Before They Could Land a Hit (4)
Honestly, I had my doubts until they actually struck. Were they underestimating me that much?
Most of the students couldn't even handle the basics and had lost to Luna. Luna herself had been overwhelmingly defeated by Kara, and Kara had been crushed by me just the same. They had to know by now that I possessed ridiculous strength. And yet, here they were, ambushing me with inexplicable confidence.
It wasn't even a proper ambush—anyone with a shred of awareness could've spotted their clumsy preparations from a mile away.
"The bracelet! Just break the bracelet!"
"If we knock him out, we can handle the rest ourselves—hurry!"
Something like that. I nodded at the shouts from the ambushers hiding in the bushes and behind trees. They figured facing me head-on was too much, so they'd try to damage my bracelet and force me out. A decent compromise, maybe—but they'd made a huge mistake.
First off, the bracelet itself was the problem.
This thing's a pain for even me to take off.
Its design made it tough to remove properly. Smashing it was way more efficient than fiddling with it.
Second, the ambush had failed spectacularly. If they were going for surprise, they should've struck before I noticed. Or at least jumped me the moment I acted suspicious. With the element of surprise gone, it was a straight-up fight or nothing.
And third—the most important one.
"Just tie him down somehow! Stick to the plan!"
Plans meant nothing against overwhelming power.
I took in the charging students. Swordsmen with shields up front, spearmen, axemen—a whole front line of assorted warriors, backed by archers and mages providing ranged support.
"Bind him!"
A woman I pegged as a mage pointed her staff at me and shouted. Magic was activated through language. With her words, I felt a subtle energy, followed by a weird sensation at my feet.
I glanced down immediately. My legs were locked together like they'd been shackled, bound tight by blue mana. Some kind of temporary restraint spell.
First time seeing magic.
I'd watched Lord slice space apart a few times, but actual magic? This was new. Never had the chance to see it before.
As I stared curiously at my bound legs, the warriors closed in right up to my face.
Killing was strictly forbidden in these drills, and even serious injury meant instant elimination. The professors were watching live, ready to enforce it.
Whoosh!
But they weren't showing me any mercy—and I had zero reason to return the favor. A sharp spear tip thrust straight at my face.
They probably guessed my body was tough from my spar with Kara. Hell, I'd shattered Elvin's sword with my teeth. Still, their attacks were slow compared to mine; a quick head tilt would've dodged it easy.
Crunch!
Or I could just grab it. I clamped my bare hand around the spear blade.
The spearman jolted in shock and yanked back frantically. Futile.
In the meantime, I sensed movement from behind—not from the front. Smart; charging only from one side would've been idiotic. But this was stealthier, creeping up sneaky-like. Thief class, most likely.
Thud!
"Gah?!"
I didn't even turn—my hand shot back and seized the face of whoever was sneaking up. My grip was big enough to palm it one-handed.
Twisting around, I saw a familiar face. Shifty-looking guy.
Antonio?
Luna's teammate, Antonio. Chronos's younger brother, a scheming thief skilled at plots.
If Antonio was here, Luna must be involved too. I couldn't help but wonder.
Why would Luna...?
She knew about Porori and Hector's fight. She'd know how half-baked this plan was. And yet, she was in on it.
My doubts didn't last. Antonio fumbled in his pouch and hurled something at my face—a round orb. My sharp dynamic vision locked onto it.
Flash!
Before I could react, a blinding light exploded right in front of my eyes. Bright enough to force them shut.
Even for me, a flash to the eyes meant staggering. Human weakness—eyes are sensitive.
"Now!"
As I stumbled, Antonio seized the chance and bellowed. At the same instant, my limbs felt weird. Feet bound by magic was one thing, but now people were grabbing my arms—both of them. Even my legs had hangers-on. Desperate clinging.
"Hurry and strip it! This guy's tough—might as well smash it!"
"I know!"
Someone raised their weapon high—I could sense it even with eyes closed. Couldn't untie the bracelet easily, so smash it instead. Solid plan.
Whoosh!
The weapon swung down toward the bracelet. I reacted the second I felt it.
My bracelet was on my left arm. And clinging to that arm? Antonio and crew. Desperate bid to pin me—but pointless.
Crack!
"Gurk!"
I swung my left arm—with its two passengers—right into the weapon's path. Smashed straight into Antonio's crown.
Antonio crumpled to the ground. The weapon guy looked stunned.
But that split-second was enough to free me. First, shake off the flies stuck to me.
Thwack!
"Argh!"
"Ack!"
A casual arm shake sent them flying into trees. They'd be down for a while.
Next, my legs. The magic binding was already gone. I booted the guy hanging off like a soccer ball.
Smack!
Unlike the arm guys, this leg kick echoed nasty. Hit a tree—and something snapped. Not the tree, but his back probably got wrecked. They weren't as tough as me or Hector. No time for body-hardening techniques in the chaos.
"Fire!"
Mage in panic mode, chanting clearly—decent skill there.
Archer stayed cool, loosing arrows at me.
I watched the flames and arrows incoming, then extended my arm sideways. One warrior left beside me—the one who'd team-killed Antonio trying to smash my bracelet.
Grab!
"Gack?!"
I seized his neck and shoved him forward. Flames and arrows slammed into his back.
Perfect human shield. The attackers must've held back on power, figuring that out.
"Aaaagh!"
Did little good for the shield guy, though.
I hurled the screaming meat shield at the mage. Archers were manageable; mages were tricky—better eliminate early.
Splat!
Heavy warrior body collided with the scrawny mage. With the force I put in, they'd be out cold.
One left: the archer. Alone in the groaning forest, he looked panicked. Fresh off watching his mage teammate get human-tossed, tension maxed.
Only one choice for him.
"Damn it!"
Run. I watched him bolt, back turned.
Smart for survival, but the professors wouldn't score it high.
Whoosh!
Time to join the nap. I scooped a loose rock and chucked it at the fleeing archer. Held back—full power might've caved his skull.
Crack!
Light toss, dead-on hit. He faceplanted into the hard dirt.
Situation cleared. I scanned around: mostly groaning or knocked out.
Leave 'em, and they might regroup later. Better force them out now.
How do these bracelets come off again?
No clue. Rip 'em.
Pure muscle beats fiddling every time. I jammed a finger into Antonio's bracelet—the team-kill victim—and yanked.
Crunch!
Snapped like nothing. Then, changes hit the thief.
Vmmm—
Blue barrier enveloped him, cocooning into a protective pod. Emergency shield for safety.
From what I recalled, it blocked sight and sound, plus auto-sleep spell knocked you out. Supposed to prevent claustrophobia or whatever—I didn't care.
Snap! Crunch!
I busted the bracelets on everyone still moaning. Last one: the runner archer.
By numbers, at least three teams wiped. Six or seven left, maybe.
Something's off.
I eyed the pod-littered area, puzzled. Human wave tactics were fine, but this was sloppy. The flashbang vision block was good—up to there.
To hold me longer, they'd needed way more bodies.
Do they think I'm an idiot?
Maybe. Wildman from the woods, all brawn no brains. Highest odds.
Hope this changes their minds. I struggle with words, sure—but not dumb.
Or maybe just a way stronger idiot than expected?
Didn't matter either way. I just did my thing.
Ambushers down. Now, back to Grace and Yeonju.
"Ah. Perfect timing."
"?"
A familiar voice hit my ears. I turned toward it.
Blonde with clear blue eyes—a beauty. Luna emerged.
But unlike the dire scene, she looked relieved. I'd figured her for the plot, but apparently not. Or something I didn't know.
"Sivar. You took all these down?"
"Yeah."
"Figures... Even with Kara, no chance."
She nodded at my answer, like she'd predicted it all. Unlike Antonio's coordinated rush, she'd arrived way too late—perfectly timed late. Didn't show till I'd ripped every bracelet.
What was she thinking, popping up now with sword drawn? Clear standoff.
"Sivar. You should head straight to Grace right now. Other teams are targeting her, figuring she'd come help you. I got worried and came here."
"...?"
That explained it. Fewer people, sloppier setup.
But why tell me?
I tilted my head. Luna slowly gripped her sword, assuming stance. Looked like a real fight.
"I know I can't beat you. But I wanna try anyway."
"..."
"And... I have something to tell you."
"Something to say?"
Her words puzzled me. She hesitated, then spoke carefully.
"After this, let's talk. Just us."
"..."
"It's really important. For you... and for me."
She's saying all this right in front of me.
As Sivar predicted.
"Anyone got popcorn? Potato chips even?"
"Sorry, no. We didn't see this coming either."
"Fascinating. Already stirring emotions like this?"
"With Sivar's face? Possible."
The observing professors were getting hooked too.