An Extra’s POV
chapter-690

"DAMNIT!"

Adrien raised his voice in frustration as he returned to his tent, anger clearly visible on his face.

His clenched fists sought a place to release all the tension coursing through them, but he controlled himself despite the overwhelming sensation that coursed through him.

He couldn't afford to go rabid after everything that had just transpired.

"Huu... haaa..." Closing his eyes, he inhaled and exhaled multiple times until the fiery frustration in his heart receded.

Once he was satisfied, he went to his seat and calmed himself once more.

'We just finished the meeting regarding the problem of the Elves and how they were able to destroy the second wave. Looks like everyone is on edge...'

The Generals were particularly upset by the outcome that had befallen Adrien and the Commanders.

How could they have lost? It brought shame to the Dragons.

Adrien could remember a lot of things that the Generals said, and while a lot of it was frustrating to even remember, this outcome was much more preferable to what would have been if he left things as they were.

'To think I had to use [Wish Fulfillment] so early... damnit!'

The more he thought about it, the more he understood how necessary it was for him to resort to it, but that didn't make him the least bit happier about the outcome.

'How could I have been pushed to such an extent? I didn't even use the Skill on my own terms, but in a scenario orchestrated by another. Were they after this all along?!' He could feel his anger rising, but he controlled himself once again.

Taking in another series of breaths, he found his head clear.

'[Wish Fulfillment] is a one-time Skill. I spent so much of my Stat Points to obtain it, and it was never supposed to be used until I got to the Dragon Continent. But now...' To say he was frustrated would be an understatement.

One of his most important Skills had now become exhausted. The worst part about it was that he couldn't get anything like it again.

'That's the limitation of [Skill Creation].'

Adrien thought back to when he first laid eyes on the Skill. Back then, he thought it would be the most versatile thing ever, and in a way... he was correct.

With Skill Creation, he could create whatever Skill he wanted--especially if he had sufficient incentive for it--generally Status Points or other Skills.

As long as he sacrificed a portion of his 'strength' to the Skill, he could make any kind of Skill. Each Tier had its requirements, and he couldn't make any SSS Tier Skill.

All in all... it remained a fair bargain.

'But, I wasn't aware of this limitation until after I obtained the Skill. I can't create a Skill that I have already created.'

No two Skills of his could have the same effect or name, so once he made a Skill--one-time use or not--he could not make a Skill with the same kind of effects.

Even if he wanted to make a variant, the functions of both Skills couldn't be too similar, else the Creation Process would fail. That was the most vexing part about [Skill Creation], and why he was so annoyed that he was pushed into using such a useful Skill like [Wish Fulfillment].

"Well, there's no helping it, is there?" He thought loudly as he chuckled.

Adrien had been played, and played good for that matter.

It was a new experience, and it left him confused about how to respond to the situation.

'For my plans, I have to make sure the Dragons keep me on their side. I have to get to the Dragon Continent through legitimate means and seep into their Empire. All of it has to be organic, which is why I'm enduring all of this.'

As regretful as he was about the events that transpired not too long ago, and how he had to respond to it, he was glad about the results.

'The status quo has returned to the way it was, and the present reality has overwritten the past—at least, in their minds.'

Adrien did not have nearly enough resources to actually affect reality, so the most he could do was make everyone 'think' in a new way.

'[Pinocchio] is already at its limit, since I've created 12 Puppets to replace the Commanders, but at least the Generals are back on my side.'

Still… this was only a treatment, not a cure. Adrien recognized that much.

'I'm nowhere close to finding the Mastermind behind all of this. The one supporting the Elves… the one who actually played me…'

It was frustrating, but Adrien didn't know who the person was.

'And then, there's the other thing bothering me…' Adrien looked at the glowing object on his table that had the form of an orb.

It warbled constantly, but the light it displayed was dim.

'Why isn't Justin picking up? I've been calling him all this time, yet he isn't responding.'

Such a thing hadn't happened before, and would normally never occur, which made Adrien suspect that something was going down in the Capital.

'It's unfortunate, but I can't leave for the Capital due to my plans here, and how the current situation has worsened more than ever.'

If he allowed himself to be distracted at this point, there was a good chance he would lose the war on all ends.

'I can't allow that to happen.'

With [Pinocchio] unavailable for use, Adrien's best bet had to be using his backup Undead to investigate what was going on there and report to him after a specified period.

'While that is happening, I have to really understand this Mastermind that's messing with me, as well as what they want.'

So far, Adrien only had one person he suspected.

As he was still going through everything, every time only arriving at the same person, the door to his tent opened up and someone walked in.

"Hey, man…"

Adrien raised his head the moment he heard the voice, his eyes wide as the name on his mind overlapped with the figure he saw in front of him.

"... Long time no see."

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Thanks for reading!

This was quite the trip, wasn't it? I hope you all enjoyed the chapter.