1-Second Invincible Player in the Game - Chapter 54

1-Second Invincible Player In The Game 54

54. The Magic Department Students (5)

The ground was a white expanse of snow being wildly disturbed.

Rockefeller, wand in hand, looked down upon this scene from atop the wall.

The ice bulls, with horns sparkling like crystals, charged like waves.

The students of Schulepfe Tower prepared their defense with the wall at their backs.

“Hmm.”

The postures of the second and third years were skilled.

The first years were clumsy as expected, but not bad considering they hadn’t even been trained.

‘After doing it, I felt this might have been a mistake…’

With this, even if a conquest is too much, we should be able to defend without significant harm.

If we kill about forty of the leaders, the ice bulls will probably retreat.

“···It doesn’t seem like help will be needed.”

The dawn air was cold.

Rockefeller moved towards the warmth of a hearth-lit haven.

Then, a woman’s shrill scream made him turn back.

“You, what are you doing? Are you mad? Join the formation right now!”

Atra, the representative of Schulepfe Tower, a third-year knight.

She was yelling at three men who were leaving the formation.

“Who wants to come hunt the leader with me? It’s a chance to earn some coins.”

“The leader? You, a freshman?”

“Well, if you don’t like it, never mind.”

“Hey! You lunatic! Can’t you hear me? Stop messing around and join the formation!”

“Then, good luck to you.”

“Hey!!”

Rockefeller, even from atop the wall, saw a golden skull shining brightly and his eyes turned fierce.

“Hershel Ben Tenest…”

He called the name as if it were an enemy, veins throbbing on his forehead as if in spasm.

Rockefeller, creating even a chair with shape-shifting magic, sat down and gritted his teeth.

“Alright, let’s see just how great you are.”

Even after taking a hit from the sentinel, he was unscathed—a fact confirmed through the orb.

His skills were such that he could easily dispatch a leader, but this time, I was curious about what kind of mischief he would stir up to get on people’s nerves.

…Surely he wouldn’t be shooting streams of water like last time?

* * *

Rix ran across the snowfield.

His friends followed his footsteps, their faces stricken with fear, yet they urged him on.

“Hey! Rix! It’s not too late. Let’s turn back now!”

“What? Didn’t you come for the coins?”

“Coins? We came to catch you, dude!”

If things seemed off, it wouldn’t be too late to retreat then.

Rix grinned at his friends.

Just then, Clave, who was running beside him, stopped in his tracks.

“Whoa! There’s red smoke up there.”

“Smoke?”

Just as Clave had said, there was red smoke in the sky.

The smoke began to settle quietly, then landed over the herd of ice buffaloes.

The leading ice buffaloes stopped and started butting heads with each other.

‘What’s going on? They’re fighting amongst themselves.’

But perhaps this was an opportunity to attack.

The current herd of ice buffaloes was revealing such vulnerabilities.

‘If played right…’

His friends, following behind, opened their eyes wide in surprise.

“What’s happening?”

“Well, but… If we do this right, we might catch them?”

“What?”

“Look. Their formation has collapsed.”

Rix opened his mouth with a satisfied smile.

“Just like Felik said. If we surround them one by one and attack, it won’t be too difficult.”

Rix said this while watching the ice buffaloes’ sporadic charges.

The terrifying thing about them was their advance, dense like a wall, leaving no gaps.

From the opponent’s perspective, they had no choice but to take the frontal attack, burdened with the weight of the ice bull—a disadvantageous structure.

It would have been the case originally, but now it was different.

Avoiding the frontal attack and surrounding to strike at the belly was all that was needed.

‘Hussel’s words weren’t a lie…’

It was indeed a good environment to earn coins.

Rix playfully said to his friends,

“Did you say you came to catch me? Then, shall we head back now?”

His friends shook their heads in panic.

“No, no. I meant to say I came to earn coins and catch you. Yeah.”

“Ahem, your judgment was indeed correct. Thank you.”

“If you’re thankful, thank him.”

As he ran, Rix finally spotted Hussel throwing a bottle ahead.

When a small man shot the thrown bottle with an arrow, red smoke spread out again.

‘Indeed, it was his doing.’

He was about to greet him when it happened.

An ice bull charged at Hussel, breathing rough breaths.

But he didn’t even think to draw a weapon, just extending his arm barehanded.

Thump!

The ice bull collapsed to the ground without even a scream.

From the hole in its head, brain-mixed blood trickled out.

And Hussel nonchalantly shook off the bloodied index finger as if it were nothing.

Watching the series of events, Rix felt chills all over his body.

‘He made a hole in its head with just his index finger?’

Was such a thing even possible?

He had never heard of such magic.

Considering there was no mana in sight, it must have been a feat shown purely by physical prowess.

While Rix’s mind was in turmoil, Clave said,

“See, I was right, Rix.”

In the end, Clave’s words had come true.

Rix apologized with a face that couldn’t hide his shame.

“I’m sorry for doubting you, Clave…”

The others seemed to have witnessed the scene too, their eyes wide with surprise.

“With just a finger, he did that?”

“Wow, Clave’s words were true. Unbelievable.”

At that moment, Hershel watched us closely.

We all froze in place.

I had a feeling this moment would become a lifelong story to tell…

* * *

Limberton spoke up.

“Ah, I smell the scent of a woman. Hershel, are there girls behind us?”

“…No, there aren’t. It’s all guys, so don’t turn around, just focus.”

Despite saying that, he seemed eager to show off, as his arrow shooting sped up.

At first glance, it looked like a mess, and I was about to scold him.

But each shot landed precisely in the eyes of the ice buffalo.

He was hitting the mark incredibly well…

While the two were concentrating, I approached Rick’s group.

But they all seemed to be stiffened up somehow.

“Weren’t you here to earn coins? If that’s the case, you shouldn’t be standing still like this.”

“Uh, yeah…”

Clave stammered in response, and Rick suddenly snapped to attention.

“Cough, I’m sorry if it seemed like we were clinging unnecessarily.”

He smiled, but there was a noticeable hint of embarrassment.

“Not at all. Hunt without worry.”

After all, that would help my mana recover faster.

[The Sage’s Devoted Blessing.]

When those with goodwill defeat monsters together, their mana increases slightly.

“Ah, and one more thing. When you catch an ice buffalo, retrieve its horns immediately. Whatever is left on the ground after it’s over is all ours. Got it?”

Rick took out his staff with a serious look in his eyes.

“Just doing that is enough. I appreciate your consideration.”

From then on, Rick’s group began to methodically slaughter the scattered ice buffaloes.

Using shields to block the advance, while swords and magic repeatedly stab from the side.

As nine of us split into three groups to hunt, joyful alarms kept popping up in my retina.

[Your mana slightly increases.]

[Your mana slightly increases.]

[Your mana slightly increases.]

If it had been only the third test, Rix would have led us straight to the Adel Vault, just like the promising ones.

Well then, shall we start moving too?

“Ashley.”

Upon calling, Ashley thrust her shield into the ground, leaving only half of it visible.

The size was just enough to cover Limberton’s entire body.

“Limberton, don’t forget to back up Ashley from behind the shield.”

“…Hussel, are you really going to do it?”

“I’m the one who said I would. I have to set an example.”

Of course, it was also to monopolize the 1,000 coins awarded exclusively to the one who defeats the leader.

I passed by Limberton, who was shooting arrows, and Ashley, who was pinning down an ice bull with her monstrous strength.

The ice bulls in front were too busy fighting each other to advance on me.

As I walked, the corpses of ice bulls that had fallen and been trampled in their own fights began to increase.

Since they were all money, I advanced through the gaps in the camp with a happy heart.

Only then did I spot the leader, a male standing tall in the open space.

He was bigger than the others, with thick horns, and his neck was covered with white fur like a lion’s mane.

The leader stood alone in the open space, exhaling rough breaths.

Purrrrr!

Around us, the ice bulls formed a circle.

It was a scene often seen in warlord battles.

And for good reason, as the leader had to prove his strength.

If the enemy came alone, the leader would also defeat the enemy alone to show off his presence.

That’s why he was treated with respect by those below him.

In this world, it was called a ‘Boss Battle.’

“Ho, even in later generations, there are monsters who know tradition.”

“Was there such a thing in the old days?”

“Some things remained undone. However, those who form factions usually do not engage in a full-on battle.”

As I listened to Donatan’s history lecture, I approached the leader.

The creature scraped the ground with one of its front paws.

Just as I had previously killed with a jab of my index finger, I intended to do the same this time.

Pop!

The creature charged with its hefty weight.

I thrust my finger towards the creature’s head.

But an unexpected pattern emerged.

Whirr!

The leader easily twisted its neck to dodge my finger and struck my body with its massive horn.

Crack!

[Physical attack detected.]

[Ability activated.]

[1-second invincibility cooldown: 59 seconds]

Naturally, one of the creature’s horns broke.

Yet, as befitting a leader, it seemed to ignore the pain and began to lift its other horn to strike me.

Ah, I’m done for.

In a desperate struggle to survive, I hastily jumped and stepped on the creature’s horn.

Then, feeling my weight shift upwards, I jumped.

As my body soared higher, the ice bulls began to look like a swarm of ants.

“Eh, for now, I’ve matched your actions. But what exactly are you thinking?”

To Donatan, who seemed perplexed, I responded with a smile.

“Donatan, have you already forgotten that I’m a sorcerer?”

As I reached the peak of my ascent, I drew my wand.

Then, tracing a spell, I checked the alarms I had ignored.

[Mana slightly increased.]

[Mana slightly increased.]

…

…

…

[Your mana has slightly increased.]

—

The mana, which was almost non-existent, now felt more substantial.

Now, I could use it.

The other magic of the peculiar series that I couldn’t use due to the lack of mana.

It was a magic that only a very few could perform.

-“Healing magic can only be used by the peculiar series?”

When asked, Camelo answered like this:

-“Even if you draw the formula precisely, there are inherent magics that cannot be performed. For the elemental series that have blossomed from the senses, spirit magic is typical. The peculiar series is the same. If we talk about your original magic, sir, it would be the healing magic.”

Before that, I quickly drew the telekinetic magic and aimed the landing point of the body towards the leader’s head.

Then, with the wand in my mouth, I drew my longsword.

Positioning the tip of the sword downwards to pierce through the head of the scoundrel, I firmly grasped the handle with both hands.

Gradually, my body began to accelerate downwards.

As the ground started to approach, I precisely stabbed the longsword into the forehead of the leader who was looking up.

Thud!

The longsword, weighted with the fall from a high place.

No matter how hard the skull, it was natural for it to be pierced.

In addition, one of the options attached to the glove, ‘the durability of the object in hand greatly increases,’ made the longsword incredibly sturdy.

And before my feet even touched the ground, I unfolded the weight reduction magic engraved on the glove to halve the impact of the fall.

Still, the pain was severe enough to crack both ankles.

“Ugh!”

Eager to heal as quickly as possible, I swiftly drew the healing magic.

A warm warmth seeped into my ankles, and in the blink of an eye, the pain disappeared.

Of course, the mana consumption was so great that the mana was quickly depleted…

“See that, Donatan? This is magic.”

“Ha, don’t make me laugh! You killed him with the sword in the end!”

“No, it’s magic.”

If the first process and the finish were magic, then it’s magic.

The longsword was just a side note.

Then, this attack was akin to magic, and it could also be called a magical attack.

“No matter the process, the hunt was a success.”

I pulled the longsword that was embedded in the head of the leader sprawled on the ground.

As he lay there, tongue lolling out without a twitch, the onlooking ice wolves began to hastily retreat.

Amidst this, voices called out from afar.

“Boss!”

“Hershel! Are you alive?”

It was Ashleigh and Lumberton.

I gestured towards the leader’s corpse to indicate I was fine.

“What in the world happened? You suddenly flew up into the air, gave us quite the scare!”

“That was magic. I used magic to kill him.”

“Good heavens, there’s magic for flying too…?”

“More importantly, did you enjoy the hunt?”

From noble mtl dot come

Lumberton hesitated, then pointed back the way we came.

Bodies were strewn about, some crushed, others with arrows in their eyes.

While I was calculating how much we’d earn, Rix’s group approached, examining the fallen leader and my condition with shock.

“Hershel, there was a woman there…”

“Lumberton? I always think of you as a cool guy. You may show a pathetic side, but when it counts, you do what’s needed.”

“Oh, stop it with the embarrassing compliments.”

“But when it comes to women, all your charm just drops away.”

“Ahem.”

While Lumberton tactfully kept quiet, I approached Rix.

“Did you take care of the horns?”

He wiped the stunned look off his face and gave a wry smile.

“Thanks to you.”

“Well then, now that it’s all over, shall we head back?”

I took a rope out of my backpack and tied up the leader’s corpse.

“Boss.”

Ashleigh shook his head as if to say there was no need, then casually hoisted it onto his shoulder.

And so, the hunt concluded, and we, with our collected horns, walked towards the Schlafe Manor.

* * *

Meanwhile, Atra, the representative third-year knight of the Schleife Academy, was staring at the ice bison with a dumbfounded expression.

“What, what’s this… Why are there so many?”

There were a total of nineteen ice bison that had arrived.

And on one eye of each, arrows were lodged, causing them to stagger.

Would the impoverished students have just left them alone?

It was less of a defense battle and more of a one-sided massacre.

As the last one fell powerlessly, Atra realized what this phenomenon meant.

“Could it really be that blond guy who took down the leader?”

Just then, the group that had broken off from the formation was returning.

The leader’s corpse was slung over the back of a burly barbarian, but he looked on at the back of the blond man with eyes full of admiration.

When she pricked up her ears, she could hear them talking.

“Wow, I didn’t think he’d actually do it alone.”

“Limberton, Ashleigh. This is my share. Remember that.”

He caught it alone too?

“What in the world is that guy’s identity…”

She hadn’t expected an answer, but someone said,

“Oh, that’s Hersel Ben Tenestra. Heard he’s the eldest son of the Tenestra family?”

Atra’s eyes widened.

“Could it be, he survived that monstrous creature?”

“Yes, there are such rumors.”

She hadn’t believed it at first, but now, who knows.

He was a freshman and had taken down the leader.

Without realizing it, Atra burst into a smile.

“With him here, we might just flatten the noses of those damned b*stards.”

It had been a while since something worthwhile had come to Schleife Academy.

Perhaps they could win.

The duo that would soon bring disaster.