LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 171
Chapter 171 – Borderline (1)
“I sent the Guardians to attack the main base of the colony-type enemies, and they opened a gate to retreat into another area for infighting…? Is that really true?”
“Yes. The pattern of how those bastards lash out has been revealed, so it might be a good idea to prepare for similar situations in the future without panicking.”
“Ah, wait a second. Do we really have to attack the enemies first? And the fact that we got that information means someone is already doing that; why didn’t you stop it?!”
Most people still didn’t understand. Seeing that, Lee So-Yeon, who was reciting the information delivered by Jun-Young, let out a small sigh.
“Time is on the enemies’ side—whether over there or over here. As time passes, these enemies that grow without limits will outpace our forces.”
Having already confirmed her thoughts and logic through discussions with Jun-Young, she attempted to persuade those who didn’t understand her words.
“I’m the same. You all should be too. Before the enemies grow stronger, while our forces still have the time, we must make a decision.”
“Even so…”
Fear is only natural. To others, it may look like a game, but in reality, it’s a serious matter where lives are at stake.
The involved parties inevitably become cautious. They want to act as safely as possible.
Sometimes, there are those who muster what seems like courage out of sheer recklessness to venture down paths others won’t take, but most of these individuals end up disappearing from the list in a short time, becoming a catalyst for releasing bugs into the safe reality.
In such circumstances, Lee So-Yeon’s claim that they must strike the enemies was hard to agree with.
“Do you have evidence? That attacking them first can lead to eradication?”
“…I suppose the outcome will become clear soon. I believe not only our group but everyone in the world should act this way.”
That’s why people wanted clearer results. She hesitated for a moment but then nodded.
Regardless of the outcome, whether it becomes food for the fires of chaos, the moment they start acting, a result is bound to emerge.
“I can understand the hearts of those people wanting evidence. It’s hard to be certain.”
“Are you going to keep fighting?”
“Of course. We’ve had to slow down due to the necessary reorganization, but stopping here would be meaningless. All it would do is delay things and ultimately repeat what has already happened.”
After that, she secretly contacted Jun-Young to share what she had done and what he intended to do.
Knowing the enemies had fled to the Land of the Elves, Jun-Young was still determined to continue the attack. While he had significantly weakened the enemies’ main base, his resolve to eradicate them remained unchanged.
“I heard bombardments led by the Allied Forces began in Africa? They plan to blow up the nests entirely.”
“They probably want to wipe them out before they can grow strong. They haven’t even used nuclear weapons, and yet their firepower is tremendous.”
As they talked about the bugs, the conversation naturally shifted. The topic was now the full-scale deployment of armies to eliminate colony-type bugs, which had begun to surface even on Earth, generating heated news reports.
Several allied nations centered around the United States had started showering the enemies’ nests with missiles and bombs.
“The firepower is certainly incomparable.”
“What do you mean?”
“Missiles and cannons.”
After his contact with Lee So-Yeon, he stepped outside for a brief rest and bitterly smiled at the news his sister was watching.
The news was covering the ongoing bombardments in real-time. Missiles created with modern technology were powerful enough to cause significant-sized nests to evaporate in one strike.
Cluster munitions that scatter countless sub-munitions can shred every enemy swarming an area with just one round.
Moreover, the bugs were bombarding from an untraceable distance, making it impossible for them to see where the fire originated.
No matter how strong the arrows or spears made from the by-products of mutants were, they couldn’t compare to that level of devastation.
Thanks to the powerful military might, the Earth has managed to maintain its systems and civilization, even while having to confront numerous simultaneous enemies due to user defense failures and independent bugs surfacing.
“I hear a lot of people oppose it?”
“…I think those people are the biggest problem. Is it normal to protest against war when fighting monsters?”
Ironically, the greatest enemy to that overwhelming firepower wasn’t the bugs but rather fellow humans.
Countries belonging to factions opposing the Allied Forces criticized their military actions at every turn, and there were protests within their borders.
His mindset found such actions incomprehensible; he wondered if people had become infected by parasite bugs.
‘If only the Elves actively cooperated…’
He couldn’t help but take an interest in that side. He was in a similar situation himself.
To exterminate the bugs, he now had to go fight in the Land of the Elves. But if the Elves opposed him again like before, he would have to make a choice.
Wait for the Elves to face annihilation by the bugs or ignore the Elves and push forward.
‘Considering I helped save them, they shouldn’t oppose, right? Still, just in case, I should train more people like Eve.’
For now, what he could do was to foster loyal supporters among the Elves.
*
“It is the will of the Lord. Return at once. However, the scouts should go check out the enemy’s main base. There’s surely overlap in intentions with what the Lord wishes since they’re clearly trying to stall for time.”
“Understood.”
He began forcibly returning the flustered residents using mouse control and unit designation. Understanding his intentions at once, Balun immediately started withdrawing his troops.
However, to find out precisely what was going on, he dispatched scouts to the bugs’ nest.
“Let’s go!”
The scouts were composed of fast-moving Druids. Risking danger, they morphed and raced through the air in an instant. With the gradually unveiling line of sight, the capital of the Dwarf Kingdom, which they had only heard of through the Dwarves’ testimony, unfolded before their eyes.
“No way…”
They all let out a sigh in unison. What remained were only the traces left by the bugs and the devastated nature.
At that moment, they realized that the enemies had abandoned their nest and fled.
“Always showing actions that exceed imagination.”
Hearing this news, Balun sighed deeply. Their homeland and kin had been entirely sacrificed, and upon hearing that their existence had been discarded like some useless thing, the Dwarves fell into shock, deepening this sigh.
“We can’t go to the Land of the Elves right now. We also need to reorganize. Thankfully, the danger in the northern regions seems to have lessened.”
Even though they returned quickly through the portal, they were already exhausted. Especially the common soldiers needed a definite boost in stamina.
“There’s no help for it. Riena, you go first with the remaining small force. If the Elves request help, we will fight alongside them.”
“The Elves would know they are lacking in strength. But what if they refuse our help?”
“I can only wonder what the Lord, who bestowed His favor upon the Elf named Eve, would think. However, if He does not intervene, I cannot just stand by. If they make a foolish choice, I’ll have to beat it into them.”
At Riena’s words, Balun’s eyes gleamed. They had already endured much.
Having barely reduced the bugs’ forces and capturing the opportunity to end their lives, they wouldn’t let such a chance slip away with silliness.
Balun had already considered the worst-case scenario.
“Then I’ll go first to scout it out.”
Thanks to that, Riena immediately headed toward the Land of the Elves without a moment’s rest.
‘This is my duty.’
Of course, she didn’t consider it unreasonable. This was the reward for working alongside him, and it was the responsibility of the strongest warrior, known as the closest Saintess to him.
“Fortunately, it looks intact here.”
Riena crossed over into the Land of the Elves alongside Paladins and some warriors.
The place connected by the portal was the area of the Land of the Elves that belonged to the territory, where Eve’s Village was located.
This place, fortified by the Arin Tribe alongside the Elves, was, thankfully, functioning well without any major repercussions. The strong walls and defense turrets couldn’t be easily breached by mere numbers.
“I’ve come with news. The enemies we were about to attack have come here.”
“Right… we were the same. I never expected them to flock over like this.”
Meeting with Luna, Eve received a detailed explanation she hadn’t heard before. The Elves had also intended to attack the enemy colony like they had, the attack had nearly succeeded, but they had been pushed back due to a suddenly changed situation.
“It seems this place is off the enemies’ target; they haven’t shown themselves here at all. However, while our army got pushed back, those bastards are rampaging through our lands as if to fill their hungry bellies.”
Luna shared the story she had heard through communication utilizing the spirits from this place.
Legion had managed to retreat their kin safely, but that was the limit. They were not in a position to stop the bugs from rampaging to secure nutrients.
“Nevertheless, this is their last chance. We will fight together. The Elf King would agree, right?”
“Hmm… I guess we’ll have to ask him directly to find out.”
Luna hesitated, not having quite the confidence. It was because she had already heard something.
“The king has been greatly enraged since the last shocking retreat. He believes that if they had fought after preparing properly, they would have won. He is currently leading his troops to hunt down the enemies.”
“Never let your guard down. They would gladly sacrifice a few of their own to draw in far greater benefits from elsewhere. Before they regain their sanity, we need to summon our forces to push them back to their main base.”
“I agree with you, but… as a village chief on the outskirts, it may not mean much if I say that. I’ll connect you so you can speak directly with him.”
Though Riena scoffed at Legion’s actions, Luna agreed yet still had her doubts.
‘This is unsettling.’
Riena felt apprehensive seeing that. If the Elf King, who must have lost his senses after being driven away without achieving his goal, were to refuse their help, that’s when the worst scenario Balun had mentioned would come true.
“Then shall we go?”
“Perhaps if we persuade him with words, things may change. We’ll head to meet the Elf King as we are.”
Riena set out on the path to meet Legion, harboring a sense of unease.
It was fine near the fortress, but the entire surrounding area had become exceedingly dangerous due to the indiscriminate expansion and attacks by the bugs.
‘We’ve already dealt with this. Their expansion cannot be stopped with similar numbers.’
Every time she saw this, her resolve grew stronger.