Ch.24Chapter 24. Abraham (1)

Chapter 24. Abraham (1)

A post by Abraham heated up the community.

Everything written in the post became a topic of discussion.

Level 7, the highest level among those who had verified their levels so far.

A suicidal show staged by this Level 7 player.

The existence of a dark cloud that seemed to be the cause of George’s raid team’s annihilation.

The region called “Tibera” where that dark cloud was expected to arrive.

It was sad that Abraham, a user who had been visible since the early days of the community, was making such an extreme choice, but for me, the really, REALLY big problem was:

Tibera was located right next to Symphonia, where I was.

Ah, damn it.

If things go wrong, the trouble could spread all the way here.

This is no time to be lounging around just because one project is finished.

It’s possible that Abraham might just be talking nonsense due to a momentary lapse, and since this is a mountainous area, demons might not come here or might not see us, but if I make no preparations at all…

Everything I’ve built up until now could turn to ashes.

The people who follow and depend on me could disappear in an instant.

Even if I survive alone and plan for the future, could I gather the same level of strength again?

Could I find another powerful ally like Lakye who places absolute trust in me?

No. That’s not it. I can’t start in a better position than I have now.

“Everyone, listen…!”

I summoned my direct subordinates who could communicate with me immediately.

I called Lakye, Paya, and Muri to warn them that there could be a massive demon invasion in the Tibera region starting tomorrow, so they should be careful.

“Move quickly! Cover the breeding grounds with tents, and make the fences higher!”

“Keep the children from going outside!”

“Making loud noises is forbidden from now on!”

The tribal federation entered a state of major emergency preparedness.

Now that I’ve assigned tasks to the leaders, it’s time for me to gather more information through the community.

First, I looked at the comments on Abraham’s post.

[MeleeSpy: You crazy bastard don’t do it for real]

[NotACatfish: Are you being serious right now? Or are you just trolling like those EunuchBro posts that MeleeSpy uploads?]

[RisingPhoenix: Oh this is gonna be fun lol let’s go watch~!]

[FullPlay: No TT Don’t do it TT]

[BasementFirstElection: What are you doing;; I’ve seen high-ranking demons a few times and they’re practically gods;; Even the Pope quickly ran away saying there’s no hope… Mister, what are you trying to do, don’t do it]

ㄴ [PooPooPoong: Calling them gods is too much, maybe like polytheistic gods?]

ㄴ [BasementFirstElection: That’s basically the same thing;;]

ㄴ [PrincessDina: They’re not absolute beings, but from our perspective, they’re immensely powerful. The dark cloud demon is among the strongest of these high-ranking demons.]

ㄴ [MorningTentInstaller: Look at all these level 10 paladins. Someone’s about to die and you’re arguing about semantics?]

[HolyHolyKnight: Please don’t do it…]

[ITrustedTheMonkeyMan: If you want to die, just hang yourself, why summon demons? What did the paladins living in Tibera do wrong?]

[DinosaurPunch: Please calm down and read my gathering diary I posted.]

There were many more comments, and it seemed like almost every user in the community had left a comment on Abraham’s post.

Most were trying to dissuade him.

As for information, perhaps it’s that high-ranking demons are powerful enough to be considered god-like beings.

I’ve never encountered a high-ranking demon even in the game. This was my first piece of information about high-ranking demons.

I should also keep in mind that BasementFirstElection, who had been claiming to be with the Pope since before, might be telling the truth.

The Pope would be a very high authority among the natives. That might be helpful someday.

I looked at another post.

[Bramanda: Abraham, we came here around the same time, right?

To be honest, I’ve had similar thoughts. I’ve been hiding for years now.

I’ve had bad impulses many times, but each time, I found comfort in this community.

You must be pushed to your limit right now. All that built-up pressure has finally burst.

I can understand how you feel.

A few days ago, the dog I was taking care of died.

I found the little one wandering alone in the mountains and took it in. I considered it family.

It felt like my world was collapsing. Only now can I talk about it like this.

Let’s pull ourselves together.

You’ve lived so diligently. Even the great George only reached level 6.

It would be too sad for someone who reached level 7 to die like this.

You’ve worked hard to become stronger, so why now? You never know when an opportunity might come.

I sincerely hope you don’t go through with this.]

Bramanda… a user who used to chat with Abraham in the early days.

I remember seeing them exchange messages about forming a raid team together.

Perhaps Bramanda’s post could change Abraham’s mind.

No, I hope it does.

…But Abraham didn’t check this post or leave any comments.

Abraham didn’t post anything else or leave any comments.

As if he had made all his preparations.

***

Late at night, without even the smallest light.

While all the barbarians were sleeping quietly, I called for Lakye.

“What is it?”

They say to turn a crisis into an opportunity, don’t they?

In a way, this is a chance to confirm the enemy’s true nature, their scale, and the clear target we need to defeat.

To do that, I had to make an unreasonable request of her.

“I don’t know the exact time, but tomorrow, demons will invade the Tibera region. It’s almost certain. As Roa, I need to understand the true nature of the enemy. So…”

This is the first time I’m asking for sacrifice in the face of enormous danger. It felt different from asking her to catch an infected creature or to go to a necromancer’s tomb.

The words don’t come easily.

Lakye, who had been listening quietly, spoke up.

“Malak, your voice is trembling.”

It was noticeable. I’m really under pressure.

“Do you think you’re asking me to do something you shouldn’t?”

Her eyes glow faintly in the night. Like a nocturnal animal.

“It’s your command. It’s necessary, and I’m probably the only one who can do it.”

Lakye approaches Totem #1 and places her hand on it. I can feel the warmth.

It’s the only sensation I can feel with this body.

“I’m not afraid. Because you’re with me, Malak.”

She shows no hesitation.

Knowing that, I was able to gather my resolve.

“Chief Lakye. I need to see how powerful they are. Come with me.”

“Of course. When should we leave?”

Just as she trusts me, I decided to trust her.

Early in the morning, Lakye moved stealthily toward Tibera.

With divine possession active on Lakye, I opened the community and multitasked.

[RisingPhoenix: Anyone want to come watch~?

We’ve got some quality entertainment for once, can’t miss this!

Bring popcorn~!]

Is this just an act, or is he really crazy?

After learning in the military that all kinds of people exist in this world, I can’t just dismiss it as a joke.

Running without rest, Lakye was able to reach Tibera around noon.

BOOM! BOOM!

The sound of explosions can be heard.

Lakye’s superhuman vision captured the battlefield in the distance.

It was a place larger and more developed than a village—more like a city.

“A battle is in full swing.”

BANG! BOOM!

A paladin who appears to be Abraham is fighting a giant cobra demon.

Not just any cobra, but a fire-attribute cobra that shoots flames from its mouth. And it’s over tens of meters long.

It’s too late to stop Abraham now.

“Let’s find a suitable position and observe.”

“…There’s someone nearby. Someone who was hiding.”

Lakye looks around.

“They’ve noticed us. They’re coming this way.”

“It’s fine.”

Soon, a man revealed himself. A paladin wearing armor.

“What, are you here to watch too? What’s with your eye? Is that a skill?”

The man grins. Could this be RisingPhoenix?

He seems to have mistaken Lakye for another possessed person because she’s wearing paladin pauldrons.

Unlike the barbarians, she has a complexion closer to Caucasian.

“Stay still.”

Lakye, who had been fidgeting with her curved sword, followed my instruction.

The man looks Lakye over.

“Wow, you really got a pretty one. Must feel good looking in the mirror, right?”

He’s desperate to show off that he’s possessed someone.

“Abraham is fighting really well. He just took down three lesser demons by himself, and even mid-tier demons can’t stand against him. Want to watch together?”

It would be better to get away from this guy.

His eyes are gleaming like someone who’s lost his mind.

If he’s been hiding from demons alone for several months, the chances of his mental state deteriorating are even higher.

“Ignore him and move.”

Talking with this guy would be a waste. He doesn’t seem to have any special information either.

Lakye nodded and left.

“What, you’re just leaving? This is a prime spot.”

Fortunately, the man didn’t show much interest in us.

He seemed busy watching the city engulfed in flames due to the battle between Abraham and the cobra demon.

Lakye found a spot halfway up the mountain with a good view of the city.

“This is a good place to hide.”

“Indeed.”

THUD!

Just then, Abraham’s glowing sword cut off the cobra demon’s head in one strike.

Hiss-! Hiss-! Hiss-!

Abraham stands watching the severed head of the cobra demon as it continues to twitch its mouth.

With his back turned, we can’t see his face.

I wonder what he’s thinking right now.

He just kept watching until the cobra demon turned to ashes.

How much time passed?

Whoosh-

An ominous wind blows, and the sky grows dark.

A sudden supernatural phenomenon.

“Something… is coming. Something massive and evil.”

Lakye seemed to sense something and crouched down even more.

I could see the entity that was turning the clear sky pitch black.

The dark cloud.

It’s the dark cloud demon.

It was a calamity, a natural disaster.