Savage Conquest and Shattered Limits
The InnerHume1 with archer traits and the SurveyHume drew their bows taut.
Pew! Whoosh! Two arrows sliced through the air toward Lebante. By sheer luck, one struck the shoulder of Lebante, who was taunting from atop the walls.
"Okay. Stop. That's it—regroup immediately."
Snapping out of it, I assessed the enemy's numbers and formation. Two archers assigned to the watchtower outposts. Fortunately, our range held up.
"Two archers in the outposts. Three on the walls. Six warriors. Total eleven. We've got four martial artist warriors, two archers, one mage—seven in total."
"Plan doesn't change. We make the most of our unique asset—the mage."
I had Octavia chant Haste on herself. Thanks to my elevated magical realm, I could even buff the four refugees with Haste.
"The two archers provide cover fire to pin down the outpost archers, keeping them from targeting the main force. Meanwhile, the rest charge, and we blast the gate with magic."
Click. I issued the order without hesitation.
Arrows flew toward both outposts as the main force charged. Haste chanted, accelerating us. Five of us stormed up the hill at breakneck speed; the enemies panicked and nocked arrows.
Three archers on the walls.
The three refugees in front raised shields, blocking the arrows.
We reached the gate in seconds. Immediately chanting [Fireball].
BOOM! One spell shattered the gate.
Prying it wider with mana-infused staff and sword, we pushed inside. The fight turned to street combat.
After that, it was Octavia's solo show. The bandits couldn't handle her overwhelming mobility and explosive firepower.
"Lebante! Where the hell is Lebante?!"
Spotting Lebante trying to sneak away, I ordered Octavia to attack. He traded a few blows, but one [Fireball] blew off his arm. Her mana-reinforced staff smashed his skull, and he dropped.
With the refugees joining in, the battle ended in a flash. The bandits surrendered.
[Enemies have surrendered!]
"Looks like the viewers are finally grasping the true essence of a mage."
I smiled, satisfied.
[Battle Victory! Captured 6 in total.]
"Two isolated outpost archers, one from the main force, two warriors—six total... The other five died. No room to hold back."
"Nothing else matters. Just get me InnerHume! InnerHume is all I need!"
Quickly skimming the prisoners' status screens, I found InnerHume.
I placed a hand on my hip.
"Ahh... I've mastered this game. Just win fights, and most problems solve themselves."
"We'll decide on the rest later. For now, recover resources from the fortress."
"Using the bandits' loot for Neo Rome's prosperity—ain't that best for everyone?"
I casually continued as I rummaged through the fortress. Then, bodies appeared. Five of them. One was a child.
"..."
The expression vanished from my face. Click. Silently, I pulled up the internal affairs screen and blanket-decided the prisoners' fates.
[Assign all as slaves to the 'Martial Refugee Base' colony?]
Click.
['Martial Refugee Base' loyalty and morale increased.]
[Select Treatment]
☐ 1. Lenient Treatment
☐ 2. Standard Treatment
☐ 3. Harsh Treatment (Risk of overwork death or rebellion)
Click. Selected 3. Renamed Hooz to InnerHume 2, assigned workload to 'overwork levels'.
"That's what I'm waiting for. So I can execute them legally."
Memories of Terra flashed by. Breath quickened. The stench of filthy black soil filled the air. Screams from behind, my clumsy hand gripped the sword too slowly. If only I hadn't seen that scene. If I couldn't protect them, I should've closed my eyes. Weak bastard. Got strong too late. My enemies called me a monster, but I'd lost too much. No reason left to stay on Terra.
I consciously unclenched my fist. Blood under my nails. Ignoring the hallucination overlaying the flowing blood, I healed with silent magic. Slow deep breaths. Inhale, exhale, release the memories, push out the hellish visions, exhale, empty the mind.
Back to the screen. This is Earth. I'm streaming.
"Meeeh..."
I forced a laugh. "Haha. Ruthless rule. That's Neo Rome's philosophy."
Quickly transferring all resources, reallocating Humes, I spoke up.
"That's it for today... Oh, and no stream tomorrow—got something outside."
"Returnee mana investigation and rank check. Such a hassle."
I smiled at the camera. "So rest up tomorrow. I'll rest too."
With that, the stream ended.
The next day, I headed out to the Response Agency. Blinding sunlight after so long made me squint.
"Feels like I turned vampire or something..."
It wasn't far. Entering the agency, I met Choi Seo-ah waiting underground. In her crisp black suit, she spoke calmly.
"Ok Davin. You're here. Returnee Response Agency dedicated investigator, Choi Seo-ah."
"...I already know, but you gotta say it again?"
Choi Seo-ah blinked, seeming flustered.
"Habit. Procedure."
"...Fine."
"We'll now proceed with rank confirmation. Ranks from S-class down to A~F. For mages, we measure mana quantity and control."
Quickly changing topics, she led me to the underground precision lab. White-coated researchers, massive machines, a mana orb in the center. Beyond it was obscured.
"First, mana quantity. Place your hand on the mana orb and channel mana to activate measurement."
I placed my hand and drew up mana. The machine hummed, displaying the reading.
[Mana Quantity: A]
"Oho. Better than expected."
Even after losing so much mana, this result? Earth's thin mana density must be the factor.
"Next, mana control. Form the most complex mana structure possible in the orb."
"As complex as I can?"
"Yes. No orb has ever been destroyed worldwide, so don't wor—"
Smirking mischievously, I poured in mana. Researchers monitoring the internal circuits on screens—and Choi Seo-ah—eyes widened.
My mana split into thousands of threads, forming countless geometric magic circles. They intertwined into a 3D array.
Beep beep! Alarms blared as the machine overheated, smoking.
"Huh? Didn't it hold up? Just this much?"
Playfully, I began tracing the formula of my return magic circle.
"𝕾𝖆𝖓𝖌𝖚𝖎𝖘 𝖒𝖔𝖓𝖙𝖎𝖚𝖒…"
⟨ Return Gate ⟩
Now even the researchers couldn't track the circles' forms. Indiscernible, alien structures despite watching.
Crackle, boom! The billions-of-won precision gear exploded into dust.
Silence fell amid scattering mana debris.
Choi Seo-ah agape. Researchers collapsed in shock. One knelt like beholding transcendence.
Davin brushed dust from her clothes and spoke casually.
"Even if you make me pay, I got no money."