Chapter 78 – Practitioner

Se-min was spat out of the gate.

Maktar, Shozen, and Gulad were already sprawled on the ground. Se-min, who nagged them to get up, turned around.

The gate was floating, leaking a dark light. There was no telling when it would spit out demonic beasts.

Se-min ran toward the Grand Marino Sea of Trees with his companions. Fortunately, no demonic beasts appeared until they returned to the Sea of Trees.

Se-min returned to Kululu’s fortress where their clothes remained, threw off his Orc disguise, and spoke.

“Ah, I can’t do this anymore.”

Once he took off the uncomfortable clothes and cotton stuffing, it was easy to move. He even washed off all the paint in the stream. Returning to being a human, the world was much easier to live in.

Se-min’s group gathered at the table of Kululu’s fortress and leaned back in their chairs.

Kululu asked.

“Did the attack go well?”

Se-min glanced at him.

“You were terrified earlier, yet I suppose you are curious?”

“No, cough. I am just curious. I wasn’t terrified.”

“We took care of it reasonably well.”

“How is it? Do you think they will attack the Sea of Trees?”

“Don’t worry.”

Se-min grinned.

“Because without any problems, the Grand Marino Sea of Trees will be devastated.”

“Ah, that is a relief.”

He nodded, then suddenly stared at Se-min in shock.

“Wait, that’s not ‘without problems’!”

“That is your perspective, but from my perspective, it means there are no setbacks in the plan.”

“I have never seen an emperor like you. Damn it.”

Kululu paced around the inside of the fortress, restless.

Maktar, Shozen, and Gulad were slumped down without the leisure to crack jokes like Se-min due to the aftermath of the battle. Maktar, who was in slightly better shape, grinned while practically lying back in his chair.

“Kululu. Good for you.”

“What do you mean?”

“When the war breaks out, guys wanting battle tattoos will line up, so you will be popular for a while.”

It was a teasing remark. Kululu shook his head with a furrowed brow.

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

He then looked back and forth between Se-min and Maktar.

“Somehow, you are starting to resemble that emperor.”

At that, both of them glared at Kululu simultaneously.

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

“You go too far.”

Their words overlapped. Se-min and Maktar looked at each other and snorted. Watching this sight, Kululu thought his words were correct.

“Whew…”

Kululu let out a deep sigh.

If they had truly returned after attacking Badurbarok’s base, it was no ordinary emergency. There was no time to be joking around like this. They had to build a defensive line and prepare immediately.

Kululu, unable to sit still, pictured various possibilities in his mind.

“When do you think they will come?”

“We wouldn’t know.”

Kululu looked at Maktar and spoke.

“Countless Orcs are about to die, and aren’t you being too laid-back?”

He was serious.

If they wanted to fight Badurbarok, they could just fight amongst themselves; why did they have to go so far as using deception to engulf the entire Grand Marino Sea of Trees in the flames of war?

It was no different from sacrificing others for their own purposes.

“Is that so?”

Maktar nodded readily.

“It is all because of you, Emperor.”

“What do you mean? You were the one who came up with the plan.”

“Even so, wasn’t it you, Emperor, who ultimately carried out this task?”

“Then let us share the responsibility fifty-fifty.”

“Fine.”

Kululu had spoken seriously, but they continued to joke around with each other.

Seeing Kululu’s poor expression, Maktar spoke with a smile.

“Kululu. You look displeased.”

“Yes, Maktar. Aren’t you worried about the disaster that will unfold because of you and that emperor?”

“I do not care.”

“What?”

“It is not just any other matter, but killing Badurbarok.”

Maktar smiled, baring his tusks.

“I will endure it.”

Kululu closed his eyes.

Maktar was someone who had gathered countless Orcs in the past. There was a reason why so many Orcs followed him. Once his goal was set, he did not look back. He would even accept sacrifices.

Such a man had set his will once again.

Kululu’s gaze shifted from Maktar to Se-min. He was sitting on a chair, stretching.

He was the emperor surrounded by rumors.

He had heard the story that he dragged out the goblins stuck underground. It was a situation where even the hard-to-believe rumor that dragons had awakened was circulating.

That emperor had reached the Grand Marino Sea of Trees and was plotting.

What more would he change?

Maktar had already changed.

Fear took precedence for Kululu. He had fought the army of demonic beasts directly at Maktar’s fortress. Therefore, he knew that they could never win against them.

Yet, with the appearance of that emperor, the embers of war began to burn again.

“He is an existence who will throw the world into chaos.”

Kululu muttered so.

The emperor’s party was chatting about the city of Badurbarok they had attacked. Kululu said in a low voice.

“All of you, get out.”

The inside of the fortress grew quiet, and all eyes focused on him.

Se-min nodded.

“Now that I think about it, even though it was our first meeting, we received too much help. Yes, thank you, Kululu. Thanks to you, things went well.”

He stood up and patted Kululu’s shoulder. He then helped the others up.

Kululu felt as if he understood why they followed the emperor. Maktar shook hands with Kululu, and the rest of the party also greeted him before leaving the fortress.

Left alone, Kululu placed the crystal ball back on the table.

He reflected his face in it. An Orc with a serious face appeared on the crystal.

He placed his hand on his forehead and stared at it for a while.

His thoughts were not organized.

With a confused mind, he placed his hand on the crystal ball.

Light began to flow from the crystal ball.

Kululu opened his mouth.

***

Returning to Maktar’s fortress, Se-min’s group feasted on demonic beast meat again and took a rest.

Se-min made a hammock by hanging a cloth between two trees, lay in it, and hummed a tune.

Maktar also attempted the same thing, but the cloth tore, and he tumbled to the ground.

“Stop it.”

“Damn it.”

Maktar simply sat on the ground and leaned his back against a tree.

“What do you think will happen from now on?”

“Since they saw our strength, they won’t rush in immediately but will prepare before coming. They might even bring that monster we saw. Until then, we need to notify the Grand Marino Sea of Trees.”

They conversed about future matters.

Although they did not inflict a major blow, the four of them had still raided Badurbarok’s base and returned safely.

In the midst of that, Se-min had also subdued a black demon who appeared to be commander-class. Since Se-min’s combat power was likely stronger than expected, they would probably gather sufficient troops before coming.

Se-min asked.

“That black demon you talked about.”

“Yeah.”

“Did he happen to call himself Despair?”

“Despair?”

Hearing Se-min’s explanation, Maktar shook his head.

“It seems to be a different guy.”

“Right?”

“The guy I fought even spread several wings, and he was not very talkative.”

That appearance resembled someone Se-min knew.

Se-min clenched and unclenched his fist. The demon that killed Noh Hak-jae was exactly like that. Although he could not be certain it was the same entity, at least Maktar’s description was similar.

“Furthermore, that guy was incredibly strong. Seeing how easily you subdued the other one, Emperor, it is probably a different fellow.”

“Then that guy will come when they strike the Grand Marino Sea of Trees, right?”

“I believe so.”

Feeling the anger settling in Maktar’s voice, Se-min laughed silently.

He had truly resolved to fight Badurbarok.

“Maktar, I also hold a grudge against those black demons. Perhaps your enemy and my enemy are the same.”

“I won’t yield him.”

“Neither will I. Pray that the two demons are different guys.”

“That sounds like my line.”

“Just don’t get in my way.”

The two bickered like that over trivial topics.

Maktar spoke again in a serious tone.

“Emperor. There were sufficiently strong Orcs in my fortress too. However, we were helplessly defeated. They are that strong. Know that the fight we had today was nothing.”

Se-min chuckled and nodded.

“I probably know that better than you.”

“Then that is fortunate.”

Se-min evaluated the Orcs highly, and just as much, he did not underestimate Badurbarok’s army.

“Maktar. What are Orc practitioners?”

Se-min brought up the subject he was curious about.

It was a word mentioned here and there. Judging by the context in which it was used, it referred to incredibly strong Orcs.

Se-min was imagining Orcs who lived in seclusion in the Grand Marino Sea of Trees, practicing martial arts alone.

“Orc practitioners… They were those who suddenly appeared when I built the fortress.”

Maktar looked up at the sky, reflecting on the memories of that time.

“They are said to be those who hid in the depths of the Grand Marino Sea of Trees and practiced asceticism after losing the ancient war. When I built the fortress outside the Sea of Trees, a few practitioners came to find me, offering to help. That was also the first time I met them.”

“Are they strong?”

“They are extremely strong. They fought on par with that demon. According to the practitioner at the time, there were practitioners incomparably stronger than himself somewhere in the Grand Marino Sea of Trees, and I hope they will show up.”

Se-min memorized the information about the Orc practitioners. If the practitioners joined them, their chances of victory would increase.

Thinking that he must recruit them, Se-min asked Maktar again.

“Since you say they practice asceticism, they must be frugal?”

“Correct. They walk around wearing things like straw mats.”

“Is it dark gray?”

“Correct. In my opinion, it was originally white, but it got dirty because they didn’t wash it for a long time. Kuhuhu!”

As Maktar laughed to himself, Se-min cleared his throat.

“Maktar.”

“Kuhuhuhu, what?”

“That gentleman has arrived.”

“Hm? What do you mean?”

Maktar looked at Se-min. Se-min had sat up in the hammock and was staring straight ahead.

Maktar shifted his gaze in the direction Se-min was looking.

And he was startled.

“Argh!”

Standing there was an Orc clad in a dark gray robe.

He stared at Maktar with sharp eyes.

Maktar made an excuse.

“I-it was just a joke…”

“…”

Without opening his mouth, he looked at Se-min this time.

Maktar stood up from his spot.

“Have you come to help us again? Thank you. I do not know how you found out, but if the practitioner directly helps us…”

Maktar trailed off. This was because Se-min, standing next to him, was shaking his head.

Maktar saw Se-min’s expression and looked back at the Orc practitioner.

His face revealed beneath the hood was by no means a friendly one. The practitioner muttered with killing intent.

“Have you still not come to your senses?”

Maktar took a step back.

The practitioner looked at Se-min this time.

Se-min got out of the hammock and stood facing the Orc practitioner. Their heights were similar, but the Orc practitioner’s build looked several times larger than Se-min’s. He continued in a low voice.

“They said the Imperial Throne was corrupted, and indeed, they pushed an unworthy fellow as the emperor.”

Se-min did not stay still like Maktar.

“Why don’t you just stay cooped up in the forest instead of crawling out to pick a fight?”

“I came out because I could not just stand by and watch the deeds you bastards are committing.”

Only then did Maktar realize what had happened.

Besides them, only one person knew the plan. Kululu had a connection with the Orc practitioners.

“Especially the emperor.”

The Orc practitioner took off his hood. Long scars were marked on his revealed head and face.

“For you, dying quickly seems to be the way for the sake of the world.”

“Your words are too harsh for our first meeting.”

Se-min smirked.

“You need to get beaten up today.”

“A fellow who does not know his place.”

The two attacked each other simultaneously.

Se-min and the Orc practitioner stepped back at the same time.

Feeling the destructive power contained in each other’s fists, they had withdrawn at the same time. Both had surprised faces. They carefully stared at each other’s faces, measuring their strength.

“An emperor?”

The Orc practitioner clenched and unclenched his fist while looking at Se-min.

“And you call yourself a practitioner?”

Se-min also raised both hands, taking a boxing stance. It was rare for him to raise a proper guard while fighting someone.

Briefly, they muttered toward each other at the same time.

“I don’t think so.”

And the attacks shot out again.

Se-min’s fist drew a curved trajectory, aiming for the Orc practitioner’s jaw. It was a counter flow that deflected the Orc practitioner’s fist flying toward him while conversely striking the opponent.

The Orc practitioner’s attack brushed past Se-min’s hair.

It was a chilling moment where his face might have been crushed if he had been even slightly off.

But in the end, Se-min dodged it and reaped the reward.

Se-min’s fist struck the Orc practitioner’s jaw.

The sound of something bursting resonated.

The Orc practitioner flew and crashed into a tree. The tree shattered heavily. The tree tilted and began to crash down toward where the Orc practitioner was buried, like a closing jaw.

Se-min and Maktar dodged to the side.

“He isn’t dead, is he?”

At Maktar’s words, Se-min shook his head. He shook his fist in the air and muttered.

“It didn’t hit cleanly. And even if it did, it wouldn’t have caused major damage.”

Se-min felt a sensation as if he had struck a lump of iron. On the contrary, the impact returned to his hand.

The Orc practitioner was wrapping his entire body in aura.

If Se-min had not held the Tai Chi Wisdom in his hand, his hand might have been broken instead.

Se-min looked at the limbs of the Orc buried under the tree.

Since Se-min was at a realm where he could understand enough from a brief encounter, he realized how strong the opponent was.

Just as predicted, the Orc practitioner began to stand up again. He did not even care about the giant tree crushing him, rising as he stepped on the ground.

Then, the destroyed part of the tree was completely torn off. The Orc practitioner threw the two-piece tree onto the ground. The tree made a heavy sound, rotated half a turn, and crashed.

“Impressive.”

The Orc practitioner’s eyes gleamed.

“Are you truly the emperor?”

“Are you a real practitioner? You seem like a gangster.”

“Since the heavenly secrets are distorted, it is not a strange thing.”

“Are you also going to say what everyone else says?”

The Orc practitioner narrowed his eyes. Se-min continued.

“That tiresome talk about being a foolish ruler or a tyrant.”

The Orc practitioner burst into laughter.

“It seems everyone has eyes to see.”

“Don’t you also hear the same thing all the time like me?”

“What words?”

Se-min shouted as he ran toward him.

“Beggar! Gangster!”

It was a sarcastic remark about his attire wrapped roughly in straw mats and his fierce appearance. The Orc practitioner’s face distorted. It seemed to have struck a nerve.

Se-min used his momentum to attempt a flying kick.

“Foolish!”

Judging by how much he spoke, he indeed seemed angry.

“To presumptuously jump in front of me!”

The Orc practitioner drew up his power. A massive force gathered in his entire body.

If one jumps during battle, they cannot change direction. Aiming for that, the Orc practitioner began to run toward Se-min’s opening. It was a response showing confidence that he would win if they collided.

However, Se-min possessed the mysterious martial art called the Cloud Ladder Step.

Evading the Orc practitioner charging straight at him, Se-min kicked off the air and changed direction.

The Orc practitioner’s body slam struck the empty air.

He lost his balance and flailed, and Se-min kicked off the air once more, flying toward the Orc practitioner. Se-min’s heel flew toward the back of his head.

However, the Orc practitioner was not easy. He ducked his head with beast-like reaction speed.

One after another, their attacks sliced through the empty air.

Se-min landed on the ground, and the Orc practitioner also recovered his balance. The two circled while looking at each other.

Due to the sudden commotion, the rest of the companions also came out and watched the fight.

Se-min spoke.

“What is your name?”

“I forgot.”

“Do practitioners live without names?”

“Yes. Do you know the name of that stone? Just like that, we do not possess things like names.”

“But surely you have a name you had before you became a practitioner?”

“I did in the past.”

“Tell me.”

“…”

“My name is Lee Se-min. What is yours?”

The Orc practitioner said quietly.

“Once it was Kubar.”

“Kubar. I understand well. I must know the name to engrave on your tombstone.”

Kubar chuckled.

“Your skill in running your mouth is indeed fitting for an emperor.”

“You are indeed a gangster in every aspect, Kubar.”

The two clashed again.

They exchanged offense and defense at invisible speed. Every time a fist or kick sliced the air, a sonic boom resounded. If one only heard the sound without watching the fight, they would think a war was breaking out.

“Kubar! Is this all!”

“Shut up and focus on the fight!”

“Got it, Kubar!”

Se-min continued to call his name.

“Kubar, impressive!”

There was no other motive.

Se-min was calling his name continuously to build intimacy.

Se-min had read Dale Carnegie’s , a must-read for citizens of the world. Therefore, he knew well how important it was to call someone by their name directly.

When a distant opponent is called by name, doesn’t the awkwardness melt away like snow and a warm energy arise?

Doesn’t the heart flutter more when called “Se-min oppa” instead of just “oppa”?

It was in the same context.

Se-min’s goal was not to beat down the Orc practitioner, but to make him an ally sharing the same purpose.

Thus, even while fighting, he continued his work of building intimacy.

“Kubar! Your fists are quite something.”

Praise makes even a whale dance.

“I don’t want to hear it!”

“I see, Kubar. You didn’t want to hear it. If you felt that way, I should apologize. Still, I think sharing opinions through conversation is important. What is your opinion?”

“Of course, conversation is also important, but what is more important is being faithful to this moment. People think fighting is a rough and clumsy act, but in reality, it is a task requiring high mental agility and focus. Talking disrupts such things…”

Influenced by Se-min’s gentle tone, Kubar blurted out his inner thoughts without realizing it, then stopped.

He then struck Se-min with even greater force.

“Don’t play tricks!”

“I see, Kubar. You felt it was a trick. If so, I will apologize…”

“Shut up!”

Kubar’s attacks grew fierce.

His body boiled up with aura.

The Orcs called aura martial power. It was not just a different name; the method of utilization was also different from the aura Se-min used.

Kubar’s build swelled up.

Kubar attacked Se-min with his strengthened body. His speed was also faster. Se-min also raised his aura to increase his speed, but the physical destructive power itself was Kubar’s advantage.

Se-min stepped back.

“Kubar. Do you not use weapons?”

Clenching his fists tightly, Kubar spoke.

“Because my body is a weapon, I do not use things like weapons.”

“I see.”

Se-min also clenched his fists. If the opponent wanted fists, he would face him with fists.

It was by no means saving his weapon to make excuses when he lost.

“Are you close with other practitioners?”

“Only to the extent of occasional interactions. We rarely meet because everyone is training on their own path.”

“Where do you stand among the practitioners?”

Kubar answered readily.

“I am merely in the middle.”

Se-min repeated.

“The middle.”

Kubar was strong. He might be the strongest among those Se-min had faced in this other world.

After learning the Cosmic Flow, he had rarely met opponents he felt were truly strong. If he had to name one, there was Izergazin, but he was a dragon born with strong power.

But Kubar was different.

He had risen to this height through training and effort. His understanding of martial arts might be able to compete with his own.

Such a person evaluated himself as average.

“I am glad I came here.”

Se-min wanted to meet an opponent like Kubar.

He wished to meet and fight such people, and also hoped to become comrades with them. He had come this far to meet warriors capable of resisting Badurbarok together.

“Kubar. Listen closely.”

“If you talk nonsense again, I will not listen.”

“I am going to kill Badurbarok.”

“I said I wouldn’t listen to nonsense.”

“I am serious.”

Se-min lowered his stance.

“With a pure heart!”

Se-min rushed at Kubar.

As Se-min feinted a fist, Kubar lowered his stance and prepared to avoid his attack. Abandoning his previous patterns, Se-min immediately threw a knee at Kubar.

The knee kick struck his forehead.

Kubar endured Se-min’s attack with immense neck strength. He then pushed Se-min back and tackled him. With his lower body grabbed, Se-min was lifted and slammed onto the ground.

“Urgh!”

Although it looked like a simple scuffle at first glance, every single attack and movement contained deep aura.

Even without casting aura from afar or using profound martial arts, one could possess a sufficiently high level of martial knowledge.

Se-min was experiencing through Kubar that such a fight was possible.

“You didn’t have to copy my style to fight. I am grateful for that.”

Kubar grinned as he raised his fist.

Se-min definitely tended to fight from a greater distance than this. He did not intentionally try to get entangled up close.

But this time, he did so.

“Do you know why?”

Se-min grinned while pinned under Kubar. Kubar twitched the bridge of his nose and slammed his fist down.

The moment his fist enlarged, Se-min thought.

If I get hit by that, my handsome face will be crushed.

Se-min spread both hands and blocked the fist. The harmonious energy of Tai Chi gently embraced Kubar’s rough energy. The Way of Tai Chi rotates, and it is never fixed nor does it stay in one place.

Kubar’s energy writhed violently as if resisting the harmony of Tai Chi.

In the end, however, all physical force was stripped away by the Tai Chi Wisdom, and his fist came to a standstill. The power he had loaded was now in Se-min’s grasp.

To Kubar, it was a phenomenon for which he knew no reason.

He was clearly plunging his fist into Se-min. His martial power was full in his entire body, and he would have been able to knock out the emperor like this. He thought that perhaps the emperor might die. If so, it couldn’t be helped.

However, at some point, his body was frozen.

Rather, the massive martial power that should have belonged to him transferred into the emperor’s grasp.

“What in the world…?”

Se-min explained.

“This phenomenon can be said to be a foreshadowing.”

“What nonsense are you talking again?”

“Your strong power failed to harm me and instead entered my grasp.”

Se-min was still pinned under Kubar, but his attitude was relaxed.

Se-min began to rotate the sphere of aura gathered in his hands. Then, the aura spun, emitting a brighter light.

“What do you think it means?”

“D-damn it.”

Kubar tried to rise from Se-min’s body and flee, but he could not move, as if stuck by a magnet.

The aura continued to spin in Se-min’s hand.

It was now returning to Kubar.

“It is possible to interpret it as you becoming my subordinate, Kubar.”

Saying so, Se-min thrust the aura into Kubar’s abdomen. An explosion occurred, and Kubar flew away just like that.

He flew far into the sky and crashed into a distant part of the Sea of Trees.

Se-min jumped up and shouted.

“Subordinate Number 5!”

Instantly, Maktar and Kebalar replied at the same time. They then looked at each other. Maktar scratched his head.

“Ah, now I am Number 4.”

“…”

Not long ago, Kebalar had lost the spot of Number 4 and became the lowest, Number 5.

Se-min said to him.

“Kubar must have fainted, so drag him over.”

“M-me?”

Kebalar’s expression froze.

Understandably, if that terrifying Orc practitioner woke up while being dragged, he would be a dead man.

“Don’t be scared. Kubar is Subordinate Number 6 now.”

“What?”

“He is your junior, so manage him well.”

***

Kubar lay sprawled in front of Maktar’s fortress, unconscious.

No one paid attention.

Even though he lay on a gravel field where stones jutted out, there was no one to lay a mat for him or place a pillow.

Only when dusk fell and it was time for everyone to eat did Kubar sniff and regain consciousness.

“Groan…”

He looked around. His expression showed he had not grasped the situation yet. He blankly stared at Se-min’s group.

As they always did, Maktar had caught a demonic beast and was barbecuing it.

“Handle it.”

Se-min winked at Kebalar.

Kebalar cleared his throat and approached Kubar.

“Hey, Subordinate Number 6.”

“Groan…”

Kubar was still shaking his head as if his brain was rattling.

“Why is my head… Who are you?”

Kubar said, scanning Kebalar as if looking at something bothersome. Having assessed him with a single glance, he did not seem particularly wary.

Though he could have been intimidated, Kebalar boldly took a step closer and spoke.

“I am your senior. Subordinate Number 5. As Number 6, you are my junior.”

“What are you talking about?”

Kubar was busy inspecting various parts of his body, so he did not listen to Kebalar’s words properly.

“To say it again…”

Before Kebalar could continue, Kubar raised his head.

“What? Subordinate?”

His expression showed that only then did he understand Kebalar’s words.

“Y-yes.”

“Who?”

“You, Kubar.”

“Whose?”

“Of course, that emperor’s over there…”

Kubar stared at Se-min.

Se-min was tearing at meat on the table set up outside Maktar’s fortress. Next to him, a Koud was being roasted whole.

A short goblin was also seen cutting meat on his own and bringing it to his plate.

No one was paying attention to Kubar.

Without even turning his head, Se-min said as he chewed the meat.

“Hey. Come and eat some meat.”

Kubar was dumbfounded.

As a practitioner, he had received respect from everyone. The source of that respect was fear. He was always a strong man who inspired dread.

But what were they?

They were treating him like an Orc of no consequence.

Kubar sat up abruptly, but fell back down because his whole body throbbed.

“Groan…”

Why did his body hurt so much? Kubar recalled what happened before he lost consciousness.

Clearly, he had pinned the emperor and was just on the verge of ending it. If that fist had connected, the emperor’s skull would have been crushed.

But the emperor’s bizarre martial power reversed everything. The force Kubar had thrown rotated and was projected back toward himself.

He still could not properly understand what had happened.

However, what was clear was that he had lost.

The pain remaining in his body was the proof. There was even a long drag mark on the ground as if they had dragged him.

“Did I lose?”

Kubar muttered.

Losing was not a big deal. He had lost often. In the Grand Marino Sea of Trees, there were plenty of Orc practitioners stronger than him.

But the feeling was different.

Something cold crept up.

It was anxiety.

The guy was a human emperor. Moreover, he had even declared to all races that he would kill Badurbarok. Here, he had concocted ridiculous plots just to win over the Orcs.

Yet, everything he intended was falling into place step by step.

The Goblins were reclaiming the Cloud Mountains alongside the dragons, and Maktar, who was mentioned as a candidate for Orc Warchief, had entered that guy’s faction.

Since the Orcs’ public opinion was unfavorable, he even mobilized the tactic of directly attacking Badurbarok’s base to put the entire Grand Marino Sea of Trees in danger. Furthermore, it worked.

Soon, a fight would break out.

No matter how different the Orcs were from before, they would not sit idly under an invasion of demonic beasts.

They would stand and fight.

That was what Orcs were.

Even if he had been in the emperor’s shoes, he thought he would have devised the same move. There was no better way.

Up to this point, everything had gone according to that guy’s will.

That was why he had come.

Someone needed to apply the brakes.

But he had also lost.

“Damn it.”

There are moments like that.

When facing someone, the moment you get caught up in their pace and realize their skill is superior to yours.

Once you realize the gap with the opponent, you learn that your defeat ultimately awaits. It is like a premonition that everything will eventually go according to the opponent’s will.

That was how Kubar felt right now.

An ominous thought that everything the emperor wanted would be achieved, and eventually another grand war would break out, coiled deep in his chest.

“Damn it…”

So he wanted to clash again, but felt he would lose.

That was the problem.

To block the flow the emperor was riding, someone had to make him kneel.

Yet, despite being an emperor, he was strong.

“Subordinate Number 6. What are you pondering so much? Aren’t you hungry?”

He gestured.

“I am not hungry.”

“You look hungry. Sit down here since this is your spot. There’s meat.”

“Then I will just have a taste.”

The bigger problem was that the emperor’s casual behavior was somehow not dislikeable.

Clutching his aching shoulder, Kubar walked to the table. When he sat, the space was cramped, but everyone yielded a little room to make a spot for him.

The human sitting next to the emperor cut the meat for him and placed it in front of him.

“This is the imperial grace bestowed by His Majesty, so please enjoy it.”

He wondered who this guy was, but Kubar simply stopped thinking and tore into the meat.

It was delicious.

The wild flavor of the wilderness mixed with the juices and kept flowing out. The skill of roasting meat was top-notch.

Kubar asked.

“Who made this meat?”

“Maktar did. He is an excellent cook.”

“Impressive.”

Kubar sighed. The meat was too delicious.

He chewed and swallowed the entire chunk given to him, then cut more Koud meat from over the bonfire and piled it on his plate. It was twice as much as what he had eaten earlier.

“Other practitioners are stronger than me, and they will be difficult to persuade.”

As Kubar spoke while chewing the meat again, Se-min looked at him.

“Kubar.”

“What is it.”

“Don’t express your intent to surrender so subtly. It’s embarrassing.”

“Shut up. I am not finished speaking.”

“Go ahead.”

“The other practitioners won’t be easy. Those stronger than me are countless. Especially for the Elder Orcs, do not even think about meeting them. It is said they did not step forward even during the previous war.”

“Then how old are they?”

“Very old. But if you practice martial power, age is not an issue.”

Se-min nodded. On Earth, those who learned aura aged slowly, and the higher their realm, the more so.

“Yes. I see.”

He spoke that way, but Kubar knew Se-min would not follow his words.

They quietly tore at the meat for a while.

Se-min suddenly asked.

“You also hate Badurbarok, right?”

Kubar nodded.

“Yes. That is enough.”

The meal continued again.

Suddenly, Kubar asked.

“By the way, what’s the deal with the subordinate numbers?”

“You could call it the hierarchy of subordinates.”

“Am I the last?”

“Yeah. Do you have a complaint?”

“Of course. I am strong enough.”

“Then we must have a duel. Subordinate Number 5. Show the rookie what’s what. He is quite presumptuous for a junior.”

Kebalar, who was quietly eating meat, widened his eyes.

“Y-yes?”

“Why the sudden politeness? Are you scared?”

“N-no way. I am not scared. I am the man who will become Warchief.”

Kebalar’s pupils shook as if an earthquake had hit. The hand holding the meat was also trembling.

Watching that, Kubar let out a sigh.

“…Forget it.”

“What. Are you pretending to be nice?”

“I do not want to bicker with such a young fellow.”

“Alright. The subordinates will keep increasing, so do not worry.”

Se-min spoke as he chewed and swallowed a large piece of Koud meat.

“Eat well. We are going to meet the practitioners tomorrow.”

***

As soon as Se-min woke up, he headed toward Kululu’s fortress.

Kululu was sitting lazily in front of his fortress, yawning, but jumped up in surprise upon spotting Se-min.

“E-Emperor?”

“You look surprised to see me intact.”

“No, that, no. I mean, how… No, good morning?”

Se-min utilized his subordinate.

“Kebalar! Lightning-fast charge!”

“Aaaargh!”

Kebalar charged at Kululu. The way he ran, fully raising his martial power, seemed to imitate Maktar’s technique.

However, Kululu, an experienced Orc and a talented shaman, dodged Kebalar’s attack and tripped him.

“Subordinate Number 5 has fallen. Number 6, your senior got beaten; are you just going to stand by and watch?”

“…”

“Go! Kubar!”

When Kubar appeared, Kululu’s complexion turned pale.

“Wait, why is Master Kubar like this…”

Kululu did not want to believe the fact before his eyes.

His extraordinary mind had deduced the facts and already understood the context of this situation, but he refused to acknowledge it.

The emperor being stronger than a practitioner was a variable he had never considered.

Kubar ruthlessly shattered his expectations.

“I lost.”

“…”

“After talking with that emperor, I thought it would be alright to watch further. I did want to try fighting Badurbarok.”

“Master Kubar… If you do that, the other practitioners will…”

“Asceticism is walking alone anyway. I do not care.”

“But…”

Se-min approached Kululu. Feeling an intimidating shadow, he backed away.

“Emperor. I just…”

“Just wanted to get beaten up?”

“N-no.”

“Then?”

“That is, it is…”

“Ah, I see!”

Se-min clapped his hands and spoke.

“You also wanted to come under me, but since you couldn’t know how strong I was, you were curious, right? So, just like an emperor having a servant taste food before eating, you sent Kubar first to watch whether this bastard would win or lose. And now you think, ‘Ah, if the emperor is at this level, I can follow him too,’ right? You’re trying to become my subordinate now, right? If so, I can forgive you.”

“That…”

“No?”

Se-min, who had used his fists even against Kubar, held out Lupus to Kululu. When the blade touched his neck, Kululu nodded vigorously.

“Yes. Yes. You are correct.”

At that, Kubar approached and glared.

“Correct?”

“T-that is…”

“Subordinate Number 6, manage him well. Kululu is Subordinate Number 7.”

Kubar grinned.

While Kululu, thus appointed Subordinate Number 7, was receiving physical punishment from Subordinate Number 6 Kubar, Se-min opened the door upon hearing a sound from inside Kululu’s fortress.

Kululu’s fortress was similar in size to Maktar’s, so the table and the crystal ball on it immediately came into view.

The crystal ball shone, and a voice leaked out.

[Kululu. Kululu. Are you there?]

Se-min looked back.

Kululu was now repeating lying on his front and then lying on his back. Next to him, Kaorak was giggling and mocking him.

[Kululu.]

Se-min approached the crystal ball.

“Communication security, communication security.”

[Hm? You are not Kululu.]

“Kululu went to the restroom for a moment.”

[Who are you?]

“I am Kululu’s friend.”

[I haven’t heard of such a thing…]

“That emperor brat got taught a lesson by Master Kubar. He cannot even walk properly right now. Master Kubar is resting a bit and says he will return with that emperor fellow soon.”

[Oh, is that so. As expected of Kubar.]

“What should I convey to Master Kubar?”

[Tell him to stop by the Bamboo Forest as soon as he returns. I must personally see that arrogant human emperor who does not know his place. We must tear his limbs apart and give them to Badurbarok to resolve this situation.]

“That is an excellent judgment. Ah, by the way, whom should I tell Master Kubar called?”

[You can say it is Degulur.]

“Yes.”

Se-min remembered the name.

“Got it. Wait in the Bamboo Forest, you Degulur bastard.”

[W-what did you say?]

“Didn’t you say you wanted to see me?”

[Who are you!]

“I am the Emperor whom you want to see so much. Let’s see whether my limbs get torn or yours do.”

[W-why, you…!]

“Wash your neck and wait, kid.”

Se-min urged Kubar and headed toward the dwelling of the practitioners located in the deepest part of the Grand Marino Sea of Trees.

“I do not know if this is the right thing to do.”

After hesitating, Kubar informed them of a secret passage.

“Almost no Orcs know exactly where the practitioners stay. It is because they are hiding. From here on, you could call it a different world.”

Advancing to the center of the Grand Marino Sea of Trees, they lifted a boulder. Then, the passage hidden by the rock was revealed.

It led underground.

As they entered the interior through the narrow tunnel, a dark cave continued.

At first, he thought it was an ordinary cave. He wondered if Orcs also had a hobby of hiding somewhere like goblins.

However, when they went a bit further and flung open the stone door inside the cave, a new world unfolded.

A vast land with green grass and low hills stretching continuously appeared. The sky was blue, and a sun, of which they could not tell if it was real or not, shone down on the world from high in the sky.

“This is?”

“It is where the practitioners live.”

Everything was beautiful.

Pandemonium’s underground was also vast, but this place could not be compared to it. It was full of life. Hearing the sound of insects chirping in the grass at his feet, Se-min bent his waist.

An insect hung onto a leaf, raising its antennae.

“It seems like a different world connected to the cave rather than the underground.”

“Perhaps.”

Kubar also spoke as if he did not know well.

He pointed toward a distant direction.

“Let’s leave quickly. This is the outer part. My dwelling is beyond this place, and Degulur, who was contacted earlier, is in a deeper place called the Bamboo Forest.”

“Does it get stronger the deeper you go?”

“Not necessarily, but generally yes.”

They began to walk. The air did not smell musty or bad just because it was underground. On the contrary, the air was clean, making the lungs feel purified.

“This doesn’t seem like the underground.”

They soon encountered a fortress. It was not very large but looked sturdy. Kubar explained.

“These are the guys staying on the outskirts of this land of practitioners. Since practitioners all train alone, their temperaments are mild. If we just pass by, nothing will…”

But as soon as his words ended, the door opened and an Orc appeared.

“Where are you invading, you humans?”

The threatening posture was awkward. It was the look of someone forcing a grim behavior.

It seemed that Degulur had contacted the practitioners. Se-min’s group looked at each other, and then Se-min stepped forward.

“Practitioner. I am the Emperor. If you let us pass, I will not harm you. Is there any reason for us to fight by force?”

At Se-min’s words, the Orc practitioner also had a tempted expression, but soon shook his head. Though he did not speak, much could be inferred from his sad eyes.

Just as there were times when one had to do something even if they disliked it, this Orc seemed to owe something to Degulur.

Of course, he spoke different words with his mouth.

“Are you scared? I do not leave those who invade my territory alone. Everyone, prepare yourselves and raise your weapons.”

As Se-min gestured with his chin, Maktar stepped forward. The practitioners were all strong, but Maktar was also a strong Orc. It was necessary to see to what extent his skills would work.

Kebalar came forward and watched their fight from a close spot.

“Shall we bet on who wins, with preparing dinner on the line?”

Before Maktar and the practitioner clashed, Se-min spoke. Then, the companions named the side they thought would win in turn. It was split about half and half.

Se-min whistled. From his view, the skills of the two were neck and neck.

Se-min bet on Maktar.

In cases where the skills of both were similar, victory or defeat was soon decided by mental strength and will.

The opponent did not seem to have much desire to fight, whereas Maktar was burning with fighting spirit to compete against the practitioners and win. Although the practitioner would dominate at first, it seemed Maktar would ultimately win.

And it went according to his thoughts.

“I lost. You are strong. I am sorry to Degulur, but I must withdraw.”

After a rather long exchange, the practitioner acknowledged his defeat.

But Maktar was panting, whereas the practitioner did not seem very tired. In reality, it was a confusing result as to who had won.

Se-min adjusted the capability of the practitioners upward.

They were strong.

“Did you say you were the emperor?”

The practitioner spoke toward Se-min.

“Leave the practitioners alone and do not bother them. We simply walk the path alone.”

“Are you saying you won’t care even if Badurbarok slaughters the Orcs?”

“If that is the natural order, we will simply flow quietly until we reach the end of the path.”

He said so and returned to his fortress.

Se-min furrowed his brow. He then asked Kubar, who was watching from the side.

“Are those practitioner fellows all so closed-off?”

“There are quite a few like that.”

“What about you?”

“Me, well, I have a temperament that cannot be like that even if I wanted to.”

“That is better.”

Se-min shrugged his shoulders.

“The end of the path those guys talk about cannot be reached in that manner.”

“You speak as if you know well.”

“I do.”

Saying so, Se-min quickened his steps.

Practitioners appeared occasionally, blocking them for various reasons, saying they invaded their territory, that they didn’t like the grouped appearance, or that they hated the goblin fellow.

Se-min’s group stepped forward in turn to face them, and though they won all the fights, they became battered.

“It seems that Degulur guy has high popularity?”

“The practitioners of the Bamboo Forest all possess this much influence.”

“What is the Bamboo Forest?”

“The Bamboo Forest is…”

Kubar cleared his throat and spoke.

“It is the place where those who protect the Elder Orcs reside.”

The words Elder Orc came up again. Se-min thought about asking about it but held his tongue. He would see it in person soon enough anyway.

They soon crossed the green hills and reached a forest. It was a forest composed of bamboo, the Bamboo Forest.

Entering the Bamboo Forest, where the view was blocked from the wide-open, vast land, felt stifling. Se-min expanded his sensory perception.

He felt Orcs here and there.

They were inside small fortresses or sitting alone outside, pondering something.

The practitioners even knew that Se-min felt them through his senses. They even returned their aura to convey a brief greeting to Se-min.

It was a bizarre feeling.

“How many Orcs are in the Bamboo Forest?”

“Not very many. Fewer than a hundred.”

“A hundred.”

It was a lot.

Were there as many as a hundred such people?

“What about the Elder Orcs?”

“I do not know either.”

Just what kind of existences were the Elder Orcs whom the practitioners of the Bamboo Forest followed?

Se-min gradually grew interested. There was something different from the goblins trapped in Pandemonium. Perhaps he would obtain a powerful ally.

Elder Orcs.

Mighty existences who were said not to have stepped forward even during the ancient war.

“First, let’s go to Degulur.”

“Are you truly planning to fight?”

“He is the guy who said he would chop up my limbs and send them to Badurbarok.”

Se-min grinned.

“I have to see if he can.”

The energy of the bamboo forest was refreshing. A fresh scent settled in the air currents flowing over the bamboo leaves. Somehow, even his heart felt calmed.

Se-min felt the energy of the Tai Chi Wisdom draw a spiral and loop around his body once.

He was liking this place.

“Is Degulur’s house not here yet?”

“I have rarely visited the Bamboo Forest either, so I am confused.”

Kubar took the lead and guided them.

“Wow.”

Pushing through the bamboo forest, a waterfall that was invisible from the outside appeared. The watercourse plummeted down, riding a high-rising rock wall.

Below it, a shabby log cabin lay isolated.

“It’s here.”

Se-min chuckled.

“His momentum was so grand that I thought he would live in a castle, but it’s just a hut?”

“It means he has reached that high of a realm.”

Kubar said.

“Building one’s own fortress is an Orc’s instinct. It means he transcended that. Truly worthy of Master Degulur.”

It was a statement that seemed to make sense but not quite.

Se-min shouted.

“Degulur! I am here! Come out!”

There was no response from the hut.

“Degulur!”

Then the door opened.

Standing there was an Orc whose build was small compared to Maktar or Kubar, leaning on a staff.

Scowling deeply, he scanned Se-min’s group and walked forward.

“Kubar. What happened?”

“I decided to follow the emperor.”

“Was your training to the extent of yielding so easily?”

“It was not a matter of being strong or weak. I saw something in this emperor.”

“What is that something? Is it worth that much?”

“Yes.”

Degulur laughed.

“This is why young practitioners won’t do.”

“Master Degulur. What I saw might possibly…”

Kubar said with a serious face.

“…be the end of the path.”

“What?”

Degulur’s face, which had looked like a shabby Orc, stiffened. At the same time, the refreshing energy wrapping around the area settled down gloomily.

In an instant, the bamboo forest filled with killing intent.

“Kubar. Do you even know what you just said?”

“Yes.”

“The end of the path is strictly walked alone. Finding it in another person is merely a precursor to corruption.”

“I do not think so.”

“If so, it cannot be helped.”

Degulur raised his staff.

Clearly, it was a staff.

But the moment he held it high, it became a sword holding sharp energy.

“I keep my word.”

Killing intent poured out of his body. The murderous intent spread into the air, embracing Se-min’s group. It was difficult to breathe.

Se-min spread his aura to protect the companions.

“I will chop you to pieces and send you to the demonic beast bastards, and tell them to leave the Sea of Trees alone.”

“Master Degulur.”

“Kubar. If you retract your words even now…”

As Kubar grew flustered, Se-min stepped forward.

“Hey, Degulur.”

He spun around. A reddish killing intent rose in his eyes. When Degulur grinned, his yellow teeth were revealed.

“So you are that foolish emperor. How insolent to wear a dragon robe. Are you trying to imitate the ancient legends?”

Se-min looked down at his clothes. It was a cool Sukajan jacket with a roaring dragon. Seeing him convulse like that, it seemed this intimidating effect worked in the other world as well.

Puffing out his chest further, Se-min spoke.

“Degulur. Do you know what a ‘reckless child’ means?”

Se-min approached.

Only then did Degulur’s face stiffen. The airflow of aura emitting from Se-min was unusual.

The person who was the emperor differed from his expectations.

“An emperor uses martial power?”

Se-min grinned.

“A ‘reckless child’ is a metaphorical expression referring to a person who acts without discretion, not knowing fear, and running wild.”

“You bastard…”

“I think that refers to you.”

Se-min lifted Lupus.

Their auras clashed. As their powers advanced without yielding, an invisible, fierce front line formed between the two.

“If you practice asceticism for a long time, you see things others cannot see.”

Without expressing his emotions like earlier, Degulur raised his sword with a firm face. His two eyes glared at Se-min. The air in the Bamboo Forest settled heavily.

“You should have never become the emperor. Rather, you were born under the star of shattering the heavens.”

“Here we go again with the foolish ruler talk.”

“Yes. You are a foolish ruler. Just what do you plan to do here?”

“Isn’t it obvious since I’ve come all this way?”

Se-min raised his sword, pointing to the center of the Bamboo Forest.

Degulur’s face distorted, and even Kubar’s face stiffened. Se-min stretched out Lupus and spoke.

“I am going to make the Elder Orcs my subordinates.”