1-Second Invincible Player in the Game

90. Purple Forest (2)

The students were gathered by dormitory.

To fend off the surprise attacks of the monsters that could appear at any moment, it was beneficial to have a larger number of troops.

The night watch could also be divided more efficiently.

However, several drawbacks existed.

“Is there a shortage of wood?”

“We’ll have to go chop some down, what else can we do?”

To accommodate the people, there was no choice but to select the flatlands of the lowlands.

Thus, we had to expend our energy harvesting wood, and each time, battles with the monsters would often ensue.

“Rix. That’s already the sixth three-headed wolf we’ve encountered… The score is good, but I’m starting to wear out.”

“You shouldn’t complain. Right now, those Adell b*stards are actually chasing after us to catch more.”

From the very first day, the effort to build the fortress had already drained our stamina significantly.

And with more people, the frequency of mistakes was bound to increase.

Wooo─

“Is that howling?”

“T-That’s the thicket where the Lethe creatures went in!”

“Oh no, it seems those b*stards are causing trouble again?”

“What should we do? Rix!!”

Rix quickly issued orders with a serious expression.

“Those Lethe creatures are fleeing this way. Soon, the wolves will come charging in, so Klave and I will hold them off here. Hapal, tell the ones resting inside the fortress to arm themselves immediately.”

“U-Understood.”

“Klave. Have you seen where Hershel went?”

“…He was the first to enter the thicket, so I’m not sure.”

“That’s unfortunate. It would be a great help if he were here…”

* * *

Meanwhile, the 26 members of the Adell squad were returning to their units upon hearing the howling of the wolves.

Belman watched the two men.

Riamon was cutting off the tail of a three-headed wolf with his great sword.

Eruzel, seemingly displeased with his nonchalance, shouted out.

“Riamon. I’m the captain here. I said it’s time to retreat!”

“…Eruzel. I won’t say anything about you feeling superior now, as you’ve lived like a sidekick. It’s probably due to some kind of deficiency. But do act knowing that this position was handed to you out of inconvenience.”

“Ugh, you twisted human.”

The squad typically operated in groups of three.

Yet, there were 26 students in the Adell squad.

—

Excluding the 24, the two of us were assigned to a single unit instead of being integrated.

“Honestly, I thought you were normal at first, but the more I know, the stranger you become.”

“In the end, one’s true nature reveals itself. If you don’t like it, then leave. I won’t hold it against you even if you die.”

“Ah, I understand. I’ll tolerate you a bit longer, but just one more kill before we head back.”

Belman wiped the blood-stained glasses and pondered.

Riamon, who had achieved first place in the third trial.

And Erucel, who had once been revered as the Sword King of the South, taught by Koul.

Those two’s unit had the highest probability of coming in first.

Belman found that fact displeasing.

‘If we just focus on efficiency, winning isn’t out of reach.’

But still, there were only two of them over there.

On the other hand, our side was made up of the top three.

It was more than doable.

Belman turned his gaze to Leana and Shila.

“By the way, Shila. Isn’t that split hairstyle a hindrance in a fight?”

“Sometimes it does get in the way, slapping my face. Should I tie it back like you?”

Belman halted his steps.

“We’ll return later. We continue the fight.”

“I’d prefer a little break, though?”

As Shila frowned, Belman explained logically.

“The howling means the three-headed wolf leader is coming. We need a bit more information to catch it.”

“Are we hunting the leader?”

“That’s the best way to score high. And don’t worry. When it comes to battle, we won’t be fighting against a horde rushing in.”

“Oh, is that so? Easier said than done.”

Belman pointed towards the Shulafe camp.

“It’s entirely possible. The wolves’ attention is focused on the Shulafe. We’ll approach from the side, just to gauge their numbers and guess where the leader might be. We’ll return after that. We should have the strength to take down a few along the way. Right?”

Belman looked down at Shila provocatively.

Shila gritted her teeth and replied.

“······I could take down a hundred if I wanted to.”

Leana, standing beside her, pointed at Shila’s legs.

—

“Yet, it has not been long since Sila’s left leg was treated. Shouldn’t it be wise to refrain from returning as long as there are uncertainties?”

Belman narrowed his eyes.

“If that’s the case, why are you here for the magic practice? You could have told the professor and stepped back.”

“Then I’d be demoted to the Burger Hall, you fool!”

“That’s your personal matter. I don’t see why I should suffer because of you. Of course, that’s assuming you can’t do it.”

Srrr—

Sila drew the thick greatsword strapped to her back.

A blatant malice glimmered in her gaze.

Belman casually averted his eyes and stepped into the forest path.

“Accept that you can do it.”

“Tch. My leg is fine, so there’s no need to worry, Reyana. The pain vanished completely since I was in the carriage.”

Reyana, seemingly reluctant, also unsheathed her sword.

She approached the pack of wolves cautiously.

Along the way, they encountered three advancing wolves.

Grrr—

The wolves halted in their tracks, baring their teeth.

Sila charged forward, swinging her thick sword horizontally.

Swoosh!

The three heads of the tri-wolf were severed in one swift motion.

Belman marveled as he traced the spell in the air.

It was an astonishing talent, every time he witnessed it.

To slice through such thick necks in a single stroke.

Thud!

And then Reyana’s movements caught his attention.

The simplistic swordsmanship from the third exam had transformed.

The framework remained, but the trajectory of her blade had become much more fluid.

‘I thought she was only good at pushing through with brute strength, but her wrists have become quite supple.’

The transition of her attacks was seamless.

In one swift motion, she cleaved the jaws of the tri-wolf and plunged her sword into its heart.

Belman ensnared the remaining wolf with a binding spell.

Creeeak—

The trapped wolf howled, but the barrier was sealed tight, its cries unable to escape.

As Belman clenched his fist, the circular barrier began to shrink.

The wolf twisted, its form contorted, the interior stained with blood.

‘With these beasts, I could take one down alone with ease.’

After a few more skirmishes with the wolf, he approached the pack’s vicinity.

Grrr!

As expected, the wolves had surrounded the Shulafean shrine.

Belman gauged their numbers, his gaze locking onto the largest wolf.

It was easy to spot, with a single horn protruding from its forehead.

“That’s the target we need to focus on.”

At his words, Sila inquired.

“But what good is knowing its position? Will a four-legged beast stay in one place forever?”

“The pack will retreat soon. We just need to determine their escape route.”

“Retreat? How do you know that?”

Belman adjusted his glasses and replied.

“Just look at their recent movements. They’ll put up a fight, sure. But the wolves know they can’t win and will make a break for it.”

Sila rubbed her forehead.

“…Ugh. I hate to admit it, but as long as that creature is around, they’ll have no choice.”

“Are you talking about Hursel?”

Leana’s expression soured.

Belman, unfazed, continued to fix his gaze on a single point.

“It’s not just him. There’s a fellow named Rix at the Shulafean shrine, you know? The professors mentioned it. After the first semester, they plan to skip the Bürger shrine and move him to the Adel shrine.”

Rix was commanding the troops from the rear.

Their movements, marked by unity, were as steadfast as a shield.

At the slightest hint of danger, Rix’s chains would ensnare them.

Creeeak.

The approaching wolves fell, lifeless, to the ground.

‘With a reliance on chains, he must have a talent for manifestation.’

A keen eye for the battlefield and wise command.

—

There, the sense of filling the gaps with magic is exceptional.

Surely, he was a candidate for the Adel clan.

Yet, an unexpected situation arose.

The leader does not retreat.

The wolves halted their advance, but neither did they withdraw.

Belman grew anxious.

‘Could it be that the leader intends to step forward?’

If that happens, things will become tangled.

If the Shulafe clan succeeds in their hunt, the first place will be claimed by the most unlikely of contenders.

A change in strategy was necessary.

Sila smirked mischievously.

“Oh? It seems a third of them have already perished, yet they don’t retreat? Quite different from what someone said, isn’t it?”

Belman offered no retort, merely revealing his intent.

“We must push a little harder. Sila, Leana. We will ambush the leader from behind.”

A full-frontal battle was merely a matter of time.

Due to the nature of pack beasts, the leader typically does not take the forefront.

Usually, they position themselves in the center or at the rear of the group.

“The moment the wolf pack charges the Shulafe clan, a gap will surely appear. We will strike at that moment and take its head.”

Belman led his unit, circling a considerable distance.

A sufficient safety margin.

It was then, as the wolves were about to charge the Shulafe clan.

Crackle.

The sound of rustling foliage came from behind.

Not just one, but countless footsteps echoed from all directions.

Growl—

The three-headed wolves surrounded the unit.

From afar, a horned wolf approached with an elegant demeanor.

“Be, Belman. Why is the leader here?”

“…I’m contemplating.”

Belman observed the leader intently.

What stood before the entrance of Shulape was unmistakably a creature with a single horn sprouting from the center of its head.

Yet, what lay before me now had its horn positioned on the left side.

‘Oh no, was there not just one leader?!’

Belman hastily traced the incantation in the air.

“Silah, Leana. Prepare to ascend the stairs at once.”

Translucent green panels shimmered in the air, woven like a glass staircase.

This was an application of barrier magic.

The troops hurriedly began to climb the stairs.

But then, Silah, who was trailing at the very end, let out a scream.

“Ahhh!”

Turning back, I saw Silah pressed against the ground, clutching one leg.

“…You foolish girl. Was it a lie that you were fine?”

“No! I looked into that leader’s eyes, and my body froze! That’s why I fell!!”

“What?”

Belman had not bothered to glance at the leader merely to confirm the facts.

“Leana. For now, just finish climbing the stairs.”

“But…”

“Silah will be fine.”

Belman focused the barrier around Silah, leaving only the topmost step unguarded.

The wolves charged, their heads colliding with a resounding thud!

The leader glanced up at us, then leisurely stepped away from the fray.

Watching that, Belman felt a surge of certainty.

‘They possess intelligence.’

The leader must have realized, upon seeing the barrier, that it was only a matter of time before it would be breached, leaving its pack behind.

Once the mana was exhausted, the barrier would fall.

“Belman, look over there.”

Leana pointed at the leader, the one with the horn in the center of its head.

It began to lead its pack away from us.

Cold sweat trickled down Belman’s forehead.

‘Was it a bait to lure us out from the very beginning?’

—

It was likely that they had anticipated an ambush, which is why they did not retreat immediately.

The goal was to lead the horned chief on the left into an easy hunt.

This was evidence that they cooperated.

“…Break the emergency signal stick right now.”

Leana snapped the red stick in two.

* * *

The territory of the three-headed wolf was vast.

In proportion, their numbers were many, and factions had also divided.

There were three leaders.

Normally, they would snarl at each other, but when an external enemy appeared, they would unite to attack.

“Did you understand? It’s impossible to score points by hunting wolves. Even if we go to the lowlands and join Rix, we’d only earn mediocre points.”

“Then, how do you plan to score?”

I closed the book at Limberton’s insistence and pulled out a pamphlet.

“We’ll achieve top scores through treasure hunting. With their attention drawn to the lowlands, half of the forest is safe. We can gather without worry.”

Limberton gasped in awe, “Oh, that’s true. What are we supposed to find?”

“As it appears,” I wanted to say, but what I was aiming for was this.

I pointed to the end of the pamphlet.

A drawing of a black square with a question mark etched upon it.

“What is this? And there’s no score indicated?”

This was the treasure I had been targeting from the start.

I knew Rockefeller would stir up trouble, but I had no inkling of what exactly it would be.

For this reason, I needed a foolproof strategy.

And this was the method.

“It’s an artifact. If we find it, it’s a perfect score, so there’s no need to indicate points.”

Limberton’s mouth fell open in shock.

“Wait? A perfect score?”

“It’s an incredible item archaeologically, so of course. If we find it, the royal family will likely contact us. They might send a letter, or if it’s of high value, they could invite us to commend us. If it’s something even better, His Majesty might come directly to Frost Heart to present a plaque of gratitude.”

Perhaps it was too far-fetched.

Limberton seemed disinterested.

—

“Ah, really? This sounds like a tale from a dream. Could it truly be here?”

Is that so?

I barely managed to suppress the upward curl of my lips.

“If you’ve understood well, then rest. When night falls, the wolves will attempt to ambush the lowlands. We’ll wait for that moment to gather.”

It was then that my hand reached for the book I had been reading.

One of the three colored signal sticks I had placed on the floor began to blink.

This was a crisis signal, red in hue.

“Hursel, someone seems to be in danger?”

“……”

The blinking quickened.

It meant they were nearby.

And the fact that someone had sent a crisis signal from the very first day indicated that things were unfolding differently than I had known.

“Limberton, Asley. We’re heading to the second floor right now.”

I needed to ascertain what was happening.