SWNOVELXO Chapter 135
Chapter 135 – EEE (5)
“Wait, wait! Are you crazy?!”
The scorpions that just appeared were mad monsters that could bounce off rifle bullets. To charge at such monsters barehanded seemed like pure madness from their perspective.
“Are these guys the Black Monsters?!”
“I’ve never heard of such creatures, but let’s kill them for now!”
On the other hand, the residents were not awkward at all when it came to fighting this giant scorpion. They were all experienced fighters against Bugs.
Of course, they had no memories of a Bug that looked like a scorpion, but even non-Hunters had mastered the art of fighting large enemies.
“They’re weak! Ha! Much weaker! These guys are not Black Monsters!”
The warrior, Shun, who slashed the scorpion’s stinger weapon with his sword skill, shouted excitedly.
After all, the cosmic monsters that appear in this game were entirely different species from Bugs.
To them, the scorpions’ carapace looked relatively soft and weak compared to the bodies of Bugs or Glitches, which held some mana and had decent resistance, regardless of their size.
“Really?! Then this might be doable!”
Other warriors also gained hope upon hearing this news. These were the same folks who used to tremble before an ordinary beast, but now they felt at ease, knowing these monsters were not Bugs.
“But they’re still tough!”
“Still, this isn’t bad!”
The spears and swords they wielded emitted mana, pushing out skills in different forms. They unleashed thrusts and slashes that breeched the wind, all infused with mana – a special kind of attack that couldn’t be explained by science or physics.
These attacks cleaved through the tough exoskeletons and bodies of the cosmic monsters that had been battling the Federation relentlessly.
‘Huh, what’s happening?’
Federation soldiers, who were shooting back in resistance, were astonished to see the Arin Tribe warriors suddenly charging in and easily shredding the enemies like tofu.
The warriors who led the charge were also超人, exhibiting incomprehensible abilities like firing flaming projectiles like cannonballs or summoning writhing vines with the spells of a Mage and Druid – things too bizarre to explain.
‘Was there some kind of adjustment made? I thought the balance was totally wrecked, but thank goodness.’
And those controlling them simply observed from beyond the screen, chuckling faintly while witnessing the warriors successfully dominating their adversaries.
Though they said ‘control,’ in reality, they had only issued attack commands and then stepped back – yet the residents automatically coordinated their positions and fought excellently.
“Who on earth are you? Where did you come from?”
As all the ambushing enemies lay dead, oozing fluids and littering the ground, it seemed only natural that Federation soldiers approached the Arin warriors cautiously.
Despite the confusion, the striking similarity in appearance to the ‘humans’ helped mitigate their initial distance.
“We are here guided by the Guardian Deity.”
After a moment of staring at one another, Shun, the warrior who had stepped forward, introduced themselves to the Federation soldiers who were also dressed peculiarly.
Though the situation was chaotic, Arin Tribe had plenty of precedents, so arriving forcibly in a strange world wasn’t entirely unfamiliar to them.
If everything was guided by the Guardian Deity, it wouldn’t seem strange.
At the mention of the Guardian Deity, the soldiers’ expressions turned subtle.
“I am Sergeant Rodwell of the Frontier Development Command. This is an undeveloped area where no humans reside, and our survey ship was attacked while constructing a base for exploration.”
Rodwell, having introduced himself, continued to gaze uneasily at the Arin warriors.
In fact, this was nearly a first for the warriors; they were all wide-eyed with curiosity toward the soldiers of this unfamiliar realm, unlike Rodwell and the other Federation soldiers who knew all too well what kind of land this was.
“I understood that the locals… are not locals.”
“Correct. This place is also strange to us. We do not know why He sent us here.”
“Then where is the ship you arrived on… Or wait, do you mean you don’t even know why you’re here?”
“Actually, I have a guess. You don’t seem to be His avatar, but we have already received His orders.”
Upon Rodwell’s bewildered query, Shun quietly glanced at his comrades and shook his head. The current situation differed somewhat from the stories shared by seniors who had entered the game.
There was no avatar of the Guardian Deity accompanying them—only clueless locals.
However, Shun quickly grasped the situation. The Guardian Deity was indeed present with them. When they hesitated, it was the will of the Deity that activated their bodies, directing them to fight when monsters appeared.
“Did you feel it too? At that moment when we received His will.”
“You felt it too?”
Arin warriors exchanged wide-eyed glances as they whispered among themselves. The activation of the game and the reason they were tasked within it was to strengthen the bond they shared with Jun-young, who was controlling them from the screen.
In truth, while the Arin Tribe warriors fought under his control, they instinctively sensed they were connected by something.
That connection heightened their synchrony, establishing a sort of mental bond. They couldn’t precisely describe what it was, but the moment combat began, their bodies, engraved with instinct, naturally fused Jun-young’s commands with their teamwork.
‘He wouldn’t call us for no reason.’
The Guardian Deity had a purpose in summoning them.
Having firmly believed this, they felt more pride than discomfort toward Jun-young, who manipulated them against their will.
This was due to the mutual trust and bond they had steadily cultivated.
[Achievement Unlocked: Mutual Trust (1)]
“Heh.”
That was recognized as an achievement. The notification popped up, causing him to chuckle lightly while progressing through the game without thinking much of it.
“Sergeant, communication is completely cut off. Our outpost’s equipment is still lacking…”
“Can we at least locate ourselves?”
“That much is possible. If a rescue unit doesn’t arrive, we’ll have to walk across the wilderness to meet the main forces.”
“Well then, there’s no choice.”
The ones inside had no idea, but the game was still in progress. After barely surviving as stragglers, Rodwell and his soldiers were now awkwardly looking at the Arin Tribe warriors.
The Arin warriors stood there with blank expressions, gazing up at the heavens, waiting for orders.
“We can’t communicate with the headquarters right now, so we must reach there to survive. The lands controlled by the ruckers may also be dangerous for you, so will you accompany us?”
‘I have no idea what’s happening, but anyway, these are humans, and they have the strength to take down those terrifying monsters. They’ll surely be helpful.’
Rodwell subtly suggested to the Arin warriors they join him. It was a decision made for their own safety but also part of the game’s progression.
“We have no reason to refuse.”
Interpreting that, he smirked and clicked to move the Arin warriors.
“That’s… whoa!”
“He has instructed us. To follow you.”
That small act instantly became thrilling for the warriors. Surprised by their sudden enthusiasm, Rodwell hurriedly began directing the Arin warriors along the path.
[Stage 1 Clear. Controllable units increased.]
‘So the purpose of this game was to grant me the power to control.’
With that, a stage had concluded.
Today, as Jun-young intended to take them back outside, the warriors were momentarily stunned by the suddenly changed scenery but didn’t startle too much, given they were already acquainted with the concept of coming and going from the game.
“Is everyone okay? No injuries?”
“That’s right. Shun, are you planning to report this to the Chieftain?”
“Of course I am.”
Shun decided to step up and report the matter to Balun – what world they had entered, what they had experienced, and what they had brought back.
To the Arin Tribe, the game had become a place where miracles occurred, allowing them to gain wondrous knowledge and objects, akin to a divine space where they could meet the avatar of a God.
*
“This is insane. It’s huge.”
“I knew Rihar’s words weren’t a lie, but…”
While Shun and the chosen warriors had special experiences in the new world, the village of the Arin Tribe was also bustling with activity.
The delegation from the kingdom, which had hurriedly set off to Village 1, was one such sign of that busy shift.
It had been confirmed that everything Rihar testified was true, yet seeing and hearing it were entirely different experiences.
The Vice Minister and Leo were astonished at the complete structures of Village 1, which was fully built, unlike Village 2, still under construction.
It was nothing like the tribal villages they had passed; it wasn’t something to dismiss as just a Barbarian Tribe—it was a properly made city.
It wasn’t simply large; the architects and transporters had been diligently studying and learning various buildings and facilities within the game, resulting in unique and diverse styles that would leave any outsider wondering how it was even constructed.
‘The reasons to persuade are decreasing…’
Leo bitterly smiled at the cityscape. This was a moment where the highlight of the kingdom’s claims to persuade Riena was being wiped off the board.
“Uh, Captain of the Guard, just why do you want to take her to the kingdom? Don’t tell me…”
“It’s not like that. I just thought she’d be of great help to the kingdom’s knights.”
Noticing Leo’s reaction, the Vice Minister narrowed his eyes. Leo protested subtly, shaking his head. While he couldn’t claim he had no selfish motives, what he raised as a justification wasn’t entirely a lie either.
‘It would be an immense stimulus for the overly arrogant knights of our kingdom.’
As a knight to his core, he recalled his comrades and juniors who had grown complacent due to the extended peace.
He was the same, yet he had just regained his senses. Facing the Bugs, the monsters, and watching the Arin Tribe warriors, including Riena.
“The Black Monsters, those guys were real. Just think of what would happen if they invaded our kingdom. Do you think our forces could effectively combat them now? The elite troops Luke brought also suffered significant damage from them, didn’t they?”
“Well, that’s…”
“That’s exactly right!”
As the Vice Minister hesitated amid Leo’s remarks, Rihar interjected and vigorously nodded.
Out of the three survivors from the delegation, now two had completely switched sides.