Path of the Extra Chapter 164: Iryndra [2]

Novel: Path of the Extra Author: Crypthh Updated: Jun 04, 2026

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Now reading: Chapter 164: Iryndra [2] from Path of the Extra, a Action novel by Crypthh.

For a mont, Azriel's mind froze, unable to process the absurdity of the words that had just co out of the small girl's mouth.

That smile—fragile yet weighed down with sadness—made sothing in him twist. His expression shifted, cycling through confusion, bewildernt, and finally, disbelief.

'I must have really lost my mind...'

Yet no matter how irrational it seed, Azriel couldn't turn his back on this girl—a Heptarch.

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he forced his emotions under control. His voice ca out soft but firm.

"What makes you think you're going to die?"

Iryndra looked up, her eyes shimring, the flickering firelight reflected within them like fragile glass about to shatter. For a second, Azriel almost found himself captivated by those eyes. Almost.

She spoke in a low, trembling voice, each word tinged with an aching vulnerability.

"Because… I'm not strong enough. I haven't been as useful as they wanted to be. The person I call my father... he's only keeping around to watch . I think…"

Her voice faltered, and her small fra seed to shrink in on itself. Azriel leaned forward slightly, unable to tear his eyes away.

"I think they're starting to reconsider my place as a Heptarch. And if that happens…"

Her expression darkened, the shadow of despair settling over her like a heavy blanket.

"They'll use . Like a slave. Just like before I joined them. And with a weak body like mine…" She paused, trembling as her small hands curled into trembling fists.

"If I overuse my [Unique Skill] or my affinity, I'll…"

Her words broke off, but the aning lingered heavily in the silence.

Azriel felt his gaze soften as he looked at her, this small, trembling child.

She wasn't a Heptarch in his eyes anymore. Not a symbol of power or fear.

And suddenly, he understood.

'Oh… I see.'

She was just a child.

A pitiful, broken child.

Unconsciously, Azriel reached out. His hand hovered above her head, frozen mid-air. A war played out in his mind, mories clashing with the present.

'Am I… pitiful too?'

His lips pressed into a thin line as his own question cut deep.

'I was.'

He clenched his jaw.

'But... not anymore.'

Alone—that had been his life for so long. But not now.

Not anymore.

Even though he was still trapped in this nightmare, still lost in a hell he couldn't escape, he had people waiting for him.

People who cared.

Who loved him.

Who worried for him, cherished him, and longed to see him return.

Family.

He had a family.

The thought stirred sothing in Azriel's chest, an ache that spread and cracked sothing deep inside him. A splintered fragnt he hadn't even realized was there dissolved into dust.

And with it ca understanding.

Azriel exhaled shakily, closing his eyes for a brief mont before opening them again, clearer than before.

Then he looked at Iryndra.

She was staring down at her hands, her shoulders trembling as she fought to hold back tears.

Azriel couldn't help but smile—a small, gentle thing.

'How selfish of ,' he thought, 'to focus on myself when this girl is trying so hard not to cry in front of .'

He didn't know what she had endured, but it must have been unbearable.

She wasn't strong; she wasn't powerful. She was fragile. A child forced to wear the mask of a Heptarch, clinging desperately to soone—anyone—she could speak to.

Maybe she didn't even know what comfort felt like.

And yet, she had co to him.

Azriel stood, catching her attention. Her head snapped up, and those dull, tear-glazed eyes t his. She flinched slightly, unsure, her small fra tense.

For a mont, neither of them spoke.

Then Azriel crouched in front of her, bringing himself to her eye level as she sat curled on the wooden chair.

'She scared at first,' he thought, 'being a Heptarch and all. But now… I don't care what she is, or what she's worth, or how powerful she might be.'

He gave her a kind smile, his voice soft and warm, like a quiet ember in the cold.

"Iryndra… can I beco your family?"

*****

"Eh...?"

A soft, confused sound slipped from Iryndra's lips as she stared at the boy in front of her. Her expression was a mixture of bewildernt and disbelief.

Her golden eyes began to tremble.

'What... what did he just say?'

Family?

'Him? Becoming my family...?'

She replayed the words in her head, trying to make sense of them. Did she misunderstand?

No.

He was serious.

That smile, gentle and unwavering, and those eyes peeking through his tousled bangs… they looked at her with a kindness she didn't know how to respond to. She averted her gaze, unsure of where to look.

'Why?'

'Is he saying this out of guilt?'

Even if he was, he didn't need to. She hadn't expected much—not even this. She didn't realize it herself, but she was simply tired. Exhausted.

All she wanted was to talk to soone. Anyone. Before it was too late.

Her ti was limited. She knew that. One way or another, she would die.

It was almost as if the gods had decided she wasn't ant to live. She didn't hate them for it. But she didn't love them, either.

Iryndra had power others would envy, power that could make kings kneel. And yet her body, fragile and uncooperative, couldn't bear the weight of it. The number of tis she had been exploited was beyond counting.

Her golden eyes grew colder, guarded now, as she studied the boy she had... kidnapped. That was what she'd done, wasn't it? She'd dragged him into this ss because he was the only one who felt different.

Warm, even.

She couldn't explain it. Didn't understand it. But sothing about him felt familiar.

Suppressing the tremor in her voice, she spoke.

"You don't need to force yourself. It's alright, mister. I'm just happy we could talk."

Yet he didn't waver. His gaze remained steady, that sa gentle smile on his face, making her brows furrow slightly.

"Who says I'm forcing myself?"

His voice was quiet, but firm.

"Besides… you want a real family, don't you? I already have one, so I can't speak for them, but I can promise you this—I'm willing to be your family. Just ."

Her teeth bit into her inner cheek as he continued, his voice softening, turning a little sad.

"You must have felt alone. Cold. Lonely… afraid at night. Like the entire world was against you. Like it wasn't fair. I don't know everything you've been through, but I've felt that way too. So days, I still do."

Her eyes trembled again at his words.

'Yes... I feel it too. Every day...'

Before she could respond, he leaned forward slightly, his tone shifting, lightening.

"So how about we make a deal?"

Her voice ca out quieter than she intended.

"...A deal?"

He nodded. His smile was warm, unassuming, as if this were the most natural thing in the world.

"I beco your family, and you beco mine. Whenever we feel lonely or sad, whenever we need soone, we'll be there for each other. No matter what."

She stared at him, trying to make sense of it.

There was no lie in his words. She could tell. She'd always been able to tell when people were lying. But this boy… he was honest. Earnest in a way she didn't know how to deal with.

"I won't force you," he said softly. "It's your choice. Whatever you decide, I'll respect it."

Silence stretched between them. Iryndra couldn't bring herself to look at him. Her gaze dropped to her lap, her lips trembling.

'Can I trust him?'

'Is he just like the others?'

'It's a lie, right? He'll use . Hurt . Like everyone else...'

But then another thought crept in, quieter, fragile.

'What if it's not?'

'What if… I could finally be happy?'

'What if I could have soone to call family?'

She realized sothing then.

What did she have to lose?

Death? That was already coming for her if she stayed in Neo Genesis.