Chapter 39: Dwarf Rescue Squad (1)

“Hold on, Endure! Just a little further, then we can fall back!”

Blton, the leader of the Blue Jewel Dwarves, shouted with all his strength.

“Endure! Don’t collapse! We’re almost there!”

Though hope rang from his lips, despair was swelling within Blton’s heart.

‘Damn monsters! There are too many of them…’

They had set out on a mission entrusted to them.

But their departure had been far too late.

The monsters clung to their tails, and once they reached the valley below, they were inevitably caught.

‘We should have done it like the Red Hammer.’

At the gathering after receiving the mission, Tarunga, the Red Hammer leader, had vowed to abandon everything and migrate.

Back then, Blton had thought Tarunga naive and reckless.

‘We should have hurried, even if it meant losing everything.’

Now, looking back, he regretted that hesitation.

He had even abandoned all the supplies they had carried while fleeing.

Yet the end was drawing near.

‘If we could just get into that other valley over there, maybe we could farm for a while…’

Judging by the monsters pressing in, even that seemed unlikely.

“Endure! Keep fighting! We’re almost there!”

“Endure! You can survive! The Balankar Mountains are right ahead!”

“The land of hope is waiting…!”

One dwarf shouting hope was struck by a monster’s attack and fell dead.

“Tr-Troll! Damn twin-headed trolls have appeared again!”

“Damn it! Fall back! The chief will drive them off!”

The dwarves panicked and retreated.

Blton stepped forward.

He gripped his axe and shield tightly.

“Die!”

Blton slammed the shield with the axe.

Gooooong—

Resonance rang out between the two weapons.

Pajijijik—!

A fierce electric shock fired.

The bolt struck the troll.

“Ku-raaaaagh—!”

The twin-headed troll howled and collapsed backward.

Blton’s expression was grim.

‘Still didn’t kill it.’

Despite being hit by the electric shock, the troll didn’t die.

Other monsters dragged the troll to the rear.

‘Once it recovers, it’ll attack again.’

Blton’s finest equipment—

The shield and axe charged with electricity—

Even their combined electric strike couldn’t take down the twin-headed troll.

‘Damn Magic!’

It was because of Magic.

The troll, infused with Magic, exhibited several times the resilience and regeneration of before.

‘There’s a limit to the equipment.’

Blton’s hands burned hot.

His axe and shield had heated up from overuse.

“I overused the Skill and got an overload.”

As an excellent blacksmith, Blton had known this from the start.

At this rate, the gear wouldn’t last much longer.

“What should I do…”

Though the troll was pushed back, waves of smaller monsters pressed like a tide.

In the end, Blton’s actions repeated themselves.

“Endure! Just a little further and it’s the valley! Once we reach the valley, we live!”

Unfortunately, Blton’s wish was not easily fulfilled.

“Kr-r-rum, com-com—”

Readang—

A pack of dark, drooling monsters resembling dogs quickly charged forward.

“Flank! Damn it, watch the sides!”

“Monsters! We can’t break through. We’ll be completely surrounded.”

“No way… The Balankar Mountains are right ahead.”

Voices laced with despair reached them.

Their spirits sagged.

Blton could barely speak.

‘We have to at least push back the Monsters.’

Blton gathered all his strength and lifted his axe and shield again.

At that moment—

“Waaaaa! Protect the Blue Jewel!”

“Kill the monsters!”

A fierce shout rang out.

Something began flying.

Mushoo shush shush—

Mushoo shush shush—

A rain of arrows blanketed the sky above the monsters’ heads.

Blton turned his head backward.

On the ridge above, countless dwarves appeared.

“Blton! Hurry! Fall back to the valley!”

“There’s no time! Quickly! Gather the tribe and run!”

It was Tarunga and Dalkong.

Blton’s face flushed at the arrival of the main force.

“The Rescue Squad is here! Blue Jewel, hang on!”

Blton’s voice echoed amid the shower of arrows.

“Waaah! We’re saved!”

“We can survive!”

“Fall back! Fall back to the valley!”

The Blue Jewel tribe retreated into the valley.

The Rescue Squad, led by Tarunga and Dalkong, moved swiftly.

They set fire to the brush prepared beforehand, blocking the valley entrance.

The heating oil Suho had provided came in handy.

A curtain of flames appeared.

Monsters howled, trapped by the wall of fire.

***

“What? Dwarves, what are you doing?”

Suho growled at Balryong.

“I warned them. But they didn’t listen. They can’t stand by when my kin are in danger.”

“You should’ve tried everything!”

“Weighing the cost of defending the base is no easy matter.”

“Then you’re saying I should forcibly hold them back? I can’t move my vision to their side or help them.”

Suho clicked his tongue and averted his gaze from Balryong.

This was no time for disputes.

Suho hurried to the Freezer and peered inside.

Inside the wall was eerily empty.

Except for the elderly and weak, only a bare minimum number remained.

“Which direction did the dwarves go?”

“Don’t know. They just vanished to the other side of the wall.”

“That much we can allow.”

As Suho was shouting, a voice came from the Freezer.

“Giant! You’re here, Giant?”

It was Bold.

He had stayed behind to communicate with Suho.

“Bold, what’s the situation?”

“Someone came from the Blue Jewel tribe. They said they’re being chased by monsters. Our leader and Dalkong took some tribe members and went to rescue them.”

“How long ago? Which direction?”

“About two hours ago. That way. See that valley? It narrows into a small ravine down there…”

Bold explained the terrain and the dwarves’ route down the mountain.

When the explanation ended, a message popped up.

[Dimensional Mission [Dwarf Rescue Squad] acquired.]

[Check the details through the Dimensional Panel.]

“Dwarf Rescue Squad”

• The Blue Jewel Dwarf tribe, en route to the Balankar Mountains on a mission, was ambushed.
• Assist the Red Hammer and Light Hide Dwarves dispatched to rescue them, and save the Blue Jewel tribe.
• Reward: New Exchange Target (Blue Jewel Dwarves), Blue Jewel Dwarf Satisfaction.

Quickly confirming the mission, Suho moved his vision.

The sight moved along the valley.

“They’re not here! They didn’t make it this far.”

Suho searched the valley to the very end but saw no dwarves.

“We have to find another way.”

Suho poked the ground and fell into deep thought.

Balryong quietly approached.

“Don’t be too disheartened. I know your skills.”

“Yeah, that’s right!”

Suho let out a sigh.

While discussing the new mine, Suho explained the Dimensional Sight to Tarunga and Dalkong.

“I know the limits of what I can do. But I’ll try to get as close as possible. Maybe I can prepare a way to help beforehand.”

“Right. He wouldn’t have come without a plan. The fate of our people depends on this.”

Suho’s task was clear.

“Wait! Be ready to help as soon as they come into sight!”

Suho dragged a chair before the freezer and sat down.

“I won’t let them die.”

Determination blazed in Suho’s eyes.

***

Inside the valley.

Three dwarf leaders hastily gathered.

“Listen, Blton. Are you hurt?”

“You’ve had it rough, Blton. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Thank you so much for coming to rescue us.”

Blton bowed his head.

But the expression on his face was far from bright.

“Why such bad luck, Blton?”

“How long can we hold out in this valley? To climb the mountain, we have to leave here. But monsters have set up camp outside… I worry I dragged you all into a death trap.”

Blton answered Tarunga’s question.

His voice was filled with worry.

“It’s okay. There’s always a way.”

“Yeah, we wouldn’t have come into this other valley just like that. Heh heh.”

Dalkong and Tarunga replied.

Blton saw hope in their faces.

“What’s the plan? Did you bring some powerful weapon?”

“No way. No matter how powerful, we can’t fend off that many monsters.”

“Right. Weapons won’t do. But we have a friend far greater than any weapon.”

Their answer surprised Blton.

“A friend? What do you mean?”

“The Giant. The dwarves’ friend. Heh heh.”

“The greatest and mightiest in the world. Haha.”

“Could it be a Giant tribe living in the Balankar Mountains? Have you allied with them?”

“Heh heh, not a Giant tribe, but the Giant himself.”

“Yes. No Giant tribe could compare to the greatness of the Giant.”

Blton grew more confused.

“What on earth are you talking about? Explain it clearly.”

“There’s no time, so listen carefully. When our Red Hammer tribe first arrived here…”

Tarunga’s story continued.

The more it went on, the more bewildered Blton became.

“You want me to believe that now?”

“Of course. Look at Dalkong. He was even more skeptical at first. Thought I was crazy. But now he respects the Giant more than anyone. Heh heh. So trust me and follow the plan. Or rather, trust the Giant. Everything will be resolved.”

“Heh, well…”

Blton couldn’t believe it.

But he had no other choice.

***

One night passed in the valley.

“I’m not sure this is the right choice.”

Blton muttered.

The fire blocking the valley’s entrance was dying down.

The escape operation would start soon.

“Don’t worry too much. It’ll be fine.”

“Right. The Giant should have returned by now. We just have to reach the ridge.”

The calm attitudes of the two leaders eased Blton’s heart.

Worrying now wouldn’t help.

“Alright, we’re ready. Signal and we’ll move.”

The Blue Jewel tribe members prepared to run.

The Red Hammer and Light Hide dwarves of the Rescue Squad were also fully ready.

“Then let’s begin. Operation prepare—!”

Tarunga gave the signal.

“Get the oil drums ready!”

“Throw the grease and run.”

“Don’t throw the grease! You’re supposed to throw the flare to block the pursuers at the rear.”

“Got it, got it.”

The dwarves involved in the operation lifted rectangular iron containers.

Suho had added some materials to the kerosene he supplied for heating to ensure it stuck well.

“Move out! Along the path!”

The lead dwarves threw sand into the smoldering fire wall.

Passs—

The flames died down.

Monsters started rushing in from the other side.

Oil drums flew through the air.

“Fire! Shoot!”

The oil drums dropped before the monsters.

Flaming arrows were fired.

Kuaaang—!

Kwa kwa kwa gwang—!

An explosion occurred.

The monster horde faltered.

“Go! Run!”

“Don’t stop! Move out!”

The dwarves burst out of the valley at once.

“The monsters are coming! Pour oil behind us!”

“Throw it! Light it up!”

“Got it!”

Oil drums flew backward, and crossbows fired.

Kwa kwa kwa ang—!

Another explosion rocked the area.

Thanks to the successful operation, the monsters’ pursuit was scattered.

“Run! Run! Just a little further!”

“The ridge! The Giant is waiting for us!”

“Run!”

The dwarves’ short legs hurried along the path.

“Kuwaaaaang—!”

A howl sounded.

Blton turned his head back.

“Damn it, that troll again!”

The twin-headed troll that had repeatedly blocked their escape had appeared once more.

“Kuququke kekeke—”

The running troll sneered at Blton.

Then it lifted a huge boulder from the valley.

“Its throwing it. Damn!”

If that rock fell, several would be killed instantly.

Blton clenched his axe and shield.

The troll roared.

Whoooong—

A house-sized boulder flew through the air.

“We have to break the rock!”

Blton struck the axe against the shield.

Electricity sparked.

The target was the rock suspended in the air.

Pajijijik—!

The electric shock hit.

The rock shattered.

But Blton’s face turned pale and dark.

The troll grabbed another boulder.

“That guy! Did he notice the crossroads? Damn!”

It seemed the troll even understood the electricity wasn’t unlimited.

Whoooong—

Another rock flew.

Blton had no choice but to use electricity again as he ran.

“Blton, hurry! Just a little further!”

Tarunga’s voice called out.

But Blton couldn’t move forward.

He had to protect the tribe.

Whoooong—

Pajijijik—!

The same scene repeated several times.

By now, Blton had almost reached the ridge.

“Chief! Hurry!”

Only the last group remained.

Blton stayed behind, waiting for them.

Whoooong—

A massive boulder flew.

Blton prepared to send out electricity again.

But—

Parang—

With a soft sound, a tremor spread through his fingertips.

The electricity didn’t fire.

“Damn it! The electric stone in the axe and shield broke!”

The power source embedded in the axe and shield was shattered.

The overused equipment was finally destroyed.

Ah, so this is how I die.

Blton closed his eyes, sensing death approaching.

“Even if I die…”

There was no regret left.

Only a desperate wish that the Giant truly existed.

‘Please, may the survivors find a way…’

Blton prayed fervently.

“Divine Hammer and Anvil, hear me. Please.”

Endlessly praying, Blton suddenly felt something strange.

‘Why am I not dying?’

For some reason, the rock didn’t fall.

The troll’s mocking laughter stopped.

Blton slowly opened his eyes.

“Why is it so dark… Huh?”

The rock was suspended in the sky.

More precisely, it was caught between gigantic fingers.

Blton realized why the troll’s roar was silent.

It was staring at the enormous hand with terror-filled eyes.

“It’s real… The Giant is here!”

Just as Blton shouted in astonishment—

Pasak—

The terrifying boulder shattered like a cookie.