Chapter 373

Before Stage 10, I was just a naive player.

I played by the game's rules, within the allowed parameters, just an ordinary player trying to clear the game.

But during Stage 10, after being struck by the Werewolf Legion and the Wolf King, I realized:

This world, while following the rules of the game, is ultimately reality.

There's no need to be bound by the narrow fence of rules.

So, I decided to go beyond the rules, to trample them, and to use every means outside the rules to win the game.

I decided to be a tyrant who defines the principles and rules on this frontline.

But, in truth, I was still bound by rules.

I twisted and applied other rules, yet I was strangling myself with the ultimate rule.

That rule is the principle of 'killing monsters and saving people.'

I thought I should never abandon this principle. But Kali-Alexander said:

Even throw away that last rule.

Whether inside or outside the rules, to even argue about this is to always be conscious of the line of rules.

Only a monster who completely breaks free from these rules and lines - only a true ruler, can ultimately win.

***

The time for the Commander's Summit was drawing to an end. Kali-Alexander slowly rose from his seat.

"I've spoken at length, but in the end, this is just my theory of sovereignty."

He adjusted his helmet habitually.

"You must have your own theory, Ash. And we'll see which one is stronger in the battle about to unfold."

"..."

"Let's have a good match, Ash."

Then, he extended his right hand.

I looked in bewilderment at the Goblin's outstretched hand. Kali-Alexander seemed embarrassed.

"Uh... Don't humans of this generation use this form of greeting?"

"No, it's not that. I was just startled for a moment."

Slowly, I extended my hand in return.

The hand of the Goblin God-King and the human commander clasped in midair.

His leather glove stamped with a sigil, and my black leather glove, gripped tightly before releasing.

"Thanks for the advice, Kali-Alexander."

I spoke.

"I still don't know the path I should take."

"Hm?"

"Whether I'm still a naive player trapped within the rules, a tyrant standing outside the rules, or if I'll become a monster, completely transcending the rules."

What I'll become, I do not know. But.

"There's one thing I'm sure of."

"What's that?"

As the Goblin God-King listened intently,

I grinned wickedly.

"Whatever I become, I'll use every means at my disposal... to finish you off!"

Ku-ku-ku-kuung!

The earth began to tremble.

A startled Kali-Alexander looked around. A shocked voice burst from his mouth.

"What is this...?!"

Chaaak!

From beneath the earth, a hidden grey fortress emerged.

Splitting the earth and rocks, grey walls rapidly encircled Kali-Alexander and me.

[Imperial Edict].

My ultimate skill to summon a magical fortress that can change shape at will.

"Your fortress summoning technique?! But when did you-"

"When did I?"

I laughed nonchalantly.

"From the very beginning."

Before the Goblin Legion reached the gates of Crossroad - from the dawn before sunrise, I had already activated [Imperial Edict].

I then transformed the shape of the fortress to hide it underground, leaving part of its walls as a table and chairs.

The fluttering white flag beside them was just an addition.

Afterwards, drinking magic potions and the magic juice Junior made, I endured the magical drain from summoning the fortress.

Until the goblins walked right into my trap...

When Kali-Alexander appeared, I activated the [Commander's Summit] and successfully lured him here.

Goo-goo-goo-goo-!

Eventually, my grey fortress that rose was somewhat reminiscent of a prison.

It was similar to when I had confined the Aegis Special Forces before. The difference this time was that I was inside, along with the enemy commander.

Ding-

The duration of the [Commander's Summit] ended.

The state of 'non-aggression' between the two commanders was lifted. Now, we could attack each other.

Kali-Alexander looked at me in confusion, and I belatedly rose from my chair.

"What's the most terrifying aspect of the Goblin Legion? Their numbers? Their aggressiveness? All are scary, but what makes the Goblin Legion truly powerful, in my opinion, is..."

I slowly extended my hand and pointed at the enemy commander.

"You. Kali-Alexander. Without you, your legion is like a headless beast."

"Ash...!"

"I've been pondering how to kill you. Long-range attacks and magic are all nullified by you... so I have to draw you into close combat, but you rarely expose yourself at the front line."

I slowly drew a green dagger from my waist.

[Goblynch].

The 'Greenskin Slayer' given to me recently by Nameless.

"But then I thought, there was a time when you willingly came into my reach..."

During the previous dungeon's free exploration.

Kali-Alexander appeared of his own volition, requested a summit with me, and conversed within arm's reach.

"So, I set a trap."

I couldn't capture or kill him then due to circumstances.

But this time was different.

From the start, I planned to trap and kill him by requesting the Commander's Summit, and he fell for it, unaware of the trap.

"Now..."

Pointing the green dagger forward, I grinned.

"Let's dance a dance of blades in this prison, God-King."

"...You've underestimated me, Ash."

Sshh-

Kali-Alexander drew a scimitar from his waist.

"Though I am a goblin, I am a warrior who personally slaughtered the seven orc lords of my era. Do you really think you can defeat me alone?"

"Sorry to say."

Snap!

I flicked my finger.

"I never said I was alone."

He is a boss monster.

And a boss requires a raid.

Flash!

A spatial rift opened behind me, and my captured monsters poured out.

[Captured Monster: Summoned Lv.30 Skeleton Knight (R).]

[Captured Monster: Summoned Lv.35 Scorpion Warrior (R).]

[Captured Monster: Summoned Lv.40 Troll Royal Guard (SR).]

[Captured Monster: Summoned Lv.45 Hawk Bear Assassin (SR).]

Skeletons, scorpions, trolls, and finally, a hawk bear appeared.

Including me, we were five.

A full party.

"Don't call it cowardly."

My captured monsters slowly encircled Kali-Alexander. I too adjusted the grip on my dagger and murmured.

"After all, you guys attacked us with forces many times our number. Isn't this what war is?"

"...Ha ha."

Kali-Alexander laughed.

I sneered.

"Why? Feel betrayed because I called for a summit and set a trap? Thought we became transcendental friends after exchanging a few words and verses? Or are you disappointed that I resorted to such tactics instead of a fair fight? You expected honor and ethics from a monster?"

"No, Ash. Not at all. Quite the opposite."

Kali-Alexander laughed heartily again, his red eyes blazing from behind the mask.

"Yes, this is how war is done!"

"...!"

"Pouring out all the means at our disposal, fighting and killing to survive - the one who remains is the victor! War is this inherently savage! Traps? Tricks? What does it matter! They are just means to victory! Morals? Honor? I've never sought such things in my life!"

The tip of the Goblin God-King's sword was aimed at my throat.

"Ultimately, we are bound to kill and be killed! The method doesn't matter! In the end, only the victors and losers remain in history!"

"..."

"How splendidly you've cornered me, Ash!"

The Goblin God-King is the most powerful entity among the goblins. And he also receives a boss buff.

But, after all, he's just a goblin.

Their inherent potential is inferior. Even the strongest amongst them has clear limits.

Moreover, Kali-Alexander's weakness is close combat.

He won't be able to survive here. He knows it too.

"Come, try to kill me. Kill me and stand over my corpse to prove it! Prove you are the stronger one! That you deserve to survive more than I do!"

But why?

There was a faint sense of enjoyment in the God-King's voice as he gripped his scimitar and assumed a battle stance.

"Of course, it won't be easy."

Taaat-!

My captured monsters charged at him all at once.

The Goblin God-King, too, swung his scimitar and charged into battle.

The defensive battle began, and with it, the boss monster raid.

***

Suddenly, a grey fortress rose in the center of the battlefield.

The rising fortress engulfed the commanders of both armies.

The human soldiers, forewarned, did not panic, but the goblins reacted differently.

Kyaaaack!

Kirik! Kiririk!

The goblins were extremely disoriented and simultaneously excited.

In the sudden absence of their supreme commander, the Goblin Legion lost control in an instant.

Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-!

They began to charge.

Toward the grey fortress that had swallowed their king.

Simultaneously - around the fortress, as many as fifty turrets sprang up.

Clank! Clank! Clank!

Drrrrrr-!

The 'Shield Turrets' that provoke enemies in an area.

The 'Magic Turrets' specializing in area CC and slow.

The 'Automatic Defense Turrets' firing magic bullets automatically.

Within the range of [Imperial Edict], there's no limit to the number of summons. Ash used this to pour all his remaining mana cores into summoning them.

The Shield Turrets, aligned in formation, provoked the goblins, while the Magic Turrets doused the enemy, slowed by their spells.

The slowed goblins flailed as the bullets from the Automatic Defense Turrets tore them to shreds.

At first glance, it seemed like a successful defense, but the limitations were clear.

The durability of the Shield Turrets was steadily decreasing, and the Automatic Defense Turrets required long reload times.

If the Goblin Legion continued to swarm at this pace, the grey fortress would not hold out for long.

So, Ash had laid another trap.

Whooosh-!

Blue mana particles swirled like flames in the air, drawing a formation before gradually taking shape.

It was a summoning spell.

And what was summoned was-

"...Kyahat."

A giant troll in a jewel-encrusted turban.

Troll King.

Summoned using a scroll obtained after defeating a troll legion, a one-time use boss monster summon.

"Kyahat, hahaha-!"

Laughing in a manner uncharacteristic of a summon, the Troll King charged.

Kwagwang-!

Plunging into the heart of the enemy lines, the Troll King began battling the goblins.

As a boss monster with one of the strongest tanking abilities in the world, it would hold the line for the duration of the summon.

"..."

Soldiers on the human side, watching this spectacle from the walls, tensed their shoulders.

While the central force of the Goblin Legion's army charged at the grey fortress, the wings took a different course.

They charged straight towards Crossroad's walls.

"All forces-!"

Lucas, drawing the blade of light from his sword - [Bestowed Sword], commanded.

"Prepare for battle-!"