Crisis

'Should I ask Otil from Channel 5?'

I pondered about the Channel 4 bugs for a while before turning my thoughts toward Channel 5.

For one, the idea of attacking the bugs with magic didn't seem wrong.

'Actually, it's not like the bugs evolved to develop magic resistance.'

They just evolved to be able to withstand magic.

In short, magic is still effective, so thinking about it, digging deeper into magic seemed like the right move.

[Friend, requesting a 1:1 chat with 'Otil'.]

[The other party has accepted the 1:1 chat.]

So, I contacted Otil and asked about the Channel 4 bugs.

<Survivor★(2ch): Otil-nim. I'd like to ask for some advice regarding the Channel 4 bugs, is that okay?>

<Otil*(5ch): Was the bug extermination magic I improved for you before not enough?>

<Survivor★(2ch): That's not it, but the bugs have evolved.>

<Otil*(5ch): Evolved? In this short amount of time?>

Otil asked again, as if she couldn't believe the bugs had evolved in such a short time.

<Survivor★(2ch): They don't seem like normal bugs. Also, people in Channel 4 say the only way is to kill them all at once.>

<Otil*(5ch): So you're asking for a way to kill all the bugs in Channel 4 at once?>

<Survivor★(2ch): Yes. I feel like I have to attack them with magic.>

When I answered honestly, Otil didn't reply for a while, perhaps thinking it over.

<Otil*(5ch): If the target is bugs, there must be a queen specimen among them.>

<Survivor★(2ch): A queen specimen?>

<Otil*(5ch): Like ants or bees, it means they have a focal point.>

I secretly wondered if there might be a species without one, but on the other hand, I also thought there might be one.

It made sense, since the bugs were even running factories, so it wouldn't be strange for them to have a focal point.

<Otil*(5ch): In my opinion, I think the situation will only improve if you kill that queen specimen.>

'That definitely makes sense.'

I thought of the scavengers that the Channel 4 Know-it-all mentioned.

When they were scavenging for ownerless items to earn points, they must have naturally killed bugs too.

'Whether they were regular bugs or bugs infected with machines, they must have killed a ton.'

However, despite killing so many bugs, nothing had changed.

In fact, they even evolved right in front of their eyes, so as Otil said, catching the queen specimen might be the way to go.

<Survivor★(2ch): As you said, Otil-nim, to catch the queen specimen, I first need to find out where it is.>

<Otil*(5ch): That goes without saying. But you mentioned earlier that you think you should attack with magic; is there a reason?>

<Survivor★(2ch): Yes. The bugs evolved, but they didn't evolve to develop magic resistance.>

I continued by telling her that the bugs simply grew in size to evolve and withstand magic.

<Otil*(5ch): Ah. So that's why magic... I see what you mean. Magic is definitely a good option.>

Otil understood what I said immediately and spoke about how to catch the bugs.

<Otil*(5ch): Anyway, if you're going to catch the bugs with magic, there is one method that comes to mind.>

<Survivor★(2ch): Really?>

<Otil*(5ch): Yes. If it goes well, you might be able to wipe out every single bug, including the queen specimen.>

I was naturally curious at Otil's overly confident ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠words.

<Survivor★(2ch): What method is it?>

<Otil*(5ch): It's a curse. Specifically, using an infectious curse to scorch the earth with the bugs.>

I could roughly guess what an infectious curse meant.

It meant spreading a curse like a cold to kill other bugs as well.

<Survivor★(2ch): Is it possible to kill bugs with a curse?>

(5ch): You should be asking if there's anything that can't* be killed by a curse. Especially since one of a witch's specialties is curses.>

Come to think of it, I remembered what Melani, the 101-year-old witch from Channel 5, had said before.

'Did she say witches specialize in curses, illusions, and charms?'

In short, a witch's specialty isn't 'magic', but 'curses'.

<Otil*(5ch): However, there's a minor problem.>

<Survivor★(2ch): A problem?>

(5ch): Yes. If you were casting a curse on anything, it wouldn't matter, but you need to kill only* the bugs. So, you have to adjust it separately so that only the bugs are cursed.>

After hearing Otil's explanation, I could roughly guess what she was going to say.

<Survivor★(2ch): Do you mean you need a sample?>

<Otil*(5ch): That's right. I need dozens of bugs that are as intact as possible.>

<Survivor★(2ch): Dozens?>

<Otil*(5ch): It can't be helped. I have to research using dead bugs, since I can't get live ones.>

Even if I caught the bugs, they had to be in a dead state to be handed over via 1:1 trade.

It was because live bugs couldn't be put into the trade window, which in a way, was unavoidable.

<Survivor★(2ch): Then I'll tell Channel 4 to catch as many bugs as possible.>

<Otil*(5ch): You're quite relaxed, though. Taking care of Channel 4 as well.>

"......."

I thought about Otil's words for a moment, then gave her an answer that would satisfy her.

<Survivor★(2ch): I have no choice. To perform a dimension shift, I need to raise my Modern Item Purchase level. To do that, I have to keep trading with many people.>

<Otil*(5ch): Ah. Was that the reason?>

<Survivor★(2ch): Of course. Also, I'm receiving weapon supplies from Channel 4.>

When I told her that I needed the people of Channel 4, Otil replied as if she understood.

<Otil*(5ch): I understand. Then I'll ask the Elder Witch-nim and do my best.>

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

<Survivor★(2ch): Yes. I'll send them as soon as I get the bugs.>

<Otil*(5ch): I hope the dimension shift happens soon.>

'Ah. Come to think of it.'

The biggest problem in Channel 5 was that there were no men in that world, so no new witches could be born.

Thanks to that, the witch race was slowly dying out, and a strange thought occurred to me regarding that.

'Since I unlocked the Meeting Shelter this time...'

If I used the Meeting Shelter, it was possible to meet a witch.

I thought if a witch could even get pregnant there, it might solve the most urgent problem.

'But I shouldn't say this, right?'

They might tell me to try it right away as soon as I said it.

Besides, since this was a matter of Channel 5's fate, it wouldn't be easy to refuse.

"......."

Thinking about that again, I found myself looking at the Hero Party without realizing it.

After looking at Elisicia, Rubyel, and Aila once, I decided not to say anything after all.

'Right, because there's the dimension shift.'

If I raised my Modern Item Purchase level, a dimension shift might be possible.

So, I judged that there was no need to bring it up now and cause a commotion, so I buried it for the time being.

'Anyway, I should tell Know-it-all to catch as many bugs as possible...'

Just as I was about to contact Know-it-all to convey the news.

[Friend, 'Ice Queen☆' has requested a 1:1 chat.]

[Friend, 'Know-it-all☆' has requested a 1:1 chat.]

"......?"

For some reason, I received messages from Ice Queen in Channel 3 and Know-it-all in Channel 4 at the same time.

This was my first time experiencing this, so I stared for a moment before taking Ice Queen's call first.

<Ice Queen☆*(3ch): Survivor-nim. Can I borrow the Water Demon Spirit right now? And if possible, the Infinite Ammo Ability Orb and the Blast Crusher too.>

Water Demon Spirit? Infinite Ammo? Blast Crusher?

<Survivor★(2ch): Why those?>

<Ice Queen☆*(3ch): A Zombie Queen has appeared in Busan.>

Huh?

<Survivor★(2ch): A Zombie Queen? Are you talking about the third Zombie Queen?>

<Ice Queen☆*(3ch): Yes. So I'm planning to attack before the zombies gather and start moving in earnest.>

If the third Zombie Queen had appeared, it made sense.

Fortunately, if they had the Water Demon Spirit, as well as Infinite Ammo and the Blast Crusher, they would be able to take it down without difficulty.

<Survivor★(2ch): I can lend you the first two, but the Blast Crusher is currently lent out, so I need to get it back.>

For reference, the Blast Crusher was in the hands of the Assault Captain belonging to the Incheon Alliance.

In short, I had to get that Blast Crusher back and then hand it over to Ice Queen or register it as a product.

'But if I register it as a product...'

Assuming I give it to Ice Queen and the Assault Captain, I would have to buy it twice.

Since the Taehwa 9-Style was 450,000 points, if the Blast Crusher was priced similarly, it would be a significant expense.

'Maybe it's better to get the Blast Crusher from Channel 4 instead.'

Thinking that far, I spoke to Ice Queen first.

<Survivor★(2ch): I'll give you the Water Demon Spirit and the Ability Orb first. Please wait a little for the Blast Crusher.>

After leaving those words, I accepted the 1:1 chat with Know-it-all.

Originally, I was going to ask Know-it-all to catch the bugs and for a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Blast Crusher, but...

<Know-it-all☆*(4ch): Bug extermination magic. Don't you have anything with stronger power?>

<Survivor★(2ch): I can make it stronger, but they said it's dangerous to humans too. But why?>

<Know-it-all☆*(4ch): The bugs' counterattack has started. A huge number are flying in right now.>

Flying in?

<Survivor★(2ch): Flying in?>

<Know-it-all☆*(4ch): I'll show you.>

Know-it-all uploaded a photo along with the answer.

Upon checking, I could see a bizarre form with two pairs of wings sprouting from the caterpillar's back.

<Survivor★(2ch): These guys even have wings?>

<Know-it-all☆*(4ch): They originally flew in on the wind. But since they evolved, they can't do that, so it seems they created their own means of transportation.>

<Survivor★(2ch): They evolved in a fascinating way.>

<Know-it-all☆*(4ch): Evolution aside, the problem is that they are flying in right now. I need an enhanced bug extermination magic as a stopgap measure.>

Following Channel 3, only bad news was delivered from Channel 4 as well.

However, having somewhat expected it, I decided to solve them one by one.

<Survivor★(2ch): I'll make it and put it on the exchange first. And can I get a few more Blast Crushers?>

<Know-it-all☆*(4ch): Blast Crusher? It might be difficult right now.>

<Survivor★(2ch): Huh? Ah. Is it because of the bugs?>

<Know-it-all☆*(4ch): That's right. Because there's no weapon as good as the Blast Crusher against the ones flying in.>

Certainly, with the Blast Crusher, they might be able to catch quite a lot of bugs.

However, thinking that it would only be at the level of catching 20-30 bugs if you fired 100 rounds, I suggested another way.

<Survivor★(2ch): Then I'll give you a level 30 Infinite Ammo Orb too. Just give me one Blast Crusher.>

<Know-it-all☆*(4ch): If it's an Infinite Ammo Orb, there's a possibility. But is it urgent?>

<Survivor★(2ch): It's urgent if you say it's urgent. But why?>

<Know-it-all☆*(4ch): The military naturally won't be satisfied with just one Ability Orb. It will take time to negotiate.>

It was better to catch the third Zombie Queen that appeared in Channel 3 as quickly as possible before they could prepare their forces.

Naturally, there was no weapon as good as the Blast Crusher, so after thinking for a moment, I decided to offer up to two.

<Survivor★(2ch): Or I'll put about 10 Infinite Ammo Orbs on the exchange.>

<Know-it-all☆*(4ch): Then I'll buy those 10. After that, if I negotiate directly, it's possible.>

<Survivor★(2ch): You, Know-it-all, directly?>

<Know-it-all☆*(4ch): So please sell them as cheaply as possible.>

Afterwards, I sold the 10 Ability Orbs, which cost 30,000 points each, for a total of 350,000 points.

<Know-it-all☆*(4ch): Now leave the Blast Crusher negotiation to me. You upload the bug extermination magic.>

Having purchased the Ability Orbs from me, Know-it-all asked for the bug extermination magic.

<Survivor★(2ch): Yes. I'll ask you too.>

Ending the 1:1 chat with Know-it-all with those words, I called Rubyel.

"Rubyel-ssi. I'll give you a glass bead, so please cast a stronger bug extermination magic."

"Suddenly?"

"They say bugs are flying into Channel 4."

"When I saw the photo before, it was quite large. At that size, it might be dangerous to humans too."

I thought the same, but I thought it was better than having every machine occupied by bugs.

"I'll have to tell them not to use it on people. Ah, if a person keeps getting hit, do they die or something?"

"About 10 times? At that point, their ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠life might be in danger, right?"

If you have to get hit 10 times to die, wouldn't it be less dangerous than a gun in a sense?

"It's fine, so please make it."

After asking Rubyel, I handed her the glass bead and went into the gallery.