Chapter 102
Chapter 102 – Survivors (2)
“Are you really okay?”
“Yeah. I’m just busy working, you know?”
I wasn’t lying. I truly was busy working all day. The friend who called me first quickly hung up after a polite suggestion to meet soon if possible.
I placed the phone down with a bitter smile and grabbed the mouse. The work I was doing wasn’t related to my job anymore. I was staring at the monitor all day like an investor watching stock charts, trying to see what was occurring and how to resolve any issues that came up, all while grinding through games to make money by selling game items, much like those engrossed in gripping games.
This was my job now.
‘Fortunately, the rescue of the survivors was completed without significant damage.’
The rescue of the Dwarf Survivors, based on Herson’s tip, had its share of crises, but through the residents’ struggles and my assistance, it was successfully completed.
As a result, about 100 Dwarf survivors have now joined us. Achieving this success and earning points was just a bonus. Once they all switch to being our allies, I can start developing their talents in earnest.
“It seems like the growth is going well.”
I felt a sense of relief as I watched this. From the moment I first encountered the residents to now.
Ultimately, our fundamental goal is one: to grow stronger. To increase the population, to awaken their traits, and to develop the civilization of these migrants who started with nothing but tent houses. All these actions culminate in fostering the strength of the group.
Facing the Bugs and the surrounding powers also requires that strength to confront them without being pushed around.
And when we overcome these crises, we become that much stronger. Evaluating the current situation based on this fundamental purpose, I felt fairly satisfied. It wasn’t baseless self-praise.
– Right now, we have about three thousand in population, and roughly two hundred have learned skills in the game.
“The ratio is roughly similar. If we install more games, there will be more traits to awaken, so no need to worry.”
Through communication with Lee So-Yeon, I was able to learn in detail about the status of her community, which had started as a latecomer compared to mine. There were certainly cultural differences and terrain issues, but the village she was cultivating was still smaller than mine.
– I am quite curious.
Lately, more and more people are identifying themselves as users. I wonder what level they are at. It hasn’t been properly revealed yet.
“There’s no particular reason to disclose externally. Ordinary people probably wouldn’t be interested.”
While I was curious about the levels of others, I had no way of knowing yet. Even Brian in America—who, supported by the government, actively promoted his powers and items—hadn’t mentioned how he was nurturing his residents.
Regular folks were only curious about the superhumans who could beat the monsters appearing in this era. ‘There’s no rush.’ I felt a bit anxious when Bugs appeared near where I lived, but that feeling wasn’t there now.
The number of warriors was continuously increasing, and the soldiers were gradually being fully equipped with special hunting gear. I kept evolving the village on my desktop as I was doing, believing that if I kept progressing steadily, I could solve whatever would happen.
*
“Do you know the identity of those creepy bugs?!”
“I don’t know everything, but at least I know what they want.”
After simultaneously taking down multiple enemy Hives, they began constructing fortresses and walls at the Arin Tribe’s outpost to protect those structures.
The Dwarves and the exploration team, who had managed to reach this point without resting, met Chieftain Balun, who was encouraging the fortress construction. The Dwarves were astonished at the structures being built, amazed that humans were capable of creating such things in a place like this.
“They’re composed of various types. So far, the only thing verified about their purpose is that they aim to devour everything in this world and beyond.”
Balun shared what he knew, subtly gauging their reactions, hoping to fully win the Dwarves over as allies. With Herson—a connection already deeply ingrained in the Arin—they were surprisingly easy to persuade and communicate with.
“Is that power also granted by Him?”
“If it were not for the grace of the Guardian Deity, how could such a thing be possible?”
One Dwarf pointed at Morin, who was diligently stacking walls with a blank expression on his face. Morin was quickly creating a thick stone wall with the stones he was holding, and Herson, with a sly smile, nodded in agreement.
From his own experience as someone appointed as an architect and having awakened his traits, he was confident it wouldn’t take long for the rescued Dwarf survivors to become reliable allies.
“By any chance, do you have news about other survivors?”
“I’m unsure. They must be scattered, and I can’t even guess where they might be. But one thing is certain: there are still some living. A few days ago, someone on reconnaissance reported seeing smoke rising from afar. Since those beasts can’t start a fire, it must be smoke from our kin.”
After instructing them to guide the Dwarves to a place where they could rest, Balun turned to Karon, the representative Dwarf, to ask if he had seen any others. If we could rescue more, they would also become allies. But Karon shook his head, indicating he didn’t know. All he was sure of was that there were still survivors.
“That’s all we have to go on. Once the Dwarves settle in, we’ll need to think about the next steps.”
The Dwarves couldn’t be deployed right away. First, it was essential to understand what talents they possessed and to assign them accordingly; it wasn’t solely Balun’s wish. As soon as the Dwarves completely trusted the Arin Tribe and reached a neutral allied state, one by one, they began getting pulled into the game world.
“New warriors who have graduated through trials should be sent north immediately to gain experience and skill, while those worn out from fighting there can be sent back to the village to rest. Soldiers should rotate gradually as well.”
“That sounds like a good plan.”
Upon returning to the village, Chieftain Balun focused on managing the now bloated village as a tribal chief.
To put it bluntly, their Guardian Deity was only providing talented individuals and broad guidance. It was purely their responsibility to utilize that.
However, it was no longer feasible to handle everything solo. Naturally, Balun’s authority began to be distributed among those he trusted and believed in.
Several leaders among the existing warriors began to emerge as representatives for mages, crafters, miners, and more. These representatives were tasked with managing and controlling the ever-growing numbers of participants.
‘That was fast.’
Now that the system was stabilizing, newly arriving migrants also acclimated and integrated much quicker. Even Balun could feel that while observing from the screen.
“I need to keep an eye on the northern outpost and the village, so I can’t monitor everything. Therefore, I ask everyone to report in detail about the areas they are in charge of.”
Balun aimed to actively utilize this system born out of necessity. While significant authority would be granted to the leaders of each field, Balun didn’t suspect rebellion or discontent from them as he did with other tribe chiefs. This was all under the will of the Guardian Deity.
Contradicting Balun’s will would mean opposing the Guardian Deity who had granted them strength through trials, so for now, nobody entertained any foolish thoughts.
“Take a rest as well. The north will only be on defense until the walls and fortresses are completed, and you’ve worked hard bringing in the Dwarf survivors.”
“Understood.”
“As the population quickly increases, many are praising Him while also being curious but I still don’t know how to explain. Who exactly is He, and what is His true form?”
After concluding the meeting, Balun told Riena to rest while also sharing a troubling thought.
As they grew more knowledgeable and their minds became complicated, those who saw more began to question even more. Fulfilling those queries would indeed make it easier to lead the people. Therefore, Balun had asked Riena—the one “closest to the Guardian Deity,” rather than his own daughter—for an answer.
“Teach me how to communicate with the Deity? That’s not something one can teach; it completely depends on His will.”
“Then does that mean His silence toward me indicates that He simply doesn’t want to tell me?”
Upon returning home, Riena recalled a prior conversation while listening to Balun’s words.
During a time when they had been left alone while the game loaded, she had asked the concealed angel, Regnar, such a question. She hadn’t known Regnar’s identity, but she had sensed something through the oddity emanating from him, striking her sharp warrior’s intuition.
“Lady Knight, the God you believe in differs from the one I serve, so I can’t provide a definitive answer. But one thing is certain: thinking and acting for oneself is crucial. Don’t seek the answer; discover it for yourself. Rather than merely carrying out a predetermined answer, you create your actions as the answer… That is likely why the being you believe in aids you.”
‘Creates as an answer.’
Just one sentence from Regnar shook her heart. After days of contemplation, Riena decided to follow those words.
“So what is the will of the one we must believe in and follow?”
“Shura, you’ve also worked alongside that being with diverse appearances. Everything you’ve felt during that time is His will.”
Riena conveyed her realization to Shura, who sat before her.
As Riena fought alongside the demons in the game, Shura faced a crisis while battling a monster, a banshee, where he realized he could no longer fuel his strength using his anger and hatred. Riena was certain that this evolving sentiment—her faith—would lead her to seek a more fundamental answer, so she formed an organization with Shura.
The Paladin Order, which currently believed and followed the Guardian Deity, grappled with the exact nature of that being and what He desired. Strictly speaking, it was heavily influenced by what they had seen in the Dark Blood World, taking on a mimicking form, but at least it was a type of organization not found within the Tribe of the Grassland.
[Achievement Unlocked: Faith (1)]
“…”
And that action was recognized as an achievement, visible to the one looking elsewhere.
‘Should I say this situation is good or not?’
As faith deepened and solidified into a true religion, achievements were earned, and points accumulated correspondingly. He needed points, so he smiled bitterly.
Seeing those small figures twitching inside the screen, believing him to be their true God, made him feel bemused.
“Should I push them more?”
To achieve those accomplishments, it was indeed right to push their actions. At that moment, only two had grasped that concept, but now that Riena had created the Paladin Order serving the Deity with Shura, if that process were to continue, the Order would likely keep growing.
His hesitation stemmed merely from understanding reality. He was aware that the God they believed and followed was merely an inconsequential human, and due to his shortcomings in abilities, he might not be able to help them when they truly needed assistance. The mere possibility of betraying those who firmly believed in him was not a comforting thought at all.
