Beyond the Script: The Extra Who Stole the Mangakyo

Chapter 18: Chapter 18

Chapter 18: Tactical Combat – The Test of Adaptation

The virtual island stretched endlessly in all directions, its dense jungle alive with the sounds of distant battles. I had been moving cautiously, taking out scattered monsters while ensuring I didn't stand out too much.

Then, just as I thought things were going smoothly, I felt it—that unmistakable sensation of being watched.

A second later, an arrow whizzed past my cheek, slicing through a strand of my hair.

Ambush.

I rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding another arrow. The moment my boots hit solid ground, I drew my sword, eyes locking onto the figures emerging from the jungle shadows.

Four students.

They weren't monsters, but they sure looked like predators—grinning as if I were an easy target.

"You're pretty good at sneaking around," one of them, a tall guy with a scar across his nose, said as he twirled a dagger in his fingers. "But the test isn't about hiding, it's about hunting."

"Hand over your points," another, a bulky axe-wielder, said with a smirk. "Or we'll take them from you."

I sighed internally. Great. Wannabe thugs.

My mind raced.

There were four of them.

An archer, likely the one who fired earlier.

A dagger user, fast and agile.

An axe-wielder, strong but probably slow.

A spear-user, balanced in attack and defense.

This would be tricky because I had to limit my power.

No Sharingan. If I used it, my movement would become too refined, too unnatural.

No Five-Star Sword Art. It would draw too much attention.

Only Basic Skills. I needed to make this look like a regular student fight.

Still, even without those advantages, I was confident.

---

The moment the archer nocked another arrow, I moved first.

I kicked off the ground, dashing toward him.

His eyes widened—too slow to react.

I knocked the arrow aside with my sword and lunged.

Slash—!

My blade tore across his forearm, forcing him to drop his bow. He cursed, stumbling backward.

Three left.

The dagger-wielder lunged, moving fast—his blade gleamed under the simulated sun.

I barely dodged, feeling the wind cut past my cheek. He was fast, but...

Not fast enough.

I countered—sliding to his blind spot, sweeping my sword horizontally.

Clang!

He blocked, but the force sent him staggering back.

That's when the axe-user came charging.

Damn, he's fast for his size.

He swung down—a brutal overhead strike that could cleave me in half if it landed.

I twisted my body, narrowly avoiding the strike.

BOOM!

The ground cracked where his axe hit.

I didn't have time to counter because the spear-user was already moving in.

His spear shot forward like a viper—aiming for my ribs.

I parried—redirecting the attack with minimal effort.

But the moment I did, the dagger-wielder recovered and attacked again.

I blocked. Then sidestepped the axe-wielder's next strike. Then deflected another spear thrust.

Three enemies attacking in unison.

I exhaled.

"Alright. Let's wrap this up."

---

First, I baited the axe-user into another heavy swing.

Then, I sidestepped at the last second—letting his momentum throw him off balance.

Before he could recover, I slashed his leg. @@novelbin@@

He roared, falling to one knee.

Two left.

The dagger-wielder and spear-user hesitated.

I smirked. "Still want to continue?"

They exchanged glances before the dagger-wielder lunged again.

I shifted my stance, using the 2-Star Sword Art.

Smooth movements, nothing flashy. Just efficient.

A quick step, a precise slash.

He barely saw it coming.

His dagger went flying, and my sword was at his throat.

He gulped. "I... I surrender."

One left.

The spear-user took a step back, gripping his weapon tightly.

Then he turned and ran.

> Combat Victory! +1500 Points

I exhaled, rolling my shoulders.

"That was a decent warm-up."

---

As I sheathed my sword, a slow clap came from behind.

"Not bad."

I turned—and froze.

Standing there was a girl with flowing crimson hair, her deep golden eyes filled with curiosity.

Alicia von Rosenheim.

One of the main heroines.

More importantly, one of the strongest sword users in the academy.

She tilted her head, analyzing me.

"You held back."

I felt a chill run down my spine. Did she notice?

I forced a chuckle. "I don't know what you mean."

She smiled slightly but didn't push further. Instead, she stepped forward