Episode 298
A low hum filled the air as a series of messages appeared before Zeke’s eyes.
[You have successfully completed the main quest chain mission.]
[All three sacred relics have been acquired, automatically activating the coordinates for the Primeval Temple.]
[As a reward for the chain quest mission, you have received the title “Blessing of the Archmage.”]
[As a reward for the chain quest mission, you have received the title “Blessing of the Fairy.”]
[You have gained 1,000 Karma Points as a reward.]
[The advanced administrator system functions have been unlocked.]
[The portal travel system has been enhanced, allowing one additional person to travel with you. (Note: Karma Points required for travel will double when accompanied.)]
[You have received a special random skill card as a reward.]
Zeke carefully read through the cascade of messages.
“So, the portal system’s been upgraded. I can bring someone along now.”
Though the portal system was useful, its high Karma Point cost had made Zeke reluctant to use it frequently. For now, it was a last resort.
“With more Karma Points, I might use it more freely.”
Zeke then checked the newly acquired coordinates for the Primeval Temple. To complete the main quest, he needed to bring the three sacred relics to the temple. However, as he attempted to verify the coordinates, another message appeared.
[Verifying coordinates for the Primeval Temple.]
[Your current authority does not permit activation of the temple coordinates.]
[The title “Heir of the Chronos Kingdom” is required.]
[Updating related chain quest.]
―Main Quest Mission (Chain)―
[Bring the sacred relics imbued with primeval power to the forgotten Primeval Temple. (No time limit / Coordinates activate automatically upon acquiring all three relics.)]
[Find and restore the scattered seals of the Chronos Kingdom. (No time limit)]
[Activate the coordinates for the Chronos Kingdom’s treasury using the restored seals.]
[Main Quest Mission Reward: ???]
[Chain Quest Mission Reward: Title “Heir of the Chronos Kingdom”]
Zeke frowned as he reviewed the main and chain quests.
“So, I need the title of the Chronos Kingdom’s heir to access the Primeval Temple?”
The only seal of the Chronos Kingdom Zeke had found was in Uranos’s lair. The remaining seals were scattered across the central, southern, and northern continents. According to Uranos, the seals had been entrusted to the lords of various races by the dragon Shaton Draker, suggesting the other seals might also be hidden in dragon lairs.
“Perhaps Lord Hades knows the exact locations of those lairs.”
Organizing his thoughts, Zeke stored the sacred relics back in his inventory. He then examined the special random box and skill card he had received as rewards.
The special skill card shimmered with a golden hue, unlike any he had received before.
“With ‘special’ in the name, it must be something good.”
Opening the random box first, a golden light burst forth, revealing a gem that glowed with a spectrum of colors.
“What is this?”
―Gem Information―
Description: A fairy stone imbued with the blessing of the Fairy King.
Unique Ability: Undetermined
Special Note: The presence of the Fairy King’s aura enhances physical health and mental clarity, and repels malevolent energies.
“A fairy stone blessed by the Fairy King. Quite a rare item.”
The undetermined unique ability suggested it might be a crafting material.
“Perhaps it can be used like the Sea God’s relic.”
Zeke placed the blessed fairy stone into his inventory and opened the special skill card.
[Opening the special random skill card.]
[Active Skill ‘Lion’s Roar (Grade A)’ has been registered.]
[Active Skill ‘Lion’s Roar’ has been combined with Battle Cry.]
[The proficiency of ‘Lion’s Roar’ has increased.]
“Lion’s Roar? What kind of skill is that?”
Curious, Zeke read the skill description.
―Lion’s Roar: Unleashes a roar that instills fear and confusion in enemies, restores allies from status ailments, and boosts morale. It also repels malevolent energies.
Satisfied with the skill’s potential, Zeke nodded.
“This will be quite useful against those abyssal creatures.”
Finally, Zeke opened the special random box given by the Hero King.
―Necklace Information―
Description: A necklace imbued with the Hero King’s blessing.
Unique Ability: Summon Spirit (Single-use)
Special Note: This necklace, blessed by the Hero King, allows the summoning of the Hero King’s spirit from the fairy realm for 10 minutes.
Zeke was taken aback by the necklace’s power.
“I can summon Master Kaishir for 10 minutes?”
Though it seemed unassuming, the ability to summon a being stronger than a dragon for even a short time was extraordinary. Zeke carefully stored the necklace in his inventory.
“I’m sure it’ll come in handy someday.”
The next day, Zeke bid farewell to the druids and left the village. The kind-hearted druids packed him plenty of food for his journey. Even the mountain spirit descended from its domain to see him off.
“Take care on your journey.”
“Please, take care of your health as well, Mountain Spirit.”
Michelle clung to Zeke’s leg, tears and snot streaming down her face.
“Please come back and visit us, Sir Knight! The druids will always welcome you!”
Zeke gently pried Michelle off and left the village, waving goodbye as he descended the mountain, snacking on the dried jerky the druids had given him.
As he walked, Zeke pondered the name for the phoenix perched on his shoulder, dozing off.
“What should I name this little guy?”
Being a divine beast, he felt it deserved a name more thoughtful than something like Richmond or Bane.
Suddenly, ogres appeared before him. The phoenix, sensing danger, awoke and vanished from sight.
Zeke was startled by the phoenix’s ability.
“So it can move between the physical and spiritual realms at will.”
The phoenix could naturally use the spirit form skill, which Zeke could only use three times a day with his relic scabbard.
With the phoenix safely hidden, Zeke activated his stealth skill to erase his presence and observed the ogres. But as he stepped back to assess the situation, he realized the ogres weren’t attacking him—they were fleeing from something else.
“Ogres being hunted? That’s unusual.”
Suspecting a connection to the stakes affecting the mountain spirit, Zeke maintained his stealth and followed the fleeing ogres.
“Huff, huff!”
A dozen ogres fled deep into the forest. The leader gestured frantically for the others to hurry.
Then, with a terrifying whistle, an arrow pierced the thick thigh of the rearmost ogre.
Roaring in pain, the smallest ogre fell, clutching its leg. The others grabbed its arms and dragged it along.
The leader hefted a massive battle axe and stepped forward.
At that moment, figures clad in heavy armor emerged from the forest.
Thud!
The armored figures approached the ogres, and the one at the front pointed at the ogre leader.
“That’s the instigator. Kill it first.”
A warrior in the back drew a massive longbow, its arrows more like javelins.
The ogre leader bared its teeth and charged, axe raised.
With a swift release, the arrow buried itself deep in the ogre’s belly.
The armored figure at the front charged with a halberd, striking the ogre leader’s head with a sickening crunch.
The ogre leader fell, its head shattered, and the remaining ogres trembled in fear.
These were not the fearsome rulers of the Ogre Mountains they were reputed to be.
Wiping the ogre blood from his halberd, the leader of the armored figures spoke to his subordinates.
“We’re too busy for this nonsense. Take them away.”
His subordinates nodded in agreement.
“Understood, sir.”
As the armored figures moved to capture the fallen ogres, a sudden slash severed the head of one at the rear.
Startled, the armored figures drew their weapons.
“Enemy attack!”
A gust of wind swept through them, and a mysterious figure wielding a sword moved like a whirlwind, decapitating one after another.
With a final thud, a warrior impaled on a black sword fell.
Zeke, holding Bahamut, emerged from the shadows, addressing the armored leader.
“Orcs in this era? Hard to believe.”
The armored leader lifted his helmet’s visor, revealing himself as an orc—a race thought long vanished.
The orc leader, halberd in hand, sneered at Zeke.
“How dare a mere human challenge the great warriors? I’ll cut you to pieces.”
Understanding the orc’s language through the system, Zeke retorted.
“Two thousand years, and nothing’s changed. Do orcs not know the word ‘progress’?”
The orc, oblivious to Zeke’s understanding of his language, roared in fury.
“I’ll kill you! Aaaaargh!”
An enraged orc warrior charged at Zeke with a furious roar.
Zeke deftly sidestepped the halberd and tripped the orc, sending him sprawling to the ground.
In that instant, chains shot from Zeke’s hand, wrapping around the fallen orc.
“Ugh!”
Zeke unleashed an electric skill through the chains.
Crackle!
“Uuuuuugh!”
The orc gritted his teeth, enduring the shock, and glared at Zeke.
“You filthy human! Did you think a mighty orc warrior would be brought down by this?”
Zeke nodded, acknowledging the orc’s resilience.
“I know you orcs are tough. Let’s see how you handle this.”
Zeke activated a radiant skill, evolving from his flame technique.
Vwoooom!
The fiery aura transformed into a brilliant light, coursing through the chains and enveloping the orc.
“Gah!”
The orc, engulfed in the radiant energy, coughed up black smoke.
“Ugh, enough!”
The once-sturdy orc trembled, quickly shifting to a plea.
“We’re just getting started. Hang in there.”
Zeke intensified the radiant energy, letting it seep deeper into the orc.
An hour later, Zeke had extracted the information he needed from the orc warrior.
“You came from the Forest of the Forgotten?”
Zeke, who had once roamed the Forest of the Forgotten with his mentor Nigel as a Highlander, was taken aback.
The Forest of the Forgotten was a cursed place, an endless sea of trees. Deep within, even Nigel didn’t know what monstrous creatures lurked.
It wasn’t impossible for a tribe of ancient orcs to hide in that vast forest.
But the real question was something else.
“How did they get out of the Forest of the Forgotten?”
Those trapped there were bound by a curse, unable to leave. Nigel’s role was to manage the population of beasts within the forest, ensuring they never spilled out.
Yet, the orc tribe had emerged, suggesting the curse had been broken.
“What on earth happened?”
As Zeke pondered, he recalled a conversation with the Sage of Stories, who mentioned dealing with a surge of beasts.
“Could it be that he faced the beasts pouring out from the Forest of the Forgotten?”
Zeke wanted to ask when the orcs had left the forest, but the orc had already died.
Absorbing the fallen orcs, Zeke used shadow control and dragon senses to delve into the memories of other orcs.
“So, the orcs attacked and took over an ogre village deep in the forest.”
The orcs had enslaved the ogres after seizing their village.
Zeke was convinced that the emergence of the ancient orcs was linked to the Abyss.
“The orcs are a race that worships the Herald of Blood and Madness. The Abyss might have revived them alongside the demons.”
To investigate further, Zeke sent a reconnaissance form to the ogre village where the orcs were stationed.
Thud!
Tauga, a mighty orc warrior, had defeated the ogre king, the ruler of the ogre village, with his bare hands.
The ogre king lay on the ground, bleeding and lifeless.
Tauga placed his foot on the dead king’s head, striking a victorious pose.
“Raaaargh!”
As Tauga let out a triumphant orc battle cry, the onlooking orcs echoed his roar, praising him.
With this victory, Tauga now controlled three ogre villages.
He celebrated by tearing off the ogre king’s arm and chewing it with his strong teeth.
Just then, a robed sorcerer approached Tauga.
“Tauga, we have a problem.”