26
Chapter 26
I wanted to stay with Rake until the dark clouds vanished, but I passed out from mental exhaustion.
Even though I couldn't be of much help since I was in the state of Divine Descent and couldn't use blessings, I stayed because I thought it would be better for her mental health than being left alone in a crisis.
Though, in the end, my own mental strength was depleted faster.
Once I woke up, I immediately entered the state of Divine Descent to check the situation.
The sky had cleared, suggesting that the Dark Cloud Demon had completely departed.
"I'm fine. Were you worried about me?"
Rake was safe, though she was covered in filth as if she had been soaking in muddy water.
She said she had curled up and dug a small tunnel to hide herself.
Because the demons were scouring every inch of Tivera, she had to stay perfectly still underground.
My little Rake was a mole, after all.
Seeing that she was safe allowed me to relax a bit.
"I heard a few people who were hiding get taken."
- Were they Holy Knights?
"I couldn't confirm that. I'm sorry."
- No, it's alright. What happened to Tivera?
Rake was currently on her way out of Tivera, heading toward Symphonia.
"Everything created by the Civilized Persons was destroyed. It was smashed to pieces and scattered everywhere. It's essentially a wasteland now."
...Did it crush every last sprout to ensure they could never challenge it again?
What a terrifying creature.
- I haven't checked on the Tribe Alliance yet. I'll be going now.
I was so frazzled that I activated the Divine Descent blessing as soon as I woke up.
"I'll find my own way back. Please don't worry too much."
- Rake, thank you. I'm glad you're here.
This time, I called her by her name, leaving out her title.
Rake seemed to notice, as she showed a slight emotional stir.
"...It's nothing, really."
People are often moved by these small gestures.
I returned to Totem No. 1. Paya was kneeling before me in prayer.
Not just Paya, but all the Barbarians were gathered in front of the Altar.
- You're safe.
"Lord Mallak!"
Amidst Paya's tearful cheers, I surveyed the Tribe Alliance.
Paya, Kanto, Muri, Denjo, Una, Dodo... everyone whose face and name I remembered was alive and well.
"The winds were strong, so the Breeding Ground was slightly damaged and some household items blew away, but everyone is safe."
The aftermath of the dark clouds hadn't reached this far.
It really just pulverized Tivera and left. A silver lining in a dark situation.
I was happy. Not because I didn't lose my resources, but because the people I knew were safe.
Ah, this whole week has been exhausting.
Just as I was about to close my eyes for a bit, I noticed a message window blinking in the corner.
[Not a Netkama: Did you see the community?]
[Not a Netkama: Abraham's post]
[Not a Netkama: I'm just gonna stay cooped up in my room tomorrow]
[Not a Netkama: Hey, you okay?]
[Not a Netkama: You're in Duvenheim, right?]
[Not a Netkama: Are you hiding?]
[Not a Netkama: What's Sanz doing?]
[Not a Netkama: Hey]
[Not a Netkama: Answer me]
[Not a Netkama: Leaving me on read?]
[Not a Netkama: You're dead]
[Not a Netkama: Did you die...?]
[Not a Netkama: This is too much ]_];]
[Not a Netkama: Hey]
[Not a Netkama: Hey]
[Not a Netkama: Hey]
[Not a Netkama: Hey]
[Not a Netkama: You're alive, right???]
[Not a Netkama: I heard from someone that if you can send a DM, you're alive]
[Not a Netkama: Ah damn, maybe not]
[Not a Netkama: Hey]
[Not a Netkama: Hey]
It seemed Hanna was worried about my survival, as she was spamming me with messages.
She must have been sending them since yesterday. I hadn't been paying any attention to the message window.
Still, I'm thankful that she worried about me.
[Hi]
[Not a Netkama: Hi?]
[Not a Netkama: Hi???]
[Not a Netkama: You wanna die?]
[I was hiding and sleeping]
[sry]
[Not a Netkama: You okay?]
[yep, I'm good]
[Not a Netkama: How was Duvenheim?]
[Not a Netkama: Not much happened in Matva]
[No big problems here either]
[But I'm sleepy again]
[bye]
[Not a Netkama: You bastard!]
[sry]
Sorry, but I'm seriously exhausted.
[Talk later]
[Not a Netkama: Get lost]
I feel like I've become a boyfriend who neglects his girlfriend, but we're not that kind of relationship.
Let me just check the community one last time.
[Rising Phoenix: Abraham's recent status!]
[Melee-type Spy: Is everyone watching?]
[Corrupted Power Knight: Fuck... what the fuck]
[I Trusted the Monkey Uncle: The spy was right]
[Rising Phoenix: Oh lol, Abraham just used a skill]
There weren't any new posts.
Everyone must be depressed, just like the day George's Raid Party vanished.
I closed my eyes after finishing my check of the community.
I thought I'd be able to fall asleep immediately...
***
Ah, I feel refreshed.
A deep, death-like sleep has washed away some of my fatigue.
It's already morning.
"You're awake."
Rake, who had been leaning against Totem No. 1, welcomed me. She looked fresh and clean, as if she'd just washed up.
- Rake, you've worked hard. Did you get some rest?
"I lay down as soon as I arrived. It was exhausting."
Rake gave a small chuckle.
- How is the Tribe Alliance?
"Chief Kanto is repairing the Breeding Ground with the warriors, and High Priests Muri and Paya are comforting the tribe members."
- No external activities for the time being.
We should stay quiet for about two days. The Dark Cloud Demon might still be waiting elsewhere.
Even if it's not that creature, the tribe members need some rest after everything they've been through.
"Understood."
Rake left the Altar to deliver my message.
I wonder how the community is. Maybe it's gotten a bit noisier.
The first post since I last checked was written by Melee-type Spy.
[Melee-type Spy: I'll tell you where to get a hidden class]
"LMAO, you all fell for it, didn't you? Sex-sex~!"
Transcendent: Hey... [Kozaburo]... Dispose of him.
Kozaburo: I understand... [Master]...
"Sex-sex~ Stick it in... the girl goes 'Ah' and the guy loves it... huge boobs... I love sex! Huh? Who are you... AGGGHHH!!!!"
Kozaburo: ??????
??????????????
@?@?#*'*("("**#^#@,,!,!?!?*#*'?'?'??@!?!??!??!?!??!?!?"
Kozaburo: [Sex]... the birth of life... born from love...?!
Kozaburo: Could it be...!!! [Master]... was I... [human]...?
Transcendent: ... Do not try to know too much. That knowledge is not permitted to you. You are merely my [tool]...
What the fuck is this.
Seeing Kozaburo's story first thing in the morning. This is a bad start.
...I suspect Melee-type Spy might be posting this kind of stuff to lighten the bleak atmosphere.
He's a guy who frequently posts irritating things, but he's also the one who worried about George, Abraham, and Rising Phoenix and tried to stop them.
But even so, posting such complete garbage is just too much.
[Not a Netkama: The spy is having another episode ]_];]
[Holy Holy Knight: The long-awaited Kozaburo Episode 3~ Might be a bit... disgusting?]
[Bramanda: What on earth is this? Is this the culture of your country? If not, why is this being done? For what purpose? I am genuinely curious.]
└ [I Trusted the Monkey Uncle: Seeing that the character's name is Kozaburo, the writer must be Japanese~! As expected of Japanese quality ^_^]
└ [Takashi Kakashi: Stupid monkey Joseonjin.]
[Golden Dragon King: I ask you. What made you this way?]
[Corrupted Power Knight: I'm asking because I really don't get it—how is this post related to the hidden class? Is it some kind of secret code?]
└ [Ppu Ppu Ppung: It's bait, and you just got hooked.]
└ [Shotgun Attack: LOL, is this your first time seeing Kozaburo?]
At least the mood has lightened up.
For today, at least, Melee-type Spy's 'Kozaburo story' might actually be a success.
Not that I ever want to see it again.
And so, I spent the next two days focusing entirely on recovering my energy.
The children, who used to look around nervously whenever they went outside, were now playing freely, throwing axes.
Kanto and the warriors bonded through sparring. Aside from the Chief, the Blue Moss and Brown Rock warriors were said to be similar in skill.
Paya was still busy governing, and Muri was absorbed in the work of creating a new Mini-Totem.
As for Rake, whenever she wasn't eating, training, or sleeping, she spent every moment leaning against my Totem No. 1.
"Being here makes me feel at peace. It feels... familiar... like being in someone's arms."
Perhaps she sensed my curiosity, because she answered even though I hadn't asked.
Whose arms exactly?
Well, I wasn't just idling. I've already planned my next project.
My forces are sufficient. It's about time to target other villages in Symphonia.
It should be easy if Rake handles the low-tier demons, while Kanto and the warriors take care of the worshippers.
Since Zombie Control cannot be used during Divine Descent, I'll try it once Muri completes Totem No. 3.
I have a specific strategy in mind.
So, shall I return to a busy life again?
...After checking the community for a second.
[Older Sister Union: Gasp]
[Kimchi Man Die: ???]
[3-Lifts 500: No way]
[If Use President's Power: What is this;;]
[Valkyria: Um, excuse me...]
Newbies had arrived.
Just as new rookies entered after George's Raid Party was wiped out...
As if the depleted numbers were being filled.
So the system brings in newbies whenever the existing users die.
They intend to keep sending them until this world is cleared.
Whether it's a game company or a goddess, the one who kidnapped us and brought us here... is a truly cruel bastard.