Chapter 130 – COME BACK (1)
Crockta was troubled.
“A warrior… doesn't forsake faith dot…!"
"Ahahat! Great chieftain! Chest thump!"
“A warrior doesn't persecute the weak dot…!"
"Loyalty, loyalty! Thump thump!"
…Did they want to die?
“Prove your honor dot!"
“Kuock… now the true great chieftain is Crockta!"
“How wonderful dot. Bul-tar dot!"
“Bul'tar!"
Crockta looked at them. They giggled despite seeing his menacing eyes.
“Hey, look at Crockta's eyes! Anor! The great chieftain is staring at me dot! Keep quiet dot!"
“Ah, we'll be in trouble. We have to stay quiet."
They had been teasing Crockta ever since they left Spinoa. Crockta closed his eyes and endured it.
That's right. Those two were just a poor gnome and a dark elf who didn't understand the beauty and sincerity of orcs.
“You don't understand the hot hearts of me and my millions of orc brothers…"
The moment of surprise when Surka became the new great chieftain and recognized Crockta as his leader. It was a historic moment when the laws of the orcs were passed onto the north. The northern orcs had stared at him piously and struck their chests. History would remember it as a great day.
“A million. How serious."
“I understand dot."
“Later you can kill Calamhart ten times over."
"It is possible dot. Anor is insightful."
Crockta became sad. Didn't they know that the word 'millions' was just used as an idiom? At that moment, in Crockta's eyes, they really looked like they numbered over a million. The dark elves watching the scene were also very impressed.
It was only Tiyo and Anor who trembled and cringed in the crowd. Their tongues had twisted when he talked about the warrior's laws, but they desperately endured it.
“Once again, I…"
“Okay, okay.”
“Anyway, let's go dot!"
"……"
They left Spinoa.
Many things had happened. They traversed the north, fighting the orcs under the great chieftain Calmahart. In the end, he killed the great chieftain and established the continent orcs' laws in the north. Surka would follow the laws and lead the orcs well until the north and the continent united.
“It's been a while since we've been there last dot!"
They were heading for the Black Forest. Like they had promised before leaving, they were going to revisit the hermit of the Black Forest, the black dragon Gushantimur. They would meet the creatures there and grow while competing with each other again, before asking about the whereabouts of Tiyo's father.
Their schedule for the future would be decided there.
“It was fun dot. I'm glad I came to the north dot."
Tiyo said while tapping the head of the caruk, who cried out. Crockta agreed.
He was told by Gordon to seek the truth at the Temple of the Fallen God. Then Crockta discovered the truth: Elder Lord wasn't a simple game but another dimension. But this was still lacking.
Who was Gordon? There was also the ulterior motives of the gray woman, the god who told him the truth and the system that ran Elder Lord. He didn't know if these questions could be answered, but Crockta would see it through to the end.
He had something to do. There was no new information yet, but someday he would find the answer if he kept wandering around Elder Lord. Furthermore, he didn't like Choi Hansung's actions on the continent so Crockta would have to face him once.
And more than anything else.
“Riding a caruk isn't that good. Compared to my favorite ride."
He changed his car recently. The ranker payout was indeed beyond imagination. He hadn't informed Yiyu yet because he enjoyed driving around alone, but every person passing by would look at the expensive supercar.
Hooray for Elder Lord.
“Now, go!”
Crockta drove the caruk quickly. Tiyo followed. He was followed by Anor, who was still clumsy when it came to riding. They quickly entered the Black Forest.
***
An arrow flew as soon as they entered the Black Forest. This arrow was familiar. It was only one arrow but it had the power to deal tremendous havoc.
The famous goblin archer, Kiao! It was him.
And his adversary was Tiyo. Tiyo immediately fired General, a splendid energy pouring out from the muzzle and colliding with the arrow.
"Only this much dot!"
The two forces repeatedly moved towards each other. Then an explosion was caused. Crockta and Anor rolled around the ground as they were caught in the aftermath.
"What the hell is this?"
“I didn't know it would be like this when an arrow and magic bullet hit each other."
They hid behind the trees to escape the aftermath. The caruks shook. Crockta patted them to calm them down.
"Kiyoooooh!"
Tiyo released General's full strength. Now General, that had become Vulcan, poured out countless bursts of energy. A fearsome power! In the end, both powers emitted a bright light as they collided in the air. General was a great artifact, but it was also impressive that Kiao could pack so much power in one arrow.
Tiyo shrugged. “Huhuhu! Kiao! Trying to stop me like this won't work dot!"
The answer came from behind him. “Of course not kyak!"
“……!”
The cold chill of an arrowhead touched the back of Tiyo's neck.
“You used a lot of power but failed to catch my foot kyak! I am able to move freely while shooting arrows!"
That's right. Tiyo had continued to shoot magic bullets from General. However, ironically, Kiao had relaxed after seeing the gnome's demonstration. Tiyo wanted to overwhelm him with his power. Vulcan was great at continuous firing but Kiao's strikes were even stronger.
While Tiyo stopped the storm caused by the arrow, Kiao moved freely and appeared behind Tiyo. Then he waited until Tiyo stopped. It was his defeat.
"Kuoooh…"
Tiyo thought he had become stronger but he had lost again.
Kiao grinned. "I heard the news kyak! Congratulations, but we weren't just playing around kyak!"
“Kuooh…"
The creatures in the Black Forest hadn't neglected their training.
Crockta and Anor approached the agitated Tiyo. Crockta raised a hand to his shoulder.
"Crockta…"
Hot hands! Indeed, his brother and friend Crockta came to comfort him. Tiyo smiled and tried to answer that he was okay.
Crockta grinned and made a sound. “Pff."
An obvious derision! Then he led the caruks past him into the Black Forest.
“……!”
It was revenge for the teasing!
Tiyo shook as he looked at Anor. He always teased Crockta with Tiyo, so surely Anor would comfort him. Anor reached out with a sad expression. The moment that Tiyo was about to grasp his hand. Anor formed a fist and extended his index finger.
Then he waved it from side to side.
“Defeated. Defeated."
“……!”
"Hihihit."
Then Anor followed behind Crockta. Tiyo felt despair. Kiao, who defeated him, remained by his side.
“This is called cause and effect kyak! You should build up your heart!"
"Shut up dot!"
“Don't be angry just because I gave you some advice kyak!"
“Next time I will win dot!"
“Don’t play around kyak!"
“Dirty old bastard!"
The two of them fought even when walking into the Black Forest.
Gushantimur's lair.
***
Gushantimur's lair hadn't changed. It was a beautiful castle where the creatures were practicing. The cold-faced man, Gushantimur welcomed them while holding a long sword.
"It has been a while."
“I came back.”
"It has been a while dot!"
Gushantimur nodded. He looked Crockta up and down. Then his eyes widened. It seemed like he had already grasped the changes in Crockta.
“Crockta. Amazing.”
“It is thanks to you."
Crockta was now in the Hero realm. A person like Gushantimur would be able to feel it. After reaching this state, he became more aware of Gushantimur's power. He had a tremendous presence. As Crockta viewed him through the realm of a Hero who twisted causality, Gushantimur visibly seemed like a dragon.
However. He felt like the difference had narrowed.
“There is still a lot left to go."
Crockta laughed and Gushantimur nodded. “That’s right. Let's deal with it after unpacking."
Anor had been caught by the lich and skeletons. Anor tried to flee but he was caught tightly by the lich's skeletons. There was still a long way to go before his phobia was cured.
***
They rested and unburdened their hearts.
The tool was the sword.
Crockta exchanged blows with Gushantimur. Crockta reached the Hero realm but he still wasn't used to dealing with it. Every time the swords met, he would look at Ogre Slayer with a sad expression.
He didn't get the same feeling as when he faced Calmahart.
“You will soon get the power, Crockta." Gushantimur said. “The situation is different. The power to break causality is impossible with an ordinary will, so it is rather strange if you could use that power at will after just learning it."
But then Gushantimur showed his power to Crockta. The black dragon Gushantimur of the Black Forest had already reached the Hero level.
“It has been a while since I reached this stage." As soon as Crockta's greatsword moved, Gushantimur's long sword passed through it and pointed to Crockta's neck. It was close to the power of magic.
Crockta surrendered. He had become the great chieftain of the north, but he couldn't win against Gushantimur.
“What do I need to do to win against you?"
He couldn't imagine a terrain beyond the Hero realm. Was such a thing possible?
Gushantimur smiled. “There is a legend that it is possible to reach a level higher than Hero."
“I can't imagine it." Crockta shook his head and Gushantimur swung his long sword. Crockta reflexively raised Ogre Slayer. However, his long sword went to the opposite side and the tip pointed at Crockta's face.
"Ugh..!"
“No, I'm not just saying it."
“What…” Crockta's eyes widened at Gushantimur's words. “Surely not…"
"That's right. Among those who reached the Hero realm, a few managed to become a legend."
[You have received information about the Legend rating for the first time. Achievement points have been gained.]
The message windows popped up.
[But it is ridiculous for you to reach the Legend rank when you have barely crossed the threshold of the Hero rank. Learn from the Hero ranked power!]
[I am cheering for you!]
Crockta felt a chill as he saw the message windows. It was a sign that the woman was constantly watching.
“What type of power is it?"
If Crockta hadn't heard about the Hero rating from Gushantimur, he would've been defeated by Calmahart. He received a clue to the Hero rating from Gushantimur and was able to eventually achieve it.
Crockta watched him with expectant eyes.
But Gushantimur shook his head. “I haven't reached that level so I don't know."
Crockta nodded.
“Huhu, then I will reach the Legend rank and tell you about it. It will be a way for me to repay my grace." He smiled and posed. Gushantimur burst out laughing. It wasn't a big laugh but his face brightened in front of Crockta.
“I will look forward to it."
Tiyo was approaching in the distance. His body was tattered again from fighting with Kiao. Still, this time he managed to counterattack and strike Kiao.
“Ignorant gnome kyak…"
"Shut up dot."
"Using a punch instead of a bow! A cowardly and violent gnome kyak!"
“Don’t be stupid. If I have a bow then you wouldn't even be my match dot."
“A bow kyak! I'll blow you away!”
"Try it dot!"
It was still hard to tell if the relationship between the two of them was good or not. Tiyo stood in front of Gushantimur.
"Gushantimur! I've done enough to tell me something important dot!"
Gushantimur nodded.
Tiyo asked. “Where did my father Hedor go?"
"The brave adventurer Hedor."
Anor also approached. He was staggering under the arm of a skeleton. Crockta waited for Gushantimur's answer as well. Their movements in the future would change depending on the answer.
But Gushantimur gave an unexpected reply.
Praise the Orc:
Current schedule: There will now be 14 chapters a week, meaning two chapters every day.
Chapter 131 – COME BACK (2)
"Really dot?"
Tiyo questioned. Gushantimur nodded. Tiyo looked at both Crockta and Anor with a frown.
“Well…is this good dot…?"
“It's good," Anor quickly replied.
Crockta also nodded. “I think so as well."
“Then…I came to the north for nothing dot…"
“No, you gained a lot of things after coming to the north."
Tiyo regained his vitality at Crockta's words. "Indeed, that's right dot. If I hadn't come to the north, General wouldn't have changed so nicely dot."
General was still in the form of Vulcan, but it was changing slightly every day. As Tiyo's ability with General grew, he was evolving it into the form he wanted. Someday, Tiyo might change it into the form of a rocket launcher.
“Good dot. Anor! I will let you see it properly dot!"
That's right. Tiyo's father Hedor had left the north a long time ago. He was on the continent.
“Father is on the continent but he didn't stop by his home. I will beat him up when I find him dot."
The exact destination wasn't known, but according to Gushantimur's memory, Hedor was aiming for the area south of the continent, below Quantes. He wanted to go to a place where humans and dwarves gathered. In addition, it was a land where users were swarming the streets.
“When will you leave?" Gushantimur asked.
He didn't reveal any emotion behind his calm expression, but Crockta felt strangely sorry towards him. He exchanged a look with Tiyo and both of them understood. They didn't know when they could come back to the Black Forest, where they met the black dragon Gushantimur and the creatures sharpening their craft.
“This time we will stay longer to polish our skills." Crockta looked at Tiyo and Anor before adding, “There will be tougher adventures in the future."
Tiyo and Anor reacted in a conflicting manner to Crockta's words, “Heh, I'm looking forward to it dot!"
“Just…continent tour…uh, no…"
Gushantimur nodded. “Well, good. These guys have been waiting for you."
They looked in the direction that Gushantimur pointed. Everyone was astonished. There were three masters standing there. New powerhouses who would lead them to a higher ground! A huge cyclops raised a fist as he looked at Crockta. In addition, there was a centaur with the upper body of a human and the lower body of a horse.
And…
An unidentified person covered in a hood laughed at Anor without revealing their face.
"I want you to enjoy my lair properly."
***
Time passed.
The confrontation with the cyclops was a tremendous help to Crockta. It didn't mean that he reached a higher level in the sword. Just,
"Kuaaaaaaaaah!"
“Kuoooooooooh!"
He got used to fighting on the higher ground and forgot things. The feelings of being an orc warrior were revived. They had long since lost both their weapons. They just hit each other with their bodies. The body of an orc wasn't able to survive a massive cyclops, but his physical abilities exceeded common sense after reaching the Hero level.
They grabbed each other's hands in a battle of strength. It was difficult considering the difference in their hand size, but Crockta showed a tremendous grip as he placed his fingers between the cyclops and pushed.
They also used their arm strength to push at each other.
"Kuwaaah!"
As the cyclops exerted his strength, Crockta was pushed back.
“Bul'tarrrr!"
Crockta used the strength as he spun his body around. The cyclops was thrown by the force. Crockta rushed forward straight away.
"Waaaah!”
He made a fist and punched. However, he couldn't do any damage to the cyclops' thick bicep. So he went straight for the joints.
"What?"
The cyclops was consumed by the unfamiliar pain on the joints and instantly declared surrender, realizing that it was a technique he couldn't endure.
It was Crockta's victory. There were both victories and defeats, but after a few days, Crockta's winning rate increased. The cyclops was forced to admit the crock’s growth.
“It is my victory, Hawkeye!”
The cyclops smiled. His one eye was very intense. The brown eye under the double eyelids blazed fiercely, as if it could see into a person. So his name was Hawkeye! There was no match for him in Gushantimur's lair. Only Gushantimur could fight him. For that reason, he laughed at the small orc Crockta at first. But as the battles continued, he acknowledged Crockta as his rival.
Crockta fought him with strength, before surpassing him with technique.
The two of them headed back to the castle with their arm around each other's shoulder. The balance was off due to the difference in height, but it was the most suitable mode for men who sweated and punched each other.
Crockta could see Tiyo far away. He had a face that was worn down from training.
“Ah, it's finished dot."
The centaur was giving Tiyo a ride. Tiyo waved with an exhausted expression from the centaur's back.
“Today I showed Hekar what I could do dot."
“It is ridiculous to describe what I saw as that."
“You cried out in surprise dot."
"I was just wondering about the two-legged flea."
“Do you want to be shot in the back dot?"
“I didn’t know you were so cowardly."
“What are you saying dot!" Tiyo had a new person to fight with, the centaur Hekar.
Anor also came back.
The day was over. They enjoyed dinner in Gushantimur's castle as always. The meals were always great, but today's dishes were carefully prepared with the best ingredients. Liquor was also brought out.
Gushantimur, Crockta's group, and the creatures became drunk that night. This was Gushantimur's consideration.
Today was their last night.
***
It was the day of farewell. Now they would head back to the continent.
Gushantimur and the other creatures gathered to say farewell. They were all the creatures who had sparred with Crockta's group. They might be classified as creatures, but they were pioneers polishing off their own paths.
One day, they would come out to see the light. Crockta thought that if they didn't come, he would open up the way for them himself. He was no longer a mere warrior, but the great chieftain of the northern orcs, and Righteous Orc Crockta on the continent. He was becoming such an influence.
With these thoughts, Crockta grabbed Hawkeye's hand.
Kwaaack!
It was the grip showdown between two rough males.
Shake shake.
Crockta gritted his teeth. His body started shaking. To be honest, Hawkeye was stronger than him. Crockta gritted his teeth and persisted. He endured the pain in his hand. After a short period of time, Hawkeye laughed and let go of his hand. Crockta touched his greatsword with his tender hand. Hawkeye shrugged.
Tiyo spoke to his two rivals in turn.
“Practice a lot while I'm gone idot. Don't just rest here!"
"Stop talking nonsense kyak! We should be saying that to you kyak!”
“I will open up better weapons dot!"
“Who cares about your weapons kyak!"
“Tsk tsk, this is a really frivolous conversation."
“Stay out of this your bastard dot!"
"I agree kyak! Four-legged bastard kyak!"
“The height of the body and the hearts are similar…"
"What dot?"
“Cancel it kyak!"
Was this Tiyo's trademark? He had the ability to create a contest no matter the time or place.
Anor said goodbye to the bones. The hooded person whose identity was unknown, the lich, the skeletons and the zombie undead! Anor hugged them with strangely bleak laughter. He wasn't afraid of the undead anymore.
“Kelkel…see you again, kuhulhul…"
The lich gave him something as a gift. It was a bone.
Anor rejoiced. “This is the third vertebra bone…kelkel…this precious bone…! Thank you, kelkel…!"
Now he seemed like a psychopathic lich, studying bones and dead bodies deep in the dungeons.
Gushantimur spoke to all of them. Then shortly before saying goodbye, Gushantimur waved towards the Demon's Mouth, not Crockta. Gushantimur seemed to know something about it. But it didn't open its mouth.
Gushantimur would tell him if it was a truly necessary story, so Crockta didn't ask any questions. When he became strong enough to deal with this demon, he would listen to it directly.
Thus, they left Gushantimur's lair. The creatures accompanied them through the forest. They waved until they couldn't see each other anymore.
There was nothing else rough to go through. They moved towards the continent on the caruks. The caruks ate well at Gushantimur's lair, so they ran aggressively.
"Anor."
"Huh?"
“I have a question dot." Tiyo asked. “Your second mentor dot…that hooded person…?"
"Yes."
“What is his identity dot? I couldn't see because of the hood."
“Ah…huhuhu…he is…"
Anor's eyes became distant. Then he looked like a psychopathic lich once again. Crockta and Tiyo shivered at the change.
“Hihit…the moment you see…your spirits will be led to a new world…kelkel…great…!"
“……!”
“Do you want to know…? His identity…?"
"Ah, no dot…"
Crockta looked at Tiyo with eyes filled with blame. Why would he ask a strange question like this?
The madness was still boiling as Anor shouted. “All those who see him properly…ku…huhu…Tekelli-li! Tekelli-li! Tekel…oof oof!"
Crockta eventually moved his caruk and covered Anor's mouth. Tiyo jumped from his caruk and hit Anor in the neck, knocking him out.
"……"
"……"
Crockta and Tiyo exchanged glances. Anor had certainly overcome his shortcomings as a necromancer. But at the same time. He was swallowed by an unknown madness…
“Sorry dot…when we go back, I will take you to a temple and receive a blessing…"
“We need to go to the temple…"
Thus, they headed towards the continent. Past the Luklan Mountains and the barren desert in the southern part of the north. It was different from when they came. There were no orcs marching with weapons, and they also didn't see other species, including the dark elves. Thanks to the war, most of the were trying to survive in their villages.
They eventually reached the limit line dividing the north from the continent. A nondescript black wall. The Despairing Demon's Mouth had swallowed the unknown being that created it.
There were still many things he didn't know about the world of Elder Lord.
The 'Tribulation' that possessed Calmahart, the unidentified demon that created the behemoth, the Demon's Mouth that Crockta obtained and the woman he saw in the Temple of the Fallen God. He could feel that they were all connected. But the overall picture was still blurry.
What happened and what did they want?
"Let's go back."
“Huhu, my heart is pounding dot."
It wasn't anything urgent: if he continued struggling through each battle, he would know the truth eventually. So what if he never knew? He just needed to do his job.
"Let's go dot!"
Crockta's group crossed the black wall. There was a strange feeling. Then the Forest of Creatures spread out in front of their eyes. A lush forest. It was just like the forest that they had left.
But, there was something else.
"…Um."
“…What is that dot?"
Their gazes gathered in one spot. A little bit beyond the bushes. A party was waging a tough battle against a group of trolls.
Praise the Orc:
Current schedule: There will now be 14 chapters a week, meaning two chapters every day.