The Unlimited Ascension: Reborn as an Extra

”So let me first introduce myself. I am Virelia, famous for the title ’The Goddess of Radiance’, and you are currently in my domain. There is no way I am going to send you out, not when I just got some companions to have some fun with. Hehe...”

As both Lyris and Elyon looked up at her with shocked expressions, they had already guessed that the figure in front of them couldn’t be any normal person. Her very aura was completely different from a normal being. She carried herself with such natural calm and supreme confidence, and as she officially introduced herself, it merely confirmed their sinking feelings.

Elyon stepped forward. She knelt down on the crystal floor in absolute respect without waiting, greeting the deity with extreme emotion and unwavering faith.

”Glory to the Great One! O Goddess of Radiance, I greet you as your humble servant...”

Goddess Virelia’s gray eyes glanced down at her kneeling figure. She gave Elyon a soft, welcoming smile.

”The blessing of the Radiance shall remain upon you... You may stand up, child. There is no need to act so formal in my presence...”

The Goddess’s eyes then flicked toward Lyris. The raven-haired girl stood perfectly still and remained cautious. She didn’t kneel in front of the deity, nor did she offer any formal greeting. It wasn’t that she wanted to purposefully disrespect the Goddess, or that she doubted if the figure truly was a divine being. It was because, in reality, Lyris felt dangerously exposed while standing in front of her. As Virelia’s gaze caught her own, Lyris felt a weird, piercing sensation, as if the Goddess had already looked right through her soul and seen her hidden secrets.

A small smile suddenly formed on Virelia’s lips, curling up into a radiant smile as she looked intently at the girl.

”Oh... I just noticed. It seems you are not just any normal girl, but a chosen one...”

Elyon stood back up, feeling confused. She glanced at the Goddess and then turned toward Lyris with a questioned expression on her face.

Lyris remained entirely still, seemingly unfazed by her direct words. She had already guessed that this being knew her true identity from the very beginning, the exact moment she stepped into this crystalline throne room.

”Hehe... It seems our little girl still remains cautious, thinking that I might do something harmful to her. Don’t worry, I don’t attack someone behind their back. I am not a petty schemer. If I truly wanted to hurt you, I would have done it already.”

”It seems you are getting much closer to awakening the true power of the Saintess. The only thing you lack right now is the ’Saintess Essence’ to reach that final stage.”

Elyon’s mouth fell wide open. She looked at Lyris with a deeply surprised glance, finally realizing that she was traveling with a companion who was walking on a similar path and actually becoming a true Saintess.

Lyris remained motionless for a few long seconds before straightening her back. She replied calmly, with poised grace and defiance.

”You are right. So what if I am? What difference does it make? I am not going to become the Saintess anyway. I am not planning to become just another one of the political tools used by the church to hold power among the nations. I have my own independent path to walk on.”

Goddess Virelia’s smile widened at her bold reply. She leaned her elbow gracefully on her crossed leg and tapped her chin, looking at Lyris as if she had just found a interesting new toy.

”Hmm... It seems our little child already knows about the dark conspiracies commenced behind the church’s closed doors and the strict restrictions which cage their holy figures... But you are the very first person I have ever seen who is just one step away from becoming a Saintess, yet does not have any interest in it.”

”Do you know? Most people would love to stand in the exact same position as yours, believing wholeheartedly in their faith. But you—you are not like them at all. You are different. It seems your ultimate goal and path is way beyond that. Just becoming a Saintess is simply not enough for you.”

”But you should be very careful. There may be dangerous people present in the outside world who might want to seek out your divine power. Once someone is able to kill the current Saintess, their essence will fly over to another chosen vessel. But if the killer happens to have a high affinity, they might just absorb that essence themselves without the power searching for another host.”

Lyris nodded slowly as she heard the warning. She already knew that if others found out she was a chosen Saintess, they would either forcefully invite her to join their church or send hunters after her power.

That was exactly the reason why she was desperately hiding the fact that she possessed a divine mark and was destined to become the next Saintess. If others found out, her hard-earned freedom would be lost. She would inadvertently have to join a powerful church, or she might get assassinated by greedy individuals seeking her divine power. It was best to hide the truth for as long as possible.

Lyris looked up at the throne and spoke.

”Can you now show us the staircase to the next floor?...”

The small smile on Virelia’s face widened into a smirk. Her gray gaze intensified with dark amusement while looking down at the two girls.

”Oh, little Saintess, I already told you I would not let you two go. At least not until I get to see something thoroughly enjoyable. Hehe...”

She looked at them both and tapped her soft lips, as if pondering what kind of twisted play should be performed for her entertainment.

”Mhmm... Let me think a little bit...”

”Oh, how about this? I will only allow one of you to leave this floor safely. But in exchange...”

A dark, sinister smile curled on her lips as she stared down at them. In that moment, she looked much more like a cruel demon queen than a benevolent goddess.

”...one of you will have to die. So choose right now, who is going to die?...”

”Hehe... Let’s make the game even more interesting. I will give you exactly five minutes to kill the other person...”

”And if you fail to kill the other person under five minutes, then... both of you are going to die...”

She looked down at them with pure, wicked amusement as she watched their thoroughly shocked figures freeze in place.

”Hehe... Good luck, little ones. Your time starts now!”