1-Second Invincible Player in the Game

100. The Hunt for the Instructor (3)

Boom!

The rock shattered into fragments under the tremendous force.

The instructor was free, but perhaps due to internal injuries, he coughed up blood.

“Cough.”

“What a pitiful creature. Are you truly so weak as to nearly perish from this?”

“W-was it not permissible to take it a bit easier?”

“Tch, for now, rest. I need your help to kill the one who’s been trailing me.”

Gurt asked, his voice tinged with surprise.

“…Are you speaking of Hursel?”

Vermi frowned.

“Was that blonde’s name Hursel? A monster like that still masquerading as a student… What in the world is this year’s Frost Heart made of?”

Though he didn’t know the full story, it seemed Vermi had fled from Hursel.

‘Has he discerned Hursel’s true strength… As the rumors say, he’s quite perceptive. It makes sense that even seasoned Pathfinders find him difficult to hunt.’

Vermi drew his sword.

Swoosh—

The violet blade gleamed.

A sword seventy centimeters long, its width widening towards the tip, it was a Falchion.

“…”

Gurt felt, deep in his bones, that Vermi was no ordinary opponent.

‘If he can shatter a rock reinforced with magic to this extent, then armor will be of no use.’

Spots began to emerge on Gurt’s skin.

They formed lines, and soon, coalesced into a single spell.

Vermi’s eyes sparkled with intensity.

“Is it spirit magic?”

“Indeed. Greet him, Stone Bear.”

From the incantation of skin, a bear made of stone sprang forth.

A mere palm-sized bear floated in the air, bobbing gently.

There was no sense of intimidation, yet Vermi’s expression remained solemn.

Spirit magic.

A high-level sorcery achievable only by those with exceptional talent in elemental arts.

‘Its appearance may be humble, but one must never underestimate it.’

Tatata-tat!

In an instant, Vermi arrived before Gomon.

Yet, he had no choice but to block the stone bear’s headbutt with his sword.

Clang!

The impact was enough to send a jolt through his wrist.

This was no weight that could possibly come from such a small size.

Vermi felt a thrill.

“How amusing. It’s been a long time since I faced a spirit.”

Vermi’s sword gleamed with a sharp edge.

In that moment, his eyes widened in surprise.

The strike he unleashed cleaved through the stone bear’s shoulder with a rasp!

But the blade was halted, caught in a heavy, mud-like resistance, stopping just short of his chest.

‘There’s a viscosity to it. Has its nature changed?’

Even as he pulled the sword back, it refused to yield easily.

Gomon grinned, launching a massive rock like a cannonball.

Thud!

It struck him squarely in the abdomen, sending Vermi reeling backward.

The shock was so great that the sword was wrenched from the stone bear.

“Cough…”

Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

Gomon remained vigilant.

Vermi, with blood dripping from his blade, wore a grin that danced on the edge of madness.

“Clack, just when I needed blood, this is fortuitous.”

Gomon hastily summoned a stone pillar to rise from the ground.

Feeling his body lift, he gazed down at Vermi, who remained on the earth.

‘The report warned to beware of his blood. They say it can even melt steel. Then that sword must be forged from some special metal.’

For the Pathfinders, Vermi was as notorious as he was well-known.

A venomous beast, a viper silus, who had survived a bite.

Whether the poison had been neutralized or if some experiment had altered it, Gomon knew not, but Vermi’s blood was mingled with corrosive venom.

“Is he refusing to allow close combat? Wizards are always so preoccupied with keeping their distance.”

Vermi began to leap through the trees around him.

His speed was such that it could not even be compared to the enhanced legs of the instructor.

In desperation, Gomon unleashed icicles like rain.

Crack!

Vermi sliced through every stone that flew toward him and leapt toward the stone pillar.

A stone bear blocked his path.

Yet, with a vertical slash, Vermi cleaved it apart with a sizzling sound, splitting it left and right.

Gomon’s eyes widened.

Not merely cut, but melted apart.

‘He melts a Stone Bear this quickly?’

Vermi reached the top of the pillar.

Gomon barely managed to cast a ten-layered shield spell.

But it only served to slow Vermi’s blade, not stop it.

Thud!

Gomon quickly leapt from the stone pillar, creating a slide.

In the urgency of the moment, there was no time to leisurely craft stairs.

His round body began to roll, colliding with a tree.

Thud!

“Ugh. Was that an Aura Blade?”

Gomon winced at the pain surging through him, but he considered it a minor injury.

A blade that could shatter even a ten-layered shield.

Better to be cut than to be struck down.

“Dammit, facing the instructor one after another has drained my strength… I need to get up quickly.”

Gomon struggled to rise from the ground.

But then Vermi landed on the earth, sheathing his sword.

“Hmm?”

Vermi’s gaze seemed to have lost its spark.

“The fight is over.”

“What do you mean… Ugh!”

At that moment, his legs gave way.

A sharp pain shot through his forearm.

Gomon, drenched in cold sweat, looked at his left arm.

A shallow scratch, barely breaking the skin, marred the fabric of his clothing.

It was just a slight cut, yet he felt the sting of poison coursing through him.

“Gurt. Is your body recovering?”

“Don’t even start, Vermi… To think I’d be fine after such a quick finish is asking too much. More importantly, there are likely this b*stard’s disciples hiding somewhere around here. We need to deal with them first.”

“If that’s the case, there’s an easy way.”

Vermi approached Gomon, who was on the verge of fainting.

Gomon could offer no resistance to the gesture of Vermi rummaging through his pockets.

“Ah, so you had it after all.”

What Vermi took was a red stick that signaled danger.

“Move, Gurt. You know the direction they fled, right?”

“…I know that. But what do you plan to do with it?”

Vermi’s eyes slithered like a serpent as he grinned.

“It would be wise to eliminate all the nuisances before facing the blonde one.”

“Oh? I think I understand what you’re getting at. But what about this fat b*stard?”

“He’ll die on his own given time. It’s better to leave him be. If his life hangs on a thread, he might just help hold the blonde’s ankle, right? He’ll be arriving here soon enough.”

With Gurt’s guidance, Vermi tracked the direction the three students had fled.

Amidst this, curiosity stirred within him.

“By the way, have you heard any news about Amul?”

“None. It seems he’s having quite the struggle. That swordmaster up top must be no ordinary foe, huh?”

Vermi cast a fleeting glance at the highlands before moving his feet.

* * *

Limberton’s eyes were bloodshot.

The sorcerer had cunningly erased all the green footprints.

To find traces, keen eyes that could see well even in the night were essential.

“…Professor, my eyes hurt. Is there perhaps another way to track?”

The young professor shook his head.

“Regrettably, no. In truth, it’s always a challenge to find a sorcerer who’s intent on hiding. That’s why we’ve deployed the largest number of personnel in this area.”

Limberton dampened his eyes with water from his canteen.

“Ah? Over there. There’s a broken twig up high.”

The young professor raised his hand excitedly.

“Professor, it’s this way!”

The gaunt professor looked on with suspicion.

“There’s a broken branch here too. Are you sure about that direction?”

Limberton replied, “The cut is too clean over there. It seems like it was made intentionally to deceive.”

The gaunt professor jumped up to check closely.

He flinched, his shoulders twitching.

“You, you… can see this from that distance?”

“Yes.”

“Ahem, understood. Everyone, gather this way! We’ve found the target’s path!”

The young professor looked at him with a sense of wonder.

“Revisiting my thoughts, Limberton Bell Delcy. The one who always came in last has such skills? No wonder you managed to take down the Triad Wolf leader. You’ve grown quite a bit!”

Limberton’s eyes widened in surprise.

“W-what? So, you mean you saw everything that the Luon gang did? What were you all doing? I could have nearly died!”

“Well, that’s just how it is, isn’t it? Even during dungeon practice, we didn’t intervene when you all fought amongst yourselves. We don’t interfere in the friction between students during practice. If you want to blame someone, blame the school rules.”

Limberton glared with a face full of discontent.

The young professor smiled wryly.

“Still, it all has its meaning. When you venture deep into the magic realm, you’ll encounter truly bizarre occurrences. In the end, you’ll come to realize something: even among the same pathfinders, one can become an enemy.”

“Eh? Why would we become enemies among ourselves?”

The professor avoided the question, glancing around at the gathering students.

“Only by living in the field will you come to know. Ah, by the way, you’re saying you’ll save that wretched troupe? Why are your riders all such sensitive souls?”

“What’s wrong with that? They’re still like children, and it’s those things that push them into it.”

The professor spoke with a hint of concern.

“If you become active, especially you, it will be the hardest. Remember this: mercy is a privilege granted only to those with the strength to wield it.”

“True enough. This foolishness of being alive is merely a stroke of luck.”

A voice burst forth unexpectedly.

Limberton flinched and turned to see Riamon looking down at him.

“Damn, you startled me. At least make some noise before you show up.”

Riamon, unfazed, continued with his own words.

“Outwardly, you prattle on about ideals and such, but honestly, isn’t it just that you’re too squeamish to kill? You do your best to feel noble, but it’s just self-deception.”

Limberton narrowed his eyes.

“Ugh, twisted little brat.”

“And that’s why I can’t understand you at all, Limberton. To show mercy with such a frail body is akin to wagering your life. What good is it if you die? You’ll just become a pitiful tale, whispered about for a while before fading into silence.”

It wasn’t entirely wrong, so Limberton fell silent.

No one would acknowledge it, and there were few things more precious than one’s own life.

“Ah, I don’t know. Let’s think about the complicated stuff later. We don’t have time, so let’s move quickly.”

As Limberton signaled, the professor took the lead.

Just as they were about to cross the thicket, a flash of red flickered from a backpack or pocket.

The young professor pulled out a stick.

“A distress signal? Professor, what on earth…?”

“Given the speed of the flicker, it can’t be far. It seems to be a Gomon.”

The gaunt professor replied, swiftly turning his head.

The underbrush rustled.

“Who goes there!!”

As everyone fell into a defensive stance, Rix, clutching a telescope, emerged.

Following him were Leana and Klave, all of them appearing breathless, as if they had rushed over.

Rix gasped for breath.

“Huff, huff. It seems… it seems Professor Gomon is in danger.”

The young professor inquired in detail.

“What on earth has happened?”

“I caught a glimpse through the telescope on my way here, and since the appearance of that bloodstained serpent…”

Rix brandished a glimmering red stick.

The gaunt professor’s expression turned grave.

“Oh dear, it’s nearby. Gomun must be making his way this way.”

The emaciated professor spoke to the young one.

“Still, it might be a trap, so let’s go, just the two of us. You all stay here and wait.”

As the two professors departed, Limberton scratched his head.

It would be safer if we all went together.

But this felt like…

“Do you think we’d be a hindrance?”

It wasn’t a question he expected an answer to, yet Riamon replied.

“Isn’t that the case? Looking at the situation, this is no longer an exam. It’s the real deal.”

Limberton nodded.

After all, we’re still just first-years.

And fresh ones at that, barely having finished the first semester.

It was only natural to feel unreliable.

“Still, is it wise to be dawdling like this with time running short… I don’t know when the sacred grass will all burn away.”

Just as Limberton grew anxious, Riamon drew the great sword strapped to his back.

Srrr—

“What, what’s going on? Why?”

“Someone is coming, Limberton.”

Focusing his ears, he heard the rustling sound approaching.

“Vermi seems quite excited.”

It was the instructor.

The one who had gone to the center turned back, grinning wickedly.

“Ah, found you. You’ve all had quite the struggle tracking me down, haven’t you, little ones? Now it’s our turn to play the seekers.”

Everyone fell into battle stance.

Yet, the worst of situations had just begun to unfold.

The trees twisted like waves, and then the hidden wizard revealed himself.

“Gurt. Is Vermi planning to take on those two professors alone?”

“Cackle, cackle, were you hiding there all along?”

“Don’t even start. Their tracking speed is no joke. I’ve buried myself in this tree so long I’m about to cramp up.”

The wizard glared fiercely at Limberton.

“Because of that damned little brat.”

“Eek!”

Limberton stealthily hid behind Riamon.

“W-what in the world is going on here?”

“…What do you think? We’ve walked right into a trap.”

Leana, Erucel, and Asley stood tall before Limberton, readying themselves.

“Limberton, I’ll need you to take the shot.”

“But where’s the big brother? Has he kicked the bucket?”

“Don’t speak blasphemy about the boss.”

“W-what? How dare a barbarian talk back?”

“I am a foreigner.”

The instructors chuckled slyly.

“Your stance is good. It seems those who followed you are no ordinary lot.”

“Just as expected from those marked.”

“Oh, right. Speaking of which, there was the magic swordsman from the highlands. Any news from Amul? Vermi’s been curious.”

“Hmph, looks like he’s been playing around long enough; he’ll show up soon. Now, let’s get started.”

The instructor began to draw his weapon and approached.

* * *

At this moment, in the highlands.

The instructor Amul, who had set out to hunt alone, trembled in his eyes.

“Cough!”

A trickle of blood ran down Amul’s lips.

And soon after, a chill crept into his belly.

‘That b*stard… Even as a magic swordsman, he’s already wielding a mana blade.’

Amul rolled his eyes, assessing the state of Luon, who had thrust a sword into his own belly.

His shoulder sleeve was stained red, pierced by the sword.

His thigh, too, must have borne a deep wound, a gaping hole.

Swoosh!

Luoan pulled the sword free.

The blood clinging to the blade exhaled a chill, glimmering like a ruby.

Amul’s eyes widened.

‘Has he frozen the blood!’

The injury must have been staunched by the very frost that encased it.

Amul had to admit it.

What stood before him was not prey, but a monster.

‘What, is he infusing cold into his sword? What in the world is this creature…?’

Luoan spoke in a flat tone.

“It would be troublesome if you died already. I finally found a worthy opponent to gauge my level against.”

Amul scowled, his face contorting in anger as he shouted.

“Are you trying to humiliate me!!”

Quickly, Amul thrust his hand into his pocket.

As a glass vial popped out, Luoan’s eyes sparkled with interest.

His hand shot out like lightning.

Smack!

The vial was snatched away in an instant.

Luoan gazed curiously at the violet pill inside.

“I had a feeling you were conscious of your pocket since earlier; so you were hiding something after all.”

“Ugh…”

“What is this, exactly?”

“Ah, do you think I would tell you?”

“There’s no need to teach me. It’s better to experiment with it directly.”

It was the moment Luoan slipped the vial into his pocket.

Amul drove the sword into his own throat.

Thud!

A voice, split and ragged, escaped from his mouth.

“Cough, ugh. Clatter, dr… to die like a fool… I’d rather—”

In a place where even the last of his strength had been stripped away, fighting was futile against an opponent he could not defeat.

In that case, self-destruction seemed the only option.

The body crumpled to the ground with a thud, twitching a few times before falling still.

When the battle ended, Luon found his legs giving way, and he sank to the floor.

Then, the three who had merely watched approached him, pulling out bandages.

“Are you alright? Luon!”

“Wow, that monster. It was disgustingly strong, and you really took it down all by yourself.”

“Is this really the time for admiration? Start the treatment already!!”

“Ugh, fine. Just don’t stare at me so sharply, Kurel.”

Herbs were applied first, followed by bandages wrapping around the deep wounds.

Even while receiving treatment, Luon shook off the blood from his sword, conjuring a chill in the air.

‘…Compared to the old man’s frost blade, I still have a long way to go.’

Minutes passed.

As energy began to swirl around him, Luon rose from his spot.

“Luon, don’t push yourself, you should rest…”

“I’m fine, Kurel. I just have something to do for a moment.”

Ignoring their protests, Luon stepped into the thicket.

Even a whistle brought no response.

Calling out once more, a single dove finally flew back to him.

“Did you call? Luon.”

Luon opened a glass vial and offered a pill to Peldira.

“Do you happen to know what this is?”

Peldira was a disciple of the Grand Sorcerer.

A dark sorceress with profound knowledge of alchemy.

Yet, a disappointing answer slipped from her lips.

“Hmm, the scent is familiar, but the color is a bit strange? I’d need a reagent test to know its purpose.”

“So you have your own gaps in knowledge, huh?”

“Given the years of disparity between my knowledge and modern understanding, how could I possibly know everything?”

That was a fair point.

Luon slipped the pill back into his pocket and gazed at Pheldira.

“But you’re a bit late. Where have you been wandering off to?”

“Well, that’s true. Staying in one place gets dreadfully boring, doesn’t it? So I was just out exploring here and there.”

“Hmm, now that you mention it, I’m curious. What are the little ones down below up to?”

Pheldira chuckled softly, perching herself on Luon’s shoulder.

“Oh, something truly amusing is unfolding. You see, down there…”

Her whisper made the corners of Luon’s mouth twitch upward.

* * *

It had been long since the green footprints had ceased.

As feared, Professor Gomon seemed to have either fainted or met his end.

Yet, the footprints had continued straight ahead, so there was no worry of losing the path.

‘Hershel, there’s someone up ahead.’

‘Really?’

I quickened my pace.

In the distance, I began to see Professor Gomon leaning against a tree.

I rushed over, scrutinizing his pallor.

“Oh dear…”

His forehead was hot, and his breath was faint—his condition was dire.

Still, there was no need for excessive worry.

Knowing he was a Vermin, it was only natural to prepare for the venom of Viper Silus.

I hastily pulled out the antidote and placed it in Gomon’s mouth.

“Swallow.”

Perhaps the effects took hold quickly, for his breathing seemed to stabilize little by little.

Had I been even a moment later, he might have perished.

As I exhaled a sigh of relief, Professor Gomon stirred his arm.

“Ugh… uh…”

He struggled to extend a finger, pointing toward a direction.

It seemed he was urging me to hurry, as Vermin had gone that way…

But if I stepped in, it was highly likely that I would be the one to confront the creature head-on.

The other instructors might not know, but Vermin.

—

As long as that one was without a guardian, even if the two professors and the students joined forces, capturing him was a slim chance; he was a formidable foe.

‘Can we truly win this?’

‘If you doubt, look to your own arm.’

I focused intently on my arm, just as Donathan had said.

The once gaunt limb had thickened to a point I could no longer recall when it had changed.

‘Somehow, it seems to have gained more muscle?’

‘Ahem, that’s beside the point. The swordsmanship you once wielded was merely the tip of the iceberg. But now, it is different. Your breadth has expanded. You have grown enough to brush against the surface.’

…But isn’t that still just the tip of the iceberg?

‘Indeed, I still find you untrustworthy…’

‘Hmph, and yet you’ve learned to wield the Mana Blade, and your doubts persist.’