Chapter 45
{ Imps}
There are many races / species across the World of Wonders.
Humans
Orcs
Jinn
Goblins
Dwarves
Imps
Golems
Ghouls
Barbarians
Kobolds
Demons
Beasts
Celestials
Dark
Cursed
Giants
Amphibians / Arora
Nymphs
…
All these different races possess unique traits and characteristics, many branches, rare racial skills, as well as distinct cultures and rituals—such as the orcs from before.
The imps were one of the races hated by everyone.
Why?
Because they were a symbol of devastation.
Imps had no language.
No intellect.
They were monsters worse than monsters—because taming skills did not work on them.
Their sole purpose was killing. And more killing.
The moment they reached a place, they began to multiply—and woe unto you because of their terrifying reproduction rate. What came after was even worse… they devoured everything, green or dry. Life withered the instant their feet passed over a place until nothing remained, then they moved on to the next.
“Imps,” Ian frowned. “Where are they?”
“Three miles southwest of the village,” Zero pointed to a spot on the map, which was gradually improving.
Yora hadn’t neglected her work—especially after Veronica was added, contributing greatly to the smooth progress of all aspects of the village.
“Hm… their spread rate is increasing,” Ian asked.
“You’re right, my lord. We traced their previous path southwest of the village and found that they wiped out everything across a mile and a half,” Zero continued. “Also, their growth rate is what’s truly terrifying—every hour they gain about five new members, ready for slaughter.”
Five new members every hour, ready to kill… that was what made this race so frightening.
Ian thought silently.
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Yassin was beside him.
As for Chris, he was lying down, recovering from his injuries.
“We have to stop them before their numbers reach the point of no return. But there’s a problem—the orcs,” Ian said. “We must beware of a stab in the back.”
“Very well… Zero, expand your team’s range. One in every direction, with a focus on the movements of the orcs and the imps. You will receive a set of Heavenly Mirrors,” Ian ordered.
“As you command,” Zero bowed.
Ian examined her and shook his head.
Her rank was Common, and even with the weaknesses Aspects and special skills they had acquired, she wouldn’t reach very far. Even so, Ian wouldn’t neglect her—nor anyone else.
“Go now,” Ian ordered, then looked toward Yora. “How is the water tunnel project?”
“It’s working well, my lord,” Yora nodded.
“Good,” Ian said approvingly, then left.
The tunnel project was a plan to connect the artificial lake to the strange lake at the village’s border.
The tunnel would be dug at a depth of one meter underground. Hollowed wooden segments would then be placed inside to form a pipe, after which it would be covered with soil again.
The diameter of the wood would be suitable for the size of the Light Fish, so that nothing else could pass through with them.
At the same time, it would save the manpower that had been carrying the fish in large jars of water back and forth.
Instead of multiple workers, a single worker would be responsible for the artificial lake—collecting the spawning stones and monitoring the lake to ensure that no “unexpected” newcomers reached it.
A simple plan… but one that saved a lot.
Ian was laying the future foundations of the village in an excellent way, though it would take a long time.
“What is the lord thinking about?” Yassin asked.
“A defensive battle,” Ian said, pausing for a moment before continuing. “An offensive attack would be dangerous and would cost lives. Even if you and the rest of the main forces operate at full capacity, we will lose some—at least 3% to 7% of the forces. And I don’t want to lose even a single soul.”
Yassin nodded. “But waiting on defense is dangerous because of their reproduction rate.”
“I know. That’s why I’m thinking of dispersing them and drawing them out little by little,” Ian rubbed his chin. “Even core traps won’t work on them because of their unique bodies.”
They were very short, yet at the same time fast and extremely sensitive to danger… any sign of threat would alert those hungry monsters.
The only solution was to scatter them, then draw them in different directions and kill them in batches—but that, in turn, would also divide his forces.
“Then assign the task of distracting them to me,” Yassin said.
Ian nodded, took out the map, and pointed at three areas. “We’ll build a wall here… and here… and here.”
Ian began explaining.
Yassin discussed the details with him until all aspects of the plan were complete… and now it was time for execution.
The first order was to let the soldiers rest—they had been fighting for nearly five hours. Then they would be sent back to the World of Death, but this time in groups of three. Each group would include knights, warriors, archers, and a portion of the main forces.
Only the wolves were not distributed; they would operate entirely within the weakest squad to balance its strength.
The main squad would be led by Ian.
The second by Asia.
The third by Chris.
He was still injured, but he refused to remain in his bed.
As for Yassin, he would work on distracting them in three directions while simultaneously preventing a rear attack.
The soldiers returned with a small surprise for Ian.
Noa… Boban… and three others had broken through to the First Level.
The added Weakness Aspects of the World of Death formed a perfect combination—and one must not forget the benefits of the training ground and the presence of both Yassin and Chris with them.
Ian felt the adrenaline surge through his veins and smiled.
The workers were building the three barriers… while Zero’s squad monitored them.
As for the soldiers, they were resting.
“The workers are finished, my lord,” Zero reported through the Heavenly Mirror.
Ian nodded and gathered the army.
“My lord—” another voice appeared, and the mirror split into two halves: one showing Zero, the other a girl from her subordinates. “The Orc village has begun a massive movement… toward our village!!”
Ian frowned.
“My lord,” Chris looked toward Ian.
Ian fell silent. “Yassin… I’ll rely on you against the imps. White Tiger… Porto… you’ll come with me to stall the Orcs.”
“My lord, this is dangerous,” alarms rang in Chris’s mind.
“Don’t worry about me,” Ian shrugged casually, though he was tense inside.
“How can I not, when you are my lord?!”
“If you truly worry… then return with all the men safely and as quickly as possible. I’ll be waiting for you,” Ian said firmly, touching the rare bow on his back and the sets of sharp arrows. “Move out.”
“My lord!!” Chris shouted.
“Move out as well—we must kill the imps as fast as possible,” Yassin ordered.
“Yes!” the soldiers shouted, stirred by Ian’s courage.
Chris clenched his fist… damn it, if only I were stronger.
“Move!” Yassin commanded, and the sounds of the army thundered through the sky.
“Return victorious,” all the villagers stood watching the soldiers with anxiety and fear.
This campaign was the largest in the history of Titan Village—which had not yet fully taken shape.
“We won’t waste any time,” Yora shouted. “Aliano… are you finished?”
“Yes, Chief. The second form is here,” Aliano took out a skill stone and handed it to her.
“It’s time to obtain the Village center,” Yora said.
