Chapter 155: First Act 25: Into the Climax 8
Chapter 155: First Act 25: Into the Climax 8
"Oh, it looks like the orc lord is awake," Loki remarked, his grin widening with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "He looks more dangerous than I expected."
"It doesn't even look like an orc now," replied Principal Victoria, her voice tinged with a hint of fear as she observed the orc lord's transformation. The once green, muscular skin that characterized orcs had given way to a demonic red monster, complete with four menacing arms.
Indeed, the orc lord appeared more demonic than ever, a nightmarish manifestation of power. His current form surpassed the already fearsome appearance he had as a standard orc. The transformation had elevated him to a new level of menace, casting an eerie aura that sent shivers down the spines of those who beheld him.
After seizing the axes, the orc lord wasted no time in unleashing chaos upon everything in his vicinity. His rampage knew no bounds – demonic carriers, monsters, beasts, and even his fellow orc kin fell victim to his relentless assault. Laughter, dark and malevolent, reverberated through the air with each merciless kill.
Even just monitoring the scene through the magical screens you could sense the sheer strength and ferocity of the orc lord.
Grabbing onto my mask, I swiftly placed it over my face, concealing my identity. With a determined turn, I exited the monitoring room, leaving behind the lively scene within.
"Are you going to play with him now?" Loki inquired, his excitement evident in his tone as he anticipated the unfolding events.
"Yes, and I wouldn't really call it playing with him, as he can probably kill me before I can blink," I replied honestly. The stark truth hung in the air – Tristan's formidable speed, coupled with his celestial swordsmanship, presented a threat that even I, with all my prowess, couldn't underestimate. A single mistake might result in being swiftly cut into pieces by his unparalleled skill.
"The other professors should be coming here any minute now, so you should go as well, Loki. And also, don't forget to release the principal"
"Eh, I thought she was already my toy?" Loki quipped with his characteristic mischief, a playful grin on his face.
'I thought you considered her as your disciple?' I mused as I observed Loki, who was cradling Victoria's head while floating slightly above her. His posture resembled that of a child unwilling to part with his favorite toy.
While I played along with Loki's antics, a pang of sympathy struck me. Seeing the usually authoritative principal reduced to this state was somewhat pitiful.
Unbeknownst to her, she seemed ensnared in Loki's manipulation, her actions guided by a force beyond her awareness.
Loki's divine influence over her mind was truly astonishing, to the extent that even I felt she was inadvertently on our side.
"You can play with her all you want... but wouldn't it be even more fun to see her reaction?" I suggested to Loki, hinting at the potential for an entertaining turn of events. The idea of witnessing Victoria's response added an element of mischief to the situation. Despite my outward cooperation, I couldn't shake a sense of remorse for the principal.
It wasn't my fault that she had ventured into the forest while I was asleep, leading to these unforeseen circumstances.
'I'm sorry, Principal, but this is the most I can do for you. It's not like it was my fault that you suddenly visited the forest while I was asleep.' I reflected on the unintended consequences of her actions, and while seeing her students in peril might be a lesser evil compared to what Aunt and Sis had initially planned for her, the irony of the situation did not escape me.
"Haha- hahahaha"
The whole situation seemed to amuse him, and he couldn't help but find a twisted enjoyment in the unpredictability of the events unfolding.
"True, that's true. I wonder how much this disciple of mine will change after suddenly seeing the situation in front of her, hehehe" Loki added, his laughter escalating into a form of amusement that only a god could truly understand.
The whims of the divine often bore a unique brand of humor, and Loki reveled in the twists and turns of his own machinations.
Suddenly, Loki erupted into hysterical laughter at my suggestion. Well, at least he was having fun. The minds of gods often treaded a twisted path, and Loki's amusement in the face of chaos was a testament to his divine nature.
Focusing my mana onto the mask, a subtle transformation unfolded. Bones and flesh melded and reformed, a divine shift occurring within my very essence. I opted for a subtle change, adjusting my facial features and adding a bit more muscle to my form. My once white skin transformed into a crisp brown, ensuring that, even beneath the mask, I exuded an aura of handsomeness. Ashen gray eyes shifted to a captivating shade of dark purple, turning my hair into light gold, my transformation was complete.
I didn't need a mirror to confirm the alterations. There was an innate assurance that the changes were perfect, a testament to the power of the divine mask of the god of Lies.
Draped in a dark cloak adorned with a mane-like outline reminiscent of a lion's, I made my way towards the exit, bidding a casual farewell to Loki who lingered behind.
"I'm going now," I announced, my voice muffled by the dark cloak that concealed my features. However, before I could take another step, a surge of golden mana energy enveloped me. I instinctively recognized it as divine power.
"Let me give you a lift," Loki offered, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. With a snap of his hands, my surroundings shifted instantaneously.
The familiar sight of the dungeon greeted me, its space illuminated by the mesmerizing glow of countless crystals.
The key difference now was the presence of students engaged in battles with monsters. Though I couldn't see them at the moment, the telltale signs of mana fluctuations and distant cries indicated ongoing skirmishes in various locations.
Taking a moment to stretch my hands, I pondered a plan to sow chaos on a level that would undoubtedly catch Tristan's attention.
"Hey, you!"
A voice called out to me, drawing my attention. I turned to my right and saw a man with striking blonde hair, possessing a similar complexion and beauty as Aria. In his hands, he held a great sword, and around him, a bevy of beauties surrounded him.
It was Liam Tellus, both Aria's and my blood-related brother. Whether this meeting was coincidental or intentional, considering Loki's penchant for sparking conflict and chaos, I leaned towards the latter. Loki had a knack for orchestrating situations that tested the bonds within families and relationships.
"Who's that, babe?" inquired a girl with brown hair and green eyes, who clung to Liam's right hand, casting fearful glances in my direction.
"Is he a solo?" chimed in another girl, her voice dripping with sensuality, her black hair and blue eyes adding to her allure.
"Liam, who is that? He suddenly appeared all of a sudden," questioned yet another girl who approached and hugged Liam from behind.
"A friend of yours, honey~?"
As I observed Liam's interactions with the women around him, I couldn't help but think, 'This older brother of mine is quite the womanizer, eh?' Their closeness indicated a certain level of familiarity, suggesting that they were more than just casual acquaintances.
Suddenly, he pointed his sword at me.
"I don't know who you are or how you suddenly came here, but this area is under our party's—"
I didn't even let him finish his words. Swiftly, I swung my hands vertically, severing his right arm that was pointing the sword at me.
"Aghh!!!!" he screamed in pain, blood spurting out as he clutched his shoulder, the gruesome scene unfolding in an instant.
"Liam!" all of his girls screamed in shock, their collective voices filled with horror and disbelief.
"You, how dare—"
Swoosh...!
Liam turned to his side, his eyes widening as he stared at the rolling head beside him.
The girl who had been on his right lost her head in the blink of an eye, blood painting and wetting Liam's right cheek in a macabre display.
"S-Sistine?" Liam uttered the name of the fallen girl, shock and disbelief evident in his voice.
"Kyaa!!"
"Liam, let's get out of here" urged the remaining girls as they rushed to the wounded Liam, attempting to carry him to safety.
Slowly, I walked towards them, my eyes filled with a chilling calmness. With a tone colder than ice, I uttered a single word, "Run...~" The command hung heavy in the air, instilling fear, confusion, and dread in their eyes.
Meanwhile, my heart couldn't stop beating with satisfaction and excitement.
'Haah~! For how long have I dreamed of beating the shit out of this guy?'
The thrill of retribution surged through me, a long-simmering desire finally finding release.
For the first time since meeting Loki, I felt a genuine sense of gratitude towards him.
These guys were not only the perfect outlet for the ongoing turmoil within my heart, but they also served as the ideal bait to draw Tristan into the unfolding chaos.
The wounded Liam and his entourage of girls sprinted frantically, their figures growing smaller as they attempted to escape my approaching presence. The adrenaline-fueled chase added a layer of excitement to the chaotic atmosphere of the dungeon.
'I wonder if I'll catch them first before Tristan can intervene?' The prospect of the impending pursuit fueled my anticipation, each step bringing me closer to the unraveling drama.
Killing Liam might present some challenges, but within the confines of the dungeon, even my father, with his inquiries and expectations, would be restrained.
"Haha… Please don't die too easily, big bro," I muttered, fixating my gaze on their disappearing figures.
My arms flexed as my aura turned into a sharp condensed aura claw.
...
"Principal!"
Victoria turned her attention to her side as Vice Principal Edward approached with a blend of anger and intensity in his eyes.
"I told you not to do any more extravagant entries! What will you do if we lose any more sponsors than what little we already have?
"Do you want Duke Heiron to swallow this school?
"Hey! Are you even listening to me?"
Victoria didn't fully register Edward's scolding. Instead, she stared at the old man with surprise and wonder in her eyes.
"Where am I?" she asked, her confusion evident.
Veins popped on the vice principal's head, a clear sign that Edward believed Victoria had returned to her aloof and whacky mindset.