The Extra Who Shouldn't Exist novel Chapter 44

Chapter 44: Chapter 44 : Lilith Noctis Bloodrose

The forest was quiet—too quiet.

Which, of course, meant something stupid was about to happen.

Alex Dragonheart stood under the canopy of whispering leaves, arms crossed, one brow arched as seven figures in dark, crimson-accented cloaks emerged from the mist. They moved with eerie grace, silent, regal, and unsettlingly in sync.

"Oh look," Alex muttered. "A dramatic entrance. Haven’t seen one of those in twenty minutes."

The lead vampire, a tall man with ash-white hair and crimson eyes glowing faintly, stepped forward. His voice was smooth as velvet, but carried the chill of death.

"Alex Dragonheart. Our mistress summons you."

Alex blinked. "Summons? Wow. That sounds important. Should I bring flowers?"

None of the vampires reacted.

Alex grinned wider. "Let me rephrase: No thanks. I don’t do cult meetings, and I definitely don’t follow orders from bloodsuckers."

Another vampire hissed. "You would defy the command of Lilith Noctis Bloodrose?"

"I’m not just defying it," Alex said, drawing his sword with a flourish. "I’m ignoring it, mocking it, and shoving it where the sun doesn’t shine—which, for you guys, is basically everywhere."

The lead vampire’s eye twitched. "Then you leave us no choice."

"Oh no," Alex mock gasped. "Seven vampires are gonna jump me in the woods. Whatever shall I do?"

They lunged.

The clash began in an instant. One of the vampires moved with supernatural speed, slashing at Alex’s throat.

But Alex vanished.

[Shadow Step!]

He reappeared five meters away, sliding to a halt with a smirk.

"Oops. Too slow. Try again."

The vampires converged, moving like shadows, claws glinting red, fangs bared. Blood magic surged around them—crimson tendrils twisting into jagged blades, spears, and chains.

One vampire’s claw raked across Alex’s chest, sparks flying as [Titan’s Resilience] absorbed the hit.

"Ow," Alex muttered. "That almost tickled."

He responded with a heavy downward swing—

[Heavy Strike!]

—shattering the ground as he cleaved through a vampire’s guard. The blow landed with thunderous impact, sending the creature crashing into a tree with bones snapping.

But it stood up, body twisting and healing grotesquely fast.

"Ah, regeneration. Of course. You guys are such fun."

Blood spears rained from the air. Alex dove, rolled, and flickered out of their path—

[Shadow Step!]

—reappearing behind a vampire and plunging his sword through its spine.

It screeched, flailing. The others retaliated, casting blood chains to bind him.

Alex narrowed his eyes. "Time to get serious."

Crackling energy surged around his body as he as he started using his lightning affininity.

Electric arcs danced across his skin, and with a roar, Alex became a blur. He zigzagged through the blood magic, blade trailing lightning. One by one, he targeted their heads, knowing that was the only way to finish this.

Slash—Boom! One head flew.

Crack! Another vampire convulsed as lightning fried its nervous system.

He ducked, dodged, countered. Every movement honed by [Force Control]. Every blow delivered with precise, brutal strength.

Blood flew.

[Heavy Strike!]

He severed another head, sending it flying through the mist.

They tried to swarm him. He used [Shadow Step] again, reappearing behind three of them and swinging in a wide arc.

Three more heads fell.

One vampire remained—snarling, regenerating wildly. It lunged—only for Alex to thrust his hand forward.

Lightning surged into his palm, and he slammed it into the vampire’s chest.

"Say hi to your princess for me."

The body convulsed, then exploded in a burst of blue sparks.

Silence fell.

Alex stood in the clearing, panting, sword lowered, seven vampire heads around him.

He looked west.

"So... the Vampire Princess is using her minions to capture candidates. Just like in the game."

---

Elsewhere, on the western edge of the island...

Her words dripped with twisted delight as she took another step forward, hips swaying, pale skin glowing under the moonlight, her presence both breathtaking and horrifying. Behind her, her ever-loyal maid followed silently.

"You should all feel honored," Isadora announced, her voice cold and elegant. "You will be useful to my mistress."

Realization dawned on the candidates’ faces.

Lilith raised one hand.

Thousands of blood spears materialized mid-air, glistening like rubies.

"Goodbye, You guys should try again next year."

Schlikkk!

The first group was impaled in an instant. Screams silenced.

She turned to Second group, licking her lips. "Don’t worry, darlings. Your blood will be cherished."

The spears lifted—

—Clang!

An icy barrier erupted in front of Second group, shattering the blood spears.

Lilith’s eyes widened. Her smirk vanished.

Before she could react, a volley of icy spears flew in return.

Schlick! Schlick! 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Group Two was eliminated... by ice.

The air grew colder.

Lilith frowned, her mood turning dark. Her followers grew tense.

"Who dares...?"

From the trees emerged a figure—elegant, radiant, and powerful.

A girl with flowing blue hair that shimmered like sapphire moonlight. Her figure was graceful yet alluring, dressed in frost-themed battlewear that emphasized her curves without compromising elegance.

Her presence was like winter itself—beautiful, cold, and deadly.

Lilith’s eyes narrowed.

"Seraphina Starlight."

The two locked gazes.

The island trembled with anticipation.