I Became the Tyrant of a Defense Game [EN]: Chapter 101

“How did you know?”

Jupiter Junior, who had been silent, looked at me with trembling eyes.

“That I… was hiding my abilities.”

“…”

“No mage… not even my grandmother noticed it.”

“I just have a good sense for that kind of thing.”

‘I need at least this much system correction to get through this hellish difficulty game, right?’

I crossed my legs and gestured to Junior with my chin.

“Show me all your abilities, Junior. Then I’ll pay you a fair price.”

“…”

Junior, who had been pursing her lips, looked straight at me. I gave her a gentle smile.

“Don’t you want to make a lot of money?”

***

Thus, Jupiter Junior’s true stats were revealed as follows:

[Jupiter Junior (SSR)]

– Level: 35

– Title: None

– Class: Advanced Elementalist

– Strength 15, Agility 17, Intelligence 35, Stamina 13, Magic Power 35

[Skills]

> Passive: Element Harmonizer

> Skill 1: Elemental Blast

> Skill 2: Elemental Fusion

> Ultimate: ??? (Unlocked after 3rd Job Advancement)

She was actually level 35 after completing her 2nd job advancement. She even had her 2nd skill unlocked. Seriously, why hide this?

The 2nd skill, [Elemental Fusion], was a skill that combined the elemental attributes she could use to deal area-of-effect damage.

It was the area magic skill I had been desperately looking for. Hooray!

‘She still seems to be hiding something.’

I stared intently at Junior, who was signing the employment contract.

Junior pretended not to notice my gaze and focused only on the contract.

Well, if she’s hiding abilities even after all this, it’s better to leave it be.

I don’t even know what her circumstances are yet.

“The probationary period of 4 weeks will be paid weekly. After the probationary period ends, 11 months’ worth will be paid in a lump sum.”

Junior confirmed, handing me the signed contract.

“Did I understand correctly, Your Highness?”

“That’s correct.”

She’s just like her grandmother; her eyes light up when it comes to money. It was tough trying to get her to stop trying to get even a penny more at the end of the negotiation.

‘Every time I hire a mage, money just flies away.’

But the tactical value of a mage is similar to that of a fighter jet in modern times.

This level of expenditure is acceptable. I nodded and signed the contract.

“With this, the contract is complete… though it’s a bit late, let me ask you something.”

“Yes?”

“Junior, have you ever shot a person with magic?”

Junior paused.

“Um… Your Highness? I don’t understand the intention of your question.”

“I’m not trying to pry into your past.”

I waved my hand.

“This is a monster frontline, but the enemies we have to face right now are humans. That’s why I’m asking.”

The enemies we have to face right now – the Nightcrawler unit occupying the base camp.

We have to go fight humans in a PVP [Player versus Player] scenario.

I was worried that Junior might have a problem with using magic against humans, so I asked.

“No, no, Your Highness. That’s not what I meant…”

But Junior’s answer was a little different from what I expected.

“Isn’t magic usually used to shoot people?”

“… !”

“Swords, spears, bows, all of them are the same. Most human weapons are made to target other humans.”

That’s right.

Perhaps, this is the norm.

“Have I ever shot a person with magic? Of course. Magic was also created for that purpose.”

“…”

“It’s a bit ironic that the first mission on the monster frontline is to kill people.”

Junior tucked the contract into her arms and smiled faintly.

“To be honest, I’m confident.”

“… I see.”

Only then do I realize anew.

This is not the world I lived in.

A world full of war and death, extremely harsh… completely different from Earth.

The ethics of killing people would also be different from my shallow ones.

But-

“…”

I think of Damian.

I remember the frightened eyes of that child who hesitated to shoot people.

That’s why… I still think.

That even in this world, killing someone can’t be something to be happy about.

‘I kill monsters to protect people.’

Where are the people I have to protect, and where are the monsters I have to kill?

I must not let go of this question.

‘However.’

I closed my eyes tightly and opened them again.

The Nightcrawler unit.

They are our clear enemies, who interfered with my strategy and caused Jupiter to go into a magic power overload.

Those guys – even if it means killing them, we have no choice but to clear a path.

Killing is not the first option. But if it’s self-defense, there’s no reason to hesitate.

‘If necessary, I’ll shoot.’

I hardened my heart and faced Junior.

“I’ll tell you about the enemies you’ll be facing this time.”

I told her about the Nightcrawler unit’s organization, the number of mages among them, their attributes, and their estimated levels.

“You should be nervous. Their mages are the ones who hurt your grandmother like that.”

“That’s unfortunate.”

Junior’s eyes flashed fiercely at the mention of the ones who injured her grandmother.

“If I had been there, I would have finished them off instead.”

“…”

“Don’t worry, Your Highness.”

Junior twirled the pipe in her hand and then snatched it.

“I’ll take care of them for my grandmother’s sake.”

Not because she’s an SSR-grade mage [Super Super Rare], but because she’s Jupiter’s granddaughter.

That’s why I trusted her. I nodded heavily in response.

***

The next day.

Free Exploration Area 3. [North Outer Wall].

The main party of five, and the remaining Shadow Unit members except for God Hand, a total of nine people, came to explore this place.

It was a re-exploration of Area 3 with several purposes, the first of which was a practical test of Jupiter Junior’s abilities.

Flash-!

And Junior’s skills were flawless.

Bang! Whoosh! Whoosh!

She freely wielded the three elements of water, wind, and lightning, and the absolute amount of output itself was very large.

As expected of an SSR-grade mage.

Every time Junior lightly waved her pipe, a spray of water poured out, a gust of wind blew, and lightning struck.

Groan…

Groooan!

The ghoul horde that rushed along the northern outer wall of the Lake Kingdom was swept away by magic and shattered into pieces.

‘Ugh, disgusting.’

The ghouls I saw in person were quite… eerie.

The monsters so far had been completely alien beings. But ghouls were clearly similar in appearance to humans.

It was quite painful to see those guys swarming in hordes, screaming.

Is this what it would feel like to be swept up in a zombie apocalypse?

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Of course, all of these guys were being crushed without even getting close in the face of a capable mage’s one-sided magic bombardment.

Groooaaan-!

Some of them were also specially enhanced individuals.

Tanker individuals with excessively developed muscles, agile individuals running swiftly, buffer individuals who cast area-of-effect frenzy buffs on nearby ghouls, and so on.

Swish! Swish!

Thud! Thud!

But every time such special individuals stood out, Damian and the archers of the Shadow Unit sniped them down.

‘It’s easier with so many people.’

It’s much more relaxed with nine people. The experience points will be shared, but it’s safe.

“How is it, Your Highness?”

After a while, when the monster wave ended without much difficulty, Junior turned to me with a smile.

“Has my ability been verified enough?”

“It’s enough. You’re more than qualified to take on the role of the main party’s magic attacker.”

She’s slightly inferior to Jupiter in terms of absolute destructive power.

But Junior had advantages in most other aspects.

Both her 1st and 2nd skills could be used as single-target or area-of-effect attacks, and her attributes were also diverse.

‘I got a good card.’

I nodded in satisfaction. With this, the first goal of this exploration was achieved.

‘And the second goal is to identify the types of ghouls.’

I approached the mountains of ghoul corpses.

‘The characteristics of the ghouls are determined by who the Lord is.’

The monsters reeked of decay.

There was no need to rummage through them with my hands. I had already checked their names through the system window.

‘Frost Ghoul.’

I wonder if they even add attributes to ghouls. Anyway, it’s a frost attribute ghoul.

And there’s only one vampire lord with the frost attribute.

‘Selendion…’

No doubt about it.

It seems that the king of the vampires will be directly involved. I bit my lip.

‘He’s a formidable opponent, but it’s much better than having no information.’

I can establish a strategy before the stage starts.

But right now, retaking the base camp comes first.

“Your Highness!”

At that moment, Bodybag, who had been sent to scout in another direction, returned.

Bodybag was a telekinetic, so he could do aerial reconnaissance.

Bodybag, who had been floating in the air, landed in front of me with a thud.

Bodybag bowed to me and reported.

“I’ve roughly finished mapping the terrain in this area.”

“How is it, do you think it’s possible as I instructed?”

“Yes. I think it’s definitely possible.”

“Good.”

This free exploration also had the purpose of scouting the terrain for the upcoming operation.

‘The base camp recapture operation.’

Fortunately, the terrain conditions were successfully cleared as a result of the scouting.

I was able to carry out the plan I had devised. I was relieved.

With this, all three goals of this free exploration were achieved.

“Okay, everyone, you’ve worked hard! Let’s head back!”

Since the base camp can’t be used, we have to go back to the teleport gate at the beginning of Area 3 and retreat.

I took the lead and started walking, and the party members followed me.

“…”

While walking along the northern outer wall, I suddenly looked down.

The city square covered in darkness was visible. The base camp occupied by the enemies would be hidden in the alley behind it.

The Nightcrawler unit.

And the Pied Piper, Crown.

‘Just wait a little longer. I’ll come to take it back soon.’

And as much as you guys screwed me over, I’ll screw you over too.

I renewed my resolve and moved on.

The moment to fight them was just around the corner.

***

[Free Exploration Ended!]

[Leveled Up Characters]

>Main Party

– Lucas (SSR) Lv.38 (↑1)

– Jupiter Junior (SSR) Lv.36 (↑1)

– Damian (N) Lv.33 (↑1)

>Sub Party 1

– Old Girl (R) Lv.30 (↑1)

– Skull (N) Lv.27 (↑1)

– Burnout (SR) Lv.26 (↑2)

[Acquired Items]

– Intermediate Magic Potion: 2

– Gale Enchant Scroll: 1

– Low-Grade Bloodstone: 65

***

“Cough!”

After the exploration ended, just before returning to the ground.

Jupiter Junior covered her mouth and coughed.

“Cough, cough!”

When she took her hand away from her mouth, a little blood was on her palm.

“…”

Jupiter Junior stared at her hand for a moment, then clenched her fist tightly.

And as if nothing had happened, she stepped into the teleport gate.