"It's just running out of time. The soul was already fragmented and unstable, and now it's moving emotionally. All the remaining power in the soul has been consumed. It seems Mute was quite angry at breaking free from the necromancer's control."
"Damn... I thought there was still a lot of information left. Can't we summon it again?"
"Impossible. Its star has vanished. It means it didn't return to the spirit realm but was completely destroyed."
Tsk.
The professor smacked his lips in disappointment. Despite being a random capture, Mute had a lot of crucial information, and he had to squeeze as much as possible out of it. But this was probably the best he could do.
"Mute broke free from the necromancer's orders. It's the end of 124, and the necromancer's influence has already diminished..."
The professor pondered the information from the soul, then pulled out some parchment, a pen, and charcoal from his bag, starting to write down notes busily.
Scratch, scratch
"What are you doing?"
"I'm reporting. Even though it wasn't intentional, we did something like a 'Hero of the Light Sect's mission,' right? We should get compensation for our efforts. Besides, there's information we need to pass on to them."
"Hmm. You're thorough. Can you draw, too?"
"I can't draw pretty things, but I can manage this much."
The professor sketched a rough map of the direct area to attach with the report while answering.
In the western front, a full-scale battle between the Rodric/Hebrahim coalition and Mute's main force. In the north, a split between Mute and the necromancers. And we, who have to navigate this situation, are caught in the middle, hostile to Mute while also keeping an eye on the Light Sect.
Significant events are happening simultaneously across various regions, and we have to cross this tightrope. A small mistake could lead to a major disaster, so it's best to organize and calmly analyze the situation. Thinking in your head and writing it down for judgment are quite different.
'Most importantly, if I organize it neatly like this, the collective intelligence of the chat room can analyze the information and find solutions while chatting among themselves.'
1. Confirmed orders and received the holy relic 'Light of Nelfia' from the Light Sect's Tobrun branch. Joined the prepared hero squad after supplies were provided and set out the next day.
2. While passing through a village on the infiltration route (Attachment 1: Professor's Hero Squad Operation Map), detected heretical signs. Entered the village alone without support, considering the situation on the western front.
3. Confirmed widespread corruption by black magic in Danglter. Engaged in combat with numerous undead and necromancers.
4. Killed the high-ranking necromancer 'Ullman von Lastea,' destroyed the source of corruption, and killed the summoned demon (Attachment 2: Sketch of the demon and the corruption source).
5. Interrogated the soul of 'Ullman von Lastea' after the kill and obtained information:
1) Confirmed that three 'Speaking Mutes' exist as the queen's subordinates: White Death Edaorna, Dawnstar Falcatius, and an unknown one.
2) Mutation Blood was created by black magic but is now independent from the necromancers due to a rebellion led by 'Dawnstar Falcatius.' According to the soul, most necromancers, except for the high-ranking ones, are forcibly infected with Mute parasites and cooperate under threat of mutual destruction.
3) Based on the soul's statement, a high-ranking necromancer capable of summoning demons is gaining power in the eastern region, separate from the main battlefield. This suggests an internal conflict between Mute and the necromancers.
4) Given the various circumstances, 'Dawnstar Falcatius' is likely a highly intelligent and cunning entity with a good understanding of 'war politics.' Be cautious of potential espionage.
Conclusion:
* The enemy has split into two factions due to internal conflict, and mutual distrust prevents cooperation. Most of their magical forces are not participating in the western front, suggesting that increasing our magical power could give us an advantage.
* The hero squad lacks a cleric, so the purification of the occupied area is incomplete. Requesting additional purification personnel for the Danglter region.
* Some necromancers are impaired by mental corruption from black magic, affecting their performance in the operation. Recommend their exclusion from the operation and request replacement personnel.
May the light of humanity shine brightly.
Ratula, Roharam.
=======
Scratch, scratch, thud!
"Kyaah, it's a masterpiece! Hey, Borca! What do you think? Even the Light Sect's headquarters can't ignore our achievements, right?"
Even though Borca didn't know much about the world, he could see that the report the professor was holding had a well-structured composition.
"...Captain, do modern heroes learn this kind of thing? Even I, who don't know much, can tell this isn't something you've done just once or twice..."
"I didn't learn this from the Sect. I picked it up during my military service in the past."
The professor proudly reviewed the completed report. Ah, memories. When I was in the 14th Special Operations Unit, I used to write dozens of versions of such reports every day, begging for better rations for my squad. Those bastards always cut our supplies.
- SoySauceGuy: The report looks neat. I'm drooling. Seriously, have you considered joining the dome?
- HungnamMandu: You said you can't draw well, but the sketches look good.
- Professor: Thanks.
Due to his artistic nature, the attached map and sketches turned out quite well.
The squad, now gathered around to watch, spoke with excited expressions.
"Master, this is incredibly important information, isn't it? At first, I didn't realize it, but this could turn the tide of the war. If we pass this on, the Sect's perception of us..."
"Hmm, yes. If the enemies are destroying themselves due to internal conflict, it's excellent news. The heavens are helping humanity."
"Well... I think we need to consider this carefully."
The professor sighed at the increasingly complex situation. Whether this was a good or bad thing, only time would tell.
Right now, it's definitely a good thing. With almost all of Rodric's resources focused on the western front, the enemy's split and inability to concentrate their forces is a significant advantage. But in the long term, it's a headache.
Because most of the queen's weaknesses I know about are due to the necromancers' efforts to control her. With the necromancers quickly being suppressed, those weaknesses are likely to disappear.
'Forcing the queen's body to grow abnormally to increase the production of subordinates. The production rate remained the same, but the queen's body became too large to leave the nest. Frequent mental manipulation through black magic halted her intellectual growth, and her heart, or rather the core of her life, became weak due to prolonged separation from her body. If Ullman's statement is true and the necromancers have lost complete control over the queen, these weaknesses are likely gone.'
Upon closer inspection, this isn't an internal conflict. It's a minor friction as two factions within the enemy merge.
'If we don't take advantage of this temporary favorable situation, things will only get harder.'
Now, the future is uncertain. The queen could move to a resource-rich, weakly populated country to establish a new nest and switch to mass production, or she could focus on her own growth. The variables will only increase over time.
[Well, in short, you need to do well, right?]
'Yeah. Damn.'
Ultimately, this means that while the enemy is temporarily weakened due to internal conflict, we need to force them to take losses. The hero squad, thrown into the half-empty enemy formation, was a brilliant move. Initially, I planned to just boost our reputation and return, but now it's become a crucial position.
The professor considered what would happen if they successfully reached the queen's nest and attacked it.
'7th-level Mutes or lower don't even need to be calculated. If the opponent is Mute, I can handle them all. If 6th-level or higher, battle-skilled entities attack in large numbers, the recovery rate through blood might not keep up with the loss rate, but those are all on the western front. Edaorna is likely there too, burning with hatred for Charlotte after the Turan siege. As for the second one, if it was created using Charlotte's genetic information, it probably excels in large-scale battles and is also on the western front. The third, this 'Dawnstar Falcatius,' is the key...'
- Durability fixed at 120 / Maximum natural recovery / Can use 'Mutation Rampage' by consuming blood in critical situations / Death if blood is not replenished after excessive regeneration.
- You have successfully synchronized with the deeply rooted infection factor in your body. Although it still tries to take over, controlling it is no longer difficult. You are nearly invincible.
5. [Honorable Soul]
- You inherited your father's spirit. In certain situations, your choices are fixed to 'honor' / You positively influence the favor of 'knight' units / â Unique 'chivalry' is being created based on your actions. Keywords so far (righteous, brave, unscrupulous, cunning, sharp, despicable) - knight.
6. â [Overcome Mental Weakness]
- You faced your trauma and successfully accepted it. Your eyes, once fearful of the world, now scrutinize it, and your isolated heart strongly resists external intrusion. / Provides the effects of 'Keen Observation' and 'Iron Will.'
7. [HIDE]
- Out of data / Out of data / HIDE is with you. / [Shedding]: Now you are with HIDE.
8. [Ritual Imprint: Gaze of the Ancient Silk Spider]
- A ritual of the ancient species that is said to have spun black silk to create the night sky. Their supreme love, having lived with one partner for life, is still passed down through bards, and this imprint is based on such legends.
+ Realistic Mode ON
======
"Keh."
Opening it after a long time, he noticed many new additions. New information about traits was added, and... well, some troublesome things were added too.
First, chivalry. He had forgotten about it. There was a high-minded knight sitting cross-legged somewhere in his body, judging him.
'Bravery, righteousness, cunning, despicable... if this continues, I'll end up being a real trashy medieval knight, not a fantasy one.'
This is a general evaluation of his actions, and he can't deny it. He just hopes the penalties won't be too severe when chivalry is fully formed.
There were also some changes in various traits. The one marked '???' before is now revealed as 'HIDE,' probably because he revealed his name. [Curiosity]... it must have changed due to my thoughts. Secrets of the world? Maybe because I'm aiming for all clear? I don't know. The water magic part is fine...
"What's this?"
[Ritual Imprint: Gaze of the Ancient Silk Spider]
A completely new trait had appeared.
"I would have noticed if a trait appeared due to the notification sound. Why didn't I know? Hide, did I lose consciousness when I was with Anaya?"
[Anaya? Oh... yeah?]
'Huh? When?'
[You know, right before we broke up, when Anaya was holding your face and her tongue was like a snake-]
'Ah.'
He immediately understood. It made sense. Both he and Hide were in a shutdown state at that time.
It seemed to be a trait created when the imprint was embedded in his heart. It currently shows no effects, but they will likely appear as the game progresses.
Seeing this, he felt a new sense of nostalgia. From the character who rejoiced at having a branch stronger than his body and could use metal shards freely, to now being 'nearly invincible.' It's a true testament to human victory.
[But why are you suddenly thinking about the past?]
'Hmm? Oh, right, you couldn't see the status window. It's not much, but this Falcatius is a named entity based on my old traits, so I was thinking about how hopeless it might be.'
Checking it after a long time, the conversation veered a bit off track. But in fact, this status window is a masterpiece I've refined through countless hardships and sacrifices. When I gave blood to Edaorna, my traits were just Glass Body, Mental Weakness, and a bit of magic. Falcatius is a subordinate created with those traits.
Even if it inherited the traits, it wouldn't have the knowledge. Mute wouldn't know about muscle creation mechanisms, so it wouldn't end up as a bulky monster like me.
Even if it could cover the weak body with regeneration, overcoming mental weakness is nearly impossible. I barely managed it with a lot of luck, so it's hard to believe a newly created Mute could do it.
'So, with mental weakness, it would start complex thinking and then stop due to terrible headaches, while being monitored by the necromancers and planning wars and politics?'
I know from experience that it's absolutely impossible with mental weakness. If it were possible...
"This guy is a full-spec character, isn't he?"
The queen must have done something to compensate for the weaknesses. Even if it inherited the traits, how they were combined was up to her. Falcatius was likely created by drastically reducing its physical capabilities and investing the freed resources elsewhere.
'What else could she reduce physically... but from what I've seen, it seems like that's the only explanation.'
My guess is that it's not a combat-effective entity.
With most of the enemy forces tied up on the western front, the queen's first and second subordinates not present, and the third, unconfirmed, likely having near-zero combat power...
"Our house is really empty, isn't it?"
This means that if we can infiltrate the queen's nest, we might easily be able to sever her head.
- SoySauceGuy: Wait. This isn't just an opportunity, it's a golden opportunity, isn't it?
- SpeedWagon: Everything is perfect except for the situation, timing, and squad composition. It's hard to find a better opportunity.
- Jokass: What? Are you serious? Come on!
- TakeALook: No! If we clear it like this, what about Anaya? What about Charlotte? This can't end here!
"Hey, wait a minute... I'm not kidding, I can really see a chance to clear this...! After playing as an unlucky Medley, finally, the winds of fortune are blowing for my professor character!"
As the reality of the situation approached, the chat room began to buzz.
The professor's heart was also buzzing like the chat room.