…Gulp!
The members of the Hidden Dragon squad, watching from the cliff above, swallowed dryly.
Even though they were seeing it with their own eyes, they could hardly believe it.
“…Is he… actually taking down the orcs?”
On the collapsed ground below, Ian stood perfectly composed, observing the chaotic scene of orcs screaming and clashing, without a single flicker of disturbance in his posture.
From the moment he had dealt with the first patrolling orcs to the current unfolding of events…
Some might belittle it as a strategy anyone could devise, given enough time.
But to neutralize the orc guards and then swiftly handle the reinforcements…
To assess the surrounding terrain and instantly orchestrate the battlefield was no task for just anyone.
The captain had planned this entire strategy the instant he arrived at the Fire Mountain region.
And he was merely in his late teens.
“…What kind of lunatics would underestimate a human like that?”
If such feats could be achieved by this prodigy, then in the southern continent—or indeed in Agena—who could even be considered capable?
The awe that had repeatedly filled their minds now transformed into anticipation.
If this nearly impossible mission could be completed successfully and he returned to his family…
What expression would those who had dismissed them as fools wear?
While the squad above the cliff indulged in rose-colored fantasies, the battlefield below entered a new phase.
KRAAAANG!
A massive axe slammed into the ground, halting the orcs caught in confusion.
“Damn it, that human bastard…!!”
Urk, observing the scene, finally made his move.
“The chief… is moving!”
“Everyone, stay alert!”
At the chief’s movement, the panicked orcs quickly regained their senses and began to stabilize the situation.
Even in unprecedented emergencies, the presence of the chief at the forefront alone quelled the chaos.
From this, one could easily gauge Urk’s authority within the Red Fang tribe.
“Worthless creatures… do you think it makes sense to be so easily beaten by a brat whose downy hair hasn’t even grown? We almost got humiliated under the Golden River.”
Fwoooosh!
Urk lifted the axe embedded in the ground, swinging it with the flat side instead of the blade.
The wind generated by the motion scattered poisonous dust into the air.
Though it wasn’t enough to clear every particle, it was sufficient to allow the surviving orcs to breathe freely without succumbing to the poison.
Swoosh!
Urk glared at Ian with a furious expression.
But the anger in his eyes was not due to the death of his kin.
The reproductive capacity of orcs was staggering.
Even maintaining the current numbers, in just two years they could replenish their forces fully.
Yet Urk’s wrath stemmed from his pride being challenged in front of a “guest.”
“Impressive for a young human. To think you’d strike us in the Valley of Repose… That weapon… seems like a fine piece. You must hold some status among humans.”
Ssshh!
Urk’s gaze shifted to the Hidden Dragon squad on the cliff.
“Only six of them… clueless fledglings here for glory. Well, this works to our advantage. If we ransom their lives during negotiations with humans, even the Golden Eye will quietly overlook this. Perhaps this will even raise the importance of the Red Fang tribe.”
No matter what anyone said, the Fire Mountain region bordered human territories and was a key area of contention.
Achieving meaningful results against humans here would undoubtedly increase the strategic value of the Fire Mountain under Golden River’s influence.
Brrrruuumm!
Urk twirled his massive axe, its size like a thick tree branch whipping through the air.
‘…Indeed, he’s strong.’
It became clear why no other strike teams dispatched from Muga had succeeded in quelling the orc disturbances in the Fire Mountain region.
Not only had the elite Muga strike teams not ventured there, but the chief’s prowess itself was extraordinary.
Enough to overwhelm lower-tier teams incapable of properly handling aura.
Perhaps the Red Fang’s dominance near the Fire Mountain wasn’t solely due to Golden Eye’s backing.
Had the Hidden Dragon squad been nearby, even they would have felt tense at the sheer presence Urk exuded.
But not Ian.
For him, Urk, no more than a typical aura user, inspired no fear.
Ian had once ruled the Northern Continent, a quarter of Agena, as a conqueror of his era.
To be intimidated by a mere orc chief was beneath the depth of experience he had cultivated.
“Prepare yourself. You dare shame me, and you will pay dearly.”
Kuuuuu!
Urk tightened his grip on the axe and bent his legs.
Even if limbs were severed, it wouldn’t hinder negotiations.
KRAAAANG!
His massive legs flexed, propelling Urk’s enormous body rapidly toward Ian.
“Hmph.”
Ian snorted and reached for his waist.
Srrrriiing!
In his left hand, a short, thick black dao.
Kiiiiiing!
In his right, a long, slender white sword.
“Let me return the favor.”
“Hrrrgh!”
Veins writhed like living serpents on the green orc’s arm as he swung his axe toward Ian’s neck with deadly intent.
Zzzzzzing!
The impact of the axe clashing with the black and white blades sent concentric shockwaves through the air, pushing Ian backward.
“Hoh? Endured that strike…”
Urk’s eyes glimmered with the fascination of discovering a new toy.
“You’re unlike the worthless vermin I’ve killed before. This should be fun.”
Laughing, Urk charged again.
KRAAUNG!
The blood-laden axe gained momentum and slashed diagonally across Ian’s torso.
This time, Ian twisted his waist instead of blocking with the blade, narrowly evading the strike.
Even a single collision made it clear: facing this orc’s attack head-on with his current body would be suicidal.
A futile, pointless act.
In his previous body, he could have handled it with a mere finger.
‘Unfortunately, this body is not yet complete.’
Not just incomplete—until recently, he hadn’t even taken a step in martial arts with this body.
Disregarding his own state and recklessly engaging in battle would be the height of foolishness.
KRAAAANG!
The ground beneath Ian crumpled under the force of Urk’s axe swing.
Though weakened by the Blue Bombs, falling rocks, and orc weight, it took the axe alone to punch through the surface.
Truly immense power.
“Hahahahaha!”
Urk, emboldened by Ian’s evasions, laughed and swung repeatedly.
Cornered, Ian had little space left.
Thwack!
“Got you, rat bastard.”
Urk’s malicious grin widened as he cornered Ian.
“Don’t worry. If you stay still, I won’t kill you.”
Ssshhh!
With a murderous grin, Urk lifted his axe.
“Move foolishly and strike elsewhere, and who knows what might happen to you? Stay put, and I’ll neatly sever your limbs.”
Fwoooosh!
The axe cut through the air toward Ian’s shoulder.
At that precise moment, Ian did not miss his chance.
“…I once told my children something.”
Whiiiir!
“To reign as a victor is sometimes a curse. Because no one thinks they could ever be threatened.”
He reversed the black dao in his left hand, spinning inside Urk’s guard in an instant.
“Those who threaten your position can appear at any moment.”
Just like now.
Blood Chain Iron Fist, First Form.
Blood Night.
A sinister crimson aura flared from the tip of the black blade.
Ssshhh!
The blood aura cut diagonally across Urk’s body, slashing near his neck.
“KRAAAAH!”
A disaster born from a mere moment of negligence.
Ian corrected his posture midair and landed, tasting the bitter satisfaction.
“…Tsk, a little short. I aimed to sever the neck instantly, slightly disappointing.”
Had he severed the carotid artery, the fight would have ended immediately.
But no matter.
The blood night contained a power that worsened wounds over time.
Even left unattended, it would slowly corrode Urk from within.
“Damn… human bastard.”
…Crudddk!
Urk clenched his chest muscles, trying to suppress the pain.
As if his muscles could stitch themselves, the bleeding was contained.
Sheer muscular strength.
Even ruling a small territory was not a task for just any monster.
But this was merely buying time.
Without aura to counter Blood Night, Urk’s combat capability would continue to decline.
“I’ll kill you!”
Perhaps realizing this, Urk lunged at Ian with bloodshot, bulging eyes.
Whooosh!
The axe swept left and right.
Its horizontal swing left Ian with nowhere to dodge.
Only one empty space remained.
Ta-ah!
Ian had no choice but to leap into the air.
“Got you now, human scum!”
Urk grinned confidently at the airborne target.
Although wounded from a brief lapse, he did not feel excitement.
Rather, he calmly executed the strike, knowing the human could inflict some damage.
He intended to corner Ian so that jumping was his only option.
In the air, movement was restricted.
Thus, the “rat bastard” could no longer evade freely.
“Die!!”
KRAAAUNG!
Urk’s axe thrust upward as if to split Ian in half.
Ian seemed trapped in a life-or-death situation with no room to escape.
But Ian had already read Urk’s intention.
“I already knew.”
Whirrrr!
Spinning in midair, Ian dodged the axe.
Not merely dodging, he pushed off the axe blade to soar higher.
“Hmph! Even in the sky, your lifespan is merely extended briefly!”
Urk laughed arrogantly, looking upward.
From above, Ian had no means to attack anyway.
He planned to strike at the precise moment Ian descended.
“Well, is that really so?”
Vwoooosh!
Ian, hovering, infused Blood Aura into his black and white twin swords.
Two snakes, long dormant, began to awaken from hibernation.
“Awaken.”
With an eerie sound, Ian’s swords sprang to life.
The ordinary twin swords transformed into living serpents, filling the sky.
In Ian’s hands, the weapons revealed their venomous fangs toward the enemy.
Chiriririritt!
The two serpents wrapped around Urk instantly.
Serpent Blades.
Infamously difficult to wield, these swords regained life through Ian’s mastery.
Kwadudududuk!
The small black snake shattered the bones of Urk’s axe-wielding hand.
The large white serpent bound his muscular body, restricting movement.
Unlike ordinary snakes, their skin was a blade capable of tearing flesh and breaking bone.
No living being could stand before them unscathed.
“KRAAAAAH!”
Urk’s final screams echoed through the Valley of Repose, caught entirely off guard by the serpents’ assault.
0 Comments