The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

(Raye's POV)

"Status."

I muttered under my breath.

And as soon as I did—

SWOOSH~!

A transparent, bluish system window appeared in front of me.

It was something I hadn't seen in a long while... I barely even checked it these days. After all, the system doesn't really do anything anymore except remind me how far I've come.

I used to be excited every time it popped up, checking it constantly like a kid with a new toy.

But now—

'I've already grown out of it.'

Fwish—

I turned my head slightly toward the glowing window.

And the moment my eyes fell on the words displayed—

"..."

I went quiet.

"Huh?"

A dumb noise slipped out of my mouth.

"...?"

I blinked once.

Then twice.

Disbelief slowly crawling over my face.

I turned to Pyro.

-Meep...?

He tilted his head, smiling at me innocently. Clearly, he had no idea what was going on.

Fwish~

Then I turned to Zephyrus.

-...

And saw him already staring at me.

-Surprised?

He asked, tone calm but his eyes holding something else.

And before I could even respond—

-Me too. I was just about to say it to you earlier.

He added, his feathers ruffling ever so slightly.

"..." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

I just stared at Zephyrus for a moment, still confused.

Then after a while...

Swish~

I looked back at the system window.

Slowly.

Carefully.

As if blinking might make it disappear.

And after looking and going through the contents of my status again—

"..."

The corners of my lips twitched.

'Is this for real...?'

My fingers trembled slightly as I reached toward the display. Not to touch it—but just to make sure it was still there.

I leaned closer.

And again... I took a proper look on it.

=====

Strength: 115

Speed: 121

Talent: 120

Luck: 126

-----

Wind Element [II]: Level 1 (8%)

Fire Element [I]: Level 3 (6%)

Spirit Magic [I]: Level 2 (90%)

Magic Engineering: Level 39 (6%)

Bow: Level 33 (50%)

Dagger [I]: Level 1 (0%)

Sword [I]: Level 16 (8%)

Cooking [I]: Level 1 (91%)

...

...

-----

Overall Grade: A

Growth Rate: S++

=====

"Haha..."

A small laughed escape my mouth.

I ranked up two times since the last time I checked.

*****

After staring at the system window for a while longer... I slowly exhaled.

"Haaah..."

Then, finally closing the status window—

Fwish~

—I looked around and noticed something.

"...Wait."

I furrowed my brows.

"What happened to the tent?"

I asked, blinking in confusion. Our tent was nowhere to be seen.

And when I turned to the two...

-...

-meep...

Both Zephyrus and Pyro just stared at me with completely blank expressions.

Their silence made it even more suspicious.

"...?"

I tilted my head, not getting it.

And then—

-You blew it up.

Zephyrus answered bluntly, staring straight at me like it was the most normal thing in the world.

"..."

I froze after hearing him.

"...Huh?"

My eyes slowly widened as I processed his words. And opening my mouth—

"You serious...?"

I asked that weakly.

-Dead serious.

-Meep.

And the two immediately replied with no hesitation.

"..."

I just stood there, mouth slightly open, absolutely speechless.

"...Damn."

A very awkward smile crept onto my face.

"Haha... my bad."

I muttered, scratching the back of my neck.

Then—

FWISH~

I pulled out another tent from my spatial storage ring!

It was noticeably smaller than the previous one... again.

But it was still enough for the three of us.

"Well... this is the last one I brought."

I said with a sigh.

"I really hope nothing happens to this one."

I whispered.

-Meep...

Pyro followed, chirping.

Zephyrus just stared at me, unimpressed.

-Hope isn't a plan, you know.

"...Yeah yeah..."

I replied, slumping my shoulders a little.

And with that—

We began setting up our final tent.

...

...

After setting up the tent...

Fwish, fwish—

Me, Pyro, and Zephyrus quickly settled in. It wasn't as spacious as before, but it was enough. Cozy, even.

We just need the tent to sleep on and rest anyway.

-meep!

Pyro immediately plopped down on my lap, looking satisfied, while Zephyrus floated to my side, wings gently folding in.

And with a deep breath—

"Haaaaa..."

I finally relaxed.

"...So, what happened while I was out?"

I asked the two curiously.

Zephyrus turned to me first.

-We took turns training and guarding. When food ran out, I hunted... and Pyro cooked.

-Meep!

Pyro nodded proudly, puffing his little chest out.

"And you guys were safe the whole time?"

-Yeah.

-Meep.

They answered.

-We kept everything away. Weak monsters didn't even come close because of the smell of those mini bosses, just like what you said... but we still stayed alert.

Then Zephyrus added that.

"...Phew, I'm glad. Thanks for guarding me, guys."

I mumbled, sincerely. A small smile curling on my lips.

And with all that...

-Meep!

-You're welcome.

The three of us sat close to each other inside the tent.

Then suddenly—

-So, what's our next move now?

Zephyrus asked that.

"Hmm?"

I turned to him when I heard that.

And seeing that he's serious about the question... I turned serious too.

And with my lips parting—

"I think it's time."

I mumbled that.

-...Time?

-Meep?

Zephyrus and Pyro repeated, asking.

"Yeah."

I looked at both of them, calm but resolute.

And without hesitation, casually too—

"We're hunting the boss of this place. It's time to get out"

I declared that.

-...

Zephyrus' eyes narrowed, he was silent.

-meep...

Pyro was confused at what's happening.

(Same Pyro, same...)

But nevertheless—

We didn't need to say more.

It was a quiet agreement. After everything, it was the natural next step.

But before that—

"Let's rest."

I laid my back down on the mat inside the tent.

"You two should too. We'll start moving at dawn."

-Meep...

-...Alright.

They agreed.

But still—

As always, we took turns guarding through the night.

The night was calm.

Outside, the wind whispered softly through the trees, brushing past the fabric of our newly pitched tent.

Inside, warmth lingered—faint but comforting.

I could hear Pyro's soft breathing as he curled up beside me, already drifting off.

Zephyrus floated just above the tent's entrance, silent, but alert as always.

"..."

I stared up at the ceiling of the tent, my arms behind my head.

'I wonder how the others are doing...'

I thought to myself.

Soon...

I'll leave this place.

My eyes slowly shut.

For now—

It's rest.

It's peace.

Tomorrow...

We hunt.