Industrial Cthulhu: Starting as an Island Lord

“Gwen, don’t be reckless! Everyone’s lives are in your hands—think carefully with your head!”

Taking a deep breath, Gwen slowly closed her eyes and began to analyze the situation.

Isaac had run into trouble in Grizzly Town, and that could only mean one thing—it was a confrontation with an Extraordinary. After all, Extraordinary individuals rarely targeted organized armies; they were difficult opponents, but not army-breakers.

That was something Isaac himself had taught her—almost no system of Extraordinary beings could go head-to-head with a regular army.

That “almost,” however, had only one exception: the immortal Buriers. Their advantage didn’t lie in overwhelming power, but rather in sheer endurance.

Right now, Gwen commanded more than a hundred Resistance fighters. If they charged into the town and caught the enemy off guard, there was a good chance of victory.

There were roughly two hundred Winter Wolves stationed in Grizzly Town. But pistol cavalry were at a severe disadvantage in street fighting. Many Resistance members were originally townsfolk who knew the terrain better and could more easily win the townspeople’s support.

And more importantly—it would be a surprise attack. The ready striking the unprepared.

The advantage was hers!

Opportunities came and went in a blink. Once the Winter Wolves realized something was wrong and rallied to defend the town, the Resistance would be finished.

Then they would be forced to face the Winter Wolves on the open plains—at a total disadvantage.

Having reached her decision, Gwen didn’t hesitate any longer. She swung herself onto her horse in a few quick steps, drew her sword from her waist, and shouted, “Soldiers!”

The Resistance fighters, already assembled, had guessed what was coming. Their eyes gleamed with excitement.

“Those wolf pups drink our blood! Eat our flesh! Are we supposed to endure like lambs?”

A roar erupted from the soldiers. They had been crushed under the Winter Wolves for far too long. These butchers had driven them from their homes and land, forcing them into the Resistance—their hatred ran as deep as the sea.

“Kill them all!”

“We’ll feast on their blood and flesh too!”

“Bite them! Even if we die, bite them once!!”

“Kill!”

“Kill!!”

Gwen leveled her raised sword, pointing it straight toward Grizzly Town’s gate. Her voice was as firm as stone.

“As you wish.”

Then she yanked the reins. Her horse neighed fiercely and charged toward the town.

“Follow me! Into the town! Kill those wolf pups!”

Originally, the Resistance had no horses. But during their last battle—when they had disguised themselves as the White Calamity—they had utterly defeated the Winter Wolf cavalry and seized many warhorses.

At Isaac’s persuasion, the horses had been brought back to camp. The Resistance wasn’t short on food anymore, so keeping horses was no issue.

But having horses and having cavalry were two entirely different things. Though the Winter Wolves Guard had been defeated multiple times, they were real cavalry—professionally trained, disciplined riders.

The White Raven Principality didn’t produce horses, nor did it have cavalry. Even the heavily armored priests of the Sanctum charged into battle on foot.

Only after capturing the horses did the Resistance realize how difficult mounted combat really was. Just getting on a horse and making it follow commands required a huge amount of training.

After so many days, most fighters could barely ride. Gwen’s own talent was decent—she could at least stay on the saddle without falling.

So when she reached the town gate, she simply jumped off the horse. Riding had its perks—higher visibility, better mobility—but once an enemy targeted her, she’d die instantly. She hadn’t yet learned how to swing a weapon while riding.

As soon as she arrived at the gate, Gwen spotted a red-haired girl gripping Isaac by the throat, looking somewhat puzzled.

——Isaac, ever cautious, had opened his Extraordinary Vision as soon as he approached the gate. But he hadn’t expected to run straight into a monster.

That same cautiousness, however, allowed Gwen to spot the girl right away.

“Let him go!” Gwen roared, waving her sword in challenge as if ready to duel—but she didn’t move her feet.

She wasn’t stupid. That woman was clearly an Extraordinary. Charging forward as a mere mortal was suicide.

Besides, the gate was only a few steps away. The Resistance would be there any moment, and once their muskets fired, they could easily drive the woman back.

Still, Gwen couldn’t help feeling frustrated. She shouldn’t have charged ahead just to boost morale. Who could’ve known she’d run into an Extraordinary fighting Isaac right at the gate?

Speaking of which… Isaac’s fate was still uncertain. Hopefully, he’d survive.

The girl’s attention shifted to Gwen. She tossed Isaac aside and looked at her.

“Well now, interesting. You’re the leader of the Resistance, aren’t you?”

Gwen was about to stall for time with a few taunting words, but the girl suddenly dashed forward.

Gwen had been expecting that. She instantly raised her sword to block and reached for the pistol at her waist.

But the girl’s speed was unimaginable. Before Gwen could even react, those crimson eyes were right in front of her. Without even glancing at Gwen’s sword, the girl reached straight for her!

Bang!!!

Gwen’s blade only left a shallow scratch on the girl’s body before Gwen herself was sent flying.

“Ugh—so strong… So this is an Extraordinary…”

She rolled several times across the ground, her head spinning as if her brain had been shaken loose. Forcing herself upright, she felt her palms torn, blood dripping down the hilt of her sword.

As expected—mortals couldn’t possibly fight an Extraordinary head-on. She had used all her strength, yet couldn’t even block a single strike.

Her face twisted with pain, but she still forced out a grin. “But I still shot you!”

The girl looked puzzled, glancing down at her bleeding hand—then lower. A bloody hole had appeared in her abdomen.

In that instant when Gwen had been struck flying, she had drawn her pistol and fired into the girl’s stomach.

“Even Extraordinarys fear gunfire! That’s what Mr. Isaac taught me!”

The girl’s expression changed dramatically—almost as if she’d seen a ghost. She gave Gwen one long look, clutched her wound, and turned to flee without hesitation.

Gwen blinked in surprise, not expecting the woman to run so quickly. Then realization dawned—the main Resistance force had already stormed in.

“Gwen, are you all right?”

“Who was that woman just now?”

“We heard a gunshot!”

Gwen knew every second counted. She didn’t even have time to check on Isaac’s condition. Pointing to two nearby men, she raised her sword and ordered the rest forward.

“No time to explain. You—and you—take care of Lord Isaac. Everyone else, with me!”

After a moment’s thought, she warned them again:

“Be careful. There should still be other Extraordinarys in town. But don’t be afraid—just shoot. I already drove one off; that one wasn’t too strong.”

“Yes, Lady Gwen!”