Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Gorejul Krack
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The black orc that had literally burst its comrades apart now exploded in reverse.
No one could even comprehend what had just happened.
“Gorejul Krack….”
“Gorejul Krack!”
The orcs began shouting toward Go Yohan as if they had gone mad.
And then.
Boom boom boom boom!
They burst apart like fireworks at a festival.
“…….”
Those watching the scene were left dumbfounded.
Some had heard stories about Go Yohan, others hadn’t.
No, even those who had.
Gulp.
This was the first time seeing a power akin to his Authority from up close.
‘What the….’
What kind of skill was that?
No, could it even be called a skill?
Bursting that many monsters at once.
“…….”
How did his breathing not change at all?
Such questions arose, but they quickly snapped back to reality.
Rumble rumble rumble!
Countless red orcs charging in to surround the village.
They realized their own lives hung in the balance.
Swoosh.
Go Yohan turned his back.
‘I’ve rested enough.’
He looked at Go Woojin.
He regarded him coldly, but just seeing him brought a measure of calm to his heart.
That was enough.
‘And necessary.’
An overwhelming power to show these people.
[Your class changes temporarily to Dark Knight.]
[Class….]
His sky-blue eyes darkened.
Hum.
A wind emanated from Go Yohan, tearing his shirt and making it flutter.
As his fully exposed upper body revealed itself, the tattoo on his ribs writhed and swelled.
[You acquire Knight of Sloth.]
One of the triggers from the past that had led to his corrosion by the curse—the power that had defeated the fragment of Wrath manifested in Kim Sehyun’s body.
[Curse of Sloth descends upon the area.]
That was the moment.
Halt.
The red orcs, driven solely by the curse of frenzy to think only of slaughter as they charged, froze in place.
At the same time, Go Yohan slowly extended his hand and clenched it toward the orcs.
He had merely scattered the power of Sloth, focusing it solely on the red orcs.
Thud, thud. Thud!
The red orcs began collapsing in heaps where they stood.
[Powerless]
They would fall into a deep slumber under the gradually overwhelming sleep demon.
And they would forget everything, reclaiming peace.
At the end of that.
Thud.
They would even forget to breathe, forget their hearts beating.
[You acquire a large amount of karma points.]
[Faith stat rises dramatically.]
[First achievement unlocked: Orc Slayer.]
[Damage dealt to all orc species increases by 10 percent.]
[First achievement unlocked….]
[First achievement unlocked….]
As Go Yohan heard the goddess’s voice.
[Level up.]
[Level up.]
[Level up.]
Everyone standing on the battlefield was enveloped in light.
People who normally struggled to level up would have cheered in joy.
Gulp.
But they merely swallowed hard and stayed silent.
Swoosh.
Go Yohan, who had been facing the orcs, turned back around to look at the players.
Could the players withstand the power that had just massacred countless orcs?
That was when it happened.
Ripple.
Go Yohan’s darkened eyes returned to their original hue, and the writhing, swollen tattoo settled back to normal.
Flash.
Go Yohan’s figure vanished like a mirage and reappeared among the players.
There.
“……!”
Were the Hajo Guild members who had led the players here.
“Uh…. Uh….”
They wanted to say something—anything—but not even the will to defend themselves arose.
No matter what excuses they offered, it didn’t change the fact that they had lured this many players into a trap.
But there was something even more unforgivable.
Snap!
With a flick of Go Yohan’s hand, the rare-grade items worn by the Hajo Guild members were all shredded.
They stood there, stripped of their tops just like Go Yohan, their bare skin exposed.
“……!”
On their bodies were strange markings.
Thud.
The moment Go Yohan’s hand touched the Hajo Guild leader’s chest.
Writhing!
The markings began to squirm just like Go Yohan’s tattoo.
“You made a deal with the orc priests, didn’t you.”
“Gasp!”
“They promised you items, immense power.”
When he had encountered the second priest and stopped the ritual.
-You think it’ll be any different this time? Gorejul Krack!
The creature had shouted.
Whoosh!
Red energy began erupting from the Hajo Guild members’ bodies.
“Uh…! That’s!”
Players who recognized the power and form cried out.
Skin turning red, flesh swelling up.
It was proof they had accepted the power of orcs and the spells of the evil god into their bodies.
If he hadn’t been here, the five thousand players would have entered this obvious trap and faced a massive orc assault.
“I, I… I!”
In the midst of the ensuing battle, they would have rampaged, slaughtering fellow players.
‘Back then too.’
The orc subjugation army had gone through the same.
The immense power and frenzy granted by orcs brought an ecstasy nothing else could replace.
Betrayed by such traitors, rivers of their own kin’s blood had flowed.
And then.
-By military law.
-He is a count of the Musella Kingdom. Escort him back to the kingdom to face Musella law.
-Protect the prince!
Division had erupted.
Back then, he thought it all a necessary pain for humanity to endure.
Trials from the goddess, after which they would emerge stronger.
A holy knight candidate with no position had been content just cutting down orcs amid all that division.
“Spare….”
But now was different.
He no longer cared for any condemnation or political maneuvering.
If necessary, he would endure it and press on.
Slash!
Even if it meant cutting down humans.
Thud, roll roll.
Heads fell simultaneously, tumbling across the ground.
“Remember this.”
At some point, Go Yohan’s speech had shifted to Michael’s tone.
“Even if you sell your souls to demons countless times.”
It was different from Trabania.
“Even if you offer everything to them and gain any power.”
He was no longer a holy knight.
“There’s no surpassing me.”
He was a villain.
What humans needed—no, what was needed in the war against demons—was not some great saintly ruler.
“Burn today’s memory deep into your minds.”
Thud, thud.
The sight of Go Yohan tapping their heads seemed almost mad.
Yes.
‘What’s needed in the war against demons.’
A tyrant. A villain.
*
*
*
‘Return and report this situation clearly. If anyone else arrives at camp, strip them and check for tattoos.’
It was what Go Yohan had said before leaving.
‘Any player can spot the difference from a normal tattoo. If not, infuse mana into their bodies.’
Infusing mana into another player’s body was the ultimate taboo.
It was tantamount to torture from the excruciating pain, and in severe cases, it could take lives.
But.
“Strip down—everyone!”
The Sanctuary Union arrived at camp in a frenzy and shouted.
“What the hell?”
“‘His’ message: there may be traitors among us.”
“His…?”
“Sanctuary Union orders: strip all players and check for tattoos now!”
The Sanctuary Union followed Yu Baek’s words, leading to clashes with the Holy Union and others.
“Infuse mana into anyone with tattoos!”
“Wait!”
They could tolerate stripping after hearing the explanation.
But infusing mana? Everyone knew it was the ultimate taboo. Even the Trident Guild leader, in charge of the Holy Union’s vanguard, had said so.
Ripple.
The Sanctuary Union’s eyes burned with unstoppable zeal.
“Stop!”
Go Woojin stepped forward.
“Infuse mana.”
He promptly removed his top and extended his arm.
“Sanctuary Guild’s Go Woojin raid leader is exempt.”
Yu Baek said.
“Don’t misunderstand. It’s not because of his connection to Him—it’s because he has no tattoo. Him.”
Yu Baek said it loud enough for all to hear.
“He has no attachment to petty blood ties with divinity.”
“I know. Still, do it.”
Go Woojin didn’t back down.
In the end.
“Urk!”
With bloodshot eyes, Go Woojin endured the torture-like ordeal.
As the verification process progressed bit by bit.
[Evil God Ograk’s protective barrier has been destroyed.]
System voices began to ring out.
[Galgi orc village’s evil god summoning ritual has been thwarted.]
Go Yohan was the only one absent from this place.
[White Mane orc village’s evil god summoning ritual has been thwarted.]
This system voice right now.
[Red Blood orc village’s evil god summoning ritual has been thwarted.]
Was one Go Yohan was producing.
[Evil God Ograk’s summoning rituals have all been thwarted.]
And far away.
KABOOM!
A massive red pillar surged upward in reverse, blanketing the sky.
“…….”
All the players stared blankly at the sky.
The sky rippling with red energy began tearing apart.
[Black Gate is destroyed.]
Along with it came nonstop voices announcing level-ups and rewards.
Smirk.
The Sanctuary Union smiled.
Clench.
Black Mirror secretly gripped his fist.
“…….”
The other players were simply dazed.
But one thing was certain.
“A lot is going to change from now on.”
Today’s events would mark another seismic shift in the world.
KABOOM!
The Black Gate began shattering.
Players were gradually pushed out of the gate, awakening back on Earth.
“Players!”
“The players are back!”
Cheers erupted from those who had been waiting.
“Did the raid succeed?”
“What happened?”
“Can you tell us about inside the Black Gate?”
More questions poured in.
But many players merely bowed their heads and closed their eyes, as if refusing to answer—or perhaps praying in silence.