Lord of Solva: Players as My Pawns

The night air was thick with the scent of grilled meat and the distant hum of neon signs. Uncle Bai's stall was still alive with flickering fire, but the world around it felt like it had just frozen in time.

Shaoran leaned back against the broken-down counter, arms crossed, watching Jerry with an amused smirk.

"So, you finally showed up. Didn't think you'd bring a damn battalion with you," Shaoran said, shaking his head. "Should've told you to keep it low-key."

Jerry scoffed, lighting a cigarette and exhaling slowly. "Man, you know 403 isn't under my jurisdiction. The Triads own this place. If I just waltzed in alone, they'd smell blood in the water. Minimum backup was non-negotiable." He flicked ash onto the pavement and gave Shaoran a look. "Anyway, what's up? You didn't drag me out here to reminisce or eat Bai's damn burgers."

Shaoran sighed. "Let's walk."

Jerry gave a quick hand signal. His men, already on edge, melted into the surroundings, blending into the shadows like trained ghosts. They weren't here to eat. They were here to make sure Jerry walked out alive.

As they moved through the dimly lit alleyways, Shaoran spoke. "I Now Have a personal world. there got monsters, there got mines. ....."

Jerry gave him a long, blank stare. Then, slowly, he took out his phone and used the built-in scanner to search for psychiatrists nearby.

Shaoran smacked the phone out of his hand. "I'm serious, Man."

Jerry clicked his tongue. "The hell does that even mean?"

Shaoran kept walking, ignoring the question. "Its like this One day I woke up in another wor—"

[SYSTEM NOTICE]

[The Ena Mine is under attack.]

[Detected ally of host nearby.]

[Emergency Mission: Kill all the monsters attacking the mine.]

[500/500 enemies detected.]

[Mission Reward: Silver Mine Coordinates.]

[Teleporting in 5… 4…]

Shaoran froze. His body tensed as the system's cold, mechanical voice echoed in his mind. He turned to Jerry, his expression suddenly grim.

"…Bro. F***."

Jerry raised a brow. "What now?"

Shaoran exhaled sharply. "I just dragged you into some serious shit without warning. Whatever happens next, don't freak out."

Jerry gave him an incredulous look. "Freak out about wha—"

A blinding flash erupted.

Uncle Bai. Shaoran. Jerry. All 130 of Jerry's men. Gone in an instant.

The street fell silent.

The only thing left was a single, empty stall, its stove still burning.

A gust of wind rolled through, knocking the stall's cover closed.

Everyone stood in stunned silence, still processing the sheer absurdity of their new reality. Jerry's men were on edge, grips tightening around their weapons, exchanging confused glances. The surreal shift from city life to this foreign mine had left them all in a state of complete disbelief. Uncle Bai, still clearly disoriented, looked around, his gaze slowly sharpening into something more serious as he adjusted to the situation.

Jerry, always the pragmatist, didn't waste any time. He pulled out his gun and checked it instinctively. The deep rumble of his breathing steady as his eyes scanned their surroundings.

They were inside the mine.

The dark tunnel stretched out before them, eerie and foreboding.

Just as the tension mounted, two figures emerged from the darkness. Two goblins.

Jerry tensed, almost ready to open fire. The goblins' appearance wasn't exactly friendly, and instinct told him to shoot first and ask questions later.

But Shaoran, standing beside him, raised a hand to stop him.

"Hold up," Shaoran muttered, his eyes narrowing. He turned toward the two goblins, now approaching with slow, careful steps.

It was Tika and Gorx, both carrying pickaxes, their movements more diligent than threatening. As soon as they came within a few feet of Shaoran, they stopped and saluted him, their tiny hands raised in a gesture of respect.

"Master," Tika said, her voice small and respectful.

"The monsters are attacking the mine," Gorx added, his tone serious but calm, as if this were just another task to complete.

Shaoran's gaze shifted to Tika, noticing her slightly bulging tummy. He couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the sight. He quickly accessed her status window on the system.

Tika - Goblin - Level Two

[Pregnant] [Delivery in 20 hours]

Shaoran snorted quietly. "Well, looks like they get stronger, and somehow pregnant, even while mining." He shot an exasperated look at Gorx. "Damn, that was fast…"

Jerry, Bai, and the others gathered around, curiosity evident in their eyes as they watched the goblins with a mix of fascination and confusion.

Shaoran raised his hand. "Everyone, sit down. I need to explain something."

As they gathered, Shaoran spoke seriously, his voice carrying authority. "Welcome to Solva. Sorry Couldn't prepare a greeting gift. The air your breath is not of earth, not of our universe. its the air of Solva. A world which very recently I come across. My identity same as you a normal human. How I acquire this. dont ask I cant explain. But sadly somehow you are involved in this. This is the recent mine I found in this world. meet gorx and tika my two henchman. they are goblins. yes sound like fantasy but they are real. now next fight is real. in next few minutes we will be under attack. after we win I give you guys handsome reward."

There was a moment of stunned silence, then a murmur spread across the group. Uncle Bai stepped forward, "Hmm... seems like this isn't Earth at all." He turned to Jerry and gave him a long look. "What do you think?"

Jerry, never one to hesitate, met his gaze and shrugged. "Dunno. Doesn't feel like it. Guess we'll figure it out soon enough." He nodded toward the weapons his men had prepared. "Give him the 2 rifles."

Jerry's men quickly passed two high-powered rifles to Uncle Bai, who examined them with a sharp eye.

"From the story, you've gained power recently, Shaoran, So you know a way back to Earth" Bai said, eyes hardening as he looked at Jerry and then back at Shaoran. "Let me see what's so strong about these monsters. Five hundred? Let me handle it first."

Shaoran looked at Bai, a slight nod of approval. "Thank you"

Jerry, not one to stay passive for long, didn't sit idly by. He had spent his life in dangerous situations, facing death at every corner. And this was no different.

Within minutes, they had organized themselves. Bai took the lead, moving confidently with jerry's men, weapons in hand. Shaoran followed closely behind, giving quick instructions to his goblins, who were already preparing for the coming battle.

They reached the mountain opening, the fresh night air brushing against their faces. As they stepped out of the mine, the scene that greeted them made their blood run cold.

Hundreds of monsters were closing in on the mine.

They were monkey-like creatures, their bodies pitch black, with glowing red eyes that seemed to pierce through the darkness. The sound of their scrabbling feet echoed across the land, the ground vibrating with each step they took.

Shaoran quickly turned to his group, his voice sharp and commanding. "Form up!"

The fighters quickly fell into formation, weapons ready. Jerry's men were tightening ranks, their eyes scanning the battlefield. Uncle Bai's eyes gleamed with determination as he adjusted his grip on his rifle.

The monsters kept coming, the sea of black bodies growing nearer, their red eyes glowing like an ominous warning. The first line of defense was set, but the true battle was just beginning.