Chapter 127: Attempting to Kidnap a Pet in Underwear
Footsteps thundered violently through the corridor. The echoes of battle were everywhere.
And in the middle of that chaos, Neros fought in a hallway near the guest room.
His sword flashed in a precise arc as he advanced against three hooded orcs.
A PUNCH.
His left hand slammed into one of their faces, sending it stumbling back with a dry crack.
CLANG.
At the same time, the sword in his right hand blocked another attack, deflecting a rusted blade aimed at his neck.
And without losing rhythm...
THUMP
He drove a kick into the chest of the third, sending it crashing against the wall.
But before he could finish—
WHAM
A hammer cut through the air and smashed into one of the orcs’ heads. The impact was brutal. The body dropped to the ground without resistance.
Neros turned his head, surprised.
"...ah..."
A faint smile appeared.
"So it was you, lad."
He adjusted his grip on his sword.
"Much appreciated, but it wasn’t necessary."
And in the same motion—
SHHNK
He spun and cut down the other two orcs in a single clean slash.
Silence lasted half a second.
Elanor reacted quickly, covering Moonlight’s eyes.
"I hope you didn’t see that..."
Moon frowned, gently pushing her hands away.
"That was awesome!"
Max was already moving.
"No time."
He looked at Neros.
"We’re heading to the king’s pet’s room, I think they’re after her."
Neros nodded without hesitation.
"I was on my way there."
His expression turned serious.
"The king is with Dorian and several royal guards."
He clenched his jaw.
"He sent me to make sure the girl was safe."
Max felt a knot form in his stomach.
"...then let’s hurry, we don’t have time to waste."
They turned the next corner, and everything stopped.
There it was.
An orc, carrying Chloe over its shoulder.
Unconscious.
Wearing nothing but her underwear, her hair still damp.
Time seemed to freeze for a second.
Max’s eyes widened.
"...CHLOE!"
The orc saw them—and ran. Heading for a window to escape.
Max reacted instantly.
He ran. Threw his hammer—
WHAM
But before it could hit—
CRASH
A figure appeared out of nowhere, delivering a flying kick straight into the weapon. The orc’s metal boots intercepted the hammer midair, knocking it off course.
Max stopped abruptly.
"...what...?"
This one wasn’t like the others.
It was faster. More agile.
More dangerous.
And not alone.
Two more figures stepped out of the guest room.
One carried a wooden staff with a glowing pink gem.
The other wielded a long, thin sword. Light armor beneath the cloak. And an open helmet, one that resembled a royal guard’s.
Max clenched his teeth.
"...damn it."
The one with the boots was already on him. It spun, launching a kick at his face.
Max barely managed to recall his hammer in time.
CLANG
He blocked the strike, sliding back half a step.
But Neros didn’t hesitate. He came in from the side—
SHHNK
His blade struck the booted orc, slamming it into the wall.
"Focus, lad."
Elanor stepped forward.
"Max!"
Her voice was firm.
"Don’t stay here."
She raised both hands.
WHOOSH
A gust of wind pushed him forward, propelling Max from behind.
"Go after Chloe!"
Max didn’t hesitate.
He shot forward, running straight toward the orc fleeing with Chloe.
But the swordsman moved in front of him.
FLASH
Intercepting him.
Moonlight appeared between them.
CLANG
Her ice-fire blade clashed with the orc’s, sparks lighting up the corridor.
"Don’t even think about touching my dad."
The orc smiled beneath the helmet. It looked like it was enjoying this.
Meanwhile, the staff-wielding orc raised its weapon. The embedded gem glowed.
ZAAAP
A bolt of magic shot toward Elanor.
But she didn’t move.
She raised her hand, and the air twisted in front of her.
WHOOM
The bolt was deflected, and sent back at its caster.
The orc dodged easily. Smiling.
"Remember..."
It glanced at its companions.
"...we’re not here to fight."
Its eyes gleamed.
"We just need to buy time to make sure the merchandise leaves the castle."
Elanor already had small metallic spheres in her hand. She released them into the air.
WHOOSH—WHOOSH—WHOOSH
The wind propelled them like bullets, straight at the enemy.
The staff-wielder began dodging with quick movements.
Sparks flew as they struck the walls.
Meanwhile, Neros kept fighting the booted orc.
He blocked a kick and countered with the hilt of his sword.
CRACK
He struck the orc’s leg.
But—
THUD
He took a direct kick to the face.
He staggered back, growling.
Moon, meanwhile, dodged the swordsman’s attacks, leaping and spinning through the air, using wind magic beneath her feet. Trying to predict every thrust.
The orc just laughed. Clearly enjoying himself.
And ahead of them
Max ran.
Faster.
Desperate.
The orc carrying Chloe leapt between columns, evading everything.
Max threw his hammer.
Missed.
Again.
Missed.
The orc dodged every attack with fluid, agile movements.
Far too agile for someone that size,and carrying someone like Chloe.
Max gritted his teeth.
"...damn it..."
His pace increased. His breathing grew heavier. His gaze darkened.
"...let her go..."
But the orc didn’t stop.
It kept moving.
And Max... began to get irritated.
His mind raced.
’...too agile...’
Another leap. Another perfect dodge.
’...if I keep this up... I’ll miss... and they’ll take Chloe...’
His expression hardened.
And then—
"...we’re far enough..." he muttered under his breath.
He glanced back for a second.
Elanor, Moon, and Neros’s fight was already far behind, lost among corridors and echoes.
’...this shouldn’t affect them...’
Without stopping, he opened his infinite backpack. Reached inside.
And pulled out a cloak.
The fabric rippled slightly.
The Cloak of Economized Movement.
Max didn’t hesitate.
He activated it, and a dense violet mist began spreading through the corridor.
Within seconds, everything was covered.
Columns. Floor. Ceiling.
Even the orc.
The giant stopped abruptly.
"...what the hell...?" it growled, turning its head.
It couldn’t see anything.
The mist was too thick.
Too disorienting.
But Max...
Max could see perfectly.
The drops were still active.
The enhancement from his ability pierced even that violet darkness.
Shapes.
Colors.
Movement.
Everything clear.
The orc... disoriented.
Chloe... motionless over its shoulder.
Every step. Every breath.
Max narrowed his eyes.
’...it works...’
His pulse steadied. His breathing slowed.
’...now I can’t miss...’
He raised his hand. The hammer returned to him with a sharp spin. He gripped it firmly.
He aimed.
This time without rushing.
Without desperation.
Calculating.
Measuring the exact moment.
The orc took a wrong step inside the mist, searching for an exit it could no longer see.
And in that instant, Max threw.
The hammer sliced through the air in silence.
Straight toward its target.