Chronicles of Forgotten Extra
Chapter 213 - 213: Smiles Of Deception?

A group of five stood in a small clearing.

Around them many corpses of twisted beasts were spread lifelessly.

They looked unnatural and grotesque.

"Tsk… what a mess," Lira spat as she wiped blood off her face with the back of her hand.

Her eyes didn't soften.

If anything, the fire inside them only grew stronger.

Zelle crouched near one of the monster bodies.

She ran a finger along a claw sharper than any blade.

"They are getting smarter," she muttered, her voice low.

One of her hands held a dagger as she scanned the dark forest in the front.

Lin stood a few steps beside her. His fingers tapped his wand thoughtfully.

"Weakening ourselves and them… It's a double-edged sword," he said quietly as he adjusted the bridge of his glasses.

"I don't like this. This dungeon's playing a cruel game with us."

Mira just leaned against a tree with her eyes closed.

She was as silent as ever.

Her hand still on the hilt of her massive sword.

No one even tried to disturb her.

Alos stood beside her calmly. His pale face was unreadable.

Lira finally broke the silence again.

"We're neither getting stronger nor are we outsmarting this place. We're just surviving—barely."

She shook her head.

"And for what? To get nerfed again? To fight smarter monsters? Or to die slowly?"

"Calm down, Lira" Zelle said as she stood up and sheathed her dagger with precise movement.

"We've survived this long. The forest hasn't claimed us yet."

She glanced around the clearing, eyes sharp. "But it will. If we don't figure this out."

Lin exhaled.

"We should move before something else smells us."

His voice was tired but steady.

No one argued.

The forest waited.

__

It didn't take long before the silence was broken again.

A new system window appeared in front of the group.

It was sharp and cold.

[Rank of monsters is being recalibrated.]

[The rank of monsters is increased by two minor levels.]

Lira's eyes narrowed, burning with pure hatred.

"Are you kidding me?!" she growled.

She slammed her fist into a nearby tree. Its bark cracked under her anger.

"Two whole minor levels? This dungeon is insane."

Lin frowned, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

"This can't be random. The system's reacting to something—or someone."

He glanced at the others.

His voice was low but urgent. "It all started after the new intruder entered…"

Zelle's jaw clenched. "If that intruder is making the dungeon stronger, then we have a problem."

Mira's eyes turned cold and piercing.

Her silence was louder than words.

The message was clear: kill them before they drag us down further.

Alos remained expressionless, but the tension around him thickened.

He knew what this meant.

No mercy. No hesitation.

Lira's voice dropped low.

"That intruder is a threat to all of us now."

She looked at her team with blazing eyes.

"If we cross paths with them, it's kill or be killed. No second chances. No mercy."

Lin nodded, reluctantly.

He gripped his wand tighter. "The dungeon's balance is fragile. If we don't stop this before it gets worse, none of us will make it out alive."

The group exchanged looks—hardened, resigned, but resolute.

No trust. No mercy.

Only one rule now:

Kill the threat.

__

They walked through the forest before they heard a loud sound.

A distant clash tore through the thick silence.

Then, the sound of something massive falling.

Without hesitation, they sprinted toward it.

They stopped at the edge of a clearing.

Ahead they saw him.

A boy.

He was standing calmly.

He had messy black hair messy and burning bright red eyes.

A corpse of a hulking tortoise-like beast lay lifeless at his feets.

The group of five froze.

"He's the intruder," Zelle said quietly, her eyes narrowing.

Lira's grip tightened on her bow.

"If he's the one who brought the monsters' ranks up," Lin muttered, "he's definitely no weakling."

Mira's gaze was cold and unreadable but sharp as a blade.

Alos barely blinked.

Lin stepped forward slightly, whispering.

"Wait... I need to check something."

He raised his wand in a subtle arc, activating his special sight—a rare and hidden ability he had.

He could see a glimpse of strength from a person or an object.

His eyes glowed as some arcane symbols danced before him.

Power readings flared.

He tried to sense the power level of the boy.

Nothing.

He couldn't feel anything special, except apprentice rank strength from the boy.

Then his gaze locked onto the boy's weapon—a long, curved black sword shimmering with an otherworldly glow.

"Soul-class weapon?" Lin couldn't contain his surprise.

His voice filled with disbelief.

The sword hummed with latent power, far beyond what the boy's rank suggested.

As the other heard his voice, greed sparked in their eyes.

Lira exchanged a glance with Zelle, both understanding the unspoken truth: this sword was the source of his strength.

Lira nocked an arrow silently and aimed carefully—not to kill, but to check.

The arrow flew past the boy's head, embedding itself deep into a tree trunk nearby.

Startled, he glanced around but didn't attack.

Lira stepped out slowly from the shadows, hands raised like she'd made a mistake.

"Oh my god—I'm so sorry." She shouted. "We thought you were a monster. Are you okay?"

One by one, the others emerged from behind her. Their weapons were lowered but ready.

Their plan was simple.

Win his trust. Learn his weakness. Then strike.

Lira's smile was cold and calculated.

Because in this dungeon, weakness was death.

And trust was the deadliest trap.

__

"Don't worry," he said calmly. "Happens all the time."

Alden looked at the group.

The five figures watching him cautiously didn't faze him one bit.

He could read the tension in the way they stood—feet ready to move, eyes constantly tracking him and their subtle hand movements never too far from weapons.

The tall, flame-haired woman stepped forward, lowering her bow with practised ease.

Her eyes were sharp.

"We don't want trouble," she said smoothly.

Her voice was steady but firm.

Like I'd believe that.

Alden thought in his mind.

Just then another woman with a scar on her cheek circles carefully.

Her scar looked fresh.

The scar could have been easily healed by a healing potion.

Which meant either they were running low on potions—or something nastier caused it.

Poison? Corruption? Either way, it's not his problem.

She wasn't speaking, but she was watching.

Her weapon remained sheathed, but her fingers kept brushing the hilt.

Not nervous—just calculating.

Another man stepped forward, trying to sound cooperative. He wore a square-shaped glass.

"Maybe we can help each other. Survival's easier with numbers."

Alden's eyes flicked toward him.

The guy looked like a support type.

Mage, maybe.

Behind them stood the last two—quiet.

Too quiet.

The girl with the massive blade, the boy with the hollow gaze.

Silent types were either the dead weight or the deadliest.

He was betting on the latter.

He played his part perfectly—casual, relaxed.

"I just got here. Still figuring things out."

"Well", she said, "in that case—welcome to hell."

She was polite.

"I'm Lira. That one there with the scar is Zelle."

Zelle gave a small nod—no smile, just a warning in her eyes.

Lira continued. "The one with specs is Lin. The quiet girl's name is Mira, and the one staring like you owe him money is Alos."

Alden's eyes briefly passed over each name as they were said.

Lira looked back at Alden expectantly. "And you?"

He offered a small nod.

"Damien"

"Well, Damien," Lin said next, adjusting his glasses. "We're not looking to cause trouble. In a place like this, people either kill each other or camp together. We prefer the second option."

"And honestly, you look strong."

He glanced at the monster's body at the feet of Alden.

Sure you do.

Alden thought, keeping his expression politely neutral.

"Honestly? I think it was injured. Got lucky with a hit while it was turning."

Lira gave a short laugh, forced and too tight.

"Well, luck's worth something out here."

She hesitated, then added.

"Well anyways, you're welcome to join us. Strength in numbers, right?"

Alden tilted his head slightly.

They were pushing too hard.

That meant they were desperate.

Or greedy.

Probably both.

His eyes drifted to the way they glanced at his sword.

Still, he gave a mild shrug. "Sure. I'd appreciate it."

Lira smiled like she'd just won a bet.

Zelle said nothing, but her fingers didn't leave her hilt.

Lin looked quietly satisfied.

Mira and Alos were unreadable, just shadows with barely visible breath.

Alden followed them without hesitation.

His blade was sheathed at his side.

His face was calm.

His steps were easy.

But his thoughts… sharp.

If you want me dead, he mused internally, at least earn it.

__

Author's Note:

Alright, this might be a little reckless… but let's make it fun.

If Amyra or Nyx reaches 1 million in character fandom by the end of this month,

I'll write a special date chapter with Alden just for the winner.