I Became the Teacher of a Troll Tribe

Chapter 20: The Green Root Intelligence Unit (2)

In the territory of a high-ranking tribal leader under the Central Tribal Council of Zul Dron.

“...Are you certain?”

“I am. The head of the magic research lab, the elder shaman, and even an imperial intelligence agent all confirmed it—Kim Nam-cheol, the traitor, is alive.”

“Krrrk!”

The high-ranking tribal leader exuded an intense killing intent, as if even hearing the name was sacrilege.

“Summon the Black Trolls and the Bloodrock Shock Troopers. Immediately.”

“...Shouldn’t we await orders from the High Chief?”

“I’ll bring back his head and report it myself.”

The leader’s eyes were clouded with fury.

Kim Nam-cheol.

The first and last slave-turned-war leader.

The worst traitor in history.

The instigator of the Species War.

A multifaceted ability user from Earth.

Among the many titles used to describe Kim Nam-cheol, for this leader, he was simply his father’s murderer.

The man he believed dead had returned.

The killing intent filling the room was suffocating his adjutant.

“G-Gah…! Stop, please stop!”

At that moment, someone entered the room.

“High Leader Nazbal, this is Morgan Shearer, Watcher Captain of the Green Root Intelligence Unit. I bring new information regarding the Primal Artifact that Kim Nam-cheol has acquired.”

“Krrrk!”

The suffocating aura eased momentarily at Morgan’s appearance.

“Speak.”

“…It’s not good news. As initially reported, the traitor appeared with a Primal Artifact. However, that artifact is strongly believed to be…”

“Believed to be what?”

“[The Star’s Spike].”

[The Star’s Spike].

Also known as the Sixth Primal Artifact.

The five Primal Artifacts of the Setagaya continent were legendary treasures, but the Star’s Spike was above them all.

It was a mythical weapon, recorded only once in history.

“H-How could that end up in his hands?! Human, explain yourself clearly!”

The adjutant’s voice rose in disbelief.

No one could easily accept this news.

A weapon of myth, long thought to be mere legend, had resurfaced.

And worse, it was now in the hands of a notorious criminal.

“...”

Morgan remained silent, unable to offer further explanation.

The room fell into a heavy silence.

Finally, it was High Leader Nazbal of the Ironrock Tribe who broke it.

“If he truly possesses [The Star’s Spike], how much time do we have?”

“In the worst case, he’ll be fully prepared within a year.”

“...Does the High Chief know of this?”

“Of course.”

Nazbal lowered his head in thought.

This was no longer a simple tribal conflict.

What was coming could shake the very foundations of the entire continent.

After organizing his thoughts, Nazbal fixed his gaze on Morgan.

“Ensure, with your life, that information about [The Star’s Spike] is tightly controlled.”

“...”

“And quietly begin assembling warriors.”

Once again, the room was suffused with a chilling killing intent.

“Before he makes his move, we will retrieve all the Primal Artifacts.”

A new war had begun.

* * *

“Primal Artifacts?”

My face twisted in annoyance.

Not only had Kim Nam-cheol returned after years of being presumed dead, but he had also brought a Primal Artifact with him?

What was he, some kind of admin in this world?

“Yes. The magic research lab suspects it to be the [Lava Blade]. Apparently, he’d been after it even during his time with the trolls.”

“That thing’s ridiculously overpowered.”

To be honest, I didn’t know much about it.

Maybe it was mentioned somewhere in the game?

“…Teacher, you don’t know what it is, do you?”

Evelyn saw through me immediately, as usual.

“Fine, let me explain it simply. Soon enough, the entire Zul Dron will be buzzing about this anyway.”

“Hmm. That’s probably true. Think of this as a review session, then.”

“...Sure, sure. First, you already know about the [The Hammer of Genesis] held by the dwarves. Aside from that, four other Primal Artifacts are confirmed to exist on this continent. There’s a rumored sixth one, but it’s probably not real—”

If Evelyn had a title, it would be “Story Lore Addict.”

Once she got into her element, her explanation went on for ages.

Here’s what I managed to gather:

The Setagaya continent has five confirmed Primal Artifacts, each unbelievably powerful. Of these, only three have known locations:

The [Hammer of Genesis] held by the dwarves.

The [Greatsword of The Earth], possessed by the beastkin.

The [Primordial Staff], stored somewhere in Zul Dron.

The other two—the [Lava Blade] and the [Orb of the Grand Spirit]—had been missing for ages.

And now, Kim Nam-cheol had surfaced in the Empire, wielding one of them.

The elites of every race already knew about this and were closely watching his movements.

If the rumors were true, the entire continent might soon be swept up in a bloody storm.

‘Yeah, this is pretty bad.’

The situation was already dire enough for the trolls to seek the dwarves’ help, despite their historical enmity.

Now, Kim Nam-cheol had appeared in the Empire, carrying what was essentially the continent’s most powerful treasure.

If he joined the war, the balance would shift drastically—and quickly.

“See? That’s why… you need to get out of here as soon as possible.”

Evelyn’s expression softened, her eyes welling with unshed tears.

“Teacher, please don’t hide things from me anymore. We promised we’d get out of here together. Who else can I trust in this place but you…?”

“...”

Evelyn had always looked out for me, even during her time as a slave.

There were a few things I hadn’t told her because I wanted to be cautious, but seeing her like this made me understand her frustration.

“I’m sorry about Kim Nam-cheol. I wanted to dig a little deeper before bringing it up. I thought he’d either died or returned to our world.”

“Then shouldn’t you have told me even more?”

“...”

“It’s fine. Just tell me now. If you’re hiding anything else, let’s figure it out together.”

Anything else I’m hiding…

[Hidden Trait ‘Master of Black Flames’ is activating.]

Fwoosh!

“Eek—!”

Black flames ignited at my fingertips.

***

In an outer region of the Setagaya continent known as the Crimson Forest.

While far from the border regions often referred to as battlefields, this area regularly saw fierce skirmishes between humans and trolls.

Today, with Earthlings crossing over into this world, the tension was especially high.

‘One more hour, huh?’

This time, the trolls had successfully taken control of the Crimson Forest ahead of the transfer.

A line of prepared carriages waited outside the cave, with tamed raptors breathing heavily as if accustomed to this routine.

“Feeling nostalgic, Seong Jinyu?”

“...Not really.”

It was Lactomar.

As we exchanged meaningless chatter, the unit members moved into the cave, erecting iron-barred cells using magical devices. Soon, a crude but functional prison stood ready.

Everything mirrored my first day here.

Now, all that remained was to wait for the new arrivals.

‘So this is how it works.’

The first mission detailed in the letter delivered to me was straightforward:

Escort the Earthlings brought into this world by the magic circle in the Crimson Forest.

It was a task uniquely suited to me, someone fluent in both languages.

But this time, the orders had changed slightly.

Ssssshh—

At the appointed time, a glowing magic circle materialized on the ground, summoning unfamiliar humans into this world.

The sight differed greatly from the typical Dimensional rift I was familiar with.

Not that I was expecting it, but… if a portal leading back to Earth had opened, I would’ve jumped through without hesitation.

‘...No way it’d be that easy.’

I looked at the emerging Earthlings.

Some stood rigidly, while others collapsed to the ground in disarray.

Clank!

The soldiers moved swiftly, locking shackles onto their wrists.

“They’ll regain their senses in about five minutes,” Lactomar said as he observed the forming human shapes, hammer in hand.

Eleven glowing outlines slowly solidified into human figures.

“Regardless of whether they possess abilities, we’re taking them all, right?”

I confirmed the revised order.

“Krrrk! They say we’re short on slaves. It’s unusual, but it is what it is.”

The rumor of Kim Nam-cheol’s return had sent shockwaves through the tribes.

The Central Tribal Council, anticipating an impending catastrophe, had decreed that every available resource, no matter how small, be secured.

For me, this was a relief.

Killing complete strangers, even after all this time in this world, was something I couldn’t bring myself to do.

“Ugh… Wh-Where am I?”

“Status window! Inventory! Krrhgh…”

The new arrivals began regaining consciousness.

Bang!

Lactomar slammed his hammer against the iron bars, drawing their attention.

I stepped into the cell. A familiar weight settled on me, signaling that my abilities were being suppressed.

It was the same sensation I’d felt in the patrol unit’s detention center.

“Don’t panic. Say the word ‘abilities.’ If anything appears, tell us immediately.”

“Ab-Abilities! Uh… nothing’s showing up.”

The first Earthling was a dud.

In the past, someone like this would’ve been taken away immediately, but now…

Clank!

The shackles were secured humanely, and the person was loaded onto a carriage.

This process repeated as we tested each individual.

“Abilities! Oh, something’s here! [Fast Sleep]?”

This one had an ability to improve sleep quality.

He’d probably be able to fall asleep instantly and wake up feeling refreshed.

As someone who hadn’t been sleeping well lately, I was slightly jealous, but…

Clank!

Not exactly a game-changer.

One after another, the new arrivals were tested.

“[Discrimination]...?”

“Nothing’s showing for me.”

Clank!

Soon, only the eleventh and final Earthling remained in the cell.

She was an Asian woman, trembling uncontrollably.

It was clear that she was struggling to process the situation, and I sympathized deeply.

But in this world, none of us were here willingly.

“Say ‘abilities.’”

By now, my expectations were pretty low.

After ten duds in a row, I started wondering if this was normal.

Maybe my own cohort had been unusually lucky.

‘...Wait, what?’

As the last transfer’s face became clearer, I froze.

She looked familiar.

Where had I seen her before?

“Ab-Abilities.”

Her voice triggered a flood of memories.

Even though the language was different, the voice was unmistakable.

Clear and melodious, like jewels rolling on a silver platter.

If you’d ever played Arcane Chronicle, you’d know that voice.

“[Massacre], [Lightning Arrow], [Horus' Eye]… oh, wait, there’s more.”

What the hell?

She’s a multifaceted ability user?!

“Wait! Stop right there!”

Her nickname was Yukihiro.

Her real name? Yukihiro Maaya.

She was the most famous streamer in Arcane Chronicle and the top-ranked archer in the game.

Young, charismatic, with an ethereal voice and a simple yet elegant appearance, she had become a staple at gaming conventions and events.

“Yukihiro, right?”

“Uh… how do you know my name?”

“Hide everything except [Horus' Eye]. Never, under any circumstances, reveal your other abilities to anyone.”

Even though the policy regarding Earthlings had changed, multifaceted ability users were still execution targets.

“And one more thing. Never, ever…”

“...?”

“Play another game again.”

Because I was one of her long-time subscribers.