Early TNG Vol. 22 Chapter 3 Part 8

Full title: THE NEW GATE

Note: If you found any typos/mistakes, pls write them in the comment. Thanks.

Translator: Canon

____________________________________________

“I'm Parzan, commander of the combat unit. Well, calling it a combat unit might be a bit much—it’s more like an escort squad for those heading outside, since most threats get dealt with by artillery.”

“You don’t need to add unnecessary comments. You haven’t been skipping training, have you?”

Parzan responded with a slightly carefree attitude, but Druk only warned him without showing any anger. Perhaps it's their usual back-and-forth, or maybe it's because, despite his casual demeanor, Parzan’s gaze was sharp and serious. In any case, being entrusted with the combat unit of the Black Faction meant he wasn't just some frivolous man.

His level was 255—maxed out. That alone showed he was no ordinary warrior.

“I'm supposedly the top of the Black Faction's combat unit, but honestly, I know you guys are way stronger than us. And if the intel is accurate, this is a scale of battle we've never experienced before. I'd appreciate any advice you can give on how to deal with enemies like that.”

Parzan, absentmindedly tugging at his stubble, bowed his head as he finished speaking. Caught off guard, Shin felt awkward.

“Please, don’t bow to newcomers like us. We’ve only been here a short while.”

“I can’t let that slide. To be blunt, if you all hadn’t shown up, we’d have been hit by a monster horde with zero prep. And if that happened, not only would defending the island be impossible, we might not have been able to evacuate the residents either. It’s frustrating we can’t handle this all on our own, but better frustrated and alive than dead.”

Normally, newcomers to the island were assigned an escort, but Parzan said they refrained this time because, from a distance, it was obvious Shin’s group was far stronger. They figured that acting too cautiously or assigning a guard might be seen as suspicious, and decided being openly friendly would be the smarter move.

“Though… I did get chewed out a little for that.”

Parzan shrugged with a wry smile, prompting Druk to scold him.

“I understood they didn’t need guards, but that doesn’t excuse shirking your duty.”

“I didn’t abandon my duty! I just thought getting too close to powerful folks might cause problems. I mean, even if it were just one of them, they could probably wipe us all out.”

Parzan looked at Shin and his group with a sheepish smile. As expected of the unit commander, he could properly gauge strength.

“Anyone can tell you're not just some regular bunch. Just give me a solid reason next time.”

“Yeah, yeah, let’s shelve that talk for now and focus on defense planning.”

“Ah, right. Sorry for the detour.”

Druk wore a familiar “here we go again” expression—this likely wasn’t the first time.

“Alright, let’s continue with the personnel deployment plan. For reference, when we’ve fought monsters coming from the sea in the past, we mainly focused on protecting the artillery. Those of us with enough strength, myself included, were equipped to fight directly on the water’s surface.”

“How many of those water-mobility gear units do you have? With these enemies, fighting in groups is crucial.”

Back during the game, six-person parties were the standard minimum for defensive lines. Three of those made a company, and three companies made a battalion. They tried to organize by guild so coordination would be smooth. The guild master of the largest guild on-site would typically structure the command hierarchy. That was fine for ad hoc defense, but Shin figured the combat unit here likely trained regularly for teamwork.

He wanted to confirm how many of them could be part of the assault group.

“We’ve got about a hundred who can fight on the water. Using your unit system, that’s a bit short of two battalions. If we were only up against Hevin, we could field more, but Corpus complicates things. Even with gear, there’s a massive gap in power.”

“If we provide additional equipment, could you put up more of a fight?”

“It might reduce casualties. But the number of people we can send out won’t change. Based on what you’ve told us, only about ten of us could really hold our own—including me.”

Parzan hummed as he said this. Those ten were apparently the best of the best. To get a rough idea of their stats, Shin asked what kind of monsters they’d taken down before. Parzan said he’d soloed a level 500 Serpent.

That put his estimated stats at around 600. The rest were likely closer to 500.

“By the way, where does Elamella rank on this island?”

The only Black Faction combatant Shin knew personally was Elamella, the Dragnil.

She was ranked B in the Adventurer Guild, which from a player’s perspective meant solid mid-tier strength—not quite elite.

“In terms of strength, she’s probably in the top hundred. You know how it is—Chosen Ones vary wildly. I wish we could read levels like we do for monsters.”

“I feel the same. Still, that means if we’re not careful with deployment, plenty will slip through.”

Even if they formed proper groups, the range they could cover was limited. The artillery couldn’t keep up a constant barrage, so some monsters would inevitably get through.

“We’ll just have to cull their numbers as much as we can and let the barriers do the rest.”

“Exactly. This is one of those cases where numbers really matter.”

Numbers were power; if you wanted to defend a large area, you needed walls to cover it and enough people to patrol.

“Not knowing the enemy’s numbers is the worst part.”

“We’ll scout from the air as best we can, but since they’re coming from underwater, we don’t know how accurate the recon will be.”

If they had solid numbers, they could build a tighter strategy. But that wasn’t going to happen this time. Shin asked just in case, but Armaiz also shook his head—he couldn’t estimate the enemy count either.

The discussion continued, and they settled on a general deployment plan.

They also left a reserve force unassigned in case of unexpected developments. It wasn’t perfect, but the rest would depend on the enemy.

When the meeting ended, everyone set off to make preparations.

Shin headed with Druk to the parts storage area to examine the types of artillery shells they had.

“Wait, you're letting me modify them?”

“I’d like you to do whatever you can to improve them, within reason. I know it’s a big ask, but I want to do everything possible.”

Shin was surprised, but welcomed the opportunity. Better safe than sorry. Maybe he’d earned this trust thanks to being Schnee’s ally.

“Alright, we’ll get to it too.”

“Yeah, there’s not much time.”

Schnee and Shibaid volunteered to train the defense team. They planned to use skills to simulate attacks from large enemies so the troops could practice responding.

Parzan seemed familiar with Schnee’s reputation for harsh training and offered a strained smile. “Wh-What an honor… ha ha…”

“Shall we head out too?”

Splitting off from Shin’s group were Filma, Sety, Milt, Tiera, Kagerou, Yuzuha, and Armaiz. This group wasn’t specialized in artillery development nor training but had decided to practice fighting at sea due to a range of concerns.

Even if their gear kept them afloat, the ocean wasn’t stable footing. For Tiera, ranged combat would be particularly tough. While there were accessories that compensated for these conditions, if she could rely on her own skill, she could use those slots to boost power or range instead.

The others knew Tiera felt she wasn’t strong enough and wholeheartedly supported her training. Armaiz, unaware of her feelings, had still agreed to help and was now riding on Kagerou’s back. He claimed it was better than being idle.

◆◆◆◆

—And thus, the first day came to an end.

After returning to his assigned lodging, Shin sat on the edge of the bed and used 【Mind Chat】 to check in with Schnee about the situation with Raster. She reported that she had informed him about transporting shells and certain weapons, as well as using Celciutos for interception.

“(So, what did Raster say?)”

“(He said he would compile a list of anything that might be useful. As for Celciutos, it will depart as soon as the support units—dolls from Miraltrea—are transferred. However, whether it will make it in time depends on the status of the monsters headed our way and the conditions during the voyage. Once I gave him the coordinates, he said it would take six days at best, assuming smooth travel.)”

“(Closer than I thought, but... six days is still cutting it close.)”

Even though it could move at a speed unimaginable for a battleship, Celciutos had to avoid detection and avoid aggroing monsters during its voyage. While Raster was capable of piloting all mobile guild houses, monster encounters or rough seas still came down to luck.

“(Armaiz said it was unlikely they’d reach us in just two or three days, but he didn’t have any solid proof either. We’d better assume they won’t make it in time.)”

“(Agreed. They’ll arrive eventually, but this island’s barrier system isn’t suited for a long siege.)”

If the island could hold out for several days, waiting for Celciutos might be a viable option. But the barrier generator installed on Parda Island doesn’t support that kind of prolonged defense.

“(All we can do is focus on what we can do right now. I wish we could’ve called Rashugum too, but turns out it's way too far.)”

“(It does cause a lot of disruption if it stays in one place too long, after all.)”

Since the enemies were coming from both above and below the sea, their first choice had been Celciutos. But if it were only sea-based enemies, Rashugum could have handled them to some extent. Shin had relayed that during a break in the meeting, but according to Raster, Rashugum had moved too far to be of use—it was currently near the southern part of the continent, close to the Bayreuth Kingdom.

To reduce the impact of the dragons living aboard and the guild house itself, Rashugum was set to travel at a constant speed on a randomized path since the world changed. This time, that setting had backfired. And with the dragons aboard, high-speed travel wasn’t an option either. Thus, they decided not to call it.

“(Anyway, we just have to do everything we can for now.)”

“(We’ll be fine. Everything will work out. Let’s give it our best.)”

There were still too many unknowns. Shin couldn’t fully accept Schnee’s optimistic words.

“(Preparations are proceeding smoothly. Worrying too much won’t improve the situation. In fact, overthinking can sometimes lead to making things worse. It’s okay to be a little optimistic.)”

Her calm, gentle voice brought back a memory—when she and Shin were teleported to Erkunt together.

Even Schnee hadn’t perfectly completed every request. There had been plenty of times when things didn’t go well, no matter how thoroughly she prepared. There were damages that could have been avoided. Lives that should not have been lost. No matter how perfectly you prepare, the unexpected can still happen.

Shin vividly remembered her vulnerable words from back then, spoken while lying on the bed.

Even someone as trusted as Schnee still failed sometimes.

(Thinking I can handle everything myself… That’s just arrogance.)

Yuzuha had once said that Shin had a tendency to be drawn into these kinds of situations. But now he realized, just because he was there didn’t guarantee a positive outcome. Sure, he could do more than most people. But he was far from all-powerful.

He didn’t have to do this. He wanted to help. That was all.

And even if he helped, there was no guarantee of success.

“(Thanks. I feel a little better now.)”

After that, they chatted idly for a while before Shin drifted off to sleep. For the first time in a while, it felt like a bit of the weight on his shoulders had lifted.

◆◆◆◆

Five days passed—and, during that time, peace held.

The preparations went smoothly. The test firing of the shells provided by Shin showed no issues. Step by step, they were getting ready for the interception.

With some free time on his hands, Shin decided to head to the harbor he had visited during the tour of the mine, thinking he might as well gaze at the sea for a bit.

As he walked the docks without any particular purpose, he spotted Armaiz standing still, staring out toward the ocean. Thinking he might be searching for something, Shin called out to him.

“Looking for something?”

“Shin. No, I wasn’t acting with any particular goal in mind.”

It seemed they were there for the same reason—just passing the time since a window had opened up.

“Your body may not tire easily, but if you dwell on things too much, your mind will wear down,”

Shin said, passing along something Schnee had pointed out to him before.

“I’ve been resting sufficiently. Besides, the more eyes we have watching, the better. I can sense when the enemy is drawing near, but I can’t explain it with concrete evidence. I can’t say there’s no chance I’m wrong.”

Even if he was certain, it was still an unfamiliar sensation—something he had never experienced before. Shin figured Armaiz couldn’t help but worry.

“But you’re sure they’re getting closer, right?”

“Yes, I’m confident in that. However, not to the extent that I can gauge their exact distance. If I could pinpoint their location, that would be ideal, but I can’t control it the way I do with my usual powers.”

Because it was a new kind of perception, Armaiz didn’t even know how to train it.

“Well, honestly, I’m glad we’ve got time. That said, I don’t think it’s wrong to say the threat is getting closer. The past few days… I’ve had this really bad feeling.”

Shin suspected it was his 【Intuition】 skill at work. He had checked with Schnee and the others, and apparently, skills with vague, sensory effects often gave the user impressions that were difficult to articulate.

Though Parda Island was moving, its speed couldn’t compare to monsters adapted for underwater movement. Shin was beginning to think it wouldn’t be strange for them to catch up at any moment.

But according to Armaiz, he still couldn’t sense them clearly enough to determine distance. That meant… something wasn’t adding up. Shin had a nagging feeling they were missing something.

“You can’t sense human emotions, but… is there something we’re overlooking?”

“They can sense our position too, right? You said before that once they get close, you’d be able to tell.”

“Yes, that’s correct. It’s difficult to put into words, but it’s similar to the sensation of being watched. Vague, perhaps—but as I’ve said before, they are drawing closer. Still… you have a point. If they were that close, there should have been some change in what I’m feeling.”

As he answered Shin’s question, Armaiz narrowed his eyes in the direction where Nuva was likely lurking.

Shin wasn’t doubting Armaiz’s perception. Skills like Presence Detection and Intuition were often vague and hard to describe, but that didn’t mean they weren’t real. In the game, their effects were mechanically defined, but here, their influence went beyond what words could explain.

“Maybe there’s something more we can try.”

“More countermeasures would be welcome, but… is that possible?”

“I’ll try whatever I can. I don’t want to see this place fall.”

“…I see. How strange.”

“Strange?”

Amid the conversation, the tension in Armaiz’s voice eased. Curious, Shin looked over and saw that the sternness had also faded from his expression.

“You arrived here around the same time my strength began to return. And you happened to possess the gemstone that could revive me. One coincidence after another… and here I am, relying on your care. I wonder why, though. I find myself wanting to protect this place. Even though I’ve no particularly deep connection to it.”

That feeling, that sense of wonder at his own emotions, came through clearly.

In the game, monsters that were friendly toward people would often lend a hand even if they had nothing to gain. One could chalk this up to lingering influence from the game era.

But Shin believed… there was more to it than that.

“Maybe it hasn’t been long, but you’ve come to find this place comfortable, haven’t you?”

In this world, the fundamental notion is that monsters are enemies—beings that attack and must be defeated.

However, the members of the Black Faction were eccentric in a good way.

Though only a few interacted directly with him, those individuals spoke to Armaiz without fear. Armaiz had no prior connections to players before the Dusk of Majesty, but he had seen the cities and tools they created. Many here were eager to ask about those things—not out of any selfish desire to use him, but from a pure and simple curiosity toward the unknown.

Even now, they discussed how to defend the island—battle formations, strategic movements when the enemy arrived—with Shin and the others in the mix.

To Armaiz, this must have all felt very new and refreshing, Shin thought.

“Heh… you’re right. Monsters and people are fated to fight. And yet here we are, standing shoulder to shoulder with a shared goal. It’s a feeling different from the exhilaration of battle, but not unpleasant. Perhaps Yuzuha and the others felt this way, too.”

Looking at Armaiz’s peaceful expression, Shin suddenly wondered—what would Armaiz do after the battle was over? Would he stay on Parda Island and continue on with the Black Faction? Or would he return to wandering the sea, as he once had?

Shin remembered something he had once asked Yuzuha, whether she would continue to test the people of this world the way she had with the players. Yuzuha had said she no longer wished to be bound by such roles. If she did choose to test someone, it would be of her own will, not obligation.

Armaiz, too, was free to live as he wished. That was what Shin believed. Whatever he chose, Shin hoped it would be without regret and resolved to protect that freedom.

“We’ve got to protect this place. Though, the people here aren’t exactly the type who just wait to be protected.”

“Indeed. They’re brave enough to face the threat head-on. I shall give it everything I have as well.”

Armaiz would be fighting alongside them against Nuva.

The worst-case scenario was Nuva escaping and causing an endless spawn of monsters; a nightmare they absolutely had to prevent.

If Armaiz assumed his true form, even if Nuva tried to flee, they’d be able to respond. Whether the monsters would truly spawn endlessly wasn’t known, but it wasn’t worth the risk.

This battle would be decided by speed. This time, there would be no observing from the sidelines. Shin was ready to strike from the start.

He turned on his heel, thinking it might be worth reevaluating their equipment for improvements—

—then it happened.

Shin’s senses picked up a monster’s presence.

Widening his map range, he saw red markers—indicating enemies—beginning to appear near Parda Island’s barrier.

“That’s Hevin! When did it get close enough to latch onto the barrier!?”

“What!?”

Armaiz, startled by Shin’s outburst, followed his gaze.

Using the 【Far Sight】 skill to look beyond the sea, Shin saw Hevin pounding on the barrier with its bare hands—it had no weapons, after all.

The red glow marked an active attack on the barrier.

Just as Shin was about to contact Schnee via 【Mind Chat】 to check if any Black Faction members were nearby, an alarm blared across the entire island.

The island had watchtowers set up for this very situation, using telescopes and observation skills to monitor for monsters approaching.

But the alarm going off almost simultaneously with Shin’s detection meant one thing—it had likely gotten close without even the watchers realizing.

Before the alarm had even stopped, multiple explosive booms rang out across the island.

“They’ve started the bombardment. At least the direction is correct. First, let’s head to the watchtower, just like we planned.”

Deciding flight was slower, Shin grabbed Armaiz and launched into a mighty leap toward the nearest watchtower.

Looks like things weren’t going to be so simple after all.

Next→