Chapter 16

As the assassin turned towards me, I threw the lamp and sprinted back. The lamp struck one of the explosive charges, scattering fragments and igniting a flame. Since I had already soaked the area with lamp oil, the fire quickly spread to the explosives, and a deafening explosion echoed through the cave.BOOM

The explosion engulfed the assassin. There were still two more charges planted. Being close enough to the first blast, they triggered a chain reaction.

Even if I got caught in the blast, I calculated that I would be fine.

[1-Second Invincibility: Usable]

Perhaps it was because I retreated just in case. The ‘1-Second Invincibility’ did not need to be activated.

However, there was one miscalculation.

Step

The assassin, who should have become a ghost, was approaching me, holding up a staff.

“A mage, huh…?”

A barrier surrounded the assassin, causing the rocks piled on it to slide off. My heart shrank at the appearance of a formidable enemy.

To defeat a mage, the minimum requirement was aura that could cut through magic.

This wasn’t fair. Shouldn’t there be a proper sequence? The second assassin should be about 40% stronger at most.

If he could survive the explosion, he would have had plenty of chances from the beginning.

Attacking now was simply strange.

“With that level of skill, you could have attacked while we were in the carriage.”

“The mine is a more advantageous location.”

The tip of his staff became a pen, drawing geometric shapes in the air. Searᴄh the Nôvel(F)ire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

“I have thoroughly prepared to kill the young master known as the Immortal.”

Rumble

The cave began to shake as if an earthquake had struck. I wondered if he was trying to bury me alive, but that wasn’t it. The floating spells in the air attracted rocks like a magnet. �

Thud

The rock masses slowly began to take the shape of a human figure, like clay being molded.

It was a golem.

Not a simple summoning spell, but a high-level creation spell.

Did he think I would just let him do that?

He was currently focused on creating the golem and couldn’t cast other spells simultaneously.

This was the chance.

I pulled out the dagger from my pocket and spoke to Donatan.

‘Can I really trust your former master’s dagger skills?’

-He could cut through rocks with a blade of grass.

But this guy’s boastfulness made me uneasy… I’ve never fought for real before, so I wasn’t sure.

Buzz

Electric currents stimulated my muscles. As I relaxed, my hands and limbs moved into a form independent of my will.

Following Donatan’s guidance, a plausible stance was achieved.

As I held out the dagger, the assassin narrowed his eyes.

“You’ve never learned swordsmanship, but your stance is flawless.”

I charged at the mage, aiming for close combat, his greatest weakness.

Once within his range, I executed the precise and deadly dagger techniques according to Donatan’s instructions.

Clang

The swiftly swung staff blocked the first attack. The second strike aimed at his neck, and the third attack intended to stab his spine, all met the same fate.

Each time the dagger was deflected, my wrist tingled painfully.

Was I doing this right?

The only swordsmanship I knew was from watching game characters’ motions.

I knew nothing about real swordsmanship.

Even to me, these dagger techniques seemed just… fancy.

Better than my pure skill, but look at the results. The mage, who wasn’t even a swordsmanship master, easily deflected my attacks. Clearly, Donatan’s former master was no genuine sword saint.

I took a step back and retreated. The mage, looking puzzled, spoke.

“Your movements show achievement, but…”

“Why aren’t you using aura?”

It was irritating.

Was he taunting me?

***

The mage felt a chill run down his spine.

The dagger techniques he barely managed to fend off were unsettling.

Precise and fluid, the movements were devoid of unnecessary flourishes. Even as he twisted mid-swing to create new variables, the attacks accurately targeted vital points, making it feel like he had been cut.

If he hadn’t had experience assassinating knights or cast a protective spell on his staff, he wouldn’t have been able to block them.

The mage found this even more terrifying.

He briefly doubted if he couldn’t use aura, but it was a foolish question. Mastering one’s skills also involved developing other abilities.

Someone who could execute such swordsmanship surely had learned aura.

If he intended to kill, he would have done so already.

If he was toying with close combat, then he was simply passing time until the golem was ready.

The mage, thinking he had prepared well from the start, swallowed hard.

Gripping his staff tightly, the mage spoke.

“I will attack with all my might. I hope you are satisfied even when you close your eyes!”

Hearing his sincerity, Hersel glared sharply.

***

I stared blankly at the mage, surprised.

Blocking all my attacks with just a staff?

This guy was definitely a crazy mage without mercy.

I glanced at the golem. It was still about the size of a child.

The golem’s formation was still in progress.

It would take a bit more time.

Meanwhile, what should he do…

The mage created a giant spear from the rocks.

It flew towards me with terrifying speed.

Ping

Donatan shouted a warning. I couldn’t even react.

-Don’t just stand there, move! Hersel!



BOOM

A loud noise echoed through the cave.

The rock arrow shattered into pieces and scattered into the air.

[Physical attack detected.]

[1-Second Invincibility activated.]

[1-Second Invincibility cooldown: 58 seconds]

Dust covered the surroundings. Donatan wailed. I silently listened.

-Damn! Am I to spend the rest of my life trapped here? To die in such a place, you wretched worm!

This was getting noisy.

‘Who said I was dead?’

-What? How are you still alive?

I didn’t respond to Donatan.

Light was leaking from the pile of rocks blocking the explosion.

Shing

Each time the aura-coated sword cut through the rocks, it left a trail.

It was the familiar effect of ‘Crescent Slash’ seen every time I played as Dellerger.

That lazy bastard finally showed up.

The mage frowned as Dellerger appeared.

“Are you here to interfere?”

The mage swung his staff to create another giant spear and shot it towards Dellerger like an arrow, but it was cut down effortlessly by Dellerger’s aura-coated sword.

Click

“That depends on the young master’s answer.”

Dellerger said to the mage, then swiftly sheathed his sword. Realizing Dellerger’s skill, the mage lowered his staff, thinking it was better to wait and see than to provoke him.

I stared at Dellerger in disbelief.

“Now that I think about it, I guess I should listen to it first.”

“What?”

“You never know. After working hard, what if the young master doesn’t tell me anything? Or maybe that’s all you know?”

I understood his suspicion. The information I whispered to provoke him was extremely limited.

-Clues about those who ruined Grey Knights. Come back if you hear an explosion.

Thanks to that, Dellerger had come here as intended, but he didn’t seem willing to act according to my plan.

“If you don’t want to talk, I’ll just leave. After all, this is overtime.”

Dellerger yawned lazily. But I knew he was faking it.

I spoke irritably.

“If everything is so bothersome, give up on revenge. The traitors are living well. If you stay quiet, everyone will be happy.”

Dellerger glared at me as if he wanted to kill me. It was natural. I had brutally ripped open a painful memory.

“You think you know anything?”

“I know it all. The one who deceived Redenic and led him to his death. The one who poisoned Redenic’s drink. The one who stabbed Redenic’s corpse. All those who ruined the Grey Knights.”

The Grey Knights.

A mercenary group composed of knights from a fallen empire.

Redenic, their leader, had raised Dellerger, who was abandoned as a baby, as his own son.

When Dellerger became an adult, Redenic was brutally killed by traitors bought by those who feared the Grey Knights.

The mercenary group, losing its leader, scattered and fell apart. Dellerger, having lost his family and home, swore to find and punish the traitors.

Only Aria, who knew this background and had a contract with Dellerger to help with his revenge, should have known this.

Thus, Dellerger’s eyes were filled with confusion.

“Who are you?”

“Here’s a hint. If you don’t hear anything from me, one of them will die before your sword reaches him.”

I threatened, and Dellerger’s pupils shook.

“Choose wisely. I could easily handle someone like him, but I’m giving you the chance because I pity you.”

Dellerger narrowed his eyes and observed me for a moment.

“Redenic.”

As if to steady himself, he muttered the name like a sigh.

When he opened his eyes again, they were cold.

Shing

Dellerger drew his sword roughly. As he closed in, the mage narrowed his eyes.

“You’re making a foolish choice. If you meddle, you’ll pay dearly.”

The word ‘dearly’ almost made me laugh.

The mage was strong by my standards, but could he even scratch Dellerger?

One of the top-tier playable characters.

He had grown up in harsh conditions, wielding a sword from a young age.

This meant his foundation was solid from the start of the scenario.

The mage fired spells with his staff.

Rocks flew towards Dellerger’s entire body.

Tatata

Instead of dodging, Dellerger charged forward, creating numerous afterimages. The mage’s attacks only cut through the afterimages created by ‘Cat’s Footsteps’.

As he fired rock after rock like a machine gun, the mage created a giant spear with his free hand. The same attack that almost pierced my stomach earlier.

Whoosh

The giant rock spear shot towards Dellerger with a tearing sound. But Dellerger, without breaking his stride, simply tilted his head to avoid it. His long black hair fluttered in the wake of the spear.

“Damn…”

As Dellerger closed in, the mage hastily raised his staff like a shield, a bluish aura enveloping it.

It had been an excellent defense against my dagger, but it was useless against Dellerger.

With a swift slash, Dellerger cut the mage and his staff. The aura-coated ‘Crescent Slash’ drew a red line on the mage’s neck, faster than sound.

Shing

Dellerger effortlessly dispatched the mage. This had gone according to plan, but now what?

I had boasted too much. Giving too much information could complicate the narrative, but saying nothing might get me killed.

Why did it suddenly feel darker?

“Young master! Above!”

At Dellerger’s urgent shout, I looked up. The ceiling seemed to be falling on me. To be precise, a giant golem’s fist was descending towards me.

Did the golem finish while I was distracted?



It was too late to dodge.

[1-Second Invincibility: Usable]

…Well, no problem.

“Do you want to see something interesting?”