Chapter 71.1: THE INVADERS (PART 1)

Race: Goblin

Level: 15

Class: Lord; Horde Chief

Possessed Skills: Ruler of the Horde; Insurgent Will; Overpowering Howl; Swordsmanship B+; Insatiable Desire; King’s Soul; Ruler’s Wisdom I; Eyes of the Blue Snake; Dance at Death’s Border; Red Snake’s Eye; Magic Manipulation; Soul of a Crazed Warrior; Third Impact (The Third Chant); Instinct; Ruler’s Wisdom II;

Divine Protection: Goddess of the Underworld

Attributes Darkness; Death

Suboridnate Beasts: High Kobold Hasu; (Lv1) Gastra (Lv20) Cynthia (Lv20) Orc King Bui; (Lv36)

The rumbling wind blew from the dark hole.

From that true darkness in which not even goblins could see. The black wind that blew was clad in darkness.

Like a tunnel stretching back to the womb of the mother, its walls were tepid like the wind.

“So this is the path leading to the Fortress of the Abyss,” I muttered. “Scared, king?” The druid, Gi Za, teased.

“My chest is pounding,” I fearlessly smiled back.

Beyond the boundless memories, in that sea of hazy fragments that knew not of life as a grown man, I recall looking into the darkness and my heart pounding. It was a stormy night then, the showering rain beating into the windows. I didn’t know why, but at the time, it felt like something would happen. Something that would overturn all common sense.

I quivered as fear took me, though I also yearned for it. I wanted to know what exactly that something was. Nothing could describe the clash of emotions that stirred within me then.

“So the King’s chest is pounding, I see. As expected of our king,” Gi Za remarked, and the other goblins nodded in agreement.

“We can’t be careless,” Yellow said, speaking in Kuzan’s place.

“Indeed, the ogres may be few in number, but that goes to show just how strong they are.” The strongest amongst the four chief, Rashka of Gaidga, twisted his face as he said those words.

“Pessimism won’t lead us anywhere,” Aluhaliha remarked as the black tiger he sat upon growled.

“It’s still better than some old guy obsessed with fighting,” Rashka said back.

“Power goes hand-in-hand with long life. I just happen to be strong,” Aluhaliha sourly replied.

As the two shot back and forth in their banter, the princess of Ganra, Narsa, interjected.

“Either way, the battle will surely be difficult,” she said.

“Fear not, I will protect you, my chief,” The First ShooterGadieta, Gilmi, said.

“Bah, you’re being overprotective,” Gi Go Amatsuki, the blessed of the Sword God, argued.

“King, let’s go. There won’t be any problems,” said the stealthy Gi Ji.

“You’re all fine, but this one here’s plenty scared,” the beast warrior, Gi Gi, gloomily said as he caressed his Two-Headed OstrichDouble Head.

“Shall we go then? Goblins of the tribes, at my lead!”

I walked ahead, in front of the horde, leading with Gi Gi and the Stealthy Gi Ji by my side. Of course, the druid, Gi Za was also with me. Protecting the back was the blessed of the Sword God, Gi Go Amatsuki. His hand was always on his sword, his eyes darting to and fro the surroundings, ready to strike at the slightest hint of danger.

The goblins from Gi Village all took their positions, not one of them needed instruction. They already knew what needed to be done.

The need for instructions would only delay them, leaving them incapable of displaying their full potential. So, with them now able to naturally assume their optimal positions, their strength could be fully realized.

We have grown. Not just in knowledge, but also in experience. And with that growth, we took a step into the dark hole, to the path leading deep into the Fortress of the Abyss.

As for the others, they went up outside to watch the entrance of the Fortress of the Abyss.

We may be at the front lines, but we couldn’t just neglect our backs. The ogres will probably go up if we drive them out.

There’s also the possibility of our villages getting attacked all of our fighting force isfocused here. So, at the very least, we need someone to stop the ogres if they manage to reach the upper floors and go outside.

For that I’ve assigned the skilled leader, Gi Gu Verbena, to lead the remaining goblins above ground and monitor the Fortress of the Abyss.

The young chief of Paradua, Hal, is serving as his adjutant to help him lead. After I’d prepared everything, I delved deep into the Fortress of the Abyss with the elite amongst the goblins.

◆◇◇

After 20 minutes of walking, Kuzan tugged on my arms.

“We’ll be there shortly,” Yellow said, speaking in Kuzan’s place.

No enemies have appeared so far. Until now we’ve just been walking down this slope. But not being able to see is really troublesome.

As we continued to descend, a dazzling light in the shape of a rectangle appeared before us.

“That must be the entrance,” I said.

As that light appeared within the pitch black of the darkness, we walked toward it, and Gi Gi and Gi Ji suddenly let out a resounding gulp.

The light we went through was none other than the entrance to the fortress. When we went through it, the surrounding world completely changed.

Statues made of smooth and seemingly precious, black stones polished to the brim, could be seen lined up. These statues resembled the ones back in Altesia’s realm.

The ceiling reached high above, and the corridors were wide enough to fit 10 goblins effortlessly.

“A true castle,” Gi Za muttered in reverence.

I agree, this fortress is certainly something.

“Now then… Where could the ogres be?” Wielding the Iron Second over my shoulders, I asked that question to Kuzan.

At my words, she looked around restlessly, then she pointed to the right.

“Gi Za, can you use your skills?” I asked.

All eyes gathered on him. Supposedly, only those who’ve gathered the four treasures can use skills, and everyone else will be shackled.

In Gi Za’s case, his skill is his ability to magically control the wind. No one has actually gathered all four treasures until now, so we can’t say for sure how large the area of effect is.

“There doesn’t seem to be any problems.” Gi Za turned his wrist, then he chanted. “The wind bird’s scythe sings. Slash”

A blade of wind scraped off a part of the ground before scattering into fragments and disappearing.

“I see.” With that I also tried using the >. I tried to see Gi Za’s status, but as expected, it didn’t work. However, the sensation was the same as always.

There doesn’t seem to be any problems.

“Let’s go.”

As everyone nodded, we continued into the fortress.

◆◇◇

“From here on we’ll be entering the forest.” When they heard their master’s voice, the man renowned as the Iron-Arm Knight, they all immediately straightened their backs. These men are all second or third sons, taken from some nearby village. The Iron-Arm Knight, Gowen Ranid, who was also the feudal lord in this region, took these men when they were still young and raised them to become his private army.

This group of young soldiers number 400 all in all. That number also includes the reinforcement, but all of them are able to fight.

“Any questions?” Gowen asked.

With that perfectly combed down silver hair of his that was almost white, and that splendid moustache, Gowen did not look like he was about to enter the Forest of Darkness.

In fact, if he said they were about to join the king for dinner, anyone would believe him.

“Let us be on our way then.” That cold gaze of his shot toward the uninhabited region. Fitting of being the oldest amongst the holy knights, Iron-Arm Gowen majestically entered the forest.

There are many routes to enter the forest.

One method is to use the road. After all, while the forest might be beyond the borders of civilization, it still hasits riches. Food, herbs, or ingredients from hunting monsters.

People who yearn for this wealth embrace the danger and come here to this forest. Such people tread down the land, creating a road free from fallen trees and branches. There are many such routes in Gowen’s region.

A second method is to use an unexplored route.

This method is much rougher compared to the first but it does allow one to create a road as one pleases.

There may be a restriction on the forest, but it’s not like there are poisonous plants littered all over the place. The trees and plants are just naturally growing densely, so anyone can enter if they want.

This method is much better for searching the forest rather than bothering to go out to use road a considerable distance out of one’s way.

The third method is through the help of the elves.

As inhabitants of the forest, the elves have their own peculiar way of entering. Often known as “The Elven Road”, the elves are able to instantly traverse the forest through the opening of another dimension. However, even the elves themselves take a risk of ending up somewhere unexpected, so it’s imperative that they know full well where the entrances and exits are.

In any case, it’s not a method that humans could use.

The Iron-Arm Gowen steadily used the first method.

The Storm Knight Gulland used the second method to accommodate in lieu of the adventurer spirit.

And Gene, who managed to acquire some elven slaves, used the third method.

◆◇◇

“Now, now… what do we have here?”

Playing with his long hair, a sophisticated sword hilt in his hands, Gene’s lips curved into a twisted smile.

In front of him was a horde of beastmen.

Ahalf-man-half-horse, holding a sword over its shoulders, a centaur. A spider with human legs and the body of a human, Arachne. And a groaning half-wolf-half-man, baring its fangs, a werewolf. Gene and his slaves found themselves right in the middle of those three beastmen when they exited the Elven Road.

After looking around him, Gene came to a conclusion.

This must be a village of beastman.

“Master Gene,” the two battle slaves anxiously voiced out.

“Don’t worry, this is just a rare opportunity to hunt ourselves some beastmen. If anything, you should be delighted.”

The elf slave aside, the two human slaves didn’t find it particularly amusing to find themselves surrounded by a horde of beastmen. They might not like their master, but they were all in one boat. They have no choice but to fight.

In contrast, the elf, Selena, was secretly happy that the Elven Road reached a beastmen village. Who knows? They might just be able to save her.

She couldn’t voice that out, but her heart held on to that sliver of hope.

Elves and beastmen get along well. Or at the very least, much better than with humans. Surely, with this many beastmen, even her master, Gene, despite being a holy knight shouldn’t be able to come out alive, right?

And if this whole thing were to turn to negotiations, then she might just be able to intervene and free herself.

Filled with hope as she looked in front of her, the centaur spoke.

“What did you come here for, human?”

With his youth, that lean body of his, and that impressive display of him thrusting his spear, that centaur was truly like a brave warrior.

“An accident. I had this girl use her power, but our luck was bad, and we ended up in the wrong place.”

Gene pulled on the chains as he said that, causing Selena to lightly groan.

“You enslaved an elf!?”

Seeing her half-cut ears, the centaur opened his eyes in disbelief, then he let out a furious roar.

“You dare disgrace us, the denizens of the forest!? Release her, now!”

“I paid money for this girl, so if you want her, pay up,” Gene chuckled.

There was little sense of danger in his eyes, and his mouth was as sarcastic as ever. His tongue even slipped out of his mouth as it licked his lips.

“Don’t fuck with me!”

“Negotiations are off then?”

As the centaur roared, he charged toward Gene. That charge of his was enough to send even a Double-Head flying, but Gene only calmly unsheathed his beloved rapier.

“Faster than lightningFifire.” Gene uttered those words with love.

Immediately after, the centaur who was raising up a storm of dust as it ferociously charged toward him, fell. Everyone but Gene was in disbelief.

“I’ve yet to introduce myself. I am Gene Marlon, the knight said to be quick as thunder, the Thunder Knight… Also, a member of the superior human race. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

That smile that floated up Gene’s lips was full of ecstasy.

Every word that uttered out of those lips painted over the hope in Selena’s chest, dying it in despair.

That day, one of the many villages of the beastmen in the Forest of Darkness was annihilated.

◇◇◇◇◆◆◆◆

Name: Gene Marlon

Race: Human

Level: 87

Occupation: Holy Knight;

Possessed Skills: Thunder Knight Magic Manipulation; Rapier Arts A+; Innate Talent; Evil Snake Eye; Hundred- Demon Slay; Fire God's Blessing; Thunder God's Blessing; Instant Kill (Thrust); Sadism

Divine Protection: Fire God; Thunder God

Attributes: Fire; Electricity

Equipment :Faster than Thunder (Fifire)

Subordinates: Slave Selena; Battle Slave Shumea; Battle Slave Yoshu

◇◇◇◇◆◆◆◆

Author’s Note:

Let’s talk about the setting.

About the weapons, there’re four main tiers.

If you just want lots of weapons, there’s the Forged Tier.

If you want a slightly better weapon, there’s the Famed Blade Tier.

Weapons blessed by the spirits or the gods, Ancient Tier.

Weapons made by the gods, the God-Age Tier or the God Tier.

Alchemy and Famed Blade tiers don’t need magic power. But making weapons starting from the Artifact Tier are quite difficult, so in order to make borrowing the power of the spirits easier, Spirit Characters (Spell) or God-Age/Ancient Characters (Spell) are engraved into them. If more power is desire, then sealing a spirit or a god inside the weapon becomes a necessity.

A god or a spirit can also naturally possess a weapon after using one time for a long time.

The weapon Gene is using is Ancient Tier.