1-Second Invincible Player in the Game

157. The Prison Stairs (3)

The corridor resembled a terminal where trains pass through.

“Is it really necessary to make it this wide for imprisoning enemies?”

Dorothian’s question sounded quite reasonable.

“Indeed? If you’re just going to starve them to death, it wouldn’t matter if you stuffed them into a small room.”

As I spoke, the spirits leading the way frowned.

“Goodness, what a thing to say.”

“They’re saying that because it’s not their business.”

It must have been a primitive age back then.

Just looking at these brutes who have come all this way to kill students makes that clear.

A proper treatment for prisoners likely hadn’t even taken root yet; why then had they gone to such lengths to craft a mere prison trap?

I asked the phantoms.

“Is there anyone else hiding here besides you?”

“Oh, how did you know? There is indeed. Not human, though.”

“Not human?”

“I’ll explain as we go.”

The phantom, appearing as a soldier, walked calmly, continuing to speak.

“By the way, did you ask about the location of the treasure earlier?”

“I did.”

The soldier halted, thoughtfully stroking his chin with his hand.

“Hmm, to be honest, I’m not sure if it exists.”

“What?”

“No, it’s just that there’s a place we’ve never been.”

The soldier pointed into the dark path ahead.

The direction leaned to the left.

“When you reach the end, there’s a fork in the road. A colossal monster blocks the left path.”

“Seems like you haven’t thought of entering, even though you’re dead.”

“We only realized we were dead because you told us, so what of that?”

His answers had been suspicious from the start.

It made sense; there could be no food here.

If one had moved for thousands of years without a meal, it would be normal to recognize death.

But to have not known it until now?

‘Something’s off.’

‘Hershel, your instincts are right. They seem to have something to hide.’

If Donathan, who has lived longer than I, said this, it would be wise to heed caution.

“But one thing is certain. There’s a book imbued with mysterious power down the right path. Of course, you could just take it. Isn’t that better than the path with the monster that might hold treasure?”

Before long, we reached the end of the corridor.

As the phantom had said, new paths branched to the left and right.

As the phantoms subtly turned toward the right path, I cast a glance at Dorothian, seeking her intent.

She shook her head.

It seemed this woman, too, had sensed the strangeness of their presence.

“We shall take the left path.”

At my words, the phantoms recoiled slightly.

“No, why?”

“Isn’t the right path safer than a treacherous one?”

“Indeed. Come this way, then? I have a clue about the exit.”

To escape this place, it appeared one would need the Tome of Black Blood, a necessity I would rather avoid.

There was nothing to gain by being here at this moment.

And who knows? Perhaps there’s a way out down the left path as well.

“We’re simply overflowing with curiosity, you see.”

I uttered my resolute reply and strode toward the left.

Dorothian sidled up beside me and whispered softly.

“If there was a clue to the exit, we would have left long ago. If you’re going to deceive, at least do it convincingly.”

“Those b*stards, they know everything, don’t they?”

A sound erupted from my chest, causing me to flinch momentarily.

Lowering my gaze, I found one of them staring up at me, having pierced through my body with its neck.

Dorothian seemed to find it amusing, letting out a soft chuckle.

I was feeling quite the opposite, though…

“Stop with the grotesque antics and get lost.”

With a swift slap of my palm against my chest, the phantom slipped away.

They huddled together, snickering.

“Cackle, cackle, sharp-eyed little ones, aren’t they?”

“Indeed. I thought you’d be easier to fool.”

I let out a deep sigh and asked, “Now that you’ve been found out, why not just lay it all bare?”

The sergeant, calming the ruckus, replied.

“Did you ask where the treasure lies? It is indeed to the left.”

“So you’ve been snooping around after all.”

“Then. What is there to fear when one is already dead? Still, remember this: the only escape lies down the right path. You lot are destined to return here, after all. Unless, of course, you meet your end at the hands of that monster.”

“Oh, really?”

Now I understood why the prison was unnecessarily vast.

To hide something down the left path and place a monster to guard it, they must have needed the space.

Of course, the only one capable of such a feat, aside from these fools, would be Peldira, who had set foot here long before them.

“Given that they’ve stationed a gatekeeper, it seems what’s hidden is no ordinary thing.”

Just the effort put into the left path, compared to the grimoire on the right, was telling enough.

Surely, they had concealed something that must remain a secret.

That was something to uncover from this moment onward.

“Then let us proceed.”

As I took a step toward the left path, Dorothian raised his staff toward the phantoms.

“Annoying little things, should I just purify them?”

I nodded, thinking it would be good to see their reaction.

But the phantoms, upon seeing the purifying light gathering at the staff’s tip, melted into the walls.

Dorothian chuckled, a sly grin spreading across his face.

“Why? Don’t like it? You were all too eager to ask for salvation earlier.”

With that, I was certain.

Their desire for salvation was all a ruse.

What their true intentions were, I could not fathom, but it was clear that it mattered more to them than gaining freedom.

“Let’s take our time to learn about those things. For now, I’ll take my leave, Dorothian.”

As I stepped toward the left path, the voice of the captain echoed behind me.

“Even if you manage to open the door, please, do not die. Return alive.”

I blinked, incredulous.

“A door? It seems there’s another obstacle besides the monster.”

“Seems so. But you know, you.”

Dorothian looked at me with an expression of disbelief.

“Have you been subtly dragging me along since earlier? Are you even aware? I have no particular interest in treasure, so why should I follow you?”

I let out a soft laugh and continued walking.

“Then let them do as they please.”

“………”

—

Was that what I truly despised?

Dorothian walked silently behind me.

The path was shorter than I had expected.

As the light illuminated the shadowy road ahead, a colossal door began to reveal itself.

Wide and tall enough for a cargo truck to pass through.

I observed the door alongside Dorothian.

With a flicker of hope, I knocked. The lack of resonance suggested it was immensely thick.

“It doesn’t seem like it can be opened by sheer force; can’t we do something with magic?”

“Can’t you see this?”

Dorothian jangled the chains of the cursed armor, as if to make a point.

It seemed he lacked confidence in the current amount of magical power.

Rather than waste mana for no reason, it would be wise to find a conventional way to open it.

“Hm, usually there’s a key hidden nearby or something.”

“I don’t see a keyhole, though?”

“Dorothian, let’s shine a light over there.”

I pointed at the wall.

In the soft glow of the staff, something seemed to be etched into the surface.

As Dorothian focused the light, letters emerged.

The nature of those letters was something Dorothian spoke aloud.

“Runes?”

“Do you know how to read them?”

“I’ve only dabbled, so I’m not sure. No good. I think we should give up for now.”

Dorothian turned his head sharply, as if he hadn’t even considered that I might know how to read runes.

Despite being the top scorer in the Ministry of Magic’s written exam, it seemed he had lived without hearing such news at all.

Then again, Dorothian was hardly the type to concern himself with such matters, nor did he have anyone to relay that information to him.

“Those who are uninvited, step back. If you are not, then inscribe upon the door the name I most desire to kill. Surely you know what that name is, if you have truly received an invitation from me.”

As I perfectly interpreted the runes, Dorothian’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Did you just make that up?”

“…I don’t know how foolish you think I am, but that’s history. Don’t show such a reaction.”

Dorothian shrugged lightly, his expression one of unexpected astonishment.

—

“Well, whether it’s true or not can be checked, but sadly, there’s no way to do that, is there? How would you unravel a riddle steeped in such personal history? We don’t even know who wrote it.”

Regardless of her musings, I snatched up the staff and inscribed the letters with a shaping spell.

The ink was faint, as if written with a pen running dry, but it was legible enough.

[Adrigal Sel Hyman]

As I carved the name, Dorothian narrowed her eyes and read the inscription.

“Adrigal Sel Hyman…? Wait, this name. Isn’t it that of the Grand Sorcerer? The founder of the Academy here.”

“Exactly.”

“So, the Grand Sorcerer’s name is the answer?”

Just as Dorothian chuckled at that moment, the door creaked open.

Creeeak—

Dorothian’s eyes widened in surprise, and then one eyebrow twitched.

I shot her a mischievous grin.

“I took a shot in the dark, and it turned out right. Lucky me, huh?”

“Hm. That cheeky demeanor of yours is rather cute.”

Dorothian relaxed her expression and gazed beyond the door.

Inside lay a long corridor.

Surely, the ‘monster’ the phantoms spoke of would be lurking ahead.

“Dorothian, wait here for a moment.”

“Hm?”

“I don’t know what’s ahead, so reconnaissance comes first. I’ll be back shortly.”

In truth, I intended to open my inventory and retrieve my weapons.

If I revealed even a glimpse of the spell, this woman would grasp it in an instant.

This precious magic was not something I intended to share with anyone.

As soon as I crossed the threshold, I veered to the side.

Out of Dorothian’s sight, I opened my inventory and drew the cursed sword, “Shadow of Weakening.”

Just in case, I also pulled out the staff “Whispers of the Mist,” imbued with the stealth function used by Pheldira, and secured it in my holster.

No, this wouldn’t suffice for my peace of mind.

I retrieved a pocket filled with daggers, and Donathan spoke with delight.

‘If you were to use what you’ve practiced in the field, it would be quite entertaining.’

He was pleased, recalling the new training we had undertaken in the woods before the final exams.

I hope this place remains untouched for the most part.

With all preparations in place, I spoke to Dorothian.

“For now, it seems safe.”

Dorothian approached, pointing at the sword gripped in my hand.

“Where did you get that sword?”

“Such questions are best left unasked.”

I handed her the staff I had been using and kept my gaze fixed ahead.

“Let’s walk slowly, focusing all our senses.”

With each step, I savored the tension.

This place was an unknown realm I had never set foot in before.

That fact made my stagnant heart race.

Clack.

The surroundings were filled with pillars.

I readied myself to swing the sword at a moment’s notice and cautiously took a step forward.

Suddenly, the torches hanging on the walls flared to life with a whoosh!

“We can extinguish those now.”

Dorothian dispelled the glowing orbs clinging to her staff and led the way.

“Doesn’t seem like there’s much here. Perhaps the ghosts were just boasting?”

It was a plausible thought.

They had unnaturally fixated on us taking the left path.

But their words were no mere bluster.

“Dorothian! Above!!”

A massive skeleton clung to the ceiling like a spider.

It began to descend toward us.

Dorothian tried to move urgently, but the heavy armor she wore, enchanted with three spells, made her body sluggish.

At this rate, we would surely be crushed.

I swiftly hoisted Dorothian onto my shoulder, wrapping my legs around her waist.

Channeling a significant amount of mana, I braced my legs.

My body leaped far away with Dorothian in tow.

[Shock detected.]

[The trait activates.]

[1 second of invincibility cooldown: 59 seconds]

Had it not been for the ‘1 second of invincibility,’ my muscles would have surely burst from the force.

I had consumed roughly a quarter of my mana in a single leap.

Pssss—

As I struggled to maintain my balance, the soles of my shoes scraped against the ground.

Once the sliding ceased, I set Dorothy down and fixed my gaze upon the skull.

“…What manner of creature’s bones are these?”

At first glance, it appeared to be a human skull, yet it loomed at nearly a meter in size.

The torso matched its enormity.

The only fortunate aspect was that this colossal skull did not stand upright but moved on all fours.

Thud thud thud!

It approached, kicking up dust as it came.

“Dorothy, can you float in the air with your telekinesis, even if just by yourself?”

“I suppose it’s possible. But it won’t last long, you know?”

Even knowing the amount of mana she had, she still lied.

Even under the weight of the cursed armor, she could float for a good thirty minutes.

This woman simply wanted to watch me struggle.

“Ugh.”

In a hurry, I pulled a dagger from my pocket and hurled it at a nearby pillar.

Though I worried about the stone rather than wood, thankfully, the dagger lodged itself firmly.

“Well then, cast a lightweight spell and just stand on that dagger.”

Dorothy soared into the air.

The giant skull continued its relentless advance toward us.

I retrieved several more daggers from my pocket and threw them at each pillar I could use as a point of reference.

Thud thud thud!

The distance between us shrank considerably.

I focused my strength and unleashed the spell of lightweight magic inscribed on my ‘gloves blessed by mana.’

Then, I wrapped hundreds of gold around my legs.

‘Donathan.’

‘It is prepared.’

A surge of strength, teetering on the brink of ‘1-second invincibility’ not yet activated.

With this balance in mind, I propelled my lightened body, enhanced by the weight-reduction spell, into a high jump.

The colossal skeleton began to descend upon me like a dump truck.

Thud.

Yet my foot was already planted firmly against the side of a dagger embedded high in a pillar.

The sequence unfolded with a remarkable fluidity.

This was thanks to the countless hours spent training in the woods, embedding daggers into trees and practicing evasions.

‘Hussel, your tactics are proving invaluable. They shall serve me well in the days to come.’

My vulnerability lay in the cooldown of the 1-second invincibility.

[1-second invincibility cooldown: 7 seconds]

Thus, I had pondered endlessly on ways to combine magic to buy myself time, and I had finally unearthed this method.

Of course, there were many constraints.

‘But without the terrain to support me, I can’t even utilize it.’

I filled the ‘Shadow Blade of Weakening’ with magic.

While it lacked the destructive power of a mana blade, it bore the effect: ‘When this blade is infused with magic, its sharpness is amplified.’

When filled to the brim with magic, it could slice through rock as if it were butter.

[1-second invincibility: Available]

I released the weight-reduction spell and let my weight carry me down. With arms adorned in hundreds of gold, I struck with a reinforced blow.

The target was its right scapula.

Ping!

As the blade met its shoulder, a sound like cracking ice echoed, and it began to split apart.

I had spent half my mana, and now I bore the burden of the cooldown for ‘1-second invincibility’ once more, but it was worth every ounce.

Thud!

With its right arm lost, its mobility would surely be greatly diminished.

I unleashed the weight-reduction spell again and launched myself toward the next point where a dagger was embedded.

‘For now, it’s good that the blade has found purchase, but my body won’t hold out until it dies.’

‘Is it even possible to distribute strength efficiently?’

‘Donathan, my body isn’t built for such endurance.’

Less than half my mana remained.

—

Even with the explosive power of hundreds of gold, fatigue still accumulates, not enough to trigger the ‘One Second Invincibility.’

A more cunning approach was necessary.

Let’s see, first, it’s a skeleton, an undead type.

Its weakness lies in purification magic.

Then, a powerful, decisive strike is required.

“Dorothian.”

I called her name, though it was hardly needed.

For Dorothian had long been preparing the ‘Arrow of Purification,’ which takes a fair bit of casting time.

“Why?”

“Nothing, really.”

“Just hold on for ten more seconds.”

I thought she wouldn’t help…

What whim has taken her, I do not know, but it is commendable.

“Very well.”

Then, shall I try to sever its left leg this time?

To make it easier for Dorothian to aim.

* * *

A lockdown had been issued on the stairs.

Yet, the corridor was teeming with people.

Professor Gomon let out a deep sigh and attempted to regain control over the students.

“Everyone, don’t just stand around here. Go do something useful.”

The students showed no intention of leaving.

Instead, they stood defiantly, as if to say, isn’t it enough to be beyond the safety line?

Amidst this, someone pushed through the crowd, raising their face.

Rix, Belman, and Leana, among others.

All were those who had mingled with Hursel.

Belman adjusted his slipping glasses and asked,

“Professor, are Hursel and Dorothian still inside?”

“Well, they should be out soon. Don’t worry. He’s not just any ordinary fellow, is he? Neither is Dorothian.”

Meanwhile, there was someone watching this scene from a corner.

He was Ekok, destined to be the next student council president.

Ekok gazed at the bag he had set down on the floor.

In that moment, a classmate approached and asked.

“Ekok, what’s in that bag?”

“Oh, this is…”

Ekok replied with a calm smile.

“Seeing the professors struggle like this, I couldn’t just stand by. So, I prepared some drinks for them to enjoy when they’re weary.”

The classmate let out a giggle, her eyes glinting with mischief as she looked at the bag.

“Of course, Ekok, you truly have a generous heart. But I’m a bit thirsty too—could you spare just one for me?”

Ekok firmly declined.

“Actually, I prepared just the right amount, so that would be difficult.”

“Huh? There’s so much here!”

“Well, some personal belongings got mixed in, you see.”

“Oh, what a pity. I guess there’s nothing to be done then.”

“Still, to refuse a lady’s request, I feel quite sorry about that. How about this? Next time, I’ll treat you to a drink at a café.”

The classmate bounced with excitement.

Ekok watched her leave, pushing the bag behind him.