Chapter 170 – Encirclement Battle (1)
There was a pause after Crockta's words. He declared that he would face the imperial army alone. Rommel and the troops were all silent. The plain was silent.
"I see." After a moment, Rommel raised his hand as he turned his horse. It was an attack command. He tried to move back to his position. Crockta had no intention of letting him go. Crockta jumped forward. The two knights escorting Rommel hurriedly raised their swords.
Kaaang!
One knight's blade was broken. The horse jumped with fright as Crockta headed towards it. The knight held the reins tightly. Rommel rushed away. Crockta missed the opportunity. He grinned as he cut down the horse and knight.
The battle was about to begin. The large army stretched out in front of him. They didn't move.
He would go if they didn't come. Crockta started to run. Ogre Slayer cried out. It appeared to be excited about the upcoming feast. It was the same for Crockta. The soldiers were still hesitant about fighting. They would die if they didn't concentrate.
Crockta jumped. His greatsword collided with the formation of the imperial army. The greatsword moved. Crockta crashed into the troops.
Kwaang!
The soldiers fell at once. He stepped on them and struck the next row. As Crockta pushed into the imperial army, it grew. He was gradually surrounded. But he didn't care. This was the excitement of melee combat. He split the enemy apart with his greatsword and caused a fountain of blood.
An individual versus an army. There was an overwhelming number of adversaries as enemies surrounded him on all sides. But it was the army that was being sliced away. It wasn't enough to surround him on all sides.
Crockta's horizontal slash split apart all the enemies in front of him. It was an explosive advance.
“Only this much──────!"
The entire army shook at his roar. Crockta took a step forward. The imperial army moved out of the way. Crockta laughed and raised his greatsword. The enemies burst forward. The blades on every side didn't reach him.
Now that his assimilation rate reached 100%, Crockta's senses were sharper than ever. He fought everything on the battlefield. He could feel the excitement. The feeling of the flesh of his enemies being torn, as well as the terrified swords shaking.
“Those looking to kill me──────!"
Crockta smiled as he saw Rommel's confused face. He stabbed a soldier's neck and grabbed his spear. Ogre Slayer spun around once, securing space for Crockta. The enemies collapsed. In that gap, the spear rushed towards Rommel.
It tore through the air. Two soldiers and one knight were pierced. Nevertheless, the spear headed towards Rommel's heart without losing strength.
Kakang!
Crockta turned around without seeing the results. Rommel would live or die. He concentrated on the soldiers rushing towards him. At that moment, he crossed swords with a somehow familiar face. It was a face he had seen previously.
He cut the person's throat, causing blood to splatter all over. His vision was blocked and he struck both soldiers at once. Their upper and lower bodies mixed together. He kicked them away. Then his greatsword aimed at those who had fallen back from the horrible sight.
Their bodies were split apart and their guts flowed down.
"Rommel──────!"
He shouted the names of his enemies.
"Keynes──────!"
Their faces were pale.
"Luin──────!"
He knocked down the enemies around him. The terrified soldiers retreated. There was a lot of space around Crockta. There were no enemies at all in this area. His greatsword lowered as he lost his opponents. He looked at the dead bodies at his feet. Limbs and flesh were scattered.
Crockta laughed. The soldiers were terrified. The enemy's fear was is friend. The blood and flesh covered Crockta shouted.
"Betring──────!"
The people in the distance were surprised. The flag of the White Lion Knights was fluttering. Why didn't they come? The soldiers in front of them were in such a poor state, so why didn't the knights appear yet?
"Bluno──────!"
Then he called out the name of the Blue Dragon Lancer's leader. If they wouldn't come then he would directly go to them. Crockta wielded his greatsword as he barged forward. The soldiers around him were crushed. They were cut, split apart and stabbed. These actions were repeated and he steadily opened the way.
The troops filled up. Once again, they were cut, split apart and stabbed.
"Adandator──────!"
Adandator's face was visible near Rommel. Rommel's side was bleeding. It had hit. It was probably Adandator who broke the spear. Crockta saw that Adandator's pupils were enlarged. Adandator's eyelids fluttered as sweat fell down and his lips trembled. Crockta laughed again.
His senses even picked up the wildly beating heartbeat. He had said it. Don't meet him on the battlefield.
Crockta shouted again.
“Come──────!"
The earth shook. Rommel gritted his teeth and gave the signal. The command shifted. Arrows poured out towards Crockta. Crockta grabbed a soldier and used him as a shield. His body was pierced. However, all the soldiers around him were sacrificed.
The blood of the dead soldier flowed down towards Crockta. Bodies filled with arrows, riddled with holes like a beehive, were scattered around him. Their allies abandoned them.
"Kulkulkul."
Only this much, Rommel.
Crockta hurled the body. He smiled at Rommel. The soldiers witnessed the sacrifice of their companions and couldn't approach.
Crockta raised his greatsword and wandered forward. The soldiers moved back. The enemies retreated. The gap between him and the imperial army was getting closer. The crowd soon reached the limitations of this space. The soldiers, who were unable to retreat anymore, crouched and raised their weapons.
After a moment, there was a new call sign from the commander. The flags of the knights started to move from their formation. It was a cavalry assault. The sound of horseshoes started to quicken. It was the soldiers who reacted first. They ran away so they wouldn't be hurt from the assault. The knights' flags were gradually getting closer.
Crockta followed behind the soldiers. The formation became a mess. He entered deeply through the barriers. Once again, he stood in the middle of soldiers. The charging knights didn't stop. The commander didn't order a retreat.
They literally trampled the soldiers to get at Crockta. There were terrible screams.
Crockta lowered his posture and cut a horse's ankles. The horse fell down on the soldiers. The knight's charge was a disaster for their allies.
“I thought you were on the same side."
Crockta laughed at them. They flocked to their own destruction. They were only fighting against one enemy. The troops assumed that the person would be wiped out by the army. The confused imperial troops used every means of attack without knowing how to stop Crockta.
Arrows flew while the cavalry charged. However, it was the soldiers who were consumed, not Crockta.
Rommel shouted. It was uncommon for Rommel to raise his voice. “General soldiers get out of the way! The knights are committed to stopping Crockta! Knights charge!"
Crockta didn't just wait for them. He persistently pursued the fleeing soldiers. The soldiers, who couldn't choose between retreating or their own army, were overwhelmed and killed. It was like jumping into a flock of sheep.
His dignified appearance rose far above them.
***
The blades of the knights crept towards Crockta through the gap caused by infantry soldiers dying. After a battle of attrition, they finally reached Crockta.
"Die, monster!" A knight boldly yelled.
Crockta admired it and gave him Ogre Slayer as the prize. The greatsword tore his mouth and half his face. The upper jaw was separated from the lower jaw. Then Crockta kicked the body, stopping the knights behind him. He swung the greatsword from left to right. It hit the bodies of the knights who were tangled up together.
A fountain of blood.
Duk.
A head that soared into the sky fell and bounced off Crockta's helmet. The face of the one who called Crockta a monster was stiff. He hadn't wanted this ending.
Crockta stepped on his face. It was the same for Crockta.
The imperial army finally separated the soldiers from Crockta. The knights surrounded him. They were different from regulars soldiers. The elites of the empire, led by Bluno, Betring, and Adandator surrounded him.
Tension filled him. Crockta felt his enemies enter the realm of the Pinnacle. Knight after knight after knight, while the soldiers surrounded him. There was no place to escape. He was isolated. He finally stood in a Colosseum. A cruel stage where he would die if he didn't kill.
Crockta's body accelerated. The realm of the Pinnacle. This moment felt like a eternity. At some point, Crockta was the one who moved first. It was a subtle moment that the knights didn't realize. The greatsword flew towards them.
Kakang!
It was Adandator who stopped him. He confronted Crockta. He overcame the pressure of Ogre Slayer and countered Crockta. The other knights recognized their movements only after several blows had been exchanged.
They tried to find a gap, only for Adandator to be punched in the face. A few teeth flew away.
In the meantime, the knights' blades flooded towards Crockta. They couldn't be avoided. At that moment, he transcended to the realm of a Hero. He was supposed to be cut, but the swords hit their masters instead. The knights' armor was crushed as they were thrown back. But,
A trickle of blood flowed down Crockta's cheek.
"……"
Crockta turned to the knight at his side. It was the leader of the Blue Dragon Lancers, Bluno. As if he felt it, the knight's spear had reached into the realm of a Hero. He overcame Crockta's control of causality and hit Crockta.
He was better than expected.
Crockta aimed Ogre Slayer at Bluno. He panicked and twisted his body. However, he couldn't escape and his forehead was torn. His life was saved by a whisker. At the same time, Adandator and Betring approached Crockta.
The knights united. The attacks of the knights surrounded him from all four sides. Crockta countered the threat with the power of the Hero, but the strength of the knights, including Adadantor, was also incredible.
Some of the blades that he couldn't stop cut at Crockta.
Crockta tightened his grip on his greatsword. Many knights were torn apart as blood flowed down Crockta's body. The vacancy of the dead knights was filled with other knights.
He kept killing and killing. This was what he wanted.
Crockta grinned and his spirit cleared. His body reaccelerated. At that moment, he struck a knight who lost concentration. The knight couldn't respond to the rapid attack and the helmet belonging to the dead rolled across the ground.
Crockta looked around and laughed, “Kulkulkul…"
The knights retreated, spreading out carefully as they watched him. Crockta licked his lips. The absurd difference in numbers and the limits of an individual started to be revealed. At that moment, Adandator suddenly raised his head. Betring and the other knights looked somewhere else. A long shadow was covering them. Crockta also looked back.
From the hill, someone on a horse was coming down. He whistled at the sight in front of his eyes and said with a grin "I'm not too late."
Praise the Orc:
Current schedule: There will now be 14 chapters a week, meaning two chapters every day.
Chapter 171 – Encirclement Battle (2)
“Hey Rodríguez, my man-"
"Oh, hey Bob. Wassup, man. It’s been a while. What brings you here?”
Rodríguez welcomed Bob who came after a long time. He opened the barrier protecting the counter and came out. The two of them shook hands and bumped shoulders.
“I need something urgently. Can you get it?"
"Of course. The customer is the king, Bro. Someone who is a friend and customer is an emperor, and you fit both criteria."
"Reynolds…"
“Reynolds?”
Rodríguez raised his eyebrows. While he was a famous money exchanger, the things he dealt in were a bit special. Rodríguez exchanged currency and items between Elder Lord and the real world. Users who struggled in Elder Lord could use their assets in reality and those in need of items would also come to Rodríguez.
Therefore, he was quite familiar with Elder Lord. Reynolds wasn't someone's name, but the name of a city that he had heard often as of late. It was the gateway city to the south in Elder Lord.
Rodríguez pointed to Bob and said, "Hey, Champ. I can guess.”
"Hmm?"
“Are you looking for a scroll?"
"Ohh, shush. Bro. How'd you know? Are you a mind reader? Psychokinesis? CIA?"
Bob's shoulders trembled. Rodríguez chuckled and replied to Bob, "The correct answer is CIA."
“What? Really? Shouldn't this be a secret? That you're a secret agent? Have you been tracking me?"
“Noob, not that CIA. I'm talking about Cash Indicates Answer. I see the truth when people spend money and I dig it out. For example, don't you think about putting on another accent?"
“Of course, I think that every time I go to the clubs."
“The women must be thinking the opposite."
“They are impressed by things like that."
“Don't be fooled by the push and pull strategy, Bro."
Rodríguez opened his phone. He was connected with the branches in other regions, sharing quotes and transactions. He touched his phone a few times and the screen changed, displaying an item that had started to experience a recent surge in transactions.
“Look, you're not the only one. Everybody is looking for a scroll."
"Ohh…my god."
“Do you see the price? It is no joke. There isn't much left in the inventory. So, tell me. What’s going on? Why is everybody suddenly looking for this scroll? Is it a fad like the 300 BPM these days?"
"Um…"
Bob closed his eyes. Rodríguez prompted him.
“Hey, Bro. If you let me know, I'll give you a Reynolds scroll. It will be at the lowest price. It is the same as the FA releasing Cristiano Ronaldo. He was also in his prime. Okay?"
"I understand. I understand.”
Bob whispered something into Rodríguez's ears. Rodríguez stroked his chin and looked at Bob's face seriously before nodding. Then he hit Bob's back.
"Hey, my man. Find Jackie in Reynolds Square. Let me ask you something. Are you going on your own?"
“I’m going with my friends.”
“Okay. The password is the same, so let me know if you have any problems."
Bob nodded. He reached out a hand after telling Rodríguez that the connection was urgent. Rodríguez grabbed his hand. The two of them exchanged a macho greeting again.
“Thanks, Rodríguez.”
“This is nothing. I'll cheer you on, Bob."
“I'll see you again."
Bob waved and left the store. Rodríguez went behind the counter again.
He made his living off Elder Lord but he didn't pay much attention to the game play. To him, Elder Lord was a business. But after seeing Bob, he suddenly wanted to play Elder Lord again. He turned on the television.
The hot topic was being talked about. The Heaven and Earth Clan was fighting one NPC. It was strange that a confrontation between an NPC and users would be a hot topic, and it was also interesting that people defended the NPC and blamed the users.
“Coming and going…there will be no trade with the south for a while."
There wouldn't be a lot of people coming and going from the south due to the devastation. The orc in the hot topic resisted to the end and escaped with the help of his allies. The next battleground was going to be Katalu. AS a merchant, he calculated the impact of the conflict between the two sides and its consequences.
No matter how he thought about it, the imperial army would win. The relevant communities and industry insights all predicted the imperial army's victory. Some people were already lining up there.
"Umm…"
He remembered Bob's face. It was rare that he had such an enthusiastic friend. In addition, Bob bought the 'Haste' scroll that hadn't been selling much lately. It wasn't just that. Something was moving.
“Is it an adventure?"
As Rodríguez was thinking, the television screen suddenly changed. The screen was reporting breaking news. Rodríguez's eyes widened as he saw the contents.
It was news that the NPC Crockta had appeared alone in front of the imperial army.
***
The Undergames chat room was in turmoil. As the broadcast resumed after the breaking news, people thought that it was just before the capture of Katalu, and the Heaven and Earth Clan would face Crockta again.
But the video shown on the screen was quite different from what they imagined. The imposing sight of the imperial army was still the same. Rommel was the commander. He was showing the dignity of a commander under the flag of the empire.
However, the opponent was different. They weren't facing an army or a group of people. There was no resistance group prepared for death.
Just one orc. The steel helmet covered his face. However, he had fearsome tattoos on his body, a steel belt resembling a demon's face and a giant greatsword.
It was clearly Crockta.
They were skeptical at first. Why the hell did he come alone? Perhaps he had come for negotiations. Or maybe Crockta came to beg for his life. In the end, even he surrendered to the overpowering might.
However, he came to fight. He recited the warriors' laws and lifted his greatsword.
The moment he said 'come' to the army.
Everyone watching the screen. They all realized. He was real. A real warrior defending his beliefs in life. He couldn't be stopped with fear or threats. He wasn't afraid of even death. He stood in front of the great army with just his greatsword. There was no clearer message than this.
Those supporting the Heaven and Earth Clan and those who suspected Crockta, they could no longer mock him. It was because of what was occurring right before their eyes.
[Dwarf Shoot: It is bul'tar from today on. Bul'tar!
Humans are the Best: He is a really crazy guy. I acknowledge that today is about bul'tar.
Sadder than Yesterday: Hyung-nim ㅜ ㅜ ㅜ Hyung-nim must win. Bul'tar!! Crockta hyung-nim, bul'tar!!
Today’s Lunch: Hah… In my 30 years of life…the tears that didn't come even when I was in the army…today I am crying…Bul'tar…
Cheongsong Mountain Lim Chang Jung: Cr,,,azy,,,guy,,,~! When I was young,,, I fought alone against 17 people,,,~! Kyah,,~! Bul'tar,,~!
Lantern: Smash the empire, Crockta! Bul'tar!
Fire Eagle: ㅜ ㅠ ㅜ Will Crockta hyung-nim die?? What are other people doing?
Hip Hop Eagle: Hah… I am very ashamed of my actions in the past… This is real swag… Swag is over, I will now say bul'tar!
Rock Star Account: ㄴ Please refrain from doing that ㅉ
Returning Orc User: My chest is hot with excitement. Orcs are too big.
Sunchang Group's Youngest: Crockta… You are not a servant… You are the master of your life…!
Yeoksam Ronaldo: I will dedicate my ceremony to Crockta hyung-nim when I kick a goal tomorrow!]
The battle began. It was hard to believe this was the power of an individual. He barged into the soldiers alone and killed them all. Fountains of blood and corpses filled the screen. He killed several people every time he moved.
This was the power of the 'Northern Conqueror.' He was like a blender grinding down the enemies. Due to his brutal actions, a mosaic flashed over parts of the screen. Rommel was upset. He always commanded battles calmly, so this was the first time seeing his surprised expression.
He raised his hands. Arrows flew. Crockta survived but the soldiers surrounding him were killed by the arrows.
Killing one's own side. Accusations started flooding in.
[Rommel Dog Scum: Killing his own allies ㅉㅉㅉ How pathetic.
Positive Affirms Positive: When did I start truly seeing this guy ㅋㅋㅋ My eyes have been broadened.
Analyst: This isn't like Rommel. He seems at a loss. He will soon regain his spirit. In the end, the difference between numbers is too big.
Mint Toothpaste: ㅋㅋㅋㅋ The poor soldiers ㅋㅋㅋCrockta is laughing.
Sound Summoner: Crockta is smart. Keep digging in.
Barbarian Yorick: That guy looks like me huhuhu.
Buddha Walker: There are still so many opponents for Crockta to overcome… Have strength, bul'tar!
Snake Face: I don't know how this battle will turn out.]
The battle continued. Rommel's mistake continued. He tried to crush Crockta with the knights' assault, but the soldiers ended up wounded or killed. Rommel's command, which didn't care for the well-being of the infantry, was in contrast with Crockta, who came to protect people.
The people cheering for Crockta grew. However, the difference in numbers they were worried about started to show. After all these attempts, Rommel separated Crockta from the soldiers and surrounded him with knights.
Knights weren't easy to slaughter like the soldiers. They were elite combatants in full armour, and many were advanced fighters. Furthermore, there was Adandator who Crockta once dueled with. At the time, Crockta had managed to win. However, it was much more difficult on a battlefield where he was surrounded.
Blades flashed inside the encirclement. Crockta killed several knights. His skills were brilliant. But in the end, his wounds gradually increased. The attacks flying from every direction ate away at Crockta's body.
Everyone thought it was over.
At this moment, something happened. A long shadow draped over them. The camera angle slowly moved. On the hill, a knight was descending with the sun behind him. Both Crockta and the knights forgot their battle and looked at him.
The chat window once again became busy as his identity was confirmed.
[Mountaineer Hunter: Why is this crazy guy here?
You are a Legend: ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ I can only laugh.
Come Spring: He really came to kill Crockta ㅋㅋ He is crazy.
Toothpaste Cap: They're currently in the middle of battle, so why did he show up here?
Post-it: Did this crazy guy come to join them?
Empire Strikes Back: This guy is crazy right? Is he siding with the imperial army?
Crockta's Fan: Ah, this guy is killing me. I will attack if he kills Crockta.
Nightfall: I'd like to go and beat him up.
Sword Mania: I want to rip his clothes.
Sage Bul'tar: Let's watch carefully… We don't know…]
***
"I'm not too late."
His words discouraged Crockta. The man who appeared here, the one who declared that he would kill Crockta.
White Knight Andre. He rode a white horse and wore shining armor.
“I always keep what I say. Crockta." Andre pointed his sword at Crockta. “The stage is chaotic."
He smiled at Rommel.
"Do you mind?"
Rommel knew his identity so he gave an order to his subordinate. The Heaven and Earth Clan hurriedly wrote a message. The whisper was sent to White Knight Andre. He listened to the Heaven and Earth Clan's proposal.
The white knight nodded as he gazed into the air. Rommel and Andre's gaze met as they nodded towards each other. The unspoken agreement was finished.
"Go, Crockta."
The white horse started running.
Praise the Orc:
Current schedule: There will now be 14 chapters a week, meaning two chapters every day.