TRWMG 19

Chapter 19

Early Access (5)

Jinwoo looked at the Magic Barrier.

Rainsword was the last to the remaining land of Arsilan, and the Magic Barrier was enveloping the entire Rainsword, protecting it from the Erosion. If the Magic Barrier were to collapse, Rainsword would not be able to withstand.

That meant…

‘The destruction of Arsilan.’

Destruction by Erosion wasn’t simply a matter of vanishing. It wasn’t just plain annihilation.

Sssrk!

Jinwoo passed through the Magic Barrier and stepped outside.

The Erosion blocking the front of Evanth.

Among the lands taken over by Erosion, this place had the lowest concentration of it.

If Erosion were the sea, then this place was like a shallow beach. If Jinwoo tried, he could eliminate the core here. But it would be difficult to maintain. Before he could even expand the Magic Barrier, the Erosion rushing in from all sides would devour it.

As he entered the land of Erosion, his body felt heavier.

The sunlight was strangely refracted, dyeing the sky red. It was a sickening color that made it feel like blood might start pouring down at any moment.

A world full of nothing but hostility.

Everything in sight was twisted grotesquely by Erosion. Trees were shriveled up, and flowers crumbled into dust without strength.

“Still such a unpleasant place.”

A sense of discomfort swept over his entire body, as if he had stepped into thick jelly filled with bugs.

Jinwoo rotated his arm as if warming up, then raised his hand while looking straight ahead.

A blue light shimmered, and a small Magic Circle appeared.

He grabbed the Magic Circle with his hand and twisted it.

Fwaat!

With a burst of blue light, magical formulas erupted and colored everything in front of him. The precisely crafted Magic Circle looked just like a giant door.

If one was visiting, it was proper etiquette to say hello.

Of course, before that, one needed to ring the doorbell or knock.

“Ding…”

Jinwoo clenched his fist.

From the tightly clenched fist, massive Magic Power surged. The condensed Magic Power that distorted even space was a realm no one but an Archmage could imitate.

Grkkrk!

The ground cracked, and the sky disappeared.

The solid earth melted helplessly, becoming a bubbling liquid, and the sky, as if it had crashed to the ground, swirled into a storm right in front of his eyes.

Just like a sea parting, the melted land was pushed aside to both sides.

That was merely the prelude to the spell.

Jinwoo struck the giant door made of Magic Circles with his fist.

“…Dong!”

Clang! Krrraaaang!

The Magic Circle burst apart, and a massive flame spewed out.

Was this what a stellar wind released by a brilliant star looked like?

A storm of fire and wind filled the front, annihilating everything in a straight line.

It surged forward as if to reach the end of the horizon.

It was the ‘Doorbell’ spell developed by Jinwoo.

Think of it as a doorbell announcing a visit.

The Doorbell spell created a massive canyon. It had swept away everything in front of it.

But the space rippled and then returned to its original state.

“So you’ve come.”

Jinwoo stared straight ahead.

Grgrg!

The sticky air ominously wavered.

From a far distance, a sinister noise echoed.

[Ahh! This wretched smell of soul…, Mage…, hehehe, you’ve finally come to offer your soul.]

The master of Erosion that had devoured this entire area.

The being possessing the core of Erosion mocked Jinwoo.

[Ah! I can hear it! The sound of your disciple calling your name and crying out for futile salvation, the sound of your comrades screaming and cursing you!]

The ridicule and criticism poured at him on Earth were nothing compared to this. That voice of Erosion had gnawed away at Jinwoo for a hundred years.

If you die in the land of Erosion, your soul becomes corrupted and turns into a monster. The races that were once classified as monsters were no different.

[The priest who cried out Ella’s name, the noble paladin, they all fell and became slaves. They shall scream as they are tortured at the end of that Erosion for an eternity. Until their souls are torn to shreds and corrupted.]

And the people of Arsilan, the comrades who were with him, were the same.

“……”

That was so.

This wasn’t a simple extinction. They would be tortured until they were swallowed by Erosion and corrupted, and once corrupted, they would become slaves unable to escape from that core.

That was why he had to fight alone.

It was an incredibly lonely and solitary battle, and he ultimately lost.

The space rippled once more.

[Accept your fate. You’ve already lost. How long do you think that pathetic barrier will protect you? Ah! You writhing like that looks just like a worm!]

Your defeat is inevitable.

It is fate.

That’s what the thing was saying.

Pfft!

Jinwoo couldn’t help but laugh.

[What’s so funny?]

“No matter how much you go on about it, you can’t even move from there anyway.”

The master of Erosion who possessed the core typically couldn’t move away from the center of their land. If they had devoured a great expanse and their rank had risen, maybe they could, but that didn’t apply to this one.

For the first time, Jinwoo felt delighted hearing the voice of Erosion.

While listening to that voice, Jinwoo moved further inward.

A foul stench wafted from nearby.

He spotted a monster consumed by Erosion.

Kieeeek!

It was a Goblin, originally meant to have a small body. Even Goblins, monsters that had once existed in Arsilan, had been devoured and corrupted by Erosion.

[Lv.10] Corrupted Goblin

A Goblin consumed by Erosion.

Fully corrupted and full of hatred toward all living things.

The Magic Tower had assessed the danger level of Goblins and expressed it in levels.

Its small body had grown larger, and its green skin had turned a purplish hue. Sharp teeth pierced through its lips like ivory tusks, and from the rusty weapon in its hand, a vicious energy emanated.

A monster corrupted by Erosion.

It was no longer a living being.

When killed, it simply turned to ash.

It was nothing more than a completely subjugated slave whose life force and soul had both been stolen by the core. It was a being that could be replicated anytime once the core’s power was charged.

[It’s useless. Meaningless. There is nothing you can do.]

Even if this place were wiped clean with powerful magic, it would return to its original state after some time. That applied not only to monsters subjugated by the core but also to the entire environment.

Erosion created a hostile environment for the people of Arsilan, forcing them to fight under disadvantageous conditions. That was why every race in Arsilan had suffered continued defeat and lost most of their territory.

Despair that could not be overcome.

The doom that was drawing near.

“That’s right.”

Jinwoo acknowledged it outright.

“On my own, that’s true.”

Erosion couldn’t understand Jinwoo’s words at all.

Jinwoo looked at the corrupted Goblin village.

It was a fairly large village, composed of around 200 members.

“Just perfect.”

Perfect material for the growth of the Heroes.

After Early Access began, Jinwoo had placed Goblin-shaped monsters in the forest.

They were fakes created with magic. Puppets controlled by the Magic Tower, and he had named them ‘Normal Monsters’. The Heroes first needed to become familiar with Goblins.

It seemed like now was the time to proceed to the next phase.

[I will devour everything of yours. I’ll savor their screams as I slowly sever your disciples from head to toe.]

“Hm.”

When Jinwoo snapped his fingers, Magic Circles were drawn all over the Goblin village. They were Teleportation Magic Circles.

He planned to rip up the entire village and drop it into the forest.

The only time something could pass through the Magic Barrier was when Jinwoo allowed it. Even if it got torn out like this, it would soon regenerate exactly the same thanks to the core’s power.

A hunting ground to tear apart and savor endlessly!

‘What a perfect hunting ground this is!’

Jinwoo’s gaze sank low.

A twisted smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

“I’m just going to borrow this for a bit.”

[What are you scheming?]

“Refill it later. You’ve got nothing better to do anyway.”

For the first time, Erosion was confused.

“Ah!”

Jinwoo was about to go into the Magic Barrier but paused and looked back. He had almost forgotten to tell that bastard the “role” it had to play.

“Congratulations. You’re now the mid-boss of Episode 1 of the main quest in Arsilan Saga.”

Jinwoo leaned his back against the Magic Barrier.

“I’ll even pay you in advance. Make sure you take it well.”

Jinwoo clenched his fist.

Was there something in his fist?

The moment he felt the Erosion Core focusing intently on it.

Sssrk!

Jinwoo’s middle finger rose.

This was the best reward he could offer to the Erosion Core.

As he stepped backward into the Magic Barrier, his body sank into it.

[…How dare you…!]

That’s how he maintained his middle finger until the very end as he disappeared beyond the Magic Barrier.Heina del Ardengart.

She was the sword of the great Archmage and the captain of the knight order that protected Rainguard. Her driving force was her respect, admiration, and loyalty toward her lord.

When her lord rescued her from that dreadful battlefield, when he shaved down his own soul to heal her, she swore to dedicate both body and heart to him.

‘Yes, even Erosion cannot sway this loyalty.’

It was true.

“Ugh!”

And that’s was why she was wearing an embarrassingly revealing armor and serving as the captain of the guard in Evanth!

Her thighs felt breezy.

Her abdomen felt awkward.

For someone who had always covered herself head to toe, it was an incredibly unfamiliar sensation. In any case, her mission was to maintain public order in Evanth and manage and punish the Heroes.

The Heroes summoned to Arsilan by her lord must surely be noble individuals. Heina had once thought something so absurd.

Clutching her head from a pounding headache, she exited the guard building and patrolled Evanth. Her deputy and the guards who were knights of Rainsword followed behind her.

All of them were reliable comrades who had once stood back-to-back with her on the battlefield.

Heina immediately went into duty mode.

“Hey! You! Over there!”

“Yes?”

“No selling on the streets!”

The hero who had been selling herbs and mushrooms on the street looked at her.

It was a female hero who seemed to be a gatherer.

“Clear it up. I’ll let it go this time.”

“Um…, Heina-nim.”

“What is it?”

The hero floated a photo sphere above her head, blushed, and looked at Heina.

“C-could you curse at me just once, please!”

“Fine of 20 gold, Penalty Points of 10.”

10 Penalty Points meant the same as -10 Contribution Points.

As Heina stretched out her hand, the deputy quickly wrote up a fine and a penalty form and handed it to the hero.

“Ah.”

Disappointment washed over the hero’s face.

Her shoulders drooped. Heina sighed and opened her mouth.

“Now get lost.”

Smile!

At those rough words, the hero grinned brightly and nodded repeatedly.

‘I don’t understand.’

Why?

Heina couldn’t understand it. Still, that hero was one of the better ones. The Heroes committed far too many antics in Evanth.

“Waaah!”

“Who do you think will win?”

The town plaza at the center of Evanth was noisy. Heina headed over.

A male hero wearing only underwear and holding a sword in a bizarre way was glaring at a female hero holding daggers in both hands. Above both of their heads floated the words ‘Duel in Progress’.

That phrase only appeared when both parties had agreed to duel.

“I am Namgung Somen, the great lord of the Namgung Clan. I shall yield three moves. Come forth.”

“I am the Sock Thief! I’ll take your ankles!”

There were many spectators, and they were laying down bets and gambling.

“10 gold on the Sock Thief!”

“20 gold on Namgung Somen! Let’s go for the upset!”

Heina sighed at the sight.

It was the moment when Namgung Somen and Sock Thief charged toward each other. Heina stepped between them with her arms spread wide.

Grab!

She caught Namgung Somen and Sock Thief’s faces in each of her hands.

She lightly slammed both of their faces into the ground.

Thud!

Namgung Somen and Sock Thief were subdued instantly.

Heina lightly dusted off her hands and turned her gaze toward the spectators who had set up a gambling ring.

“Dueling and gambling are prohibited in the town plaza. Pay the fine.”

Heina glared fiercely at the Heroes who had created the gambling scene.

“Wow! It’s Heina-nim!”

“Hello?”

“Heina-nim, would you like some of this?”

The Heroes were needlessly cheerful.

With that attitude, it was hard to stay angry.

“Fine. I’ll let it go this time, so disperse quickly.”

“Heina-nim, I love you!”

“You’re so cool!”

The Heroes squealed with delight.

Sighing deeply again, Heina looked at Namgung Somen and Sock Thief collapsed on the ground and raised her hand. Light burst from the ring her lord had given her, and their information appeared.

[Lv.4] Namgung Somen

Gender: Male

Race: Human

‘Beware of the elderly, women, and children! As expected!’

Namgung Somen is currently subdued.

[Special Notes]

– 2 days ago: Picked up and ate discarded bread from the ground.

– 1 day ago: Illegally manufactured and distributed a pill using herbs.

Heina looked at Sock Thief’s information.

[Lv.5] Sock Thief

Gender: Female

Race: Half Elf

‘Heina-nim, ehe~! So pretty. Wanna make love with you~!’

Sock Thief is currently subdued.

Sock Thief is wearing a lewd smile.

[Special Notes]

– 2 days ago: Caught stealing Tia’s socks (Wanted status).

*Note from Tia: Why did you steal socks with holes in them? Please get rid of her before others find out!

Heina looked at the information and was speechless for a moment.

“Take them in.”

Clack!

Both were handcuffed, and the guards escorted them to the Underground Jail of the guardhouse.

Heina personally interrogated them.

“Namgung Somen, you illegally manufactured and distributed pills.”

“I was making the Shaolin Great Pill.”

“100 gold fine, 20 penalty points.”

“Gasp! But a martial artist does not waver.”

Heina glared at him.

“Why are you walking around wearing only underwear?”

“The sky and wind are my clothes, and the earth is my shoes, what’s the problem?”

“Then I’ll help you remove your skin leather too.”

“I’m sorry! Please let it go just this once!”

Thud!

Namgung Somen slammed his head into the desk.

With the added charge of public indecency, one day of underground confinement was added.

Heina then interrogated Sock Thief.

“Sock Thief, you stole Tia-nim’s socks. A warrant has been issued.”

“Ehehe….”

“But why did you steal socks with holes in them?”

“That’s the important part! I only take those that were going to be discarded! It’s a secret, but they say it’s good for making certain substances. So if you sell them on the black market….”

Heina’s eyebrow twitched.

“Five days ban from Adventurer’s Guild access, 200 gold fine, 100 penalty points, and donate 100 Horned Rabbits.”

“Ah…! Heina-nim, by any chance….”

“If you say one more word, I’ll make you wear shackles for the rest of your life.”

“Wah!”

Heina tossed Namgung Somen and Sock Thief into the deepest part of the guardhouse’s Underground Jail.

[Namgung Somen and Sock Thief have obtained a Title!]

[-] Criminal

Title given to those imprisoned in the Underground Jail.

The title cannot be removed for one week.

*Reputation -100

(Due to decreased reputation, you will suffer disadvantages in Evanth.)

“Phew.”

Back in the guardhouse office, Heina picked up a cup.

If there was one good thing that came with the arrival of the Heroes, it was this coffee. They said it was just a imitation made from herbs and berries, but Heina liked it.

[Heina.]

At her lord’s Magic Communication, Heina hastily set down her coffee cup and stood up, saluting.

“Sir! No issues during duty, sir!”

[Is the work manageable?]

“…Yes! Of course! I am perfectly carrying out the mission you assigned to me!”

Heina hesitated briefly before answering.

[Are you really okay? If it’s too much….]

“Not at all! I am truly happy! I, Heina del Ardengart, am the happiest person in the world! Not difficult at all!”

Heina shouted with conviction.

[I’m glad to hear you’re that happy. I’ll count on you going forward.]

“Yes! Thank you!”

[Ah! I’ll be summoning more Heroes soon.]

“Yes! Underst…, what?”

Heina was momentarily at a loss for words.

“Uh…, my lord, how many Heroes will…”

[Just a light batch of fifty thousand this time.]

Heina squeezed her eyes shut.

[Hmm, it could increase more.]

“Ah….”

[Anyway, I was worried, but it seems to suit you, so I’m relieved.]

Fifty thousand Heroes…

W-was this a dream?

Heina found it hard to speak, but she forced her lips open.

“Yes! It suits me very well!”

[Good, that’s reassuring. Then keep up the good work.]

“Sir! I will continue my duties!”

She stood at attention until the Magic Communication had fully disconnected.

Thud.

Once it ended, she slumped into her chair with a heavy thud.

Slurp!

The coffee she sipped again was unbearably bitter.

“Sigh.”

The night of the guardhouse deepened with her sigh.