Chapter 374
Chapter 374
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 374
Chapter Title: Racial War (13)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A low yet resonant voice echoed around the human representative team's barracks.
The voice belonged to a warrior from a species resembling a sea urchin, who had been watching humanity's combat tactics with keen interest from the mid-seed spectator stands just moments ago.
Moreover, several other mid-seed species warriors with similar auras were approaching the human team in unison, as if by prior agreement.
Contrary to Reaper Johnson's prediction that humanity, having rarely interacted with other species, would struggle to find alliance partners, various races were ironically reaching out to them first.
"Grrr... You need solid strength, don't you, humans!"
It was the 'Frostmane' species, with a ferocious appearance blending wolf and bear.
Their chieftain bared his teeth at Lee Hyuk-soo as he spoke.
The warrior's voice rumbled low and menacing, like an echo in a cave.
"We Frostmanes possess resilient bodies that survive in the harshest environments and destructive power. If our strength bolsters your humans' unorthodox strategies, no species will dare challenge us lightly. We'll be your shield and spear. Of course, half the spoils from our hunts go to us."
They proposed an alliance in exchange for pure martial might and protection.
From another direction, a lithe shadow approached on a gust of wind.
It was the 'Windkin' species, with translucent wings and an appearance like wind spirits.
"Humans, we've seen your prowess on the ground. But who knows what the next stage will be? With us Windkin, you'll dominate the skies, gather intelligence faster than anyone, and evade dangers. We'll be your eyes and wings."
They touted their superior mobility and scouting abilities.
In an instant, the area around the human representative team buzzed with mid-seed species offering alliances and touting their strengths.
Their gazes held expectations for humanity's potential, mingled with blatant calculations to boost their own survival odds by leveraging that power.
This was a far more intricate and perilous diplomatic game than the anxiety of low-seed species fretting over being targeted next.
Lee Hyuk-soo met the eyes of each species representative with unwavering resolve amid the barrage of proposals and assessments.
He now stood at a crucial crossroads that could determine humanity's fate.
'Alliance between species permitted. No penalty for betrayal.'
Thanks to the 'Underworld Ledger' Dagon had provided, he could now access detailed information on them.
Yet the choice remained difficult.
Even Adora refrained from interfering at this juncture.
She too lacked certainty about which species would make the best ally.
In Park Chan-woo's records, interspecies alliances had always been the most unpredictable variable.
"I've heard your proposals."
Lee Hyuk-soo finally spoke.
The surroundings fell silent at his voice.
"An alliance is a weighty matter. I'll take some time to deliberate before deciding."
Lee Hyuk-soo's response was cautious.
He gave no firm commitment to any species.
The mid-seed species warriors showed brief disappointment but soon nodded in acceptance and returned to their places.
At the very least, humanity was no longer an entity to be ignored.
They deemed it worthwhile to await the humans' choice.
"So... what's the plan, Captain?"
Reaper Johnson broke the silence first.
Frustration and anxiety etched his face.
"If everything they said is true, alliances seem essential for us."
Lee Hyuk-soo gazed down at the crimson tablet Dagon had given him.
As his finger brushed its surface, detailed holograms of the 'Frostmane Tribe' and 'Stormwinder Tribe' materialized.
They were the two strongest among those seeking alliance.
"According to Dagon's intel, both have their pros and cons,"
Adrianne said, scanning the information.
Lee Hyuk-soo nodded.
"The Frostmanes could serve as reliable tanks and damage dealers, but they'd be hard to control, and spoils disputes could cause friction. The Windkin excel in scouting and mobility, but they're too fickle to trust fully."
Ling-Ling added calmly.
"No species can be fully trusted here. An alliance might end up as shackles holding us back."
"So, you're saying no alliances? We tough it out alone?"
Reaper Johnson chuckled and shook his head.
That was an even more absurd choice.
That was when it happened.
"...Go with the Windkin."
The suggestion came from Han Shin.
Lee Hyuk-soo asked,
"What's your reasoning?"
"I think I can communicate with their queen."
"You know her?"
"Something like that."
"...?"
Everyone tilted their heads at the vague reply.
But Han Shin offered no further explanation.
'The Fairy Queen's core is reacting.'
Han Shin had once consumed the 'Fairy Queen's Core' on a battlefield where he gathered half-demons.
And when he glimpsed the Windkin queen from afar, it had reacted.
Whether due to shared fairy essence, he couldn't say.
"...".
Adora silently observed the situation.
She knew the responsibility of the choice fell entirely on Lee Hyuk-soo, regardless of the species selected.
And whatever outcome it brought would be part of the grand flow Park Chan-woo had prepared.
The issue was trust in Han Shin.
Lee Hyuk-soo viewed him as no different from an enemy.
No matter how favorably one spun it, Han Shin was an avatar and contractor of the Demon God.
But.
"Very well."
Lee Hyuk-soo spoke as if reaching a decision.
All eyes turned to him.
"Our first alliance partner will be... the Windkin tribe."
"Hm."
Surprisingly, Han Shin seemed caught off guard.
He hadn't expected Lee Hyuk-soo to agree so readily.
He'd anticipated rejection or demands for concrete evidence.
"Then I'll make contact."
Han Shin departed.
When he returned, an ethereal, mystical presence followed, incomparable to before.
Like dawn mist given form, a woman hovered in the air, her translucent wings fluttering softly.
Her silver hair shimmered in the breeze, her skin pale and luminous as if infused with moonlight.
Her deep blue eyes held playful curiosity alongside an aloof depth that revealed little.
Sylphia, queen of the Windkin tribe, 'Thunderbolt Wings'.
Her mere presence seemed to shift the air around the human team's barracks.
"We have confirmed your fated connection to us Windkin. Humans, join us."
Sylphia's voice was clear and pure, like flute notes carried on the wind, yet its weight was anything but light.
All were momentarily speechless, overwhelmed by her mystical form and the potent mana emanating from her.
A level 150 powerhouse from Dagon's ledger.
And queen of her species.
She had come in person.
Lee Hyuk-soo recovered first and stepped forward.
"It is an honor to meet Sylphia, queen of the Windkin. I am Lee Hyuk-soo."
He introduced himself with proper decorum, but his gaze never left her.
If her words held true, how had Han Shin convinced her—and verified a 'fated bond'—in such a short time?
Sylphia's blue eyes scanned Lee Hyuk-soo with interest.
"Lee Hyuk-soo... The aura you exude is impressive. But right now, the important one is not you, but..."
Her gaze shifted to Han Shin.
He remained expressionless but met her eyes directly.
"That 'scent' from you... It's been ages. The breath of the Forgotten Queen."
At Sylphia's words, every team member's eyes widened except Han Shin's.
'Breath of the Forgotten Queen'?
Han Shin harbored yet another secret they knew nothing about.
Lee Hyuk-soo masked his surprise and cut to the chase.
"Queen Sylphia, we appreciate your alliance offer. But as you know, the next round is a chaotic stage with no penalties for betrayal. As a nascent species, humanity finds it hard to trust any race lightly."
Sylphia smiled faintly at his candor.
"Of course. That's precisely why I've come to you."
She flared her translucent wings wide once.
A refreshing breeze scattered tiny lightning particles around.
"We Windkin cherish freedom above all and despise bondage. Yet we also know that surviving vast stages like the 'Isles of Chaos' sometimes requires a reliable 'windbreak'."
Her gaze lingered briefly on Han Shin before returning to Lee Hyuk-soo.
"The 'bond' I sense from that warrior will serve as a powerful chain preventing us Windkin from easily betraying you. Of course, we have our own demands."
"What would those be?"
Lee Hyuk-soo asked tensely.
Sylphia smiled faintly and replied,
"Park Chan-woo."
"...".
"I hear he's among your warriors here."
"...You know him?"
It was baffling.
The Windkin had no prior contact with humanity.
Even Adora felt curiosity stir.
She knew Park Chan-woo had never encountered the Windkin.
Not even his records mentioned them.
Sylphia's smile deepened.
"Yes. Quite well."
Her gaze turned toward Adora.