Chapter 52: Tag of Death (3)

Chapter 52: Tag of Death (3)

Although Kai was the one who attacked, the Black Bee guild had already raised the Orc Sorcerer's attention to its peak with the fire wall. Having precisely calculated this, Kai attacked the Orc Sorcerer as soon as the fire wall disappeared, resulting in a battle between the Black Bee guild and the Orc Sorcerer.

"Alright, while you guys are fighting hard..."

Kai scanned the battlefield.

The situation is very bad.

Including both the NPCs and the players, the number of people in the expedition force was less than one hundred! It was a terrible defeat. The only silver lining was that the Orc Lord's health was only at 15%.

But the Orc Sorcerer's Stamina is still high.

Seeing that the Orc Sorcerer's Stamina was around 75%, Kai clenched his fist and cheered for the Black Bee guild.

"Fight on, you guys can do it! Isn't there something like a special move or power that each of the world’s top ten guilds hold?"

"Bastard! You’ve got a big mouth!" Upstodatee from n(0)/ve/lbIn/.(co/m

"Argggh! I’m gonna kill you!"

The Black Bee guildmembers were so filled with rage that their faces turned red, but they could only spew insults at him. They couldn't actually do anything to him since they were too busy dealing with the Orc Sorcerer.

Anyway, these guys will handle the Orc Sorcerer for the time being...

Kai's eyes landed on the sturdy back of the Orc Lord.

I'll have to finish that one off in the meantime.

But before hunting it down, there was something that needed to be done for sure.

"Huh? Unknown is approaching us."

"W-what? Is it our turn now after the Black Bee guild?"

"What in the world is going on?"

"Can't tell if they’re a friend or an enemy. Ugh."

The players that barely survived swallowed nervously and stayed vigilant as Unknown approached them. Their Stamina and Mana were long gone, so if Unknown harbored any ill intentions, death was certain for them.

But Unknown, after scanning them once, said briefly, "I'll save your lives."

"...That's a new unexpected line."

"Saving our lives won’t be free... so what's the catch?"

"Just so you know in advance, I'm broke."

As participants of the expedition force, they knew better than anyone that there was no reward without a cost.

Perhaps because of that, they catch on quickly.

Pleased with their attitude, Kai pointed toward the Orc Lord, who was causing chaos among the knight NPCs.

"Leave that one to me."

"...What?"

"Wait. You're saying to just hand over the one we've been beating the crap out of?"

"And without any reward?"

"You're more greedy than I thought."

The players wore stunned expressions!

But Kai, who had nothing to be sorry about, stood straight up and boldly demanded, "Why wouldn't there be a reward? Three days of being unable to login, XP loss, and if you're unlucky, dropping equipment. All those penalties would disappear."

"...Even if we kill the Orc Lord, it'll be difficult to escape without dealing with the Orc Sorcerer."

"In such a situation, why should we trust you and hand over the Orc Lord?"

"Trust? It seems there's a big misunderstanding here..." Kai shook his head. "The one at a loss is not me. I can leave whenever I want. And to be honest, even if you kill the Orc Lord, it's pointless if you end up dying, right?"

The players stayed silent.

"Anyway, this is my final offer. I’ll give you... sixty seconds to decide."

Having said his part, Kai crossed his arms as if his business was concluded.

The steamy breath from his nose was similar to that of a steam train. Although an orc, his immense presence made it impossible for anyone there to ignore him.

He’s too strong...!

Is this really the power of a mere orc?

The knight NPCs of Glendale were mostly skilled, with levels over 120, but the current situation was very bad. They had fought four battles outside the Orc village, and inside, they had been fighting continuously without rest. In short, their energy was completely drained!

It's all my fault...!

Ador, the leader of the expedition force, bit his lip.

The broken helmet revealed a youthful face. He appeared to be no more than a seventeen year old boy.

The knights gathered around him.

"Young master, please leave this place to us and escape first."

"If anything happens to you here... we won't be able to face the baron."

"...Are you telling me to run away!?" Ador shouted, looking angered.

Having become a knight at the age of seventeen, he was regarded as having outstanding abilities for his age.

But Ador hated that.

They’re skills I've earned through hard work. But why...!

People had always praised Ador for becoming a knight at a young age and being the son of the baron. However, that was why he wanted to be recognized as a knight in his own right. And above all, he wanted to earn the respect of the person he admired the most, his father.

But blinded by greed, I failed to take care of my people... I'm not fit to be a leader.

A deep regret and a bitter smile crossed Ador's face.

Regret is always too late, no matter how quickly it comes.

There would be a way to rectify regret elsewhere, but in a battlefield where a tiny factor could decide victory or defeat, such a mistake was irreversible.

Ador looked around at those who had supported him.

These are the people who trusted and followed a fool like me. I can't abandon them.

Closing his eyes tightly, he thought of his home and family in Glendale.

I shall be a disobedient son and lay my bones in this battlefield. Father, please stay healthy.

When his eyes opened again, a determination unlike any before was etched in them.

"To all! Even at the cost of our lives, we must defeat this evil orc..."

"Please move out of the way.”

Tap, tap.

Ador turned to look at the adventurer who had approached and tapped his shoulder, wearing a dazed expression.

How did he...? No, more importantly, was there still an unharmed adventurer?

He was taken aback by the appearance of an unknown adventurer as most of the adventurers had been moved to the rear when their Stamina and energy were depleted.

Ador said with a calm voice, "I regret leading you all into this pit of death. But I've heard that adventurers are blessed by the gods and will not die even in death. Please forgive me, and next time, please punish these evil orcs for us."

The adventurer stared silently at Ador, then pulled on one side of his face.

"Wh-what do you think you are doing!?”

“Your face looks young, but why do you speak like that? It sounds like you were reading from King Lear or something."

"What are you talking about..."

As Ador forcefully pushed Kai's arm away, Kai rubbed his sore arm and said, "The baron secretly asked me to take care of his son."

Ador remained silent, puzzled.

"So, if I go on living by myself, I can't raise my head in front of the baron." Kai sighed lightly and nodded at Ador and the knights. "If you understand now, please move out of the way."

"Are you saying... you'll take on the Orc Lord by yourself?"

"Yes." Kai glanced at the Orc Lord and also took in the Orc Sorcerer in the distance. "And I've reserved that one for myself as well."

Ador was at a loss for words at Kai's ambitious and arrogant declaration.