Worm Rider

Tak, kakak-!

“Ughk!”

[Khahah! Put more strength into it! Human!]

Bajid’s blades were deflected listlessly.

Batar moved quickly.

Rumble-

A worm monster with red intestine-like appearance crawls around.

Batar, quickly slithering, opened his mouth.

Kiring-

Deep blue mind swords formed in Batar’s circular teeth.

Pyushushushushut-!

The mind swords scattered blue trajectories as they were fired.

They were continuously formed one after another, like chasing a tail.

Bullet patterns pursue their target to pierce through.

“Ku, ugk-!”

Bajid, drawing out his magic power to the fullest, was busy with evasive maneuvers.

With dazzling and acrobatic movements, he avoids the approaching mind swords.

The assassination corps’ Great Warrior, comparable to a B-rank hunter’s prowess, was currently cornered.

[Kyahahahah~! Don’t bully the toy too much! Big brother Batar!]

“Hmm, what an incredible fight.”

Kacha laughed wickedly, and Hakan stroked his beard.

The open square at the southern front entrance of Akran Village.

A mock battle is currently in progress.

Worms and assassins are watching.

Only allow those who defeat me to ride.

That was the condition set by the Death Worms.

The Death Worms had the complete ego of dragons.

In the end, I couldn’t exert force on the Death Worms.

They are the first family I created in this other world after reincarnating as a Death Worm.

They might have twisted personalities, but they are loyal to me.

Exerting force didn’t feel like genuinely winning their hearts.

It felt like confining family to a mental hospital or prison.

Even punishing just one or two posed problems.

Because the kind-natured Sand Worms all agreed, while the evil-natured Death Worms all rebelled.

I couldn’t punish all the Death Worms either.

Also, taking back the power and intelligence I bestowed is impossible.

Like how a person cannot suddenly forget all acquired knowledge and foreign languages.

Ultimately, the only method would be to take the lives of the Death Worms.

The 15-meter Death Worms are capable of faster and more stealthy movements than the 30-meter Sand Worms.

We will certainly encounter various environments in the desert.

Strategically, their necessity was obvious.

Above all, Death Worms make up more than half proportionally.

Abandoning them would be a severe tactical loss.

I had to embrace them and take them along somehow.

“Don’t underestimate the Black Scorpion Samara Assassination Corps-!”

[Then resist fiercely while writhing!]

Bajid, seizing an opportunity, soared high and flew.

The desert assassin’s scimitar dual sword technique stabbed downward.

Pak! Patsutsu-!

The crescent blade extremes scattered sparks on Batar’s exterior surface.

The attack wasn’t enough to penetrate Batar’s outer skin.

Pajik.

For a moment, blue sparks shot from Batar’s exterior.

Batar, who had been slithering, abruptly raised his body.

[Foolish one!]

Patsutsutsutsu-!

A yellowish-green and deep blue current field generated from Batar’s body.

Bajid, who was in contact, was immediately engulfed.

“Kueok!”

Bajid quickly retreated backward, doing an aerial somersault with a single cry.

Akran’s Great Warrior once again crossed his arms.

Pyushushushushut-!

Bajid brilliantly crossed his scimitars and unleashed sword energies.

Deep blue crescent-shaped sword fragments flew toward Batar.

The bullet patterns are erased by the current field Batar generates.

Since close combat doesn’t work, this ranged attack is the only answer.

[Ku, hahah! Tired already?]

Sand rose in Batar’s circular teeth.

Pook! Puhooook-!

Death Worm Batar shot a sandstorm from his mouth.

Chwhaaaaak-!

The sandstorm transforms into a blood-red blood storm.

Hwaryuk! Pishwut! Jjeojeojeojuk-! Huuuung-!

Batar spewed burning fireballs, shot sharp water jets, emitted splitting current streams, and released greenish poison mist.

All the techniques he obtained through sharing with me are poured out.

Bajid was busy just avoiding, let alone attacking.

“Kuuk! Dammit!”

Bajid could only use simple physical evasion.

The sand art exerts powerful evasive power against physical attack types like swords, spears, arrows, or bullets.

When hit by attacks that can damage fine molecules like those, his physical form also takes damage.

This is because sand art spreads the body into sand particles and then reconstitutes it.

Even if splashed with liquid during execution, the form is immediately restored while wet.

If molecules are damaged, the corresponding part of the body suffers defects.

If the body is soaked wet, it cannot be properly activated.

The Rashka’s unique secret techniques actually had many weaknesses.

“There’s no surrender in my creed! Here I come! Death Worm!”

[Haha! Come as much as you want!]

Bajid rushed fiercely toward Batar.

Batar also lowered his body and charged at high speed.

Kakakakakang-!

The desert assassin and Death Worm collided violently.

Hakan, with folded arms, stroked his chin, and Nadia stared blankly, lost in thought.

“Hmm… we are basically warriors, so we fight quite well against monsters too… but against such large monsters, it’s quite difficult after all.”

“To think the White Sovereign’s worms are this strong…!”

“Don’t underestimate me! Worm!”

[Come at me!]

Bajid faithfully displayed his sword technique specializing in large offenses and dazzling physical skills originating from the Hal Shakaran school in southeastern Arubian.

He also employed the Samara Assassination Corps’ unique dual sword technique that targets vital points like a cobra that sweeps across afterimages before constricting prey.

The combination had proven excellent practicality in human-to-human combat.

However, the current opponent not being human was a demerit.

Great Warrior Bajid is by no means weak.

The only one stronger than the Great Warriors in Akran is Village Chief Hakan with his A-rank prowess.

There is a fundamental reason why he’s losing in the current fight.

It’s because the Batar he’s facing approaches A-rank.

All worms, as adults, have basic A-rank specs.

All intel worms subjected to me are like that.

I decided to classify worms with human intelligence and acquired power as “intel worms.”

Literally meaning they’re as smart as intellectuals from my previous life.

The wild ones are just “feral worms.”

In this world-line’s Earth, humanity currently numbers 3.5 billion.

There’s a law of ratio preservation: S-rank hunters number in the hundreds, A-rank in the thousands, B-rank in the tens of thousands, C-rank in the hundreds of thousands, D-rank in the millions, E-rank in the tens of millions, and finally F-rank reaches up to 100 million.

The mass production of intel worms results in an absurd balance breakdown.

If ten million worms exist across various terrains in Elzeria, it would be like giving birth to ten million A-ranks.

If there’s no method to mass-produce high ranks in other worlds and Earth, conquest by me and the worms is inevitable.

A world ruled by worms might come.

Bang!

“Kuk!”

Finally, with a death cry, Bajid was knocked down by Batar’s body slam.

Pyut pyut!

The double scimitars that flew from their owner’s hands stabbed into the ground at his feet.

[Tsk. Just as I expected, this is the result.]

Batar approached, wriggling his 15-meter body like a snake.

He slowly crawled right up to the defeated Bajid.

“Ugh…”

Bajid raised his upper body, trying to compose himself.

Batar looked down at Bajid and spoke in a languid tone.

[Being this weak, can you serve the White Sovereign?]

“…We have also sworn loyalty to the White Sovereign just the same! We may be weaker than you, but our hearts are equally loyal!”

Batar mocked Bajid’s thunderous shout.

[…I never understood from the beginning. Why we worms should cooperate with insignificant humans? We are bigger and much stronger. It is the natural order of the great desert ecosystem that the big and strong rule.]

Jwaaap-

Batar’s Death Worm-specific circular teeth opened wide.

The regurgitated acidic blood oozed down slowly.

[The White Sovereign doesn’t need weak bugs like you. I guarantee it. So…]

“Wh-what…?”

Bajid raised his eyes in puzzlement at Batar’s subtle change in tone.

As an assassin sensitive to death, he anticipates what will happen.

[Be ground to pieces and excreted as my dung!]

Rumble-!

“Kyu, hwaaaak-!”

Batar, with his mouth wide open, roared and charged, propelling his body off the ground.

Saliva sprayed from Batar’s circular teeth.

Bajid’s terrified eyes widened.

“U-uwaak-!”

Finally, I intervened as I watched the situation.

[Stop.]

Kurung-

Batar, accelerating rapidly, stopped dramatically.

Batar turned his head to look at me.

[Sovereign…?]

[Batar, you need to learn how to calm your emotions.]

A single, heavy warning was enough.

Batar lowered his head, pulled his body back, and retreated.

[……I will keep it in mind.]

The effective conclusion of the match.

If I hadn’t intervened, it was obvious who would have won.

A strange atmosphere began to circulate among the shocked assassins.

“Great Warrior Bajid… defeated!”

“Ye-yes, they really are monsters…!”

“Too… dangerous…!”

The bond built between them was about to crack.

The meaning of the tribe’s Great Warrior’s empty defeat was clear.

The emotion with which assassins viewed worms was close to primal fear.

[Tsk, that’s why I said there’s no need for cooperation with weak humans.]

[Let’s abandon these pathetic ones and just leave on our own~!]

[You bad guys! Why are you scaring weak humans and causing trouble!]

[Why are you Death Worms so twisted and complicated!?]

Even the contrasting reactions between Death Worms and Sand Worms.

I respected the Death Worms’ opinions, and this was the result.

“Hmm, this seems a bit troublesome…”

Even Hakan, who had experienced all sorts of hardships, expressed difficulty with the current situation.

His subordinate assassin tribe members were on the verge of panic.

[First…]

As I was about to resolve the chaotic situation.

“…Is harmony really such a big deal?”

Someone stepped forward at that time.

“Like flowing sand, flow appropriately with your surroundings. Wasn’t that also in Desert God Karayan’s teachings?”

Blue eyes sparkle with intelligence, and purple curly hair sways under her pulled-down hood.

The first human I formed a bond with in this other world.

Hakan Village Chief’s only daughter, Nadia.

“Why not follow that simple and easy-to-understand teaching?”

Nadia approached me closely, standing in the middle of the worms.

Coming close to me, Nadia tilted her head back to look up at me.

Eventually, she tightly embraced my body positioned on the ground.

“…White Sovereign, even if the world betrays you. Even if everyone doesn’t believe in you. At least I believe in you.”

My mouth opened regardless of my will.

…She is embracing me.

Me, a vicious monster.

“…When I first met you, I was really scared. But… I knew your heart was different from your appearance.”

From her explosive body, a warm heat transmitted to my rough and rugged rock-covered exterior.

No, I’m not sure if I could feel it, but that’s how it felt.

I could feel it clearly.

“…Thank you so much. For saving the innocent lives in Rabat. And…”

Nadia pressed her cheek tightly against my body.

Closing her eyes tightly, Nadia whispered.

“I was happy that you became our guardian.”

Her words, which came like a butterfly, became seeds that bloomed flowers.

It was a warm heat that ignited a stream in the heart of me who had become a monster.

Immediately, a hot flame blossomed in my heart.

[Ride.]

Huuuung-

I pulled my body back and lowered my head close to Nadia.

“……”

For a moment, a heavy silence descended upon the gathering.

The protagonist with the most powerful impact at the scene.

I was bowing my head to her.

“I-Is this… alright? Huhu…!”

Nadia, trembling slightly, climbed onto me.

Now that she’s trying, she seems nervous.

Riding the white reaper of the great desert’s legend.

[Going up.]

I gently guided her.

Then I raised my head.

Huuuung-

“Heut!?”

Nadia exclaimed in surprise.

Again, my eye level rose to a height of 50 meters above the ground.

“It’s, it’s high…! Hwaaa…!”

[How’s the riding feel, Nadia?]

“It’s, it’s just high…! Somehow, extremely… different from the feeling when using magic power and jumping.”

[I guess this is roughly the feeling of Central Continent’s wyvern riders or dragon knights… though I’m not those. Anyway, this should do it…]

I sent telepathy to both the worms and Akran villagers.

[Do you see? This is a Worm Rider. The worm simply carries, and the rider simply mounts. How to cooperate is the next issue. First, you must get accustomed to the riding sensation.]

Batar immediately moved first.

[Hey, human. Sorry for getting angry earlier. Climb on me.]

“I-Is that so…?”

Bajid cautiously approached Batar.

He climbed onto Batar’s body, which had lowered itself close to the ground.

[Tsk, humans.]

[…Seems like there’s no choice but to do it. Take me.]

[I, really don’t like this! But because it’s the White Sovereign’s order! Don’t misunderstand that I’m allowing my body! Hmph!]

Erden, Kacha, and Zorya also lowered their bodies close to the ground.

The rest of the Death Worms also pressed their bodies to the ground here and there.

The dragon-level self-aware Death Worms finally lowered their pride.

[You all…]

“Oh? It seems cooperation is beginning now?”

When the leader shows an example, complaints completely subsided.

All the Death Worms were thoroughly obedient to me.

The effect of demonstrating first was powerful.

[Climb on me too! Ride!]

[Boarding pass! 30-person limit!]

[Come on, get on!]

The naturally pacifist Sand Worms lowered their heads like horses here and there.

Finally, the frightened assassins moved.

“Sh-Should I try riding too?”

“W-Well… let me try as well.”

“O-Ooh! It runs! It dashes!”

Krurururur-!

Worms carrying assassins dash forward.

Harmony between species is occurring everywhere.

It was the moment when the alliance between assassins and worms was formed.

“Pleased to work with you! Hu, hahahahah! Khahahahah!”

[Hmm, a human full of enthusiasm…]

“O-Ooh! Worm Rider! Keeeeeeck-!”

Hakan can also be seen quickly mounting Tarkhan while letting out his desired pterodactyl voice.

Nadia bent her head close to me and whispered.

“…It worked out in the end, right?”

A fresh shock assailed my head.

Nadia had long foreseen the discord between worms and humans with her insight.

Then she had subtly suggested a solution to me.

[Thanks to you.]

Her wisdom was truly outstanding.

…If I were still human, I would have fallen for her unconditionally.

She was not simply an excellent assassin but a brilliant strategist.

[From now on, you alone shall ride on my head. I don’t intend to permit anyone else.]

“Pfft, should I call this an immense honor?”

Nadia covered her mouth with her hand and chuckled.

Though our forms differ, aren’t we ultimately the same?

Such a thought occurred to me.

Rumble-!

Already, the figures of Tarkhan and Hakan can be seen raising pale dust as they dash in the distance.

[Now! I’ll increase the speed!]

“U-Heheheheh! Hahahahahahah! This is fun! Fuuun~! Byaaaaa~!”

Hakan, experiencing childhood regression, was genuinely enjoying himself.

The theme parks like Disneyland or Everland in this world-line’s Earth have literally transformed into lands of dreams and fantasy after the Great Cataclysm.

Because magic and Earth’s academic knowledge have been incorporated with technologies like magical science and magical engineering.

Sales are incomparable to what they were before the Great Cataclysm.

If I can cross over to Earth later, I felt I’d definitely want to take them there.

Nadia would see her father’s unsealed form.

Watching the bustling scenes, Nadia spoke to me.

“Um, White Sovereign?”

[Hmm?]

“I… I’ve been told I have quite good intuition since before? It was really true. So much so that following my grandmother’s advice, I’m considering the path of a priestess right now. 20 years old is just the right age.”

[Women’s intuition is generally good, but…]

“Anyway, the feeling I’m getting now is…”

Nadia’s gentle whisper resonated from my head.

“From now on, things will change tremendously.”

I prayed with a small wish.

[I sincerely hope so.]

Like flowers blooming even in the harsh desert environment.

May friendship between humans and worms bloom as well.