Extra's POV: My Obsessive Villainous Fiancee Is The Game's Final Boss-Chapter 341: The Seven As One

Snow fell in thick, heavy sheets, blanketing the trail in white. Every step they took crunched under the carpet of fresh powder, sinking deep and leaving behind large footprints.

And through it all, the wind stayed quiet, as if allowing the sky to cry for a tragedy had happened.

Wrapped in thick, fur-lined cloaks, Ren, Lilith, and Thorn trudged silently through the mountains, the trail behind them vanishing quickly beneath the snowfall.

They had been walking for thirty minutes since fleeing the ruined Truth Stone atop the Seventh Peak.

The silence between them wasn’t born from fear, but focus. Every breath they took steamed in the cold, as they sought to preserve their energy. After all, the cold was so tough, it felt like it was seeping the strength straight out of their bones.

"Do you think...?" Thorn asked, breaking the silence.

"No." Ren answered. "They’re definitely dead."

Nero and Contessa had sacrificed their lives to give Ren a few valuable pieces of information, but their deaths didn’t really bother him. After all, he didn’t know them that deeply to feel emotional about their passing.

And the same went for Thorn and Lilith. They were appreciative, but not really bothered. This was the circle of life.

Silence once again, with only the sound of their footsteps and the falling snow accompanying them.

"All we need to focus on right now is getting to the Eight Peak before others do." Ren said after a few minutes.

Thorn huffed, wiping snow from his brow. "And remind me again why we’re not just teleporting?"

Ren stared at the man incredulously. "Have you forgotten how my teleportation works? We need to have a coin at the Eight Peak before we can actually teleport there."

"Oh." Thorn chuckled sheepishly. "Forgot about that."

"All we need to do right now is approach unnoticed." Ren said. "There’s too many eyes on that peak already. We can’t make a flashy entrance."

Lilith nodded, her hood pulled low. "You said the Gift won’t awaken for another three days, right? All we need is to stay close enough to strike the moment it does."

"So it’s not far from here?" Thorn asked.

"Not far." Ren confirmed. "I know the route. If we cut through the frozen pass up ahead, we can circle around and approach the Eight Peak from the north. Less crowded. And less expected."

Before they could continue the conversation, Ren froze. His eyes narrowed.

"I might have... miscalculated."

Figures emerged from the snowfall. Silent, cloaked shapes. One by one, they stepped from the white blur until seven warriors surrounded the trio, forming a perfect circle.

Each wore thick black cloaks that hid their faces. Despite the blizzard, none of the snow clung to their cloaks. They radiated an aura of readiness, like blades waiting to strike.

"Travelers," a woman among them called, her voice smooth and controlled. "You seem to be straying into our territory."

Ren didn’t move. His expression remained calm. "Didn’t realize anyone owned the mountains."

Another figure stepped forward, taller, voice male. "We do. This ridge is our claim."

"Then our apologies," Ren said lightly. "We’re just passing through. Heading to the Ninth Peak."

There was a pause.

The seven exchanged glances beneath their hoods.

Then, laughter.

The woman who first spoke smiled. "The Ninth Peak? A quaint excuse. But we understand discretion."

She pulled back her hood slightly, revealing sharp green eyes, dark short shoulder-length hair, and a confident smirk. "We are the Seven As One. Perhaps you’ve heard of us?"

Thorn tensed. Lilith’s eyes narrowed.

"The name rings a bell." Ren said smoothly.

"We were about to settle for a quiet watch over this region," another man said, stepping beside the woman, "but then we heard whispers. The kind of rumors you don’t ignore." fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓

"And you three," the woman added, eyes gleaming, "look far too capable to be wandering aimlessly. So here’s an offer. Serve us. Be our support. Our butlers, if you will."

Thorn blinked. "Butlers? Seriously?"

"Don’t take it the wrong way," another chimed in. "We mean it with respect. You three seem talented, but let’s be honest. You’re weak, outnumbered and outclassed. Join us, and you share in the reward."

Ren gave a small smile, the same kind he wore when he smelled a trap but walked into it anyway. "And what reward would that be?"

"We have... relics that we might discard soon if things go according to plan." The first woman replied. "There shall be no need to discard them. We can just give you guys. You three get protection. Connections. Wealth."

"And cleaning duty." One of the men added with a chuckle.

Lilith didn’t laugh. Her eyes narrowed as she stared at them.

Ren kept his tone calm. "And I assume there’s more to your group than just numbers?"

He knew who they were, of course. A group of seven cloaked figures around the Eight Peak. But it wasn’t a bad move to ask. Why not let the cut scene play out?

Besides, he knew why they were making this offer. In the eyes of the group, they were weak enough to not be worth the effort of killing off, but strong enough to keep an eye pon.

The tallest among them pulled back his hood. A face with sharp angles and cold eyes. "We share power. One among us can receive the combined might of the other six. For a time. We become as one."

Ren’s smile didn’t flicker. "Impressive."

That was underselling it. The seven were all Rank 7 Knights, but when they give their power to one among them, that person becomes a Rank 9 Knight. That was power.

The woman stepped forward, gaze fixed on Ren. Her eyes were appraising, amused, and something else.

"I like him," she said. "Strong. Calm. And those eyes... I wouldn’t mind sharing a tent with this one."

Ren didn’t react.

Lilith did.

She took a single step forward, her hand drifting towards the fold of her cloak, where her throwing knives were. The air seemed to drop a few degrees.

Ren gently caught her wrist. "Not now."

Lilith didn’t move, but her eyes burned into the woman.

The woman chuckled. "Oh? Jealous, are we?"

Lilith said nothing, staring coldly at the woman. Ren already knew that whatever happens, that woman wouldn’t survive this ordeal.

"Now, now." One of the men said. "Let’s keep this friendly."

Ren offered a shallow bow. "We’ll consider your offer. But for now, we really must continue our journey."

"To the Ninth Peak, of course." The leader said with a knowing smile. "We’ll be nearby. Should you reconsider. We always welcome loyal... attendants."

Ren nodded, and with Lilith and Thorn, slowly moved past the circle.

The Seven As One did not stop them. But their eyes followed them. Especially hers.

As soon as they were out of earshot, Thorn muttered, "They’re insane. Completely. Did you see how that one looked at you? Like she wanted to eat you."

Ren exhaled. "And dangerous. We’ll have to move faster."

"Yes." Lilith muttered under her breath. "I’ll have to move faster."

Ren had no idea if she was talking about attacking the woman, or reaching the Divine Gift, but either way, time was not on their side.

They had three days until the Divine Gift for Thorn appeared, but the first challenger had already arrived.

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