I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 435  [Event] [Semester-Exam At Vanadias] [23] Bait

"Amael! You need help!" Elizabeth shouted.

"Why are you running? You aren't in any state to run!" Celeste called after me, her words dripping with the same concern.

To an outsider, it might sound like two lovely girls worrying about a man on the verge of collapse. But from my perspective? It was like hearing demons disguised as humans, luring me closer just to finish me off.

I can't let that happen.

If they caught me, scanned me, I'd be forced out of the game. One day off, minimum. And who knows if Bryelle even has a day left? I couldn't afford that. Not now. Not when everything was on the line.

But there was no way I could fight either of them in my current state—let alone both of them together. "H–How about switching targets already?!" I yelled.

"We just want to help you!" Celeste called back.

"You think I'm believing that?!" I snapped, not bothering to hide my suspicion.

Damn it.

This had long since ceased being just an exam for me. It had become a desperate struggle for survival. I needed to get out of here, get back to my perfect form, and save Bryelle. But how could I explain that to them? They'd never believe me—not if I told them the truth. They'd think I was delirious from the poison, ranting about things that didn't make sense.

If they catch me, it's over. There would be no time for explanations, no second chances.

Suddenly, a sharp sense of danger cut through my thoughts. I dove to the side just as a streak of ice ripped across the ground where I'd been standing. The grass froze instantly, a jagged trail of frost spreading in its wake.

"I–Is that how you want to help me, Celeste?" I grimaced. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"I'll help you after I beat you!" Celeste showed her true face as she swung her blade upward. The trees in front of me froze solid, their branches encased in crystalline ice.

"Anathemas Fire." I muttered, summoning the Vysindra's flame. The fiery aura flared to life around me, coating my entire body in a searing heat. With every step I took, the ice beneath me melted, but it was slowing me down, each moment dragging me closer to exhaustion.

At this rate, I'm going to get caught.

And Elizabeth—she wasn't as aggressive as Celeste, but she was fast. Far faster than I could afford to deal with right now. She was calm yet her intent was clear. She was hunting me.

I called out over my shoulder, "How about giving your fiancé a break, Elizabeth?"

There was a flicker of surprise in her eyes, just for a second. Then her lips curled into a small, genuine smile, amusement on her face. "What kind of fiancée would I be if I held back?"

Great.

What should I do now–huh? I paused, as I sensed a familiar presence near.

Wait... this presence... maybe I have a way out of this after all.

I'll just have to bet on my shitty luck.

"Raven Art," I whispered under my breath, feeling a chill wash over me as the familiar exhaustion settled in. My body tensed, but the surge of power followed almost immediately. My legs kicked off the ground, and my speed increased threefold.

"W–What?" Elizabeth gasped, her eyes widening in shock.

Raven Arts had its perks—like tapping into the speed and regeneration of vampires, making me fast enough to keep them on their toes. I had hoped to save it for a more dire situation, but now? Now, I had no choice. It was either burn myself out or lose everything.

"He's even faster now!" Celeste shouted. "We need to get rid of him before he takes out our whole team!"

Is that really necessary, Celes? She was way too involved in this stupid exam. But I had no intention of chasing after her teammates—least of all like a damn dog. I just need to get away.

There—he should be close.

I leapt onto a tree branch, using it as a springboard to vault through the canopy, darting between the trees as their branches whipped past me. Finally, I landed on solid ground and—

"Oh? You nearly scared me there," an hateful voice called from behind.

I turned and saw him: Earth—or rather, Jayce—standing with that ever-annoying smirk plastered on his face.

"Don't tell me you want a second round, Nyr? I have to warn you, I'll win this time too—"

"Cut the crap," I snorted before smiling.

Jayce blinked, his eyes narrowing. "Why are you smiling now?"

His gaze followed mine down to his arm, where his Life-Screen glowed a deep red. Perfect.

"We're on the same team, so—"

"I said cut the crap and just be my meat shield. That's the only thing you're good for, Jayce," I shot back with a sneer.

"What the hell are you—?!" Earth's words were cut off as a sudden wave of ice struck him from behind, freezing part of his arm solid.

"E–Earth?! Eliza, he's Red too!" Celeste shouted from a distance.

"I saw that," Elizabeth replied.

Jayce's eyes darted between Celeste, Elizabeth, and me, quickly processing the situation as he caught sight of their glowing blue Life-Screens. "You..."

But by the time his gaze swung back to me, I was already running.

"He's getting away! Should I chase after him?" Celeste asked Elizabeth.

"No. Amael's in pretty bad shape already," Elizabeth replied, eyes never leaving Jayce. "Let's deal with Earth first."

"Huh... come on, girls, two against one?" Jayce's usual courage faltered as Elizabeth closed in, moving with frightening precision. He barely dodged her outstretched hand, but not before a fresh wound opened on his arm, blood dripping steadily to the ground.

"Ugh!" Earth grunted.

He's pretty wary and scared of Elizabeth, isn't he?

Enjoy that, you bastard. I grinned as I slipped away, vanishing from their sight.

Now, I just have to kill that Red Viper King and get well.

"Hm?"

A soft vibration pulsed from my Life-Screen, dragging my attention. I glanced down, seeing a new message appear.

[For everyone! At the 9th Zone! To earn Fifty Worth Points! Find and defeat the hidden targets!]

"Fifty Worth Points?" I muttered under my breath. That's like scanning fifty people. Not a bad deal, considering there were only a bit more than a hundred of us combined across three classes.

I could already picture it: hordes of students sprinting toward the 9th Zone, desperate to grab the prize. It was exactly what the professors wanted—draining our last reserves of energy while evaluating our every move. An easy way to assess how far we were willing to push ourselves for a reward.

If I were taking this exam seriously, the way I had planned to a day ago, I'd have rushed to the 9th Zone without a second thought. Fifty points could secure me a top position, maybe even impress the Heads enough to give me some privileges. But now... things were different.

I had more urgent matters to deal with.

"Where do I find the Red Viper King?" I asked aloud, pulling up the information on my Life-Screen.

[Location: 10th Zone.]

"Fuck my life."