Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Damian vs. Kaum Territory War
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Two territories located in the southern part of the continent.
Demian.
Kaum.
In fact, the scale of the two territories wasn't all that large.
At best, they were just a bit bigger than Parten.
They could be seen as cities straddling the line between small and medium-sized.
And that was probably why.
This war could be viewed as a mere skirmish between territories—quite small compared to wars between nations.
In other words, it wasn't on the epic scale you'd see in movies.
Consequently, the number of participants was quite limited: up to 200 per territory.
"I'll participate in the war under Demian!"
"Sorry, but our territory isn't taking any more adventurers."
"Demian for me!"
"We're already at full capacity, so head back."
The players who had flocked to Demian early, following the rookies.
As a result, they'd filled the maximum of 200 slots shortly after the reward list was announced.
Most of the players who arrived later ended up making a wasted trip.
"Damn, it's already full."
"I'm heading back."
Many players gave up on the war entirely and logged off right there.
However.
"Tch, no helping it."
Not everyone did.
"I wasn't planning on earning contribution rewards amid those squabbling idiots anyway."
"It's a guaranteed loss, but let's go to Kaum. Just participating gets us daily supplies and pay."
"If players are off-limits, we can farm soldier NPCs. They drop decent items and exp."
Exactly.
The daily supplies and pay.
Drops and experience from soldier NPCs.
And the final settlement rewards, regardless of victory or defeat.
There were plenty of benefits just from participating.
So, quite a few players headed to Kaum territory, not expecting to win but to snag those gains.
Thus, the numbers evened out.
As tension built toward the battlefield, two men appeared atop Demian's walls.
"Still, we've somehow filled the ranks."
Fox-like narrowed eyes.
Black ponytail.
Two sheathed swords at his waist.
The rookie player Kotaro grinned as he spoke.
The long-haired man Kenny standing beside him nodded.
"Well, even in a small territory war like this, there's decent loot. No death penalties either. They're probably settling for Kaum's pay."
"This is gonna be a boring war."
"What did you expect from this backwater? We just do our job for the pay. We wouldn't even be here if the lord hadn't offered that much gold, right?"
"True enough."
"So..."
Kenny gazed down at the battlefield.
"Let's wrap this up quick and go home. Everyone else is a nobody anyway."
His voice brimmed with confidence.
Around that time.
Seokwoo logged out of Agas and emerged from his capsule.
"Bro, what's up? Logging out this early?"
"Needed a moment to think."
Ignoring Jonghyuk's gaze, he headed to the break room.
Once inside, Seokwoo pulled up his phone and opened the Agas community forums.
Videos scrolled by.
This week's uploads particularly caught his eye.
Today's Gamers.
The rookie rankings featured Kotaro and Kenny.
'Tch, made it onto this week's list.'
And just a few days ago, at that.
No wonder he hadn't heard the names before.
They were fresh faces, piping hot.
Yet both rookies were participating in this war together.
Like it was their grand debut.
Kotaro ranked 8th among rookies.
Kenny was 11th.
Impressively high for players just starting to gain attention.
How?
The mystery cleared up quickly.
The ability assessment simulator run alongside the tutorial.
Their total scores were higher than expected.
'81 points total?'
Seokwoo narrowed his eyes.
That was nearly ranker level.
'Kenny's only 70, but...'
He had a hidden class instead.
Poison Master.
Its abilities covered his weaknesses.
'This might be tougher than I thought.'
It wasn't just the two of them.
Their entire faction: Demian territory.
He had to win the war against them.
'And of all things, that pops up.'
Seokwoo rubbed his forehead.
When he'd checked Kaum's contribution rewards after Demian's.
Seokwoo had seen it.
At the top of the reward list for a territory in poor financial shape.
The top prize: a rare item emblazoned with a black mask emblem.
'Night King's gear.'
Yes.
That equipment was the Night King's.
A rare-grade gauntlet, no less.
Perfectly matching the slot he needed.
That's why he was agonizing over it.
Join Kaum to claim the Night King's item?
Or stick with his pre-registered Demian slot?
'I registered for Demian just in case, but...'
If he didn't switch, the chance would vanish.
Four hours until the war started.
He had to decide at least an hour before.
Because faction changes locked one hour prior.
'If I'm switching, do it before then.'
Of course, Kaum might fill up first.
But players could swap factions freely, so no issue.
'Half would jump from Demian to Kaum in a heartbeat.'
So, about three hours of leeway.
That's why he'd logged out to the real world.
'Alright, let's calmly review the rookies' videos first.'
Agas community had rookie rankings plus ability tests and combat footage.
Seokwoo analyzed them slowly, comparing foes to himself.
-Ah, five players have surrounded him—a do-or-die moment! How will rookie Kotaro respond?!
-My god, that's an AoE poison impossible at that low level!
-Fast, so fast. Attack to counterattack. Lightning quick!
-Truly befitting the Poison Master class...
Levels.
Items.
Skill.
In-game stats and more.
He calculated possibilities from public data.
And reached one conclusion.
A cigarette slipped naturally between his lips.
Seokwoo lit it with his lighter.
'It's doable.'
Flick, fwoosh!
'Just might take some time.'
Territory wars.
Simply put, they were like a game of capture-the-points.
14 strongholds on the plateau field.
Each side protected their 7 while conquering the enemy's 7.
Driving them back to their castle.
'The messages make it sound strategic, but...'
In reality, it was a brute-force push.
Occupy enemy points and advance from there.
There was one spot with two parallel points up and down, but otherwise a straight line.
'One per day means even a total rout takes 7 days.'
Variables could extend it.
Though Kaum's mood suggested no such delays.
"Ah, just kill time then head out."
"We'll snag any soldiers that poke out."
Morale was rock bottom.
They didn't even seem interested in fighting properly.
Which made sense.
The enemy had two rookies, after all.
"Fuck those rookies. I'll smash 'em myself."
A few aimed to take down rookies for fame, but they were the minority.
Some weren't even planning to fight, already fiddling with recording before the war started.
'Here for the footage.'
Territory wars rarely drew attention.
Especially with a level 50 cap.
Lowbie scraps weren't newsworthy.
That left the two rookies.
They'd probably come for them but got pushed here by numbers.
'Once combat starts, filming will be impossible...'
Still, who knew.
Luke pulled his hood lower and slipped away.
Watching the NPCs form ranks, he pulled out a portable whetstone.
'Not like I'm interested in conquering anyway.'
For now.
Growth was key.
Farm and level up before the castle fell.
'At least close the level gap with those rookies.'
From his research, neither had standout items.
So gear gap was minimal.
The issue was levels.
'Stat differences are hard to bridge.'
As a second-year vet, Luke knew better.
Hence, grow first via the war.
To build momentum for the counterattack.
His current level: 32.
Theirs: 42 and 43.
Nearly a 10-level gap.
'Close it in 6 days.'
How?
By farming enemy soldiers.
And pickpocketing allies.
That was Luke's top priority.
'They'll level too, but...'
Thief skills should keep pace.
Bwooooooo—!
The horn blared.
Both sides' soldiers advanced in squads.
"Chaaarge!"
"Annihilate the enemy!"
"Trample them and seize the point!"
The ground trembled.
Weapons clashed.
Squads collided.
Soldiers rushed for the first stronghold.
'Time for me to move.'
Luke stood.
Then—
Clang, clang!
Sparks flew on the battlefield.
Amid it, one creature that didn't belong caught his eye.
A frantic animal wandering through the clash of steel.
'What's that?'
A raccoon dog spirit beast.