There is a system called “Channel” in Celia Online.

No matter how much Celia Online values freedom, the game becomes unplayable if too many players gather in one place.

Therefore, when a specific area becomes overcrowded, a channel system is created to allow players to enjoy the game comfortably.

If the world can be seen as a room, then it’s like creating an identical room and separating them.

Channels created in this way usually have no effect on each other. A monster defeated in one channel doesn’t disappear from another, and vice versa.

However, if a special event, known as a “Mutation Event,” occurs, the rule of isolation breaks, and the event affects other channels.

For instance, if Blum Village, where Journey currently is, is destroyed by ogres, that result will be reflected in other channels, and even in the world.

In other words, what happens in one channel becomes official history, hence it’s called a “Mutation.”

The exact conditions for a Mutation Event are unknown, but players speculate that it’s related to NPC involvement.

This assumption is based on the fact that Mutation Events experienced by players were directly or indirectly linked to NPCs.

However, not every interaction with NPCs triggers an event, so it remains a theory.

It’s not so rare that you might never see it during your gaming life, but it’s not common either. Journey knew of the Mutation Event but had never experienced one herself.

The problem is that when a Mutation Event occurs, only those present at the scene can participate.

The evidence is right there in the viewers who tried to enter Journey’s channel but were blocked.

“It’s a matter of life and death for the village, so it’s no small thing, but… why now, of all times….”

After a moment of despair, Journey calmly assessed the village's defenses.

Around twenty guards protect the village, with eight mercenaries hired by a merchant caravan, and eleven players, including herself.

There are more who can wield weapons, but that’s roughly the fighting strength available.

In fact, Journey was being generous with her estimation, and the actual combat power was likely even lower.

The village guards of a small town would hardly be effective against ogres.

‘And the mercenaries aren’t much help either.’

They might be able to inflict minor wounds or distract, but they wouldn’t land deep cuts or deliver decisive blows.

In the end, all she could rely on were her fellow players.

Journey, after quickly assessing the situation, asked the players,

“What are your levels? Oh, and your classes too.”

“I’m a Mage, level 45.”

“L-Level 35! I’m a Priest!”

“Level 40 Barrier Master here.”

“I’m….”

The players introduced themselves, following Journey’s request.

As she silently listened, her face grew increasingly grim.

‘…It’s not enough.’

She didn’t let it show, but in Journey’s estimation, this force wasn’t enough to take on an ogre horde.

With only three or four, there was still hope.

But if there were more, they wouldn’t be able to hold their ground, let alone defeat them.

“Hm…”

“It looks really tough.”

“The levels are too lowㅠㅠ.”

“Too many healers.”

“How did these low-levels even get there? They’re just taking up space and being a nuisance.”

“If you say something bad, you know what’ll happen, right?”

Even though the forces weren’t as strong as she’d hoped, she wasn’t about to complain about those who had come to help. Anyone with a sense of decency, even if not a streamer, wouldn’t do that.

So, Journey muted a few unruly viewers and turned her attention back to the players.

“Let’s come up with a strategy. Does anyone have any good ideas?”

“…”

“…”

“Um…”

An awkward silence filled the air.

Somehow, the awkwardness felt strangely familiar to Journey.

-I can’t breathe.

-I’m getting suffocated here.

-Is this a group project?

“That’s it!”

Yes, she had felt this often in college.

But knowing why it felt familiar didn’t change the situation.

The NPCs watching the players also seemed to sense the gravity of the situation as they began to quiet down.

‘It would have been great to know at least how many are coming.’

She had asked the hunter who first spotted the ogres, but he didn’t know the exact number.

As soon as he saw it was ogres, he’d fled in a panic and didn’t have time to count.

“Uh… Journey?”

“Yes?”

“Couldn’t we just ask Kana for help?”

The priest raised his hand and asked cautiously.

“Even if not us, I think Kana would listen to you….”

“…”

Journey hesitated.

Would Kana really agree to help?

More importantly…

‘I didn’t want to ask Kana for help.’

But there was too much at stake for her to be stubborn.

Caught between her convictions and reality, Journey hesitated.

A young man who had gone out to scout burst into the village, shouting.

“They’re coming!”

“…!”

“How many? How many?”

“Are they coming this way? How far are they?”

“There are ten… they were far off, but they should be near the flower field by now!”

“T-Ten?!”

The unexpected number left everyone in shock.

Journey was among them.

It would be hard enough to face three or four, but ten?

“This is too much.”

Journey muttered under her breath.

There seemed to be no way out.

“Let’s flee while we still can!”

“It’s not too late! Load up the supplies!”

“Journey!”

“…”

Journey felt the scale in her heart tipping heavily toward reality.

Filled with a sense of helplessness and shame, she lowered her head.

“Kana… I need your strength. Could you help?”

“…”

“…?”

Kana didn’t respond.

She didn’t reluctantly accept or flat-out refuse.

“Kana?”

Journey, puzzled by the lack of reaction, looked up.

Kana’s eyes weren’t on her.

They were looking outside the village, further away.

Journey followed Kana’s gaze and murmured unconsciously.

“…The mountain?”

 

  *  *  *
   

Journey was saying something, but I didn’t have time to pay attention.

‘I had a feeling something was off.’

From the moment the orc horde appeared, there were signs. Their condition was far too good for a group supposedly searching for new territory because of overpopulation.

Thinking back, it seems their purpose was actually to escape—to find a new refuge, fleeing from an overwhelming enemy they couldn’t face.

And the ogres heading toward this village are probably doing the same thing.

…

I can sense a presence in the mountain.

Seeing as they left for a new place ahead of time, they must have sensed the danger instinctively.

Being able to detect the presence of a dimensional beast… Now I wonder who’s the real canary here.

“Kana?”

Journey called my name again.

What was it… Oh right, she asked for help.

“Step aside.”

She’s probably asking me to kill the ogres that are coming.

Little does she know, there’s something behind them that makes the ogres seem like nothing.

If it had stayed quietly up in the mountain, I wouldn’t have cared. But unfortunately, the dimensional beast on the mountain doesn’t seem inclined to do that.

It’s possible that, just as I sensed it, it sensed me too.

Judging by the fact that it’s coming this way.

Well, if it wants to die so badly, there’s nothing I can do about it.

“I’ll kill it.”

“Oh, uh? Yes! Thank you!”

Journey bowed slightly, and I looked at her with mild distaste.

…Not that I was talking to her.

But there’s no need to correct the misunderstanding.

‘Besides, I don’t have the time for that.’

Schwing.

I drew my sword.

“What… Is she really going to fight?”

“Why isn’t anyone stopping her?! Stop her, now!”

“They’re asking a child like her to fight…?”

So noisy.

There’s a commotion around me, but I ignored it, not even bothering to make sense of their words.

“Oh.”

Right.

I paused as I gathered strength in my legs, ready to rush forward, and took off my cape.

“Hold this.”

I don’t want it to tear again like last time.

Plus, this fight might get a little rough.

Without waiting for Journey’s response, I shoved the cape at her and launched myself forward.

Fwoosh!

The world around me stretched long.

People, buildings, fences, fields, roads.

Ogres.

“One down.”

Leaping lightly with speed more akin to shooting than running, I swung my sword.

The blade passed cleanly through the ogre’s neck without resistance.

Next, I drove my sword into the throat of another one, tearing at what looked like animal meat. It seemed hungry, so I decided to help it swallow.

Again, no resistance, no impact.

If I, a Master, couldn’t take down mere ogres easily, I’d lose my pride.

If that had been the case, my body would probably be lying somewhere on a battlefield.

Or maybe, I’d be in an empire, fawning over some rich noble.

…Ugh. That image makes me sick.

“…Because of you.”

Making me imagine such an unpleasant scenario.

For that, you deserve to die a hundred times over.

I lightly coated my sword in mana and beheaded another ogre.

When I’d killed a total of four, including the first two, the world around me, which had stretched out, finally returned to normal.

Splurt.

Thud!

The headless ogres crashed to the ground, shaking the earth.

From their severed necks, fountains of red blood sprayed out.

“…Kwaaah?!”

“Yep. ‘Kwaaah.’”

As far as I know, ogres don’t have a strong sense of camaraderie.

Still, if they see one of their own die, they’re prone to seeking revenge. Yet, these ones, who hadn’t even registered their comrades being killed, just stood there bewildered at the sudden deaths.

No wonder, since they’d been fine a moment ago.

Responding to the ogre’s shocked outcry, I resumed hunting the remaining ones.

One clean cut per head, simple yet effective.

It took only seconds to take down all ten ogres.

Even if they’d come to their senses and fought back, they wouldn’t have stood a chance. Losing their allies in a sneak attack must have been a shock, as they didn’t even think to grab their weapons.

Killing those types? Easy as pie.

I shook the blood off my sword and spun around.

Now then…

“Hi there. Did you come to see me?”

Nice to meet you.

I waved toward the glimmering light in the darkness.