Chapter 128-138
There was a time when I thought that way.
“A little manual labor? What do you mean…!”
I was completely fooled.
The distance to that fortress was at least a hundred meters.
We were tasked with constructing a temporary bridge over that expanse.
“There’s no way that’s easy!”
I glanced around.
“Huff, huff…”
“Grrk.”
The high-level soldiers, practically living machines, emitted groans as they toiled.
“Phew. Phew.”
I felt the same way.
Thank goodness my basic stats were ridiculously high; otherwise, the intensity of this labor would have driven me to give up long ago.
And it was no wonder.
“Alright, workers! Just a little more effort!”
“Next up… Let’s see. That building over there looks perfect.”
We were setting up a temporary bridge.
For that, we needed more preparations, but above all, the materials were crucial.
While we had brought some resources from our base, they were far from enough to construct the bridge.
The engineering unit came up with a surprisingly simple solution.
…Or rather, it was rather foolish.
“You just need to tear down a few buildings, right?”
Literally.
The idea was to demolish buildings to acquire the necessary materials.
“What is this, a game? Is that even feasible?”
In android tycoon games, you might dismantle a building with just a few clicks, and voilà—resources galore.
But that only works in a game, not in real life.
Dismantling a building is an enormous undertaking in itself.
What amazed me even more was when…
“…Can this really be happening?”
Thud!
A squad member swung a great sword, and an entire wall of a nearby building was cleanly sliced off.
The massive chunks that fell were gathered and carried by the team.
We were indeed gathering materials by demolishing buildings.
It was a method that seemed possible only in a game.
‘But it seems the soldiers’ abilities have reached game-like levels.’
This absurdly reckless approach was actually working.
Unbelievable.
“Gah… I’ve got it!”
“Thank you~”
We literally dismantled the building and handed the materials over to the engineering unit.
They pounded the large fragments into the desired shapes.
‘…Impressive, really.’
Now that I think about it, it had been quite a while since I observed the engineering unit at work.
The last time was during the modification of combat vehicles.
And quite a bit of time had passed since then.
The level and skill of the engineering unit had risen to a point that was incomparable to before.
The bits and pieces that came from the building were hardly in usable condition, even as a joke.
Yet the engineers swiftly got to work.
“Part 3, complete!”
“Yes! I’ll move it right away.”
With ease, the debris was transformed into components for assembling the bridge.
I had been baffled by the suggestion to demolish buildings for materials, but…
This method is actually quite effective?
“Ugh, damn it.”
Of course.
There was one problem.
“Ugh, I’m absolutely exhausted.”
“Aren’t we soldiers on the frontline?”
“Why are we doing the work of the engineers?”
Complaints came pouring in from the soldiers involved in the manual labor.
“I can’t blame them for feeling that way.”
While I had tried to foster camaraderie through cooking, that was one thing, and this was another.
“After all, we’re out of our usual scope of work.”
Even during our time in the regular military, it had been much the same.
One of the most important courtesies among soldiers was to respect each other’s responsibilities.
So, it wasn’t surprising that soldiers forced to take on extra tasks were voicing their frustrations.
But, of course.
That didn’t mean we could let the labor force take a break.
“Let’s eat first!”
The solution was simple.
After all, most complaints stem from…
[The Overflowing Passion of an Intermediate Chef: Honmaru Bone Broth]
Isn’t it just due to hunger and irritation?
“Heh heh, is that all that’s left? If we’re quick, we can whip it up in an hour.”
“One hour? Even half-asleep, I could finish that faster!”
“Yikes!!!”
Once their bellies were full, it was all over.
The frustrations that had lingered just moments ago vanished without a trace.
With renewed enthusiasm, the soldiers began working at a pace that was unlike anything we’d seen before.
When people are fed and comfortable, they can handle just about anything without getting irritated.
In my case, the presence of a tasty sauce certainly helped, but hey.
What does it really matter?
Anyway.
Thanks to the soldiers pouring their passion into their work, the results came quickly.
“It’s done!”
In less than a day’s time, the bridge connecting to the fortress was completed.
The speed was astonishing.
I began to wonder if even an awakened individual could achieve such a feat.
“Well… it’s only temporary. We didn’t have much time.”
Corporal Lee Gong-woo, who oversaw the installation of the bridge, explained.
“It’s hastily assembled, so it can’t support heavy loads. If even a heavy military vehicle tries to cross… you know what happens. Crash.”
“So, for now, only soldiers can use it?”
“Yes. We’ll use this bridge as a foundation and gradually reinforce it.”
In any case.
A small bridge connected to a fortress floating on water.
The members of my unit and I stepped onto the bridge, making our way toward the fortress.
“Oh wow, it’s shaking!”
“Don’t move too much! It might collapse!”
We precariously crossed the rickety makeshift bridge, swaying alarmingly beneath our feet.
As we approached the fortress wall.
Ding!
[The Bimana Unveils Itself]
Suddenly, a phrase appeared before my eyes.
And then—
Kuuung…
With a tremendous tremor, the walls of the fortress began to shake.
“Everyone, stand still!”
The massive fortress, not outdone by the other islands floating on the river, began to come to life. Dust swirled as the fortified walls slowly opened.
Kuuung!
At the moment the doors swung wide,
Ding!
[The mobile fortress – Bimana has been opened successfully]
[User’s summoning authority has been recognized]
[Bimana acknowledges its master]
[Congratulations!]
[This fortress now belongs to you]
[A new title is bestowed upon you]
[Title: Lord of the Bimana]
[Effects: Access to the fortress management menu]
With a new title granted, I briefly scanned the details before turning my gaze toward the massive gates.
The interior of the fortress unfolded before me in one sweeping glance.
What I saw was something unexpected—
“It was more of a fortress city.”
Surrounded by towering walls, the expansive city revealed itself.
“What are all these buildings doing, looking so dark?”
“Is it made of steel?”
After crossing the threshold of the main gate and entering the fortress, my comrades decided to explore its vast interior.
While I had once encountered this fortress within the [Shadow Veil], I barely had a moment to appreciate its features during that chaotic time.
Inside, the number of buildings was plentiful enough to be considered a small fortress city.
I approached one of the structures, placing my hand against its wall.
‘It’s so cold,’ I noted.
The dark gray building shimmered slightly, reminiscent of steel, as the soldiers had said.
However, a check with [Ingredient Identificationn (Enhanced)] confirmed it wasn’t actual steel.
‘It fits our guild’s fortress theme well.’
Our guild bore the name “Steel Legion.”
The sensation evoking steel was a pleasantly surprising coincidence.
“This building looks like it’s a dormitory!”
“There’s a storage facility too. And it’s enormous!”
This fortress, the size of a small island, housed a significant number of structures within.
“To think a place like this will truly be our stronghold.”
This was the special reward received for being the first among humans to undertake the [Occupation War].
It wasn’t just a token recognition for being the first; it came with substantial benefits.
I, too, felt an overwhelming sense of intimidation when I first laid eyes on it.
But there was something puzzling about the whole situation.
“Does it seem smaller than when I saw it through the Shadow Veil?”
When I had peeked inside the [Shadow Veil], the buildings had appeared much taller, and the fortress itself seemed far larger than it does now.
“Is it just my imagination?”
Regardless of my thoughts, the soldiers couldn’t contain their excitement and began exploring every nook and cranny.
“Min-jae-hyung.”
“Yeah?”
“Can you take care of the kids for a bit? I need to check something out.”
“Check something out? Where?”
It’s great that we finally have a spacious new base, but ultimately, our main concern remains the same:
“Can we fend off the monster wave that Taejun warned us about?”
If it’s just a wall without any defenses, it loses its purpose.
Plus, there’s something else that’s been bothering me.
To investigate that, I need to utilize the title I was given.
It’s time to activate the effects of [Lord of the Bimana].
“I think I’ll head to the stronghold management area.”
“Hmm.”
I should check out where a lord is supposed to be.
I entered a building encircled by a small moat, crossing a petite bridge to step through the open gates.
“…It’s truly magnificent.”
This place looked like it could have been home to medieval nobility.
Inside, various facilities and rooms were lined up.
While I was curious about many other areas, there was a specific place I needed to examine.
The stronghold was situated in the very heart of the fortress.
I moved toward its center, where I found a vast chamber.
[Welcome to the Command Center]
This was the center of this stronghold.
…But, honestly,
“Why did it have to be the command center?”
The Command Center.
How ironic that in this special fortress I had received, I would still be surrounded by the frustrating atmosphere of military life.
[The lord’s authority has been confirmed]
[You may now enter the fortress management mode]
In any case, what’s important is this.
Management Mode
It was time to find out if this fortress could withstand the upcoming monster wave.
[Entering Fortress Management Mode]
At that moment, a massive system message appeared before me:
[Mobile Fortress – Bimana (Lv. 1)]
[Lord – Shin Young-joon]
[External Area = 1,000,000㎡]
[Internal Area = 3,000,000㎡]
[Current Capacity = 1000]
[Durability = 99873/100000]
[…]
[…]
“Is this like a status window?”
It resembled the status screens that Awakened individuals access to see their own conditions, displaying the state of the fortress.
However, a few details caught my attention.
First and foremost:
“……Why is the internal area larger than the external area?”
Three times larger, no less.
The status window couldn’t be lying.
This fortress was significantly bigger on the inside than it appeared from the outside.
‘What happened to the laws of physics?’
Well, from my perspective, a larger internal area was a good thing. I could let that one slide.
The next detail that piqued my curiosity was the singular number attached to the fortress’s name:
[Lv. 1]
“……I see. It does look smaller than what I saw within the shadow veil.”
It was oddly reminiscent of an awakened being’s status screen. It turned out it had a level just like them.
“The fortress I saw within the barrier was at a higher level.”
I hadn’t been in a clear state of mind back then, so my memory might not be precise, but I distinctly remembered seeing the words “Lv. Max” quite often.
The Shadow Veil was a realm of imagination.
Reality and imagination—this fortress, Bimana, had also been manifested in a state where its potential was entirely unlocked.
It was somewhat disappointing, yet there was no harm done.
‘If I level it up, it will take on the form I saw within the barrier.’
The real issue was that I had no idea how to increase this level.
As I continued to examine the fortress’s status screen, I noticed a button at the bottom.
[Switch to Administrator View]
I was curious about what it meant to have a “manager’s perspective.”
Without a second thought, I reached out my hand toward it.
“…!?”
I had just been in the command center a moment ago, but suddenly my point of view shifted to a much higher location.
Peering down, I saw a fortress brimming with dark gray buildings.
“What does it mean to have a manager’s perspective?”
Did it imply that I could look down at this fortress from the air?
The sudden change in my vantage point was a bit unsettling. Yet, as time passed, the aerial view began to feel strangely familiar.
“It’s like a strategic mobile game.”
You know the type—the kind where you manage and develop a territory. During my college days, I had dabbled in a few of them as a hobby. But once the microtransactions became overwhelming, I promptly quit.
Still, this perspective resembled the ones in such games, offering a bird’s-eye view of a developing territory. I could even see soldiers bustling around the fortress, seemingly full of excitement.
“Hmm?”
However, looking down from above revealed something unexpected.
“Why are there so many empty spaces?”
While there were numerous established buildings, from the air, it was apparent that far too many plots of land were still vacant.
When I had viewed the fortress from within the [Shadow Veil], there hadn’t seemed to be any such open areas.
[Building Site]
[You can construct the building of your choice there]
In that moment of focus, words appeared before me, beckoning my attention.
[Please select a building you wish to construct]
[Training Grounds]
[Smithy]
[Research Institute]
[Barracks]
[Prison]
“….”
It was evident that this fortress wasn’t completed yet.
“I have to build the structures myself?”
In that case, this was going to be tricky. The monster waves could attack us at any moment, and if I’d had the luxury of time to build structures, I wouldn’t have resorted to summoning the fortress on this river as a desperate gamble.
To complicate matters further:
[Warning!]
[Special points are required to construct buildings]
I wasn’t entirely sure about all of this, but it seemed that just having engineers wasn’t enough to ensure construction would happen smoothly.
“Tsk.”
As I scanned the list of buildings I could construct, a few names caught my attention.
There were some that sounded reasonably impressive.
For instance, a blacksmith might be appreciated by the guild members.
A prison… well, let’s hope we never have to use it, but who knows what might happen.
However, as I perused the list, one building name suddenly stood out to me.
[Restaurant]
“…Right. This was here.”
The moment I saw that name, my hand began to move before I even realized it.
[Would you like to construct a Restaurant?]
[Y/N]
When I finally snapped back to reality, my finger was already hovering over the YES button.
‘Oh no!’
What we needed right now were facilities that could help us fend off the monster wave.
Even though the Restaurant’s capabilities had been verified, I wasn’t sure if it could withstand those monstrous onslaughts.
‘Not to mention, I heard it would cost points…!’
Damn it.
But what could I do? My profession was a cook, and how could I resist building a restaurant?
“C-cancel button….”
[Construction of the Restaurant is starting.]
[Cost – Occupation Points: 1000]
“….”
I frantically searched for a way to cancel, but no such option existed.
As the message confirmed the start of construction, the points were deducted.
…But then I noticed something.
“Hmm?”
The points spent on construction seemed oddly familiar.
Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freewebnσvel.cøm.
[Occupation Points]
“Wait. So this is where they are used?”
Occupation Points were different from the regular points earned by defeating monsters.
True to their name, these points were earned by occupying and maintaining control over specific areas.
The larger the area and the longer it was held, the more points would be rewarded.
And now I realized that the required points for building were, in fact, Occupation Points.
“…Heh heh.”
Our guild’s territories included the [Mountain Range] and [Small Town (3)], and just a few hours ago, we had also expanded to a [Large City (2)].
Especially in the case of the [Mountain Range].
It had been a while since we established our control there.
During that time, our Occupation Points had steadily accumulated.
With no clue as to how these points might be used, I finally felt a glimmer of hope.
I had simply watched as things piled up around me.
“I stopped playing mobile games because I was tired of the constant in-game purchases,” I reflected.
Those were my college days, when I barely had enough money to survive.
I had to quit gaming because I couldn’t even afford to build a single structure in the game.
But here, it was a different story.
“Building a structure costs 1,000 points,” I noted.
At first glance, that seemed like quite a sum.
It was hard to suppress a laugh.
After all, what were we discussing here?
Occupation Points?
I checked my balance.
[Occupation Points: 21,873]
“That’s more than enough!”
After confirming that my points were overflowing, I selected every building that seemed useful.
Messages about building construction filled my screen.
“Will there still be points left after this?”
Considering how long we’d maintained control over our territory, I figured I could afford to be generous. Despite choosing everything I found useful, I still had about half of my points left.
“I do wish I had something like a [Self-Defense System], though.”
It seemed that there were indeed buildings that could only be unlocked after leveling up the fortress.
It was strange to think that even though it was called a [Mobile Fortress], there weren’t any visible facilities related to that name.
Leveling up the fortress must be the key to unlocking those features.
There was still something that caught my attention, though.
[One Engineer is drafted.]
What did that mean? I wondered as I gazed down at the surface.
Excited soldiers were milling about, enthralled by the fortress’s appearance.
Suddenly, a few of them came to an abrupt halt.
They stood frozen, staring blankly into the air.
“Did a system message just show up?”
The scene was all too familiar for those who had awakened to their powers.
Poh poh poh…
It seemed as though they were reading messages that had appeared in the air.
There were those bustling around, darting off somewhere.
Though their faces were hidden, they were likely the engineers—those who had honed their skills to shape the world around them.
With a hint of a smile, I thought, “They actually look kind of cute from this angle.”
Up close, they were simply middle-aged men with shaggy leg hair.
Having reached the open space, they began to work on something.
[Building a restaurant…]
[Estimated Time – 3 Hours]
[Bonuses will be granted based on the abilities of the engineers deployed]
“Hm.”
As expected.
It wasn’t as simple as just wishing a building into existence.
Constructing a building in this fortress required workers skilled in engineering.
And based on these workers’ abilities, they would receive bonuses.
That left me with one clear duty.
“I suppose I should prepare some refreshments.”
The construction would take three hours—a sufficient amount of time to cook and bring something for them.
“Refreshing snacks…!?”
“Thank you so much!”
I moved around the various construction sites, delivering the food I had prepared with care.
There was a downside to this; while they were eating, no construction would take place.
But that was only a temporary setback.
[Burning Passion -]
“Wooooooo!!!”
The engineers, fueled by the food, dove into their work with renewed fervor.
As a result,
[Restaurant Lv.1 has been completed!]
[No, is this!?]
[The workers’ passion and talent shine!]
[The level of the completed restaurant increases]
[Restaurant Lv.2]
“…Oh.”
And just like that, all the buildings were completed at Level 2.
After gaining a rough understanding of the fortress, I found myself seated in the massive meeting room on the second floor.
“You’ve constructed buildings without even consulting the team,” one of the members remarked.
“Hehe. I got a little too excited when I saw the word ‘restaurant.’”
“…Well done.”
Min-jae hyung, who had decided to lead the meeting, said this with a nod.
“Thanks to the fortress’s establishment, our defenses have become significantly more robust. In particular…”
His gaze shifted to the window, resting on the walls of the fortress.
[Cannon Tower 1 (Lv.2)]
[Cannon Tower 2 (Lv.2)]
[Cannon Tower 3 (Lv.2)]
Towering atop the city walls, enormous cannons stood ready.
“Such defensive structures will certainly prove useful,” I mused.
I had already utilized every available point to erect the necessary defenses.
It was a bit surprising to realize that the fortress wasn’t fully completed, but in the end, I figured it wouldn’t make much of a difference.
The tanks from the artillery battalion were also on their way over this way.
In terms of defenses, we were more than adequately equipped.
However…
Would that be sufficient? The answer was a clear no.
“We’re a bit short on personnel,” I sighed.
The number of troops stationed in Chuncheon was just over 200.
“Speaking of which, some of the awakened inhabitants of the city have expressed their willingness to cooperate,” one of the officers mentioned.
Despite their eagerness, the awakened individuals in the city still had an overall low average level and skill.
We had already issued warnings about the enemy’s strength and numbers.
Most of the still-developing awakened were expected to choose evacuation when the time came.
“Seeing the summoned fortress must have inspired some confidence in them.”
Even I had been taken aback by the fortress’s grandeur.
Several individuals had reached out, proposing to assist with the defense, provided we offered a few minor concessions.
Most of those concessions would likely be met with combat provisions.
Since we had nothing to lose, I decided to accept their help.
“It’s not a bad arrangement, but… hmmm.”
Ultimately, it still wasn’t enough.
Regardless of their enthusiasm, the fact remained: the city’s awakened individuals were simply too weak.
“What we need right now is not such fragile forces.”
We required elite troops.
At the very least, we needed a strength equivalent to the youngest members of our unit.
“Hey, Sergeant Shin?”
“Where are you going?”
As the other officers began their meeting on defensive operations, I stood up and replied with a grin.
“You all are the ones who strategize far better than I do.”
Those involved in combat inherently possessed a higher acumen for fighting strategies.
Furthermore, with Lieutenant Kim—an awakened [Commander]—in the mix, my role in devising detailed tactics was unnecessary.
“I’ll stick to my own responsibilities.”
Right now, my job wasn’t to sit in a conference room and listen to discussions.
I exited the meeting room and made my way down the stairs of the inner fortress.
If there’s no other way, would you like me to lend a hand?
From the shadows, Ariella’s voice reached me.
Expanding the number of vampires, huh.
‘It’s not a bad idea, at least.’
She had recently ascended to the rank of baroness.
This had significantly reduced the time required to expand her retinue.
While the enemy could strike at any moment, if all went well, she could potentially summon at least 100 new vampires.
The average power of those vampires would likely be slightly stronger than before, too.
There were certain limitations, of course.
But aside from those, they’d be far more potent than ordinary awakened individuals.
“No, you can only maintain a retinue of 100.”
To sustain her vampires, she needed to feed them blood.
Though I can currently manage the effects of monster blood to some extent, I can’t help but wonder when the numbers will grow and reach a point beyond my control.
Moreover, most vampires are created by ‘recycling’ criminals like plunderers.
“This city doesn’t really have that many criminals, does it?”
“That’s true. With this reinforcement, we can practically say the supply has run dry. There aren’t many monsters left that can be turned into followers.”
At least in this city, those who have awakened must be cautious not to draw attention from our unit. There are hardly any individuals bold enough to commit crimes near our base.
While it’s possible that awakened individuals who left this area turned into raiders, there simply aren’t many suitable candidates to be recycled nearby.
“Do we have to limit ourselves to criminals? If needed, we could even convert slightly weaker humans into followers, and it could be efficient…”
“Do you want to starve?”
“.…”
Becoming a vampire is, in fact, a punishment worse than death. I have no intention of turning innocent people into vampires.
“Then what will you do? It’s not like there’s a method available.”
“There’s… a way, albeit not a very certain one.”
“Huh?”
“The problem is I’m not very sure about this method.”
As I pondered this, my thoughts drifted to the buildings constructed within the fortress.
Among them stood one that caught my eye:
[Barracks Lv.2]
In military terms, barracks simply refer to the buildings where soldiers reside. However, the laws of this world have shifted to resemble a game in many ways, and in that context, the term “barracks” has a specific implication:
“A facility for summoning troops.”
Stepping out of the conference room, I made my way towards the barracks.
When I previously handed out refreshments to the soldiers during construction, I had briefly visited the barracks. My impression at the time had been simple:
“Is this really what a barracks looks like?”
Clunk, clunk…
My destination was none other than the inner fortress’s basement.
Specifically, the basement’s first floor, which could be considered the heart of the stronghold.
There, a small altar had been erected.
[Barracks Lv.2]
This altar was, in fact, the barracks.
At the center of the altar sat a large basin, intended for placing offerings or something similar.
The altar was constructed around this basin, and behind it loomed a large door adorned with bizarre patterns.
I had spoken to the engineers who built this facility, but they merely followed the blueprints that came to mind without knowing the significance or reason behind this shape.
“It feels less like a barracks and more like… I don’t know how to put it.”
An altar for summoning demons.
Well, that was the vibe I was getting.
Anyway, I stepped toward the elegantly patterned vessel at the center of the altar.
[Barracks (Level 2) is now active]
Suddenly, a message appeared before my eyes.
[You can now summon soldiers bound to the fortress]
[Currently bound soldiers: 0/200]
[The summoning of soldiers is currently halted]
[Please register the necessary medium for summoning.]
Upon reading the last line, I couldn’t help but furrow my brow.
“Do I really need a medium?”
What in the world is a medium, in the first place? If the facilities were built with any sense of fairness, shouldn’t soldiers come free of charge?
“There can’t possibly be such a thing…”
As I muttered in disbelief, a new message came through.
[A medium usable for summoning has been detected: 1]
[Dragon’s Tooth]
“…really?”
There it was—a medium available for summoning.
‘Dragon’s Tooth.’
It’s been quite a while since I had it.
It was a reward I’d received around the same time as the Bimana.
“I remember… when I first created a guild as a human.”
This was the reward for founding the very first guild.
Naturally, I had tried various things to utilize it.
I had even handed it over to old man Park once, but he failed to process it.
It seemed like too high-quality of a material for him to work with, so I’d never touched it since.
‘Just looking at the achievements, it’s an item that can be compared to the Bimana regardless of its rarity.’
After all, I had never used it before.
I placed the Dragon’s Tooth on the altar.
[Would you like to use the medium – ‘Dragon’s Tooth’?]
[Summoning troops – Dragonkin Soldiers x10]
[Dragonkin Soldier]
[They are draconic beings endowed with formidable strength and unparalleled greed]
[These soldiers were created to guard their treasure hoards]
[Crafted from the mighty Dragon’s Tooth, Dragonkin Soldiers are the ultimate guardians, possessing enough power for dragons to entrust their treasures to them]
[Born to protect treasure hoards, these soldiers excel in defensive combat]
[Dragonkin Soldiers never feel tired]
[They will fulfill their duties until they are destroyed]
“…Whoa.”
Though the description of the Dragonkin Soldier wasn’t long, there was no doubt about their impressive strength.
These powerful beings forged from the Dragon’s Tooth were indeed top-tier guardians.
Given the achievements alone, the Dragon’s Tooth was certainly an item worthy of comparison to the Bimana.
Those ten Dragonkin Soldiers would constitute a force that could rival this vast fortress.
“Still, it’s a bit disappointing.”
I understood that they were a strong force, but there was just one drawback.
[Warning!]
The medium used for the summoning immediately disappears.
“Was this a one-time use item?”
When summoning ten dragon hatchlings with a [Dragon’s Tooth], that precious item vanishes without a trace.
“No matter how powerful the effect, can it really be that it only summons ten?”
But then again, the claim of strength came solely from the system message.
I had yet to witness their actual power.
Ten dragon hatchlings.
If even half of them were to fall during this monster wave, the loss would be indescribable.
“Ugh, that’s just too wasteful.”
Still, as I tried to brainstorm alternative solutions, nothing practical came to mind no matter how hard I wracked my brain.
“It can’t be helped.”
I could only hope these ten would turn out to be formidable creatures, that they would survive and serve me well for a long time.
Just as I was about to drop the tooth into the bowl, someone called out to me.
“Sergeant Shin! Are you here?”
“Huh?”
Someone came down the stairs of the base to speak with me.
“Gwang-il? What brings you here?”
It was Corporal Jeon Gwang-il.
He should have been in the middle of a meeting, so what was he doing here?
“Haha. I just finished the meeting and came to report back on the results.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t mind if you reported later.”
“That doesn’t make sense, Sergeant Shin, you’re our captain… um?”
His gaze shifted to the item I was holding.
“What do you have there?”
“Oh, this? It’s an item I acquired a while back—”
“It looks like a bone. Are you planning to cook something with it? Is that bowl a pot or something?”
“….”
The dragon’s tooth.
At first glance, the ivory-colored tooth could easily be mistaken for a bone.
I suppose the misunderstanding was understandable.
“That’s not it. I’m using this to… um?”
Wait a minute.
A bone?
‘…It does resemble one quite a bit.’
Teeth.
And bones.
I had once heard in passing that the composition of teeth and bones is surprisingly similar. There are various reasons why they aren’t classified as the same, but fundamentally they are closely related concepts.
And if it is a bone…
“Gwang-il.”
“Yes?”
“Are you a genius?”
“……???”
Corporal Jeon Gwang-il looked baffled.
I left him behind and made my way up the stairs, heading outside the fort.
“Sergeant Shin! You have to receive a report first…!”
“Later!”
I could hear Gwang-il mumbling something as I walked away, but I was certain of one thing.
Whatever he was chattering about was completely insignificant compared to what I was about to do.
Once I stepped outside the fort, my first stop was, of course, the dining hall.
[Restaurant (Lv.2) is now active]
[Chef’s proficiency bonuses will be applied]
[Bonus will be added to the dished you will prepare]
It was the dining hall.
It was the kind of facility that made me want to slam the construction button the moment I saw it.
I’d already been here once before, so I was familiar with its layout.
Inside, I remarked, “It looks just like a complete kitchen.”
The dining hall, built inside a grand fortress, resembled an ordinary military kitchen more than anything else.
After all, even high-end restaurant kitchens often look very much like school cafeterias at a glance.
“Well, that’s not too important.”
My attention briefly wandered to the various cooking tools scattered around, but I tried not to get distracted.
I headed straight for the enormous cauldron.
It was big enough to cook soup for at least a hundred people.
“Here we go.”
I poured in a large amount of water.
The components of teeth and bones are remarkably similar.
And for bones of this size…
“This is just perfect for making soup.”
Though I expected the broth might turn out a little weak… well, isn’t that just typical for military cooking?
Chapter 132: The Draconic Army (2)
In this fallen world, things had become quite unreasonable.
However, the difficulty of a task was always proportional to its rewards.
Dragon tooth.
From the achievement description when I obtained them, it seemed unlikely they were mere trash items.
The ten summonable Dragon Soldiers I could conjure using these teeth would likely be fairly powerful.
But…
“There’s just not enough.”
Only summoning ten of them was rather disappointing.
If even one fell in battle, I would incur irreparable losses.
And… this is a different matter altogether.
Sometimes, these kinds of situations occurred in the military.
“Due to the mishap of the responsible soldier, the required ingredients turn out to be insufficient.”
It’s obvious that having a shortage of ingredients would be a problem.
The ability to think on your feet and resolve such situations is what defines the skill of a field cook.
“Use fewer ingredients. Add more water.”
The result might end up being a bit bland, but what can you do? In the military, it’s always been about quantity over quality. Even if the taste lacks, a field cook has mastered the art of making sure there’s enough to fill you up.
With a pot brimming with water, I placed my hand, gripping the [Dragon’s Tooth], over it.
Then, suddenly—
[Warning!]
[This is a high-quality ingredient]
[The chef’s skills are not up to par with the ingredient]
[The chance of failure is very high if cooking is attempted]
“I’ve seen this line somewhere before.”
While I’ve gained some confidence in my culinary skills, I’m still only considered an [Intermediate Cook]. Handling ingredients of this caliber is a tall order for me.
But this is undeniably a [Restaurant].
[Level 2 Restaurant]
[The chef’s skill level receives a bonus adjustment]
I remembered the time in the ammunition battalion when Grandpa Park and the engineers mentioned that building a [Workshop] would provide bonuses to both their work and products.
“They said that their makeshift workshop was merely a temporary setup, not a proper one.”
What they referred to as a proper facility—could it be that it signifies a structure established by spending occupation points? Similar to how other production roles gain bonuses through their workshops, if I leverage the support of this restaurant, my cooking skills would see a significant improvement.
[Bonus adjustment of Restaurant Level 2 has been applied]
[You can now challenge high-quality ingredients]
Just like that—
[Warning!]
[This is a rare catalyst]
[If consumed as a cooking ingredient, it cannot be recovered]
[Would you like to use it?]
I chuckled softly. “In the past, I might have hesitated to lay my hands on something like this.”
A material that looks impressive yet is destined for cooking? I would have gasped in disbelief and withdrawn my hand back then. But that’s no longer the case.
“I’ve come to realize that the potential inherent in cooking is far greater than I once thought.”
Having confirmed this through recent experiences, there was no reason to hesitate any longer.
Plop.
I tossed the Dragon’s Tooth into the boiling water.
“Hmm. This alone might not be enough.”
Making a proper bone broth is not just about throwing in some bones and letting it simmer. Sure, in the army, opening a can was all we had to do. But if you want to craft it right, you’ll need a whole array of herbs to eliminate unwanted odors and enhance the flavors.
herbs.
“…Isn’t there something decent?”
I opened the shadow and pulled out a box from within.
Not long ago, when I was leaving the ammunition battalion, the farmer Awakened, Cheol-wook, had handed me this box.
Inside it were:
[Curslack Root]
[Ladyol Leaf]
Various plants with names I had never seen before.
The box was filled with ingredients from another realm, infused with magical energy.
“I had been saving these for an important moment.”
I never expected I would need them this soon.
[Ingredient Identification (Enhanced)]
[Ladyol Leaf]
[Freshness – Good]
[A polarizing ingredient with a distinctive aroma]
[Its use in cooking by itself is rare; most often, it’s employed to eliminate unpleasant odors or used as a side in other dishes… ]
[It boosts the magical properties of other ingredients and is often regarded as a healthy ingredient… ]
I carefully selected only those that seemed suitable for my dish, washed them thoroughly, and prepared them before adding them to the pot.
“…Phew!”
Now all that remained was to wait.
I watched as bubbles rose, skimming off the foam at intervals to ensure the broth brewed perfectly.
And then…
[The dish is complete!]
[Successfully cooked a high-quality ingredient beyond the chef’s skill level]
[Acquired Experience points ]
With the finished dish in hand, I made my way towards the [Barracks].
An altar that did not live up to its name.
I placed the completed dish atop the bowl in its center.
A gently shimmering, ivory-hued liquid.
[Intermediate Chef’s Dragon Tooth Soup]
[A broth made by simmering the teeth of a dragon]
[The dragon’s magic has been deeply infused within the soup, and the quality of the magic has significantly increased thanks to various herbs]
The completed dish was quite a remarkable creation.
It wasn’t the issue of taste but rather its intended purpose.
If consumed, it would undoubtedly provide an incredible buff.
The problem was…
“There’s only one bowl.”
Ideally, the quantity should have been larger according to my original plan.
Yet, just before the dish was done, the abundant water had suddenly evaporated, reducing it to only this single serving.
“It’s a perplexing phenomenon… but does it really matter?”
Both my [Cooking] and the ingredient [Dragon Tooth] were still shrouded in mysteries.
Even if something difficult to understand were to happen, I had no choice but to accept it as it was.
One thing remained important.
Would this dish, now transformed through cooking, still function as a summoning medium…?
I cautiously approached the altar, holding the dish in my hand.
With that,
[The medium has been confirmed]
[Dragon Tooth Soup]
[Summoned troops – 200 Lava Dragonlings]
“Phew!”
It seems like I’ve maneuvered past the most critical part smoothly.
If my cooking had ended up being unsuitable as a medium, all my efforts would have been for nothing.
“The numbers have increased twentyfold, but it looks like their combat power has dropped a bit.”
Previously, I could summon 10 Dragonkin using the [Dragon’s Tooth].
Now, thanks to my cooking, I can summon 200 Lava Dragonlings.
[Barracks Lv. 2]
[Troops: 0/200]
With 200 of them, I’ve precisely hit the maximum capacity that a Level 2 barracks can sustain.
In that sense, I’ve achieved my goal of increasing the troop numbers.
“Although it is a bit disappointing that the quality has dropped.”
Even so, summoning them like this should still provide a formidable fighting force.
However,
“From 10 Dragonkin to 200 Lava Dragonlings…”
It’s just an increase in numbers.
The overall strength is likely to remain largely unchanged.
Considering the herbs used in the recipe, they might even be slightly stronger, but…
Smirking, I placed my hand lightly on the dish.
And murmured softly.
The true reason I chose to cook this particular tooth was…
Exactly this:
“Five Loaves and Two Fish.”
[Skill – Five Loaves and Two Fish]
[Do you know the miraculous tale of feeding thousands with five loaves and two fish?]
[Now, this is no longer a miracle, but your reality]
The ability to replicate the completed dish.
Of course, it wasn’t as easy as it sounded.
[This is a high rank dish!]
[Skill activation has been canceled]
I encountered the same message last time, when I cooked the Pope of Dasmur during the dungeon raid.
It seems that dishes of excessively high rank cannot be replicated.
But there was one significant difference this time.
“If it’s not possible then I’ll make it happen.”
A power to turn the impossible into reality.
It was filled with sheer determination… a cheat.
Or perhaps it was a core ability.
[Conditions have been fulfilled]
[Divine Power: 2]
[With a Divine Power of ‘2,’ you can make the impossible possible]
The instincts of a chef were asserting themselves.
This task would have likely been impossible with just a Divine Power of 1.
However, at this moment, my supernatural ability has reached level two while transforming Lee Hyun-jin into a human.
[Skill activation will resume]
[Please select the amount to copy]
This level of impossibility can be transformed into possibility.
“As long as my divine power and mana allow it, to the maximum extent.”
[Current effect of the applied dish: Level 4]
I prepared extensively for this moment by consuming numerous dishes that enhance my magic energy in advance.
[Skill activation in progress]
Five pieces of bread.
Two fish.
With these, I’m creating a miracle that could feed thousands.
A miracle worthy of myth is about to unfold right before my eyes.
I can feel the magic energy inside me rapidly draining.
I tipped the dish I was holding into the bowl in front of the altar.
A grand, antique bowl stood at the center of the altar, gradually filling with a luminescent liquid of a golden hue.
The golden liquid flowed endlessly, filling the bowl at the altar that accepted it all.
Even when it seemed the bowl should overflow from the sheer volume, it contained everything without spilling a drop.
“Cough cough.”
[Warning!]
[Magic Energy consumption is extreme!]
[Status effect: Magic Energy depletion]
As my mana completely drained away, the flow of the golden liquid that had been pouring stopped naturally.
[Barracks Level: 2]
[Production of the Lava Dragonlings has begun]
[Time required per unit: 3 hours]
[Calculating time for the production of the waiting troops…]
[Calculating…]
From behind the altar in the barracks, a massive door stood ominously.
Light streamed through the narrow gap within the door.
[Calculation complete]
[Unquantifiable]
Finally, one by one, armored figures began to emerge through the open door, until—
Clank.
They knelt before me.
[Barracks Level: 2]
[1/200]
“With this…”
I was ready.
As the anticipated monster wave approached, the city began its preparations for war.
“This equipment is provided temporarily.”
“Wow…”
Before them stood a massive fortress that had suddenly appeared in the middle of the river.
A significant number of awakened individuals had gathered there.
They weren’t just soldiers from the Steel Legion.
“These are civilian collaborators.”
These were individuals who had volunteered to assist the Legion in their defensive operations.
Among them were some who had previously fought alongside the Legion against the sea creatures during the dungeon exploration.
“Although this supply is only temporary, I assure you that once the war concludes, there will be plenty of spoils to satisfy everyone.”
These were the individuals who had chosen to support the Legion.
From the Legion’s perspective, it was crucial not to overlook the friendly awakened individuals. They had promised generous rewards for their contributions once the battle was over; however, if they fell in combat, that promise would mean nothing.
The Legion contacted a distant ammunition battalion base, quickly deciding to mass-produce equipment for temporary leasing.
“Your class is a swordsman, correct? Here you go.”
“Oh, yes.”
When they first announced the equipment would be available for leasing, the awakening individuals shrugged it off. But as soon as they held the equipment in their hands, they were astonished.
“What is this?”
“This raises my stats just by wearing it?”
The eyes of the awakened widened in surprise.
“Is this an item?”
“I’ve seen products sold by production-class awakened individuals before. They had some effect, sure, but they were so underwhelming that I didn’t feel it was worth using precious combat rations to buy them. But this…”
“It’s on a whole different level.”
The items crafted by the Legion’s production-class awakened were clearly of a far superior quality compared to what they had previously experienced, although they were still inferior to the standard supplies distributed among the troops.
“This explains why the soldiers are so strong!”
“They must be wearing equipment like this, right? It makes sense now.”
The group was just stepping out of the dungeon and beginning their leveling journey, and for them, this was akin to discovering top-tier goods.
“The supplied equipment is designed to raise the absolute value of your stats. Those with lower levels will feel the effects much more significantly.”
“Oooh…”
The items had been mass-produced specifically for lower-level awakened individuals. Rather than a percentage increase, these provided a boost to their absolute values.
For someone at a lower level, it would feel as if their stats had nearly doubled.
“But what about that monster wave?”
“Hmm?”
“It is genuinely coming, right?”
At that moment, one of the survivors voiced a concern.
“It will, right? That’s why we’re preparing like this, isn’t it?”
“That’s true. But if we establish this formation and hold our ground, wouldn’t those monsters just avoid us? They’re not fools. Is there really a reason for them to attack a fortified enemy?”
One of the soldiers distributing the supplies glanced at the awakened individuals.
He let out a small sigh before speaking.
“They will come as long as we are here to defend this position.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“If they ignore us and pass by, they risk being ambushed from behind.”
While the term “monster wave” was used lightly, as Sergeant Park Taejun had suggested, they were dealing with an army of monsters.
“They will have to pass through this city if they want to advance. If they choose to bypass us, it might actually work to our advantage.”
It seemed they were determined to carry out their [Invasion] aggressively.
However, in other regions, different monsters had already taken root.
No matter how numerous or powerful they might be, occupying the city by pushing through an overwhelming horde of monsters was anything but easy.
“If they decide to bypass us and target another city first, we can strike them from behind,” one soldier suggested.
“Oh—”
“That’s precisely why we’re fighting to hold this city. If we retreat, they’ll gain free rein over a larger area. The humans in that expanded territory will likely struggle to survive.”
“Wait, so the reason for holding this position is…”
“That’s because it minimizes the suffering of the people. The commander’s assessment was that even if we face total annihilation, we must hold our ground here.”
At the soldier’s words, the expressions of the listeners subtly shifted.
Civilization had collapsed, and countless lives had been lost.
The world now resembled a wilderness.
It was a realm where the strong naturally preyed on the weak.
For those with immense power, it wouldn’t be unusual to enslave others.
Any force capable of stopping them certainly didn’t exist nearby.
But…
‘To defend the area in order to reduce the suffering of others…’
According to that statement, these soldiers were still pursuing their goal as protectors…
Their objective was to safeguard humanity.
Truth be told, the Legion’s perspective deemed that having more surviving humans would also benefit its own survival.
However, the awakened individuals present here found it difficult to think in such a way.
From the perspective of the awakened, these soldiers…
Truly appeared devoted to their duty as soldiers.
Although they had the power to dominate others, they remained steadfast in their obligations.
Understanding the reasons behind their loyalty was challenging, but one thing was certain.
We knew why they had been able to survive until now.
And while it was still uncertain, if they managed to endure in the future, we would understand that reason too.
“…I suppose I should thank their commander.”
It was clear that it was thanks to the judgment of the commander that they were able to protect this territory.
“I can’t believe they could do something like that.”
Creating a passage over the river was a different level of ingenuity compared to the makeshift bridge put up when the enemy approached the fortress.
To think they could actually create solid ground to walk on above the river.
-CAAAAAAK!!!
As a path emerged in the middle of the river, the monsters excitedly charged across it.
The natural moat that had protected the fortress lost its significance.
KUUUUNG!!!
The monsters weren’t the only ones to take advantage of the new route.
The siege weapons they brought began hammering on the fortress gate.
In the distance, a catapult took aim at the towers above the walls.
“Continue the bombardment!”
In response, our forces kept pouring fire towards them, but the “war cry” of the enemy still echoed strong.
It seemed unlikely that we could prevent that gate from opening.
“They did something remarkable.”
Building a road over the river was truly unthinkable.
However, I wasn’t entirely flustered.
“I just didn’t imagine they could create a path over the river.”
I had contemplated what would happen if that fortress gate fell.
I was prepared for any eventuality.
KWA-AAAAAANG!!!
[Alert!]
[The South Gate Lv.2 has been destroyed.]
The relentless attacks from the siege weapons finally brought down the gate protecting the fortress.
“The… the gate has been breached!”
“Dammit. What now—”
I could see the confusion spread among the awakened defenders of the city.
I understood their anxiety.
In a typical siege, the moment a gate is breached usually heralds a dark fate for the defenders.
But that wasn’t the case here.
Just as the enemy’s strategy was anything but ordinary,
so too was ours.
The fortress might have been breached, but we weren’t simply going to surrender without a fight.
-KAHA-AAAAK!
The monsters howled in excitement as they charged toward the shattered gate.
Yet, the thrilling slaughter they craved did not come to pass.
-KA…K?
As they rushed through the crumbled gate, from inside emerged…
Clatter…
[Lava Dragonlings]
Armored from head to toe, the steel-clad knights made their appearance.
[Lava Dragonlings]
As the name suggests, they were undoubtedly powerful.
Compared to the original Dragonkin, it might not be as formidable.
But that was only when making comparisons to the original Dragonkin.
“It’s… strong…”
The soldiers in our unit murmured as they gazed upon the [Lava Dragonlings]. Even the bravest among them were sweating nervously.
The Green Mane tribe’s beasts were no less intimidating.
“After all, they are monstrous creatures radiating yellow energy.”
Moreover, perhaps due to their species’ inherent traits, the numerous warriors among them had already unlocked a significant level of potential.
But then…
Crack!
Krrruuuaaaahh!!
Those monsters were easily cleaved in two by a single swipe of the Lava Dragonlings ‘s blade.
They managed to breach the city gates, but those gates weren’t particularly wide.
There were enough Lava Dragonlings to effectively block the entrance.
“It takes three hours to create just one Lava Dragonlings.”
So far, we’ve successfully summoned a total of 80.
Against the thousands of enemies outside, we clearly fell short.
To speak plainly, if we were to fight on an open field, we would be swiftly overwhelmed and dismantled by that staggering force.
“That, of course, is assuming we were fighting on an open field.”
Currently, we were engaged in battle at a narrow city gate.
In this situation, our numerical disadvantage held little significance.
In that confined entrance, dozens or even hundreds of elite soldiers could hold off thousands.
“How strong are those things?”
“Hmm… that’s hard to say.”
Su-hyeok paused for a moment at the question.
Based on my own assessments of their capabilities, I responded, “They’re probably just slightly weaker than unit leader, Gwang-il.”
“……Excuse me?”
At those words, even Coporal Su-hyeok, who usually showed little emotion, couldn’t hide his surprise.
“Is that even possible?”
“To think that there are 80 warriors on par with Corporal Gwang-il.”
“Oh, well, that’s just a simple comparison. It would differ upon a more detailed analysis.”
Warriors clad in black armor.
They are undeniably powerful—exceedingly strong, in fact.
However, during my performance tests, I took a closer look inside that armor.
What I found was nothing but human-shaped bones.
In other words,
“They can’t eat food.”
“Oh.”
While Lieutenant Kim’s buff skill would still apply to them, it would be nearly impossible for them to gain buffs from my cooking.
Recently, I’ve tried feeding monsters, and even trees, with my meals. But I’ve never heard of bones consuming food.
“If we factor in buffs from cooking and characteristics like ‘Berkserk,’ then Gwang-il would be significantly stronger. If you take cooking into account, there are a few warriors at that level—like Dae-won and Hong-il.”
“Y-Yes, that’s true.”
“But isn’t that already incredibly impressive?”
Indeed, it is true.
Even if they receive all the buffs, very few people can demonstrate that kind of strength.
They truly stand just below the best seasoned soldiers.
Would we even have ten like that in our unit?
“To think they’re the inferior version.”
The original dragon soldiers were probably twenty times stronger than that.
It’s no wonder they received the ‘First Achievement Reward.’
“And being strong isn’t everything.”
In terms of pure strength, Gwang-il with buffs is certainly much more powerful.
But even if we have eighty soldiers like Gwang-il,
Could they really hold the walls against thousands of these monsters?
‘No way.’
No matter how strong Gwang-il is,
Those creatures number in the hundreds.
They might not be defeated easily, but human stamina is not limitless.
Even a berserker, driven by war frenzy,
Eventually will feel exhausted and retreat.
But those things aren’t human.
[Dragon soldiers never tire.]
[They will fulfill their mission until they are destroyed]
As long as they haven’t been destroyed, they never tire.
No matter how long they fight, they don’t expend stamina.
Given the confined battleground, we can’t simply overwhelm them with numbers.
To remove those dragon soldiers, a being stronger than them must inevitably arrive.
“Those monsters… while they are numerous and quite strong, that’s about where they stop.”
“Excuse me?”
I heard they’re a species born for war.
With astounding reproductive capabilities, they mature to the level of a combat-ready soldier in just six months.
At first glance, they seem like an ideal species.
However, based on my observations through the [Combat Power Evaluation] trait,
Clear limitations also exist.
“Most are about the same strength. Truly exceptional monsters are quite rare.”
They reach a certain level of strength quickly, but it becomes challenging to grow beyond that.
“Even with thousands gathered here, finding someone capable of breaking through the Dragon’s Vanguards is going to be difficult,” I mused.
Perhaps, it may even be impossible.
Given that we are fighting at a narrow castle gate, overwhelming them with sheer numbers would serve little purpose.
“When they finally breached the gate, they’ll thought they’ve won,” I noted.
But, standing firm against them were the Dragon’s Vanguards.
Their hard-won efforts to breach the gate were now rendered meaningless.
These monsters couldn’t get past our defenders.
Moreover, our forces consisted of more than just the Dragon’s Vanguards.
“Keep firing!”
[The battle cries echo as the order to bombard rings out]
Inside the fortress, our artillery continued to unleash hell.
While the [War Cry] eased some of the damage, we knew it had its limits.
As long as they couldn’t find a way to break through the unyielding Dragon’s Vanguards, this stalemate would persist.
The enemy had two choices before them.
One was to abandon the siege and retreat.
Of course, we had no intention of letting them leave unscathed.
There’s no army as vulnerable as one in full retreat.
If they chose to withdraw, we’d be ready to inflict severe losses.
The second option was to devise a way to break through this deadlock.
“Are they starting to make a move?” I pondered.
If they went with the second option, they were bound to try something soon.
And indeed, just as I anticipated…
“Over there! Something’s approaching!”
“Is it… a trebuchet or something?”
Coming into view from a distance was a siege weapon.
A catapult…
It looked just like a giant slingshot.
‘Are they planning to demolish the walls?’
Since breaching the gate proved difficult, their strategy of creating a breach elsewhere made sense.
“That won’t work,” I remarked.
[Mobile Fortress Bimana Lv. 1]
[Durability = 91,873/100,000]
This fortress,
the gate may only be Level 2, making it somewhat vulnerable, but the walls were surprisingly resilient.
Even with a few hits from a catapult, they wouldn’t even leave a scratch.
In fact, they had even dragged in a tank to assist.
Despite the bombardment from that tank, the durability of our walls barely wavered.
Sure, this catapult might be advanced compared to those from medieval times, yet it still didn’t feel threatening.
No matter how much they attacked the walls, it would be in vain.
“Hm?”
Contrary to my expectations, what was placed on that catapult was not a massive boulder.
“Ha! This is insane.”
Boom!!!
The trebuchet was activated.
Something was hurtling toward the fortress at an astonishing speed.
But that something wasn’t targeting the crumbling walls of the castle.
Instead, they had set their sights a bit higher.
What plunged into the fortress, sailing over the battlements, was—
—KRRRACK!!!
—KWOAAAAAAH!
[Green-Maned Warrior]
[Elite Green-Maned Warrior]
“What a fiery bunch.”
Monsters.
Creatures launched from the trebuchet, flinging themselves into the fray.
They had established their foothold within the fortress.
Moments later, the soldiers began to understand what she meant.
As the green-skinned monster was pulled into her mouth, her right arm shimmered and turned an emerald hue.
Monster wave.
To combat this, they had built a fortress and were cranking out dragon soldiers in preparation.
All of this was ultimately necessary due to their overwhelming numerical disadvantage.
Had they been evenly matched in numbers, the outcome would have been a decisive victory for the legion.
Each monster was formidable in its own right, and some even employed strategies.
Yet, in terms of sheer strength and tactics, the legion held the advantage.
In the midst of the battle inside the fortress, the numbers were relatively even, perhaps with the green maned creatures having a slight upper hand.
However, the tide of battle was decidedly in favor of the legion.
Just then, as if sensing a shift in the situation…
A creature over two meters tall—the Green-Maned Warrior—emerged among them. It was a colossal beast, a head taller than the other monsters.
Crack!
Bang!
“Where has all that fighting spirit gone?”
Corporal Jeon Gwang-il was in the midst of a slaughter against the monsters.
Even without the benefits of the buff from the meal, he was slightly stronger than those dragon soldiers.
And now, he had just consumed the dish that Sergeant Shin Young-joon had painstakingly prepared.
“Is this all there is?!!!”
Kreeeek!
Ordinary monsters?
They were no match at all.
“Is that even a person? It’s a monster.”
“It’s quite surprising how they usually seem so calm, but once a fight breaks out, they go wild.”
“…I’m really glad they’re on our side.”
The battle underway inside the fortress had one clear standout: Corporal Jeon Gwang-il.
“Ah?”
At that moment…
“Corporal Jeon! Corporal Jeon!”
“Kreeeek… Are you next?”
“Uh? No, not me! Just look over there!”
“Hmm…?”
Corporal Jeon turned his gaze toward his subordinate’s urgent prompt.
In the distance,
“Huh?”
Amidst the already large monsters, a massive warrior—taller by a head than the others—was approaching him.
“What is that thing?”
“That’s huge. It looks like it packs a punch.”
The soldiers and awakened individuals charged at the gigantic monster.
But even with its size, it was only one creature.
With the buffs of ‘Command’ and ‘Cooking’ fully applied to them, they had no reason to fear…
KAAAAAM!!!
“Ugh!”
One soldier sent flying by the monster’s weapon soared through the air.
He crashed into a nearby building, blood seeped from his mouth against the wall.
‘…!’
A wave of tension rippled among the soldiers and awakened individuals as they witnessed the scene.
That soldier was no weakling.
He was a high-level awakened warrior from the 423rd battalion.
The fact that he lost consciousness from a single blow was alarming.
“…This is a formidable opponent!”
“Get into defensive formation! Block it as best as you can!”
Realizing they were up against an extraordinary monster, they cautiously placed themselves in front of it.
“Cough.”
“Grr….”
With each swing of the giant’s axe, another awakened warrior fell incapacitated.
Its immense combat power was beyond the reach of ordinary soldiers.
Most of the troops were sweating nervously, but—
There was one soldier who reacted differently.
“Ha ha ha ha!!! Finally!”
Corporal Jeon Gwang-il, having witnessed the enemy’s strength with his own eyes, had a predictable reaction.
“A rather interesting fellow has appeared!”
Corporal Jeon Gwang-il exclaimed, radiating excitement without even trying to hide it.
A dark crimson aura began to seep from his body.
[Battle Frenzy]
A force that allows one to transcend their limits at the cost of sanity.
Boom!
Corporal Jeon Gwang-il launched himself from the ground.
The imposing figure, towering over two meters, charged toward the enemy with the speed of a bullet.