1-Second Invincible Player in the Game

6. The Immortal for a Second (5)

“I am not Hershel.”

Can this really be happening?

In games or web novels, the moment someone talks about regression or possession, the fourth wall appears, filtering out such statements, not allowing them to be spoken.

“I can’t explain in detail, but… I’m originally someone else. Somehow, I ended up in this body.”

“So… you’re saying someone else is inside the young master’s body right now?”

“That’s right.”

“Ah… I see. But why bring this up all of a sudden?”

“It’s simple. I wish you would cooperate.”

At this moment, the scenario hasn’t even started.

Not knowing the world before the game is frustrating enough, but the humans in the mansion are all so twisted they try to kill me.

Dropped in the middle of a dark forest without a single lantern, I desperately needed even the smallest light of a firefly to illuminate my surroundings.

“Cooperate?”

So, with the intention of improving relations, I grasped at straws and spoke.

As half-expected, Selly’s gaze turned icy, and the corners of her mouth drooped, her entire complexion withering.

“How much have you had to drink?”

Just as I thought.

If I were in their shoes, I’d think it was the ramblings of a madman.

Damn it, was the very fact that such a statement was allowed indicative of having no one to trust, telling me to spout whatever I wanted…

“Well, it doesn’t matter. You don’t have to believe me. You’ll end up helping me on your own.”

“…Do you think I would do that?”

“Just keep serving me. It’s all a matter of time anyway.”

Selly chewed on her lower lip. Her eyes, glaring with suspicion, couldn’t seem to grasp my intentions.

“Not driving me away, not punishing me. Just telling me to peacefully continue serving? Even though you might try to kill me again?”

“So, have I died?”

Selly showed her astonishment.

Then, like a buyer meticulously inspecting a second-hand item for any scratches at a direct trade, she scrutinized my body from head to toe.

“How can you not have a single scratch? You clearly fell off a cliff…”

“There’s a trick to it. The secret to not dying.”

For just a second.

“What kind of nonsense is that?”

“I’ve said all I wanted to say. If you have no other business, you can leave.”

“I was about to do that anyway.”

“Oh, wait. Before you go.”

“Why?”

You’re going to push me off a cliff and just leave?

If you commit a crime, you should be punished.

I smacked Selly’s head with all my might.

“aaagh!”

Selly clutched her head as tears trickled down.

Seeing her like that, I felt a sense of relief wash over me.

Ah, refreshing.

“That’s enough. You can go.”

Selly turned her head and stomped away.

I smirked at her retreating figure.

The rest would be taken care of by time; all that was left was to wait.

* * *

Two days had passed.

Selly couldn’t shake off the tension from the changed atmosphere of the past two days.

“My laundry’s gone missing? And you call this an explanation?”

“Yeah. What can I do about it, Selly?”

The maid replied with a straight back and an expressionless face, not a hint of apology in her demeanor.

It was not the mistake but her brazen attitude that was unforgivable, yet Selly found herself at a loss for words.

“……”

And for good reason, as the passing servants had stopped in their tracks, watching the scene unfold.

Not a single emotion could be felt from their faces.

They all stood there, consistently expressionless.

‘Why, exactly…?’

Something had been off since yesterday.

The mansion was bustling as usual, but no one gave her any particular tasks.

Those who used to exchange warm greetings now passed her by without a word.

Faces that once beamed with bright smiles now looked as lifeless as the remains of a scorched field.

“Selly?”

Suddenly, a voice called out for her, and reflexively, Selly turned her head.

“The housekeeper?”

“Are you busy right now?”

“No, not at all. What’s the matter, housekeeper?”

“The lady of the house wishes to see you.”

Selly’s eyes widened in surprise. It was rare for the mistress to call upon a servant other than her direct reports.

She wanted to ask why, but the expressionless gazes around her sealed her lips.

In the end, Selly followed the head servant without a word.

Click-clack, click-clack.

They arrived at a terrace bathed in bright sunlight.

There, a lady sat with a wide-brimmed hat pressed deeply down, sipping tea with elegant grace.

“Madam, I have brought Selly as requested.”

“Well done, Elma.”

A high-pitched yet dignified voice added to the tension.

As the head servant left with precise movements, Selly gathered her wits and greeted politely.

“Selly Dailden. I am honored to meet you, Madam.”

Ahille Ben Tenest.

The woman before her was the power behind the throne.

With the Duke away, she reigned as the absolute ruler of the mansion and the one who had inaugurated the festival known as the Hursel Hunt.

Summoned by such a person, Selly couldn’t help but feel tense.

‘What could it be for?’

She wanted to guess from the expression, but the wide brim of the hat hid it from view.

All that was visible was the pinkish hue of her lipstick on the teacup.

The mistress took a dignified sip of her tea silently, then spoke.

“I’ve heard you’ve been working in the mansion for a long time. I thought it proper to see your face at least once.”

Proper?

Selly questioned with her expression, but the mistress waved her hand as if there was nothing more to say.

“You’ve done well, you may go now.”

Though taken aback by the situation, Selly decided to take her leave with a bow.

“It was an honor to meet you, Madam. I shall take my leave now.”

Click-clack, click-clack.

Selly and the head servant walked away from the terrace.

Just as she was about to speak, the head servant spoke first.

“Selly, I always thought you were clever. But why, why did you make such a choice?”

“Excuse me…?”

With wide eyes and a stunned expression, she raised her hand to the steward’s outstretched palm.

Clap- After the sound faded, Selly’s neck turned slightly.

The bandaged cheek burst open again, and like the day before, blood trickled down the corner of her mouth.

“Don’t deny it. There’s rampant talk that you’ve sided with the prey!”

The steward’s loud voice snapped her back to reality.

Sided with Hershel?

Selly guessed why the steward would say such a thing.

‘Could it be… because of that incident with Eruzel?’

She regretted it instantly.

In the confrontation with Eruzel, Hershel had declared his own actions and defended her.

Though she had indeed pushed Hershel off the cliff, how did it appear to others?

It was obvious.

Despite it being an order, the act of falsely reporting Hershel’s death was an insult to the mistress.

Yet, by following Hershel’s orders, which were akin to a suicide mission, she must have appeared as a loyal dog in the eyes of others.

“Just, wait-“

Selly tried to speak up in her defense, but the steward was already leaving.

She reached out her hand to clear the misunderstanding, but it was too late.

Even if she ran to explain now, would they believe her?

The unbelievable story that she had pushed Hershel off the cliff, yet he didn’t die and instead saved her.

‘It’s unbelievable… I can’t even believe it myself…’

As she fully faced the hopeless situation, Selly’s face turned pale.

The changed attitudes of the people were the least of her problems.

Her life was in immediate danger.

Given the mistress’s temperament, she wouldn’t leave Selly alone if she thought she had sided with Hershel.

“You’ve done well, you may go now.”

The mistress’s last words sent shivers down her spine.

Could it have been a farewell?

Could she, a mere maid, survive the mistress’s wrath? The color drained from Selly’s face.

Then, suddenly, the man’s words flashed through her mind.

“Well, it’s fine. You don’t have to believe me. You’ll end up helping me on your own.”

With the curtains drawn, I was reading by the light of a single candle.

The book in my hand was an ancient tale filled with preposterous words.

“Splitting mountains? Even lies should have their limits.”

I was astounded by the endless exaggeration in the story.

Who would believe such nonsense that a single sword strike could create plains?

Even with a character’s stats maxed out, it would be impossible.

As I was about to turn the page to another tale, the door suddenly opened.

“Young master.”

Selly entered without knocking, causing me to put down the book.

I was annoyed by the rudeness, but upon seeing Selly’s face, I couldn’t bring myself to say anything.

“Why don’t you wipe the blood from your mouth?”

I handed over a handkerchief.

Even this kindness was met with a meaningful look as Selly snatched it away.

“Why is the room so dark? And a candle in broad daylight?”

“There’s a reason for it.”

“You’ve been really strange lately.”

“Can we get to the point?”

Selly hesitated, then cautiously began to speak.

“…Did you know it would come to this?”

“Of course.”

It was all part of the plan.

It was as good as declaring myself an ally openly, so how could they see me favorably?

In the end, I was the only option left.

“So. What do you want?”

“Well, that is… What I mean is…”

Selly clenched her fists tightly and looked down diagonally.

Then, as if squeezing the words out, she said,

“The offer you mentioned. I accept. I, I accept it…”

Was it so hard to say that…?

Indeed, even in death, that would be undesirable.

It would be no different than asking her to join hands with a devil, her sworn enemy.

Yet, this is an issue that must be clearly addressed.

“Speak clearly, will you? If not, don’t waste my time and just leave.”

Finally, with her eyes tightly shut, Selly cried out.

“Ugh…! I accept your proposal, young master!”

She should have done so sooner.

“Really? But what to do now. I’ve already changed my mind.”

As I spoke mockingly, Selly’s eyes widened.

“Why, why would you do that?”

“Upon reflection, you haven’t even thanked me, let alone apologized.”

I pointed to the floor and continued in a calm voice.

“I’ll give you one last chance. Kneel and apologize properly. Then, I’ll accept it.”

“……”

Selly’s eyes trembled.

The mere request must have been humiliating, and this was something she absolutely did not want to do.

But what can she do?

To survive, one must sometimes bend even their last shred of pride.

“Or go out and die.”

I pressed on mercilessly.

And then, Selly’s stiff neck slowly began to lower.

“I’m sorry for pushing you off the cliff. It won’t happen again. Please, generously forgive me just this once, young master……”

Eventually, Selly’s forehead touched the ground.

As I contemplated giving her another figurative slap, I heard her sobbing.

I continued reading my book, waiting for her to calm down.

“Hoo.”

10 minutes later.

It seemed she had regained her composure somewhat, so I put the book down.

Then I asked the now calmer Selly.

“Alright. First, I need information. You said everyone in the mansion wishes for my death, right?”

Selly wiped her swollen eyes with a handkerchief and replied.

“Yes. He’s incurred quite a lot of grudges.”

If that were the reason, he would have died long ago.

“The bounty the mistress has put on my head. Is everyone going crazy over it now?”

“That’s right. That’s the decisive factor. The mistress promised a huge reward for assassinating Sir Hursel, in front of everyone in the mansion.”

To dare to announce the assassination of the eldest son of a great noble family?

Either she’s mad, or she’s a more powerful figure than one would think, someone who wouldn’t lose anything by doing such a thing.

In this case, it would naturally be the latter, and the situation is certainly more insane than expected.

“Disguise it as an accident. Is that correct?”

“As much as possible. If you use a conspicuous method, we can’t guarantee what happens afterward. Killing a noble is a grave crime.”

So there’s no dancing with knives in front of everyone.

It was a grim situation, but this fact alone was a great help.

The worst-case scenario would be a series of assassination attempts that couldn’t be dealt with by a single second of invincibility.

“What do you think? Do you think I can survive?”

“There’s a high probability you’ll die…”

Even borrowing the perspective of others, the answer was still bleak.

Selly must have come here deciding that a one percent chance of hope was better than certain death.

That’s what I thought.

“But if you can hold out until the Duke returns, it’s possible. The deadline the mistress set is until then.”

My ears perked up.

The Duke refers to Hursel’s father, Aol Ben Tenest.

It seems the mistress is taking advantage of the real owner of the mansion being away to stir up trouble.

“When will Father return?”

“Since he’s participating in the demon subjugation, considering the distance, it will take at least a little over two months.”

Subjugation…

Anyway, if he returns, this damned situation will also end.

“I have one condition for helping you until the Duke returns.”

“A condition?”

“When you leave, take me with you.”

Where is that, exactly?

“If I’m left alone in the mansion, I can’t guarantee my life, so if you can’t accept this, let’s pretend this conversation never happened.”

“Take you? Where are you talking about?”

When I asked bluntly, Selly narrowed her eyes.

“……You promised the Duke you would go. To the Academy.”

I’m going to the Academy?

Suddenly, my head began to throb with pain.

The Academy is a stage where the narratives of about thirty playable characters unfold, naturally, it’s a perilous place.

‘I’m going crazy.’

I don’t even know anymore.

Let’s put this thought aside for later.

“Just come with me.”

Selly’s brows remained furrowed, seemingly unsatisfied with the uncertain response.

“You have a plan to survive until we get to the Academy, right?”

“Of course, I do.”

As I was about to reveal the method, the candle reached the end of its life.

Since it was the only source of light in the room, darkness enveloped us. I had no choice but to approach the window and flung the curtains wide open.

Swoosh!

Light flooded in, and the view beyond the massive window unfolded.

A maid cleaning windows in the opposite mansion. A gardener pruning trees. A butler striding across the estate. All their gazes were clearly fixed on this room.

Though they quickly averted their eyes.

“……So that’s why you had the curtains drawn.”

“The attention is quite scorching.”

I spoke nonchalantly and presented a book with an illustrated page to Selly.

“What’s this? The arrogant immortal? It’s a myth. Is this what you’ve been reading?”

This was the reason I endured the dreadfully boring ancient myth.

What I found was the story of a demigod who wouldn’t die even if killed, fitting perfectly with ‘1-second invincibility.’

The worldview of Asares is pervaded by religion, with a firm belief in divine retribution and the unknown, like myths.

That’s why I plan to don the mask of a character from the myth.

“I am the reincarnation of the arrogant immortal.”

Mixed with the ‘noble remnants of blood,’ my voice took on a gravely serious tone.

Selly, as always, sent me fervent support.

“······Looks like I’m going to die alongside a madman.”

“······.”