(Lilith's POV)
I have never been the strongest, the prettiest, or the most stylish, but I still did my best to fit in.
The only way to survive in this world is by adapting only those who insist on being different end up in trouble.
Only those who cling to obstinance end up bullied.
Maybe that's why I was so captivated that day.
By then, I had already completed my entrance exam and was prepared to start yet another pathetic life as one of the background characters, but then I met him.
He was just another extra like me, disregarded by the world, yet through sheer willpower, tenacity, and intellect, he managed to win a battle that seemed predetermined.
Again and again, he continued to astonish me. Perhaps it was due to my trait, but I felt a strange sense of connection to him.
I slowly began following him... just a little. I started dressing up at school so he would notice me, asked Miss Olivia to teach me how to fight so he would acknowledge me.
It quickly turned into an obsession. I didn't want him to see anyone else but me. I wanted to keep him locked away... to be mine, forever.
Maybe that's the real reason I agreed to this trip, despite my fear of blood and hatred for violence.
But just looking at him, I was sure he would offer me solace.
My heart pounded as he spoke those comforting words. Never would I have imagined they'd be the last words he'd ever speak.
We were no longer in Meltonia. I couldn't see my mother or father anymore. I couldn't fulfill my dream of raising Marionette County to be one of the greatest within the dome. And worst of all, I would never see Kai again.
This was hell, the ground was damp, and the echoing drip of water sent shudders through my entire being.
Cold sweat soaked my clothes, the bitter aftertaste of vomit lingered in my mouth.
My stomach twisted, the surroundings resembled a temple entombed within a cave, a monstrous figure standing upon a towering pedestal.
Around the edges of the cave, blood-red lakes shimmered. The staircase leading to the pedestal was pitch black.
And the monster itself was forged from black metal. Beside it stood a black and blue wolf, seemingly sculpted from onyx.
The monster's shell was the first to emerge, half-submerged in a swirling mist—like a curse etched in stone by the sea itself.
Cracked barnacles clung to its jagged ridges like tumor-ridden eyes. A faint blue glow pulsed beneath its surface. Its gaze was locked on us even Matthew, who typically masked his emotions behind facades, stood exposed.
I saw it through Future Sight, one multi-jointed arm twitched, commanding grains of sand to rise around Kai. In an instant, he was dead.
But I couldn't let it happen. No! my mind screamed. But I was still hidden away, paralyzed by fear.
And then, a soft, slightly large hand gently clasped mine. I could still see faintly through the blindfold.
Strangely, his touch brought me peace and composure. Then he whispered softly into my ear, "Who are you worrying about?"
At that moment, I realized, I had no reason to worry. After all, I had already given him my heart.
I smiled faintly and responded, "No one."
His calming voice followed again, this time more urgent. "Why don't you tell me what you see, and I'll handle the fighting. Deal?"
His words were reassuring, but even if they weren't, I would still follow him into hell itself. Because soon, he would have to do the same.
"Deal," I answered.
Soon, he rose to his feet. So did Matthew. I followed their lead and so did the others.
We may have been rookie apprentices, children born with silver spoons and the privilege of attending a prestigious magic academy.
But that didn't mean we hadn't experienced pain, or that we were just going to sit here and die.
Matthew's voice rang out next. "So what's the plan? Run?" he asked his voice hoarse.
I glanced toward Elia, already anticipating her reply. "Simple, we just have to kill it, don't we?"
I smiled, a strange competitiveness began surfacing in me. "Yes. Maybe use it as a light lunch."
Ikenna chimed in. "I think drifter meat would be disgusting."
"As far as I know, it's the best food you'll get once you become a certified mage," Junpei's comment made Ikenna visibly gag.
*-----*
Kai, who had been the last to speak aloud, finally muttered, slightly annoyed, "You guys know you're just making that thing angrier, right?"
[This is why I told you to choose your friends wisely, Kai. Some might lead you to your early grave.]
Kai's irritated mask faded into a faint smile. 'Guess I really am a fool, huh?'
[Why do you sound like that?]
'Just remembered a scene from ICUWSA… Still can't believe I'm with them now, not as a reader complaining about late updates, plot armor, or bad endings, but as an active part of the plot, shaping it, changing it.'
[Bleh… That's so cringe.]
Maybe, Kai mused to himself as he stared at the barely standing figures, now clad in their armor.
He activated his own suit, it slithered across his skin like liquid metal, or some form of alien technology. 'Maybe, transmigrating as an extra isn't so bad after all.'
But neither Kai's nor his companions' confident displays could avert the impending catastrophe.
They were still in hell, but at least now, they had a choice: die as rats, or die as heroes.
But there was always a third option—
"Be a goddamn German cockroach, and win by the skin of your teeth," Kai muttered, rising to his feet in full armor.
It was time for the most danger he had ever faced.
Adrenaline surged as they lunged forward all at once.
The colossal, snail-like creature with a metallic shell and four multi-segmented arms extending from its foot slowly advanced toward them.
They assumed a standard defensive posture that they had learned from the infuriating Professor Osbourne.
[I bet you're glad you attended the class I recommended.]
'Thanks, Alpha.'
[What do you want now?]
'Was it that obvious?'
[Do you think I'm stupid? Just tell me already.]
'I know I can scan it as well, but please scan the cave and tell me if you detect any irregularities or signs of other predators.'
[Affirmative... Scanning Dungeon Cave.]
'Now, for you, big guy.'
The mollusk directed its wolf companion toward them.
The wolf was swift, and from its dark, onyx-like fur tinged with a shade of blue, Kai deduced it wasn't a standard wolfsbur, but rather a more advanced variant.
Ikenna was the first to strike, his crimson flames blazing brightly as he thrust his palm directly at the wolf.
Just as it seemed poised to dodge, he pulled back and clicked his tongue. 'Dammit, the air is already thinning,' he thought. 'Why can't anything go smoothly in life, why?'
He sighed, augmenting his feet with flames, spinning on his right foot, and raising his knee toward his chest.
His foot shone brightly as he delivered a powerful kick to the wolf's skull, but to his surprise, the creature neither blocked nor countered.
Almost instantaneously, a massive shockwave reverberated through him, as if his attack had rebounded off the drifter and slammed back into him.
He was sent flying, unable to react before crashing into the cave wall.
The loud crash echoed through the cave as his teammates turned toward him in horror, blood pouring from his mouth in a violent spray.
But he wasn't down yet; he raised his thumb to signal his status.
The others exhaled in relief, their eyes returning to the wolf.
It wasn't particularly large, nor intimidating, but its strength was undeniable.
Each step it took was accompanied by the loud echo of water droplets, and when it moved away, an ominous silence followed.
As Kai tried to gather his thoughts, the creature moved behind him, using its tail, augmented with gravity magic, to send him crashing into a shallow lake.
He tumbled through the air, finally landing in the lake, his blood blending with the crimson expanse.
Lilith's eyes twitched as she advanced toward the drifter, fury burning in her gaze.
Her form slowly began to change, her small frame expanding until she stood nearly as tall as Elia, who herself was taller than Junpei.
As she grew in height, her proportions adjusted, though not entirely but she now resembled an above-average high schooler.
Her hair lengthened, turning textured brown, and her eyes gleamed golden.
Lilith raised her palms, and golden light coalesced within them, slowly forming into an orb.
[THE YANDERE HAS FINALLY FOUND A MALE LEAD.]
[YOU HAVE EARNED A WOW!]
[YOUR TRAIT BREATH OF LIFE IS EVOLVING, YOU HAVE EARNED AN ABILITY RAMPAGING EMOTIONS..]
Kai, through his blurry vision, observed the figure and smirked. "I knew she was wearing a mask," he muttered, struggling to rise from the water.
"L."
Kai heard Elia's quiet utterance as she stared at Lilith, who thrust the golden orb into the wolf. Yet her attack, too, proved ineffective.
Lilith was propelled toward Junpei's direction, where he caught her in his arms.
Junpei clenched his teeth in frustration. 'Dammit, I'm only a spectator. What good is a sniper in a close-combat situation?' he thought, helping the bleeding Lilith to her feet.
Matthew and Elia prepared their stances to fight.
Kai knew they were all apprehensive about what would happen if the horror chose to advance, and because of this, they kept their wild cards close.
But Alpha's next words caused a dark smile to form on Kai's lips as he murmured, "So it isn't even a wolf." He chuckled darkly. "Sly fox."