ALL NOVEL Chapter 56
Chapter 56 – Collision (6)
“Did you meet Garhan’s warriors?”
“Yes, we encountered them while scouting, which means they are indeed approaching this area.”
Balun listened intently to the details from the scout, Ron, who seemed thoroughly shocked. Ron, with a name like that, was more focused on describing what he had seen and heard than on the fact that he had flown here from the sky.
“Their appearances looked just like ordinary warriors, so we thought they might be refugees from a minor tribe and approached them first. However, they became extremely vigilant upon seeing our gear and asked if we were those who came from the southern wall.”
“What did they say when they recognized our identity?”
“They looked incredulous.”
The scout chuckled as he looked down at his own body. Shining armor and high-quality iron weapons—equipment that a mere minor tribe could never possess. Perhaps the reason the raiders did not rush in immediately was because they were intimidated by the gear we wore.
“They identified themselves as warriors following the great chieftain Garhan. They said that if we cooperate, we’d be treated well, but if we refuse, they’d bring a larger army to stomp us out. They flinched when they saw us, but they were extremely full of themselves. When we retaliated, they rushed in with anger, and I last remember them getting crushed like they had incurred the wrath of the heavens.”
“The rumors of their ferociousness were indeed true. Like the wolves of the rocky mountains.”
Balun fell silent as he absorbed the continuing testimony. He expected a clash would eventually happen with Garhan, who was rapidly expanding his power through raiding and war, but hearing that day was drawing closer made him uneasy.
Maintaining a good relationship with them, who were born raiders, seemed nearly impossible.
Moreover, they had to fulfill their duty of protecting this land and fighting against the bugs under the divine will of the guardian deity—there was no way they could meet Garhan’s demands for submission. It was highly likely that Balun and Riena’s enemies were among Garhan’s tribe.
“Many nearby minor tribes have either united with them or been crushed by them. You know that if we leave this alone, their power will only grow, and they will definitely come here.”
Scout Ron spoke with a trembling voice. Having once been a tribe member of Rakum, who was fleeing from Garhan’s faction, his fear was understandable.
“Right. We are the chosen of the divine. No matter what happens, we cannot bow our heads to them. I’m sorry, but Ron, please call the others before we rest.”
Balun made up his mind to respond firmly. If a clash was inevitable, there was no reason to shy away—he thought they might as well charge in first.
To that end, Balun convened a meeting to inform others of his thoughts and gain their support.
‘That being will help us.’
Afterward, he was left alone to pick up the sacred sword that he had carefully kept at home. A gift from a divine being, this treasure was proof of his authority.
“We must expand our forces as we did when we attacked the raiders who captured prisoners in the past, and since we are now aware of each other’s existence, I think it’s better to attack them first. The minor tribes they’ve absorbed… freeing them and bringing them under our wings.”
“I also think Father is right.”
“We’d be facing foes many times larger and more numerous than us. Moreover, we must also fight against the Black Monsters during that time, so as the tribe’s top warrior, you’ll have it tough.”
Before the people gathered, Balun expressed his thoughts to Riena, who had come first. Once the only warrior of the tribe, Riena had performed many feats and commanded great affection, and she continued to be the strongest warrior through her repeated growth.
It meant that there would be many instances where she’d have to take the forefront in the future. Balun couldn’t help but feel concern as a father, aside from being a tribal chief.
“…I’ve realized something while working with that being recently. Evil isn’t really that far away.”
Riena shared her thoughts based on her own experiences. Until recently, they had faced the crisis of the tribe, relocation, and adaptation together, but now, set within the Dark Blood World, Riena was accumulating her own experiences as she followed the story along with him.
Especially while progressing through Chapter 2, she had seen the encroachment of the demons and the corrupted and degenerate human figures depicted in the game story, which left her with a fresh shock.
“An unwavering strong belief. That’s the most important thing.”
The power Riena gained from the game wasn’t just skills or stat points; everything she experienced there felt real to her, and thus her experiences deepened with time.
“Yeah. You’re right.”
Seeing the strength she had developed in such a short time, Balun nodded slightly in admiration. Soon, the gathered people began to converge around them, and Balun informed them of the scout’s report.
“The raider Garhan is expanding his power through plunder and war, exploiting the minor tribes he has subjugated to fill the bellies of his warriors and maintain their loyalty. Now that these greedy foes have finally discovered and set their sights on us, I believe we must eliminate those who seek to disrupt our sacred duty and liberate the suffering Tribe of the Grassland beneath them.”
Balun advocated for resistance. Although there were some tense individuals, no one opposed him—because Balun, wielding the sacred sword, was not wrong.
Above all, the thought that if they tucked their tails between their legs, the divine being who had bestowed many blessings would not stand idly by added significant weight to their resolve.
“I hear that the guardian spirit has been watching and defeated the enemies who sought to attack our allies with a single strike. So, is there really a problem? That being will surely help us.”
“Of course, that being will assist us. However, we should not rely on their power. It shouldn’t be taken for granted.”
At Raku’s cautious words, Balun firmly shook his head. He had already realized that when facing bugs or glitches, the divine being couldn’t help by smashing the desktop—what mattered most was solving the issue through their own strength.
“Our chosen mission is to confront the Black Monsters. That is a trial laid before us, so we cannot even hope for that being’s help. Even when fighting against raiders, we will rely on our strength. Surely, you don’t believe we would lose?”
“Of course not.”
“The powers we’ve been stockpiling are for moments like this.”
After confirming that there were no issues or opposing opinions, Balun raised the sacred sword and decided to fight. He would lead hundreds of troops to attack part of Garhan’s tribe and aim to retreat with some of them.
Soon, all the tribe members began to move as if united.
It was not only due to Balun’s strong authority; the fact that they were the chosen ones blessed by the guardian deity was a major motivator as well.
“Aren’t you even nervous?”
“I’m overjoyed! With the recognized power, I’ve fought tooth and nail against monsters. Finally, I’ve seized the opportunity to take revenge on them.”
Of course, Shura and Rasen, precious forces awakened from talents that would have never blossomed if not recognized, had to be part of the operation as well.
Hearing the news that they were going to war, Rasen, who had been tense, was surprised to see Shura, who was smiling faintly while sharpening her weapon.
Shura, in fact, had been waiting for this moment all along, and all she could do was smile wider.
*
“What in the world is going on? Owl has come back half-dead!”
“I… I don’t know either. Hurry, treat him!”
In fact, it wasn’t only the Arin tribe led by Balun that was turned upside down. Far from Balun’s village, in a vast plain, a severely injured member from a significantly large tribe was brought back.
The chief was horrified and rushed out when one of the tribe’s reliable warriors returned from scouting half-bloody.
“Only the warrior Owl managed to survive. The horses and others are hardly recognizable!”
Another scout who brought back the injured was so astonished that he spoke in a jumble. They had brought herbs and bandages for healing, but it seemed meaningless since he was barely clinging to life.
“Owl, tell us! Who did this?”
“Fallen b… boulder…”
“W-what? A boulder?”
The chief was horrified by Owl’s labored words. A large, translucent boulder that fell from the sky was an image that didn’t come easily to mind. Those who managed to understand could only think of it as some kind of magic or sorcery.
Nevertheless, Owl struggled to convey everything he had seen and heard as though he was vomiting it out.
“I’ve never heard of an actual tribe further east than this.”
“The Arin tribe? That name is one I’ve never heard before.”
Those who heard Owl’s testimony each scrambled to say they didn’t understand what this was about. However, the chief’s eyes were shaking.
“Uh, anyway, shouldn’t we report to the chieftain?”
During this time, a young man whispered to the tribe leader. At the mention of the chieftain, the chief felt a chill go down his spine and his eyes widened.
“No, no! They’re just some minor tribe!”
He shook his head vigorously. While he could avoid humiliation by swearing fealty to the invading Garhan to preserve his tribe, he could never sincerely pledge loyalty to Garhan, who was actively attacking and merging the surrounding minor tribes under his name.
‘That greedy one will definitely demand we hand over the spoils and slaves we have bled for if he finds out.’
While he could borrow the powerful strength of Garhan by informing him, it would come at a significant cost. The chief didn’t want that.
If he were to continue being gradually consumed by Garhan like this, he wanted to hoard all the spoils for future use.
“Gather the warriors and soldiers right now! We’ll trample that arrogant one wielding wicked sorcery!”
Looking down at Owl’s lifeless body, the chief declared that they would mobilize the tribe’s forces for revenge. Of course, revenge was merely a pretext.
In the end, he too had chosen raiding for the sake of his tribe’s growth and survival.