Chapter 128: The Fortress (1)
After the initial chaos caused by the [Assassinations], I gathered the unit’s higher-ups in the conference room.
“Were there any casualties?”
Despite the powerful assault from the assassin, thankfully, there were no fatalities among our ranks. However…
It wasn’t that there were no injuries.
Everyone was not in perfect condition.
“Phew… phew…”
“Gwang-il, are you alright?” I asked, noticing his struggle.
“I’m… fine… just give me a moment, and I’ll calm down,” he groaned, attempting to regain his composure.
“Uh, okay…”
The unexpected battle had forced Gwang-il to unleash his [Berserker] characteristic. Now, he sat in the conference room, fighting to subdue his overwhelming emotions.
After all, he was our unit’s top warrior, and it was impressive how he managed to avoid any serious wounds.
“Hyung, you and Su-hyeok can go get treated if you’re hurt,” I suggested.
“I’ll do it later,” he insisted bravely.
“This level of injury is nothing. We’ll heal up quickly,” he added.
Both Min-jae and Seo Su-hyeok, on the other hand, were undeniably injured.
“Gwang-il looks fine, so I can’t just sit back nursing my wounds,” Su-hyeok protested.
“Well, that’s because you and Hyung are not exactly suited for one-on-one combat,” I pointed out.
As a magician and a marksman, they specialized in ranged attacks, which inherently made them vulnerable in close-quarters combat. Naturally, they faced difficulties when forced into close confrontation by an assassin.
Despite their extensive combat experience, they had succeeded in repelling the enemy, but it seemed they had little choice but to allow some level of attack on themselves.
“In that case, isn’t it the same for you, Sergeant Shin? You, as a chef, managed to fend off the enemy without a scratch, while I, as a combat specialist, got injured. That alone feels like a mistake on my part.”
“Ah, well…”
“Really, it’s fine! I can endure this much, so let’s just drop the subject here.”
No.
That’s not the point.
I repelled the enemy without sustaining a single injury?
‘But I nearly died, didn’t I?’
Remembering Lee Sang-ah’s advice about taking Mac with me just in case there might be a mistake someday made me feel greatful to her.
Because if I hadn’t had the Mac-…
Well.
‘By now, I might have turned into a zombie with my skull split open, wouldn’t I?’
Hmm…
There’s no need to dwell on it.
I almost got caught off guard and died—how embarrassing.
I resolved to express my gratitude to Lee Sang-ah later.
“Anyway, if Sergeant Park Taejun’s words are true, it means that those monsters will be swarming towards us soon.”
Corporal Seo Soo-hyuk spoke while pressing on his wound.
As we headed to the conference room, I demanded a detailed explanation from Taejun.
“To summarize what Taejun told me, the northwest part of Gangwon Province is currently overrun by a particular monster faction.”
Min-jae hyung pointed at the map as he spoke.
“His abilities are somewhat abstract, but perhaps he means the northwest here?”
“Cheorwon or Hwacheon?”
“It could be either. Under normal circumstances, they were supposed to attack directly east… the area where we are located.”
At this revelation, the group exchanged puzzled looks.
“Months ago, they had already taken over the northwest?”
“…So what were they doing all that time?”
Given their capabilities, it wouldn’t have been strange for them to have invaded our territory months ago.
But then again…
“Taejun held them back.”
“Excuse me?”
The 423rd Battalion.
Stationed at the [Astronomy Observatory], located on the highest mountain peak in Gangwon Province.
One day, Taejun was observing the stars in the mountain range as usual when he noticed something unusual.
[Shaman: Someone other than me is trying to spy on the movement of the stars.]
He caught wind of their presence.
[Shaman: Just sensing it was enough… The forces at that time were beyond what our battalion could handle. We had to do everything we could to prevent them from heading our way.]
[Chef: So…]
[Shaman: The battle began.]
That marked the time when Taejun’s name started to fade from our daily lives.
A conflict centered around the movement of the stars.
‘It must have been a completely different kind of battle than a typical one.’
Fortunately, observing the movement of the stars was Taejun’s specialty as an Astronomer.
The lofty mountains of the 423rd Battalion were particularly advantageous for studying celestial phenomena.
When the monsters could no longer peer into the movements of the stars, their efforts to expand their territory inevitably faltered.
“From their perspective, it means there’s something here that can cover their eyes.”
“That implies they’ve developed some level of wariness.”
“Exactly.”
They’ve chosen to stay put in their occupied territory, out of fear.
Thanks to that, we gained a few months of time.
But—
[Shaman: …A few months is my limit.]
Even though I couldn’t see his face, I could easily imagine Taejun letting out a sigh.
[Shaman: It’s frustrating, but I have to admit it. They’re far more experienced than me, not to mention their numbers.]
I’ve spent a few months engaged in information warfare.
Taejun held on pretty well…
“That was only until yesterday, though.”
In the end, we were the ones who lost.
“They’ve likely gathered a fair bit of information about us by now,” I said.
“Yeah.”
Before communication became scarce, I often checked in with Taejun whenever something came up.
“Should we head east or west?”
“Do you think we can clear this dungeon?”
Those kinds of questions.
They must have used their abilities in a similar manner.
Perhaps…
“Is there a force capable of stopping our invasion?”
Those were probably the kinds of things they were considering.
And the conclusion they reached?
They decided to march forward against us.
“Comparing notes, they probably concluded they were stronger, right?”
“….”
In the past, right after I made Ariella one of my vassals, I had sent her vampires out to scout the area.
Only a few vampires returned alive after discovering the black barrier at the northern end.
The rest didn’t make it back.
“At the time, I just assumed they were killed by monsters. But now that I think about it, there’s a high chance they met their end at the hands of those creatures.”
“Even so, for monsters to conquer a city…”
“Why not? Just look at Inje-gun and here. They were originally flooded with monsters.”
“The problem is that they’re a singular force.”
When it comes to the northwestern part of Gangwon Province, it’s likely Cheorwon and Hwacheon.
Those two locations seem highly probable.
We’ve just barely managed to capture Inje-gun, and capturing Chuncheon City is still uncertain.
And yet, it seems there’s already a force that occupied those two areas several months ago.
“This is going to be tough.”
Honestly, it was becoming a bit of a headache.
“Ugh.”
“If only we had an ammunitions battalion base, it might have been easier.”
It’s been quite some time since we started using the ammunitions battalion base as our stronghold.
Now, the ammunitions base in Inje-gun was brimming with defensive structures built by our engineers.
“With various weapons taken from military depots… along with the barriers and traps set up by our engineers.”
Not to mention, just recently…
The Alraune that consumed my fertilizer and me had promised to protect some degree of our base.
In the face of overwhelming odds, I felt confident we could hold our ground against the enemy, no matter how many troops they brought.
“Hyung, what is the condition of our current defenses?” I asked.
“At this outpost?”
“Yeah.”
Min-jae hesitated for a moment, then nodded and spoke.
“Strictly speaking, we don’t have anything significant.”
“….”
“To put it bluntly, our only defenses are the building itself and the barriers outside. If those can even be classified as defensive measures.”
There wasn’t even a proper base in Chuncheon yet.
There was no way we had any facilities to thwart the impending invasion.
“According to Sergeant Park Taejun, monsters will likely swarm us in overwhelming numbers,” I added.
“Probably,” Corporal Seo Su-hyeok replied, grimacing as he pressed against his injury.
“We’ve increased our personnel quite a bit, but fighting without adequate defenses against a large-scale monster invasion is asking too much. So…”
Though he seemed reluctant, his tone seemed resigned.
“I suggest we retreat.”
The word “retreat” caused the expressions of the officers to harden slightly.
There was no denying the validity of his statement.
No matter how strong our personnel had become, asking them to fight a numbers disadvantage without defenses felt daunting, to say the least.
‘Honestly, it’s a bit nerve-wracking to think about battling in a place with no defensive measures…’
Especially given the monsters.
They were tougher than expected.
The results from the [Combat Power Evaluation] trait revealed:
The energy radiating from them was a very deep shade of yellow.
Compared to the blue-energy monsters, they certainly seemed a couple of tiers weaker.
“The issue lies with their numbers,” Taejun pointed out.
If what he said was true, they would come at us in droves.
The assassination squad that had ambushed me and the officers was indeed stronger than we had anticipated.
They were likely specialized in assassination yet still found it challenging to confront them in open combat.
What if entirely different entities, specialized for all-out warfare, were to come after us?
Even our hardened troops would find it difficult.
But to abandon Chuncheon…
“That’s out of the question,” I said firmly.
“Excuse me?”
Surprised by my immediate rejection, Su-hyeok looked at me with confusion.
“What’s the reason for that?”
“Most of the awakened individuals released from the dungeon are still lingering around here.”
After clearing the [Damsur Dungeon].
The citizens trapped within were finally released into the world.
Most of them were precious assets to us.
“With so many people already dead, and the survivors struggling to awaken in such a harsh environment, we must keep them safe to strengthen humanity’s power.”
Humans were facing a staggering numerical disadvantage in the battle against the monsters.
But—
Thousands of Awakened individuals had already completed their transformation.
What if they manage to grow stronger?
“The moment they spread out across the world, they’ll draw in other survivors and help them awaken as well.”
There were still survivors hiding somewhere, waiting for the right moment.
We could lead them and strengthen our forces.
“It’s something we can’t achieve alone.”
Given the circumstances, it was alarming to hear that even stronger monsters would appear as time went on.
We couldn’t afford to abandon the Awakened individuals, who were supposed to be the core of humanity’s strength.
Most of them were still active around the Chuncheon area.
Many had just finished awakening within the dungeon, and their levels were still lacking.
“The moment we abandon this place; those Awakened individuals will scatter and be picked off one by one.”
“What do you intend to do, then?”
Corporal Seo Soo-hyuk grimaced at the situation.
Though he had suggested a retreat, it was evident he wasn’t fond of that idea either.
“I guess he felt compelled to propose it out of necessity.”
If I put myself in his shoes, I was essentially dismissing practical concerns without offering any valid alternatives.
It was only natural for him to feel frustrated.
But in my case, it wasn’t as though I’d spoken without a plan.
“In the end, the problem is that we lack proper defenses.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
The defensive facilities were weak compared to the ammunition battalion.
They would be insufficient to hold back the monsters that were sure to come flooding in.
So—
“Why not just build those defenses?”
“What…?”
“Huh?”
The people around me stared at me, dumbfounded.
“Defenses aren’t something that can be constructed overnight.”
“If it were that easy, we wouldn’t have had to struggle—”
“No, no. I misspoke.”
“That’s ridiculous—”
“To be precise, building them isn’t the solution.”
In the early stages of awakening, our unit had been fortunate enough to achieve our transformations much faster than the others.
This led us to secure numerous “First Achievement Rewards.”
However, it was regrettable that some of those items remained unused.
Among them was one that fit perfectly with our current situation.
“Why not just summon it?”
[Mobile Fortress Bimana]
[Summoning the mobile fortress Bimana now]
A fortress, right from its very name.
I had set it aside for quite some time, letting it gather dust.
Smirks
“It’s about time to put it to use.”
Chapter 129: The Fortress (2)
“It might be more accurate to say I’ll summon it.”
The people who heard my words looked at me with puzzled expressions.
“Summon it?”
“…What do you mean?”
Their confusion was palpable; the topic seemed to come out of nowhere.
But one person reacted differently.
“Oh, you’re talking about the fortress.”
“Sergeant Lim Min-jae?”
He was someone who had been involved in the operations of our unit since its inception, and he seemed to have grasped my intent immediately.
“If it’s truly possible, it wouldn’t be a bad idea. But…”
Min-jae’s brow furrowed as he continued.
“Wasn’t it something we couldn’t summon?”
“Is that really a problem?”
[Major Region – First ‘Occupation’ of a Human from the ROK.]
[Achievement Unlocked!]
[From here to there, it’s my land.]
[You will receive a Rank 1 Special Reward]
In the past, when the lizard army had launched an attack on the 423rd Regiment, I had managed to repel them and successfully occupy the ‘Mountain Range’. It was at that moment that I had unlocked this achievement.
And…
[Special Reward: Mobile Fortress Bimana]
This was the reward granted to me upon achieving that milestone.
“It’s the very first achievement reward for a human.”
It can be said without exaggeration that in any game, the rewards for first achievements are never trivial.
There was no doubt that this reward was significant.
In fact, I had experienced part of its power firsthand.
“In the shadow veil of Ariella. Just once, though.”
[Shadow Veil] is a space that manifests the thoughts and imaginations of its members.
Before the special reward, the Mobile Fortress Bimana had been resting in my imagination, only to reveal itself within the shadow veil.
“Thanks to that, I was able to escape a life-threatening situation.”
And the abilities that fortress displayed back then were still vivid in my memory, so much so that I couldn’t forget them.
It was only natural, after all.
Even after returning to reality, I attempted to make use of this fortress.
No, that’s not quite right.
To be more precise…
“It’s more accurate to say that I tried repeatedly without much timing or consideration, right?”
Each time I made an attempt, the sound of a familiar ‘ding’ would echo in my ears—a sound I had grown accustomed to.
Accompanying that sound was a single line of message:
[Not enough space for the summoning]
Right.
The coveted reward for ranking first in the conquest event.
The reason we couldn’t utilize that reward was absurdly simple.
It was ‘too large.’
The 423rd battalion was stationed atop a mountain peak.
Naturally, when considering the limited space, this situation was somewhat expected.
After descending to the ground, every time I spotted what I thought might be a sufficiently spacious area, I tried to summon it.
“Just how large can it be? Damn it.”
But every attempt ended in disappointment.
Well, there was just one exception.
I had experienced its power once in the Shadow Veil, but even that moment was fleeting.
After Ariella’s strength waned, the Shadow Veil shrank away and concealed itself.
“It’s about time to give it a try, don’t you think?”
After wrapping up my explanation about the fortress, Corporal Jeon Gwang-il raised his hand to pose a question.
“If you couldn’t summon it earlier due to a lack of space, doesn’t that mean it’s still unusable now?”
“That’s a sharp question.”
“Where on earth could we find suitable land to house such a massive fortress…?”
Not even on vast fields did it seem feasible.
From what I recalled within the veil, there was no available space to summon a fortress above this city.
But…
Having spent quite some time in a water-filled dungeon recently, that experience shifted my perspective slightly.
“Summoning the fortress…”
“Yes?”
To solve a persistent problem, all it really needs is a slight shift in thinking.
“It doesn’t necessarily have to be on solid ground, does it?”
In truth,
The conversation about needing to establish a proper base instead of a makeshift one had been ongoing for quite some time.
I had hesitated, thinking it wasn’t urgent, and now I regretted procrastinating.
We had even held meetings about it.
Several potential locations had been discussed during those sessions.
The nearby university campus, the city center where those monsters had razed every building, and more.
Among them, the area that garnered the highest support was…
The River
Next to the city of Chuncheon lies a vast river.
This river is dotted with several large islands.
The plan was to make use of these islands as strategic bases.
The river, serving as a natural moat, could defend against enemies and would also make it quite easy to procure drinking water.
Among these islands, the one that received the most attention was the site of an amusement park that had once been established there.
Due to a complicated series of events, the amusement park fell into financial trouble and eventually went bankrupt.
Utilizing the structures left from the amusement park as a foundation for defensive fortifications seemed like a feasible option.
“It was a rather ambitious plan.”
“But we don’t have time right now. Let’s put off using the islands for later.”
At this moment, the priority was the river itself.
A wide river that bordered the city.
In the space between the islands, there was a considerable amount of empty water.
So, what can I say?
The area was so vast that having at least one more island wouldn’t be strange at all—there was an incredibly expansive stretch of water.
“If we were to establish a fortress here…”
“I’m not so sure about that. Is this really the right decision?”
My strategy was straightforward.
This expansive space.
The idea was to summon a fortress atop the river.
“But even if it miraculously materializes, won’t it just sink?”
“Well, if we don’t try, we’ll never know. There’s nothing to lose—if it fails, it fails.”
The space between the rivers was indeed significant.
‘If it turns out there’s not enough room to summon it here… then we’re truly out of options.’
Next, we might have to venture out to the sea to even attempt it.
But that’s only a consideration for when things go wrong.
“If it is successful…”
“Then it would indeed be the perfect position for a base.”
The river, serving as a natural barrier, would assist in defense, and obtaining fresh water would be easy.
It’s also conveniently close to the devastated city center, which lay in ruins due to the influence of the incident at the Denuclearization Facility.
We could effectively utilize the nearby islands and the ruined downtown area as a sort of front yard.
Considering that people were establishing themselves close to the military base, the location would be ideal.
‘So please!’
After arriving at the edge of the river, I silently invoked the names of all the gods I could think of and began to pray.
And then, a message appeared.
[Would you like to summon the mobile fortress, Bimana?]
[Y/N]
Without hesitation, I pressed the summon button.
Ding!
[Scanning the area…….]
[Scanning…….]
This was a familiar line.
Until now, following this line typically led to the next message:
[Insufficient space for summoning]
I couldn’t hide my anxiety as I awaited the next message.
How long did I wait?
Ding!
A message appeared before my eyes.
And that message was…
[Summoning area secured.]
“…!”
It was something entirely different from anything I had seen before.
[Would you like to summon the ‘Mobile Fortress Bimana’ in this location?]
[Warning!]
[Please choose the summoning location carefully]
[Once summoned, a long wait time will be required for the next summoning.]
[Required wait time: 30 days.]
“Ha, haha.”
Are you asking if I want to summon it here?
‘What a silly question to ask.’
Warnings and messages aside,
There was no reason to hesitate.
I immediately chose to summon the fort.
And then…
[The fort is being summoned…….]
[Brace for impact]
Huh?
‘What impact?’
Before I could fully grasp the meaning of those words,
KABOOM!
A deafening roar filled my ears.
‘…!?’
At the same time,
A massive wave surged toward us, filling my field of vision.
“Crazy!”
“Everyone, brace yourselves!”
A sudden tsunami.
The soldiers hurriedly crouched down.
“Puhah…!”
“Is everyone okay!?”
“Yes!”
“Phew! I’m fine.”
Fortunately, we were a group made up entirely of Awakened individuals.
A few were swept back by the wave,
but most managed to hold their ground.
“Uh… uh…?”
“Wait a minute.”
“Sergeant Shin?”
As I was relieved that the soldiers were safe,
I noticed they were gaping, staring at something in the distance.
“What is it?”
“Well, we might need to take a look at that.”
“?”
The place the soldiers were pointing at was,
where a river should have been originally.
I turned my gaze in that direction.
“Huh?”
The world around me had transformed.
“No, wait… that’s not it.”
It wasn’t that the world had been engulfed in darkness.
Instead, it was filled with… a massive wall.
A fortress wall so vast that I couldn’t take it all in at a glance.
Having been freed from the dungeon, the awakened individuals took various paths depending on their circumstances. While some ventured far away, most remained active near Chuncheon.
And amongst the awakened in Chuncheon, an unusual tension had begun to simmer recently.
There was one main reason for this.
Not long ago, there had been sounds of battle emanating from the military base—undoubtedly the most powerful faction in the area.
“There was a fight in a building populated only by soldiers.”
Many had gathered to exchange monster corpses, and there were plenty who aimed to do business with them. The vicinity near the military base had effectively become a kind of plaza, cleared of monsters long ago due to the hustle and bustle of numerous awakened individuals coming and going.
“What reason could there possibly be to fight there?”
There was little that outsiders could deduce from the situation. The best speculations people could come up with were:
“Civil strife… or perhaps a coup.”
Given the time that had passed, a small amount of information about the base was available. It was known that the commander of the soldiers was Lieutenant Kim Hyun-seok, and that those soldiers formed the core of what had emerged as a powerful force.
However, the largest group within that military base wasn’t made up of soldiers or officers.
“It’s the recently joined outsiders.”
Indeed, it was still a military base, but when considering their backgrounds, there were far more civilians than soldiers.
Soldiers versus civilians.
“If they’re using some kind of special tactic, then maybe… but if not…”
“It stands to reason that a rift would develop between them.”
“…Internal conflict, then.”
The fact that a fight had broken out in a building consisting solely of soldiers made this the most plausible hypothesis.
“I just hope they can keep the food production going.”
“Yeah, me too.”
Even if the military base crumbled into chaos, most of the city’s inhabitants were awakened individuals. They were capable enough to protect themselves.
The real concern lay with the food supply.
Eating monster meat would lead to becoming a monster themselves.
And even if they tried to farm, crops wouldn’t magically appear overnight.
Given the current situation, most awakened found themselves relying heavily on the military for their processed combat rations.
“What if the recent unrest led to the destruction of the facilities needed for that processing or, worse, the loss of soldiers?”
“……About half of the awakened in this city would likely starve to death.”
This grim reality led many to keep a watchful eye on the movements of the military.
At that moment, a loud thud resonated through the air.
“Hmm?”
“Soldiers!”
The door to the building that served as their base swung open, and soldiers began moving purposefully in a specific direction. However, not all the soldiers were part of a tight formation. A few stragglers broke away from the group, approaching while holding various items in their hands.
What they carried was familiar to the inhabitants of the city: cheap paper covered in hastily scribbled notes.
“Excuse me, soldier! What was that commotion about last time?”
“And where are those people heading?”
A few onlookers tried to engage the soldiers handing out flyers, but their inquiries were met with silence.
“….”
“That has been resolved, so please don’t worry.”
The soldiers’ responses felt oddly cold and dismissive.
“Don’t worry?”
“The details are classified. I appreciate your understanding.”
It became evident that the soldiers were unusually reluctant to interact with outsiders, a fact that had become widely known among the residents. Though curiosity loomed large among them, they sighed in resignation and stepped back.
As they withdrew, their gazes lingered on the papers being distributed by the soldiers.
‘That was written in quite a rushed manner.’
‘Just how much of a hassle was this for them?’
It was as though they had gathered a bunch of soldiers to hastily churn out these notices, each letter dripping with annoyance.
[Warning]
But the content was rather chilling.
[A large-scale monster wave has been detected approaching from the northwest.]
[A massive group of monsters is on its way toward the city]
“……What?”
“What is this sudden announcement?”
The already anxious atmosphere among the awakened became charged with tension as they processed the shock of the written warning.
“A monster wave?”
“……Is there really a need to be concerned?”
Despite the gravity of the situation, a few individuals seemed unfazed.
“Everyone knows how strong the soldiers are.”
“Ah…”
“And considering there are already thousands of awakened gathered here, there’s no way those monsters could breach the city walls.”
Hearing this, people’s excitement began to wane slightly.
Yes, things would be fine.
No matter how many monsters there are, they cannot possibly breach a city defended by such formidable soldiers—
“No.”
“Huh?”
“Look at that. The last line.”
[Our unit will do its utmost to perform the area defense operation, but we cannot guarantee victory under the current circumstances.]
[Civilians in the vicinity are free to evacuate, but we recommend seeking refuge to the east.]
They cannot guarantee victory.
If they’re evacuating, they should head east.
There’s only one reason such a warning exists.
“Don’t tell me…”
“…It’s probably just as you think.”
A regional defense operation against a monster wave.
“Are you saying that the likelihood of mission failure is high…?”
“Those overwhelmingly strong soldiers…!?”
“So, what are we going to do?”
In a building on the outskirts of Chuncheon, a group was currently occupying the space.
The question of what to do was clear to everyone.
‘Monster wave.’
Monsters were invading.
And they had to determine how to respond.
“I think we should leave.”
“Leave, you say?”
A man spoke firmly.
“Is that really necessary? We all know how strong those soldiers are.”
“That’s true. Just yesterday, I saw them hunting monsters. I almost wondered if they’re even the same kind of Awakened individuals…”
“Even if monsters come, those guys will find a way to handle it…”
“We know they’re strong! We acknowledge that,” a man who had been speaking quietly suddenly raised his voice as he moved to the window.
“But so what if they’re strong?”
With arms open wide as if to draw attention to the view outside, he gestured toward the scene below.
What lay beyond that window was… the city.
“Do you see any defensive structures there? Anything at all?”
The landscape was a bleak testament to destruction.
“It’s really nothing but ruins.”
“Exactly! No matter how strong they are, without any defenses…!”
The group exhaled deeply.
“If only there were more buildings, we could utilize them as fortifications.”
“…But many of those buildings are gone now, right?”
The center of the city, once a bustling hub filled with the tallest structures, now lay in a state of desolation.
In its prime, that area had the deepest waters, symbolizing wealth and prosperity.
But now—
“What a bunch of monsters to have devoured it all.”
Whether they truly consumed it or not, most of the buildings submerged beneath the waves had vanished without a trace.
“Soldiers. Strong, aren’t they? Not just strong, but incredibly strong. However… numbers can’t be underestimated.”
The man continued as he observed the silence settling among the group.
“No matter how strong those soldiers are, to defeat a greater number of enemies, a defense structure is essential.”
“What happens if there’s no defense structure?”
“What do you think happens?”
In a one-on-one fight, it was hard to imagine these soldiers losing.
“You’ll end up fighting one against many.”
“Hmm.”
“What if we join the fight? There are plenty of awakened individuals around here, right?”
A man spoke up, but the response came swiftly.
“Sure, some might join in. But most would probably run away, wouldn’t they?”
“That’s true. We’re not as strong as those soldiers, and we lack any defenses.”
Given the absence of defenses, the battle would be fought under quite unfavorable conditions.
And if the battle were to be unfavorable…
“Ordinary awakened individuals, who are weaker than the soldiers, will be the first to fall.”
“…Knowing that, few will be willing to join the fight.”
As the conversation continued, the atmosphere within the group grew restless.
Ultimately, the discussion shifted toward a single conclusion.
Leaving Chuncheon,
and seeking refuge somewhere to the east.
At that moment,
a woman spoke up.
“Well, if anyone wants to run, go ahead.”
“Wait, what do you mean? Just leave?”
“I’m staying here.”
The other group members frowned and attempted to dissuade her.
“…Have you finally lost it?”
“That’s madness, to choose death here when monsters are on the way!”
“That may be true, but I think it’s better to fight and die here than to starve in some other place.”
“….”
No one misunderstood her words.
The soldiers provided meals.
Combat rations.
“…Just because we go elsewhere doesn’t mean we’ll starve. We could find some empty land and farm it.”
“Do crops just grow overnight? Has anyone here even farmed before?”
“Farming can be learned. We just need to hold out until the crops are ready. Although we don’t have much of our current rations… we could buy rye bread with the points and survive.”
“Rye bread… That sounds good, but.”
A smirk crossed the woman’s face.
“Enjoy it while you can. I don’t think I’ll be able to eat that bread anymore.”
“….”
“You all know, right? I’m quite picky when it comes to food.”
Combat rations weren’t just ordinary food.
They had substantial effects, both as nourishment and as buff items.
“Living well off those rations, only to have to go back to that tasteless rye bread?”
The most important thing was the flavor.
“I’d rather die than return to that kind of life.”
“I understand, but… if we stay here, we really will die.”
“It’s not a guarantee that we’ll die, right? Those soldiers said they would try their best to defend, so surely there’s a plan.”
“Speak sense. No matter how strong they are, they can’t win against the numbers. Unless this city had some kind of fortress, holding a defense here is just surreal.”
“I think it’s impossible, but whatever, it’s my choice anyway—”
A brief back-and-forth ensued.
Then, in that moment—
KUUUUUUNG!!!
“……!?”
“What was that!?”
Outside the building, an enormous sound echoed near the heart of the city.
The awakened individuals, who had been focused on their discussion, abruptly stood up in surprise.
“That sound….”
“It’s coming from the direction the soldiers went earlier.”
Among them, one awakened with exceptional hearing mumbled.
A warning about a monster wave.
The movement of the soldiers.
The thunderous noise originating from where the soldiers had headed.
There was only one possible conclusion they could draw.
“No way.”
“Could it be that the monster wave is starting today?”
The realization struck that the monster wave had indeed begun, and the soldiers had likely engaged in battle.
“Damn it! An invasion already?”
“Hey! If we keep arguing, we’re all going to die—”
“Stop wasting time and grab your things!”
If an invasion had truly begun, they had to gather their belongings and escape immediately.
Panic spread among the group as they hurriedly began to move.
Just as they were grabbing only the essentials and preparing to flee east, one man suddenly exclaimed.
“Wait!”
“What are you doing? We’re going to be too late to escape…”
“N-No, everyone, look over there!”
“???”
At the man’s urgent call, the others, in the midst of hastily packing, turned their attention to the window.
“….”
And then, they all fell silent, unable to comprehend the scene unfolding before them.
How much time passed in that stunned silence?
“……Excuse me.”
It was the woman who had insisted on staying behind, even as everyone else fled.
She finally spoke up.
“Earlier, you said that maybe it wouldn’t matter if we had a stronghold, right?”
“Yeah, yeah, that’s what I said.”
“Well then…”
Her finger pointed outside the window.
Outside, in the distance, just beyond the central part of the city, there lay a massive river.
Settled in that place was an immense, black fortress so colossal that it defied belief.
“Given its size, isn’t it uncertain which side will prevail?”
“Ha. Hahaha.”
As the woman pointed toward the fortress, the man, who had been fervently persuading others to flee, let out a hollow laugh.
“What do you mean ‘uncertain’?”
“Excuse me? Just a moment ago, you said you wouldn’t know if there were defenses.”
“Exactly.”
The man glanced at the woman with an incredulous expression.
“You really think it’s uncertain who will win? Are you serious?”
“Calling me a fool…!?”
In the direction the soldiers were headed, a massive fortress suddenly manifested.
“It just appeared in a place where nothing was before.”
“Right?”
“It’s absurd. Such an unbelievable miracle has actually taken place.”
Is there really any room for doubt about who will triumph?
“Of course! The side that triggered such a miracle will win!”
“.…”
Just moments before, this same man had been passionately insisting they needed to escape.
Now, he quietly set his things down.
“Everyone, put your bags down. What’s the point in leaving now when we have nowhere else to go?”
“.…”
Chapter 130: The Fortress (3)
“Oh my freaking God!”
“Look at its size! I can’t see the end of it!”
“Isn’t it almost the size of Yeouido?”
The fortress summoned above the river left the soldiers awestruck by its enormous dimensions.
“Yeah, but…”
While they had succeeded in summoning the fortress, a minor issue arose.
“How do we get inside? Over there?”
“.…”
The fortress floated above the river, and the troubling fact was, they had no apparent way to access it.
“If only we had a boat.”
Surely, all the small boats had been wrecked when the city became engulfed in dungeons.
There wasn’t even a single humble little vessel along the riverbanks.
It also seemed unreasonable to ask the mages to freeze the river.
The only answer that floated to the surface was this:
“We’ll have to swim.”
“Ah.”
With the awakened individuals’ stamina, it wouldn’t be impossible.
Just as they were about to leap into the water and remove their military uniforms…
“Hold on a second.”
“What?”
Someone grabbed my arm and spoke.
It was the soldier in charge of the construction unit.
Corporal Lee Gong-woo.
Ah.
Come to think of it, they are engineers.
“Can you… by any chance, build a boat?”
Originally, most of the support soldiers were nothing more than hobbyists in DIY projects. However, after awakening as engineers, they reached a level where they could create all sorts of items with just a few basic materials.
“Yes? Well, I suppose I could manage to make a boat if you really wanted one, but…”
“Hmm?”
“There’s a better option.”
A confident smile spread across Sergeant Lee’s face.
“Let’s build a bridge.”
“…A bridge?”
At first, I was taken aback. I thought building a boat would surely be easier than constructing a bridge.
“Building bridges is actually one of the main tasks of engineers.”
As a cook, my knowledge about the specialties of other soldiers was limited to what I had overheard. I didn’t know much about the engineers’ work.
According to Corporal Lee, constructing temporary bridges is indeed one of their primary responsibilities.
“Well, our unit isn’t a dedicated engineering battalion, so we haven’t actually built one ourselves.”
“Is that even possible?”
“Truthfully, the usual way to construct a bridge of several dozen meters would require heavy machinery. But…”
He flashed a confident grin.
“We’re not just any engineers, are we?”
True enough. Even as an ordinary cook, I can now slice through metal with a kitchen knife. If I can achieve this much, surely the engineers are capable of more.
“However, there’s one thing I would like to ask.”
“Hmm?”
“Could you assist me by bringing in some other soldiers? Building a bridge requires some extra manual labor.”
“Well, that’s not a problem.”
There was a time when I thought that way.
“A little manual labor? What do you mean…!”
I was completely fooled.
The distance to that fortress was at least a hundred meters.
We were tasked with constructing a temporary bridge over that expanse.
“There’s no way that’s easy!”
I glanced around.
“Huff, huff…”
“Grrk.”
The high-level soldiers, practically living machines, emitted groans as they toiled.
“Phew. Phew.”
I felt the same way.
Thank goodness my basic stats were ridiculously high; otherwise, the intensity of this labor would have driven me to give up long ago.
And it was no wonder.
“Alright, workers! Just a little more effort!”
“Next up… Let’s see. That building over there looks perfect.”
We were setting up a temporary bridge.
For that, we needed more preparations, but above all, the materials were crucial.
While we had brought some resources from our base, they were far from enough to construct the bridge.
The engineering unit came up with a surprisingly simple solution.
…Or rather, it was rather foolish.
“You just need to tear down a few buildings, right?”
Literally.
The idea was to demolish buildings to acquire the necessary materials.
“What is this, a game? Is that even feasible?”
In android tycoon games, you might dismantle a building with just a few clicks, and voilà—resources galore.
But that only works in a game, not in real life.
Dismantling a building is an enormous undertaking in itself.
What amazed me even more was when…
“…Can this really be happening?”
Thud!
A squad member swung a great sword, and an entire wall of a nearby building was cleanly sliced off.
The massive chunks that fell were gathered and carried by the team.
We were indeed gathering materials by demolishing buildings.
It was a method that seemed possible only in a game.
‘But it seems the soldiers’ abilities have reached game-like levels.’
This absurdly reckless approach was actually working.
Unbelievable.
“Gah… I’ve got it!”
“Thank you~”
We literally dismantled the building and handed the materials over to the engineering unit.
They pounded the large fragments into the desired shapes.
‘…Impressive, really.’
Now that I think about it, it had been quite a while since I observed the engineering unit at work.
The last time was during the modification of combat vehicles.
And quite a bit of time had passed since then.
The level and skill of the engineering unit had risen to a point that was incomparable to before.
The bits and pieces that came from the building were hardly in usable condition, even as a joke.
Yet the engineers swiftly got to work.
“Part 3, complete!”
“Yes! I’ll move it right away.”
With ease, the debris was transformed into components for assembling the bridge.
I had been baffled by the suggestion to demolish buildings for materials, but…
This method is actually quite effective?
“Ugh, damn it.”
Of course.
There was one problem.
“Ugh, I’m absolutely exhausted.”
“Aren’t we soldiers on the frontline?”
“Why are we doing the work of the engineers?”
Complaints came pouring in from the soldiers involved in the manual labor.
“I can’t blame them for feeling that way.”
While I had tried to foster camaraderie through cooking, that was one thing, and this was another.
“After all, we’re out of our usual scope of work.”
Even during our time in the regular military, it had been much the same.
One of the most important courtesies among soldiers was to respect each other’s responsibilities.
So, it wasn’t surprising that soldiers forced to take on extra tasks were voicing their frustrations.
But, of course.
That didn’t mean we could let the labor force take a break.
“Let’s eat first!”
The solution was simple.
After all, most complaints stem from…
[The Overflowing Passion of an Intermediate Chef: Honmaru Bone Broth]
Isn’t it just due to hunger and irritation?
“Heh heh, is that all that’s left? If we’re quick, we can whip it up in an hour.”
“One hour? Even half-asleep, I could finish that faster!”
“Yikes!!!”
Once their bellies were full, it was all over.
The frustrations that had lingered just moments ago vanished without a trace.
With renewed enthusiasm, the soldiers began working at a pace that was unlike anything we’d seen before.
When people are fed and comfortable, they can handle just about anything without getting irritated.
In my case, the presence of a tasty sauce certainly helped, but hey.
What does it really matter?
Anyway.
Thanks to the soldiers pouring their passion into their work, the results came quickly.
“It’s done!”
In less than a day’s time, the bridge connecting to the fortress was completed.
The speed was astonishing.
I began to wonder if even an awakened individual could achieve such a feat.
“Well… it’s only temporary. We didn’t have much time.”
Corporal Lee Gong-woo, who oversaw the installation of the bridge, explained.
“It’s hastily assembled, so it can’t support heavy loads. If even a heavy military vehicle tries to cross… you know what happens. Crash.”
“So, for now, only soldiers can use it?”
“Yes. We’ll use this bridge as a foundation and gradually reinforce it.”
In any case.
A small bridge connected to a fortress floating on water.
The members of my unit and I stepped onto the bridge, making our way toward the fortress.
“Oh wow, it’s shaking!”
“Don’t move too much! It might collapse!”
We precariously crossed the rickety makeshift bridge, swaying alarmingly beneath our feet.
As we approached the fortress wall.
Ding!
[The Bimana Unveils Itself]
Suddenly, a phrase appeared before my eyes.
And then—
Kuuung…
With a tremendous tremor, the walls of the fortress began to shake.
“Everyone, stand still!”
The massive fortress, not outdone by the other islands floating on the river, began to come to life. Dust swirled as the fortified walls slowly opened.
Kuuung!
At the moment the doors swung wide,
Ding!
[The mobile fortress – Bimana has been opened successfully]
[User’s summoning authority has been recognized]
[Bimana acknowledges its master]
[Congratulations!]
[This fortress now belongs to you]
[A new title is bestowed upon you]
[Title: Lord of the Bimana]
[Effects: Access to the fortress management menu]
With a new title granted, I briefly scanned the details before turning my gaze toward the massive gates.
The interior of the fortress unfolded before me in one sweeping glance.
What I saw was something unexpected—
“It was more of a fortress city.”
Surrounded by towering walls, the expansive city revealed itself.
“What are all these buildings doing, looking so dark?”
“Is it made of steel?”
After crossing the threshold of the main gate and entering the fortress, my comrades decided to explore its vast interior.
While I had once encountered this fortress within the [Shadow Veil], I barely had a moment to appreciate its features during that chaotic time.
Inside, the number of buildings was plentiful enough to be considered a small fortress city.
I approached one of the structures, placing my hand against its wall.
‘It’s so cold,’ I noted.
The dark gray building shimmered slightly, reminiscent of steel, as the soldiers had said.
However, a check with [Ingredient Identificationn (Enhanced)] confirmed it wasn’t actual steel.
‘It fits our guild’s fortress theme well.’
Our guild bore the name “Steel Legion.”
The sensation evoking steel was a pleasantly surprising coincidence.
“This building looks like it’s a dormitory!”
“There’s a storage facility too. And it’s enormous!”
This fortress, the size of a small island, housed a significant number of structures within.
“To think a place like this will truly be our stronghold.”
This was the special reward received for being the first among humans to undertake the [Occupation War].
It wasn’t just a token recognition for being the first; it came with substantial benefits.
I, too, felt an overwhelming sense of intimidation when I first laid eyes on it.
But there was something puzzling about the whole situation.
“Does it seem smaller than when I saw it through the Shadow Veil?”
When I had peeked inside the [Shadow Veil], the buildings had appeared much taller, and the fortress itself seemed far larger than it does now.
“Is it just my imagination?”
Regardless of my thoughts, the soldiers couldn’t contain their excitement and began exploring every nook and cranny.
“Min-jae-hyung.”
“Yeah?”
“Can you take care of the kids for a bit? I need to check something out.”
“Check something out? Where?”
It’s great that we finally have a spacious new base, but ultimately, our main concern remains the same:
“Can we fend off the monster wave that Taejun warned us about?”
If it’s just a wall without any defenses, it loses its purpose.
Plus, there’s something else that’s been bothering me.
To investigate that, I need to utilize the title I was given.
It’s time to activate the effects of [Lord of the Bimana].
“I think I’ll head to the stronghold management area.”
“Hmm.”
I should check out where a lord is supposed to be.
I entered a building encircled by a small moat, crossing a petite bridge to step through the open gates.
“…It’s truly magnificent.”
This place looked like it could have been home to medieval nobility.
Inside, various facilities and rooms were lined up.
While I was curious about many other areas, there was a specific place I needed to examine.
The stronghold was situated in the very heart of the fortress.
I moved toward its center, where I found a vast chamber.
[Welcome to the Command Center]
This was the center of this stronghold.
…But, honestly,
“Why did it have to be the command center?”
The Command Center.
How ironic that in this special fortress I had received, I would still be surrounded by the frustrating atmosphere of military life.
[The lord’s authority has been confirmed]
[You may now enter the fortress management mode]
In any case, what’s important is this.
Management Mode
It was time to find out if this fortress could withstand the upcoming monster wave.
[Entering Fortress Management Mode]
At that moment, a massive system message appeared before me:
[Mobile Fortress – Bimana (Lv. 1)]
[Lord – Shin Young-joon]
[External Area = 1,000,000㎡]
[Internal Area = 3,000,000㎡]
[Current Capacity = 1000]
[Durability = 99873/100000]
[…]
[…]
“Is this like a status window?”
It resembled the status screens that Awakened individuals access to see their own conditions, displaying the state of the fortress.
However, a few details caught my attention.
First and foremost:
“……Why is the internal area larger than the external area?”
Three times larger, no less.
The status window couldn’t be lying.
This fortress was significantly bigger on the inside than it appeared from the outside.
‘What happened to the laws of physics?’
Well, from my perspective, a larger internal area was a good thing. I could let that one slide.
The next detail that piqued my curiosity was the singular number attached to the fortress’s name:
[Lv. 1]
“……I see. It does look smaller than what I saw within the shadow veil.”
It was oddly reminiscent of an awakened being’s status screen. It turned out it had a level just like them.
“The fortress I saw within the barrier was at a higher level.”
I hadn’t been in a clear state of mind back then, so my memory might not be precise, but I distinctly remembered seeing the words “Lv. Max” quite often.
The Shadow Veil was a realm of imagination.
Reality and imagination—this fortress, Bimana, had also been manifested in a state where its potential was entirely unlocked.
It was somewhat disappointing, yet there was no harm done.
‘If I level it up, it will take on the form I saw within the barrier.’
The real issue was that I had no idea how to increase this level.
As I continued to examine the fortress’s status screen, I noticed a button at the bottom.
[Switch to Administrator View]
I was curious about what it meant to have a “manager’s perspective.”
Without a second thought, I reached out my hand toward it.
“…!?”
I had just been in the command center a moment ago, but suddenly my point of view shifted to a much higher location.
Peering down, I saw a fortress brimming with dark gray buildings.
“What does it mean to have a manager’s perspective?”
Did it imply that I could look down at this fortress from the air?
The sudden change in my vantage point was a bit unsettling. Yet, as time passed, the aerial view began to feel strangely familiar.
“It’s like a strategic mobile game.”
You know the type—the kind where you manage and develop a territory. During my college days, I had dabbled in a few of them as a hobby. But once the microtransactions became overwhelming, I promptly quit.
Still, this perspective resembled the ones in such games, offering a bird’s-eye view of a developing territory. I could even see soldiers bustling around the fortress, seemingly full of excitement.
“Hmm?”
However, looking down from above revealed something unexpected.
“Why are there so many empty spaces?”
While there were numerous established buildings, from the air, it was apparent that far too many plots of land were still vacant.
When I had viewed the fortress from within the [Shadow Veil], there hadn’t seemed to be any such open areas.
[Building Site]
[You can construct the building of your choice there]
In that moment of focus, words appeared before me, beckoning my attention.
[Please select a building you wish to construct]
[Training Grounds]
[Smithy]
[Research Institute]
[Barracks]
[Prison]
“….”
It was evident that this fortress wasn’t completed yet.
“I have to build the structures myself?”
In that case, this was going to be tricky. The monster waves could attack us at any moment, and if I’d had the luxury of time to build structures, I wouldn’t have resorted to summoning the fortress on this river as a desperate gamble.
To complicate matters further:
[Warning!]
[Special points are required to construct buildings]
I wasn’t entirely sure about all of this, but it seemed that just having engineers wasn’t enough to ensure construction would happen smoothly.
“Tsk.”
As I scanned the list of buildings I could construct, a few names caught my attention.
There were some that sounded reasonably impressive.
For instance, a blacksmith might be appreciated by the guild members.
A prison… well, let’s hope we never have to use it, but who knows what might happen.
However, as I perused the list, one building name suddenly stood out to me.
[Restaurant]
“…Right. This was here.”
The moment I saw that name, my hand began to move before I even realized it.
[Would you like to construct a Restaurant?]
[Y/N]
When I finally snapped back to reality, my finger was already hovering over the YES button.
‘Oh no!’
What we needed right now were facilities that could help us fend off the monster wave.
Even though the Restaurant’s capabilities had been verified, I wasn’t sure if it could withstand those monstrous onslaughts.
‘Not to mention, I heard it would cost points…!’
Damn it.
But what could I do? My profession was a cook, and how could I resist building a restaurant?
“C-cancel button….”
[Construction of the Restaurant is starting.]
[Cost – Occupation Points: 1000]
“….”
I frantically searched for a way to cancel, but no such option existed.
As the message confirmed the start of construction, the points were deducted.
…But then I noticed something.
“Hmm?”
The points spent on construction seemed oddly familiar.
[Occupation Points]
“Wait. So this is where they are used?”
Occupation Points were different from the regular points earned by defeating monsters.
True to their name, these points were earned by occupying and maintaining control over specific areas.
The larger the area and the longer it was held, the more points would be rewarded.
And now I realized that the required points for building were, in fact, Occupation Points.
“…Heh heh.”
Our guild’s territories included the [Mountain Range] and [Small Town (3)], and just a few hours ago, we had also expanded to a [Large City (2)].
Especially in the case of the [Mountain Range].
It had been a while since we established our control there.
During that time, our Occupation Points had steadily accumulated.
With no clue as to how these points might be used, I finally felt a glimmer of hope.
I had simply watched as things piled up around me.
“I stopped playing mobile games because I was tired of the constant in-game purchases,” I reflected.
Those were my college days, when I barely had enough money to survive.
I had to quit gaming because I couldn’t even afford to build a single structure in the game.
But here, it was a different story.
“Building a structure costs 1,000 points,” I noted.
At first glance, that seemed like quite a sum.
It was hard to suppress a laugh.
After all, what were we discussing here?
Occupation Points?
I checked my balance.
[Occupation Points: 21,873]
“That’s more than enough!”
Chapter 131: The Draconic Army (1)
[Constructing a Dining Hall]
[One Engineer is drafted]
[Constructing a Smithy]
[One Engineer is drafted]
[Constructing a Training Facility]
[One Engineer is drafted]
[Setting up Barracks]
[One Engineer is drafted]
[Establishing the First Artillery Base]
[The Second Artillery Base…]
.
.
.
After confirming that my points were overflowing, I selected every building that seemed useful.
Messages about building construction filled my screen.
“Will there still be points left after this?”
Considering how long we’d maintained control over our territory, I figured I could afford to be generous. Despite choosing everything I found useful, I still had about half of my points left.
“I do wish I had something like a [Self-Defense System], though.”
It seemed that there were indeed buildings that could only be unlocked after leveling up the fortress.
It was strange to think that even though it was called a [Mobile Fortress], there weren’t any visible facilities related to that name.
Leveling up the fortress must be the key to unlocking those features.
There was still something that caught my attention, though.
[One Engineer is drafted.]
What did that mean? I wondered as I gazed down at the surface.
Excited soldiers were milling about, enthralled by the fortress’s appearance.
Suddenly, a few of them came to an abrupt halt.
They stood frozen, staring blankly into the air.
“Did a system message just show up?”
The scene was all too familiar for those who had awakened to their powers.
Poh poh poh…
It seemed as though they were reading messages that had appeared in the air.
There were those bustling around, darting off somewhere.
Though their faces were hidden, they were likely the engineers—those who had honed their skills to shape the world around them.
With a hint of a smile, I thought, “They actually look kind of cute from this angle.”
Up close, they were simply middle-aged men with shaggy leg hair.
Having reached the open space, they began to work on something.
[Building a restaurant…]
[Estimated Time – 3 Hours]
[Bonuses will be granted based on the abilities of the engineers deployed]
“Hm.”
As expected.
It wasn’t as simple as just wishing a building into existence.
Constructing a building in this fortress required workers skilled in engineering.
And based on these workers’ abilities, they would receive bonuses.
That left me with one clear duty.
“I suppose I should prepare some refreshments.”
The construction would take three hours—a sufficient amount of time to cook and bring something for them.
“Refreshing snacks…!?”
“Thank you so much!”
I moved around the various construction sites, delivering the food I had prepared with care.
There was a downside to this; while they were eating, no construction would take place.
But that was only a temporary setback.
[Burning Passion -]
“Wooooooo!!!”
The engineers, fueled by the food, dove into their work with renewed fervor.
As a result,
[Restaurant Lv.1 has been completed!]
[No, is this!?]
[The workers’ passion and talent shine!]
[The level of the completed restaurant increases]
[Restaurant Lv.2]
“…Oh.”
And just like that, all the buildings were completed at Level 2.
After gaining a rough understanding of the fortress, I found myself seated in the massive meeting room on the second floor.
“You’ve constructed buildings without even consulting the team,” one of the members remarked.
“Hehe. I got a little too excited when I saw the word ‘restaurant.’”
“…Well done.”
Min-jae hyung, who had decided to lead the meeting, said this with a nod.
“Thanks to the fortress’s establishment, our defenses have become significantly more robust. In particular…”
His gaze shifted to the window, resting on the walls of the fortress.
[Cannon Tower 1 (Lv.2)]
[Cannon Tower 2 (Lv.2)]
[Cannon Tower 3 (Lv.2)]
Towering atop the city walls, enormous cannons stood ready.
“Such defensive structures will certainly prove useful,” I mused.
I had already utilized every available point to erect the necessary defenses.
It was a bit surprising to realize that the fortress wasn’t fully completed, but in the end, I figured it wouldn’t make much of a difference.
The tanks from the artillery battalion were also on their way over this way.
In terms of defenses, we were more than adequately equipped.
However…
Would that be sufficient? The answer was a clear no.
“We’re a bit short on personnel,” I sighed.
The number of troops stationed in Chuncheon was just over 200.
“Speaking of which, some of the awakened inhabitants of the city have expressed their willingness to cooperate,” one of the officers mentioned.
Despite their eagerness, the awakened individuals in the city still had an overall low average level and skill.
We had already issued warnings about the enemy’s strength and numbers.
Most of the still-developing awakened were expected to choose evacuation when the time came.
“Seeing the summoned fortress must have inspired some confidence in them.”
Even I had been taken aback by the fortress’s grandeur.
Several individuals had reached out, proposing to assist with the defense, provided we offered a few minor concessions.
Most of those concessions would likely be met with combat provisions.
Since we had nothing to lose, I decided to accept their help.
“It’s not a bad arrangement, but… hmmm.”
Ultimately, it still wasn’t enough.
Regardless of their enthusiasm, the fact remained: the city’s awakened individuals were simply too weak.
“What we need right now is not such fragile forces.”
We required elite troops.
At the very least, we needed a strength equivalent to the youngest members of our unit.
“Hey, Sergeant Shin?”
“Where are you going?”
As the other officers began their meeting on defensive operations, I stood up and replied with a grin.
“You all are the ones who strategize far better than I do.”
Those involved in combat inherently possessed a higher acumen for fighting strategies.
Furthermore, with Lieutenant Kim—an awakened [Commander]—in the mix, my role in devising detailed tactics was unnecessary.
“I’ll stick to my own responsibilities.”
Right now, my job wasn’t to sit in a conference room and listen to discussions.
I exited the meeting room and made my way down the stairs of the inner fortress.
If there’s no other way, would you like me to lend a hand?
From the shadows, Ariella’s voice reached me.
Expanding the number of vampires, huh.
‘It’s not a bad idea, at least.’
She had recently ascended to the rank of baroness.
This had significantly reduced the time required to expand her retinue.
While the enemy could strike at any moment, if all went well, she could potentially summon at least 100 new vampires.
The average power of those vampires would likely be slightly stronger than before, too.
There were certain limitations, of course.
But aside from those, they’d be far more potent than ordinary awakened individuals.
“No, you can only maintain a retinue of 100.”
To sustain her vampires, she needed to feed them blood.
Though I can currently manage the effects of monster blood to some extent, I can’t help but wonder when the numbers will grow and reach a point beyond my control.
Moreover, most vampires are created by ‘recycling’ criminals like plunderers.
“This city doesn’t really have that many criminals, does it?”
“That’s true. With this reinforcement, we can practically say the supply has run dry. There aren’t many monsters left that can be turned into followers.”
At least in this city, those who have awakened must be cautious not to draw attention from our unit. There are hardly any individuals bold enough to commit crimes near our base.
While it’s possible that awakened individuals who left this area turned into raiders, there simply aren’t many suitable candidates to be recycled nearby.
“Do we have to limit ourselves to criminals? If needed, we could even convert slightly weaker humans into followers, and it could be efficient…”
“Do you want to starve?”
“.…”
Becoming a vampire is, in fact, a punishment worse than death. I have no intention of turning innocent people into vampires.
“Then what will you do? It’s not like there’s a method available.”
“There’s… a way, albeit not a very certain one.”
“Huh?”
“The problem is I’m not very sure about this method.”
As I pondered this, my thoughts drifted to the buildings constructed within the fortress.
Among them stood one that caught my eye:
[Barracks Lv.2]
In military terms, barracks simply refer to the buildings where soldiers reside. However, the laws of this world have shifted to resemble a game in many ways, and in that context, the term “barracks” has a specific implication:
“A facility for summoning troops.”
Stepping out of the conference room, I made my way towards the barracks.
When I previously handed out refreshments to the soldiers during construction, I had briefly visited the barracks. My impression at the time had been simple:
“Is this really what a barracks looks like?”
Clunk, clunk…
My destination was none other than the inner fortress’s basement.
Specifically, the basement’s first floor, which could be considered the heart of the stronghold.
There, a small altar had been erected.
[Barracks Lv.2]
This altar was, in fact, the barracks.
At the center of the altar sat a large basin, intended for placing offerings or something similar.
The altar was constructed around this basin, and behind it loomed a large door adorned with bizarre patterns.
I had spoken to the engineers who built this facility, but they merely followed the blueprints that came to mind without knowing the significance or reason behind this shape.
“It feels less like a barracks and more like… I don’t know how to put it.”
An altar for summoning demons.
Well, that was the vibe I was getting.
Anyway, I stepped toward the elegantly patterned vessel at the center of the altar.
[Barracks (Level 2) is now active]
Suddenly, a message appeared before my eyes.
[You can now summon soldiers bound to the fortress]
[Currently bound soldiers: 0/200]
[The summoning of soldiers is currently halted]
[Please register the necessary medium for summoning.]
Upon reading the last line, I couldn’t help but furrow my brow.
“Do I really need a medium?”
What in the world is a medium, in the first place? If the facilities were built with any sense of fairness, shouldn’t soldiers come free of charge?
“There can’t possibly be such a thing…”
As I muttered in disbelief, a new message came through.
[A medium usable for summoning has been detected: 1]
[Dragon’s Tooth]
“…really?”
There it was—a medium available for summoning.
‘Dragon’s Tooth.’
It’s been quite a while since I had it.
It was a reward I’d received around the same time as the Bimana.
“I remember… when I first created a guild as a human.”
This was the reward for founding the very first guild.
Naturally, I had tried various things to utilize it.
I had even handed it over to old man Park once, but he failed to process it.
It seemed like too high-quality of a material for him to work with, so I’d never touched it since.
‘Just looking at the achievements, it’s an item that can be compared to the Bimana regardless of its rarity.’
After all, I had never used it before.
I placed the Dragon’s Tooth on the altar.
[Would you like to use the medium – ‘Dragon’s Tooth’?]
[Summoning troops – Dragonkin Soldiers x10]
[Dragonkin Soldier]
[They are draconic beings endowed with formidable strength and unparalleled greed]
[These soldiers were created to guard their treasure hoards]
[Crafted from the mighty Dragon’s Tooth, Dragonkin Soldiers are the ultimate guardians, possessing enough power for dragons to entrust their treasures to them]
[Born to protect treasure hoards, these soldiers excel in defensive combat]
[Dragonkin Soldiers never feel tired]
[They will fulfill their duties until they are destroyed]
“…Whoa.”
Though the description of the Dragonkin Soldier wasn’t long, there was no doubt about their impressive strength.
These powerful beings forged from the Dragon’s Tooth were indeed top-tier guardians.
Given the achievements alone, the Dragon’s Tooth was certainly an item worthy of comparison to the Bimana.
Those ten Dragonkin Soldiers would constitute a force that could rival this vast fortress.
“Still, it’s a bit disappointing.”
I understood that they were a strong force, but there was just one drawback.
[Warning!]
The medium used for the summoning immediately disappears.
“Was this a one-time use item?”
When summoning ten dragon hatchlings with a [Dragon’s Tooth], that precious item vanishes without a trace.
“No matter how powerful the effect, can it really be that it only summons ten?”
But then again, the claim of strength came solely from the system message.
I had yet to witness their actual power.
Ten dragon hatchlings.
If even half of them were to fall during this monster wave, the loss would be indescribable.
“Ugh, that’s just too wasteful.”
Still, as I tried to brainstorm alternative solutions, nothing practical came to mind no matter how hard I wracked my brain.
“It can’t be helped.”
I could only hope these ten would turn out to be formidable creatures, that they would survive and serve me well for a long time.
Just as I was about to drop the tooth into the bowl, someone called out to me.
“Sergeant Shin! Are you here?”
“Huh?”
Someone came down the stairs of the base to speak with me.
“Gwang-il? What brings you here?”
It was Corporal Jeon Gwang-il.
He should have been in the middle of a meeting, so what was he doing here?
“Haha. I just finished the meeting and came to report back on the results.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t mind if you reported later.”
“That doesn’t make sense, Sergeant Shin, you’re our captain… um?”
His gaze shifted to the item I was holding.
“What do you have there?”
“Oh, this? It’s an item I acquired a while back—”
“It looks like a bone. Are you planning to cook something with it? Is that bowl a pot or something?”
“….”
The dragon’s tooth.
At first glance, the ivory-colored tooth could easily be mistaken for a bone.
I suppose the misunderstanding was understandable.
“That’s not it. I’m using this to… um?”
Wait a minute.
A bone?
‘…It does resemble one quite a bit.’
Teeth.
And bones.
I had once heard in passing that the composition of teeth and bones is surprisingly similar. There are various reasons why they aren’t classified as the same, but fundamentally they are closely related concepts.
And if it is a bone…
“Gwang-il.”
“Yes?”
“Are you a genius?”
“……???”
Corporal Jeon Gwang-il looked baffled.
I left him behind and made my way up the stairs, heading outside the fort.
“Sergeant Shin! You have to receive a report first…!”
“Later!”
I could hear Gwang-il mumbling something as I walked away, but I was certain of one thing.
Whatever he was chattering about was completely insignificant compared to what I was about to do.
Once I stepped outside the fort, my first stop was, of course, the dining hall.
[Restaurant (Lv.2) is now active]
[Chef’s proficiency bonuses will be applied]
[Bonus will be added to the dished you will prepare]
It was the dining hall.
It was the kind of facility that made me want to slam the construction button the moment I saw it.
I’d already been here once before, so I was familiar with its layout.
Inside, I remarked, “It looks just like a complete kitchen.”
The dining hall, built inside a grand fortress, resembled an ordinary military kitchen more than anything else.
After all, even high-end restaurant kitchens often look very much like school cafeterias at a glance.
“Well, that’s not too important.”
My attention briefly wandered to the various cooking tools scattered around, but I tried not to get distracted.
I headed straight for the enormous cauldron.
It was big enough to cook soup for at least a hundred people.
“Here we go.”
I poured in a large amount of water.
The components of teeth and bones are remarkably similar.
And for bones of this size…
“This is just perfect for making soup.”
Though I expected the broth might turn out a little weak… well, isn’t that just typical for military cooking?
Chapter 132: The Draconic Army (2)
In this fallen world, things had become quite unreasonable.
However, the difficulty of a task was always proportional to its rewards.
Dragon tooth.
From the achievement description when I obtained them, it seemed unlikely they were mere trash items.
The ten summonable Dragon Soldiers I could conjure using these teeth would likely be fairly powerful.
But…
“There’s just not enough.”
Only summoning ten of them was rather disappointing.
If even one fell in battle, I would incur irreparable losses.
And… this is a different matter altogether.
Sometimes, these kinds of situations occurred in the military.
“Due to the mishap of the responsible soldier, the required ingredients turn out to be insufficient.”
It’s obvious that having a shortage of ingredients would be a problem.
The ability to think on your feet and resolve such situations is what defines the skill of a field cook.
“Use fewer ingredients. Add more water.”
The result might end up being a bit bland, but what can you do? In the military, it’s always been about quantity over quality. Even if the taste lacks, a field cook has mastered the art of making sure there’s enough to fill you up.
With a pot brimming with water, I placed my hand, gripping the [Dragon’s Tooth], over it.
Then, suddenly—
[Warning!]
[This is a high-quality ingredient]
[The chef’s skills are not up to par with the ingredient]
[The chance of failure is very high if cooking is attempted]
“I’ve seen this line somewhere before.”
While I’ve gained some confidence in my culinary skills, I’m still only considered an [Intermediate Cook]. Handling ingredients of this caliber is a tall order for me.
But this is undeniably a [Restaurant].
[Level 2 Restaurant]
[The chef’s skill level receives a bonus adjustment]
I remembered the time in the ammunition battalion when Grandpa Park and the engineers mentioned that building a [Workshop] would provide bonuses to both their work and products.
“They said that their makeshift workshop was merely a temporary setup, not a proper one.”
What they referred to as a proper facility—could it be that it signifies a structure established by spending occupation points? Similar to how other production roles gain bonuses through their workshops, if I leverage the support of this restaurant, my cooking skills would see a significant improvement.
[Bonus adjustment of Restaurant Level 2 has been applied]
[You can now challenge high-quality ingredients]
Just like that—
[Warning!]
[This is a rare catalyst]
[If consumed as a cooking ingredient, it cannot be recovered]
[Would you like to use it?]
I chuckled softly. “In the past, I might have hesitated to lay my hands on something like this.”
A material that looks impressive yet is destined for cooking? I would have gasped in disbelief and withdrawn my hand back then. But that’s no longer the case.
“I’ve come to realize that the potential inherent in cooking is far greater than I once thought.”
Having confirmed this through recent experiences, there was no reason to hesitate any longer.
Plop.
I tossed the Dragon’s Tooth into the boiling water.
“Hmm. This alone might not be enough.”
Making a proper bone broth is not just about throwing in some bones and letting it simmer. Sure, in the army, opening a can was all we had to do. But if you want to craft it right, you’ll need a whole array of herbs to eliminate unwanted odors and enhance the flavors.
herbs.
“…Isn’t there something decent?”
I opened the shadow and pulled out a box from within.
Not long ago, when I was leaving the ammunition battalion, the farmer Awakened, Cheol-wook, had handed me this box.
Inside it were:
[Curslack Root]
[Ladyol Leaf]
Various plants with names I had never seen before.
The box was filled with ingredients from another realm, infused with magical energy.
“I had been saving these for an important moment.”
I never expected I would need them this soon.
[Ingredient Identification (Enhanced)]
[Ladyol Leaf]
[Freshness – Good]
[A polarizing ingredient with a distinctive aroma]
[Its use in cooking by itself is rare; most often, it’s employed to eliminate unpleasant odors or used as a side in other dishes… ]
[It boosts the magical properties of other ingredients and is often regarded as a healthy ingredient… ]
I carefully selected only those that seemed suitable for my dish, washed them thoroughly, and prepared them before adding them to the pot.
“…Phew!”
Now all that remained was to wait.
I watched as bubbles rose, skimming off the foam at intervals to ensure the broth brewed perfectly.
And then…
[The dish is complete!]
[Successfully cooked a high-quality ingredient beyond the chef’s skill level]
[Acquired Experience points ]
With the finished dish in hand, I made my way towards the [Barracks].
An altar that did not live up to its name.
I placed the completed dish atop the bowl in its center.
A gently shimmering, ivory-hued liquid.
[Intermediate Chef’s Dragon Tooth Soup]
[A broth made by simmering the teeth of a dragon]
[The dragon’s magic has been deeply infused within the soup, and the quality of the magic has significantly increased thanks to various herbs]
The completed dish was quite a remarkable creation.
It wasn’t the issue of taste but rather its intended purpose.
If consumed, it would undoubtedly provide an incredible buff.
The problem was…
“There’s only one bowl.”
Ideally, the quantity should have been larger according to my original plan.
Yet, just before the dish was done, the abundant water had suddenly evaporated, reducing it to only this single serving.
“It’s a perplexing phenomenon… but does it really matter?”
Both my [Cooking] and the ingredient [Dragon Tooth] were still shrouded in mysteries.
Even if something difficult to understand were to happen, I had no choice but to accept it as it was.
One thing remained important.
Would this dish, now transformed through cooking, still function as a summoning medium…?
I cautiously approached the altar, holding the dish in my hand.
With that,
[The medium has been confirmed]
[Dragon Tooth Soup]
[Summoned troops – 200 Lava Dragonlings]
“Phew!”
It seems like I’ve maneuvered past the most critical part smoothly.
If my cooking had ended up being unsuitable as a medium, all my efforts would have been for nothing.
“The numbers have increased twentyfold, but it looks like their combat power has dropped a bit.”
Previously, I could summon 10 Dragonkin using the [Dragon’s Tooth].
Now, thanks to my cooking, I can summon 200 Lava Dragonlings.
[Barracks Lv. 2]
[Troops: 0/200]
With 200 of them, I’ve precisely hit the maximum capacity that a Level 2 barracks can sustain.
In that sense, I’ve achieved my goal of increasing the troop numbers.
“Although it is a bit disappointing that the quality has dropped.”
Even so, summoning them like this should still provide a formidable fighting force.
However,
“From 10 Dragonkin to 200 Lava Dragonlings…”
It’s just an increase in numbers.
The overall strength is likely to remain largely unchanged.
Considering the herbs used in the recipe, they might even be slightly stronger, but…
Smirking, I placed my hand lightly on the dish.
And murmured softly.
The true reason I chose to cook this particular tooth was…
Exactly this:
“Five Loaves and Two Fish.”
[Skill – Five Loaves and Two Fish]
[Do you know the miraculous tale of feeding thousands with five loaves and two fish?]
[Now, this is no longer a miracle, but your reality]
The ability to replicate the completed dish.
Of course, it wasn’t as easy as it sounded.
[This is a high rank dish!]
[Skill activation has been canceled]
I encountered the same message last time, when I cooked the Pope of Dasmur during the dungeon raid.
It seems that dishes of excessively high rank cannot be replicated.
But there was one significant difference this time.
“If it’s not possible then I’ll make it happen.”
A power to turn the impossible into reality.
It was filled with sheer determination… a cheat.
Or perhaps it was a core ability.
[Conditions have been fulfilled]
[Divine Power: 2]
[With a Divine Power of ‘2,’ you can make the impossible possible]
The instincts of a chef were asserting themselves.
This task would have likely been impossible with just a Divine Power of 1.
However, at this moment, my supernatural ability has reached level two while transforming Lee Hyun-jin into a human.
[Skill activation will resume]
[Please select the amount to copy]
This level of impossibility can be transformed into possibility.
“As long as my divine power and mana allow it, to the maximum extent.”
[Current effect of the applied dish: Level 4]
I prepared extensively for this moment by consuming numerous dishes that enhance my magic energy in advance.
[Skill activation in progress]
Five pieces of bread.
Two fish.
With these, I’m creating a miracle that could feed thousands.
A miracle worthy of myth is about to unfold right before my eyes.
I can feel the magic energy inside me rapidly draining.
I tipped the dish I was holding into the bowl in front of the altar.
A grand, antique bowl stood at the center of the altar, gradually filling with a luminescent liquid of a golden hue.
The golden liquid flowed endlessly, filling the bowl at the altar that accepted it all.
Even when it seemed the bowl should overflow from the sheer volume, it contained everything without spilling a drop.
“Cough cough.”
[Warning!]
[Magic Energy consumption is extreme!]
[Status effect: Magic Energy depletion]
As my mana completely drained away, the flow of the golden liquid that had been pouring stopped naturally.
[Barracks Level: 2]
[Production of the Lava Dragonlings has begun]
[Time required per unit: 3 hours]
[Calculating time for the production of the waiting troops…]
[Calculating…]
From behind the altar in the barracks, a massive door stood ominously.
Light streamed through the narrow gap within the door.
[Calculation complete]
[Unquantifiable]
Finally, one by one, armored figures began to emerge through the open door, until—
Clank.
They knelt before me.
[Barracks Level: 2]
[1/200]
“With this…”
I was ready.
As the anticipated monster wave approached, the city began its preparations for war.
“This equipment is provided temporarily.”
“Wow…”
Before them stood a massive fortress that had suddenly appeared in the middle of the river.
A significant number of awakened individuals had gathered there.
They weren’t just soldiers from the Steel Legion.
“These are civilian collaborators.”
These were individuals who had volunteered to assist the Legion in their defensive operations.
Among them were some who had previously fought alongside the Legion against the sea creatures during the dungeon exploration.
“Although this supply is only temporary, I assure you that once the war concludes, there will be plenty of spoils to satisfy everyone.”
These were the individuals who had chosen to support the Legion.
From the Legion’s perspective, it was crucial not to overlook the friendly awakened individuals. They had promised generous rewards for their contributions once the battle was over; however, if they fell in combat, that promise would mean nothing.
The Legion contacted a distant ammunition battalion base, quickly deciding to mass-produce equipment for temporary leasing.
“Your class is a swordsman, correct? Here you go.”
“Oh, yes.”
When they first announced the equipment would be available for leasing, the awakening individuals shrugged it off. But as soon as they held the equipment in their hands, they were astonished.
“What is this?”
“This raises my stats just by wearing it?”
The eyes of the awakened widened in surprise.
“Is this an item?”
“I’ve seen products sold by production-class awakened individuals before. They had some effect, sure, but they were so underwhelming that I didn’t feel it was worth using precious combat rations to buy them. But this…”
“It’s on a whole different level.”
The items crafted by the Legion’s production-class awakened were clearly of a far superior quality compared to what they had previously experienced, although they were still inferior to the standard supplies distributed among the troops.
“This explains why the soldiers are so strong!”
“They must be wearing equipment like this, right? It makes sense now.”
The group was just stepping out of the dungeon and beginning their leveling journey, and for them, this was akin to discovering top-tier goods.
“The supplied equipment is designed to raise the absolute value of your stats. Those with lower levels will feel the effects much more significantly.”
“Oooh…”
The items had been mass-produced specifically for lower-level awakened individuals. Rather than a percentage increase, these provided a boost to their absolute values.
For someone at a lower level, it would feel as if their stats had nearly doubled.
“But what about that monster wave?”
“Hmm?”
“It is genuinely coming, right?”
At that moment, one of the survivors voiced a concern.
“It will, right? That’s why we’re preparing like this, isn’t it?”
“That’s true. But if we establish this formation and hold our ground, wouldn’t those monsters just avoid us? They’re not fools. Is there really a reason for them to attack a fortified enemy?”
One of the soldiers distributing the supplies glanced at the awakened individuals.
He let out a small sigh before speaking.
“They will come as long as we are here to defend this position.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“If they ignore us and pass by, they risk being ambushed from behind.”
While the term “monster wave” was used lightly, as Sergeant Park Taejun had suggested, they were dealing with an army of monsters.
“They will have to pass through this city if they want to advance. If they choose to bypass us, it might actually work to our advantage.”
It seemed they were determined to carry out their [Invasion] aggressively.
However, in other regions, different monsters had already taken root.
No matter how numerous or powerful they might be, occupying the city by pushing through an overwhelming horde of monsters was anything but easy.
“If they decide to bypass us and target another city first, we can strike them from behind,” one soldier suggested.
“Oh—”
“That’s precisely why we’re fighting to hold this city. If we retreat, they’ll gain free rein over a larger area. The humans in that expanded territory will likely struggle to survive.”
“Wait, so the reason for holding this position is…”
“That’s because it minimizes the suffering of the people. The commander’s assessment was that even if we face total annihilation, we must hold our ground here.”
At the soldier’s words, the expressions of the listeners subtly shifted.
Civilization had collapsed, and countless lives had been lost.
The world now resembled a wilderness.
It was a realm where the strong naturally preyed on the weak.
For those with immense power, it wouldn’t be unusual to enslave others.
Any force capable of stopping them certainly didn’t exist nearby.
But…
‘To defend the area in order to reduce the suffering of others…’
According to that statement, these soldiers were still pursuing their goal as protectors…
Their objective was to safeguard humanity.
Truth be told, the Legion’s perspective deemed that having more surviving humans would also benefit its own survival.
However, the awakened individuals present here found it difficult to think in such a way.
From the perspective of the awakened, these soldiers…
Truly appeared devoted to their duty as soldiers.
Although they had the power to dominate others, they remained steadfast in their obligations.
Understanding the reasons behind their loyalty was challenging, but one thing was certain.
We knew why they had been able to survive until now.
And while it was still uncertain, if they managed to endure in the future, we would understand that reason too.
“…I suppose I should thank their commander.”
It was clear that it was thanks to the judgment of the commander that they were able to protect this territory.
Chapter 133: Invasion (Part 1)
———!!!
In the distance, at least thousands of monsters roared, their cries echoing through the air like a thunderous storm, shaking the ground and filling the atmosphere with an overwhelming sense of dread
[The invasion has begun!]
Soon enough, a message appeared before me.
[Engaged Forces]
[Green Mane Orc Tribe VS Steel Legion]
[Commanders]
[Green Mane Orc Tribe War Chieftain Hara-Bal VS Steel Legion Lieutenant Kim Hyun-Seok]
[Battle Area]
[Metropolis (3)]
The victorious faction in battle can seize control of ‘Metropolis (3)!’
“Show no mercy to the enemy!”
“It’s an occupation battle.”
Indeed.
This world, shrouded in the guise of a ‘game’, is fundamentally centered around occupation warfare.
Until now, we had claimed lands that belonged to no one.
But when I think about it, that was merely a tutorial for the actual occupation battle.
The real action lies in the clashes between factions.
This fight will be the first time we experience a ‘true occupation battle.’
Standing atop the fortress walls, I looked out at the monstrous figures in the distance.
[Ingredient Identification (Enhanced)]
[Culinary Eye]
[Orc Type – Green Mane]
[Freshness – High]
Suddenly, information about the creatures before me began to unfold.
[Green Mane Warrior]
[A warrior from the Green Mane tribe, one of the many factions within the Orc race.]
[The Orcs are a species that could be said to be born for war, and the Green Mane tribe is the most populous among them.]
[The gestation period of the Green Mane tribe is one month, during which dozens of offspring are born at once. These younglings mature into formidable warriors in just six months.]
[As a species that thrives in the wild, they are known for their resilient flesh and distinctive umami flavor—]
“What a sight to behold.”
As I read the description, it became evident that these creatures were indeed a race born for battle.
‘Quick gestation, numerous offspring, and rapid growth?’
That meant their species was specifically evolved for numbers.
Looking at the sheer mass in front of me now made it all too clear.
In fact, one could argue that this might even be a modest turnout.
However.
‘We’re not to be taken lightly either.’
A race born for war?
So what?
We are an army.
We, too, are a group forged for the purpose of warfare.
“Hey…?”
But then, amid the thronging monsters, something familiar caught my eye.
“Su-hyeok!”
“…Yes, Sergeant Shin?”
“You have the best eyesight among us, don’t you?”
“Well, that’s true. But I believe what you’re seeing is indeed correct.”
The monsters, lined up and howling before the siege, revealed an enormous metal object among them.
“Are those monsters pulling a tank?”
If my eyes weren’t deceiving me, then what lay among the creatures was indeed a tank.
In other words, a war machine.
“Crazy. How are they controlling it?”
“Looking around, I can see a few people.”
Corporal Seo Su-hyeok spoke while observing the vicinity of the tank closely.
“The ones controlling it must be humans.”
“They probably aren’t doing it of their own free will.”
“Right. There are other monsters nearby. It seems they might be enslaving human tank crews.”
“…Slavery.”
A chill ran through me.
“Those arrogant bastards.”
In Gangwon-do, the majority of the Republic of Korea Army’s forces are concentrated.
The area in western Gangwon-do, which they occupy, likely hosts a significant number of military bases as well.
‘Did they raid one of those military bases?’
The presence of many military installations does not equate to easily reclaiming them.
Every base is home to disturbingly powerful monsters.
But…
We’ve already succeeded in reclaiming more than two military bases.
This means the enemy possesses enough strength to handle that level of challenge.
I never imagined they would resort to using humans as slaves just to deploy stolen weapons.
‘Calm down.’
The sight of monsters using humans as slaves initially ignited a wave of anger in me.
But losing my temper wouldn’t bring any benefits right now.
“Our mission remains unchanged.”
Whether they bring tanks or anything else,
We’re here to fend them off.
As I watched them approach,
I pulled out the dish I had prepared.
[Monster Stew Prepared by an Intermediate Chef]
[Consuming it significantly boosts all attributes]
[Consuming it grants bonuses to all traits]
[Consuming it activates the ‘Intermediate Damage Resistance’ effect]
[Consuming it activates the ‘Intermediate Damage Increase’ effect]
This dish, made with only the highest quality ingredients, was specially crafted for this battle.
I placed my hand over it and murmured,
“Feed the Five Thousand.”
Before the soldiers and Awakened individuals of the fortress,
My cooking materialized.
“What… what is that?”
“Whoa, that startled me…!”
The Awakened individuals were taken aback by the sudden appearance of the dish.
I watched as the soldiers reassured them, telling them to simply eat.
Then I too took a bite.
[The effect of Absolute Palate increases the dish’s potency…..]
With that, my preparations were complete.
At last,
As monsters and humans entered each other’s range,
The war was about to begin.
[Battery 1 Lv.2 is commencing operations]
[Cannon Tower 1 (Lv.2) commencing operations]
[Cannon Tower 2 (Lv.2) is now operational]
Resources have been brought in to construct a facility on the fortress walls.
A massive cannon barrel swivels towards the enemy.
Beside it stand the marksman and the mages, poised and ready.
Also present were the tanks dragged in from the ammunition battalion.
The moment everyone finished aiming,
“Commence bombardment!!!”
[The command for bombardment echoes through the air]
Lieutenant Kim’s voice reverberated across the battlefield.
Messages revealing bonuses for long-range attacks flashed before their eyes.
And then—
Boom!
Crackle!
Ratatatatatat…..
All the firepower from our unit poured forth towards the enemies.
The deafening roar was overwhelming.
As various elemental spells slammed into the ground,
The shockwave could be felt from this distance.
“My goodness…”
“This is insane firepower.”
Those inexperienced Awakened could hardly believe their eyes at such a display of destructive power.
A show of strength that seemed impossible for anything born of human flesh.
Many assumed that this assault would inflict near annihilation on the enemy ranks.
Yet—
“Tsk.”
“It seems they won’t go down easily.”
The legion’s soldiers reacted differently.
Just before the bombardment struck,
There was a sound echoing from among the green-skinned monsters.
Doom… doong, doong.
Amidst the dust of the artillery barrage, the sound of war drums vibrated through the air.
The monsters roared in unison with the rhythm of the drums.
This was no mere display to boost morale.
[‘The War Cry of the Green Mane Orc Tribe’ resounds!]
[Increase in All stats of the ‘Green Mane Orc Tribe’!]
[All other individuals on the battlefield experience a slight decrease in stats]
[All members of the ‘Green Mane Orc Tribe’ temporarily gain the trait ‘Resistance to Ranged Attacks.’]
[All members of the ‘Green Mane Orc Tribe’ receive…….]
[…….]
[……]
[Title: The Effect of the King Slayer has been activated]
[The Pinnacle of the Race. The one who slays kings]
[Their high authority and intense intimidation become meaningless before you]
[You resist the effects of the war cry]
That was a form of fear.
More specifically, it took the shape of a song.
A war song.
“Is it like a military anthem?”
“We can’t lose to them. Should we try singing our own anthem?”
“Haha, that’s a terrible idea.”
A peer created through the collaboration of several entities.
It exhibited a power that surpassed that of an ordinary boss-level monster.
As the dust finally settled,
what lay within was revealed.
—Grrrraaah!!!
There they were—monsters that appeared almost unscathed, despite their injuries.
“Keep the bombardment going!”
The monsters continued to advance, shield raised, singing their ‘War Song.’
Our artillery fire persisted, but the monsters pushed forward, somehow managing to absorb the impacts.
That wasn’t all.
“My goodness.”
“They’ve come fully prepared.”
Amidst the advancing monsters,
something that resembled a massive siege weapon approached.
Though its appearance might be crude, its power was surely not to be underestimated.
Among them were tanks operated by humans who had been captured as slaves.
It was quite an imposing sight.
“It’s nothing to worry about,” said Min-jae, who was casting spells from the side.
“They’ll have to cross that river first.”
Our fortress stood against the flowing river.
To breach our defenses, they would have to navigate through this natural moat.
If they intended to circumvent the river and take a longer route, that could work to our advantage too.
With our tanks and snipers,
our long-range firepower could accumulate damage on those enemies as they approached from a distance.
“That’s the strength of the fortress,” I thought.
The advantages of defending from a well-fortified position.
The [Steel Legion] had grown while defending the 423rd division nestled in the mountains.
Among the elite troops who had awakened during our early days, many were powerful ranged specialists such as snipers and mages.
Though we had often found ourselves on the offensive,
what our unit truly excelled at was defense.
Boom!!!
“We’ve taken down a siege weapon!”
One of the slowly advancing siege machines shattered, scattering debris.
Not only that, but the attacking monsters began to sustain losses as well.
For now, thanks to their ‘War Cry,’ they seemed to be holding out reasonably well.
Yet, they couldn’t maintain the effect of their peer abilities indefinitely.
Eventually, a moment would come when our firepower would take its toll.
At that moment,
“… Huh?”
Among the monsters advancing alongside the siege weapons,
one stood out as peculiar.
“Is that a wall?”
A moving, gigantic barrier.
It seemed to be a type of siege weapon.
While it was understandable that they would bring siege machines to assault our fortress,
it was still quite perplexing.
“What are they planning to do with that wall?”
Ultimately, their main challenge was crossing the river.
Until that moment, siege weapons primarily served as offensive means to dismantle the fortifications of castle walls.
Such imposing barriers had never been breached.
Yet, what loomed before me didn’t exactly resemble a bridge spanning a river.
‘They can’t possibly cross the water, so why…?’
As those thoughts flitted through my mind, I noticed creatures behind the enemy formation charging forward.
They were hulking, brutish figures known as [Green-maned Warriors]. However, the monsters rushing towards the wall were a different breed altogether.
These beings were grotesquely small and emaciated, barely resembling their more imposing counterparts.
Protected by other warriors, they hurled themselves toward the barrier.
“Seo Su-hyuk!”
“Yes! Corporal Seo Su-hyeok!”
I shouted back, glancing over my shoulder.
It was a fleeting moment, but an instinct screamed in my mind: we couldn’t let them disappear behind the wall.
“Fire at those bastards!”
“Ready, sir!”
As soon as my command rang out, Corporal Seo Su-hyeok and the marksmen opened fire without a moment’s hesitation.
-KRAK, KACK…!
The bullets struck the creatures with deadly accuracy.
Unlike the mages who specialized in wide-area attacks, these marksmen were trained for targeted fire.
Although the ‘Pierce’ spell was in effect, the marksmen’s firepower remained lethal.
More than half of the scrawny creatures had their heads exploded, collapsing lifelessly to the ground.
The remaining ones writhed in agony, their bodies convulsing painfully.
Yet, this was not purely a positive sign.
“…I’m sorry.”
The writhing indicated that we hadn’t managed to kill them completely.
“No, it’s understandable. Their song must have played a role.”
Out of the monsters charging toward the wall, only about half were successfully intercepted.
The others, despite their pain, managed to maneuver behind the barrier.
“Target that wall!”
Lieutenant Kim, realizing something was off, issued a frantic command.
Our squad’s firepower was unleashed against the wall, but…
Tsk.
‘A bit too late.’
Just as our forces were about to demolish it, a tremendous surge of magical energy emanated from behind the wall.
And then—
“What, what is that?!”
“Look out!”
Suddenly, with a loud explosion,
The earth and sand in the area where the creatures had stood seemed to stir to life, as if infused with will.
I had wondered what it meant for something like a wall to advance—
But that line of thinking had been naive.
Just because it resembled siege engines didn’t mean their strategy mirrored that of the medieval ages.
The river that separated the monsters from the fortress.
Right in the heart of that natural moat.
“Is… is there a path now?”
A broad roadway had formed, made of earth and sand.
“I can’t believe they could do something like that.”
Creating a passage over the river was a different level of ingenuity compared to the makeshift bridge put up when the enemy approached the fortress.
To think they could actually create solid ground to walk on above the river.
-CAAAAAAK!!!
As a path emerged in the middle of the river, the monsters excitedly charged across it.
The natural moat that had protected the fortress lost its significance.
KUUUUNG!!!
The monsters weren’t the only ones to take advantage of the new route.
The siege weapons they brought began hammering on the fortress gate.
In the distance, a catapult took aim at the towers above the walls.
“Continue the bombardment!”
In response, our forces kept pouring fire towards them, but the “war cry” of the enemy still echoed strong.
It seemed unlikely that we could prevent that gate from opening.
“They did something remarkable.”
Building a road over the river was truly unthinkable.
However, I wasn’t entirely flustered.
“I just didn’t imagine they could create a path over the river.”
I had contemplated what would happen if that fortress gate fell.
I was prepared for any eventuality.
KWA-AAAAAANG!!!
[Alert!]
[The South Gate Lv.2 has been destroyed.]
The relentless attacks from the siege weapons finally brought down the gate protecting the fortress.
“The… the gate has been breached!”
“Dammit. What now—”
I could see the confusion spread among the awakened defenders of the city.
I understood their anxiety.
In a typical siege, the moment a gate is breached usually heralds a dark fate for the defenders.
But that wasn’t the case here.
Just as the enemy’s strategy was anything but ordinary,
so too was ours.
The fortress might have been breached, but we weren’t simply going to surrender without a fight.
-KAHA-AAAAK!
The monsters howled in excitement as they charged toward the shattered gate.
Yet, the thrilling slaughter they craved did not come to pass.
-KA…K?
As they rushed through the crumbled gate, from inside emerged…
Clatter…
[Lava Dragonlings]
Armored from head to toe, the steel-clad knights made their appearance.
Chapter 134: The Invasion (2)
“Ouch, it hurts!”
Kargul, a high-ranking shaman of the Green Mane Tribe, screamed in agony. Those who honed their magical abilities were naturally weaker in physical form compared to warriors. Therefore, the shamans had only taken the field after the warriors had erected their defenses.
“Haha! To catch them off guard in that brief moment—quite an impressive maneuver!”
The moment the warriors’ protection faltered, marksman struck, resulting in the death of half the precious shamans. Kargul, leading the shamans in this expedition, had lost his right arm and shoulder to the assault.
“Creak! Praising the enemy? Are you mad?”
“…You brought this upon yourself, shaman.”
“Grrr…”
The voice that silenced the shaman belonged to a warrior of particularly large stature, one granted the authority to lead among the proud warriors of the Green Mane Tribe. He was Hara-bal, a chieftain.
Even though he spoke openly of responsibility, Kargul found himself without a retort. How could he argue against such a statement when…
“If what you said were true, then no fortifications should have existed here at all, should they?”
“Grrr…”
“Had we known of the fort’s existence, we would have prepared a different strategy.”
Yet, this was a point that felt unjust even to the shamans.
“Where did such a fortress suddenly come from!”
Not long before, the tribe had ceased hostilities, while the shamans had been working harder than anyone else. They had to contend with an entity that concealed its presence and sought to hide the secrets of the heavens.
In the end, it was the shamans who triumphed in that spiritual confrontation. They glimpsed the reflection of the land in the stars and succeeded in extracting information concerning nearby forces and defensive structures.
With this newfound knowledge, the tribe initiated its invasion. The shamans had thoroughly prepared for this offensive based on the information they had gathered; however…
“I knew there was a city here, and I was aware of the numerous indigenous species present…!”
This awareness meant that the expeditionary force was larger than anticipated, to the point that preparations were delayed. Yet the preparations had been tailored specifically against the indigenous species within the city.
“An entire fortress equipped with artillery set atop a river?”
They had no reason to bring equipment capable of countering such a threat.
There was no information about the fortress!
Even when the shaman saw glimpses of the celestial secrets, such a stronghold did not exist!
It’s a massive fortress.
“I’ve never seen anything so grand, not even in my homeland. It’s impossible for a fortress like that to just spring up out of nowhere.”
“….”
“You lot, this is clearly a mistake by the shamans. Truly, what a case of reaping what you sow.”
“Ugh…”
For the shamans, who had confirmed this multiple times, it was maddening.
But from the tribe’s perspective, it was nothing short of a shaman’s blunder.
“Heh. Even missing an arm, it’s not such a bad sight.”
The shamans had used their spells even at great risk because they understood that the mess they had created was theirs to clean up.
They were obliged to devise a strategy for the fortress they had failed to detect, even if it meant sacrificing their own bodies.
“In any case, well done.”
“Hmph!”
“We’ve successfully built a path across the river. Now, leave it to our warriors.”
Though the fortress looming above the river was undeniably a formidable threat, now that a path had been established, there should be no reason for their warriors to falter.
This was a unit prepared to handle the indigenous races after dealing with the city’s inhabitants. They simply lacked a strategy against the mysterious fortress.
Yet, they had mobilized more than enough force for a successful operation.
“The information about the fortress may be wrong, but the rest must be accurate, right”
“Hmph. That goes without saying. The number of indigenous races is significant, but there are fewer than 300 formidable foes among them.”
“In that case, our warriors have no reason to lose.”
The towering warrior, Hara-bal, let out a bellowing laugh.
“Forward, everyone!”
Under the command of the chieftain Hara-bal, the tribe’s warriors surged towards the fortress.
Their war songs resonated, drowning out the enemy’s attacks.
Chariots, driven by captured humans, roared to life, while siege equipment crafted by the tribe’s shamans pounded against the fortress gates.
No matter how high and mighty the fortress stood, warfare was familiar territory for the battle-hardened tribal warriors.
And then—
Boom…….
The fortress gates shattered.
Now, only one task remained.
The thousands of tribal warriors would breach the fortress, eliminate the enemies inside, and subsequently slaughter the mishmash of inhabitants in the city beyond.
At least, that’s what they believed.
Rustle—
“What!?”
The body of the warrior leading the charge was suddenly severed in two by an unseen force.
What emerged from the inside was—
Not your typical indigenous race……
Figures clad in obsidian armor appeared. They were warriors who stood as tall as Hara-bal himself, a chieftain-level fighter, matching him in stature.
Every time they swung their swords, fear gripped the air.
The tribe’s warriors fell helplessly, one after another.
“Shaman. Didn’t you say that aside from the fortress, there would be no incorrect information?”
“….”
“I’ve never heard of such a being.”
“Th-that’s…”
The shaman tried to offer an excuse, but the urgency of the battlefield left no room for lengthy explanations.
“…Let’s address this later in the tribe meeting.”
Honestly, this was a maddening situation for the shaman.
[Lava Dragonlings]
As the name suggests, they were undoubtedly powerful.
Compared to the original Dragonkin, it might not be as formidable.
But that was only when making comparisons to the original Dragonkin.
“It’s… strong…”
The soldiers in our unit murmured as they gazed upon the [Lava Dragonlings]. Even the bravest among them were sweating nervously.
The Green Mane tribe’s beasts were no less intimidating.
“After all, they are monstrous creatures radiating yellow energy.”
Moreover, perhaps due to their species’ inherent traits, the numerous warriors among them had already unlocked a significant level of potential.
But then…
Crack!
Krrruuuaaaahh!!
Those monsters were easily cleaved in two by a single swipe of the Lava Dragonlings ‘s blade.
They managed to breach the city gates, but those gates weren’t particularly wide.
There were enough Lava Dragonlings to effectively block the entrance.
“It takes three hours to create just one Lava Dragonlings.”
So far, we’ve successfully summoned a total of 80.
Against the thousands of enemies outside, we clearly fell short.
To speak plainly, if we were to fight on an open field, we would be swiftly overwhelmed and dismantled by that staggering force.
“That, of course, is assuming we were fighting on an open field.”
Currently, we were engaged in battle at a narrow city gate.
In this situation, our numerical disadvantage held little significance.
In that confined entrance, dozens or even hundreds of elite soldiers could hold off thousands.
“How strong are those things?”
“Hmm… that’s hard to say.”
Su-hyeok paused for a moment at the question.
Based on my own assessments of their capabilities, I responded, “They’re probably just slightly weaker than unit leader, Gwang-il.”
“……Excuse me?”
At those words, even Coporal Su-hyeok, who usually showed little emotion, couldn’t hide his surprise.
“Is that even possible?”
“To think that there are 80 warriors on par with Corporal Gwang-il.”
“Oh, well, that’s just a simple comparison. It would differ upon a more detailed analysis.”
Warriors clad in black armor.
They are undeniably powerful—exceedingly strong, in fact.
However, during my performance tests, I took a closer look inside that armor.
What I found was nothing but human-shaped bones.
In other words,
“They can’t eat food.”
“Oh.”
While Lieutenant Kim’s buff skill would still apply to them, it would be nearly impossible for them to gain buffs from my cooking.
Recently, I’ve tried feeding monsters, and even trees, with my meals. But I’ve never heard of bones consuming food.
“If we factor in buffs from cooking and characteristics like ‘Berkserk,’ then Gwang-il would be significantly stronger. If you take cooking into account, there are a few warriors at that level—like Dae-won and Hong-il.”
“Y-Yes, that’s true.”
“But isn’t that already incredibly impressive?”
Indeed, it is true.
Even if they receive all the buffs, very few people can demonstrate that kind of strength.
They truly stand just below the best seasoned soldiers.
Would we even have ten like that in our unit?
“To think they’re the inferior version.”
The original dragon soldiers were probably twenty times stronger than that.
It’s no wonder they received the ‘First Achievement Reward.’
“And being strong isn’t everything.”
In terms of pure strength, Gwang-il with buffs is certainly much more powerful.
But even if we have eighty soldiers like Gwang-il,
Could they really hold the walls against thousands of these monsters?
‘No way.’
No matter how strong Gwang-il is,
Those creatures number in the hundreds.
They might not be defeated easily, but human stamina is not limitless.
Even a berserker, driven by war frenzy,
Eventually will feel exhausted and retreat.
But those things aren’t human.
[Dragon soldiers never tire.]
[They will fulfill their mission until they are destroyed]
As long as they haven’t been destroyed, they never tire.
No matter how long they fight, they don’t expend stamina.
Given the confined battleground, we can’t simply overwhelm them with numbers.
To remove those dragon soldiers, a being stronger than them must inevitably arrive.
“Those monsters… while they are numerous and quite strong, that’s about where they stop.”
“Excuse me?”
I heard they’re a species born for war.
With astounding reproductive capabilities, they mature to the level of a combat-ready soldier in just six months.
At first glance, they seem like an ideal species.
However, based on my observations through the [Combat Power Evaluation] trait,
Clear limitations also exist.
“Most are about the same strength. Truly exceptional monsters are quite rare.”
They reach a certain level of strength quickly, but it becomes challenging to grow beyond that.
“Even with thousands gathered here, finding someone capable of breaking through the Dragon’s Vanguards is going to be difficult,” I mused.
Perhaps, it may even be impossible.
Given that we are fighting at a narrow castle gate, overwhelming them with sheer numbers would serve little purpose.
“When they finally breached the gate, they’ll thought they’ve won,” I noted.
But, standing firm against them were the Dragon’s Vanguards.
Their hard-won efforts to breach the gate were now rendered meaningless.
These monsters couldn’t get past our defenders.
Moreover, our forces consisted of more than just the Dragon’s Vanguards.
“Keep firing!”
[The battle cries echo as the order to bombard rings out]
Inside the fortress, our artillery continued to unleash hell.
While the [War Cry] eased some of the damage, we knew it had its limits.
As long as they couldn’t find a way to break through the unyielding Dragon’s Vanguards, this stalemate would persist.
The enemy had two choices before them.
One was to abandon the siege and retreat.
Of course, we had no intention of letting them leave unscathed.
There’s no army as vulnerable as one in full retreat.
If they chose to withdraw, we’d be ready to inflict severe losses.
The second option was to devise a way to break through this deadlock.
“Are they starting to make a move?” I pondered.
If they went with the second option, they were bound to try something soon.
And indeed, just as I anticipated…
“Over there! Something’s approaching!”
“Is it… a trebuchet or something?”
Coming into view from a distance was a siege weapon.
A catapult…
It looked just like a giant slingshot.
‘Are they planning to demolish the walls?’
Since breaching the gate proved difficult, their strategy of creating a breach elsewhere made sense.
“That won’t work,” I remarked.
[Mobile Fortress Bimana Lv. 1]
[Durability = 91,873/100,000]
This fortress,
the gate may only be Level 2, making it somewhat vulnerable, but the walls were surprisingly resilient.
Even with a few hits from a catapult, they wouldn’t even leave a scratch.
In fact, they had even dragged in a tank to assist.
Despite the bombardment from that tank, the durability of our walls barely wavered.
Sure, this catapult might be advanced compared to those from medieval times, yet it still didn’t feel threatening.
No matter how much they attacked the walls, it would be in vain.
“Hm?”
Contrary to my expectations, what was placed on that catapult was not a massive boulder.
“Ha! This is insane.”
Boom!!!
The trebuchet was activated.
Something was hurtling toward the fortress at an astonishing speed.
But that something wasn’t targeting the crumbling walls of the castle.
Instead, they had set their sights a bit higher.
What plunged into the fortress, sailing over the battlements, was—
—KRRRACK!!!
—KWOAAAAAAH!
[Green-Maned Warrior]
[Elite Green-Maned Warrior]
“What a fiery bunch.”
Monsters.
Creatures launched from the trebuchet, flinging themselves into the fray.
They had established their foothold within the fortress.
Chapter 135: The Invasion (3)
Monsters catapulted into the fortress through the trebuchet.
Not all of them made it past the walls.
Whoosh!
—Kyaek…
Some collided with the battlements and were sent sprawling back.
“Intercept them!”
Marksman and mages opened fire in an effort to stem the tide.
As a result, more than half of them were taken down before they could land.
But that wasn’t the end of it.
Some monsters, somehow piercing through the onslaught, managed to enter the fortress.
—Krrk, krrk…
—Keugh. Cough cough.
Those that made it were half-dead, struggling to stay upright.
“Crazy monsters.”
“They flew in from so far away with a trebuchet. No matter how resilient they are, how could they survive intact?”
The trebuchet.
It was never designed to launch living creatures.
The impact upon landing ensured that most monsters would be injured, if not dead, upon arrival.
It was only thanks to their inherent strength that some managed to escape immediate death.
On the other hand,
“It seems they’re determined to rattle the fortress from within, regardless of the cost.”
The fortress walls were sturdy and high.
The gate they’d managed to breach was tightly secured by the draconian soldiers.
The firepower from the marksman and mages was simply too overwhelming to allow the monsters to scale the walls.
There was only one way to turn the tide.
They had to shake things up from the inside.
“The reason the draconian soldiers can keep the gate secured is twofold.”
First,
The draconian soldiers are tireless.
Second…
The narrowness of the city gates meant that the Dragon Knights and the monsters were effectively trapped in one-on-one battles. The relentless Dragon Knights could fight indefinitely, but in this situation, what would happen if the monsters that had breached the inner fortress attacked from behind?
“No matter how strong and tireless they are, the moment it’s two against one, they’ll be overwhelmed.”
At that moment, as the Dragon Knights began to fall, one by one, gaps formed in the gates. Thousands of reinforcements, previously blocked by the Dragon Knights, would flood into the inner fortress. If that happened, it would be tantamount to our defeat.
But then—
“Could they really manage that?”
A bitter laugh escaped my lips.
Even in perfect condition, they could barely hold their ground. The idea that they could breach the stronghold while injured was simply absurd.
“Have they underestimated us far too much?”
The soldiers of the legion, together with the Awakened individuals from the allied city who had promised their cooperation, were all waiting within the fortress.
They were poised, ready for this very situation.
“Ugh…!”
The “Green-Maned Warriors” had breached the inner fortress aboard their catapults. Although they had sustained injuries, each was an incredibly powerful creature in their own right.
The relatively weaker Awakened individuals from the city were inevitably struggling.
However, they were not the only ones inside this fortress.
“Ha ha ha!”
A wild, maniacal laughter echoed throughout the fortress. The Awakened individuals turned their attention towards the source of the sound.
There stood a soldier, so massive that one could hardly believe he was human. In his hands, he held the severed heads of monsters, one for each arm.
The fierce creatures that had given trouble to the Awakened individuals—those heads were crushed like rotten fruit in the grip of this colossal soldier.
“This is delightful!”
Without pausing, Corporal Jeon Gwang-il smashed another monster’s head.
Crack!
With a powerful thrust, he slammed it against the wall, grinding it mercilessly.
The creature emitted a painful groan before it lay still, its life extinguished.
“This is so entertaining! Try to amuse me more!”
The giant soldier’s insane laughter echoed, surrounded by the corpses of the monsters that had already fallen to his wrath.
Crick…
Despite their own bodies breaking down, the Green-Maned Warriors hurled themselves into the fortress, undeterred. Yet even they faltered under the immense pressure exuded by Corporal Jeon Gwang-il.
The city’s Awakened individuals could only watch in astonishment.
“…Is he really a human?”
While a handful of Awakened individuals struggled to fight a single monster, the tide was turning.
Corporal Jeon Gwang-il single-handedly overwhelmed several monsters.
Other soldiers were also fighting valiantly against the creatures, but in comparison, Jeon was on a different level of strength.
“Isn’t he even more monstrous than the monsters themselves?”
As the saying goes, his presence was more terrifying than that of the beasts.
The [Green Mane Orc Clan] had deployed their catapults.
However, the ones riding them were not just [Green Mane Orc Warriors].
“I’ve taken care of this side!” one soldier shouted.
“Wait, hold on.”
A group of soldiers, having eliminated a horde of monsters, turned their attention to a figure pointed out by their squad leader.
“Over there. There are a few more!”
The squad leader’s gaze fell upon a creature that was unmistakably a member of the Green Mane Orc Clan. But unlike the other warriors, it had an unnaturally lanky and skeletal build.
“What on earth is that?”
“It looks like it would shatter with a single blow!”
“Hey, watch out…!”
As the soldiers, dismissing the creature, unsheathed their weapons and rushed forward, the gaunt monster pressed its hands against the ground.
Suddenly—
Crack!
“Gah!”
The earth beneath their hands erupted, engulfing the soldiers in a violent upheaval.
It was a spell typically wielded by the Orc shaman, a manipulation of the very ground itself.
As the soldiers were pushed back by the magic, the [Green Mane Orc Warriors] rushed in to fill the gap.
With the shamans providing support, they began launching attacks against the troops.
“Warriors up front, mages in the back.”
These new foes were unlike any monsters they had faced before.
Although they had been aware since the siege of the fortress that these opponents were tactical, the reality was now even clearer.
“This is a serious problem,” one soldier muttered.
“True. Our seasoned troops will manage alright.”
The soldiers of the legion, having braved countless battles, were familiar with dealing with foes that utilized tactics.
“Dammit!”
“What kind of monsters can form a formation like that?”
The real issue lay with the ordinary awakened individuals.
Having only faced creatures that were little more than beasts, they were understandably taken aback.
At that moment—
Boom…
‘What was that?’
A resounding thunder reverberated from somewhere, drawing everyone’s attention toward its source.
High above the fortress, in the clear sky, a small dark cloud began to appear.
“…What?”
In the bright daylight, a sudden dark cloud appeared in the sky.
Before anyone could register their confusion,
Boom!
A massive lightning bolt shot down from the ominous cloud.
The [Green-Mane Shamans], protected by warriors, were harnessing powerful spells when the lightning struck. It was so potent that it incinerated most of them in an instant.
“It’s Sergeant Lim Min-jae!”
After unleashing the bolt, Sergeant Lim Min-jae turned silently and began to cast spells once more against the enemies outside the castle walls.
The marksman and magic users were tasked with dealing with the monsters amassed outside. In that moment of chaos, it seemed he had briefly lent his strength to the inner defenses.
“W-What is happening?”
“They summoned that storm…”
Ordinary Awakened individuals could only gawk in astonishment. This was no mere lightning spell; the sheer magnitude of it was incomprehensible.
Especially for those with particularly sharp memories, the realization struck them harder.
“I’ve seen that cloud before.”
Back when the city was still trapped behind a barrier of water, a colossal lightning strike like that had ravaged the heart of the submerged metropolis.
“It was the military who did this?”
Only a select few who had joined the dungeon raid were aware of the truth. For most awakened individuals, the nature of that ‘divine punishment’ remained shrouded in mystery.
Yet, the moment of revelation had finally come.
“Ugh, I’m done for!”
“Damn it! Why are all the monsters concentrated here!?”
“It seems we have the worst luck!”
Monsters were pouring into the fortress through the catapult, and amongst them, there was one spot where an unusually large number seemed to have fallen.
“Reinforcements…”
“Like it would be any easier elsewhere! We need to handle this ourselves.”
“This is insane.”
No matter how strong the soldiers of the legion were, they couldn’t escape the reality of being outnumbered.
Suddenly, someone pointed, “Hey, who is that?”
“Looks like a new recruit.”
“A recruit? In a place like this? Are you out of your mind!? Hey! Come back!”
Amidst the soldiers, a lone figure emerged—a rookie who had stepped out of formation and was walking straight into the heart of the enemy horde.
“Is that girl crazy!?”
Even the weakest soldier in the legion wielded considerable power. They received equipment at the time of their enlistment and were bolstered by guild skills that enhanced their abilities.
However, that was beside the point in this circumstance.
This battlefield, crowded with monsters, was far too perilous for a new recruit to venture into.
“Damn it, someone get her back…”
“Sorry, I’m so sorry.”
The rookie stepped forward and spoke up.
“I tried to hold back… but seeing those guys, I’m just so hungry.”
“What?”
The soldiers found it hard to grasp her words.
Hungry?
Right before the battle was about to begin, hadn’t every unit member eaten the buff meal prepared by Sergeant Shin Young-joon?
“And those creatures are monsters that threaten people…”
Muttering to herself, the rookie reached out towards the monsters.
Her hand looked weak and powerless, but the moment it made contact with one of the creatures…
Crunch!
With a sound reminiscent of flesh being torn apart, the monster’s arm was ripped away.
“Isn’t it okay to eat them?”
“….”
Moments later, the soldiers began to understand what she meant.
As the green-skinned monster was pulled into her mouth, her right arm shimmered and turned an emerald hue.
Monster wave.
To combat this, they had built a fortress and were cranking out dragon soldiers in preparation.
All of this was ultimately necessary due to their overwhelming numerical disadvantage.
Had they been evenly matched in numbers, the outcome would have been a decisive victory for the legion.
Each monster was formidable in its own right, and some even employed strategies.
Yet, in terms of sheer strength and tactics, the legion held the advantage.
In the midst of the battle inside the fortress, the numbers were relatively even, perhaps with the green maned creatures having a slight upper hand.
However, the tide of battle was decidedly in favor of the legion.
Just then, as if sensing a shift in the situation…
A creature over two meters tall—the Green-Maned Warrior—emerged among them. It was a colossal beast, a head taller than the other monsters.
Crack!
Bang!
“Where has all that fighting spirit gone?”
Corporal Jeon Gwang-il was in the midst of a slaughter against the monsters.
Even without the benefits of the buff from the meal, he was slightly stronger than those dragon soldiers.
And now, he had just consumed the dish that Sergeant Shin Young-joon had painstakingly prepared.
“Is this all there is?!!!”
Kreeeek!
Ordinary monsters?
They were no match at all.
“Is that even a person? It’s a monster.”
“It’s quite surprising how they usually seem so calm, but once a fight breaks out, they go wild.”
“…I’m really glad they’re on our side.”
The battle underway inside the fortress had one clear standout: Corporal Jeon Gwang-il.
“Ah?”
At that moment…
“Corporal Jeon! Corporal Jeon!”
“Kreeeek… Are you next?”
“Uh? No, not me! Just look over there!”
“Hmm…?”
Corporal Jeon turned his gaze toward his subordinate’s urgent prompt.
In the distance,
“Huh?”
Amidst the already large monsters, a massive warrior—taller by a head than the others—was approaching him.
“What is that thing?”
“That’s huge. It looks like it packs a punch.”
The soldiers and awakened individuals charged at the gigantic monster.
But even with its size, it was only one creature.
With the buffs of ‘Command’ and ‘Cooking’ fully applied to them, they had no reason to fear…
KAAAAAM!!!
“Ugh!”
One soldier sent flying by the monster’s weapon soared through the air.
He crashed into a nearby building, blood seeped from his mouth against the wall.
‘…!’
A wave of tension rippled among the soldiers and awakened individuals as they witnessed the scene.
That soldier was no weakling.
He was a high-level awakened warrior from the 423rd battalion.
The fact that he lost consciousness from a single blow was alarming.
“…This is a formidable opponent!”
“Get into defensive formation! Block it as best as you can!”
Realizing they were up against an extraordinary monster, they cautiously placed themselves in front of it.
“Cough.”
“Grr….”
With each swing of the giant’s axe, another awakened warrior fell incapacitated.
Its immense combat power was beyond the reach of ordinary soldiers.
Most of the troops were sweating nervously, but—
There was one soldier who reacted differently.
“Ha ha ha ha!!! Finally!”
Corporal Jeon Gwang-il, having witnessed the enemy’s strength with his own eyes, had a predictable reaction.
“A rather interesting fellow has appeared!”
Corporal Jeon Gwang-il exclaimed, radiating excitement without even trying to hide it.
A dark crimson aura began to seep from his body.
[Battle Frenzy]
A force that allows one to transcend their limits at the cost of sanity.
Boom!
Corporal Jeon Gwang-il launched himself from the ground.
The imposing figure, towering over two meters, charged toward the enemy with the speed of a bullet.
Chapter 136: The Invasion (Part 4)
“Don’t do anything reckless, Chieftain!”
Before Hara-bal stepped into the catapult, the Great Shaman urged him not to proceed.
“We have enough warriors and Shamans to infiltrate the fortress. If they succeed, there will be no need for you to engage. If they fail, your involvement will only lead to further failure. For now, we must wait. If they do fail, we should retreat and reassess our strategy…”
Crunch.
Those words struck a nerve with Hara-bal.
A fierce growl emanated from the lips of the enraged chieftain.
As one of the tribe’s most renowned warriors and a revered contender for the next great warrior, Hara-bal exuded a fierce energy.
The Great Shaman felt the sting from his own wounds grow more intense.
“Do Shaman have no sense of pride? For a warrior, retreat is not an option.”
“…Have you forgotten our tribal traditions? Listen to the Shaman counsel, Chieftain.”
“Listen to the Shamans, you say? Perhaps there was a time when that was indeed necessary. But look at this fortress floating on the river.”
He gestured toward the grotesque suits of armor blocking the gates.
“To trust Shamans after seeing something like that; would you be able to do so?”
“….”
The Great Shaman let out a silent lament.
It was true that the information gleaned through astrology had proven incorrect.
But—
“Why do you not understand that we must be more cautious?!”
The Great Shaman spoke with a sheen of cold sweat on his brow.
“Both the fortress and those black armors—they don’t just appear out of nowhere. That’s impossible.”
“But it has happened in reality.”
“…Something is not right. Events that defy our understanding are occurring in rapid succession. Do you know what this means?”
“What are you trying to say?”
“It means that within that fortress lies a being capable of making the impossible a reality!”
Despite the Great Shaman’s best efforts to persuade, his words fell on deaf ears for Hara-bal.
“The Shamans are far too fearful. I’ve never liked them since the old days.”
“Chieftain!”
As Hara-bal positioned himself atop the catapult, he spoke calmly.
“If you’re that afraid, carry on without me after I’ve fallen, Shaman.”
“….”
Realizing he could not dissuade him, the Shaman let out a sigh.
“If only the Great Chief was still alive…”
The Shamans offer counsel, and the warriors fulfill it.
It is the age-old tradition of the tribe.
But this tradition was crumbling.
The king, who acted as a mediator between the shaman and the warrior, had vanished from the world.
Now, they were lost, wandering through a different dimension without a leader.
“I hope you return alive.”
“No. You should wish for my death. If I return alive, I won’t merely condemn the spread of wrong information; I’ll never forgive a coward who fled in fear.”
And with those words, the chieftain threw himself into the depths of the fortress.
As a result of awakening, he had steadily grown taller.
Corporal Jeon Gwang-il was a towering warrior, standing at an imposing height of 2.3 meters.
And even larger than him, nearly reaching 3 meters, was the monstrous creature with green skin.
Hara-Bal, the chieftain of the Green Mane Orc tribe.
Boom!!!
The two giants clashed in the heart of the fortress.
The impact shook the surrounding ground.
“Damn it!”
“Everyone, get back! This isn’t a fight we can take!”
Even the ordinary awakened fighters struggled to withstand the repercussions of the battle.
Thud!
“Grrr…!”
As the chieftain swung his massive axe,
Corporal Jeon Gwang-il crossed both his gauntlet-covered hands to deflect the attack.
Yet, he couldn’t absorb all of the shock, and his body was pushed back several meters.
Being pushed back was not unusual in battle, something every warrior would experience.
However, the sight left the other soldiers in shock.
‘Corporal Jeon Gwang-il being pushed back?’
‘At least a boss monster level…!’
Ever since the battle had begun in the fortress, this was the first time he had been driven back.
On the other side, the monster who had sent Jeon Gwang-il flying, Hara-Bal, pondered,
“I never expected to find such strong beings among the native races.”
He was not only the commander of this battle but also one of the most formidable warriors within the tribe.
Even the great warriors leading the tribe trusted him, assigning him command of the most crucial unit for this invasion.
Yet, as he surveyed the legion’s soldiers, his astonishment was unmistakable.
“I thought the native races were nothing more than insignificant insects.”
The Green Mane Orc tribe.
They had successfully occupied a significant portion of the northwestern part of Gangwon province.
A race born for war.
Such an accomplishment was possible, particularly because the Green Mane tribe was one of the few with sufficient manpower to achieve it.
Of course, they hadn’t stabilized all their occupied territories.
There were plenty of formidable foes capable of threatening them even within their own lands.
‘The guardians of the native race’s armory are a prime example.’
They had barely succeeded in seizing those weapons…
The tribe had suffered significant losses.
But among the enemies that posed a genuine threat, the indigenous people were not included.
Most were weak, lacking even the faintest trace of magical power. Even those who occasionally displayed a hint of magic fell far short when compared to the tribe’s warriors.
However, at this moment, that perception began to shift.
Although the beings blocking the entrance of the fortress were one thing, the tribe’s warriors had never imagined they would be at a disadvantage even in the battles within the fortress walls.
Yet, the indigenous people inside were surprisingly strong.
Those who were unable to withstand Hara-bal’s attacks and were hurled back were still on par with or even stronger than the tribe’s warriors.
Among them, one warrior stood out, achieving remarkable feats in battle.
Boom!
Hara-bal’s strike once again landed on Corporal Jeon Gwang-il.
He expected the damage to be considerable.
“Ugh… Hahaha! Come on, hit me harder!”
With each wound inflicted upon him, he seemed to revel in the pain even more.
Hara-bal was aware from a distance that this opponent was formidable enough to warrant caution.
Knowing this, he had decided to take matters into his own hands as the commander.
But what is this sight?
The Green Mane tribe revered combat.
Yet, even among his tribe, he had never witnessed this level of madness.
This reminded Hara-bal of an ancient tale passed down through the tribe—a legend that no one truly believed but that every child aspiring to be a warrior had dreamed of at least once.
A berserker?
Berserkers don’t die until the battle is over.
As their flesh is torn, they revel in the sensation, their strength growing with each drop of blood shed.
They are the very embodiment of legendary warriors.
Hara-bal reluctantly acknowledged the truth:
This warrior, if left alive, would one day become a significant threat to the tribe.
What the shaman spoke of wasn’t entirely false.
There are beings that defy the understanding of shamans, capable of making the impossible possible.
I had thought it was just the ramblings of a frightened shaman.
If this warrior truly embodied the “berserker” spirit, he could indeed transcend limitations and realize the impossible.
What the shaman said might not be a lie after all.
Thus, Hara-bal made his resolution.
I will end this here.
With a powerful swing of his axe, Hara-bal aimed directly for Corporal Jeon Gwang-il’s shoulder.
Crack!
No matter how legendary it may be.
At this moment, when all that talent remains untapped.
The hero of the tribe, hailed as the next great warrior,
Was no match for Hara-Val.
Crack!
Corporal Jeon Gwang-il’s defense was shattered.
The massive axe wielded by the monster lodged itself deep into his shoulder.
With its sheer force, it could effortlessly have split him in half.
[Intermediate Seamstress and Intermediate Engineer’s Steel-Leather Enhanced Combat Uniform]
“That is no ordinary leather.”
This was armor meticulously crafted by the legion’s engineers and tailors.
The reinforced steel plates, enhanced by the [Mac], were intended to protect vital points.
On top of that, it was overlaid with the hide of a [Steel Lizard], creating a combat uniform that was the pride of the legion, significantly cushioning the impact.
But even that was not enough.
“Creak!”
Not even the combat uniform could fully withstand Hara-Bal’s blow.
The steel plate shattered, the leather tore apart,
As the massive axe sunk deeper into Corporal Jeon Gwang-il’s shoulder.
A wound inflicted so deep that bone was visible.
A searing pain coursed through Jeon Gwang-il’s body.
“Crr…kuh…”
For someone else, such excruciating pain would have been enough to make them faint.
But Corporal Jeon Gwang-il transformed that pain into pure mania.
“Ahhahahahaha!!!”
The overwhelming surge of [Berserk] enveloped him like armor.
He lost all semblance of human language.
Driven to the brink, he shed any trace of human tactical awareness, darting through the air like a beast.
“I need to help Corporal Jeon Gwang-il…!”
“Get back! This is no place for us!”
Corporal Jeon Gwang-il, Corporal Seo Su-hyeok, and Sergeant Lee Min-jae.
They were the first to awaken in their unit,
Each leading their respective squads.
These three were warriors who stood several steps ahead of their fellow soldiers.
Among them, Corporal Jeon Gwang-il was unmatched.
In his usual state, he wasn’t significantly stronger than the other two.
The real issue lay in his class: ‘Berserker.’
When he fully unleashed his [Berserk Mode],
He transforms into a monster far beyond the capabilities of even the two squad leaders.
And now, standing against him was a creature that neither faltered nor fell behind—but instead overwhelmed.
The other elite fighters of the legion were engaged in battles elsewhere.
“Damn it!”
“Someone go fetch the corporals and sergeants!”
The ordinary soldiers couldn’t even think of intervening in this fight.
As they rushed off to summon reinforcements,
One singular feeling filled Jeon Gwang-il’s mind.
‘This is so exhilarating…!’
The green giant before him was powerful.
Each strike was heavy and impactful.
The moment even a single attack was permitted, an overwhelming pain surged down his back.
“This creature and I! One of us will fight to death!”
Yet, such agony didn’t linger long.
What filled the void left by pain was a rush of exhilaration.
“A glorious death awaits me!”
With a mind consumed by madness, Corporal Jeon Gwang-il steeled himself for battle until his last breath.
So did Hara-bal.
He was aware that the warrior before him would not back down.
The clash of these two titans continued unabated.
How much time had passed?
Suddenly, the air erupted with a loud thud.
“Ugh, ha-ha, cough…! Kahaha!”
One of Corporal Jeon Gwang-il’s knees hit the ground.
He had sustained wounds severe enough to make it impossible to continue fighting.
Nevertheless, with a fierce grin, he thrust his fist forward.
“What a remarkable warrior.”
Hara-bal looked down at Corporal Jeon Gwang-il, respect creeping in.
I had thought the indigenous species were merely weak insects, but how wrong I was. A legendary warrior, one I had only heard of in tales… Yet here he is, before my very eyes.
Despite his incapacitating injuries, the warrior continued to push forward.
He may have been weaker now, but…
Given more time, even a great warrior like him would have posed a threat.
If just a little more time had been granted…
It would have been Hara-bal who had fallen.
Luck was on my side.
I was able to cut down his potential before it fully bloomed.
“Grrr….”
The shaman warned of your existence. In other words, if I can kill you, there will be nothing left to fear.
Hara-bal raised his axe with both hands.
That massive weapon came crashing down towards Corporal Jeon Gwang-il’s neck.
This was a good fight.
We shall meet again on the hills of war, great warrior…
The axe aimed to sever Jeon Gwang-il’s neck.
But just at that moment…
Swiish—
From somewhere in the distance, the sound of flesh tearing echoed.
It wasn’t Jeon Gwang-il’s neck.
K-kah…?!
The chieftain of the Green Mane tribe, a great warrior esteemed even by the legendary warriors, let out a painful groan.
Overwhelmed by a surge of agony, Hara-bal fell to one knee.
Wh-what on earth…!
Despite the pain, the chieftain struggled to comprehend the situation.
Witnessing this, a man murmured, “Wow. This guy’s got some serious backbone.”
Corporal Jeon Gwang-il, Corporal Seo Su-hyeok, and Sergeant Lee Min-jae.
These three stood head and shoulders above their comrades, formidable forces of nature.
Yet one man stood apart.
A man who was not even a suitable comparison to others in the unit.
Chapter 137: Eyes of a Predator
Hara-Bal found himself in a perplexing situation.
The “warrior” before him was an adversary formidable enough to leave one stunned.
This was an immense strength that had emerged amidst what he had always dismissed as mere pests—indigenous species he once thought of as insignificant.
He could understand why the shaman had warned them in fear.
Yet, despite this overwhelming presence, the warrior had yet to fully unleash his potential.
Perhaps things would be different down the line, but for now, the strength that confronted him fell within the realm of comprehension.
However…
He hadn’t expected to be attacked.
“Did I… just get attacked? When did that happen?”
The pain surged through him, creeping in right before he understood what was happening.
He hadn’t even noticed someone approaching him.
“An act beyond what the tribe’s assassins could achieve…”
For a warrior of Hara-Bal’s caliber, it was expected to sense danger before an attack was undertaken.
His gaze drifted to his side.
It focused on the area from his right shoulder down to his waist.
The flesh in that broad section had been…
Meticulously “trimmed.”
So expertly done that he could see the stark white of his bones peeking through.
Hara-Bal broke out in a cold sweat as he looked at the indigenous figure before him.
“Tsk. I meant to gut him in one clean sweep, but it seems I misjudged the ribs. Perhaps I should have used a cleaver instead.”
Gripping a medium-sized blade in one hand, the indigenous being frowned.
In his other hand, he held an axe-like weapon that was broad yet short.
His attire was reminiscent of the other indigenous beings Hara-Bal had encountered, yet he appeared much smaller and frailer.
He seemed more suited to the role of an assassin rather than a warrior.
“Could it be that there’s an assassin among them who surpasses the tribe’s skill?”
Hara-Bal felt a chill as he met the creature’s gaze.
“Does he… not see me as a living being?”
Those eyes held a vacant stare.
No creature alive regards another with such a chilling gaze.
A warrior of elevated skill.
As Hara-Bal processed this, he instinctively grasped the meaning behind that disturbing look.
Dead.
Or something equivalent to already being dead.
“Eyes that watch me as if I’m a prey.”
But upon realizing his opponent was an assassin, a wave of relief washed over Hara-Bal.
“There are limitations to assassins.”
While they excel in stealth and approaching their target undetected, for all their training, they cannot triumph over warriors in direct confrontation.
That’s why assassins set their sights on delivering a single, fatal blow.
Now that he had failed in that aim…
The outcome of the battle had already been decided.
“You never cease to amaze me. First that warrior, and now such an exceptional assassin.”
As long as he had not lost his life with the first strike.
Hara-Bal believed there was no way he could lose.
Even if he was somewhat fatigued.
He was not the type to be bested by an assassin.
“But you still fall short. A true assassin would have ended my life with that last blow. Now that you’ve failed, you…”
“What are you babbling about?”
However, there was one thing he was deluded about.
The person who had just grazed Hara-Bal’s side.
He was no mere assassin.
[Awakened: Shin Young-joon]
[Intermediate Cook Lv.29]
[Active Cooking List – 4]
[Blue Water Droplet – Trait: Environmental Camouflage]
[Lizard Jerky – Increases all stats, raises defense, Trait: Steel Scales]
[Honmar Bone Broth – Significant boost to strength, Trait: Wild Senses]
[Culinary Warfare – Grants bonuses to all combat-related actions]
[Trait – The “Chef’s Eye” is activated.]
[Intermediate Cooking Secret – Insight into ‘Green Mane Orc Chieftain Handling’ acquired]
The greatest warrior of the Steel Legion.
Corporal Jeon Gwang-il.
He respected Sergeant Shin Young-joon more than anyone else.
He had eradicated the weakness that Gwang-il had carried throughout his life, instilling courage in him.
“I owe my rebirth to Sergeant Shin.”
His respect only grew with each passing day.
At the moment of his awakening, he once thought he was superior in combat skills.
But as time went on, Shin Young-joon only grew stronger.
Now, despite being a chef,
There were times when Gwang-il felt as though he faced an insurmountable wall that he couldn’t overcome.
Lying on the ground, Jeon Gwang-il stared ahead.
[FCKYOU%@#$%!!!!!!]
“What the hell are you talking about? It’s so noisy!”
The green giant that had defeated him.
That giant was now engaged in combat with Sergeant Shin Young-joon.
It was surprisingly rare to see Sergeant Shin personally fighting.
In most situations, he remained in the rear to support his squad.
Typically, minor battles were handled by the squad members themselves.
He was more likely seen as the mother of the unit, focusing on cooking and buffing from the backline.
Despite his high rank, his approachable demeanor towards every unit member really contributed to that image.
However, when he did take up arms and joined the fray,
the soldiers who witnessed it all would unanimously say one thing:
“He is excessively brutal.”
Sergeant Shin Young-joon’s combat method was straightforward.
He gathered enemy intel through the [Chef’s Eye].
Then, according to the “handling/dissection method,” he dealt with the foes accordingly.
The trouble lay with the word “dissection.”
It’s not typically used in reference to living beings, after all.
“Sergeant Shin Young-joon quite literally… dismembers his enemies.”
He severs their windpipe followed by the act of separating flesh, bone, and organs—this is what dissection means.
And applying this concept to a living creature yields a chilling result.
Sergeant Shin Young-joon’s combat style was more brutal than anyone else’s, and his lethality was unmatched.
“Ugh, damn it. Their bones are so tough; it won’t come apart in one go.”
Crunch, crack…
“Ugh!”
Gurgle, cough…
Just like that.
A monster writhing in agony, the same one that had just moments ago been locked in a battle with Corporal Jeon Gwang-il: the [Green Mane Orc Chief].
Hara-bal.
It was larger than other [Green Mane Orc Warriors],
and its combat prowess surpassed that of its kin, not merely due to its size, but in every conceivable way.
It was a true contender, having just bested Corporal Jeon Gwang-il.
Gurgle…
“Hey, hey, stop the theatrics.”
That formidable foe was now shedding tears of blood, wracked with pain.
Corporal Jeon Gwang-il’s gaze drifted to the creature’s wound.
‘Its back flesh… has been dissected while it was still alive.’
Entire muscles and chunks of flesh had been cleanly excised from its back.
The dissection was so meticulous that the pristine white of its spine was fully visible.
But it didn’t stop there.
‘The first cut was to its side… then the right arm.’
Followed by the left thigh.
The chest, the ear.
And now, the back once again.
Sergeant Shin Young-joon’s fighting style instilled fear in many soldiers, and some found it chilling that he had no apparent second thoughts about his methods.
“Let’s see. Next, should I go for the neck?”
The way he casually dissected a living creature was enough to evoke a sense of madness, as if he perceived everything solely as ingredients.
Even though he maintained friendly relationships with all the soldiers, no one dared question his authority as the commander; fear played a significant role in that silence.
Rustle.
And finally, the flesh around the neck was completely dissected.
Gurgle…
No matter how powerful a warrior might be, unless they were a legendary “Berserker,” there’s no way one could still be standing after suffering such wounds.
Bang…
The [Green Mane Orc Chief], Hara-bal, fell limply to the ground.
“That, that’s… Sergeant Shin Young-joon.”
“Ugh.”
Even the seasoned soldiers, accustomed to viewing the corpses of monsters, swallowed hard at the sight.
In the city, where not many had experienced combat, the Awkened struggled to suppress their revulsion at the sight of the dismembered monsters.
But no one else seemed to care.
Sergeant Shin Young-joon observed the fallen creature in silence before approaching Corporal Jeon Gwang-il.
“Gwang-il.”
“Gwang-il.”
“…Yes, Sergeant Shin.”
“You did well.”
Corporal Jeon Gwang-il looked up at Sergeant Shin without a word.
He held deep respect for him—a respect that would likely remain unshaken until the end of his days.
However, the monster that had brought him down was now lying in pieces at the hands of Sergeant Shin’s blade.
Witnessing that sight ignited a surging torrent of emotions within him.
“…What have you done?”
“Excuse me?”
“Ugh…!”
Normally, he would have kept such sentiments in check, but in the grip of rage, restraint slipped away.
“You’ve interfered in a warrior’s battle!”
“?”
“Not only did you interfere, but you ambushed me! You’ve dishonored my duel with that creature…!”
In response, Sergeant Shin looked at him incredulously.
“So what? Should I have just let you die?”
“I intended to fight to the death with that monster. Even if I were to be defeated here, I believed a glorious death awaited me…!”
“Hey.”
Sergeant Shin cut him off.
“Corporal Jeon Gwang-il.”
“…It’s Corporal Jeon Gwang-il.”
Sergeant Shin usually referred to most soldiers by their first names, but there were two scenarios where he used full titles: either in formal situations where ranks needed to be acknowledged or when he was truly furious.
His icy gaze bore down on Corporal Jeon Gwang-il.
“Don’t kid yourself. You’re not a warrior.”
“How dare you—”
“You’re a soldier.”
“….”
“And you’re also my subordinate.”
Squatting down to meet the fallen Corporal’s gaze, Sergeant Shin continued, “I don’t know how it is for those so-called ‘warriors’ you idolize, but for guys like us in the military? A glorious death does not exist.”
“Ugh…!”
“You know it as well as I do: dying in the military is just dying like a dog.”
Corporal Jeon Gwang-il began to grasp why Sergeant Shin was so angry.
He recalled a phrase he often repeated during the early days of the “Doomsday.”
“To survive.”
Sergeant Shin Young-joon was a soldier who was more fixated on survival than anyone else.
Given that, it was no surprise that he found it intolerable to casually discuss death.
Corporal Jeon Gwang-il felt the same.
On an intellectual level, he understood.
‘This was done to save me. I have no reason to resent it.’
However,
Despite that understanding, his emotions refused to settle.
Initially, it wasn’t about anger over being drawn into a fight or hindering a noble death.
No, it was something deeper.
“The top warrior of the squad… and yet, here I am, like this?”
What enveloped him was not the rage of a warrior whose battle had been interrupted.
It was a profound sense of defeat.
It was one thing to lose to a monster.
But what gnawed at him was more than just narrowly escaping with his life.
He had witnessed the very monster that had overwhelmed him being deftly handled by Sergeant Shin Young-joon.
“I thought I had grown stronger.”
Yet,
In the presence of a true adversary, his strength always felt utterly inadequate.
The ones who dealt with those genuine threats were always…
Sergeant Shin Young-joon.
“Hey, Corporal Jeon Gwang-il.”
“……Yes?”
“Do you think you’ve survived this long because you’re so exceptional?”
At that question, Corporal Jeon took a moment to reflect.
“Do I deserve to be here? That’s hardly the case.”
The reason that the weak had managed to survive was always the same.
“It’s thanks to Sergeant Shin…”
“It’s not just me. It’s thanks to the other squad members.”
“….”
Sergeant Shin let out a sigh and continued.
“Do you remember the Lizard Chieftain?”
“……Yes.”
“It was our comrades who took the risk alongside you to hunt that thing. Two of them almost ended up as corpses. Have you forgotten already?”
“I haven’t forgotten.”
The first real adversary he couldn’t have faced alone.
The two warriors had been pushed to the brink of death.
They had urgently needed the support of the medics and the priest.
“What about those vampires? During the hunt, there were soldiers who actually perished.”
“….”
“The only reason we’re alive is that others fought alongside us, risking their lives. I still can’t shake the faces of the fallen. And you think that’s a glorious death? Do you genuinely believe that?”
Sergeant Shin Young-joon’s anger was palpable.
Yet at the same time,
Corporal Jeon Gwang-il contemplated,
“But it was Sergeant Shin who ultimately brought down the Lizard Chieftain and the Vampire Queen…”
“What?”
It was true that Corporal Jeon and the other squad members had fought valiantly, putting their lives on the line.
But lately, he couldn’t help but question that reality.
“Is what I and the other soldiers fought so hard for really meaningful?”
“What are you talking about…?”
If they had fought with a bit less effort, would the outcome of those battles have been different?
“Well, in the end, Sergeant Shin would have solved everything, right?”
Corporal Jeon Gwang-il pondered various scenarios in his mind. Yet, no matter how he thought about it, he could only picture Sergeant Shin Young-joon stepping in to save the day.
Having someone as remarkable as him on their side was immensely reassuring. Most of the soldiers simply accepted it. No matter how extraordinary Sergeant Shin’s feats were, it had become an unspoken rule to brush it off with, “Of course, it’s Sergeant Shin.”
But Gwang-il didn’t want to stop there. He didn’t just want to rely on others for help; he wanted to be the one offering assistance. He had worked hard for a long time, trained relentlessly, and cultivated his strength through sheer effort.
“And this is the result of all that hard work.”
Defeated by a monster and then pitifully saved by Sergeant Shin’s intervention. It left him with the bitter taste of an insurmountable wall.
Until now, he had managed to suppress this feeling, but the sense of defeat had been lingering for quite some time.
“Perhaps it would have been better just to die,” he muttered.
“….”
“Then at least I could have gone down fighting. Instead, I’m the loser who only survived thanks to the help of a senior…”
Slowly, the mania fueled by the battle started to subside. Once a degree of rationality returned, Corporal Jeon Gwang-il bowed his head slightly.
“I misspoke. My rage took over.”
“…Yeah. I understand; it’s part of your nature.”
“I’m sorry.”
Sergeant Shin Young-joon let out a gentle sigh, rising to his feet. “Let’s talk later at the base. I’ve called for the medic, so you should just rest for now.”
“Yes.”
“You did well.”
“You did well.” Those words echoed in his mind, reminiscent of when Shin first offered him comfort while cooking for him in the past.
Yet now, those words felt insufficient as reassurance.
“Instead of repaying your kindness, I’ve only become a burden.”
The madness faded, and he regained his composure, but he managed only to suppress the emotions threatening to spill over. The sense of defeat still enveloped him completely.
As he received treatment from the medic, Corporal Jeon Gwang-il quietly curled up, feeling an unbearable pain.
“It doesn’t seem like it’s only the madness,” he thought.
He had told Gwang-il to rest, yet a strange unease lingered as he left.
“It feels like there’s something troubling him. That soft-hearted kid is probably grappling with it all alone.”
If I had my way, I would resort to a confession-inducing concoction… but that’s not the plan here.
I wish I could serve some dish like the [Honest Heart] and ask a few questions first.
But,
“Right now, I’m busy.”
The fights at the stronghold were still ongoing.
I was in a position where I could join another battle at any moment.
And on top of that…
[Currently Applied Cooking Effects – 4]
At this moment, I had consumed a staggering four overlapping cooking effects.
While the benefit of having the effects stacked due to my [Absolute Palate] is significant,
it comes with the downside of putting considerable strain on my body.
‘I need to make the most of this somehow.’
To be frank, I didn’t have any intention of overlapping four effects.
But what choice did I have?
“He’s a monster who managed to take down Gwang-il, a being more monstrous than most.”
The thought still sends chills down my spine.
I had faced off against Gwang-il and somehow emerged victorious.
Though it was labeled as a fair fight, it was more of a chaotic clash loaded with my cooking skills and Lieutenant Kim’s encouragement.
It was a showdown against Gwang-il, who had every possible buff applied to him.
I had assumed that he wasn’t particularly formidable—merely stronger than average—but now I was faced with the reality of what I had achieved.
Taking down Gwang-il, who was at peak condition, was no small feat.
“There’s no way I could have won with just a dish or two.”
I hastily chewed through my emergency rations.
With four buffs stacked…
and one of those effects included the [Environmental Camouflage] trait,
I thought back to that moment when I managed to sneak up and deliver a surprise strike but failed to take him down. Honestly, it was terrifying.
Fortunately, he had been quite exhausted from his struggle against Gwang-il.
And with my ambush, I had managed to carve out a chunk of flesh from his side.
It was tough, but I could somehow win.
If it hadn’t been for those quadruple buffs…
No, if Gwang-il hadn’t left it with reduced health…
‘That strike wouldn’t have work.’
Damn it.
It was a world where I couldn’t afford to let my guard down.
Just when I thought I had grown a bit stronger,
a creature would emerge capable of swiftly knocking that arrogance back into humility.
I was somewhat taken aback when Gwang-il, who had reacted angrily after I took down a formidable opponent, surprised me.
Yet, reflecting on it, it seemed like a fortunate turn of events.
‘Though I don’t know the exact reason, I sensed that Gwang-il is dealing with some issues.’
If I hadn’t noticed it now, it could have become a more significant problem down the line.
In retrospect, I realized that both Gwang-il and I appeared mentally distracted.
It made me wonder if we had neglected the mental wellbeing of our troops.
‘I should conduct some interviews with all the squad members soon.’
Of course,
that’s only a consideration for after we survive this battlefield.
I turned my body and headed back toward the front lines.
Despite being slightly injured while crossing the stronghold, the numbers clearly favored the enemy.
I couldn’t be entirely sure if we could win, even if I gave it my all against these foes.
‘Sorry, but I won’t be letting my guard down again.’
I made that vow as I approached the enemy.
Chapter 138: The Lava Dragonlings
The high-ranking shaman anxiously gazed at the fortress walls in the distance.
Inside, a fierce battle was undoubtedly raging.
There had to be some entity lurking within the fortress, one that surpassed the predictions of the shamans.
That was why he had suggested a retreat.
“But if it’s Hara-bal, one of the most esteemed warriors of the tribe… perhaps…”
He couldn’t shake this thought and continued to watch the fortress from afar.
However, that line of thinking didn’t last long.
Suddenly, he felt it—a flicker, a life force extinguished.
In his tribe, where extraordinary warriors struggled to emerge, one of their greatest had just fallen.
“That’s a disaster…”
This was the first large-scale battle since the onset of the tribe’s invasion war.
Victory or defeat in this conflict was crucial; thus, he had led a significant force to the fight. Yet the outcome was grim.
“Convey this to the warriors—”
The commander had perished.
“And since we have no means to breach that fortress, retreat as safely as possible.”
It was a defeat for the tribe.
Despite the rather solemn resolve, dispatching the other monsters had turned out to be relatively easy.
“What’s happening?”
“It feels like their morale has dropped since earlier.”
The monsters that had charged at us without a hint of fear, even while severely injured, were now lacking their previous fervor.
Gone were the tactics they had employed in coordination with the shamans; instead, they seemed to be floundering strangely.
“H-Hara-bal…!”
“?”
Amidst the chaos, I noticed several monsters muttering while glancing toward my rear.
One of them, its flesh mostly torn away, was shivering in a grotesque manner.
“Wait a minute, that one was called the [Green mane Chieftain], right?”
While I couldn’t grasp every word they uttered, there was one name that stood out to me.
Hara-bal.
[Commander]
[Greenmane Tribe’s Warrior Chieftain Hara-bal VS Steel Legion Lieutenant Kim Hyun-seok]
“Amazing. He was a commander!”
No wonder he seemed exceptionally powerful!
From the atmosphere, it became evident that he wasn’t just an average commander; he appeared to hold significant influence among these monsters.
I could sense the confusion among the creatures surrounding his corpse.
“Why would the commander personally… hmm. Maybe it makes sense that he would come in person?”
Thinking back on it, for their attack to succeed, it was essential for them to penetrate the inner defenses of the fortress. It was an operation so crucial that it wouldn’t have been surprising for the commander to take charge directly.
Had he not been there, our unit would have likely dealt with the enemy without much difficulty. But because he was around, there was even a moment when Gwang-il was on the verge of collapsing.
“Thank goodness we managed to handle it without anyone suffering serious injuries.”
Had I been even a moment slower to intervene, the soldiers engaged elsewhere could have easily fallen prey to him, one by one. After all, he was the one who had even brought down our strongest fighter, Gwang-il.
However, that scenario hinged solely on the delay in taking him down. Thanks to our swift elimination of their commander, the enemy was thrown into disarray, losing their momentum.
In the end…
“This one’s the last!”
“Let’s take him down!”
Monsters that had crashed into the fortress via catapults were finally being wiped out.
“It’s too soon to let my guard down.”
Outside the fortress walls, many monsters remained, held back only by the closed gates. The sheer number was staggering. It wouldn’t be surprising if they tried to breach our defenses by sheer force.
Of course, even if they did, I wasn’t about to entertain the thought of losing just yet.
“I still have a few tricks left up my sleeve.”
I still had Mac, who was resting in my arms, along with several vampires that I’d prefer to keep hidden from prying eyes for now.
Depending on the enemy’s next move, I might just have to bring out my hidden reserves.
As I was planning to observe the enemy’s movements, I suddenly heard a shout.
“They’re retreating!”
“Huh?”
Contrary to my expectations that they would continue their assault on the fortress, the enemy began to fall back gradually.
“Already?”
They still had a substantial force.
It seemed a bit premature to conclude their defeat just yet.
However, I could only guess at one reason for their sudden withdrawal.
“Did they lose their commander?”
They might have sought ways to break through, but they had already lost their leader. Without proper command, it was unlikely they could mount an effective assault. Even if they pressed on, it would come at a considerable cost to them.
They must have concluded that the price of continuing this fight wasn’t worth it.
And then, to confirm my thoughts came the chime of a system notification.
Ding!
[The War has ended!]
[Engaged Forces]
[Green Mane Orc Tribe VS Steel Legion]
[Commander]
[Green Mane Orc Tribe Chief Hara-Bal vs. Steel Legion Commander Lieutenant Kim Hyun-Seok]
[Battle Zone]
[Metropolis (3)]
[Battle Outcome]
[Victory for the Steel Legion]
[Despite the overwhelming difference in troop strength, you achieved an unambiguous victory.]
[As a bonus for the first Multispecies Occupation War, rewards will be distributed.
[Team Skill – War Song]
[Experience points gained]
[Points acquired]
A message announcing the end of the war.
And then…
[Level Up!]
[Intermediate Chef Lv. 30]
“…Oh.”
It was a notification that I leveled up.
The enemy retreated, choosing to abandon the battle.
Of course, I had no intention of letting them go easily.
“Chase them down!”
“Let’s crush them!!!”
This battle was fought against an enemy force that vastly outnumbered us.
Our victory was only possible because we held the fortress.
Had it been in open field, we would have likely suffered a crushing defeat.
But even with such a large force, there are moments when their defenses become vulnerable.
The moment they decided to retreat.
[Experience points gained]
[Experience points gained]
We relentlessly pursued the retreating enemy troops, harrying them all the way back.
Only after inflicting as much damage as we could at the precipice of being counterattacked did we finally return to the fortress.
Once back at the fortress, we received a message from Taejun.
[Shaman: Incredible… Truly amazing.]
Perhaps it was our relentless pursuit that resulted in significant damage to the enemy; I could sense his excitement even though we weren’t speaking directly.
[Shaman: The damage they’ve suffered is tremendous… How on earth did this happen?]
[Chef: Is it really that severe?]
[Shaman: Is it severe? It’s beyond what you can imagine!]
Taejun was holed up in the mountains and couldn’t come down.
Not too long ago, he hadn’t been able to monitor our movements because he was preoccupied with information warfare against the other side.
[Shaman: They probably didn’t even consider they could lose… Honestly, I didn’t think so either]
It seemed he had been unaware of how much our unit had grown during that time.
However, it was too early to celebrate.
Although we managed to repel the enemy this time, they retreated faster than I expected.
‘Most likely, they withdrew as soon as they realized that chief had fallen.’
This time, we managed to fend them off somehow.
However, there’s no guarantee we’ll win again in the future.
[Shaman: That’s true, but it’s unlikely they’ll attack us again anytime soon.]
[Chef: Hmm?]
I had thought they would launch another attack shortly.
It seemed that Taejun had a different perspective.
[Shaman: While their numbers are large, there aren’t many capable leaders among them.]
Ah.
Indeed, among those monsters, strong individuals were rare.
Most were of similar strength.
That commander we defeated this time must have been a more significant asset to the enemy than I initially realized.
[Shaman: Since this attack failed, if they want to launch another offensive with the same forces, they’ll need a more competent commander. There might be one or two better ones among them, but they’re scarce.]
[Chef: They were indeed quite formidable.]
[Shaman: Since they can’t deploy a better commander easily, they’ll likely judge that they need an overwhelming force to attack us again. Until then, I think they’ll only be able to send small units to harass us.]
So, large-scale offensives like the one we just experienced won’t occur for a while.
‘It seems the aftermath of this battle was more significant than I thought.’
Conversely, had we lost or even retreated this time, those creatures would have run rampant in this area, invading our fortress and fully unleashing the special units they had held back.
Thanks to the mobilization of ‘divine power,’ we were able to avert disaster.
“The enemy, too, will have no choice but to be cautious after this damage,” I remarked.
“Well, that won’t last long. After all, their main force is still located to the west,” replied the Shaman.
“Hmm.”
“To fundamentally resolve the situation, we need to eradicate them.”
As Min-jae spoke, one of the soldiers chimed in cheerfully, “Oh come on! What’s stopping us from doing that?”
“…Huh?”
“As long as we have those metal bastards, I can’t see it being too difficult.”
At those words, the attention of the troops turned towards the outside.
Soldiers patrolled the fortress walls.
“Right. Those things are here.”
“To be honest, they seem stronger than I am.”
The appearance of the [Lava Dragonlings] drew their focus.
“According to Sergeant Shin, those things multiply every few hours, don’t they?”
“That’s true. For now, it seems limited to a maximum of 200 due to the low level of the barracks.”
“Having 200 of those things seems like a monster’s main base!”
Hmm.
The soldiers had only witnessed the Dragon Soldiers in action and seemed to mistake them for some sort of invincible battle machines.
“Oh, that’s going to be a bit difficult.”
“Really?”
You’d understand when you see it.
I shouted at one Dragon Soldier wandering nearby, “You there! Come here!”
It seemed to recognize my command.
The creaking of the armored dragon soldiers approached us.
“Whoa…!”
“Seeing it up close makes it even more impressive.”
The knight was clad in black steel armor, a vision of formidable might.
A military insignia on its chest would only enhance its commanding presence.
However.
As stunning as it was, that was where the admiration ended.
I directed my gaze at the armored dragon soldier before me and issued a different command this time.
“Sit.”
“….”
Despite my command, the dragon soldier remained eerily still, showing no sign of compliance.
Some soldiers exchanged glances, disbelief etched on their faces.
“Captain Shin…”
“This is too much. It’s not a dog we’re talking about; asking it to ‘sit’ is ridiculous.”
I ignored their murmurs and pressed on with my next order.
“Hand.”
“….”
“Lie down on your back.”
“….”
“Lie down on your front.”
“….”
I continued to issue various commands, yet the armored dragon soldier remained unresponsive.
“…Did you see that?”
“What do you mean?”
A few soldiers stared at me with blank expressions, bewildered by the spectacle, but those with a sharper awareness began to frown with concern as each command went unheeded.
One of them, Corporal Seo Su-hyeok, spoke up.
“It can only execute limited commands, is that right?”
“Exactly.”
These creatures.
They comprehend simple commands like “come,” “go,” “attack,” and “defend” to a certain extent. But anything beyond that eludes their understanding.
I couldn’t help but think of certain NPCs from video games.
These NPCs excel at performing commands like “attack over there” with impressive efficiency, but struggle with even the most basic instructions outside of combat scenarios.
“Combat operates similarly. While they can strike swiftly and boast high defensive capabilities, they’re lacking in situational awareness and tactical finesse.”
“Ah…”
“Despite their physical specs potentially rivaling those of an unbuffed knight, when it comes to actual confrontation, it’s likely the knight would prevail eight times out of ten.”
These soldiers are only effective in specific scenarios.
For instance, taking a defensive position at a city gate.
Fighting in confined spaces presents few variables, allowing the strengths of the armored dragon soldiers to shine through.
“That, however, becomes lethal when we’re the ones initiating the attack.”
“It seems active situational judgment is essential for aggressive maneuvers.”
In truth, that was detailed in the explanation itself.
[Lava Dragonlings]
[Crafted from the formidable teeth of dragons, these soldiers possess the strength required for the dragons to entrust them with guarding their hoards. They are the ultimate guardians.]
The soldiers born to protect the treasure trove excel in defensive battles.
“Defenders specialized in protection,” as the saying goes.
They’re not particularly well-suited for offense, leaning closer to being a defensive force.
In short: these guys are…
“They are terrible,” one soldier muttered.
The troops stared at the Dragon soldiers with a mix of confusion and disdain.
The admiration they once held for the heroic knights had vanished without a trace.
Their expressions now resembled those of someone looking at scrap metal.