Chapter 76 | Who said I wanted to talk with you?

"Huh?" Both heads of the orc focused on me as I stepped forward and spoke.

"You can speak, filthy human?" The commander questioned.

"If I am filthy, then what are you? A maggot?" I taunted.

"You’ve got quite a mouth; are you from a different world too?" the orc asked. He seemed quite talkative, contrary to expectations.

He gritted his teeth as he responded loudly, "I am the smartest of my tribe. How dare you insult the intelligence of Krag-Moden?"

"No, you answer my question first. Who made this handprint here? I can see smashed corpses of the battalion under it. Who was responsible?" he demanded.

"Yes, this was done by a senior. He was in a hurry, so he left the cleanup to us. Now, answer mine," I lied with a straight face.

’Good, he doesn’t see us as a threat.’

Sensing a never-before opportunity, I asked further, "How do you open the rifts?"

"Oh...that’s simple. I just used a skill," I answered.

"Are you sure you can take me without my consent? If I wanted to, I could cut you down, right from the middle," I spoke, signalling Damien.

"You are already looking pale standing in front of me," he added.

Before he could react to this attack, a sudden movement occurred near his shadow, and something struck the orc between his heads.

"You think I wouldn’t notice those pesky buggers behind you preparing an attack to kill while you try to distract me with your taunts and questions. Wrong. There won’t be any more talk; just die already." He raised his arms to slam into the ground again.

A smirk appeared on my face.

"It’s not exactly from the middle, but I think this will be enough," I commented as sweat beads were formed on my head.

"His movements are restricted, but not for long. Everyone attack with your full might; don’t give him time to recover," I shouted.

Hearing my command, everyone unleashed their attacks. In a few moments the orc’s body was littered with holes and wounds; his pristine red body was covered in dark red blood.

"Azravael, I think you have enough blood; finish him," I ordered.

"I, Krag-Moden, will not be killed by some puny nobodies," he shouted as cracks grew wider, on the verge of breaking.

The last expression of the orc commander was that of fear and anger as he saw himself cut by someone he considered weak.

"You nailed it, boss," Thane’s voice said from behind.

"Hahaha...that was fun," I commented.

"You are worthy of being added as lord of the council, Lord Aiden. We are lucky to be witnessing this side of you," Regalia also joined in.

"Gather the bodies in one place," I added.

"Thanks, Britany."

I suddenly remembered the gift given to me by the Eternal Tree; I could use it to create a wood affinity ring or give it to Britany so she could evolve like Thane.

There was a theory, when rifts started appearing 300 years ago, that it was a form of attack rather than a natural phenomenon. I still didn’t have enough to confirm this, but the talk and my senses were telling me this was much bigger, and it has already started escalating.

"What are you going to do with the bodies, boss?" Thane asked.

I turned back as I was walking towards the Tidebreaker. "I could talk to that orc because I have a skill," I addressed, not wanting to cause some kind of misunderstanding.

Just as we boarded the Tidebreaker, I ordered A.B. to hurry us to the next location.

"Ahh...you see, this bad guy was very ugly. So I didn’t want the little ice princess to see such an ugly enemy," I said apologetically.

I hurried towards my room as others took potions and took a breather before we reached the next rift. I practiced my breathing technique to use this moment to refill my mana while loosening my 7th node.

It’s not necessary that the same trick will work on every opponent.

[3rd Person POV]

She was wearing a green gown that only enhanced her figure and beauty. Every step she took was random, but it looked meticulous nonetheless.

"Now, where are you now, Master Aiden?" the beauty, Thalassa, spoke.