Night Raid

The black shadows moved swiftly. Moonlight spilled down, reflecting cold gleams from their blades.

"Kill!"

At the leader's command, weapons slashed through the tent. Yet what greeted their eyes was not sleeping enemies, but axe blades flashing with cold light. One of the shadows was immediately cut down.

"Garona, your guess was right."

Looking at the eleven—no, ten—Black Robes before him, Leiluo spoke to Garona behind him.

"Sigh... Which clan are you from? Our Pebble Clan has never provoked any enemies."

For the past few days, several familiar faces had constantly been lurking around their tent. Garona's intuition told her they were targeting them, so Leiluo had slept fully dressed every night, his axe never leaving his side.

The leading Black Robe looked at his subordinate, who had been split in two, then looked at Leiluo. In a hoarse voice, he said, "I didn't expect the chieftain of a small clan like yours to be this vigilant."

"Sigh... Don't misunderstand. She told me someone was watching us." Leiluo rested his axe on his shoulder and pointed his left thumb at Garona.

"Oh... As expected of a natural assassin. Such sharp instincts without any training. How I wish I could take the complete you to my lord right now, so he can see the treasure I offer him."

Leiluo's brows furrowed tightly. The Black Robe's words made him extremely uncomfortable.

"Unfortunately, you still need time before you can become complete." The Black Robe continued talking to himself, utterly ignoring Leiluo.

"Come. Come to my side, and I can spare his life."

"Damn it, you pervert. I can't stand you anymore." The moment Leiluo finished speaking, he hurled a Hammer of Rage at him. Caught off guard by the sudden strike, the Black Robe panicked and immediately activated Dark Bargain.

"You've angered me. Attack." As soon as the Black Robe gave the order, the other Black Robes raised their weapons and charged Leiluo. Leiluo did not dodge. He directly rushed into the foremost attacker, killed him instantly with Crippling Strike, then grabbed the corpse with his left hand, crouched down, and used it as a shield.

The three Black Robes behind them had not expected Leiluo to move so quickly. Their daggers had already plunged into their companion's corpse. Just as they prepared to let go and retreat, Leiluo, hidden beneath the body, swept his axe sideways and unleashed Great Slaughter. The three Black Robes followed in the footsteps of the first one, all being split in half.

The instant he finished killing them, the black great axe in Leiluo's hand fed a strange power back into him, increasing his speed by more than half.

With his speed greatly enhanced, Leiluo continued advancing. A Hammer of Judgment stunned one man, and with a turn of his axe, another corpse appeared on the ground.

In the blink of an eye, Leiluo had killed five men.

The final four also reached Leiluo's side. Three stood in front of him; two crouched and used Eviscerate, one leaped up to prepare Gouge, while the last moved behind Leiluo, his hands performing Backstab. If this concentrated assault landed, the four believed that even with a Gold Tier body, Leiluo would be severely wounded if not killed.

Yet Leiluo did not evade. Instead, light flared brilliantly from his hand. The four saw him slam that glowing hand viciously onto the ground—and then there was no more then for them. What Leiluo had used was Holy Sacrifice, sacrificing the land beneath his feet to damage every enemy within the area.

In an instant, all his subordinates had been wiped out. Cold sweat covered the leader's back. He had never expected the plan to turn out like this.

With no time to think, the Black Robe turned to flee, only to be stunned in place by a Hammer of Judgment from the watching Garona.

Having just finished dealing with the lackeys, Leiluo saw this and gave Garona a thumbs-up. Then he stepped forward and knocked the Black Robe unconscious with the flat of his axe.

In the morning, even the sun seemed to sense the orcs' enthusiasm, shining especially brightly today.

Listening to the thunderous cheers outside, Leiluo unhurriedly walked out of his tent and happened to run into Leolox, whom he had not seen for several days.

"Brother Leolox, it's only been a few days, but you're as spirited as ever!"

Leiluo stepped forward and embraced Leolox.

"Sigh... Brother, ever since you refused me that day, I've been looking for help. You know, even though we're mixed-bloods, we're still strong. But I never expected to get turned away everywhere!" The moment they separated, Leolox began pouring out his grievances to Leiluo.

"You really don't intend to take that Fervent Blood? Taking it would mean more strength!"

"Brother, I told you before, those things come from dubious sources. Only what you gain yourself is truly yours. In the end, you can never rely on others."

Hearing Leiluo's words, Leolox finally gave up. "All right. It seems our two clans will both be leaving empty-handed this time."

"It's fine, Brother. At least we both traded for the things we wanted." Leiluo comforted him.

The two walked together, and before long they reached the martial competition at the center of the market. The arena was called an arena, but it was merely a circle formed by the flags of the various clans. The chieftains of the Six Great Clans stood around it. Those seeking victory fought within the circle. If no one came forward to challenge the current fighter, the chieftains of the Six Great Clans would take turns asking whether anyone wished to enter. After all six had asked, the person remaining in the arena would claim victory.

Standing on Leiluo's side was the Frostwolf Clan's chieftain—Durotan.

Leolox and Durotan could be considered old acquaintances. Although Durotan had not helped when Leolox sought aid, Durotan was the only one who had never discriminated against him. Therefore, Leolox led Leiluo toward Durotan.

"Dear Frostwolf Chieftain, do you still remember me?" Leolox greeted him.

"Oh, dear Moknasa Chieftain, how could I forget you? As fellow orcs, I have always felt deeply guilty that I was unable to help."

Durotan's words made Leolox feel as though a spring breeze had washed over him, and they moved him deeply.

"Thank you. Thank you for remembering me, dear Frostwolf Chieftain." Leolox's eyes grew slightly moist.

As for Leiluo, meeting him for the first time, he silently sighed to himself. Worthy of being Thrall's father. Among the orcs, he is one of the most rational and admirable. His conduct truly makes everyone who comes into contact with him feel at ease.

Just as Leiluo was pondering this inwardly, Durotan asked, "Dear Moknasa Chieftain, may I ask who this friend beside you is?"

"Oh, oh, oh! My oversight, dear Frostwolf Chieftain. This is my good friend, my brother, the chieftain of the Pebble Clan—Leiluo." Only then did Leolox realize his lapse. He quickly introduced Leiluo to Durotan.