The Huntsman Of Death:A Gamer's POV As Side Character

It was just the introduction yet my body was already sore from the events earlier.

My knees still ached from collapsing under Alex Phillips’ oppressive aura yesterday, yet here we were, being herded like cattle into the training grounds by the very same man.

Alex stood tall and menacing, his scarred face scanning the crowd with an expression that dared anyone to step out of line. Behind him, Emilia, ever-smiling, looked on as if enjoying our misery.

"Today, we break you," Alex declared, his voice gruff and devoid of sympathy. "You’re all weak, but I’ll turn you into something usable. Or you’ll break trying."

His words sent a shiver down my spine, but there was no time to dwell.

"Start running! Ten laps around the grounds. MOVE!"

Without hesitation, we bolted like a mass of desperate students scrambling to obey. The training grounds were massive, and by the fifth lap, my lungs felt like they were on fire. Some students had already started dropping, their legs giving out beneath them when Alex’s sharp voice cut through the air.

"Pick them up! Weakness drags you down—help them, or you’re next!"

"I can’t... I will die... I will die..."

"I will die… Lukas, please put some comics near my grave."

I looked at an annoying buzzing fly beside me that was already bursting into tears.

I glanced at Reed, who was visibly struggling but determined to push forward. Gritting my teeth, I grabbed his arm, helping him steady his pace.

"Aren’t you my master? Then act like one."

Hearing this, Reed showed me the middle finger.

When the laps were done, we had no time to rest. Alex immediately barked, "Push-ups!

"One hundred push-ups, and anyone caught slacking will do double!"

My arms trembled as I pushed myself up and down, sweat dripping from my face. I couldn’t feel my arms anymore by the time Alex moved us to the next ordeal—jumping drills over waist-high obstacles.

"Speed and agility will save your life! Stop whining and JUMP!"

By then, most of us were dragging our feet, but Alex didn’t care. He walked among us, barking corrections, slapping the ground with the flat of a wooden staff to make his point.

Then came weightlifting. He had us carry enormous sandbags across the field, shouting at anyone who dared falter. My back screamed in protest, and I could see others struggling just as much.

Finally, when I thought I couldn’t take another step, Alex brought us to the weapon training area.

"Pick up a sword, spear, or bow! If you don’t know what you’re good at, just pick anything sharp and—

"I don’t give a fuck what you specialize in, but I want you to learn everything."

I grabbed two blades and felt the unfamiliar weight in my hands.

Alex walked among us, watching with his sharp, predatory gaze. His critiques were brutal, but he didn’t let up, ensuring every swing, stab, or parry was correct. I could barely hold the weapon steady by the end.

Just as I thought it was over, he made us duel each other. I faced Reed, who, despite his calm demeanor, cried while swinging his spear.

My limbs screamed in protest, but I forced myself to block and counter.

Reed, who barely managed to stand straight, started talking needlessly, "Lukas, did you see them?"

"Who?"

"Those noble brats. They haven’t even broken a sweat. And that bastard Edwin, he just looks like a different breed of monster," Reed grumbled.

I gazed around, letting my eyes fall on them. Unlike our dilapidated spar, Edwin and Freya seemed to be going at each other’s throats.

Edwin’s face distorted. I could even see disgust in his eyes as Freya fought him with a smile.

Others might think it was because Freya had a crush on him, but in truth, Freya acts like this to disgust him more.

Their clash resonated, creating small waves.

I paused a bit to admire the fight. It is a lie to say that it wasn’t thrilling. Just as I was engrossed in this, a whip flashed by and hit.

"KAAAa!" I groaned, rolling on the ground and standing up, only to meet a glare.

"What? Is this a show?"

"No, Sir!" I replied firmly.

"Then get back to the spar," Alex grudged and then turned toward Reed, who shivered in fright.

Fortunately, with a cold humph, he went away, leaving us to fight.

"Fuck! One day, you’re gonna kill me, disciple!" Reed screamed.

"Can’t you just call me Lukas?"

"I will try."

...….

When the clock struck 10, Alex called us to attention.

"That was one day," he said, his voice heavy with finality. "Three days a week, from 7 to 9, you will endure this training. Then, you’ll get a short break, and from 10 onward, your regular classes will begin."

He paused, his sharp gaze sweeping over us. "Do you understand?"

Our collective reply was hoarse but unified. "Yes, Sir!"

"Good," Alex said with a smirk. "Don’t die too soon."

As he walked away, Emilia chuckled, clearly amused by our exhaustion.

I collapsed onto the ground, staring at the sky and wondering how on earth people survive this madness.

....

"The training is tough, but what makes it tougher is going to classes dead tired with an aching body. This is worse than hell."

Murmuring softly, I dragged my tired body to my dorm. Sliding the card, I was about to enter when I saw a piece of paper stuffed in the small box attached near the door.

Grabbing it, I entered, wondering who sent this.

Before opening it, I freshened up, clearing the smell of sweat from the day, and threw myself on the mattress, holding the letter.

It was a single folded page that seemed to have been thrown here without enough care.

Opening it, I squinted my eyes.

[3 PM Saturday at the regular meeting spot, the secluded building behind the library. Anyone who dares to remain absent shall...]

My body shook to the core due to the remembrance of an unsavory memory.

"Isn’t this a call from that bully?"

Yeah, the one who was responsible for Lukas’ fall to the ground. They gathered a few times a month where that son of a bitch gathered people to abuse them and freeload off their money.

"He is a second-year student, and I am still too weak to take care of him," I concluded.

Even if I go all out, lay a trap, and manage to harm him, it’s gonna be troublesome. Even though he isn’t worth anything, the donations behind him go to someone important who has quite a bit of status, which might be troublesome.

"Hmm! There is no name on it and for an address… I think I can use this..."

A very shady plan formed in my mind, making my lips widen apart, and I got up from bed immediately.

"I have been pretty chill until now, so I should start muddying things."