The students were gathered by dormitory. To prevent the surprise attacks from monsters that could appear at any time, it was good to have a large number of troops. The watch shifts could also be divided more efficiently. However, there were some drawbacks.
“There’s not enough wood.”
“We have to go and cut some down, what else can we do?”
To accommodate everyone, they had no choice but to choose the lowland plains. Therefore, they had to walk to gather wood, and battles with monsters frequently occurred during those times.
“Ricks, that’s already the sixth three-headed wolf… Points are great, but I’m getting exhausted.”
“No whining. Even now, the guys from Adelle Hall are chasing them to capture more.”
Building the fortress on the first day itself took a lot of physical strength. And the more people there were, the more mistakes occurred.
“Uwooooo-“
“Howling?”
“That’s the thicket where the Lethe guys went!”“Damn, it looks like they’ve caused some trouble.”
“What do we do? Ricks!!”
Ricks quickly gave orders with a serious expression.
“The Lethe guys are running towards us. The wolves will soon charge in too. Gravel and I will hold them off here. Haple, go and tell the guys resting inside the fortress to arm themselves immediately.”
“O-okay.”
“Gravel, have you seen where Hersel went?”
“…He went into the thicket first, so I don’t know.”
“That’s a shame. If he were here, it would be a big help…”
* * *
Meanwhile, the 26 members of Adelle Hall were returning to their units after hearing the wolf howls. Belman observed the two men. Riamon was cutting off the tail of a three-headed wolf with a greatsword. Erucel, who seemed dissatisfied with Riamon’s nonchalance, shouted.
“Riamon, I’m the captain. I said let’s retreat!”
“Erucel, I won’t say anything about you feeling superior now because you’ve always lived like an accessory. It’s probably due to some kind of deficiency. But remember, I gave you that position because it was cumbersome.”
“Ugh, you twisted bastard.”
The unit usually operated in teams of three. However, Adelle Hall had 26 students. Excluding the 24, those two were assigned to a single unit instead of being incorporated into another.
“Man, I thought you were normal at first, but the more I know you, the weirder you get.”
“Your true nature comes out eventually. If you hate it so much, just drop out. I won’t blame you.”
“Fine, I’ll hang out with you a bit longer, but let’s catch just one more and go back.”
Belman cleaned his blood-stained glasses and thought. Riamon, who achieved first place in the third test. And Erucel, who was once praised as the Sword King of the South and taught by Coulot. Their unit had the highest chance of placing first. This fact annoyed Belman.
‘If we increase our efficiency, winning isn’t impossible.’
After all, their side only had two members. Meanwhile, his team was composed of the top three students. It was worth trying. Belman looked at Leana and Silla.
“By the way, Silla, isn’t it inconvenient to fight with your hair in pigtails?”
“It sometimes hits my face. Should I tie it back like you?”
Belman stopped walking.
“Let’s delay our return. We’ll continue fighting.”
“I’d prefer to rest a bit first.”
When Silla frowned, Belman explained logically.
“Howling means the leader of the three-headed wolves is coming. To hunt it, we need more information.”
“Hunt the leader?”
“That’s the best way to get the highest points. And don’t worry, we won’t be fighting the ones that rush in.”
“Oh, really? That’s easy to say.”
Belman pointed towards the Schlaphe Hall camp.
“It’s quite possible since the wolves are focused on the Schlaphe guys. We’ll approach from the side to estimate their numbers and guess the leader’s location. We can handle encountering a few on the way, right?”
Belman looked at Silla provocatively. Silla gritted her teeth and answered.
“…I can kill a hundred more if needed.”
Leana, who was next to her, pointed at Silla’s leg.
“But Silla’s left leg hasn’t fully healed yet. Isn’t it better to retreat to avoid any unexpected situations?”
Belman narrowed his eyes.
“If that’s the case, why did she come to the demon realm practice? She could’ve told the professor and stayed back.”
“Then I’d be demoted to Buerger Hall, you idiot!”
“That’s your personal problem. I don’t see why I should suffer because of it. Of course, that’s if you’re implying you can’t do it.”
Silla drew her heavy greatsword with a swish. The murderous intent was evident in her eyes. Belman casually looked away and entered the forest path.
“I’ll take that as you can.”
“Tsk. My leg is fine, so don’t worry, Leana. The pain’s completely gone since I was in the carriage.”
Leana reluctantly drew her sword as well. They carefully approached the wolves. They encountered three charging wolves along the way.
Growl-
The wolves bared their teeth and stopped in their tracks. Silla charged forward, swinging her heavy sword horizontally.
Slash!
The three-headed wolf’s three necks were severed in one stroke. Belman admired as he drew a spell.
Her talent was astonishing every time he saw it. To cut through such thick necks in one go. Leana’s movements also caught his attention. Her swordsmanship, which had been simple during the third test, had improved significantly. The stance was the same, but her sword’s trajectory had become much smoother.
‘I thought she only relied on brute force, but her wrist has become much more flexible.’
The transition of her attacks was seamless. She cut through the three-headed wolf’s jaws and pierced its heart in one move. Belman trapped the remaining wolf with a barrier spell.
Buzz-
The trapped wolf howled, but the sound didn’t escape the sealed barrier. When Belman clenched his fist, the circular barrier began to shrink. The wolf was crushed, and blood filled the inside.
‘These guys can handle one wolf each on their own.’
After a few more fights, they approached the wolf pack’s vicinity.
Growl!
As expected, the wolves were surrounding the Schlaphe Hall camp. Belman gauged their numbers and fixed his eyes on the largest wolf. It was easy to spot with a horn on its middle head.
“That’s our target.”
When Belman spoke, Silla asked.
“But what good is identifying its location? Would a four-legged beast stay in one place?”
“The pack will soon retreat. We just need to confirm the direction they escape to.”
“Retreat? How do you know that?”
Belman adjusted his glasses and answered.
“Just from observing their recent behavior. They’ll realize they can’t win and retreat.”
Silla rubbed her forehead.
“…Ugh. As much as I hate to admit it, that’s likely with that guy around.”
“You’re talking about Hersel.”
Leana’s face showed discomfort. Belman, unbothered, continued to stare at one spot.
“It’s not just him. There’s a guy named Ricks in Schlaphe Hall. The professors said he’ll skip Buerger Hall and be promoted to Adelle Hall after the first semester.”
Ricks was coordinating and leading the units from the rear. Their unified movements stood firm like a shield. Whenever there was any danger, Ricks’s chains would bind it immediately.
Growl.
The approaching wolves fell to the ground as corpses.
‘Seeing him use chains like that, he must have a talent for forming shapes.’
Keen observation of the battlefield, wise command, and an excellent sense of filling gaps with magic. He was indeed a worthy candidate for Adelle Hall.
However, an unexpected situation arose. The leader did not retreat. Although the wolves stopped advancing, they did not withdraw either. Belman grew anxious.
‘Could it be that the leader intends to step in?’
If that happened, things would get complicated. If Schlaphe Hall successfully hunted the leader, the first place would go to an unexpected team. Belman needed to change his plan.
Silla smirked annoyingly.
“Look at that. They’ve already wiped out a third of them, and they’re not retreating. Different from what someone said, huh?”
Belman didn’t respond but made his decision.
“We need to push a bit more. Silla, Leana, we’re going to ambush the leader from behind.”
A frontal assault was a matter of time. Usually, the leader of a monster pack does not take the lead. It usually stays in the center or the rear of the pack.
“When the wolves charge at Schlaphe Hall, there will be a gap. We’ll take that opportunity to decapitate the leader.”
Belman led the unit in a wide circle to ensure a safe distance. Just as the wolves began to charge Schlaphe Hall, they heard rustling sounds from behind. Not just one, but countless footsteps surrounded them.
Growl-
Three-headed wolves encircled the unit. From afar, a majestic three-headed wolf with a horn on its left head approached.
“Belman, why is the leader here?”
“I’m thinking.”
Belman carefully observed the leader. The one they saw in front of the Schlaphe Hall camp had a horn on its middle head. But this one had the horn on its left head.
‘Damn, there wasn’t just one leader!’
Belman hastily drew a spell.
“Silla, Leana, get ready to climb the steps.”
Translucent green panels appeared in mid-air, forming a stairway. It was an application of the barrier magic. The unit quickly climbed the steps. But at the end, Silla screamed.
“Aah!”
Looking back, Belman saw Silla lying on the ground, clutching her leg.
“You idiot. Were you lying about being okay?”
“No! I looked into that leader’s eyes, and my body stiffened! That’s why I fell!!”
“What?”
Belman didn’t bother to verify the fact by looking at the leader.
“Leana, continue climbing.”
“But…”
“Silla will be fine.”
Belman left the top step and concentrated barriers around Silla. Charging wolves slammed into the barriers with a loud crash. The leader, gazing up at them, casually walked away. Belman was convinced.
‘They have intelligence.’
The leader realized the barriers would break once the mana was depleted and left its pack to deal with them.
“Belman, look over there.”
Leana pointed at the leader with the horn on the middle head. It was leading its pack away. Sweat trickled down Belman’s forehead.
‘They used us as bait from the beginning.’
The leader hadn’t retreated right away because it anticipated someone might try to ambush it. Its goal was to draw attention to itself, making it easier for the other leader to hunt.
This was proof of their cooperation.
“Break the emergency signal rod immediately.”
Leana snapped the red rod in half.
* * *
The territory of the three-headed wolves was vast. In proportion, there were many individuals, and the factions were divided. There were three leaders in total. Usually, they would be at each other’s throats, but they would unite against an external threat.
“Got it? It’s tough to earn points by hunting wolves. Even if we join Ricks in the lowlands, we’ll only get mediocre points.”
“Then, how are we going to earn points?”
I closed my book at Limberton’s nagging and pulled out a pamphlet.
“We will achieve the top score through treasure hunting. With the wolves focused on the lowlands, half the forest is safe. It means we can gather materials comfortably.”
Limberton made an admiring sound.
“That’s true. So, what are we looking for?”
“Anything we can find. But my main target is this.”
I pointed to the end of the pamphlet. There was an image of a black square with a question mark on it.
“What’s this? And why doesn’t it have a score?”
This was the treasure I had been eyeing from the start. Although I knew Rockfeller would cause trouble, I had no idea what exactly it would be. Hence, I needed a sure-fire winning strategy, and this was it.
“It’s a relic. It doesn’t have a score because finding it grants maximum points.”
Limberton’s mouth dropped open.
“What? Maximum points?”
“It’s an artifact of great archaeological significance. Of course, if we find it, the Imperial family might contact us. They could send a letter, invite us for commendation, or, if it’s valuable enough, the Emperor himself might come to Frost Heart to present a plaque of appreciation.”
Limberton seemed uninterested, as if it were just a dream.
“Oh, really? That sounds like a pipe dream. I mean, would it really be here?”
Or maybe not. I could barely contain a smirk.
“If you understand, take a rest. The wolves will likely launch a surprise attack on the lowlands tonight. We will take that opportunity to gather.”
Just as I reached for the book I was reading, one of the three-colored signal rods on the floor started blinking. It was the red one, signaling danger.
“Hersel, someone seems to be in trouble.”
The blinking speed was fast. That meant they were nearby. The fact that someone had sent a distress signal on the first day meant things weren’t going as I knew from the original scenario.
“Limberton, Aslay, we are heading up to the second floor immediately.”
We needed to check what was happening.
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