Chapter 119
Chapter 119
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 119
Chapter Title: Chapter 23: Survivors (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
West of Robole Castle, at the entrance to Lacrriol Valley leading toward Kalom Castle.
Tents had been pitched in numbers too vast to take in at a glance.
‘Central Command 1st Army Headquarters, 5th Corps, 2nd Division, 2nd Regiment affiliated 4th Battalion.’
It was the encampment of the battalion under Baron Hazel Volvita’s command.
There, people clad in armor emblazoned with the World Tree crest moved about with stern expressions and urgent purpose.
“Move it!”
“There are troops isolated in Deblan Valley!”
“Damn it, we need to form a rescue team. Report to the battalion commander first!”
“Squad leader! The outsiders have arrived with resupply goods—what should we do?”
“They’re here already? Hmm… Hey, you outsiders. We need to verify the quantities, so hold tight. I’ll fetch Knight Anata.”
Despite the somewhat chaotic and hectic atmosphere.
“Woo, we made it.”
“There’s a valley right next to us—whatcha wanna do? Head in together?”
“Let’s report in first and then move.”
After four days of travel, we’d reached our destination, and each of us unwound in our own way.
‘Camping nonstop in unpurified territory is definitely rough.’
This mission had been a supply escort, involving not just our party but other players as well.
With so many people around, standing watches was more efficient than using barrier stones.
Because of that, my nerves had been on edge the whole four days.
‘I’d wake up two or three times a night just to check the map.’
On top of that, our bedding was nothing but a cheap blanket spread over cold dirt.
Anyone not exhausted in these conditions would have to be superhuman.
Rubbing my stiff shoulders, I scanned the bustling camp.
Every time I turned my head, the recognition-impairment magic tool dangling from my ear jingled softly.
That was when my eyes met those of someone striding purposefully toward me.
One with silver hair, one with brown—the silver-haired one spoke first.
“Who’s in charge here?”
I raised my hand casually and pulled out the paper I’d stashed in my inventory for the past four days, handing it over.
It was a document listing the items and quantities of foodstuffs, emergency meds, bandages, weapons, and more—for feeding the battalion’s five hundred or so troops.
The silver-haired man took the paper and extended his hand for a shake.
“Administrative Officer Anata Sermangel.”
“Ke.”
The hand gripping mine twitched slightly, but only for a moment.
Anata continued in a matter-of-fact tone.
“We’ll verify the quantities first.”
“Sounds good.”
“The rest of you, follow this knight. He’ll assign you tents.”
At Anata’s words, the players who’d joined me on the escort mission shuffled off in a group.
They hadn’t properly bathed in four days, so rest was probably priority one.
“Hyung, we’ll head on ahead?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll set up your spot—hurry and wrap this up.”
Kim Yul and Yang Tae-ho left first, and I headed with Anata toward the wagons the horses had pulled in.
While Anata checked quantities, I assisted from the side.
My whole body ached with fatigue—I wanted to finish quick and crash.
‘Nothing particularly tough happened.’
For me, with the map, supply escorts were on the easy side.
I could dodge monsters entirely, sticking to safe routes and avoiding needless fights.
But if we’re talking preferences, it was closer to a dislike.
You had to constantly confirm that the quantities matched HQ’s paperwork, manage the grains to prevent spoilage, and so on.
Too many little things to babysit—not exactly welcome.
‘Still, the contribution points are generous.’
More hassle than plain mob hunting, but the mission payoff wasn’t bad.
MISSION
[Sub Scenario: Supply Escort]
Escort supplies to the 4th Battalion under Baron Hazel Volvita, affiliated with Central Command 1st Army Headquarters, 5th Corps, 2nd Division, 2nd Regiment.
[Rewards]
• Main Scenario Contribution: 200~300 (scaled)
‘Mob hunts max out at 50.’
Escorts topped at 300—six times the difference.
No wonder players were jumping on escort missions.
Of course, escorts meant less mana absorption compared to focused hunting.
But between mana and contribution, the latter mattered more right now.
To attend the victory ceremony after the main scenario wrapped, you had to grind those points.
‘Mana, I’ll have to farm separately.’
As I sorted my thoughts alone.
“Ke of Palao.”
Anata spoke up while inspecting the foodstuffs on the wagon.
“I hear your name’s well-known among the outsiders.”
Looked like the same tiresome routine I’d endured ad nauseam since arriving in the central sector was about to repeat.
I let out a light chuckle and turned to Anata.
“It’s not just famous among outsiders, though.”
Exactly as I said—my name was known not just to players, but to the Biharin locals too.
“…You don’t seem thrilled about the fame?”
Anata tried to play it off, but his eyes lingered on me.
Clear intent to gauge my reaction.
That confirmed it. If I stayed passive, he’d slyly steer toward defection talk.
To shut that down preemptively, I had to make it blatant.
“It’s annoying, with everyone bringing up defection whenever they get the chance.”
Translation: If you’re planning the same pitch, save it.
“…I see.”
Luckily, this one got the hint.
‘The guy I met before departure was a total brick wall, though.’
Some creep who’d trailed me nonstop, singing praises of the Temoria Church and pushing defection.
If he’d followed me out of the castle, I’d have been tempted to shank him somewhere quiet.
Anata, at least, seemed to have some tact.
He backed off the second I showed discomfort.
Thanks to that, we finished the count without the defection sermon.
「Congratulations! MISSION - Sub Scenario: Supply Escort completed successfully.」
「Success reward: Main Scenario Contribution +300 provided.」
I confirmed the clear message, then followed the soldier Anata assigned to relocate.
On the way to the player-assigned tents within the camp.
“Huh?”
“No way, it’s Ke.”
“Ke? For real?”
“Yeah, I saw him in Bicheta.”
“Gear’s insane. What’s that on his back?”
“Heard he’s got a nasty temper.”
“Hey, hey, that guy over there’s Ke, they say.”
“Didn’t they say he’s Asian?”
Whispers from players reached my ears.
New faces, so not from my escort group.
‘Probably the ones clearing mobs around here.’
The main scenario’s Act 3 spawned dozens of sub-scenarios.
Most supported the main force by handling trash mobs, but there were production ones for weapon crafting too—variety galore.
Before this escort, my party had done some of those.
And if a camp was nearby during one, you could entrust your safety to them.
These whisperers recognizing me were likely that type.
“Tch.”
I fiddled with the recognition-impairment earrings.
Wonder how I’d get around without them.
After pushing through the ongoing stares for a bit.
I reached Tent 53, as Kim Yul had pinged in party chat.
Sweeping aside the entry flap, I stepped in to a familiar sight.
Kim Yul sprawled shirtless on his cot.
Yang Tae-ho sat on a cot one spot over, reading a slim book.
The two, radiating awkward silence without glancing at each other, snapped their eyes to me.
“Saw the clear message pop—figured you’d be here soon. Come on in.”
“Yeah.”
“We already washed up. Water’s ready for you, hyung.”
“Got it, thanks.”
I claimed the empty cot between them.
Routine by now, after a few days. Hard to call my chosen party members close.
‘Tae-ho hyung seemed to wanna get along with Yul.’
But Kim Yul kept sharpening his edge subtly.
That repeated, and Yang Tae-ho stopped trying.
‘If it escalated to real conflict, I’d chew them out.’
But Kim Yul never crossed the line.
With things like that, it felt awkward for me to butt in and preach harmony.
‘Strictly speaking, getting along would be easier.’
But even if not, as long as they pulled their weight in fights, no issue.
People have personalities, likes and dislikes.
Sometimes a professional distance works better for teammates.
So I had no plans to force them into buddy-buddy mode.
After stowing my gear, I left the two and circled behind the tent.
There, I washed off the dirt and monster blood with the cold water Kim Yul had prepped.
Shaking out my wet hair, I returned as the sun began dipping low.
High elevation meant the remaining daylight would fade fast.
That’s when Kim Yul stretched from his spot and asked.
“Distribute loot first? Or food?”
“Food.”
“Mess is in the clearing next door—your call? We got stuff to tide us over easy. Cup ramen, protein bars, sausages… plenty.”
“Save Earth food.”
Who knew when we’d camp again—no need to burn preserved rations.
“Mess it is? I’ll grab ours?”
“Why bother carrying back and forth.”
After camp chow, you had to trek to water anyway to clean personal kit.
Better to handle it simple at the serving spot than ping-pong between clearing and tent.
“Let’s just eat there.”
Plus, someone to meet. I slipped on my shoes, prepping to head out.
“Roger!”
Kim Yul sprang up, grabbing his shirt.
“Hyung-nim, you coming?”
“Was getting hungry anyway—let’s go.”
Three guys trudging to chow without hahaha chit-chat would look odd amid the lively talk.
No real convo, we headed to the serving clearing.
Players ahead of us lined up at the massive cauldrons.
Basking in the gathering stares while waiting our turn.
We got wooden bowls from the camp shop—thinned soup, hardtack, jerky.
Light portions, but adding the store’s rock-hard bread filled you up.
We’d just settled on nearby rocks to eat when.
“Ke, there you are.”
The voice called me precisely. I looked up to a familiar face.
“Sir Jerome.”
I stood right away, offering my hand.
The man gripped it firmly—Jerome Hashel.
Devout Palao follower and aide to 4th Battalion commander Baron Hazel Volvita.
Also a knight who’d shared trials with Alio, overseer of Palao Temple guards in Habor, since squire days.
My acquaintance with Jerome came via Alio’s intro too.
“Tough journey—well done. How’ve you been?”
“Me? Worried sick hearing you’d gone somewhere dangerous. Relieved to see you safe.”
“Hahaha, I’ve eaten sword for life—this is nothing. Anyway, these folks?”
“My team.”
“Ahh.”
Light greetings and name exchanges done, Jerome and I moved to a quieter spot.
Meeting him was one big reason I’d eaten here.
No more delay—I got to business.
“How’s the baron?”
“Not yet.”
I clicked my tongue inwardly at Jerome’s reply.
‘Tch, such a damn fence-sitter.’
Disappointment in Baron Hazel Volvita’s resolve, a man I’d never even seen.
Five days since I’d prodded him via Jerome, and still dithering.
Damn System