The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player - RMLP Chapter 64: Jo Yong Ho (Part 2)

As the door swung open, the ten stationed orcs turned their eyes with a flash of surprise.

“Uh, uh?”

“T-ten of them?”

The larger orc count briefly caught them off guard.

“Greeheek!”

“Greeheek, Greeheek!”

The startled orcs seized the axes from their hip straps, standing up with an eager glint in their eyes.

But their reaction was cut short.

“Left side, attack first!”

Thump, thump, thump!

The quintet swiftly initiated their assault, felling one orc in their path.

Yet, nine orcs remained standing.

“Greeheeeek!”

“Thud! Greeheeeek!”

Enraged by the death of their comrade, the orcs brandished their axes with heightened fervor.

Their sluggish attack speed allowed for easy dodging, but their sheer numbers posed a new challenge.

Crash!

“Aaargh!”

“Mangi!”

The sight of an axe burying itself in his younger brother’s shoulder widened Jo Yong-ho’s eyes.

“No! Mangi!”

“You monster! Die!”

The remaining group members rallied, successfully strangling an orc to its demise.

Nonetheless, eight orcs persisted.

A wounded ally and four fatigued comrades were ill-equipped for the task at hand.

“Hyungnim! This strategy won’t work! We need to retreat!”

“I was just thinking the same thing!”

The group traded blows with the orcs while tactfully retreating.

Swiftly exiting through the fissure they had initially entered might allow them to evade the bulkier orcs.

However, unpredictability was an ever-present factor.

Plans had unraveled.

The orcs that had been drawn by the commotion were blocking their escape route.

“T-The number of enemies, it’s…”

“Seems like there’s at least ten…”

Calculations were unnecessary.

The odds were insurmountable.

Escape was the optimal course if they could manage it.

A sheen of cool sweat coated the group’s foreheads.

With no sanctuary and morale shattered by their enemies’ multitude, options dwindled.

“It’s over… We’re done for.”

“Ah… to end like this…”

The group lowered their weapons, defeat washing over them.

Except for Jo Yong-ho.

“Keep your weapons at the ready.”

“Hyungnim…”

“It’s over now.”

“It’s been an honor fighting alongside all of you.”

Unlike Jo Yong-ho, the remaining members seemed dejected.

They were acutely aware that death was imminent.

A tense standoff with the orcs persisted.

“Hey, guys. Why do you think they aren’t killing us?”

“Huh?”

“Well, I’m not sure.”

“If you want to know, just check their expressions.”

“Expressions…?”

Uncharacteristic of Jo Yong-ho, his words led the group to scrutinize the orcs’ faces.

The orcs bore smirks as if finding amusement in something.

“These guys are mocking us.”

“….”

“They’re smirking as if we’re timid little mice. Now that we’ve disarmed, they’re laughing at us! Thy’re enjoying this!”

“….”

“Aren’t you furious? Being mocked by orcs like this? Treated like monkeys in a zoo?”

Perhaps his words had struck a nerve.

“Don’t lose hope, not until the very end. Grab your weapons, and strike down at least one of them before you die. That’s how you’ll face death without shame.”

In the hearts of each companion, a spark of determination ignited.

“Got it, Hyungnim.”

“Apologies for showing such weakness.”

“We’re here with you till the end, Hyungnim.”

With these affirmations, the group raised their weapons anew.

Simultaneously, the scornful smirks on the orcs’ faces crumbled, replaced by expressions of sadness.

“Greeheek!”

“Greeheek!”

Laughter vanished, replaced by boiling rage.

“When I give the signal, move. Approach one by one, discreetly. Clear?”

“Yes!”

“Yes, Hyungnim.”

“Shall we?”

Just as Jo Yong-ho was about to issue the ambush signal,

Phwoooh-

An unfamiliar hornpipe echoed.

Unbeknownst to the group, it was a signal blown from the lookout during emergencies.

“Greeheek! Greeheek!”

“Greeheek! Thud!”

Ten orcs swiftly charged toward the sound’s origin.

With over half of their forces vanished only eight orcs remained.

“What’s happening?”

“Why are the orcs suddenly…”

Though they were uncertain, their odds of survival seemed better.

Facing only eight orcs, survival became plausible.

“Let’s do it.”

“Yes, Hyungnim!”

The group surged toward the orcs, launching a surprise assault.

Thwack! Thwack!

Blades clashed in a symphony of metallic resonance.

Swoosh! Swoosh!

Thunk! Thunk!

The grim sound of flesh being sliced and stabbed resonated in the orc-human fray.

After an intense struggle where a single misstep could decide life or death,

“Heuk… heuk…”

Five humans stood triumphant, their faces reflecting victory.

“We, we…”

“To win against eight…”

The thrill of triumphing over adversity eclipsed their relief at survival.

“Hyungnim! We did it! Well, actually, you did it, Hyungnim!”

“It’s all thanks to you, Hyungnim. Without you, we would’ve given up and perished.”

The group sang praises, but Jo Yong-ho shook his head.

“Enough of that. Your unwavering resolve, and your willingness to fight to the end, that’s what made this possible. Without it, I’d be dead here too.”

“Heh, you’re quite something, Hyungnim.”

Their shared laughter was brief.

Jo Yong-ho turned to his injured younger brother with a serious expression.

“But Mangi, how’s your injury?”

“Ugh… Tough, but I can manage. I’ll be fine.”

Despite his claims, his shoulders were drenched in sweat.

The injury appeared grave at first glance.

“For now, rest. Don’t move. Got it?”

“Yes…”

“As for the rest of you, stay hidden here. I’ll scout for an exit and come back.”

“Isn’t that dangerous?”

“Don’t worry about me. Wait quietly.”

After placing the group in the hut, Jo Yong-ho cautiously explored his surroundings.

“It’s risky here. I need a way out of the village.”

Moving stealthily, the village was quiet, he wondered why all the orcs had vanished.

“It’s so silent. Where did they all go?”

Suddenly, an unfamiliar smell reached his nose.

“Sniff, sniff. What’s that smell?”

Curiously, he approached a sight in the distance.

“What’s that?”

He involuntarily uttered, “Huh?” before quickly stifling his reaction.

“What in the world…”

Before him lay a sight beyond belief.

The corpses of around 200 orcs sprawled across the village.

“Who could have done something so immense…”

Amidst the carnage, one figure stood alone.

A lone figure amidst the bodies.

Above his head was the nickname ‘Black Scythe.’

Hyung_Otaku

I'm currently Translating the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!

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