Chapter 130: Skar, the Black Scourge
The orc swordsman barely had time to react.
Neros’ hand closed around his throat.
"...we’re done."
And he slammed him against the wall.
CRASH
The impact was sharp. The body went limp instantly. Without letting go, he twisted him... and threw him. The orc shot forward like a projectile, straight toward the one with the staff.
The caster orc’s eyes widened.
"What?!"
He moved aside on instinct, and his companion’s body flew past him.
And in that same instant—
"Chloe, front. That’s the one who hit you with the deep sleep spell."
Max’s voice was firm. Precise.
She didn’t hesitate.
Chloe dashed forward.
"You, you damn pervert."
Her fist struck straight into the staff. The wood splintered and the pink gem cracked.
CRACK
The weapon exploded into pieces, and the enemy staggered back, completely thrown off.
"What... what kind of brute strength is that...?"
His eyes widened in shock.
"...a low-level creature shouldn’t—"
He didn’t finish.
Chloe was already on him.
She spun on her axis. A kick straight to his face, and stopped dead.
A hand had caught her. Firm. Unmoving.
The corridor fell silent for a second.
A new figure had appeared before them.
Tall and slender. Covered in a long black coat... decorated with multiple seven-pointed stars in red tones.
He held Chloe’s leg as if it weighed nothing.
"Hey, Groll."
His voice was calm.
"Are you alright? Looks like the mission’s getting complicated for you."
The staff-wielding orc breathed heavily.
"...now it is."
A faint, nervous smile crossed his face.
"Now that you’re here... yeah."
The figure tilted his head slightly.
"Glad to hear it."
His eyes swept across the group.
"I suppose you should already know me."
He smiled.
"...but out of courtesy."
A soft chuckle escaped him.
"My name is Skar. I’m known as the Black Scourge."
He tightened his grip on Chloe slightly.
"...don’t you think this fight is a bit unfair?"
Neros stepped forward without hesitation.
"No."
His voice was dry.
"Five against two is no reason to show mercy to idiots who infiltrate this royal castle to kidnap someone."
Elanor was already reacting. She raised her hand.
WHOOM
A blast of wind exploded toward Skar.
But his other hand moved.
A gem, just like his companion’s, lit up.
And the magic... came back. Faster. Sharper.
"—No!"
The impact hit Elanor directly.
CRASH
Her body slammed into the wall, leaving her dazed and unable to assist.
"Elanor!"
Max stepped forward, gripping his hammer tightly.
"Don’t you dare touch her again."
Skar looked at him.
And smiled.
"...when I said this was unfair..."
He slightly turned his head toward Groll.
"...I wasn’t talking about you."
His eyes returned to Max.
"...I meant us."
Behind him, Groll was already chanting.
A strange, ancient language.
Max recognized it, primordial orcish.
The air grew heavy.
"We have to stop him—" Max muttered.
"I’m going."
Neros launched forward.
"I’m with you."
Moonlight moved alongside him.
But Skar didn’t move.
He smiled.
"...no."
His aura changed, releasing a dense, vibrant blue light.
"I declare you..."
His voice dropped.
"...as my weapon."
He pulled Chloe toward him.
Her body was wrapped in that same energy.
Her eyes widened.
"What’s happening?!"
And the next instant—
BOOM
He threw her.
Moon and Neros took the hit head-on. They were sent flying.
CRASH
Chloe shut her eyes on instinct, expecting pain, but it never came.
She landed on the ground. Completely unharmed.
Skar caught her again as if nothing had happened.
"Don’t worry."
His tone was almost gentle.
"As long as I consider you my weapon... you won’t take damage."
His smile twisted.
"I can’t allow the merchandise to be damaged."
Chloe frowned and kicked him with her free leg.
Again.
And again.
But Skar didn’t move.
Not even an inch.
He just laughed.
Neros got back up.
"That damn monk trick..."
He tried to move toward Groll again, but Skar turned slightly.
He lifted Chloe like a silent threat.
Neros stopped instantly.
Max clenched his teeth.
’...this just got complicated...’
No time.
He extended his hand.
Ten magic circles appeared around him.
Skeleton knights emerged instantly.
"Hold him down."
He rushed forward.
His hammer shot out.
It bounced off the wall.
CLANG
Then another.
CLANG
And another.
CLANG
Impossible trajectories.
Chaotic.
As Max charged forward with his shield raised, the skeletons attacked Skar.
But he didn’t retreat.
He used Chloe as a weapon, striking again and again.
CRASH—CRACK—THUD
The skeletons shattered one after another.
Chloe felt fear crawling up her spine.
But she didn’t scream.
Max kept running.
He was close.
Groll kept chanting.
The spell... was almost complete.
’...now.’
The hammer returned.
Straight toward him.
But Max raised his shield.
CLANG
The impact shook everything.
The rebound altered the trajectory, and the hammer shot straight at Skar.
BOOM
It struck him in the head.
The blue aura destabilized.
And in that same instant, the shield’s effect propelled Max forward.
He shot ahead.
Straight at Groll.
But...
...a few seconds too late.
The spell completed.
Sound... vanished.
Everyone in the corridor was affected.
One by one.
Moon.
Neros.
Elanor.
Chloe.
All collapsed into a deep sleep.
Silence.
Max remained standing for a few seconds.
Breathing heavily.
In front of him, Groll smiled.
And behind him...
Skar, swaying...
hadn’t managed to activate his gem in time.
He too was caught in the spell.
Skar took a step, and his body gave out.
He dropped to his knees... then fell to the side, completely unconscious.
The blue aura vanished instantly.
Chloe slipped from his grip and lay on the ground, also asleep.
Silence filled the corridor again.
Max took a step...
and his legs trembled.
"...damn..."
He dropped to his knees.
His hammer clanged against the ground beside him.
CLANG
He tried to stay awake.
His eyes burned.
His mind sank.
His eyelids grew heavy.
’...not now...’
He blinked hard.
Once.
Twice.
But the weight was too much.
The magic was catching up to him.
Then, he saw an orange light.
Entering through one of the corridor windows.
Dawn.
The first rays of sunlight slipped through the wreckage...
illuminating dust, debris...
and fallen bodies.
Max barely lifted his gaze.
And saw him.
Groll.
Walking calmly.
He stopped beside Skar...
then looked toward Chloe.
His eyes gleamed.
A slow smile spread across his face.
"In the end..."
He crouched.
"...it was worth it."
He raised a hand.
Magic gathered again at his fingertips.
Another spell.
Energy descended onto Skar.
The orc’s body reacted slightly.
Max tried to stand, but couldn’t.
His arms failed.
His vision blurred.
The last thing he saw, was Groll’s smile.
Looking at Chloe, lying motionless on the ground...
barely covered by the cloak and her underwear.
"...perfect merchandise..."
Everything went dark.