A Village Appeared on My Desktop

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Chapter 50 – The Winds of Change (10)

‘What do I do?’

I felt frozen as if time had stopped. The Master Program was suggesting that I name them. It said doing so would strengthen our bond and empower them.

They were, of course, aware of my existence as someone who recklessly spammed mouse controls across various games, so they understood what I was saying, but still, I couldn’t immediately process it.

I still knew far less about them than I didn’t.

Naming them felt less like naming a pet rock and more like something I shouldn’t just arbitrarily choose.

[Recommendations Available]

As if realizing my mind was void of thoughts, the activated document program suggested a few words, writing on its own.

It seemed I was better suited to multiple-choice rather than descriptive tasks. Having options eased my mind a little.

‘This one will do.’

Selecting a word, I decided on their name. The residents of this other world that formed a bond with me. Both they and I would help each other in our own ways.

[Guardians will be named Arin Tribe.]

After I typed it in, the procedure was complete. The word meant hope in their nearly extinct ancient language.

Having been driven to the outskirts of society, entwined with bizarre monsters, both of us became a source of hope for each other, so it didn’t seem like a bad choice for a name.

[With additional function activation, you can enter a few commands with this program.]

Moreover, the functionality of the document program was not limited to this. It mentioned that I could use commands by spending a decent amount of points.

Healing Light, Valor Light, Blessing Light, and so on. The commands were essentially buffs to assist them.

Using this, I’d find a way to help the residents even against those bugs that prevented desktop smashing.

“Ultimately, it all comes down to points.”

For that, I had to keep active without rest.

While there were countless ways to earn points, it ultimately boiled down to the residents continuously moving. The points earned would all go towards nurturing them, and the stronger they became, the more points they’d generate.

– Can we contact you?

But just as I was about to conclude for the day, my first contact, Lee So-Yeon, attempted to reach out.

“How far did you get? Have you received any spoils yet?”

Seizing the opportunity, I decided to inquire about her Guardians, information I hadn’t asked before. All I knew was that her Guardians were more like sedentary farmers rather than nomads.

They might not be, but what if her Guardians lived in the same world as my residents? If so, wouldn’t we need to form some kind of alliance?

However, I still lacked detailed information. She didn’t know much about her residents either.

– I played the game you told me all day and solved the urgent issues. I secured food, fuel, and iron tools. But I haven’t received any spoils yet. They did kneel and bow to my character in the game, though.

“I can’t be sure, but try to consistently appeal to your presence. From their perspective, we are mysterious beings beyond common sense. They’ll surely do something, right?”

She seemed to be in the process of getting closer to her residents. If it weren’t for Balun, the Chief, stepping up, it would have taken me longer to establish such a relationship with my residents as well.

– The second game you recommended is Dark Blood, but is there no other game? This genre is notoriously hard; I’m terrible at such games.

“Well…”

It seemed she wasn’t keen on playing the hardcore action RPG I suggested for her second game. I couldn’t blame her; I had faced moments where my character almost met its demise with a mere misstep.

“Then let’s try this. Install as many games as you can and get recommendations from the Master Program.”

In the end, my choice was to have her install everything possible to see if any other options existed.

After all, I was recommended Dark Blood by the Master Program. Perhaps she, in her entirely different situation, might receive suggestions for different games.

– I’m downloading everything now.

She really went ahead and did it. I could tell from our first meeting that she was a remarkably driven person.

*

Their relationship was not one-sided. They existed in a mutually complementary relationship for each other.

“Look at that. That’s the meaning He conveys to us.”

His decision, made through contemplation, was now a type of fruit born from their joint efforts shining in the sky. Balun marveled and pulled out the divine sword he had received earlier.

For Balun, his will felt like a cheat code. It uplifted the dwindling morale of the tribe and absurdly reinforced his authority as a gentle chief, allowing him to unite various tribes that had lived differently.

“What does that picture mean, Chief?”

“That’s a reward from Him to our chosen tribe.”

To Kun, the tribe member who asked with a blank stare, Balun nodded and interpreted the meaning of the mysterious characters floating in the air.

“We have been chosen. To fight against those evil black monsters we just encountered. That represents all the blessings He grants us.”

To Balun’s view from outside the monitor, the residents appeared superhuman and valiant warriors, but to the residents, he was an omnipotent deity.

Balun claimed they were His chosen, utilizing the power of pride and belonging, knowing those aspects were incredibly important.

There was a significant difference between fighting merely to survive and fighting with a divine mission.

Having just received a name in this absurd manner by writing characters of light in the sky, no one could refute Balun’s claim that they were the chosen tribe.

“No one will be able to interfere with our duty. Do you all agree?”

“Y-Yes, of course, Chief.”

Already high, unity was heightened even further because of this. It was a moment when everyone, young and old, solidified their new identity as a chosen tribe set to face the evil monsters, moving from being outcasts forced into the fringes of society.

“Chief! The last scouts who ventured further have returned!”

“Did they discover something?”

So, just as their resolution solidified, new news arrived early that morning.

“We’re back!”

“I understand, but let’s talk after you come down.”

Overcoming the remaining sleepiness, Balun stepped outside his house to see the scouts dangling from the sky, shouting down, and let out a sigh.

It seemed they had news, as their excitement didn’t fade until they landed.

“What on earth did you see?”

“It appears several small tribes are continuously migrating, just as we suspected. We happened upon a small village that didn’t seem to be there for long.”

The representative of the scouts, who headed northwest, reported they finally found another small tribe. Unlike the others they couldn’t meet, they had delivered results.

“The north must be even harsher than this place, yet they made it there.”

Recalling that further north was a cold and barren land where survival was difficult, Balun clicked his tongue. But at the same time, his eyes sparkled.

If they settled in such a harsh place, he could persuade them to join with a little convincing. There was a good chance they would accept the proposal.

“Actually, I chatted a bit with those people.”

“What did they say?”

“They said they might leave that place soon. They witnessed unidentified monsters in the northern forest, and those monsters threatened them.”

“Monsters? No way. Are there beings even worse living further north?”

Balun’s eyes widened in disbelief at the news conveyed by the scout. After all, the tribe had believed they were the furthest north along with the tribes of the grassland.

“Anyway, I see. Sorry, but after resting, I’ll need to go back there. I must persuade them to come here.”

“I’ll do it.”

Of course, it wasn’t something to worry about right now. Absorbing the homeless from other tribes was more important at the moment. Since they were considering leaving out of hunger, I expected persuading them would go smoothly.

‘No telling how much time is left.’

Having ended his meeting with the returning scouts, Balun pondered with a serious expression.

Continuously appearing, and even growing, bugs would inevitably clash with the invaders pouring in from the west eventually. Balun, having declared himself a being chosen by the heavens, had no intention of bending, so it was only a matter of time.

Until then, his top priority was to absorb as many small tribes as possible to swell their numbers.

“Hm?”

“Chief!”

Just then, his body suddenly floated into the sky. It was a familiar sensation, but the timing was unexpected. Usually, nothing happened during the morning hours. Riena and Shura were even with him.

“First World!”

Soon, the trio landed in a new space. Those already present at the central gate of the village, holding pickaxes and axes, looked up in shock at them.

“Why has He suddenly sent us three here?”

“I think I understand the meaning. Shura, when you awakened your mana, He provided you with something. We’re supposed to retrieve that.”

Knowing that roles like combatants and resource gatherers were distinctly divided, Balun quickly realized the intention behind sending combatants like them here.

Just as miners or farmers harvest minerals or crops, they were instructed to hunt monsters to farm their essences.

The Essence of Monster was a miraculous item granting awakening opportunities to residents who lacked mana.

In other words, the more they had, the better, making it an exceedingly precious resource.