NOVEL WEB Chapter 14: The Fragmentum
“So… where are we now?”
March 7th wiped her dirty face with a towel taken from Wende’s backpack and looked at the street ahead with confusion.
Dan Heng walked towards a nearby building and peered inside through the window. It looked like it had been abandoned for a long time, and the atmosphere nearby felt oddly familiar.
“We must have entered a place corrupted by the fragmentum. Look over there.”
Dan Heng pointed to a building not far away. The symbols of corruption had surrounded the building in layers, and inside, shadowy figures of fragmentum creatures could still be seen moving.
“It’s not surprising, really. Given that this is supposedly a secret passage, it wouldn’t appear in a conspicuous location,” Wende nodded.
“However… has the corruption from the stellaron become so severe that even this last bastion has been corrupted by the fragmentum?” Dan Heng said solemnly. It seemed that this exploration journey wouldn’t be simple.
Wende put the towel handed to him by March back into his backpack and observed the nearby buildings.
They were tall and splendid, indicating that this place was once inhabited by nobles. What a pity.
“Anyway, let’s get out of here first.”
March 7th suggested, as there were no other good options at the moment.
Thus, the exploration team began their adventure within Belobog.
……………………
Reality
Kakaya looked at the somewhat desolate frozen planet on the game screen, feeling a sense of regret no matter how many times he saw it.
“I hope MiHoYo changed the storyline here this time. The previous story was quite tragic.”
Kakaya shook his head, moved the mouse to click on the dialogue box, and the computer screen blinked black before shifting to a snowy landscape.
March 7th, Dan Heng, Wend, and Kakaya himself appeared on the screen.
【Wow, this time the team is truly fully equipped.】
【I wonder what the story will be like with my husband added.】
【Shh, no spoilers!】
【Ah, March is still so cute.】
【What about Bronya? Is she not cute?】
【What!? Don’t you think Wende x Dan Heng is also a good pair?】
【Get out of the live stream!】
【Yeah! Those are my husbands!】
【You get out too!】
【Huh??】
【This stream is really chaotic】
“…”
Seriously, they’re arguing about this?
Looking at the chaotic live stream chat, Kakaya was somewhat speechless.
Leaving the mess to the room manager, he was ready to start his icy adventure!
Indeed, with Wende’s appearance, even the story of Jarilo VI was altered, but thankfully, the main points weren’t changed.
The next part of the story should involve encountering Sampo, but why…
Is this not what I expected?
Seeing only Sampo’s head visible in the screen, Kakaya fell into deep thought.
【“Make a name for yourself”】
【This Jarilo VI’s land is so fertile; everything grows here.】
【Sampo: Haha, I’ve become the entertainment.】
【Next time you come to the tavern, don’t tell others you know me.】
【Good deeds will be rewarded, and evil will be punished; black-hearted Wende, hold me tight!】
【? Why haven’t you been banned yet! Room manager!】
“User: Wende Elementary School Contractor, has been muted.”
“So you have a non-gentale side too.”
Watching Wende on the screen, squinting and smiling menacingly at Sampo, Kakaya once again marveled.
Even though Sampo looked pitiful, sorry, you’re the entertainment, right? Now you’ve met the real devil. Even if you accidentally get killed, this devil can revive you.
“I didn’t expect Wende, who usually seems so gentle, to actually have such a black-hearted personality. March 7th is still very cute!”
Looking at March in the game, with a dirty face and pouting lips, Kakaya wore a lovesick smile.
On the screen, Wende slightly tilted his head and gave a look to Kakaya. It was now up to the player to make a choice.
Option 1: What happened?
Option 2: (Comfort March)
Option 3: Wende, I’m hungry.
“What kind of options are these?”
Kakaya was somewhat baffled, his instincts telling him to choose the most absurd option for the best show effect.
So Stelle loudly said to Wende:
“Wende, I’m hungry!”
“…………”
“…………”
“See that! Our boss is hungry! Keep dragging your feet or we’ll stew you!”
Wende said menacingly to the terrified Sampo.
【Demon…】
【Sampo: “Oh no, I’m facing a cannibal!”】
【Oh no, the kind-hearted Wende’s image is collapsing…】
【This is kinda hot right?】
【??? What are you saying?】
Smash!
With a swing of her bat, Stelle shattered a fragmentum creature that had ambushed them from behind. She was already becoming impatient.
These creatures seemed to be playing hide and seek with them. Although they were not visible on the surface, they always managed to surprise them from dark corners.
They had been wandering for quite a while, but the corruption was still rampant. The once affluent district had now become a playground for the fragmentum.
“Zzzz…”
Wende electrocuted two Rift creatures resembling soldiers, leaving him looking grim.
Unlike what was seen in the game, real Belobog was much larger, making it impossible to move to the next map in just a few minutes.
Moreover… the further they went, the more of these humanoid creatures appeared. Seeing the bloodstains on their weapons, Wende thought it was bad news.
Could it be that during the few days they arrived late, the Guardian of Belobog had accelerated her plans?
Sending the Silvermane Guards into the fragmentum to fight, under the guise of reclaiming lost ground, to significantly reduce the effective defensive force of the Silvermane Guards in Belobog, in order to fulfill her wish to the stellaron…
“Tsk, crazy woman!”
Wende clicked his tongue in exasperation.
“Wende! Look over there!”
At this moment, March seemed to have noticed something unusual. Not far down the road, he saw many humanoid creatures heading in a certain direction, seemingly attracted by something.
“Let’s go check it out.”
As the toughest in the team, Wende took the lead towards where the creatures were gathering. Dan Heng stayed to guard the team’s side, Stelle remained at the rear, and March was in the middle of the team providing ranged support and protection.
Boom!!!!!
As the express crew advanced towards the gathering spot, a series of violent sounds suddenly came from the front, accompanied by plumes of black smoke rising.
“Is that artillery?”
Wend raised an eyebrow. It seemed that the "culprits" responsible for causing the fragmentum creatures' disturbance had revealed themselves.
“Making such a big commotion, it seems the front must be the local army. Should we still go?”
Calm and composed, Dan Heng quickly deduced the identity of those fighting the fragmentum ahead and referred the decision to Wende.
Somehow, he had come to see Wende as a true companion. Although they hadn’t known each other long, Dan Heng believed Wende’s qualities made him a worthy friend.
“Hmm…”
Wende stroked his chin, his expression complex.
“Sigh… In the end… we’re still converging on the same goal.”
His eyes darkened slightly but soon brightened again.
“Go, why not? Isn’t that the purpose of our journey? Even though we messed up the observation process, if we don't help those in danger, wouldn’t it contradict the essence of [trailblazing]?”
Wende smiled and said, since they couldn’t avoid it, they might as well do their best within their capabilities!
“Let’s go, we’ll help out!”
……………………
“Team One, immediately fall back! Team Two, take over Team One’s task and block the creatures! Artillery team, reload!”
On the perimeter path, squads of Silvermane Guards with axes and spears were moving orderly on the battlefield under the command of a silver-haired girl.
The first team of Iron Guards up front had been carried back by the logistics personnel. Originally fully equipped, Team One was now down to barely a tenth of its original number, but they had held out until the last moment!
Bang bang bang!
Boom boom boom!!!
The Silvermane Guards in front of the girl skillfully loaded shells into the cannons. With the sounds of fuses and firing pins, shells were hurled towards the distant swarm of creatures.
Cack cack cack…
Nearby, several robots resembling traffic lights helped transport ammunition and supplies to the Guards.
Despite the Guards' fierce attacks, the number of Rift creatures didn’t seem to decrease.
The girl’s expression grew increasingly serious.
“Lady Bronya, Team Two is in position. What should we do…”
A Silvermane Guard officer hurried to the girl, reporting with a hesitant glance at her, but soon became resolute.
“Deploy Team Two to hold the line here. We absolutely cannot let the fragmentum break through!”
The girl ordered decisively.
Seeing the commanding girl, the officer’s eyes clearly flashed with excitement.
“Yes, Lady Bronya!”
The officer saluted with a Silvermane Guard’s salute and then sprinted towards the front lines.
Great, there was no need to push forward any further! No more unnecessary casualties!
Tl note: I’m planning on updating every 1-2 days in order to fit my schedule, along with releasing more chapters when I have extra time, I hope thats fine with all of you!