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

The air in the cave grew heavier as they moved forward, the flickering torchlight casting eerie shadows along the jagged walls. Every sound—each drip of water, each shuffle of their steps—seemed magnified, as though the cave itself was alive, watching, waiting.

Erin led the way, his sword gripped tightly in one hand, the blade glinting faintly in the dim light. Rishitha walked behind him, her movements unsteady but determined, her eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of danger. Mo Tang limped at the rear, leaning heavily on a makeshift crutch fashioned from a sturdy branch Erin had found earlier.

"How much longer do we have to keep going?" Mo Tang muttered, her voice laced with frustration.

"As long as it takes," Erin replied curtly, not looking back.

Rishitha's gaze darted between them, her lips pressed into a thin line. The tension was thick, and every step forward felt like another step toward the unknown.

The attack came without warning.

From the darkness, the rats swarmed—hundreds of them, their red eyes gleaming like embers, their shrill screeches echoing off the walls.

"Move!" Erin shouted, raising his sword as the first wave of vermin lunged at them. The blade flashed, cutting through the air with deadly precision.

Mo Tang stumbled back, her injured leg buckling beneath her. She swung her crutch like a club, knocking a rat away before it could sink its teeth into her arm. "There are too many!" she cried, panic creeping into her voice.

Rishitha froze for a moment, her breath hitching as the swarm closed in. Her torch trembled in her hand, the flames casting frantic shadows on her pale face.

"Rishitha!" Erin barked, his voice snapping her out of her daze.

She gripped the torch tighter and swung it wildly, the fire driving the rats back momentarily. But for every rat she repelled, two more seemed to take its place.

"Use your head!" Erin growled, his movements fluid and precise as he cut through the swarm. "You can't just flail around like that!"

The fight devolved into chaos.

Mo Tang gritted her teeth, sweat dripping down her forehead as she used her crutch to fend off the relentless attackers. Her leg screamed in protest, but she refused to back down.

Erin moved like a storm, his sword a blur of steel. But even he couldn't keep up with the sheer number of rats.

"Rishitha, do something!" Mo Tang shouted, her voice tinged with desperation.

Rishitha's mind raced. She felt useless, her heart pounding in her chest as the reality of the situation closed in around her. She glanced at her companions—Mo Tang, pale and trembling but still fighting; Erin, his movements growing slower as fatigue set in.

Her gaze fell on the small pouch tied to her belt—the potion she'd received as a mission reward.

Mo Tang needs it more than I do.

Rishitha dropped her torch and scrambled toward Mo Tang, dodging snapping jaws and skittering claws. She pulled the potion from her pouch and thrust it into Mo Tang's hands.

"Drink this!" she yelled, her voice breaking.

Mo Tang hesitated, her eyes widening. "What about you?"

"Just drink it!" Rishitha snapped, her voice firmer than she felt.

Mo Tang downed the potion in one gulp, her body trembling as the healing energy coursed through her. The pain in her leg subsided, replaced by a surge of strength.

"Thanks," she muttered, her voice soft but sincere. She picked up her crutch and swung it with renewed vigor, the rats scattering under her assault.

Rishitha grabbed her torch again, her knuckles white as she held it steady. She met Erin's gaze, her eyes burning with a determination he hadn't seen before.

"Fire," she said, her voice steady despite the chaos around them. "We need more fire."

Erin smirked, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten. "Now you're thinking."

"Mo Tang, gather anything that'll burn!" Erin ordered, his tone sharp and commanding. "Rishitha, keep them off her!"

Rishitha nodded, her fear pushed aside by the urgency of the moment. She swung her torch with precision, the flames creating a barrier between Mo Tang and the swarm.

Mo Tang moved quickly, her limp barely noticeable as she piled together scraps of wood, cloth, and anything else she could find.

"Here!" she called, stepping back as Erin crouched down and struck his sword against the stone floor, sparks igniting the makeshift pile into a roaring fire.

The rats screeched, their momentum faltering as the flames spread

The three of them stood together, their backs to the fire as the rats hesitated, their red eyes flickering with uncertainty.

Erin glanced at Rishitha, his smirk returning. "Not bad for a first-timer."

Rishitha didn't respond, her chest heaving as she clutched her torch. She looked at Mo Tang, who offered her a small, shaky smile.

They were battered, exhausted, and barely holding on. But for the first time, Rishitha felt a flicker of hope.

We can survive this.

The rats screeched one last time before retreating into the shadows, their red eyes disappearing into the darkness.

Erin lowered his sword, his shoulders slumping with relief. "Well, that was fun," he muttered, his tone laced with sarcasm.

Mo Tang let out a shaky laugh, collapsing onto the ground. "Fun isn't the word I'd use."

Rishitha didn't say anything. She stared into the fire, her thoughts a whirlwind of exhaustion, relief, and lingering fear.

The cave was silent except for the crackling of the fire. The three of them sat close to the flames, their shadows dancing on the walls.

Erin leaned back, his eyes flicking between the girls. Despite their battered appearances, there was a quiet strength in both of them that he couldn't ignore.

"You two aren't half bad," he said, his tone teasing but not unkind.

Mo Tang snorted, her lips quirking into a faint smile. "And you're not as useless as you look."

Rishitha didn't laugh. She stared at the fire, her hands trembling as she replayed the fight in her mind.

I need to be stronger. For them. For myself.

Erin watched her, his teasing expression softening. He didn't say anything, but a part of him couldn't help but admire the quiet determination in her eyes.

As the fire crackled and the cave grew quieter, the three of them sat together, their bond forged in desperation and survival.

Rishitha's legs trembled with every step, the weight of exhaustion pressing down on her like an iron chain. The jagged cave walls loomed closer as if conspiring to close in on them. Her torchlight flickered weakly, casting faint shadows that danced and twisted in ways that made her stomach churn.

Erin led the way, his confidence seemingly unshaken, while Mo Tang trailed slightly behind, her limp less pronounced after the potion's effects. Rishitha moved between them, her body sluggish and heavy as though the fight had drained not just her strength but her very will to keep going.

"Another wave might finish me," she muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible even to herself.

But the rats returned, as relentless as the tide.

The rats seemed angrier, more feral than before. Their screeches echoed through the cavern, a cacophony that grated against Rishitha's ears. They attacked in swarms, claws scratching and teeth gnashing.

Erin moved like a whirlwind, his sword slicing through the horde with precision. "Stay close to me!" he barked, his tone sharp but protective.

Mo Tang swung her crutch-turned-weapon with surprising strength, but her movements were slower now, her breaths coming in harsh gasps. "How many of these things are there?" she shouted, frustration thick in her voice.

Rishitha tried to keep up, swinging her torch at the rats that lunged toward her. But her arms felt like lead, her movements slower and less effective with each passing moment. One rat clawed at her leg, tearing through her makeshift armor. She stumbled, barely managing to stay on her feet.

Her system chimed in with its cold, clinical tone:

[Warning: Host's stamina critically low.]

"Tell me something I don't know," she hissed, frustration bubbling up inside her.

The ground beneath them shuddered violently. Rocks rained down from the ceiling, some narrowly missing the group as they scrambled to avoid being crushed. Dust filled the air, making it hard to breathe.

"Watch out!" Erin shouted, pulling Mo Tang out of the way of a falling boulder.

Rishitha stumbled backward, her vision blurring as her body screamed for rest. Her system chimed again:

[Warning: Host's condition deteriorating. Immediate action required.]

As the dust settled, the system's voice returned, colder and more urgent than ever:

[Host is heading in the wrong direction. This path will lead to certain death.]

Rishitha froze, her grip tightening on the torch. "Wrong direction? Then where—"

"We don't have time to figure it out!" Erin interrupted, his voice sharp. "If you've got something to say, say it now!"

"I—I don't know!" she stammered, the weight of the situation crushing her.

Erin sighed, his jaw clenching. "We keep moving. If we stop, we're dead. Simple as that."

Just when it seemed like they couldn't take another step, the cave opened up into a vast chamber. The air was different here—cleaner, lighter. A faint glow emanated from the walls, illuminating the space with a soft, golden light.

Erin stopped in his tracks, his eyes widening as he took in the sight. "What is this place?"

Mo Tang leaned heavily on her crutch, her face pale but her eyes filled with wonder. "It's... beautiful."

Rishitha staggered forward, her breaths shallow. Her system chimed once more:

[Congratulations! You have discovered a hidden treasure cave. Proceed with caution.]

In the center of the chamber stood a pedestal, and on it lay a glowing orb. The walls were lined with shelves, each holding ancient artifacts and chests overflowing with gold and jewels.

But before they could celebrate, the system chimed again, this time with a warning:

[Hidden Challenge Activated: Prove your worth to claim the treasure.]

Erin stepped forward, his hand resting on his sword. "Looks like we've got one more fight ahead of us."

Rishitha's legs nearly gave out, but she steadied herself against the wall, her eyes locked on the orb. Despite her exhaustion, a flicker of determination ignited within her. I can't give up now. Not when we're so close.

The faint sound of movement echoed through the chamber, and from the shadows emerged a new threat—a creature unlike anything they had faced before.

The fight wasn't over. It was just beginning.

Erin glanced at Rishitha, her figure slumped against the glowing cave wall. Her skin was pale, her breaths shallow, and her movements sluggish. Sweat streaked her dirt-smeared face, and blood from numerous cuts stained her torn clothing. The fire in her eyes that he had come to admire flickered weakly, like a candle about to go out.

"We can't go on like this," Erin said firmly, his voice cutting through the awe of the treasure chamber. "Rishitha's barely standing, and Mo Tang isn't much better. We've been going nonstop since we got trapped down here. If we push any harder..." He didn't need to finish the sentence.

Mo Tang looked at Rishitha, guilt flashing across her face. "She... she saved me. Twice. Even when she didn't have to. And now... look at her." Her voice cracked, and she wiped her face with the back of her hand. "We have to rest."

Erin nodded, though his usual confidence was tinged with unease. He paced the chamber, inspecting the treasure-laden shelves and the pedestal at the center. "We need potions, but we don't have any left. There's a chance something in here might help, but we can't risk activating another trap."

Mo Tang glanced at Rishitha again. "Then what do we do? Just... sit and wait?"

Erin stopped pacing and sighed. "First, we make a camp. This place is safer than the tunnels, and we've got some light. Let's get her settled, and then we'll figure out the rest."

The soft glow of the cave walls provided enough light for them to see without torches. Erin gathered stones to create a small fire pit while Mo Tang spread out a few spare pieces of cloth to make a crude bed for Rishitha.

As they worked, Rishitha stirred weakly. Her voice was barely above a whisper. "I'm... fine. We need to... keep going..."

"Fine?" Erin said, crouching next to her with a frown. "Rishitha, you look like you've been through ten rounds with a monster horde. Rest. That's an order."

Mo Tang knelt beside her, gently brushing stray hair from her face. "You've done more than enough, Rishitha. Just... let us take care of things for a while, okay?"

Rishitha's lips pressed into a thin line, but she didn't argue. She didn't have the strength to. Instead, she closed her eyes, her body sagging against the makeshift bedding.

As the fire crackled softly, Erin and Mo Tang sat on either side of the faintly glowing room, their expressions heavy.

"She's strong," Mo Tang said quietly, her eyes fixed on Rishitha's still form. "Stronger than I thought anyone could be. But she's not indestructible."

Erin nodded, his gaze distant. "She's stubborn, that's for sure. But she's also reckless. The way she shields everyone else, takes all the hits... it's like she's trying to carry the world on her shoulders."

Mo Tang looked down at her hands, clenching them tightly. "It's my fault. If I hadn't fallen into that cave... if I wasn't so useless, maybe she wouldn't be in this state."

Erin shook his head. "Blaming yourself won't change anything. And you're not useless, Mo Tang. You've been fighting just as hard as the rest of us. But right now, we've got to focus on what's next. How do we get out of here alive?"

Rishitha stirred in her sleep, her system's voice ringing in her head:

[Host Status: Critical. Stamina Recovery: Slow. Rest required to regain physical and mental functionality.]

In the background, the system displayed her incomplete and completed missions:

[Completed Missions:]

Protect Mo Tang from initial cave-in. Reward: Basic Healing Potion (used). Reach the treasure chamber alive. Reward: Survival XP.

[Incomplete Missions:]

Lead the group out of the cave successfully. Discover the hidden artifact within the treasure chamber.

The system continued, its tone mechanical and indifferent:

[Failure to rest and recover will result in host's inability to continue.]

While Rishitha slept, Erin and Mo Tang sat quietly, keeping watch. The cave seemed to breathe with them, its glow pulsating faintly.

"Do you think we'll make it out of here?" Mo Tang asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Erin glanced at her, then at Rishitha. "We don't have a choice. We'll make it out because we have to. For her."

The soft light of the treasure chamber wrapped around them like a fragile shield, offering a rare moment of peace in the chaos. But deep down, they all knew the fight wasn't over.

Rishitha woke up slowly, her eyes fluttering open to the dim glow of the treasure chamber. The warmth of the small fire Erin had built wrapped around her like a fragile embrace. Every muscle in her body ached, a dull throb that refused to fade. She shifted slightly, biting back a groan as pain lanced through her side.

"You're awake," Erin said, his voice softer than usual. He leaned forward, his dark eyes scanning her face for any sign of improvement.

Rishitha nodded weakly. "How long...?"

"A few hours. Don't even think about moving yet," Erin replied firmly.

Mo Tang appeared at her other side, her expression a mix of relief and worry. "You scared us. You were completely out of it."

"I'm fine," Rishitha said, her voice hoarse. "We need to move. There's no time—"

"Stop," Mo Tang interrupted, her hands on Rishitha's shoulders. "You've done enough. Let us handle things for once."

Rishitha stared at her, guilt flickering in her eyes. "If I don't... who will?"

As Erin and Mo Tang spoke softly a few feet away, Rishitha leaned back against the wall, her thoughts spiraling.

It's my fault they're in this mess. If I had been smarter, faster, stronger...

The system's cold, unfeeling voice echoed in her mind:

[Host has pushed beyond safe limits. Recovery required to avoid critical failure.]

I pushed too hard, she admitted silently. But what choice did I have? If I hadn't fought, Mo Tang might have been killed. Erin wouldn't have been able to save us both.

Her hand drifted to her side, where dried blood clung to the fabric of her torn clothing. Every breath felt like a reminder of her own limits—a bitter pill to swallow.

"I can't let them see me like this," she whispered to herself. "They need to think I'm strong, even if I'm not."

"Let's be honest," Erin said, his voice breaking the silence. "We're running out of options. Supplies are low, and the system's warnings aren't helping."

Mo Tang frowned. "Warnings?"

Erin hesitated, then admitted, "system mentioned we're going the wrong way. We've been moving deeper into the cave, not closer to the exit."

"What?" Mo Tang's voice rose in alarm. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"I didn't want to panic anyone," Erin replied, his jaw tightening. "But we can't keep going blindly. We need a plan."

"We're resting," Erin announced firmly. "No arguments."

Rishitha opened her mouth to protest but stopped when Erin fixed her with a glare. "You're not invincible, Rishitha. And if you collapse for good, what do you think happens to us?"

She looked away, ashamed. "Fine. But only for a little while."

Erin nodded, satisfied. "Good. Mo Tang, help me set up a proper camp this time. We'll need to conserve energy for whatever's next."

They had barely settled when the faint skittering sound began to echo through the chamber.

Erin's head snapped up, his hand already on his sword. "Rats. Again."

Mo Tang groaned. "Can't they give us a break?"

"They're coming fast," Erin said, standing and helping Rishitha to her feet. She stumbled, but he caught her. "Stay behind me. Mo Tang, you back her up. I'll take the front."

"No," Rishitha said weakly, shaking her head. "I'll fight too."

"You can barely stand," Erin shot back.

"I can't let you two handle everything," she said, her voice firm despite her trembling frame.

The rats poured in, their red eyes glowing like embers in the dim light. Erin charged forward, his sword gleaming as it cut through the first wave of attackers. Mo Tang stood at his back, wielding a broken piece of treasure as an improvised weapon.

Rishitha stumbled forward, clutching a small flame in her palm. She flinched as the rats lunged toward her but held her ground, throwing the flame with all her might. It hit one of the creatures, and it screeched before falling back.

"Keep it up!" Erin shouted, dodging another rat and slicing cleanly through it.

But as the waves kept coming, exhaustion began to weigh on them. Erin's movements became slower, his strikes less precise. Mo Tang winced every time she put weight on her injured leg, and Rishitha's flames grew weaker and dimmer.

"We can't keep this up!" Mo Tang cried, swinging her weapon wildly.

Erin gritted his teeth, his sword slashing through another rat. "We don't have a choice!"

Rishitha fell to one knee, panting. Her vision blurred, but she forced herself to stand. "There's... there's something here," she murmured, her system's voice ringing faintly in her ears.

[Warning: Host's stamina critical. Initiating emergency mission.]

[Mission: Survive the Third Wave. Clear the Treasure Chamber.]

Reward: Full party stamina recovery potion.]

Rishitha's hands trembled as she conjured another flame, this one brighter and hotter than before. She hurled it toward the largest rat, watching as it burst into a searing blaze.

"Rishitha!" Erin shouted, his eyes wide.

"Just keep fighting!" she yelled back, her voice hoarse but determined.

The three of them fought with renewed vigor, the faint hope of survival fueling their movements. When the last rat fell, the chamber was silent except for their ragged breathing.

The system's voice rang out in Rishitha's mind:

[Mission Complete. Distributing reward.]

A small vial appeared in her hand, glowing faintly. She stared at it in disbelief before handing it to Mo Tang. "Here. Drink this."

Mo Tang hesitated but took the potion, her injuries healing almost instantly. She stared at Rishitha, tears in her eyes. "Why... why did you give this to me? You need it more."

Rishitha smiled faintly. "Because... you need to keep fighting. For all of us."

Erin watched silently, his expression unreadable. For the first time, he didn't have a witty remark. Instead, he simply nodded, his respect for Rishitha growing with every moment.

"Rest," he said finally, his tone softer than before. "We'll figure out the next step when we're ready."

As the firelight danced across their faces, the three of them allowed themselves a moment of quiet, knowing the fight was far from over.