42
Chapter 42
I tasked Tuntun-i with delivering a letter to the Ash Mist Tribe.
This time, I decided not to send a mini-totem like I did for the Sky Tree Tribe.
It wasn't a grand mission, and I didn't have enough totems to spare another one.
If I asked Grandma Muri to make just one more, she might actually die of overwork.
Using mini-totems to recruit other tribes into the Tribe Alliance was a distant goal for now.
Squeak!
Tuntun-i, who had grown twice as large as when I first saw him, nodded as if he understood and flew off with the letter.
It was a letter written by Paya.
As Tuntun-i soared into the air, his translucent body flickered and became even more transparent.
He began moving at high speed, becoming a blur that was nearly invisible unless you looked closely.
What the. Can he use Stealth Mode now?
Breathing fire, turning invisible, and even understanding human speech?
Spirits are completely broken.
If he evolves any further, he might even be able to fight a Low-tier Demon.
...I shook off the thought that he might actually be better than the totems.
Nah. I'm still better. I have wide-area DoT Heal, Status Effect Removal, and Zombie Control for tanking.
I can even share powerful skills with Elite Barbarian units.
I watched Tuntun-i leave the mountain to the cheers of the Barbarians and shifted my gaze to the message window.
My cheerful, impotent friend was busy spamming messages.
[Morning Tent Installation Knight: I'm in the mountains!]
[Morning Tent Installation Knight: Currently hiking like crazy haha]
[Morning Tent Installation Knight: I've climbed high enough that Devil's Sight can't see anything]
[Morning Tent Installation Knight: The view is amazing! Now I know why my dad joined the hiking club!]
[Morning Tent Installation Knight: I take back calling him a member of the professional cheating hiking club!]
[Morning Tent Installation Knight: Ah! The air is so fresh! I can't feel any demonic energy up here. It's freaking clean]
[Morning Tent Installation Knight: Is this why Barbarians live in the mountains? To avoid the demonic energy? Is this primitive wisdom?]
He must be bored walking alone, because he was bombing me with messages just like my first online friend, Hana.
It was a hassle, so I didn't bother replying.
[Morning Tent Installation Knight: No one's around. Should I go for a quick wank?]
This guy is seriously insane.
I might as well contact Hana.
[I was a bit harsh earlier]
[Sry]
The reply came immediately.
[Not a Netkama: Nah, don't worry about it]
[Not a Netkama: Have you eaten yet?]
That's a tricky question.
I'm not even human and I don't have a mouth, so how am I supposed to eat?
Seriously, I wish I could eat.
[yep eating now]
If I didn't answer, she'd probably think I was still angry.
[Not a Netkama: What did you eat?]
[Stir-fried cricket-like insects]
I gave a vague answer.
It's not exactly a fictional food. I've seen the Barbarians make it.
Harry and Luna were absolutely horrified. Rake also frowned and refused to eat it.
Kanto, however, ate it with great enthusiasm. He polished off nearly half of it by himself.
Something about it being a meal for warriors. Since insects are high in protein, he wasn't entirely wrong.
[Not a Netkama: Ew. How can you eat something so gross?]
[Insects are a future food, easy to raise and convenient to eat]
Actually, the Blue Moss Tribe does raise insects for food.
I can understand why. Until the village was subjugated, they lacked livestock.
[Not a Netkama: We live in a world with no future, so why are you talking about future foods;;]
[Not a Netkama: Did you actually eat that?]
[yep just cook them well then they're crunchy and delicious]
Kanto really enjoyed them, saying they were crunchy.
[Not a Netkama: Maybe I should try some?]
Yikes.
My lying is about to make someone eat bugs.
I need to fix this.
[nope this is food for men]
[You'll grow a dick if you eat them]
[Not a Netkama: LOL you nutcase]
[Not a Netkama: I'm gonna eat some fish I caught earlier]
That was close. I need to be more careful with my lies.
Anyway, I'm glad she seems to be in a better mood.
After chatting for a bit, I watched the Tribe Alliance prepare for war.
I plan to start the attack on Symphonia as soon as Tuntun-i returns.
Since he's become a Spirit, his speed seems even faster than before, so he should be back within a few days.
The massive aggro drawn by Princess Dina had a huge impact on the Worshippers of Symphonia as well.
Now they are diligently patrolling the direction where the Heavenly Light skill was cast.
Even though it was a distant area, the aftermath of that light must have been insane.
It was two hours later when the cheerful lunatic sent me another message.
[Morning Tent Installation Knight: I found some Barbarians!]
[Morning Tent Installation Knight: They're coming this way with wooden spears! I put my weapon down and put my hands up]
[Morning Tent Installation Knight: I'm shouting Mallak! Mallak! Mallak! like crazy]
[Morning Tent Installation Knight: I'm seriously begging for my life with both hands]
I can just imagine some fool in his twenties shouting "Mallak! Mallak! Maalllak~!"
The Barbarians must be quite surprised.
[Morning Tent Installation Knight: "Mallak? How do you know His name? Answer me, civilized person."]
[Morning Tent Installation Knight: "It seems he is praying to Mallak. How can a civilized person pray to a Loa..."]
[Morning Tent Installation Knight: It's working! It's actually working! These guys are totally bewildered!]
[Morning Tent Installation Knight: It's a bit frustrating since we can't really communicate, but since I can understand them, it's no big deal!]
[good]
[Morning Tent Installation Knight: The Barbarians decided to take me with them!]
[ok wait for the letter]
[Morning Tent Installation Knight: They'll feed me, right? Surely they won't starve me]
[But you might get bugs]
[Morning Tent Installation Knight: Well, it's a prison, so of course there will be bugs]
[No, as your meal]
[Morning Tent Installation Knight: ?]
[?]
I'm sorry. But it can't be helped.
With Hana, I told them to feed her well so she didn't have to eat bugs, but you're too far away for me to protect.
Eat plenty of high-protein food and take care of your health.
[Morning Tent Installation Knight: You're joking, right?]
[lol]
I closed the message window.
***
The community was buzzing all day with talk about Princess Dina.
[I Trusted the Monkey Uncle: At that level, isn't it worth trying against the Dark Clouds?]
[Samurai Jackson: A level 8 emitted a light like that. What about a level 10? This fight might not be impossible after all]
[Skynet: We must revise the information on Holy Knights.]
I was glad that everyone seemed to have hope, unlike during Abraham's time, but on the other hand, I felt anxious.
[Melee-type Spy: Hmm... is it really that great?]
I didn't agree with his opinion, but I felt things were getting a bit too overheated.
At this rate, I'm afraid everyone will go crazy for leveling up and start poking a hornet's nest.
The already heated community became even more chaotic with the appearance of Princess Dina herself.
[Princess Dina: I'm posting this from a safe location.
Many of you have sent me private messages, but I don't check the community or messages often, so please stop sending them.
I don't really use communities. They're just filled with useless nonsense.
Whether in reality or here, I believe communities are for losers.
Please spend less time on the community and focus on your growth.]
Now that was a controversial post right from the start.
[Melee-type Spy: Hey, take that back, you brat...]
[Full Play: Since someone this capable is saying it, I can't really argue]
[Not a Netkama: Yeah, you're just great]
[Corrupted Power Knight: I agree with spending less time on the community. Or it would be better to revitalize the community as a place for sharing information]
Many people left comments on Princess Dina's post, whether in opposition or agreement, and I was no exception.
[Ultra Sanz Crazy for Massacre Mode on a Moonlit Night: Have you ever fought a High-tier Demon?]
I thought that she might have experienced it.
Princess Dina, who hadn't replied to anyone, posted again a few hours later.
[Princess Dina: To the community users.
Until now, I believed that one must stand alone.
I believed that if everyone worked hard to grow in their own positions, they could eventually overcome this harsh world.
I still hold that belief.
However, I wasn't aware that some people, despite growing enough, might fall into a pit of despair and make extreme choices.
Abraham's death has slightly changed my perspective.
To prevent such things and to stop the loss of valuable combat power, I would like to make a proposal to you all.
The Heavenly Light was a performance for that very purpose.
I believe the Dark Cloud Demon must be broken through with a small, elite force.
I think there is a chance of victory only if several high-level users of level 8 or above band together.
I possess the Hidden Skill 'Silent Dancer'. I can quietly take down Mid-tier Demons.
Holy Knights level 7 or higher, if you're interested, please send me a private message. I will help you grow.
I have no need for those below level 7. I'll be asking for information that only those level 7 and above would know, so lying is useless.
Let me emphasize again, I don't need any random nobodies.
Low-levels, grow and survive on your own. Prove your worth that way.
Because that is the rite of passage.
That is all.]
It was content that would set the community ablaze once again.
Unlike George's 'Raid Party', Princess Dina proposed a 'Special Task Force'.