Chapter 196
Chapter 196
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 196
Chapter Title: Operation Ant-Man (2)
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[Earth Sovereign Hammer][Unique]
A massive hammer infused with the energy of the earth. Striking it down with force can unleash powerful vibrations.
-Attack Power: 2,500
-Durability: 10,000 / 10,000
-Can generate powerful vibrations when struck down with sufficient force.
-The vibration's power scales with the striking force.
-Stamina +100
Earth Sovereign Hammer. This was a pretty interesting weapon.
The harder you struck it down, the more tremendous vibrations it could produce—and for someone with Rokan's strength, it didn't end with mere vibrations.
Earthquakes. Ripples and shockwaves spread outward that were believable as such. They weren't the kind of thing you could just brace against and endure with raw power.
'No matter how strong they are, getting knocked flat creates an opening.'
It wasn't a stun, but anyone caught in those waves would inevitably topple. Masters or high masters alike.
If you swapped weapons and attacked during that window, it could be a massive opportunity.
Plus, clashing it directly with an enemy's weapon could rattle their insides, and there were plenty of other fun ways to use it.
In his previous life, it had belonged to a dwarf player on the Ragnarok team led by the King of Genesis. Now it was in Rokan's hands.
'Interesting. This really is a unique item.'
Unique meant one-of-a-kind.
Most games used the term just to denote a grade, and The Lord had its share of that too—but a few actual items lived up to the name.
Items that existed in only one copy.
As far as Rokan knew, the Earth Sovereign Hammer was one such item. And he was confident he could wield it better than anyone.
"Thank you."
He had no idea what items the others had received. But no one could complain about a unique weapon forged by dwarves.
It might not match their current weapon, but they could fetch a fortune selling it—and plenty would switch to a main weapon that suited the item's options.
Weapon mastery would level up with use anyway, and it was one of the skills that rose faster than most.
Watching the others retreat, fearful their loot might be snatched away, Rokan sank into thought.
Naturally, he wasn't pondering how to steal their items. Drop rates were low, and being cautious of allies amid wartime chaos was too exhausting.
'No, wait—there's Mass Slaughter.'
The temptation flickered briefly, but barring special items like the Earth Sovereign Hammer, he'd just sell anything he got—so he focused on reading the battlefield.
'First, I need to see if the dwarves dig in for a defense or keep pushing forward.'
It was a crucial matter. Their choice would dictate the Black Dragon Legion's response.
A defense would draw the orcs in, and given their minimal losses, pushing further could invite other races to join.
That, in turn, would create openings for the Golden Lion faction's other races to move.
"As expected."
After observing for a bit, Rokan nodded at the dwarves' decision. It fit their racial temperament.
True to their mastery of architecture and crafting, they swiftly repaired the crumbled walls while hauling in siege defense weapons to fortify their position.
At the same time, they readied their combat troops—to widen the breach they'd already carved.
As long as they avoided encirclement, their maneuver could buy even more time for Tchilraman Fortress's defenders.
'If the dwarves start fortifying the fortress... that'd be a nightmare.'
Either way, it was a win for the dwarves.
Snatching another outpost with their field forces was a gain; even failure just bought time, which was still a gain.
Their path was a bit tricky, though.
"What the...?"
If it were him, he'd hit the orcs' next outpost outright.
But they didn't.
It looked at first like they were heading for the orc outpost, but then the main force—minus the vanguard—veered in a completely different direction.
"Ah..."
Surprisingly, that direction led to another frontline.
Rather than slipping through cracks, they were forcing open the gaps that already existed.
Their target: Hiratta, the goblin citadel closest to Tchilraman Fortress.
"So that's their play."
Many still hadn't caught on, but Rokan pieced it together from experience.
The vanguard breaking toward the orc outpost? Their role wasn't mere scouting—it was highly likely "road demolition."
Engineering troops blocking paths, collapsing routes, and setting traps to prevent ganks on the main base while it moved.
Massive armies of tens of thousands needed proper roads. Without them, travel time could double or more.
What if the dwarves wanted to advance later?
No issue. As crafting masters, they could rebuild ruined paths in a flash if they wanted.
"This is escalating."
Rokan immediately scanned other faction camps, tracking not just the goblins as attack targets, but nearby undead movements—and conversely, the gnomes adjacent to the dwarves.
"As expected..."
They were mobilizing too, subtly shifting troops to avoid notice—but gearing up for battle.
The goblins faced the gnomes; if they fell, the undead were next in line.
Coordinated attacks and defenses were only natural.
"Getting fun."
The question was the half-elves' response.
If the undead moved, it would ease pressure on the half-elves they opposed. Even a mild-mannered race that rarely stirred unless invaded wouldn't pass up this chance.
'A bit worrisome, though...'
That remained to be seen. For now, the dwarf-gnome alliance versus goblin-undead war promised a spectacle.
The Golden Lion pair blended melee and magic; the Black Dragon duo leaned magic-heavy but could replenish undead ranks.
'Speed is key.'
Even that favored the dwarves and gnomes if they pushed fast. Undead needed corpse fodder.
Deny them time, and the Golden Lions held the high ground—deplete defending mana with catapults, then breach for an edge.
Dwarf-made catapults and ballistae outranged standard ones, giving siege dominance.
"Shame. Wish I could watch."
It'd be a sight, but alas, Rokan had his own fight.
They'd crushed the troll horde, but the trolls had plenty left—and who knew if they'd charge head-on again or try something sly.
So before they could, he'd strike first.
"Everyone, assemble at command tent."
After gauging their advance pace, Rokan returned to Kazan Tia and called an officers' meeting. Not to plan—he was issuing orders.
"That's..."
"Too risky, isn't it? I mean, is it even possible?"
Rokan's plan was audaciously bold. Reckless, even arrogant.
Against trolls, masters of the hunt, no less.
And not just that—their top dog Kyarus and many troll elites were hunters, sure, but plenty leveraged regen, strength, and agility in melee. Surprisingly many shamans too, as blood-mediated skill trees suited trolls.
Facing such versatile fighters—top-tier among the eight races—with a gamble? It defied Talran and Delas's common sense.
"Yeah. Just prep."
But Rokan brimmed with confidence. Early war, NPC-led: perfect for 'player tactics' to shine.
'This has to work.'
Trolls had 'hunter's instinct.' They'd detect approaches—but Rokan would exploit that. Their overconfidence would poison them.
Just like Tollog, cocky until he lost most troops and got soul-drained into retreat.
'Need practice first.'
No second chances. A one-shot ploy, so he drilled meticulously.
Rehearsing the plan's core element, he waited calmly for the dwarf-gnome alliance to hit Hiratta.
* * *
"Beta here. In position."
Delas's whisper via communication orb signaled the dwarf-gnome vs. goblin-undead battle's start.
"Commence movement."
The human legions mobilized in sync.
Rokan's gnome clockwork scarecrows manned the walls to deceive eyes, while troops scattered to evade detection magic, heading for the trolls' forward base, Hushkan.
A pittance against Hushkan's garrison—but irrelevant. Rokan just needed minimal delay force. He had ways to offset numbers.
While all eyes fixed on Hiratta, the 'weakest' race targeted the 'strongest's' outpost.
"Kai, time to get ready."
Kyit!
Meanwhile, Rokan soared alone over Hushkan's skies.
Atop Kai, he flitted like an ordinary bird, mapping outposts—then rocketed skyward.
"Rider of Legends."
Kai's massive shadow blanketed much of Hushkan for a split second.
But it vanished cleanly, drawing every gaze upward.
Tzzzzzt!
Pushing body manipulation to extremes, Kai shrank smaller than a fly.
Rokan, linked via [Empathy], followed suit.
"Operation Ant-Man. Go time."
Something dust-sized plummeted toward Hushkan.