NOVEL WEB Chapter 80
Chapter 80 – Northern Region’s Storm (10)
“How extensive is the damage?”
In the middle of an empty grassland, Chieftain Garhan spoke with a blank expression on his face. The land he gazed upon was utterly tragic.
The ground was turned inside out, exposing its innards, with bloodstains and corpses scattered everywhere. But the most significant remnants were the by-products left behind by gigantic monsters that had died, such as venom and carapace.
In the place where this giant centipede lay dead, only blackened ground remained, poisoned by its venom.
“Several warriors are either dead or injured. Moreover, over a hundred soldiers are hurt.”
One of his warriors reported with a desperate expression. Ever since the initial report came in, communication with the dispatched extermination team had been cut off. After that, they had to fight against the numerous unidentified monsters that began converging from the east, suffering many casualties.
“They’re incredibly poisonous. Those who were poisoned by them had to amputate the bitten limbs on the spot just to save their lives.”
“They said the creatures that kept coming from somewhere suddenly vanished.”
“Yes. Just when we thought we could forget them, those creeping creatures completely disappeared at a certain point.”
Garhan noticed the soldier pointing toward the distant plains. The eastern plains where Bugs and Glitches had been converging. But the creatures that had once spread out in search of prey were nowhere to be found.
‘What on earth is in the east?’
His eyebrows furrowed at the report.
He had previously sent thousands of the Luhan Tribe to explore the eastern lands but failed. That area still remained a mystery to him.
On top of that, unidentified monsters had started to pour in from there. Garhan was utterly fed up, having lost quite a few tribe members related to that region.
“They’re also practicing wicked sorcery. Could these monsters have been sent by them? Even when I ask the oldest among us or those knowledgeable in ancient tales, they say they’ve never seen such creatures before.”
“Ugh, if that’s the case, they are evil beings that must be conquered instead of us squabbling over supremacy of the grasslands.”
The warrior speculated whether the Bugs were monsters conjured by the Arin Tribe. Not having witnessed it firsthand, he couldn’t fully believe it, but Garhan could not dismiss the hypothesis knowing the miraculous powers the Arin Tribe had displayed.
“Is there anyone brave enough to be sent as an envoy to them?”
That said, they couldn’t just start a war either. Ultimately, Garhan chose a more realistic approach.
He decided to acknowledge the powers of the Arin Tribe in the northeastern region and to engage in dialogue with them.
Upon hearing his question about sending an envoy, everyone present exchanged glances. Given the notorious reputation of the Arin Tribe, stepping into their lair was far from inviting.
“Go and find out their identity. And their connection to these dreadful monsters!”
Garhan reluctantly assigned the selected envoys the special mission of gathering detailed information about the Arin Tribe.
*
“Have the Black Monsters appeared in those worlds, too?”
“Yes. Fortunately, we succeeded in battling them alongside that person, but it was a giant scorpion testified to be quite the challenge even for A-rank hunter Tina.”
“Hmm, so you’re talking about that female warrior you mentioned last time.”
Barun scratched his head with a sigh.
Just as Garhan was feeling the terror of the Bugs and decided to send someone to the Arin Tribe, they were discussing the Bugs in the Arin Tribe’s village as well.
Every day at sunset, Barun gathered those who ventured in and out of the game world and received reports on what had happened there.
On this occasion, hunters assigned to Creature Hunting reported on the Bugs that had emerged within the game world.
The news that Bugs were appearing in the game world surprised everyone, causing quite the commotion.
‘So that’s why he…’
Riena, who was present, realized why he had seemed distracted today and gave a small sigh. Just as she predicted, he had been on alert for the possible appearance of Bugs.
“We didn’t find anything on our end today.”
“The only place those creatures have been spotted so far is in the realm where the hunters reside. Let’s all be cautious, as it seems he is on alert as well, from what Riena said.”
When Rasen, who was present, mentioned that they were hunting underground monsters and had not seen any Bugs, Barun nodded in agreement.
‘Are they starting to move as well? But we’ve prepared thoroughly too. We’re not weak.’
It was an undeniable fact that the movement of the Bugs was becoming more active and powerful as time went on, but that also applied to them. As the meeting concluded and Barun stepped outside with the others, the growth of the tribe that was now difficult to comprehend at a glance met his eyes.
What had once been just a few tent houses was now incomparable. Not to mention, it could not even be compared to a few days ago.
What stood out first were the enormous castle walls being constructed by the transporters turned architects. The height of the originally built wall had been merely three blocks high at 3 meters, but now it was stacked with a whopping ten blocks and five layers thick.
The transporters, creating artificial stairs by attaching blocks to the inside wall, were experiencing fear of heights for the very first time. It was a structure that wouldn’t be outdone even by the barrier built by the southern residents to prevent their plundering.
However, the rapid increase in the number of transporters meant the construction pace wasn’t too slow.
Every day, thick blocks of wall were being erected by several meters.
“If we roughly calculate, how long until completion?”
“If construction continues without any issues, it should be done within a few months. If the number of transporters increases or their skills improve, it could be shortened further.”
Barun called Morin to inquire about the completion of the wall.
Holding a sheet of paper he had been given, Morin, despite expending his strength to place the blocks, spoke joyfully.
In reality, Morin was slowly beginning to take joy in creating massive structures through his own strength. After witnessing various constructions made by Junyoung, who handled the characters directly in the game, this feeling grew even stronger.
“Once the wall is built, we can also pave the remaining roads, and create bridges over rivers. Also, large warehouses and underground facilities…”
“Calm down a bit. Of course, I plan to assign more work. You’re excited about this, but what about the others? Aren’t they struggling?”
“They are struggling, but isn’t it right to fulfill our duties with the power given to us by the Guardian Deity? No one is slacking off.”
While not every transporter was as purely joyful as Morin, they were bursting with enthusiasm. It was crucial because, even if they weren’t warriors, being recognized by the Guardian Deity and fulfilling their duties was significant.
‘His power is indeed impressive.’
Barun purely admired their excited faces even while pushing them into laboring jobs. Whatever task Barun assigned, the residents willingly accepted his commands.
Though Barun’s own reputation as a fair and intelligent chieftain contributed, the solid backing of the Guardian Deity granting authority and power was equally important.
With the force of faith firmly rooted in his heart, Barun could never abandon it.
‘If I can spread this to others, perhaps we could increase our power without meaningless conflict.’
And this thought soon extended to spreading belief. If they could inform the tribes scattered across the grasslands about the Guardian Deity’s existence and grace, who could possibly refuse?
He was convinced that the Guardian Deity would gladly accept those seeking to gather forces to fight the Black Monsters.
“Chieftain!”
Just then, someone came soaring through the sky, returning to the village. It was a member of the reconnaissance team who had gone out for a few days to survey from afar.
“What’s this? Chieftain Garhan sent… people?”
“They stated they have no intention to fight. In fact, they even discarded their weapons.”
Barun was startled by the urgent report from the returning scout; it was completely unexpected news. This was likewise true for the soldier delivering the message.
“For now, they’ve been brought here, but they decided to halt at the place where we previously fought the Luhan Tribe. What should we do?”
“I need to hear in detail what they mean. Did we end up crushing and absorbing those we sent?”
Since the envoy they sent insisted on revealing their clear purpose only after meeting Chieftain Barun, they still had no idea why they had come.
Still, Barun had no reason to refuse this opportunity.
If they could expand their influence through dialogue or negotiation without necessarily going to war, that would be far more beneficial.
‘If I can convince them about the mission and duty we have received, negotiations might be possible.’
Barun intended to disclose information regarding the Bugs and clarify that their objective was to fight those monsters.
If Garhan acknowledges that fact, there would be no reason to stay hostile. Instead, should an opportunity for exchange arise, they would have much to gain.
All of this was the result of their arduous struggle to prove their strength and establish their status.
“Then I will convey this.”
“Rest. I will send someone else to deliver it.”
The soldier received Barun’s intent and attempted to rise, but Barun urged him to sit back down.
He didn’t think it would take long to return anyway.
“He will help.”
Indeed, when Barun briefed the new soldier on his intentions and got him ready, the soldier watched as Barun controlled the mouse to summon the messenger.
“Let’s go!”
The messenger landed with a thud at the maximum range of mouse control and immediately joined their allies who were stationed with Garhan’s envoys.
“Thank goodness. The chieftain said he would listen to your words.”
“Wait, you said that so quickly!?”
Garhan’s envoys, unaware that the messenger had flown back, could only be flabbergasted by the sudden occurrence.
The Arin Tribe’s scouts, witnessing their reaction, chuckled and led them toward the village.
Since outsiders were mixed in, it wasn’t possible to transfer them via mouse, but since the meeting place was a midpoint, it didn’t take long for them to meet Barun, who had departed from the village.