I Realized It Was an Academy Game After 10 Years

Chapter 7



If I make even one mistake, I die.

That was the warning etched into my heart, pounding like crazy.

I’m not stupid enough to ignore that warning. Running down the hill as fast as I could, I immediately brought out my shovel.

There was no way to escape. I had no idea what kind of disaster would strike if that mysterious enemy intruded deep into my territory.

Besides, the opponent was a monster that wiped out the bears and their leader. Its pure strength would surely be greater than that of the snake masters. A head-on confrontation had no chance of success. I knew my place.

I couldn’t win a direct confrontation.

As always.

But when did humans ever win against beasts in a straight fight? If you lack quality, go with quantity; if head-on is impossible, dig a trap. Even unarmed, people grab anything like a rock.

So for now, it was a priority to shake that thing off. It would be even better if I could lure it toward the snakes or the dungeon.

I had to evade until the right environment for a confrontation was set up.

If I couldn’t shake it off, in the worst-case scenario, both Karina and I could end up facing a terrible fate.

I definitely want to avoid such a future. If I’m going to die, I want to do it after exploring the island first.

Even Robinson Crusoe managed to make it back home before he died!

“Somehow my luck has been good lately…”

To prepare for the possibility of its keen sense of smell, I stabbed a nearby corpse to make the blood flow nearby and immediately planted my shovel into the ground.

The soft earth mercilessly yielded to my digging.

Some might call this a fool’s errand, but this was the best course of action. My digging skill had reached a level after ten years, and I could dig faster than anyone. I could make a hole large enough for a person to fit through.

I can’t be sure that making a hole will ensure my survival, but I’ve faced these kinds of crises more than once, so I wasn’t digging a grave without thought. This was my own way of surviving.

“Crafting.”

Once inside the hole, I immediately covered the gaping ceiling with my skill. Outwardly, it looked like the same floor, but inside, I had wedged a sturdy block at the entrance. Disguised as an intact dirt floor, I reduced the length of my shovel and stuck it into the wall in front of me while murmuring.

“Crafting.”

As soon as I finished speaking, the dirt before me began to compress. As the earth compacted into a thin plate, it began to sink into the ground, naturally expanding the space. Watching the dark passage take shape, I took out a bear bone from my pouch.

It was a suitably processed item for ease of use.

“Crafting.”

I drove the sharp stake of the bone into the ceiling. Just in case someone found the hole, it would cause an injury. It was a shallow trick to delay pursuit, but it wouldn’t be entirely ineffective unless they were snakes.

“I hope I can escape with this.”

Now that I was underground, it would be difficult for them to find me immediately. I had to think of a strategy during that time. I sprinkled powder that would numb the sense of smell and cause an itching sensation on my skin at the entrance.

That was an additional precaution. I couldn’t kill them, but hopefully, it would be a nuisance for a while.

I moved through the tunnel I had created with my skill. Sure, using too many skills was tiring, but it was still much better than dying. People usually don’t even think of moving underground.

For now, let’s attempt to shake it off… If it fails, I’ll lure it toward the snake territory or the dungeon and shake it off. Well, thinking is easy.

The problem was whether I could truly shake off that mysterious enemy and how strong it was.

If, just if… it’s strong enough to wipe out the snake babies, I wouldn’t even have to lift a finger. But the opposite worry is that it might sweep through my territory as well.

In the end, the best option was either to catch it within the bear territory or to completely shake it off… Could it be done?

I gulped at the feeling of vibrations rattling the ground with every step it took, like an elephant. It probably wouldn’t discover my position right away. I moved in the opposite direction of the sounds closing in while recalling the items in my pouch.

A few pieces of leather and a dwindling number of bones. Also, some mushroom powders for a variety of uses and a potential hemostatic herb… I should’ve brought more.

Never expected a monster would pop up that could wipe out the bears at once. I’d packed items with an inkling of that possibility…

“…Have I gotten pretty far now?”

The vibrations had lessened considerably. I touched the ceiling and activated my skill.

“Crafting.”

A plausible trapdoor appeared above my head. Carefully, I opened the door and poked my head outside. It was a forest. The dense trees made it hard to gauge my exact location, but I could confirm that I had arrived correctly thanks to a cave visible at the edge of my view.

I moved correctly.

This was the point where three territories intersected. It was the most inconvenient spot for each to move.

Ah, but if the snakes realized that the bears had been wiped out, it would be different.

Maybe they had already caught on. While the regular snakes might not, their leader was a cunning one who could think well. If it had noticed, it would be gathering information on the new enemy by now.

“It seems it didn’t follow…”

I no longer felt the vibrations. Thankfully, it seemed I had successfully escaped. That thing was probably still searching for me around the hill. I’d have a bit of time before it spotted me.

I needed to deal with it before it thrashes around again.

I glanced in the direction where the dungeon was situated. I could see the dungeon sitting there, mouth agape. The scattered broken bones around it indicated that the snake masters had cleaned up in front of the dungeon.

“Looks like the snakes are taking care of their own business.”

Then I’d better take care of my own business properly. Luring them toward the snakes at this stage would be on hold. In the worst-case scenario, we might all get cut down together. I didn’t want both to die when I still lacked information about the new enemy. It was time to gather information.

I moved toward my territory while listening carefully to the sounds around. With the scent pouch on me, snakes shouldn’t be able to approach easily. So, I could return without worrying about the unnamed invader.

Fortunately, the only sounds I heard before entering my territory were furious shouts and earth-shattering booms.

It seems I stepped on a trap correctly.

Still, it looked like I’d gained a little time.

That small bit of good news eased my troubled heart slightly.

First, I needed to return and tell Karina what happened. It would be easier to prepare for battle if she was safe first.

And I needed to gather more supplies for the fight.

I busily formulated strategies in my mind as I looked up at the darkening sky.

————————-

‘…You’re late. Is something wrong?’

Karina, stirring green soup with a ladle, glanced at the door that showed no sign of opening.

Her benefactor, Johann, had shown no signs of returning as the day slowly darkened.

“I hope he came back safe…”

If something happened to him, there would be no one left for her to rely on. While she had learned survival knowledge little by little from him, she was still at a level where she hadn’t even taken her first steps compared to him. If she were left alone, she would eventually end up in a prayer pose, hands clasped together, becoming a corpse.

The thought of her own corpse being treated like a holy relic and mounted in the temple sent a shiver down her spine. The pope could very well do such a thing if he could just gather believers.

Remembering that greedy pope darkened her expression.

Desperately shaking her head to rid herself of unsettling memories of the temple, she focused more on worrying about Johann Quartz, her lifesaver. It was a line of thought that even surprised herself, but she rationalized it as simply her nature.

‘I want to go out and look for him, but Johann said I shouldn’t wander around if possible…’

Karina quickly dismissed the thought of finding Johann. Since she hadn’t fully recovered yet and couldn’t even run, it would only be bothersome if she went out. In the worst case, she could get lost, resulting in Johann having to come find her.

Having been protected for so long, she knew how much of a burden that would be.

‘But I’m worried. I really hope nothing happened…’

Her face cast in worry, Karina didn’t even realize she was showing an anxious expression. It was her first time experiencing such a peculiar relationship.

Her world had always revolved around Renny, a few priests, and the high nobility and their children.

A relationship where they all had to wear masks and engage in superficial conversations.

Karina had always wanted to break free from such ties. She desired a relationship where she could share silly stories like her peers, go on outings, and sometimes engage in fights. She didn’t want to live like a bird trapped in a cage, even if everyone wanted her that way.

Though she didn’t truly distrust Kalon, she was still just a girl who hadn’t even come of age yet. She was easily swayed by small temptations.

If the pope had known, he would have surely gotten angry, but who would scold her for having irreverent thoughts on a deserted island with only two people and a monster? If anything, her conscience would just poke her fingers at her a few times.

Karina still hadn’t noticed that the noose around her neck was gradually loosening.

‘I want to recover quickly and help Johann.’

At least for now, that was all she could think about. Attending the academy was a special event for her, but since she was trapped on a deserted island, going to the academy might as well be something she could only do in a dream.

So, right now, wishing for Johann Quartz’s safe return was the most important thing.

‘Oh Kalon, please bestow your blessing so that Johann can return safely…’

While she was praying unexpectedly in front of the pot, faint footsteps could be heard.

It was a familiar rhythm.

Her darkened expression brightened. With a fluttering heart, she stood up and approached the door.

Creeeak—

Before she could reach for the doorknob, the door opened first.

Karina’s gaze naturally rose. The head of the person she had been eagerly waiting for was slightly higher than hers.

“Did you come back?”

A soft voice carried warmth through the air.

He awkwardly averted his eyes, nodding as he opened his mouth.

“…I’m back.”



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