Loser System and Berserker Me

【Things seem to be taking a turn for the worse.】

System 12345 thought that if it could sweat, it would be lying in the middle of an ocean by now. It discovered, much to its shock, that Weryomahners was approaching the Holywolf Warrior.

【My host, the Holywolf Warrior, like the archmages and the high shaman, is a ridiculously powerful fellow. To make things worse, she is a warrior.】

Warriors tended to be lacking in destructive prowess compared to mages, but their ability to hunt down individual targets was far superior.

System 12345 realized that the escape path it had planned for Shu Yichao might not work.

No matter how fast you run, can you outrun a legendary warrior?

The thought of Weryomahners enlisting the help of the Holywolf Warrior sent shivers down System 12345’s spine. However, it thought that there might be a way to resolve the situation.

【Fine.】

【Since escape is no longer possible, my host, let’s confront the problem face-on. We shall conquer the Holywolf Warrior or at least leave her with a favorable impression so that she would shrug off Weryomahners’ claims. That should free us from danger for the time being.】

System 12345 issued a mission, highlighting the Holywolf Warrior’s location for Shu Yichao.

…

In Chach’s capital…

“The Holywolf Warrior is here!”

The faces of Chach’s king and officials warped after hearing the declaration.

It was one thing if the Holywolf Warrior had arrived alone—they would have to pay a hefty tribute to her, but at least it was a problem that could be resolved with money.

But the Holywolf Warrior was accompanied by over a thousand Icewolf Cavalrymen and even more mounted tribal nomads. That didn’t bode well for Chach.

“Close the city gates!”

“No, we won’t make it in time!”

The people of Chach sighed in misery as they watched wolf-eared warriors riding on massive ice wolves charging into the city and plundering everything. They barged into the markets and civilian houses, taking whatever caught their fancy and torching whatever displeased them.

These wolf-eared warriors even permitted their ice wolves to pounce at the terrified civilians and rip them into pieces. Even the minor nobles were not spared.

Some of the noblewomen strolling on the streets, who failed to escape in time, were caught and raped by the wolf-eared warriors right in front of their fathers and husbands…

The peaceful capital devolved into a paradise for arson, murder, and plunder.

“Close the palace doors!”

The Chach king, who wasn’t sure why the Holywolf Warrior had come, ordered for the palace doors to be closed before rallying his royal guards together to protect him.

The leader of the Icewolf Tribe, a young woman with wolf ears, dressed in shiny armor with a string of skulls hanging on her waist, chuckled as she watched the chaos.

“Hahaha! The world is ours! Docile lambs like you should obediently become our meal!”

“Why is she doing this?!” Chach’s king cried in despair. He urged his subordinates to recall if they had done anything to offend the Holywolf Warrior. “We haven’t done anything to offend her. We have paid our tribute and taxes promptly as demanded. Why is she still coming after us?”

If the high shaman was a lofty deity in Transoxania, the Holywolf Warrior would be the demon who frequently stirred war and unrest. She often roamed Transoxania’s vast ranches with her powerful Icewolf Tribe, unleashing death whenever she felt that she wasn’t accorded the respect she deserved.

Countless tribes had fallen victim to her.

“We don’t know either!” Chach’s officials cried.

They also didn’t know what had brought this abrupt misfortune upon them.

“Your Majesty, no matter what the reason is, let’s first hold a banquet to host the Holywolf Warrior,” a sharp-witted aide spoke up, “We mustn’t pique her displeasure.”

“Yes, you’re right!” Chach’s king quickly ordered his subordinates to prepare a grand banquet to host the Holywolf Warrior.

…

“Khan, Chach’s head sheep has sent someone over to beg for mercy,” an Icewolf Cavalryman reported to a wolf-eared woman amidst hearty laughs.

The term, Holywolf Warrior, had not been traditionally used to refer to the leader of the Icewolf Tribe. Rather, this was a nickname born out of fear of the wolf-eared woman’s martial prowess. Within the tribe, they still addressed her as ‘Khan’.

“Hmph!” The Holywolf Warrior sneered. “Let’s head over. My fearless warriors, let’s enjoy the banquet those powerless sheep have prepared.”

“Hahaha!”

The Icewolf Warriors pocketed bloodstained gold and jewelry before marching toward the Chach royal palace to enjoy the banquet prepared for them.

Of course, ordinary soldiers wouldn’t be allowed into the banquet.

In Chach’s royal palace, the Holywolf Warrior and the tribal commanders occupied the main seats, whereas Chach’s king could only take a small stool placed at the far end of the banquet.

Chach’s king was accustomed to lowering himself and fawning over stronger powers, so the banquet’s atmosphere remained pleasant. Amidst drinks, Chach’s king tried to probe the reason behind the Holywolf Warrior’s sudden visit.

The Holywolf Warrior didn’t bother concealing her intention.

“I received a letter from the Tibetan Empire,” the slightly intoxicated Holywolf Warrior said. “A terrifying calamity is sweeping across the world. Vengeful spirits are venting their resentment on the world, trying to drag the living down to hell with them. The Western Regions, Great and Little Patola, Suyab…”

The Holywolf Warrior started counting on her fingers.

“The Tang bandits have destroyed many countries now. I won’t sit still and watch as this calamity destroys the world either, so I brought my warriors here to protect the people.”

The Holywolf Warrior chuckled, and the string of skulls dangling on her waist clanged.

“I believe you have heard about the White Calamity and the Black Calamity. Your Majesty, I’m guessing that you don’t want your country to turn into a place of dwelling for vengeful spirits? Rest assured. As long as my brave Icewolf Warriors breathe, your safety will be guaranteed!”

What else could Chach’s king say?

He could only bring out the finest wine and toast to the Khan’s magnanimity, despite knowing that it was all bullshit.

The Black and White Calamities were sweeping toward the west of Suyab. If the Holywolf Warrior wanted to deal with the Tangs’ vengeful spirits, she should have made her way to Talas. Yet, she bypassed Talas and headed straight for Chach’s capital.

She was obviously here to extort money from them!

She knew that the high shaman was bound to make a move after the Tangs caused such a huge ruckus, so there was no need for her to do anything.

Chach’s king understood that, but it wouldn’t have made a difference to the situation even if he had voiced that aloud. Thus, he could only grit his teeth and swallow his indignation as he tried his best to host the Holywolf Warrior and her Icewolf Tribe.

I can at least keep my head if I keep these people happy.

The Holywolf Warrior and the Icewolf Cavalrymen did enjoy the banquet, though their smiles quickly faded when they returned to their camp.

A shocking piece of news had come from the north—the high shaman was dead!

“What nonsense are you spouting?!” The Holywolf Warrior crushed her cup like a pancake.

“Khan!” Her scout raised her hand and made a vow. “If there are any falsehoods, you can drag me out and feed me to the wolves. I won’t utter a word of complaint. The high shaman is dead! Everyone in Talas saw the Tang necromancer beheading the high shaman and turning him into a zombie. The Tangs are heading our way now, and it won’t be long before they reach us!”

“Do you have proof? Did you capture anyone?” the Holywolf Warrior asked.

She couldn’t trust such a ridiculous story on a single scout’s words. How could Transoxania’s god die upon contact with the Tang army? This didn’t make sense!

If the scout had captured a Tang prisoner, she could at least interrogate them and get to the bottom of the matter.

“…” The scout nearly bit his tongue off.

Khan, what are you thinking? How am I to capture anyone?

“I couldn’t have captured anyone,” the scout replied in indignation. “The Tang army is made up of specters, which are incorporeal like a fog. Their living soldiers, if any, must be at the back of their formation. There was no chance for me to capture anyone.”

“Have you told anyone else?” the Holywolf Warrior paced around the room as she asked.

“I didn’t.” The scout vehemently shook his head.

“That’s good.” The Holywolf Warrior nodded. “Lock him up! I’ll decide how to deal with him after investigating the situation myself!”

She looked at the map and instructed, “We’ll set up an ambush here. If the Tangs are going to attack us, they will have to pass by this area. We’ll know the authenticity of his words by then.”

…

When the Holywolf Warrior departed with her army, Chach’s king wondered if he was dreaming.

Those greedy bastards are leaving after plundering for a day? This has never happened before! Are they really going to attack the Tang bandits?

He soon realized he was thinking too much.

Even though the Holywolf Warrior was leaving, the ‘respect’ she demanded still had to be paid in full.

If she didn’t receive ample tribute when she returned with her army, they would be taking the tribute themselves… though the head of the Chach’s king might be hanging on the Holywolf Warrior’s waist by then.

Sighing in frustration in his heart, Chach’s king offered the Holywolf Warrior fine wine to wish her the best of luck for her expedition. “This humble king will be praying for the Khan’s triumph!”

“Hahaha!” The Holywolf Warrior burst into laughter. “Don’t worry, I’ll return victorious.”