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Chapter

104th – Survivors (4)

“Another war with a Chieftain.”

“Y-yes. The Chieftain named Luke, who first began consolidating surrounding tribes in the Central region and started threatening others, has now started attacking the other Chieftains after recharging his strength.”

In front of Barun, Garhan’s soldiers explained why they had rushed in with such urgency.

A war among Chieftains. Hearing this made Barun’s brow furrow. While the Arin Tribe was battling numerous bugs, it seemed foolish that there was a tribal war happening elsewhere.

‘Fools.’

In the past, Barun would have understood their actions and even sympathized or encouraged them, but things had changed.

It felt incredibly stupid for them to fight among themselves when monsters, dubbed “bugs,” were invading and reproducing to ravage the land. Considering the already ruined Dwarf Kingdom, this grassland could meet the same fate at any moment.

“So what does Chieftain Garhan want, and why did he send you?”

“The Chieftain, who is currently on the battlefield, requested that he would repay us more in the future if we could trade more supplies.”

Garhan’s soldiers requested Barun to trade more supplies. It was not an unreasonable request since there were plenty of surplus supplies.

Even at this moment, resources harvested from the game were continuously flowing in, and new settlers, including Dwarf Survivors, were enhancing their traits and steadily increasing productivity.

‘Though Garhan had some initial friction with us, he now recognizes the threat posed by the Black Monsters and is working to foster a friendly relationship.’

Barun shared this realization with the other officers, briefly contemplating.

Although he was troubled by it, his mind was already leaning in one direction. If Garhan, with whom they had just barely established a friendly relationship, fell, it could also harm the Arin Tribe.

“I believe it’s right to assist Garhan.”

“We agree.”

Most of the other officers concluded that aiding Garhan would be beneficial. Barun, upon hearing that, stared blankly at the sky.

The sky, or more precisely the existence beyond the screen, seemed to be interpreting Barun’s contemplation and figuring out what was happening.

However, even if they understood the thoughts, their Guardian Deity likely wouldn’t provide a clear answer. It hadn’t done so up until now.

In matters like these, they believed they could assess things more accurately, so they refrained from intervening, but Barun considered it to be a trial imposed upon them.

‘Of course, nothing is easily obtainable.’

The Guardian they served never just handed out anything. Instead of giving them fish, it taught them how to catch fish.

They fought together in the game world, enabling them to gain strength. Barun and the residents interpreted their actions this way.

“What do you think?”

“I believe we should help Garhan.”

“Your opinion is curious.”

Before making a decision, Barun consulted Riena. Without any particular reaction, she followed the others’ opinion that helping Garhan was right.

Barun found her response strange. An unknown tribe under Garhan was practically the enemy tribe.

“Putting aside my momentary burning personal feelings, I’ve decided to fight in order to adhere to his intentions.”

Riena stated that past events had already been buried. She resolved to fight for the Guardian she believed in and followed, out of a greater will rather than personal vendettas.

“…You have a point.”

Barun nodded with a wry smile. He then called over Garhan’s soldiers and instructed them to convey what they wanted.

“Go tell the Chieftain that we cannot send reinforcements as we must fend off the legion of Black Monsters swarming the North, but should things become unbearable, he should flee East.”

“Y-yes, we will relay that.”

Garhan’s soldiers were impressed by Barun, who casually gifted precious supplies. They had no clue how he managed to procure them, so they could only respond in awe.

“What’s the situation? Does it seem like it’ll end peacefully?”

“I’m not sure. Luke from the Central region, while of humble tribe origins, has greatly expanded his power through sheer force and integrated nearby tribes. I’ve also heard rumors that he’s connected with powers beyond the wall, but whether that is true or not, Luke’s soldiers are elite armed with quality weapons.”

The soldiers replied that they didn’t know how things would unfold. Normally, they would say they could win, but the fact that they couldn’t indicated that the situation was quite dire.

Watching their departing figures, Barun sensed that whether good or bad news, it would soon come from the West.

“What if Garhan falls, and that Chieftain Luke takes over Garhan’s territory?”

“If that happens, we will accept Garhan and his followers here. It could enlarge our power significantly. However, that Luke will also set his sights on us. If we can manage to resolve things through discussion then, it might be fine.”

In response to Riena’s question, Barun envisioned the worst-case scenario. They might have to wage war against those attempting to invade this place, just as before.

“Kun, go call the miners and transporters. We should prepare for any unforeseen circumstances.”

Barun decided to reinforce the village’s defense mechanisms, which had been somewhat neglected while constructing the Northern Fortress.

For now, the high walls were sufficient, but if the feared situation arose, the damage could be severe.

“Look over there! Defense towers are being constructed!”

“Indeed, it seems the God is keenly observing recent events.”

Moreover, as if they had seen their choice, defensive towers began to rise one by one atop the village walls.

*

“We need to invest in the stronghold as well…”

The news that Garhan’s soldier brought was shocking even to me. The order we had just stabilized might tremble again.

Of course, it is easier to seize opportunities in chaotic times than when order is established. The residents absorbed surrounding tribes rapidly to form this scale precisely due to the confusion.

However, if I had an opportunity, so would others. The resources we have could be seen as a honeypot to others, so I needed to devise a way to protect the residents.

‘This feels a bit unfair.’

Sometimes, I wanted to make a grand announcement of how much we were struggling against the swarm of bugs. But even if they knew, there would always be those who coveted and desired what we had.

The world is vast, and there are many madmen. Preventing that meant we had to become stronger ourselves.

‘I should pay attention to the surrounding situation.’

So, it would be foolish to completely disregard the external environment while focusing solely on battling the bugs.

To achieve the alpha and omega purpose of cultivating the residents, perhaps fighting the bugs was just as important as engaging in the disputes and diplomacy with neighboring forces.

Unlike the bugs, which only engaged in war, they could approach things from various angles.

Depending on how we handled them, our strength could either increase rapidly or be drained away.

[Hero Training Complete]

“Oh, finally?”

Amid the complicated situation, I received the awaited news. The personnel sent to the Hero Academy that produces hero units from Glory Tower had finally learned skills.

From what looked like an ordinary mansion, Rasen was staggering out first.

His expression indicated that he wasn’t feeling well. The status window also showed his condition wasn’t great.

‘What on earth did he go through?’

I spared time and told the mouse to bring him home. Watching him limping inside the mouse, I couldn’t help but chuckle at his utterly drained appearance.

I had no idea what had happened over the last few days, but it seemed he hadn’t learned skills as easily as when he advanced to a Mage.

[Entering Chapter 4]

After the urgent situations had subsided, my inspection of the village came to an end for now.

While it was somewhat quiet, I intended to clear the game with Riena as soon as possible.

I felt slightly burdened, perhaps knowing what she thought of me, but I couldn’t neglect the means to grant her experience, help her grow, and farm special items.

‘I should have played an RPG.’

Recalling Lee So-Yeon, who was cultivating residents in a more liberating online MMORPG, I chuckled wryly.

I thought maybe there was some overlap, but activating another type of RPG game with the Master Program was out of the question.

“The Demon Lords are starting to catch on now. A true contender who can suppress them has emerged.”

As soon as I entered Chapter 4, Regnor opened his mouth as if he had been waiting. He was a game aide with no particular thoughts, yet now it seemed he had no intention of hiding his identity either.

I, of course, could sense that Riena also had a nonchalant expression.

“It is common knowledge that they cannot descend into this world without any opportunity or justification. Hence, they must always exploit gaps—human hearts, societal chaos. Such things.”

Regnor pointed somewhere with his finger. My character’s view automatically turned there. It was game-induced direction.

What came into view was a large city brightly lit even under the dim evening light.

“That pleasure city built at the hub of transportation seems to lure anyone into their desires, appearing to be a city swarming with demons.

In fact, there have been many ominous rumors emerging from there lately. Reports claim people have gone missing or corpses have been discovered stripped of their innards, leaving only skin behind.”

He recited the script almost verbatim. If there were genuinely no variables, I had a Quest video ready, and I could complete the task in an instant.

“—?”

“The Black Monsters…those parasites. I haven’t heard such rumors yet.”

When Riena asked him, a startled Regnor shook his head about the bugs. The bugs were the ultimate variable.

‘Still, this is better than a large-scale war outside.’

It was premature to relax, but I smiled faintly.

Rather than engage in warfare with numerous casualties, it felt better to go on an adventure like this with her.

In this place, I could fight alongside her or directly protect her.

I wondered how Riena felt about this. For now, her expression appeared bright. It was a stark contrast to when we first progressed through Chapter 1.

 

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