“Hmmm. In that case, I need to get in touch with Ariya.”

There was still no response.

The first phase of territorial expansion was progressing smoothly, so there shouldn’t be any problems with the Galactic Empire.

Unless… has the account connection been completely cut off?

That would be a problem.

To properly secure a foothold, both human and material support are necessary.

*Splash!*

The silvery liquid burst out like hot spring water.

I can’t give up on this.

---

**Meanwhile**

Yongyong, in the form of a young boy, had his eyes split vertically.

*Whoosh!*

To fully draw out his power and maintain the polymorph, there was no other choice.

*Fsssh!*

Yongyong’s body disappeared as if teleporting.

The place he appeared was on top of a giant monster’s body.

“Take that!”

The dagger in Yongyong’s hand moved like a beam of light.

Sometimes red, sometimes blue.

The attributes shifted brilliantly with every movement of Yongyong’s hand!

*Shhhk, shhhk—*

The dagger, dancing like a possessed creature, stopped abruptly.

Having already achieved its goal, there was no need to move any further.

*Thud, thud, thud—*

Chunks of flesh and hide rained down like falling rain.

“Cha-ha!”

The byproducts disappeared into the magic circle that Yongyong had summoned.

*Phew.*

Yongyong wiped the sweat from his forehead and immediately began repeating the same action.

If he slowed down even a little, he’d fall behind!

He was just dismantling the monsters he’d already captured, wasn’t he?

Big brother had already moved on long ago.

At this pace, there was no way to catch up!

But the distance didn’t seem to close at all.

‘Ah, so this is what being a laborer feels like?’

*Swish, swish—*

*Shh-shh-shh—*

*Snap, snap—*

He ran so much his feet were soaked in sweat, and his palms were blistered from swinging the dagger.

‘The laborers I’ve seen before were impressive.’

Back in the world where Yongyong had come from, there were humans who had come as adventurer parties, and among them, there were always laborers who worked with a gloomy expression.

Compared to those pitiful ones, maybe this is a bit better?

Still…

*Graaah!*

*Ke-ekeek!*

*Grrr!*

*Goooh!*

Monsters kept pouring in, and they had been like this ever since the silvery spring water burst out.

Yongyong was desperately gathering byproducts while Big Brother was busy intercepting the incoming monsters.

‘Is this really okay?’

Bigger monsters were starting to show up.

They were charging at him like a wave.

Sometimes, one would appear behind and attempt to overpower Yongyong.

When that happened, Yongyong would cast debuff spells like Grease and Slow on the monster, followed by alternating Hellfire and Frozen Crystal, creating a path of intense heat and cold.

To finish, he would apply a Lightning Shower for a shocking massage.

*Crash!*

*Boom—Bang—*

“Ke-ekeek!”

This is crazy.

How much mana went into that attack on an ogre-sized monster?

Though larger ones did ambush him, there was no stopping it.

*Thoom!*

*Bang—*

One throw of a spear from Big Brother destroyed the monster in an instant.

“Ah…”

Just keep picking it up.

That’s the way to survive.

As he was waking up to his talent as a laborer, a chilling voice suddenly interrupted him.

[Oh? What a cute little one?]

A sweet voice, as lazy as it was terrifying, distracted Yongyong’s focus.

“…!”

[Hmm.]

[This isn’t the time to be playful. If you’re going to take him, brand him quickly. Otherwise, just kill him.]

[Why so hasty?]

Ah…

The overwhelming pressure from the very core of his being pressed down on Yongyong.

A dragon.

The greatest and most powerful creature of the middle realm, also called the protector or coordinator of the land.

But there was also the legend that dragons were agents sent by the gods to guard the middle realm.

Why is that legend coming to mind right now?

[Oh, he has some sense, huh?]

The woman gently patted the trembling Yongyong, as if finding it cute.

[What do you think? He seems useful enough.]

[Hmph.]

And beside the woman, a man with his arms crossed, who seemed to be deep in conversation.

‘When did he approach?’

He hadn’t sensed him at all.

Yongyong was overwhelmed by their aura, unable to move a muscle.

What’s going on lately?

Being knocked around here, knocked around there.

Monsters everywhere.

From goblin-sized creatures that could endure Hellfire, to the woman and man here, and ultimately to Big Brother.

[Hmm. Is his talent lacking? Can’t even use magic properly?]

[It’s because the pressure of this world is crushing him. We’re affected too, but for him, he’s doing quite well.]

[Hmm. Really?]

They were having a completely incomprehensible conversation.

What are they, exactly?

[Anyway, let’s take him. He’s been gathering things pretty diligently, I’m curious.]

What, what are you saying? This isn’t mine!

At those words, Yongyong’s mind snapped back to focus.

If what he gathered was truly his, he wouldn’t be shocked.

T-this is Big Brother’s…!

The thought seemed to ease his fear.

No matter how extraordinary these people were, they weren’t like Big Brother.

‘Calstein is on another level.’

That’s something he’d felt firsthand and witnessed.

So maybe?

His courage surged.

After all, even the house dog in a noble’s household has the right to show some authority.

“Before you regret it, you’d better step back.”

[Hm?]

[What?]

Still nervous, he decided to use polite speech.

“I-I’m already under the protection of a master!”

It was a strange, embarrassing thing to say aloud, but Yongyong stood proud.

Because, after all, he had never met someone like Big Brother in his life!

Just meeting him sent a shiver down his spine, the overwhelming presence of his soul!

“Step back now and I’ll explain things calmly, and we can go our separate ways!”

You all must have felt it.

That terrifying presence.

He felt it too, so surely they did as well?

Yongyong didn’t think otherwise.

Well? Since monsters are everywhere, wouldn’t it be better to just go along nicely?

But maybe that was just his thought.

[Hah?]

[Ha ha ha!]

The man laughed, and the woman burst into laughter.

“??”

No, seriously, they’re not joking around.

You think Big Brother, with one spear, wouldn’t send you straight to the afterlife?

The woman wiped tears from her eyes as she laughed.

[Ah, it’s definitely not a joke.]

[I thought he was crazy.]

[Yeah, probably wouldn’t survive one-on-one.]

[Truly strong.]

Had they already encountered him?

Even they couldn’t deny how powerful Big Brother was.

As expected, Big Brother! His power is so great, even his enemies praise him!

Huh?

Why are they so carefree?

I said Big Brother is my master!

Wait, hold on. After facing him, they’re still standing here?

The woman couldn’t hide her smirk as she looked at Yongyong.

[But what now? Your master, the one you’re talking about, is probably struggling right now, huh?]

Eh? What did you say?

Yongyong’s mouth dropped open.

He couldn’t believe it.

No way!

Big Brother, struggling?

It didn’t add up.

It was like the most mismatched phrase in the world!

The woman smiled at the incredulous Yongyong.

[We’ve also prepared thoroughly.]

“!!”

[It’s interesting that there’s an intelligent creature here, but we’re not so free as to let things slide.]

Their words didn’t sound like they were talking about just a few people. It was like they had a whole force…

Yongyong’s heart began to race.

What is going on? Were they preparing to attack us from the start? But that’s not right, Big Brother never said anything…

All sorts of questions were swirling around in Yongyong’s mind.

[But…]

The woman’s expression hardened.

[Being too arrogant isn’t very attractive, you know. How about you tone it down?]

“Ugh!”

*Whoosh—*

An overwhelming force engulfed Yongyong. He desperately tried to avoid it, but his mana seemed frozen in place, unable to move.

*Ugh!*

[Do you think we’re just here to have a casual chat? If so, you’re making me angry…]

The woman, who had been smiling and speaking playfully, now emanated an intense aura, and the atmosphere shifted dramatically.

*Uhh!*

[Such a presumptuous little creature.]

A little creature?

It was strange to hear that from a dragon who often thought of humans as insignificant beings.

What…! So are they gods or something?

“C-ck. W-well, even so, nothing’s changing…”

[What? Still?]

“B-Big Brother… is… invincible!”

[Big Brother?]

[Is that his name?]

At that moment…

*Screech!*

The presence Yongyong had known so well was

 unmistakable.

A piercing sound that tore through the air.

*Boom!*

It happened in an instant.

The woman’s right arm was sent flying, twisting in mid-air.

[Ahhh!]

At least, it seemed she survived.

Did I miss?

For once, even they had made a mistake…

But then, Yongyong realized the man had disappeared, and the realization struck that he was mistaken.

Turning his head, he spotted the man pinned against a tree by a spear.

[Graah!]

His face was twisted with pain, breathing heavily in fear.

*Thud, thud—*

Heavy footsteps echoed from beyond the mist.

*Thud, thud—*

“Oh, these treasure goblins came right to me.”

[What?!]

“Such a delightful surprise.”

[You…]

The woman, now missing an arm, spoke in a venomous tone.

Meanwhile, Yongyong felt as if he’d gained an army of his own.

*Bzzt—*

Why did it take so long?

Calstein, covered in silvery liquid, emerged from the mist.

“Isn’t that right?”

The woman, now visibly tense, faced him.

Oh! I’m with Big Brother! We’re hunting together! Eating together! We’re like family!

Yongyong’s pride soared.