1-Second Invincible Player in the Game

91. Purple Forest (3)

I raised the telescope from the watchtower.

Between the leaves, I spotted a man and a woman isolated in the air.

And below them, wolves prowled, drooling hungrily.

“Is that Belman’s squad…?”

“Looks like someone’s down there?”

Limberton pointed below.

As I aimed the lens downward, a woman appeared, trapped within a green barrier amidst the slinking wolves.

A question arose.

Had Riamon not been incorporated into Belman’s squad?

Under normal circumstances, Riamon would have joined that group and wouldn’t be in such peril.

Yet, the number of visible figures was only three.

I began to sense why things had gone awry, but now was not the time for idle speculation.

I had to hurry before Belman’s magic ran out.

“I’m going to rescue them.”

As I said this, Limberton gasped in shock.

“Are you saying you’re going to rescue them? Through that pack of wolves?”

The numbers were roughly sixty.

Honestly, it was close to madness.

The moment we approached with just three, we’d be torn apart, leaving nothing but bones in an instant.

“That’s why I’m about to explain the method. I’ll say it once, so listen carefully.”

Still, it wasn’t an impossible task.

We had the ‘Scent Confirmation Potion’ and emergency smoke grenades issued to all trainees.

‘Smoke Grenade’

It obscures vision with black smoke.

Pathfinders have a perilous profession.

A typical crisis would be finding oneself surrounded by monsters.

Thus, there were a few escape tools to deal with such situations, one of which was the smoke grenade.

“Before we retrieve them, we’ll mask our scent with the wolves’. Then we’ll use the smoke grenade to obscure our vision as we enter.”

The three-headed wolf would mistake us for kin if we deceived its sense of smell.

But it wasn’t so foolish as to not distinguish between a human and a wolf right in front of its eyes.

“…But if we use the smoke grenade, we won’t be able to see either.”

At Limberton’s remark, I opened my eyes slightly.

Indeed, this fellow must not have studied properly.

This was likely a question that appeared on the exam…

“Limberton, that’s what the compass is for. If we turn back, you’ll have to study again.”

“Ugh.”

“Everyone, take them out.”

Limberton and Asley each held their compasses in hand.

“The needle and the directional plate are painted with a dye that glows even in the dark. Even if the smoke obscures our view, we can identify it if we hold it close. The precision is far superior to what’s available on the market, so remember the units down to the smallest increment.”

Perhaps feeling this was feasible, Limberton and Asley nodded.

I raised the compass, accurately gauging the location of the Belman squad.

Northwest by 292.5°.

“Their position is northwest by 292.5 degrees. Our fortress is southeast by 112.5 degrees from there. I’ll bring Leana and Belman back with me. Limberton, you’re to rescue Sila.”

Limberton looked horrified.

“Me?”

“No choice but to comply. The wolves gather thickest around Sila. In times like this, your small frame is your advantage. Rest easy. I’ll give you this whole vial.”

He handed over a small perfume bottle.

It was the “Scent Confirmation Elixir” he had prepared as a backup.

“The scent of the wolf is already infused. Douse Sila’s body thoroughly and return swiftly. And Asley, you’ll need to toss me up there.”

He pointed to Belman and Leana, floating above the barrier.

Asley blinked in surprise.

“Is that even possible?”

“I’ll cast a lightweight spell on myself, so it won’t be heavy. With your strength, it should be a piece of cake.”

Any deviation in trajectory could be corrected with telekinesis.

“Be careful of what’s beneath you; your view will be obstructed.”

The issue was indeed visibility.

For Limberton, with his keen eyesight, the compass would be quite clear.

Plus, his small stature would allow him to weave through the wolves with ease.

‘Donathan. You must be my eyes. Guide me through the wolves’ midst.’

Donathan had that ability.

He must have said something like this during the interview.

-…In truth, I’m not particularly remarkable with a sword. Compared to the other ego swords my master possesses, I’m rather pathetic. My only other abilities are sensing the presence of someone nearby and serving my master’s slumber.

The knack for sensing someone nearby.

The secret lay in discerning objects through electric currents.

‘This shouldn’t be too difficult.’

We hurriedly finished arming ourselves and opened the fortress door.

“Then, let’s begin.”

* * *

The education of the Gers family is quite pragmatic.

While others read fairy tales to their children, instilling a sense of wonder about the world, the head of the Gers clan was different.

He had always forced his children to face moments of choice.

Even when merely riding out in a carriage, it was the same.

-Here’s a single coin for charity. From now on, you must decide which of these two beggars to give it to. So, I ask you: which choice is more efficient?

To the left stood an old woman.

To the right, a girl was begging. His brother and sister had answered like this.

– I believe it is right to give it to the young girl. The old woman beside us will soon meet her end. Considering the future labor force, it is the just choice.

– I see it differently than you, brother. The old woman possesses much knowledge. She will impart beneficial wisdom to the young sprouts. Besides, if not now, that old crone will surely perish soon. Rather than let her die without purpose, it is better to ensure she can do something good before her time is up. The girl, after all, has a higher chance of receiving the boon than the old woman. We can wait for the next opportunity, that is my thought.

Always coldly suppressing emotions to analyze.

This was the educational policy of the Gers family.

– Lastly, we have Belman’s opinion left. What do you think?

– …I…

– Do not hesitate, answer.

– Yes. A single coin can buy bread. I would rather purchase it and share it in half. It may not fill us both, but it would alleviate our immediate hunger.

The head of the household chose Belman’s opinion.

And then, the next day.

News came that the old woman had died.

The culprit was the girl.

The girl was tried and executed for her crime, and both met their end.

This truth was revealed, seemingly indifferent, by the father.

– According to the confession of the young beggar, she killed to seize the remaining bread, yes? This is the result of your choice, Belman. If you had chosen a beggar and given her the coin, you would have thrown it through the window. Had you done so, the beggar who received nothing would have been unaware that the other beggar had received the coin. From now on, cultivate the habit of considering everything without omission.

Everything had chosen bread.

In that process, there was the moment when the stableman dismounted and entered the bakery, and the bread was too voluminous to hide in a pocket, unlike the coin.

It was as if they had openly revealed that they had shared it equally.

Belman, who had to bear such consequences, was merely five years old.

.

.

.

And now.

Grrr—

Below, wolves swarmed.

Belman sweated coldly, torn with conflict.

Could he catch even one, at most?

He didn’t even dare to fight.

‘Damn it…’

The signal of danger had already been sent.

Yet still, there was no sign of anyone coming to help.

The distance to the camp had grown, twisted by the detours taken for the ambush.

“Belman, it seems they’ve spotted us over there.”

As Leana said, I began to see the Shulafe b*stards in the distance, pointing and chattering in our direction.

They seemed inclined to offer assistance.

But calculating the time it would take to rally the troops and arrive here, it was clear that we would run out of magic and perish before they could reach us.

“…They cannot help us. The timing is off. So, here’s the thing.”

Once again, the moment of choice loomed.

“There’s no way. We must move the barrier and retreat to a safe place.”

If we squeezed out the remaining magic, we could shift the barrier we had used as a foothold.

Leana’s expression turned grave.

“What you mean is, Shira…”

“Yeah, that’s right. If we distance ourselves, the barrier holding Shira will break.”

The range within which we could maintain the magic was not long.

Yet, there were no sharp solutions.

It was wiser for at least two of us to survive than for all to perish together.

‘Realistically, this is the right choice.’

Just once, I needed to erase my emotions with cold clarity.

Families had done so, and Belman had grown under that influence.

Belman tried to move his trembling hands.

But Leana merely watched, doing nothing.

“…You’re not going to stop me?”

“Are you asking me to stop you right now?”

Belman clenched his mouth shut.

He had come to Frost Heart because of his father’s insistence on maintaining composure.

This was his chance to prove he was of the Gers family bloodline.

…Yet, a foolish decision slipped from his lips.

“I don’t know anymore. I’ll trust the rescue team. I don’t know if we can hold out until then, but I’ll give it a try…”

In truth, he had fallen short as a leader.

He hadn’t grasped the condition of his comrades, blinded by the score, leading to a disastrous outcome.

Ultimately, the one who must bear the responsibility was oneself.

It was at that moment, when everything was staked on a handful of hope.

“?!”

Belman’s eyes widened in shock.

Fssssss—

Suddenly, black smoke emerged from somewhere, swallowing the ground.

“Is that… a smoke bomb?”

“Looks like someone is coming.”

Belman felt a wave of confusion wash over him.

There seemed to be a unit nearby, but their numbers would surely be few.

Moreover, blocking visibility wouldn’t help evade a wolf’s attack.

How could one deceive those creatures that identified friend from foe by scent?

“This… this is nothing but a suicide mission! A foolish choice!!”

Belman shouted loudly toward the ground.

“Retreat immediately!!”

At that moment, a blonde head burst forth from the black smoke.

“The suicide mission is what you all chose.”

Hershel swung his staff, stepping onto the barrier that had served as a platform.

Thud!

Then he waved his hand.

“It’s cramped; could you make a little room for me?”

Belman, caught off guard, took a step back, creating space.

Hershel offered a greeting.

“Hello? Nice to meet you.”

Leana narrowed her eyes.

“…Why are you here?”

“Because I received a signal.”

Belman asked, his voice tinged with urgency.

“Are you here to rescue us?”

“That depends on your answer. If I save you, what do you intend to offer in return?”

Leana displayed a look of bewilderment.

“Payment, you say…?”

“We’ve exhausted all the smoke bombs we had. Of course, I intend to replenish them with what you possess. It’s a sort of fee, you see.”

Belman considered Hursel’s demand reasonable.

The Pathfinder manual stated that it was customary to request compensation when aiding other units.

After all, they had come this far, wagering their very lives; it was only natural.

“I’ll do my best to meet your terms. So, what is it you desire?”

As Belman asked, Hursel spread two fingers apart.

“Two days’ worth of rations.”

“Very well. I shall give you all the smoke bombs we have and two days’ worth of food.”

As he handed over the smoke bombs, Hursel grasped them tightly and pulled out a compass.

“How many troops do you have?”

“Two. By now, Asley should have returned, and Limberton is likely waiting below with Sila to come back.”

“What?”

Belman’s heart sank.

It was clear that he was a formidable force.

The moment he had defeated Emeric, he had proven himself to be the top of the first-year class.

Yet, he was still just a single human.

“What are we to do now? I know you’re strong. Perhaps you could survive against the Triune Wolves alone. But we cannot. The moment we descend, we’ll be torn apart.”

As Belman narrowed his eyes in inquiry, Hursel produced a vial of perfume.

“That’s the thought of someone unprepared.”

“What? That is…”

“It’s a perfume infused with the scent of the Triune Wolves. Enough chatter—extend your arms. Leana, you too.”

Hursel sprayed the perfume with a hissing sound.

“You won’t be attacked by them. Now, take this.”

This time, he extended a single rope.

“Our fortress lies halfway up the mountain. I’ll take the lead, so you all hold tightly to this rope and follow. Be careful not to trip on anything.”

Belman gazed at the perfume vial, marveling inwardly.

‘It must be a scent replication potion.’

A potion commonly used against beasts with heightened olfactory senses.

The chance that what he had brought was a mere coincidence was high, yet one could not deny his preparedness.

‘…That’s something I’ve never seen even in the alchemy club. Where did he get that?’

Belman stared at him.

Hershel tossed another smoke bomb to the ground and brought the compass close to his face.

“Lower the barrier. I’ll send a signal afterward to lift the one ensnaring Silah.”

Belman released the barrier at a measured pace.

As his feet touched the earthen floor, Hershel whispered softly.

“Now.”

Belman dispelled the barrier, gripping the taut rope tightly as he ran.

Occasionally, the fur of wolves brushed against his cheek, yet, strangely, he was not attacked.

After several minutes of running without looking back, Hershel commanded.

“Stop.”

The black veil began to lift in the wind.

Leana gasped in astonishment.

“This is…”

The bastion of their foes lay hidden among the dense trees.

Had Hershel not entered, one might have missed its remarkable camouflage.

Belman watched Hershel’s back, a low hum escaping his lips.

“Hm…”

Preparedness, strength, audacity.

By objective standards, he was an ideal leader one would wish to emulate.

Hershel halted and swiftly turned his head.

“Ah. Wipe the dirt off your shoes before coming in.”

As they entered the fortress, Asley approached.

Hershel inquired.

“Has Limberton not arrived yet?”

“…No, not yet.”

“That’s not good. I’ll head up to the second floor for a bit. You all rest here. Prepare to move when things quiet down.”

Hershel climbed the ladder.

Asley sat cross-legged, shaking a necklace made of beast teeth.

Pssssss Pssssss—

Curiosity stirred within Belman, prompting him to ask.

“What are you doing right now?”

“I am praying for Limberton’s safe return.”

It seemed to be a ritual of the tribe.

With nothing else to occupy him, Belman began to survey the fortress’s interior.

He had expected to find a bounty of three-headed wolf tails, yet there was only a single one.

The choice of location, perched on the mountainside, was curious. The absence of gathered tails suggested…

“You lot are planning to score points through treasure hunting.”

As he voiced his speculation, Leana shot back with a sharp retort.

“Surely, you didn’t think we’d be foraging while facing the wolves?”

“…That’s likely the case. If their attention is drawn elsewhere, the forest will be quiet.”

“While others toil, you wicked ones…”

Asley glared at Leana.

“The boss is my chieftain. And he is akin to the wisest sage in the tribe. Do not dare speak ill of him.”

Leana took a stiff step back, her posture rigid.

Belman leaned closer to her ear, whispering softly.

“That one is revered as a god by the Shulafe clan. Do not provoke trouble needlessly.”

“…I know. That’s why I’m feeling the chills.”

* * *

The question of why Riamon had not joined Belman’s band would have to wait for another time.

He adjusted the telescope from the watchtower.

The pack of wolves, having lost their prey, began to retreat slowly.

Thanks to this, he could scrutinize the spot where Shila had been.

“What is this…?”

A glimmering object lay on the ground.

It was a compass.

It seemed Limberton had lost his compass.

I pulled out three signal rods.

In that moment, the black rod shimmered.

Missing Signal.

“This b*stard is scaring people.”

Limberton and Sila are alive.