Chapter 119: Warm Welcome

“I am Ash, Champion of the Dragonkin. The world you find yourself in is called Arcadia — inside a game called Rite of Ruin. I’m sure none of you were willingly summoned, just as I wasn’t…”

After a short pause, Ash scoured the hopeful faces looking back at him before continuing:

“But, unlike me, you feckless cretins had the liberty to run and cower behind my back from the dangers of this unknown world…”

A few straightened their posture at his words, but none interrupted him or complained.

And…

‘They don’t need to know about the monster repellence.’

Or that Ash’s initial fears had been quite different from theirs due to his glitch.

Ash continued:

“Dragonkin, as your Champion, it is my duty and right to be your leader. As such, I will present you with the opportunity to adjust and survive here; however, do not expect coddling and hand-holding. It is your duty and destiny as a member of the Dragonkin to keep up… and you had better keep up.”

Ash’s stern face twisted into a slight grimace.

“Simply put, fall behind and it is not I who will scold you, but this unforgiving world.”

A few people murmured, some mocking Ash’s way of speaking while others remarked that it would probably be best to listen to him… even if his outfit, made up of individually cool pieces, looked a little ridiculous as a whole.

Finally, Ash took his first action as Champion for the new recruits.

“For now, all Dragonkin, summon your preferred weapon. From there, look around and find four others who possess different, complementary weapons, then form parties of five.”

Ash’s gaze drifted toward the various unscaled individuals with smooth, flat tails.

“Salamanders, I’d suggest you do the same. Also…”

Deepening his voice a little, Ash added:

“This mercy is a one-time thing. In this world, we are competitors. It is our fate to one day call one another enemies. So, for your own sakes, do not look at me with reverence or thanks. If we do ever find ourselves pitted against one another in battle, know that I won’t hesitate to kill you, so you’d do best not to hesitate in coming for my throat.”

At his cold words, a few reeled in shock, while others looked downright scared after seeing what he could do with the mystical bow.

A few Dragonkin, like Jalen, clearly thought Ash was being a bit extra. Some maybe even thought he was cool.

Yet, given the situation and their reluctance to antagonize their savior, everyone shelved any complaints.

Ash shouted his order again:

“Quit dawdling and group up! And split into formations; put space between each group!”

Then, he turned his back on them and looked down at the hellscape below.

Most of the summoned players in the immediate vicinity had reached them, with a few groups still locked in battles they seemed to be winning. Unfortunately, there were also quite a few monsters clambering up the hill towards them.

Finally…

‘So, they don’t disappear…’

The corpses of players.

A few lay half buried within Ash’s view alone. And those were only the ones he could see. By now, there were bound to be hundreds scattered across the lands.

Paying them little mind, Ash began his march towards the next hill.

Once there, Ash took in a similar scene and called for summoned players to come towards him. Most were Salamanders, but there were still quite a number of Dragonkin.

After giving the newly joined players the same spiel, they made for the next hill… then the next.

Each time, more and more bodies lay in Ash’s path.

Finally, Ash made it to the last mound before the mountain that rose above the grand temple.

Seeing no players, not even corpses, anywhere in sight, he turned to those following him, a group that had swelled to well over a hundred, surpassing even a few hundred, mostly Salamanders — perhaps the number had even eclipsed a thousand.

However, there was one oddity he couldn’t help but notice:

‘All the Salamanders are women…’

Paying that fact little mind, Ash summoned the [Stone Throne]. Standing atop it, Ash projected his voice as best he could.

“Salamanders… from now on, I forbid any of you from following me. From what I’ve discerned, your race’s Totem should be somewhere within this zone.”

A few tried to voice their complaints.

“But—”

Lucia, however, who’d become somewhat of a leader amongst them, stepped forward and curtsied. Making sure she spoke loud enough for the complainers to hear, she said:

“Thank you, Ash… I realize you didn’t have to do anything for us. Worse, you could have decided to attack, but you helped us.”

That was all Lucia said before she turned, raised her spear, and shouted:

“Salamanders, follow me!”

Marching off to the side, the Salamanders trepidatiously followed, leaving Ash and the Dragonkin behind as they began their search for their Holy Land.

‘She has potential…’

Ash was hesitant to admit it, but he somewhat looked forward to meeting her again. To see the woman she’d become in this world.

After the last of them had departed, Ash walked through the crowd, which split to let him through.

Emerging on the other side, he ordered:

“Follow me, Dragonkin. Follow me to our Holy Land.”

***

Scarlett fell to her knees.

“T-this can’t be!”

Throughout the chaotic day, comrades had been popping up out of nowhere — the fabled day of reckoning when the rest would be summoned.

However…

‘Women! Why is there not a single man!’

She’d just watched a horde of Salamanders emerge from over a nearby hill, at least seven hundred strong, and still not a single one was a man.

Tears began falling down her face.

“Where is my prince!”

One of her Vassals, Lyla, placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Scarlett…”

Then promptly smacked Scarlett in the back of her head.

“Owie!”

Lyla forced Scarlett to stand.

“Stand tall, numbskull! These people are counting on you! You’re our Champion!”

Sobbing, Scarlett turned to Lyla.

“Weally?”

Lyla cast her gaze down and shook her head.

“Oh… we’re doomed.”