*City of Andora. S-Rank Adventurer Team*
My name is Gustav, I'm 28 years old, and I'm an S-rank adventurer. It took me years to reach this position: a renowned mage, warrior, and a favorite among women. My team consists of four cherished companions: Lilia, Amanda, Kate, and Milena. We were crossing the city square, heading to the guild to pick up a mission. The townsfolk greeted and praised us for our existence. Over the years, my team has tackled threats to humanity—undead hordes, giant dragons, and invasions from rival kingdoms. But our high rank means missions are scarce. As we walked, Amanda spoke up.
"I heard a village has some strange, massive buildings spewing smoke, and white human-like figures wielding odd staffs," said Amanda, an S-rank mage unmatched in magical prowess and knowledge.
"Hmm, maybe we should check with the guild? They're handling quests like killing fanged wolves or gathering herbs," said Lilia, a 20-year-old healing mage.
"Who cares about some pathetic village? We're proud S-rank adventurers—why bother?" said Kate, a tall woman with tiger ears and claws, her tone haughty. Her fiery temperament made her a formidable assassin in battle.
"Uh… maybe it's some… state project?" stammered Milena, a shy village-born archer whose demeanor shifted to deadly precision in combat.
"Calm down, everyone. Let's ask Guildmaster Heinrich. He'll know something," said Gustav, standing at the guild's entrance.
Inside, the five of us drew immediate attention. Adventurers challenged us to duels, debated which of my companions was the fairest, or grumbled about debts—though those got swift beatings and left with lumps. At the reception desk stood Laila, the cat-eared girl who had greeted Andrey. She smiled and asked, "How can I help?"
"Hey, Laila. Where's the guildmaster?"
"He's in his office, requesting 10,000 soldiers from the kingdom."
"Ten thousand knights? For what?!" Gustav and the girls exclaimed in unison.
"He's been expecting you, so it'd be great if you could see him."
"Thanks, Laila!" Waving, we headed to the second-floor office. After knocking, a gruff, 40-year-old voice invited us in. Heinrich, looking troubled, stood as we entered, his face grave.
"Gustav! I need you now!"
"What's wrong, Heinrich? Is the Paudran Theocracy attacking the borders again?"
"No, it's different. Sit, and I'll explain."
He recounted yesterday's request from a young man claiming white, human-like monsters had seized his village, killed a hundred people, and were enslaving the rest for a demonic ritual. These intelligent creatures, with steel-like skin and blue-ray-shooting "bows," were so formidable that two retired A-rank adventurers couldn't even scratch them. The mission was assigned to us to avoid citywide panic.
"That's the situation," Heinrich sighed, visibly concerned.
"Got it. Time to crush those white freaks," Gustav said with a hint of aggression, fueled by his sense of justice and belief in human superiority. The thought of monsters enslaving people enraged him.
"That's the plan, but you won't go alone. There are at least 1,000 enemies. I've requested 10,000 soldiers from Count Laidrav to assist."
"That scrawny idiot? He'll blame us if things go wrong and take credit if we succeed!" Kate snapped.
"Yeah! He's not just a moron—he keeps harassing us, and Gustav can't retaliate because he's a damn count!" Amanda added, fuming. The team had a longstanding feud with Count Laidrav von Batelworsten.
"I get it, but innocent villagers' lives are at stake. Bear with it, or those monsters might march on the city next," Heinrich reasoned.
"Ugh," the team groaned, leaving the office. They departed the guild and headed home, where Gustav anticipated a pleasant night. (Author's Note: Someone's getting their balls cut off soon, per Gennady Gorin.)
*Village. Andrey's Perspective*
Well, I've finished building the fortifications. My 1,000 clones will arrive soon from the barracks. While they prepare, I'll stock up on weapons. Shop!
*SFX: System shop opens*
Alright, System, I want to buy: 15 DLT-19 heavy blasters, 30 infantry mines, and mortars with 300 rounds.
"Yes, Master! Processing your order… Complete! Total cost: 100,000 credits." My inner penny-pincher winced, but for the future, it's worth it. "Now, how much for a light vehicle factory?"
"Master, the light vehicle factory costs 100,000 credits."
"Damn, that's steep—but logical for a factory. System, purchase it and place it there. After construction, order two AT-ST walkers." It's time to produce Imperial tech—AT-ATs are next.
"Master, the total cost for the factory and two AT-ST units is 200,000 credits." Ouch, but I'll recoup it later from the mines. I'll buy medical supplies for the wounded post-battle.
"Construction has begun. Completion: 1 hour. AT-ST production: 30 minutes." Perfect. Now, distribute weapons to the clones and prepare defenses.
I closed the System swiftly. Using remote building management, I collected 178,000 credits from both mines—not bad, nearly covering the factory and AT-STs. I gathered the clones from the mine expedition, distributing DLT-19s and mines. Those with mines began planting them around the village. I stationed heavy blasters in concrete bunkers resembling Omaha Beach defenses and placed others in the watchtowers I'd built earlier. Time to rest until the barracks and factory orders are complete.
*One and a half hours later.*
*SFX: System notification*
What?! What did I miss? Oh, just a notification—damn, I was napping so well. System, open it.
"Congratulations, Master! Your forces have grown stronger, and so have you! All attributes increased by 100 points. All constructions are complete, and units are ready." Excellent news! I'll finally see AT-STs up close.
"System! Send the 1,000 clones to the village and deploy the walkers."
"Yes, Master!"
I summoned five clones to pilot the AT-STs—wait, I said four, but the fifth will join the command staff. "Four of you will pilot the two AT-STs. Enemy forces are approaching, and we must defend. They'll show no mercy, so we'll match them. If they surrender, take prisoners."
"Understood!" Four clones moved to the gleaming AT-STs, while the fifth stood before me.
"Soldier, you're promoted to sergeant and receive junior officer gear: a pauldron for identification and two DC-17 pistols." Now there's a commander in my absence.
*Gustav's Team. Approaching the Village*
We marched three hours to this backwater village, with 10,000 kingdom knights behind us to counter ambushes. After a while, we stopped, and Count Laidrav rode forward on horseback. A wiry man with a mustache, clad in armor bearing his family crest, he shouted, "We're here! The village is nearby! Gustav, scout ahead."
"Fine," Gustav grumbled, leading his team forward.
After fifteen minutes, they climbed a hill and lay low to survey the village. They were stunned. Kate spoke first.
"What kind of fortress is this? They said it was a village, but there are walls, towers, and gray structures!"
"Maybe it's their defense?" Amanda mused.
"Look! There are those white monsters… and villagers! Poor souls, being led somewhere," Milena said, shocked, pointing. Gustav's anger flared.
"Those damn bastards! I'll cut their heads off!"
"Gustav, calm down! We can't reveal ourselves," Lilia urged, restraining him.
"You're right. We need to report to the count."
Turning, they saw the count's army already advancing. "What the hell is that idiot doing?!" Gustav yelled, sprinting toward the knights.
The count, dreaming of heroic glory, was thrown to the ground by Gustav. "What are you doing?! I'm a count!" Laidrav barked.
"I don't give a damn about your title! Why'd you move the army without intel or strategy? Think you'll win by numbers and steal the glory, you brainless bourgeois?!" Gustav nearly struck him, but his four companions held him back. The enemy had spotted them—attack was the only option.
"Damn you, I'll deal with you later," Gustav snarled, drawing his sword and charging.
*Andrey's Perspective*
I sat on the grass, planning my empire's growth, when two clones rushed to me. "Your Majesty! Enemy forces spotted on the hills—about 10,000!"
"What? Understood. Order everyone to take defensive positions and prepare the AT-STs!"
"Yes, sir!" They ran to relay the order. Within five minutes, everyone was in position. I stood on a watchtower, peering through binoculars.
The kingdom's knights marched forward without a plan, thinking their numbers would overwhelm our 1,000. They're in for a surprise.
"Attention! On my signal, engage all heavy blasters and AT-STs!" The clones were silent, focused. I heard the heavy steps of my AT-STs behind me—massive, with dual front cannons and side grenade launchers, perfect for infantry. They proved effective at Endor against rebels, even used by bandits post-Empire. My empire won't fall.
*Gustav's Perspective*
Our team charged, followed by knights shouting battle cries. Their zeal turned to terror as bullets whistled through the air. Dozens fell with holes in chests and heads; others were blown apart by mines, bodies flying. Gustav saw the fire coming from the gray structures and two towering, white, bipedal machines shooting red beams and explosive orbs. It was a massacre, like the Normandy landings in 1944. His team used protective magic, but Amanda cast an offensive spell. One machine fired two volleys, creating craters behind them. Amanda, closest to the blast, was knocked unconscious.
"AMANDA! LILIA, HEAL HER! MILENA, CAN YOU HIT THOSE BASTARDS?"
"Sorry, Gustav, they're behind cover, and my bow can't reach that far! What kind of deadly weapons are those?"
*Andrey's Perspective*
What a slaughter. My AT-STs and clones with heavy blasters are devastating them. Hmm, who's that group in the middle, tending to someone? A wicked grin spread across my face.
"Hahaha! Those are the S-rank adventurers? Time to play." I drew my lightsaber and leapt high, as Sith and Jedi do.
I walked calmly, cutting down every knight in my path. One staggered, clutching a severed arm, dazed—a glorious sight. Gustav and three girls noticed me, drawing weapons and assuming battle stances.
*Gustav's Perspective*
"AMANDA, WAKE UP!" Gustav shouted, holding back tears, fearing her loss.
"Gustav! A man in a black cloak is coming, killing knights!"
"What? You scum! You hurt Amanda! I'll tear you apart!"
The battlefield fell silent, littered with corpses—headless, limbless, or blown apart. The grass was stained red with the blood of knights who died for their homeland, misled by a foolish count.
The cloaked man stood silently, his face obscured except for his mouth and chin. He smirked and laughed.
"Who are you?!" Gustav demanded, barely containing his rage.
"Who am I? The one who'll conquer this world and sever your heads. Hahaha!"
"What did you do to Amanda?!"
"You'll kill me? Good luck. She's just unconscious from the impact," the man said coolly.
"You bastard! I'm an S-rank adventurer—"
"Yes, I know. An S-rank adventurer whose pathetic life ends here." Suddenly, Kate levitated, choking under the man's Force.
"You bastard! Let her go!"
"Don't act rashly," the man said calmly as Kate floated behind him. "Attack, and I'll kill her with my power."
"What do you want?"
"What do I want? Hmm… your deaths!" He swung his lightsaber, decapitating Kate and tossing her body aside.
"You bastard! Die!" Gustav charged, but the man sliced him in half with one strike. Gustav fell, dead, in two pieces. The surviving girls were stunned—an S-rank adventurer killed in one blow. Amanda remained unconscious, while Lilia and Milena wept, their "prince" dead.
"Well, ladies, your turn." The man approached.
"Don't come closer!" Milena fired three arrows, but they hovered midair, turned by his Force, and pierced her chest. She fell dead. Lilia trembled as the man's silhouette loomed, blocking the sun.
"You must be the healing mage… very useful." Ten clones appeared behind him.
"Your Majesty, what shall we do with these two?" a clone asked.
"Capture them. Make them serve us—torture or otherwise."
"Yes, sir!" The clones holstered their weapons. Lilia surrendered, raising her hands, and was led to a cell. Amanda, unconscious, was carried on a stretcher.
*Andrey's Perspective*
These S-rank adventurers were pathetic—killed with one strike, like ants, though an ant might survive a boot. My plan succeeded. Now, clear the corpses and send their heads to the city as an ultimatum.
*To be continued*