[Sa…savior-nim. Choi Younghoon is dead.]
[Well done, my disciple. Soon, I will arrange a time for you to meet.]
[Yes… yes! Th…thank you! Savior-nim!]
Hearing the daily news, I disconnected. The event occurred one year earlier than before in my past memories. I considered that it probably was the same as before. Though there was no exact details of who had killed him, but there was not simply one or two people who had grudges against the West, so it was quite difficult to predict.
What is important to note is; Sword Saint would now take over the regime. In the beginning, attacking the Holy Order was a difficult task, but after seeing her rise up, I started feeling indignation. I had already decided on the day I would fight against Sword Saint. The most ideal timing was when the Queen of the North and the Sword Saint would fight directly. Until then, I had to raise my strength wholly as I walked ahead.
Heading towards the wooden prisons created a couple of months ago, I saw a few members. The moment I revealed my presence, their bodies immediately trembled.
“Kereeeeeeeeuk For Blood Dagger!”
The Orc Swordsmen guarding the prisons saluted as I peered inside. There were a total of three people. At first, there were five, but two of them were not able to withstand the torture and died on the spot.
While trying to enter, something hit me, which I realized were my horns had grown bigger.
After evolving into an Intermediate Demon a few days ago, I still wasn’t accustomed to walking around with my prolonged horns. Though my body frame was definitely smaller than that of an Orc, but the body of a Demon with their longhorns caused quite a bit of discomfort walking around in these kind of confined areas, making me wonder at times that the body of an Orc was much better. I shook my head once more before standing in front of them.
“Do you remember a bit now?”
“That… that is…”
The guys I had captured were the regular members of a murderer clan called the Hound Clan. They were Humans who I had coincidentally come across while trailing after Park Hyeri; of the Spider Clan. Centering around Ragia’s Assassin squad, as the main source of information, I had utilized them, which in turn allowed me to obtain these results… Sadly Park Hyeri was not in that place, but instead I was able to find the so called Hounds.
There were only five who were captured by the clan raid. Of course, we did not fully capture the whole Hound Clan and the Spider Clan, but it was a huge achievement just from obtaining valuable information which the two were closely related.
“Spider…where is she.”
“We…we do not know. We only know that the Sp…Spider is located in the East…other than the executives…we don’t…”
Unfortunately, the guys we had captured were on the bottom end of the spectrum. Though I had attained a lot from the torture methods, but such information proved to be quite useless overall. What I had obtained, was just that the Hound Clan are now stealthy hiding and couldn’t be active as of late due to being targeted in the East.
As if my glance had made them nervous, they were trembling. Soon, Hayeon’s voice echoed from behind. She understood that I had no need for these guys any longer.
Without even chanting a spell, roots immediately appeared and began to plunge their ways through them.
“Ugh….Uhp….Ahh…Ahhhhhhh……………….Eub.”
Terrible screams escaped out as the deafening cries filled the air. No, they weren’t able to scream from the start. With the roots plunging through their orifices, their bodies began to burst open as they died on the spot.
Heading outside, Prime Executive Ragia was waiting for me. As usual, she was waiting patiently with her head bowed.
“Preparations?”
“It is finished.”
“Good work.”
It was not only Ragia who was waiting for me as giant wolf Ibar was wagging her tail and slobbering her tongue. Funny enough, but this she wolf had also evolved. I had never realize that a wolf species could change, but Ibar’s size had become a bit larger. Her canines had become larger, and her physical strength had increased immensely. If it was a normal Summoned Human, they wouldn’t even be able to deal with her. I mounted Ibar like that as she shook her body once in delight before heading towards the place where the clan had gathered.
After that previous event, we had left the Black Spear village and returned back to the Green Goblin Clan’s encampment. Rather than adventuring outside, I had judged that it was best to raise our strengths from within. Of course, it wasn’t like we stopped hunting to accumulate experience, but with the clan now becoming much more stronger and unified as a whole, we spent most of our time training with Green Goblin.
I had personally grown a lot, but I was still somewhat lacking. There were many times when confronting Green Goblin I was left beaten senseless. But, I did not lose so miserably nor as quickly, unlike the first time we dueled so it was a tolerable growth. In the most recent battle, by utilizing my Unique Ability, I had endured over 50 moves from him, so noticing that, at least I had crossed the bare minimum.
It wasn’t just me that had grown over this year.
Gark and Hark continued to grow stronger. Despite not having chosen to Rank Up to a higher species, it seems that they were keen on staying true as Orcs throughout, as they continued to evolve into higher classes while their abilities also increased.
Especially, Gark, who had shown an explosive growth. He was so incredibly strong that it was hard to believe it considering he only had one arm.
Though he did not hold any authority in the clan, he was second in strength within the clan. It was no wonder that I trusted him more than even Ragia. All of the ones who evolved into an Orc Swordsman followed his command very well.
‘Half Blade is strong. He’s a loyal Orc which has overcome huge suffering. We must all follow Half Blade!’
There were even those who spoke of this in such a manner. I did not know why, but the one-handed Orc had induce a deep sense admiration from the Orcs. The anecdote of Gark losing his arm to save Blood Dagger had spread out becoming a legend, causing Gark to receive an explosive amount of support.
Mev had also evolved. Unfortunately, she was not able to change species either. Whether a satisfying species had not appeared or that there was none, I was not sure, but what was important was that she had selected a Special class in place of having a Rank Up in species.
Her class was now called an Elemental Archer, and though it was somewhat awkward, but she managed to succeed in contracting with the Elements. With how there were a few Humans who were Elementalists on the Continent, it was a great achievement for her to reach this class.
It wasn’t just simply her combat power which rose up. Though she couldn’t fully control the Elements of fire and wind right now, but eventually with growth, she would be able to achieve even significant results. With recent signs of resilience, I had considered that she would probably change species the next time, if given the opportunity.
Anyhow, I rode on top of Ibar while heading toward the area where the clansmen were.
They were all waiting for me, there were Orcs who were holding large and small loads of supplies filled with provisions while staring at me.
“For Blood Dagger!”
The moment I arrived, Gark was the first to loudly proclaim with the flag standard on his back. Soon, the other Orcs and Goblins also began to yell.
“For Blood Dagger!”
I walked through the guys filled with pride and pleasure. They parted like the Red Sea did for Moses, and cleared a path for me. Green Goblin began to smile brightly at the end of the path. From here on in, I thought that it wasn’t polite to ride Ibar any longer, so I quickly dismounted and began to walk towards him.
All of the Orcs and Goblins were looking towards me.
The Three Goblin Sisters, Hakajin and along with countless warriors cheered while saluting with their hands firmly placed on their chests, as I passed by.
Even Green Goblin smiled standing and welcoming me as I walked up to where he was. Soon, Green Goblin spoke.
“Time is fast, is it not? Ggirik.”
“To be honest, I felt that it was much shorter. I still have many things to learn from Green Goblin.”
“Well… with Blood Dagger being a Green Skin like this, I’m sure that you’ll become a great one. I guarantee it. Ggirik.”
This time, it was my turn to give him some face.
“I thank you, even if they are empty words, Green Goblin.”
From my remark, he laughed speechlessly. It seems his thoughts were somewhat complicated.
I saluted with my hand placed firmly on my chest and bowed, kneeling on one knee, but recognizing that it wasn’t enough, I lowered my head even more, before his arm was able to reach my face.
He bit his own finger with his sharp canines. As if he had bitten it strongly enough, blood started to trickle out, but he just smiled. Then he began to draw on my face; the symbol of the Grand Patriarch.
This ritual which was bestowed towards Green Skins, who were eligible for independence after three years. As soon as Green Goblin reached out to me, there was now only complete silence in the air.
“Strength, Wisdom and Honor”
“Strength, Wisdom and Honor”
Interestingly, I began to become curious of what he drew on my head. Though there were only two times that he had drawn on me, and yet, I still remembered Najin. However, unlike Najin who was skilled at drawing, as if he was uncomfortable with this kind of task, Green Goblins hand was a bit shaky. The drawing wasn’t coming out as well as he had expected, it seems.
I slowly closed my eyes.
Once he had finished drawing the symbol of the Grand Patriarch on my forehead, he withdrew his hand as I simultaneously opened my eyes.
“Mmm…we…well it wasn’t easy to draw because of the horns.”
As expected, the drawing did not come out well but I smiled.
“Thank you.”
“………………..?”
“I thank you in many ways, Green Goblin. If I once stood at the crossroads with the same options back then, I would have no doubt selected you again, Green Goblin.”
“That is very gratifying… No… the best compliment, Blood Dagger. Strength, Wisdom and Honor.”
“Strength, Wisdom and Honor”
He did not reply to my salute. His nose touched my nose once, before he spoke to me again.
“My task is complete, Blood Dagger. Now you are a dignified Green Skin. You have passed the test of Strength, Wisdom and Honor, and have learned patience over these three years. You can now set up your glorious banner anywhere on the continent. No…Now…now you are…free…free to leave.”
Even his voice was beginning to stutter. Seeing him become like this, it was quite a refreshing feeling. I replied to him with a smile.
“I owe you a debt of gratitude.”
It was then that a loud cheers began to erupt from behind me.
“For Green Goblin!”
“For Blood Dagger!”
“For Blood Dagger! For Green Goblin!”
It has really been three years. I opened my mouth to the ones who were wildly cheering. It was a cliche, but I spoke with a sincere voice.
“Let’s go, my brothers and sisters.”
TL Afterword:
Calvis: Ahh, it was such an amazing three years. All the memories of fooling around with Green Goblin and the recruiting of all those new members along with the intense fights were really enjoyable. Let’s go find Goff!
PR Afterword:
t0ngan: Independence at last…
ohhh – Chapter 95… 5-4-3-2-1 before the BIG 100 chapters!!! Thanks to the hardcore readers that make this all worth it… and especially those who picks up a mistake now & then!
Translator: Calvis
Editors: t0ngan Borderline Masochist