Extra Pages: The Author's Odyssey

In the heart of Eclipse Forest, twenty students from the [Research Department] gathered, their curiosity piqued by the looming presence of a massive tree monster. Samuel, the focal point of their attention, began to elucidate the creature's identity.

"This magnificent specimen is known as the Umbric Arbor. Its roots extend deep into the arcane, granting it control over shadow and darkness. However, every power comes with its vulnerabilities. The Umbric Arbor has a weakness to radiant energy, so be cautious if you possess any light-based skills."

As Samuel continued his lecture, the Umbric Arbor stood as a colossal sentinel, its gnarled branches reaching out like skeletal fingers. The air around it seemed to thicken with an ominous presence, and its darkened bark exuded an ethereal glow.

Lucas, however, found himself somewhat detached from the proceedings. Having already known the intricacies of the Umbric Arbor, he let his gaze wander to his AI bracelet. The digital display showed 7:00 p.m., signalling the onset of the night in the forest.

The other students, including Isabella, were diligently noting down Samuel's words, their pens scratching against the paper. The Umbric Arbor, an entity of shadows and mysteries, became the focal point of their collective attention. Yet, for Lucas, the repetitive information proved a tad dull, and he couldn't help but feel a twinge of boredom.

As the forest enveloped them in darkness, the Umbric Arbor's glow intensified, casting an eerie ambience over the gathering. Nightfall brought with it a sense of both anticipation and caution, as the students prepared to confront the Umbric Arbor, armed with the knowledge Samuel provided.

***

"Ah, it seems you are quite bored, well I can't blame you for that; so how about this you go into the forest search for any wild beast and write a report on it."

Samuel said to all of us, with a charming smile on his face. With that smile, some girls began to blush.

Of course, Isabella did not pay any attention to it.

"Then senior can we form a group for this?"

A girl asked him with a small blush on her face.

Sorry I didn't know the names of all of the students here, but can you blame me? Like me, they are also extras.

"Sure, you can do that."

Samuel said to all of us. Many male students began to glance at Isabella who was quietly standing away from the group.

I did the same but for different reasons.

Since I know that something going to happen to Isabella tonight I want to the group with her.

But I know that Isabella won't agree at all in any case.

-Then I want to be with you senior.

-No, I want to be with him.

-Hey, I said first so I get the chance to be with him.

Many girls push and shove each other aside to get a chance to be with him. Samuel who was being surrounded and harassed by the girls kept a gentle smile on his face throughout the whole time.

Besides him, a couple of boys were looking at him with envious eyes.

One of the boys said something to them.

-Hey just wait I will get Isabella on my team.

He said to others and walked to Isabella.

But he was completely ignored by her.

A couple of boys tried approaching her, but once they noticed that they were being ignored they could only helplessly go back to the party in defeat.

Seeing this scene, my lips slightly curled and I helplessly shook my head. Boys will be boys.

Walking to the blunder, where Isabella was standing, I could hear faint whispers coming in my direction.

"Here goes the Eighth one…"

"How long will you give it?"

"I say 8 seconds"

"No, I say 10"

Since my stats had improved, so did my hearing. Listening to their whispers, my eyes couldn't help but roll. Just how much time did they have on their hands?

Standing in front of her I offer my best smile.

"What's up with that creepy smile? It's disgusting."

Isabella said to me. My expression from that, a slow smile left my lips.

'... This bitch.'

I tried to calm myself down before I did something to her and put myself in jail.

…though I did not want to interact with her or any of the main characters, I couldn't help but do so this time. If something were to happen to her, then chances were that the storyline was going to change and all the advantages I had would simply crumble overnight. Simply put I couldn't afford that.

Even the all of Crew I joined is just to observe them but things always get south and I have to involve myself.

"Don't tell me you are also here for me to join the group with you? Sorry, but I-"

"No, it's not that."

Before she continued I stopped her, I love to be in a group with her so I can observe her but I know it's just wishful thinking.

"So what are you here for?" Isabella asked me.

"You should be careful tonight…"

"From What?" She said with a small frown on her face.

Seeing her react like that I didn't panic nor express my displeasure as I already knew her character.

"Something might happen tonight, and you might be the target—no, you're most likely the target"

I said to her and walked back to my place.

"Hey wait a minute, what do you mean by that?"

I could hear her shouting at me but I didn't stop and continued to walk.

Though it seemed like she didn't take my warning seriously, I knew that she had upped her guard.

"Now then, let's start this," Samuel said, I could see some other students already from a group.

Some make a group of Two some three.

There are only two people who did not have any group, who are these people you ask? Well, the First person is me and the second is Isabella.

All the students started to leave this place, I also followed their example and toward the dark forest before me.

Before going I cast one last glance at Isabella. She is also heading toward a different area than me.

Well, I hope nothing happens to her, even though she is annoying.

***

This large Eclipse forest was divided into two stages. The first stage was the outer region, which was not that dangerous. There were only a few monsters, and the majority were small monsters. On the other hand, the second stage, the inner region with Stone Mountain at its centre, was extremely dangerous.

"Thankfully we are just the outer region of Ecplise Forest," I said to myself as I moved through large trees, leaves, and some branches of old trees that were on the ground now.

I'm Freely moving around here, which meant that there was no danger.

The outer region was large, but that was based on its width. It would not be very far if they walked in a straight line. The inner region was much larger, as it was in the shape of an oval.

"I plan on avoiding as many monsters as possible, but I don't see a reason to delay this, Let complete this fast and head back before that bastard does something."

I said that and took out my sword from the AI bracelet.

I could hear the faint voice of a monster in my ear. As I told you already Since my stats had improved, so did my hearing.

The forest was not loud, but many different noises were echoing inside. The sounds of insects, the roars of monsters in the distance, birds chirping, and even some other strange monster noises.

I cut through the bushes with my sword as I tried to search for any monsters nearby.

"I am almost through this bushy area. Next is the small monsters area."

I said as I recall the setting I set for Ecplise Forest.

Then I heard two sounds of something moving in the air suddenly appeared.

Paaat!

Paat!

I instinctively moved my hand and I caught something in.

My eyes travelled to my hand and there were some poisonous darts between my fingers.

"I will take care of them quietly," I said to myself and threw those poisonous darts at the ground.

Some monsters started to reveal themselves from behind the trees. I looked at them with a blank expression.

"Are they mutated goblins?"

"Keeeeeeeeeeeeek!"

"Kirik, Kirik!"

They seemed to be larger than the average goblins and their faces looked a bit different as well. Furthermore, their skin was purple and red.

"If they have mutated goblins, then they are probably at [ E+] rank."

Seeing the muted monster bring back some bad memory of mine.

Of course, I'm talking about the time when I set myself to acquire the Lumininar crystal shards.

'This is going to take more time than I thought...'

I could see that over 10 of these small muted goblin monsters were heading toward me.

"Kirik, kirik!"

"Kiriiiiiiiiiirik!"

"So loud."

Let's do this. And I dash toward them.