I Became the Tyrant of a Defense Game [EN]: Chapter 235

Let me cut to the chase.

It wasn’t a ghost.

“Please save me! Please save meee! I’m not a monster, nor a ghost! I’m an adventurer! Please save me!”

In the lounge.

A woman with long, light green hair, completely soaked, was kneeling and begging profusely.

She had three vertical tear marks under her left eye, giving her a unique impression. Even when still, she looked like she was about to cry.

Through her wet, light green hair, long, pointed ears peeked out. I groaned.

“An elf…?”

If Lily, who hated elves, were here, she would have been more horrified than seeing a ghost, but anyway, it wasn’t a monster.

‘Though it could be worse than a monster…’

NPCs [Non-Player Characters] can sometimes be more threatening than monsters.

I gestured to Lucas. Lucas immediately drew his sword.

“What were you doing in here? Answer me.”

When Lucas asked in a stern voice, the elf woman let out a small shriek and explained the situation.

“A-as I said, I’m an adventurer! I was exploring this dungeon… !”

I narrowed my eyes. ‘An NPC party,’ I thought.

NPC party.

They are often called ‘raid groups’.

Unlike newbie parties like us, who have been here for less than a year, there are several NPC adventurer parties that have been trying to clear the dungeon for years or even decades.

They can become allies or enemies depending on the situation. If things go well, it’s even possible to incorporate them into your own forces.

‘I haven’t encountered them yet, but to meet them in a place like this.’

And I know the faces of all the NPC parties active in the dungeon. I was terribly entangled with them in the game too.

Among them, there is only one party composed of elves.

‘The Holy Grail Exploration Team, directly under the Elf Queen.’

100 years ago, during the time when the kingdoms of other races were collapsing due to the war with humans.

The Elf Queen issued a secret order to her guards to overcome the unfavorable war situation.

She ordered them to find the Holy Grail, a source of magical power that was once the national treasure of the Fairy Kingdom but was stolen.

They said that if they had the Holy Grail, they could use the lost ancient magic of the Fairy Kingdom again.

So, the five guards set out to find the Holy Grail, and they deduced that the underground dungeon of this Lake Kingdom was the most likely place where it was located.

That’s how they jumped into the dungeon 100 years ago.

The Elf Kingdom has already been destroyed, and even the previous queen who gave the order has lost her life.

Yet, the five pitiful elf party members still haven’t given up their mission and are continuing to explore the depths of the dungeon, like an axe handle rotting while watching immortals play [a metaphor for something that is useless and forgotten].

They are the Holy Grail Exploration Team.

‘But why is she alone? And why was she in the hot spring facility?’

As I frowned in confusion, the terrified elf woman began to explain in detail.

“My companions and I were exploring the 6th area of the dungeon. We had information that the item we were looking for was in the 6th area.”

“And?”

“And then suddenly, the Nightmare Legion Commander and his subordinates appeared…”

The elf woman began to tremble.

“The ‘Wolf King’ of the 9th-ranked Werewolf Legion and his subordinates were directly hunting adventurer parties.”

“… !”

“We pride ourselves on being a skilled party, but we never imagined that the Legion Commander would appear in person. We were completely crushed.”

Immediately, the elf woman grabbed her hair and shouted.

“And after crushing us, they said something like, ‘They’re not the ones we’re looking for!’ What the heck! If that’s the case, why did you attack us!”

At that, I suddenly remembered the warning that Moomy had given me before.

– Some of the Nightmare Legion Commanders are targeting you.

– The deeper you go into the Lake Kingdom, the easier it will be for them to find your traces, and they will send pursuers. In the worst case, the Legion Commander himself may appear to kill you.

The Nightmare Legion Commanders were trying to find and kill me.

‘Could it be that they are searching the dungeon for our party?’

Is that why they are attacking every adventurer party they see? And the elf Holy Grail Exploration Team got caught up in the process?

“After that, they kidnapped us and started dragging us somewhere. Fortunately, my restraints were loose, so I was able to escape alone…”

The elf woman looked down at her wrist. There were red marks left by the rope.

Her face flushed red, as if she was ashamed of leaving her companions behind and escaping alone.

I clicked my tongue inwardly as I watched her.

Kellybay had said something like this before.

– Something seems to be going on in the depths of the dungeon.

– The wandering undead, the adventurers who asked me for equipment and went inside, all of them haven’t been seen for a long time, so something big must be happening.

NPC parties were going missing.

‘Was all of that the work of the Nightmare Legion Commanders? Are they attacking and kidnapping NPC parties to find me?’

What if not only the Holy Grail Exploration Team, but other NPC parties are also being kidnapped?

‘…Isn’t it also my responsibility for their kidnapping?’

While I was lost in thought, the elf woman continued to speak.

“I managed to escape, but I was exhausted and injured. I didn’t have the strength to return to the base camp alone.”

“So you took refuge in this hot spring facility.”

“Yes. I can reorganize myself here. And since my job is an assassin, stealth is my specialty. I avoided the monsters at the entrance and have been recovering in the women’s bath for the past few days.”

The elf woman glanced at Evangeline.

“But then suddenly someone came in, and I thought it might be an enemy, so I submerged myself in the hot tub to hide… I came out because I was running out of breath, and they were very surprised…”

“Well, it’s understandable to be surprised if someone suddenly pops out of the tub…”

Evangeline was still standing over there, clutching her chest in shock and sending wary glances.

“Anyway, I understand the situation roughly.”

I gestured to Lucas to put away his sword. As the aimed sword was removed, the elf woman let out a sigh of relief.

“Is there anything we can do to help?”

Since it seemed like we were the reason they were attacked, I felt the need to help.

When I asked, the elf woman’s face brightened.

“Could you please save our party?!”

I knew it would come to this. I stroked my chin with my hand.

The Holy Grail Exploration Team is the weakest of the NPC parties in this dungeon, but they are one of the few normal groups that are generally friendly to us.

If we do them a favor, it will be helpful for future raids.

“Do you know where they were taken?”

“I think they were probably taken to the ‘Wolf Den’ in the 7th area, which is their base.”

The 7th area…

We haven’t even cleared the 5th area dungeon yet, let alone the 6th, so it’s quite far.

Above all, if it’s the Werewolf Legion’s base, they will be stationed there, so it’s too risky to invade that place.

‘But there is a way.’

When the Werewolf Legion that is invading Crossroad is defeated in this defense battle.

The place they used as their base will also be less guarded. Then, rescue will be possible.

‘The problem is whether the prisoners will hold out until then…’

Ding!

At that moment, a system window appeared in front of me.

[Sudden Quest – NPC Rescue]

– Rescue the NPCs kidnapped by the Nightmare Legion.

– Location: ‘Wolf Den’ in the 7th area

– Reward: ???

– Remaining time: 30 days

They even kindly show me the quest window. That guy, Aider.

I think it’s a transparent trick, but there is quite important information written in the system window.

‘The quest expiration date is 30 days. So, the prisoners will survive for at least 30 days.’

There must be a reason why they were captured instead of being killed. They are probably being interrogated by the monsters.

The limit to withstand that is 30 days.

‘The next defense battle is 27 days away…’

Okay, there’s just enough time.

I explained the situation to the elf woman.

I told her that I was the leader of the Southern Defense Line, that the Werewolf Legion would attack the city in four weeks, and that after defeating them, we would go together to save her companions.

The elf woman looked upset at the mention of a month later, but what could she do? This was the maximum help I could realistically give.

“I understand. My companions are strong, so I’ll have to pray that they hold out as long as possible…”

I nodded at her words.

“Instead… well, it’s not really instead, but I’ll prioritize our party’s exploration to open a path towards the ‘Wolf Den’.”

“Then I will help with that exploration!”

The elf woman jumped up.

“I’ve been rolling around here for a long time, so I know a lot! I’m especially confident in guiding and scouting!”

Wow, what a stroke of luck? Even though it’s a 30-day short-term hire, I’ve managed to add an NPC character to the party for free.

“Okay. Let’s cooperate until then.”

Long live free characters! I’ll make you work hard for the next month!

I reached out my hand. Then, the elf woman looked down at my hand with wide eyes. I wiggled my fingers.

“I’m asking for a handshake, a handshake. We’re in a cooperative relationship now.”

“Ah… Aha! A handshake!”

The elf woman, after wiping her palms on her clothes, smiled awkwardly and grabbed my hand with both of hers.

“I’m sorry. I’m not familiar with human greetings.”

“The method doesn’t matter. Anyway, we’re helping each other, so let’s get along.”

After the awkward handshake, I gestured with my chin.

“I’m Ash. What’s your name?”

“I’m Verthandi. Nice to meet you, Ash.”

The elf woman – Verthandi – smiled innocently.

But was it because of the tear marks? Even when she was smiling, she looked like she was crying.

‘Verthandi, you say?’

I was quite surprised to hear the other person’s name.

Verthandi, an SSR-grade assassin character. This woman is the leader of the Holy Grail Exploration Team.

‘She looked so clueless, I thought she was a lower-grade character… She was a named NPC?’

Right then.

Grumble.

“Ugh… !”

Verthandi, who made a grand sound from her stomach, looked up at me with a tearful face.

“S-sorry, but is there anything to eat…? I haven’t eaten for days…”

“…”

I took out a baked egg and honey water from my bag and gave it to her. I brought it because I wanted to eat it, but it would be more useful for someone who was starving…

“It’s delicious! It’s so delicious! It’s been so long since I’ve eaten an egg!”

Verthandi ate the baked egg I gave her, almost crying.

“Outside world food is precious here! Usually, we eat preserved food left by the people of the Lake Kingdom… sob sob, today’s meal was delicious…”

“…I’ll bring more food next time. Just tell me what you want.”

I’ve got her working for the party for free, so I can at least provide her with food.

“Oh my World Tree! How can you be so generous! Th-then next time you come!”

Verthandi’s eyes sparkled as she pleaded.

“Please bring me some sunflower seeds!”

“…”

I wondered if she was making a hamster-like request, but I nodded, thinking it was an elf’s taste.

If she wants to eat it, I’ll bring it.

Looking at Verthandi gulping down the honey water with a happy face, I suddenly thought of the faces of the shadow squad members, who were also elves.

The three who left on a mission and have not yet returned, and the two who have gone on a path of no return.

They were so happy when I first provided them with meals.

“…”

While I was lost in thought, Quillan looked down at the empty egg carton and muttered with a dark expression.

“I was looking forward to it, a baked egg…”

“…I’ll bake you a new one when we get back.”

“As expected of His Highness! You take good care of your subordinates!”

Of course, you little brat. At least I won’t let you suffer when it comes to food. They say that just having good meals greatly reduces the desire to quit.

Then Damian and Lucas stared at me silently. I clicked my tongue.

“You guys wanted to eat too?”

“Yes…”

“Yes!”

Damian was embarrassed, but Lucas was unnecessarily energetic.

“Okay, I’ll bake you guys some as soon as we get back…”

Then someone grabbed my collar and pulled me. When I looked, it was Evangeline. Why you?

Evangeline smiled softly and asked.

“You’ll bake me some too, right?”

No, you brought your own and ate it! You round belly!