’I knew I would encounter some problems using this ability.’

Nearby Flag Presence is a great ability. Even Cillian couldn’t deny that it was a useful ability, and it is being shown right at this moment.

But it had a problem, and this problem arose after about a dozen minutes of running around.

The problem? The problem was not being able to distinguish who among them had these raised flags, especially the Death Flags, which is something Cillian is worried about.

Were they enemies or not?

[Death Flag x14]

In a nearby area beyond the walls, around ten or so meters away from Cillian’s position, a group of people had gathered, with twelve of them having raised Death Flags.

Twelve Death Flags when fifteen alive black-robed individuals were also scattered around from the bone maze.

Does that mean twelve of them have teamed up to hunt students?

They didn’t look like the type who relied on teamwork at all. This was something Cillian had seen during his death probing, as he had encountered scenes where he was ganged up on by two or three enemies. However, they didn’t seem like the type who used teamplay as their strength.

Cillian used those moments to fight them, but he ultimately succumbed, even though he tried to fight in those unfair situations.

The only time Cillian was able to do at least something while being chased down by three black-robed individuals was the last death flag probe, where he used his club room and released Aiden from inside.

Though in the end, he was killed by the colorful, enormous hand, bringing three of the enemies with him.

Cillian looked at the Death Flags nearby.

’It’s students or instructors. It could be both of them.’

Cillian watched these death flags shift as if backing away before he saw another one popping up just nearby this group of flags.

There was a change in the count from his system.

[Death Flag x15]

’It increased by one?’

Cillian’s eyes wavered the moment he saw what came next.

This new Death Flag lunged forward and...

[Death Flag x14]

The count of the Death Flags lowered.

[Death Flag x10]

The count of the Death Flags in that area was thinning down for half a minute until only one was left in there.

[Death Flag x3]

"Cillian, we need to move."

Aster tried to urge Cillian to get going as they remained standing for a full minute now. If they wanted to move, they had to do it fast.

But Cillian remained standing on his ground.

[Death Flag x3]

[A scent of Death is within you.]

A new set of texts appeared within his view.

[A scent of Death wishes you an end drenched in despair.]

[Death awaits you right here.]

’Seriously?’

Cillian thought inwardly with a mocking smile.

’I ain’t dying here, you stupid scent. Keep me appearing to these deaths at all, I don’t give a damn. I’ll fucking overcome them like I’m just running some stupid errand my mother gave me. Piece of cake.’

If the scent of Death were a real thing, like something that can be punched, Cillian would definitely beat it up to a pulp.

Alas, this thing seems to be only within him, merely giving messages through his system.

Cillian gave the nearby Death Flag an emotionless gaze before continuing their escape. By the looks of it, their paths would not collide with the nearby Death Flag, as no routes led toward it.

[Death Flag x2]

Cillian even tried memorizing these paths that almost led anywhere, each route breaking apart to somewhere. It wouldn’t be a surprise if they somehow found themselves back where they first started.

But with the help of Cillian and his ability to detect nearby flags, the most important thing to do is to avoid encountering enemies.

How long would that last was another matter entirely.

They soon found it out for themselves.

After a few minutes of trying to find anyone to increase their numbers and team up, a sickle came hurtling their direction.

Aster stepped forward, unsheathing his sword from his waist and thwarting the sickle that targeted Vin.

Clang—!

The chains attached to the sickle reeled back to its owner, who slowly revealed himself from a side route.

[Death Flag]

Since nothing was blocking his view now, Cillian could clearly see the person and the flag above his head.

"Five Swords of Chaos!"

This robed individual only shouted. His eyes appeared maniacal as he didn’t say anything else and immediately lunged forward toward the three.

Cillian backed away as he prepared to nock his bow.

Aster went forward, knowing he was the only one who could fight the lunatic face-to-face, while Vin readied his Piece and remained at a safe distance. Unlike Cillian, however, he was ready to assist Aster at any time.

This was the best possible formation Cillian could think of when fighting their opponent. It lets Aster shine since he’s the most skilled of all of them, while the other take their chances to attack and inflict damage.

Whoosh—!

Aster’s sword and their first opponent’s sickle clashed.

One step, two steps.

Aster showed zero wasted movement as he attacked and counter-attacked solidly. His sword went through the gaps that he could see while maintaining his footwork stable.

Clang—!

The dual-wilder opponent was also showing expertise in his field, showing skills almost equal to Aster’s. The opponent mixed a lot of variety of attacks and twisted his body to perform them.

If he attacked, it would force Aster to step back due to the sheer force being used behind it.

Two experts showing their prowess.

The two of them moved a lot in this space in just dozens of seconds.

Every hit of their weapons grew intense until Aster’s sword stopped the relentless hit of the bustard’s sickle.

"Use your Swords of—!"

Just as the sickle dual-wielder tried to talk with Aster, an arrow pierced through his shoulder, which made him glance behind and see that Cillian had made a clean shot.

’Tsk, I was aiming at his head.’

Because it was the previous person who knew how to wield the bow better than him, Cillian couldn’t fully adjust to it entirely.

But that doesn’t mean Cillian was bad at using this weapon. He just has to get used to it.

Cillian immediately nocked another arrow and aimed at their enemy, but the bastard used a squid-like tentacle ability to forcibly pull the arrow from his shoulder.

After removing it, the sickle dual wielder dashed away.

"You bastard!"

The dual-wielding sickle user cast a glance at the smirking Cillian and tried to target him with his weapons, until Vin’s Buddy lunged toward their enemy and jumped at his head.

Because he was busy minding Cillian, who managed to damage him, the sickle dual-wielder was unable to see the iron golem appearing at his blind spot.

"What?!"

Vin’s Buddy tried to crush their opponent’s head, but he held his own by forcing himself to stand up.

Squid-like tentacles erupted from his body to support himself and assist his hand from pushing away the iron golem.

Yet those seconds were a god-given opportunity to strike and close the distance.

That time was both enough for Vin and Aster to attack.

Slice—!

Vin meticulously used his knives and impaled their opponent’s left hand until it reached the entirety of the left arm while avoiding the rampant squid-like tentacles.

Slash—!

On the other hand, Aster used great force and pounded his sword to cut down the right hand mercilessly.

Even though half of the squid-like tentacles were targeting him, he cleanly cut them all with the cold eyes of a killer. Blood splashed on his face, yet he was unbothered.

The two wasted no effort to inflict heavy damage, as they were unable to cut his head due to the tentacles blocking their way.

[Mimicry Activated]

[Mimicry Success]

Finally, after five tries of trying to copy the Ruiner ability from the side, Cillian finally succeeded on the sixth try. The ability description and uses entered his head.

But mimicking the ability and successfully doing it wasn’t the end game. He was just lucky to do it while finding a chance.

After all, he wasn’t just idling around during his group’s attack as Cillian continued finding a gap from these rampant tentacles.

Finally, he saw it.

With his bow nocked and swiftly aimed at the head of their first opponent, Cillian released the string as the arrow shot through.

"Wait—"

The opponent tried to plead as he grew shocked about the skills of these students, but it was too late to do so as the arrow pierced through his head.

Whoosh—!

Cillian released three more and hit exactly at the dual-wielder’s head just to make sure.