Invincible
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#116
🕑 Added 2024-09-29 10:35:27 +0000 UTCThe Second Trial (2)
The name "Felia of Obsession" comes as quite a surprise to many players. Based on the name alone, most would expect her to be some kind of stalker of her mentor, but the reality is different. This is because she sees herself as incomplete and believes she is fake, which fuels her obsession with becoming "real." However, she has no desire to become the living Felia. To her, that would just be imitation, a path leading to being fake again.
This is evident in her behavior as well. She constantly does things the real Felia would never have done. She doesn't obsess over her mentor, the archmage, and speaks in a casual tone that the real Felia would have never used. Even sitting in front of me, stuffing herself with expensive wine and rare delicacies—this is something the real Felia would have never done. So, what is her obsession with becoming "real"? For her, it means to be reborn. To open her eyes to the world for the first time, to be given a new name, and to live a life where she forms her own beliefs in an unfamiliar environment. There is no room for anything fake in that. It would be the life of a true human being.
However, as with all villainous ends, Felia will ultimately fail. Her fate was sealed by Bellen, who sensed something was amiss. But why is she sitting before me, enjoying dessert, knowing what awaits her?
***
On the club's floor, Bellen grasped her sword with a slight hiccup. She had heard everything through the undead Hamendal. Staring at the barrier, she wondered if this would really be okay.
“If I destroy this, what happens to them?”
“Professor Rockefeller says it’s fine. Even if it breaks, it will only be temporary, and it will automatically restore itself…”
In that case, Bellen felt reassured. She signaled the students nearby to step back and ignited flames on her blade.
Fwoosh!
As the fire faded, the sword gleamed crimson, as though fresh from a forge. The heat was so intense that the students who had moved away were already sweating. With her preparations complete, Bellen slashed at the barrier multiple times.
Sizzle!
Each strike melted away a portion of the barrier.
Once she created enough space for a person to pass through, Bellen quickly slipped inside. Just as Rockefeller had said, the barrier was slowly returning to its original shape.
Clang!
Undead creatures swarmed toward her, but with just a few strikes, they turned to dust in an instant.
Clank!
She sheathed her sword and looked at the undead Hamendal.
“So, you're saying I should punish the brats who pulled this nasty prank?”
“Not exactly. I believe there’s definitely someone pulling the strings behind this whole situation.”
“Someone behind this?”
“The magic that covers the entire grounds—it’s undoubtedly the work of a mage. But all the scholarship entrants are knights.”
Bellen immediately understood what Hamendal was implying. Taking over the entire fortress and manipulating it at will was beyond what any student could achieve. This meant someone of a different caliber had either orchestrated or supported this event.
“So, you're telling me I should take care of this mastermind and help the students?”
“Exactly. Please hurry.”
With a determined expression, Bellen gripped her sword tightly. “Got it.” However, she didn’t let go of the bottle of liquor in her left hand. “And my reward?”
“...Has the Tenest family always made money this way?”
***
Felia stabbed her fork into a piece of whipped cream cake. We had covered a lot of topics in our conversations, but most of her questions were about Luon. To be honest, with her abilities, she must have already seen all of Luon's memories. Yet, she continued to ask me questions. Naturally, the question she posed was this:
“Why did you hang out with Luon?”
She wasn’t asking from Luon’s perspective; she wanted to know my view on Luon. But how could I answer that? After all, I wasn't the real Hersel. However, recalling Luon’s background, I could make a few guesses.
"It's simple. I just took some interest because we had a similar background."
His mother had also passed away at an early age. The difference between him and Hersel’s case was that her death had nothing to do with illness or accident. The spark that ignited everything was when Aldeon Al Varnas, Luon’s father, became infatuated with another woman.
"He also has a stepmother."
In the culture of nobility, it’s very common for a man to take a concubine. And just as common is the scenario where a concubine, dissatisfied with her status, assassinates the legitimate wife. Especially when Luon's biological mother was known to have a rather unpleasant personality; the household had been dysfunctional for a long time, so their marriage was likely toxic. It was even a joke among the people of the Varnas estate that the head of the household had conspired with his mistress to kill his wife.
"His half-siblings stay put in the estate, while Luon, being the son that reminds his father of his ex-wife, must have endured all kinds of scorn. How could I not notice?"
Of course, it wasn’t out of some empathetic human emotion that Hersel approached Luon. More likely, he saw him as an interesting toy to play with. But perhaps Hersel had a gut feeling that they were of the same kind.
"Now it's my turn to ask a question."
When it was my turn, I looked at Felia and asked her about the strange feeling I had been sensing.
"Why are you helping Luon so much? Now that the Crimson Magic Book is in your hands, you’ve completed your task."
Originally, their deal must have been limited to casting the binding spell for Luon. By this point, she should have been focused on crafting a physical body for herself. I needed to confirm if she was being forced by Luon or if she was assisting him of her own volition.
"The Crimson Magic Book? And finished? That statement of yours makes me think you know something."
Felia looked at me suspiciously. I gave her a plausible explanation.
"I know because I encountered a remnant of thought before you appeared. I also know what your objectives are."
After all, "Felia of Loss" had appeared before. There was no way she wouldn't know that. She seemed to find my story convincing enough, as she nodded.
"Well, alright. I'm here because I want to help Luon. He asked me to take care of you. Though, of course, whether or not I do so is entirely up to me."
As expected, she's quite different from the "Felia of Obsession" in my memories. But from Luon’s perspective, it would make sense for him to see me as an unpredictable element that could ruin his plans. I had pretended to be a Master swordsman and had even taken down Berme, so it wouldn’t be surprising if Luon saw me as a threat and sought Felia’s help.
However, the fact that she came here of her own free will is a separate matter.
"You came because he asked you?"
This didn't seem right, considering she was obsessed only with being reborn. With the Crimson Magic Book now in her possession, that should have been her top priority, so why was she here? I studied her closely, but she remained tight-lipped.
"...This is the end of the Q&A."
There was a hint of irritation in her voice. Maybe it was time to begin... I rubbed the tattoo on my left wrist. But all Felia did was lick the whipped cream from her lips and order more from the servant.
"This is delicious! Bring me another."
I blinked in disbelief. I had been preparing to use one of the few one-time kill moves from Asares, something like a special move in a bullet-hell game that I wouldn't be able to replenish. I figured it was worth the cost given that I was up against someone with the Crimson Magic Book...
"...Didn’t you say you were here to deal with me?"
I frowned as I asked, but Felia responded casually.
"That's true, but I have no intention of fighting you."
"Then why are you here?"
"You'll know if you look out the window."
I got up from my seat and walked over to the window. My eyes gradually widened. What I saw was the training ground, with the ground cracking open.
From it, a reptilian hand the size of a soccer goalpost suddenly burst forth.
Not understanding the situation, I looked at Felia.
"Does the dungeon’s guardian still resemble a Bone Dragon these days?"
The Bone Dragon is one of the highest-tier monsters among the undead.
"Does that mean...?"
When I asked, Felia chuckled slyly.
"I'm pretty sure you're thinking the right thing."
During dungeon training, they likely explained that the guardian was modeled after a Bone Dragon.
This meant that the dungeon had seen the original, which implied that it had seen it somewhere — specifically, above the dungeon.
"This used to be the Bone Dragon's territory."
It was part of Frost Heart’s domain.
"Think of it simply. I was just a guide in the game. Actually, your friends are each facing their own opponents as well, like Luon’s underlings. So, anyway—"
Cutting her off as if it wasn’t my business, I sat down and instructed the servant,
"Bring me a cup of tea as well."
"Are you even listening to me?"
No, I don’t want to.
"That thing is your opponent. But don't worry too much. Since the original was so strong, they couldn’t fully recreate its power. It’s probably less than half as strong as the real one. How’s that for balance?"
Well, either way, I still can’t handle even the guardian alone.
"Perhaps. But do you know something?"
I casually sipped my tea, preparing to face this crisis with the "Noble Blood's Ember," and then looked Felia in the eyes as I set down my cup.
"If I had wanted, I could have killed you and Luon long ago."
"You? Kill me? We just met today, what are you talking about?"
Felia looked baffled, but the conversation wasn’t over yet.
"I’ve had plenty of opportunities. I know that you turned into a dove. I also crossed paths with Luon in the Forbidden Library hallway. Even then, I had plenty of chances to kill him. But I didn’t. What do you think that means?"
It must have sounded convincing enough, as Felia paused with her fork midway to her mouth.
"It means I never intended to go after Luon, and I still don’t. So, get rid of that useless thing."
Felia’s eyes widened.
Alright, just a little more, and I’ll have her.
"Even though things between Luon and I have soured recently, I don’t wish for his death. As I said earlier, Luon and I were in the same position, and just as I’ve changed, I believe he can change too."
Speaking in a serious tone, Felia blinked at me.
This was it.
Just as I was about to deliver the final blow, Donatan interrupted the flow.
‘This sneaky guy. You’re spinning your silver tongue again.’
‘Don’t interfere. You don’t want to fight the Bone Dragon, do you?’
‘Ahem...’
Though there was a brief interruption, I calmly resumed my manipulative tactics.
But then, Felia shattered all my efforts with one devastating piece of news.
"But what can we do? I can’t cancel it once it’s started."
What?
"Control it, then?"
"The mana from the Crimson Magic Book is almost depleted. It’ll take time to recharge."
Damn it.
I shot up from my seat, ready to leave the dining hall. Wasting time doing nothing was not my style. Who knows? My trump card might still work.
As I hurried toward the door, Felia’s voice made me pause.
"Wait a second."
I turned my head slightly and looked at Felia.
"What?"
"I actually have a favor to ask. Could you do it for me?"
What now, when I’m already so busy?
Despite my irritation, I listened to her request.
"This is just a personal wish of mine."
Felia’s expression seemed somewhat earnest.
To think I’d be receiving a request from my enemy. It seems the words I spoke earlier, trying to get out of trouble, had planted some strange idea in her mind, but I wasn’t a pushover.
"Of course, I’m not asking you to do it for free. If you help me, I’ll tell you where the staff I used when I was alive is hidden."
Well, a dying person's last request couldn’t be ignored.
After all, I’m a kind person.
"Alright, I’ll think about it."
Leaving the dining hall behind, I sprinted at full speed.
"Hehehe."
Felia’s staff, huh?
Considering its age, it might as well be a relic. And since she was the disciple of an archmage, it was likely to have some incredible attributes.
***
I wandered the halls, passing by the front gate of the fortress.
Of course, thanks to the black band tattoo, the undead parted and made way for me without any trouble.
As I was walking toward the training ground, I suddenly wondered how the others were doing and glanced out the window.
By now, the mid-boss battle should have started.
I wasn’t worried, though.
Even if Arsys, Aiman, and Kurel had taken a hit, they were nowhere near as strong as the Roaming Band instructor.
On the other hand, the playable characters had already experienced how high the wall they needed to overcome was, thanks to the fights they had during the training in the demonic realm.
The difference between having experience and not was significant.
Compared to the instructor, they would probably be wondering why their swords felt so light, and they’d be surprised, in a different way, at how much weaker the monster made by the mage was compared to the gigantic tree monster.
Especially with how much Limberton had grown, he would easily deal with someone like Arsys.
So, I decided to focus on myself.
While they were busy hunting down their mid-bosses, I was facing a boss-level monster that you’d only expect to see in the mid-point of the scenario.
I rubbed the tattoo on my wrist and prayed fervently.
- I’m counting on you.
***
In the ninth-floor hallway, Arsys’ long body suddenly floated into the air.
“Huh?”
His back hit the ceiling, bouncing off of it.
Bang!
As he slammed belly-first onto the floor, Aslay stood over him, looking down with a cold gaze.
"Too light."
Arsys ground his teeth.
"You bastard!"
He wrapped his long body around Aslay and squeezed tightly.
Then he used his tail to grab the longsword hanging at the corpse’s waist.
Swish!
With a thrust, Arsys’ two arms pierced through the snake-like skin of his body.
Clang!
He drew the sword and aimed it at Aslay’s neck.
He even surrounded his arms with the power-enhancing aura he was channeling.
Just as he was about to deliver a strike, his arms grew heavy, and he ended up stabbing his own body.
Squelch!
“Argh!”
It was because of the shackles on his arms.
Ricks, pointing his staff at him, grinned.
“Is it too heavy? The instructor moved just fine without a care.”
Ricks didn’t stop there; he conjured chains around Arsys’ sword.
The blade was bound tightly.
Clang!
When he pulled, the chains hooked onto the sword’s cross-guard, yanking it out like pulling a root.
Aslay seized the opportunity to wrap his arms around Arsys’ neck.
“This is how you choke someone.”
Squeeze!
Aslay’s muscles swelled, and Arsys tried to surround his body with his "Unyielding" ability.
But the strength was too much for him to bear.
A choking sound escaped Arsys’ mouth.
"Just die already."
“Idiot... Have you ever seen a snake die from being strangled? Hah!"
Arsys shed his skin and escaped from Aslay’s muscular arms.
“See that?”
Just as Arsys mocked Aslay, a flash of light whizzed by.
Thwack!
An arrow struck him right between the eyes.
Even with his "Unyielding" ability, a mere arrow had pierced through him.
With dimming eyes, Arsys gazed at the short man.
His consciousness faded, and his body collapsed helplessly onto the floor.
Thud.
Once the situation was settled, Ricks urgently shouted.
“We don’t have time for this. Sorry, but you’ll have to hide yourself somewhere. We’ll come get you once everything’s over. Now, Aslay, Limberton, let’s head up. The others might already be there.”
With Aslay in the lead, they climbed the stairs to the tenth floor.
When they reached the corridor, they met the gaze of the Bellman squad.
It seemed they had also fought on the tenth floor, as the floor was soaked in blood.
At the center of the carnage lay a monster clad in thick, insect-like armor.
Judging by its face, it was unmistakably Aiman.
Ricks couldn’t help but be impressed.
‘I thought we were fast, but they’re just as quick.’
Bellman adjusted his glasses and approached Ricks.
“Looks like you finished quickly too. It’s just as well. Let’s join up with the Riamon squad here. It’ll be better than fighting separately.”
"Did anyone go ahead?"
“No, not yet. The barrier on the central staircase is still intact.”
Ricks nodded.
If the others had gone ahead, the barrier would’ve already been removed.
For now, they sat down on the floor in the corridor, waiting for the Riamon squad to catch up.
While waiting, Limberton, who had been sitting on the windowsill, suddenly opened his eyes wide in shock.
“Wait, hold on. Look at that!”
His hand trembled as he pointed outside.
Ricks squinted his eyes and looked toward the training ground.
Then his eyes widened in disbelief.
Crack—
The ground split open, and a massive skeletal figure emerged.
There was no doubt.
“...A B-Bone Dragon?”
They had seen its head before during the dungeon training.
The dungeon’s guardian had been modeled after this creature, so it was unmistakable.
Ricks wiped the sweat from his temple and thought differently.
“We have to run... We shouldn’t be heading toward Luon right now. We need to escape.”
The Bone Dragon was even described in ancient texts.
If that legendary monster unleashed a breath attack, the entire fortress would be reduced to ash.
Limberton gulped.
Then, widening his eyes again, he pointed in shock.
“Wait, someone’s there…!”
Someone was approaching the Bone Dragon, cutting through the horde of undead.
