Novel's Extra: I Awakened The Strongest Physique From The Start Chapter 98 CHAPTER 97 - Plot Progression

The market streets of Fifth Peak bustled with life as the evening sun painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, almost setting into the horizon. Students fill the streets, their laughter and chatter blending with the calls of vendors hawking their wares.

Clusters of students gathered around food stalls, bookshops, and trinket sellers, engaging in animated conversations. Among the scattered discussions, one particular group stood out, their topic sparking curiosity.

"Did you hear? Gurrak was announced as the new treasurer of the student council!" A boy exclaid, his voice tinged with intrigue.

"Yes, and he's Zyrrak's twin brother. Can you believe it?" Another chid in, shaking his head.

"Opposite in every way," a girl added. "Zyrrak was such a gentle guy frad for sothing he didn't do, but Gurrak? He's literally a playboy who doesn't even care about his image."

"It's said that he was given a place in the student council purely because of the guilt the council mbers felt for not being able to save Zyrrak," sighed a guy from the group.

"Yeah..." Another girl spoke before her expression turned a bit strange as she added, "And you know, Gurrak, although a playboy, is charming as well."

Those words made everyone turn to her with a speechless expression, but shaking their heads in the end. They didn't want to question her preference.

As they continued to discuss the shocking contrast between the brothers, another group walked past them, their voices picking up a different thread of gossip.

"Forget Gurrak," a girl scoffed, her voice dripping with envy. "Can you believe Mira landed the position of Alex's secretary? No one's ever managed to get that close to him!"

"And she's a first-year," another girl added with a pout. "The only reason she even won the election competition was because Alex helped her build a na for herself. She's nothing without him."

"Nothing?!" A boy from their group sneered, his tone defensive. "Do you fools even know what you're saying? Mira is a goddess! You should be thanking her for gracing us with her presence."

The envious murmurs faltered as the boy's words gained traction.

"Do you know how many proposals she's already rejected in just one day?" Another voice chid in. "People are scrambling to figure out who's backing her, and I'm sure when the truth cos out, it'll shake the academy."

"Speaking of proposals," a girl interjected with a laugh. "Damian Dickensor's daily attempts to woo Margaret are becoming a cody show. Every single day, he gets rejected, yet he keeps coming back for more."

"Margaret probably has her eye on soone else," another student said knowingly. "Ben Dover, maybe? They've been seen together a lot, even though they're from different courses. It's obvious she likes him."

At that mont, a boy with jet-black hair and striking purple eyes passed by the group. It was Keryu Ivanovich, his sharp gaze flickering with sche as he caught their conversation.

"Margaret does like Ben," he muttered under his breath. "He's her childhood crush after all. But Ben isn't aware of it—fulfilling his role of a dense protagonist."

As he moved further into the crowd, his thoughts turned inward.

'The plot's moving faster than it should,' he mused, a frustrated sigh escaping him. 'Alex... it's all because of him. He's thrown everything off course.'

Keryu's expression darkened as mories flooded his mind. Alex had disrupted his carefully laid plans, stealing opportunities and allies alike.

He had even gone as far as making this plot, which was supposed to happen way later, get pushed forward by leaking the information to the teachers' council—the sole reason for Zyrrak getting declared a criminal quickly, but Alex found a way to counter that as well.

But Alex, with his masterful manipulation, had turned everything into nothing. Due to Alex, he had lost a chance to secure the girl who might've been useful later, gain Ben's higher trust, and the invaluable recourses of the golden goblin.

'That Gurrak shit he ca up with,' he seethed inwardly as he recalled the new treasurer's na. 'That's Zyrrak. There was no twin brother of Zyrrak in the novel.'

Keryu knew perfectly well that Gurrak Gildspire was just a new na—a new identity for Zyrrak. All of the show about Zyrrak getting killed was an act.

But all he could do was remain aware of that fact because there was no way to prove it false. Golden Goblins were one of the most secluded races, and knowing a little about them was already rare; how could he gather proof about Zyrrak and Gurrak being the sa?

With a growl of frustration, his gaze returned to the woman with flowing black hair and piercing black eyes—his reason for being here right now—moving through the market. It was Maleshia, who was being accompanied by a group of teachers and heading toward a nearby bar.

Keryu's fists clenched as he recalled the darker turn of events about to unfold.

'This wasn't supposed to happen yet,' he thought grimly. 'Maleshia's supposed to be drugged by her so-called friend, who's being blackmailed and left to be defiled by soone waiting in that bar. This is a plotline ant for later—when Ben would've grown strong enough to intervene.'

But now, with the plot advancing prematurely, Keryu had no choice but to act. This is why he never liked interfering with the plot, as things don't go as predicted because of this. But he's forced to make moves every now and then.

'I'm not strong enough to face them head-on,' Keryu admitted silently, his mind racing. 'But that doesn't an I can't defeat them.'

He had already made plans for all this and was waiting for the right ti, yet as he strategized, a pang of guilt surfaced. He thought of his sister, still a prisoner in their father's grasp.

'I promised I wouldn't touch another woman until I saved her,' he thought bitterly. 'But if she were here, she'd tell to save Maleshia no matter the cost.'

His resolve hardened as he prepared to make his move. He didn't even notice how his mind had already thought that he would be 'touching' Maleshia even though he could just let her go after saving her—even if it ant breaking the promise he felt guilty about.

But, just then, a passing remark from a nearby group stopped him in his tracks.

"Did you know Alex is already a seven-star Star Formation expert?" Soone spoke in awe. "With eight stars in his mind space! Only a handful of fourth-years have achieved that."

Keryu's fists clenched tighter, his nails digging into his palms.

'Alex,' he thought, his jaw tightening as he's again reminded of the scene where Alex's mana had flared and he, hiding within the crowd, just like others, was brought to his knees. 'He's far more dangerous than I ever imagined. I need to find soone—anyone—strong enough so that my worries for him won't bother anymore.'

What he didn't know was that one such person, strong enough to kill Alex with nothing but a flick of their finger, was right now, staring down at Alex.

Alex remained oblivious to the pair of shining golden eyes watching him from the shadows as he was enjoying his ti with Sophie, who, for so reason, couldn't feel the presence of this entity.

The moonlight bathed his serene face as the gaze lingered, unblinking, watching him intently.