Praise the Orc! Chapter 91:
Chapter 91 – The Black Forest (4)
Crockta once again raised his body . Gushantimur declared, “1980 . ”
“…Hoo, hoo . Again . ”
Crockta’s face was dripping with sweat . He was too tired to move . Every joint in his body was screaming . His neck was stiff from tension after being lightly cut by Gushantimur’s sword .
“Didn’t you say you would change your weapon into ‘Dragon Slayer’? Did you give up already?”
“Not yet!”
Crockta focused his mind . Ogre Slayer rose up and entered the realm of Pinnacle . He became one with the world . Time became slower . He woke up the laws of the world with his sword . He swung his greatsword with the desire to cut the enemy .
Gushantimur’s sword swung towards him . In this slow world, their hearts collided with each other . All types of sword roots existed in this world and they ran among them . The last thing left in the end was to unfold their swords .
“……!”
As a natural consequence after the fighting ended, Crockta’s sword flew in the air while Gushantimur’s sword was pointed at Crockta’s chest . An overwhelming defeat with no excuses!
“1981,” said Gushantimur .
Crockta had died nearly 2,000 times today . Crockta took deep breaths . He recovered from his defeat . Looking back, he didn’t know how he should’ve responded . So instead of thinking, he raised the greatsword .
“Again . ”
The other practitioners watched Crockta’s limitless spirit with admiration . In particular, the ogre who first competed with Crockta admired Crockta’s fighting spirit as he raised his fist .
There was no change in Gushantimur’s expression . He just silently raised his sword . There wasn’t a single drop of sweat on his body . He was a dragon but also an amazing swordsman . Crockta couldn’t imagine how strong Gushantimur would be if he was turned into a **** .
It provoked a desire to win rather than awe .
In the world of Elder Lord, he was able to endlessly renew his limits . He was an orc knocking down an ogre with a sword . It was the same for Shakan hunting the behemoth . He knocked down a strong monster with a bow .
Crockta was convinced that he could defeat Gushantimur .
“1982 . ”
“Kuock…”
He spent time and effort . Yet it was insufficient .
“Again . ” Crockta raised his limp legs .
He knew the importance of repetition in training . It might be sufficient to kill the enemy with one hit, but that one strike required thousands of sunrises and sunsets . The one who wielded the sword one thousand times would win over someone who only wielded it once .
Gushantimur said, “It is up to here . ”
“Not yet . ”
“You will . ” Gushantimur put the sword away . “I can’t fight anymore . ”
“You look fine . ”
“I’m hungry . ” Gushantimur said with a cold look, “The most important thing in training is rest and diet . ”
His advice was like the remark of a gym trainer; but it was reasonable, so Crockta nodded .
In no time, the sun was going down . The sunset at the horizon burned the sky . It was a beautiful twilight .
The other practitioners also returned to the castle . In the distance, Tiyo and the goblin were hitting each other .
Crockta arrived at the banquet room with Gushantimur . There was a long dining table with seats set up . Gushantimur sat down with Crockta, Tiyo, and Anor seated close to him . The chandelier in the banquet room scattered light like a waterfall . The fragmented light scattered over the food in the banquet hall, making them look more appetizing .
“Good food dot . ”
“It is the work of my lizardman friend, a gourmet . ”
Tiyo wrapped a napkin around his neck and imitated the manners of a gentleman . He ate a piece of meat and closed his eyes .
“Wow . What dish is this? The flavor is deep and so good . ”
“It is gnome meat . ”
“……!”
Tiyo spat the meat out and glared at Gushantimur’s face . Gushantimur placed the meat in his mouth without changing his expression .
“A joke . It is beef . ”
“This bastard… saying such awful things with a serious face…!” Tiyo paused for a moment . He rolled his eyes before suddenly laughing, “Hahahat! I see! Nice joke dot! Hahahat!”
Tiyo suddenly changed his stance . “It’s a joke, but it isn’t bad for this big Tiyo . Hahahat!”
Crockta realized that Tiyo was acting as someone with a big vessel . Tiyo spread his mouth wide open, poured the dish in, and swallowed it in one gulp . Gushantimur said, “You have a really large vessel . ”
“Hahat! That’s right! You don’t need to be surprised dot! I am a gnome with a big vessel!”
Tiyo shook his shoulders .
“……”
Crockta was thrilled . He once again gained enlightenment . The man who seemed cold could easily praise his opponent .
Truly, life was unpredictable . It wasn’t what he expected and he had a whole new perspective . All of these things were cutting him into a tough man . It wasn’t just Tiyo or Gushantimur . In the history of their lives, they were shaped by these things .
“……!”
That’s right .
Everything in the world went back to causation . In the world, there was no effect without a cause .
Crockta suddenly looked at his fork . The chandelier light was reflecting over the sharp edges . The light dropping from the chandelier . That light came from a lamp that illuminated the inside . Crockta wielded his fork .
The world slowed . Crockta used the Pinnacle to pursue the piece of steak on Gushantimur’s plate . Before, he used the power of Pinnacle by calculating the ‘result’ . But now he started to calculate the ‘process’ for defeating the enemy .
It was through inner reason, strong will and imagination!
The fork contained his enlightenment .
“……”
Gushantimur also defended with his fork .
The two forks crossed each other’s plates . In this environment, Crockta went through many possibilities in his imagination, from taking away Gushantimur’s steak, having his own stolen, sometimes making a mistake or maybe breaking each other’s forks .
Then he placed his willpower into it . He twisted causation .
‘The Pinnacle state is to become one with the world . ’
Crockta recalled Gushantimur’s words, ‘But beyond that, there is an area where you can wield the world . ’
The world convulsed . Suddenly, the steak was hanging from Crockta’s fork . Gushantimur’s fork stopped in the air . Crockta had robbed him of his steak .
“This…”
At that moment, Crockta obtained a clue to reach Hero rank . Beginning from small things to change the world, just like a butterfly’s wings . This was the Hero territory .
“Kulkulkul!”
Now he wanted to swing his sword . Crockta laughed in a pleased way . “Gushantimur!”
“Um . ” Gushantimur had a stern expression . “If it is so delicious, you could’ve just asked for more . ”
“……!” Crockta denied it . “There is a misunderstanding…!”
Tiyo clicked his tongue . “No matter how hungry you are, it isn’t polite to covet another person’s food Crockta!”
“T-That isn’t it . ”
But all the eyes around him were cold .
“Orc friend, kyak! You have learned the wrong manners kyaak!”
Even the goblin pointed out his manners . The ogre had a disappointed expression on its face . Public opinion was already against him . Crockta tried to protest but closed his mouth when he heard Anor’s words .
“Please eat your own . ”
He gave up arguing . Crockta looked down at his plate . The flavor was delicious . Crockta dropped his head and put the meat in his mouth .
“Bul’tar…”
***
“It is nice here,” Anor suddenly said .
They were staying in the same room . After leaving Nuridot, Gushantimur’s castle was strange for them who had been camping outside . He had just finished bathing and changing clothes, so Anor felt like a beautiful elf again as he saw his shiny skin . Light shone on his face .
Tiyo had also washed and changed into pajamas given by the castle, causing him to look like the child of a noble family .
“Yes!”
Crockta showed his tough face .
“I wish I could stay here…” muttered Anor .
But he knew that he couldn’t .
“We don’t have a lot of time to waste dot,” replied Tiyo .
“I see…”
After stopping by the Temple of the Fallen God in Nameragon, they had to seek the cooperation of the dark elves to deal with the Great Clan . They were enjoying a little peace right now, but a horrible war in the north was waiting for them .
“Crockta, when will we leave this place?”
Crockta closed his eyes and thought about a reply to Tiyo’s question . Staying here and training would be a great help . However, they couldn’t stay forever . It was a reasonable time scale .
“In up to a week . ”
“A week…”
“That is enough to achieve some progress . ” Tiyo nodded .
“I will be sorry to leave . ” Tiyo said . It seemed like he already had an attachment to the goblin archer, Kiao .
“We can come back again . ”
“Again…?”
“That’s right . ” Crockta smiled and said, “After defeating the Great Clan and bringing peace to the north, we can come back here and spend a long break . ”
“Hoh… good dot . ”
“I’m really looking forward to it . ” Anor laughed .
Tiyo declared, “At that time, I will become really strong and will break the nose of Kiao dot . ”
“Kulkul, you can’t break it in a week?”
“I hate to admit it, but he is a great guy dot . Breaking his nose will be a hard feat to accomplish in just a week . ”
Crockta agreed . Apart from Gushantimur, the other creatures were pursuing their own goals . There were countless hot-blooded people here in the Black Forest .
“It will be hard even if we are here for a month . ”
He witnessed a new world, but he was still far from winning against Gushantimur . But one day, he would cross that insurmountable wall .
“Everybody, have strength . ”
Anor got into bed in a calm manner . He seemed to have no thoughts in his head . He stretched out on the soft quilt .
“Tomorrow we need to train properly . ”
“Yes . ”
“I’m going to turn off the lights . ”
“Good night . Hihit . ”
Thus, their first day in the Black Forest ended .
***
Time passed .
Crockta could now last much longer than before . Gushantimur stopped counting his deaths .
Crockta swung the greatsword and pressured Gushantimur .
Now he was able to switch the Pinnacle state on and off in an instant . However, Gushantimur was really tough . After truly knowing the Pinnacle state, Crockta realized what an exceptional swordsman he was .
But even Gushantimur hadn’t reached the true Hero state . How much stronger was the power of the Hero state?
“Crockta, your goal is to kill the chieftain . ”
“Yes . ”
The more he knew, the more he became determined that the chieftain should be removed . He was a danger not just to the north, but the southern continent as well .
“It won’t be easy . ”
“Would even you have a hard time?”
“Maybe . ”
Crockta stopped his sword . He hadn’t expected the great chieftain to be so strong .
“He is stronger than Gushantimur?”
“That can’t be . ” Gushantimur took a deep breath . “But there are various ways of becoming stronger . Your path isn’t the only way to increase in power . ”
“What are you talking about?”
“You will soon find out . ” Gushantimur wielded his blade . It hit the greatsword . There was a metallic echo . “Now focus on me . ”
“Kulkul, understood . ”
Crockta and Gushantimur competed . Crockta gradually started to seem like an opponent . There were parts where Gushantimur weakened, but it was true that Crockta had greatly developed .
It was the same for Tiyo .
“Ayaaat! General’s evolution!”
Tiyo closed his eyes and focused on General .
Clink, clink!
General’s appearance slowly changed . The muzzle opened and the barrel expanded . General’s new look was completed .
General Vulcan! (Probably something similar to this . )
“I failed to make a cannon, but this is also cool . ” Tiyo aimed Vulcan at Kiao who still looked displeased .
“Don’t think about such tricks kyak! You have to pursue the strongest heart kyak!”
“Noisy dot, if one doesn’t push you then I will use two . If two doesn’t work then I will use four then eight!”
“Stubborn gnome kyak!”
“Stiff goblin!”
The two glared at each other . Kiao shook his head and pulled out an arrow . A goblin who pursued becoming the strongest! A fearsome momentum came from him . It was like a dragon’s mouth appeared behind him . The force of a storm was condensed in Kiao’s arrow and aimed at Tiyo .
Tiyo didn’t stay still either . He aimed Vulcan at Kiao . Vulcan rotated and numerous magic bullets emerged .
The arrow left the bow .
“Kyu! Kya kekiyo kuweek!” shouted Kiao in the goblin language .
At the same time, a tremendous, fearsome storm appeared and descended that completely covered Tiyo . Facing this, Tiyo was just like a candle in front of the wind . The storm overcame him .
“……!”
The practitioners watching the two couldn’t help gulping . The gnome would be trampled under the goblin’s arrow! However, flashes of light appeared inside the storm .
“……!”
Dududududu!
A thunderous sound! Tiyo’s Vulcan began its relentless assault against the storm . The two forces collided .
The power of the spatiotemporal storm! And the colorful magic bullets from Tiyo! The two forces swelled to their limit!
Kwaaaaaang──────!
In the end, the arrow storm and General’s destructive power collided with each other, causing a big explosion . Kiao and Tiyo flew through the air in the aftermath .
Flop!
Thud!
There was a huge mushroom cloud .
Hwiooooo!
Once the smoke disappeared, the sight of a goblin and gnome lying on the ground was revealed .
“Kuoh… truly strong…”
“You have grown, kyak…”
The two exchanged glances while collapsed on the ground . They raised their thumbs towards each other .
They had mocked each other in their first encounter in the Black Forest . Now they acknowledged each other .