Episode 97 – Predation and Evolution (7)
“Look over there. “He is making the way with his own hands.”
“Oh oh…”
To him, it was just a click of a mouse, but to the residents, it was a miracle as the defense towers that appeared with a flash of light lined up and reliably guarded the road as if they were streetlights.
And that miracle served to soothe the weary hearts of those who were unable to rejoice in the sacrifices and fierce battles of their comrades despite their victory and to boost their motivation.
‘This moment is also worth recording.’
Varun, whose face was pale because he had used up too much mana while fighting, smiled weakly and took out a wad of paper that he always carried with him.
After getting paper and writing, he kept records. Everything he saw, everything the residents experienced.
Although everyone clearly remembers this moment right now, they know very well that they will not be able to do so in the future.
Descendants will be able to clearly imagine this moment by reading this record of how they pioneered this land and what help they received from their guardian spirits. After hearing about the Bible in the Dark Blood world from Riena, he tried to imitate it.
‘After stopping the numerous monsters that attacked the northern fortress, he summoned numerous defense towers to light the way.’
It also records the fierce war that took place today and the help the guardian spirits provided during that process.
It’s a myth that makes no sense if you only read it in writing, but the myth has power because there are people who are actually experiencing it.
“Chief. “The bridges provided by God… extend towards their nest.”
“His will is our will. “Those who have finished reorganizing quickly go to their nest.”
Soon Rakum approached and Varun put the paper in. Their goal was to attack the enemy’s main base, which was empty after defense, before it was filled again.
“Their nest will definitely be empty. However, they are clever and evil monsters, and there may be unknown variables, so if you think it is impossible, retreat boldly.”
Varun divided the remaining troops into three divisions, excluding the wounded, those who would clear the scene, and those who would defend the fort.
Dividing the troops was risky, but it was unavoidable in order to attack three empty enemy hives at the same time.
The mission of the divided forces is to wipe out the remnants of the enemy and attack and demolish the hive, which is currently empty.
The warriors and soldiers each separated and headed to the hives.
“We are going too. “The defense towers he built are lighting the way.”
Rakum was placed in command of one of three armies. His younger brother, Rasen, and Shura, who worked together with Rasen, were also included under Racoum’s command.
Although they were tired and tired, they moved quickly, just in case. The good news is that the defensive turrets scattered around like streetlights automatically detect and capture enemies, so you don’t have to worry about being on guard near them.
In addition, the bugs that had mobilized the entire force of each hive were reduced to remnants after the main force was annihilated.
Since the defense turrets automatically kill enemies and there are not many enemies, the troops led by Rakum easily penetrate the forest and reach the hive.
“Hey, these monsters…”
They were shocked to see the hive. This is because the area near their nest, which had created a huge hole in the middle of the green forest, was a dead land where no living life could be found.
It was obvious that if time was given to the monsters, which depend on all plants and animals for food, they would multiply again in an instant.
“Entering their nest. Warriors forward!”
Rakum changed ranks to enter their stronghold. They left behind troops to guard the entrance and entered the deep tunnel with their warriors at the forefront.
The warrior himself stood at the forefront holding a spear. The dark inside of the hive should have been bustling with bugs, so now it was just as quiet as the outside.
“Larsen, turn on the light.”
Racoum, who had previously farmed monster essences in the underworld of sandbox crafting, asked Larsen to light the fire.
After hearing those words, Larsen raised his staff and cast a spell. Then, a round ball of light protruding from the tip of the wand flew through the air as if it were a firefly, and went ahead, lighting up the tunnel.
Even in the nest that was revealed like that, enemies rarely appeared.
“Ho, maybe the ones guarding the nest all jumped out and died?”
“I don’t think so. “It seemed like they left some defense troops behind when they attacked the first nest last time.”
There were some hopeful predictions, but Lakum tried to be as cautious as possible. He was convinced that the bugs, which gradually grew as the war was repeated, would not have behaved so foolishly.
“That!”
And that prediction ultimately came true. The bugs were not wiped out. When they appeared as attackers, this time they prepared for defense as defenders.
The Queen’s Chamber, a kind of production factory. The bugs that had been waiting here to protect the crack they had crossed were all waiting for them in a defensive formation.
“It was expected. Everyone take up arms!”
Rakum did not back down from their defensive posture and ordered them to fight.
This time, they charged first as attackers, gritting their teeth and raising their respective weapons.
“Of course, there’s no reason to charge in first. Shoot the arrow.”
However, there was still one advantage for residents. Right at the intersection. The residents were able to launch one-sided attacks with arrows, javelins, or magic against the bugs, which had no means of long-distance attack.
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‘If we go like this, we can easily win.’
Larsen, the only wizard who supported firepower through magic, smiled faintly.
The bugs could not withstand their attacks and were falling one by one, so I thought that if I continued the offensive like this, I would be able to safely kill the enemies without any major clashes.
“This!”
“Unbelievable. “They’re shooting something!”
However, their one-sided attack did not last long. While they were somewhat at ease, something fired from the enemy hit them.
“Do, poisonous needle?”
One soldier was astonished to see a bullet pierced through his shield. It is about the length of an adult’s forearm and is a pointed stinger made of black carapace.
The evolution of bugs that are evolving using the war against them as data has already reached this point.
“Ugh!”
“Warrior leader! “They are starting to respond too!”
Those that looked a little different from other bugs continued to attack, spouting out thorns on their backs. As long as there are those guys who fire spikes with biological gas, their advantage has disappeared.
“All forces charge!”
Rakum made a decision. They thought that even if it was a war of attrition, it was their allies who suffered the loss.
Rakum himself stood at the forefront and swung his spear. The final battle took place with those trying to protect and those trying to destroy the battle switched positions.
“Look behind you.”
Shura leapt forward with his weapon and struck Larsen’s body.
This kind of melee is her specialty. In fact, every time the two daggers she held flashed, the enemies’ bodies were cut into pieces and scattered everywhere.
***
“Wow, I’m so crazy.”
I have one eye, but there are many places where events take place. It was possible to open multiple windows and view the game at the same time, but the desktop screen was different.
After looking at one place, I had to move the screen again and look at another place. Of course, right now, I can’t use buff machines or chainsaws that can be executed by typing in them, and I can’t build a defensive turret inside their nest, so what I can do is limited.
‘Even though the last stand was annoying, did you win anyway?’
Where Varun and Riena were led, it seemed like the battle was already over.
Those led by Varun fought calmly and defeated the enemies one by one, and Liena, armed with a special sword called the Four Dragon Horned Sword, became a spear and single-handedly broke through the enemy’s defense line and slaughtered them.
Those led by Rakum, like Varun, are calmly dealing with the enemies, but they chose the place with the largest number of enemies out of the three hives.
‘Please, I need to get hurt less and die less.’
I bit my lip as I looked at the place where shouts and screams were coming from. The corpses of bugs are piling up on the floor, but the sacrifices of our allies are also continuing to accumulate.
Even if we think about efficiency as well as just human-to-human emotions, the loss is even greater because it is a resource that people cannot easily secure.
If I could convey the message, I would like to urge people to value people more than equipment or resources.
“—!”
Rough battlefields inflict wounds on even the bravest warriors.
I sighed as I saw Rakum, who was fighting valiantly in front of me, get pierced in the arm by a sting shot by a new type of bug.
We quickly treated his wounds using a virus treatment program, but if he had died from a critical hit, it would not have been possible to revive him.
‘Disgusting guys.’
I’m not sure if evolving and growing in real time is a characteristic of those ant-type bugs, but it’s true that it’s very unpleasant.
There was a hidden variable in every battle, and it was almost impossible to put my mind at ease.
“—, –?”
“–.”
Rakum appears to be embarrassed by his injuries and the wounds that healed quickly. My younger brother Larsen was so surprised that he came running to me. But he grabbed the spear again. This is because the battle was not over yet, and there were strong enemies that could only be defeated by warriors.
‘death.’
If you’re fighting for your life, you can’t separate them. I, too, was shaken. For me, who had lived an easy life up until now, death was something unfamiliar, scary, and huge.
But after getting caught up in this, I started to get closer and closer to death. Because I know that the residents on the screen are not just game data.
Neither Varun nor Riena…even those who were a little closer to me can’t be separated from it.
“—!”
‘Are they new immigrants?’
Of course, it wasn’t all gloomy news. After closing all the gates inside the enemy hive, I discovered new people approaching the village from the west.
‘There are a lot?’
Unlike the north, which is often chaotic due to war, this place is a bit peaceful. I was amazed as I counted their numbers while turning the screen around.
After Varun made a pact with Warchief Garhan. Baron asked Garhan for people.
And Garhan, who accepted the request, sent us the people he felt were difficult to support.
They were them. They were new residents with a population that seemed to be around a thousand people.
“—?”
He may have been tired, but I came out of the nest, grabbed Varun, who was resting, with a mouse, and carried him to the village.
After hearing the news, he too went out to greet the new people along with the surrounding residents without even thinking about taking off the armor he was wearing.
‘This way, we can supplement the number of people.’
It was the moment when our allies, who had been hit hard by the fight against bugs, received a transfusion of new blood. New people have come to fill the void left by those who were sacrificed.
Negotiations with Garhan began to work.