Transmigrated as The Forgotten Extra-Chapter 130 Doubt and Comfort.

The slash marks left by his weapon were clearly visible, making it impossible for Cain to look away from the wall.

How could it be?

What had once appeared to be nothing more than a natural rock cliff was actually concealing something he never would have expected. A man-made civilization, abandoned hundreds of years ago.

This discovery wasn’t unprecedented for humanity as a whole, but for Cain and his group, this was their very first ruin. More than that, this was only their second expedition into the outside world.

The grey-haired boy swallowed hard, trying to moisten his dry throat. What kind of luck had he and his teammates used to stumble upon something like this?

Or worse, had they just burned through an entire lifetime’s worth of luck to find it?

If that were true, a chill seeped into his skin, sinking into his bones and making him shudder.

Even so, the most important thing right now was to confirm what lay beyond the wall and whether there was still anything inside worth securing for humanity in this era.

Cain closed his eyes and took a deep breath. For a moment, his thoughts spiralled out of control. Then, a beat later, he opened his eyes.

’Scan Protocol.’

The instant he whispered it, his black pupils flickered and shifted into a glowing blue. Blue panels materialized before him, displaying information about what he had found.

[Scan Protocol Activated]

[Eastern Reservoir: A structure used to store large quantities of water. Previously served the water supply needs of City ***** in the old era.]

[Current Status: Inactive]

...

[Access key required to activate the entrance gate: "A river never returns to its source."]

Cain exhaled slowly, struggling to suppress his rapidly accelerating heartbeat.

He began sinking into his subconscious, realizing just how strange this journey had been from the very beginning.

From the moment he received this mission, to the task of finding a water source, everything had unfolded too smoothly. Almost as if he were being guided toward exactly what he was meant to find.

It wasn’t strange to think that he was under the influence of an unseen force, watching his every move from afar. Assigning him a role to play on a stage already prepared.

Yet at the same time, it made him question himself.

’Have my decisions all been manipulated?’

Fragments of his awakening in this world surfaced in his mind: the memory erasure, the system, his growth, and the relentless effort he had poured into it. Could it be that all of it was a lie?

Yes, Cain had resolved to walk the path laid before him. But if things were truly like this, then wasn’t he nothing more than a puppet, controlled by some unknown entity?

That thought extinguished the light in his black eyes, along with the deactivation of his abilities.

He lowered his head and let out a long sigh, barely holding back a bitter laugh as he mocked himself.

’Haha... wasn’t I the one arrogantly claiming I’d follow whatever that mysterious entity wanted and still improvise?’

Cain paused, raising his clenched fist before his eyes.

’But, in the end, haven’t I just been a clown? My will hacked, moving exactly as that entity intended.’

’Then what’s the point of me being here?’

Negative thoughts flooded his mind, accompanied by a storm of dark clouds and violent thunder, engulfing his heart as it slowly froze over. Emptiness gnawed at his consciousness.

Strength drained from his limp hands. The darkness in his eyes deepened, threatening to swallow him whole into a bottomless abyss.

"Cain?"

A gentle voice and a firm grip on his hand pulled him back from the edge.

From within the storm surrounding his heart, a platinum light emerged, shining brilliantly and dispelling all negativity.

Light returned to his eyes. Cain slowly turned his head and met Luna’s gaze.

"Are you alright? Why did you suddenly go quiet?"

Luna stepped forward, standing right beside him, so close their shoulders brushed.

For some reason, that slight nudge from her rigid armour felt soft to Cain. It widened his narrowed perspective, easing the doubts about his own existence.

The grey-haired boy shook his head lightly. Then, in front of everyone, he tightened his grip on Luna’s hand, making her flinch.

"E-Eh? C-Cain?"

Her raised voice immediately drew the others’ attention.

She glanced over and saw Cain’s four teammates frozen stiff, like statues.

A moment later, they exchanged glances, leaned their heads together, and whispered among themselves.

After a brief discussion, all four turned back toward her and simultaneously raised their thumbs.

Behind their visors, Luna could see grins and squinting eyes, clearly pleased with her relationship with Cain. However, there was unmistakable teasing mixed in.

Realization struck her, sending her heart racing and blood rushing to her cheeks.

With no other option, the silver-haired girl averted her gaze, yet she still stole occasional glances at Cain’s smiling face.

"Thank you, Luna."

She held her breath. Her blue eyes widened, unable to describe the feeling swelling in her chest.

’Ah, my name?’

From their fateful childhood meeting, through their long separation, to finally standing together again. This was the first time Cain had called her name without an honorific.

Her soft pink lips curved upward, blooming like a flower in spring.

"...Ehehe, he called my name."

She couldn’t contain her happiness, letting out a sloppy little laugh.

Thankfully, it was no more than a whisper to herself, inaudible to Cain or anyone else.

The tight grip on her hand snapped her back to reality. Luna looked at Cain, who was gazing up at the ruin wall ahead.

She paused, pressing one arm against her chest and clenching her fist, wondering what he planned to do next with such a shocking discovery.

After one last glance at the smooth wall riddled with slash marks, she turned her attention back to Cain.

Silence lingered for dozens of seconds until Cain finally spoke, turning toward his teammates. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"Peter, can you still move some of the rocks? I’ll need your ability later, probably?"

Luna and the others turned to look at Peter.

At first, Chloe’s younger brother crossed his arms, unsure as to what answer he would give to those vague commands. He stared at the rocky mound nearby. Then he nodded.

"I probably can with short intervals."

"M-Mr. Peter, aren’t you pushing yourself too hard?"

Louise asked worriedly. Peter shrugged and replied casually.

"I’m fine. Really. I can still use my ability."

"Don’t overdo it if you can’t!"

Rika snapped sharply, her voice almost too rigid for a girl usually so carefree.

It wasn’t surprising. From what Luna knew, Rika served as Cain’s vice-leader, evident in her firm, authoritative demeanour.

Or maybe that had always been her personality, and that’s why Cain chose her.

"Rika’s right. If it’s just lifting rocks, I can help too."

Abel chimed in cheerfully. His upbeat tone clashed with the dark surroundings, but that contrast was precisely what helped melt the tension.

He raised both arms, flexing his biceps beneath the armour suit.

Looking closer, the group Cain led was something anyone, including Luna, would envy.

Their bond wasn’t built on hierarchy but on trust forged over months of bonding, whether in training, battle, or meals.

It was completely different from her own group, which existed solely at General Dosh’s orders. Aside from that, there was nothing particularly special about it.

The only person close to her was Chloe, and that was natural, given their family connection since childhood.

For the first time, Luna felt a twinge of jealousy toward Cain’s team.

And that made her realize just how remarkable the boy leaning against her was, someone who gave her an exclusive place by his side.

’No, no, stop thinking about weird things!’ she whispered, quickly averting her gaze.

"Pfft..."

The sound drew everyone’s attention to Cain. His shoulders were trembling, as if he were holding something back.

Then he let out a small laugh, shaking his head.

"Ahahaha, relax. I’m not planning to make you move this massive pile of rocks."

His laughter echoed through the ravine, bringing a fresh breeze that swept away the lingering tension.

Still, Peter, who had already prepared himself, raised an eyebrow.

"Then, which rock are you planning to move?"

Standing beside him, Cain stared at the cliff in silence for a few seconds before speaking.

"Let’s head back up to the surface first."

At those words, Luna looked toward the others as they exchanged glances.

Her attention faltered when she felt a tug on her hand, pulling her forward.

"Cain?"

Her lips moved on their own as she called his name, blue eyes fixed on his broad, reliable back.

"Follow me!"

Without looking back, Cain led the way.

Unaccustomed to being treated like this, Luna could only comply, occasionally lowering her head when she caught teasing grins from the two girls behind her.

...

After climbing the still-sturdy steps reinforced by Peter’s power, Luna, still being led by Cain, moved farther away from the ravine.

He guided her toward a towering rock cliff, its shadow looming over the vast land below.

Footsteps sounded behind them. Luna turned and saw Peter approaching, stopping beside Cain.

"So, leader. Is this the rock you meant?"

Luna turned away from Peter and looked at Cain’s face from the side. The grey-haired boy was silent. A moment later, he spoke.

"A river never returns to its source."

The ground around Luna trembled, howling as if alive in response to his words.

’What’s happening?!’