I Became the Extra the Heroines are Obsessed with

Chapter 5
The Problem Child (3)

『 Translator – Divinity 』

Winslet Sylvia.

A member of the great Duke Winslet family.

She grew up recognized as a promising talent due to her exceptional abilities.

A genius who caused a stir not only in the Imperial family but throughout the entire Empire.

That was her.

However…

‘This is a different story.’

Ruthless hands that cut down magical beasts without hesitation.

The experienced composure to deal flexibly with attacks from all directions.

Actions that showed experience beyond mere talent.

‘This is crazy. I’d believe it if you said she was a completely different person.’

After dealing with the leader, Sylvia slowly descended to the ground from the tree.

“…Does the Duke’s family make their children hunt magical beasts from a young age?”

Ignoring Canua’s dumbfounded muttering, fresh from the shock…

She slowly approached me and then…

“What are you doing?”

“Um, you’re alright.”

She looked me up and down, then suddenly nodded with a satisfied smile.

‘What in the world is going on…’

As I sighed deeply, feeling dizzy…

Soon, Ian also followed her and approached us.

“I apologize.”

He immediately bowed his head and apologized.

“Ian, I won’t stop you if you want to die, but don’t drag others into it.”

“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”

Our protagonist nodded his head pitifully, acting dejected.

‘This bastard, he’s definitely lying.’

The Ian I know wouldn’t lower his head so easily.

Even in the novel, the number of times he sincerely bowed his head could be counted on one hand.

‘How cunning.’

Well, it’s good to be skilled at navigating social situations.

At least it means he won’t explode like a pufferfish out of pride.

“Let’s just get out of here.”

“Right. We need to treat Minerva.”

“Yeah, let’s do that.”

Now, the remaining time to escape the Forest of Magical Beasts was about an hour.

It might even be faster if we walk quickly.

‘Hmm, was I too hasty?’

Although I did it to help the protagonist grow, there’s no denying that I acted without thinking things through.

The Magical Beast Pheromone is one thing, but learning the Alteian Swordsmanship to resolve the situation was a painful blow.

I used a whopping 16,000 EXP.

It takes forever to accumulate, but it’s gone in an instant.

‘No matter how I think about it, giving 1 or 2 points at a time is too stingy.’

Now that the main story has begun, and I’ve been with the protagonist, not just the heroines, maybe I’ll get more points.

As I was walking along, happily indulging in wishful thinking…

Screeeech!

A bizarre scream, like scraping metal, echoed throughout the forest.

Thanks to Sylvia’s signal, we hurriedly covered our ears, but…

“Ugh…”

Even so, it felt like needles were pricking my eardrums.

‘Oh shit, don’t tell me…’

An overwhelming presence was felt from afar.

It made my steps naturally heavy.

It felt as if the gravity around me had doubled.

Knowing why this was happening, I…

“Run! Run quickly!”

I shouted and started running with Minerva on my back.

“What-”

“Just shut up and run!”

If it were an ordinary magical beast, this would be the wrong response.

It could even be seen as trolling.

But…

‘It won’t be solved by holding our breaths and moving stealthily.’

This creature has a habit of hunting using its extremely developed sense of smell.

Therefore, we can’t avoid it or stay hidden just by moving quietly.

The best way is to get out of its territory as quickly as possible.

‘But that’s probably impossible.’

Everyone was physically exhausted from dealing with so many magical beasts.

I’m relatively better off, but since I’m carrying a person on my back, I can’t pick up speed.

After I suddenly started running…

Ian and Canua were bewildered, but…

When Sylvia started running after me, they hurriedly followed suit.

‘This won’t do.’

Even if we started running immediately after hearing its cry, escape is impossible.

That would be true for Sylvia and Ian as well.

‘If we’re going to be caught anyway, we need to change the location.’

The forest is like that creature’s playground.

There’s no reason to fight in a place that’s difficult to deal with.

Since I already know what it is, its abilities, and its habits…

I had to eliminate as many variables as possible.

***

“Huff… huff…”

“Theonar, why did you suddenly change direction?”

“Th-that’s… the only way… to win…”

“…Catch your breath first and then speak.”

Canua and Ian seemed dissatisfied that I didn’t run straight towards the exit of the forest.

‘It’s understandable since I ran without explaining anything.’

It couldn’t be helped due to the urgent situation. They don’t know what kind of creature is chasing us.

‘I don’t have the confidence to persuade them, nor the time.’

The place where we stopped was an open field located on the outskirts of the Forest of Magical Beasts.

‘Did one of the students accidentally burn it down?’

The trees, imbued with magical power, had a strong ability to regenerate, but I heard they were burned down to the roots.

What kind of magic did they use to burn down this entire vast area?

‘It should be here soon.’

After catching my breath and staying in the middle of the open field for a few minutes…

“Screeeech! Screeeech!”

The sharp, metal-scraping cry was getting closer and closer.

I thought we could handle it with our current strength and even went as far as choosing the location, but…

Contrary to my expectations…

“Screech?”

“Screeeech!”

The mutant that appeared…

Wasn’t alone.

‘…Holy shit?’

It’s not like they’re some special offer at a convenience store…

Buy one, get one free?

What is this absurd situation?

“Sylvia!”

“Yeah, I’ll take the left one.”

I hurriedly called out to Sylvia, and as if she had read my mind, she said she would take on one of them.

‘What an ugly creature.’

It was a very impressive creature with long, vine-like tree roots extending like tentacles.

At first glance, its main body looked like an old tree stump, but the surface wasn’t bark but rather hardened flesh, with a black liquid oozing from its holes.

‘The central part isn’t easy either.’

In the center of the stump, I could see the magic core pulsating irregularly between the grains of the wood.

‘It’s kind of disgusting, like a heart.’

The Stump, a docile and peaceful magical beast.

It was so small and cute that nature lovers considered it a companion beast, resembling a tree.

But after being eroded by magic and becoming a mutant, it became so grotesque that I wanted to look away.

“Everyone, aim for the magic core in its center! That’s its weak point!”

The magic core, the Stump’s weak point.

Even if it became a mutant, its fundamental nature remained the same.

There was no need to drag things out, so I shouted the Stump’s weakness to the group and charged.
.

.

.

.

.

‘This isn’t easy.’

The buy-one-get-one-free mutant Stumps?

Ah, that’s fine.

Sylvia is unexpectedly strong, and we have the numbers advantage.

The real headache is…

‘No, don’t just amplify it, focus it in one place!’

It was raising our problem child.

“Its regenerative ability is so strong that it seems pointless unless we completely sever it, doesn’t it?”

“…”

Even though I’m not just giving him the answer, but practically spoon-feeding it to him…

‘Oh man, what a frustrating guy.’

He spits it out when all he has to do is chew.

“I’ll take the front.”

“Yes, so focus your magic power and-”

Thud!

Before I could finish my sentence, Ian recklessly charged.

Seeing that, I almost exploded in frustration.

‘I even lured them to an open field to make it easier to deal with them, and he’s just messing around all day long.’

Of course, I know that solving a problem with the answer is different from solving it without, but…

Even so, this is like he’s completely blocked his ears.

‘Sylvia will be finished soon.’

Honestly, I’m not trying to teach him some amazing technique.

It’s something Ian should have naturally learned while dealing with the mutant.

Even though I’m telling him this, seeing what he’s doing makes me lose hope.

‘If it weren’t for the divine blood…’

If it weren’t for the fact that he possesses the power to face the final boss, I would have abandoned him, protagonist or not.

‘Let’s just give up, it’s a waste of time.’

Soon, we’ll really miss the golden time for Minerva to receive treatment.

Raising the protagonist is good and all, but it’s also unsettling to neglect a person dying in front of me.

“Get out of the way, you idiot.”

I grabbed Ian’s collar, who was struggling in front of the countless flailing roots, and pulled him back.

Swish!

Focusing my magic power on a single point, I cut down all the roots protecting the stump.

“Sylvia, now!”

At the same time, I stepped back.

Sylvia, who had defeated the other mutant alone and was waiting, watching for an opportunity…

The moment the stump’s magic core was clearly exposed, she swiftly finished it off.

Thud!

As the magic core shattered, the Stump lost its form and crumbled.

After all the twists and turns, we finally managed to defeat the mutant that suddenly appeared.

***

“Winslet Sylvia. You’re getting a penalty. You know the reason, don’t you?”

“Yes, I apologize.”

Group 24, and Sylvia, returned safely after defeating the mutant.

She was severely scolded by the professor in charge.

‘We’re grateful, but it was still wrong.’

Now that Minerva had received treatment safely…

It was time to return to the academy.

‘I wonder what he’s thinking.’

Pretending to stretch, I glanced over.

I saw Ian sitting on a rock, lost in thought.

‘I hope he’s not thinking about anything strange.’

Even if things don’t go according to the original story, the protagonist’s talent is outstanding.

As long as he doesn’t stray down the wrong path, he will grow.

The problem is the speed of his growth.

I don’t even expect him to grow faster than in the original story.

I just want him to grow normally, without any variables.

‘Ah, whatever. Let’s rest for a bit.’

My whole body ached after moving so vigorously with this soft, cotton-like body.

It seems I need to cut down on my sleep even more and use that time for physical training.