The Dwarf Intruder
Horizon only lets players start as human characters.
That's common sense.
But a dwarf?
Wait, wait a second. How did you even do that?
R-really? A dwarf player? What does that even mean?
The reason you can't choose a non-human race is simple.
It's not a PC game you play on a computer. Horizon is a complete immersive VR experience.
So everyone would just pick an elf.
Everyone, men and women, old and young, wants that beautiful appearance.
What nonsense? He just admitted it himself!
W-when?!
Wait, now that I think about it, how did you even know...?
It's all in your head!
The dwarf warrior quickly denied it.
Fafnir smirked and continued.
Let me explain it lightly. It doesn't matter if the author is an NPC or a player anyway.
What are you talking about?
You attacked this guy, but none of the other dwarves came to help, right?
Uh, now that you mention it...
This guy wasn't part of the tribe from the start. He's a dwarf from the Red Hair Tribe. So he's an outsider.
The Red Hair Tribe? Now that you say it, he does have red hair...
Fafnir began explaining.
Among the tribes here are the Flame Tribe and the Red Hair Tribe connected to them. They're specialized in hunting and fighting more than blacksmithing. And the passage we first entered is where the dwarf tribes traded.
Eh? Really?
Yeah.
H-how did you figure that out?
Well, I read it in the novel, obviously.
Fafnir stared at the dwarf player with cold eyes.
Red Hair Cap.
One of the rare non-human players in the novel.
Setting that aside, the Red Hair Dwarves hate anyone interrupting their one-on-one fights. That's why the other dwarves aren't stepping in.
Now that you mention it, the dwarves are just watching from afar.
As long as I don't kill you here, they won't interfere. So... what now?
Uh, ugh...
Cap struggled, then shook his head.
Ah, okay. I'll step aside. So... so let's just talk!
That won't cut it anymore.
Fafnir strode forward. Cap threw his axe a few times, but each one was just dinner for Fafnir.
Uh, uwaaaaaak!
When the sword flashed, Cap squeezed his eyes shut and screamed.
At that moment, the blade touched the tip of his arm.
Choose.
Fafnir said.
Get beaten half to death and lose your gear here? Or spend a whole day doing chores and be done with it?
Two options, but only one choice.
Cap raised both hands and answered.
W-what? Do you want me to do chores without killing me?
Yeah.
You won't take my equipment... and you won't kill me like that?
Kill? Why would I do something like that?
Fafnir scratched his ear and said.
If I just chewed through all your gear, you'd be playing the game uselessly.
Hiiik!
Eating dwarf-made equipment would be a disaster compared to normal gear.
Panicked, Cap dropped to his knees.
Ah, got it. I'll help with chores for a day.
Good.
Fafnir smirked and sheathed his sword.
Apply for a party.
H-how? What are your names?
Fafnir.
Fafnir... I've heard that name somewhere...
Cap has applied for a party.
Party accepted.
Do we really need to drag him along? We could just knock him out and keep going.
Sihyun asked.
There's a good reason.
What?
He's both a guide and a witness. If he's with us, the village dwarves won't suspect anything.
He's a spy for the invading humans?
Cap's suspicions could be shared by any dwarf NPC.
If we bring Cap out, at least the dwarves inside the city won't be hostile.
And we didn't take his gear or try to cheat him out of it.
I see.
Sihyun understood right away.
But Fafnir didn't mention the second reason.
The second reason I brought him into the party is that he's a named player.
Fafnir's gaze turned to Cap, who was following behind, hesitantly.
The first dwarf player and the first master axe warrior, Cap.
There are many players, but in axe-related skills, he's the strongest named one by far.
I never thought I'd meet Cap here.
Lucky.
A smile formed at Fafnir's lips.
According to the novel's settings, this guy isn't abnormally short.
The average height for adult men is in the low 170s. But Cap's real height is 40 cm shorter, around 130 cm. Worse than most elementary school kids.
Because he's so short, they thought he was a dwarf, which led to this.
The important part is that Cap, who started as a dwarf, can access all those hidden pieces.
A human player couldn't get or do those things.
He's a player mentioned in the novel, so his skills are good too. And as a dwarf player, he knows the hidden pieces and side quests better than anyone.
The items made by dwarf blacksmiths are almost priceless.
By forming a connection with Cap, the first player of their race, I can gain many advantages.
First, let's talk...
While walking, Fafnir turned his head. Cap was rushing after them from ten steps back, panting.
Huff huff... slowly... you guys!
One.
Clink.
Skeleton 1 moved briefly. It carried Cap without any command from Fafnir.
Whoa, I saw that.
Now it moves automatically.
Sihyun and Siyeon whispered.
***
-You have entered the Ashen Forest with a Dark Essence.
-The monster levels here are far too high for your current level!
A heavy, eerie atmosphere pressed down on the group as they entered the forest.
Caw. Caw.
Raven calls echoed through the trees.
The usual background from horror movies.
Did he really just say we were going to catch the Dark Trent?
When Cap heard the first target, he snorted inwardly.
How am I supposed to catch those? Hah, ridiculous.
The Dark Trent is a tough enemy that even level 300 dwarves find challenging. Fire is its weakness, but you can't use fire when fighting them anyway.
They have decent offense and defense, and they ambush from underground too.
I was supposed to call in the Crossfire guys or something...
The group reached the forest and immediately started hunting.
The method was simple. Fafnir lured the Trents, then used a net to block their movement.
Then it was the skeleton soldiers' turn. Dozens of axe-wielding skeletons smashed through the trees like firewood and shattered the Trents.
They actually caught them?
...Don't go near those branches?
Oh... pretty good.
Crazy, what was that?
At first, they would have run, but Cap was now hiding and concentrating.
He must be using necromancy... but his level is like that of a high-level knight...
Wait a second.
Y-yes? Hiiik!
The instant he answered, Fafnir's thrown axe stuck right next to Cap's head.
What are you doing? I brought you into the party, so you have to work.
W-what if I... what kind of work...?
First, clear all the bark and twigs from the floor, then break any branches sticking out into firewood and stack them separately.
Fafnir really was only giving chores.
Cap tilted his head while clearing branches.
Wait, isn't this actually not that bad?
We weren't hunting, but since we were in a party, we were still getting some experience.
Basically a free "quest" with no gear.
I'd heard even normal quests are like this... still, this...
Besides watching the hunt, having these benefits made it hard to walk away.
Hey.
U-um?
Cap looked up, startled, as Fafnir stood there.
D-did I miss something?
No.
A neatly cut bundle of branches landed.
This is yours.
Mine? But a moment ago...
Do a good job and I'll pay you more.
Fafnir turned and walked straight toward the hunting skeletons without another word.
Cap sat there blankly, licking his lips.
...Well, I have no choice. I'll work hard to make up for what I got.
They still hadn't found any proof linking them to Crossfire.
Once I find that and finish the work for the pay I received, the village dwarves should trust me.
So I'm doing this because I want to. I won't be cowering just because of some guy.
Good people sometimes leave lasting impressions.
Cap found himself working honestly without realizing it.
Meanwhile, the battle was going smoothly.
This is easier than the golem.
Because it's a forest, the skeletons spread out wide.
No need to worry about ceilings collapsing or feet getting stuck, so this was better.
But there was more.
-Dark Attribute Field Activated.
-Strength Increased.
-Additional Status Obtained.
The same attribute field's extra buffs made the skeletons even stronger.
The wave of axes and bones crashed down without regard for water or fire!
-Experience Gained.
-Wooden Branch from the Dark Trent Obtained.
-Quest "True Threat to the Dwarf Village (Magic)" Completed.
Seeing the quest complete made Fafnir greedy.
Should we go deeper into the forest?
Killing the inner Trents would give better-quality firewood.
We might even get extra quests or more rewards.
Hmm, it's still too early.
But Fafnir shook his head.
We could, but it would be a waste of time.
Dwarf trust was a side benefit anyway.
The main goal was the hidden pieces in the Aluin Wilderness.
Let's head back now.
The group headed toward the fortress and stood in front of the main gate again.
This time Kim Chul was gone, but with Cap there, they could pass through the gates.
We brought the firewood.
I can't believe it. Who would've thought you'd actually catch the Dark Trents and bring firewood? Thanks to that, I can light a good fire in the forge for the first time in a while. I might even be able to work the iron again.
I saw it myself. These guys really hunted the Trents.
With Cap's testimony, Graxon nodded.
The plot of being evil foreigners or thieves is out, so that's good.
-Quest "True Threat to the Dwarf Village (Magic)" Completed.
-Experience Gained.
-Graxon's Favorability +6.
-Reputation +3.
Extra experience, favorability, and reputation!
Oh, and this too.
-Graxon's Mining Skillbook (Rare) Obtained.
Fafnir's eyes widened.
This...
I compiled all the methods and tips for mining ore. Since you completed the conditions, you get it.
Just one more line and I received a precious skill, a hidden skill.
Big win.
No matter what anyone says, this was a big win!
Thank you.
No need. It's nothing.
Graxon coughed and asked.
First, I know you're not bad foreigners or thieves. But I suspect you don't even need equipment. What business brought you all the way here?
It was time for the main point.
But Fafnir let Sihyun and Siyeon answer first.
Is that okay?
Of course. It's the village blacksmith you're looking for, so they can help us.
A blacksmith tied to the Starlight Blacksmith quest would be a top-tier expert in the city, at least in the top five.
No reason to search separately when we can carry them.
Um... is Master Dwarf Blacksmith Winfield in this city?
Siyeon asked politely.
Hey! You guys!!
In that moment, the forge door opened.
Clatter.
From outside, a long line of heavily armored dwarves entered.
All the firewood outside... did you guys bring it?
Yes.
The dwarf looking like a leader stepped forward.
Then those are yours.
Yes.
We were on alert for outsiders, so they might have arrested us without a second thought.
Swallowing hard, Fafnir's Adam's apple moved.
Hmm, good.
In the tense moment, the dwarf leader spoke.Sell us the firewood. We'll pay generously.
Ding!
-Favorability toward the dwarves has exceeded the minimum threshold.
-The dwarves have slightly lowered their guard toward you.
-The dwarves no longer ignore or immediately suspect you.
#The Villain Necromancer in the Game Novel
Favorability toward the dwarves has exceeded the minimum threshold.
The dwarves have slightly lowered their guard toward you.
The dwarves no longer ignore or immediately suspect you.