An Extra's POV

Chapter 39  Calculating Prospects

'Damn, she's good!'

Rey flipped open the book on Goblins; one that had an entire chapter dedicated to the Hobgoblins.

Alicia had given him exactly what he was looking for.

'I should have started talking to her from day one. She's very useful…' Rey smiled as he went over the book.

The girl known as Alicia White was someone he never thought he would really speak to.

They had actually attended the same Middle School—same as Billy—but Rey didn't think she would remember that detail.

They were mostly strangers, even in High School.

It was only fairly recently that they started speaking, and from what he could see, she was a very nice person.

'Why are so many rumors flying around lately? She's clearly not that kind of person.'

Of course, Rey had no intention of actively defending Alicia the way Billy would.

The both of them had an understanding, and their relationship did not extend beyond the four walls of the library.

If he went out of his way for her, she might not even appreciate it.

'Now that I think of it, I don't even know anything about her…'

She did smell nice, though.

That was one thing Rey knew for a fact! And the fact that she was extremely intelligent was a plus.

'Honestly, I can see myself falling for her if I'm not careful…'

Fortunately, Rey didn't plan on that happening.

Right now, he only had one mission.

'I need to grind!'

Such things like love were only allowed for the strong.

It served as a distraction to the current Rey, who still felt inadequate in many areas.

'Besides… looking at Alicia, she's obviously of a different spec.'

She had dated Adonis in the past, and after that, she even went ahead to date other seniors—at least, according to what he heard.

Rey didn't know how accurate that information was, but he could still draw his conclusions that girls like Alicia didn't fall for boys like him.

'I'm average in looks. I'm not very good socially, and I'm considered weak by everyone…'

What was there to like about him?

'I'm just going to save myself the embarrassment and forget all about it.'

He didn't stand a chance at all, and he was also too busy with getting stronger.

These two factors made romance—especially with Alicia—not too viable.

Rather than focusing on such futile things, Rey submerged his thoughts into the book in his hand.

"Hmm… interesting…"

As he studied more about the morphology of Hobgoblins, as well as their immense adaptive capabilities, indomitability, and high compatibility with Monster Cores, Rey felt a smile forming on his face.

'I was right. If those guys had consumed the Monster Core, they would have become much more advanced than they are now…'

Rey began to wonder if he should seal off their Sleeping Area as soon as possible.

That way, there wouldn't be a chance of them eating of the forbidden fruit.

'Or… should I let them consume the Monster Core and see just what they become?'

Rey was genuinely curious, because from what he was reading here, the length of Hobgoblin evolution was currently non-conclusive.

Studies were currently being made on them, but due to the Dragon Situation and Economic Crisis, so much research had been suspended or shut down.

'Manpower—both physical and intellectual—has been diverted to address the Dragon Incursion.' n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

That was why there weren't any proper Clear Squads that actively challenged the Royal Dungeon and opened up more Floors.

The Nation could not risk any casualties, and most soldiers had been posted to various places to guard them.

The Head Warrior and Grand Mage remained the only competent forces left in the capital.

The Old Geezers that they encountered at the beginning had gone to their respective towers, preparing for invasions, or warding off their enemies.

Everyone was fighting in the front lines, waiting for the turn of their saviors to come.

'Even the Royal Estate has very few guards, and their shifts are for long hours.'

Rey could already recognize every single guard in the Estate, and they weren't more than fifty.

It was that bad.

'It says here that Hobgoblins have a very strong tendency to deify the strong, which is why their culture is built around the absolute command of the chief.'

Rey smiled, having experienced this whole thing play out himself.

At least, with this piece of information, it was clear that the Hobgoblins wouldn't betray him or disobey his orders.

'It honestly feels like such a waste to kill them. I could do more research on them…'

They were the only Monsters he had met that could intelligently relate with him.

Plus, the conditions for research were mostly present.

'I'm currently on Level 15. I still want to raise my Level some more, but I'm not in a hurry to do that…'

Besides, didn't he still have about a month before the next batch of Hobs would be ready for harvesting?

'I can conduct sufficient research on them during that period…'

That was the most optimal solution he could find.

'It's unfortunate that I didn't receive any Skills from them, though.'

Perhaps the NightWolves would have some Skills, but if the Hobgoblins could take them down—Orichalcum or not—then they couldn't possibly be that strong.

'I shouldn't raise my hopes up, but it's still worth checking out.'

Right now, he needed to amass as much strength as he could.

'I got 18 new Stat Points from my fight with the Goblins. I know what I'm investing all of them in.'

There was only one reasonable choice—MANA!

'Status Window.' Rey thought to himself.

[STATUS WINDOW]

- Name: Rey Skylar.

- Race: Human (Otherworlder)

- Class: Commoner (F-Tier)

- Level: 15 (11.98% EXP)

- Life Force: 22

- Mana Level: 63

- Combat Ability: 30

- Stat Points: 0

- Skills (Exclusive): [Doppel]

- Skills (Non-Exclusive): Nil

- Alignment: Neutral

[Additional Information]

You possess the weakest Class, but the strongest Skill. You can only be described as an 'Overpowered Weakling.'

[End Of Information]

'Alright! This looks neat enough.'

If he could reach keep grinding, it was possible to finally push his Mana into the triple digits

'If I can achieve that, then the other aspects of my Stats won't be an issue.'

Rey felt good as he was learning and also getting stronger.

'I can't wait for tomorrow!'

*

*

*