CHAPTER 40: HEADING TO THE DARK MOUNTAINS

’It can’t be... is he... a Titan?’ Akhil’s eyes stayed locked on Ryan’s new form, disbelief tightening in his chest.

He wasn’t certain yet, but the thought alone sent a chill through him. One of the Titans he’d faced back in the game had been an orc—an incredibly powerful one. That creature had nearly crushed him, and seeing Ryan take on a similar form now... Akhil couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

If Ryan had truly evolved into a Titan, things could get complicated—very complicated.

’But the orc Titan only appeared in the seventh scenario... there should be a major event before his transformation happens. Unless this world’s flow is different...’ Akhil’s brows furrowed as he clenched his fist.

’Killing him now would make things easier... but...’

"Is something wrong? What happened?" Aria’s voice broke his train of thought.

Akhil blinked and shook his head lightly. "No, it’s nothing. I’m just... surprised by his new form."

Ryan now towered over everyone, standing close to seven and a half feet tall. He looked like a walking fortress—his presence alone was heavier and more commanding than even Nibo’s. His muscles rippled beneath his skin, and his golden eyes burned with raw, untamed power.

When he finally spoke, his tone carried genuine gratitude.

"Thank you, Master Akhil."

"It’s alright," Akhil replied with a faint, awkward smile.

’How do I even explain to them that I’m younger than most of them?’ he thought, suppressing a sigh. He had a feeling the way they addressed him wasn’t their fault—it was likely a behavioral imprint set by the system when granting them their new forms.

He turned toward the rest of the camp. The other orcs who had received stabilizers stood straighter now, their figures sharper, their bodies more defined. The transformation had strengthened them both physically and spiritually.

Akhil couldn’t hide the small, satisfied smile tugging at his lips. He now had nineteen new, capable fighters added to his ranks. It was progress—good progress—but he knew it still wasn’t enough.

No matter how strong they’d become, that number couldn’t hold off a full horde of beasts.

The first wave had been relatively small, which he suspected wasn’t by chance. Still, assuming the second would be just as manageable would be foolish.

’All that’s left now is for me to get stronger,’ he thought, taking in a slow, steady breath.

By his side stood Aria, Nibo, J, and now Ryan—the four strongest and most influential figures in the entire orc settlement. Together, they represented the settlement’s core strength.

Akhil cleared his throat softly and spoke with calm conviction. "We don’t have much time left until the next horde arrives. But we survived the first one without help from anyone. That alone proves that we can endure what’s coming next."

He met each of their eyes as he spoke, seeing the same resolve reflected in their gazes. The fire of determination burned brighter now; he’d given them hope—and in this world, that was rarer than strength.

"The beasts in this second horde will be far stronger than before," Akhil continued. "And I won’t sugarcoat it—we’re still not strong enough to overpower them. But that’s not what I’m asking from you."

He paused for a moment, his tone shifting to something quieter, yet firm. "You don’t have to win. You just have to hold out—long enough for me to return."

His words sent ripples of confusion through the orc ranks. Murmurs spread. Even Aria and Nibo exchanged uncertain glances.

"What do you mean?" Aria finally asked.

Akhil exhaled, his expression steady. "I’ll be heading into the Dark Mountains tonight. There’s something I need to find—something that could turn the tide for all of us. If I complete this mission successfully, you won’t have to struggle against the horde for long."

His voice carried no hesitation. Whatever lay ahead in those mountains, Akhil had already made his decision.

"How is that possible? Won’t the scenario end on its own?" Aria was the first to ask.

Akhil nodded slightly. "Yes, it will. But each horde that appears will be stronger than the last if we don’t deal with the source soon. That’s what I’m going after. I’ve given you the stabilizers so you can hold out as long as possible while I take care of the root of this mess."

A quiet murmur spread among the orcs. Fear flickered in their eyes, mingling with uncertainty. They’d seen what Akhil was capable of—he was the one who had held back the beast’s boss earlier. Without him, they weren’t sure anyone else could do the same.

"But won’t that mission be dangerous?" Nibo asked, his brows furrowed.

Akhil let out a quiet sigh. "Unfortunately, yes. It’ll be dangerous, but I can’t risk putting any of you in harm’s way. I know enough about what’s out there to survive the mountain range, so don’t worry about me," he said firmly.

"If it’s that dangerous, then we should go with you," Ryan added. "You can’t do it alone."

Akhil shook his head. "That’s not what the stabilizers were for. You all need to stay here and protect the settlement. If everyone leaves, this place will fall before the next dawn. The horde will tear through the village in minutes. I have to go alone."

His voice was calm but resolute, leaving no room for argument.

The orcs exchanged uneasy glances, concern written all over their faces. Akhil noticed it, but he could only sigh. He knew what they were thinking—what if he didn’t come back?

Still, he turned and started walking toward the settlement gates. The orcs stepped aside, forming a path as he passed through them.

When he reached the gate, he stopped and looked back at the group. "We’ve made it this far, and we’ll keep going. Don’t disappoint me. Just hold out for a while—I’ll be back."

A small, reassuring smile crossed his face before he turned and disappeared into the darkness beyond the gate.

The orcs stood in silence, watching as his figure faded into the forest’s shadow.

Inside the dense woods, Akhil’s eyes gleamed faintly, filled with determination.

"Now then," he muttered, his hand tightening around his weapon, "it’s time to deal with this mess."

{Time Left: 00:06:55:23}

Six hours. That was all the time they had before the next horde began.