NOVEL NEXT Chapter 186
Chapter 186 – The Savior (6)
“Does that even make sense? You said you nearly wiped them out!”
“Well… they burrowed underground and made nests down there. So deep that detection became really difficult.”
Those who heard the news before it hit the media were in shock. This included the President of South Korea, who had participated in the bombing of colony-type bugs that appeared on Earth as part of the Allied Forces.
Awakened early in the morning, he was horrified to hear the urgent news, his voice cracking from sleep.
“They’re spreading their forces from underground using gates to the entire world. There are already over 100 gates reported… and more are likely to emerge.”
“What about domestic damage? Is there damage here as well?”
“We’re capturing them one by one. It’s still within our control, but…”
The secretary trailing off spoke volumes. No matter how extensive the damage, it was a loss that such an event was happening at all.
Once the gates opened and the bugs dashed out, we had to control the areas and deploy military forces to suppress them. Not only would it require resources to mobilize the army, but casualties were inevitable.
“The bugs’ gates are opening in increasingly strange places. Look at this. When they first appeared in this world, they were simply popping up everywhere.”
“Mostly in desolate areas.”
The President pondered over the data. In the initial stages, bugs emerged erratically, concentrating in quiet mountains or rural areas. It made sense; those were the places that occupied most of the country’s land.
“But it’s changing gradually. They’ve learned where is more crucial and deadly.”
The following data painted a starkly different picture. The formerly rampaging bugs, now under the control of a neural body somewhere, began to operate with strategy.
The gates were increasingly opening in the middle of crowded cities or key facilities, leading countries to lose even more lives and resources every time.
“Those terrorists.”
The President muttered softly. Bugs that had been instinctively rampaging like wild beasts now moved with a clear purpose, becoming a terrifying force that not even terrorists could hope to rival.
“It’s best to warn the citizens about this and maintain control for a few days. We need to monitor the situation.”
“I’ll convey that.”
For a moment, the President was speechless, his face stiff. He instinctively sensed a crisis and urged caution. It was the right decision, in the end.
The colony of bugs that had caused residents and users alike to pull their hair out in various worlds was finally showing its first organized movement on Earth.
While it was already known how the bugs were evolving through users, an organized, large-scale invasion like this was unprecedented.
“Impossible. They’re only attacking countries within the Allied Forces? How does that make sense? Then they must know everything about us!”
The first evidence that came to light was the bugs’ behavior, having quietly taken their bombings while sharpening their claws.
Although there were indeed factions opposing the United States-led Allies on the use of military force, the bugs made their counterattack without touching any non-ally factions.
Those who understood the implications were aghast. The bugs had become cunning enough to understand the structure and relationships of Earth’s forces and exploit them.
“So, that’s why the alarm was raised. They attempted a counterattack.”
“Yes, it’s surprising, but it’s not the first time. We’ve already seen how cunning and intelligent they are. Attacking only the countries in the Allied Forces is their signature tactic.”
“Therefore, our strength alone might not be enough. In reality, games and programs won’t work here. We need external help…”
He was chatting with Lee So-Yeon about the issue when he suddenly lifted his gaze towards the window. More specifically, he looked at the sky outside.
Both he and Lee So-Yeon were users who had fought against colony-type bugs before. In that process, they recognized how crucial the role of assisting users was, along with the active participation of residents.
The problem was that they were only considered transcendent beings in the world they inhabited and didn’t really possess any great powers. They were simply slightly special people.
“Something feels off. Am I feeling this way because I’m not a Guardian? Do the Guardians truly consider this anonymous user a god?”
It was unimaginable what kind of being governed Earth.
He never thought the user could control everything in the same way he did using games and various programs. However, based on what had happened so far, unease began to swell in his chest.
Even among Earth’s users, where information was flowing actively, there were those who failed. There was no guarantee the user who governed Earth wouldn’t be among those failures.
“Look, look! They’re firing something!”
Moreover, that wasn’t the only problem. His expression stiffened as he watched a video online. The bugs emerging from the gates looked a bit peculiar.
While he was familiar with the variant bugs that walked upright like humans, the ones on the screen now were different from those he had seen before.
“The colony bugs mimic us and grow based on that.”
If they had grown by mimicking Arin Tribe warriors wielding swords and spears while using magic, these bugs had picked up guns and cannons.
As they shot something that looked like a gun, mana formed projectiles that shattered cars and exploded.
Though police and soldiers retaliated with gunfire, the bugs generated a bluish defense barrier to block it.
Of course, the number of variants was still low enough for them not to completely overwhelm him, but he was certain that he could no longer stop them through ordinary means after witnessing this moment.
*
“It’s not just about my work finishing.”
He had been vaguely thinking this for a while, but as things started to escalate, he couldn’t help but pay thorough attention.
After all, the place he lived was different from the world where residents thrived, and even if he managed to exterminate the bugs in that world by properly nurturing the residents, he doubted he could abandon everything for it.
It was unreasonable and unjust, but reality was typically like that. So he needed to find another way.
“—, –.”
On the screen, Riena was using her skills to heal others. The Sacred Brigade had advanced right up to the enemy’s stronghold, momentarily forming ranks to rest.
While the enemies were distracted by the Sacred Brigade, their main forces were being raided from behind.
“If we annihilate them, will her, or should I say their, mission end there? What about my relationship with them?”
His thoughts grew complex. Whether good or bad, he eventually thought the situation would reach a conclusion, but the urgency of the situation made it feel far-off and obscure, so he had never examined it in detail.
However, it was a problem he needed to consider carefully. They revered him as a Guardian Deity, but he wouldn’t be able to take care of them forever.
Once the battle with the bugs concluded, he wouldn’t be able to acquire the points he was receiving anymore, nor could he extend any programs or games. It meant he wouldn’t be able to provide a breakthrough should they find themselves in danger.
That would cut off his own rewards. He could not grow stronger, dependent as he was on their growth.
In the past, it wouldn’t have mattered whether he gained traits or items, but with the resolution to protect those around him, including the munchkin giggling while watching TV, these were now precious opportunities.
“Am I being overly imaginative? The fight hasn’t even ended yet, and they seem to be at a disadvantage, but they might have tricks up their sleeves.”
He chuckled softly as he fidgeted with the mouse. It was folly to worry about what happens after not having completely annihilated the bugs.
However, once a thought took root in his mind, it lingered in a corner, ready to enflame his mood when it was forgotten.
“—.”
“They’re causing trouble too.”
And now, he had to focus not just on bugs but other issues as well.
Since the boundary the elves had established was broken, external forces had begun approaching actively, having sensed their existence.
Be they mere criminal gangs or lords governing lands, they were far too interested in the elves and their territory.
The problem was that those elves had now become complete allies who shared joys and sorrows with them. If allies were threatened and nothing was done, he would lose his justification.
Thus, he wasn’t pleased with the interest from this vast force that had formed an empire. If a conflict broke out, they would have to fight again.
“Aren’t they just simple thieves?”
As he assigned two monitors to check the boundary regions, he caught a movement and magnified the screen. It didn’t seem right for the thieves he had defeated all this time.
Uniformed and sporting high flags, they looked fishy.
“What to do?”
He hesitated over his judgment for a moment. Whether they formally sent people or not, he was eyeing them warily. But shooting them right away felt impossible on his conscience, and predicting the aftereffects was hard.
“I’ll have to move the elves to avoid showing the residents.”
Sipping coffee, he designated a separate unit led by an elf named Bala, who was among the reconnaissance teams that were blocking those trying to capture elves by evacuating nearby displaced elves.
Having awakened as a Slayer, she could use the shop window and skills, making her strength adequate. She could discern their intentions and judge what to do next.
“—! –!?”
As soon as he singled Bala out to move, they seemed startled and jumped up simultaneously from their spots.
While he had no way to offer detailed explanations, luckily they were perceptive enough to calm down and realize his influence was involved.
“Smart. They’re only transforming druids.”
He continued directing Bala, and they transformed only the druids who could turn into small animals to follow her.
They had noticed his demand for security.
“Good. Bring weapons too.”
Bala seemed to sense something as she opened the shop window, grabbing a silenced rifle in the process. Zooming in on the screen, she and the others were getting closer.
He moved her cautiously forward bit by bit, ensuring she reached them before they noticed. True to her elf nature from living in the forest, her movements were stealthy, swiftly navigating through the darkness as opposed to those holding lights boldly.
“—?”
At last, Bala spotted them first. He halted enforcing her actions there.
If she realized what he desired, that would suffice, and if not, he planned to control the mouse and guide her closer again.
A village formed on my desktop. 187th Chapter.