Chapter 16: First Wave...Over?

I flew high up in the air and observed the situation from above.

After making sure that the monster numbers isn’t above the expected amount, I sighed in relief then pulled out a radio.

I’d use a high-tech earpiece or something for communication but we couldn’t find anything like that in the mall and store...or maybe there is, but we just didn’t know it.

Who knows, maybe it looks different or is too small to notice...I should ask Christine.

...Actually, why didn’t I?

Inwardly, I face-palmed myself for being an idiot and sighed.

Damn, I focused too much on the defenses and safety...whatever, this will still do for now.

“Brook, this is Will. Do you see the monsters over at the east?”

“Yes.”

“They’ve entered the blue mark and are nearing the yellow mark. Get ready to activate the traps.”

“Roger.”

A drone flew by closer to the east side and kept watch at the approaching monsters.

The monster wave had originally came from the north side. However, after I killed that troll, the monsters split up and started to come from the north and east side.

Monsters don't work like humans.

For human armies, if you kill the general, the whole army loses their purpose and their morale sinks rock bottom.

But for monsters, things are different.

With the general, the troll, gone, the five special monsters only saw this as an opportunity to take over.

However, it is obvious that none from each of the different monster races would want someone from a different race to rule them. Hence, they scattered.

The orcs took the northwest, the goblins stayed at the north, the kobolds to the northeast, and the ones heading from the east side now are the wolves.

Even though the wolves traveled the farthest, they were still the fastest amongst the monster groups and were able to arrive near the yellow mark first.

They sure are impatient. Maybe the monsters had agreed that whoever kills the most will be the next leader...no, they shouldn’t be that stupid right?

I just one-shotted their leader...then again, they’re still crazily advancing towards up...what’s up with this?

While I was feeling confused, the first batch of wolves had successfully entered the yellow mark.

Suddenly, a huge blade dropped from an alley and sliced two wolves in half while also cutting off the third wolf’s hind leg.

Where did that blade come from? Well, it’s just a homemade long blade made from the longswords of those who didn’t wish to fight...figured we can make use of them without selling them. Not like we can sell them anyway since they were personalized...

...Wait, then who gets the EXP in this case?

“Brook, did you gain EXP from that?” (Will)

“No, I didn’t push the button. Wait, let me ask...yes, the guy who pushed it gained a little EXP...” (Brook)

A little?

“What’s his level?” (Will)

“Just 3.” (Brook)

Just 3? But those wolves are at least level 5...and he killed two, so why is it only a little?

Is this how normal people level?

Or...did the EXP go to the owner of those swords?

...That’s probably it since those weapons are still personalized to them…

...Eh? Then isn’t this such an easy way to level up???

All we have to do is make traps and attach the personalized weapons…

Oh, a handful of wolves just fell on a pitfall with the unused swords and spears below…then those EXPs...

Well...I guess we’ll know later when we meet the guys that evacuated to the store.

Ah, I gained a little EXP from that just now...and by little, I meant really tiny...so it was because I helped out a little when digging that pit hole?

*Boom* *boom*

Explosives rang out from the north side. The goblins huh? They’ve also reached the yellow mark now.

I continued to watch the monsters get thinner while making sure certain buildings are still intact and unaffected. I still need to make sure the ones who aren’t in the base are safe even if they had wanted to die already.

Like this, 10 minutes passed before I finally gave the order to deactivate the traps.

There’s no reason to completely exhaust our traps at the first wave. The other guys also need to level up.

After some time, the monsters realized that there’s no more danger ahead and charged forward again...seriously, do they not contain intelligence at all? They’re still charging…

At this rate, aren't they just cannon fodders?...Hm? Cannon fodders?

...I have bad feeling…

Most likely, they are, indeed, cannon fodders and someone...or something...is controlling them to charge forward recklessly to test the waters.

After this, another wave of monsters would appear and the true leader will arise.

It’s that sort of plot isn’t it?

I frowned upon thinking this and immediately commanded everyone.

“As soon as they are all in the orange zone, fire the ranged weapons! I’ll go survey ahead for a bit.” (Will)

“Understood” (Everyone)

As soon as I heard their confirmation, I looked at the battlefield again before flying away fast.

I first checked the area beyond the north where the monsters had originally come from...there’s nothing. Then is the north monster wave a diversion? Are they attacking from the south?

I clicked my tongue then flew to the south. I passed by the battlefield again and quickly looked at it to make sure everyone’s safe as well as the specific buildings outside the base before flying away.

South...there’s none. Even my [Soul Eyes] aren’t seeing anything.

West...nothing.

East...also nothing…

In the end, what’s actually the situation?

Suddenly, I received news from my radio.

“Will, we’re done here.” (Ryza)

“Okay! I’ll be right the-...wait, done?” (Will)

At first, I was worried when Ryza called and thought there was danger in the short moment that I was gone. However...it turns out that they are done already?

“Yes. The monster wave is completely gone.” (Ryza)

“...Alright. I’ll come see you guys.” (Will)

I flew back and sighed in relief upon seeing the completely intact base.

“Will, did you find anything?” (Brook)

“Nothing...” (Will)

For a moment, there was an awkward silence as it was too unexpected for us that the monster wave was that easy.

It feels so anti-climatic that it’s uncomfortable...I feel like I’m even more worried now than before...

“...Then...is the monster wave over? Just like that?” (Nicholas)

“Don’t jinx it you bastard!” (Michael)

Nicholas, who tried to break the silence, was hit on the head by Michael who was also feeling unease from how easy the monster wave was.

Actually, what Nicholas said was what we are all thinking as well. However, none of us dared to say it out loud since it feels wrong somehow…

“...I’ll go talk to Christine...” (Will)

“...You’re seeing her a lot lately…” (Ryza)

“I-it’s not like that Ryz! She just knows this situation better than us so I have to talk to her!” (Will)

Ryza’s eyes aren’t really cold since I know that she seems to support me having a lot of wives for some reason but still...the guilt and other unknown feelings made me feel her eyes were as cold as ice and cold sweat trickled down my spine so I hurriedly explained.

Ryza’s eyes didn’t change but she was still staring at me with half-closed eyes.

At the side, Sam also pouted and complained but I ignored everything she said as I had escaped quickly.

I sighed as I entered the store and was met with the stares of the people inside.

“Sir King, is everything safe now? How come you are here?”

“Well, the situation outside is already calm and peaceful. The monsters have all been ki-...defeated already. However, as something feels a little off, please stay here for just a little while until we assess the situation.” (Will)

Feeling as if saying the word ‘kill’ is wrong when there are kids listening, I changed the word and reassured everyone that no one from our side was killed during the fight.

After calming down the crowd, I walked over to Christine who was still reading her comics.

“You sure are calm when there’s a monster wave outside...” (Will)

“Hm? Oh, is it already that time of the month? I didn’t notice...anyway, it’s just the first wave. What harm is there?” (Christine)

…

“So? What have you come here, my perverted master who's still staring at my cleavage?” (Christine)

“I’m not!” (Will)

Seriously...there’s something wrong with this girl’s head!

“Suuure~ Then? What is it?” (Christine)

“...It’s about the monster wave...” (Will)

“What about it?” (Christine)

“It’s like this. The monsters outside are all already defeated but...it’s too easy. I was wondering if there’s something else...” (Will)

At my words, Christine laughed and shrugged her shoulders.

“What something? Not everything is a conspiracy. It’s like this. Every month, the monsters that killed a lot gains the chance to evolve. Just like humans. If they haven’t gathered enough EXP, they wouldn't evolve. If they survive now, then next month, they will surely evolve. This is why each wave is stronger than the last. Only idiot monsters would move on the first wave. The more clever monsters would choose to bide their time and wait till they have enough power to strike. It’s just like that.” (Christine)

Hearing her explanation, my eyes went wide and my mouth agape in shock.

This...this…

“What do you mean ‘just that’!? This is important information! Damn, if it’s like this, I should wipe out all the monsters now while they’re still weak.” (Will)

“Woh, bold claim there. Can you really do that? With how pitifully weak you are? I’m telling you, some monsters are already in their evolved form when they were [Downloaded] here. And there are also monsters that are powerful enough even without evolving like dragons and phoenixes.” (Christine)

…

After hearing that, I calmed down and sighed.

She’s right. I was too hot-blooded just now…

Not to mention, those monsters just now seem to come from nowhere. I had weeks of preparation and I even scouted ahead, yet I didn’t see any sign of those monsters gathering...then from where did they come from?

Suddenly, a loud shout resounded in the store.

“Trolls! Trolls! Trolls in the dungeon!!!” (Nicholas)

“Nicholas! This isn’t the time to be geeking out Harry Potter references! What’s happening!?” (Will)

This guy...if there’s any emergency, does he really have to do it in such a way!?

“A-ahaha...5 trolls suddenly appeared from the south...” (Nicholas)

I blinked for a second before turning back to Christine.

“Didn’t you say the first wave was supposed to be easy!? If there isn’t me, this wave is anything but easy!” (Will)

“Well, I guess that’s weird indeed. But it’s not like you don’t exist right?” (Christine)

“...” (Will)

Since I felt it was pointless to keep speaking to this girl, I came out from the store and flew to the rooftop to meet with the others.

I thought they would be panicking but they were all completely relaxed instead.

“Wow, somehow, it feels like Attack on Titan!”

“The titans are small though...”

“Who cares? Then let’s just call it Attack on Trolls!”

“Hey, isn’t troll meat supposed to be tasty?”

“Yeah, fantasy novels say that a lot too.”

“Troll blood is supposed to grant immortality in some novels.”

...They’re all chatting as if this is some kind of field trip on the zoo oi!!!

I really feel like retorting out loud but I refrained myself.

“Ah, Will, you’re here.” (Brook)

“Good, with you here, all those trolls will be insta-killed!” (Michael)

...Ah...so the reason for their carefree expressions...was me? Because I’m too powerful?

I frowned and thought this isn’t good. If they depend on me this much...sigh...what to do?

“...Will, let me fight one of the trolls myself.” (Ryza)

“Hm?” (Will)

I was surprised at Ryza’s sudden proposition for a while before finally understanding why she said so.

She must’ve figured out something from my expression just now.

I smiled wryly at my ever-so-understanding wife.

“Alright. I’ll be close by to watch over you so fight without worries.” (Will)

I know that me being there when the others fight wouldn't exactly change their mentalities, but at the very least, it will start to change slowly.

Brook also seemed to have understood something so he also nodded.

“Michael, Nicholas, the three of us will also take one of the trolls.” (Brook)

“Ah?” (Nicholas)

“Eh?” (Michael)

“Shut up and let’s go.” (Brook)

I also smiled wryly at Brook who dragged the two along with him and headed down from the rooftop since they are unable to fly over to the trolls.

“Then, Sam and I will take on the other troll.” (May)

“Eh? We will?” (Sam)

That’s three trolls then. As for the other two…

“Me, Jane, and Megan will take on the other troll.” (Sarah)

Brook’s wife, Sarah, suddenly spoke and dragged her two friends similarly.

I shook my head, thinking like husband like wife indeed…

“Un, then for the last troll, me, Uncle Warrick, and Sister Natalie will take it on!” (Leslie)

“Y-young miss! It’s too dangerous!” (Natalie)

“Young miss! Weren’t you in the store!?” (Warrick)

Leslie suddenly appeared along with Natalie and declared.

“Mr. King already said that it’s safe outside so I went out. Didn’t think something interesting was happening so I joined in!”

At her declaration, I frowned a little as I hesitated.

As far as I know, this little girl has no battle power…

“Will, I’ll watch over them so you don’t need to worry.” (Anne)

“Anne, are you sure?” (Will)

“Un. I also need to level up so I can be of more use in the future!” (Anne)

Seeing Anne determined, I nodded.

“Well...alright then. Anyway, I will be close by so if there’s anything, just yell out okay?” (Will)

“Un! We understand!” (Anne)

Anne smiled and nodded along with Leslie.

Warrick sighed and thought that there shouldn’t be too much danger if I was around so he agreed. Anyway, he needed to keep watch of Leslie so he has to agree.

Like that, the five groups split up and faced the five trolls.

Status

Name

William King

Level

25

Mana Points

650/650(+100)

Ranking

1

Strength

15(+10)

Wisdom

40(+10)

Agility

26(+10)

Stamina

16

G Points

5862

Status Points

1

Skills

Flame Aura

Play Dead

Photosynthesis

Heavy Strike

Alpha Pack

Dragon Eyes

Enhanced Hearing

Camouflage

Fast Regeneration