Path of the Extra

"Just what happened...?"

Jasmine stood up, feeling as if the last few minutes had slipped away like a fleeting dream.

Nol did the same, blinking around him in confusion.

For a moment, a surmountable pressure had descended upon them, dragging both of them down.

Then a massive gust of wind swept past, tearing through the air like a missile.

And then...

It stopped.

"...Huh?"

Jasmine exclaimed, her confusion deepening as she turned to see the boss gate open.

Her eyes widened, and she ran through it, Nol shouting behind her to wait, but she didn't listen.

She raced as fast as she could, only to arrive in a room that was entirely empty.

The throne was there as usual, but there was no boss.

The Dark King was gone, defeated once again, yet there was no sign of a struggle.

"...You shouldn't run off like that; the other group will be arriving any second."

Nol's voice echoed behind her, but Jasmine didn't turn around. Instead, she pursed her lips and walked further into the room, standing on the platform.

'...Just who did this so easily?'

Someone had passed by her without notice, taking down the Dark King in mere moments and then traveling to the second floor in the blink of an eye.

Nol quietly watched from behind as she was lost in thought.

Jasmine furrowed her brows and finally turned to him.

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"Who—"

Her words were cut off as her eyes widened once again at the sudden sound of footsteps approaching the boss room.

Nol stepped closer to Jasmine and stood beside her, both of them gazing at the entrance.

"Looks like they're finally here."

Jasmine narrowed her eyes, while Nol maintained a calm smile as the group of cadets entered the boss room, looking bewildered.

Many of them were mumbling to one another, cautiously stepping forward as they eyed the open boss gate with unease.

'So all of them entered as one group as well.'

It was obvious they would—most would be smart enough to understand that the void dungeon shouldn't be tackled solo. Plus, it was their first time; it was better to have backup for something like this.

The group halted in their tracks, surprised to see Jasmine and Nol standing in the middle of the platform before the throne.

Before any of the cadets could speak, three instructors from the second group appeared, shocking them even more.

Jasmine narrowed her eyes.

'Instructor Jim, Instructor Hans, and Instructor Clarice.'

She knew their names but, unfortunately, didn't know much else about them.

The instructors frowned as they approached, stopping in front of Jasmine and Nol.

"Cadet Jasmine, what is the meaning of this? There have been barely any prowlers attacking the cadets. Why do I see you with this cadet in the boss room here?"

Instructor Hans scowled, his disapproval palpable, while the other instructors nodded in agreement.

Instead of answering, Nol smiled calmly.

"Unfortunately, we've been sent here to inform you that the void dungeon trip is canceled. It's not just the first floor; all the other floors have experienced a floor shift. Right has become left, and left has become right in here."

The instructors exchanged dark looks.

"What is your name, cadet?"

Hans's tone was cold, clearly displeased with Nol speaking. Nol, however, kept smiling as if nothing was wrong.

"My name is Nol—just Nol."

Hans nodded slowly.

"Then—"

"Ah, this is getting too boring. Let's start the show already."

Hans couldn't finish; Nol interrupted him with an exaggerated sigh, his expression one of utter boredom.

Jasmine and the others stared at him, surprised, as Hans's face flushed with anger, but Nol ignored him, turning to Jasmine.

"You see that blondie over there?"

Nol pointed to Instructor Clarice, and Jasmine nodded, still confused.

"She's one of the members of Neo Genesis, along with the other two in front of us—him, her, oh, and him."

Nol began pointing casually at the members of Neo Genesis, and Jasmine and the others exchanged shocked glances.

"Oh right, these aren't their real faces. Master told me they're using some sort of [unique skill] from someone, so the faces they've stolen belong to the dead."

'What...'

Jasmine felt a chill run down her spine as she looked at the faces Nol pointed to, but before she could process it further, Instructor Clarice lunged at Nol, a sadistic grin on her face.

"Looks like this little dove knows everything! Best to get rid of you fast!"

A dagger gleamed in her hand, aimed directly at Nol. Jasmine blinked in surprise.

'So he wasn't lying...'

Sighing, she prepared to make a move, but before she could act, Clarice suddenly froze, only an arm's length away from Nol.

Shock registered on her face, as well as on the faces of everyone else.

"Eh?" Jasmine gasped, staring at Clarice, who was now immobile.

Thin white threads wrapped tightly around her arms and legs, rendering her unable to move. Even her mouth was covered, muffled sounds escaping her lips.

Everyone's heads snapped to Nol, who stood there with a wide smile, arms spread wide, white threads spilling from his bleeding fingertips.

"You should always check your surroundings first, instructor."

Nol laughed, his eyes narrowing. Jasmine's face paled.

"Wait, Nol!"

It was too late.

Suddenly, Nol clenched his fists, and then—

Instructor Clarice's arms, legs, and head were torn apart by the threads, blood splattering across the floor.

A dead silence enveloped the boss room.

Then—

The cadets erupted into screams and retched in horror.

Jasmine stared, frozen, at the remains of Clarice before turning to Nol, disgust pooling in her stomach as he smiled, licking his lips.

"Let the show begin."

Jasmine lips trembled.

"...We are going to have to talk about this after we're done here."

There was nothing more to say as Jasmine bit her lip and turned her attention to the remaining instructors.

'Why am I always surrounded by crazy people?'

A bitter feeling churned inside her as then flames erupted from her hands.

Instructor Jim and Instructor Hans's faces paled as Jasmine approached them calmly.

They slowly backed away, while the other members pretending to be cadets began attacking Nol.

But they weren't strong enough.

Not to defeat the Crimson Princess.

Definitely not her flames.

Nor to overcome the Crimson Prince's right hand.

And certainly not his threads.