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

The mission windows hung in the air like unyielding judges, their glowing text stark reminders of the stakes.

Each objective was a thread in the tapestry of this fragile world, and failure wasn't just an option—it was the end. As Rishitha studied the Story Mission, her mind raced with the implications.

This wasn't just about surviving the labyrinth or slaying monsters. This was about correcting a broken narrative, one left abandoned by the cruel whim of an author who had dumped every apocalyptic element imaginable into the story.

And only she knew the truth.

Rishitha leaned against the cavern wall, the rough stone biting into her shoulder as she reread the mission objectives. Her companions were busy preparing for the next leg of their journey, unaware of the storm raging in her mind.

The apocalypse began before Erin, Shi Qing—the destined hero of this world—was even born. But no one here, not even Erin himself, knew it. The looming danger, the chaos that had engulfed the world, wasn't a natural progression. It was the author's negligence, their inability to tie the threads of the story together.

And now, it was her burden to bear.

Rescue the princess. Convince a dragon. Unite a kingdom.

Each task felt like a boulder pressing down on her chest. She wasn't a hero. She wasn't a fighter. She was just… someone trying to save her family.

Her gaze drifted to Erin, who was sharpening a crude blade with determined focus. He didn't know yet, but one day he would awaken to the memories of countless regressions, each filled with pain and failure.

How can I guide him when I'm drowning in my own fears?

Her fingers brushed against the glowing mission panel. She couldn't let them see her doubts. They depended on her, even if they didn't realize it.

Erin didn't take his eyes off the blade he was honing. The feel of the makeshift weapon in his hands grounded him, gave him focus.

The missions were relentless. Each one peeled away another layer of their resolve, leaving them raw and vulnerable. But Erin wasn't the type to crumble. He analyzed each objective with a calculating mind, breaking them down into manageable steps.

Prove worthiness. Secure assistance. Survive the trials.

The tasks weren't impossible, just improbable.

His gaze flicked to Rishitha. She was quiet, too quiet, but her eyes betrayed her. There was a weight there, something she wasn't sharing. Erin didn't trust her completely—how could he? She was an enigma, and enigmas were dangerous.

But she had saved them more than once. And that counted for something.

"I'll make this work," he muttered under his breath. "I have to."

Mo Tang crouched near the makeshift shelter they had constructed, her hands busy weaving together sturdy vines for rope.

The mission objectives swirled in her mind like a haunting melody. Each word was a reminder of the stakes, of how much they had to lose.

Rescue Princess Anya. Survive the forest. Defeat the sorceress.

She glanced at her brother, Ragith, who was pacing nearby. His protectiveness was both a comfort and a burden. She knew he blamed Rishitha for the dangers they faced, but Mo Tang saw things differently.

Rishitha wasn't perfect—far from it. But she was trying, just like the rest of them.

Her fingers tightened around the vines. We'll get through this. I'll make sure of it.

Ragith's jaw clenched as he stared at the mission panel.

Weaken the sorceress. Unite the kingdom. Ensure the royal wedding.

The words felt like a cruel joke. They were expected to save an entire kingdom when they could barely keep themselves alive.

His eyes darted to Rishitha. She sat apart from the group, her expression unreadable.

What is she hiding?

He hated her secrecy, hated the way she seemed to carry the weight of the world on her shoulders. But most of all, he hated the part of himself that couldn't fully blame her.

"She's going to get us all killed," he muttered, his fists tightening.

But even as the thought crossed his mind, he knew he couldn't abandon them. Not Mo Tang. Not Erin. Not even Rishitha.

The fire crackled softly, casting long shadows across the cavern walls.

"Alright," Erin said, breaking the silence. "Let's focus. We've got the next objective: escape the labyrinth. Anyone have ideas?"

Mo Tang nodded, her voice steady. "We need to map our route as we go. If we take a wrong turn, we might not have the chance to correct it."

Ragith grunted, his tone sharp. "And what about the creatures down here? We can't fight without weapons."

"I'll handle that," Erin replied, his eyes narrowing. "We'll set traps. Use the environment to our advantage."

All eyes turned to Rishitha. She hesitated, the weight of her knowledge pressing heavily on her chest. She couldn't tell them everything, not yet.

"We'll make it," she said quietly. "One step at a time."

Her words were met with a mix of skepticism and determination. The path ahead was treacherous, but for now, they had each other. And that would have to be enough.

The soft hum of the forest was broken by murmurs and scattered conversations as the group of one hundred gathered in the clearing, each face illuminated by the faint glow of the system panels hovering before them. The atmosphere was tense, a mix of uncertainty and brewing chaos.

Rishitha stepped forward, her voice steady but tinged with frustration. "There are a hundred of us here now. This test isn't just about individual strength—it's about survival. If we don't help each other, how will any of us make it out alive?"

Her words carried over the crowd, drawing attention. Whispers quieted, and heads turned toward her.

"You're all students, right? The first chapter in your classes—whether it's history, literature, or life skills—always talks about unity. Working together to build something stronger than any one person. So… does anyone have any ideas?"

For a moment, there was only silence. The group shifted uneasily, glancing at one another. Some stood with their arms crossed, others stared at their mission windows, pretending not to hear.

"Unity," a boy in the back snorted, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Yeah, tell that to the monsters waiting to eat us."

A ripple of laughter broke through the crowd, but it was hollow, edged with fear.

Erin, standing slightly to the side, crossed his arms and surveyed the group with a sharp gaze. "She's right," he said finally, his voice cutting through the noise. "If we act like this, none of us will last a day. The missions aren't just about surviving on your own—they're about proving we're capable of working together."

Ragith stood slightly apart from the group, his fists clenched at his sides. His eyes flicked to Rishitha, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. Why is she stepping up like this? Does she even know what she's doing?

But as he looked around, he saw the disarray—the fear, the doubt, the hopelessness etched into the faces of his peers. He hated to admit it, but Rishitha had a point.

"Look," Ragith said, stepping forward reluctantly, "we've got numbers. That's our advantage. If we organize ourselves—create teams for scouting, defending, and gathering supplies—we might stand a chance. But if we keep bickering, we're as good as dead."

His blunt words silenced the murmurs, leaving a heavy stillness in their wake.

Mo Tang's voice rang out next, calm and composed. "We should focus on immediate priorities: food, water, shelter, and defense. The forest is unpredictable, and we don't know how long it'll be safe here. We can divide into smaller groups to handle different tasks and rotate responsibilities to avoid burnout."

She glanced at Rishitha, nodding slightly. "And we need a leader for each group. Someone who can make quick decisions if things go wrong."

The suggestion hung in the air, sparking a new wave of conversation. People began to murmur, nodding at her practical approach.

Slowly, hands began to rise. Ideas started flowing—tentative at first, then growing in confidence.

"We could use the fallen branches around us to set up a perimeter," one girl suggested. "It won't stop everything, but it'll give us some warning."

"We need to scout the area," another boy added. "Find water sources and map out potential threats."

"I can help set traps," a wiry-looking teen said. "I've got some experience with snares."

The energy in the group shifted. What had been a scattered, frightened crowd began to take shape as a united force.

Erin stepped forward, his commanding presence quieting the growing chatter. "Alright," he said, his tone firm but encouraging. "Let's divide into four groups: scouts, builders, foragers, and defenders. Each group will have a leader, and we'll meet back here in two hours to report what we've found."

His eyes scanned the crowd, lingering on those who had spoken up. "You," he said, pointing to the wiry teen. "You're in charge of traps and defenses. Gather a team and start setting up the perimeter."

"You," he nodded to the girl who suggested the branches. "Lead the builders. Start working on a shelter that can house everyone."

The boy who mentioned scouting straightened as Erin turned to him. "Take the scouts and map out the area. Focus on finding water and identifying safe zones."

Finally, he turned to Mo Tang and Ragith. "We'll stay with the defenders. If anything comes our way, we'll be the first line of defense."

As the group began to mobilize, Rishitha hung back, her mind racing. The scene before her felt surreal. These weren't just characters in a novel—they were real people, with real fears and hopes.

But they don't know the truth, she thought, a pang of guilt twisting in her chest. If they did, would they still fight? Would they still trust me?

Her system remained silent, as cold and unfeeling as ever. It didn't care about unity or survival—it only cared about the mission.

Shaking off her doubts, she moved to join Mo Tang and Ragith. For now, she would focus on the task at hand. The bigger questions—the secrets she carried—could wait.

Under Erin's direction and the combined efforts of the group, the clearing transformed. A rough shelter began to take shape, a perimeter was marked with crude traps, and scouts returned with information about nearby resources and dangers.

For the first time since arriving at the test site, the group felt a glimmer of hope. It wasn't much, but it was a start.

And as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the forest in shadows, Rishitha allowed herself a small, fleeting smile.

Unity. Maybe it's not just a chapter in a textbook. Maybe it's the key to survival.