1-Second Invincible Player in the Game

150. The Outside World (1)

In truth, this mission was akin to espionage.

No matter how much of a shadowy sentinel one might be, there was no way to know what treasures lay hidden in the newly announced Dungeon Tower.

All that was required was to document the interior and discover what kind of treasures emerged.

The option to steal was merely a story predicated on favorable circumstances.

“Let’s do this. I’ll spare your lives, and you just find your way out. How about it? A fair deal for both, wouldn’t you say?”

Thus, Delgar’s proposal wasn’t entirely unappealing.

Luon pondered for a moment.

‘It’s not a place to wager my life, but…’

He felt a flicker of curiosity towards the man before him.

No scent lingered, and there was no hint of presence at all.

Luon drew his sword.

‘It wouldn’t be so bad to test my skills, would it?’

Having realized that the pleasure of battle was but an illusion, would he still feel exhilaration?

It seemed it would at least satisfy a minor delight.

Above all, how could he trust the words of someone who claimed to let them go?

“Excessive kindness breeds suspicion.”

At Luon’s words, Delgar let out a deep sigh, his face drained of energy.

“It’s the truth…”

Luon glanced at Alena, who had once been Pheldira, signaling her.

After a nod, Alena commanded her subordinates.

—

“First, you retreat.”

They left with faces that showed no loyalty, as if pleased by the command.

Alena, perhaps displeased by the sight, shot a nervous glare at their retreating backs.

“Those insolent wretches. Just look at how they don’t even pretend to hesitate.”

“We’re no more than an afterthought to them. It’ll take time to earn their recognition. But more importantly, Alena.”

“Yeah?”

“For now, let me play alone.”

At Ruon’s words, Alena nodded.

Delgar approached with an expression of annoyance.

As the distance between them slowly closed, Delgar swiftly swung his sword toward the air.

Clang! A spark flew with the sound. Ruon twitched at the corner of his mouth.

He had easily deflected a strike that was nearly a surprise attack.

‘His senses are sharp.’

While Ruon made that assessment, Delgar’s expression grew cold.

“Are you a magic swordsman?”

“Just as it appears.”

Ruon summoned the Frostblade.

Even as the chill swirled around them, Delgar’s gaze was fixed not on the sword, but solely on Ruon’s eyes.

“Those murky eyes… I feel like I’ve seen them before.”

Delgar quickly drew a crescent arc with his sword as he approached.

For a moment, he let the smooth edge of the Frostblade slip past his guard.

Then, he moved to the side, aiming to trip Ruon’s foot.

Thud.

Just before Delgar’s foot reached Ruon’s ankle, he plunged his sword into the ground.

The Frostblade was embedded between Delgar’s foot and his own.

Delgar’s foot halted just before the blade.

‘He’s mixing not just swordplay, but also martial arts.’

Without a moment to spare, Ruon hastily drew his sword.

Delgar’s blade shimmered as it was thrust diagonally forward.

Once again, Ruon intended to smoothly deflect it with the Frostblade.

But Delgar’s blade surged forth without a hint of falter, and the icy crystals began to crackle and splinter.

Luon felt the chasm between them, stark and undeniable, as he aimed a decisive strike at Delgar’s neck.

Delgar, in a frantic motion, ducked and withdrew his sword, and Luon seized the moment, retreating swiftly.

Then he locked his gaze onto Delgar’s eyes.

‘Not a gaze of absolute focus. Has he been careless all this time…?’

Delgar’s pupils seemed to wander, as if lost in thoughts far removed from the present.

As Luon contemplated a retreat, Delgar let his sword droop and spoke.

“Do you happen to know a man named Gedgar?”

“Gedgar? Why do you ask?”

“Just curious, your indifferent gaze resembles his. Thought you might be kin or something.”

“Never heard that name before…”

As Luon replied, Delgar turned back with a lazy expression, as if he had lost interest.

“Oh, really?”

Delgar said this while approaching with an easy stride.

A jolt of tension coursed through Luon.

He sensed it now.

The creature intended to take his life.

“Just so you know, don’t think that offer I made earlier still stands. You see, keeping you alive seems like it would only cause me more trouble down the line.”

Luon squeezed every ounce of aura from his core.

* * *

Surrounding the towering spire were rows of commercial buildings.

Among them stood one particularly well-crafted structure, the trading house owned by Orbella.

From the highest floor of the building, Aria looked down at the adventurers passing by through the window.

Then, with a nervous edge to her voice, she asked.

“You didn’t just let them go because it was a bother, did you?”

“I was really going to kill him, you know. But then that woman with the grimoire, she just vanished without a trace.”

From Delgar’s tone, it didn’t seem like he was lying.

Aria sank deeper into her chair, fixing her gaze on Delgar.

“I’ve been working hard to gather information on this side, yet your handling of things is rather lackluster, isn’t it?”

Delgar perked up at the mention of information.

“If it’s about information…”

“Indeed, it is Gedgar you so desperately wish to kill.”

Delgar’s expression turned gravely serious.

The name of the instigator who had slain the ash-gray commander of the knights, Redenik, had surfaced, and it was no wonder.

“Do not drag this out; answer as you know.”

Ariadne sighed.

There were tales meant to be kept secret, but there was no choice but to speak.

Her contract with Delgar was to aid in revenge in exchange for her service.

“This may take a while; I must start from the beginning.”

As Delgar nodded, Ariadne calmly began to explain, piece by piece.

“You’ve heard the tale, haven’t you? The renowned knight felled by a farmer who had never even held a sword.”

“I suspect that farmer was hiding some past of his own,” he replied.

“The origins are clear. I’ve dug into his childhood and questioned his friends from back then. He truly was a commoner who had never once wielded a sword.”

It was an unbelievable story, yet the multitude of witnesses made it too substantial to dismiss as mere rumor.

Delgar tilted his head, curiosity piqued.

“But he was imprisoned and executed, wasn’t he?”

A commoner daring to kill a knight was bound to lead to execution as a matter of course.

Yet, this was merely a tale spun to avoid public chaos.

The truth was different.

“No, he did not die. Gerger stormed the prison alone and took him away. Thanks to this incident, we learned of his whereabouts.”

Ariadne met Delgar’s gaze.

She wondered if he would dare to ask why Gerger had done such a thing.

She had no answers to offer on that front.

Fortunately, Delgar spoke only to the point.

“Then he must have become even more conspicuous. Where is he now?”

Delgar’s voice dripped with malice. His face was like that of a vengeful specter, blinded by the thirst for retribution.

Ariadne looked at him with a mix of pity and resolve.

“The Order of the Sun.”

Delgar’s expression darkened further.

Gedgar was a criminal whose name was already on the wanted list.

Having murdered not only the ash-gray commander Redenik but also several key figures, he bore a notorious record.

—

It was only natural that the order would embrace such a wretch.

“…Those charlatans?”

“Indeed. From what I hear, they might even appoint him as a paladin. Isn’t it laughable?”

A paladin was a title reserved for those deemed the foremost swords of the order.

Given that Gedgar’s laundered identity was being put forth as a candidate, this much was certain.

Delrago, with disbelief etched on his face, asked, “Is that even possible?”

“If they’re willing to accept him, what’s to stop it? Identity laundering isn’t particularly difficult. Even if someone were to reveal Gedgar’s true nature, they could simply brand him a liar and be done with it.”

In this world, if the order declared black to be white, then white it would be.

Even if one were to demand accountability, it was clear that the followers would rise in protest if the charlatans merely denied it.

Let alone the empire, which found itself in a precarious position, making any move against him was nearly impossible.

Even Aria, who had spoken those words, showed signs of discomfort regarding this matter.

“I’m not sure what the order’s connection to him is. No matter how much I speculate, I can’t seem to grasp it. It feels as if we’ve stepped into a tale from another world.”

Was it now sounding like a retreat?

Delrago pressed his palms against the table, leaning forward with intensity.

“Just to be sure, you’re not thinking of ending the contract here, are you?”

Aria scrutinized Delrago’s unwavering gaze. His lips were tightly sealed, and his hands remained pressed against the desk.

At first glance, he appeared calm, yet his fingertips trembled ever so slightly.

“To be honest, I long to end it. But do you know? Gedgar sent a letter. Not to you, but to me.”

Aria handed the letter to Delrago.

Then she turned her gaze back to the window. Just then, a group of adventurers lingered around the building.

Behind her, Delrago murmured the contents of the letter.

“I humbly ask of you, my lady. Please, continue to assist Delrago without burden…”

The sound of the letter crumpling reached her ears.

“What’s this about?”

Without tearing her gaze from the window, Aria spoke to Delrago.

“Keep reading.”

Delrago ceased to read aloud.

Even without hearing it, Aria remembered the words she had read.

[I do not wish for any friction between the Orbella family and the order. Even if my lady were to strike me down alongside Delrago, it would bring no harm, so rest assured. This is merely a personal amusement between you and me. P.S. I send a small gift to Delrago.]

—

It was truly a provocative display of words and actions.

“Don’t bother with formalities; come at me whenever you wish.”

This sentiment struck Aria as deeply unsettling.

“You’re taken aback, aren’t you? Truth be told, I am too. There’s a limit to how much one can disregard another. He sees you and me as mere playthings.”

Adventurers loitering outside finally stepped into the building.

Only then did Aria tear her gaze from the window and fix it upon Delgar.

“The contract stands. So you can rest easy. Of course, I can’t be certain that the true order isn’t simply turning a blind eye, but unless there’s mutual agreement, he won’t break the contract on a whim.”

From the very beginning, she had no intention of withdrawing alone.

Yet, if a breach were to occur, it would only be when Delgar himself chose to abandon it.

With a calm expression, Aria added her final words.

“I am a merchant, after all.”

At first glance, her face was expressionless, but her eyes held a steady, serious depth.

Delgar withdrew his hands from the table and took a step back.

“But a gift, you say? Has he sent something to me?”

Just then, footsteps echoed from the corridor.

“Looks like they’ve arrived.”

No sooner had Aria spoken than a knock sounded at the door.

“Come in.”

“Yes, milady.”

The door opened cautiously, revealing a servant from the upper floors, carrying a large box into the room.

Aria inquired, “Did you confirm whether it’s dangerous?”

The servant replied, his voice trembling with unease.

“Yes, we brought a wizard along to complete the verification process, but…”

“That’s enough. Just leave it here.”

“Then, I shall take my leave.”

As the servant departed, Delgar approached the box resting on the floor.

The moment the lid opened, his eyes widened.

Sensing something amiss, Aria rose from her chair to inspect the contents.

Her heart sank with a heavy thud.

“…What is that?”

Inside lay a skull, caked in dirt.

Delrager handed over a letter that had been tucked within the box.

As soon as Aria read the words, the letter slipped from her fingers.

[It’s the day of the execution, yet you did not come. Was it too much to at least show your face?]

Aria’s eyes widened in shock as she studied Delrager’s expression.

What Gedgar had done was an act beyond comprehension.

From the shadowed depths of Delrager’s face, only his lips moved.

“Redenik…”

What lay within the box were the remains of Redenik.

The wretch had gone so far as to unearth the grave to send this.

A surge of blood rushed to Aria’s head, and she clenched her teeth.

If there was a man who deserved to die, it was surely this one who had committed such an unspeakable act.

A deep fury mingled with a sense of pity washed over her.

In that moment, Delrager’s back, standing before the bones, appeared particularly forlorn.

* * *

With each step the two men took down the tree-lined path, the sound of cicadas filled the air.

Their destination was a massive building at the end of the road.

With its pointed roof and a grand gate adorned with a sun motif, it was the temple of the order.

A man in prison garb asked, “Why engage in such meaningless acts?”

The armored man beside him replied, his face a mask of indifference.

“I wanted to alleviate my boredom.”

“Does it truly alleviate anything?”

“Well, it offers a certain freshness, I suppose.”

“Like with Gloom. I envy your ability to never tire of it, Gedgar.”

With that, the man in prison garb fell silent.

They stepped into the building.

The first floor was a chapel.

Four men and women of varying ages and genders greeted them with dry, emotionless gazes.

The armored man, Gedgar, blinked as he scrutinized their faces one by one.

“It’s been a long time since we gathered, yet one of us is missing.”

Gedgar shrugged his shoulders, blending into the atmosphere thick with futility.

* * *

Before long, the end of the first semester began to loom.

Final exams were approaching.

I had no worries about the written tests, but the real issue lay in the practical.

This time, it wasn’t some arcane practice or the like; it was a straightforward assessment of pure magical ability.

…And for me, that felt like a descent into hell.

Rix, who had agreed to help me train, stared at me with wide eyes and asked, “Hey, Hessel… What in the world is this?”

The theme of this exam was to create an artificial life form through elemental manipulation and visualization magic.

Rix was aghast at the hamster I had conjured.

“Is that a translucent salamander?”

A salamander, this fool.

“It’s a hamster.”

“It doesn’t even have fur.”

“It’s a short-haired breed.”

“Even with its insides showing?”

“…It’s a new species.”

It seemed that this exam was destined to go awry.