Game's Extra: Starting With SSS-Ranked 1000-Death Talent-Chapter 31: Skill Issue

"I trust you," Noa said, grinning. "Because I know you."

Tifa moved this time.

"You know me? What's that supposed to mean?" she asked, sharing his attitude.

"That's for you to find out, leader."

Noa's words sounded more like a mocking statement rather than a true respect.

Both of them were holding their lifeline, but Tifa felt that having him close would be the best course of action.

It wasn't something Noa would have chosen for himself, but he also enjoyed the current situation.

His mind constantly searched for opportunities to increase his standing in this world.

He was no longer an extra.

It was in the past, and he would no longer live like that.

Offering his hand for a handshake, Noa added, dictating his own future, "Let's have a great partnership. Now, should we go to your hideout?"

The moment he finished his words, his cheeky actions were punished.

Before he even knew it, the darkness swallowed his vision, stripping his ability to think.

Without him sensing the passage of time, Noa's face was splashed with a bucket of water.

The coldness startled him awake.

His eyelids barely budged, the dampness attacked his nose, and the pain on the back of his head made him dizzy.

'Where am I?'

Noa searched for the familiar items or faces but found nothing but a dark, tiny cell.

'I knew it was going too well. Of course, she will make me suffer first.'

In this pure darkness, not even a single light particle could reach him.

Being completely blinded, Noa heard a whisper.

"What a nice fresh meat the boss got for me."

It came from every direction, confusing his already dulled mind.

Yet, Noa recognized the voice from the game.

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Instead of Tifa, it was one of the Red Order's executives.

"Viktor?" he muttered. "Is that you, right? Don't tell me you are drunk right now. Do you want me to tell Tiffa about it?"

"H-how!" the old guy behind him stuttered, exposing his location.

Noa couldn't move his body, but his tongue would have to cut it.

"I have a trade offer for you. I know who you are, I even know that this is a test, but you hate wasting time. Why don't you get me out of here, and in turn, I will protect your little secret."

He was speaking with a calm voice not to alarm the man, but his devilish face was so unsightly that the darkness was a blessing.

The hushing sounds told Noa that the man was contemplating what to do.

Finally, he added fuel to the burning house.

"I even know the places Caroline is hiding her booze."

These last few words ended the debate.

Arthur crouched beside him, offering a shoulder for Noa to walk.

"Thanks."

"You better don't forget your promise," the rough man answered, and the light descended into the cell.

The illuminated room allowed them to leave the place.

Nodding his head, Noa studied the atmosphere.

'This is definitely Red Order's bunker. I've seen it countless times before, but the details were always hidden.'

Contrary to the cell, everything seemed much more organized and well-kept.

It was an underground facility with high-tech equipment and modern architecture.

To his side, the rows of obscure machinery stood.

His footsteps and shallow breaths echoed like thundering shouts from the distance, and when Noa saw the familiar characters from the game, the silence rang in his head.

'I have to control the rhythm.'

Only his deliberate thoughts broke the quietness.

"You guys are already done?" Tifa asked, her brows lowering with suspicion.

Noa ignored the leader, greeting other executives.

"Morning, fellow members. I am a humble newbie. It's nice to meet you."

There were five main members in the order, including Tifa and Viktor.

"It's midnight."

A soft voice answered his introduction.

It belonged to the petite woman called Vivi, and she was hiding behind the leader.

Seeing her outside of the pixelated screen, Noa couldn't help but tease her.

"Vivi!" he yelled. "You are cuter than I thought. I believe we could be friends, and if you want, I can bully Viktor in your stead."

Noa winked at her, ignoring the stares he was getting.

"We got another lunatic in our hands," the bald, grumpy young man said.

Noa didn't even bother glancing at him.

His full attention was occupied by other members in front of him.

The fifth fellow, Caroline, rarely visited the hideout, operating from a distance.

Only after Noa studied everyone in his vicinity did he glance at Tifa, basking in her judging eyes.

"You are acting like you own this place," she spoke, not masking her malice and displeasure because of the way Noa had acted this entire time.

"Not yet," he said. "Not yet."

Seeing that he was almost pounced on by the bald man, Noa shook his head and said,

"I am not here to waste our time. The first thing I wanted to say..." he took a pause, glancing at the old drunk head beside him.

"Viktor is drunk!"

Noa sold the man at the first chance he got, and feeling his sense of betrayal and rising anger, he dashed out of the way.

Thankfully, one cough from Tifa was enough to stop his step, causing the man to tremble in fear.

She didn't comment on the fact but made a mental note of it.

"You are the weakest guy in the room," the bald man said. "Your attitude needs to be corrected."

"But I have the biggest balls here," Noa commented as a matter of fact and asked for the tour.

Poor Vivi was assigned this role.

As she led him through the rooms, others spoke to Tifa, arguing about accepting him.

Everyone on the team knew about her daughter, and she had already briefed them about Noa and the condition he was accepted into the crew.

She also mentioned Noa's family, whom he surprisingly entrusted to her.

The entire order did a background check on him as well.

A day or two quickly went by after he was brought here and getting familiar with others, Noa constantly tried to befriend them.

Yet, he was either beaten up with practice as an excuse or outright ignored.

Understanding that getting on their good side would take some time, he wasn't upset by their coldness.

Everything was within his expectations.

So he spent most of his time sitting in the corner.

It was Tifa's additional trial, but Noa couldn't wait for her bullshit, as his one particular desire reached the limit.

"I need to go inside the Abyss!" he demanded out of nowhere.