Extra Pages: The Author's Odyssey

5 wolves are dead now As I killed this one tried to use his ability at sunny.

Isabella and Evelyn should be done with the last one.

I thought as I looked toward them.

But I can't be more wrong at this moment.

The last one is doing all of Isabella and Evelyn's attacks

It was clear that Isabella's mana was reaching its limits, and Evelyn's stamina was also running low. Fighting against six [E-] rank Frostbite Wolves was an arduous task, even for a [F+] ranked group like ours.

Isabella and Evelyn were locked in a fierce struggle.

After fighting against six of [ E- ]rank wolves looks like Isabella Mana is reaching her limit and Evelyn's stamina is also running out.

Let me tell you, fighting against an [E-] monster as[ F+] is not an easy task and here, we are against six [ E- ] rank wolves.

But we are not an ordinary [ F+] people.

I have my limiters removed and Isabella was trained hard from a young age by her family. And there is Evelyn I don't know much about her but considering her potential is ?SS-? rank she is also very strong.

Sunny, on the other hand, was a wildcard in this equation. I hadn't seen much of his combat skills, and I wondered how he would fare in this dire situation.

The remaining wolf, dripping with the blood of its fallen comrades, suddenly set its sights on Isabella and Evelyn, rushing toward them with malevolent intent.

"Why, oh why, must everything get so complicated?" I muttered to myself, a sense of helplessness washing over me.

"[Aster Dash]!" I activated my skill once more and sprinted towards the wolf, my blade poised for a killing strike. The wolf had nearly reached Isabella when I slashed my sword horizontally across its abdomen.

Blood erupted from the wolf's wound like a gruesome fountain. It howled in agony, its attention now fully directed at me.

The beast was relentless, and I had become its next target.

The towering three-meter-tall wolf pounced at me with frightening speed. I dropped to the ground, sliding past it as its freezing breath swept over my body.

Blood droplets from my wound splattered onto the ground as I continued my slide, narrowly avoiding the beast's attack.

I rolled to my feet, but the wolf was already upon me, its massive paw swinging towards me with deadly intent. I had no time to dodge, so I gritted my teeth and braced for the impact.

BAM!

Excruciating pain coursed through my body as the wolf's claws tore into me. I was sent hurtling through the air, crashing roughly onto the ground nearly ten meters away.

"Uargh!" I groaned, my body wracked with pain.

It was apparent that the [E-] rank Frostbite Wolf was a formidable opponent, and just a few more blows from it would be enough to send me to the abyss.

The wolf closed in, and I mustered a mocking smile. "Is that the best you can do?"

ROAARRRR!!

The colossal beast lunged at me once more, and its four massive feet shook the ground with every step.

Despite the pain, I maintained my composure, watching the creature intently as it drew nearer.

Just before its claws reached me, I shifted my body to the side, narrowly avoiding its attack.

"Now, Evelyn!" I called out, dodging the wolf's claw swipe.

"I know," Evelyn responded, leaping five meters into the sky, an arrow knocked into her bow. She released the string, and the arrow shot forward with the speed of lightning.

Thunderclaps echoed around the arrow's path as it flew directly towards the wolf's head.

CRKCL-

The arrow struck its target with devastating force, causing the wolf's head to explode like a ripe melon.

BOOOM-

The ground shook as the wolf's head disintegrated in an explosion. I couldn't help but marvel at Evelyn's power. She was undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with.

As the dust settled, I couldn't help but think about how Lucas, had managed to survive the wrath of this formidable woman.

"Maybe benefits for being a boyfriend."

I also made a mental note not to provoke her in any way.

"Good job " I congratulated Evelyn as I slowly rose to my feet, trying not to wince from the lingering pain in my body.

"You too I don't know you were~," she replied, though she seemed to struggle with the words. I decided to lend a hand.

"Handsome, right?" I teased, raising an eyebrow playfully.

Initially, her expression contorted with disgust at my self-praise, but then her features softened as she caught the underlying humour.

"You and handsome?" she asked sceptically.

"Of course, aren't I?" I responded with mock confidence.

She shot me a sidelong glance. "Forget it. You're nothing compared to Adrian and Aric."

WHAT! HOW COULD SHE SAY THAT?

I was taken aback. My protest was cut short as she abruptly left the scene.

"Hey, wait—" I began, but Sunny interrupted me with his praise.

"Lucas, bro, that was awesome! How did you do that?" I couldn't finish my question as Sunny continued.

I turned to him, my mind still stuck on Evelyn's comment.

"Sunny tells me I am handsome right?"

"What was that coming from Lucas?"

"Just answer it."

"Of course, you are."

Yes, I'm handsome.

"Compared to Adrian and Aric?" I asked him again but.

"Ah, Lucas look today's a nice day for a date Why won't you ask anyone out?

"What does that have to do with my question?" I muttered, gazing up at the sky. When I glanced back at Sunny, he had vanished.

"Sunny?"

"Excuse me."

I turned at the voice.

It was Isabella.

"Yes?"

Her eyes held a smile, but there was an underlying sharpness in her gaze. Isabella was a formidable woman, and her displeasure could cut like blades. She had a strong aversion to getting dirty, be it her body or her clothes.

"You didn't need to bother. I can take care of that wolf just fine. Much cleaner," she stated, her tone heavy with irritation.

I couldn't find words to respond. Her anger simmered beneath the surface, and it was evident that she was not pleased with how the battle had played out.

"..."

"Because of you, my clothes ended up getting dirty," she added before turning and walking away.

I watched her leave, then remembered the healing potion I had received. "Here, use it. That should make us even."

Isabella had a unique way of expressing gratitude, often masking it with her blunt and occasionally harsh words.

"She has a strange way of saying thanks," I muttered to myself, holding the healing potion in my hand. I uncorked it and gulped down the bitter liquid.

"In the novel, she has a hard time expressing her feelings, and she often says whatever she wants to, which leads her to be misunderstood by others," I reflected aloud.

"Yuck, why can't they make healing potions taste better? Life is bitter enough as it is. At least make the potion sweet," I mused, my voice filled with playful exasperation.

***

"5th out of 25 teams," the announcement echoed, displaying their ranking on the holographic screen. Team 7 had secured the 5th position.

Isabella's expression couldn't be called pleased, and there was a hint of bitterness in her gaze.

While she had landed in the top half of the teams, her competitive spirit left her dissatisfied.

Understandably, Adrian and Aric's teams had taken the first and second places, but what irked her most was that Emma's team had outperformed them.

"Grades will be based on individual performances captured by drones," Miss Lillian explained. "They'll be sent to your smartwatches, evaluating your speed in hunting the monster, your team's synergy with the target, and ways to improve for future missions."

Isabella turned her head slightly, her gaze falling on the man beside her.

He looked quite lethargic and was stifling a yawn. She knew that he had played a crucial role in their team's 5th-place finish.

Her fingers twitched, almost reaching out to smack the back of his head, but she held back.

Her jealousy and envy toward Emma continued to brew. She couldn't help but glare at the back of Emma's head, hidden behind her fiery hair.

Suppressing the urge to lash out, Isabella chose a milder approach and lightly touched Emma's shoulder.

"Emma, how did your team do?" Isabella inquired, her tone somewhat forced.

Emma turned to face her, her expression relaxed. "Hm? Oh, we got 4th place. A bit of a shame, though. I wanted to beat Adrian and Aric, especially Eric after what he did to me during that sparring match. How about you?"

Isabella sighed, "I got 5th."

Emma's eyes widened in mild surprise. "Oh? You got 5th place even with the lowest-ranked guy in your team?"

Isabella's jaw clenched. She had to restrain herself from snapping back at Emma. Instead, she muttered, "Yeah, even with him."

Emma gave Isabella a sympathetic pat on the back. "Well, better luck next time. You'll catch up to us for sure."

Isabella forced a smile in response, though the bitterness still lingered beneath the surface.