Transmigrating as an Extra, But the Heroine Has Regressed?!

A technique that didn't belong to any heroes, its origin shrouded in mystery and darkness.

And yet… it had done nothing.

The Shadow Leech didn't move. Its tendrils writhed slowly, almost cautiously. Its beady, soulless eyes locked onto Kael—not with rage, but with something else.

Hesitation.

Confusion.

Somehow… the beast knew the energy from that skill.

Because it wasn't a human skill. It came from demonic energy.

From the demons.

A flicker of understanding passed through the leech's monstrous gaze. It stopped circling. The forest wind picked up, rustling the leaves.

Even Elysia—panting, bruised, and bloodied from her battle—noticed the shift in atmosphere.

The Shadow Leech now faced a dilemma.

The beast was sent by the demons to kill the students for the future threat. But the aura Kael just released... was unmistakably demonic. It wasn't fake or copied. It was genuine and familiar.

The beast's instincts screamed at it.

(Is this boy… one of us?)

(But… he looks human. Injured. Fragile.)

(If I attack now… and he truly is one of us, I might be disobeying my orders.)

(But if I don't…)

The Shadow Leech trembled slightly, its body tensing as if preparing to leap again—but it didn't move. A low growl rumbled from its core, a guttural sound caught between fear and fury.

Elysia glanced back at Kael, confused. "What… what did you just use?", said angrily.

Kael didn't answer. His breathing was ragged, and he was barely staying conscious. That move had drained him completely.

"I don't… know," he muttered, eyes dulling.

The stand-off continued for another tense moment.

Kael dropped to one knee, panting. Elysia leaned against a tree, clutching her injured shoulder.

Neither of the three spoke for a while.

Then Kael looked up, still trying to catch his breath.

Elysia could barely feel her limbs anymore.

Her breath came in ragged gasps, and blood flowed freely from the gash on her right shoulder.

Her vision blurred, but she could still see the beast—looming, unharmed, unshaken. The Shadow Leech circled slowly, its long tendrils twitching, as if savoring the moment.

(I can't believe… I might actually die here…)

She gritted her teeth. Her legs trembled. Her blades, once gleaming with sharpness and resolve, now hung heavy in her hands like slabs of iron.

She glanced at Kael, who had dropped to one knee in front of her. His body was scorched with marks, his lips pale. Yet somehow… he was still conscious.

(You… you're still breathing…)

She sucked in a painful breath. Blood dripped from her chin.

"Fine," she muttered aloud, staggering forward.

"If I'm going to die anyway…" Her voice was hoarse, filled with fire. "...then I'll at least take you down with me."

The Shadow Leech shrieked again, sensing her defiance. It lunged—but Elysia moved faster.

With one last push, she raised her blades, channeling every drop of strength remaining in her body. Her aura flared—a golden hue streaked with red, fierce and unstable.

Her muscles screamed.

Her bones groaned.

But she didn't care.

(I'll kill you—Kael…) she whispered, her voice wavering, "...and this cursed beast."

Her blades swung—

"Elysia!"

"Elysia…. elysia…."

The sound pierced through the forest like lightning. Her hands froze mid-swing.

From the trees behind them, voices emerged.

A team of students came rushing into the ground. Robes torn, weapons drawn. Panic spread across their faces as they finally reached her.

"Elysia! There you are!"

As when they saw them they stopped dead in their tracks.

Their eyes widened in horror.

Before them stood Elysia and Kael—both bloodied, kneeling, barely holding their weapons. Behind them, the monstrous Shadow Leech towered—its inky-black body gleaming under the moonlight, its silver-marked forehead radiating danger.

"What the hell is that thing…?" one of them whispered.

Another muttered, "That's not a normal monster… That's Dread-ranked…"

"Are they insane?! They were fighting this thing alone?"

But before anyone could move—before a single spell could be cast—Elysia turned to them, her eyes blazing.

"DON'T!" she screamed. "Don't dare attack it!"

The forest fell silent. Even the wind paused.

The students froze mid-step, confused.

"But—why?! You're both dying—!"

"I SAID STOP!" Elysia shouted again, forcing herself upright.

Her swords trembled. Her legs nearly gave out.

"Just one move… one wrong attack… and all of us will die here," she growled through clenched teeth.

The Shadow Leech turned its head slowly, eyes locked on the newcomers. Its tendrils hissed against the ground.

Kael coughed behind her, barely raising his head. "It's… not just a beast," he rasped.

Elysia's team remained still, eyes darting between her, Kael, and the creature.

One of them whispered, "Did it just… pause? Why isn't it attacking?"

"I don't know what it thinks… but if any of you attack, you'll tip the balance. It'll stop hesitating, and we'll all be dead in seconds."

The Shadow Leech hissed slowly, almost impatiently.

Elysia turned back to it.

She took one step forward—then fell to one knee again.

She spat blood, but didn't lower her gaze. "I'm not done yet…"

Kael reached toward her, barely able to lift his arm. "Don't… You'll die."

"I know," she said quietly.

Then the beast twitched again. Its silver-mark flared.

The tension spiked.

And in that one, breathless moment—everyone could feel it deep in their bones:

They were only seconds away from dying if they start to attack.

No one dared to breathe, blink, or even think. Every muscle in their bodies was tense. The students behind the trees were paralyzed by the terrifying sight before them—Kael and Elysia, covered in blood, kneeling in front of the terrifying beast that stood like death itself.

She knew she had no more strength left to fight. But she didn't care.

(If this is the end… then I'm taking it on with everything I've got.)

The Shadow Leech didn't move.

Something beyond the tree line had caught its attention.

Something that made it stop.

The students watching didn't understand. But Elysia, even in her weakened state, realized what was happening.

(It's leaving…?)

The Shadow Leech tilted its head slightly as if sensing something unnatural nearby. Then, without warning, it turned. Its slithering form vanished back into the forest like a shadow sliding into deeper darkness.

Leaves rustled in its wake, then there was silence.