SWNOVELXO Chapter 149
Chapter 149 – Evidence of Development (9)
“The kingdom’s support troops have moved north, so we can send materials and forces to Riena.”
“From what I’ve heard, those Elves seem to be holding up better than the Dwarves. We’ll need more than this to assist them, Chieftain.”
“It is difficult, but if he has decided to help the Elves, then we must follow his lead.”
Balun intended to invest the surplus from the kingdom’s troops into the Land of the Elves where Riena was located. For those around him, there was no choice but to follow Balun’s direction.
Ever since he could directly command them through the new game system, going beyond just clicking with the mouse, he began to utilize his abilities more actively. This was a different action from the time when he had mostly left the decisions to the autonomy of the Arin Tribe.
Helping the Elves and fostering cooperation was undoubtedly influenced more by his will than that of the Arin Tribe.
“He wants us to be self-sufficient and strong. However, the fact that he is giving us such orders means that this matter is that important.”
“That’s right.”
“Additionally, we cannot afford to lack allies who will fight alongside us against the Black Monsters. If we can form an alliance with the Elves, our strength will be significantly bolstered.”
Balun constantly reminded those around him that their main enemy was the Bugs. The reason for expanding their influence and securing technology and materials through more exchanges and trades was all for fighting against the Bugs.
That was their duty and mission. Considering this, there were no objections within the Arin Tribe regarding helping the Elves.
“Hurry, we need to send troops and supplies. We can’t feel safe until that area is as stable as the north.”
“If we’re not careful, the west could become dangerous. Luke and his remnants haven’t given up yet. They might strike now that our forces are weakened.”
“We’re fine for now. We can handle it ourselves.”
Despite the rapid expansion of their forces, they were not exactly comfortable.
When the subordinates expressed their concerns about the west, where fortresses and villages were still being built, Balun had no choice but to shake his head in resignation.
The western territory was mostly the land once governed by Chieftain Garhan.
So far, they had called everyone in they absorbed into the city to grow their size, but now it was impossible to migrate everyone like that, and leaving the land vacant was not an option.
Thus, mobilizing transporters and miners to construct sturdy fortresses and walled villages, the west had emerged as a core area that housed an essential population even greater than the First Village, the sanctuary of the Arin Tribe.
‘With this level of support, it must be over five thousand. But that’s still a stretch. We really need to do something.’
Junyoung continued to watch the newly gathered support troops as per Balun’s decisive orders.
There were over five thousand Arin soldiers deployed to help the Elves alone. Given the Arin Tribe’s characteristic of needing to defend many lands and bases compared to their population, that was by no means a small number.
“We’re not going to get a break until this business with the Elves is wrapped up.”
Moving the mouse, he chuckled to himself. Both he and the residents genuinely wanted to save the Elves’ land. And since it was him who actively sent the residents to assist, he had a hunch that he wouldn’t be able to leave the computer until this was over.
And it wasn’t just a baseless hunch. It had been proven that the Bugs did not have infinite power through past experiences. If they could fend off this assault that seemed to involve an alliance of two Bug swarms, they would earn enough time to regroup and counterattack.
“The Central City Elrain is still fiercely fighting off the besieging enemies. We need to save that place to learn about the situation in other areas, so we must go there first.”
“What about the other Elf villages in the vicinity?”
“If they’re safe, we’ll need to send people to help them as well.”
With the support troops continuously joining, Riena finished preparing her forces for combat and began discussing plans with Eve, a local and outstanding Elf warrior.
The goal was to attack and drive away the Bugs that were struggling fiercely to capture the Central City. In truth, there was no other option.
After all, the Bugs were an enemy that had to be eliminated without fail.
“We’re just over a hundred, huh? That’s rather modest.”
Eve, who had effectively become the representative of the Elves in this allied force, smiled bitterly as she looked at the few Elves who had decided to fight alongside her. Given that they had selected them from just two villages, their numbers were remarkably sparse compared to the Arin Tribe, despite their ability to fight regardless of age or gender.
“It can’t be helped. All the soldiers fulfilling their duties must be in the center.”
“Therefore, some of them should refrain from heading to the battlefield and instead go to the surrounding villages. If those places are safe, we can rally a militia to aid the center.”
Eve, concluding that her small numbers did not matter much, decided to split their forces again. They would travel around the villages, persuading fellow kin instead of the humans who were bound to be suspicious of the Arin Tribe.
“I don’t think we can wait for them to arrive.”
“I know. But if they do come, it will definitely strengthen our rear guard.”
Eve did not oppose Riena’s insistence that they should depart immediately. As long as someone could guard the fortress or provide assistance, even if a bit late, that would suffice.
‘Finally, we’re off. She’s managing well, as expected. Like father, like daughter.’
Looking at Riena with a satisfied expression, Junyoung continued to push the residents to assist the Elves, but once the foundation of the alliance was established, he let them devise and carry out the operations on their own.
He thought that if he rushed in and tried to speed things up, it might actually backfire. This proved to be the best decision in the end.
Thanks to his urging, the residents moved quickly without hesitation, and due to his step back, the operation was established without any shortcomings, progressing in full compliance.
“We have to achieve accomplishments…”
He fiddled with the mouse while observing the allied forces that had begun to move. He hadn’t rushed the residents to act, but his anxiety stemmed from the recommendation of a new game by the Master Program.
As he started to officially accept the Elves as allies, the recommended game was Pantheon. This game was none other than an FPS game.
Now that he had gained some experience, he understood what this meant. The Elves had a basic archery trait, and many of them possessed the latent characteristic of “shooting skills.” The game was suggesting he put them into it and give them guns instead of bows.
Once the Elves wielded guns, they would have another weapon to fight against the Bugs.
But the downside was the lack of points.
It wasn’t that he was completely out of points; just a few accomplishments would bring him there quickly, so he was anxiously scanning the monitors.
Currently, most areas were peaceful. The only places where points could be earned seemed to be the ongoing games with the residents and in the Land of the Elves.
“This… this can’t be! Hurry and inform me! They’re coming!”
But contrary to his expectations, events began to unfold without any prior warning. The first variable had erupted when the scouts monitoring the river across from the Dwarf Kingdom’s capital at the Northern Fortress saw an enormous legion pouring out from the old Dwarf Kingdom.
‘A two-front battle!?’
Junyoung’s eyes widened in shock. It was clear that the Bugs had started communicating, unveiling a new strategy.
Until now, the Bugs had attacked in their own ways, but as soon as the Arin forces dove into the Elves’ land, the previously quiet northern front attempted an assault.
“Chieftain! Luke’s movements are suspicious!”
But the real problem was just about to begin.
*
“Ugh, aahhh…!”
In the lavish tent that should only hold the Chieftain and his wife, agonizing moans could be heard.
“Ugh, ughhh!”
Luke’s wife twisted her body with a pale face. But she could neither move her body nor scream. Something that resembled black tentacles had ensnared her body, blocking her mouth. And this grotesque bug had emerged from none other than Luke’s arm.
As Luke, his eyes stained red, writhed in agony, the black parasites began to crawl all over his trapped wife’s body.
“!!!”
The parasites eventually attempted to infest Luke’s wife as well. Being thicker than fingers, they infiltrated her body through its orifices without any way for her to resist.
“I must… I must kill them… all of them…”
Since the last battle, Luke had begun to succumb to the control of the parasitic bugs implanted within him.
Most of his actions were now a reflection of the urges imposed by the will of the parasites that strongly twisted his own.
“My King. Ahem, I have brought the traders from the Empire you mentioned.”
The day after Luke and his wife had been fully infested, Luke’s subordinates carried out his secretly given orders.
They had covertly brought in the traders from the Empire who were operating in the grassland.
“I’ve heard the rumors, Chieftain.”
The clueless traders and subordinates entered his tent. Contrary to the horrific events of the previous night, Luke greeted them with a calm expression.
“I wish to purchase weapons to crush that Arin Tribe that has been rampaging in the eastern regions.”
“Of course. I will provide every compensation you desire.”
“Do you have specific weapons in mind?”
“Gunpowder, sell me gunpowder weapons.”
Luke’s eyes sparkled as he spoke directly. The trader, who had thin mustaches on his nose, trembled in surprise, but his eyes were already tinted with greed.
“H-hold on, gunpowder weapons are top secret. If it’s known that they have flowed into the grassland Tribe, there will be a massacre.”
“I already know that it’s possible. Don’t talk too much! I clearly said I would give anything.”
Even knowing all this, Luke, enraged at the trader’s resistance, shouted with bloodshot eyes, unleashing a wave infused with mana.
His strength had become heightened due to the parasites’ control, shocking the onlookers into silence while the surprised trader fell on his rear.
“I-I’ll look into it!”
The cowed trader, with his pride shattered, genuinely felt his life was in danger and bowed his head.
Thus, Luke obtained the gunpowder weapons from the Empire. With that, he was just waiting for the right moment to draw his sword.
‘Is it time? Is now the time? Now?! Now!’
One day, Luke’s eyes popped open wide from sleep as he grasped his head. The strong will of the parasites within him urged him, and he firmly believed it was time to rally the army.
“At once! Summon the soldiers!”
This was the unfolding of events. While the Bugs invaded the Elves’ land and a battle to reclaim the nests arose in the north.
It was the meticulous plan driven by a fierce desire to flank the Arin Tribe from all sides.