1.
The tale of a city.
Rimepolis.
A city that survived on the mining industry and trade.
Rimepolis had one of the largest and purest salt mines in the Snail Empire, which increased its prestige. There were people who asked 'Can you get food and wealth from digging into the ground?', and the answer was 'Yes, we can get both'.
-The Great Cavern.
-The Skull of the Earth God.
-We collect the teeth of the Goddess.
It was such a place.
A city that prospered from the wealth and glory that came with digging up the ground. The deeper into the ground they dug, the more glory they received, until one day, when they swung their pickaxes, they heard a clanging sound.
They'd reached the bottom.
[The mining ability of Rimepolis has deteriorated!]
There was still some rock salt left. However, they would have to dig too deep to find it. The work time would be much longer, and the level of difficulty would also increase.
[The cost of the Rimepolis salt industry increases!]
The slaves had fled. The snails' skin was naturally weak to salt. It was fine for them to swing pickaxes or manage workers at the entrance of the mines, but it was difficult for them to go deeper. This was why they needed slaves from the other six races. As the slaves disappeared, the economy of the city, which was powered by rock salt, shrank rapidly.
[The Snail Race's dominance weakens!]
The mermaid race looked like regular mermaids, but the sea water irritated their skin which forced them to remain in the rivers.
However, one day, a special species was born. Even when this special species entered the sea, they could withstand it, only saying 'ah, it's a bit salty'. Even those who were born with mixed blood from the special species were able to withstand the sea.
[The Mermaid Race evolves!]
The sea was a magical place that the snails had a hard time going in and out of, and the fact that the mermaids could now go into the sea meant that they would no longer have to interact with the snails.
Then, one day, one of the special mermaids accidentally tasted some of the soil from the tidal flat. 'Huh, it's salty'. Of course, the soil would also be salty since it was a tidal flat that seawater constantly flowed over. 'Can it become more salty?'.
They remembered the time when they had been imprisoned by the snails in Rimepolis. [You have to dig a hole to get salt.] This stereotype had been implanted onto them. So the mermaid dug a hole in the middle of the tidal flat, put wooden sticks in the corner to keep its shape, covered it with reeds before adding mud on top of it. In that way, they created a primitive jar.
A week later, when the mermaid checked the jar, they found that it was filled with seawater. They scooped up the seawater and baked it in a kiln. When they tasted it, they found that it was very salty. It was sea salt. New technology had been created after an old stereotype met with a new environment.
[A new technology has been created!]
[The Snail Races competitors appeared!]
The mermaids were natural sailors. After all, they were amphibious from birth, so they wouldn't die even if they were to be caught in a storm. The Sea God, which was terrifying, was now their Guardian Deity. Ships laden with salt flowed in and out of the waterways like guests at a house. The production and distribution of salt had been completely taken over by the mermaids.
[An ideological conflict has arisen!]
The snails couldn't accept it. According to the mythology of the snail race, salt came from the 'teeth' of the Goddess. So it was difficult for them to accept that eating salt from the sea would not cause sickness.
There were several attitudes that a person could take when they couldn't accept the opinions of another.
-It's sorcery.
The snails chose the easiest one.
-It is the work of the devil.
-Sea salt is cursed food created with the breath of the devil.
-The mermaids are all demons who worship the devil!
-The fact that their skin can withstand the sea is proof of their devil worship!
The snails could have taken a more difficult path. They could have simply modified their mythology a bit. [The Goddess actually split in half when she died, half of her body was buried into the ground, the other half sank deep into the sea.]
They could've done that.
The more the empire expanded, the more at jeopardy their myths became. Salt, which they thought only came from the land, also appeared in water. Their world expanded. As their perception of the world grew wider, the myths lost their individuality, and the subjects of the myths seemed to lose character.
It was possible that one day, the empire would abandon [local myths filled with individuality] and instead adopt a [universal, invisible, all-powerful God] faith. Rimepolis might even move from the name of a city to the name of the empire itself, like Rome.
-Those who eat salt made by the demons.
-Regardless of the reason, it is blasphemy!
But the snails didn't do that.
-Salt dissolves when it goes into water. Water dissolves salt. So how can salt come from water? This is a trick of the devil, a scheme to deceive the people and lead them along the wrong path.
Instead they justified the reason why it wasn't possible.
-From now on, all citizens must only eat rock salt produced by the empire. Anyone who digs up salt from mines not recognised by the temple, those who make salt from water, and those who try to bring sea salt into the empire will be punished!
-Trade of water salt is prohibited. Block all the rivers and waterways. Seize and sink every mermaid ship that is loaded with salt!
It was defended by those priests who believed in the old myths. The warriors who fought against the slaves responded. The citizens who still looked down on the other six races cheered. Their support, response and advocacy became a source of support for the snail nobles.
And there was no person who could stop the priests, warriors, citizens and nobles all at the same time.
'Ahh.'
'I will serve you as my Master from now on.'
The God who could do that had already been eliminated.
[The Snails have destroyed the Mermaids' port.]
[The Snails are looting the Mermaid trade ships.]
[The Snails forced other races to trade rock salt.]
[The Mermaids are revolting against the actions of the Snails!]
When an old power declines, a new power rises to take its place.
When the industry leadership changes,
When either side fails to accept a new ideology, when they miss the opportunity to reform, the things that are meant to happen, happen.
[A war of supremacy has broken out!]
That was the tale of the past 600 years.
-Ugor.
There were six wars.
And in the end, the empire collapsed.
-Now, according to the peace treaty signed by all seven races, we will destroy the Holy Land.
The priests lost their religion. The warriors lost their victory. The citizens lost their peace. The nobles lost their power.
All that was left was a mine where rock salt and glory were dug up for 600 years. However, a single line in a history book couldn't stop the spear of time, and an empty cave could not feed the people.
But by the time everyone noticed, it was too late.
It was much too late.
-You have three options.
Chairman Uburka spoke.
-First, I can just destroy everything on my own! I want to do it, too. The title [The one who destroyed a city] is something I'd love to have. But not only am I strong, I am generous. I can put my greed aside for a while.
With a 'hup', Uburka took a bodybuilder pose.
His left pectoral bounced slightly.
-Second, the snails can destroy the Holy Land with their own hands! You guys can do it. But I don't think you want the title [The ones who destroyed their own Holy Land]. That name would be very disgraceful. Nevertheless, I will give this chance to you!
Uburka's right pectoral bounced.
-And finally. All seven races destroy it together.
Uburka let out a laugh.
-Smash the city until your anger has completely dissipated. Breaking something always makes you feel better. Just smash it! All the soldiers who worked so hard to come here and all the people who did their best to protect it. You guys can do it. I'm sure you can.
The last king of the snail race, the Snail King, spoke in a trembling voice.
-Frightening warrior. What if a fight breaks out after we lead them into the city?
-Worry not! Us goblins will take care of security. The hammers you wield will be used to smash buildings, not the heads of people.
-Some things must be preserved. We engraved our history on stone pillars.
-Dismantle it and take it with you. What's the problem?.
-They would be very heavy…
-Then choose only the things you can take with you. A history that can't be moved is not pride, it's stubbornness. If you let it go, you will be much lighter, if you are light, you will be more free, and if you are free, you will be strong.
-Rimepolis is our last remaining city. Where do you intend to take us?
-To a place that will make you lighter, freer and stronger.
-…Some of our citizens don't believe you.
-That's fine too!
Uburka put his hands together and flexed his muscles.
His biceps bulged.
-Tell them to come at me!
A total of 944 snails stepped forward. Of course, 944 snails couldn't rush forward all at once, so the 16 bravest warriors rushed out first. It could be said that the race had fallen, but they were all soldiers who had eaten jjambap till they were sick of it.
-I will give you all the honor of seeing my true form!
The aura giant descended.
-What?
-What!?
-Crazy.
The snail soldiers were only able to mutter these short words before they were all sent flying by Uburka's aura. Not just the 16 people at the front, but even the 28 waiting to go after them were sent flying.
-Ahahahaha!
The giant let out a thunderous laugh.
-Come at me if you can! Little ones!
-...
-My chest is wide! Whether it is 900 or 9000, I will accept you all! It's unfortunate that there aren't enough of you to make me work up a sweat, but it's fine nonetheless! I have enough muscles to make all you kids into adults! I'll be your dad!
There weren't many who would want a goblin as their father.
Rather than dealing with the stress of being beaten by the huge musclehead, the snails decided to release their stress by destroying the builds of their ancestors. It was a wise choice.
-Dammit.
-Shibal!
After one day and night, Rimepolis was completely destroyed.
Shouting side by side, the seven races were able to smash the city to powder.
The final blow had been dealt by none other than Uburka.
-Hup!
Uburka became a giant and punched Rimepolis. Thud! Thump! Thump! The beating lasted for more than half a day. The city within the cavern vanished, the ceiling shattered and rocks poured down as the mountain that contained the cave also collapsed.
-Crazy….
The scene of a single hobgoblin destroying a city on his own.
-Hut.
Chairman Ubruka's lips quirked. It was the unique smile that a child usually had after destroying a sandcastle that had been meticulously built.
-At least I'll get a [City Destroyer] title because of this.
-...
-This event declares that the peace treaty has been completed. Goblins, pack up. Snails, do your best to follow us while carrying those ridiculous stone pillars.
Neither before nor after.
The strongest warrior in the history of the goblin race spoke.
-We will return to Guru.
[The War of Supremacy has ended.]
[The Multi-race Alliance has achieved an incomplete victory.]
[The Snail Race has escaped the danger of destruction.]
And the stage also ended.
[The Goblin Race has gained the prestige of 'Hegemon']
[The prestige of the Goblin Race increases.]
[The authority of the Goblin Race increases.]
[The chances that the Goblin Race will develop a new trait have increased greatly.]
[You have received 9000 race points!]
[You currently have 9800 race points.]
My fellow hunters murmured.
"Hey, that guy's a real monster…"
"There's no way that guys like that would be born in the goblin race constantly, right…? Otherwise I'd feel kind of sorry for my own kids."
"That probably won't happen."
The Crusader shook her head.
"Such an unprecedented warrior rarely appears in history. It was by chance that he appeared in the goblin race. Perhaps the next hero will appear in another race. We just have to wait for our golden ages."
The tower's voice then rang out in our ears.
[You can now declare stage clear.]
[Would you like to clear the stage now?]
"Heh?"
The Black Dragon Master flipped her hair to the side.
"It doesn't necessarily say that one race will be eliminated. Are we certain that we've overcome the crisis of destruction?"
"It's possible that another race might be in danger of being eliminated without our knowledge."
We watched from a distance as the armies of the various races scattered and disappeared.
It had been 800 years since the primeval forest burned.
We were still reigning like Constellations, but the kids were slowly beginning to walk their own steps rather than following the constellations in the sky.
"Mm."
I opened my mouth.
"Great job, everyone."
"Did we even have a hard time? That child from your race solved everything on his own. I never felt this comfortable in a stage before."
The Black Dragon Master smiled happily.
"I'm going to watch how those kids live for about ten days before declaring the clear. How about you, Death King?"
"Then I'll also stay for about ten days. There are still some things I want to teach Uburka."
"What else are you going to teach that monster…?"
"Don't worry. It's something good. Something good."
We parted ways after deciding that we would declare clear after ten days.
That's right.
I still had something to pass on to Uburka and the goblin race.
[Purchased 'Dream Appearance'.]
[100 points have been deducted!]
[You currently have 9700 race points.]
Uburka, who was floating on the mud pond, looked at me.
-Ugor, you're back, Daddy.
"Yeah. Dad is back."
-I guided the snails as Daddy advised. Quickly, praise me.
"Aigu, my little boy. Did you save a race that was on the brink of extinction? Ujuju! Good job, you did really well! My little boy is so amazing! It was worthwhile to raise such a good boy! The goblin race is the coolest in the world and my baby boy is the coolest in the goblin race! You're so much better than daddy!" (TL: wtf did I just translate…)
-Ugor. Ugor.
Uburka let out a laugh.
After pouring out a baptism of praise for about ten minutes, I finally changed the subject.
"Uburka. There's something I want to teach you."
-Ugor?
"To be precise, I want you to learn this before teaching the others. So that it will not be forgotten even 100 years after you die or 100 years after that."
-What do you want to teach me?
I smiled.
Then I illuminated my hand with red aura.
"I will teach you about the fire of the world."
The new Infernal Heavens Demonic Art.
I was going to pass my own creation to the goblin race.