The Protagonists Are Murdered by Me
chapter-18

The day of the Maelka Dungeon event.

Araceli and I who teamed up were now standing in front of a black hole, one of the entrances to the dungeon.

There are sixteen entrances to the Maelka Dungeon.

16 teams of pairs will compete to see who can attack the dungeon more efficiently, skillfully, and quickly.

As their ‘first dungeon,’ the students were very nervous for this special event.

As many as the top 16 professors will be joining the students to attack this dungeon.

The three supporting characters who got first, second, and third places, as well as Fiolen, received the highest marks during the preliminary exam.

Fiolen, who had a disciplinary committee held against him, was able to join the competition, no matter if he is found to be guilty or not.

It was not surprising, and frankly, it is the natural outcome.

It wouldn’t make sense if the protagonist couldn’t participate in the main event of their world.

Obviously, the cliché must have twisted it somehow.

Come to think of it, did Fiolen seduce a female professor in her late 20s to join him?

I couldn’t believe it and can’t help but to laugh.

Does he like women that much?

“Erm…Thank you. Actually, the other professors don’t really like me these days, so I was wondering who I could ask to the Maelka dungeon.”

“Thanks to you. I was able to come here.”

“What? Is that so?”

Suddenly, she clenched her fists.

“I’m sure we’ll get a good result!”

I felt strange when I saw Araceli full of fighting spirit.

Pipipi-

Three black fairies appeared out of thin air.

These fairies were probably in charge of transmitting the video of this event.

I felt that it was only proper, considering it’s a world of magic and not technology.

Scenes inside the dungeon will be broadcast live not only to the academy, but also to the nobles, the mage’ towers, and everyone who came here to watch.

It goes without saying how big this event was for the students and protagonist.

After a while, the fairies spoke.

[The dungeon will begin in one minute.]

A minute quickly passed, and as soon a fairy said, ‘please start attacking the dungeon,’ I took out my mega shooter.

“That big thing…?”

“My wand.”

Chikchik!

Dungeon attacks were too easy for me.

This is something I’ve always done, and in the first place, this event was created with the strength of the students in mind, so it wasn’t too dangerous.

Trap -> break.

Monster -> destroy.

It was enough to just destroy everything.

Wavelength detectors could even detect magical traps, and aether firearms were very effective against the monsters here.

Originally, I was a bit nervous hearing that it was a dungeon made by mages, but my worries turned out to be unwarranted.

“Wow…This is amazing.”

Is this the power of equipment?

Frankly, I wanted to use a sword, but I couldn’t because it was a world of mages.

Each bullet I used cost a lot of money, but I had to maintain the image of a mage until the event ended.

“Let’s head to the next area.”

There were three stages in total.

Eight teams are allowed to pass the first stage, and four teams are allowed to pass the second stage.

Which means the teams that can clear faster will have an advantage.

And only four teams could enter the ‘boss room.’

Therefore, there was no time to waste.

While rushing with Araceli, suddenly, a red glow came from the wall and a hot liquid spewed out.

“Oh my god…!”

I hurriedly lifted my wrist, formed a barrier, and blocked it.

Its durability was quickly reduced by half.

“W-what was that?”

‘Hm.’

Since it was a dungeon meant for students, such dangerous traps shouldn’t have appeared.

So, it was because of this.

[Chapter Maelka Dungeon Hell Beast (3) shows hostility toward you.]

Evidence that the world is slowly beginning to twist in favor of the protagonist.

The corner of my mouth curled up as I looked into the air.

There were originally only three video fairies, but now it has increased to dozens.

It meant there were more viewers.

As we broke through the dungeon at an incredible speed, more people began to take notice of us.

“Ermhm.”

After clearing my throat, I looked at the fairies, and spoke.

“Hello, everyone. This is Yoo Seodam, a professor in the Combat Magic department.”

Araceli, seeing my abrupt behavior was puzzled, then asked.

“…What are you doing?”

“Viewers public relations.”

“Huh?”

Noisy child.

What do you know?

All the professors and students of this academy were nobles, so they did not like associating themselves with commoners.

In other words, I’m probably the first in this world.

“Ladies and gentlemen, starting now, let’s investigate this dungeon together.”

The first dungeon attack live broadcast.

Fiolen calmly recalled the events of this dungeon from his memories.

First stage, monsters and traps.

Although it was a memory from 20 years ago, the memory of this place was clear to Fiolen.

He hasn’t forgotten this day.

It was his first stage as a commoner mage.

The elders in the mage’ towers from all over the world were watching this event, as well as countless nobles and professors.

To see Fiolen, a commoner genius mage, unprecedentedly emerge victoriously!

But…

‘Why are there fewer video fairies?’

In his memory, there were supposed to be even more.

Of course, 20 years ago only one basic video fairy followed him, but Araceli had dozens, if not hundreds, of video fairies.

In other words, he should have that much.

But now there were only 20 video fairies following him.

‘…Why?’

[Crisis detected for protagonist Fiolen.]

Boom…!

Suddenly, a rumbling noise came from somewhere.

But Fiolen didn’t pay much attention to it.

Because he thought it was just someone having a tough battle.

‘If I recall, the hell beast hasn’t appeared yet.’

Second stage, passage through a maze of complex magic circuits.

The first stage tested one’s combat capability and the ability to improvise.

Somehow it seems there was a team faster than him.

However, it was impossible for others to be faster than him in the second stage.

The teams had to identify and interpret the magical structure throughout the maze that blocked them from advancing and find the exit.

The process had to be repeated dozens of times.

For Fiolen, it was not very difficult.

Because he has already solved the maze once.

So he pretended to solve the magic circuit, quickly taking a shortcut, and decisively claimed first place in the second stage!

However…

‘Why are there so few video fairies?’

Still, it was fine.

In the end, the process will be the same.

After finally reaching the entrance to the long-awaited third stage, Fiolen took a seat at a corner of the plaza.

“Well, Fiolen. That’s amazing. By the way…How were you so fast?”

Asked Yoo Seodam in a surprised and questioning tone.

Originally, professors and students would tackle the second stage maze together.

Fiolen completed it alone and unrivaled.

Fiolen smiled and gave a simple reply.

“I have my ways.”

He would never reveal the secret that he returned from the future, and will take the secret to his grave.

That’s the only way for him to stand out as a genius.

Besides, is there any benefit to telling anyone he came from the future?

Fiolen thought as such.

As time went by, a couple more people reached the plaza after passing through the second stage.

Only four teams are allowed to pass the second stage.

As expected, Gurim and Mazelon, the second and third enrollee, arrived at the third stage.

But strangely enough, I couldn’t see Araceli.

‘That’s strange. The original Araceli worked with her professor to clear the second stage quicker than anyone else.’

Thinking so, Araceli barely made it, arriving in fourth place.

She looks exhausted for some reason.

“Uwu. Professor…I can’t believe you left me alone…”

“I wanted to see your ability.”

Yoo Seodam cleverly lied.

The fact is, Seodam was completely helpless in the second stage.

He couldn’t see the future properly, so he barely managed to find the correct path.

On the other hand, Araceli was able to break through the maze with her own strength.

Managing to find the right answers to the advanced formulas after struggling was both thrilling and exciting to the viewers!

“You’re a TV star.”

“Huh?”

Araceli couldn’t quite understand what Seodam said, but somehow it sounded like a compliment, so she smiled happily.

[4 teams have arrived at the final stage. Now, let us show you the long-awaited boss room!]

The boss monster wasn’t really a monster.

The monsters we’ve encountered on the way were created through alchemy, and the boss monster was no different.

So simply hitting the boss monster was not the way to defeat it.

In order to defeat the boss monster, we had to understand and analyze all the abstract patterns and gimmicks it used.

And, Fiolen also knew the boss monster was actually fake.

Once it’s defeated, a monster from hell called ‘Hell Sphinx’ will pop out.

That was the real highlight of the event.

[Proceed to the boss room.]

Four professors and four freshmen.

With the power of the combined elites, the boss monster prepared for this event quickly lost its strength after being bounced around like a ball.

In the first place, the gimmick created for ordinary students was helpless in the face of the professors, and the freshmen who got 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.

Fiolen purposely did not go all out against the boss monster.

Finally, with a plop.

[The boss monster has been defeated!]

As everyone was approaching the boss monster to collect the spoils.

Fiolen grabbed the wrist of his partner, the female professor he brought along.

“Wait a minute. Something feels strange.”

“Huh? Strange?”

Strange?

There’s no such thing.

He’s only saying this because he knows the future.

“Somehow…”

The moment Fiolen deliberately slowed the end of his sentence.

The boss monster’s body suddenly exploded.

From all sides, strange red lines appeared, then it became a strange magic circle.

A magic that feeds and grows through death.

It was ‘black magic’ that was strictly forbidden in the world of mages.

Fiolen knows who used this magic.

However, it was not important right now.

At this moment, the stage was set for him.

Hell Sphinx.

A beast from hell with a monstrous mana power of at least 150!

The professors and freshmen who have never fought it won’t be able to defeat it.

After many casualties, the Araceli from 20 years in the future managed to find the weakness of the Hell Sphinx, and defeated it after gathering many expert mages.

At that time, while the whole world was celebrating her great achievement, she was trying to figure out how a S-Rank hell beast had appeared.

But at this moment, the spotlight belongs to Fiolen.

“Ack!”

“D-damn it!”

[Emergency! Emergency!]

In a grim world made of red, 7 mages looked around in a panic, then Fiolen calmly spoke.

“Everyone, please listen to me. I have a plan.”

“Huh? What are you talking about!”

“Hey! Fiolen! You’re just a commoner, stop talking nonsense!”

“…Let’s hear him out first.”

Of course there was such a cliché.

One who gives doubt, one who tries to stir the situation, and one who tries to stay positive.

However, Fiolen didn’t care about the freshmen, so he slowly opened his mouth to speak.

“Hell Sphinx has the same patterns and gimmicks as the boss we just faced.”

“I-is that true? How do you know this?”

“I’ve read it in a book before. I didn’t expect to see it here.”

Fiolen calmly began to explain the Hell Sphinx’s weakness while glancing at Yoo Seodam.

An annoying professor who had ruined his plans.

He also has no memory of this person.

In other words, it means that he was an insignificant existence and was just an extra that died at some point.

However, he didn’t want to see such variables.

‘You die today.’

Fiolen deliberately placed Yoo Seodam in a dangerous position, regardless of the strengths and weaknesses of each person.

Coincidentally, the raid against the Hell Sphinx was only possible with eight people, with each taking on an important role, such as being in the forefront, attacking the Hell Sphinx, or drawing magic circles.

Grawr…!!

Hearing the roar of the Hell Sphinx, Fiolen signaled everyone and shouted.

“Now!”

Fiolen’s instructions were perfect.

This is because he has been preparing for this moment ever since he regressed.

A thought that everyone has had at least once in their life.

‘Oh, if I could go back, I would put in more effort and do it differently.’

Even before regressing, Fiolen had constantly imagined what it would be like to be in Araceli’s shoes.

That’s why he was able to copy Araceli’s work easier than anyone else.

‘Ha, this is the result of my efforts!’

S-Rank hell beast.

A monster so powerful that if released into a small city, the city itself would disappear from the map.

But now, under Fiolen’s command, all the students and professors were coordinating perfectly to attack the S-Rank hell beast.

Without a single casualty.

As if it was planned.

A clean and perfect raid.

Kuung!!

The moment the Hell Sphinx fell…

Fiolen slowly looked up and took a deep breath.

It was exhilarating.

To the point where his whole body trembled, and the refreshing feeling overwhelmed his mind.

He had constantly imagined this very moment.

If only he could go back to the past with the knowledge of the future, he could do better.

This was his first step towards becoming a mage, so he had desperately thought about it.

A freshmen 1st year who completely subdued a S-Rank hell beast without backing down.

From now on, the name Fiolen will go down in history.

…That is the only possible outcome.

‘…Huh, the video fairies…?’

Strange.

He was the conductor here, and positioned himself to be more noticeable than anyone else.

But why were there even less video fairies?

Somehow, he had a weird feeling.

He turned his head to look at Yoo Seodam.

Seodam has been broadcasting every moment since the beginning to when the Hell Sphinx was defeated in front of the hundreds of video fairies floating in the air.

“It’s certain now. All the anomalies in the dungeon as well as the S-Rank hell beast, Hell Sphinx.”

Huh?

Shortly after.

“…Freshman Fiolen, it’s clear what you did.”

This…

Fiolen with a puzzled look, turned his head.

The professors and freshmen, who had just listened to his commands without question, were all pointing their wands at him while distancing themselves.

He was so absorbed in himself that he had forgotten.

The fact that a professor was constantly broadcasting the anomalies that occurred in the dungeon.

He had no idea at all.

Because it wasn’t something that happened in his memory.

A regressor could not respond at all to what they did not know.

“Wait, hold on. I worked harder than anyone else to defeat this boss monster.”

“…How do you know so much about the Hell Sphinx?”

Asked a professor.

It was a trivial question.

Under normal circumstances, the question would have simply fallen to the cliché of ‘protagonist correction.’

However, there was a character here who could compromise the protagonist’s ‘correction.’

Yoo Seodam.

He had constantly voiced his doubts while attacking this dungeon.

[Why did this anomaly occur in a safe dungeon?]

[Something suspicious is happening.]

[The state of this dungeon is strange.]

Little by little, these doubts began to form a question in everyone’s mind.

As if answering their question, the Hell Sphinx appeared.

It was only when the freshmen attacked the Hell Sphinx, something they’ve never even heard of before, that it seemed everything was too perfect, for one person.

No matter who saw it, it was doubtful.

They had no choice but to doubt.

“Y-yahiren, professor…I read about it in a book…”

Said Fiolen to his partner, but she too, pointed her cane at him with a trembling look.

“The Hell Sphinx is not registered in any books. Because it’s forbidden. Even if it did exist, it’s like a fable…It’s the kind of book that doesn’t even exist.”

“Professor…!”

“Fiolen. The price of using black magic is your soul…Did you know that when you used it?”

“N-no! I didn’t use black magic!”

“If so.”

How come.

“The Hell Sphinx, and this dungeon. You’ve done everything perfectly, when even our professors couldn’t?

With a wailing voice, professor Yahiren spoke.

“Even now you’re making excuses. Please. I really want to believe you. You’re not that kind of kid. Right?”

But, he couldn’t answer.

That he knew about it after regressing.

Could he say that?

Would they even believe?

Even if they believed him.

What happens when they’ll inevitably ask, ‘Then why didn’t you tell us about the danger earlier?’

“Wait, hold on! I know the real culprit. If we get out of here, I can prove-”

Pang!!

“Kuck!”

When Fiolen was screaming, a shot came from somewhere.

A very unusual magic used only by Vivienda’s guest professor of Combat Magic.

It was Yoo Seodam.

“We can’t let the Black Mage leave.”

Then, they saw Fiolen standing up without a scratch even after being shot.

“I’m issuing a field command as a Combat Mage. Right here and now, the Black Mage has to be neutralized.”

Yoo Seodam reloaded his mega shooter.

How did it come to this?

Fiolen couldn’t understand.

This didn’t happen in the future that he knew of.

There was no future more perfect than this.

So why.

Then, Fiolen instinctively looked at Yoo Seodam.

The corners of Seodam’s mouth moved slowly where only Fiolen could see it.

‘Dumbass, this is how you rewrite the future.’

If a regressor had wings and flew high up using knowledge from the future.

Now because of that future information, it’s time to thoroughly crash.

My discord is Yasi#9824 if you need to contact me for anything.