Story Reader / Festival Event Story / Dreams Inscribed / Story
Bam—!
A bullet pierces through the monster's head.
Upon confirming the demise of the monster, Wanshi lowers his upper body once more.
With his eyes squinted, he looks like a sloth ready to fall asleep immediately after accomplishing a mission, or a viper slithering on the ground, awaiting its next prey.
This marks the 44th time today.
Through your tactical goggles, you observe the traveling wizard's expression shift to one of shock as he witnesses the abrupt collapse of the charging monster before him.
But soon, he is convinced that it was all thanks to his own luck, showing no sign of suspicion.
To the Realm of Dragons, there is... one-third of the distance left.
The frequency of occasions where we need to provide the hero with long-range concealed assistance has increased by 50%...
Commandant, I'm afraid Wanshi will reach his limit soon at this rate.
After all, you still need to be careful not to expose your identities, and the weapon Wanshi wields in the game is just an old bolt-action rifle.
The closer you are to the Realm of Dragons, the more adversaries you will encounter. It becomes inevitable that Wanshi, on his own, will soon be unable to handle them all.
If there are 25% more enemies, this gun will reach its limit.
So the hero's friends are still not going to show up?
We're very close to the Realm of Dragons now. Even if they were to set off right away, it would still take them a couple of days to catch up with him.
In the distance, the traveling wizard, having just concluded a fierce battle, wipes the sweat from his face.
Without a moment to spare for rest, the traveling wizard immediately starts to make defensive arrangements around his camp.
It's pretty impressive that he can still keep up with the fight. No wonder he was once a hero.
Thanks to the significantly heightened intensity of the battle, he hasn't noticed our assistance.
But what should we do next... It's still too dangerous for the wizard to handle it by himself.
If this mission designed by the Supreme Goddess requires a team of adventurers...
What he's doing right now is just leading himself into a dead end.
What is going on in the mind of this world's king? How can he let the hero take all the burden?
Perhaps the king has his own problems to deal with... The wizard did mention that there were no other options but for him to journey alone.
So, in the end... maybe we should have revealed our identities and taken on the roles of heroes again...
The pressing matter now is finding a way to let the traveling wizard summon his friends.
That's impossible.
Changyu and Sophia have already talked to the traveling wizard to gauge his thoughts on the matter, and he insists on not disrupting the lives of his friends.
Although that guy has been quite flaky, he was dead serious when talking to Sophia and me about that.
"I will never use that spell again." That's what he said...
So, what's the plan? We've blown through all the explosives, and Teddy and I can't craft any fancy gear at the moment.
We can no longer assist him with items.
Can't we just keep it simple and open a path for him like we did before?
All the covert battle assistance we provided before was possible because our characters had distinct advantages in the game.
Since the Realm of Dragons is the ultimate destination in the game, it's only a matter of time before enemies catch up to our level. And to top it off, Gray Raven isn't exactly able to handle tough battles at the moment.
Things could get real messy if the battle drags on and the traveling wizard ends up noticing us.
What should we do then?
Keep following him? Can we still expect that everything will fall into place as time goes on?
I can't believe there's someone out there who's even more stubborn than Karenina...
What did you just say?!
Can't we just summon his friends on his behalf?
And it will be easy for him to figure out that we're the ones pulling the strings.
But it's not like we haven't done anything...
Oh? You mean there's still a way out?!
We've gone to major cities using teleportation magic, spreading the word that the hero has made his way close to the Realm of Dragons.
And revealed the identity of the current hero.
Holding expectations for his friends would be unrealistic. Some of them may even choose not to come, as they may feel it would burden him, given their current circumstances.
Guys, get ready for another round. A lot of enemies incoming.
Wanshi's sudden warning abruptly interrupts your ongoing discussion. Before you have time to devise a plan together, he already pulls the trigger swiftly.
Empty shells rapidly drop on the ground, rustling along with the gentle rain. This is the first time in the game that Wanshi acts autonomously, making the decision to fire without awaiting your command.
I can hold it for about three minutes. Be quick.
No sooner do the words escape his lips than another subtle gunshot resounds, this time accompanied by the dropping sound of not just shells but an entire magazine emptied of its ammunition.
In three minutes, Wanshi's firing assistance will reach its limit.
After that, the traveling wizard will be faced with two options: either to abandon the camp and escape, surviving with nothing in the perilous area, or to be cornered in close-quarter combat that puts him at a significant disadvantage.
What do we do now? Go in as reinforcements?
We can't afford to do that. If our identities are revealed, our mission to assist him will end at once, and he may have to journey alone to the Realm of Dragons for real this time.
Reload. Two minutes and thirty seconds left.
How about we use some magic? Something that won't make too much noise?
For a hero-level wizard like him, he'll notice us right away once we start using magic.
There should still be some materials left in the carriage.
I've already checked. We've got enough materials, but the problem is, both my character and Karenina's are still at the starting level, so we can't craft anything useful.
And there's no time for any crafting.
Four more magazines. Two minutes left.
...
There has to be a way...
Big news, big news...
The hero from two generations ago has stepped up once again and is making his way to the Realm of Dragons to deal with the new crisis...
Hm?
The hero from two generations ago... Isn't that...
Hello there, little buddy. Here, I've got you some coins to buy candy.
...
Ah, sorry, I didn't mean to startle you.
It's okay. What do you want to know?
So, about the new hero...
The hero from two generations ago? Could it be him... I guess that makes sense since he's the only one active now.
He had an audience with the king already? Then he must've put together a whole new team.
Well, if he didn't come looking for me, it means he doesn't need my help. And honestly, I don't have time for that either.
Going off to the Realm of Dragons, huh... That guy's got a lot of free time on his hands for someone his age.
Mister... you're not going to help him?
Oh? What makes you say that, kid?
Ah, sorry, we just so happened to hear that...
Relax, kids. No need to be all nervous. I'm not here to dig into your business. Actually...
It's been ages since I last laid hands on my weapon. Nowadays, the thing I handle the most is my shovel.
So, I can't just go over there and be a burden to him, you know? Plus, it's not that simple for me to leave either. I still gotta attend my granddaughter's performance.
...
Also, knowing that guy, I would've gotten a message from him by now if he really needed our help.
Never expect that lazy bum to come all the way here in person... He's probably found himself some new friends already...
I guess I won't ever need to bust out those signal flare scrolls again...
...
Signal flare scrolls...
Ah...
You and Liv lock eyes, as you both are probably reminded of the same scene.
The Nameless Sage's... flash magic...
I remember that's a basic spell, and it takes effect immediately.
One minute and thirty seconds left.
OK.
Liv closes her eyes and starts to recall the past.
O fairy of wind, please heed my prayers.
Hey, enough is enough.
Carry them far and wide upon your gentle whispers...
I'll show you what I have up my sleeve.
Summoning those whom I hold dear...
Calling all former heroes! My friends...
Help!!
Bang!
A flare-like light ball shoots into the sky, its long tail trailing behind, soaring toward the wizard's camp amidst screams and cries.
With a deafening blast, it blossoms into a magnificent display of fireworks.
...
The traveling wizard abruptly halts his wails and howls, redirecting his gaze upon the hill you are at.
Cross that bridge when we come to it, huh...
Amidst the ongoing rustle of rain, Wanshi exhausts his final magazine.
Like an intruder infiltrating the battlefield, the burst of fireworks swiftly dissipates into the rain.
Nothing happened...
Nothing... has happened...
However, is that really the case?
Commandant, look!
From the depths of the forest, the back of the mountains, and the end of the plain...
One by one, several explosions of varying hues burst forth in the sky.
Magic signal flares ascend from different directions, encircling the wizard's camp.
I ****ing knew it! Something's off with that hearsay!
That dumbass having other friends? I can't even imagine it! Who else in their right mind can put up with that guy besides us?
My granddaughter's performance...
Dammit, don't you go dying so easily, you bastard! I still gotta make you pay me back for all the losses you caused, with interest!
They have already embarked upon a new journey, perhaps returning to civilian life or perhaps growing weary of the unanswered wait.
For them, the team of heroes remains but a chapter in their lives. They converged like a fire, yet in the end, regardless of their shared experience, they bid each other farewell, dispersing like stars strewn across the sky.
However, despite the distance that separates them and the prolonged absence of reunions...
The moment they learn that their friend needs them, they will abandon all else without a moment's hesitation.
They set aside their tranquil or grand lives, donning once again the armor long kept in storage, and reclaiming the weapons long left in oblivion.
They make solemn promises to their families, tender apologies to their loved ones, bid farewell to their homeland, and set forth with a horse and some supplies.
Toward the very bastard who has disrupted their lives, they march with unwavering resolve.
Another magic signal flare rises to the sky.
Despite the vast distances between them, the never-fading bond they share propels them to make the same choice.
Quit clinging to that sorry camp of yours and move toward my side. We can worry about supplies later!
Gazing at the signal flares ascending one by one, the traveling wizard falls into deep contemplation.
Then he turns around to look at the nearby hill.
Go. It's time to reunite with your friends.
...
Right!
With a quick motion of his wand, the traveling wizard repels the monster approaching him, then grasps his cloak with a powerful swing before swiftly draping it around his shoulders.
Leaping onto his steed, he draws a knife and severs the ropes that tether his carriage.
Amidst these actions, he remains undeterred by the surging horde of monsters infiltrating his camp, for he realizes that they are no longer his concern.
Giddyup!
!!
The war horse lets out a resounding neigh, bolstered by the aid of magic, and fearlessly charges through the throngs of monsters.
Unfazed by the splattering mud and the treacherous path ahead, the horse and its rider press on.
Gradually, the figure of the traveling wizard disappears at the end of the road as the sound of hooves fades away.
Let's go too... Hm? Commandant?
With no hesitation, you reach out to stop Kamui.
We've been exposed. The game's over.
And for the rest of his journey, I don't think he needs our help anymore.
The wizard and his friends will embark on their own adventure into the Realm of Dragons.
Though it's still going to be a dangerous journey, I've already checked their character stats. They'll be fine.
In that case, our mission to aid the hero can be considered complete.
Maybe that's just how missions always turn out for sages in the end...
Well, now that I think about it, the sages who aid heroes always seem to end up like this.
The next step is to work on the script based on the results of the game, right?
I would like to apply for more scenes.
No problem. Leave it to me!
The sacred, distant, infinite Overlord.
Hold on, hold on! We're making a movie here, right? I don't think we need to include that in the cut.
Come on, Ayla, when did you learn to tease people like that?
Heehee, just wanted to crack a joke in the ending part to brighten up the mood.
By the way...
Ayla's gaze fixates on the various monsters slowly closing in.
Having lost their original target, the traveling wizard, those monsters, crowding the entire hill, now redirect their attention toward your group.
What about them now?
...
My character is still at the beginner level, so I'll go back into the carriage first. Guys, you have my mental support...
Hey! You can at least try doing something, anything!
By the way, I think I might have, like, perhaps run out of ammo.
Uh... Do I have to use it as a stick now? What a hassle...
Oh-ho! Looks like we still have one more big fight left!
Leave all the enemies on the right to me. Actually, don't even think about touching them.
Make sure to prioritize the protection of the back row. This battle is going to be a long one.
Commandant, hurry and get on top of the carriage.
1，2，3!
Tsk... Even pulling people is tough in this form...
Umm... Can we start it... after we are all ready?
...
Roarrr!!
Arrrgh!!
Boom! Clank! Bwak! Bam—
The resounding echoes of magic fill the air; the blades twirl and dance in magnificent arcs...
The hero's loyal helpers bravely take on the responsibility of vanquishing the remaining monsters after his departure.
Could this be the hero's cunning revenge?
Or the Supreme Goddess who yearns to witness the profound bond of friendship once more?
Nevertheless, that tale shall unfold another time.
...
