Beyond the Script: The Extra Who Stole the Mangakyo

Chapter 19: Chapter 19

Chapter 19 – A Dance with the Scarlet Blade

Alden Blackwood exhaled sharply, his chest rising and falling as he stood in the middle of the dense virtual forest. His smart-watch beeped as he glanced at the glowing display.

Time Left: 17 Minutes.

"Seventeen minutes... I just have to survive."

Easier said than done.

He had been dodging fights, conserving stamina, and avoiding unnecessary confrontations while taking down just enough monsters to secure a respectable score. His plan had been to stay just within the top 40 rankings, ensuring he'd get into S-Class without drawing attention.

But then, fate—or rather, the game's ridiculous sense of drama—decided to throw Alicia von Rosenheim right in front of him.

The red-haired, golden-eyed noble stood with her blade drawn, her piercing gaze locked onto him like a hawk sighting its prey. The air around her practically crackled with anticipation.

"Why her? Of all people, why her?"

Alicia was ranked D+ at this point in the game, while Alden was barely scraping by at E-. The gap was monumental. If she wanted to, she could cut him down in seconds.

But she wasn't attacking just yet.

She tilted her head slightly, studying him. "You've been avoiding fights."

Alden shrugged. "Call it strategy."

Alicia smirked. "Or cowardice."

"Oh, she's enjoying this."

"Well, I prefer to call it 'selective engagement,'" Alden said casually, loosening his stance. "You don't always have to fight to prove a point, you know."

Alicia's smirk widened. "Then fight me, and prove that point."

Before he could argue, she vanished.

Alden's instincts screamed at him, and he barely managed to twist his body to the side as a silver blade sliced through the space where his neck had been.

"She's fast—!"

He jumped back, parrying the follow-up strike just in time. The impact rattled his arms. Alicia wasted no time, pressing the attack with relentless speed and precision.

Damn it. I just need to hold out.

Alden focused on defense, blocking and evading as much as possible. He knew he couldn't overpower her. If he tried to fight head-on, he'd lose instantly.

"Think, think! How do I buy time?"

Alicia wasn't going all out yet—she was testing him. Her movements were sharp but not overwhelming. She wanted to see how he would react.

So he played along.

He deflected, sidestepped, and redirected her strikes with the most efficient movements possible. No wasted energy. No unnecessary swings. Survive.

Alicia raised an eyebrow. "You're holding back."

"No, I'm trying not to die."

But he couldn't say that.

Instead, he smirked. "Or maybe I'm just making you work for it."

She laughed softly. "Then let's work harder."

Her mana surged. @@novelbin@@

Alden's eyes widened as Alicia's sword blazed with crimson energy.

"Oh, come on!"

The next strike nearly shattered his guard. He staggered back, his arms numb from the impact. Alicia didn't slow down. She pushed forward, each attack faster, sharper. Unrelenting.

Alden clenched his teeth. He couldn't use Kamui—not without draining himself completely. He couldn't use his 5-Star Sword Art—not without exposing himself.

But he still had his 2-Star Sword Art.

Taking a deep breath, Alden adjusted his stance. His movements became fluid, precise. He redirected her blade instead of blocking it head-on.

He wasn't fighting to win.

He was fighting to last.

Alicia's eyes narrowed. She noticed the shift immediately. "You're stalling."

"Of course I'm stalling!"

But instead of backing off, she increased the pressure.

Alden gritted his teeth as he barely dodged her next attack. Ten more minutes. Just ten more.

His stamina was draining fast. His arms burned from the repeated impacts. His mind raced for an escape. She wasn't even using her full strength yet.

Then—

BEEP!

The world around them froze.

Alicia's sword, inches from Alden's throat, halted mid-strike. The artificial sunlight flickered. The trees and grass wavered like a mirage.

Then—

Darkness.

Alden gasped as he was yanked back into reality. His senses reeled from the abrupt shift, his vision adjusting to the dimly lit academy chamber. The Virtual Reality Capsule hissed as it opened, releasing a cool mist into the air.

He blinked rapidly, his body still tense from the fight.

It was over.

He had survived.