I am the Game's Extra

At Aegis Hunter Academy, there were five hidden pieces. Daemon had already claimed one of them—the passive skill [Tenacity]. Now, his sights were set on two more, and one of them was particularly unique.

The skill he planned to obtain next was called [Predator], a rare ability that combined the properties of both buff and debuff skills. Its effect was straightforward yet incredibly powerful. By activating [Predator], the user could reduce an opponent's stats by 50% while simultaneously boosting their own by 50%.

It was a simple concept, but its impact in battle was undeniable. For someone like Daemon, who was still far behind in strength compared to others, this skill could be a game-changer.

Obtaining the [Predator] skill was surprisingly simple—or so it seemed at first glance. Unlike many other hidden pieces, this one required no trials, no combat preparation, and no elaborate tests of strength or skill. It was straightforward in its acquisition, requiring nothing more than locating its hiding place.

But therein lay the real challenge. The skill was engraved on a single tree deep within a sprawling forest, marked by enormous claw marks across its trunk. Finding that specific tree among countless others was a task that tested patience more than anything else.

"As easy as it sounds, it's practically impossible," Daemon muttered, recalling his first attempt at finding the tree.

The memory of wandering aimlessly through the forest, searching for what felt like a needle in a haystack, made him shudder. "I swear, finding that tree nearly brought me to tears while playing the game."

Taking a deep breath, Daemon gazed at the dense forest sprawling ahead. Towering trees intertwined their branches, and the earthy scent of herbs filled the air. The forest felt alive, each rustle and distant sound hinting at its hidden secrets and potential dangers.

Reaching into his bag, Daemon pulled out a smooth, blue marble. Holding it in his hand, he tapped it three times. With a faint hum, the marble floated into the air, glowing softly, casting a cool blue light around him. It hovered close, illuminating his path like a magical torch.

He stepped forward, his movements slow and deliberate. Though he knew the general location of the tree from the game, but Daemon remained cautious. He didn't let overconfidence cloud his judgment.

"Games and reality aren't the same," he reminded himself quietly. The forest might not be exactly as he remembered. If he underestimated it, he knew it could quickly turn into a fatal mistake. With that thought, Daemon pressed on, determined yet vigilant, his glowing guide lighting the way.

After over an hour of walking, Daemon finally came to a halt. In front of him stood a tree unlike any other. Its towering branches stretched toward the heavens, adorned with leaves that shimmered faintly, as though they held the light of distant stars. The sight was mesmerizing, otherworldly, and undeniably powerful.

The air around the tree carried a distinct energy—a subtle hum that vibrated through the atmosphere. Daemon's heart raced as he stood before it, knowing he had found the tree that housed the skill [Predator].

Taking a deep breath, he extended his hand. His fingers brushed against the rough bark, and a strange warmth spread through his palm. The tree seemed to respond, as if recognizing him. A surge of energy coursed through his body, flowing from the tree's core into his being.

Daemon stood still, absorbing the power. The essence of the skill resonated within him, filling him with strength.

As Daemon stood before the ancient tree, a mechanical voice echoed in his mind, clear and emotionless.

[The skill 'Predator' is going through resonance with you...]

He froze, his eyes widening in anticipation.

[The skill 'Predator' is going through resonance with you...]

The words repeated, growing more distinct as the energy coursing through him intensified.

[The skill 'Predator' has over 90% resonance with you...]

Daemon's breath hitched. He had never encountered anything like this before.

[The skill 'Predator' has been obtained.]

A description of the skill materialized in front of his eyes:

[Predator]

Effect: Reduces the opponent's stats by 50% while increasing the user's stats by 50%.Additional Effect: Instills deep fear in the opponent's mind. Depending on their mental strength, this fear can either hinder their movements or paralyze them entirely.

Daemon stared at the skill's description in his mind, a mixture of shock and disbelief washing over him. The details were far superior to what he had known. The addition of fear as an effect—especially one powerful enough to incapacitate—wasn't something he remembered.

"Could it be because of this resonance?" Daemon murmured to himself.

He clenched his fist, feeling the overwhelming strength of the skill settle into his very core. 

Feeling a surge of satisfaction, Daemon turned away from the glowing tree and set his sights on his next destination. 

Time wasn't on his side. He knew he was lagging far behind the others—his competitors, his future enemies, and even the main cast. If he wanted to have any hope of surviving and thriving in this world, he needed to act quickly.

Daemon's greatest weakness at the moment was painfully clear: his lack of stats. It was a glaring disadvantage, one he had no choice but to overcome.

His path was simple yet daunting—to gather as many hidden pieces as possible in the shortest amount of time. Every boost, every advantage, no matter how small, was critical.

So that's why the next hidden piece he is going to get will not only help in increasing his stats, but also his combat efficiency.

It had already been a month since the academy term began. In the original game, this period served as filler. But Daemon knew the truth—after this, events would start unfolding rapidly, and the pace would only accelerate.

"According to my calculations, I barely have a week left." Daemon muttered to himself, his thoughts racing.

*********

The Aegis Hunter Academy held five hidden pieces within its grounds, each a valuable treasure. Three were unique skills, one was a special item, and the last offered a direct boost to strength. These hidden pieces were not just rare—they were essential.

When players first began their journey in the game, they quickly discovered how challenging it became after the first two events. By the time the third event rolled around, the difficulty spiked dramatically.

For Arthur, the game's protagonist, it was practically impossible to clear the third event without becoming at least a three-star hunter. Unless the players had flawless strategies, the event seemed like an insurmountable wall.

This led to a wave of frustration among players. Many began experimenting and strategizing, seeking solutions to break through this difficulty curve. After countless hours of trial and error, someone finally found an answer.

One key approach was to gather as many allies as possible before the second event concluded. Doing so provided the strength in numbers needed to tackle the third event. But to gather allies, players had to invest time in completing numerous side events, each unlocking potential companions or resources.

One day, entirely by accident, a player stumbled upon a remarkable hidden piece—a dungeon unlike any other. This dungeon wasn't just a test of skill or strategy; it granted a unique opportunity to increase a player's rank.

When this discovery spread, it revolutionized the way players approached the game. Arthur, the protagonist, used this very dungeon to break past his limitations. He raised his rank to become a three-star hunter, which allowed him to overcome the daunting third event.

Daemon knew this story well. That's why he was headed for the dungeon now. With his current strength, it was his best shot at gaining the edge he desperately needed.

From his memories, Daemon recalled the dungeon's location clearly. It lay in the Elysium Dominion's District D.

Fortunately, since the forest he had just left bordered District D, the journey wouldn't take long. His plan was increase his power as much as possible before looking for the hidden piece out the academy.