you—I placed you down with minimal bruising!"

"Minimal bruising?" she scoffed. "My back still hurts."

Elaria folded her arms. "Next time, maybe cushion my fall with your ego. I saw that it’s thick enough."

"Says the elven princess who thinks she’s doing me a favor by almost killing me."

"Says the human who thinks he’s charming when he talks like a second-rate theater actor."

They stood there for a moment, glaring, then simultaneously both of them smirked.

"Name’s Alex," he said, giving a theatrical bow. "Alex Dragonheart, future famous figure, current sarcasm enthusiast."

Elaria raised a brow. "Elaria Moonshade Lareth’Thalas, Princess of the Elven empire, wielder of the Moonshade Bow, future Queen, and currently suffering your company."

"Well, Your Royal Elfiness, pleasure’s all mine."

"Don’t call me that."

"Too late. Nickname achieved."

As they walked toward the cave’s exit, the teasing banter faded, replaced by silence. The light at the end of the tunnel glowed faintly, a reminder of the world outside. Then Elaria stopped.

Then Elaria’s tone shifted, serious. Her bow lowered.

"...Why did you save me, Alex?"

He blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift. "Huh?"

"You would’ve benefitted if I was eliminated," she said softly, her expression unreadable. "You had no reason to interfere."

Alex stared at her, mind racing.

Can’t tell her the truth... if she gets eliminated, it screws up the plot. Who knows what ripple effects it’ll cause?

He cleared his throat and struck a heroic pose, hands on hips.

"Well, my fair lady, I simply couldn’t allow a damsel to fall to the fangs of foul evil!"

She blinked. "...Did you just quote a bad fantasy drama?"

"Coincidence," Alex said with a mock-sparkle in his eye. "I’m just naturally that chivalrous."

Elaria narrowed her eyes, clearly suspicious. "You’re a terrible liar."

"I’m hurt. Truly."

She studied him for a moment longer, then looked away with a sigh. "...Fine. I’ll let it go."

Elaria narrowed her eyes. "You are dangerously cheesy."

"And yet, undeniably effective."

She huffed, clearly not convinced. Internally, she was analyzing every move he made. Was he a threat? An ally? Or just a reckless lunatic with a death wish and a silver tongue?

Finally, she exhaled. "You saved me. That means... I owe you one favor. Within reason, of course. That’s all I can do for a human."

Alex smirked inwardly. Bingo. He carefully controlled his expression so she wouldn’t notice.

"For an arrogant elven princess, you’re pretty generous."

That did it.

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