Game's Extra

Aiden and his friends made their way toward the high-tech Quantum Watch shop, the store gleaming with holographic displays showcasing the latest models. As they entered, the scent of polished metal and the soft hum of energy-efficient lighting greeted them. The walls were lined with shelves displaying watches with different customizations and features, all advertised with bold, glowing letters.

A well-dressed employee approached with a professional smile. "Welcome! How can I assist you today?"

Aiden stepped forward. "I'm looking for the newest edition of the Quantum Watch."

The employee's eyes lit up as he reached behind the counter, pulling out a sleek black and silver watch with intricate glowing circuits. "This is the Quantum Watch 16th Gen, the latest model. It features enhanced storage capacity, real-time AI synchronization, integrated combat analysis, and direct mental-link technology for faster command execution. It also has improved security encryption and an extended battery life."

Aiden examined the watch carefully before nodding. "How much?"

"100,000 Aurens."

Without hesitation, Aiden transferred the amount, and the employee handed him the device. Aiden pressed his fingertip onto the interface, binding the watch to his consciousness. A brief pulse of light ran through the circuits as the watch synced with him.

"Done. Thanks."

"Pleasure doing business with you! Enjoy your new Quantum Watch!" the employee said cheerfully.

As they exited the store, Aiden's stomach growled, prompting Felix to chuckle. "Alright, I think it's time we eat before Aiden collapses from hunger."

"Sounds like a plan!" Olivia agreed, rubbing her own stomach.

They wandered the mall until they found a stylish yet cozy restaurant with a panoramic view of the cityscape. The warm lighting and the scent of grilled meats and spices filled the air as they took their seats and scrolled through the digital menu.

"What are you guys getting?" Tomas asked while flicking through his options.

"I'll go with the Teriyaki Beef Platter," Olivia said.

"Spicy Ramen for me," Felix added.

Aiden ordered a protein-heavy dish with grilled chicken, while Ava chose a light salad with a side of roasted potatoes. Elena, after some thought, picked a seafood dish.

After placing their orders, Felix leaned forward with a smirk. "Hey Aiden, since you're our 'combat instructor' now, do you give your students special treatment?"

Aiden raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"

Olivia grinned. "Oh, you know, since you're training Ava personally and all. Spending all that one-on-one time together."

Ava, who had been drinking water, nearly choked and turned red. "I-It's just combat training! Don't make it weird!"

Tomas added, "Yeah, but Ava's been acting kinda different lately. Like, blushing more often. I wonder why…"

Ava scowled and muttered, "I hate you guys."

Meanwhile, Elena had been silent, her eyes flickering between Aiden and Ava. Aiden caught the slight frown on her face and tilted his head. "Elena, you okay? You don't look well."

Elena blinked and forced a smile. "I'm fine. Just tired."

Felix, Olivia, and Tomas exchanged concerned glances but didn't press further.

Fifteen minutes later, their food arrived, and the teasing died down as they ate and enjoyed their meal.

As they were finishing up, Aiden glanced at Elena and noticed a single grain of rice stuck near her lips. Without thinking, he leaned in and wiped it off gently with his thumb. "You had something there."

Elena froze, her heart pounding. The warmth of his touch lingered on her skin as she lowered her gaze, her cheeks turning crimson. "T-Thanks…" she mumbled, feeling oddly flustered.

Felix and Olivia barely held back their laughter, while Ava puffed out her cheeks slightly but remained silent.

As they left the restaurant, a sudden explosion echoed through the mall. BOOM!

Screams erupted from the crowd as sirens blared, and a mechanical voice came through the mall's speakers:

"Warning! A Spatial Gate has opened near the shopping mall! Please seek shelter and wait for authorities to arrive!"

Aiden and his friends immediately went on high alert. "Damn it, a rift breach?" Tomas muttered.

Aiden scanned the area. "We need to get people to safety first!"

They quickly moved, guiding civilians toward designated shelter areas while keeping their guard up. The gate—a swirling mass of distorted space, like an iris of an enormous eye—tore open in the distance.

Then, from the abyss, monsters began pouring out, falling like twisted raindrops.

Beast Variants: Quadrupedal creatures with elongated jaws and razor-sharp claws.

Spiderlings: Multi-eyed arachnids, their exoskeletons glistening under the artificial lights.

Dread Hounds: Shadowy beasts that moved with eerie silence, their glowing red eyes locking onto prey.

Brute Fiends: Hulking humanoid creatures with reinforced armor-like skin, their hands large enough to crush a person in one grip.

As civilians rushed into the shelters, Aiden used his Overhaul ability, deconstructing the ground's stone tiles and reshaping them into a thick barricade over the shelter's entrance.

Then, he reached into his storage and pulled out the Forest King's Tusk, immediately transmuting it into a sleek, deadly spear.

"Here they come!" Felix yelled as the first wave of monsters charged.

Aiden lunged forward, spinning his spear and impaling a Dread Hound mid-air before twisting his body and using the momentum to slam another into the ground.

Elena's hands crackled with lightning as she unleashed a Thunder Lance, skewering several Spiderlings in one go.

Ava roared as she dashed forward, her fists glowing as she delivered a devastating Iron Smash to a Brute Fiend, sending it stumbling back before finishing it off with a spinning kick.

Felix and Tomas fought side by side, one using precise swordsmanship and the other a mix of strength and agility, cutting down Beast Variants with fluid motions.

Olivia, the group's strategist, provided support by creating energy barriers to redirect attacks and protect her friends.

"We need to hold out until the authorities arrive!" Aiden shouted as he struck down another monster.

The battle raged on, with blood and debris scattering across the battlefield. The team fought relentlessly, their coordination seamless as they fended off the monstrous horde.