Extra’s Rise: I Stole All The Women In The Hero’s Party

Zayn had never been more aware of his own mediocrity than in this moment.

As the four heroes descended the grand marble staircase, their presence was almost overwhelming. 

Their steps carried an unnatural weight, as if the very air around them had thickened. 

Every soldier in the room stood at attention, eyes filled with awe, admiration, and hope.

Zayn?

He was still stuck on the fact that these guys were from Earth — just like him.

Cedric Alstein. The golden boy. The hero amongst all the heroes here. 

The pastor's son who probably spent his childhood being the perfect choir boy, learning how to preach about love and righteousness. 

He looked the part, too. 

With his flawless blond hair, a jawline sharp enough to cut glass, and a divine aura shimmering faintly around him, he radiated the kind of protagonist energy that made Zayn sick.

Ragnar Helstrom. The brute. 

A former martial instructor, though no one knew his real name. 

Probably because he beat up anyone who asked. 

The man was a walking boulder, arms thicker than most men's legs, with scars decorating his exposed forearms. 

His blood-red eyes swept the crowd like a predator searching for prey.

Eve Laurent. The thief. 

A former pickpocket from who-knows-where, and it showed.

Dark, messy hair barely tied back, her lean frame coiled with restless energy, like she was already planning an escape route. 

Those narrow, fox-like eyes weren't the eyes of a hero — they were the eyes of someone who had spent years on the run.

And then there was Tobias Faulkner. The nerd. 

A college student who, unlike Zayn, had actually gone to college. 

Unlike the others, Tobias wasn't intimidating. 

He was a little too thin, a little too pale, with sharp glasses and the kind of calculating stare that suggested he had already analyzed everyone's weaknesses in the room.

Zayn's grip tightened around his sword.

"Of course, they were all competent back on Earth," he muttered under his breath. "And what was I doing? Dying to a power outage."

A voice boomed across the hall, shaking Zayn from his self-loathing.

"The time has come!" King Alden raised his hands, his deep voice reverberating through the chamber. "Our great heroes shall now choose their first companions — warriors who will stand beside them in battle, who will fight the horrors of the Apocalypse as one!"

A murmur rippled through the gathered soldiers.

This was it.

Zayn's heart slammed against his ribs. He knew this moment from the novel. 

The heroes would hand-pick their first party members from this very hall.

And if he wanted to survive? If he wanted to change his fate?

He needed to get into Cedric's party.

Because Cedric had the best baddies.

Lyra Drakos — the red-haired storm mage with a temper as hot as her flames.

Seraphina Aurelis — the holy priestess with divine blessings that could resurrect the dead.

Elara Veyne — the dragon-blooded warrior with absurd strength and a tight —

'Focus.'

Zayn swallowed, straightening his back. He had one shot at this.

He watched as the heroes took their positions before the crowd, scanning the gathered soldiers like they were picking out items from a menu.

The first to speak was Cedric.

"Before I choose," he said, his voice smooth and disgustingly righteous, "I wish to express my gratitude. Your kingdom, your people — you have placed your faith in us. And in return, we will stand with you until the very end."

The crowd erupted into cheers.

Zayn fought the urge to gag.

'Yeah, yeah, great speech, get to the part where you pick your team.'

Cedric turned to the soldiers. 

His glowing golden eyes swept across them, and Zayn tensed as they paused on him for a split second.

'Yes. Yes. Pick me. Do it.'

"…You."

Zayn held his breath —

"Sir Galren, step forward."

Zayn's soul died a little inside as a burly knight stepped forward instead.

He barely resisted the urge to scream. 

'Cedric, you dumb bastard, I'm right here!'

As more names were called, Zayn could only watch in silent agony as his chances dwindled.

Cedric picked warriors, mages, and healers — all top-tier talents. 

All people Zayn remembered from the novel.

And none of them were him.

Ragnar went next. His selection process was… straightforward.

He simply walked up to the biggest, meanest-looking soldiers and barked, "You. You. You." 

No speech. No hesitation. Just raw, unfiltered violence.

Eve, on the other hand, didn't even look at the strongest soldiers. 

She chose people quietly watching from the back, the ones who didn't stand out but had sharp eyes and quick reflexes.

Tobias?

Zayn didn't even pretend to understand his selection method. 

The nerd simply stared at each soldier for an uncomfortably long time before saying, "Him," or "Her," as if he were making 130 IQ calculations in real time.

Before long, only a few unchosen soldiers remained.

Including Zayn.

His grip tightened on his sword, a familiar sinking feeling settling in his stomach.

He knew this was how the story went. Zayn Eldrake wasn't chosen in the original. 

He was a background character. Cannon fodder.

But now?

He was different.

He refused to be left behind.

Zayn inhaled deeply, squared his shoulders, and did something he never would have done in his old life.

He stepped forward.

"I wish to join the Hero of Light's party."

The words rang through the chamber, louder than he had intended.

A brief silence followed.

Cedric turned to look at him, golden eyes unreadable.

Zayn met his gaze head-on.

And then —

Tobias spoke.

"…I'll take him."

Zayn froze.

Wait. What?

The nerd hero adjusted his glasses, eyes gleaming. "You're interesting. I'll take you."

Zayn's soul left his body.

'No, no, no, this is all wrong! I was aiming for Cedric's party! The one with all the baddies!'

But before he could protest, the king clapped his hands.

"It is decided! From this day forth, you shall be a companion to the Hero of Knowledge, Tobias Faulkner!"

Zayn's dreams of a perfect harem crumbled before his very eyes.

Instead of a fiery battle mage, a holy priestess, or a dragon-blooded warrior, he had been recruited by —

A nerd?! It was absurd.

Tobias gave him a satisfied nod, while Cedric simply smiled and moved on as if Zayn had never existed.

Zayn stared into the void.

This wasn't part of the plan.