Chapter 83
Chapter 83
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Phantom Thief Appears (3)
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I continued racking up points by landing the finishing blows on various magical beasts afterward.
Using my Shadow Wings to flit between the trees, I plotted my next route in my head.
‘The eastern forest next, huh.’
Everything was going smoothly according to plan.
The placement of magical beasts on this island and the movement paths of the other cadets.
As a veteran who knew all of that inside out, it was a piece of cake.
Of course, variables could arise depending on which companions a player recruited, but most extra teams followed predictable algorithms.
That’s why I targeted them—slipping in to steal the last hits from the feasts they’d prepared.
Especially the boss-grade beasts with overwhelmingly high point values.
No wonder my score was climbing so fast.
It was even quicker than if I’d hunted diligently from start to finish myself.
Of course, there were things to watch out for.
I had to avoid the Four Emperors, the S-Ranks, or anyone with exceptional detection skills.
They had a high chance of spotting my stealth.
But even without taking their kills, there was more than enough for a top score.
Zing—
That’s when the magic stone tablet in my uniform pocket vibrated.
Checking the screen, I saw messages from Yuria and Artel.
Just like in the game, the tablet had a chat function.
I checked Artel’s message at the top first.
[Artel: …As expected, Jeron, you’re amazing.]
[Artel: Honestly, I was shocked. I knew you were strong, Jeron, but… this much? I might have even underestimated you.]
Artel was stunned.
Well, can’t blame her—my score had been stuck at zero for a while before suddenly exploding like crazy.
To her, it probably looked like I’d been slacking off until late, then suddenly went berserk and devastated the battlefield.
In reality, I’d just been timing my tactics….
But correcting her misunderstanding wasn’t exactly straightforward right now.
[Artel: I’ll step up my game too. Right now, I’m on my fifth golem in the rocky ravine.]
‘Oh, that many?’
Artel was pulling in way more points than expected.
Worth the investment in leveling her up.
And the next messages were from Yuria.
Her messages had noticeable time gaps between them, and her tone shifted wildly each time, making it entertaining to read.
[Yuria: Ah, Jeron! You’ve finally finished resting and started your first hunt! You did great!]
[Yuria: J-Jeron?! Your score is rising way too fast…!?]
[Yuria: Jeron…. Aren’t you pushing yourself too hard? Is it because I told you to go all out at the start? You can take it slow now, just don’t get hurt…!]
She was even worried I might be overdoing it and getting into danger.
I couldn’t help but chuckle.
As if there was a safer, more comfortable way to hunt than this.
[Jeron: I’m fine. Taking it easy.]
I sent a short reply.
Yuria responded immediately.
[Yuria: Th-that’s taking it easy…?!]
Yuria was even more shocked.
And checking the scoreboard, Yuria was also earning more points than she did in the game, just like Artel.
Since their hunting pace was faster than anticipated, I could probably advance the schedule.
[Jeron: Hunt a few more beasts in your zones, then let’s meet at the ‘Blue Crystal Cave’ area.]
[Yuria: Got it! I’ll head there soon!]
[Artel: Understood. I’ll be there quick.]
After issuing the next orders to both, I arrived at my target spot.
There was a familiar face.
It was Victor Fresel’s team from the Martial Arts Department.
They were facing off against a massive two-headed snake beast.
‘Ah. Victor’s team.’
Their turn this time.
A twinge of guilt hit me, though.
I’d already handed them their first loss during placement exams, and now I had to steal their finisher too.
‘Sorry is sorry, but business is business.’
I kept public and private strictly separate.
I moved mechanically, just like before.
Waiting patiently, then hitting them with a debuff skill at the perfect moment to rack up contribution.
Finishing with a clean Magic Blade Strike to sever the beast’s breath.
‘Done.’
Confirming the points roll in, I headed to the next spot without a second thought.
***
‘Damn it, why….’
Victor Fresel, an A-Rank from the Martial Arts Department.
In front of him, the massive twin-headed viper writhed.
The situation was dire.
One teammate was already down from poison, and the rest were at their limits.
The beast had taken heavy damage too… but they lacked the final blow to finish it.
“Victor, what now…?”
A female cadet from the Swordsmanship Department whispered as she looked at him.
Her eyes were desperate, betting on him since he’d led the team flawlessly so far. Surely he had a plan.
“…….”
But.
Victor averted her pleading gaze and bowed his head.
He had no more moves left.
His own stamina was depleted; standing upright was a miracle at this point.
“…Sorry.”
Victor squeezed out an apology.
“I was wrong. It was too reckless. I… got you all eliminated.”
His analysis had failed.
He’d thought this lineup could handle the beast.
It was a razor-thin margin, but in battle, that margin decided everything.
He braced for the backlash.
He almost wished they’d curse him out.
But.
“No, Victor. It’s not your fault.”
“Yeah. We made it this far thanks to you.”
What came back was warmth.
His teammates smiled weakly, comforting him instead.
Finally, the swordsmanship girl from earlier murmured.
“Yeah. We gave it our all. That’s what matters.”
Those words tore at Victor’s heart even more.
He had no face to show these teammates who’d trusted and followed him.
He bit his lip in despair.
Shrieeeek—!
The twin-headed viper reared back, mouths gaping for the killing strike.
His teammates closed their eyes in resignation, silent.
Victor squeezed his shut too.
‘Please.’
He’d always trusted only cold calculation and logic.
But in this moment.
Uncharacteristically, he prayed desperately.
Not even sure to whom—
‘Anyone, please help us…!’
For a miracle. Salvation.
An impossible chance, fervently wished for.
Right then.
Slash—!
A chilling rupture echoed.
The viper’s two heads floated into the air.
“…Huh?”
Victor stared blankly at the scene.
Thud. Thud thud.
The severed heads hit the ground first, rolling.
Boom—!
The massive body followed, collapsing like a felled dead tree.
It happened in an instant.
Thump.
Tension released, perhaps.
His teammates all slumped to the ground.
Victor dropped to his knees.
“W-we’re alive…!”
“What, what was that? Who did it? Victor, was that you?”
They asked, but Victor couldn’t answer.
He stared dazedly at the viper’s clean cut.
This….
It was definitely a magic he knew.
He had no choice but to recognize it.
He’d experienced it firsthand during placement sparring.
“…Jeron Airgia?”
He murmured in a trembling voice.
But looking around, no one was there.
***
Thanks to the overwhelming mobility of my Shadow Wings, I had plenty of time until the next target.
‘Hmm. Might as well look for that.’
I decided to take a quick detour during the lull.
This island had a setting where ‘Bifir Fruits’—a rare fruit—grew wild.
One bite and you’d taste paradise; it was so delicious it was called heavenly fruit.
I’d always wondered what it tasted like while playing the game. Perfect timing.
‘Where could they be~’
As I searched for the Bifir Fruit.
Zing.
The magic stone tablet vibrated again.
Thinking it was Yuria or Artel, I checked the screen.
But the sender was unexpected.
‘Huh?’
[Victor: That was you earlier, right, Jeron Airgia?]
[Victor: No idea how you did it… but thanks.]
[Victor: I’ll repay this debt someday.]
‘……?’
I stared at the screen blankly.
What’s with this guy?
Did he figure out I stole the finisher?
Oh, right—we’d clashed in the first placement match, unlike the original.
Analytical type with a knack for explaining, so he might’ve recognized my skill, [Magic Blade Strike].
That much I could understand.
But one thing made no sense.
‘He got his finisher stolen, so why’s he thanking me?’
I tilted my head, then got chills.
Victor, you bastard…!!
Don’t tell me he’s into getting robbed?!