I Was Transmigrated As An Extraordinary Extra-Chapter 167

I sank down into a random seat, trying to find a comfortable position among my friends.

"Remillia, do you want some?" Cypher plopped down next to me, offering a chocolate bar with a smile.

"Of cou—" I was about to grab it when another hand shot out, and before I knew it, Angela snatched the chocolate away.

"I think I’m low on sugar right now," she declared, unwrapping it as if her life depended on it and took a bite.

Cypher smiled apologetically at me. "I’m really sorry. That was the last one."

"No it’s okay. I understand her," I said as I glanced at Angela. "I think it is a habit of hers that she just snatches everything she likes."

Thankfully, Angela didn’t hear me. She turned to Edge, her mouth full. "So, what are we doing on our field trip?"

"Random things," Edge said, glancing at the window. "We’ll be staying at the Etheris Pinnacle, which is one of Peenoise Institution’s properties. We’ll be there for a bit to practice our mana control and spar with each other."

I perked up at the mention of the Etheris Pinnacle. If I recall correctly, the Etheris Pinnacle is a renowned mountain that emerged after a cataclysmic explosion of magical energy a century ago, reshaping the landscape and infusing it with a high concentration of mana.

"Ooh, that sounds fun," Angela said, finally finishing the last piece of chocolate and licking her fingers.

I wasn’t so sure how "fun" it would really be; but I knew this will be fun in a dangerous way.

My gaze wandered around the limousine: Cypher, Angela, Whitney, Christian, Rex, and Edge were all looking out the window, their faces lit by the passing scenery. They looked like a group headed for a carefree picnic rather than a field trip that involved facing a dangerous enemy.

They were all looking out the window like they were going on a picnic.

I closed my eyes, leaning back against the plush seat. I need to gather my energy for babysitting them later.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

Etheris Pinnacle Mountain

The black limousine came to a smooth stop at the foot of the Etheris Pinnacle, its sleek exterior stark against the rugged beauty of the plateau. The vehicle exuded an air of modernity and luxury that felt almost out of place here, where nature’s raw energy surged around us.

The driver opened the door, stepping out with an air of practiced professionalism. I felt a rush of excitement mixed with nervous energy as he swung open the back seat door, beckoning us all to disembark.

Rex was the first to jump out, inhaling deeply as if he were trying to breathe in the very essence of the plateau. He stretched his arms wide, a smile spreading across his face. "Doesn’t it feel like we’re going on a picnic?" he called out enthusiastically, casting a glance around the natural wonders surrounding us.

He slapped Christian on his shoulder, who was quietly yawning next to him, oblivious to the world.

"The f*ck was that for?!" Christian shot back, his annoyance slicing through the early morning calm as he glared at Rex. His hair was a tangled mess, and he squinted at Rex like he was trying to make sense of the situation.

Rex just chuckled, unfazed by Christian’s irritation. "I was just excited."

"And you slapped me because of that? You muscle head!" Christian retorted, swinging his arm in an attempt to slap Rex back.

While they were busy bickering, Edge’s secretary, having finished speaking to him, approached us with a purposeful stride.

"There’s a rest house prepared up in the mountains," she announced. "The Peenoise Institution invited a master who will be arriving later tonight."

"A master? Who could it be?" Angela asked, her curiosity sparkling.

At Angela’s question, Edge replied with a grin. "You’ll be surprised when you meet him. For now, let’s start climbing the mountain. We have to get to the peak by 4."

With a collective nod, we began the hike without a second thought. Edge led the way—knowledgeable about the terrain—and Whitney tried her best to let me lead the group since I’m great at leading and finding the right path, but Edge wouldn’t have it. I opted to fall to the back of the group, keeping an eye out for anything unusual.

Rustle, rustle.

As we climbed trail, the sound of our footsteps crunched leaves that blanketed the ground, creating a symphony of nature’s sounds. The slope was steep, but we managed easily, laughter and chatter filling the air as we made our way up.

"Ah, the air is amazing! So this is why it’s nice to be in a mana enriched concentration area. It feels like extra mana is being pumped into my lungs," Angela exclaimed, almost glowing with excitement.

Edge cleared his throat, trying to bring his usual charm into play. "Well, you know, Angela, if you’re ever with me, I can take you to better places than this whenever you want—"

Before he could finish his sentence, Angela interrupted, pointing. "Cypher, look! A frog!"

I couldn’t help it—"Pfft!" I stifled a laugh, all too aware of how Edge’s face twisted in disappointment as Angela completely brushed him off. I quickly covered my mouth, trying to conceal my laughter, only to almost choke when I caught Edge glaring at me from the front.

I quickly diverted my attention to my shoes, hoping he would look away.

About an hour and a half into our hike, I began to sense something was off. We should’ve been nearing the peak, but the climb showed no signs of ending.

"...The mountain’s pretty tall, huh? Or did we take a wrong turn somewhere?" Christian muttered, looking a bit worried.

"I don’t know," Rex replied, glancing ahead. "Let’s just keep following Edge. He knows the way."

I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss but we still continued our way. It’s okay. I shook my head trying to erase my worries. The real problem should start when we’re at the rest house anyway so I don’t need to worry when we’re still here.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

The joyous atmosphere of the hike faded, replaced by an unsettling tension as they continued climbing for at least another hour. A strange sensation coiled around them, creeping into their minds like fog.

"...Guys, why am I so creeped out right now?" Angela murmured, her discomfort with the atmosphere finally breaking through.

Rex, who had been leading the way along with Edge, slowed his pace and fell back to the group, goosebumps prickling his skin.

Whitney’s voice trembled as she asked, "E-Edge, does it normally take this long?"

Edge shook his head, his brow furrowing in confusion. "I don’t know... but I’m sure this is the right path we’re taking."

"This is why I suggested to let Remillia be our guide," Whitney muttered to herself, secretly blaming Edge because of his stupid pride.

Angela scanned the surroundings, unease creeping into her expression.

Fwoosh!

A cold wind suddenly swept through them, rustling the leaves and sending shivers down their spines. Instincts kicked in, and they instantly heightened their awareness, scanning for potential threats.

Something was definitely off.

Cypher’s voice broke the tension as he pointed out the obvious in a low tone. "Guys... I don’t think you’ve noticed, but we’ve been walking on the same path for the past 30 minutes now."

Immediately, everyone froze, breaths hitching in their throats. The discomfort swelling within them now transformed into a physical unease, wrapping around their bodies.

They realized he was right.

Despite climbing a mountain, the path beneath them had been the same, it’s like they were walking in circles.

"...Don’t worry. Etheris Pinnacle Mountain is a mana-rich area, so maybe some magic spells—" Edge began to reassure them, but Cypher cut him off.

"Wait," he said, suddenly alert, scanning the area more carefully as a wave of danger washed over him. "Remillia? Where is she?"

"...What?" The rest of the group started looking around, their expressions turning frantic.

But Remillia was nowhere to be found.

"Did... Did she disappear? D-Did someone kidnap her?" Whitney whispered, her face paling as the gravity of the situation sank in. frёewebnoѵēl.com

"Hey! Stop messing with us and come out!" Angela yelled, her voice echoing flatly against the stillness of the mountain.

"This isn’t the time to be acting like a witch right now!" Rex joined Angela in shouting.

Silence fell heavily around them.

"...."

One of them was gone. The remaining members of the group stood frozen in place, anxiety tightening around them like a vice as they processed the unsettling reality of their situation.

To make matters worse, another strange occurrence unfolded before them. It was as if time itself was being fast backwarded; the scenery around them began to shift rapidly.

The sun, once suspended in the mid-afternoon sky, suddenly plummeted downward. Darkness engulfed them like a thick shadow, swallowing the vibrant colors of the plateau. An almost unbearable tension grasped at everyone, and panic coiled around them like a suffocating fog.

"Hiik!" Whitney gasped, the sound tumbling from her lips as her eyes brimmed with tears. She had always struggled with fear; even a mere poster for a horror movie would bring shivers to her spine. This incomprehensible phenomenon was far beyond anything she could handle.