Extra Pages: The Author's Odyssey
Chapter 144: New Nightmare

Alice and Kent reached their meeting spot, an underground chamber beneath the mansion where Nova Academy students were housed. The chamber exuded an eerie atmosphere, with dim lighting casting shadows on the stone walls. The air was tinged with a sense of secrecy and anticipation.

Forty individuals stood in the chamber, each wearing a red mask concealing their faces and dark cloak hoods adding an element of mystique. Alice and Kent arrived punctually, avoiding the severe consequences that would befall them if they were late.

The leader, distinguished by his commanding presence, addressed the assembled members, revealing a picture of their target, Lucas Darkheart. "His name is Lucas Darkheart, and he is the focus of our mission. If anyone interferes, eliminate them," the leader declared, met with silent nods from the masked individuals.

With determination, the leader opened a door behind him, providing direct access to the mansion's interior. "Now let's go," he commanded, signalling the beginning of their mission. The group, shrouded in mystery and united by their shared objective, moved forward with a sense of purpose.

Kent's frown deepened as he heard Alice express her unease about their mission. The weight of their first assignment pressed heavily on their shoulders. Turning to face his wife, he responded with a mixture of determination and a hint of sadness in his eyes.

"Alice, this is our first mission, and we must succeed no matter what. Remember what 'Red Sun' did for us. If it weren't for them, both of us would have been dead on the streets long ago," Kent recounted, his voice carrying the weight of past struggles.

Flashbacks flooded Kent's mind, memories of the dark days when he and Alice were struggling to survive. 'New Sun,' the mysterious organization that had intervened in their lives, had provided them with a lifeline. They were on the brink of despair, facing an uncertain fate, but 'New Sun' had offered them a chance at a new life.

In those challenging times, Kent and Alice found solace in each other, forging a bond that went beyond the hardships they faced. Now, as they embarked on their first mission, that history echoed in Kent's words, reminding them both of the debt they owed to 'New Sun.'

Alice silently nodded, acknowledging the truth in Kent's words and the gratitude they harboured for the organization that had given them a second chance.

"Let's go, Alice," Kent said stepping into the door followed by Alice in silence.

***

-Swoosh!

-Thud!

"Ouch, that's hurt a bit," I said to myself as my back hit the concrete ground.

Glancing back at Sarphina, I frowned.

'At least pretend that you are sorry.'

I picked up myself from the ground and stairs ahead and found out that I was in front of the mansion gate.

I didn't even notice when I reached here, it was so fast that I had to shut my eyes as Sarphina used [ Flesh Step ].

'Thank god I'm alive.' Earlier I made some stupid decisions I have made in my entire life.

What are those stupid decisions?

Well, for first instead of running away from the doumgen gate outback I decided to stop upcoming monsters until heroes arrived.

I did that thinking it was the best solution at that moment but who knows that demons would be coming from Doumgen Gate and not any demons but Titan Shifter demons.

'I was lucky that I survived there, As for others...'

My thoughts went to the Six heroes who stood there with me to kill the monsters. Two of them are already dead and for other four must have died as well.

I felt sorry for them but only for a moment.

What, I'm being heartless? But let me tell you that we were practically strangers to each other.

So it's only logical that I felt this way.

"I'll be going now since you are safe," Seraphina said to me, breaking my chain of thoughts.

"Ah! Yeah, Sure Miss President, Please take care of-"

Before I could finish what I wanted to say she disappeared in flash.

'How cold.'

Well, that's how I described her in the novel, Sarphina is cold to everyone. She just minds herself and doesn't give a shit about others but that doesn't mean she is a bully or anything.

What I'm trying to say aside from herself and her family, Sarphina doesn't care about anyone.

Also, she is not in Adrian Hearm. In fact, at the end of the first year, Adrian challenges Sarphina for a duel but he loses her and has to spend the night in a hospital bed.

She also carries over a big secret but let's talk about that later.

"Halt! Who are you? Sate your business!"

'Guards? They were not here when I left the mansion' I thought so confused but then I remembered that they must be here for security measures after all there was an S-rank gate outbreak going on.

"I'm a Student from Nova Academy and my class is in, I was outside when the dungeon outbreak began," I said to Gurd as I showed him the Student ID card.

Glancing at the Card for a moment he said, "You can go in." A steel metal door opens, and I take my ID card from him and inside the Mansion.

Waking out of the long corridor, I reached the main hall there I found that the hall was full of students, and staff members of the mansion.

Their faces were pale and full of fear. They were worried that some monster would reach here.

Well, what can I say? Their fear was justified as this is what happened in the original plot but now I have changed the plot they don't have to worry about anything at all.

My gaze settled on one particular table. It was Adrian's table and sitting with him were Evelyn, Sunny and Isabella.

From the looks on their faces, they seem to be having some kind of serious conversation.

'Whatever, it didn't matter to me.' I thought so as I started to walk toward my room but before I took a step forward my eyes settled on Evelyn.

On the brink of death, I thought about her or it's more like I unconsciously thought about her.

Some old memory of us dating together comes into my head, But everything changed between us and I don't even know how that happened.

'If only I had all my memory' I thought regretfully as I started to walk in the direction of my room.

'I will solve this mystery between us, no matter what happens.' I don't know why this is important to me but there is this gut feeling that tells me that this is something I must do.

***

Along the way, I drank the [Mana Recovery Potion] and [Stamina Recovery Potion], the cool liquid providing a soothing sensation as it revitalized my tired body. The potions worked their magic, replenishing my empty mana core and infusing my weary limbs with newfound energy. Gradually, the lingering fatigue began to lift, and a sense of clarity washed over me.

-Click!

After navigating the long corridors, I arrived at my apartment and opened the door. The familiar surroundings did little to ease the gnawing uncertainty within me. I stepped inside, the door closing behind me with a soft thud.

I frowned as I sensed an unfamiliar Man in the air, it was very faint but it was there.

'Who is here?'

Turning on the lights whilst keeping an eye on the living room, I slowly took off my shoes.

Though I couldn't see the whole living room due to the corridor narrowing his line of sight, I knew that someone was hiding inside the living room.

Looking left and right, I summoned my sword and channelled my mana towards the tip of his sword.

I also picked up Vass which was side of the corridor.

I slowly pushed Vass forward toward the living room.

The Vass slowly rolled on the ground making a voice.

-Shua! -Shua!

As soon as the Vass crossed the corridor and entered the living room, two black-clad silhouettes appeared out of nowhere and attacked the Vass.

-Crack!

Breaking into a million pieces, the Vass scattered in the ground.

Staring at the broken Vass in the ground for a split second and noticing something wrong, the two silhouettes immediately turned towards the entrance of the room.

-Tap -Tap -Tap

The two silhouettes immediately turned towards the entrance of the room.

-Tap -Tap -Tap

Appearing from the other side of the living room, I indifferently walked out.

"Who are you?" I asked, my voice carrying an edge, and I took the stance of Celestial Parry, ready to respond to any aggression.

Instead of answering, they tightened their grip on their weapons, a silent acknowledgement of the impending confrontation.

Without wasting time, I initiated my attack. The second movement of the [Celestial Parry]: Luminous Riposte. Seamless and fluid, my sword danced through the air.

The blade connected with precision, cutting through both of their arms. The sound of their weapons hitting the ground echoed through the room. As they grunted in pain, the confrontation shifted in my favour.

From my perspective, every move was calculated, every strike purposeful. The familiarity of my sword art, the muscle memory ingrained in my every motion, allowed for a swift and decisive response. The room, once tense with anticipation, now held the aftermath of a battle.

As the dust settled, I awaited answers from the subdued figures, determined to unravel the mystery that lingered in the air.

'Who are they?'

I don't know.