Chapter 36: Honorable Orc
Louvre Museum, Paris, France.
One of the three greatest museums in the world — and currently, it housed the Gate connected to the first episode.
“This isn’t as easy as we thought. The orcs’ resistance is quite fierce.”
“They say the cave area has only just been secured near the entrance. Those red-skinned bastards are tearing through the low-rank Hunters like paper. Tsk.”
“I suppose the large guilds or the Cult need to step in soon. I can’t understand why they’re hesitating like this.”
The condition to clear the first episode—
Was to secure the ‘Sacred Relic’ held by the orcs.
Almost a whole day had already passed, leaving only six days remaining.
They had to hurry if they wanted to prevent a massive outbreak.
That was why so many guilds were joining forces.
However—
The factions holding the strongest rankers and the most wealth were showing lukewarm responses.
[Monarch]
[Royal Knight]
[Mage Union]
[New Vatican]
[Black Rain Corporation]
From major guilds to rcenaries and religious orders—
It was an unprecedented lineup.
With this much power, no matter how many orcs sward, they should be able to handle it.
Yes. Surely, that should be the case.
If—
They had all entered the episode with the sa purpose.
‘The Magic Stones and resources inside this Gate are far more abundant and of higher quality than usual. If we can monopolize them…’
‘It would be good to weaken the Cult’s influence while we’re at it. They’ve been gaining too much montum lately.’
‘Even if an outbreak occurs, there are enough pawns to use as shields. The episode will turn into a long-term battle anyway. There’s no need to overextend from the start.’
‘We should conserve our forces and avoid unnecessary risks. As long as we obtain the Sacred Relic, our rcenary group’s status will soar.’
Each faction had its own agenda.
Their main forces prioritized profit within the Gate over anything else.
Thus, the precious day slipped away completely, and night fell.
Vwooom—!
The blue glow of the Gate suddenly shifted into a crimson hue.
“What’s going on?”
“Why is it—?”
The Hunters stationed at the entrance were thrown into confusion by the sudden phenonon.
Sothing like this had never happened before.
“The wavelength is distorting! Stabilization failed—control is lost!”
“Then explain what’s happening! What the hell is going on?”
“Sothing… is crossing over.”
At the words of the magic-type Hunter, the face of the security captain turned pale.
No assault team would arrive unannounced at this hour.
“Contact the guilds, now—!”
The captain shouted in panic.
But that desperate plea—never reached anyone.
Puuk!
A Glaive shot out through the shimring surface, piercing through his chest.
Blood spurted like a fountain from the weapon lodged in him.
“Guh…”
The captain staggered and collapsed.
“O–Orc!”
“It’s an orc!”
But the countless orcs erging from beyond the Gate were far beyond what a re dozen could stop.
Thunk! Thud! Thunk!
Spears, concealed in darkness, flew and struck their targets in an instant.
“Keuk!”
“Graaah!”
It took re seconds for every guard to be slaughtered, their vital points impaled.
And so—
The tragedy arrived without warning.
“Success.”
“Just as that human nad Kim Geunsik said.”
“Chieftain, this is the land where those humans live—our new world to conquer.”
They were the warriors of the most powerful tribe among all orcs—
The Broken Axe Tribe.
“Before the enemy reinforcents arrive, we’ll finish securing this area and turn it into our forward base.”
‘Jadrak.’
The great warrior leading the Broken Axe Tribe pulled out a Sacred Relic from his chest.
[The Sacred Relic ‘Projector of Reconstructed Imagination’ activates!]
The trump card he had received from that mysterious being for this very mission.
While the humans were pouring all their attention into the inside of the Gate, a fang that could pierce straight into the enemy’s heart began to shine.
Dding!
[Select the ‘Film’ to be played.]
[Available Films: 1,257]
Countless films appeared before Jadrak.
However, that being had said—
There was only one film among them that was truly useful here.
He had advised that Jadrak must choose it if he wanted to win.
[The film ‘Night at the Museum’ devours the base ‘Louvre Museum’!]
[‘600,000 artifacts’ are infused with magic power!]
Pazzzzz….
A barrier spread around the museum.
From this mont on, this place belonged to the orcs.
＊＊＊
Ugrah, drunk on victory, continued to boast excitedly.
Thanks to that, Yohan learned what the orcs were really aiming for.
‘So that’s what it was.’
Of all possible places, they had chosen to target the Louvre Museum—
Which ant they had obtained the Sacred Relic ‘Projector of Reconstructed Imagination’.
He now understood why the orcs had joined hands with Kim Geunsik, seeking an item capable of triggering an outbreak.
If they could use that projector to turn the Louvre Museum into a stronghold….
They would literally gain the mightiest invasion fortress imaginable.
Of course, no matter how clever the orcs were, they couldn’t possibly have known about the Sacred Relic in advance or planned around it.
There was a collaborator.
Not the Requiem Cult or Kim Geunsik—soone else entirely.
More precisely, soone who knew about this ‘World of Forbidden Books’ had intervened.
‘To think there was another person who had experienced this place besides .’
It was the mont when the strange sense of discord he had felt since the Withered Garden was finally explained.
At least, there was one bit of relief—
Whoever that person was, they didn’t seem to understand this world very well.
‘Judging by the fact they gave that Sacred Relic to the orcs, I can roughly guess what they’re after….’
Well.
If they had even played through to the midpoint of the episode, they’d know how foolish that plan was.
It was a mistake no one who’d gone through a few dozen runs would ever make.
Even so, if used cleverly, there were ways to turn this to his advantage.
Just as he was thinking that—
KWAANG!
With a thunderous crash, a familiar face approached from behind.
“Lord Yohan!”
It was Scarlett.
Her entire body was covered in dust, showing she had just co from an intense battle.
Co to think of it, Ugrah had ntioned sending out a separate squad.
“Don’t tell —you handled them all on your own?”
“It was a bit annoying, but I cut them all up nicely. One arm. One leg. Like this!”
She grinned brightly, drawing lines on the ground with her parasol.
Wow. How reassuring.
Once again, he could feel just how powerful a True Ancestor truly was.
anwhile, Ugrah burned with fury upon realizing their encirclent had been broken.
“Fools. I sent a hundred warriors, yet they were defeated by barely twenty humans?”
And to think a single young girl had carved her way through to reach this point—
There was no greater humiliation.
However.
Their opponents were rely two.
“So what now? Don’t tell you actually think the two of you can defeat us all.”
“How laughable, for such lowly creatures to speak of victory. Even if thousands of your kind were to charge at us, do you truly believe you could utter the word ‘win’ before ?”
Scarlett stepped forward proudly.
Though wounded and weary, the pride in her crimson eyes did not waver.
This was a vampire.
This was the greatness of the house that upheld Ataraxia.
Ku-ku-ku-ku-ku!
Beads of blood slowly rose into the air.
The Field of Blood Threads spread forth, dyeing everything around in crimson.
“T-That’s not a human.”
“Don’t tell … a vampire?”
“So that’s why everyone was wiped out.”
A wave of unease rippled through even the most seasoned warriors.
However—
“Don’t worry. Fortunately, it’s still a young one. Compared to the real thing, its magic power—both in amount and quality—is still immature.”
Ugrah drew a sharp line with a seasoned tone.
It was true that vampires were a powerful higher species, but that only applied once they were fully grown.
Young ones or half-breeds who hadn’t inherited pure blood could be hunted.
And the army gathered here was composed of the finest elite, carefully selected from the tribe itself.
“Well, you do know a thing or two for a chieftain. Still, I never planned for the two of us to handle everything alone.”
A few hours earlier—around the ti Kim Geunsik had thrust a dagger into his sleeping bag—he had built a bonfire by mixing Jeok-yeopcho and Blue Mistletoe Flowers in a precise 12:5 ratio.
In truth, it wasn’t an ordinary bonfire.
It was a signal fire.
More precisely, an ergency call flare carrying a specific color and scent that only orcs of the Fang of Hatred Tribe could recognize.
“I figured we were losing too much in a numbers ga, so I thought it’d be best to call for so backup on our end too.”
By now, they should be arriving soon….
Given the ruckus they had made here, finding the location wouldn’t be difficult.
Just as he finished speaking—
“Chieftain!”
“The bastards are coming from the opposite side!”
Scouts from the Black Fortress Tribe shouted urgently.
“How… how are they here?”
Ugrah muttered, bewildernt spreading across his face.
It was true that the bonds between tribes weren’t particularly strong—
But siding with humans was unthinkable.
Still, when he saw Yohan’s calm, confident smile, Ugrah couldn’t help but feel a creeping sense of unease.
“Chieftain. We should at least form a defensive line.”
“They’re not a scouting party—they’ve brought their main forces. Leading them… is Chieftain Lian Kal.”
If one were to na the strongest tribe among the orcs—
Everyone would unanimously answer, the Broken Axe Tribe.
That much was undisputed.
Then, who ca second?
The answer to that question was now right before their eyes.
The Fang of Hatred.
The ferocious warriors who had fought the Broken Axe Tribe to the bitter end for the throne.
They couldn’t move carelessly.
Whatever their intentions, a single mistake could ignite a war between tribes.
“For now… we’ll hold position and observe while preparing for the worst.”
Ugrah stepped back with a tense expression, maintaining distance.
＊＊＊
Behind Yohan, thousands of troops appeared.
Black flags marked with crimson fangs fluttered in the wind.
“So, the one who sent the shamanic signal only our tribe could recognize… was a human?”
A towering figure over two ters tall, with dark skin—
The chieftain of the Fang of Hatred Tribe, Lian Kal, clicked his tongue as he looked at Yohan.
The faint scent of the bonfire still lingered on Yohan’s body.
“I don’t know how you learned our tribe’s secret, but the price of that arrogance will be severe.”
Just then—
Lian Kal’s eyes caught sight of the staff in Yohan’s hand.
No way.
There was no mistaking it.
It was the staff of Rakshama, the great hero and arch-shaman of their tribe.
Even though it had lost its power, the Shaman Stone still lay at Yohan’s feet.
“You… how did you…?”
Lian Kal, who had been ready to swing his Glaive, froze.
Good.
He took the bait.
Yohan replied calmly,
“I received it. Lord Rakshama handed it to personally.”
“Nonsense!”
“There’s no way he would bestow a Sacred Relic upon a human!”
“Speak the truth! How did you get your hands on it?”
The surrounding warriors shouted angrily.
They were orcs who had once fought through the War of Destiny, battling to beco the greatest of all tribes.
Depending on Yohan’s next words, their massive hostility could turn upon him in an instant.
This was the critical mont.
“So, you an to say he should’ve entrusted the Sacred Relic to you—those who chose comfort over struggle?”
“……!?”
At that brief statent, the explosive rage that had seed ready to erupt stopped as if cut short.
“Struggle and pride. He said that countless warriors’ souls dwell within the fangs drawn on your banner.
But he also added—sadly, there are no longer any warriors left to carry on that legacy.”
Of course, Rakshama had never said any such thing.
Had he been here, he’d likely have clutched his chest in fury and frothed at the mouth.
But what could he do?
His spirit was probably too busy weeping over his shattered holand.
Still, the remorse and sorrow reflected in Yohan’s expression—
Looked as though he truly mourned the fate of the Fang of Hatred Tribe.
Anyone watching might have mistaken him for an Honorable Orc.
‘Too bad there’s no mirror around. This expression alone would score at least 98 points for performance.’
Well, if he could fool that monster Vivian Astraia, then tricking a few orcs was nothing.
“……”
Scarlett’s face showed what might’ve been a flicker of disgust, but he decided to ignore it.
Soon, the rage was replaced by a deep, heavy silence that blanketed the battlefield.
The tribe that had once aspired to be the strongest was gone.
Now, only hunting dogs obeying another tribe’s orders remained.
“It’s not like we wanted to give up. We fought with everything we had and lost miserably. If we’d gone further, the entire tribe would’ve been wiped out.”
“You should’ve died before yielding.”
“Easy for you to say. You can only talk like that because you don’t know how strong they were.”
Lian Kal’s clenched fist trembled faintly.
The battlefield had long gone cold.
It was no place where the defeated could hope for anything.
Yet, in every battlefield, embers always remain—
Waiting once more to blaze fiercely.
To overco nightmares, and sing again of lost honor and glory.
Those final embers, burning with the last of their fighting spirit.
“I’ll beco that fla for you.”
If just the right spark could be set off…
The Fang of Hatred Tribe would move at once to reclaim the throne.
They had been crushed and suppressed out of necessity—
But these orcs were never the kind to live under anyone’s command.
In fact, out of the 999 cycles, there had been about thirty where the Fang of Hatred Tribe had led all orcs.
“What… are you trying to say?”
“I heard that the Broken Axe Tribe and Chieftain Jadrak are currently turning the Louvre Museum into their stronghold with elite forces. I’ll go there myself and eliminate Jadrak. Fortunately, Lord Rakshama taught a special curse for the sake of his tribe.”
If the one at the top vanished, naturally the seat would open to the one just below.
The beginning of betrayal and civil war.
It was, of course, a poisoned chalice.
The problem was—
It was far too sweet a temptation to refuse.
“Lian Kal! You an to tell you’re going to betray us?!”
Realizing the situation was spiraling out of control, Ugrah shouted in fury.
A great disturbance spread among the warriors.
And at that mont—
“So, the Great Shaman said he was ashad of how his descendants live now. I suppose I have no face left to et him in death.”
Lian Kal made his decision.
Murderous intent flickered in the light surrounding his Glaive.
The black flags whipped violently in the wind.
“From this mont—we claim the throne.”
To kill and take.
That was how they had lived.
And that was how they would continue to live.
Because that was the very root of what sustained them.
“Groooaaah!”
“War!”
The orcs of the Fang of Hatred Tribe bellowed until their throats tore.
Kukukukukuku!
Battle erupted at once.
The onslaught of warriors who had found a new purpose was overwhelming.
Crack!
Thud!
The Glaives slashed throats, and siege hamrs rcilessly crushed skulls.
From the beginning, the gap between a tribe that relished torture and interrogation, and one that specialized purely in battle, was destined to be hopeless.
“Graaagh!”
“Ch-Chieftain! The front line—it’s collapsing!”
The warriors of the Black Fortress Tribe were literally being torn apart.
“To think you’d fall for the silver tongue of a re human… what disgrace is this, Lian Kal?!”
Ugrah roared with rage, but it was already far too late to turn the tide with words.
‘Much too late, indeed.’
How could it be otherwise?
The hero once revered as the Great Shaman was said to have chastised his descendants from beyond the grave, disgusted by their weakness.
And now soone had co forth offering a secret curse, promising to lead the charge in slaying the one at the top.
Who could possibly resist that?
Now, even pride left them no room to retreat.
Just then—
“Take this.”
Lian Kal threw a cube and a rugged Glaive to Yohan.
As Yohan caught the two items, his eyes narrowed.
Hooh. Interesting.
He recognized them.
Indeed, a gift worthy of a chieftain.
“Originally, our mission was also to exit the Gate and regroup outside. If you use that cube, you can move directly to the Louvre Museum. And as for the weapon… you’ll find it necessary.”
“I’ll make good use of them.”
They had to move before the orcs completed their fortification.
Once the stronghold was finished, breaching it would beco far more difficult.
[‘Green Cube’ activates!]
[The designated coordinate: ‘Main Gate of the Louvre Museum’!]
Vwooom!
A Gate appeared before them.
Beyond the rippling surface, the gleam of grand glass windows and buildings ca into view.
“Scarlett, let’s go.”
“Yes, Lord Yohan.”
Yohan and Scarlett leaped in without hesitation.
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