Don't Want to Be Ordinary Even Though I'm an Extra Character-Chapter 51: [50] A Burden Unveiled

-Arkan Lawrence-

"Don’t overthink things," he said in a relaxed tone, though his words carried undeniable weight. "Frankly, I don’t want to be directly involved in anything happening in this world. In the end, it’s the responsibility of those who live here. Beings like me? We’re just observers."

I raised an eyebrow at him. "Observers who could change everything with just a snap of their fingers?" I retorted sarcastically.

He chuckled softly, the sound reverberating like a gentle breeze. "Ah, of course. But not all observers enjoy meddling. Isn’t it more intriguing to see how humans handle their problems?"

"Then why me?" I asked, still struggling to accept my place in all this.

He turned to me, his glowing figure radiating a soft light. "I just want you to understand one thing: you’re free to act however you choose. There’s no script binding you now. To assist you, that ring you possess is a tool containing something extraordinary."

I lifted my left hand, examining the ring more closely. "Extraordinary how?"

"That ring houses a support system. Simply put, it’s a repository of knowledge from your world, including technology, strategies, and other insights. All of it is designed to aid your growth in this world."

I narrowed my eyes, trying to grasp the weight of his words. "So... this system is a kind of active learning tool?"

He nodded, the glow of his body shimmering approvingly. "Something like that. It will respond to your needs, providing tools and information necessary for survival and progress."

I tilted my head, beginning to realize the immense potential of this tool. "So, I have access to all the knowledge on Earth? That’s pretty impressive."

"Exactly," he replied, folding his arms as the starlight within his form swirled slowly. "But remember, it’s just a tool. How you use it is entirely up to you."

I fell silent, staring at him more intently. "Then why bother telling me all this? Do you have a hidden agenda?"

He chuckled again, this time with a gentler tone. "I just want to make sure you don’t proceed in confusion. Besides, this is our first and last meeting. After this, I won’t appear again. The conflicts ahead are yours to face alone."

His words left a heavy weight on my chest. "So, you’re really leaving everything to me?"

He extended his hand, adorned with star-like patterns glowing softly. "Can I entrust this to you?"

I looked at his hand, hesitating for a moment. But then I clenched my fist, recalling everything that had happened since I arrived in this world.

"Alright," I said finally, shaking his hand. "Leave everything to me."

He smiled, the light emanating from his body slowly dimming. "Good. I look forward to seeing how you’ll change this world, Arkan."

Before I could say anything else, the cosmic surroundings began to fade. I felt gravity pulling me back to the real world.

-Third Person POV-

The situation was utterly dire. Rainer stood before the church doors, carrying Arkan’s unconscious body in his arms. Rainer’s face was drenched with sweat and smeared with blood, but his expression of worry overshadowed any pain he felt.

Father Howard quickly opened the door, and the sight froze him in place. Without uttering a word, he motioned for Rainer to bring Arkan inside.

"Lay him here," Howard said, pointing to one of the long benches. He knelt beside Arkan, his eyes scanning the young man’s body rapidly.

Howard held his breath at the sight of Arkan’s condition. Blood kept flowing from a wound on his head, while his left arm was mangled almost beyond recognition, as if it had been struck by something massive. His skin was pale, his breathing faint.

Rainer, still standing by his side, clenched his fists. "Please, do something. I can’t let him die like this."

Father Howard shook his head slightly. "This is worse than I thought... My healing magic won’t be enough to deal with this. I’ll try to stop the bleeding first."

Howard grabbed a clean cloth and some herbs from a small drawer in the corner. With quick, precise movements, he began cleaning Arkan’s wounds, binding them to halt the bleeding. Though the bleeding subsided, it wasn’t enough to save his life.

Rainer watched anxiously. "Is there anything you can do? Anything at all?"

Howard paused, his face tense as if debating something. Then, he stood and walked toward a small altar in the corner of the room. There, he opened an old but well-maintained wooden box.

Inside was a small bottle containing golden liquid, glimmering like sunlight.

"This elixir," Howard said softly, almost whispering, "is my family’s legacy. I was entrusted with it to use only in an emergency... or if my own life was at stake."

He stared at the bottle with a conflicted expression. Giving it to someone else would mean losing his chance to save himself in the future.

Rainer noticed his hesitation and spoke firmly, though his voice trembled. "Howard, I know this is a difficult choice. But if there’s ever a time to use it, it’s now."

The priest glanced at Rainer, then back at Arkan, who lay helplessly. Arkan’s face looked so peaceful, as if he were merely sleeping, but his body told a different story—riddled with wounds, drenched in pain.

Howard sighed deeply. "A life can’t be judged by what’s on the surface. But for some reason, I feel this boy... has a significant role to play in what’s to come."

He opened the bottle, and a sweet aroma filled the room instantly. Slowly, Howard poured a few drops onto Arkan’s pale lips. The liquid shimmered like light as it entered his body gently.

Rainer watched with bated breath, but Howard knew this wasn’t an instant miracle. The elixir would take time to work, and there was no guarantee it would be enough to heal all of Arkan’s injuries.

-Arkan Lawrence-

The dim morning light filtered through a narrow gap in the window, wrapping the room in a gentle warmth. I slowly opened my eyes, a wave of pain washing over my entire body like water lapping at a shore.

"Where... am I?" I murmured weakly, my voice barely audible.

I tried to lift my body, but even that felt like an impossible task. My muscles were heavy, my breath ragged, and every small movement brought a sharp sting of pain.

Beside the bed where I lay, I noticed a small cup of water. With trembling hands, I reached for it and took small sips. The freshness eased my parched throat, and gradually, my mind began to clear.

I glanced around, trying to make sense of my surroundings. Wooden walls, the faint aroma of herbs filling the air, and a small religious symbol in the corner told me I was inside a part of a church.

Before I could think further, the door creaked open softly. A young nun stepped in, carrying a tray with a bowl of oatmeal.

Our eyes met, and her expression shifted drastically in an instant. Her calm demeanor turned into utter shock.

"FATHER! THE PATIENT IS AWAKE!!"

Her high-pitched yell startled me, and she almost dropped the tray as she turned and bolted out of the room in a panic.

I could only sit there in stunned silence. "Do I really look that bad to make her freak out like that?" I muttered softly.

Moments later, the door opened again, this time more urgently. Father Howard entered, followed by the same nun, who still seemed out of breath.

"Arkan!" Howard exclaimed, hurrying over to me. His eyes scanned me, as though ensuring I was truly awake.

I tried to offer a faint smile, though it probably looked more like a wince from the pain. "Father Howard, right? I suppose I owe you my life."

Howard sat on a chair beside the bed, letting out a sigh of relief. "You have no idea how close you were to death, son. We nearly lost you."

I tried to lift my hand to touch my head, but the pain in my left arm stopped me. Looking down, I noticed that my left arm felt numb and cramped.

"This arm..." I asked softly, gazing at Howard with questioning eyes.

He exhaled deeply, his face etched with weariness, like someone who hadn’t slept through the night. "Your condition was severe, Arkan. Your left arm... was completely shattered. I even considered amputating it. But the worst part was the wound on your head."

A chill ran down my spine as he spoke.

Howard continued, his voice heavy. "The injury was so deep, it seemed impossible to heal. Even with my healing magic, your condition showed no signs of improvement. I... I had no choice. I used my family’s elixir."

"Elixir?" I repeated, trying to process his words.

He nodded, his eyes reflecting doubt and pain. "A rare artifact, meant only for emergencies or grave danger. I was supposed to keep it for myself, but seeing your condition..." He paused for a moment, drawing a deep breath. "I couldn’t let you die."

I fell silent, staring at my bandaged left arm. A mix of emotions swirled within me—gratitude for still being alive, frustration at my body’s limitations, and deep appreciation for Howard’s sacrifice.

"So, it will take time... to regain full use of my left hand?" I finally asked.

Howard nodded. "Yes. While the elixir has repaired most of the damage, your body still needs time to recover fully. You’ll have to be careful."

I took a deep breath, trying to accept the reality of my situation. "I understand. Thank you... for everything."

Howard gave a small smile, though there was a weight behind it. "You don’t need to thank me, Arkan. I only did what needed to be done. But I want you to know... that elixir is incredibly precious, and I hope this was the right choice."

I nodded slowly, trying to convey my respect. Yet deep in my mind, a lingering question emerged.

"What about the current situation? What happened after the centipede was defeated?"

Howard pulled his chair closer, preparing to explain. "After Rainer defeated the monster, the energy it absorbed was released back to the villagers. Many began to recover, though some remain weak. The rosary that served as the curse’s source shattered alongside the monster’s defeat."

I listened intently, though one name weighed on my mind. "Clara?"

Howard’s expression darkened. "Her body was found in the cave, along with many others. It’s clear she played a significant role in all this, but I still don’t understand why she changed so drastically."

I fell silent. Clara, who should have been a beacon of light in this story, had instead become a dark shadow haunting the village.

"Do the villagers know about Clara’s involvement?" I asked cautiously.

Howard shook his head. "Not yet. They only know the plague is over. For now, I’ve chosen not to reveal everything. Let them focus on recovery."

I nodded, understanding his decision. But deep in my heart, I knew this wasn’t over. The changes in this story were too significant to ignore, and I still didn’t know what they meant for the future.

Howard stood, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Rest, Arkan. Your body needs time to heal. We can discuss our next steps once you’ve fully recovered."

I looked at him and gave a small nod. "Alright. Thank you, Father Howard."

He gave a faint smile before leaving the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts, filled with unanswered questions.