A Village Appeared on My Desktop

139th Episode – 이이제이 (9)

“Do we need to build a bridge?”

“The water levels aren’t high right now, but it rises when it rains. They say we absolutely need a bridge.”

The continuous expansion of the Arin Tribe. For Balun to maintain the leadership he desires, infrastructure was essential. The problem was that this infrastructure primarily involved significant civil engineering projects like roads, bridges, castle walls, and houses, which were no small feats.

The chiefs, who had surrendered and relocated, nervously glanced at the Arin warriors while insisting that a bridge should be built over the stream near the village.

For those lacking substantial construction or civil engineering skills, the idea of constructing a proper bridge was daunting.

“Is that even possible?”

“Thank goodness. I can do it.”

However, the Arin warriors merely looked at the transporter and miners who had come with them. One of the transporters nodded, saying he knew how to build a bridge.

Having learned from various structures created by Junyoung through online guides, these transporters now possessed the ability to replicate the facilities existing in the game in reality.

“Alright, let’s all get moving!”

Following the instructions of the transporter, who could stack stone blocks to build a bridge, the miners and transporters began to work with picks and blocks.

It was as if they considered it a walk in the park, swinging their picks and stacking blocks seamlessly.

“Look, look at that!”

“Oh my, the stone pillars are just stacking up!”

The migrants who were watching could only gawk in amazement.

As the transporters pulled out various blocks—ordinary stone blocks, cut blocks, wooden blocks, and brick blocks—and started to assemble them both on the ground and in mid-air, a plausible bridge began to take shape in no time.

The miners, digging out the rugged terrain with their picks, compacted and processed the stone into uniform sizes. It was astonishing to see such monumental civil engineering work being accomplished by just a little over a dozen people instead of the massive workforce usually required.

“How on earth is this possible?”

“Ah… it’s all thanks to the choice we made.”

When the bridge was about halfway completed, people flocked to them during their break. The transporter, clearly boasting about how he had acquired such skills and strength, shared his tale without reservation.

It was impossible not to feel proud. He, a mere leather craftsman who could never become a warrior, had now become a valuable asset on par with the fighters.

Even though he was tiring and straining his body while carrying and setting up blocks, that pride served as excellent fuel to keep him going.

“Everyone’s eyes are sparkling. If you serve loyally and train hard, that person will take care of everything.”

Naturally, Junyoung’s influence as a guardian deity was further solidified through this process. There was no one among those who witnessed his power who could deny or underestimate it.

The weakened Luke was certainly in no position to regain influence, while the Arin Tribe’s grip spread quickly and strongly across the grasslands.

The tribes still loyal to Luke were also shaken by the rumors.

Although the chiefs who once ruled their tribes would effectively lose all their authority and become part of the Arin Tribe, many thought it would be worth bearing.

“If we gradually expand our influence this way, Luke will naturally wither away. It’ll be a way to reduce unnecessary sacrifices while saving as many people as possible.”

“Given his character, there’s no way he’d surrender gracefully.”

“Doesn’t matter. The result will be the same anyway.”

With the continuous expansion of the Arin Tribe’s influence toward the west, north, and south, Balun smiled faintly as he looked at the real-time updating map.

If things continued like this, it was clear that Luke would surrender, achieving the grand feat of unifying the grasslands.

“Are the trials going smoothly?”

“Yes. Just yesterday, nearly 150 people underwent their tests. Since those returning have no choice but to come to the first village, the numbers should be accurate.”

Balun turned his head to receive a report from a young man. Recognizing his quick wit, Balun appointed him, named Leon, as a co-manager of the central operations alongside himself.

“We are assigning them to the respective chiefs as per your instructions to place them appropriately.”

“That’s quite a number.”

Balun frowned slightly as he processed the report. What they referred to as trials were none other than the game world. Those chosen were given the chance to enter that world and awaken their talents while farming items.

Miners, transporters, farmers, hunters, equipment makers, and warriors were all involved.

Those selected for the trials, upon passing them, took on the most important roles within their tribes, which they regarded as an unparalleled honor. They were recognized as chosen by the guardian deity.

Balun did not deny this. As their reliance grew with their increasing size, ultimately, everything was a priority for what Junyoung desired.

“The trials that he prepares are fundamental to all of us, so they must be regarded as most important.”

Though the game world was entirely Junyoung’s domain, the residents, including Balun, approached the game with seriousness and enthusiasm.

They were well aware that the resources and technology emerging from there would soon become lifelines that could save their lives, and they tried to keep this in mind.

“Would there be a major problem in a place where he personally manifests different avatars to manage?”

“His gaze doesn’t always reach every location, and those we meet there are outside his influence, so we cannot let our guard down. That place could practically be considered another world, and we have no idea what dark intentions those who enter there might harbor.”

Although Leon raised a question about the danger of divine involvement, Balun shook his head firmly.

Having personally experienced the unpredictability of the game world, he was convinced that anything could happen there.

[Deployable Personnel 9/10]

“W-what on earth is happening!”

And indeed, things went awry. Problems arose in what seemed to be running smoothly.

Startled, Balun burst into the central plaza where the gates were located and was horrified to see a blood-soaked hunter staggering back.

*

[Exited due to Severe Injury]

“What the hell…”

Amid my busy schedule of managing games and confirming the new residents, the sudden news, which I had set aside for the game called Creature Hunting, came as a shock.

One of the rookie hunters, who had been replaced by the more skilled existing hunters, sustained severe injuries and became unable to continue working.

I hurriedly evacuated him to the village and activated the Healing Program while utilizing potions, herbs, and the healing abilities of the paladins.

If this was just an incident during a hunt, I wouldn’t need to react so sensitively. It was common to get injured fighting monsters in the game world.

But this time was different. It was an unexpected incident. The residents had been attacked by NPCs from the game.

“It seems they were ambushed by some rogue hunters. It’s not uncommon; given the rough business they engage in and their lack of real power. Still, they must be doing well enough these days to pull such tricks.”

Rushing to the Hunter Association’s official, Brant, who had accessed the game and was grimacing in despair, I was taken aback at his dismal expression.

‘There shouldn’t be such events?!’

I was flustered. Originally, the game’s enemies were all mutants. There had never been a fight against hunters, who were essentially NPCs, so this was clearly a side effect of efforts to include the residents in the reality.

I had vaguely considered if something like this could happen, but having remained unscathed until now, I had let my guard down and was caught off guard.

“Can we take revenge? Of course, it’s possible. The association isn’t a police force or a court. Unless the damages escalate in a strange way, issues between the parties involved must be resolved among themselves.”

When I chose the option to take revenge, Brant nodded with a smirk. Surprisingly, the association’s straightforward answer was that they wouldn’t intervene in personal disputes.

‘I can’t let this slide.’

Satisfied with that response, I smiled slyly.

To not retaliate after being struck first only means becoming a victim. I certainly couldn’t let my residents turn into victims.

“Are our existing hunters insufficient?”

I pulled everyone outside for now. I left only the two veterans, Naru and Dune, active in the higher-level areas, and moved the rest back to the village.

Then I filled that gap with paladins, including Riena and Shura. The paladins could indeed be considered the strongest group among the residents I had raised. Understanding the situation from the hunters, their eyes sparkled with determination.

It seemed they understood why I had placed them here. They fidgeted with their respective weapons.

I began to control them using mouse commands and moved my character along to start the search for the culprits.

“Wow, the atmosphere is intense. Need some information?”

It was not difficult to find what I was looking for. Surprisingly, a quest prompt appeared to guide me.

As I followed the quest, one of the culprits casually approached, offering to sell information.

“I know the identities of the ones who ambushed your companion. If you provide an appropriate reward, I’ll let you know right away. A very good deal.”

I tossed some gold his way as payment. Satisfied, he stroked his rough beard and pointed with his finger.

“There’s a band of hunters called the Scorpion Clan, who specialize in hunting Red Drakes. Those guys have been quite discontent lately since their revenue has dwindled, claiming outsiders came and swept away their prey. You know the drill? Heh, they’ve all gone on a group hunting expedition now, so good luck with that.”

Thanks to that, I learned about the location, identities, and size of the culprits.

After gathering that information, I turned to look at the paladins who were now watching me. They were the ones who had come here solely to follow my orders.

With just a single command, they could set aside everything and rush to smash and cut down anything.

“—.”

As if reading my mind, the paladins, including Riena, all knelt with their weapons held high.

This was a customary practice for the warriors of the grasslands to pledge their loyalty.

Now that I had confirmed their determination, there was no need to hesitate any longer.

I moved my mouse again, designating them as a unit, and leading my character equipped with a hefty hammer, I charged towards the forest where the enemies awaited.

‘This is trivial. It’s bound to happen again in the future.’

Even though it occurred in the game world, at its core, it was no different from the events happening in reality. It was simply the matter of punishing the foes who dared to attack us.