chapter 47
The teleportation platform buzzed with energy, glowing blue runes swirling around the students as they prepared for transport. The air was thick with tension—this was the beginning of the Expedition Trial, and while some were eager, others were nervous.
Alden stood among the main cast, arms crossed, sunglasses still in place. He had already expected this event to be troublesome, but something gnawed at him—a feeling of unease.
This is the moment.
In the original game, something went wrong just as the trial began.
A demonic attack disrupted the teleportation, causing Leonhardt and the main cast to be sent deep into the forest, where the real challenges awaited. This was where they would unlock new powers and grow—but now, Alden was with them.
Would things unfold the same way?
His instincts screamed at him to prepare.
Something was coming.
---
The Moment of Chaos
The instructors signaled the start of the teleportation.
A brilliant glow engulfed the students, and the air shimmered with magic as their bodies started to fade—
BOOM!
A deafening explosion rocked the teleportation platform. A burst of dark energy rippled through the air, disrupting the spell mid-process. Students cried out in shock as shadowy figures emerged from the treeline.
Demons.
Alden's eyes sharpened. Right on schedule.
Before anyone could react, dark tendrils wrapped around the teleportation formation, twisting the magic into something unstable.
"No—wait!" one of the instructors shouted, but it was too late.
A surge of black mana pulsed through the platform—
And everything went black.
---
Deep in the Forest – Unknown Location
Alden's body crashed through the dense foliage, rolling against the dirt before slamming against a tree. A sharp pain ran through his body, but he forced himself up, coughing out dust.
The teleportation had been hijacked.
Just like in the original story.
As his vision cleared, he took in his surroundings. Massive trees loomed overhead, their twisted roots curling around rocks like hungry serpents. The air was damp, thick with an eerie mist. This was nothing like the safer outer areas of the Verdant Shadow Woods.
This was the deep zone.
And he wasn't alone.
Groans and coughs filled the area as the main cast slowly got up, scattered across a small clearing.
Leonhardt pushed himself up, shaking his head. "What the hell just happened?"
Alicia gritted her teeth. "That damn explosion… we got sent somewhere else."
Seraphina dusted herself off, her silver hair shimmering under the faint light. "This… isn't where we were supposed to go."
Luca, the beastkin, sniffed the air, his sharp amber eyes narrowing. "This place stinks of predators."
Sylvara, the elven mage, placed a hand against a tree, her green eyes glowing faintly. "Mana is different here. Darker."
Elena, the saintess, tightened her grip on her staff, whispering a quiet prayer.
Reynard sighed, adjusting his daggers. "Well, we're screwed, aren't we?"
Alden remained silent, his mind working quickly.
This was exactly like the original plot.
They had been thrown straight into the most dangerous part of the forest.
The deep zone was where the truly powerful monsters resided—creatures far beyond what low-ranked students should face.
This was meant to be a life-or-death trial.
"Anyone injured?" Leonhardt asked, scanning the group.
"Bruises, but nothing major," Alicia muttered.
Alden rolled his shoulders. He had hit the ground hard, but thanks to his training and his strengthened body, he wasn't badly hurt.
Then he noticed something.
Their smartwatches—dead.
The teleportation disruption must have fried their communication devices.
"We're cut off," Seraphina noted, checking her own. "No signals."
Leonhardt clicked his tongue. "Perfect. Just perfect."
---
Understanding the Situation
Alden took a slow breath. He needed to think ahead.
In the game, Leonhardt and the others would struggle to survive before unlocking their hidden potential.
Normally, Alden wouldn't have been part of this. But now, his presence changed everything.
The problem was… should he intervene or let things play out?
"This is bad," Sylvara muttered, scanning the treeline. "The creatures here aren't normal."
Luca's ears twitched. "We should move. Fast."
Leonhardt clenched his fists. "No. First, we need a plan."
Alicia smirked. "Yeah? Got one?"
Seraphina sighed. "Don't start."
Leonhardt ignored them, turning to Alden. "You're quieter than usual. Got anything to say?"
Alden hesitated for a moment.
Then, he spoke.
"We find water first. Then shelter." His voice was calm, controlled. "And we don't separate. The creatures in this area don't hunt alone."
Leonhardt nodded. "Agreed."
Reynard smirked. "Oho, taking the lead, are we?"
Alden ignored him.
There were a few key locations in this part of the forest—some with powerful monsters, others with rare resources.
In the game, the main cast barely survived by luck.
But now?
He wasn't going to rely on luck.
---
The group moved carefully through the trees, the eerie silence putting them all on edge.
Then—
A low growl rumbled from the shadows.
Luca snapped his head toward the noise, baring his teeth. "Something's watching us."
Alden tensed, scanning the surroundings.
Then—a blur of movement.
A massive shadow wolf burst from the trees, eyes glowing with malice.
Fast. Too fast.
Leonhardt moved first, his sword flashing as he barely parried its claws. The impact sent him skidding backward.
"Shit—!"
Alicia leaped forward, fire exploding from her palms.
Seraphina froze the ground, trying to slow it.
But the wolf was too strong.
Alden clicked his tongue. This was one of the early minibosses from the game. A beast that required perfect teamwork to take down.
In the original story, Leonhardt had barely won, unlocking his first real battle sense.
Should he interfere?
His fingers twitched toward Kurenai's hilt—
No.
Not yet.
He needed to see if they could handle it first.
Leonhardt grit his teeth, mana flaring around him. "Everyone, focus!"
Alden took a step back, watching carefully.
This was their fight.
And he would see just how much the main cast had grown.
---
To Be Continued…