Chapter 23: Power

The sky had darkened up from the rocks and stones that flew to the air, stopped and then descend to the ground to strike the unknowing goblins.

The goblins who were the target of the rocks couldn't escape at all. The rocks hit their heads and bodies and if it wasn't enough, soon another one will drop. Once, twice, thrice, even if they didn't move anymore, they were still mercilessly crushed upon by the falling rain.

The sheer number of the rocks was enough to kill them all off. Of course, those who had a stronger body than the rest survived. Few lucky ones who were at the edge of the scope had managed to keep their lives as well.

Seeing the carnage of hell in front, the king felt gratification.

To bring the utmost effects of the rocks that were as large as a person's head, they brought it out all at once! The number of rocks had surpassed the five hundred mark! If the one hundred or so goblins of the enemy didn't die from that, that would be the handiwork of a God.

With the help of some tree-net that could be used as the launching pad of the rocks, this plan was successful.

While feeling satisfied, he closed his eyes and recalled the events that led to this bloodbath.

---It's not perfect but it's similar...to my dreams.

Dreams. Yes, that was the source of his plan. The plans to collect stones and rocks from the area and have the old prepare it. The attack force just had to move together with the gathering team. After punching a hole to the enemy's numbers, they just had to retreat back to the safe haven of this open land.

The content of his dreams was one where the receiving end of the arrows was figures he could recognize. Even though he hadn't met them yet, he felt some familiarity, the same feeling he had when he saw Raen, towards to the goblins that were getting slaughtered as if they were some sitting ducks.

The ones who were the victims of this cunning trap was the Red Goblins! Instead of rocks, the sharp ends of arrows were piercing through their tough bodies like a hot knife cutting through butter. He couldn't see however the people who fired off the arrows.

The brutality of his dream couldn't even be compared to the one happening right now. If one must insist on comparing, it's as if watching a child and an adult swing their fist at the same time. Obviously, the adult was his dreams.

When he was watching or recalling, whatever it was, he felt hatred for the ones who fired off the arrows and at the same time he felt great sadness. Sadness at the fact that the goblins were dying to some unknown enemies and also that the enemy fired off the arrows.

Even though he lamented at the loss of his people, he didn't mull over it. Instead, he swore revenge for them as soon as he finds out who the enemy was.

Forced to watch this scene, he witnessed it all from start to the end. As a result, he came up with this strategy.

The king soon shook his head and opened his eyes once more.

---This isn't the time.

This isn't the time. He told himself once more.

As he brought his field of view to the front, he saw the land riddled with stones and colored with blood.

He also saw some goblins who survived were standing up. A few of the chieftains died off from having too many rocks drop on them.

Most importantly, he saw Raen charging through the rain!

---He's injured.

As he looked on his enemy, he noticed the wounds that Raen received from the stones. It wasn't deep but it was many.

---It's my victory, Raen.

Indeed, with the casualties of the enemy surpassed the number of still alive, this battle could be called his victory.

"I'll go take on Raen! Finish off the other goblins!"

"Yes king!"

He ordered his men that were on standby and soon, he stormed through the battlefield.

****

Raen noticed that his enemy was coming at him with great speed. At the same time, he also became aware of the surroundings.

'What happened? Stone...?'

"Kuh"

A sound that could be categorized as a type of wailing came out of his mouth. As if he wasn't aware of what was happening to his body, he looked over his body that was full of wounds.

"W-what!?"

He didn't notice them at all. Truly, he was in a state of a madman. He couldn't even begin to guess what happened.

Dug. Dug. Dug.

He soon heard the footsteps of the large goblin that he considered as his enemy. He looked at the figure...at the eyes of the goblin.

"Again! This fucker!!"

For Raen whose arrogance was as tall as the sky, he didn't have an entity who he called an enemy. Even Vorg was just someone who he considered as a hated goblin.

His pride was broken at having to admit that this particular goblin was his enemy. He thought that the only being that could be his enemy was a being that is lauded as a king!

That was Raen, a fool at the apex.

After focusing on the eyes of the goblin, his mind became clouded with madness and he too went as fast as possible to kill the person in front of him.

****

---He's moving.

The king focused all of his attention on Raen. He didn't mind the other goblins as he trusted his subordinates to handle that for him.

After some time, they neared one another and the king stopped. He talked.

"Raen, what a dis-"

He tried to talk but he couldn't finish his sentence as Raen didn't even stop to converse with him.

Swu.

Raen threw a punch aimed at the jaws.

The king was punched as he noticed late. He was thrown off the ground.

Boom!

The force of that punch was unbelievably strong however he didn't let out a sound of weakness. He just stood up and took position.

With his feet planted firmly on the ground, he bent his knees. When Raen looked at that stance, he finally came to a stop.

The king was full of confidence with his stance. He had prevailed as the winner in many battles with this however he didn't know there was definite weakness on his form.

Raen noticed that instinctively and didn't move. A minute had passed yet no one moved.

Indeed, Raen didn't move nor did the king.

The king was thinking that it was odd for Raen who was charging like a bull to suddenly stop. He thought about it and as he reached the answer, his confidence crumbled down. His pride was shattered like a glass.

---He doesn't attack because there's no need...Damn!

Indeed, there is no need for Raen to attack, moreover if he gets rested while his opponent was planting his feet firmly on the ground.

Raen laughed. While he was a madman now, he still knew how to talk.

"Why should I be the one to press on? You do that, stupid stray."

Contrast to his fighting spirit, his voice was calm.

The king felt something on his mind become loose as he shouted.

"You bastaaaard!!"

He charged.

He went forward.

He ran.

The king went on the attack as his enemy suggested. This was enough to stir his prideful self.

He let out a punch one after another as his enemy was mimicking the stance that he had made earlier.

---Fuck!

Realizing that, he let out a curse on his mind. This was a mockery for him! An enemy using his advantages and weapons...Fuck it! He thought.

Knowing that the knees were the most vital point, he let out a feint with his fist while secretly thrust out a kick with his left leg.

Baam!

The kick landed however it wasn't enough!

Raen staggered a little but he soon got his balance.

---I'll break your stance every time!

He used the same move as before as he thought it would work again but he was countered!

Burgh!

A fist hit his head and he felt his brain jolted. His color was becoming as white as a sheet.

He heard a static sound and amidst of it, his consciousness was fading.

Just one clean punch...What power!

As he tried hard to stay on his feet, his vision was eaten by the darkness...

The sensation of his body escaped and his mind feels like it's just floating away.

---What's happening? Is this what it's like to pass out?

He thought. This is probably the first time he got knocked out.

When his thoughts reached that point, something started to envelop his body. It started from his innermost body then it expanded outward.

As soon as he started to feel that there was something, strength entered his body and his vision returned, his body regained its colors and he was standing up.

Raen who saw that his full-powered punch didn't work was shocked however he didn't have time for that.

A shining black light was radiating from the king's arms and it was soaring up high into the sky. Afterwards, it started to fall down on its source, forming black tattoos on the king's body.

The tattoo expanded out and soon it covered his entire body. The nearby goblins that stopped their fighting due to the black light were shocked. Even Raen was.

The king's skin color was light green and covering it were black tattoos. One could think how fearsome that must be.

From his face down to his feet, various marks could be seen however there was a common thing among them all.

The tattoos all started on a black circle resting on his stomach!

And the king who was the subject of the goblin's gazes was confused…

---This is…

My power?