Chapter 172: The hero can do whatever he wants

“Alright, who’s next?” 

Ricardo took a step forward, wearing a wicked grin, while an equal number of orcs hesitated, backing away and distorting the circle surrounding him.

There was nothing quite as satisfying as seeing the fear in the enemy’s eyes. Ricardo’s chest was filled with a cruel sense of happiness.

…Continuing this cat-and-mouse game won’t get us anywhere. They seem to believe that they are safe as long as they keep their distance, but how about we shake things up a bit?

Ricardo turned his attention to the orc in front who was trying to hide his fear and clutching his axe tightly.

Fear began to dissipate from the orc’s face, replaced by an expression of pleasure. Alarmed by this change, the other orcs standing nearby jumped back.

Fascinated by Tsubaki, the orc turned the ax around in his hand, placed it against his own neck, and pulled it all at once. Fountains of blood and gasps of pleasure. He twitched and shook his body several times and fell forward.

It doesn’t make sense, and the guarantee that we’ll be safe if we stay apart is gone. Still, it was a big deal that no one turned their backs and tried to run away.

“Throw your weapons, all at once!”

A brave orc shouted. In that case, there was no need to get closer to that lustful demon, and they could make use of their numerical advantage. So that’s how it is, and a strong glint returned to the eyes of the orcs.

Due to shouting loudly, it was also heard by Ricardo, but it was not a problem. Knowing about it wouldn’t prevent it because there was no way to stop it.

Surround them and throw things at them. It has been the most basic and most powerful strategy since ancient times.

In front of the deadly formation that was formed in a hurry thanks to the orc’s quick thinking, Ricardo did not feel the fear of death;

“Really…”

With a reluctant murmur, that was all.

The yelling orc raised its axe. Ricardo planted Tsubaki into the ground and drew his second sword, the newly crafted demon blade called “Sakura.”

From the orc’s massive arms, axes were released. Soon after, spears, swords, and weapons were thrown from all directions. While there was a risk of friendly fire on the opposite side, Ricardo decided that it was better to face that than to be killed outright.

Ricardo tightened his grip on Sakura and concentrated his mind. The world around him lost its sound and color. The first axe thrown towards him seemed to be moving extremely slowly. By entering an intense state of concentration, he felt like the flow of time had slowed down.

In this molten lead-like world, Ricardo avoided the approaching axe with a simple tilt of his head. He lightly knocked away the spears that came next with his sword.

Although it appeared in slow motion, in reality, these projectiles were moving at high speeds, and a single hit could be fatal. He avoided what could be avoided and deflected what could be deflected. In this way, he managed to block all the nearly twenty weapons thrown at him.

Ricardo caught the last thrown hand axe mid-air and even showcased his skills by throwing it back. He then released his intense concentration, and the world regained its colors and sounds.

“Giieee!”

The hand axe impaled the brave orc who had suggested the weapon throwing tactic in the forehead. His piercing scream and the sight of a blood fountain colored the sky.

Ricardo was overwhelmed with fatigue, his body covered in sweat, but the orcs were too focused on their companion’s gruesome death to notice.

This was a fear beyond what they had experienced with Tsubaki. They couldn’t comprehend how their previous attack had been thwarted. In their eyes, Ricardo was no less than an otherworldly reaper.

Alright, alright. Keep being scared of me, Ricardo thought. Now, I’ll use Tsubaki to slay or curse each one of you.

Ricardo wore a malicious smile, sheathed Sakura, and pulled out Tsubaki once again.

However, it seemed the orcs were not ready to give up. They were not screaming in fear but shouting in delight.

“Hmph, now that you mention it, I did have a purpose,” 

What I heard was not a scream but a cheer. It was a large three-meter orc that was coming toward them with the composure of a strong man. In its hand was a huge axe that seemed to have been specially made for it.

The large orc glanced quickly from side to side and said in an angry voice.

“It seems like you’ve been doing whatever you want.”

“I apologize, but I only saw a bunch of small fry,” 

Ricardo replied, smiling but observing the orc carefully. This orc didn’t seem to be rushing into a furious attack.

The other side continued the conversation, as if they were also exploring Ricardo.

“Did you come to disrupt the sacrifice ritual?”

Ricardo didn’t understand the peculiar terms used but decided to nod vaguely.

Sacrifice, ritual… Is there any connection between these terms and the existence of the large orc? He wondered.

“Well, you see, I did come for that,” 

“…Liar. You don’t know anything,” 

The orc said with a scowl.

In that case, there’s no need to continue. The large orc raised his massive axe.

“Wait, wait, you’re awfully impatient. We’ve just met, let’s chat some more. How about talking about women’s preferences? Do you like them with big butts? I can introduce you to some,” 

“Hmph, you’re an interesting one. I like you.” 

“In that case…” 

“I’ll hang your skull in my room,” 

“Our cultures are different!”

The large orc raised his axe and lunged at Ricardo. He had hoped to gather more information, but with the situation unfolding like this, there was no other choice. Ricardo focused his mind on the tip of Tsubaki, pointing it toward the large orc.

“My preference is sexy older women with black hair. Now, meet your end!”

A rich, sweet fragrance filled the air. The large orc, with the axe poised to strike, froze in place. Ricardo was convinced that the orc would climax by inserting the wicked axe blade into his own forehead.

“OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoohhh!”

A deafening roar shook the ground. The large orc raised the axe and shouted, causing the enticing aroma that beckoned death to dissipate.

“What…?” 

Ricardo was left speechless. Did this mean that Tsubaki’s curse had been nullified? He recalled the woman he had encountered in the depths of the dungeon. A new curse didn’t work on someone already cursed. Though he didn’t understand the logic, it seemed to be the rule of the cursed sword.

In other words, Ricardo found himself alone, without any means to counter the orcs, who now surrounded him.

“It appears you’re in a bit of a predicament,” 

The large orc said, now sporting a smug smile. In response, Ricardo yelled, “Farewell, you swine!” and turned to run, leaving the large orc.

The transition was too sudden. The large orc was momentarily caught off guard.

“Go, chase him! Don’t let him escape!” 

The leader of the orcs shouted, snapping the others out of their stupor. They hastily picked up the scattered weapons and gave chase, but they couldn’t manage to catch up with Ricardo.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter