Chapter 64 | The Orb of Blood, Ironhold Base
Meanwhile, within the deepest depths of the First Layer.
Inside of a cave protected by a powerful magical barrier that shimmered with dark energy and repelled any who dared approach.
Where the air grew thicker and the shadows seemed to cling more tightly to the stone walls, the Goblin King was performing a dark ritual that had been years in the making, his patience wearing thin.
The chamber was wide and cavernous, lit only by the flickering flames of torches mounted in crude stone pillars.
Their light cast dancing shadows across the walls and giving the space an eerie, oppressive atmosphere.
A large, crude altar could be found at the center, carved from black stone and stained with the blood of countless sacrifices, its surface worn and ancient, bearing the marks of countless rituals.
Above the altar was a set of numbers that glowed with an eerie, pulsating light, each digit seeming to pulse like a heartbeat: [2438/2500]
The Goblin King was a towering figure of raw power and malice, standing nearly three meters tall with massive, corded muscles that bulged beneath his dark green skin.
His face was scarred and cruel, with yellow eyes that burned like twin suns and tusks that jutted from his lower jaw.
He wore armor forged from the bones of fallen enemies, each piece a grim trophy of his conquests.
All around the chamber were hundreds of goblins from all kinds: Weak Goblins cowering in the shadows, Goblin Warriors standing at attention, Hobgoblins with their crimson skin gleaming in the torchlight, Goblin Mages with staves crackling with dark energy, and even a few Goblin Commanders kneeling in reverence before their king.
Fwoosh!
At that moment, the Goblin Shaman appeared in a flash of light, its form materializing from the shadows and attracting the attention of the Goblin King, who turned his gaze toward the newcomer with cold expectation.
"Any news?" the Goblin King said with guttural voice, his yellow eyes narrowing with impatience, "We are very close to completing the ritual."
"Y-Yes my king," The Goblin Shaman kneeled down, its voice trembling with fear, its entire body shaking under the weight of the king’s presence. "We tried to ambush a few humans and I sent one of your Goblin Commanders to deal with them, I’m sure that they are dead by now."
"And yet the number didn’t go up," the Goblin King pointed at the altar with a serious expression, his voice carrying a dangerous edge that made the Shaman flinch. "Care to explain?"
At that moment, a burst of aura erupted from the Goblin King, making everyone shudder in place.
The pressure of his power crushed against them like a physical weight that made it difficult to breathe.
"I-I will be checking it out and making sure it all goes well," the Goblin Shaman spoke with a terrified expression, "Only one or two more bases, and we will be able to fulfill the [Orb of Blood]’s requirements!"
"I am getting tired of this," the Goblin King required, his voice cold and commanding, his yellow eyes blazing with barely contained fury. "This artifact given to us by THEM is supposed to be our way to rule this place, so make it quicker."
"Yes, my king!"
The [Orb of Blood] was a Tier-1 S-Rank item, meaning one of the best items to ever possibly acquire in the First Layer, a treasure of immense power that could change the balance of the entire layer.
By killing humans, the orb would grow in power, absorbing their life force and storing it within its crimson depths.
And once the number was met, it would cast a terrifying power upon its wielder, elevating them to new heights of strength.
With that, the First Layer would stop being occupied by humans, but by goblins instead, a new order rising from the ashes of the old.
The Goblin King let out a sinister laugh, a deep, rumbling sound that echoed through the chamber and sent shivers down the spines of the remaining goblins.
He could feel the raw, untamed power radiating from the orb, and he knew that with this item, his reign of terror would be unstoppable.
"Only 62 more," he muttered, his yellow eyes gleaming with dark anticipation.
...
"They’re selling Stamina Potions but they’re slightly more expensive than the ones in the Trading Centre," Leon mumbled as he looked around the market, examining the various stalls and their wares with a critical eye.
As for Alicar, he was gazing at a panel that had suddenly appeared before him, sending a chill down his spine that made his blood run cold.
[You have the feeling a terrifying soul is being born.]
"...Hm," Alicar thought with a grim expression, his mind racing with possibilities, ’Well I still have to inform the Awakener Association about the goblins and stuff.’
The only two "terrifying souls" he had ever met were the Sun Beast and the Shadow-robed figure.
Both of them had been terrifyingly powerful beings, so Alicar could only assume what was going to happen.
Fortunately, as the guards said, there was indeed a gate in the middle of the base, shimmering with ethereal energy and surrounded by protective barriers, allowing anyone to leave if they wanted to return to the real world.
"Well, it was nice fighting with you guys," David bowed to Leon and Alicar, his voice carrying a note of genuine gratitude and respect. "I’ll be going for a while, that was terrifying."
"Same," Alice and Lena nodded in agreement, their expressions weary but warm, a hint of sadness in their eyes at parting ways. "I hope we meet again someday!"
"Goodbye," Leon waved, and Alicar simply nodded, wishing them well, then he turned toward Alicar. "Well, that was crazy."
"Yeah," Alicar replied, his mind still partially occupied by the ominous notification that lingered in his thoughts.
"I’m not gonna lie, every time you appear somewhere, crazy shit happens," Leon said with a half-smile, shaking his head. "Maybe it’s related to your class or something?"
"I don’t think that’s really possible—"
Before Alicar could finish his sentence, a wide announcement rang across the entirety of Ironhold Base as the massive gates of the base swung open with a heavy groan, drawing everyone’s attention.