RE: The Extra's Dominance-Chapter 17 - Vulcan [2]

Tyrone let Raven in his house to hold their business meeting as soon as possible.

They're just in the living room.

"I'll invest 10 million Zeals."

Though, Raven took 'as soon as possible' very seriously as he immediately stated his intention as soon as both of them sat down.

He really doesn't like beating around the bush.

Tyrone's eyes widened, obviously he was shocked. But that was only short-lived as he calmed down immediately and looked straight at Raven.

"Why are you doing this?"

He asked.

Raven predicted such questions coming from Tyrone.

'These past two days, I've been thinking about what I should do in case that I got asked by that kind of questions.'

Though Raven actually just wasted his time as he couldn't come out with a solution. So in the end, he decided to just be honest!

Looking dead straight into Tyrone's eyes. He spoke.

"I know your father."

Tyrone's eyes opened wide and he shot up from his seat.

"My Papa?!"

He exclaimed. Raven inspired Tyrone's character from a Filipino friend of his when he was a kid and still in the orphanage.

Though, their friendship ended only after 2 years as the boy was adopted, separating them from each other, and even when they became adults, they weren't able to get in touch again.

Raven smiled bitterly as he remembered his friend. Actually... He can't recall his friend's name.

'Fucking hell...'

'This sucks.'

Raven thought. He knows it's the doing of the Higher Beings.

Anyway—

"Are you telling the truth?"

Tyrone asked that, voice trembling.

And seeing him looking impatient, Raven immediately answered.

"Yes."

He answered confidently with a nod of his head.

'I'm not really lying, I really know Tyrone's father, so this is an honest approach.'

Raven shrugged.

A frown then appeared on Tyrone's face. Hatred erupted inside him as he tightly clenched his hands.

Raven noticed those, and so he decided to commence his plan.

"Now, don't hate your father."

Raven knew what's happening.

In the novel, in this part of the story, Tyrone despises his father. The reason is because his father used a lot of money before dying, causing their smithy business, [Xenon], to decline.

The money disappeared like bubbles and Tyrone couldn't recover it. Deeply, he knows his father owned the money he used—but Tyrone can't stop himself from being disappointed in his father.

Though, little did he know... His father used all the money for him!

It's just that in this part, Tyrone still doesn't know that!

'And that's why I'm here.'

Raven declared in his head.

Tyrone is currently looking at him with an annoyed expression. He's not even trying to hide it.

Not that Raven minds. So he just continued talking.

"Your father didn't carelessly spend the money he saved."

At his words, Tyrone's face changed as if asking what bullshit he's on about.

"What do you mean?"

He asked, not really expecting anything grand of a reason. He just thinks Raven would make excuses for his father.

And just then—Raven pointed his index finger at Tyrone.

"Your father was supposed to give you gifts... Gifts that will help you in the future."

Tyrone is still unfazed and thinks that Raven is not serious.

"How did you know?"

He asked as if mocking Raven's words. Tyrone is a good person, it's just that his hatred toward his dad made him a little aggressive.

"I can't tell you because of some complicated reasons. But I want you to know this—I don't have any ill intentions."

Tyrone stared at Raven for some time. He eventually nodded his head but didn't say anything, he just waited for my next words.

'Good, now that he's listening properly, it's time to drop some bomb.'

Raven took a deep breath and opened his mouth.

"Just as I said, your father used the money to buy you some things."

Tyrone nodded. His expression though, didn't change.

"But before he could give you his gifts... He died from a dungeon overflow. I mean, think carefully, you've been with your father ever since you were a child. You know he wouldn't just carelessly spend money."

"Why did your trust in him easily crumbled?"

Raven asked.

This time, Tyrone's face changed. His hateful expression disappeared and was replaced by a solemness and a frown.

And at that moment... He questioned himself as Raven's words made sense to him.

Why did his trust in his father disappeared immediately?

Tyrone's brows knitted together as his body fidgeted a little.

And Raven, who vaguely knew what's in his mind, was once again slapped by his guilt, but he didn't let it show on his face.

'Your trust in your father crumbled because of me. For my story... I even killed him for you to have a background.'

Raven knows that he wasn't actually at fault because at that time he was just typing letters, forming words and sentences, and building a story. Who would've known that that story of his would become a reality?

Nevertheless, he still felt guilty. Well, just for a bit.

After some silence, Raven continued to talk.

"Your father used all of his saved money to buy some items from an auction."

"And he hid them all under the tile that's under his bed."

Following Raven's words, Tyrone stood up without a word and ran upstairs.

Then looking at him for a while—Raven slowly stood and followed Tyrone.

'Guess he can't believe my words after hating his father for 3 years, so he wants to see a proof...'

Tyrone wants to confirm something, he's confused and he wants answer.

*****

(Tyrone's POV)

I tried to keep calm, but I couldn't.

A young man, even younger than me, that I met not long ago came and told me that he knows my father.

I'm feeling a bit of hatred toward my father because of his careless spending of money in the past before dying 3 years ago.

Because of that, the smithy declined as we lost some resources and capital money.

My father ran the smithy, I just inherited it after he died. But I have no money nor connections, I wasn't able to run it properly.

Even my relatives didn't help me after my father died.

'Maybe I'm just incompetent, and I'm blaming my father for my faults...'

Those thoughts are deeply hidden inside me but resurfaced after hearing Raven's words.

My father didn't use the money carelessly, it was for my sake, he said.

My mind is a mess, I don't know what to do.

A gift left by father... Just for me?

I frowned as I fastened my pace.

Is Raven lying to me?

Or did father really leave something for me?

I couldn't wait and needed proof so even though it's rude, I left Raven earlier and rushed to my father's room.

I don't like entering father's room ever since he died. I just occasionally enter it to clean inside.

Click—

Opening the room's door, I immediately entered and moved the bed.

Then... I noticed an odd-looking tile.

Without carefully looking, you can't tell its difference from the other tiles, but upon closer inspection, you can see letters engraved on it.

'VULCAN' is what's written on it.

My heart started pounding rapidly.

My mind is getting more complicated.

'Is there really something there?'

'What if it's just a coincidence?'

Thoughts like that entered my mind.

"Fuuuu..."

Taking a deep breath, I calmed myself down and looked at the odd tile.

I crouched down and placed my hands on it.

To my surprise, just placing my hand on the tile already moved it.

A bitter smile appeared on my face as I removed the tile completely.

And just like what Raven said—there are something under the tile. Underneath the tile is a small space... And in that space, I saw a letter and a box.

"Ah..."

My heart seems like it would explode any time now. I felt relieved seeing there's something under the tile, but at the same time, I felt rejection toward the items.

I took the box and opened it. Inside are a book and a hammer.

Being a smith myself, I learned an appraisal skill.

So I can appraise items to some extent.

=====

[Ancient Skill Book]

-Vulcan is a god of fire and blacksmith. Upon learning this skill, your skills and knowledge about 'Blacksmith' and 'Fire' will drastically increase. Also, weapons you create or upgrade will be drastically enhanced.

=====

=====

[Vulcan's Hammer]

-Vulcan's Hammer, he often uses this hammer when creating weapons.

-When used on a weapon, the weapon's functions drastically increase.

-Upgrading or creating a weapon will have a higher chance of success.

=====

'This...'

My hands trembled looking at the items on them. It's a high-level artifact and an ancient skill book!

These items are way too precious, and if father really bought these, there's no wonder he spent all of his savings.

'And... He planned to give them to me...?'

My heart tightened as regret slowly crawled all over my body.

My eyes shifted to the letter. I put down the skill book and the artifact hammer.

I took the letter, unfolded it... Then I read it.

=====

Tyrone, I'm gonna retire from the smithy soon as I'm getting old.

I want you to inherit it as you have a good talent at being a smith. You also enjoy smithing like me!

There's nothing you can't create in smithing and the weapons you made are nothing to scoff at.

I know you'll become one of the best smiths!

I'm writing this letter because I'm not used to the latest technologies. I can't say this to you personally because it's embarrassing and I'm not really good with words.

Well anyway, I'm so proud of you.

Here's some gift, I hope you like it.

After you receive this, let's go eat dinner outside! Your treat of course!

=====

"..."

The letter was handwritten, and it was my father's handwriting.

'It hurts...'

My father's sweet and caring words hurt me. I rejected and hated him for 3 years even after he died because I easily lost my trust in him.

And today's discovery about his plans before dying...

Made me feel like shit.

'Fuck, why...?'

I feel guilty for doubting and blaming my father. I hate myself for not trusting him enough.

"I don't know anymore..."

I muttered.

"What should I do now?"

My hands trembled. I don't know if I deserve to claim these items after what I did to father.

"It's obvious that you should apologize first."

It was then that I heard a voice behind me. Looking behind—

I saw Raven leaning on the entrance of the room. He's the one who revealed these things to me.

"Then after you apologize, be thankful."

Raven added.

"After that, continue living—no, live a better life."

His words were like saying that I should forget what I did wrong to father, and it made me angry.

Though, he just continued talking.

"You can't turn back time. So continue living, for your sake, and for your father's too."

He said, turning his back to me.

"Nobody is perfect, not even you or your father, everyone has faults of their own so it's okay to blame yourself. But don't use it as a justification to run away. I think your father would be happy if you gratefully accept and use his gifts to you. Live while blaming yourself and being guilty, or live while fixing your mistakes. Your choice, not mine."

Raven's words etched into my mind. I thought of what father would do in this situation.

I know Raven is right. Father would most likely forgive me and say that I should accept his gifts and use them to live better.

My eyes started to feel moist. Tears gathered on the corners of my eyes and were threatening to fall any time.

"I'll wait for you in the living room. Take your time."

And after reading the mood, Raven left after his words.

"I can't turn back time, huh."

I muttered as I looked at the "Gifts" my father left for me.

"...I'm sorry."

Tears fell from my eyes.

"Papa... I'm sorry."

My heart stings and tightens every time I apologize.

Looking at the ceiling, I let out a sigh.

"You said we'd eat outside after I received your gifts. Looks like we can't... I'm sorry."