1 Second Invincibility in the Game

While walking down the hallway, I heard the quiet murmurs of the servants. As I glanced in their direction, they quickly averted their eyes and pretended to be busy. This had become a frequent occurrence lately. As more pages were crossed out in my notebook detailing assassination methods, the number of fearful eyes began to increase. Conversely, the number of assassination attempts decreased. This was both a good and bad sign. If the existing methods didn’t work, it was only natural to change strategies and approaches.

“Have you heard anything new?” I asked Selly while taking notes. Her response was a sleepy gaze and a curt reply.

“No, I haven’t… People just shut up whenever they see me. What can I do about that?” I had hoped for a different answer, but it was as expected. With Selly also isolated like this, updates on new assassination methods were non-existent.

“Your value is starting to decline.”

While Selly grumbled with a sour face, I sighed to cool my burning frustration. Ever since I realized that the mistress was no ordinary woman during our last meeting, my wariness had significantly increased. Moreover, the thought of unknown threats coming my way made me even more anxious. If a moment arose where I had to display quick wit on the spot, and if I found myself in a crisis without even the chance to practice beforehand, could I really survive?

I put my notebook away and stood up. I didn’t want to just sit idly and do nothing.

“Where are you going?”

“Just want to take a walk.”

With a simple word, I left the room. As the door closed, I overheard Selly’s grumbling.

“Go ahead and live alone now that the sweet juice is gone. They might even push you off a cliff again.”

What a malicious girl.

In novels, no matter how villainous the character, there’s usually a loyal maid. My maid, however, was completely out of her mind.

“How do you do, young master?”

“Hm?”

A sudden male voice made me stop in my tracks.

“I came because you called for me. You said you wanted to get some fresh air, right?”

The faces were familiar. Two men who had left me to fall off a cliff under the guise of protecting me. From what Selly had told me, the middle-aged man who had held a knife to my throat was named Jack, and the tall one was Rodel. The one speaking to me now was Jack.

But I never called for them. I quickly understood their strange behavior. Jack glanced around lightly, watching the surrounding servants. Clearly, he was wary of being seen. It seemed like he had something to say in private.

“You’re late. Shouldn’t you have come early and waited?” I replied as naturally as possible and walked behind Jack. These two men had to be followed. It had been a long time since I had bluffed that a will detailing their crimes would be revealed if I died. They, believing this lie, prioritized my safety and would not set a trap.

After passing through the main gate and arriving at a location slightly removed from the mansion’s grounds, Jack finally spoke.

“As expected… Did you foresee the current situation, young master?”

The current situation clearly referred to the festival. But foresee it? The absurdity made me remain silent, causing Jack to raise his eyebrows as if hiding something. ŔΑ𝐍ꝋBЕ𝙎

“It’s alright, young master. You showed it that day, didn’t you? The claws you had been hiding all this time.”

Claws?

“I was somewhat unsure. That day… I mean the unfortunate event. I thought I might have seen an illusion, but we have ears, too. Hearing about your prowess gave us confidence.”

Rodel, who was beside Jack, added enthusiastically.

“Of course, young master’s skill is undeniable. It was amusing every time those who overstepped their bounds fell. Do they think their impudence could even scratch you?”

Their tone suggested they saw me as some kind of Sword Master. It seemed I had created a misunderstanding. I was undoubtedly the cause. When Jack’s sword broke against my neck, I had indeed said,

– There’s still half a sword left. Why not try swinging it again?

To prevent another strike, I had also said,

– I’ve already given you two chances, one at the cliff and one here. You should brace yourself for the third..

To distinguish my authority, I had said,

– Are your lives valuable enough for me to take with my own hands?

The bravado from that day had clearly been effective. Surviving dozens of assassination attempts must have also given them confidence in me. Even I thought the misunderstanding was plausible.

But now what?

What would happen if they found out that the supposed Phoenix was just a sparrow on fire?

I nodded while looking at the arms of the two men who seemed capable of crushing a watermelon with a headlock.

“That’s right. I knew the mistress would act this way.”

If I appeared weak, they might see an opportunity. They might devise a plan to nullify my will threat. I couldn’t allow them even a moment of such thoughts.

“But look at this situation now. Sending mere servants. It’s like using a finely sharpened sword to cut paper. Isn’t it laughable?”

My bravado flowed naturally. I must have grown accustomed to this act. Jack and Rodel kept exclaiming in admiration at my completed act of bravado.

“So, wearing the mask of a wretched scoundrel was all just an act to deceive everyone?”

“Indeed, it was strange, Jack. A person born with everything, getting drunk all the time, picking fights, deliberately catching innocent people to beat them, and laughing at women fetching water. It didn’t make any sense, did it?”

So that’s what they thought.

Impressive, bravado.

I listened quietly as Rodel tried to correct his manners, feeling he had overstepped.

“Well, now I understand. You had no choice but to do so to survive.”

So why had these guys brought me here and were now flattering me?

It was probably as I thought. They saw the potential of me becoming the head of the family and were betting on getting some benefits.

To provoke their true intentions, I turned as if to leave.

“I didn’t come here just to hear that. I’m leaving.”

Jack’s plea came from behind.

“C-can we truly serve you, young master?”

As expected. I feigned reluctance, asking bluntly.

“Do you even have the worth?”

Just as expected, Jack began to list his qualifications like a job applicant.

“Yes, we do. We are mixed in with the mansion’s people. We will continue to act hostile towards you on the outside. This way, we can secretly deliver all the rumors and schemes from inside to you.”

“You mean you’ll act as spies…”

It was quite a tempting offer. They had value as informants, and if enemies attacked, I could just tell them to handle it, saying it was too troublesome.

“It might not be a big help, but it’s better than nothing.”

I accepted lightly, and Jack’s face lit up with joy.

“Really? Despite our previous rudeness, you will truly accept us?”

Yes. As interns for hell.

***

The desk was littered with empty cans. They were all energy drinks bought on a 1+1 sale at the convenience store. The mascot for this product was an elephant wearing sunglasses. The drink I was consuming had been discontinued and replaced several times, but the keyboard and monitor I had requested to be replaced were still the same.

“Another new one came out.”

Mira, who was also working late, showed interest in the new product. I handed her a can, noting her dark circles that even makeup couldn’t hide.

“Want one?”

“Sure, I’d love that.”

The sound of a can opening was heard beside me. I watched as Mira gulped down the carbonated drink before fixing my gaze back on the monitor.

“But sir, are you sure it’s alright?”

“What?”

“Our job is security, after all. Don’t you think what you’re doing lately might be against professional ethics?”

Mira also knew. She knew I was using my spare time to crack the security design of Asares with my personal laptop. She was chiding me for this double-standard behavior as a security software developer.

“It’s an old single-player game. It doesn’t harm anyone.”

“But still…”

“Do you think I’ll get punished?”

I laughed it off, not taking it seriously, and focused on my work again. But Mira seemed particularly talkative today.

“I guess you don’t know yet, do you?”

“Huh?”

I flinched. Her hand reached over my desk, pointing directly at the power button of my computer.

Has she finally lost it after all these night shifts? I should talk to the manager about giving her a break.

“Mira, you seem really out of sorts lately. I’ll handle the work, so take a few days off and rest—”

“Look at yourself right now.”

Click—

As her finger pressed the button, the cooler stopped, and the monitor went dark. My eyes widened in shock. The reflection on the screen wasn’t my face.

“You’re already being punished.”

So it was a dream.

The conversation with Mira and being sucked into Asares, it was all…?

No, it wasn’t. Letters appeared on my retina, clearly indicating what was a dream and what was reality.

[Physical attack detected.]

[Trait activated.]

[1-second invincibility cooldown: 59 seconds]

Instead of a morning call, the sound of metal breaking rang in my ears.

Bang!

As I opened my eyes, I saw a silhouette holding a broken dagger.

Right, this is Asares.

I was destined to survive in this cursed mansion.

Bang!

I kicked off the blanket and rolled off the bed, pressing my back against the corner of the wall.

“It’s true! I thought it was just a rumor.”

A butler in formal attire with slicked-back hair. A man who looked like a beast dressed as a gentleman.

I was wary of his wide smile.

Despite failing the assassination attempt, he remained relaxed. Although he was dressed as a butler, his atmosphere was entirely different from other servants.

Glancing at the door, I saw the string and paper tied to the knob and the table still hanging. It was a makeshift security system I had set up for safe sleeping, but it hadn’t alerted me. The door seemed to be still locked.

Perhaps the large assassin entered through a crack in the door?

As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I saw the broken dagger fragment. Pretending to get up, I secretly picked it up.

To buy time for the cooldown, I initiated a conversation.

“Wasn’t it supposed to be an accident?”

I was genuinely curious.

The previous act had denied all the methods the mansion’s servants used to disguise their assassinations as accidents.

“There are ways for everything.”

He brushed it off with an enigmatic smile and tossed the broken dagger aside. Though empty-handed, he didn’t seem to intend on retreating.

“Poor you. If your neck had been severed, it would have been a sweet death.”

The assassin blocked the doorway. I moved slowly towards the window, trying to appear as natural as possible.

“A sweet death… sounds nice.”

I muttered anything to buy time, checking the cooldown.

[1-second invincibility cooldown: 21 seconds]

“Unfortunately, such things don’t happen. Even if death beckons, I only flee.”

I had considered the possibility of an assassin entering my room directly. I had already thought of a response.

My quarters were on the fifth floor. A normal person would be crushed from such a height, but I had survived a greater fall with my skill.

If I jumped and gained distance, I could seek out the guards on my side and preserve my life.

Luckily, the assassin seemed intrigued by my reaction, watching closely.

[1-second invincibility cooldown: 1 second]

Finally, the cooldown was almost over. I reached for the window, ready to open it.

Ping!

[1-second invincibility: available]

Bang!

[A physical attack has been detected.]

[1 second of invincibility is activated.]

[1 second invincibility cooldown: 60 seconds]

Something flew at incredible speed and almost pierced my forehead. To be precise, it nearly did. The object that hit my head and rolled onto the ground was… smaller than an arrow. A bolt, perhaps? When I looked up, the assassin was already holding a crossbow.

“Impressive. You hit me right in the forehead.”

…Damn it. I didn’t expect him to have a crossbow hidden in his clothes. And to draw it and aim at my head in that brief moment—he wasn’t an ordinary person.

“Swords and arrows don’t work on you, huh? Just like the servants were saying, are you really immortal?”

He was saying something, but anyway, I needed to buy more time to survive. I put on a show of bravado while igniting the noble embers of my blood to the fullest.

“This will be the last time I tolerate such rudeness. I’ll give you a chance to retreat now.”

It seemed like my bluff worked. He threw his crossbow to the ground.

“For someone who speaks so confidently, you look pretty intimidated.”

But his response almost made me swallow my breath. He grinned wickedly and took something out from his clothes. A skull-shaped orb about the size of a billiard ball. My eyes widened because I knew exactly what it was.

[Cursed Giant’s Skull]

[Attribute: Curse

Objects hit by its light shrink.

If the shrunken object is exposed to light again, it returns to its normal size.]

“Let’s see if this works too. I’ll confirm whether you’re truly immortal.”

I instinctively tried to dodge, but it was impossible to avoid the red light emanating from the skull’s eye sockets. In an instant, I shrank to the size of a fist, and his hand swept the floor like a rake.

“As expected, even if you’re immortal, you can’t do anything about this.”

His fingers grabbed my body precisely. I tried to muster strength in my captured body, but I couldn’t move an inch. So, this was how he entered without opening the door and made it look like there was no foul play. With that, he could shrink his body to slip through the door crack and easily dispose of my corpse.

“I originally planned to make it look like you disappeared, but this is much more fun. How about it? Want to struggle like an ant?”

I could feel his grip tightening around me. Just as he said, it wasn’t enough to kill me immediately, but it was enough to make me groan in pain.

“Krrgh…”

It was a desperate situation, akin to being a bug collected by a predator, but even as I grimaced in pain, I kept my gaze fixed on one spot.

[1 second invincibility cooldown: 18 seconds]

No matter how much he sneered with that malicious face, I was counting down the cooldown. My grip tightened on the shard of a dagger in my hand.