Chapter 118
“Bibeobeong!”
THOOOM—!
A thunderous roar rang out.
Even louder, a brutal impact followed like crashing thunder.
The result was utter destruction.
“…Krwooorgh?”
Megalania’s head twisted violently to the side.
Over ten teeth snapped and scattered from its gaping jaws.
It was only natural.
Bibeong’s body length was 100 meters.
Even excluding his tail, he stood nearly 80 meters tall.
And he wasn’t lanky—he was pudgy for his size.
That meant he weighed nearly 3,000 tons.
And that massive body weight had all been packed into that one forepaw punch.
And that wasn’t all.
Bibeong had thrown his very soul into that punch.
It was his heartfelt effort, made for his first love, Bangul, who was surely watching his back right now.
“Bibeong! Bibeobeong! Bibeong!”
BOOM! THOOM! WHAM!
Left paw. Right paw. Left again.
Three consecutive 3,000-ton punches rained down like a drumbeat.
Each time, Megalania’s massive body flailed helplessly, like ankle socks caught in a typhoon.
“Ku… Kweeeeegh!”
The beast screamed.
Counterattacking was out of the question.
Megalania’s body length was a mere (?) 50 meters.
Its weight was just around 700 tons—barely a quarter of Bibeong’s mass.
“Bibeong!”
THWACK!
Another forepaw punch from Bibeong landed squarely.
“Kohwegh!”
With just those five punches, Megalania had entered a critical groggy state.
And Bibeong’s finishing blow came next.
“Bibeobeong!”
CRUNCH!
With his huge front teeth, he bit Megalania’s nape.
Lifted it clean off the ground.
Swung it.
Released it.
FWOOOOOSH—!
The 50-meter, 700-ton Megalania was hurled through the air dozens of meters up—no, launched. It flew roughly 400 meters through the air.
Then came the crash.
KWA-BOOM! CRASH!
Megalania’s enormous body slammed into the ground, carving a trench dozens of meters long.
With that, Megalania lost nearly all combat capability.
“Kr… Krurrrr… Kuwegh…”
The mangled beast barely rose again.
It trembled violently, amazed that it hadn’t died.
Around it stood six more Megalanias.
They were part of the same pack.
But even they didn’t bare their fangs recklessly.
The one just flattened had been their alpha.
“K-Kuweeegh! Kuwegh!”
The battered alpha finally turned around.
Tucking its tail, it struggled eastward in retreat.
Once the leader fled, the rest of the pack followed.
“Bibeobeong! Bibeong!”
Bibeong let out a victorious roar.
Then snuck a glance westward.
That’s where Lloyd’s group stood.
More precisely, where Bangul sat atop Lloyd’s shoulder.
‘Bibeong, Bibeobeobeong…’
Please… I hope she saw that and thought I looked cool.
Bibeong cleared his throat awkwardly.
Lloyd couldn’t help but let out a wry chuckle.
‘That guy really doesn’t hide it.’
Not subtle at all.
No wonder he’s single.
But that’s why Lloyd liked him.
He felt a bit of kinship with Bibeong.
“Bangul?”
“Bangul!”
“Can I ask you for a favor? Would you mind shaking your bell for Bibeong? Just once?”
“Bbabangul?”
“Just to cheer him up a bit, you know?”
“Bangul!”
Bangul nodded her round head.
Honestly, she didn’t dislike Bibeong.
Of course, not romantically—just as another fellow Fantasy Beast.
“Bangul! Bbabangul!”
Good job, new friend.
Bangul lifted her plump tail and gave it a gentle shake.
Jingle jingle, a crisp sound rang out.
A warm pink smile bloomed across Bibeong’s face, who had been panting hard from all the punching.
‘Perfect.’
Now that he’d received a well-earned reward, it was time to get back to business.
“Everyone, stay here for a bit.”
Lloyd had the group wait.
He walked east alone.
Through the slowly settling dust—
He could see hundreds of orc warriors standing in formation.
Among them, the largest figure stood out.
Lloyd raised his voice.
“It’s been a while, Chief!”
“Hmm, kkuik?”
The largest warrior, Chief Akush of the Steel Sand Orc Tribe, perked up.
Truthfully, he was quite flustered at the moment.
Too many bizarre things had happened back-to-back.
‘What’s even going on here, kkuik?’
He’d been fending off monster raids nonstop lately.
And today was no exception.
A whole horde of fierce Megalanias.
Six giant beasts, to be exact.
Chief Akush roared from the front lines, hurling spears to prevent his warriors from losing morale.
Then something massive came barreling in from behind.
It rumbled past them.
Landed a single blow that twisted a Megalania’s face sideways.
Then it bit and hurled it beyond the village’s boundary.
‘What even is that thing, kkuik?’
Beating a Megalania was one thing—but throwing it?
And it looked like a giant beaver.
His eyes widened.
Then he heard a familiar voice behind him.
‘Wait… that sounds like Lloyd, the frail human who’s an honorary warrior of our tribe, kkuik.’
Kind-hearted but slightly dim.
That was how Chief Akush remembered Lloyd.
He turned with that nostalgic memory in mind.
And sure enough, there was Lloyd walking toward him.
“Hoho, kkuik?”
It was his friend.
A smile spread naturally across his face.
Chief Akush bared his large tusks in a grin.
The veins bulged on his massive pectorals like worms.
“What brings you here, friend? Today’s dangerous. Especially for a frail friend like you—you should head home, kkuik.”
“Dangerous? Because of the monsters?”
“Exactly, kkuik!”
Akush chuckled and raised his axe.
He pointed it toward Bibeong, who still stood to the east.
“These days, monsters keep invading. Today, it was even Megalania. And now that thing over there appeared. It’s very dangerous, kkuik.”
“Oh, you mean him?”
“Yes, kkuik.”
“That’s fine. He’s mine. I command him.”
“…What, kkuik?”
“Really. His name’s Bibeong.”
“…”
Controlling a monster that could launch a Megalania with a single blow?
What kind of friend is this?
Chief Akush felt slightly overwhelmed.
“So then, what brings you here? Have you come to fight with us, kkuik?”
“Well, something like that.”
The joy of reunion could wait.
First, he had business to address.
“I’m sure it’s been rough lately. The Locusts, the Mastodons, and now Megalania. You’ve had a rough few weeks.”
“Puhung! Just a decent warm-up, kkuik!”
“I expected no less. But do you know what’s caused all this?”
“No idea, kkuik!”
“That’s why I’m here.”
To explain both the cause and the solution.
Lloyd smiled faintly.
In truth, he wasn’t just planning to stop the monster domino effect.
He was planning a counterattack—against the Sultanate, who had caused this entire mess.
* * *
The counterattack operation proceeded swiftly.
The Sultanate was the root of the current disaster.
Lloyd explained their misdeeds in detail to Chief Akush.
Naturally, Akush was enraged.
Actually, all the orc warriors were furious.
They all joined the operation with enthusiasm.
“The plan is simple. For the next few days, we’ll viciously attack every monster lingering in this area. Bibeong will lead the charge.”
The orc warriors would then act as a second wave—scaring the monsters already frightened by Bibeong’s attacks.
Like a driving force.
Pushing the monsters eastward.
“Here’s the key part. It’s okay to hurt the monsters. But don’t kill them. Let them escape alive.”
“Why, kkuik?”
“So rumors will spread among the survivors. And then—”
“And then, kkuik?”
“The entire horde that came from the east will change direction. Just like when they came here. They’ll start heading back east. The domino will flip.”
“That’s… kkuik!”
“Do you understand my intent?”
“Nope. That’s too complicated, kkuik!”
“Well, in short: the Sultanate’s western border is about to become a nightmare.”
“I like that. Let’s do it, kkuik!”
And so the operation began that very day.
And honestly, there wasn’t much guilt.
The flipped domino direction—
The Sultanate’s western border, which would suffer from the redirected horde—
Thankfully(?) there were no civilian settlements in that region.
‘Their western border is barren. No fiefs, no villages—just military outposts guarding the frontier.’
So no innocent civilians would be hurt.
And the fortified border garrisons? They wouldn’t suffer many casualties either.
‘But they’re going to be working overtime fending off the swarm. And the Sultanate’s upper brass is going to feel it.’
If they could unleash a monster domino—
So could the other side.
Triggering one would only invite retaliation.
Lloyd wanted the Sultanate’s leadership to understand that.
‘That way, they’ll never dare pull something like this again.’
It was the same logic as nuclear deterrence.
If your enemy has nukes?
You can’t use yours so carelessly.
Just the same, they needed to learn that they weren’t the only ones with that “weapon.”
That was the real goal of this operation—revenge and deterrence in one.
“So let’s begin.”
There was no need to hesitate.
They started immediately.
Bibeong, the orc warriors, Javier, and the White Lance Knights.
Everyone played their part.
They swept the surrounding wilderness clean.
The moment a monster’s shadow appeared, they’d charge in and raise hell.
They struck, drove, smashed, hurled, roared, and threatened.
Every monster they encountered fled east in terror.
Six days passed like that.
By then, not a single monster dared linger nearby.
The rumor had spread among them—and they migrated in the opposite direction.
In other words, the operation was a success.
“Whew, so here’s the thing.”
After successfully flipping the monster domino…
At the heart of the orc village, now nearly in ruins from weeks of attacks, Lloyd approached Chief Akush with a proposal.
“I hesitate to bring this up, but… what if your tribe relocated?”
“Relocate? Our village, kkuik?”
“Yes.”
Tossing thornbush twigs into the campfire, Lloyd continued.
“I know your ancestral land is precious. But think about it. This place is too exposed. It’s defensively weak.”
“But we’re strong, kkuik.”
“I know. But relocating would make you even stronger.”
“What? Even stronger, kkuik?”
“Yes.”
“How, kkuik?”
“Well… I’ve wanted to mention this for a while now. I built you the ice storehouse early on, but truthfully, the food supply out here in the wasteland is far too poor. It’s disheartening. Nutritionally, it’s just not conducive to building muscle.”
“…What? Muscle, kkuik?”
The word “muscle” made Chief Akush’s eyes gleam.
Same with the other warriors seated by the fire.
Perfect.
It’s starting to work.
Lloyd suppressed a smile.
“You need proper rest and nutrition. That’s just as important for muscle growth as exercise. I’m sure you know that already, Chief.”
“Hmm, yes, kkuik.”
“That’s why. Honestly, I’m saddened that such mighty warriors like you are held back by tradition—and can’t build even bigger muscles.”
“Bigger… muscles, kkuik?”
“Exactly.”
“H-How, kkuik?”
“It’s not that hard. I don’t normally share this with just anyone, but… would you care to listen?”
“Speak now, kkuik!”
“Very well. Look over there.”
Lloyd raised a hand.
He pointed toward the Eastern Mountains that stretched out like a folding screen.
“Deer with shiny coats gallop through meadows. Plump boars roll through flower beds. Above them, doves and pheasants flutter their wings. Imagine it—pigeon breast meat rippling with strength. Pheasant breast meat, dripping with juices.”
“Kku… gulp, kkuik.”
“Yes, exactly. And that’s not all. The streams are teeming with fish. The pristine mountain waters are home to freshwater crayfish. One fat with eggs, steamed whole—just imagine all the protein you’d gain.”
“M-Muscle! Kkuik!”
“As expected of you, Chief. You understand so well.”
“So… you’re saying we should move our village to the Eastern Mountains, kkuik?”
“Of course. And if you think about it, this wouldn’t even break with tradition.”
“How, kkuik?”
The word “tradition” made Akush flinch.
Lloyd struck while the gap was open.
“Think. Your ancestors were mighty musclemen, yes?”
“Of course, kkuik!”
“Then what would they want from their descendants?”
“Muscles! Bulging muscles, kkuik!”
“That’s exactly it. I knew you’d understand even without me spelling it out.”
“So… our ancestors would want us to eat well and grow massive muscles, kkuik?”
Akush’s eyes filled with hesitation.
Of course, he knew the Eastern Mountains were rich in game.
They sometimes sent hunting parties there.
But sending a few warriors for a few days wasn’t the same as moving the entire tribe to a lush forest—it would be a complete change in efficiency.
“B-But what about our ancestral land… kkuik…”
“Your ancestors would rejoice.”
“If we grow big muscles, kkuik?”
“Of course.”
Lloyd’s soft whisper.
That temptation tickled Akush’s muscular snail-like cochlea.
And it pierced deep into the desires of the gathered warriors.
It led them to a decision.
“Very well! From today, our tribe’s new home shall be the Eastern Mountains! Lead the way, kkuik!”
And thus, the Steel Sand Orc Tribe embarked on a sudden relocation.
Exactly what Lloyd had hoped for.
‘With Bibeong guarding Lake Capua, and the orc tribe settled in the Eastern Mountains, two powerful barriers will protect our estate from the east.’
And if trouble ever arose in the estate?
It’d be much easier to ask the orcs for help now.
‘That’s it. No more threats. No more physical danger.’
Lloyd was convinced.
After the financial crisis, the next threat to his honey jar—the estate—had been physical danger. And now, that too had been shut down.
With everything wrapped up, Lloyd headed back to the Barony estate with a spring in his step.
‘Now there’s only one thing left.’
He thought.
The goal he’d dreamed of for so long.
At last, it was time to use the construction payment he’d received from the capital to pay off the rest of his debt.