Chapter 348
FLAGS (3)
But now they could rest while processing the previous battles. The tension that had carried them through each repeated clash slowly began to settle. It was also during this time that IAM checked on the three who had come into contact with the devilborn, observing them closely for any irregularities.
There were none... Nothing that stood out anyways.
So he didn't linger on it.
Instead, IAM quickly moved on to the next issue—what their next move should be.
Now they knew that after killing a devilborn tied to a flag, a maximum of two hundred and fifty spawnlings would emerge. That much had been confirmed through repetition. So the question now became one of direction.
Should they continue farming kills with just this single flag?
Or should they begin searching for another, increasing the number they could draw out and eliminate?
Or perhaps…
Should they start challenging the other devilborns directly?
There were too many possibilities, and each came with its own risks.
Should they stay here, holding their ground, or begin moving?
IAM had already considered that the commotion from earlier would likely draw in other remaining students. People like Henry and Zara would almost certainly be making their way toward them. That alone made staying put a viable option.
But then—
There was Lethe.
He couldn't move too far away. If he did, there was a chance she wouldn't be able to locate them.
At the same time, they would undoubtedly need more flags. That much was becoming increasingly clear. The flags weren't just tools—they were central to whatever this trial was building toward. Ignoring that would be a mistake.
And there was another concern.
What if other students had already obtained flags?
What if those students were defeated?
What happened to the flag then?
All signs pointed toward one conclusion.
They would eventually need to bring the flags together.
Work together.
IAM continued pondering, his thoughts layering over one another as the evening deepened. The sun had nearly sunk completely, the light dimming into that uncertain space between day and night.
That was when he noticed a figure approaching.
No one else reacted.
Not a single person.
They continued with what they were doing as if nothing was there, as if the approaching presence didn't exist at all.
IAM slowly stood up.
He waited.
The figure drew closer, step by step, until they stopped just a few steps away from him.
Still, IAM said nothing.
He waited a moment longer.
The figure, carrying a massive hammer and scythe combined strapped across their back, spoke in a small, unsteady voice.
"I… I'm… b-ba…ck…"
IAM didn't respond.
Behind him, Reuel noticed him just standing there, staring into what looked like empty space. With a grin, he got up and slung an arm over IAM's shoulder with a bit of effort, having to reach slightly due to the height difference.
"Why are you just staring into the air like a doofus—"
He paused.
"…woah! Where did you come from!?"
He jumped back suddenly, the grin vanishing as he finally noticed the figure standing there.
The person's head was lowered, their gaze fixed on their feet. Their posture was tight, almost folded inward, as if trying to make themselves smaller. There was a clear nervousness in the way they stood.
Reuel blinked, genuinely confused, before leaning slightly toward IAM and whispering under his breath,
"Where did you find this little girl? Don't tell me you're already cheating on— I mean, ahem… who's this?"
It was then that the figure slowly raised her cherubic face. There was a faint tremble in her expression, but beneath it, something else—something like quiet excitement—lingered in her voice as she continued.
"I… I… fo…und… so…me…"
???
IAM tilted his head slightly.
Some…?
As in more than one?
Some?
Before he could press further, she suddenly reached behind her back and thrust her arms forward.
Three different black flags.
They unfolded slightly as they were presented, their dark fabric catching what little light remained.
There was stunned silence.
Reuel's eyes widened, his face draining as he slowly raised a hand, pointing at them with a trembling finger. His lips puckered slightly as he forced the words out in a strained whisper.
"One… two… three… one… two… three… one two three... onetwothreeOnetwothreeOnetwothree…"
IAM didn't react outwardly, but even he was genuinely surprised.
He hadn't expected that offhand suggestion—something he had barely put thought behind—to result in this.
Three.
Three different flags.
Just like that they fell into his lap.
"How…?" Reuel squeezed out, his voice still thin with disbelief.
The girl shifted slightly, her fingers curling inward as she spoke faintly.
"I… I… just… ra…n… a…wa…y… ev…ery… ti…me… I… got… one… they… couldn't… fi…nd… me…"
"But how did you find so many?" IAM asked, his gaze fixed on her.
"I… I don't… kn…ow… I got… lu…cky…"
"Holy deus ex machina!" Reuel exclaimed, his voice suddenly snapping back with energy. "IAM! Who is this girl!? Why have I never seen her before!?"
IAM responded plainly, without looking at him. "There is no point in telling you… you will just forget anyway…"
"Huh!? Me!? Forget!? No way! How can I forget someone as cute as this!? Tell big bro what your name is! You can call me Reuel."
"Big bro?" IAM muttered under his breath as he reached forward and took the flags from her hands.
Her bluish-grey eyes lifted, settling on Reuel as she answered softly, her voice still unsteady.
"Le… the…"
"Le… le… Lethe? What a lovely name! Nice to meet you! Tell me… how did you manage to meet this spawnling in disguise? I can't believe a girl would actually want to talk to him if they didn't have to!" he said, pointing straight at IAM, who didn't even bother acknowledging him.
Lethe didn't react to Reuel either.
Her gaze dropped again as she spoke, each word coming out slowly.
"I'm… fe…eeling… ti…red… I'm… al…most… out… of… mana…"
"I see," IAM replied.
But even as he said it, his mind had already moved on. Thoughts lined up one after another, forming possibilities, paths to end the trial as efficiently as possible.
He needed to finish his business with Lethe as soon as he could.
He turned, ready to walk away—
—but Reuel grabbed his shoulder.
"What are you doing?" he whispered.
IAM glanced at him. "What are you doing?"
Reuel jerked his thumb toward Lethe.
She was still standing there, exactly where she had been, her eyes once again lowered to her feet despite everything she had just said.
"Don't you need to thank her?" Reuel murmured. "I don't know what's going on, but she did this for you, right?"
It did look that way.
Lethe stood quietly, her posture small, almost folded in on itself. There was a pause—as if she were waiting.
For something.
IAM looked at her.
For a few seconds, he said nothing.
Her eyes slowly lifted, just slightly, peeking upward. Within them was something faint but unmistakable—a small, quiet expectation. A desire for recognition. For praise.
IAM saw it.
Then he turned away.
Without a word, he walked off, leaving her where she stood.
Her expression fell, the faint light in her eyes dimming as quickly as it had appeared.
Reuel blinked, caught off guard, before stepping forward awkwardly. "Sorry! He's not usually like this… thank you for finding those flags for us. It's really useful…"
He tried to smooth things over, but as he spoke, he caught something under her breath.
"W-what was that?"
"Only… when I'm useful…"
"?"
Before he could ask again, she had already begun to move.
Slowly, quietly, she walked in IAM's direction and sat down not too far from him. Her movements were small, careful, as if conserving what little energy she had left.
Her eyes closed.
And just like that—
She fell asleep.
Soft, almost embarrassingly cute snoring sounds followed.
Reuel stood there, staring.
Completely bamboozled.
Minutes after Lethe fell asleep, her presence slowly began to draw attention.
At first, it was just a few glances.
Then more.
A small figure curled up not too far from IAM, her long, messy black hair spilling around her as she slept, completely unbothered by the world around her.
"Who is that?"
"Aww… she's so cute!?"
"Why does that dick get everything?"
Whispers spread quietly through the group as more people noticed her. Whatever path methods she had concealing her presence before seemed to have lifted, allowing everyone to finally see her clearly as she slept peacefully.
Yohan and Reuel exchanged looks, both trying to place her.
"Have you seen her before?" Yohan asked.
Reuel frowned slightly. "I feel like I have… but…"
He trailed off.
He had already forgotten her name.
Morning came quickly.
The transition felt almost abrupt, as if the night had passed in a blink. The group gathered once more, the lingering fatigue replaced by anticipation as IAM stepped forward.
Then—
He revealed three new flags.
The reaction was immediate.
"This guy really does get everything! Where did he spawn three flags from?"
"There's only supposed to be five, right? We already got four!"
"This guy's actually kind of reliable, I guess…"
Voices overlapped, shock and excitement mixing together as eyes fixed on the flags in his possession.
Natsuki remained silent.
But IAM noticed.
Her gaze lingered on the flags, a slight crease forming on her forehead as she observed them closely, her thoughts clearly turning.
IAM squinted slightly before casually twirling one of the flags in his hand, a small, teasing motion.
She didn't react.
His attention shifted back to the group.
"We are going to use these flags to draw as many spawnlings as possible without drawing in devilborns," he said, his tone steady and clear. "Our goal is to kill as many as possible so we can focus on the devilborns later. With the final flag still a mystery in terms of its whereabouts, we will need to work hard. Do you understand?"
"Yes!" they responded in unison.
"Good."
IAM's gaze deepened slightly.
"Let's put this trial to bed."