Don't Want to Be Ordinary Even Though I'm an Extra Character-Chapter 88: [87] The Spark of Innovation

-Arkan Lawrence-

I reclined on the long couch in my chamber, gazing at the ceiling dimly illuminated by the glow of the crystal lamp. My body may have been resting, but my mind was not.

Everything that had happened today... it was too much to process in a single night.

Cecilia. Marquis Arleon. The Northern Empire.And behind it all—the Evil God Sect.

I let out a long sigh.

This betrayal didn’t come from Marquis Arleon—that much was clear. This was Cecilia’s game. She was the one pulling the strings behind the scenes, the one leveraging the power of the Northern Empire and that cursed sect to achieve her goals.

Honestly, this was incredibly complicated.

But maybe that’s what made the world of Destiny of a Warrior so captivating. It wasn’t just a simple fantasy world with obvious heroes and villains. It was a battlefield of politics, intrigue, and betrayal—just like the real world.

I recalled the days when I had simply read this novel.I knew the protagonist. I knew how this world moved.

But now?I was no longer just a reader.

I was living inside it.

And worse, I had been thrown into the body of a side character—Arkan Lawrence, a mere merchant who only appeared briefly at the start of the story before being erased from history.Someone with no real impact on the main plot.

At least, that’s how it was supposed to be.

But now? Because of my own choices, I had changed everything. I had disrupted the story’s flow.

And, of course, there would be consequences.

I had already attracted the attention of dangerous people. I had become entangled in a conspiracy far greater than the usual political games of nobles.

And now?I had no choice but to play this game until the very end.

I straightened up, watching the fire flicker in the silent night.

"Alright."

If I was already caught up in this, then I wouldn’t back down.

For a peaceful life.For the people who depended on me.For a future no longer dictated by the narrative of this novel.

I would fight.

I was no longer just a side character.

I was the main player in my own game.

(Let’s play this role to the very end.)

###

Chapter Title: The Spark of Innovation

The next morning, I made my way to the workshop where I used to work—the headquarters of Gunnar, my personal blacksmith.

The air was thick with the scent of hot metal and charcoal, the rhythmic clang of hammers striking steel echoing through the space. The moment I stepped through the heavy wooden doors, memories came rushing back.

As a former engineering student in my past life, I had always admired the intricacies of machinery. The rotation of gears, the precise calculation of pressure, the way each component worked in harmony to create something greater—it was a true form of art.

And even though this world was still trapped in medieval technology, I would never forget my roots.

In fact, I had no intention of holding back.

I was going to introduce one of the most terrifying weapons of the modern era.

Firearms.

That was the real reason I built this workshop. It wasn’t just a place to forge swords and armor like an ordinary blacksmith’s shop—this was a laboratory where I would develop new military technology.

Not just firearms. I had many innovations planned.

Whether it was for war...

Or for my own personal gain.

(Now, let’s start a small revolution.)

As I stepped into the workshop, the scent of hot metal and oil greeted me. The clashing of steel rang throughout the room. In the far corner of the workshop, a short, stocky man with fiery red hair was busy tinkering with something.

"Gunnar." I called out, my tone casual but loud enough to cut through the noise.

The man halted his work, glancing up with a deep frown. His oil-stained hands wiped the sweat from his forehead as he shot me a sharp look.

"Hah? You finally decided to show up?" he muttered. "I thought you’d forgotten about this place after playing politics with nobles."

I chuckled. "Since when have I ever forgotten the place that matters most to me?"

Gunnar scoffed, then motioned toward his workbench with a thumb. "Well then, take a look at this. I’m still working on your regenerator project."

I stepped closer, examining the half-finished device before me. It was a power generator originally designed to be powered by water energy—a machine meant to supply electricity to the workshop and, eventually, revolutionize industry in my territory.

But after learning that this world possessed magic and that a Rune Stone mine existed near my land, I realized this project needed to be modified.

"We need to change its power source," I said, studying the design carefully.

Gunnar narrowed his eyes before giving me an incredulous look. "Oh? And I suppose you’ve got another crazy idea?"

I pointed at the core of the machine, tracing the unfinished schematics. "Water energy is fine, but this world has something far more powerful—Rune Stones."

Gunnar, who had been inspecting the gears and mechanisms, suddenly froze. He slowly turned to face me, eyes wide in disbelief.

"WHAT!?"

I ignored his outburst and continued speaking in a calm tone. "If we can modify this system to utilize the magical energy within Rune Stones, then its output will be far more stable and significantly stronger than conventional water power."

Gunnar threw his hands in the air, his face a mix of shock and frustration. "Hold on, dammit! You’re telling me... Rune Stones? You have access to that kind of rare material!?"

I paused for a moment.

Right. The mine’s existence was still a secret.

So far, only three of my most trusted people knew about it. If this information leaked to the wrong hands, I could lose control over it before I even had a chance to use it properly.

I fixed Gunnar with a sharp gaze, analyzing his reaction before finally nodding. "Yes. I haven’t seen it personally yet, but there’s one in my territory. And if my suspicions are correct... there might be an abundant supply."

Gunnar stared at me for a long moment before letting out a deep sigh. He planted his hands on his hips, shaking his head.

"Hah... You really are insane, Arkan."

I smirked. "If I were sane, I wouldn’t have survived this long."

Gunnar scratched the back of his head, still looking skeptical. "Fine, let’s say we do get our hands on Rune Stones. But you do realize that those things aren’t just ordinary rocks, right?"

I nodded. "Of course. That’s exactly why we need to refine them first."

Gunnar squinted at me. "And how do you plan to do that?"

I grinned. "We use a mage."

Gunnar groaned, his expression screaming ’Another crazy idea.’ "Of course. Because we clearly don’t have enough problems in our lives."

I chuckled. "Relax. The person I have in mind isn’t just any mage."

Gunnar crossed his arms. "Oh yeah? And who’s this new ’partner’ of ours?"

I maintained an air of mystery. "You’ll see. But he’s no stranger to you."

Gunnar raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"He was once Faustus’ apprentice—before he abandoned alchemy and became a pure mage."

Gunnar blinked a few times, then clicked his tongue. "Wait, you mean that apprentice? I remember Faustus complaining about someone who ’betrayed’ alchemy. That guy?"

I nodded.

Faustus wasn’t just a legend in the field of alchemy—he was the head of the chemistry department under my leadership, working closely with us. He was one of my most valuable assets, someone who understood the true essence of this world’s materials more than anyone else.

Gunnar, of course, knew him well.

"Hah, so you’re using Faustus’ connections?" Gunnar stroked his chin, his expression finally showing genuine interest. "I have to admit, that’s a smart move. But are you sure he’ll agree? From what I heard, their relationship fell apart after that whole mess."

I let out a slow breath. "Yes, their fallout was bad. But one thing’s certain—he still accepts messages from Faustus. That’s enough to open negotiations."

Gunnar nodded slowly, then gave me a sideways glance. "And if he refuses?"

I smiled. "If he declines politely, I can keep negotiating."

Gunnar squinted. "And if he refuses impolitely?"

I chuckled. "Then we’ll make sure he realizes just how big of an opportunity he’s throwing away."

Gunnar snorted, shaking his head in amusement. "You really are a merchant through and through, Arkan."

I grinned, turning back to the workbench where the unfinished generator lay waiting.

"Tomorrow, we’re going to meet him. And if everything goes according to plan, we’ll have a technology that could change everything."

Gunnar exhaled deeply before smirking. "Alright then, let’s see if that runaway apprentice still has any respect for his old master."

###

Beneath the dimming twilight sky, a wagon caravan came to a halt at the gates of Law, the territory now under the rule of Arkan Lawrence.

The door of the caravan creaked open, and a woman stepped out.

She was draped in a long, midnight-blue cloak, its edges embroidered with delicate silver thread. Her hood concealed most of her face, leaving only a faint glimpse of piercing violet eyes that gleamed subtly beneath the shadows.

In her right hand, she clutched a black leather case, its weight suggesting it was no ordinary merchant’s luggage. Meanwhile, her left hand—covered by a thin leather glove—occasionally brushed against a small chain at her waist. Dangling from it were several hexagonal crystal catalysts, their surfaces reflecting the orange glow of the setting sun.

The moment her boots touched the ground, she paused, inhaled deeply, and took in her surroundings.

"Hmm... quite a decent place."

Her voice was soft, yet laced with keen observation.

The townsfolk, initially preoccupied with their evening routines, cast brief glances in her direction. This city was accustomed to foreign visitors, but something about this woman felt... different.