Chapter 373: Black Hill Tribe 'Tarachen' (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 373: Black Hill Tribe 'Tarachen' (1)
"An imprint given only to bosses?"
"Yeah. That's, you know, the..."
Alice, who was speaking, suddenly trailed off.
Her mouth began to open and close as if she were blocked by something.
I had experienced a similar phenomenon before.
'Lake of the Moon.'
It was a symptom that appeared in the past when the system forcibly intervened to resolve the sense of incongruity between players and residents.
'Is there information we aren't supposed to know about each other?'
I wasn't sure of the reason.
But one thing was certain: what Alice was saying wasn't completely absurd.
In fact, there had been a lot of interaction between the two races, Dark Elves and Vampires, since ancient times.
They both possessed high intelligence, were incredibly prideful, and shared the commonality of being dark-attribute types.
'Indeed... this is quite interesting.'
A thrill ran through Jinhyuk's body.
His intuition stirred instinctively.
It was telling him.
That he had to choose the third card.
"I'll trust you, Alice."
He reached his finger toward the card at the very end.
[You have selected your reward.]
The characters covering the card crumbled into dust.
Please...
Jinhyuk clenched his fists tightly.
And at that moment.
Ring!
The long-awaited reward appeared.
[You have acquired the Unique Sacred Chant 'Phase 2'!]
[Phase 2]
Acquisition Difficulty: Unmeasurable
Description: An ability possessed by only a tiny fraction of the boss monsters residing in the Tower. In addition to physical alteration, all stats and skill levels increase by 50% for 3 minutes.
This is...
...insane.
Jinhyuk froze on the spot, his mouth hanging wide open.
Because this was an ability he hadn't even been able to obtain when he climbed the Tower of Trials in the past.
"Alice."
"Yeah?"
"Good job."
"G-good job? Me?"
Alice's eyes went wide like a rabbit's.
She looked like she still didn't quite understand what she had accomplished.
"Hehe. So I did better than that stupid Saintess or the blue-haired idiot, right? Right?"
"Yeah. For once, I feel like the money I spend on feeding you isn't a waste."
Jinhyuk smiled warmly, speaking from the bottom of his heart.
This is exactly why I can't stop traveling with companions.
* * *
The 'Black Hill Tribe', formed by a gathering of orcs.
The 'Red Giant', composed of an alliance of dark elves.
The 'Great Wing', consisting of the Cult of Specters and cursed corpses.
These were the three largest factions on the 20th floor.
And currently, Jinhyuk was walking toward the territory of the Black Hill Tribe.
With a skip in his step, his footsteps were light.
Humming a tune was a bonus.
"Damn it. What are you so happy about? Show some tension, will you? This is the 20th floor!"
Displeased by Jinhyuk's cheerful mood, Cheon Yu-seong snapped sharply.
To be fair, going to a named orc tribe with just the two of them was bound to make anyone anxious.
Especially for Cheon Yu-seong, the 20th floor was a place that represented his past limits.
It was a floor of love and hate that he had failed to surpass no matter how hard he struggled.
'That must be why he immersed himself in training so crazily whenever we had a break.'
Seeing him swing his sword and refine his forms whenever he had a spare moment made me feel a bit sorry for him...
...like hell it did.
If I let my guard down or coddled him even a little, he was the type to stab me in the back immediately.
In fact, I could feel his hands itching to challenge me again the stronger he got.
'It's about time I knock him down a peg.'
That was the exact reason why I decided to go with just the two of us this time.
To give him a thoroughly customized education.
However, contrary to his inner thoughts, Jinhyuk feigned ignorance and played dumb.
"Just relax and enjoy the natural scenery and sunshine for once. Opportunities like this don't come around very often."
"Natural scenery, my foot! It's the afternoon, right when the orcs go out hunting. It wouldn't be strange if we ran into them this very second!"
"Well, I suppose that's true."
"'I suppose that's true'?! Damn it! If you hadn't wasted time earlier, we could have gotten here much faster. What on earth were you doing to waste so much time?"
Before setting off, Jinhyuk had sent his spirit beast, Gnome, saying he needed to contact someone on the lower floors of the Tower.
The exchange of messages had delayed them quite a bit, and as a result, they ended up entering the orcs' territory during their most active hours.
For that reason, Cheon Yu-seong was continuously shouting until the veins in his neck bulged.
"Our Yu-seong has such a great voice. You could be a singer later. Specifically, a rock singer."
"Whew. When someone is talking to you, at least listen...!"
But right then.
"……!"
Rustle.
Jinhyuk and Cheon Yu-seong reacted at the same time.
A faint sound carried through the bushes.
There was no mistake.
Someone was nearby.
"...Did you feel that?"
"Damn it. I swear, nothing good ever happens when I'm with you. How do you always manage to find the absolute worst situations?"
Although it was hard to gauge the exact numbers due to the hazy mana mixed in the air, they could instinctively tell that the entire area was completely surrounded.
Shring.
Two swords were drawn like lightning.
Then.
"Grrr..."
"Humans. You're quite quick-witted."
"We completely erased our presence. How did you notice?"
One by one, dark-skinned orcs began to reveal themselves.
With solid, muscular builds, protruding tusks, and bright yellow eyes.
Armed with sharp glaives and shields, they were on a completely different level from ordinary orcs.
Their size alone was easily three times larger than a normal orc.
'These guys are the strongest among the orcs in the Tower.'
They were numerous, knew no fear, and possessed outstanding combat power.
That was why he had sought this place out first.
The corners of Jinhyuk's mouth curled upward.
"Chwiik. You're smiling? In this situation?"
"A bold human indeed. Do you look down on us just because you took over the Gray Forest?"
"Everyone, quiet. I will handle this."
The one who appeared to be the leader of the orcs spoke up.
At the same time, he thrust forward a weapon made by attaching a shaft to a glaive to form a spear.
"Oh? You knew we took over the forest? I thought you guys only knew how to fight mindlessly, but you're smarter than I thought."
"Do not underestimate the information network of the orcs. Our investigation into the faction called Veteran Corporation is already complete. It is true that you are quite strong... but entering our territory with just the two of you was a mistake."
Rustle.
Rustle.
The orcs prepared to attack in unison.
But Jinhyuk remained motionless, merely shrugging his shoulders.
"You'll regret it if you attack us now... I've brought some very good news for you."
"There is no need to listen. Our principle regarding proposals from other races is usually to respond by beheading the messenger. Even more so if it is the untrustworthy human race."
"That's a shame. I was going to tell you how to protect the 'Hideout of Deadly Sins' that you recently acquired. You do know, don't you? You won't be able to hold that place for even a single day without securing a proper supply route."
At those words, they froze.
The glaive, which looked ready to pierce them at any second, stopped in its tracks.
"How... do you know we attacked that place?"
"Well, I wonder how?"
Jinhyuk's smile grew even wider.
"Ah! I'd appreciate it if you didn't use cliché lines like 'I'll skin you alive' or 'I'll pull out your fingernails' if I don't answer. Rather than those useless threats, it would be much better to have a constructive conversation for our mutual benefit."
"...What do you want?"
"Take me to your chieftain. I'll speak with him directly."
"Keke... Kuhahaha! You've completely lost your mind. You want to meet our chieftain?"
The spear-wielding orc burst into wild laughter.
"Of course. I can't discuss important matters with a mere underling, can I?"
"Khehe. You are certainly no ordinary human. Fine. The chieftain will find this quite amusing as well."
The spear lowered slightly.
Though they didn't let their guard down, their hostility had softened.
"Very well. We shall do so. But if you babble about something trivial, you will regret it."
"Chwiik. Baktur. Are you seriously suggesting we take him to the chieftain?"
"No matter what, this is too dangerous."
The other orcs around them murmured.
"I will take responsibility. If there is a way to protect the temple as he says, that wouldn't be bad in its own right. If he is lying, we can just cut him down on the spot."
Either way, they had nothing to lose.
They could leave the final decision to the chieftain.
* * *
The headquarters of the Black Hill Tribe was literally built upon a massive obsidian rock.
'This place is a magnificent sight no matter how many times I see it.'
Jinhyuk let out a soft exclamation of admiration.
Countless tents could be seen along the hill that rose high enough to touch the sky.
And at its heart...
"……."
A muscular orc with a body that looked ready to burst was seated.
Tarachen.
He was a legendary monster who had led the Black Hill Tribe for nine years, carving out numerous myths.
In fact, Cheon Yu-seong had also lost in a duel against this very orc in the past, failing to break through the 20th floor.
"……."
Cheon Yu-seong clenched his teeth so hard they threatened to shatter.
'I don't think I've ever seen him react like this to anyone other than me.'
The painful sting of defeat, and the burning desire to surpass it this time.
I could feel those two emotions blending together.
"Baktur. Are these the ones?"
"Yes, Chieftain. As I reported through the crow, they insisted on speaking only with you."
"Hmm..."
Tarachen drove his glaive into the ground.
Thud.
The massive two-meter glaive sank deep into the earth.
"Human. Do you know who I am?"
"More or less... You're the strongest orc here, aren't you?"
At Jinhyuk's completely unfazed attitude, Tarachen's lips twitched.
"Indeed, just as Baktur said, you are a human with guts. To be so relaxed even when surrounded by so many of my subordinates."
There were over dozens of elite guards alone, radiating a terrifying bloodlust.
Not to mention the forces waiting behind them.
And yet, to crawl into this death trap with just the two of them and remain so confident...
"Thanks for the compliment. I do hear that I'm fearless quite often. So, are you in the mood to talk now?"
"No."
Tarachen shook his head.
"I have met countless smooth-talkers in my life. The quality of a plan can be judged by the caliber of the person who brings it."
Tarachen gestured with his finger toward the warriors standing right beside him.
"Prove yourself with strength rather than words. That is the first condition to speak with me."
Orcs always revered strength.
For only the strong could command, and only the strong could survive.
"Kroooar!"
"Kuaaa!"
Thud!
Bam!
Two elite guard orcs charged at them simultaneously.
"Just block their initial strike. I'll finish them in one go."
"Tch! Fine."
Jinhyuk and Cheon Yu-seong prepared to split their positions and fight together.
To be precise...
"You... rotten bastard!"
...Jinhyuk only pretended to do so, dumping the entire burden onto Cheon Yu-seong.
"Sorry, just handle the small fry for me. Our Sword Saint, you know, right? Hyung always believes in you."
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Cheon Yu-seong clashed with the two elite guards.
Using that gap, Jinhyuk slipped past them and dashed straight toward Tarachen.
Step.
If he played along half-heartedly, he would only end up dancing to their tune.
"It seems you really like testing people."
Jinhyuk raised Barnard high.
A faint blue light spread along the blade.
"Hah. What do you think you can do with a toothpick of a dagger like—"
Tarachen didn't even look like he intended to draw his glaive.
But that thought didn't last long.
"...Hm!?"
Boom!
The glaive, drawn like lightning, collided head-on with Barnard.
Blinding sparks flew, and Tarachen's body was pushed back several meters.
"I quite enjoy it too. Playing around with guys who think they're strong, that is."
Rumble!
Jinhyuk began to unleash his mana in earnest.