The Male Lead isn't Following the Script!
Chapter 208: Caught

Chapter 208: Caught

Cassian’s lips curved into a faint smile, but he said nothing.

However, they did not know that Adeline knew everything.

"He is really trying his best to earn your forgiveness, isn’t he? Sending over weakened beasts to increase your kill count... It’s not a bouquet but it is certainly... Something."

Adeline sighed in frustration, brushing off the comment. It wasn’t the first time the Goddess had offered unsolicited opinions on Cassian’s behaviour, and Adeline wasn’t in the mood for it.

"It’s not like I asked him to," she muttered under her breath. "I don’t need his help."

"Of course not," the Goddess replied, her tone teasing. "But it’s still happening. Whether you like it or not, he’s watching over you."

How could she feel warm, touched and annoyed at the same time, she didn’t know.

Her confidence had grown since the hunt began. The monsters were tough, but she had learned how to handle them. She had even started to enjoy the process, as strange as it felt. Each kill was a victory, a step closer to proving her strength.

Still, she couldn’t shake the nagging thought that she wasn’t doing enough.

Her kill count had risen to a hundred and fifty, but it didn’t feel like enough. In a competition like this, there were surely others who had far surpassed her by now.

Her anxiety must have been evident because the Goddess chimed in again. "You’re doing well. But if you want to secure victory, I know of a place where you’ll find more monsters. Many more."

Adeline paused, considering the offer. Her friend, the goddess had been incredibly helpful throughout the hunt, so she was inclined to believe her.

"Where is it?" Adeline asked finally, her voice firm.

The Goddess guided her with gentle nudges, directing her deeper into the hunting grounds. Adeline followed without hesitation, trusting the divine voice that had become her constant companion.

What the Goddess didn’t mention, however, was that Cassian was still tailing her.

Adeline assumed he had moved on to get a few kills of his own. It made sense, after all, he wasn’t the type to sit idly by. But she was wrong.

Cassian hadn’t left her side since the hunt began. Benedict went his way. He had a hunting spirit in him and he wanted to make the most of his last hunt. The thrill of competition got to him.

Whenever other contestants approached, Cassian made sure they didn’t get too close. His presence alone was enough to deter them. Most of the participants assumed that if Cassian was there, the area was already cleared of monsters. It wasn’t worth their time to investigate further.

Cassian knew exactly what he was doing.

He wasn’t interested in hunting for himself—he didn’t need to. His goal was to make sure Adeline had the best chance of winning, even if it meant playing the role of her invisible barrier.

Adeline, oblivious to Cassian’s continued presence, pressed on.

The further she ventured into the hunting grounds, the more confident she felt. Her movements were sharper, her strikes were more precise. She could feel herself improving with every fight, and the thrill of it was exhilarating.

For the first time, she allowed herself to enjoy the hunt.

Yes, she was still concerned about the act of killing, but these weren’t innocent creatures. These were corrupted monsters, twisted and dangerous. In this place, it was kill or be killed.

She clenched her fists, her determination burning brighter than ever.

As she reached a new clearing, Adeline paused to catch her breath. The Goddess’s voice broke the silence.

"This is the place," she said, her tone calm but purposeful. "There are many monsters here. But be careful—they’re stronger than the ones you’ve faced so far."

Adeline nodded, her jaw set in determination.

"I can handle it," she said.

The first beast emerged from the shadows, its low growl sending a shiver down her spine. It was larger than the others, its body covered in jagged scales that glinted in the faint light.

Adeline steadied her breathing, summoning her lightning.

The fight was intense, but Adeline held her ground. She dodged its attacks with agility, waiting for the right moment to strike. When the opportunity came, she unleashed a powerful bolt of lightning, aiming for the creature’s vulnerable underbelly.

The beast let out a deafening roar before collapsing, its body convulsing as the electricity coursed through it.

Adeline didn’t have time to celebrate. More monsters were emerging from the shadows, drawn by the commotion.

She tightened her grip on her weapon, her eyes narrowing.

"Bring it on," she muttered, stepping forward to meet them.

From his hidden vantage point, Cassian watched with a mixture of admiration and concern.

"She’s really pushing herself," he murmured, his gaze never leaving her.

As the fight raged on, Adeline felt herself reaching her limits. Her body ached, and her breathing was ragged, but she refused to back down.

She pushed herself harder, channeling every ounce of strength she had left.

The Goddess’s voice was a steady presence in her mind, offering guidance and encouragement.

As the fight raged on, Adeline felt herself reaching her limits. Her body ached, and her breathing was ragged, but she refused to back down.

She pushed herself harder, channeling every ounce of strength she had left.

The Goddess’s voice was a steady presence in her mind, offering guidance and encouragement. "You’re doing well. Just a little more. You can do this."

Adeline gritted her teeth, summoning one last surge of power. Her lightning crackled in the air around her, illuminating the battlefield in a brilliant flash of light.

When the dust settled, the monsters lay defeated, and Adeline stood victorious.

Her chest heaved as she caught her breath, her hands trembling from the effort.

"I did it," she whispered, a small smile breaking across her face.

The Goddess’s voice was warm and approving. "Yes, you did."

Adeline stumbled a bit, her knees were a bit weak. As she wobbled, she felt like she was going to fall when Cassian caught her.