SWNOVELXO Chapter 145
Chapter 145 – Proof of Progress (5)
Whether there’s a final dark figure encompassing all the bugs is still a matter of speculation, but at least the ones on my screen are definitely in cahoots. I was confident of that.
As I continue to activate the game and grow the residents, the bugs have also increased and grown stronger. Now, it’s pointless to distinguish which came first.
According to what is known so far, having a population of just over ten thousand makes you rank among the top users. My tribe and I had long left that standard in the dust.
‘What if we lose?’
We had become stronger to survive, and so had the bugs we had to face. Once we started running, stopping meant being pushed back by the enemy; thus, we could never afford to stop.
Thinking about how we could collapse after running like this and how the bugs on the screen would pour into reality, my expression stiffened.
The bugs now appearing on Earth were merely less evolved and less developed compared to what the residents were fighting against on the screen.
Though it was an unwelcome responsibility, the stronger we became, the heavier that burden grew.
‘I can no longer turn a blind eye.’
I was truly concerned about how the elves would perceive this situation, but the answer was already apparent in this scenario.
I didn’t hesitate to control the miners and transporters, setting up defense turrets. Hesitating on matters of life and death would be sheer folly.
“—, —.”
“—!”
Leaving the elves behind, the residents began scouting the surrounding terrain. The forest had a different vibe than the dense woods of the northern region. Every time a new area on the screen lit up, I paid close attention to it.
“Is it still in the early stages?”
I muttered quietly as I spotted spots of elven villages or towns scattered around.
By the time we set out for assistance, the capital of the Dwarf Kingdom had already fallen, but there was still a chance for the elves.
As the bug legions gathered from all directions, the elves who had been scattered were barely holding on. If we didn’t act immediately to save them, it would be impossible to halt the bugs’ expansion.
Reluctantly, I had to force the residents, who were still unaware of the situation, into action. I believed that once they understood the circumstances, they would fight well on their own. What troubled me was the insufficient number of allies compared to the scale of the situation.
Collaboration with the elves was no choice; it was essential for both sides.
*
“They’ve appeared. From the north!”
“There’s only a small number, so calm down. The defense turrets will operate on their own.”
In a hurry, we established a temporary fortress based on the elf village.
The bugs tried to reveal themselves and attack, but fortunately, the defense turrets we had installed automatically detected the enemies and helped with the defense.
As long as we responded properly, a small number of bugs wouldn’t be able to bring us down.
“Look. Without their help, we would have to leave our village now. We can’t spare resources to help other kin.”
“Even so, aren’t they rampaging through our land as they please?”
“The nearest village of Lady Luna is also being attacked by those monsters. Are you just going to watch that happen!?”
Thanks to the bugs constantly seeking opportunities, the voices for cooperation among the elves began to rise gradually.
Centered around Eve, a relatively young warrior, they clashed with the elder group that was stubbornly rejecting the incoming humans, declaring that now is the time when anyone should extend their hand.
“What does your father say?”
“He said it’s too late to go now, but until stabilization is complete, he’s leaving it to Lady Riena…”
Amidst that, Riena, who had been observing the elf conflict, sighed upon hearing Balun’s reply. Balun, who had been in the west to stabilize the area, had declared he wouldn’t attend this matter.
Though he could have arrived quickly by using the portal, Riena felt instinctively that Balun couldn’t manage everything, so she didn’t ask for him again.
“Since he doesn’t insist on calling you, this must be his will.”
“Then… what are you planning to do now? According to the reconnaissance, the nearest elf village is still under attack. If we delay, they will either be slaughtered or forced to flee.”
Riena’s eyes turned to the elves at the words of Les, the reconnaissance team leader and a fellow elder from their village. In fact, acting independently and ignoring the elves now was not entirely impossible.
‘But that way, we can’t achieve completeness.’
However, Riena wanted to fight alongside the elves. When the time comes to fight for other elves, the difference between going alongside their kin and not could be vast.
The first part may be difficult, but if we can overcome this initial shock, I believed it would be entirely possible to unite and fight together.
“Is that really possible? From what I’ve heard, the elves’ resentment towards humans is beyond comparison to that of the dwarves.”
“We humans also fought, igniting hatred and grudges. That enmity was the same for us too. But receiving his grace consecutively, we truly became one, so I believe it won’t be difficult.”
Seeing the elves, who hardly swayed from their stubbornness, Les expressed doubt, but Riena shook her head.
Even at her young age, Riena held a foundational position within the Arin tribe. She was a veteran who had accumulated the most experience alongside Balun.
She had witnessed terrible disasters and miracles that could mend even the greatest resentments, making it impossible to reject.
“Of course, we don’t have time to wait patiently. So for now, I’ll definitely make the most promising elves into our allies. Once that happens, the other elves will naturally persuade them.”
Riena’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Eve. Rising as a representative of the cooperation faction, Eve was, in Riena’s view, a promising talent that could surely become an ally.
Though not as adept as Balun at handling people, Riena herself possessed traits that could lead others to follow her.
Moreover, preaching faith in that individual was the task she felt most confident about, being the first paladin.
After formulating her plan, Riena slowly approached Eve.
“You are…”
Taking a moment away from others, Eve turned to Riena, who had come close, suppressing her anger.
Though Riena was a much younger human girl, she seemed far stronger and a leader who brought this vast army.
Their first encounter had been intense, but now, with heightened emotions somewhat settled, Eve saw Riena, adorned with a sparkling tiara, as a rather special human.
“The fortification work isn’t finished, but reconnaissance shows the nearby situation is chaotic. There’s an attacked village nearby, so we will move to rescue them and eliminate the black monsters.”
“Luna’s village!”
“As I’ve said, we must eliminate the black monsters. I believe it’s best if we join forces to save our kin.”
Riena directly proposed to Eve that they fight together. The suggestion that they should help rescue their kin made Eve’s eyes waver.
Such an obvious statement.
“Why go this far? I’ve heard from other humans. They all say the same thing: that it’s an obligation and mission. Is that the order from you, the leader?”
“No, it’s the command of someone far greater than I.”
In response to Eve’s complicated question, Riena smiled faintly. It was only natural to answer since the other party sought curiosity.
Even if the elves were several hundred years old, the mere mention of the miracles shown by the one they believed and followed wouldn’t leave them unfazed, she was confident.
“He is great and merciful. No need for ceremonial flourishes. Just fight together. That alone will have him embrace you all.”
Riena reached out her hand first. A thin, white hand that did not reflect the fierce battles fought previously by this fragile girl.
Thanks to the Celestial Blessing she had acquired, her callouses and scars had all regenerated.
‘If I take this… but we have to fight.’
Eve hesitated at the sight of the hand, but soon raised her trembling hand.
Even if she would later be called a traitor by her kin, she had decided to accept it. Though some of her kin would surely resist, Eve believed this was justice.
“You seem uneasy.”
“I haven’t yet persuaded all my kin. Please don’t see it negatively. They just need a little time.”
“There’s no need for such concern. It wasn’t the first time, but in the end, everyone… has become one with us.”
At Eve’s careful words, Riena smiled subtly.
Riena stated that once the elves had tasted the powers of their guardian deity a few times, they would inevitably be enchanted, but Eve misunderstood it slightly.
Upon hearing that they would inevitably become one, Eve flinched and swallowed dryly at the sight of Riena turning her back, looking tense.
“Prepare for deployment! If we delay, the numbers will only continue to grow!”
Though just a warrior, Riena, who had forged a cooperative relationship with the elven Eve, gathered her forces and attempted to advance again.
The objective was to hunt down the bugs attacking the nearby village and seeking to nest there.
In a sense, this was a new type of battle. Thus far, we had either defended against bug attacks or attacked weakened bug nests, but we had never initiated an attack on a fully vigorous bug legion.
‘It’s an experience we had to have sooner or later.’
Riena deemed this operation something that had to be done. The morale of the troops was already high. We needed to eliminate the bugs before they absorbed the elves’ strength and grew stronger, so we could establish a new defense line.
Despite the objections from the opposition faction, the elves, led by Eve, also joined in. This newly formed allied forces quickly traversed the forest paths and attacked the bugs causing chaos.
“Are things going well?”
Watching the scene unfold on the screen, I smiled wryly at the sight of Eve fighting alongside her comrades.
Inside the village, the elves, who had been resisting fiercely, were also shocked and astonished to see those who came to help.
At least, it seemed that having Eve along with the Arin tribe made that shock a little less intense.
“Who on earth are these humans?!”
“For now, let’s fight together. Eve from the neighboring village is with us!”
They fought together in a hurry. The bugs, perhaps caught off guard by the Arin tribe’s sudden raid, began to slowly retreat, overwhelmed by the unexpectedly doubled front lines.
‘Where is he?’
Riena searched for something while cutting down the advancing enemies in succession.
A guy who had managed to endure her attacks and might even try to escape if it didn’t work. But he had vanished without a trace.