A Village Appeared on My Desktop

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Chapter 72 – The Northern Gale (2)

“There’s no reason to collide head-on directly.”

Balun smiled contentedly at the traps that had been hastily constructed according to his instructions. After hearing about the properties of the mud blocks discovered by several miners, he wanted to actually try the tactics he had thought of.

A power that breaks the rules known as magic or shamanism. They obtained that power through the game. There’s no reason not to use it.

Of course, how to apply that strange and unique power is another matter. However, Balun, who spearheaded this operation, had often contemplated ways to utilize these special powers and came up with his own methods, readily embracing them.

“If successful, we can crush their momentum in one go.”

“They’ll probably be flustered and surprised at facing something for the first time, just like when we first witnessed His power. The important thing now is to overwhelm them from all sides while they’re in disarray.”

Balun faintly smiled at Rakum’s words, filled with admiration for the groundbreaking traps, as he continued giving orders.

First, the hundreds of soldiers were divided into three groups. The plan was to strike from three sides as the enemies rushed towards the main force.

“The miners need to work harder.”

Balun formed two groups, around a hundred each, with Riena and Rakum as the assault commanders, and then looked at the miners who were catching their breath.

This area was an open plain with no cover. Concealing troops for a surprise attack was nearly impossible here. However, if the miners with their specialty worked diligently swinging their pickaxes, they could create spaces for the troops to hide.

“They’re on their way, but we’ve arrived here at great speed. So there’s still plenty of time.”

“I’ll get to work.”

Balun encouraged the miners including Koon. They would probably be swinging pickaxes tirelessly all day, or perhaps for more than two days, but there was no other choice for the miners if they wanted to win this war.

‘Those hiding underground will spring out all at once and strike the enemy alongside the main force.’

Balun watched as the miners began digging in far-off locations, creating a wide space for the troops to hide underground and sloping the entrance. The plan was to charge out riding horses at the right moment to attack the flanks of the unsuspecting enemies.

Having some combat experience, Balun was confident that if successful, they could deal devastating blows to the enemies who lost their momentum upon rushing into the traps.

‘If it truly succeeds…’

At the same time, the significance of this war was no longer just a power struggle.

This was the first battle that actively utilized the abilities gained in the game. Winning this battle would prove that power.

If so, the tribe members’ faith would solidify further, and Balun’s own conviction would grow stronger.

“They’re continuing to approach. However, their direction seems slightly off. They seem to be unaware of our location.”

“That shouldn’t be. They need to come this way. I suppose it’s up to you to take the lead.”

Moreover, their reconnaissance was accurate and swift.

When the scout dangling in the sky reported the precise positions and conditions of the enemies, Balun dispatched a decoy unit to lure them for the operation.

“They said it was the eastern outskirts, but after passing the reported traces, I can’t make heads or tails of it.”

“If so, let’s just find a good spot in this area to set up camp. Those Arin Tribe guys can come after us later.”

While Balun chose the battlefield and gradually prepared for war, they too were advancing. Recently, they had just passed a deserted village, and now, ahead lay unknown land that would soon become their territory.

The problem was that they had no idea where the enemy’s stronghold was. From the reports of panicked deserters, they assumed it was a tribe of at least several thousand, making it not too difficult to spot.

“Chief! We’ve spotted them!”

At that moment, the soldiers sent ahead as scouts rushed back, looking startled, and reported to Chief Luhan that they had finally discovered the unknown enemy.

Naturally, they couldn’t even imagine that these soldiers had come merely to act as guides, potentially leading them toward the wrong location.

“They told us to get lost since this land is theirs. If we don’t retreat, they said they would attack. There seemed to be about a hundred of them, but they clearly know nothing about us!”

“Then let’s chase them! We need to find out where their stronghold is!”

Upon hearing the scout’s report, Luhan thought of this as an opportunity and prepared to pursue. This was precisely what Balun had intended.

“As you all know, if you achieve merit, rewards will follow! Regardless of status or origin, there will be rewards for bravery!”

With Luhan’s enthusiastic encouragement, they all mounted their horses in unison. They were confident in their superiority, so hesitation was not an option.

‘Ha! Just as I thought!’

With his usual aggression, Luhan aimed to lead the charge again as they galloped, spotting the surprised enemies turning their horse heads.

As reported, they were equipped with proper armor, but their numbers were far fewer. That meant they could trample them in a single clash.

“Chief! We must be wary of the wicked magic known as the giant hammer falling from the sky. Since we don’t know much about them, we should proceed cautiously!”

“I’ve heard their attack couldn’t even kill a mediocre warrior. If they try to target me, I’ll crush them. It’s better to finish this quickly rather than drawing it out out of fear!”

One nearby warrior asked about going a bit more cautiously, but Luhan was already in a frenzy. However, this wasn’t a simple charge. In fact, despite their vigorous appearance, they were making quite realistic and rational decisions.

They simply were unaware of something much more important.

*

‘These guys are like mad boars.’

I never expected a fight would break out in just two days. The enemies were rushing forward without hesitation, and so was our side.

Thanks to that, I was practically staying up all night at my computer, watching.

As I moved my mouse around, feeding reconnaissance information, Balun’s dispatched decoy unit kept running, chased by pursuers. I waited patiently with the background destruction activated.

From the sight of my allies digging and ambushing, I got a sense of their plan. When their lure operation succeeded,

I would mobilize all means possible to assist my allies.

“—!”

After replenishing my strength with as much rest as possible, the ambushing forces were waiting for Balun’s lead unit to arrive, having concluded their preparations.

Their expressions appeared resolute. Rather than fear, it looked like their faith was solidified.

It was understandable in my view. To dig a considerable amount of land and create a trap in just two days was something that defied common sense, but they achieved it.

‘Hope it goes well.’

Just by switching between screens, I could finally see the decoy unit charging forward and the enemies’ figures. It meant the war would erupt in a matter of hours.

“—.”

Before long, the residents finally spotted them. Beyond the open plains, a massive cloud of dust was rising as numerous cavalry charged toward our side.

From those wearing wolf pelts, with real steel armor, to individuals merely wielding weapons without proper gear.

What I was seeing on the screen was the cavalry charge scene I had only seen in movies or dramas, now unfolding as a real situation.

The enemies were typical raiders from the grasslands. They couldn’t be disregarded. Even a single tribe member who could ride would have rough lives, skillfully hunting and raiding.

‘We’ve lived just as roughly.’

Watching our residents preparing to face the enemies, I calmed my tense mind.

As they fought with the beasts and abominations of the grasslands, our tribe members also entered the game world and battled all sorts of monsters.

Even those who couldn’t enter the game were honed from life-and-death struggles with monstrous creatures like glitches and bugs.

“–, —!”

At last, the two forces recognized each other in a single frame. I would no longer be able to assist them with my mouse.

The only thing I could do was use the background destruction hammers and blow the Wind of Healing as buffs, which encompassed all I could do.

Thus, I needed to use my power as efficiently as possible. Right now, it wasn’t time yet.

‘Lure them in more. More.’

The enemies who had already run a considerable distance seemed to choose to charge rather than halt hesitantly.

Had they not noticed those hiding underground? They were fully focused on Balun’s main force, neglecting their flanks.

However, they still needed to be further lured to trip on the traps they had set.

Adorned in armor made from Drake’s Scales they acquired during Creature Hunting, Balun held his weapon up, showing that he wouldn’t retreat but instead face them to lure them in further.

“—, —!”

Sending the decoy unit back, he and the others charged forward. It seemed they calculated that they needed to increase their speed to face the smaller enemy forces while heading toward the trap.

Indeed, upon seeing that, the enemies sprinted even harder. Drawing arrows from their bows, they began shooting as they drew closer.

In this process, our side responded with regular arrows, not the bows made from mutant by-products. They were truly holding back, carefully saving their shots for that perfect moment.

“Please.”

As arrows flew in dozens and hundreds, the idea of nobody getting hurt was a tale more fit for novels.

The enemies fell in droves, and even our own armoured soldiers began to tumble off their horses one by one.

With a slight sigh, I watched and merely fidgeted my fingers. I had to wait for the moment they were waiting for without ruining their plan.

“—!!!”

And finally, the moment had come. Just before they clashed, the enemies who were charging with expressions ready to explode with adrenaline stepped right onto the traps they had created.

‘Did they fly through the sky?’

In that brief moment, I thought the enemies had flown. The mud blocks that covered the pit turned into real mud upon impact and poured down, causing the horses beneath them to crash into the pit, while those riding them were flung into the air without resistance, losing their reins.

However, there was no stopping a horse galloping at full speed.

Before those blasted into the air even had a chance to fall, the others charging from behind stepped on the traps, falling or tumbling down to the ground.

That was like a signal flare. The time had come.

I gripped the hammer with my mouse as the ambushing allies surged out from their hidden bunkers, pushing their horses into a charge.