Game's Extra

The moon cast a silver glow over the forest as Aiden lay awake, staring at the stars peeking through the gaps in the canopy. His mind churned with thoughts of the test's next stage and the possibilities it held. He debated silently whether he should intervene in what he knew was about to happen or let events unfold naturally. Eventually, his eyelids grew heavy, and sleep claimed him.

At dawn, the sun rose steadily, painting the forest in golden hues. Aiden woke to the sound of birds chirping and rustling leaves. Stretching, he stood and walked to the stream, splashing cool water on his face to shake off his grogginess.

"Morning," Elena's voice broke through the tranquil silence as she joined him, brushing her hair back. "You're up early."

"Couldn't sleep much," Aiden replied, glancing at her. "We need to cover more ground today."

Felix and Olivia soon emerged from their tents, exchanging greetings and groggy yawns. They quickly began packing up their camp, the urgency of their task palpable.

"We need to gather as many flags as we can today if we want a shot at the top spot," Aiden said, addressing the group.

"No pressure," Felix quipped, slinging his pack over his shoulder. "Let's get moving."

They ventured deeper into the forest, their eyes scanning every nook and cranny for flags. Their efforts paid off as they found flags in various places—tied to tree branches, hidden in hollow logs, and even one tucked into an obstacle course that required a precarious climb.

By mid-morning, they had collected 11 additional flags, bringing their total to 21.

"Not bad," Olivia said, wiping sweat from her brow. "But we'll need more."

As they pressed on, the atmosphere between Aiden and Elena grew subtly charged. An awkward silence lingered after their brief exchanges, punctuated by stolen glances and half-formed sentences.

"You're quiet," Elena said at one point, breaking the tension.

"Just focused," Aiden replied, his voice measured. "We can't afford to be careless."

"Right," Elena muttered, turning her gaze forward.

Their dynamic didn't escape Felix and Olivia's notice, who exchanged knowing smirks but refrained from commenting.

After another hour of walking, they stumbled upon Team 5. The other team had just finished slaying a monster, its corpse still steaming with the remnants of magical burns. Ava, the team's leader, stood over the carcass, her fists wreathed in faint flames. She turned, her sharp eyes locking onto Aiden's group.

"Well, well," Ava said, crossing her arms. "Looks like we've got company."

Aiden stepped forward, his expression neutral. "You've been busy."

"You could say that," Ava replied. "And you're looking a little too confident for my liking."

Felix leaned closer to Aiden, whispering, "What's the plan?"

Aiden's eyes flicked to the flags dangling from the belts of Ava's team. "We're taking their flags," he said softly.

Ava seemed to catch the shift in Aiden's demeanor. "Oh, I see. You think you can take us?"

"Only one way to find out," Aiden replied, stepping into a defensive stance.

The tension snapped as Ava surged forward, flames igniting around her fists. She aimed a fiery punch at Aiden, who dodged by dropping low and rolling to the side. Grasping the ground, Aiden used Overhaul to mold a sturdy battle axe, swinging it to counter her next strike. Sparks flew as flames licked the edge of the weapon.

Meanwhile, Elena faced off against Iris, Team 5's technomancer. Iris activated her plasma gun, its energy hum reverberating through the clearing. Elena darted sideways, hurling lightning bolts to keep her opponent off balance. The air crackled with energy as their abilities collided, scorching the ground around them.

Felix and Olivia engaged the remaining members of Team 5. Felix's sword crackled with electricity as he traded blows with a swordsman, while Olivia unleashed fiery orbs to keep another enemy at bay. The forest echoed with the clash of weapons and the roar of magic.

Aiden and Ava's battle intensified. Aiden shifted his axe into twin gauntlets, meeting Ava's blazing fists with his own reinforced strikes. Their movements were fluid yet brutal, each attack a test of reflexes and strength. Aiden's martial arts training shone as he transitioned seamlessly between grappling and striking techniques, forcing Ava onto the defensive.

In a decisive move, Aiden swept Ava's legs out from under her and pinned her to the ground with a rear-naked choke. Despite her struggles, Ava's strength ebbed, and she lost consciousness.

"Aiden!" Elena called, finishing her fight. "Need help?"

"I'm good," he replied, breathing heavily. He used Overhaul to bind the rest of Ava's team with wooden restraints, ensuring they couldn't escape.

Little did he know, Ava had been biding her time. Heat flared around her, and she incinerated her restraints, lunging at Aiden with a fiery roar. Reacting quickly, Aiden shifted his gauntlets into a spear, deflecting her assault before transitioning into a grappling move. This time, he ended the fight decisively, using a combination of strikes and holds to subdue her.

With Team 5 defeated, Aiden and his team collected their flags, bringing their total to 44. A group of mages arrived shortly after, teleporting Team 5 out of the forest.

As the adrenaline faded, Aiden checked on his team. "Everyone okay?" he asked, his gaze settling on Elena.

"Just a few scratches," she replied.

Kneeling beside her, Aiden activated Overhaul to mend her injuries. "This might sting a bit."

Elena winced but said nothing, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks. "Thanks," she murmured.

Oblivious to her reaction, Aiden moved on to tend to Felix and Olivia's wounds. After a brief rest, the group celebrated their victory over Team 5, their spirits lifted by their growing flag count.

"Not bad for a bunch of underdogs," Felix said, grinning as he held up their haul.

They spent the next few minutes recuperating before heading back into the forest. The day wasn't over yet, and more challenges awaited them. As they walked, the camaraderie between the group grew stronger, punctuated by moments of laughter and teasing.

Eventually, they came across another clearing where Team 4—led by none other than Atlas Cain—stood waiting. The two teams locked eyes, the air thick with anticipation.