Chapter 66

EP.66 Hunting Evaluation (3)

The sky was tinged with the colors of twilight.

I had to reach the center of Elt Island before darkness fell.

Of course, once night fell, the environment would become advantageous for the monster illusions and the enemy familiars, and the risk of being affected by mushroom spores would skyrocket, making it difficult to discern the surroundings.

──── 「千里眼 (Neutral Attribute, ★7)」

‘You’re doing great, Ian!’

I frequently used [千里眼] to check on Ian and Kaya’s status. Fortunately, the two were moving toward the center of Elt Island without any issues.

Keep it up, Ian!

‘...I’m the one who needs to keep it up.’

After Bingsuelong-Hild reported spotting a tusked hippo, I gave up on the fight. They’ve already come this far.

From now on, I had to worry about being hunted. I wanted to recruit allies as planned, but no suitable students were in sight.

As we got closer to the center, the monster illusions on Elt Island started to glare at me every chance they got.

Because of this, I draped the camouflage cloak I had bought from the unmanned store over my shoulders. I intended to pull it up over my entire body if a crisis arose.

The design of the camouflage cloak changes to match the surrounding environment.

‘It looks like a poncho, and it’s so annoying.’

Thinking about it, I suddenly remembered the corporal who used to bully me when I was a private.

“Ughhhh!!! I’m so hungry─!!!”

“Huh, what the hell?!”

Suddenly, a female student appeared, running and yelling neurotically. She had a husky voice.

Her orange ponytail, golden eyes, and a uniform with pants. Her white shirt was unbuttoned, flapping like a flag.

She was swinging her bat, Rokta, which was embedded with light blue magic stones, without hesitation.

She was effortlessly crushing the monster illusions with the power of rock magic.

She was Rizeta Lionhart, a top student in the first-year A class of the Magic Department.

[ Rizeta Lionhart ]

Lv: 98

Race: Human

Attribute: Rock

Danger Level: X

Psychology: [Feeling wary of you.]

“Ah, you. You’re that extra! I wondered who it was! Hehehe!”

“...”

“Did you think I wouldn’t notice?”

Rizeta, who had been laughing, suddenly stiffened her expression.

Her rock mana flowed like the wind, sweeping over my entire body, giving me a clear sense of the overwhelming pressure of an opponent I could never defeat.

Rizeta jumped down from the unconscious fire lizard and landed on the ground, slinging Rokta over her shoulder and putting her other hand in her pocket.

Her tank top, which clung tightly to her body under her unbuttoned shirt, emphasized her well-toned physique.

‘I got on the wrong bus...’

I didn’t expect this bus to lead to a cliff...

“Why did you follow me?”

Whether I answered honestly or lied, the conclusion would be the same, so I didn’t bother to respond.

“Kyaha! No answer, huh! Then, what’s your name?”

“...Isaac.”

“I’m Rizeta Lionhart! I was personally interested in you!”

Rizeta’s characteristic hearty voice, combined with her usual competitiveness, made her seem like a brave gladiator.

“Just wondering why the top students, the second, and the third were all involved with a nobody like you. Especially the top student, she seemed completely infatuated with you!”

Rizeta tilted her head to the side with a smile.

“Well, never mind. I’ll confirm the reason now.”

And the light blue magic circle of rock magic began to form around Rizeta.

Sure enough, this is the flow...

Rizeta, who was watching me intently, exuded tension. The sight of her burning with the desire to fight made cold sweat trickle down my cheeks.

Well, I didn’t come here without a plan.

My strategy was simple: throw a Jerome mushroom to temporarily scramble her mana circuits.

However, the effect wouldn’t be as dramatic on Rizeta as it was on me. She’s too strong. It would probably just make casting spells a bit inconvenient. Still, it was worth a try.

Focus.

I suppressed my breathing and formed a light blue magic circle, preparing for battle. I would use magic to distract her and find an opportunity to throw the Jerome mushroom.

The air grew heavy. The oppressive pressure weighed down on my entire body.

After a while.

“...Alright.”

Suddenly, Rizeta retracted the magic circle with a bored expression.

“That mana... I almost died of boredom.”

What the hell...?

“Just looking at you, there’s no way those top students were interested in your pathetic combat skills... Maybe there’s another reason. I was hoping for something interesting, but whatever. Next time, bring some allies. You’re not even worth a fight on your own.”

Rizeta was rubbing my pride raw.

I felt my forehead veins popping. I was getting angry...

“Ah! Do you have any food? I’m starving!”

“...”

“Do you have any? Why aren’t you answering?”

“...Yes.”

...But to avoid a bad ending, I had no choice.

If Rizeta changed her mind, I had to try.

“Really? Show me!”

Rizeta, who seemed to take it as good news, smiled broadly.

I sighed.

Then, Rizeta, looking serious, said, “You sighed?” and formed a magic circle, so I hurriedly pulled out a bundle from my pocket.

“Here it is.”

I meekly handed the bundle to Rizeta. She took it and examined the contents. It was ten 'Hanseol flowers' I had collected on the way.

These flowers, which constantly emit ice elemental mana, are edible.

I had pre-cooked the round stamens using a one-star fire magic spell I bought from the unmanned store.

“Is this weird? Try it yourself first.”

Rizeta took out the stamen, which looked like a candy, and forced it into my mouth.

...I had no choice. I chewed the stamen. It felt like eating soft pickled radish. It was edible.

Rizeta, finally reassured, took out a stamen and put it in her mouth.

“It’s not great, but it’s edible...”

Just then.

Kuuuuuuu────!

“Ugh!!”

Suddenly, the ground began to shake! Dust fell from the ceiling, and the glowing lamps dropped, making the cave rapidly darken.

The earth giant. The precursor to the appearance of Elphert the Intangible. He had manifested!

I urgently shouted.

“Rizeta, run!”

“Wh-what?”

“Run, you idiot!”

“What...?”

Rizeta looked confused.

There was no time to explain. I had to reach Ian quickly!

I started running toward the inner passage of the cave. If I followed this path, I would reach where Ian and Kaya were.

Using [千里眼], I checked the situation. Ian and Kaya were looking around in confusion.

If I used my muscles to their fullest and ran at top speed, I might reach them within ten minutes... I wasn’t sure. But I had to run as fast as I could!

“Hey!! What’s going on?!!”

Why is that woman, Rizeta, following me?!

“Do you know what that earthquake was about?!!”

“I told you to run!”

You’re just going to be a hindrance!

“Huh?! Why are you giving orders, you weakling?!! Do you want to die?!”

I didn’t have time to persuade or send Rizeta away. The giant’s mouth would soon swallow Kaya, and Ian would jump inside.

I and Rizeta ran toward where Ian was.

I hoped she wouldn’t follow me all the way. Otherwise, I would have to show her my battle against the demon.

I didn’t want more people to know my true identity, especially someone who isn’t close to me.

...Thinking about it, she’s the type who doesn’t listen to orders from someone weaker than her.

‘Ah.’

My head started to throb.