ROOOAAARRRR!
The cave shuddered, the stone walls groaning under the weight of the monstrous sound.
It wasn't just loud—it was colossal. A roar so deep, so raw, that it slammed into my chest like a hammer, stealing the air from my lungs.
A predator's call.
I recognized the tone, the depth—it reminded me of the Black Orchid we had fought before. But this was worse. Darker. Heavier. More dangerous.
None of us moved.
The roar faded, its echoes stretching into the cavern's suffocating silence. But the weight of it lingered, thick and oppressive, pressing down like an invisible force.
Then, the ground trembled—a faint, lingering vibration as small fragments of stone crumbled from the ceiling, scattering at our feet. My pulse pounded against my ribs.
Then, Victor's gaze shifted to me.
His expression was unreadable, which somehow unsettled me more than the roar itself.
"Do you still want to stay now?" His voice dripped with mockery, but beneath the amusement, there was something sharper—exasperation, maybe even disbelief.
I didn't answer. My gaze stayed locked onto his, unwavering.
Victor let out a sharp breath, dragging a hand through his hair before turning away. "Come on. We need to leave—now. Whatever that thing is, it's a hundred times worse than the Black Orchid. We're not sticking around to find out."
He shot a glance at Milio. "Leave the chest. We're going."
Milio groaned in frustration, rubbing his face before standing. "Ugh… fine." With an irritated grunt, he kicked the chest, sending a metallic rattle echoing through the cavern.
Victor turned back to me—but his frustration deepened when he noticed something.
I still hadn't moved.
His brows pulled together, his stance shifting. "Bel," he said sharply, disbelief bleeding into his tone. "Don't tell me you're actually staying to help him. Let him deal with it himself—this isn't our problem anymore."
I hesitated, my eyes flickering toward Kai.
He had been silent this whole time, his body tense, his gaze locked on the ground—like he was waging a war within himself. I could feel the weight of whatever was pressing down on him.
Then, at last, he spoke.
"I'm... staying."
Victor scoffed, already pivoting toward the exit. "Yeah, you do that. But we're leaving. Now. Bel, let's go."
Victor and Milio had already taken a few steps forward, expecting me to follow.
But when I didn't, Victor stopped abruptly.
His shoulders stiffened before he turned back toward me, his gaze locking onto mine.
"Bel..." His voice was lower now, tighter, his tone edged with something dangerously close to desperation. "The goblins were one thing—but that?" His eyes flicked toward the darkness, the fading echoes of the roar still thick in the air. His voice dropped even lower. "Whatever made that sound… we are not equipped to deal with it."
I didn't move.
I didn't blink.
"No." My voice was steady. Unshaken.
For the first time since I'd met him, Victor's usual mask cracked.
He was always in control. Always composed. Unwavering. Unreadable.
But not now.
His brows furrowed, his jaw clenched, and for a brief moment—he looked genuinely puzzled.
Like he couldn't understand why I was doing this.
He took a step closer, his voice dropping into something more restrained—but there was urgency there, beneath the surface. "Bel."
His fingers curled into a tight fist at his side.
"We need to leave. Now."
I didn't acknowledge him.
Instead, I turned to Kai, my decision already made.
"You and I are going down." My voice was steady, resolute. Then, shifting my gaze to Sarah, I gave her a different order. "You go with Victor and Milio. Get out of here."
Her eyes widened. "But—"
"Sarah, please." My voice softened, just enough to let her know this wasn't just a command. It was a plea.
Kai stepped forward, placing a firm but reassuring hand on her shoulder. He nodded. "Go."
She hesitated, torn, her gaze flickering between us. Then, finally, she exhaled sharply, stepping back. "Be safe, okay?"
With clear reluctance, she moved toward Victor.
But Victor still didn't move.
His eyes bore into mine, sharp, unrelenting. I knew he wasn't done trying to stop me.
His voice came quiet but firm. "…What are you doing?"
I met his gaze. "Victor, don't think you can order me around." My voice didn't waver. "I look to you for guidance sometimes. But I am my own person. And you are yours."
I didn't look at him as I spoke, keeping my gaze fixed elsewhere.
Victor stared at me, his expression unreadable. A beat of silence.
Then, his fingers curled tighter.
"Fine." His voice was clipped, his movements tense as he turned on his heel. "Do whatever the hell you want."
And with that, he walked away.
Sarah followed, but Milio lingered.
He hesitated, glancing at me, his brows furrowed. "Are you sure about this?"
I nodded.
A beat of silence.
Then Milio sighed, rolling his shoulders before stepping back. "Don't die."
And just like that, he was gone.
Leaving only Kai and me behind
I let out a small sigh, relieved that the argument was finally over.
I wasn't entirely sure why I was doing this, but I chose not to dwell on it. Instead of questioning myself, I let my body move—let instinct guide me.
I was going to help Kai rescue the prisoners.
But Victor's words about guilt still lingered, gnawing at the back of my mind.
Maybe I was being petty.
"Thanks for... helping, Bel. I'm not sure I could have done this without you," Kai admitted.
I offered a small smile before nodding. "Let's go. The longer we wait, the worse it could be for the others."
We ventured deeper into the cavern, and this time, I led the way, holding the torch. Without Milio and Victor at my side, unease prickled at the back of my mind. Still, if it was just goblins, I could handle them easily. But the monster lurking here? That was a different problem entirely.
As we moved further in, I expected the cave to narrow, but instead, it expanded. The deeper we went, the larger it became, and I couldn't shake the feeling that the monster was responsible for this unnatural change.
Ahead of us, another entrance loomed, bathed in an eerie green glow. Kai and I stepped forward cautiously, drawn toward the light.
As we entered, the source of the glow became clear—fireflies.
Hundreds of them filled the cavern, their tiny bodies pulsing with a soft, green luminescence. They drifted lazily through the air, flickering like floating embers, while the majority clung to the walls, creating an almost otherworldly atmosphere.
I lifted my torch, but quickly realized I didn't need it anymore. The fireflies provided enough light to guide our way, though I still held onto it—just in case.
Frowning, I turned to Kai. "What's with all the fireflies?"
Kai's expression darkened slightly. "Goblins can see in the dark," he explained. "But whatever monster is in this cave? I have a feeling it can't. It probably stays here because of the light."
My stomach twisted.
That was… not good.
Which meant the creature had to be close.
As we moved forward, I spotted a group of goblins standing guard at an entrance. Their stance was alert, but they hadn't noticed us yet. I stopped, holding up a hand to signal Kai to pause as well.
Turning to him, I whispered, "Stay here… I'll handle them."
Kai nodded without argument, and I handed him the torch before stepping forward.
There were about ten of them. As I approached, my heartbeat pounded faster, but I pushed the nerves aside. That lingering fear was always there, lurking beneath the surface. Maybe it would never go away. But it didn't matter—I knew I could win.
Without hesitation, I surged forward, breaking into a sprint. The goblins were sluggish to react, their vision weaker in the light. They only noticed me when my footsteps echoed against the cavern walls.
One goblin shrieked, its beady eyes locking onto me before it lunged, claws outstretched. I caught it mid-air by the legs and, without missing a beat, swung it like a club, slamming it into the others. Two went tumbling backward with startled grunts.
Another darted low, aiming to bite my leg. I sidestepped just in time, letting it stumble forward before driving my knife into its side—once, twice, three times, until it went still.
More goblins rushed me, but I met them head-on. My fists cracked against their skulls, my boots sent them flying, and every attack I landed sent another one sprawling.
[You have leveled up.]
Only a handful remained now. But instead of attacking, they stood still, their small chests rising and falling with ragged breaths. For the first time, they hesitated. Then, as if reaching an unspoken agreement, one turned and bolted. The others followed.
I exhaled sharply, my muscles burning, my breath heavy. I had nearly forgotten—they weren't just mindless creatures. They knew fear. They knew when they were outmatched.
Straightening up, I wiped the sweat from my brow and gestured for Kai to come over. He nodded, stepping forward cautiously as he approached.
We pressed forward until we reached a fork in the cavern—two entrances stood before us.
After a brief glance at each other, Kai and I silently agreed to take the left path. We had seen some of the goblins scurry to the right, and if they were retreating, it likely meant they were regrouping or calling for reinforcements. Avoiding them seemed like the smarter choice.
But as luck would have it, we hit a dead end.
"Of course. Another dead end... Let's go," I muttered, already turning back.
Before we could take a step—
ROARRRRRRRRR!
The sound tore through the cavern, deafening, closer than ever before. Instinctively, I clamped my hands over my ears, wincing at the sheer force of it. Kai did the same, his expression twisted in pain.
Then came the thud. A deep, earth-shaking tremor.
Another. Then another.
The ground vibrated beneath our feet as heavy footsteps approached, each one more ominous than the last. My breath caught in my throat. I turned to look at the dead-end wall—
And that's when I saw it.
Cracks.
They spread like veins across the stone, splintering outward as the thundering steps grew closer.
"Kai, we need to—"
I barely got the words out before the wall exploded inward, sending shards of rock flying.
From the debris, a massive figure burst through, its monstrous form looming over us.
I barely had time to react before its enormous hands seized both me and Kai in a crushing grip.
"ARGH!" I gritted my teeth as we were yanked off our feet.
"AHHHHHHHHH!" Kai's scream of pain echoed through the cavern as the creature hurled us out of the exit—straight into the unknown.
The monster carried us out, holding us both in its massive outstretched arms like we weighed nothing.
It resembled a colossal orc, but unlike the typical green-skinned kind, this one was blue. Towering at least 20 feet tall, its sheer bulk made every movement feel impossibly heavy. Its body was thick with muscle, yet weighed down by excess fat, a protruding stomach stretching against the crude, tattered brown leather undergarment wrapped carelessly around its lower half.
Then, I noticed it—a key dangling from his pants.
Most likely, the key to the chest in this cavern.
Its head bore two small horns, though one was broken, jagged at the tip as if it had been snapped off in battle. Despite its monstrous features, its glowing green eyes were eerily similar to those of the goblins we had encountered before—only these burned with something more sinister.
And right now, they were locked onto us.
The monster pulled us closer, still holding us effortlessly in his massive arms. His expression remained eerily blank, yet there was an unsettling intensity in his gaze as he studied us.
Damn it. We're going to die, aren't we?
Kai was still screaming—his cries raw and panicked. The monster's grip on him was crushing, his body trembling under the sheer force of it.
Meanwhile, the creature's hold on me wasn't as painful, which was due to the bitter ice protecting me. But that didn't stop the rising panic in my chest—Kai's screams made it worse. Hearing him like that... it wasn't something I wanted to hear.
I tried to think of a way out, but there wasn't one. The grip was too tight. The monster was too strong.
Unless he threw us—which didn't seem likely—we had no choice but to wait.
And then, the unexpected happened.
"Got… them."
The deep, guttural voice rumbled through the air, sending chills down my spine.
He spoke.
The words were slow, heavy, like they weren't meant for us. Saliva dripped from his fanged mouth as he eyed us hungrily—like a predator sizing up its next meal.
The monster opened its massive jaws, preparing to bite down on Kai.
Kai's screams grew more frantic, his body thrashing like a trapped insect. I struggled against the creature's grip, but it was useless—I couldn't move.
Then, just as its teeth were inches away from Kai's head, the monster suddenly halted.
Kai's breath hitched, his entire body shaking as tears streamed down his face.
And then, without warning, the orc looked up.
"Ahhh… yes… Ma'am. As you wish."
His tone shifted instantly—no longer the growl of a predator about to feast, but something else entirely. Obedience. Submission.
A chill ran down my spine.
Who the hell was he talking to?
How did he know exactly where to look? It wasn't random—he was receiving orders. From someone.
Someone higher.
For a fleeting second, a ridiculous thought crossed my mind—was it a god? But what reason would a god have to interfere?
Unless, of course, they truly hated me.
Without warning, the orc's eyes shifted to Kai.
A slow, deliberate movement. Calculated.
Then, without a word, he adjusted his grip, positioning his hands so that Kai and I were facing each other. He wanted me to see.
Then, without a word, the orc adjusted his grip, positioning his hands so that Kai and I were facing each other.
He wanted me to see.
His massive thumb hovered over Kai's head.
A cold wave of dread crashed through me, leaving my limbs heavy and useless.
Wait… what the hell was going on?
Kai's eyes widened in horror, his breath coming in sharp, ragged gasps. His body jerked wildly, panic taking over as he tried to free himself, to do anything.
"No—no, no, no—!" His voice cracked, raw desperation spilling from his throat.
The orc's thumb pressed down.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Kai's screams ripped through the cavern, a sound so raw, so agonized, it felt like it was tearing through me, too.
Something inside me snapped.
"STOP! STOP IT!"
My voice came out shattered, broken, my throat closing up with sheer terror.
I thrashed violently, trying to move, to kick, to claw, but the orc's grip was unbreakable. My body was locked in place, trembling with helpless rage.
My stomach twisted painfully, nausea clawing at my insides, rising up my throat in choking waves. My vision blurred, hot tears welling in my eyes.
I was shaking.
He's going to kill him. He's going to kill him.
Another press.
Another sickening crunch.
Kai's body convulsed, his limbs spasming uncontrollably. His face twisted in agony, his mouth wide open in an endless scream.
More pressure.
More crunching.
More blood.
I couldn't breathe.
I couldn't think.
All I could do was watch.
"STOP!" My voice broke, a sob ripping through it. "PLEASE! DON'T DO THIS!"
The orc ignored me.
His glowing green eyes remained locked onto me, watching me, studying me.
And then—one final press.
SPLAT.
Everything stopped.
Kai's screams cut off instantly.
Something warm and thick splattered across my face.
My breath hitched. My body went rigid.
A strangled, broken gasp forced its way from my throat.
I couldn't look down.
I couldn't look away.
But I saw it anyway.
Kai's body dangled limply, his head completely gone. The orc's blood-slicked thumb was still raised, as if savoring the moment.
My ears rang. My lungs burned. My mind refused to process what just happened.
No. No. No.
This isn't real.
But it was.
It was.
I choked on a sob, my chest seizing, my vision narrowing. My limbs felt like they weren't mine anymore, like they were floating, disconnected from me.
The cavern closed in, the walls pressing tighter, suffocating.
My stomach lurched violently, and I barely swallowed down the bile that rose up my throat.
My fingers twitched, aching to grab something, to fight, to run, to DO SOMETHING.
But I couldn't.
I wasn't fast enough.
I wasn't strong enough.
I wasn't enough.
And then—slowly, deliberately—
The orc turned his head to look at me.
Smiling.
Something inside me erupted.
The cold terror gripping my heart cracked, split apart, and something else flooded in.
Fire.
Rage.
Raw, burning, all-consuming hatred.
My fingers curled into fists, shaking so hard my knuckles cracked. My breath came out in ragged gasps, hot and sharp.
I was trembling, but not from fear anymore.
Not anymore.
The orc was watching me, waiting.
I lifted my chin, my entire body coiling, ready to strike, to kill, to tear him apart with my bare hands if I had to.
My voice came out low, shaking, venomous.
"I'm going to fucking kill you."
It wasn't a threat.
It wasn't a promise.
It was a fact.
The orc simply grinned, his eerie green eyes gleaming, like he was waiting for it.
Like he wanted it.
The orc froze, his head tilting upward once more, as if listening.
Just like before.
Someone was commanding him.
Whoever they were—I was going to end them too.
Just wait. Just watch.
"Yes, my queen."
His deep, rumbling voice carried an unsettling reverence.
Then, his cold, calculating gaze snapped back to me.
Before I could react, he raised his massive hands—
And hurled me through the air.
"Break... Break... Break..."
The words slithered out of his mouth in a sickening, rhythmic chant, repeating over and over, growing more twisted, more distorted as I spiraled through the air.
And then—
Impact.
Big mistake, you husk of fat.
I'm going to skin you alive.
The bitter ice shielded me, absorbing the impact as I hit the ground. The force still rattled my bones, but I rolled with it, twisting mid-air before landing in a crouch.
I barely had time to stand before—
THUD. THUD. THUD.
The ground trembled beneath me.
The orc was charging—on all fours.
A beast. A freight train of muscle and rage.
Before I could react, his massive jaws snapped shut around me.
Shit!
A crushing grip. A sudden rush of movement.
He was running. Dragging me with him.
My body jerked violently as he barreled forward, faster, faster—
And then I realized—he wasn't taking me deeper into the cave.
He was taking me OUT.
Why?
What the hell was waiting for me outside?
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Milio, Victor, and Sarah waited outside, the weight of silence pressing down on them.
Victor stood at the entrance of the cave, arms crossed, his foot tapping impatiently against the dirt. His expression was rigid, unreadable, but the tension in his stance betrayed his irritation.
Milio sat beneath a tree, his sharp gaze fixed on the cavern's dark maw, his body still—watchful.
Sarah stood nearby, her fingers twisting the fabric of her sleeve, her eyes locked on the cave's entrance.
Victor let out a sharp exhale, frustration crackling in his voice.
"Who does he think he is? Did I say anything weird, Milio?"
Milio didn't respond.
Victor's jaw tightened. "It was stupid for him to stay behind."
His fingers curled into fists. "Damn it."
Still, Milio remained silent—just kept watching.
Then—THUMP.
A low, distant sound, echoing faintly from deep within the cave.
Another. THUMP. THUD.
The ground beneath them shivered.
Victor's foot stilled.
Sarah's grip on her sleeve tightened.
Milio and Sarah rose to their feet, their eyes snapping to the cave's entrance.
Milio's hand instinctively went to his bow, pulling it free in one smooth motion.
Victor stepped back, his body going rigid before he drew his sword, his grip firm.
The thudding grew louder.
Closer.
More deliberate.
A heavy presence rolled from the cavern's depths, thick and oppressive, swallowing the air around them.
And then—
It emerged.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The orc's massive jaws remained clamped around me, its warm, thick saliva seeping through my clothes, leaving behind a disgusting, slimy chill. My body shook violently in its grip, but through the uncontrollable tremors, I managed to free one hand.
Now.
I coated my fist in bitter ice, the cold biting deep into my skin, sharpening my focus. With every ounce of strength I had, I drove my fist forward, aiming straight for its eye.
CRACK!
"Grrrr!"
The orc let out a guttural growl, its massive head jerking backward as it flinched in pain. The sharp impact forced its jaws open, and in that split second, I was released.
I rolled across the ground, landing hard but steady. My breathing was ragged, adrenaline flooding my veins as I quickly scrambled to my feet.
I glanced at the orc—one of its eyes was red, bloodshot from the impact.
Good. At least I knew I could hurt it.
"Bel!"
Victor's voice snapped my attention away from the monster.
I turned, blinking in confusion. My surroundings suddenly registered.
I was outside.
The air was crisp and open, the cave's looming darkness now behind me.
But there was no time to process it.
The orc let out a snarling breath, rubbing at its damaged eye before its massive body tensed.
And then—it charged.
The ground shook beneath its weight, dust kicking up as it barreled toward me like a freight train of muscle and rage.
Victor, without hesitation, raised his sword. His eyes burned with fierce determination as he shouted—
"Amplify!"
A deep, red aura erupted around him, pulsating like flames, radiating raw power.
Without hesitation, the orc slammed Victor aside, sending him crashing into the ground like a ragdoll.
Before I could react, its massive hand clamped around me again.
And then—it threw me.
Higher.
Higher than the Black Orchid ever had.
The world spun violently around me—grass, sky, grass, sky—flashing past in a dizzying blur.
I clenched my jaw, forcing bitter ice to harden over my body, bracing for impact.
SLAM.
The impact sent a shockwave through my bones—but instead of solid earth, I felt something cold and fluid.
Water.
I wasn't on land.
I was in a creek.
My body floated momentarily, the current pushing against me as I forced myself upright. Water dripped from my hair and clothes, my lungs gasping for air as I got my bearings.
I exhaled sharply. The ice had protected me.
But something was off.
A strange, creeping weakness spread through my limbs. Hardening my body took longer now.
Victor's words echoed in my mind—"There has to be a limit."
Was I reaching mine?
I flexed my fingers, scanning my body for injuries. That's when I noticed it—
My pinky finger was bent the wrong way.
Dislocated.
I let out a slow breath, my jaw tightening.
As I held my arm, now wondering if I should just put it back to place , It didnt hurt , maybe it might be due to the adrenaline, I held my finger just as I was about to Yank it place,
Slam.
The orc had jumped down after me.
Damn it.
It landed with a thunderous crash, water splitting in every direction as its massive frame slammed into the creek.
Its glowing green eyes locked onto me, and before I could react, it rushed forward—its arms outstretched, ready to grab me again.
Move. Now.
I lunged out of the water, just as its massive hand swiped toward me.
At the last second, I stepped onto its outstretched arm, using it as a platform to launch myself forward.
My ice wasn't fully hardened, but I had one shot.
I swung my fist, aiming straight for the same injured eye—
CRACK!
The orc let out a guttural snarl, but before I could react, its other arm lashed out.
SMASH.
A brutal swipe caught me mid-air, sending me hurtling backward.
SLAM.
My back collided with a tree, pain exploding through my body.
I wasn't fast enough. I wasn't strong enough.
And I hadn't hardened my body in time.
"ARGHHH!"
A sharp cough wracked my chest, blood spilling from my lips.
I groaned, my head spinning, my limbs sluggish.
I looked down—my pinky was still bent the wrong way.
Get up.
I pressed my trembling hands to the ground, forcing myself upward despite the searing pain.
Get up. Get up. Get up.
The orc towered over me, its twisted grin stretching wide as it stared down at me.
I was still on the ground, my body aching, my breaths ragged—but that smile—
That damn smile.
It infuriated me.
I clenched my fists, teeth grinding together.
I was definitely going to kill this bastard.
As I stared down the orc, readying myself for whatever came next, a figure suddenly landed in front of me—large, imposing, and undeniably powerful.
She was taller than me—taller than most—standing nearly seven feet. Her fiery red hair, strikingly similar to Victor's, flowed down her back, a stark contrast against the black armor she wore.
Her stomach was bare, revealing her sculpted, muscular frame, and strapped to her back was a massive sword, almost as tall as she was.
She turned her head slightly, her voice calm but firm.
"You okay, boy?"
Before I could answer, another person stepped up beside me.
A man wearing glasses and a white robe crouched down, inspecting me before speaking with a reassuring tone.
"Don't worry, she'll handle everything"
I blinked, still catching my breath, as two more figures approached.
One of them, a man with a full-grown beard and tousled brown hair, cast a lazy glance at the orc before letting out a low whistle, his expression relaxed despite the tension in the air.
"We were on our way back from the expedition when we heard a commotion. Figured we should check it out." His gaze locked onto the massive creature before us. "Well, look what we've got—a Reaver-class monster. And not just any ordinary one… Looks like it's been blessed by a goddess."
At that, the orc's entire demeanor shifted.
Its cocky grin vanished, replaced with pure, primal fear.
It stared at the woman, its massive frame trembling, as if some deep instinct told it one undeniable truth—
This woman was dangerous.
The woman glanced back at me, her sharp eyes scanning my face—maybe she thought I was afraid.
With a casual confidence, she said, "Don't worry, kid. I'm the strongest. This guy should be easy work."
"No."
My voice cut through the air, sharp and unwavering.
Everything around us fell silent.
The group turned to look at me—even the red-haired warrior.
I planted my uninjured hand on the ground, forcing myself to push up. My arms shook violently, my body protesting every movement.
I collapsed.
But I refused to stay down.
I took a slow, steady breath, then tried again—bracing my back against the tree for support.
My legs wobbled, my vision swam, but finally—I stood.
Without hesitation, I walked past the red-haired woman.
I didn't look at her.
Didn't look at the others.
My eyes were locked onto the orc.
"I got this."
The man with the glasses spoke, his voice cold and blunt.
"You're walking to your death."
I didn't respond.
Instead, I grabbed my dislocated pinky—
And snapped it back into place.
Crack.
A sharp, searing pain shot through my hand, but I barely flinched. My breath came out in a rough, shaky exhale.
I straightened, rolling my shoulders, before throwing a glare in his direction.
"Just… shut up and watch."
I turned my gaze back to the orc.
Its expression had shifted again—the fear from earlier was gone, replaced by that same cocky grin, its confidence returning.
It was mocking me.
Good. Let it.
A slow smirk tugged at my lips as I rolled my shoulders, shaking off the lingering pain.
"Yeah… keep underestimating me."
I took a step forward, my fists clenching.
"I promised, didn't I?"
My voice dropped, cold and unwavering.
"I'm the one who's going to kill you."