NOVEL WEB Chapter 87
Chapter 87 – The Erosionists (7)
‘To think stories from long ago were actually true.’
Tales of other races had been passed down since ancient times. Balun had indeed heard such stories from his parents, who, in turn, received them from their own parents.
Thus, when he suddenly encountered this other race, he wasn’t overly shocked. They weren’t an entirely new species, after all.
“Could it be that He led us here to meet them?”
“The most important thing would be to inform us about the monsters that appeared in the Northern Land, but you’re not wrong either. That was indeed His intention.”
Balun did not deny Riena’s words. Given the urgent situation they were embroiled in just moments before, fighting against Bugs, the calm demeanor of the residents upon encountering the Dwarves stemmed from their belief that this meeting was also a part of their Guardian Deity’s plan.
The Guardian Deity knows everything and watches over all. Believing this, they found it hard to accept that anything happening could be anything but the will of their divine protector.
This was clear evidence of how deep and solid their faith had grown through past experiences.
“Then it’s time we hear the full story. What exactly has happened to you?”
“W-well, it’s not such an old tale.”
On the way back to the village through the portal, Balun wanted to gather their account before other residents became astonished at the sight of the Dwarves.
While the residents were easing their vigilance because of their faith in the Guardian Deity, Herson, one of the Dwarves, cautiously opened his mouth, being aware of the residents watching them. Now that communication was established, they could hear in detail what had transpired in the distant Northern Land where the Dwarves lived.
“It’s only natural that you don’t know about us; we have prohibited contact with humans at the council of our tribes for quite some time now. Since then, we’ve only interacted amongst our tribes scattered across the area.”
“When did those monsters appear?”
“The first reports came over a month ago.”
With Balun trying hard not to add any pressure, Herson gradually regained his composure. After all, speaking with rational beings was infinitely better than witnessing the monstrous destruction of his kin by those mindless creatures.
“Our kingdom, built over a long time in the mountain range and surrounding areas, fell apart in an instant. Countless monsters continuously poured out, annihilating our armies and devouring our kind, growing even larger.”
‘Are they a new type of monster?’
From Herson’s terrified testimony, Balun was convinced that the Bugs currently invading the Dwarves’ territory had launched their invasion in a manner different from what was happening now — they were conducting a sort of exploratory mission.
‘A Hive.’
That observation was not mistaken. Looking at their stories from afar, he already knew what name was given to the land now completely occupied by the Bugs.
The Bugs’ main base, with its nests fully blooming, was precisely where the Dwarves’ kingdom once stood. If left unattended, the Bugs would soon invade the world in staggering numbers after consuming that entire area.
“I can only wonder how many of our kind have survived, scattered and lost amidst all this. As just a mere resident, my family and I fled without a thought, simply trying to escape those creatures.”
“I understand how you feel. It won’t be easy to adapt, but we will help you, so it’s best if you get yourselves together.”
“Wait, what’s that…?”
Balun embraced them. This was undoubtedly the will of the God they believed in, and he too thought that the Dwarves might be of assistance.
However, when he led them into the village, Herson and the other Dwarves were astonished to see the gigantic wall that was still being constructed.
To them, the sight of a wall being built with the power of game abilities was outrageous.
The now-accustomed residents burst into laughter at the Dwarves’ reactions.
“We can’t just leave the Northern Land as it is.”
“I think so too. The reason He opened the portal to that place must be for this very reason.”
After bringing the Dwarves to the village, Balun, having firmly instructed the residents to give the newcomers time to adapt, returned home and removed his gear.
Riena, who followed him in, spoke up, and Balun nodded.
“You must be sensing it too. In the worlds He brings us to, we are facing increasingly stronger enemies. And the monsters appearing in reality are no different.”
Despite several incidents here and there, things had been flowing relatively smoothly until now. They had been utilizing the game’s world to gain absurd abilities and continuously grow, while the village continued to develop.
But now, even in this bizarre tranquility, something was changing. The enemy with its nests fully established was growing stronger. Waging war against those monsters was their duty.
If they didn’t fight, the Bugs would soon escalate their raids from petty skirmishes to large-scale invasions, consuming the entirety of this world.
“A disaster could strike that far surpasses anything we can currently imagine. It will be far more tumultuous, painful, and brutal. But that’s not something we can avoid just because we want to.”
Time will keep moving forward, and with it, the flow of events was changing.
It was only a matter of time before what was bound to happen would come to pass.
“So what should we do now?”
Riena asked with a trembling voice, like a devotee seeking a prophecy, rather than the daughter consulting her father, as she imagined the dark swarm of the Erosionists approaching.
“Of course, we must stop them. We should eliminate them before they grow any larger and erect a solid defense so they can no longer descend upon this land. Most importantly, He will eventually guide our path.”
After laying down his answer, Balun looked up at the sky. Most matters were handled and resolved by him as the chief, but significant issues were always guided directly by him, watching over them.
This time wouldn’t be any different. Both Balun and Riena believed he would lend his assistance ahead of the war that was about to commence.
*
‘Is this just the beginning? Well, given how calm it’s been so far, considering my life and the fates of multiple worlds are at stake, it was bound to get intense. In fact, I’d almost think clearing a reality-altered game is harder.’
A war could be brewing that was incomparably different from fighting monsters or battling raiders in the game.
Recognizing that fact, I focused intently on my mouse.
I might not know what the residents, including Balun, might think, but several tasks were already laid out in front of me.
The most pressing one was to contain the Bugs, rapidly proliferating in the north. For that, I needed more resources, more people, and more talents.
‘We can’t just send out troops recklessly.’
Currently, the village housed only a few thousand residents—specifically 4,754 residents. While they were proficient in archery and horseback riding, the number of those who could serve as proper soldiers was even fewer.
Covering an area of unknown expanse with such a small number was impossible. Obviously, more people were needed, along with different kinds of assistance.
[Recommended: Tower Defense Program]
To that end, a new genre of game was suggested. A game where you construct various defense towers to fend off and defeat encroaching enemies. It perfectly matched our current situation.
‘But I don’t have enough points.’
However, activating it right now wasn’t possible due to a lack of points. Of course, there was ample opportunity to earn.
In the newly expanded areas, plenty of enemies that could aid us simply by being defeated were swarming around.
“—?! —!”
And to achieve that, the Dwarves who had just joined us also needed to contribute. Although it would take them some time to adapt fully, I thought it would be better to use shock therapy, seizing Herson, their representative, with the mouse.
Naturally, he struggled in panic. Even as startled residents shouted something to alert him, he couldn’t calm down easily.
‘I’m sorry, but I can’t afford to wait.’
I pulled him, panicking from his first experience, into the game world. The game was a sandbox crafting experience, suited better than merely equipping him with weapons considering his existing traits like miner and blacksmith.
‘Was I right in thinking that?’
He was already flabbergasted at being lifted with the mouse, and with everything being constructed out of cube blocks, he shrieked in terror upon falling into the unfamiliar world.
Fortunately, as the other residents comforted him and diligently explained the situation, it seemed he gradually calmed down after a while.
[Traits: Miner, Blacksmith, Architect]
As soon as he adapted to the game, he bloomed a new talent only obtainable in this game, much like the residents who had unlocked their talents as miners or farmers.
“—.”
Herson picked up a fist-sized block that had fallen to the ground, his face showing awe at the game item-like block. Only those with the Transporter trait could handle that kind of material.
He had apparently acquired a trait similar to that of a Transporter. Given that the other Dwarves either had no traits or just one, it seemed Herson was somewhat of a special being like Riena.
“Is it possible… to acquire more?”
Watching this, I couldn’t help but think about the other Dwarves. We desperately needed manpower right now. The origin, status, or race of that manpower was unimportant.
Those insane monsters called Bugs were adamantly ready to devour everything regardless of such factors.
“—, —.”
While my thoughts grew complex, Herson tested his power by placing blocks after awakening his abilities through the game.
His eyes shone brightly, a clear indication that he had become enthralled by this newfound skill.
Moreover, the Architect trait differed slightly from that of a Transporter. While both involved transporting and laying down blocks, the efficiency displayed during the block-laying process was significantly higher.
‘Five at a time?’
I marveled at the sight of him continuously laying down five blocks in quick succession. Having witnessed others huffing and puffing even while installing just one, seeing him handle multiple blocks in sequence was astonishing.
“–, —.”
“—.”
At that moment, my character, who had been watching and approaching a bit closer, caught the Dwarves’ attention.
As the residents shouted something, the shocked Herson quickly bowed his head at me. I didn’t mean to put any pressure on him; I merely wished to observe, yet his reaction made me feel somewhat guilty.
‘I have no choice but to send people north.’
In answering greetings through bowing, I was texturally approaching the assessment that we needed to engage in battle against the monsters potentially pouring in from the north.