player POV-Chapter 51: Trap 6

A group of five people advanced toward me with slow, deliberate steps.

There was no haste in their movements, as if they were completely confident I wouldn’t run—or perhaps because they didn’t see me as a real threat.

They gradually spread out around me, not in a perfect circle, but in a wide semicircle, leaving a measured distance between us; enough to observe me, but close enough to prevent me from moving freely.

They stopped in their positions, each fixing their gaze on me in their own way—some with silent curiosity, others with clear coldness, while one watched my reactions closely, as if waiting for a single mistake.

I felt the air grow heavier, and the silence that hung over the place was not natural, but deliberate... a silence used to pressure rather than calm.

Amid this tension, Kar moved alone.

He took a single step, no more, as if he didn’t want to appear reckless or arrogant.

That single step was enough to draw my full attention and confirm that he was leading the situation.

He looked directly at me, his eyes steady, showing neither outright hostility nor friendliness, but something closer to cold assessment.

Then, after a brief moment of silent staring, a faint smile appeared on his lips—not reaching his eyes—and he spoke in a calm tone that hid a clear hint of mockery: 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"Why aren’t you laughing? Or have you lost the ability?

Didn’t I tell you I’d make you regret laughing at me?"

I raised my eyebrows unconsciously, feeling genuine surprise.

I didn’t remember him ever warning me—on the contrary, he had been completely silent, especially in front of Silver.

I lifted my gaze to him and said deliberately:

"When did you ever warn me?

Weren’t you completely silent in front of Silver? You didn’t say a single word back then."

His smile didn’t change, though it became slightly narrower.

I took a deep breath and continued before he could let silence take control of the situation:

"Aren’t you afraid of Silver?

Didn’t he warn you not to do anything that might ruin his plan?

If he knew what you’re doing here... wouldn’t he kill you?"

Upon hearing Silver’s name, Kar’s expression shifted subtly, almost imperceptibly to an ordinary observer, but clear to me.

His smile froze for a fraction of a second before returning, colder than before.

He then said in a low, almost whispering voice:

"And how would he know what’s happening here..."

He tilted his head slightly, looking at me directly without any hesitation.

"...if he kills you here?"

At that moment, the people surrounding me moved as if acknowledging Kar’s words as a signal.

I stared at the group of students advancing toward me.

I drew my sword immediately and focused on Kar, who was standing behind them.

Although he hadn’t attacked with them, I knew he would strike after testing my strength; he probably wouldn’t accept my defeat easily.

I had no choice but to curse my bad luck and paused briefly to gather my thoughts.

"Faaah..."

I let out a long sigh, then activated the Altaria Threads immediately, wrapping them around me from all directions, preventing anyone from using stealth skills to approach.

I moved my sword slowly, focusing on the student who was charging at me, his aura slightly stronger than the others, giving him a commanding presence in the situation.

With a calculated step, I used the "Phantom Step" skill, propelling my entire body at high speed toward him.

"Shshsh..."

At the moment the skill activated, four of my opponents’ feet flipped over the ground suddenly.

"Oooo... oooo..."

I heard their screams mixed with pain; I could feel the legs of two of them cut. Their cries were enough to confirm my attack had hit precisely.

"What—what just happened?"

The others staggered back in confusion, their steps unsteady, as if the ground beneath them had lost its solidity. Their eyes fixed on their comrades writhing in pain, screaming incessantly, trying in vain to comprehend what had happened in that brief moment.

But before they could retreat further, Kar’s voice echoed from behind them, sharp and cutting like a whip:

"Stop right there!"

They froze instantly, as if the sound had bound their bodies.

Kar continued with a clear tone of anger, any trace of mockery gone:

"What are you trying to do by retreating? Weren’t you here because I paid you?"

A heavy silence followed; no one dared to reply.

He then added in a lower, more forceful tone:

"Listen carefully... if anyone takes a single step back again—"

He paused briefly before continuing coldly:

"I will kill him."

Upon hearing this, their expressions completely changed.

Shock vanished, replaced by a fear mingled with obedience.

They slowly turned and began advancing toward me again, some grinding their teeth, others clenching their fists tightly as if trying to convince themselves of their courage.

They charged at me again, but this time their attack was uncoordinated, fear evident in every movement.

I seized the moment.

I planted my feet firmly and lowered my center of gravity while the Altaria Threads spun around me at a slower pace but tighter, like a security net.

The first attacked from the front.

– Shhng! –

His sword hit the threads, veering slightly, enough to break his balance.

I didn’t waste the moment. I sidestepped, then swung my sword rapidly at his thighs.

– Shhhk! –

The strike hit the side of his thigh—not deep, but enough to bring him to his knees. He fell, screaming:

"Ahhh—!"

At the same moment, the second from the right rushed forward, trying to take advantage of my focus on his companions. I heard his steps behind me.

– Tck tck! –

I spun halfway around, but I was fractionally late. A sudden burning pain shot through my left shoulder, followed by a sharp sting.

– Shhrrr! –

His blade had grazed my shoulder—not fatal, but enough to draw blood and send pain through my nerves.

I clenched my teeth, refusing to let it affect my mind.

I lifted my sword just in time.

– Kclang! –

The blades clashed, echoing through the hall.

His strength was less than expected; his hand trembled. I pushed his blade away and struck him with the hilt against his chest.

– Thck! –

His breath cut off, he staggered back, coughing violently.

"Kh—!"

Before he fell, the Altaria Threads wrapped around his leg.

– Fsh! –

I quickly disabled his leg without hesitation.

I couldn’t kill them due to the academy’s rules, so my goal was simply to make them unable to fight effectively again.

I glanced at my shoulder, pressing it briefly with my free hand...

Two remained standing. They advanced together, uncoordinated.

One attacked blindly, while the other lagged by half a second—a half-second enough.

I shot the Altaria Threads forward to temporarily block their vision.

– Fwoosh! –

They paused briefly, that short moment of hesitation before instinct overtakes thought.

I rushed toward them, exploiting their hesitation.

I used Phantom Step.

– Shshsh! –

The distance vanished.

I struck the first with a slashing blow across his shoulder—not lethal, but he let out a sharp scream.

"Ahhh!"

The second tried to retreat, but I followed him and struck the back of his leg.

– Tck! –

He fell, screaming, clutching his wound.

Only one remained standing. He breathed heavily, his eyes flicking between his fallen comrades and me.

He raised his weapon slightly... then hesitated.

From behind, Kar shouted angrily at him:

"Move!"

His body shook.

"Wooow!"

He screamed, trying to overcome his fear, and charged toward me.

This time, I barely moved.

One step forward toward him, ignoring the pain in my shoulder, and a swift strike with the hilt of my sword to his neck.

– Thck! –

He collapsed immediately, unconscious.

Silence fell.

I took a deep breath, feeling the pain in my shoulder, which I ignored.

I looked ahead, where only Kar and the one using stealth remained...