Ch.26Chapter 26. Expendables (1)

Chapter 26. Consumables (1)

I wanted to stay with Lakye until the dark clouds disappeared, but I passed out from using too much mental energy, so I couldn’t.

Even though I couldn’t be much help without being able to use blessings in my divine descent state, I thought staying together would be better for mental health than leaving her alone in a crisis situation.

In the end, my mental energy was depleted faster.

After regaining consciousness, I immediately ended my divine descent to check.

The sky had cleared, indicating the cloud demon had completely departed.

“I’m fine. Were you worried?”

Though her entire body was filthy as if she’d been soaking in muddy water, Lakye was safe.

She said she had dug a small hole in the ground while crouching and hid her body.

The demons searched every corner of Tibera, so she had to remain motionless underground.

Our Lakye, she was a mole all along.

Seeing that she was safe relieved some of my tension.

“I heard the sounds of some people who were hiding being caught.”

– Were they paladins?

“I couldn’t confirm that. I’m sorry.”

– No matter. What happened to Tibera?

Lakye was now on her way toward Symphonia, having left Tibera.

“Everything made by civilized people was destroyed. Shattered to pieces, scattered in all directions. It’s fair to say it’s in ruins.”

…Did they stomp out even the sprouts to ensure no one would ever oppose them again?

What a terrifying being.

– I haven’t checked on the tribal federation. I’ll go now.

I was so disoriented that I used the divine descent blessing immediately after waking up.

“I’ll find my way back on my own. Please don’t worry too much.”

– Lakye, thank you. I’m glad you’re here.

This time I called her by name without her title.

Lakye seemed to notice this, showing a small emotional reaction.

“…It’s nothing, really.”

People are naturally moved by such small things.

I returned to Totem 1. Paya was kneeling before me in prayer.

Not just Paya, but all the barbarians had gathered in front of the altar.

– You’re safe.

“Lord Malak!”

Receiving Paya’s tearful cheer, I surveyed the tribal federation.

Paya, Kanto, Muri, Denzo, Una, Dodo… everyone whose face and name I remembered was alive and well.

“The strong winds damaged the breeding grounds a bit and blew away some household items, but everyone is safe.”

The effects of the dark clouds didn’t reach here.

So it really just demolished Tibera and left. A blessing in disguise.

I’m happy. Not because I didn’t lose my resources, but because the people I know are safe.

Ah, I’ve been tired and exhausted all week.

I was about to get some sleep when I noticed the message window blinking in the corner.

[NotACatfish: Did you see the community?]

[NotACatfish: Abraham’s post]

[NotACatfish: I’ll be crushed in my room tomorrow]

[NotACatfish: Hey, are you okay?]

[NotACatfish: You’re Dubenheim, right?]

[NotACatfish: Are you hiding?]

[NotACatfish: What’s Sans doing?]

[NotACatfish: Hey]

[NotACatfish: Answer]

[NotACatfish: Read and ignored?]

[NotACatfish: You’re dying]

[NotACatfish: Are you dead…?]

[NotACatfish: This is too much;;]

[NotACatfish: Hey]

[NotACatfish: Hey]

[NotACatfish: Hey]

[NotACatfish: Hey]

[NotACatfish: Are you alive???]

[NotACatfish: I heard from someone that if you can send private messages, you’re alive]

[NotACatfish: Ah shit, maybe not]

[NotACatfish: Hey]

[NotACatfish: Hey]

Hannah was message-bombing me, apparently worried about whether I was alive.

She seems to have been sending messages continuously since yesterday. I hadn’t been paying attention to the message window.

Still, it’s nice that she’s concerned.

[hi]

[NotACatfish: hi?]

[NotACatfish: hi???]

[NotACatfish: Want to die?]

[I was hiding and sleeping]

[sorry]

[NotACatfish: Are you okay?]

[yeah I’m fine]

[NotACatfish: How was Dubenheim?]

[NotACatfish: Martuva was fine though]

[No major problems here either]

[But I’m sleepy again]

[bye]

[NotACatfish: You bastard!]

[sorry]

I’m sorry, but I’m really tired.

[Let’s talk later]

[NotACatfish: Get lost]

I feel like I’ve become a boyfriend neglecting his girlfriend, but we’re not that kind of relationship.

Let me just check the community one last time.

[RisingPhoenix: Abraham update!]

[MeleeSpy: Is everyone watching]

[FallenPowerKnight: Fuck…what the fuck]

[TrustedMonkeyUncle: MeleeSpy was right]

[RisingPhoenix: Oh lol Abraham just used a skill]

There were no new posts.

Everyone must be feeling down, like when George’s raid team disappeared.

After checking the community, I closed my eyes.

I could really fall asleep right…

***

Ah, refreshing.

Sleeping like the dead has relieved some of my fatigue.

It’s morning already.

“You’re awake.”

Lakye, who was leaning against Totem 1, greeted me. She looked fresh and clean after washing up.

– Lakye, you’ve worked hard. Did you rest well?

“I lay down as soon as I arrived. It was tiring.”

Lakye smiles faintly.

– How is the tribal federation?

“Chief Kanto is repairing the breeding grounds with the warriors, while Priestess Muri and Paya are helping the tribe members recover emotionally.”

– Restrict outside activities for now.

We should stay quiet for about two days. The cloud demon might still be waiting elsewhere.

Even if it’s not, the tribe members need some rest after experiencing such a major event.

“Understood.”

Lakye left the altar to relay my message.

I wonder how the community is doing. Has it become a bit more lively?

The first post since I last checked the community was from MeleeSpy.

[MeleeSpy: I’ll tell you where to get a hidden class

“Lololololol Got you hooked? Yas yas~!”

Transcendent: “Hey-.「EunuchBro」-. Take care of this-.”

EunuchBro: “I understand-.「Master」-.”

“Yas yas~ Yas put the man’s thing in the woman’s butt and the woman goes ‘ah’ and the man goes wild yas woman’s breasts are so big yas is good! Huh? Who are you…AAAAARGH!!!!”

EunuchBro: “??????

??????????????

@?@?#*’*(“(“**#^#@,,!,!?!?*#*’?’?’??@!?!??!??!?!??!?!?”

EunuchBro: “「Yas」… birth of life through love…?!?!?!”

EunuchBro: “Could it be…!!! 「Master」… was I… a 「human」…?”

Transcendent: “… Don’t try to know too much-. It’s knowledge not permitted to you. You are merely my 「tool」…”]

What the hell is this?

Starting my morning by reading about EunuchBro. This day is off to a bad start.

…I think MeleeSpy might be trying to lighten the gloomy atmosphere in his own way.

He posts annoying stuff often, but he also tried to dissuade George, Abraham, and RisingPhoenix out of concern.

Still, posting such garbage content…

[NotACatfish: MeleeSpy’s acting crazy again;;]

[HolyHolyKnight: The long-awaited EunuchBro episode 3~ Might be quite dis.gus.ting?]

[Brahmanda: What is this exactly? Is this your country’s culture? If not, why are you doing this? For what purpose? I’m genuinely curious.]

ㄴ [TrustedMonkeyUncle: Judging by the character name EunuchBro, the writer must be Japanese~! Typical Japanese humor^^]

ㄴ [TakashiKakashi: Stupid monkey Josenjing.]

[GoldenDragonKing: Let me ask. What made you like this?]

[FallenPowerKnight: I’m asking because I don’t understand, but what does this have to do with hidden classes? Is it some kind of secret code?]

ㄴ [PooPooPoong: That’s clickbait, and you fell for it.]

ㄴ [ShotgunAttack: Lol first time seeing EunuchBro?]

At least the mood has lightened up a lot.

MeleeSpy’s “EunuchBro story” might be successful, at least for today.

Though I don’t want to see it again.

I spent the next two days focusing on energy recovery.

Children who used to be cautious when going outside now played freely, throwing axes.

Kanto and the warriors strengthened their bonds through sparring. Except for the chief, the Blue Moss and Brown Rock warriors were evenly matched in skill.

Paya was still busy governing, and Muri was focused on creating new mini-totems.

Lakye spent all her time leaning against my Totem 1, except when eating, training, or sleeping.

“Being like this calms my mind. It feels very familiar…like being in someone’s embrace.”

She answered without me even asking, probably feeling self-conscious.

Whose embrace exactly?

Well, I wasn’t just playing around. I’ve been thinking about the next project.

We have enough power. It’s time to start conquering other villages in Symphonia.

It should go smoothly if Lakye handles the lesser demons and Kanto and the warriors deal with the worshippers, just like before.

I can’t use zombie control in the divine descent state, so I’ll try it when Muri completes Totem 3.

I have a plan in mind.

Time to get busy again.

…After checking the community quickly.

[SisterFederation: Gasp]

[KimchiManDie: ???]

[Bench500: No way]

[UsingPresidentsPower: What is this;;]

[Valkyria: Excuse me…]

Newbies had joined.

Just like new newbies came in after George’s raid team was wiped out…

Like depleted personnel being replenished.

Is this how it works? When existing users die, they bring in newbies?

This means they’ll keep sending people until this world is cleared.

Whether it’s a game company or a goddess, whoever kidnapped us and brought us here… they’re quite cruel.