Chapter 81 – Temple of the Dragon (2)

The battle began abruptly.

The moment Se-min stepped out of Galatur’s fortress, an explosion tore through the air.

Se-min shook his head to clear the ringing tinnitus.

The Sea of Trees was burning.

It was a bombardment.

Se-min gauged the direction.

In the far distance, outside the Sea of Trees, several fireballs were falling in a parabolic arc.

An explosion occurred at every crash site, and the area was soon engulfed in flames. Shouts let out by the Orcs were heard from beyond the forest.

Se-min turned back to his companions.

First, he spoke to the Orcs leading their fortresses.

“The situation is urgent. I will go to the front line immediately, so please gather the Orcs from the fortresses and join me.”

“Understood.”

“Gigantur. Please.”

“Do not worry, Emperor.”

“Shozen, Gulad, Kaorak, Biryu.”

Se-min spoke toward the companions.

“Do not die.”

Everyone nodded. Se-min glanced at their faces once, and immediately kicked off the ground.

Se-min’s figure soared.

The lush forest fell below his vision.

Se-min was now standing in the sky.

The outline of the Grand Marino Sea of Trees came into view. Far away, on the plains outside the Sea of Trees, the demonic beasts set up camp.

The giant demonic beasts he saw before stood in their places, opening their mouths and letting out strange noises, while the remaining demonic beasts were marching toward the Grand Marino Sea of Trees.

From the rear of the demonic beasts, fireballs were launched again.

The number was five. Each was flying toward the flags soaring above the Sea of Trees.

Se-min immediately kicked off the air and rushed forward. The blazing fire drew closer. It smelled of sulfur. As he got closer, Se-min could smell the odor of a demonic beast from the fireball.

Se-min stared closely at the inside of the fireball.

And he was startled.

“Horrible bastards.”

This was not an ordinary bomb.

In the center of the flames, a human-sized demonic beast was burning itself, opening its mouth and letting out screeches.

It was completely burnt black, making it awkward to even call it a living thing.

It was a biological bomb.

It was utterly hideous.

Se-min swung Lupus. He sliced the flames and cut the demonic beast inside in two. It exploded just like that with a tearing scream.

He spread his aura to protect his body.

Shredded pieces of the demonic beast’s corpse scattered in the air. Se-min suddenly locked eyes with the demonic beast’s head falling upside down. Only then did Se-min realize what the identity of that demonic beast was.

That ugly appearance with eyelids completely burnt away and eyeballs left round and bulging.

An existence Se-min knew well.

Se-min gripped Lupus. The pieces of the demonic beast’s corpse became dust and fell into the Grand Marino Sea of Trees.

The demonic beast had been an Orc once.

The demonic beasts reformed the Orcs in their own hideous way, and were throwing them into the Grand Marino Sea of Trees.

It was probably their own way of revenge and warning.

Se-min curled up the corners of his mouth. Yes, they were these kinds of guys. That was why he was walking this dog-like path.

Because they were these kinds of guys, he came all the way to a strange other world and fought, risking his life, to catch and tear them all to pieces.

Anger became fuel, heating his veins.

There were still four left.

Se-min turned his body and circled. The remaining fireballs were passing Se-min.

Two drew parallel trajectories. Se-min chased them and accelerated his aura. His figure turned into a ray of light.

Se-min chased the two fireballs and shot them down.

An explosion rose again.

Now two were left.

Se-min chased them again.

Right before the shells fell onto the fortress, Se-min snatched them and soared up into the sky. It felt like his shoulders would tear from resisting inertia, but Se-min discharged his aura with all his might to reverse the bombardment.

The shells soared into the sky.

Se-min sent them back to the demonic beasts.

The fireballs began to fly toward the demonic beasts in the same shape as when they came.

The formation of the demonic beasts running toward the Grand Marino Sea of Trees was seen shaking for an instant. Se-min kicked off the air and followed the shells.

The scenery on the ground passed quickly.

Se-min smiled, watching the scene of the demonic beasts burning as the fireballs exploded.

The demonic beasts scattered in panic.

Into that chaos, Se-min clashed immediately.

Once again, an explosion burst.

He swung Lupus toward a demonic beast he locked eyes with. Blood spilled out.

Receiving that blood as it was, Se-min advanced again and plunged his blade into the demonic beast’s neck. Attacks from the demonic beasts poured in from all sides. Se-min spun around, cutting them all down.

A blood fountain rose.

***

The outskirts of the Sea of Trees were already being raided by the demonic beasts.

The fortresses located at the border of the Sea of Trees all suffered invasions. Since most were small fortresses where a small number of personnel stayed, the Orcs fought a hard battle.

The Orcs began to join up with nearby fortresses to form groups.

“Oliar! Are you okay!”

“No problem.”

“The baby?”

“Inside the fortress.”

Gotr came to rescue the Orc family located nearby.

He had been staying on the outskirts of the Grand Marino Sea of Trees. It was because staying on the outside made it easier to catch demonic beasts. Gotr was an outstanding hunter.

“What about Benariar?”

“He…”

Oliar trailed off, then bit her lip and finished her sentence.

“He went out hunting.”

“Hunting.”

If he were outside the Sea of Trees at a time like this, he would have definitely run into the demonic beasts.

Gotr shook his head before being seized by negative emotions. Such thoughts made the body heavy. Gotr let out a shout of spirit.

“Benariar is an excellent hunter. That is all I know. Oliar, take the baby and head into the Sea of Trees.”

“Understood.”

“I will be blocking them. Bring the baby.”

“Thank you, Gotr.”

While Oliar went inside the fortress, Gotr blocked the crowding demonic beasts.

Those fellows who used to appear sparsely scattered were gradually gathering after targeting the fortress. Gotr drove his axe into the skull of a demonic beast rushing at him. Bodily fluid burst out.

After roughly wiping his face, he threw a rock at a fellow loitering nearby. The guy rushed in. Gotr cut his neck without fail as well.

In this situation where the Grand Marino Sea of Trees was burning and the demonic beasts were attacking, Gotr laughed.

He knew a day like this would come someday.

Every warrior would have felt the same. Since becoming an adult, he had kept hunting demonic beasts, and each time he felt their nature.

They were creatures made solely for destruction and slaughter. There was no way such bastards would leave them alive indefinitely.

Gradually, the demonic beasts increased. Gotr looked toward the fortress. Oliar had not come out. He gripped his axe tightly.

“Come out quickly! The demonic beasts are multiplying!”

Gotr furrowed his brow and scanned the shadows between the trees.

The demonic beasts had already surrounded them.

“Damn it.”

To think there are this many.

Oliar came out holding the young Orc baby. A spear was held in her hand.

She called Gotr.

“Gotr, are you okay?”

“I am okay right now. But they are too many.”

Oliar also grasped the situation, and her complexion turned pale.

“Oliar.”

Martial power rose like flames from Gotr’s body. The demonic beasts growled, gradually approaching them. Gotr spoke, clutching his axe.

“I will break through, so follow me.”

“But, will you be alright?”

“Think of the baby, Oliar.”

Gotr said with a grin.

“Pay back this debt later. I should ask Benariar to treat me to the liquor he treasured. The one he received from his father-in-law when marrying you, right?”

Oliar also chuckled.

“Yes. That simple liquor, I will gladly serve it. Let me owe you one today.”

“Don’t change your words later.”

Locking eyes with her, Gotr charged toward the demonic beasts’ blockading line.

Beyond that led to the center of the Grand Marino Sea of Trees. There were numerous fortresses there, and also the land where practitioners stayed.

We, the Orcs, do not just get beaten.

Gotr let out a shout and collided with the demonic beasts.

Instantly, pressure crushed his body. Gotr raised the output of his martial power. His muscles swelled up ruggedly.

As he swung the axe once and cut them down, the demonic beasts split open all at once, spilling bodily fluids and entrails. Without stopping, Gotr spun like a windmill and sliced even the second row beyond.

Once a round of slaughter ended, the counterattack returned. Gotr ignored them. The claws of the demonic beasts dug into his thighs and arms, but he did not mind and advanced again, looking only forward.

He broke through the demonic beasts’ encirclement.

“Oliar, run!”

Gotr turned back and shouted.

And his expression changed. She had failed to escape the encirclement in time and was being attacked by a demonic beast. And that demonic beast was a figure he knew well.

An Orc.

An Orc who had entered under Badurbarok was deployed here.

The guy had black scales sprouting here and there on his body like a demonic beast, and his tusks were bent haphazardly, giving an ugly impression. His eyes had turned yellow, with discharge trickling down.

“What are you?”

Gotr spoke with disgust. He did not like the Orcs belonging to Badurbarok.

That Orc stared at Gotr, then let out a screech again and attacked Oliar.

Gotr tried to rush at the guy, but the demonic beasts clung onto him. They bit and hung on persistently. Gotr kept swinging his axe, but they grabbed his feet and did not let go.

While holding the baby, Oliar was struggling to block the attacks with her spear.

Scratches multiplied on Oliar’s body. The battle situation gradually grew unfavorable. A claw also dug into Gotr’s thigh. He slumped down and shouted.

“Oliar!”

Just before the Orc’s sword sliced Oliar.

Suddenly, the guy tumbled over.

Gotr widened his eyes. Next to Oliar, a single Orc was already standing.

It was a familiar face to him.

Gotr spoke.

“Chief.”

Maktar, the Orc who once led the fortress, stood there.

After glancing at the Orc fallen at his feet, Maktar swung his axe and split his head. The Orc could not even let out a scream and died instantly on the spot.

That relentless axe-swinging was indeed the Chief he knew.

He raised his eyes and looked at Gotr.

“Gotr, long time no see. Is your body okay?”

“I am okay.”

Gotr nodded. The demonic beast that had dug its claws into his thigh was already chopped to pieces on the ground.

Maktar glared at the demonic beasts.

His martial power seized the area.

The demonic beasts surrounding them could not approach further and took a step back. The encirclement thinned out. After whispering something to Oliar, Maktar exchanged glances with Gotr.

Gotr could understand the meaning without words.

“Aaaargh!”

Gotr let out a shout and released his martial power. He then spun once, cutting down the nearby demonic beasts.

The fight began again.

Maktar charged toward Gotr. Oliar followed him. After carving through the demonic beasts, Gotr joined their charge.

They lumped together and escaped the demonic beasts’ encirclement.

“What do we do now?”

“Gather the fortresses of the outskirts.”

“The demonic beasts are many.”

Gotr continued.

“I climbed the flagpole and saw them. There are incredibly many. There is no time to rescue other fortresses, Chief. It is better to just head straight inside.”

“Do not worry. Because there is a fellow buying time instead.”

“Who is that?”

Maktar turned his head toward the outside of the Sea of Trees.

At that moment, an explosion occurred and thick sand dust rose above the forest. It felt like the screams of the demonic beasts were heard all the way here.

“The Emperor.”

***

Se-min was slaying them in the midst of the demonic beasts.

Although attacks flew in from all sides, he calculated all trajectories in his head and cut them down with the most efficient movement.

Later, demonic-beastified Orcs stepped forward to face him. They spoke some words, but Se-min could not understand.

Did they learn a new language once they sided with the demonic beasts?

But the battlefield was too urgent to ask that. Thus, he drove his blade into the neck that was screeching. Lupus, soaked in blood, vibrated heavily.

Se-min shook off that force and sliced the area. A gap formed between Se-min and the demonic beasts.

That gap was filled with corpses.

When the demonic beasts did not approach, Se-min now ran toward them over the corpses. The demonic beasts turned back and began to flee.

Se-min looked at the main army.

Several giant demonic beasts, whose heads could only be seen by looking up for a long time, stood there.

A single step.

The things that had not reacted even while Se-min was killing the demonic beasts for a long time slowly began to move.

Se-min gripped Lupus. Just imagining what would happen if those things entered the Sea of Trees was horrifying.

Se-min began to run toward the path of the giant monsters.

They walked looking only forward, not caring about Se-min’s approach. The closer he got, the more massive their size felt.

Toward the head of the monster positioned high in the sky, Se-min kicked off the ground and soared.

Aura pushed his body.

He accelerated further in the air.

He entered to the same eye level as the demonic beast. It did not care at all even though Se-min was in front of its eyes. Thus, Se-min thought it might be blind.

But when Se-min tried to load aura onto Lupus and swing it, an abnormality occurred.

Something blocked him.

At first, it was invisible. However, black stains gradually spread in the air, and soon darkness gathered in one place, forming a human shape.

A black form.

It grinned while looking at Se-min. At the same time, intense demonic energy poured out. Se-min took a step back.

From the guy’s arm, a sword composed of darkness just like his body popped out.

Se-min called him.

“Are you by any chance Despair?”

The demon’s shape distorted bizarrely.

The guy stopped in the air and was spreading black wings, then asked Se-min suggestively.

[How do you know my nickname?]

“…”

[It is my first time seeing you. Could it be you are acquainted with the Orc bastards who raided the base back then?]

This guy still did not know that the ones who raided the city back then were Se-min’s group in disguise. Feeling killing intent, Se-min raised Lupus.

[That sword…]

The opponent remembered Se-min’s Lupus.

[I see.]

Only then did the demon have an expression of understanding everything.

Se-min also felt relieved. No matter how much they disguised, did it make sense to think he was an Orc?

[That Orc died because of his wounds, and you are that Orc’s friend. Or perhaps his disciple. Have you come for revenge?]

“…”

[Remember. That I was that Orc’s ‘Despair’. Kekekek…]

The guy laughed as if satisfied.

[A-human who appeared for revenge… Not bad. If this were a novel, it would have been criticized as a trite cliché. But human. Keep this in mind.]

His form faded. Before disappearing completely, he left a word.

[That clichés do not work in reality.]

Se-min expanded his senses. He felt the demon hovering around him. Although invisible, he could feel its insidious energy.

He scanned the surroundings more precisely. Then, the guy’s trajectory became as clear as if held in his hand.

Right now, he is trying to stab him from behind.

Se-min spun once and swung Lupus. The swords clashed. The guy flailed in bewilderment. Se-min kicked the guy’s chest.

It was a strange sensation, like pushing away the darkness.

At first, it felt as if he were being embraced inside, but then a repulsive force arose and the guy’s body was sent bouncing away.

[Urgh!]

Se-min pursued the flying body directly.

He glanced to look at the giant monsters.

They were still advancing. It was a slow tempo, but their sizes were so massive that their bodies moved forward rapidly with every step. He must incapacitate this demon bastard as soon as possible.

Se-min glared at the demon again and raised his aura.

“Die!”

Without a shred of hesitation, Se-min loaded full killing intent and cut the demon. The guy screamed.

[Aaaargh!]

Those called demons do not have a felt physical reality. Thus, they could only be attacked through aura. Yet, it was difficult to inflict damage with ordinary aura.

Therefore, one must cut them with dense aura, or decompose them with stronger power.

The Tai Chi Wisdom was their natural enemy in that aspect.

As the aura refined without impurities was contained in Lupus and sliced his chest, the guy’s chest was torn open just like that.

The ground-out part was not restored and remained as a blank space. The body made of darkness stretched tentacles to splice the cut surface, but they could not weave together.

[This power!]

“Do you get it now?”

Since it was the same aura used during the raid, he would be able to guess his identity.

[As expected, you were the disciple!]

Se-min decided to kill him quickly without talking further. Se-min’s attacks grew faster. Lupus cut into the demon at invisible speed.

As his limbs were torn away, the guy turned from a human shape into a confusingly scattered darkness.

[Aaaargh!]

He resisted occasionally, but it had no effect on Se-min who had caught the flow.

Se-min chopped the dark sword stabbing at him to pieces, and directly pierced the guy’s head.

He did not die.

He seemed to be different from ordinary living creatures.

[Y-you bastard…]

His voice blurred. His body also turned faint. The guy’s energy began to fade weakly.

Se-min wanted to pull Lupus out, but it did not move, stuck in the guy’s skull.

He turned his eyes and saw the giant monsters.

Now, their feet reached the entrance of the Grand Marino Sea of Trees.

[Keke-keke… You must be worried about the Orcs? That forest will be trampled by my masterpiece, Gaigatus.]

The name of that monster seemed to be Gaigatus.

“Yes. But you won’t live to see it.”

Se-min said.

“Die.”

The Tai Chi Wisdom raged, and in its center, the Cosmic Flow arose. Se-min blinked. At the moment his eyelids blocked his vision and let in darkness, Se-min saw the scenery of the universe.

When he opened his eyes again, it had vanished without a trace, but the steady flow hung directly at the tip of Lupus’s blade.

The demon was swept away.

The guy opened his mouth and yelled loudly, but no sound was heard.

The moment he tried to completely destroy the guy.

Se-min froze.

A shadow within the darkness was approaching Se-min’s heart.

It was a hidden sword.

Se-min did not even see it right before it pierced him. Noticing it was not his ability either. He could tell because the Tai Chi Wisdom hidden inside him shrieked, warning him of death.

Se-min twisted his body and released everything he knew.

The Tai Chi Wisdom and the Cosmic Flow arose simultaneously, striking that sword.

Even so, it did not stop. Its trajectory only shifted slightly, but it remained the same in advancing toward Se-min’s death.

With desperate strength, Se-min twisted his body.

The pitch-black sword grazed Se-min’s chest, leaving a long cut from his ribs to the inside of his armpit as it passed.

Se-min immediately kicked off the air and escaped the place.

A chill ran through his whole body. He almost died. He almost died without even knowing he was dying.

Se-min stared at the place where he had been. The fading demon’s shape was gradually recovering.

And next to it.

A new demon was floating.

A shape filled with darkness.

A complete darkness incomparable to that clumsy guy Se-min had been facing was there. No light would be able to brighten it.

Se-min scanned his wound.

Blood was trickling down from the place where his Sukajan had torn away.

Pain was not felt. No, it was felt, but Se-min did not pay attention to it. Something stronger than pain was occupying his mind.

He met the guy again.

Se-min had never forgotten that.

The demon that appeared when Noh Hak-jae broke the Hell Gate was there.

Clutching Lupus, Se-min immediately rushed toward the guy. The Tai Chi Wisdom flared up, unleashing an output beyond its limits.

Se-min’s destructive attack sliced the two demons at the same time.

But there was no feeling of hitting anything. Se-min turned back. Before he knew it, they were behind his back.

The newly appeared guy did not even look toward Se-min, conveying some meaning toward the fading demon.

Se-min raised his aura.

A white aura flared up from his body.

“Hey.”

Se-min called it. The guy did not look at Se-min. The weakened demon was nodding its head continuously.

Se-min swung his sword toward the newly appeared fellow.

The Cosmic Flow advanced, cutting through space.

Only then did that guy turn his head.

Did the guy recognize him?

The sword springing from his arm blocked Se-min’s attack. In that impact, waves spread in the area. The demonic beasts on the ground slumped down, yielding their knees. The earth trembled faintly.

“Long time no see.”

He had never forgotten that black shape, that density.

Se-min flew toward the guy with Lupus. Then, the fellow who was beaten by Se-min faded completely and left the front line, leaving only that guy who killed Noh Hak-jae.

It did not say a word.

Se-min approached toward the guy. Gradually, his speed grew faster. Se-min’s figure rushed toward the demon.

The giant monster Gaigatus entered the Grand Marino Sea of Trees and began to trample the forest, but in Se-min’s eyes, only that guy was visible.

The two clashed.

***

Maktar gathered the Orcs of the fortress and evacuated toward the depths of the Grand Marino Sea of Trees.

The deeper they went, the rougher the terrain was, and the number of Orcs was also large.

Just gathering the Orcs led by the masters of each fortress would amount to a number capable of resisting the demonic beasts.

“Kebalar!”

Maktar shouted.

Kebalar was showing a performance beyond expectations in the crisis situation.

As if the actions he had done so far were a play, he calmly swung his weapon, facing the demonic beasts and rescuing the Orcs.

“Do not overdo it! Your safety is the priority!”

But Maktar was worried about that.

Young and highly spirited fellows like Kebalar ended up hurting themselves while rescuing others. He had seen many such Orcs.

“Do not worry! Because I won’t die until I become the Warchief!”

Kebalar shouted so, splitting the head of a demonic beast.

Maktar did not have the spare energy to shout at him further, busy facing the demonic beasts approaching around him. Maktar roared as he swung his axe irritably.

Kubar, who was facing the demonic beasts nearby with him, spoke.

“Too much worry. Every Orc matures within battle.”

“That is true, but…”

“If he is a fellow who will truly become the Warchief, he won’t die here. Isn’t that so?”

He was facing the demonic beasts skillfully. There was much to learn. Indeed, he was a practitioner.

Maktar watched how he fought and also applied it to his own martial power.

“Where is the Emperor’s party?”

“They have scattered separately, searching for Orcs.”

“I see.”

They also possessed outstanding skills.

The Orcs held a prejudice against humans and goblins. Their thought was that no matter how hard they tried, they could not be stronger than Orcs.

Yet the Emperor’s companions all possessed martial power that shattered common sense. They were stronger than ordinary Orcs.

“But what do we do about that?”

As Maktar spoke, Kubar also let out a low groan.

There was something they kept ignoring without mentioning even while facing the demonic beasts. They intentionally did not voice it, hoping those things would not come all the way here.

But now, it was truly time to talk.

That monster they saw in the demonic beasts’ city.

They were walking toward the Grand Marino Sea of Trees.

“But what kind of guys are those? They are only walking.”

“Isn’t it just an unexceptional bulk?”

“Shall we leave it alone for now?”

Maktar and Kubar spoke so, containing their respective wishes.

Just then, a man appeared by their side.

It was Biryu.

“We must block it.”

Unlike his usual smiling self, he had a serious expression.

“Those things must not go to the center of the Sea of Trees.”

***

Se-min tried to pierce the demon’s body with Lupus, but he rarely gave an opening.

Se-min’s speed grew faster. Reacting to Se-min’s emotions, the Tai Chi Wisdom raged even more wildly, and Lupus resonated with a tearing sound of slicing the air.

“Since that time, I have only waited for the day to see you again.”

Se-min approached the front of the demon.

“You remember me, right?”

Se-min used his rotational force to strike down Lupus.

The demon merely kept his mouth closed, going along with Se-min’s attacks. He did not seem to have any intention of actively engaging in the fight. He glanced at Gaigatus occasionally.

“Let’s see how long you plan to just drag out time.”

Se-min gripped Lupus tightly. A fiercer emotion than ever guided the sword path.

Faced up close, the demon’s shape was even more bizarre.

Darkness was lumped to form a human shape, but it was so detailed that through the outlines and curves, he felt he could guess what its original appearance looked like.

Se-min scanned the guy’s facial features, somehow feeling they were familiar, and rotated his body upon receiving an attack from the demon in an instant.

Se-min suddenly felt a strange premonition.

He stopped continuously attacking the demon, backed away, and caught his breath. He then looked at the far-off ground.

Below, the demonic beasts were continuously marching toward the Grand Marino Sea of Trees to support Gaigatus.

There were not only bizarre demonic beasts, but also Orcs who had been remodeled under Badurbarok’s command and turned into completely different appearances.

Such Orcs all had black scales sprouting and large baring tusks. They all had terrible appearances, but there was a certain regularity. It was as if they were reborn as a different species.

Se-min looked at the demon again.

The foolish guy he subdued earlier showed a clumsy side, calling himself Despair or whatever. That appearance, if he had to express it, could be called human.

“Hey.”

When Se-min was staying in North Korean land, Kim Min-chul, who used black aura, sprayed black aura in an appearance as if consumed by that power.

That appearance with black wings and horns soaring was, strictly speaking, similar to the demon before his eyes.

Se-min came to think that these guys might also not have been demons originally.

“Could it be that you were originally human?”

When an Orc is demonic-beastified, scales form like a reptile, the skin hardens, and they obtain stronger power.

If so, did humans mature into Badurbarok’s subordinates in a different way?

Se-min was seized by such a premonition.

As Se-min stood frozen, this time the demon attacked. He swung his sword. Se-min stared closely at that movement.

It was a human’s sword play.

Goblins and Orcs also used weapons, but their method was different from humans. In the first place, their physical structures were different, so they could not be the same.

Yet that demon, the black shape that must have transcended the limits of the body, used a human’s sword play.

Se-min gazed at the trajectory of the black sword.

When Noh Hak-jae died, that sword moved and pierced his chest.

Se-min loaded the anger boiling inside him onto Lupus and swung the sword. The demon was gradually pushed back. The Tai Chi Wisdom flared on Se-min’s Lupus. As even the Cosmic Flow formed upon it, the demon backed away.

Se-min advanced and swung his sword wildly toward the demon.

“Were you human?”

Se-min struck up conversation in the midst of it. The demon did not answer. Se-min gained further conviction and swung his sword aggressively.

“Is it good going under Badurbarok? What did that bastard give you so much that you try to cling to him even while becoming such a state.”

As he sneered, he felt the demon’s movements grow rough. It had an effect. Se-min provoked the demon by mixing exaggeration with his sincerity.

The guy kept only listening, but it was clear he was losing his composure at Se-min’s provocation.

“Urgh!”

Every time the demon’s sword grazed his skin, Se-min felt a burning pain.

The demon cut Se-min consecutively. Wounds multiplied on his body. Indeed, the demon was strong.

Suppressing the pain arising from his body, Se-min lifted Lupus and struggled to find the demon’s weakness.

“You…”

Se-min tried to say something to the demon once again.

Now it was not a provocation, but he truly wanted to hear something from him.

But Se-min swallowed the following words. Even if he asked, an answer would not return.

This demon had already become Badurbarok’s soldier, and there would be no guilt or regret regarding that.

“Damn it.”

The demon’s sword stabbed Se-min. Se-min stepped back. Every time the sword flew aiming at Se-min, Se-min received a chilling feeling.

From where did such a premonition originate?

Se-min looked back at his own heart.

He could not know why he felt such hostility and simultaneously felt anger toward this demon. He did not seem to get this angry at the simple-minded demon fellow from before, but this guy was different.

“Are you by any chance…”

Se-min said.

“Someone I know?”

The demon stopped in his place.

Se-min aimed Lupus, demanding an answer.

Se-min stared at the area where his eyes should be. Since it was entirely made of darkness, he could not gauge the exact direction, but Se-min used his senses to guess the approximate direction.

The guy was looking at Gaigatus.

The guy kept caring about Gaigatus.

That thing seemed to perform some important role.

Gaigatus was now entering the Grand Marino Sea of Trees, advancing while trampling the forest.

Se-min somehow felt a sense of crisis at that sight.

His instinct was shouting to block that.

Se-min stared at the demon for a moment, then quietly turned his body. This guy was also important, but silencing those giant monsters seemed to be the priority.

The moment he left his spot to go toward Gaigatus.

The demon blocked his path.

Se-min rotated his body, flustered by the guy’s active behavior. But the demon blocked that path as well.

The fellow who roughly backed away while receiving Se-min’s attacks was trying to block him by all means when he tried to go to Gaigatus.

That was how important that was.

Se-min grinned.

“I just have to block that, right?”

The demon, who was staring at him quietly, suddenly spoke.

[Stop this foolish resistance.]

It was the resonance characteristic of demons.

Although it was not a human voice, Se-min thought the tone was familiar.

Thus, he rolled his brain to find the origin of the memory.

“Is that huge thing so important?”

[…]

“What kind of fellow is that? It doesn’t even attack, it just walks.”

[…]

Instead of an answer, the demon swung his sword.

“Did Badurbarok tell you not to speak? Are you sick with a disease where you die if you talk too much?”

[…]

Se-min kept conversing, glancing at Gaigatus.

A few Orcs were seen climbing onto it and attacking Gaigatus. Gaigatus did not rebel or try to shake them off, merely walking.

There were no particular problems yet.

Se-min focused on the demon again.

“No matter how I look, you are familiar. Are you truly someone I know? There is no bastard around me who is pitch-black like you, or servile enough to bow his head to Badurbarok…”

The demon seemed to waver minutely.

“They would rather die fighting, and there is no pathetic bastard who would cling to Badurbarok to enjoy glory. But somehow you seem like someone I know. What is your identity? What was your name when you were human? A Raider?”

The demon’s form seemed to flicker, and then appeared in front of Se-min.

It was too fast, so Se-min could not react.

His fist pierced Se-min’s abdomen. Se-min instantly could not breathe and folded his waist.

[Shut up. Kid.]

Before his sword could strike his neck, Se-min left the spot.

Clutching his abdomen, he spat saliva. He did not know how long it had been since he was hit so cleanly. Se-min grinned at the demon again.

“Calling me kid, you must be older than me. Right?”

[…]

“Since I struck a nerve, you try to shut me up by calling me kid, which is exactly Korean senior-junior culture. Are you by any chance from Korea?”

He keeping his mouth closed, he attacked Se-min. Se-min gritted his teeth.

The intensity of the attacks was growing fierce. He spread his wings wide. Every time he blocked an attack, his bones vibrated.

He was strong.

Se-min unfolded the Cosmic Flow. He believed that the blow containing the principles of the universe would be effective.

But he blocked it skillfully, then emitted black sword energy toward Se-min. Se-min failed to block it in time, and a wound formed on his arm.

“Urgh!”

Since it was his right arm of all places, he almost dropped Lupus.

The attacks continued.

Se-min kept pulling back. The demon did not give up and pursued.

Avoiding the attacks, Se-min glanced in the direction of Gaigatus. It was walking honestly toward the center of the Sea of Trees.

“Can’t you at least tell me what that Gaigatus does?”

The demon stopped in his place and stared at Se-min, then made an expression.

The corners of his mouth went up, forming a truly demonic smile.

[Are you curious about what that is?]

The guy disappeared. And appeared again by Se-min’s side.

Se-min reacted quickly, swinging Lupus, but the demon had already moved behind Se-min’s back again. As it plunged the blade into Se-min’s flank, it whispered something.

Se-min was shocked.

This was not due to the pain of the blade carving into his flesh, but due to what the demon had spoken to him.

***

Maktar gathered the Orcs and was retreating deeper into the Sea of Trees.

Gigantur and the other masters of the fortresses helped them.

Now, the Orcs were not just getting beaten like in the beginning of the battle, but rather overwhelmed the demonic beasts. The demonic beasts could not pursue the Orcs retreating inside any further.

No matter how declined the Orcs were, when they gathered, they would not easily be defeated by things like demonic beasts.

That was what Orcs were.

Kubar, who was retreating with him, asked.

“Maktar, shouldn’t we do something about that?”

Maktar looked around.

Everyone was exhausted from fighting the demonic beasts. Besides, there were still many other demonic beasts. They were just not attacking further, but there was a feeling of danger if they stepped forward first.

“Since Biryu also spoke of it, we cannot just leave it. First, only a portion will go. Let’s see what kind of fellow that guy is.”

Maktar decided to pick only outstanding Orcs to try attacking that giant monster once.

“I will go too.”

“You cannot. You are still lacking.”

“Urgh…”

Kebalar also volunteered, but Maktar excluded him. Kebalar was still immature.

“Aren’t you the man who will become Warchief? Stay here and protect the other Orcs.”

“If you put it that way, cough.”

Kebalar withdrew. Maktar grinned, gathered Kubar and some Orcs, and ran toward the monster.

Demonic beasts blocked the path, but they struck them all down.

“I go first!”

Kubar leaped and clung to the monster’s body. Maktar followed.

Orcs began to climb the monster’s body.

The monster did not make any reaction.

It merely walked.

Even when they attacked or struck its flesh with weapons, the monster simply advanced toward the center of the Sea of Trees.

Clinging to the monster’s body, Maktar suddenly felt something strange.

Heat was felt from the monster’s body.

***

Gaigatus was continuing to advance.

Se-min tried to go there, but the demon did not let him go. Now the initiative had passed to the demon.

Se-min struggled to shake him off, and the demon hovered around, piling wounds on Se-min’s body.

“Hey, get lost while I’m speaking nicely.”

Se-min swung Lupus irritably. The demon backed away, out of the attack radius. In that gap, Se-min kicked off the air and rushed toward the Grand Marino Sea of Trees.

But before he knew it, the demon was waiting for him ahead.

The impact force emitted from the demon’s body struck Se-min. By the heavy impact, Se-min was sent bouncing in the opposite direction. Blood rose inside his body.

Se-min sprayed aura in reverse to apply the brakes, but inertia pushed him in a direction far from the Grand Marino Sea of Trees.

Se-min barely stopped in the air. He wiped the blood oozing from his mouth with his sleeve and scanned the surroundings. The demon was not visible.

His black sword would be aiming at him in an invisible region. Se-min closed his eyes and expanded his senses.

His five senses tracked the demon. He was not caught. Then, the Tai Chi Wisdom raised its tentacles.

Now, Se-min felt out the demon’s position in the region beyond.

Found him.

But, he is too close.

Se-min gritted his teeth and struck down Lupus. The two swords clashed. Se-min groaned, feeling the wound on his ribs tear open again.

The swords of the two were exchanged, aiming for each other’s windpipes.

If someone had watched this sword duel, they might have discussed the ultimate essence of the sword.

But there was no such thing as an audience. This was neither a play nor an amusement.

On the ground, spears and blades hacked at each other, mixing life and death. Every time an attack collided, the fate of the world reversed.

Se-min lowered Lupus. The demon rotated leisurely around Se-min.

He was strong.

And also.

Se-min gripped the handle of the sword tightly.

“Hey.”

There was a fact he never wanted to acknowledge.

“You son of a bitch.”

Spitting out an oath, Se-min clashed toward the demon. The demon avoided close combat and widened the distance again.

In that brief instant where their distances met and separated, their swords crossed dozens, hundreds of times aiming for each other. A roaring sound resounded.

“You shouldn’t do that.”

Se-min aimed Lupus at him.

His smile that mocked Se-min stopped.

That posture of letting the sword hang, the characteristic habit and path of swinging the sword.

It was impossible not to know even if he wanted to. Se-min had watched his fights more than hundreds of times.

Why did he not notice it back then?

“Of all people, if you are like that.”

At Se-min’s words, the demon spread his wings wide again. He became massive. Darkness opposing the light filled his vision completely.

No laughter was heard, but the vibrating outline of his entire body seemed as if he were laughing under his breath.

Se-min called his name.

“It’s wrong, Han Su-in.”

The legend of the Raid.

The man who became a hunter, not prey.

The hero who was swallowed by a demonic beast in front of the whole world to save people.

The founder of Raiders who made Se-min, and countless Raiders, dream of becoming Raiders stood in front of him.

The gazes of Se-min and the demon met.

His appearance settled further into deep darkness. Thus, what Se-min could distinguish was only his black outline.

A crack arose in the face area.

It took the shape of the mouth.

It curled long upward, enacting a smiling expression.

[Humans are.]

The demon spoke.

[valueless.]

Instantly, the darkness of the face blurred.

In the backlight of the sun burning in the sky, Se-min saw Han Su-in’s face. The appearance was no different from when he was human, but the expression was bizarre. The form laughing hideously did not look human.

That creepy expression was buried in darkness again, returning to the demon’s form.

[You will realize it too.]

And Han Su-in rushed like a bullet.

His wings, spread across his vision, took a funnel shape to follow him, and upon colliding with Se-min, rolled in reverse to envelop Se-min and Han Su-in.

There was no further room for Se-min to escape.

Within the small spherical colosseum, the swords of the two clashed hundreds, thousands of times.

With every clash, the flames burning inside Se-min’s heart grew stronger. Se-min swung Lupus, reflecting on past events.

The beginning of this dog-like connection was Noh Hak-jae.

Noh Hak-jae wandered North Korean land to close the Hell Gate, and Se-min met him and could close the gate after sacrifices.

In that process, he met the demon.

The demon killed Noh Hak-jae.

But that demon was Han Su-in.

Se-min thought he saw someone familiar while being flung from the tunnel of space-time, and now he could know.

If so, did Noh Hak-jae know from the beginning that this demon was Han Su-in?

A nostalgic voice rose.

‘Just as summer comes after spring, and autumn and winter come at the end of summer, everything changes. The same goes for humans. But there are also things that never change and remain as they are.’

‘What is that?’

‘It is…’

He felt he could understand his bitter smile now.

Everything changes.

But he said there was definitely something that does not change.

Inside Se-min’s body, the Tai Chi Wisdom and the Cosmic Flow mixed. Se-min aimed Lupus at Han Su-in.

[What do you think I did to Noh Hak-jae?]

Han Su-in put that name in his mouth.

“You must have killed him.”

[Would I really kill my friend?]

“Is he alive?”

[Yes.]

“And?”

[If you want to meet Noh Hak-jae…]

“Shut your mouth.”

Se-min raised the Cosmic Flow with a grin. At the sudden output, Han Su-in backed away minutely.

“It seems you do not know me well.”

Even if Noh Hak-jae were alive, nothing changes for Se-min. He is not full of hope enough to endure something to protect one thing.

He had already lost everything.

From the moment Earth crumbled, Se-min was no longer a hero.

He is closer to a killer who only thinks of killing Badurbarok.

A train with broken brakes can only stop by collision.

The Raid had begun, and only the result of one of the two dying remained.

Therefore, the demon’s trickery was not something for him to consider.

“I am a Raider.”

He threw those words back.

“There is nothing in my head other than killing Badurbarok.”

Since it was Han Su-in who established the word Raider and gave meaning to that term, he would know the meaning of these words.

A Raider who started a Raid is a hunter, not prey.

When Se-min finished speaking, Han Su-in’s form became complete darkness.

No more words are needed.

Right before the clash, Se-min caught his breath.

Clearly, Han Su-in was strong. He was originally a Raider powerful enough to be called a legend, and now he had become more dangerous receiving Badurbarok’s power. Killing intent overflowed with every attack, making it difficult to keep his breathing steady.

But Se-min did not fear him.

He knew a much stronger person.

‘You are not a coward.’

Compared to her, how weak was the demon before his eyes. He yielded to the likes of Badurbarok and was distorted so hideously.

Se-min was taught the Tai Chi Wisdom by Dokgo Cheonma, and even learned the final secret technique of the sect, the Cosmic Flow.

Fearing such a guy was a disgrace.

“I will kill you first, and then go block that.”

[It will be late, though.]

“It doesn’t matter anyway.”

Se-min glanced away.

The giant monster was continuing to walk toward the center of the Sea of Trees. That was a new demonic beast species Han Su-in had conceived.

Gaigatus.

A biological weapon mimicking the worst weapon humanity had made.

Honestly, he did not know if they could even block that. But Se-min did not despair. He was here, but his comrades were over there.

He decided to trust them.

They were the guys who would go to kill Badurbarok together.

There was no way they would die at this level.

[Then, gladly.]

Se-min and Han Su-in’s figures disappeared through the sunlight.

***

The Orcs were hanging onto Gaigatus, attacking here and there.

Maktar clung to its shoulder, striking down with his axe wildly, and Kubar climbed onto its head, raising his fist as if to smash its skull.

Gotr shouted.

“Wait! Everyone stop!”

At Gotr’s shout, everyone stopped.

“What is it?”

“This monster is strange. I don’t think we should just attack it.”

“Why?”

“Touch it carefully. The inside is very hot.”

That was something the other Orcs already knew as well.

“If it is this big, it will need that much power.”

“In my opinion…”

Gotr swallowed his saliva and spoke again.

“This is a bomb.”

“A bomb?”

“Yes, a bomb!”

To Orcs, a bomb was a foreign weapon. They vaguely knew that humans or goblins used such things.

“This is going to explode.”

“Something this huge?”

“Yes! If things this large explode on their own, the Sea of Trees will be completely blown away.”

The other Orcs still had expressions as if they could not grasp it.

Just then, Biryu appeared by Maktar’s side. He had warned Maktar and Kubar about this monster early on.

Having disappeared to who knows where, he suddenly appeared, stood on the monster’s shoulder, and spoke to Maktar.

“What that friend said is correct.”

“You mean this is what they call a bomb?”

“It will self-detonate once it reaches the designated location.”

“Then what happens?”

“The Grand Marino Sea of Trees will disappear.”

Maktar lost his words.

Since he was mounted on the shoulder of the giant monster, the Grand Marino Sea of Trees spread on the ground was looked down upon in a single view. It was so vast that the end was not visible.

He could not imagine that such a huge Sea of Trees would all disappear due to an explosion.

“Is it true?”

“Yes.”

Maktar nodded. The Emperor’s companions all had unreliable aspects, but this magician was different.

“Then what must we do?”

Biryu placed his hand on his shoulder. He felt an unknown power being transmitted.

“There is only one way.”

“What is that one way?”

Maktar stared at Biryu.

Maktar felt as if he saw something inside his eyes. He could not guess what kind of emotion it was. However, ripples wavered inside his deeply sunken pupils.

“Abandon the Sea of Trees.”

“What?”

“Before reaching the center of the Sea of Trees, all Orcs must escape from here.”

“In this vast Sea of Trees, how…”

“We cannot save everyone.”

Maktar looked at him blankly.

Biryu’s expression was unwavering.

“While delaying this monster’s advance as much as possible, the remaining Orcs must evacuate.”

It was nonsense.

The Sea of Trees was wide and Orcs were many. Furthermore, it was a situation where the demonic beasts were invading the Sea of Trees. Escaping the Sea of Trees while protecting one’s body from their attacks was a much more difficult task.

“What about the Emperor?”

Maktar asked so without realizing it.

If it were him, if it were the Emperor, he felt there would be some way. He might casually destroy these monsters and then grin.

But Biryu shook his head.

“There are things even the Emperor cannot do. He is fighting his worst enemy right now. Maktar, you must decide.”

“Me…”

“Yes.”

Biryu grabbed his shoulder once again.

“Because you will become the Warchief.”

Maktar clenched his fist.

Since losing his fortress to the demonic beasts, he had discarded the goal of becoming Warchief. Even while hanging out with the Emperor, he was thinking that the Warchief would be another Orc, or the practitioners, or the Elder Orcs, not himself.

“Why me?”

“It is not you who chooses. Just like that Emperor became Emperor regardless of his own will.”

The wind blew in. By the strong gust, Maktar walked a step forward. It was as if the wind were pushing his back.

“This Sea of Trees has chosen you, and is telling you to leave.”

“The Sea of Trees.”

Maktar looked down at the Grand Marino Sea of Trees from the monster’s shoulder.

For a very long time, this place was the home of the Orcs.

Within the blowing wind, Maktar felt as if he heard a voice.

“Can I believe you?”

“Believe me.”

“Then I will believe.”

Maktar understood. He had once dreamed of being Warchief, and had lost countless comrades at his fortress. Therefore, he knew well that there was no such thing as a choice where everyone in the world is happy.

Life is a succession of the lesser of two evils.

Maktar nodded. Biryu said to him.

“Someone will make the decision. You can handle it. Even if you cannot, there is someone over there to shoulder it in your stead, so do not worry.”

Biryu pointed to the sky. The Emperor was engaged in a battle with the unidentified demon. It was a battle beyond heaven where explosions occurred and the sky vibrated.

“No.”

“That guy has a lot of things to do in the future, so I shouldn’t be shifting the burden already.”

Biryu smiled. He had an expression as if he understood Maktar’s heart.

“Biryu. Will you help me?”

“Yes.”

Maktar knew that magicians could perform various tricks. In the Grand Marino Sea of Trees burning here and there, Maktar’s voice began to be transmitted.

Upon the wind swirling between the leaves, and above the sunlight illuminating this tragedy, Maktar’s voice continued.

[I am Maktar, the one who once built the largest fortress.]

To those who were fighting the demonic beasts, those who were marching to fight, the masters of the fortresses who decided on the final battle, to all of them, Maktar’s voice was transmitted.

[The Grand Marino Sea of Trees cannot be saved.]

The Orcs’ shouting stopped.

[Everyone, flee from the Sea of Trees. The giant monster will cause a major explosion, and no one can survive inside. Therefore, you must get as far away from the Grand Marino Sea of Trees as possible.]

The Grand Marino Sea of Trees hummed in commotion.

[I am serious, and this is the truth. All Orcs of the Grand Marino Sea of Trees, we abandon the Sea of Trees and escape outside. Only then can we live.]

Maktar saw his voice spreading through the entire Grand Marino Sea of Trees by Biryu’s magic power.

He announced the end of the Sea of Trees.

No one spoke to him, but Maktar could know what the Orcs would be thinking right now.

The young Orcs would ask like this.

Then, what shall we do after abandoning the Grand Marino Sea of Trees?

Maktar felt a responsibility to answer. Although he was now a hermit of a tiny fortress of no consequence, he was once the Orc who led the massive fortress, and the one closest to Warchief.

Someone must give the answer.

Numerous answers passed through his head.

One could say they would set out to find a new home. In this wide world, perhaps there was a place where they could live. It was something they wouldn’t know before stepping forward themselves.

But Maktar did not say that.

All Orcs were waiting for his next words.

Inhaling once, Maktar continued his words.

[Leaving our hometown, we…]

The world grew quiet.

The Grand Marino Sea of Trees awaited his declaration.

[will take revenge.]

It was a brief statement.

Revenge.

Among countless choices, Maktar spoke that word.

Countless lives would die, and much blood would be shed. War can never be the best choice. Yet Maktar chose what he believed he had to do.

The one who makes the decision that makes everyone bleed.

The one who shoulders the resentment and anger of the world.

That was the Warchief.

[The bastards are destroying our hometown. We are Orcs. Orcs do not forget grudges. We will kill Badurbarok and reclaim the world.]

The silence ended.

Shouts rose in the quiet Sea of Trees.

From far away, from further away, and from the entire Sea of Trees, the Orcs responded.

The Orcs’ battle cries, unheard for a long time, began to be heard again now. It was the roar that had struck the demonic beasts with terror in the past.

The decision was complete.

The execution was orderly.

The Orcs stopped fighting the demonic beasts and ran outside the Sea of Trees. Demonic beasts pursued them, but the Orcs did not deal with them.

Gathering more comrades and more Orcs, they ran outside the Sea of Trees.

Watching that sight, Maktar smiled faintly.

The die was cast.

He decided, and the Orcs agreed. Now they would wage war.

The previous generation of Orcs had lost the war and ultimately ended up trapped in the Grand Marino Sea of Trees, but now it was different.

They lose their hometown.

This war would only end when Badurbarok died or the Orcs died, one of the two.

“Maktar.”

Kubar, who was mounted on the monster’s head, came down to the shoulder.

“Let’s leave too.”

“Yes.”

His companions had also all heard Maktar’s words.

They got down from the monster’s body. The giant monster was still walking toward the center of the Sea of Trees without stopping even now.

“Once the sealed gate opens, the Elder Orc’s expression will be something to see.”

They would probably see the ruined Grand Marino Sea of Trees after all the Orcs had departed.

“The Elder Orc’s anger will head toward the demonic beasts.”

“It seems everything is going according to the Emperor’s will.”

Maktar laughed.

The human Emperor who suddenly appeared changed everything. He ended his long seclusion, woke the practitioners, and caused the entire Orc race to be engulfed in the flames of war.

Yet he did not feel bad.

Rather, it was good.

It felt like returning to the place where he originally belonged.

“We became like Orcs.”

Maktar signaled, and Kubar, Gotr, and the Orcs who were with them jumped down from the monster’s body. The demonic beasts on the ground scattered in surprise.

Maktar gathered his strength and struck Gaigatus’s Achilles tendon.

The giant body shook. The only action input to the guy was walking to the target.

With its leg damaged by Maktar, the guy continued to walk. Its speed slowed down minutely, but there was no big difference.

“Let’s leave quickly.”

Maktar twitched his lips and turned his body.

The destruction of the Sea of Trees could not be delayed.

“Let’s scatter.”

Kubar said.

“We must take along the Orcs captured by demonic beasts, or the young Orcs. Let’s each scatter and sweep the Sea of Trees.”

“Understood.”

“Do not be late and see you outside the Sea of Trees.”

The Orcs looked at each other once, then all scattered.

***

Maktar ran toward the outside of the Sea of Trees. Demonic beasts were caught in his senses. A battle was taking place.

Letting out a battle cry, he rushed into the midst of the demonic beast pack. Every time his axe swung, a blood fountain rose.

Maktar was mechanically slaughtering the demonic beasts, when he suddenly felt his axe catch on something.

The same axe was blocking his axe.

Only then did Maktar look at the demonic beast.

“You.”

It was an Orc.

The guy had not even changed like the other contaminated Orcs. He was attacking other Orcs in his original Orc appearance.

Corpses of Orcs collapsed under his axe were scattered.

“Maktar, you make a foolish choice just like back then.”

The guy seemed to know Maktar. But Maktar did not know him. Countless Orcs had gone under Badurbarok’s command, and Maktar did not care about them.

“These people will die because of you. Just like back then.”

Maktar stared at the opponent.

Scars were marked on his face, and his posture was good, showing he was a veteran quite familiar with combat.

But that was all.

Maktar laughed.

“There is a disadvantage to becoming famous, do you know what it is?”

“What nonsense is that.”

“It’s that riffraff like you babble as if they know me.”

Martial power boiled up from Maktar’s body. He swung his axe before the opponent could respond.

Blood surged from the enemy’s chest. He tried to block Maktar by raising his axe in panic, but Maktar ignored defense and struck down.

The opponent lost his axe in a single instant.

“I wonder where a fellow like you will go when you die. Does Badurbarok receive souls too?”

Maktar struck his neck.

But he could not achieve his intent.

Other Orcs blocked Maktar. They were all those who had entered under Badurbarok’s command.

Maktar felt anger looking at their peaceful expressions. While the Grand Marino Sea of Trees was burning, did they kill fellow Orcs so peacefully?

“All of you, come at me!”

While the enemies surrounded Maktar, other Orcs were fleeing. When a few tried to turn their bodies toward them, Maktar immediately swung his axe to focus their attention.

“Maktar! Because of you, the Orcs will perish.”

An Orc shouted. Gotting off the ground, Maktar flew to him and struck down with his axe vertically.

The Orc raised his sword to block, but Maktar’s axe split the sword and cut the Orc in half from the crown of his head.

It was a gruesome death.

“Too much talk.”

Maktar raised his axe. Demonic energy wavered in his eyes. It was the mad appearance he had shown when establishing his fortress in the past.

“Die quickly.”

Maktar plunged in.

Every time his axe swung once, shouts and screams followed.

Maktar crushed everything he collided with with immense aggressiveness. His axe dug out flesh and entrails, and cut necks.

Like a tiger jumping among sheep, the one-sided fight continued.

Intimidated Orcs kept backing away. There were no Orcs standing around Maktar now.

“If you come closer, this fellow dies.”

The Orcs ultimately chose the final method.

They took a hostage and threatened Maktar.

Maktar stood straight and quietly watched that sight. The one taken hostage was a young Orc. The terrified Orc boy trembled while looking at Maktar.

“Lower your weapon.”

“…”

“Lower your weapon!”

Maktar did not move.

“Otherwise this fellow dies!”

Only then did Maktar slowly lower his arm. The axe was just about to touch the ground.

Blood flowed down the forehead of the Orc holding the hostage.

“…”

The Orc collapsed.

Behind him was a familiar face.

“Kebalar.”

Kebalar had struck the Orc from behind.

Everyone’s gaze turned toward him. Holding his sword, Kebalar backed away, taking the young Orc.

“Maktar, what are you doing? Did you seriously plan to discard your axe?”

Maktar chuckled.

“Kebalar, I entrust the young Orcs to you.”

“Alright.”

“I will clean up here and follow. I will trust you.”

Kebalar beat his chest.

“Just trust me. Clean up these guys who lack even Orc pride quickly and follow!”

“I will. Go ahead first.”

Taking the young Orc, Kebalar turned and began to run. The enemies tried to pursue him, but Maktar’s axe did not leave them alone. Eventually, the Orcs combined their attacks to block Maktar.

Maktar blocked their attacks, conversely swinging his axe to kill an Orc, and glanced up at the sky.

Lightning raged.

In the sky, the Emperor and the demon were engaged in a battle displaying divine power.

Maktar chuckled. Just how far was that Emperor taking them? They could win, or they could lose. But there would be no regret in this choice.

Feeling refreshed after a long time, Maktar swung his axe without any hesitation.

Se-min glanced toward the Grand Marino Sea of Trees.

The Orcs were evacuating.

It was the best choice they could make.

Se-min grinned, recalling the faces of the Orcs. As expected, they were reliable fellows. Se-min folded his worries and focused on the demon before his eyes.

“Hey, trash.”

[Insolent fellow.]

“You must be the greatest trash in human history. Even if you sell out your country, you are cursed for generations, but you went right ahead and sold out Earth.”

Han Su-in’s form wavered heavily.

[You know nothing. My choice is extremely justified. A falling world, overwhelming despair, unchangeable fate. I saw all of that.]

Se-min smirked.

“You saw everything? I don’t think so.”

Han Su-in saw Badurbarok’s army.

Se-min saw the heroes of the Transcendent Network.

Perhaps that difference changed each other’s fates.

“Look closely, trash.”

A grand flow of the universe settled in Lupus.

“I will show you what I saw.”