Chapter 98
Chapter 98 – Consumption and Evolution (8)
“Are you saying we can send more people?”
“Yes, that’s correct. The atmosphere here has become increasingly tense, and several tribes are gathering without Chieftain stepping in.”
R’tai, who led the immigrants, testified that the mood on the grassland was unsettling.
It was a recent occurrence that numerous tribes, which had been barely surviving separately, began to stir like dominoes in response to the expansions of certain powers.
Now that the restructuring of powers has concluded, it seems they’re gearing up for a proper struggle for dominance, eyeing each other’s territories with keen interest.
‘So, they’re planning to send those they can’t handle to us. They have something to gain, too.’
Balun smiled knowingly, understanding Garhan’s intentions.
From Garhan’s perspective, trading with the Arin Tribe allows him to appropriately manage the population and strengthen his own tribe with the resources received in exchange.
“The chieftain has kept his promise, so we must do the same. I’ll prepare the supplies I mentioned earlier.”
“Thank you, Chief.”
Balun distributed a variety of resources including food, iron weapons, and livestock to R’tai, who brought the immigrants. They were practically excess items for the Arin Tribe, who farmed resources through the game.
Conversely, this implied that they were the only ones capable of trading such valuable supplies freely on the grassland.
Garhan’s warriors and soldiers, brought by R’tai, were taken aback to see Balun dressed in Drake bone armor, their mouths agape in shock.
“Ressen. Please guide the new residents. They may need explanations as well.”
At the same time, Balun summoned Ressen, his trusted veteran soldier, to oversee the immigrants who seemed confused.
While R’tai had explained what he knew about the Arin Tribe, the immigrants still lacked proper information.
They believed that Garhan had sold them into slavery, and witnessing R’tai trading with Balun only confirmed their fears, some even bursting into tears, claiming they’d been deceived.
Balun intended to set the record straight.
‘This is what he wishes for, so there mustn’t be any problems.’
Balun had already realized that securing the population was something the Guardian Deity desired as well.
Wars would need to be fought against the bugs that had nested in the North, so manpower was continually necessary. Therefore, he had no intention of treating the immigrants harshly.
After all, as they shared joys and sorrows, it wouldn’t be long before they would completely merge together.
“Well then, I’ll take my leave. I may return soon, not taking too long.”
“Travel safely.”
Soon, R’tai departed with his troops and the supplies received. Only Balun, along with the Arin Tribe members and the trembling immigrants remained in their place.
*
“What a goldmine.”
It was a brilliant choice for Balun to negotiate with Chieftain Garhan to accept the immigrants in exchange for several resources.
We were able to easily replenish the manpower that we consumed while fighting against the horrific monsters known as bugs.
I chuckled softly as I watches the new residents being added one by one to the status screen.
Their new traits, new talents. To me, all of it appeared as precious human resources worth more than gold.
Moreover, I no longer needed to personally manage the new residents.
Thanks to the robust system I had already established, alongside senior residents who had adapted to that system, new members would be well taught and managed.
‘Soldiers are being supplemented. Transporters, miners, and warriors are increasing as well.’
To the existing tribes, only the warriors would have been seen as valuable talents.
Awakening mana depended entirely on one’s inherent talent, and even if one had talent, they couldn’t awaken their mana or flourish if the environment didn’t support it.
However, as I continued to develop the systems activated through various games and programs using paid points, it was akin to unearthing resources that had never been found in the past, allowing for the more accurate and plentiful discovery of residents’ talents that had previously gone unnoticed.
Most of the skills and abilities gained in the game could still be used in reality, so as more people awakened their traits, the advantages would only multiply.
I had already managed to fend off some attacks from the enemies coming from the North and striking back, attacking three hives was a significant haul.
Having left them to rest and recover on their own, I decided today not to summon Riena into the game and let her rest.
“I think they’re about to make an announcement. Countries are probably coordinating and aligning their speeches.”
That said, I wasn’t resting. The communication from Lee So-Yeon had arrived, and I had been waiting for it.
‘Unbelievable.’
The first to officially mention the bugs and reveal their identity was none other than the President of the United States. However, who spoke first wasn’t particularly important.
As he himself mentioned, many countries had already been conversing together and it had become a collective announcement.
“The reactions are explosive. It’s to be expected, though.”
“…It’s something like that happening only in a creation.”
Just as Lee So-Yeon said, the world had turned upside down. It was only natural for something already fraught with suspicion and various speculations to be acknowledged as a fact.
I was currently browsing the internet, but truly, it seemed like this topic dominated every site I visited.
Monsters called bugs and information about users alike.
It was inevitable. After all, the one who provided information about the bugs and officially appeared to display the powers and items he gained introduced himself as a user named Brian from America.
The emergence of monsters intent on devouring worlds and people, alongside these unique beings managing individuals from other worlds while glued to their computers, could not help but stir conversation.
“People are all seeking us out.”
“What people think doesn’t matter. Have you heard anything? What has this nation decided to do, or anything along those lines?”
“Not yet. I think they’ll likely act similarly to the U.S. in their discussions.”
As it was announced that users existed across various servers, or countries, our nation’s people also began to scramble, trying to locate us, the users belonging to this country.
The President of the United States, who announced the existence of bugs and users to the world, promised to provide the utmost support for the extermination of the bugs.
Thus, anyone who became a user was urged to request help from the state without hesitation.
Our country likely would do the same.
“Our original plan was to step forward and sell whatever we could when such a world arrived, so there’s no need to flatly refuse, is there?”
“From the sound of it, you seem eager to step up.”
“T-that’s…”
Hearing her, I couldn’t help but smile. Indeed, Lee So-Yeon had been a person full of initiative and ambition since the first moment we met.
Whether my words struck a chord or not, I could hear her stumbling over her words through the phone.
“I don’t mind at all. Just make sure that if we step up, it’s you taking the lead, Lee So-Yeon. I don’t particularly wish to reveal myself.”
I shared thoughts I’d been pondering deeply. I’d considered various assumptions and had agonized over them, but truly, I didn’t want to bring my name and face to the attention of the world.
From the time I first met the residents who arrived on my desktop, I only wanted to watch over them.
Most importantly, the more I turned my gaze to the outside, the more neglectful I would become towards the residents.
Now that I cherished those who had come to me, I couldn’t leave them behind to venture elsewhere.
“I… get what you mean.”
After hearing my words, she responded with a small sigh of understanding.
Of course, that didn’t mean I wouldn’t step up at all, so as she took the lead and absorbed the attention of others, I would quietly operate behind her.
A mutually beneficial arrangement.
‘Is there really an end to it all?’
After ending the call with Lee So-Yeon, I watched over the residents from my darkened room, looking at the screen.
In the northern fortresses, soldiers were still cleaning up, and new territories were being established for the newly arrived residents in the villages.
Various residents were busy at their tasks in the games that were running without pause.
Seeing the vulnerable sight of them growing and developing, I couldn’t help but ponder the future.
When will the attacks from the bugs end? Will it be over once all the monsters that destroyed the Dwarf Kingdom in the North are eradicated? They have already begun to learn formation techniques and attempt long-range attacks; I wondered just how much stronger they would become in that process.
“Haah.”
[Hero Academy Activated]
As my thoughts became increasingly complicated, I let out a sigh and activated the building I had constructed in a corner of the village with my mouse. The Hero Academy, a basic structure granted when starting Glory Tower.
This building’s function is to produce hero units with various skills.
The countless fiery arrows and ice arrows, like what’s seen in the sky, are a crucial element that plays a significant role in defense.
[Deployable Units: Rasen, Tur, Toa]
Upon reviewing the log, I found that all the deployable personnel had transitioned into mages through Dark Blood.
Among them, I placed Rasen, who had first become a mage and had the highest proficiency.
I watched as the boy clumsily clambered up the mouse then disappeared into the building.
If the grand-scale magic that appeared in the game could actually be realized, it would be a great help in large-scale battles.
If I had my way, I would dearly love to give them a good rest, but knowing the enemy’s growth speed was alarming, we too needed to hurry.
‘It’s like climbing a mountain. Having tackled three nests, now it’s four to deal with?’
While I used the mouse actively to lead the residents, it wasn’t always the case.
It was common for me to follow them around due to their actions. Just now, as Riena led the way, they were busy moving around persistently, making it difficult for me to get some rest.
Since I hadn’t called for her to rest, Riena was galloping around on horseback, busy scouting new territories.
“—.”
What they discovered on their reconnaissance this time was yet another hive. The sight of those crazy monsters spreading out so broadly brought about hollow laughter.
‘Why didn’t they help? No, why didn’t they all invade together from the beginning?’
The hive, which the residents were peering down upon from the hill, appeared filled with forces. Yet, right when the nest of their own kin was demolished, they offered no assistance whatsoever.
It was the same when the monsters first attacked. Did these beings, sharing a common purpose, really compete among themselves?
‘That’s not what’s important right now.’
Shaking my head as my thoughts wandered elsewhere, I forced my heavy eyelids open and moved the mouse.
I needed to create a new defense line by placing defense towers using the saved resources, preparing for the foes that were growing stronger and multiplying.
