So what if I am just a mob in a novel : I will get what I want

Erin followed a few steps behind the group, his mind a tumult of emotions he didn't know how to handle. His eyes remained trained on Rishitha as she stumbled but quickly righted herself. She didn't ask for help, didn't complain, even though her exhaustion was evident.

Why does she keep pushing herself like this? he wondered.

He couldn't deny it anymore—he was drawn to her. Not just her determination, but the cracks beneath it. The way she carried herself like she had something to prove, as if the weight of the world rested solely on her shoulders.

It frustrated him. It intrigued him. And it terrified him.

She's going to break if she keeps this up. But maybe… maybe she already has. Maybe she's just too stubborn to admit it.

Erin hated how much he noticed about her now—the small winces she tried to hide, the way her fingers fidgeted when she thought no one was looking. Every little detail seemed to claw its way into his mind, making it impossible to ignore her.

But what bothered him most was the way she looked at him.

There was trust in her eyes, despite everything. Despite his harsh words, his cold demeanor, she still looked at him like he was someone she could rely on. Someone she believed in.

It made his chest tighten.

She doesn't know who I am—what I've done.

Erin had lived through countless failures, countless losses. He'd made choices that haunted him, sacrifices that left him hollow. He wasn't a hero. He wasn't someone to be trusted.

But Rishitha didn't see that. Or maybe she did, and she didn't care.

Why?

The truth was, Erin didn't want to care about her. He didn't want to feel this pull toward her, this irrational need to protect her.

He'd seen it all before. The moment you started to care, you became vulnerable.

He'd cared for others in his past lives—friends, comrades, people who had depended on him. And every single time, it had ended the same way.

With him failing them.

Rishitha wasn't supposed to be different. She was supposed to be just another companion, someone to fight alongside until their paths inevitably diverged. But she wasn't.

Because unlike anyone else he'd met, she still had hope.

She fought with everything she had, even when the odds were against her. She tried to help others, even when it put her in danger. She believed in people, even when they gave her every reason not to.

That hope will destroy her.

And yet, Erin found himself wanting to protect it

He let out a slow breath, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword.

You can't let this get to you.

But the more he tried to push it down, the stronger the feeling grew.

Watching Rishitha fight, struggle, and keep going despite everything made him question himself in ways he hadn't in a long time. It stirred something inside him—something he thought he'd buried with his past.

Hope.

He hated it. He needed it.

And as much as he wanted to distance himself from her, he couldn't. Because deep down, he knew:

If she falls, we all fall.

Erin clenched his jaw, forcing himself to keep walking. He couldn't afford to let his feelings cloud his judgment. He couldn't afford to get attached.

But as he glanced at Rishitha one last time, watching her stumble yet again and catch herself, he made another silent vow.

I'll protect her. Even if it breaks me.

Because for the first time in countless lives, Erin felt like there was something worth fighting for. Something worth believing in.

And he wasn't ready to lose it.

Erin snapped out of his thoughts as the group approached a clearing, the forest canopy giving way to a sliver of moonlight. The faint glow illuminated their ragged forms, each of them bearing the marks of their struggles.

"Alright," Erin said, breaking the silence. "Let's assess where we stand."

Mo Tang nodded, leaning against a tree, her breathing steady despite the tension in her posture. Rishitha, however, seemed hesitant, her gaze flickering to the ground as if she were lost in thought.

"System," Erin commanded, and a translucent blue screen materialized before him. The interface displayed his pending and completed missions, along with the progress of their main objectives.

Erin's Missions

[Main Mission - Survival in the Forest]

Status: Incomplete Deadline: 8 days remaining Objective: Survive in the forest. Reward: Explanation of world basics, general map, token of mercenary, 100 coins.

[Current Side Mission - Escape the Labyrinth]

Status: Incomplete Objective: Lead the group safely out of the cave system. Time Limit: Undefined. Reward: Skill Upgrade - "Keen Instincts (Advanced)."

[Emergency Mission - Survive the Third Wave]

Status: Completed Reward: Full party stamina recovery potion (used).

[Hidden Mission - Protect Another in Peril]

Status: Completed Reward: +10 Endurance, Basic Defensive Technique unlocked.

Erin scanned the details with a frown, his mind already piecing together their next steps. The labyrinth mission was key—they needed to navigate the treacherous cave system and reach the surface. Without the map or the general knowledge reward from the main mission, they were at a disadvantage.

Mo Tang's Missions

Mo Tang's system interface shimmered beside her, the green hue a reflection of her nature-focused skills.

[Main Mission - Survival in the Forest]

Status: Incomplete Deadline: 8 days remaining Objective: Survive in the forest. Reward: Explanation of world basics, general map, token of mercenary, 100 coins.

[Emergency Mission - Protect the Group During the Swarm]

Status: Completed Reward: Basic Healing Potion (used).

[Current Mission - Forge Trust Among Allies]

Status: In Progress Objective: Strengthen bonds with teammates through actions and dialogue. Reward: +15 Charisma, Unlock advanced team coordination techniques.

Mo Tang glanced at the "Forge Trust" mission with a slight grimace. She hadn't expected her system to focus so heavily on interpersonal bonds. While she valued teamwork, her pragmatic nature often made emotional connections difficult.

Still, it wasn't something she could ignore—not when their survival depended on working together.

Rishitha's Hidden Missions

Rishitha's interface was active as well, but only she could see the details. Her system's golden hue pulsed softly, the words illuminated just for her.

[Main Mission - Survival in the Forest]

Status: Incomplete Deadline: 8 days remaining Objective: Survive in the forest. Reward: Explanation of world basics, general map, token of mercenary, 100 coins.

[Side Mission - Ensure Mo Tang Wins the Hidden Mission Prize]

Status: Completed Reward: +150 Points, +5 Luck, Basic Healing Potion.

[Hidden Mission - Shield Another in Dire Peril]

Status: Completed Reward: Passive Skill Activated: "Guardian's Will" - Reduces incoming damage by 10% when protecting others.

[Current Hidden Mission - Conceal Your System's True Nature]

Status: In Progress Objective: Prevent the others from discovering your unique system capabilities. Reward: +20 Points, Unlock system feature: "Disguise Interface."

Rishitha glanced nervously at the concealed mission. She had always been aware that her system was different—anomalous, even. The idea of revealing its full capabilities to the others felt dangerous.

"So," Erin began, breaking the silence. "We're still in survival mode. The labyrinth mission is our priority. Once we're out, we'll regroup and focus on completing the main mission objectives."

"Agreed," Mo Tang said, though her tone was cautious. "But we'll need a plan for the labyrinth. It's not just about finding the exit—it's about avoiding traps and any creatures lurking in the dark."

Rishitha hesitated before speaking. "We should conserve our resources too. We're running low on potions, and if we encounter another swarm, we might not make it out unscathed."

Erin nodded, but his gaze lingered on her longer than it should have. "True. We'll take short rests when we can, but we can't afford to stay in one place for too long. The longer we're down here, the more vulnerable we are."

Mo Tang crossed her arms. "What about scouting ahead? If one of us—"

"No." Erin's voice was firm. "We stay together. Splitting up is too risky."

The group fell silent, the weight of their circumstances settling over them like a heavy blanket.

As they prepared to move, Erin's thoughts drifted to Rishitha again. Her voice had been steady, but he could see the fatigue in her eyes, the way her hands trembled when she thought no one was looking.

She's holding something back, he thought. Something she doesn't want us to know.

But he wouldn't press her. Not yet. They had bigger concerns—like making it out of this labyrinth alive.

Erin tightened his grip on his sword and glanced at Mo Tang, then back at Rishitha.

"Let's go," he said. "We've wasted enough time already."

And with that, they stepped into the shadowy depths of the labyrinth, the weight of their missions pressing heavily on their shoulders.

Ragith pushed through the dense forest, his boots crunching against the brittle twigs and damp earth beneath. The chill of the evening air clung to his skin, but the fire in his heart kept him moving. Every passing hour, every step deeper into the unknown wilderness, weighed on him like a boulder strapped to his back. Yet, he refused to stop.

"Mo Tang," he whispered under his breath, his voice cracking with worry. "Where are you?"

The system's translucent window floated before him, mocking his every attempt to locate her.

[Mission: Find and Rescue Mo Tang]

Status: Incomplete Time Limit: 6 hours remaining Reward: Skill Upgrade: Tactical Awareness, 300 Points. Failure: Irreversible injury or death of Mo Tang.

The stakes were high, but Ragith wasn't driven by the rewards or penalties. He didn't need the system to remind him what was at risk. Mo Tang wasn't just his younger sister; she was the only family he had left. She was the one person who tethered him to this brutal world of missions, dungeons, and chaos.

Ragith had started his search as soon as Mo Tang's party had failed to rendezvous at their designated checkpoint. The last communication from her had been abrupt—a hurried message about a cave and an unexpected swarm. Then, silence.

He'd interrogated every survivor he encountered, scanning their system logs for any mention of her or her group. It wasn't until he came across a bloodied mercenary stumbling out of the forest that he got his first lead.

"They... they went east," the man stammered, clutching a deep wound on his shoulder. "A girl... with sharp eyes. And another, quieter one. They went into the caves."

Ragith didn't wait for further details. He'd patched the man up as best as he could, then sprinted toward the eastern cliffs.

The forest was relentless. Thick roots snaked across the ground, threatening to trip him with every step. Shadows moved just beyond his vision, and the low growls of unseen predators echoed through the trees.

His system alerted him to danger at every turn:

[Warning: Proximity Alert - Wild Beasts Nearby.]

[Mission: Survive the Ambush.]

Objective: Eliminate the approaching pack of Shadow Hounds. Time Limit: None. Reward: +50 Points, Minor Stamina Potion. Failure: Death.

The pack of Shadow Hounds came out of nowhere, their glowing red eyes piercing through the darkness. Ragith barely had time to draw his weapon before they lunged.

The fight was brutal. Blood sprayed as he swung his blade, its edge slicing through fur and sinew. His breaths came in ragged gasps, his body screaming in protest as he fended off the relentless assault.

[Mission Complete.]

He staggered to his knees, his body battered and bruised, but he didn't stop. After quickly downing the stamina potion, he pressed on, his resolve unshaken.

By the time Ragith reached the mouth of the caves, his time was running out. The system's countdown blared in the corner of his vision, a grim reminder of his dwindling chances.

[Time Remaining: 2 hours, 14 minutes.]

He stood at the edge of the dark chasm, his torchlight barely illuminating the jagged rocks below. The air was thick and oppressive, the kind that made every breath feel like a struggle.

"Mo Tang!" he called, his voice echoing off the cavern walls. "Rishitha! Can you hear me?"

There was no response, only the faint drip of water somewhere deep within the labyrinth.

The cave wasn't just dark; it was a maze of treacherous paths and deadly traps. Every step felt like a gamble, the ground threatening to give way beneath him.

[New Mission: Navigate the Labyrinth.]

Objective: Reach the lower chambers without triggering traps. Reward: Skill Scroll: "Advanced Trap Detection." Failure: Severe injury or death.

Ragith clenched his jaw, his eyes scanning the uneven terrain. The faint glimmer of runes on the walls gave away the presence of hidden mechanisms—pressure plates, tripwires, pitfalls.

Step by step, he moved with precision, his instincts honed from years of surviving this unforgiving world. Sweat dripped down his face as he carefully avoided each trap, his nerves on edge.

It wasn't until he reached a narrow passage that he heard it—a faint voice, distant but unmistakable.

"Rishitha... we need to keep moving," the voice said, weak but determined.

Mo Tang.

Ragith's heart leapt as he quickened his pace, his exhaustion forgotten. He turned a corner and found them at last—Mo Tang leaning against the cave wall, her face pale but alive. Beside her, Rishitha stood with a glowing system interface before her, her expression tense.

"Mo Tang!" Ragith called, his voice a mixture of relief and anger.

She turned, her eyes widening in shock. "Ragith?"

In an instant, he was at her side, checking her for injuries. "What were you thinking?" he demanded, his tone sharp. "Do you have any idea how close you were to dying?"

Mo Tang winced but didn't argue. "I'm fine. We're fine. Thanks to Rishitha."

Ragith glanced at Rishitha, his gaze softening slightly. "Thank you," he said, his voice quieter. "For keeping her safe."

Rishitha nodded, though she seemed wary, as if unsure of how to respond.

"We're not out of this yet," Ragith said, his tone firm as he scanned their surroundings. "Let's get out of here before the labyrinth decides to throw another swarm at us."

The three of them moved together, their combined strength and determination driving them forward. Ragith led the way, his protective instincts sharper than ever. No matter what dangers lay ahead, he wouldn't let anything happen to his sister—or the girl who had saved her.