Chapter 298
Chapter 298
Chapter 298
WOOOONG!
A message appeared before Zeke's eyes.
[Main quest link mission successful.]
[All three holy relics have been acquired, automatically activating the coordinates of the Primordial Temple.]
[You have acquired the title 'Blessing of the Great Mage' as a linked quest mission reward.]
[You have acquired the title 'Fairy's Blessing' as a linked quest mission reward.]
[You have acquired 1,000 Karma Points as a reward.]
[Advanced Administrator System features have been unlocked.]
[Portal movement system has been enhanced to allow one additional person to move together. (Karma Points required are doubled for companion movement)]
[You have acquired one special random skill card as a reward.]
Zeke carefully read the messages appearing one after another.
'The portal system has been enhanced. Can bring one companion along.'
Although the portal movement system was useful, due to high Karma Point consumption, it was a feature he rarely used these days.
Currently, the portal system was Zeke's last resort.
'If the Karma Points received as rewards increase, I could use it more actively.'
Zeke then checked the coordinates of the Primordial Temple he had acquired.
The three holy relics needed to be taken to the Primordial Temple to complete the main quest.
However, when he tried to check the Primordial Temple coordinates, another message appeared.
[Checking Primordial Temple coordinates.]
[Cannot activate temple coordinates with current user permissions.]
[Title 'Heir of the Chronos Kingdom' required.]
[Updating related linked quest.]
―Main Quest Mission (Linked)―
[Take the holy relics containing primordial power to the forgotten Primordial Temple. (No time limit / Temple coordinates automatically activate when all three holy relics are acquired)]
[Find and restore the scattered seals of the Chronos Kingdom. (No time limit)]
[Activate the coordinates of the Chronos Kingdom's treasury with the restored kingdom seal.]
[Main Quest Mission Reward: ???]
[Linked Quest Mission Reward: Title 'Heir of the Chronos Kingdom']
Zeke frowned seriously while looking at the main and linked quests.
‘You need the qualification of Chronos Kingdom's heir to go to the Primordial Temple?’
The only Chronos Kingdom seal Zeke had found was the one from Uranus's lair.
The remaining ones were one in the Central Continent, one in the Southern Continent, and one in the Northern Continent.
According to Uranus, since Sethon Draker had entrusted the seals to the Lords of each race, the other seals were likely to exist in hidden dragon lairs as well.
'Lord Hades might know the exact locations of the lairs.'
Zeke organized his thoughts and put the holy relics back in his inventory.
Then he checked the special random box received from the Spirit King and the special random skill received as a reward.
Unlike the skill cards he had received so far, the special skill card was glowing golden.
‘Since it has the word special attached, something good should come out.’
First, when he opened the random box, golden light burst forth.
Inside was a jewel shining with five-colored radiance.
‘What's this?’
―Jewel Information―
Description: Fairy King's Blessed Fairy Stone
Unique Ability: Undetermined
Special Characteristics: Because it contains the Spirit King's energy, just carrying it makes the body healthy and mind clear. Has the ability to ward off evil energy.
‘A Fairy Stone blessed by the Fairy King. A rare item.’
Given that the unique ability was listed as undetermined, it seemed to be an item crafting material.
'There must be a use for it like the Sea God's holy relic.'
Zeke put the blessed Fairy Stone in his inventory.
Then he opened the special skill card.
[Opening Special Random Skill Card.]
[Active Skill 'Lion's Roar (A-Grade)' has been registered.]
[Active Skill 'Lion's Roar' combines with Battle Cry.]
[Lion's Roar proficiency has increased.]
‘Lion's Roar? What kind of skill is it?’
Zeke tilted his head and read the skill description.
―Lion's Roar: Lets out a roar that throws enemies into fear and confusion, returns abnormal status allies to normal, and raises morale. Has the effect of driving away evil energy.
Zeke showed a satisfied expression after reading the skill description.
‘This will be quite advantageous when dealing with those Abyss guys.’
Finally, Zeke opened the special random box given by the Hero King.
―Necklace Information―
Description: Necklace Blessed by the Hero King
Unique Ability: Spirit Summoning (One-time use)
Special Characteristics: A necklace blessed by the Hero King that can summon the Hero King's spirit from the fairy realm for 10 minutes.
Zeke was shocked at the necklace information.
'I can summon Master Kaisir for 10 minutes?'
While it might seem insignificant at first glance, being able to summon the Hero King, who was more powerful than dragons, for 10 minutes was an incredible ability.
Zeke carefully placed the necklace in his inventory.
'Seems like it'll come in handy someday.'
* * *
The next day, Zeke said goodbye to the druids and left the village.
The simple-hearted druids packed lots of food for Zeke to eat on his way down.
The Mountain Lord also came down from his domain to see Zeke off.
『Travel safely.』
"Please take care of your health, Mountain Lord."
Michel clung to Zeke's leg, crying with tears and snot.
"HUUU! Sir Knight, please come visit again! The druids will always welcome you!"
Zeke shook off the troublesome Michel who was causing a scene until the end and left the village.
Waving goodbye until the last moment, Zeke went down the mountain while eating the dried jerky the druids had given him.
Zeke pondered as he looked at the phoenix dozing off on his shoulder.
'Come to think of it, what should I name this one?.'
Still, since it was a divine beast, he felt uncomfortable giving it a casual name like Richmond or Bane.
Just then, more ogres appeared before Zeke.
The dozing phoenix suddenly woke up, sensed the danger, and immediately concealed itself.
Seeing this, Zeke was surprised.
'So being a divine beast means it can move between the physical and spirit realms.'
The phoenix could naturally use the spiritualization skill that Zeke could only use three times a day with the holy relic scabbard.
After the phoenix skillfully concealed itself, Zeke also erased his presence with stealth skill and observed the appearing ogres.
However, stepping back to assess the situation, the ogres weren't trying to attack Zeke but were being chased by something else.
'Ogres being hunted? Something's strange.'
Thinking it might be related to the mountain stakes affecting the Mountain Lord's body, Zeke maintained his stealth and followed the fleeing ogres.
* * *
"HUFF! HUFF!"
Over a dozen ogres fled deep into the forest.
GROWL!
The leader of the ogre group gestured, urging his subordinates to hurry.
That's when it happened.
SWOOSH!
An arrow flew with terrifying force, piercing through the thick thigh of the ogre at the very back.
GRAAAH!
The smallest ogre collapsed, clutching its leg.
The other ogres grabbed the fallen ogre's arms and dragged it.
The leader ogre stepped forward wielding a massive battle axe.
Then someone emerged from the forest.
THUD!
Figures covered in thick armor approached the ogres.
The one at the front pointed at the leader ogre and said.
"That one's the instigator. Kill it first."
A warrior behind him raised a massive longbow.
The iron longbow was so large its arrows were like javelins.
The leader ogre bared its teeth and raised its axe at them.
GRAAAH!
As the leader ogre charged, an arrow immediately flew.
THUNK!
The arrow deeply embedded itself in the ogre's stomach.
The one at the front of the armored group charged at the ogre wielding a heavy halberd.
CRUNCH!
He brought the halberd down on the leader ogre's head, and the leader ogre collapsed with its head split open.
The remaining ogres trembled as they looked at their dead leader.
It was hard to believe these were the ogres known as the rulers of the Ogre Mountains.
Wiping the ogre blood from his halberd, he said to his subordinates.
"We're busy enough without this trouble. Take those ones with us."
Those behind him nodded at his words.
"Yes, sir."
Just as the armored group was about to take the fallen ogres.
SLASH!
One of those at the very back of the group had their head severed.
The armored group panicked and drew their weapons.
"Enemy!"
Then a wind blew through their midst.
WHOOSH!
Like a gale, an unidentified presence moved between them swinging a sword.
With each gust of wind, one person's head would fall.
"KUHERK!"
A warrior pierced by a black sword with his armor fell with a THUD.
After him, Zeke wielding Bahamut revealed himself.
Zeke spoke to the armored warrior holding a halberd.
"An Orc in this era. Hard to believe."
At Zeke's words, the armored warrior with the halberd opened his helmet visor.
It was an Orc, a race thought to have disappeared long ago, appearing in the Ogre Mountains.
The Orc warrior raised his halberd and spoke to Zeke.
"How dare a mere human mess with great warriors. I'll cut you to pieces."
Zeke understood the Orcish language through the system and retorted.
"Nothing has changed from two thousand years ago. Is there no word for progress in the Orc language?"
Not even realizing Zeke spoke Orcish, the Orc warrior shouted in rage.
"I'll kill you! AAARGHHHH!"
The enraged Orc warrior charged at Zeke with a battle cry.
Zeke lightly dodged the halberd and moved to the side to trip the Orc warrior.
Unable to handle his own weight, the Orc warrior rolled on the ground.
At that moment, chains shot out from Zeke's hand and wrapped around the fallen Orc warrior.
"UGH!"
Zeke sent Lightning through the chains.
CRACKLE!
"URGHHHH!"
The Orc warrior hit by the Lightning skill glared at Zeke while gritting his teeth and enduring.
"Damn you human! You think great Orc warriors would suffer from something like this!"
Zeke nodded at the Orc warrior.
"I know your kind is tough. Then try enduring this too."
Zeke activated the Holy Light technique, evolved from the Holy Fire technique.
WHOOSH!
The Holy Fire that was in flame form rose as a mass of light.
The light mass traveled along the chains and seeped into the Orc's body.
"KUHAK!"
The Orc enveloped in Holy Light coughed up black smoke.
"KUHEOCK!"
The tough Orc trembled and suddenly changed his attitude, beginning to beg.
"S-stop!"
"This is just the beginning, try to endure it well."
TSSSS!
The Holy Light Zeke unleashed seeped deeper into the Orc's body.
An hour later, Zeke was able to learn their identity from the Orc warrior.
"You came from the Forest of the Forgotten?"
As Zeke who was a Highlander in his past life and had been in the Forest of the Forgotten with his master Nigel, he couldn't help but be surprised.
The Forest of the Forgotten was a cursed place with endless flood damage.
And deep in the forest were monsters unknown even to his master Nigel hiding everywhere.
So it wasn't impossible for ancient Orcs to be hiding in that vast flooded area.
The problem was something else.
'How did they get out of the Forest of the Forgotten?'
Those trapped there can never leave the forest due to the curse's influence.
Nigel the Highlander's role was to control the monster population so they wouldn't become too numerous in the forest.
Originally, monsters could not leave the forest.
But the fact that Orc groups from the Forest of the Forgotten came outside meant that restriction had been broken.
'What exactly happened?'
As Zeke pondered deeply, he remembered what the Hermit of Tales had said about facing many monsters before.
'Could it be that he faced monsters that poured out of the Forest of the Forgotten then?'
He tried to ask when they left the forest, but the Orc was already dead.
Zeke absorbed the dead Orcs and read the memories of other Orcs using Shadow Dominion and Dragon's Sense.
'So the Orcs attacked and took over the Ogre village inside the forest.'
The Orcs had seized the Ogre village and were using them like slaves.
Zeke was certain that the appearance of the ancient Orc race was related to the Abyss.
'Since Orcs are also a race that worships the Herald of Blood and Madness. The Abyss might have revived them along with the demon race.'
To investigate the situation in more detail, Zeke flew toward the Ogre village where the Orcs were staying.
* * *
THUD!
Tauga, the great Orc warrior, defeated the Ogre King, ruler of the Ogre village, with his bare hands.
As a result, the Ogre King lay collapsed on the ground bleeding.
Tauga put his foot on the dead Ogre King's head and struck a victor's pose.
"GRAAAAH!"
When he let out the characteristic Orc battle cry, the Orcs watching also shouted and praised Tauga.
With this, Tauga came to rule three Ogre villages.
He tore off the arm of the Ogre King he killed and chewed it with his strong teeth to celebrate his victory.
But then a mage in black robes approached Tauga.
"Tauga. We have a problem."