Chapter 133 : Legion Spawning Ground (1)
Chapter 133: Legion Spawning Ground (1)
Squish. Squelch….
The moment they entered the Gate, everything changed.
A sky filled with multiple planets.
An ecosystem filled with bizarre plants they had never seen before.
Everything was alien.
Of course.
Slosh! Slosh!
Among them, however, something else stood out the most.
Living creatures suspended inside translucent purple slime.
They were the larvae of Parasites and various other insects.
“So those things will hatch and attack us. How should I put it… they look like they’ll make rather good nourishment.”
Scarlet licked her lips as she gazed at the prey she would hunt.
Hmm. She certainly is reliable.
Even against most high-ranking Combat Species, Scarlet wouldn’t be pushed back.
On top of that, there was Reina, who could be utilized in various ways, Rodbrock the Tanker, and Lagerseh, who was both a Healer and commanded Summoned Beasts.
Lastly, there was Vivian, their strongest fighting force.
It was a moment that made him realize just how much stronger their forces had become compared to the beginning.
‘If there’s one regrettable thing, it’s that Seo Changhee and Evelyn are moving separately.’
Their dear Spirituality, afflicted with protagonist syndrome, had already created a Guild of his own.
Well, that was simply his nature, so there was nothing to be done about it.
“Bwahaha! So where are we setting up our stronghold? If we don’t hurry, it looks like all the good spots will be taken?”
Rodbrock pointed toward the Hunters moving quickly.
Each Guild participating in this Episode had already dispatched multiple Raid Parties.
Since rewards would be distributed differentially according to contribution, quite a lot of people had gathered.
However.
“Don’t worry. No one will have chosen the place we’re heading to.”
“Ohhh. Do you know about some hidden gold mine!”
“No. Well. It’s not exactly like that.”
Yohan strode forward.
What was a stronghold?
It needed to specialize in defense while being difficult for the enemy to approach.
If it was situated somewhere concealed, allowing it to avoid concentrated enemy attacks, that would be even better.
However, the place where Yohan stopped was far removed from conventional wisdom.
“Are you serious? We’re defending from here?”
“My goodness.”
Everyone froze in place as though they had lost the ability to speak.
Naturally, they had good reason.
The very front line.
Because Yohan intended to establish their stronghold at the place where all kinds of Parasites would hatch and attack first.
＊＊＊
[Stronghold ‘Ant Nest’ has been selected.]
[Time remaining until the first Wave 3H : 29M : 15S]
It was a structure composed of multiple interconnected rooms.
The method was to station personnel in each room to prevent enemy incursions.
‘The key is putting everyone in the right place.’
Of course, stopping a large force with only a few people wouldn’t be easy.
They needed to prepare additional defensive measures.
“Hehe. Master. Found it. Jungbok found it!”
Jungbok, who had been sniffing continuously, bounced excitedly in place.
“Yeah. Good job.”
Yohan stroked Jungbok’s head.
The reason this place was called the Ant Nest.
It was because special ants lived here.
Judging by the change in the soil’s color, he seemed to have found the right place.
Yohan could also smell their distinctive sour scent.
‘If you try to capture them by force, they’ll attack viciously.’
However, if the appropriate method was used, it was possible to create a rather interesting situation.
Yohan’s hands moved quickly.
First, he squeezed the juice from the blue fruit hanging from the ceiling. Then he mixed it with water at a ratio of 7.5 : 2.5.
Along the way, he tossed in sweet-smelling herbs and the eyeballs of Netherworld Swamp Frogs.
Next came activating fire magic.
The key was timing.
No more, no less.
It had to be heated at exactly 102 degrees for 35 seconds before being solidified.
The water turned golden and solidified. Soon, a sweetness strong enough to rot one’s teeth spread in every direction.
At that moment.
Rustle.
A wriggling ant emerged as it dug through the soil.
“Ppiik?”
The black ant with round eyes tilted its head.
Its expression was filled with fear and hesitation.
“……!?”
However, the instant it tasted the substance, all of its wariness crumbled.
“Ppiiiik!”
It released concentrated pheromones and summoned its companions.
One by one.
As the number of ants increased, the corners of Yohan’s lips rose along with them.
This sap possessed powerful addictive and hallucinogenic effects, and the more they consumed, the more their reason became paralyzed, causing them to obey whatever they were told.
The loyal servants of the Hall of Worthies.
The foundation stones that would restore the name of Joseon began to pile up.
‘Now then, shall I see if everyone’s doing their jobs properly?’
Like a king making a secret inspection. Yohan also took some time to check whether any traitors were slacking off.
Fortunately, the rest of the members were diligently fulfilling their roles as well.
“Hoe. Fortification work is a soldier’s virtue!”
“If we go to the PX after this, unlimited shellfish ramen and shellfish ham will be provided!”
“Hoeee!”
The Sea Otter Trio tore up the ground like mad.
As expected of those who had participated in numerous operations, the process of transforming the Ant Nest into a military fortification went astonishingly smoothly.
“Only place three spiders over there. Any more than that will make it difficult for them to move quickly along my Blood Threads.”
“Yes, Sister!”
Scarlet and Reina scurried around, creating webs and traps throughout the passageways.
‘Smooth sailing.’
Yohan nodded.
Countless Raid Parties had entered the Gate, but most teams probably hadn’t even selected their strongholds yet.
Naturally, there couldn’t possibly be any that had already completed their strongholds.
Therefore.
The first reward, and the most important reward, was destined to belong to this side.
Ding!
A golden status window flashed.
[You were the first to activate a stronghold!]
[Defensive Facilities : A]
[Scale : B]
[Member Rank : S]
[Number of Members : S]
[Location Selection : F]
[Other : AA]
[Overall : You have received an AAA Grade.]
An overall grade of AAA or higher.
He had barely met the minimum requirement to obtain the reward he wanted.
Yohan swallowed dryly as he waited for what came next.
[Right to Appoint a General]
Acquisition Difficulty : Unmeasurable
Details: Anyone who enters the Ant Nest before the Monster Wave begins may be designated as a Guardian responsible for defending this place. The designated target cannot refuse this duty.
The authority to forcibly turn someone into an ally.
‘Kuh. I finally got my hands on this.’
Originally, he had planned to lure Seo Changhee in and trap him.
Someone of Spirituality’s caliber could have been used as a reasonably competent General.
But while considering his options, Yohan came up with an even better method.
A method that could bring this Episode to a perfect conclusion.
[Some of the durability possessed by ‘Fate of the Falling Star’ will be consumed!]
Wooooong!
Powerful mana was infused into the Ring of Crimson Lotus.
The runes engraved across its surface began glowing as they emitted crimson light.
1 second. 2 seconds. And 5 seconds.
Just like when he had first brought it out of the Blood Jade, the energy of fire reached its peak.
Then, at that very moment.
Fwoosh!
A handful of flames flickered around Yohan.
A familiar yet indescribable presence began engulfing the entire Ant Nest.
An existence that had followed the energy of the flames.
The one who emerged from between the flames was the Ancient Dragon Arianne Ignite.
“I told you. No matter where you go, we’ll meet again.”
Her confident smile was filled with certainty that she would collect the debt from the cruise ship.
Of course.
That happiness didn’t last very long.
[‘Right to Appoint a General’ has been activated.]
[For the duration of this Episode, the target is assigned the duty of defending the stronghold.]
“Huh?”
Arianne’s eyes widened as she stared at the mark that had appeared above her head.
“Wh-what is this? What? Why won’t it come off?”
She swatted at it with her hands.
Tried running away.
And tried various other things.
However, the [General] mark floating above her head showed no sign of disappearing.
[The contract is forcibly imposed by the System.]
Absolute obedience transcending astral rank.
A restriction that even a Champion of the Abyss had no choice but to obey had been imposed upon her.
“You dare place a restriction on me? It’s true that I’ve been treating you fondly, but don’t cross the line.”
Rumble!
Blazing fury was directed at Yohan.
Hmm.
That’s terrifying as hell.
Just seeing her raise her eyebrows threatened to revive old nightmares and the fear engraved into his very cells.
But he couldn’t get intimidated here.
Right. Brainwash yourself.
The thing in front of him was merely a red lizard.
Just a Summoned Beast that would tuck its tail between its legs after a single scolding.
“From now on, call me Dungeon Master. And make sure to add ‘Sir’.”
“Are you insane? Dungeon Master?”
“Sir.”
Yohan deliberately emphasized the word.
“Ha? What a joke. Like I’d ever… Sir Dungeon Master.”
“That’s right. Very good.”
It felt as though ten years of pent-up frustration had suddenly disappeared.
“Aaaaaagh!”
Well. From Arianne’s perspective, it was probably nothing like that.
It seemed a darkened lizard had just been born.
＊＊＊
[The first Wave begins!]
“Kieeeeee!”
“Keeee!”
Ruuuumble!
An unimaginable number of Parasites began to move.
Their objective was the annihilation of every stronghold.
Among them, the closest strongholds became their highest-priority targets.
“Damn it!”
“Wh-why are there so many? Isn’t this only the first Wave?”
The Hunters’ faces turned pale.
Everyone had participated in this Episode because they possessed a certain degree of confidence in their abilities.
They had secured supplies and equipment needed for defense. They had also brought numerous skilled individuals specialized in defense.
However, once the Monster Wave actually arrived, their predictions and assumptions began to fall apart.
“When the hell are reinforcements coming!”
“Th-that’s… the Empire suddenly isn’t moving. They’ve cut off all Communication Magic and are completely ignoring us!”
The Empire’s unexpected silence.
The promise to dispatch Knight Orders in case of an emergency had been overturned.
The result was devastating.
Everything was stained red.
Smoke rose from where various Defense Towers had been destroyed. Corpses lay scattered over the wreckage.
Only 30 minutes.
Within that time, two of the strongholds near the front line had fallen.
“That ended easily.”
“Well, that’s the level of humans for you. Besides, the stronger ones are probably farther back.”
“Kikik! Even then, compared to us, they’re an endlessly inferior species.”
Humanoid Parasites appeared among the quadrupedal Parasites.
Grade 2 Combat Species.
High-ranking species that commanded each unit.
They all watched the Parasites overrun the strongholds with relaxed expressions.
How much time passed like that?
A variable appeared in what had been proceeding far too smoothly.
No report of victory had yet arrived from the force of similar size that had been sent to the Ant Nest.
Even after sending a second unit, the result remained unchanged.
Their deliberation didn’t last long.
“Something is there. We’ll go in ourselves.”
The largest Combat Species made the decision.
“We’re moving personally over something this insignificant?”
“Why not let the follow-up unit deal with a tiny place like this?”
Sharp objections immediately followed.
The very notion that they needed to feel threatened by humans who were nothing more than prey was humiliating.
“No. We eliminate every variable completely. Now that Mary has fallen, we can no longer simply dismiss them as insignificant.”
The same Grade 2 Combat Species.
After infiltrating Running Rabbit. Mary, who had been active in numerous areas, had disappeared at some point.
Rather than missing….
It was more reasonable to assume she was dead.
Considering there had been no word from her until now, there was almost no doubt.
“Tch. Fine.”
“If that’s what you want.”
The Parasite main force headed toward the Ant Nest.
[Welcome to Pest Control. Inquiries about exterminating bugs are always welcome.]
When they saw the provocative sign, all they could do was scoff.
It was laughable how arrogant the humans had become merely from stopping a small advance force.
However, once they ventured deeper inside, things began to take a strange turn.
“Bwahaha! My axe is biting nicely!”
“Black Leopard, Snow Leopard. Tear them all apart.”
A Viking wielding an axe and a Priest commanding Summoned Beasts.
Spiders firing gleaming webs and countless traps made from razor-sharp threads filled the passages.
Right then.
-Ahem! Ahem! Can everyone hear me? I’m Kang Yohan, the Dungeon Master of this Ant Nest. First, allow me to introduce the place. The central passage is occupied by a bunch of insane Vikings, bloodthirsty Vampires, and a third-rate spy whose hobby is stowing away, so I recommend avoiding them whenever possible.
Yohan’s voice thundered throughout the entire Ant Nest.
What was the most important thing in this Defense?
Only one thing.
An overwhelming performance unlike anyone else’s.
He needed to attract the attention of various factions by showing them a scene on an entirely different level.
[Mid-sized Faction ‘Guardians of the Forest’ is watching the front line.]
[Great Faction ‘Ten Commandments(十誡)’ has expressed interest in Stronghold ‘Ant Nest’.]
Now the real game begins.