Transmigrating as an Extra, But the Heroine Has Regressed?!

The Demon's Hideout

Twenty kilometres away from the bustling Arcadia Academy, there are twisted roots of an ancient forest.

This was the demon stronghold.

At the head of the table sat a demon cloaked in shadow, a shadow disciple.

A talisman, materialized in mid-air, floating gently before landing on the stone table.

The room instantly fell silent.

The Shadow Disciple extended a clawed hand, long fingers curling as he took the talisman. The faint glow pulsed under his touch, reacting to the dark mana in his veins.

"So," he murmured. "The first-year rescue team… only eight of them. Perfect."

The surrounding demons leaned in, eager for the news. "What does it say, Master?" one of the lesser fiends hissed.

"The humans have sent their new recruits to Blackstone Plaza," the Shadow Disciple replied with amusement.

"They think they are rescuing villagers from mere beasts and escaped prisoners. Fools."

He held the talisman high. "The academy is distracted with its training programs. Professors and senior squads are busy with opening drills. This is the moment we have been waiting for."

A massive, hulking creature with jagged horns let out a guttural roar of approval and its claws scraped against the stone floor. Sparks flew where its talons met rock.

The Shadow Disciple raised his other hand, and the noise instantly died down.

"Listen well. We strike at Blackstone Plaza. You will merge with the scattered beast packs and escaped prisoners. Cause chaos. Kill without mercy. But…"

His glowing eyes narrowed dangerously. "…leave the rescue team alive—at first. I want to see how these young heroes fight before we crush them. Their screams will send a message to Arcadia."

The Shadow Disciple lowered the talisman, his shadow stretching unnaturally across the floor like a living creature.

"All of you. We move immediately. By the next moon, Blackstone Plaza will be drenched in blood."

He turned to a group of smaller demons crouching at the edge of the circle.

"Tonight, they will learn who the true predators are."

With that, he stood and raised a clawed hand high.

"Demons of the Shadow!" His voice thundered through the cavern, "To Blackstone Plaza—now!"

A deafening roar erupted as hundreds of demons surged to their feet, their combined energy making the cavern walls quiver.

Wings unfurled, claws scraped against stone, and the air thickened with the stench of burning mana.

One by one, the creatures vanished into shadowy portals that opened like hungry mouths, their forms swallowed by darkness until only the echo of their war cries remained.

The Shadow Disciple stayed behind for a moment, his eyes lingering on the faint embers of the burned talisman. A slow, sinister chuckle escaped his throat.

"Eight little heroes," he whispered.

"Let's see how long you survive the night HEEHEHEHAHHAA."

At Blackstone village.

Kael followed Elysia as they approached a half-collapsed hut near the center of the village.

The wooden door creaked loudly as Elysia pushed it open, the sound echoing through the empty streets.

Inside, the air was damp and smelled of mildew. Broken dishes lay scattered on the floor, and an overturned chair blocked part of the room.

Kael scanned the shadows.

"No bodies. No signs of struggle either."

Elysia crouched near a shattered window, examining the splintered frame.

"Look here," she said, pointing to a faint trail of muddy footprints leading toward the back door.

"Someone left in a hurry… maybe dragging something."

Kael knelt beside her. "These are recent. The mud is still wet."

Before they could say more, a faint noise broke the silence—a soft, muffled sob.

Both froze.

Elysia raised a finger to her lips and whispered, "Behind the wall."

Kael moved carefully, stepping around the debris. He gently pushed aside a broken cabinet and found a small trapdoor hidden beneath a loose wooden plank.

The faint sound of crying became clearer.

"It's okay," Kael said softly, kneeling beside the trapdoor.

"We're from Arcadia Academy. We're here to help."

The sobbing stopped. A long pause followed. Then, slowly, the trapdoor creaked open.

A small face peeked out—a boy, no older than eight, his eyes wide with fear. Behind him, two more figures appeared: a woman clutching a baby and an elderly man with a deep gash on his arm.

The woman's voice trembled. "A-are you really from the academy?"

"Yes," Elysia said gently, lowering her sword.

"You're safe now. We'll get you out of here."

The boy climbed out first, followed by the woman and the old man. Kael quickly offered his arm to support the elder, who looked pale and weak.

"What happened here?" Kael asked softly.

The woman shook her head, her eyes filled with tears.

"Prisoners… they came with beasts. They burned houses, killed anyone who resisted. Some villagers were taken… toward the mines in the north."

Elysia's jaw tightened. "How many?"

"I—I don't know. Maybe a dozen. Please… you have to save them."

Kael exchanged a glance with Elysia. Prisoners and beasts working together? That wasn't random, it was planned.

Elysia gave the woman a reassuring nod. "We will. But first we need to get you to safety."

Outside, the rest of the team regrouped after hearing Elysia's signal.

Jin's face darkened when he saw the wounded elder. "So there are survivors," he said quietly.

Alina quickly began cleaning the elder's wound while Selene kept watch.

Seraphina tapped her spear against the ground.

"If prisoners took captives to the forest, we can't waste time."

"We won't," Elysia said firmly.

"But our priority is getting these villagers to a safe location first. Then we track the prisoners."

Kael looked toward the misty path leading deeper into the forest, where the mines supposedly lay hidden.

A faint vibration in the earth reached his feet again, stronger this time. Whatever waited for them beyond the village was bigger than any feral beast.

He tightened his grip on his sword. This mission just got a lot more dangerous.

BOOM!

BOOM!

"That giant demon is nearby", said Elysia.

The group prepared to escort the survivors back to the village entrance.

But as the mist thickened again, a faint growl echoed from the northern path.

Everyone froze.

Jin slowly raised his blade. "Tell me that's not coming from the mines…"

No one answered. The sound came again, closer this time.

Elysia's eyes hardened.

"Stay together," she commanded. "Something's coming."