A Village Appeared on My Desktop

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Chapter

214 – Struggling (4)

“How much has changed if they just respawn infinitely?”

The zombies in the game were literally spontaneous. Even if you wiped them all out right now, they would quickly fill the map again as time passed.

Of course, that was when it was a game, so he couldn’t know if the same conditions applied in this world, which had become reality with Riena’s arrival.

For now, it was crucial to eliminate the surrounding enemies to comfortably enter the military base.

‘Riena’s power isn’t infinite either.’

He gulped as he watched the special zombies start to appear one by one. No matter how special they were, they couldn’t defeat the current Riena.

But after all, the specialty of the zombies that appeared wasn’t to overpower opponents one-on-one. What they desired was not just combat, but victory in war.

Like the Bugs, even if they kept losing battles, they would flood in with endless numbers, eventually wearing the opponent down and securing victory in the ecological competition; that was their main tactic.

‘There’s no benefit to dragging this out.’

He had to use Riena’s power as efficiently as possible, so once the area was somewhat cleared, he honked the car horn and charged into the military base.

“Are you telling me to follow you?”

She managed to understand and lightly landed atop the car that was racing through the air.

Zombies were swarming inside the military base, but as she stood firmly on the car and began swinging her sword, the zombies were swept away, creating a path.

“Watch my back.”

“I’ll cover you.”

After arriving in front of the ammo depot, he mumbled while looking at Riena, who didn’t understand his words, then moved his character and entered without hesitation.

It seemed as if she had heard him, as she nodded and stood firm in front of the ammo depot, cutting down the zombies with her sword.

Their deep bond allowed for such coordination. He quickly manipulated the keyboard and mouse, starting to sweep up the items scattered inside the military ammo depot into his body and backpack.

“—!”

“First a big guy, and now a screamer?”

Amidst it all, Riena unleashed her skills on the zombies charging from all sides without a hint of retreat.

Among the special zombies, there were some that screamed to gather other zombies around, so the number of zombies wasn’t easily reduced, despite how many she killed.

‘I guess a cleanup is in order here.’

Seeing that scene, he moved his character to join the battle.

After all, there were too many supplies to take everything. Using a few hundred rounds here wouldn’t make a dent.

‘Just like Eve’s weapon.’

Riena glanced at him as he started firing his gun, creating an ear-piercing noise behind her.

Having previously operated with elves who had awakened as Slayers, guns weren’t unfamiliar to her.

In fact, knowing how good the combination of her staying in close quarters and him providing firepower from behind was, she couldn’t help but smile faintly.

“Was this game always this exhilarating?”

He realized how absurd their combination of him holding a gun and Riena was and laughed while manipulating his character.

“Look over there! The infected are all gathering over there. That light from earlier—what’s going on?”

“Could it be… the rescue team has arrived?”

However, it wasn’t just the intense presence they drew in that filled the area with zombies.

Leading the allies on the battlefield, the Saintess emitted a beacon of hope that shone brightly towards those yearning for its light.

“Are you out of your mind?! You plan to go see it?”

“Then how long are you going to sit here and wait? Look outside! The zombies have been swept away. Opportunities like this don’t come often!”

In the original game, they appeared as survivor NPCs with various elements, now drawn towards Riena’s light. Isolated in a building and endlessly waiting for rescue, they reached their limit.

With the beacon appearing, it was a foolish choice not to follow.

“Let’s just do what we want. I’m going.”

Among the group, he was similar. Seeing the others still scared, he looked at them disdainfully, grabbing a baseball bat he used as a weapon, ready to leave the hideout.

He was the youngest among the group, but that made this reckless act possible.

“Wait! Let’s go together.”

Others began to agree with him one by one, preparing to follow.

Though their group was made up of only four members, their desire to live was stronger than anyone else’s.

“Gunfire! Someone must have entered the military base!”

“That can’t be! How many zombies are there in there…?”

They naturally headed towards the military base, a place they had never dared approach due to the swarming zombies and special zombies.

*

“I can’t predict how long it will take until Riena returns.”

“It will definitely take a few days. We need to prepare solidly before then. What’s the situation elsewhere?”

“So far, it’s alright. The imperial army seems overwhelmed just taking care of themselves.”

Riena was currently inside the game world, cutting off the Bugs’ rampage, while those left behind chose to trust Junyoung and Riena, starting to fortify defenses.

Transporters quickly began constructing walls and buildings, while miners dug the ground to create underground storages and procure materials.

‘This is insane. But for now, it’s possible.’

Balun watched the scene unfold, incredulous. Constructing a base in the midst of enemy territory was absurd.

In a battle where speed was essential, if they solidified the army that the enemies were amassing and launched a surround attack, no matter how formidable they were, they wouldn’t be able to withstand it.

However, the rapidly spreading plague made that possible. The imperial army had to expend their full efforts to block the infected flooding in from the capital.

“The rumors are terribly grim.”

“I heard there’s no way but to isolate the infected right after they are bitten. Apparently, they even turn on their families.”

Among the Arin Tribe soldiers, even those with strong faith and trust were starting to hear bad rumors.

If things were like this here, it was obvious what rumors were circulating among the imperial citizens in other regions.

“It’s a huge deal! A massive number of refugees are rushing here!”

“What? Refugees? Did I hear that right?”

In that situation, Balun was taken aback by the sudden news. Citizens of the empire were fleeing to their territory instead of any other place.

“Tell me more.”

“I heard it from Baron Kaidel, who was leading them, that there’s no place to take them in, and they’re at risk of dying out in the fields. He mentioned they would rather rely on us than die like that.”

The druid messenger looked incredulous, unsure if he really heard what he thought.

They had managed thoroughly, crossing the empire while regulating plunder and crimes, but still, they were seen as nothing but barbarians following an evil god by the empire’s citizens.

It wasn’t far-fetched to claim they weren’t cannibals; yet, the thought of them coming to rely on Balun’s people made his mind stall.

“We must accept them.”

“But our supplies are already tight.”

“This is too great an opportunity. If handled well, it could change the very course of this war.”

Balun made a quick decision. If he capitalized on this opportunity, they could end the war in their favor.

If they could shift from an imperial vs. barbarian narrative to Bugs vs. humanity, the justification they desired would be realized.

“Isn’t everyone familiar with this? We weren’t all one from the start. We fought and wrestled until we realized the truth and united. The rules of the grassland will apply here as well.”

“In that case… I’ll convey that to them.”

As Balun spoke of the past when the grasslands were divided into countless tribes, unable to refute his words, others agreed.

As a result, a significant number of imperial citizens on the run began seeking refuge under the protection of the Arin Tribe.

“Are you really willing to take us in?”

“There’s no time to hesitate! The infected are already rushing in from behind!”

“Well, that’s…”

Thinking they wouldn’t be accepted despite requesting it first, they instead buzzed in surprise when Balun swiftly made the decision.

However, they had no choice. As the messenger had relayed, the infecteds that had begun to spread from the capital were scattering and multiplying rapidly.

‘Better to enter among the barbarians than to become a senseless monster attacking whatever’s around. Most rumors of cannibalism were a lie anyway.’

In the end, Baron Kaidel leading the refugees expressed his gratitude for Balun’s decision and persuaded the people to flee to the Arin Tribe’s stronghold.

Though some were scared, none dared to oppose. Staying here would mean being attacked by the infected and facing the same fate.

“But why are you staying here? This is the worst plague in history, something we’ve never heard of. It would be safer to run away.”

“Because that’s exactly what the source of the plague wants.”

“You know the cause of the plague?!”

The baron met Balun, and Balun revealed the truth about the plague to him. He was horrified to learn it was a scheme concocted by the Bugs.

After witnessing too much to dismiss it as a lie now, the baron couldn’t refute Balun pointing to the Emperor as the source of the plague.

“But how on earth can we stop such a plague? So far, we know the way to get infected is by being bitten, but seeing how fast it’s spreading, that can’t be the whole story.”

“Don’t worry too much. We are already searching for a way. We’ll have a solution in no time.”

“Th-that way…”

Seeing Balun smile and glance at the sky, the baron broke into a cold sweat.

Other grim tales were mere bad rumors, but the Arin Tribe being blessed by a mysterious being was indeed true.

“So, don’t worry and cooperate with us. No matter where we come from or our backgrounds, we are comrades fighting against the same enemy. Am I wrong?”

“You’re right.”

In exchange for offering refuge to the refugees, Balun also gave them work to do. Even the most trivial help or task was fine.

All this was to create not just mere straw men, but fellow fighters.

‘The preparations are complete. Now, all that’s left is to wait.’

Balun turned his gaze towards the western horizon while observing the troops and refugees moving per his orders.

Even now, infecteds were rushing in from that direction. Soon, they would appear here too.

A village has appeared on my desktop. 215.