NOVEL NEXT Chapter 77: Encounter (1)
There was still no answer.
The first phase of the Barrier Territory Expansion seemed to be progressing smoothly, so there shouldn't be any problems in the Galactic Empire.
Or has the account’s connection been completely cut off?
That would be troublesome.
To properly secure a foothold, human and material support is needed.
Gush gush-
Silver liquid bursting out like hot spring water.
As expected, this can't be given up.
***YongYong's pupils, in the body of a young boy, split vertically.
Swoosh-It couldn’t be helped if he wanted to maintain the Polymorph while fully drawing out his abilities.
Tsupat-
YongYong's body disappeared as if teleporting.
He appeared on top of a giant Kaiju's body.
"Hyah!"
The dagger in YongYong's hand moved like a beam of light.
In a hue that was sometimes red, sometimes blue.
The attribute changed brilliantly according to YongYong's hand movements!
Slash- Slash- Slash-
The dagger that had been moving as if possessed, dancing, suddenly stopped.
Because it had already achieved its goal.
There was no need to move anymore.
Thud- Thud- Thud-
Flesh and skin fell like rain.
"Cha-hah!"
The byproducts disappeared into the magic circle YongYong summoned.
"Phew."
YongYong wiped the sweat from his forehead and immediately moved to repeat the same action.
If he's even a little late, he'll fall behind!
It was merely dismantling Kaiju that had already been caught, right? He can’t fall behind because of just this!
The Oradge had already gone far ahead long ago.
At this speed, there's no way to close the distance!
But the gap doesn't seem to be closing at all.
Ah, was being a porter this hard?
Slash slash slash-
Slash slash-
Tsupat tsupat-
Slash slash-
He ran until his feet sweated and swung the dagger until blisters formed on his palms.
It seems like the porters I've seen before were amazing guys.
In YongYong's world, there were often humans who came claiming to be Hero Parties, and among them was always a gloomy-faced porter.
Is this somewhat better compared to those guys who were always mistreated?
Even so...
-Kuaaak!
-Kieeeeek!
-Krrrrrk!
-Kuwaaak!
Kaiju swarmed endlessly.
It had been like this ever since the silver hot spring burst.
Because they're rushing in like crazy, the Oradge was busy intercepting them, and YongYong was desperately salvaging byproducts.
Is this really okay?
Bigger ones had started appearing too.
Kaiju rushed in like waves.
Sometimes they would appear from behind and pounce on YongYong.
At those times, he would cast all sorts of Debuff Magic on the monster like Grease and Slow, then alternate between Hellfire and Frozen Crystal to give them a rapid full course menu of both heat and cold.
Then, he finished with an electric sauna of Lightning Shower.
Patztztzut!
Poof- Poof-
"Kueeeeek!"
This is crazy.
How much mana went into taking down a Kaiju just the size of an Orc?
Of course, much larger ones would ambush him too, but...
Boom!
Bang-
The majesty of the Oradge, bursting them with just one throwing spear from an invisible location, took care of them.
"Ah..."
Just keep diligently picking things up.
That's the way to survive.
While he was awakening to his talent as a porter...
[Oh my? What a cute child?]
A chilling voice.
[I was just in need of some minions.]
A languid woman's voice disrupted YongYong's concentration.
"...!"
[Hmm.]
[It's not the time for playing around. If you're going to take him, quickly imprint on him, if not, kill him.]
[Why are you in such a hurry?]
Ah...
An overwhelming feeling that could be felt from the genetic level enveloped YongYong.
Dragon.
The greatest and strongest creature on earth, also called the Guardian or Regulator of the Middle Realm.
However, there was also a legend that dragons were born as proxies sent down by the gods to protect the Middle Realm.
Why was that legend coming to mind now?
[Oh my, this one's quite perceptive, isn't he?]
The woman gently patting the trembling YongYong.
[What do you think? He seems quite useful, doesn't he?]
[Hmph.]
And the man with folded arms talking to the woman.
When did they approach?
I didn't sense them at all.
YongYong was overwhelmed by the aura they emitted and couldn't move his body.
Why is my luck so bad these days?
I keep getting beaten here and there.
And there are monsters everywhere I go.
Starting from goblin-like Kaiju that can withstand Hellfire, to this woman and man here, and finally the Oradge.
[Hmm. Is his talent a bit lacking? He can't use magic properly?]
[That's because he's being suppressed by the pressure of this world. Even we are affected when moving, so he's quite decent considering that.]
[Hmm. Is that so?]
They were having a conversation he couldn't understand at all.
Just what are their identities?
[Anyway, let's take him with us. I'm also curious about what he was picking up so diligently.]
Wh-What are you saying? This isn't mine!
YongYong's mind snapped to attention at those words.
If what he had diligently picked up was his own, he wouldn't have been surprised.
Th-This is Lord Karlstein's...!
With that thought, his fear seemed to dissipate completely.
No matter how extraordinary these beings were, they were not on the same level as the Oradge.
Lord Karlstein is on a different level.
This was a fact he had directly experienced and observed with his own body.
Is that why?
Courage welled up.
After all, it was said that even the dog of a noble house tends to put on airs.
"I do recommend you withdraw before you regret it."
[Huh?]
[...?]
Still, because he's a bit scared, he used honorifics.
"I-I already have a m-master!"
For some reason, it was embarrassing to say out loud.
But YongYong was proud.
After all, among all the beings he had seen so far, there was no one like the Oradge!
The overwhelming difference in caliber of the soul that made one tremble just by encountering him!
"If you withdraw now, I shall put in a good word and let this slide!"
You must have felt it too, right?
That overwhelming presence.
If he felt it, how could these beings not?
YongYong didn't think so.
How about it? There are Kaiju everywhere anyway, so wouldn't it be better to end this nicely?
But perhaps that was only YongYong's thought.
[Haa?]
[Kekekeke!]
The man looking dumbfounded and the woman bursting into laughter.
"??"
No, guys. I'm really not joking.
You do know you are people who would go to the afterlife with just one bamboo spear from the Oradge, right...?
The woman wiped the tears from her eyes from laughing and spoke.
[Ah, it certainly was no joke.]
[I thought he was a lunatic.]
[Mhmm, that's right. He probably wouldn't even survive one-on-one, right?]
[He truly is a powerful being.]
Had they already encountered him?
Even these beings didn't deny that the Oradge was strong.
As expected of the Oradge! A majesty that even enemies can't help but praise!
Huh?
But why are they so calm?
I said my master is the Oradge, though?
Wait a moment. They encountered him and are still standing here?
The woman didn't hide her sneer as she looked at YongYong.
[But what should we do? Your so-called owner should be struggling for his life right about now?]
Huh? What did you say?
YongYong's mouth fell open.
He couldn't believe it.
No way!
The Oradge, struggling for his life?
It didn’t match up at all.
It was like the most ill-fitting combination of words in the world!
The woman grinned as she watched YongYong, who couldn't easily believe it.
[We came thoroughly prepared too, you know.]
"!!"
[It's certainly interesting that there's an intelligent being here. But we're not so free as to show mercy.]
The way they spoke didn't seem to be referring to just a few individuals. As if they had an entire force...
Flinch-
Only then did nervousness appear in YongYong's eyes.
What's going on? They came prepared? Are they saying they've been preparing to attack this place for a while? That can't be right? The Oradge didn't say anything...
All sorts of questions raced through YongYong's mind.
[But you know what?]
The woman's expression gradually hardened.
[If you're too impudent, it's not very pretty. Why don't you tone it down a bit?]
"Keuk!"
Swoosh-
An overwhelming aura enveloped YongYong. YongYong tried to dodge urgently, but his mana seemed frozen and he couldn't move an inch.
Ugh!
[Do we look like we're on a level to have a casual conversation with you? If so, that makes me a bit angry...]
The woman who had been speaking with a bright smile hardened her expression and emitted an aura, causing the atmosphere to change drastically.
Ugh!
[You're quite impudent for a lowly creature, aren't you?]
Lowly creature?
It felt strange for a dragon, who usually thought of humans as lowly creatures, to be called a lowly creature.
What...! Are they saying they're gods or something?
"K-Keut. S-Still. N-Nothing... will change."
[Hm? Still?]
"Th-The O-Oradge is... i-invincible, after all!"
[Oradge?]
[Is that his name?]
At that moment.
Swoosh-
A presence all too familiar to YongYong.
A chilling sound that tore through the air.
Boom-
It happened in an instant.
The woman's right arm flew off and was knocked away.
[Kyaaaak!]
Judging by her scream, it seemed like she survived.
Did it miss? How unusual for him to make a mistake...
But he realized it was a misconception when he noticed the man was nowhere to be seen.
Turning his head, he could see the man pinned to a giant tree by a spear.
[Kuhak!]
A deeply contorted expression.
A face panting in fear.
Thud thud-
Heavy footsteps coming from beyond the fog.
Thud thud-
"Ah. To think treasure goblins would come on their own feet."
[What did you say?!]
"I'm so grateful."
[You...]
The venomous voice of the woman whose right arm had been blown off.
On the other hand, YongYong felt like he had gained an army of thousands.
Tenggg-
Why were you so late!
Karlstein, covered in silver liquid all over his body, emerged from the fog.
"Isn't that right?"
The woman showed a very tense appearance in response.
Hey? You punk! You know? Me and Oradge Hyung-nim! Hey, do you get it? Huh? We going hunt together and stuff! Do you understand now? Huh? We eat together too! Huh? Do you still not get it? Anyway, we're like brothers!
YongYong's pride soared endlessly.