Chapter 197: Multiple Variables

Chapter 197: Multiple Variables

It appeared the general was about to continue, but drums in the distance interrupted him. It sounded like a call to war, and Zac frowned and walked toward the source of a ruckus. The leaders of the Solvim hurriedly followed behind as he walked up a hill to get a better vantage of the situation.

As soon as he reached the crest he saw a sea of warriors neatly lined up a kilometer away from the army he apparently belonged to. Only a quick glance was needed to see that the armies werent evenly matched, as the enemies outnumbered them at least twice over.

These guys are your enemies? Zac asked.

Filthy opportunists, Dresdo spat. They take advantage of our precarious situation, trying to mount a sneak attack while we are occupied.

Zac frowned as he listened to the general. He wasnt sure what to think about this situation. Judging by the sound of it, this wasnt some battle of good versus evil, but rather a war between two nations. He had no idea what the so-called precarious situation was, he didnt know if these aliens around him had committed some atrocities before, prompting the current response.

It put him into an ethical dilemma. Judging by the power of the troops around him, the other army couldnt be too strong either. Otherwise, theyd already steamrolled the smaller army. If he wanted to he could simply wade into their ranks and cause utter mayhem, destroying their army within the day.

But could he conscionably do that? What would that say about him? If he went through with this he felt he be some scum who was okay with doing anything, as long as it made him more powerful. It wouldnt be too different from starting to annihilate Ishiate, or even Human settlements just to gain experience.

Besides, it seemed too simple a scenario. Killing some weaklings wouldnt be much of a test, and Zac felt that the System didnt wouldnt give him that easy of a time. Was the challenge showing the resolve to actually do anything, including killing an army of sapients that had nothing to do with him, all in the pursuit of power?

So what is the precarious situation you mentioned? Zac asked, trying to get a clearer understanding of the situation.

The general looked a bit hesitant, until he shrugged his shoulders.

A great beast has arrived in our kingdom. Its not something that we have ever encountered before. There are rumors that its arrived from the great beyond. Its powers are believed to be in the fabled Ascended rank, Dresdo said.

Ascended rank? Zac couldnt help asking.

It has broken through the great barrier at level 75 and reached a higher stage of existence, another of the aliens explained.

The Royal Family of Orrin and many of our elites are currently occupied in fighting the beast, but its an arduous process. These scum from the neighboring country saw our plight as an opportunity to break our bonds of friendship, not only ignoring our request for assistance but even attacking us, the other Solvim angrily added from the side.

Zac perked up from the explanation, but he got a bit hesitant as he once again looked at the army stationed in the distance. Just what did the system want from him? Fighting an E-graded space-beast sounded much more like a trial, but if that was his job, why did he end up in front of the army instead of the beast? Zac once again opened his quest screen to take a look at the quest to find some hints of what to do.

First step of Hegemony (Unique, Limited): Enter the first trial within a month. Defeat the challenge. Reward: [Tower of Eternity] token, [F-Grade Dao Treasure] (0/1)

The line didnt update or give him any further hints after hed arrived, leaving Zac perplexed. It was the first time a quest didnt explicitly say what he needed to do. Did that mean that he needed to figure it out himself, as it was part of the trial? Or did it mean that there were multiple ways to complete the quest?

Zac mulled over the options for a bit until he turned toward the general.

So, what goal did you have in mind when you summoned me?

Well We hope that you can lead us into battle and destroy their army, the general said as he glared at the soldiers on the other side of the field.

Fire at will! the general immediately shouted with alarm after sensing the waves of power radiating from Zac.

The sky immediately blotted out with arrows heading straight toward him. If even a tenth of them hit hed be turned into a porcupine, but Zac wasnt worried. He simply kept walking toward the area where it seemed the leaders where stationed.

Waving away this amount of arrows would take quite some effort, so he finally activated his defensive skill. Emerald leaves started to quickly whirl around him as though he stood in the center of a tornado, each leaf blocking tens of arrows before it disintegrated.

Not wanting to waste such a gift zac simply put the bundles of arrows into his pouch as they fell one by one, and in just a few short moments hed gathered over a thousand of them. It was clear that since the cosmic energy was so sparse in this world a lot of attention and effort went into augmenting their strength with tools.

The arrows were of high quality just like the gear hed seen the soldiers wear, at least on the same level as those that were made in Port Atwood. They only lacked some inscriptions, after which theyd be fit to use by the Valkyries.

Initially, he considered farming arrows for a while but soon changed his mind. While none of the attacks individually was a threat to him, his cosmic energy was being depleted at a very quick rate due to the unceasing attacks.

He activated [Loamwalker] and after just a few short steps found himself in front of the general, who backed away in alarm.

What are you? Why are you attacking us? the general said with a shaky voice, barely able to stand straight due to the towering aura Zac emitted.

The surrounding soldiers were in far worse states, and everyone within 20 meters had simply fallen down unconscious. The other soldiers powerlessly looked on, not daring to attack anymore since their leaders were lying unconscious all around their assailer.

You could say Ive been hired by the kingdom of Orrin to end this situation, Zac said as he looked down on the general, purposefully making his voice heard by the whole army. I will go and kill that beast that is occupying a large part of their army now. I need your army to stand down for a week. After that, I dont care what you do.

And if we dont? the general said.

Then Ill go to your kingdom and kill your King, or whoever rules it, along with every high-level official and general you possess, Zac said as he added the Dao of Heaviness to the aura he emitted.

Even the general couldnt stand after the addition of the Dao, and he plopped down to his knees, only staying somewhat upright as he held himself up by stabbing a sword into the ground with shaking hands.

What happens after a week? the general forced through clattering teeth.

After a week I dont care what you do. The beast will be dead, and its up to your countries to decide what to do from there. I wont interfere, Zac said with a shrug.

How do we know you wont turn and attack us anyway after dealing with the beast?

In response, Zac only shook his head as he walked away. As he left the thick of the army he kept channeling his Dao into his aura, which also made any errant arrow that was still shot at him powerlessly fall into the ground like they suddenly weighed a ton. An order to cease attacks was soon shouted out by the general, letting Zac leave unaccosted.

"They won't attack you for a week. Don't attack them during this time either. I'll go kill that beast now," Zac said as he gave Dresdo a pat on his shoulder when he returned to his side.

The man didn't respond, and only blankly stared at Zac like he was some mythological beast.

Sometimes it was a bit fun to play the Demon Lord.