The Honorary Dwarf
Tae-hyun gave it some thought anyway.
First, I'll stuff them all inside the ruins... and bury the remaining ones in the sand...
The Dragon Tooth Warrior Death Knights stared back at him with innocent, unblinking eyes. They had absolutely no idea what kind of scheme was brewing in their master's mind!
Will it work? Hmm. Well, might as well give it a shot.
There was no harm in trying. If it didn't work, he could always just beat them down then!
Rumble...
“...”
“...”
“Uh, we don't have to fight that, right?” Cain asked, looking at Tae-hyun.
Far across the desert, kicking up a massive cloud of dust as they approached, was the Red Scorpion Tribe!
When Tae-hyun's party had heard the word “tribe,” they had pictured something like an Orc tribe—a band of warriors, perhaps riding horses or wolves if they were particularly strong or large. Even if the tribe's warriors were high-level, Tae-hyun and his companions had been fully prepared to fight.
But...
Gurgle. Click-clack.
“Whoa, whoa. Easy there, girl.”
What appeared before them were Dwarves sitting atop colossal scorpion monsters!
To make matters worse, the scorpions were outfitted with mounted cannons and massive ballistas. This was advanced technology on a completely different level from any Orc tribe!
What kind of chimera-like monstrosity is this?!
The Dwarves of the Red Scorpion Tribe stroked their magnificent, well-groomed beards as they surveyed their surroundings.
At that exact moment, an attack flew in.
Swish-swish-swish-swish!
“...!”
“Dwarf's Shield!”
“Raise the armor plates!”
Clank! Clank!
In an instant, metallic armor materialized over the giant red scorpions, and protective walls shot up around the platforms where the Dwarves sat.
You have observed an item crafted with superior Engineering. Your skill proficiency increases.
You possess the Highest-grade Mechanical Engineering skill. You have learned the recipe for [Scorpion Armor Plate].
What was this, a walking exhibition of engineering?!
Tae-hyun, who had been happily gloating over the free recipes, suddenly realized something was off.
“Wait. Who fired that?”
There was no way anyone in Tae-hyun's party had initiated the attack.
The answer came from the opposite direction. The players who had fled earlier had returned and launched an assault.
“Why are they doing that?”
“Maybe they've reflected on their actions and want to help us?” one of the Beijing Fighters players asked, raising his hand.
Everyone in Tae-hyun's party stared at him as if he had lost his mind.
“For what possible reason?”
“Well, now that they've seen Player Kim Tae-hyun in person, they must have realized the rumors were wrong...”
Tae-hyun completely ignored him.
Cain patted the player's shoulder.
“I really don't think that's it.”
“?!”
The reason was simple. The bounty hunters had mistaken the Red Scorpion Tribe for NPCs summoned by Tae-hyun.
- Ranged players, gather up!
- Kim Tae-hyun's weakness is ranged attacks! As long as we don't get close, we won't get one-shotted! Keep your distance and chip away at him!
It was a petty but logically sound strategy. It also perfectly matched the risk-averse nature of the players who had gathered solely for the bounty. Hit him safely and get paid!
But then, the Red Scorpion Tribe had suddenly appeared.
- Yo! Something's coming from over there!
- Are those armored Dwarves riding scorpions with cannons and stuff?
- Engineering and blacksmithing... isn't that Kim Tae-hyun's specialty?
- They're his summons! We have to take them down before they group up!
Fearing that they wouldn't even be able to touch Tae-hyun if he merged with the tribe, the bounty hunters had immediately opened fire.
Naturally, the Red Scorpion Tribe was furious.
“Are those the bastards! The ones using the dragon's power?!”
“Show them the spicy side of the Dwarves! Fire!”
*Boom! Boom! Boom!*
The Dwarves relentlessly bombarded them with cannon fire.
Tae-hyun watched in sheer bewilderment.
Why is their fire rate so fast? Don't tell me...
You have discovered the [Adamantium-alloy Cannon].
Your Blacksmithing Skill proficiency increases.
Your Engineering skill proficiency increases.
Are they insane?!
Tae-hyun was utterly shocked.
To think they had mixed that precious Adamantium into a cannon. First the Draken Secret Society, and now these tribes—the Asbian Empire had a bizarre habit of wasting Adamantium in the strangest places.
If you're going to waste it like that, just give it to me!
Well... I suppose mixing it in would drastically increase the cannon's fire rate.
Since it was incredibly durable, it could withstand rapid, continuous firing without overheating or warping. Even so, if it were Tae-hyun, he would have hoarded it to craft armor. These Dwarves, however, had stuffed it right into their artillery.
Boom! Crash! Bang!
“Aaargh! What the hell?!”
“What are those things?!”
“Is this another one of Kim Tae-hyun's traps?! Kim Tae-hyun! You coward! Stop using bombs and fight us fairly!”
“I think I hear some dogs barking somewhere,” Tae-hyun muttered.
There was no greater joy than watching your enemies dig their own graves and ruin themselves. And that was exactly what was happening right now.
With overwhelming firepower, the Red Scorpion Tribe kept the bounty hunters from even getting close. They blocked incoming arrows and spells with their heavy armor while relentlessly blasting away.
The players, who had tried to fight back at first, began to scream and flee, focusing entirely on defense. With explosions rocking the ground beneath their feet, every mage was busy casting barrier spells; none of them had the luxury of casting offensive magic.
“Crush the disgusting rebels who worship the dragon! In the name of the Dwarves!”
“What dragon?!”
“Wait, we have nothing to do with any drag—aargh!”
The players' lines completely collapsed as they scattered in panic! Even the players who had been hiding nearby, waiting for an opportunity, began to run for their lives.
If we stay here any longer, we'll be blown to smithereens!
Once the dust settled, Tae-hyun quickly stepped forward to meet the Red Scorpion Tribe.
“Halt! Who goes there?” a Dwarf from the Red Scorpion Tribe barked, leveling a massive musket at him.
Their stubborn, hot-tempered expressions made it clear they were not to be trifled with.
You possess the Highest-grade Mechanical Engineering skill. The Red Scorpion Dwarves feel a sense of kinship.
You possess the Advanced Blacksmithing Skill. The Red Scorpion Dwarves are deeply impressed.
...You are currently in a [Dragon Lich] state. You receive a bonus to your affinity with the Red Scorpion Tribe.
...? Tae-hyun was puzzled. A bonus instead of a penalty?
But he quickly realized why.
“An undead... magnificent.”
“A highly noble human indeed.”
“And look at those hands. He must have been an extraordinary blacksmith before he became undead.”
Ah...
The Asbian Empire was a nation where the Emperor and all the nobles had been resurrected as undead. Unlike other kingdoms, undead were naturally treated with great respect here.
It was no wonder Necromancer players often wept, crying, 'This is the first town where I haven't been chased out for being a Necromancer!'
And Tae-hyun was currently a Dragon Lich! In the eyes of the Dwarves, he looked like a splendid, high-ranking undead noble.
“Are you a noble?”
“I am a king.”
“Ohh...! A king recognized by His Majesty Emperor Uipoatl?”
“...You could say that.”
He wasn't lying! Tae-hyun spoke with absolute confidence.
“I have met with His Majesty Emperor Uipoatl, and he has personally bestowed a mission upon me.”
Your reputation within the Red Scorpion Tribe has risen significantly!
“I knew he was a powerful undead, but to think he serves His Majesty directly!”
“No wonder he carries himself with such noble grace.”
“And he has the hands of a true blacksmith, too.”
The Dwarves nodded, whispering among themselves.
“Wait. Did you come here to eliminate those wicked scoundrels who dared to borrow the dragon's power?”
“...Precisely. I was just about to finish them off myself, but you guys arrived before I could!”
“I knew it!”
The Dwarves were ecstatic. Meanwhile, they began inspecting the surrounding area.
“Look at these scattered Dragon Tooth Warrior bone fragments. Some arrogant bastard has clearly desecrated a dragon's corpse.”
“Look at these tracks. Did a Bone Dragon trample through here? How dare they resurrect a dragon! They deserve divine punishment!”
The Dwarves roared bloodthirstily.
Tae-hyun felt a sudden pang of tension. They won't find out, right?
But looking at the situation, even if they did find out, he felt like he could somehow talk his way out of it.
Engineering + Blacksmithing + Royalty + Undead + Emperor Uipoatl's quest!
It was practically impossible to become this close with a faction upon a first meeting.
Furthermore, the Red Scorpion Tribe was notoriously difficult to deal with. Befriending them was a stroke of pure, unadulterated luck!
“King Kim Tae-hyun! Let us join forces and hunt down the rest of the rebels who dared to borrow the dragon's power!”
“Uh... didn't we get them all? I think we just wiped them out.”
Tae-hyun tried his best to sweep the matter under the rug. He was the actual culprit, so who exactly were they supposed to hunt down?
But the Dwarves shook their heads.
“We aren't talking about those weaklings. We mean the other tribes! Shockingly, there are many arrogant tribes in this land who refuse to submit to His Majesty.”
“Oh dear. What wicked fellows.”
“When we heard the rumors of Emperor Uipoatl's resurrection, we made up our minds! We will crush every single traitor who betrayed His Majesty!”
What a pain in the ass. Tae-hyun quickly calculated the pros and cons.
Traveling with these guys would be a massive headache!
He still had to find the Authority of Archisus and complete several other tasks. He didn't have the time to run around fighting alongside these hyperactive Dwarves.
The Red Scorpion Tribe had been loyal to the imperial family of the Asbian Empire for generations. Upon hearing of Uipoatl's resurrection, they had decided to offer the subjugation of the other tribes as a tribute to the Emperor.
To the fiercely loyal Red Scorpion Tribe, the other tribes who had abandoned their loyalty to the Emperor were unforgivable!
Although the Red Scorpion Tribe was small, their courage and strength were immense. If Tae-hyun joined hands with them to strike down the other tribes, they would be deeply indebted to him.
Subjugate the Rebel Tribes
📍 Location: Asbian Empire
🎁 Reward: ?, ???, ????
- Decline.
“Decline? You certainly have a great sense of humor.”
You have failed to decline the quest.
“...No, it's not that I don't want to help. But as I said, I received a direct command from His Majesty. A thief far away has stolen one of His Majesty's sacred relics, and I must retrieve it.”
Tae-hyun even prepared to pretend to leave for the Auston Kingdom.
Although he still had plenty to do in the Asbian Empire, it seemed far better than getting dragged into a war by these relentless Dwarves.
I'll shake them off first, then sneak back to find the Authority.
“Is that so? Ah, what a pity. We were hoping you would fight alongside us to reclaim the mine. But if it is for His Majesty, then we cannot stop you.”
“For His Majesty!” the Dwarves chanted in unison, raising their weapons.
Tae-hyun turned around with a cool expression.
“Right. See you next ti—”
Suddenly, a strange sense of cognitive dissonance washed over him.
He felt like he was missing something incredibly important!
Wait...
“What mine did you say it was?”
“Pardon?”
“What mine are you fighting to reclaim?”
“The Red Scorpion Mine.”
“...And what exactly does that mine produce?”
“High-quality steel and coal...”
“Hmm. I see. Well, I am quite busy, so I really must be going—”
“...And from its deepest depths, Adamantium is also mined.”
“...is what I thought, but how could I possibly abandon such loyal subjects of His Majesty! Leaving you behind would weigh too heavily on my conscience. I cannot stand by and do nothing. I shall fight by your side!”
At Tae-hyun's sudden about-face, the Dwarves rejoiced.
“Oh! Is that true?!”
“I knew it! From the moment I saw him, I could tell he possessed the noble spirit of a true aristocrat! He is practically overflowing with responsibility!”
“He is worthy of being called an honorary Dwarf!”