Novel's Extra: I Awakened The Strongest Physique From The Start - Chapter 85

Chapter 85: CHAPTER 84 – Zyrrak Gildspire 1.
Zyrrak Gildspire. A character who wasn’t mentioned much in the plot. The only significant detail about him was an incident where he was caught attempting to sexually harass a female student, only to be sent to jail when Ben arrived just in time to save the day.

No one really knew how Ben had arrived right at that moment, but those familiar with the plot, like Alex and Sophie, understood well that it was all Keryu’s manipulation. That scheming protagonist had orchestrated everything. What Keryu truly desired was Zyrrak’s skin, blood, and bones—rare materials Keryu harvested over time, keeping Zyrrak alive only to prolong his suffering. To Keryu, Zyrrak was labeled as “evil”—an obstacle to be eliminated.

To Alex, however, Zyrrak was nothing but a pitiable figure, a victim whose rare blood and body made him a target for unwarranted torment. He wasn’t some malevolent villain but a misunderstood individual who had never even killed an ant in his entire life. Despite his parents’ warnings, Zyrrak had eagerly joined the academy upon receiving his invitation, believing that not everyone would try to harm him.

That optimism was the essence of Zyrrak’s character—a quality Alex didn’t need anyone to tell him, as he had thoroughly investigated the goblin’s past. At first, Alex had contemplated exploiting Zyrrak’s unique physiology, much like Keryu. However, upon learning of Zyrrak’s abilities and the harsh realities he faced, Alex had a change of heart. He saw the potential in Zyrrak, and as the saying goes, one shouldn’t kill the goose that lays golden eggs.

Yet, even Alex couldn’t ignore Zyrrak’s inherent flaw—something beyond his control. His race. No matter how unique or restrained he was compared to other goblins, Zyrrak couldn’t escape his nature. Goblins, as a race, were known for their insatiable lust and uncontrollable libido. Even as a gold goblin, capable of suppressing his urges, Zyrrak needed an outlet every two months to release his pent-up desires.

‘I wonder if I made the right decision back then…’ Alex sighed, his thoughtful expression betraying the whirlwind of emotions inside. Memories of Zyrrak’s past surfaced in his mind—memories that painted a complicated picture.

There had been a time when Zyrrak, unable to control his urges, had acted out of character. Usually cautious and considerate, he had manipulated a desperate girl, leveraging his authority to promise her academic success in exchange for fulfilling his desires. It was the first and only time Zyrrak had resorted to manipulation.

Alex, who had been keeping a close watch on Zyrrak for precisely this reason, was quick to uncover the situation. Unfortunately, he wasn’t the only one monitoring Zyrrak. Theron, too, had been vigilant and had learned of the incident.

Both Alex and Theron confronted Zyrrak that day. To their surprise, the goblin broke down, crying uncontrollably as he begged for forgiveness. He confessed his struggles, and while they had already suspected as much, hearing it directly from Zyrrak made them rethink their decision.

They decided to turn a blind eye to his actions, permitting him to do as he pleases, but by keeping things in moderation, as they wouldn’t be able to protect him if things went out of hand.

Zyrrak had solemnly agreed to their words at that time, but now it seemed things had spiraled out of control once again.

Sob… Sob…

It was then that Zyrrak’s trembling body and the tears streaming down his golden cheeks caught everyone off guard. The council members, especially the girls, watched in shock. Even those who had begun to harbor disdain for him couldn’t deny the raw emotion in front of them.

Only Alex and Theron remained composed, though they both sighed inwardly. Theron’s stern gaze softened as he exchanged a glance with Alex. For the first time in a while, Theron’s usual calm had returned, and Alex felt a mix of relief and resignation.

‘At least he’s back to his usual self,’ Alex thought, grateful for Theron’s stability. Yet, he knew the situation still required careful handling.

“Zyrrak,” Alex called out gently, his voice firm but not unkind. “You know crying won’t solve anything, right?”

Zyrrak’s trembling subsided slightly as he nodded, wiping away his tears.

‘I-I can’t keep running away.’ His fists clenched, and his jaw tightened. He knew he had to face this head-on.

‘I don’t want them to feel like I betrayed their trust.’ His gaze shifted from one member of the council to another, only finding distrust in their eyes—something Zyrrak didn’t want to see, not in the eyes of the people he trusted the most in this academy.

“Good,” Alex said, nodding in approval as he noticed the change in Zyrrak’s eyes. He glanced at Theron, who gave a subtle nod of his own, signaling Alex to proceed. Alex began, “Did you force yourself on her?”

The room fell silent as everyone awaited Zyrrak’s answer. The girls, torn between their instincts and the scene before them, couldn’t help but lean in.

“No, I did not force myself on her,” Zyrrak answered firmly, meeting Alex’s gaze without hesitation.

The tension in the room didn’t ease. The girls frowned, their confusion deepening. Zyrrak’s earlier admission and this statement seemed contradictory.

“So, you had her consent?” Alex pressed, rising from his throne and walking toward Zyrrak’s seat. All eyes followed his movements.

“Yes,” Zyrrak replied again, his voice steady. The response didn’t entirely convince the council members, who were still trying to piece together the truth.

“Then what went wrong?” Alex asked, stopping behind Zyrrak’s seat. His sharp gaze scanned the room, noting the expressions of everyone present. He wasn’t just seeking answers; he was gauging reactions.

“I…” Zyrrak hesitated, swallowing hard as he felt the weight of their stares. He knew this was the moment he had to own up to his mistakes.

“Go on,” Alex urged, his hand resting on Zyrrak’s shoulder. “They deserve to know the truth.”

Zyrrak met Alex’s eyes, nodding resolutely before speaking. “I lost control that day.”

His admission hung heavily in the air. The girls, though still skeptical, couldn’t ignore the vulnerability in his voice.

“That’s never happened before, though,” Alex pointed out, frowning.

Zyrrak’s head lowered as he muttered, “This time… I wasn’t able to find an outlet because I feared getting caught by the teachers who had been keeping a watch on our actions.”

Raising his head, he turned to Theron instead of Alex. Tears welled in his golden eyes as he continued, “I thought it would put you all in a difficult position…” His voice broke, but he pushed through. “So I tried to suppress it, but it backfired.”

Zyrrak’s palm covered his face as he gritted his teeth. “I remember doing the same as always, but this time, even though I had her consent, I couldn’t control myself. I… I went harder on her than I should have.”

Realization dawned on Alex and Theron. Zyrrak’s intentions had been good, but his actions had led to unintended consequences. And as fate would have it, the girl he had hurt turned out to be a classmate of the protagonist.

‘What a mess,’ Alex thought, his mind racing to find a solution that could salvage the situation without further damage.