Strategy game? Then I'll have to control you properly.

The villagers standing by seemed bewildered: "What's going on? What should we do...?"

"Shut up! Let's keep up first!" Allen pressed down on his panicked companion and rushed out first.

Lin Miao, who was expected to launch a surprise attack with his sword, instead sheathed his sword and walked towards the enemy group with his bare hands.

"No way!"

Allen immediately understood Lin Miao's intention.

Taking advantage of the moment when the enemy spotted them and rushed over, Lin Miao repeatedly jumped around, frantically smashing the stone bricks in her hand into the ground.

With a series of muffled thuds, the stone bricks embedded in the ground quickly formed a low wall.

Even though he was hit by arrows shot by the ratmen, Lin Miao did not stop and quickly built a simple bunker with stone bricks.

"Release the arrows!"

The residents, still in shock, instinctively raised their longbows and unleashed a hail of arrows at the charging enemy through the low wall.

Those terrifying giant rats, armed with crude weapons and possessing enormous, powerful teeth, could crush human bones with their bite force alone.

But even these monsters were stunned for a moment when faced with the suddenly appearing stone wall. The next moment, the ratman was pierced through the body by an arrow.

The rat people also fired arrows in return, but unlike the rats, the makeshift walls made of stones blocked most of the arrows for the residents.

"I never imagined that ability could be used like this..."

Among the residents who took up their bows to resist the attacking enemy was Maureen, a girl of refugee origin whose awakened trait was [Porter].

When she touches small, falling objects, those objects materialize into real-world items, but Maureen can grab and move them as if they were ordinary objects, and even gamify real-world objects in turn.

Bringing stone bricks or wooden blocks outside the game to build watchtowers or walls has long been one of Maureen's main tasks.

The problem is that when using abilities to manipulate game items, the stamina consumption is no different from that in real life.

When she places a palm-sized stone brick, she instantly runs out of energy, just like when she's actually moving a heavy boulder.

So placing blocks at such a high speed as we are now would have been impossible, but just the fact that this possibility was confirmed was enough to shock Maureen.

While this is a common tactic in games, it's rare to see someone in real life arbitrarily altering the terrain of a battlefield.

"The enemy has been routed! All troops, charge!"

Soon, the residents, relying on the safe cover of the walls, used arrows to suppress the enemy in front of them.

After Lin Miao shattered the surrounding walls, everyone rushed out and charged towards the empty enemy nest, ready to deal with the panicked giant ratman BOSS.

"That guy is the leader."

"Kill him!"

Fully armed soldiers stormed into the lair.

The few remaining ratmen, along with their leader, the giant ratman, have transformed from programmed monsters into creatures struggling for survival, fighting desperately against them.

But this was actually disadvantageous to the ratmen. When the roaring giant ratman swung his spiked club at Lin Miao, who was charging ahead, it only injured Lin Miao and forced him back a few steps.

On the contrary, the giant ratman was riddled with arrows fired by the residents, letting out a shrill scream.

Pain—this is one of the greatest weaknesses that come with life.

"Stab it!"

While Lin Miao, who was injured from drawing fire, was using an item to recover HP, Allen and several others rushed towards the giant ratman with spears, ready to deliver the final blow.

"Allen! Step on it and jump!"

Maureen laid a stone in front of Allen as he charged forward; it was a rock she had picked up while destroying cover.

Allen, who had already accelerated, had no time to think. He jumped with all his might toward the rock that was higher than his knees, using the force of the leap to throw his entire body into the air.

The spear tip, thrusting forward, was aimed directly at the vital point of the enemy, who was more than two meters tall.

"We succeeded."

Seeing the spear pierce the throat of an enemy who hadn't expected such an attack, Allen grinned and fell to the ground.

More than the aches and pains throughout my body, the pounding of my heart due to the achievement came first.

"Are you alright!?"

"We won. We wiped out all those guys."

The other companions also hurriedly gathered around Allen.

The enemy was completely annihilated; not only were there no casualties, but there were also no seriously wounded.

"The beads popped!"

Lin Miao, who witnessed this scene on the other side of the screen, also got what she wanted.

An item dropped by the giant ratman upon its death: a blue energy ball the size of a tennis ball.

"What... what's this for?"

"I mean, you should pick it up and take a look."

The villagers discussed the unidentified object that Lin Miao handed over, but soon Mo Lin stepped forward and took it in her hand.

"You seem to have sensed something, but that's all?"

Nothing happened, because Maureen had already awakened her hidden power.

"Do you want me to put it away carefully?"

But Maureen nodded and carefully put the item into her backpack.

Lin Miao skipped and hopped, seemingly very satisfied with the storage results, then turned and pointed in the direction of the stone house they had left.

"It's time to go back. The sun is about to set, and we need to get back before the monsters appear."

Upon hearing this, Allen immediately mounted his horse.

Although they defeated the monster, they did not plunder any spoils such as food or weapons.

But they were convinced that they had gained something from this battle; simply being able to act according to that person's wishes and complete the mission was enough to satisfy them.

Because they firmly believed that the more they showed goodwill to Lin Miao, the more he would reward them.

◆◆◆

"Since we've gained something, we should give it a try."

This was no illusion. Lin Miao's gaze had already turned to the distance, and she had begun to plan her next move.

If successful, it will create a cyclical system for artificially awakening and training villagers' potential.

"Think about it carefully, wouldn't it be better to just call that child over?"

Back in the stone house, Lin Miao stared at the image of Luo Xie on the table and scratched her head in frustration.

Originally, because Luo Xie was outside, Lin Miao planned to give the blue energy ball called Monster Essence to the villagers so that they could use it on her behalf. However, if the villagers' configuration was adjusted slightly, Luo Xie could be brought over directly.

"—?!"

Thinking of this, Lin Miao immediately walked towards Mo Lin, the villager who was packing her luggage while observing the situation, and tapped her body with the mouse after clicking on her.

She stared wide-eyed at Lin Miao in fright, rubbing the spot where Lin Miao's arm had touched her.

Although such fickle behavior is unfair to her, there's nothing we can do about it.

Lin Miao kept waving her arms and gently poking at the panicked and retreating woman until Mo Lin understood her intention, took out the monster essence from her bosom, and cornered her.

Maureen was flustered and tried to explain herself in a humble voice. She finally understood what Lin Miao meant and took out the monster essence from her backpack and handed it to Lin Miao.

After collecting the monster essence into his inventory, Lin Miao immediately began adjusting the villagers' configuration.

Move Maureen out and bring Rosie in.

Of the 16 characters currently configured in the game, Lin Miao removed one of them, Maureen, from the game and brought the girl, Rose, who was working in the outside world and knew nothing about it, here.

"—?!"

Rose, who was leisurely doing her own thing, was suddenly caught by the mouse pointer and struggled in mid-air with a look of astonishment on her face.

Although Lin Miao was reluctant to use this method every time she saw the residents' frightened expressions, it was indeed the best option to control this group of people who had difficulty communicating.

"——"

Like a doll dangling from a claw machine, Rose floated through the air. When she entered the running game world, the adults who had been panicked by Maureen's sudden disappearance rushed over to comfort and explain.

Lin Miao thought she would cry, but the little girl was only slightly frightened.

"——"

But she froze completely when she stared at Lin Miao's character, who was frozen in place on the desktop interface.

After all, even someone who has heard the explanation would react this way if they saw such a scene for the first time, let alone such a young girl.

If it were Lin Miao, she would probably be so frightened by the sudden appearance of a life-sized game character in front of her that she would fall to the ground.

"We must succeed!"

Lin Miao chuckled and picked up the monster essence, heading towards Luo Xie.

Although it's uncertain whether this method will work, we should at least try to succeed once.

After all, taking risks to try new methods could lead to unnecessary sacrifices.

"Did it work?"

With a sense of urgency, Lin Miao used Monster Essence on Luo Xie, who looked nervous. This was originally an item used in the game to enchant equipment through the crafting table.

Rose (the orphan girl)

【Trait: Short Sword Skill (1%)】

[Configuration: Minecraft]

Overall Fatigue Level: 18%

[Magic Value: 100%]

[Emotions: Surprise, Nervousness]

"It's a success."

The moment the monster's essence struck her body, it burst forth with light, triggering some kind of mechanism—an effect that shouldn't occur in ordinary games.

Lin Miao immediately intercepted her status to check the detailed data—just as he expected, the dormant potential within Luo Xie had awakened.

Talent doesn't simply blossom and bear fruit. It requires either years of cultivation, guidance from a renowned teacher, or a specific catalyst for awakening; in short, it demands certain conditions.

But at this moment, with the help of the monster essence given by Lin Miao, Luo Xie skipped all the conditions and instantly awakened her ability.

"Since it's a combat-related talent, did it really awaken using monster essence...? Did I do something unnecessary?"

The sense of accomplishment from having his prediction confirmed brought a smile to Lin Miao's face.

But when Lin Miao saw Luo Xie talking blankly to the adults who had gathered around, her smile suddenly froze.

"While it's a good thing that the only combat trait among the residents has awakened..."

But this means she has to fight enemies like Lillie and Roselle.

Sending this still somewhat naive girl to fight monsters made Lin Miao feel uneasy.

Is there really no other choice?

But when she saw her nervously walk up to Lin Miao's character and bow in greeting along with the others, Lin Miao calmed her wavering heart.

The world there is completely different from the place where Lin Miao lives.

It was a place teeming with ruthless slaughterers and plunderers who were like terrifying monsters.

Their lives were inextricably linked to Lin Miao's.

To survive, you must fight.

Lin Miao watched as she couldn't hide her joy and expressed her gratitude to him.

She must understand this principle deeply.

◆◆◆

Magic is a mysterious force that exists in nature.

The miracle of transforming ordinary humans into superhumans.

This is a power that only a select few can obtain.

Regardless of identity or background, the only difference lies in how they are used.

The emperors and heroes who have left their mark on history were all awakened beings who could control magic.

Within their established power, those who awaken to magic have always enjoyed preferential treatment.

Even as the methods of application, such as magic and swordsmanship, continue to develop,

But it is almost impossible for a person to awaken or cultivate magic itself.

Artificial awakening of magic,

Just as the literal meaning—

It's a miracle that only happens in dreams.

"I...I really have magic powers!"

But this miracle is happening right here, in a remote, impoverished area that can't even be found on a map.

Lin Miao temporarily kicked Luo Xie out of the game after she finished her business, but she had no time to care about that right now.

The strength emanating from the pale hands braced against the cold mud was far beyond what the muscles of that starving, frail girl could possess.

"Can you tell me what happened there? That lord wouldn't summon you there for no reason."

Attila and Lillie, who had been waiting for a long time, walked towards her, both with expressions of expectation on their faces.

"W-Is that really a deity?" Exhausted, Rose slumped to the ground, looking up at them, and recounted her ordeal.

Lillie placed her hand on Rosette with some skepticism to probe for magic, and the pure magic immediately resonated with Lillie's magic—Rosette had indeed awakened magic.

"That's right! You must have witnessed the miracles performed by that being who has many incarnations and wields countless powers."

Attila told Roselle the truth he had deduced based on what he had seen and heard.

Rose had no reason not to believe this hypothesis, because the evidence was right there in front of them.

"You were chosen by that adult. It may be cruel to say this to someone so young, but since you were chosen, you must fulfill this obligation."

"Though you may be afraid of this, you must become a warrior, Rosie."

Unbeknownst to them, Lin Miao had already seen through Rosie's hidden talents and awakened them ahead of time. Attila, as the chieftain of the tribe, simply wanted to train Rosie into a warrior.

Lillie, who also awakened her magic at a young age and became a warrior, smiled bitterly but did not deny this past.

"On the contrary... I'm quite happy."

Upon hearing these words, Rose's eyes trembled violently, and she bit her lip tightly.

Those eyes were filled with long-accumulated hatred and resentment.

While there is hatred for the enemies who killed parents and destroyed villages, that is not the fundamental issue.

"Weakness is a sin, but now I can become strong."

What she resented most was her own powerlessness.

If only I could have picked up a stick and fought back like my father did.

She wasn't the type to tremble and cry out of fear.

But as the weakest of the weak, she didn't even have the right to struggle in her death throes.

That's why, when Luo Xie was chosen by Lin Miao.

When Lin Miao awakened her potential, Luo Xie felt not fear, but genuine joy.

"I understand how you feel. As long as you can overcome the trials ahead, you will surely receive rewards beyond your imagination." Having had a similar experience, Lillie completely understood this feeling: "That lord must have taken a liking to this child's talent."

Seeing Rosie, who not only didn't back down but took the initiative to fight, Lillie breathed a sigh of relief, but couldn't help but wonder if Lin Miao had seen through even this.

After all, for a warrior, what is just as important as talent is willpower, which is the first principle that every warrior learns when he becomes an apprentice.

"W-What is this?!"

"Lady Lillie!"

Almost at the same moment, Attila, Lillie, and Roselle's bodies were pulled into the air.

"Haven't we been through this before? Don't worry, this is the will of that great one."

As Rosie flailed her limbs in panic, leaving even Attila speechless—

Lillie, who was being held up by the back of her neck like a doll in a claw machine, remained calm despite her disheveled appearance and comforted Rosie.

This is not only because it is a common occurrence, but also because of the deep trust built up from their repeated solo victories against formidable opponents.

"Tsk."

"Where am I?"

They were thus transported to a place completely different from the village. It was a foreign land to Attila and Roche, but Lillie had been there before.

"Father, please hold the weapon, and Rosie, you too, so that the new power within the weapon can flow into your body."

As a senior, Lillie pointed to the weapons containing power scattered among the lord's treasures and said.

Lin Miao, who had brought them here, stood to the side, silently watching them.

"Ahem, what should we do?"

Attila's gaze remained fixed on the precious metals, paintings, and statues scattered throughout the secret chamber, but he secretly reached out to grab the spear beside him.

"Wow?!"

But in an instant, Lin Miao rolled in like lightning and blocked Attila's path, stopping Attila's movements and startling him so much that he stumbled.

"Do I need to take this?"

Lin Miao handed the staff that could enable Attila to become a Druid, and then subtly hinted to the observant Rosie that she should choose the short sword by repeatedly circling in front of the dagger.

Having neither the reason nor the ability to disobey his will, Attila and Rosie each took up arms and successfully completed their class change.

"Not bad."

Lin Miao, observing from outside the screen, smiled faintly. After all, they were completely different people now compared to when they first arrived, and it hadn't taken them very long at all.

Dark Souls: An Intruder Has Entered Your World

"what?"

At that very moment, as the in-game notification sound rang out, the entire game background suddenly darkened.

This was an unexpected event that even Lin Miao had not anticipated!