The Extra Who Shouldn't Exist novel Chapter 40

Chapter 40: Chapter 40: The Cliffs, the chaos, and the Princess

The wind howled like a banshee as Alex made his way through the overgrown trails leading toward the northern cliffs of the Deserted Isle Island. With each step, the air grew colder, more ominous—as if the cliffs themselves were exhaling ancient warnings.

"Alright, Let’s go punch some wildlife in the face."

He didn’t have to wait long.

From the thick shrubs emerged a pair of Novice-rank Clawbeaks, avian beasts with sharp talons and even sharper beaks. They screeched as they lunged toward him, wings spread wide.

Alex side-stepped one and sliced through the air with his sword, landing a clean hit.

’First form Void Step.’

He blinked behind the second Clawbeak and ended its squawk with a quick, efficient strike.

A few moments later, more Intermediate-rank monsters showed up:

A snarling Earthhide Boar charged at him with tusks gleaming like polished stone.

A pack of Shadowfang Wolves darted through the mist.

"Ah, the welcoming committee," Alex said, grinning. "Let’s dance."

Using a combination of Phantom Rend and Celestial Flow, he dodged, parried, and counterattacked with smooth efficiency.

Each strike of his blade echoed with grace and brutality.

By the time he stood at the base of the northern cliffs, the bodies of defeated monsters lay behind him like trophies of war.

After some time he finally reached his destination but there was just a small problem.

The cliffs loomed tall, crumbling at the edges like a pile of cursed pastries.

"Yup," Alex said, cracking his knuckles. "Nothing like vertical cardio to get the blood pumping."

The climb was hell. Each handhold threatened to crumble, each ledge a gamble with gravity. He slipped twice, nearly fell once, and cursed the game designers five times.

At long last, with a grunt and a final pull, he hoisted himself to the top.

"There it is," he panted, spotting the cave entrance. "Glorious, damp, bat-infested mystery hole. I’ve finally found you."

He collapsed near a boulder and pulled out a nutrient bar.

Just like their weapons and artifacts they can also bring food here which alex liked about this exam.

"Nothing says ’heroic journey’ like eating compressed chicken-flavored sawdust."

After a short rest, he stood, cracked his neck, and walked toward the dark cave.

Activating his recently purchased Night Vision skill, because he knew it will come handy in the entrance exam, the shadows peeled back, revealing details hidden in the darkness.

Almost immediately, he noticed something strange—footprints. Humanoid. Multiple sets.

"Huh. Company? Didn’t thought some will reach here before me."

Drawing his sword, Alex advanced cautiously into the cave.

---

Inside the Cave.

As he ventured deeper, faint sounds reached his ears—clashing steel, cries of magic, and the unmistakable screech of something... inhuman.

Alex crept forward until the tunnel opened into a wide chamber.

There, illuminated by enchanted arrows and bursts of magic, stood Elaria Moonshade Lareth’Thalas—elven royalty, decked out in elegant battle gear, her bow shimmering like starlight, and her rapier flashing in close-quarters combat.

"Well, that’s new," Alex murmured. "She’s not supposed to be here ... Did I cause a plot butterfly again?"

He stayed in the shadows, observing.

Elaria moved like liquid grace—releasing a barrage of arrows, each enhanced with elemental runes, then switching seamlessly to her rapier when a tendril lashed too close. Her minions—a squad of well-trained elven guards—formed a protective circle around her.

And in front of them...

The Abysskin Dreadmaw.

A hulking monstrosity with chitinous armor slick with abyssal ooze. Twin jaws jutted from a gnarled maw, and its six glowing red eyes darted in every direction. Its movements were deceptively fast, slithering through shadows, appearing suddenly behind victims. Each of its strikes left behind black miasma, eating away at protective shields.

From Alex’s point of view, it was more than just dangerous.

"Advance (Mid) rank," Alex whispered, eyes narrowing. "And some attributes definitely compensating for some intelligence."

Despite their coordination, Elaria and her forces were being pushed back. One by one, her eleven candidates fell.

First to venomous tentacles, then to a surprise acid burst from the creature’s underbelly.

Elaria fought with pride and skill, using both her weapons fluently—arrows flying in perfect arcs before she ducked into close combat, her rapier glowing with wind enchantments. She even barked orders, leading with precise strategy.

"She’s good," Alex admitted, impressed.

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