Chapter 15 - carnage

???: Brother…

???:  I won't be alive for very long as you can see…I'm getting old

???: when I'm gone, you'll be the next person to sit on this throne

???: Go out there, travel the world and fight powerful foes so you can become strong.

???: when you return, you'll be the next ruler of the volcanic Archipelago…so please be safe out there and come home alive, my little brother.

The menacing shadow of the colossal red dragon loomed over the orc leader, leaving him pale-faced, mouth agape in disbelief, and eyes widened with fear.

Orc leader:( Brother…I don't think I'll be coming home…anytime soon.)

The thunderous roars of the mighty red dragon froze Elara, Nico, Banko, and the orc bandits in their tracks. As it stood upright on its two hind legs and unfurled its immense wings, a devastating gust of wind swept through the area, obliterating every building, debris, and living creature in its path.

Banko: GAAAH!?

Banko was hurled into the air by the shockwave, but Elara's quick reflexes saved him as she grasped his leg and anchored herself with her vine-hilted sword plunged into the ground.

Meanwhile, the red dragon swiftly descended onto all fours and lunged towards the orc leader, aiming to impale him with its razor-sharp horns. The orc leader was caught off guard by the dragon's speed, leaving him defenceless as the creature thrashed him against multiple piles of debris. Despite managing to free himself from the dragon's onslaught, the orc leader paid a heavy price, losing his right arm in the process.

Orc leader: Grrrrrrr…

With a pained groan, the orc leader watched as blood gushed from his severed arm like a torrent. Acting quickly, he pressed his left arm against the stump where his right arm had been and enveloped it in flames, using the intense heat to cauterize the wound and staunch the bleeding.

Orc leader: For the past 176 years I've lived in this world, I never thought I would ever encounter a monster that would push me to use this.

A blue rectangle-shaped screen materialised in front of Nico and Banko's faces.

“Orc bandit leader activated the race passive skills brutish strength ,battle-hardened and savage Instinct”

The passive skill brutish strength grants the orc leader bonus melee damage, battle-hardened is like the dragon mode passive skill due to the orc leader encountering a foe far stronger than he is the passive skill provides him enhanced resilience and pain tolerance and finally savage instinct enhanced his natural predatory instincts  .

Banko:(Wait, he can use more than one passive skill at the same time?)

Banko questions the possibility of the orc leader using more than  one skill since back in the sylvanire Woodlands during their spar with Elara, Banko discovered that he can't use more than one skill at the same time. At Least that was the case for his active skills but does that rule apply to passive skills?.

The orc leader sprinted towards the dragon at high speed, the dragon noticed his presence and immediately reacted by raising its claws and throwing multiple slashes at him.

Meanwhile, Nico took the opportunity to escape the orc that was about to slash him from behind. The orc noticed Nico running away and chased him, Nico used the surrounding debris to make quick turns to disorient the bandit but the bandit managed to stop Nico at a corner.

Nico: (BUMBOCLAAT!)

As the orc leader deftly evaded the dragon's onslaught, he observed the dragon retracting its long, sharp tail for a strike. Dodging the incoming attack, the orc leader narrowly escaped the dragon's tail as it lashed out. Meanwhile, the orc bandit facing Nico raised their axe, preparing to strike. Nico, sensing danger, noticed a looming silhouette rapidly approaching them.

Nico:WOAH!?

As Nico instinctively ducked to avoid the dragon's tail, the sickening sound of the orc bandit being cleaved in half filled the air, accompanied by the gruesome sight of blood spurting into the sky and entrails spilling out of the torn body.

The metallic stench of blood mixed with the pungent odor of urine assaulted Nico's nostrils, triggering a vivid flashback to a traumatic scene of violence. In his mind's eye, he saw a woman lying lifeless on a kitchen floor, blood pooling around her head, while a man stood over her, brandishing a smoking gun.

Overwhelmed by the sensory overload, Nico's widened eyes reflected his shock as he clutched his stomach, feeling the churning sensation of nausea. Desperately, he pressed his hand over his mouth to contain the bile rising in his throat, but it was futile as the acidic fluid spilled out, mingling with the blood-soaked grass beneath him.

As the world spun around him, Nico succumbed to the overwhelming sensations and slipped into unconsciousness.

Banko: Nico?

From a distance, Banko's heart sank as he spotted Nico lying unconscious on the ground, his concern for his friend overriding all else. Ignoring potential danger, Banko sprinted towards Nico's prone form, determined to offer assistance. However, before he could reach him, Elara swiftly intervened, grasping him by the hood of his robe and halting his advance as the orc leader hurtled past them, colliding with the debris near Nico and the orc bandit.

Orc leader: (I'm sorry brother, I can't even keep such a simple promise. I'm sure your wife would be nagging me right now.)

Orc leader: (after all she never liked being around weaklings like me)

Orc leader: but that doesn't mean I've given up…I…am a warrior, the heir to the throne of the volcanic Archipelago.)

Orc leader: How can I face our ancestors, my fallen comrades on the other side…IF I DIE LIKE A WEAKLING!!

The orc leader swiftly regained his footing, his movements fueled by a primal instinct for survival. With determination etched on his features, he dashed towards the towering dragon, utilising the scattered debris as makeshift ramps to launch himself into the air. Gripping his battle axe tightly, he aimed a powerful strike at the dragon's head, his intent clear—to deliver a decisive blow to the formidable creature before him.

Orc leader: IF I'M GOING TO HELL THEN  YOU'LL BE COMING WITH ME, YOU DEVIL!!

 Before the orc leader could close the distance and unleash his final strike on the dragon, a distinct sound, reminiscent of steaming water in a kettle, resonated through the air. However, this time, the source was within the dragon's very mouth. Accompanied by a yellow light and billowing smoke.

Orc leader: Wha-!?

The orc leader's eyes widened in horror as the dragon's maw opened wide, unleashing a blinding flash of light that engulfed him entirely.

Chapter 15 ends.