Chapter 69: Blood Dagger’s Test
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 69: Blood Dagger’s Test
“What did you just say?”
“I said I would repay what was given, Blood Dagger.”
“No, after that…”
The Orc opened his mouth slowly, looking bewildered by my question. He was clearly wondering why I wanted to hear his nickname again. He must have been even more certain of it after seeing the slightly shocked expression on my face.
“I… I said my name is Broken Bow.”
‘Broken Bow.’
There was a reason I’d asked him to repeat his nickname. Broken Bow. That was the name of an Orc archer who had operated ‘alone’ in the North before being killed by the Queen of the North. An Orc archer who carried a massive bow, shot every human he saw, and always wore a wolf’s pelt on his head.
His methods of hunting humans were so vicious that his moniker had reached all the way to the West, where I had been active. Stories of him turning bodies into honeycombs and mutilating corpses had, for a brief time, made him a figure of terror for the nameless summoners of the North.
Why was he here now? I was utterly baffled. Who would have guessed that he hadn't started in the North, but in the West? Hiding my confusion, I slowly spoke to him again.
“Were you planning to leave the Western Forest?”
“I hadn’t planned it precisely, but I was thinking about it. I’m in a position where I have to do whatever I can to lead my tribe. East, South, or North—I was prepared to go anywhere there was a battlefield where I could find honor. I don’t know why you’re asking… but anyway, I will gratefully accept what you’ve given me.”
“…”
I simply nodded without a word. If he went north, he would surely die. But I was certain some incident had to happen before that. For instance…
The incident that led to his tribe being annihilated, leaving him all alone. I had no way of knowing if it happened after he moved to the North or while he was still settled in the Western Forest. But one thing was certain: I could not let him go north.
Broken Bow was one of the individuals I had resolved to recruit after my regression. I never imagined I would meet him like this. Who would have thought I’d encounter him when he was still just a kid? Feeling a sense of urgency, I quickly spoke again.
“I would prefer if you didn’t go to the North.”
My sudden declaration must have been just as baffling to him. His eyes widened as he looked at me.
“That is not for you to decide, Blood Dagger.”
“The warrior who stole my name went north. I’m not certain, but it’s highly likely.”
In the end, I had to say something in a hurry. It was a rushed excuse, meant to stop him from heading north, setting aside the question of how I could possibly know where she had gone. Fortunately, he was young, and he didn’t seem to notice anything strange about my words.
“You are worried that I might encounter that warrior.”
“That’s right. Because I consider you a strong warrior.”
He thought for a moment before nodding, his expression looking incredibly pleased. For some reason, I felt like I could understand what he was thinking. The sight of me, fretting that the warrior who stole my name might be defeated by him, must have struck him as quite novel. It was proof that Blood Dagger acknowledged him, so of course, he would be happy.
Of course, my true intention was completely different. I just didn’t want him to lose his tribe, his pride, and everything else, only to wander alone and die a miserable death at the hands of the Queen of the North. But for now, what this young Broken Bow thought didn’t matter at all.
“I will take your words to heart.”
“Thank you.”
He carried himself with a dignified air, but he was still just a kid. Compared to the rumors I’d heard about Broken Bow, he seemed to have more vulnerabilities than I expected.
“Separately from this gift, our clan wishes to maintain a friendly relationship with your group.”
“Does that mean…”
“We can form Brother Clans after you have planted your own banner, but I consider you an honorable warrior, Broken Bow. No more words are needed, are they?”
My words left him with a deeply moved expression. If he had questioned why I was showing him such favor, things might have gotten complicated. But to a young Orc shouldering such a heavy burden, I must have looked like a rope sent down from the heavens. As expected, his eyes began to sparkle. The wariness I had first seen in them was gone, replaced by a look one would give a true brother.
However, what he truly wanted was to operate independently. I said something that I knew would appeal to him.
“But separate from that, I will be sure to get back what I just gave you, Broken Bow.”
“Th-Thank you, Blood Dagger. I will definitely repay you.”
I didn’t answer, slowly raising a hand to my chest. He awkwardly followed suit, placing a hand on his own.
After wrapping things up with him, I started back toward Black Spear’s settlement with my clan members. I couldn’t help but smile as I recalled how reluctant he had seemed to part ways.
To sum it up, while my third attempt at recruiting a clan could be considered a rejection, forging a good connection with the Named Monster known as Broken Bow was a huge achievement. But contrary to my thoughts, the faces of Mev and the other women of the tribe were endlessly crumpled.
The reason was, of course…
“I don’t like that Troll woman… If Blood Dagger wants her, I can’t stop him, but… I don’t like that Troll woman.”
“She insulted Mev. We can’t just let this go!”
It was because of that troublesome Troll woman. In their minds, they were probably picturing me bringing her into the clan, casting Mev aside, and focusing on breeding. Besides that, they were also displeased with her insolent words to Mev, but frankly, when the clan’s well-being was at stake, personal feelings should be set aside.
My head started to ache just thinking about the backlash I’d face if I really chose the Troll woman.
Mev’s expression was truly awful, as if she was certain I would choose the second option. She kept glancing my way, looking like she wanted to say something. Just as the atmosphere grew heavier, it was Jung Hayeon, not Mev, who spoke to me.
She, too, seemed to dislike the Troll woman as she approached my side.
“Have you made a decision?”
“Not yet.”
At my short reply, Mev and the goblins clenched their fists. They probably thought I couldn’t see them, but I could see them very clearly. A smirk escaped my lips, and Jung Hayeon, seeing this, spoke once more.
“In my opinion… it might not be a bad idea to… test her.”
“A test?”
“Yes. Green Skins might think a little differently, but it’s the same with humans. There’s no guarantee that those who run once won’t run a second time. That Troll woman’s words were smooth, but what about her actions? Aren’t you curious what choice she’ll make when her life is actually on the line?”
Her words were persuasive enough. After she finished, Jung Hayeon smiled at me as if this would be fun. Seeing the faint hint of killing intent in her eyes, I suspected she wanted personal revenge on the Troll who had insulted her, but whatever the reason, it was worth a try.
Jung Hayeon’s words seemed to have resonated with Mev and the goblins, as the Goblin Three Sisters also began to raise their voices eagerly. They even started looking at Jung Hayeon with a newfound expression—one of clear goodwill. With that single statement, she had succeeded in winning their favor.
“The plant is right! Yes! A test! The Troll woman will definitely run! No doubt about it!”
“What the plant says is right! It’s Blood Dagger’s test! Blood Dagger’s test!”
The phrase ‘Blood Dagger’s test’ seemed to stir their hearts, and they began to murmur amongst themselves. Eventually, Gark and Hark raised their banners high and began to shout.
“It is Blood Dagger’s test!”
“Blood Dagger’s test begins!”
It seemed I was now in a situation where I had to start a test just to meet their expectations, even if I didn’t want to. As if in agreement, I nodded once and raised my arm, and once again, the clan members roared with cheers.
*
After returning to the settlement while chanting “Blood Dagger’s test,” I lay down for a moment and began to think about the test. The intention was certainly good. Just as Jung Hayeon said, there was no guarantee that those who had fled once wouldn’t do it again.
In fact, those who had saved their lives that way would likely make the same choice in the same situation. Of course, if they regretted it, they might not, but the temptation of survival is far greater than one might think. I slowly began to activate the Ring of Covenant.
The first person who had come to mind when I thought of a test was, in fact, Baek Ahyeon.
As soon as I infused the ring with mana, a voice came through. She must have followed my order to never turn off the communication.
[Savior… Haaa…]
Her ragged breathing sounded like a continuation of what happened last time, but I didn’t have the leisure to listen to it all right now. I called Baek Ahyeon’s name in my mind.
[Baek Ahyeon.]
[S-S-S-S… Savior…]
[…]
A moment of silence. I pretended not to notice, in case she was embarrassed, and moved straight to the main point. Fortunately, it seemed to be the right choice.
[There is something I need you to do.]
[Yes… Yes… Yes… Willingly… With a grateful heart… I will obey.]
I began to explain. The content of our conversation was very simple. I told her to discreetly leak the locations of the first and second settlements I visited today. In the currently saturated small city of Legius, there were bound to be summoners with nothing to do. Driving them toward the Trolls’ group was the first part of the test. The crucial part was whether they would abandon us and flee, so I would have to think through the detailed plan slowly, but it was important to lay the groundwork now.
The rumor Baek Ahyeon spread would slowly disseminate among the summoners, and eventually, when the source of the rumor became untraceable, they would begin their expedition.
[I… I just have to leak it?]
[That’s right. For now, that is enough. Oh, and if you hear any rumors related to monsters living in the forest, let me know immediately. Whether it’s about an expedition… or the discovery of a completely different settlement… I’m counting on you.]
[Yes… Yes, I understand.]
Just as I thought our conversation was more or less over and was about to cut the connection, Baek Ahyeon urgently called out to me again.
[S-Savior… Savior. M-May… May I go as well?]