Chapter 41 (1/2)

...Did he know me? No, did he know Zigma? Looking back, there was a small goblin holding a skeleton staff. Based on the long beard, he was a bit older. The old goblin asked again, “Why did you come here? Didn’t I tell you to gather the troops and get ready to hit Mulan?”

Hit Mulan? What was this guy? Suddenly, I wondered about the name.

[Lv. 120 [Goblin Priest] Ragneos]

This was Ragneos. It seemed he had mistaken me for Zigma. If so, it was good for me to use this. I quickly fell to one knee. “I’m sorry, Ragneos. Kiruk.”

”What does that mean? Explain it, Zigma. Kiik.”

I kept bowing my head while answering because I felt I would be caught if I looked into his eyes. “We were beaten by humans.”

“By humans?”

“There was an ambush using the cave. Kik.”

This was the feeling of acting. I raised my head and saw Ragneos glowing with anger. I once again entered the right state. Ragneos’ anger naturally erupted. ”What are you saying now?!”

“I-I’m really sorry. Kiik.”

He seemed very angry. For a moment, black flames appeared in his eyes before disappearing. If hell and Yama, king of hell, existed, he must have such eyes.

“Those humans. They dare! Get revenge! Kiiik!” Ragneos’ eyes burned even darker as he swore vengeance. “Follow me, Zigma!”

I followed Ragneos, whose cloak fluttered as he moved at a fast pace. The place where I arrived was a huge tent with various bone trinkets. This was the residence of the orc chief. In addition, the orc chief was now sitting in front of me.

[Lv. 200 [Blue Tooth Orc Chief] Gorba]

...It was a tremendous pressure. My bone wouldn’t even survive if I was hit by that arm. I was admiring Gorba’s greatness when Ragneos next to me opened his mouth. “This is Gorba, a distant relative of us goblins.”

“Call me Brother. Chwiiik.”

I could see smoke billowing from Gorba’s mouth and nose. He must have terrible breath.

“The humans destroyed our tribe in Mulan. Next, it might be the turn of the Blue Tooth tribe here. Kiiik.”

”What?! Kruruk! Would they really attack our tribe? They have never invaded our tribe before, Brother.”

The chief seemed friendly to humans. Moments after I realized something was strange, Ragneos started to chant a strange spell.

“[email protected]#%^&*())”

[The first apostle, ‘Prometheus,’ is frowning.]

The unknown words felt ominous. The skull staff was shaken and the purple aura encroached on Gorba. Gorba was suffering. “Keeook! Aaack!”

Something wasn’t right. That staff, what the hell was it? At this moment, a small light could be seen from the skull staff. It was a light I had seen before. I frowned at the familiar feeling and took a closer look. Was this perhaps..?

[Bead Fragment Dyed in Darkness]

[Rating: ?

The use is unknown but fragments of an evil power can be felt.

* The information about the item is incomplete.]

It was the bead fragment I obtained by defeating Zigma. It was an evil power and I wanted to throw it away, but Proma had told me to keep it. However, Ragneos had three of them. Gorba’s necklace shook lightly and a dark light swirled. Gorba’s necklace had the same bead fragment. Each fragment resonated with each other. Gorba’s bead fragment eventually became dark purple, emitting a dark light that dyed his eyes black.

Gorba instantly stood up, causing the land to shake. Gorba started to shout in a grotesque voice, “Guruk. Hu.man. jud.ge. th.em!”

“Kikikikik! Yes. We will judge the humans! Gorba, prepare for war! We will hit Windia tomorrow!”

“Un.der.stoo.d. Rag.ne.os.”

Gorba moved his massive body and headed outside. Every step he took caused the ground to shake and I held my breath.

...He was behind everything. I had to go out quickly and let people know.

At this moment, someone ran into the barracks. “Kirik, Ragneos. You were here. I’m sorry. I couldn’t find the spider king.”

“What?!” Black flames appeared in Ragneos’ eyes again.

“Kiiik! I-I’m sorry. I went to the cave and he wasn’t there. I searched the mountains carefully but couldn’t see him.”

“Useless person. Die! Swamp of Pain!”

A purple hand shot up at the goblins’ feet. It was like the hand of a demon from hell. The goblin was caught by the hand and dragged into the swamp.

“K-Kiiik! R-Ragneos!”

“M-Mercy! Kiik!”

The swamp captured the goblins and the ground returned to its original state. No more voices were heard. It was bloody. It seemed like a real hell. I felt compelled to live a good life.

“Zigma.”

“Yes.”

“There is no one as trustworthy as you. You should know where the spider king’s cave is. Kiruk.”

“I know.”

“Go there and find the Giant Spider King. Once you find him, come and report to me. The war will begin after I have ingested the spider king’s inner core. Kiik.”

Spider king’s inner core...? It was something I already had. Unfortunately, I had no intention of giving it to him. Still, I had to postpone things if I was going to survive here.

Ttiring~

[Spider Raised by Ragneos]

[Difficulty: B

There is a Giant Spider King raised by the goblin priest, Ragneos.

His subordinates have looked for him but don’t know where he is.

Search the Loch Mountains for the Giant Spider King.

-Completion Conditions: Report back after the discovery of the Giant Spider King.

* If the quest fails, you might lose your credibility with Ragneos and die.]

My conscience was pricked but I couldn’t help it. If I didn’t do it, he would summon a demonic hand and take me to hell. Of course, I was confident against Ragneos in a one-on-one fight but this was the orc’s village. I didn't want to start anything in the orc village.

“I understand. Kiruk.”

[The quest has been accepted.]

[You have already found the abode of the Giant Spider King.]

[The quest completion conditions for ‘Spider Raised by Ragneos’ have been met.]

Indeed, it worked out like this. I quickly exited the barracks.

“Sigh.” The moment I came out, the tension I felt was relieved.

Gorba was seen convening the soldiers in the distance. Each soldier had the modifier of ‘warrior.’ There were also fighters among the warriors and they gave off a fierce impression. All the orcs were two or three times larger than the guard orcs. They had black eyes and a fierce air.

...I had to be prepared to fight them later. However, there were orc families who formed a harmonious contrast to the soldiers. I was immersed in various thoughts as I looked at them. Maybe Gorba might be a pretty good leader. Then he was snared by the goblin called Ragneos.

“It is only when the water is clear that the bottom is clear...”

War should be a last resort. It shouldn’t be the first means. After the horrors of the 6.25 incident, I vividly knew this. [1]

I was looking at them with a bitter expression when Sujeong sent me a whisper.

-Crystal: Father, is your quest going well?

-Jackson: I finished and going down now.

-Crystal: I’m glad. By the way, you should come soon.

-Jackson: Why? What’s happening?