Chapter 32: (CH31) ENGINEER’S GAMBIT
Luis climbed across the swaying vine bridges connecting the floating islands, his breath tight with urgency. He glanced behind him—the girl and her dragon circled the island far above.
"Okay, so she probably thinks we’re still up there," Zyx said. "Nice bait and switch."
Luis glanced up. "Should we head upward or down?"
Zyx crossed his arms mid-air. "Let’s go back to the orcs. She probably thinks you’re climbing to kill the final boss. She’ll wait for you at the summit."
Luis nodded. "Alright. We head down."
He descended the massive jungle-like vine spiraling toward the lowest island. The air thickened with the scent of moss, blood, and iron. As his boots hit solid ground, a sudden rustle in the undergrowth snapped him to alert.
A guttural cry tore through the trees.
Three green-skinned orcs rushed out, axes gleaming, eyes wild with coordinated bloodlust. Two more flanked from behind, and a sixth, larger than the rest, barked orders in a harsh tongue.
Luis didn’t hesitate.
He hurled himself into the fray, ducking the first axe and slamming his Spiderfang Hammer into an orc’s chest. The poison coursed instantly through its veins.
Seeing the odds, Luis reached into his Soul Essence and activated Mind Construct—a compact autocannon turret sprang to life beside him, stabilizing on two metal limbs as it locked onto targets. It would last only 10 seconds, but he intended to make them count.