Chapter 90: Other Orc Clans secret

Volk stared at Grounad, with his brow furrowed incredibly in confusion.

"I thought we only needed to stay here, wait for the war above to settle down between Red elven Warlocks and Dark Elven Witches, and then we could come back, right?"

His voice held uncertainty, as if the plan he had believed in suddenly made no sense.

Grounad glanced at him with an expression of realization, his rough features softening as he remembered something crucial.

"That's what the other clans want you to think, Volk. But it's not that simple."

The Dreadmaw Clan had always been different.

Discriminated against.

Shunned by the other Orc Clans because of their perceived weakness.

Volk didn't know that much as Grounad observe his facial expression. And probably, Volk also didn't understand why it mattered so much here, in this dungeon.

"You don't know, do you?" Sёarch* The NôᴠeFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Grounad continued, his tone patient but serious.

"The Dreadmaw Clan has always been looked down upon. Other Orc Clans view us as weak, unfit to fight in the true battles that define an Orc's honor.

"They've even turned us away when some of our best warriors tried to join them. And because of that, we're not included in any of the major decisions. Were left out of the most important things."

Volk's expression grew darker as he listened.

He had always sensed that the Dreadmaw Clan was considered different, but he hadn't realized the extent of the discrimination. His fists clenched as he thought of how their strength had been questioned for generations.

"But now... we're here, right?" Volk asked, his voice low. "And that means something, doesn't it?"

Grounad nodded. "Yes, it means they've realized something important. You see, Volk, you know about the Dark Elven Warlocks outside on the opposite side of the gate of this catacomb, right?"

Volk nodded, his thoughts flickering back to what he knew about the warlocks. "Yeah, they've been enemies of the Orc Clans for years and I know that they are here to take revenge. But what about them?"

"It's not just the warlocks anymore." Grounad's voice dropped to a near whisper, and his eyes darted around, as if making sure no one else was listening.

"There are also Dark Elven Witches on the other side of the catacomb outside. They're just as dangerous, if not more so, than the warlocks. And the other Orc Clans—they know it. That's why they're not just planning to wait this out, like you thought."

Volk's heart began to race. "What are you saying?"

Grounad sighed deeply, his large shoulders rising and falling in a slow, deliberate motion.

"The real goal isn't just to survive the war and wait for the battle outside to subside between the two sides. No, the real goal is to get to the bottom of the catacomb and retrieve the crystals that are forming down there."

Volk blinked, taken aback. "Crystals? Why would they get it?" Read the latest on m_v-l'e-NovelFire

"Yes," Grounad confirmed. "Crystals with immense power. After you take the last formed one, there will be newly formed ones gonna be created too.

"And the only way to escape this entire war is to get to the bottom of the completed catacomb, find those crystals, and drip your blood onto them. If the catacomb accepts you, you'll be sent to another dimension—one where the war doesn't reach. That's the real goal, Volk."

The young Orc stared at him, speechless. "But... What about the Warlocks? And the Dark Elven Witches?"

Grounad leaned in closer.

"If you go back now, if you try to escape the normal way, they'll be waiting for you. The Warlocks and the Witches will slaughter anyone who tries to leave this dungeon alive.

"The other Orc Clans know this. That's why they're fighting to get to the bottom and be accepted by the clan. The only way to survive is to complete the catacomb. That's the only way out."

A heavy silence settled over them as the weight of Grounad's words hit Volk like a hammer.

Volk felt his chest tighten, with his mind racing as he tried to process what he had just learned.

"So there's no other choice... but to escape through the crystals and let the dungeon be sent to other dimensions?" Volk asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Grounad nodded grimly. "Sadly, yes. If there were another way, we'd take it. But the presence of the Dark Elven Witches means we don't have that luxury. This is the last option. But now, I am telling you, Volk, that we need to get to the bottom first or all of us will die."

Volk felt a chill run down his spine.

The reality of the situation was far more dangerous than he had anticipated.

If they didn't reach the bottom, if they didn't complete the catacomb, they would all be killed.

And then Grounad added something that made Volk's blood run cold. "Fortunately, you've already completed the catacomb once, Volk. If not for you, we'd all be dead by now."

Volk stood frozen, his mind reeling from the truth of their predicament. He had completed the catacomb once, yes. But could he do it again? Could they all do it together?

Suddenly, a sharp, metallic sound echoed through the cavern.

Volk's reflexes kicked in, and he moved just in time to avoid a deadly slash of a sword that had been aimed directly at him.

The blade whistled past him, missing by mere inches. He stumbled back, his heart pounding in his chest.

"What the—" he began, but his words were cut off when he saw who had attacked him.

Standing before him, holding a massive, serrated sword, was the chieftain of the Dreadmaw Clan.

The chieftain was an imposing figure, towering over even the largest of the Orcs around him. His skin was a deep, mottled green, with scars criss crossing his arms and chest, a testament to countless battles.

His eyes were wild, filled with a mix of fury and madness.

Long, matted hair hung down his back, and his tusks jutted out from his mouth like sharpened ivory spears. His armor was adorned with the bones of beasts, and his presence alone sent a wave of tension through the cavern.

"How dare you!" the chieftain bellowed, his voice echoing off the walls.

Volk stared at him, his mind still reeling from the near-death experience. "What are you—"

"You dare to challenge the authority of the Dreadmaw Clan? You, a labor Orc? How dare you think you can lead us into this dungeon! You're a disgrace!"

Volk's eyes narrowed.

This was not the reaction he had expected. He had saved them. He had completed the catacomb. And now this?

But before he could respond, the chieftain raised his sword again, ready to strike.

"You're no leader! You're a fool! And I will show everyone here what happens to fools who defy the Dreadmaw Clan!"

The crowd of Orcs and Elves around them tensed, their eyes wide with fear and wonder why he is attacking.

The tension in the air was palpable.

Volk clenched his fists, his body preparing for a fight.

If the chieftain wanted to challenge him, then so be it.

But something deep inside him warned that this fight would be unlike any other he had faced before.