NOVEL NEXT Ch 12
Chapter 12
“A big force? I thought you said it was just a small squad at first.”
I don’t know. Maybe that small squad was bait or something. But it looks like their numbers are about 300.
“Three hundred?!”
Eldmir gasped.
“Then we can’t just stand here! We need to go help them, now!”
Calm down, rookie. This is exactly why you’re still inexperienced.
Atir clicked its tongue and a spark of flame appeared in front of Eldmir’s face.
Eldmir jumped back, startled, but Atir moved closer and said, you think the Sentinels got their name for no reason?
If we could be beaten by just 300 soldiers, this forest would’ve been wiped out by monsters or other races long ago.
Yeah, that’s a decent-sized force, but they’re not our real enemies. Especially not in this forest.
“…”
Atir was right. This wasn’t just any forest. This was the World Tree’s forest.
It was where El Rdarel’s blessing shined brightest and the World Tree’s grace protected everything.
To fight elves here was suicide. Eldmir knew this from his past life.
And besides, 300 wasn’t that many. It wasn’t a small number, but it wasn’t enough to be a real threat to the elves’ forest.
Eldmir calmed down and thought for a moment, then suddenly had an idea and asked…
“Then what about that small squad you mentioned? Who were they? Were they all wiped out too?”
No, they weren’t among the 300. Looks like they’re a separate strike team, operating alone.
“Dammit. So, they’re still out there, somewhere in the forest.”
Hearing that, Eldmir felt a wave of anxiety hit him.
The target was clear—those four sisters from the Beastfolk had escaped here.
But why would they risk an all-out war with the elves just to catch four people?
Eldmir kept thinking.
He had played as a goblin before, so he understood their strategies.
Why would goblins carry out such a reckless suicide mission? Why split off a small team and use 300 soldiers as bait?
Why…?
Beastfolk, royalty, the last royal bloodline.
The extinction route of the Beastfolk.
“I knew it.”
What? What are you talking about?
“They knew.” Eldmir gritted his teeth and drew his bow.
His behavior was sounding alarm bells. Another death was approaching, and he could feel it.
“They knew those girls were the last of the royal bloodline, the final descendants of Kelban and the heirs of Kelga.”
The last heirs of the War Beasts.
The goblins definitely knew what they were after.
“They’re trying to wipe out the Beastfolk for good.”
But there was something off about the goblins’ actions. Their mission wasn’t really about wiping out the Beastfolk—so why were they doing this?
No time to think too much about it. This was just one of the many stories in Omega World unfolding. There was no quick answer.
What Eldmir did know was that the goblins were doing everything they could to erase the last remnants of the Beastfolk.
“Atir, watch over those kids.”
…Tch, you feel it too?
Eldmir nodded grimly.
“You three, stay with Atir and don’t move from her side. Stay put and wait. Got it?”
“W-Where are you going…?” one of the sisters asked, voice trembling.
“Nowhere important. Just stay calm and wait.”
Eldmir gave the sisters a reassuring look and left.
Watching his back as he walked toward the battlefield, Atir muttered under its breath.
Damn stubborn fool, you better come back in one piece, or I swear…
I can feel it.
The presence of those bastards. I can vividly sense their presence, something I’d only encountered in games.
Once allies, enemies, comrades, and rivals.
We united the continent together, and I was the one who brought about their downfall.
Or maybe they were just there, never really noticing each other.
“Should I be glad to see you…?”
I grinned, showing my teeth.
It was a little bit of a show to hide my tension, but even I had to admit, this smile looked pretty well-formed.
It seemed like a perfect smile to face those war-hungry monsters without being awkward.
“Krhum.”
They exhaled with faces like monsters, skin as hard as rock.
Monsters.
Truly terrifying monsters.
“To think high-ranking bloodlines are moving in squads just for a hunt… this is such a nuisance to the forest.”
Just as the elves have High Elves, the Beastkin have War Beasts, and the goblins have War Hammers.
Each one of them is a living incarnation of battle.
And here they were, eight of them, assembled as an overwhelming force just to hunt down four Myeo-in.
“Well, once I’m strong enough in this game, these high-ranking bloodlines won’t matter at all, but right now it’s just a tutorial—damn this crazy game!”
The game balance is trash!
Why the hell did I play this?!
“Elf, ear-nose, archer. Krhum, only one.”
“…”
“If you don’t want to die, get out of the way. If you don’t, you will die.”
Their blunt, game-like speech never changes.
They’re too arrogant to even bother talking to those they don’t acknowledge.
Sure, they’ll talk freely in normal situations, but unfortunately, this is a battlefield.
I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly at the “mercy” of the War Hammer.
“Sorry, but I can’t do that. I can’t let you go.”
I tightened my grip on the bowstring.
An arrow was knocked.
Meanwhile, the War Hammers just stared at me with emotionless eyes.
Arrogant bastards.
“I swore an oath to the forest. Even though I hate the forest’s spirit, I’m an elf, so I’ve got to uphold it.”
I’d probably absorbed a bit of their mindset.
If it were just the elves’ rigid traditions, I’d have given up long ago, but there’s something about a person’s roots.
Besides, I’m not the type to swear an oath I can’t keep.
“A man should keep his word, don’t you think?”
At that, one of the War Hammers grinned.
They snorted, then casually lifted their enormous hammer.
With a whoosh, they slammed it down into the ground.
Boom!
The ground caved in.
The forest shook and screamed , birds fluttered up, leaves scattered everywhere.
The quake-like shake forced me to readjust my position.
Just one swing of a weapon and this much power…
They were truly monsters.
“So make sure we remember your name.”
In other words…
“Let’s fight.”
“One elf’s blood won’t fill our stomachs, but…”
“It’ll be a bit of fun, I suppose.”
They wanted a fun fight, huh? Damn battle-crazy minds.
I too grinned, thinking that it was the perfect smile for facing those battle-hungry monsters.
“Come at me. I’ll make sure you dance.”
“That was an insane noise!”
After the deafening sound, a strong, earthquake-like tremor passed, and Esrin screamed.
At the same time, Atir also flinched from the tremor.
“This vibration… with this kind of power and shock… It must be the War Hammers.”
Kerith muttered, her face pale.
“Yep, it’s them, alright.”
Atir floated in mid air, lost in thought.
The War Hammers, t he high-ranking bloodlines of the Orcs.
Their power compares to that of other high-ranking bloodlines, and their destructive force is particularly overwhelming even compared to other races’ high bloodlines.
Just like High Elves are unmatched in archery and spirit magic, the War Hammers are unrivaled in sheer destructive force.
And now, El Dmir was facing them in battle.
‘What should I do? I should help him, but…’
He glanced over at the beastfolk sisters.
Despite that, he couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease about Eldmir’s safety.
‘I’m worried? About that rebellious bastard?’
He chuckled inwardly at the thought, but the discomfort was filled in his chest.
Finally, he sighed and stopped hovering, landing in front of the beastfolk sisters.
“We should hurry. We don’t know when they’ll catch up.”
“Lord Eldmir is…?”
Esrin, who was about to ask about Eldmir’s safety, trailed off.
Without allowing any further questions, Atir moved forward, silent.
Ignoring the loud tremors echoing through the forest behind them, Atir and the beastfolk sisters continued on.
“…But if we keep moving like this, we’ll miss the other two, won’t we?”
Esrin cautiously asked, but Atir answered dismissively.
“Do you think an elf would get lost in the forest?”
“No, but we didn’t exactly set a specific path…”
“Don’t worry. Those who have a contract with spirits can sense each other’s presence.”
They could communicate their location and even a sense of each other’s intentions in real time.
Though detailed communication wasn’t possible, feelings and general thoughts could be shared.
“But Eldmir isn’t contracted with you, Atir.”
The beastfolk sisters had heard enough about Eldmir.
They knew from Esiria’s prideful stories and their own interactions.
They were aware of his rebellious attitude and how he was the only elf without a spirit contract.
“His contract is with me.”
Atir interrupted with a dismissive tone.
“Don’t worry about him. He’s more capable than you think. He’s a great hunter, even if he won’t admit it.”
“Really… Lord Eldmir?”
Esrin was intrigued by this new side of him.
Though his abilities were already impressive, she hadn’t known he was skilled at tracking too.
“Esrin, it’s not the time for idle chatter.”
Ershi, the second sister, scolded her quietly.
Esrin immediately shrank back, apologizing softly.
“Sorry, sister.”
“…Let’s talk when things calm down.”
Ershi, feeling a little bad, added, and Esrin quickly smiled.
Ershi sighed, shaking her head.
“So, are we really going to get god’s power back? With that?”
“We can’t be sure, but… we’ll try everything
we can if there’s even a tiny chance.”
“So… Why did you lose your god’s power in the first place? I heard you even intermarried to keep the divine bloodline, so what happened?”
“That’s…”
All four sisters’ expressions darkened.
After exchanging awkward glances, Kerith spoke up.
“It’s a simple story. We broke a taboo that means our limitations, and as a result, we angered Kelga and lost our powers.”
“Taboo? Does Beastfolk have taboos?