As Rishitha stared at the glowing panel that only she could see, a chill crept down her spine. The hidden missions were far more detailed—and dangerous—than what the rest of the group had been assigned.
The weight of it settled on her shoulders like a physical burden. These weren't simple tasks of survival; they were layered with complexity and moral dilemmas, pushing her deeper into the role she hadn't asked for
"Monster Hunt," she thought, her eyes scanning the first objective. The group already knew they needed to kill ten monsters, but the sub-objectives painted a grim picture.
A Bandit Camp. It wasn't just wild creatures they'd be facing but people—desperate, violent, and potentially just as scared as they were. A Forest Troll. Massive and territorial, it was a fight that could lead to casualties if they weren't careful. Dire Wolves. Fast and ruthless, they would test the group's ability to strategize as a team.
Could she even suggest these without revealing her knowledge? Without endangering the others further?
"Dragon's Favor."
Her chest tightened as she read the second objective. A dragon was already a daunting prospect, but the trials… the stolen egg… the sickness… each sub-objective hinted at a series of trials that would push them to their limits.
"How am I supposed to convince a dragon when I can barely convince this group to trust me?"
"Forest Endurance."
This was the group's current mission, but the hidden sub-objectives painted a more sinister picture. It wasn't just about survival—it was about resourcefulness and resilience.
"Find a safe shelter, hunt for food, avoid traps… but how many traps are there? What happens if someone stumbles into one?"
Her gaze flickered to Mo Tang and Ragith, standing not far from her. Could she protect them both if something went wrong?
"Minion Mayhem."
This one made her blood run cold. The sorceress wasn't just a vague threat lurking in the shadows. She had an army, lieutenants, and prisoners who could either be allies or bait in a trap.
The idea of infiltrating a fortress—or assassinating someone—felt impossibly distant. But this was the world's story, wasn't it? This was the mission she'd been handed.
"Royal Wedding."
Her brows furrowed as she reached the final objective. Ensure the princess marries the prince? On the surface, it sounded like a fairytale ending, but the sub-objectives screamed otherwise.
Political disputes. Stolen jewels. Assassination attempts.
The intricacies of human greed, envy, and betrayal would weave into this mission, making it far more dangerous than a simple ceremony.
"Restore unity? What does that even mean? Unity built on lies and politics will never last."
The glowing text seemed to mock her, its cold, unfeeling letters a stark contrast to the warmth of the fire nearby.
"Why me? Why am I the only one who can see this? Why did it have to be me, of all people, to carry this weight?"
But deep down, she already knew the answer.
"Because no one else can."
Her fingers curled into fists at her sides. The system's hidden missions weren't just tasks—they were tests. Not just of strength but of character, of resolve.
The rest of the group might think they were here for talent awakening, but this world wasn't kind enough to give them time to grow without consequence. Every decision she made, every action she took, would ripple through this world.
Her eyes swept over the group. Erin stood tall, guiding the others with his natural charisma. Mo Tang was speaking with a few scouts, her calm demeanor inspiring confidence. Even Ragith, gruff as he was, had thrown himself into the work of organizing the defenses.
They were trying. They were doing their best with what little they knew.
"I can't tell them everything," she realized, the thought settling heavily in her chest. "Not yet. It would only cause panic. But I can guide them. I can steer them toward the objectives without them knowing the full scope."
It was a delicate balance, one that could easily tip into disaster. But it was the only way to protect them—and to keep the world from collapsing.
She took a deep breath, straightened her shoulders, and stepped into the clearing.
"Listen up!" she called, her voice ringing out over the hum of activity.
The group paused, turning to face her.
"We're doing good so far, but we need to think ahead. The forest isn't just about survival—it's about proving we're worthy. There are trials here, challenges we'll have to face if we want to get out alive. We need to prepare."
Her gaze met Erin's, then Mo Tang's, then Ragith's. Each pair of eyes held a mix of doubt and determination.
"Unity, strategy, and trust—that's how we'll survive this. If anyone has ideas, share them. If anyone needs help, ask for it. And if anyone tries to go it alone…" She let the words hang, her tone warning enough.
The crowd murmured in agreement, and slowly, the group began to move with renewed purpose.
Rishitha exhaled quietly, her fingers brushing against the faint glow of the hidden mission window.
"Step one," she thought. "Survive the forest. Then, maybe, we'll be ready for what comes next."
Rishitha took a deep breath as the murmurs of the group settled, her heart pounding against her ribcage. She needed them to trust her, to believe in the words she hadn't yet fully convinced herself of.
"Look," she began, her tone softer now, but still firm, "I know we're all scared. None of us asked for this, but we're here. And the only way we get out of this alive is if we start thinking like a team."
Her eyes scanned the crowd. Some faces were pale, others hardened, but all of them bore the weight of fear. She met Erin's sharp gaze briefly; his expression was calm, analytical, but there was a flicker of something else—interest, maybe even respect.
"We've already survived the swarm," she continued, gesturing to the group. "That wasn't luck. It was because we fought together. And that's what we need to keep doing."
Rishitha stepped forward, her voice gaining strength.
"First, we need to make sure everyone here knows what they're doing. That means forming smaller teams. Scouts to map the area, hunters to find food and water, defenders to protect the camp."
She paused, letting her words sink in.
"Second, we need information. This forest isn't just trees and shadows—it's a test. There are traps, monsters, and who knows what else out there. If we're not careful, we'll fall right into them. So we need to start thinking ahead. Planning our next moves instead of just reacting."
A few people nodded, the tension in the air easing slightly. Rishitha felt a flicker of relief but didn't let it show.
"Here's the deal," she said, her tone turning sharper. "No one goes off on their own. I don't care how strong or skilled you think you are—if you wander off, you're putting the rest of us at risk. So, whatever we do, we do it together."
She glanced at Mo Tang, who gave a subtle nod of agreement. That small gesture steadied Rishitha more than she cared to admit.
"I know it's not easy to trust people you barely know," she added, her voice softening again. "But look around. These are the people who will either save your life or leave you to die. So start thinking of them as allies, not strangers."
Rishitha hesitated for a moment, then let herself be vulnerable.
"I'm not a leader. I've never done anything like this before. But I do know one thing—we're stronger together than we'll ever be apart. If we don't trust each other, we've already lost."
The group was silent for a moment, the weight of her words hanging in the air. Then, slowly, a few people started to murmur in agreement. Erin stepped forward, his expression unreadable.
"She's right," he said, his voice carrying easily over the group. "If we don't work together, we're not going to make it. Let's organize and make sure everyone has a role. And if anyone has a problem with that…" His eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of steel in his tone. "Speak up now."
No one did.
Rishitha felt a strange mix of relief and unease. She hadn't lied, exactly, but she hadn't told them everything either. The hidden missions loomed in her mind, their ominous objectives a constant reminder of the stakes.
As the group began to disperse, forming teams and discussing strategies, Rishitha lingered at the edge of the clearing. Her fingers brushed against the faint glow of the mission window again, her thoughts a whirlwind of doubt and determination.
"Step one: survive the forest," she thought, the words echoing in her mind like a mantra. "Step two: figure out how the hell I'm supposed to save this world."
She glanced up at the canopy of trees, their twisted branches casting eerie shadows across the ground.
"No pressure, right?"