I'm an Extra, so What?
Chapter 82 - 82: Ranger Selection Trial (3)

Wandering casually—

Luka let out a long, exaggerated yawn.

Although he appeared utterly oblivious to his surroundings, this was nothing more than an elaborate act.

Beneath his disinterested facade, he remained sharply alert, his senses tuned to every movement around him.

He was deliberately feigning defenselessness, hoping to bait the impatient and the foolish into attacking him first — and when they did, he would be more than ready to turn the tables.

Pushing his way through a dense cluster of bushes, Luka's footsteps barely made a sound.

However, as he moved forward, he suddenly froze.

The distinct crack of twigs snapping underfoot echoed in the distance, followed by the low murmur of voices too quiet to make out.

Instinctively, Luka crouched down, pressing himself into the thick foliage.

His eyes scanned the area, body tense, until the voices grew clearer and the footsteps heavier, steadily approaching his hidden position.

'Woah…' Luka thought, his eyes widening slightly in surprise.

Emerging from the trees was a group far larger than the other group he had dismantled earlier.

At the center of this group walked a familiar figure — Rosie.

She carried no visible weapon.

Men and women alike circled her like protective wolves, forming a living shield around their leader.

Rosie's face remained indifferent, her pace steady, and then her voice cut through the noise, calm but firm.

"Remember," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

"If you want to get paid, you need to make sure I stay protected. So enough talking — focus on guarding me."

"Yes, ma'am!" the group chorused obediently.

"…" Luka stayed perfectly still, weighing his options.

'To take on this many people alone would be nothing short of suicide. I'll let them pass. No point picking a fight that would waste all of my stamina.'

It was then…

A woman near the rear of the group stopped abruptly, planting herself almost directly in front of the bush Luka was hiding in.

She turned to the man beside her and said, "Ah, I should probably activate [True Sight] now, since my stamina's fully recovered."

"That's a great idea!" the man replied eagerly, flashing an excited grin.

"If we're more helpful, maybe Miss Rosie will notice us. We might even get paid more!"

"I'll head up front and use a tracking skill to help with scouting," he added quickly before jogging off toward the front of the group.

Alarm bells went off in Luka's head the moment he heard the woman utter the name of the skill. 'Shit…'

He didn't hesitate.

The instant the woman activated [True Sight], a hand shot out from the bush, fast as a viper, clamping over her mouth before she could utter a single sound.

Her eyes widened in shock, her body thrashing instinctively—

Luka was quicker, pulling her fully into the dense bush with him in one smooth motion.

Some members of the group glanced backward at the noise.

"What was that?"

"I don't know… Probably just an animal."

"Is someone stalking us?"

"So what? Let them. They won't do shit."

With casual indifference, they resumed walking, none the wiser.

Inside the bush—

Luka tightened his grip just enough to hold the struggling woman still.

He leaned down slightly, meeting her terrified eyes with a calm, serious gaze.

"Hey, relax," Luka whispered.

"I'm not going to hurt you. I just couldn't let you expose my spot."

Despite his words…

The woman continued to squirm slightly, her muffled protests trembling against his hand.

"Come on, don't be difficult," Luka muttered under his breath, frustration clear in his voice.

However…

The woman, her movements still wild and erratic, ignored him completely.

She snapped her teeth, attempting to sink them into his hand in a desperate bid to break free.

Her efforts were clumsy and ineffective—

Luka could feel his patience beginning to fray.

'I have no time for this shit.'

With a sharp exhale, Luka's free hand moved to her throat.

His fingers tightened.

The woman's breathing became erratic as she fought for air, her hands clawing weakly at his grip, but it was no use.

Slowly, her resistance ebbed away, her frantic movements growing weaker, until finally, she went limp in his hold, her eyes rolling back as she passed out.

Luka let go of her throat immediately, his expression blank.

He gently lowered her unconscious body to the ground.

He sighed deeply, as he glanced around to make sure no one had noticed.

What he had done moments ago was a reckless move.

'Grabbing someone like that was dangerous…' Luka thought to himself.

Though, if he had hesitated, if he had allowed her to give away his position, the entire group would have descended on him without mercy.

Every move, every decision, was a gamble.

Leaving the bush behind—

Luka made a decisive choice.

'I should go in the opposite direction...'

He knew he couldn't risk staying in one place for too long.

As he made some distance—

"Ah, this could help." Luka found a sturdy tree trunk and made his way toward it, his fingers finding small nooks and rough patches of bark to grip.

He pushed his feet against the trunk and began climbing.

He ascended, his body stretching upwards, until he reached a thick branch just high enough to provide cover.

He tested its weight with a cautious shift before stepping fully onto it.

"This is a lot better."

Satisfied, Luka began traversing the trees instead of the ground.

'Though I must say…This is too pathetic,' Luka mused inwardly, a faint frown tugging at his lips.

'Is nobody doing this solo?'

The situation slightly annoyed him.

He had hoped for a one-on-one fights.

But instead, it seemed like every encounter was becoming a 1v. whatever.

It reminded him of the other games he had played in his past life—

PUBG: Battlegrounds, Apex, Warzone—battle royales where survival was less about individual skill gaps and more about avoiding being overwhelmed by the sheer number of other players.

"..." Luka let out a quiet sigh.

There was no time to dwell on his thoughts.

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