CHAPTER 40: NORA

The night clouds hung heavy over the skies of the Goblin Clan—dark, roaring, and chasing with faint, restless lightning.

The shouts of the raucous goblin crowds echoed over the land, their green skin glistening under the night winds as their feet drummed against the ground, retreating to their wood-built huts. Cealen and Garric’s unconscious bodies were carried away by several goblins, led by a relatively larger one—each of them entrusted with the task of keeping the prisoners, whether for food... or as puppets for their master.

Then, from the shadows, a dark, swirling mist coiled into existence before the goblin party.

Their steps halted in caution as Allen stepped out, confidence radiating from his posture in a way that sent shivers down their spines.

"Two choices," Allen smirked, one hand resting casually on his waist. "Hand them over the easy way... or I’ll take them in exchange for bruises."

At first, the group of eight goblins—plus the giant one making them nine—didn’t move. Then a spark of amusement passed between them, and they burst into breathless laughter, some falling and rolling on the dirt.

"Ohhh, gosh..." the giant goblin leader purred after slapping his stomach in amusement. "Kids these days."

"So bold I almost caught a cold," another cackled from the back.

If only they knew the deity that stands before them... Allen thought, shaking his head in pity, unmoved by their bluffing.

The giant goblin walked forward, bending slightly as if threatening to kiss him. His eyes were pure white, brimming with dominance. His broad body eclipsed the scene behind him, bone and muscle complex, his sharp triangular face radiating a natural terror.

"You must’ve lived under your mummy’s protection. You don’t even know how cruel life is... Look at this—his elven ears aren’t even mature yet."

Laughter rippled across the group again as they dropped Cealen and Garric to the ground, still choking on their mockery.

"I guess you’ve chosen option two," Allen said calmly, still shaking his head in pity.

The giant goblin raised a hand sideways. "Don’t worry, I’ll sing you a lullaby before I take you to the princess. She’ll decide what to do with you."

More laughter—

But from Allen’s perspective, time slowed.

"Activate system ability: Black Tongue."

The emerald glow of his system panel flared before him:

---

[System Ability: Black Tongue Activated]

Level 1 Upper Cursed Words

1. Break

2. Conceal

Level 1 Lower Cursed Words

1. Dream

2. Hibernate

Level 2 Upper Cursed Words

1. Forget

2. Don’t Move

Level 2 Lower Cursed Words

1. Undo

2. Redo

Level 3 Upper Cursed Words

1. Burn

2. Scatter

Level 3 Lower Cursed Words

1. Create

2. Destroy

Level 4 Forbidden Words

1. Obey

2. Die

---

"Don’t move," Allen whispered with cold command as the goblin’s hand descended toward his shoulder, his face smug with superiority.

[Level 2 Upper Cursed Word Activated]

[Target: Eric]

[Duration: 12 hours]

---

"What a low-ranked being," Allen said with quiet authority, walking past the frozen goblin—now standing like a sculpture caught in time.

The mocking laughter froze in the others’ throats, transforming into gasping terror as they scrambled backward.

Then Allen paused. A shift in the air pressed against his senses—swift, sharp, and burning.

Amaterasu.

But it was already too late.

She blazed into the scene like a raging meteor, hot flames trailing behind her as she moved with lightning speed, cutting through the terrified goblins in a zigzag dash. When she stopped behind them, thin crimson lines appeared on their necks. Eyes widened in disbelief before their heads slid clean from their shoulders.

In seconds, the ground was painted red.

Cealen and Garric were in her grasp, her blade already sheathed with flawless grace.

"What did you do?..." Allen rasped, his voice taut, the blood pooling beneath his feet reflecting his disapproval. "I had that fully under control."

"What? You planned to pay back their bruises with calm? Is that what you call control, Allen?" she shot back, her voice rising with every word as she gestured toward Cealen’s battered body. "That’s pathetic."

"What’s gotten into you, Amaterasu?" Allen sneered, disgust edging his tone.

Her glare was like a blade. Then she spoke, her voice laced with emotion and anger.

"How would you ever understand?" she said bitterly. "How can you... when you have the ability to raise your dead?"

Allen’s eyes widened in realization. It was true—he could raise the dead, thanks to Tamara. Natasha hadn’t kept that secret while they traveled to the Werewolf Clan. But what weighed on Amaterasu...

Maxen’s death hit her harder than she let anyone see.

"I do understand, Amaterasu—"

"No, you don’t!" she cut him off, her voice echoing through the Goblin Territory. The alarm sounded almost instantly.

"Intruders! Intruders!" voices rang from afar, boots pounding toward them.

"Go, Amaterasu! I’ll hold them back!" Allen roared, taking a battle stance.

She hesitated for only a moment, then vanished in a blazing streak, Cealen and Garric pressed tightly against her.

Goblins began spilling from every corner, charging in endless numbers—until a voice sliced through the chaos.

"What’s going on here?"

Allen turned.

A female goblin approached with an air of lethal grace. Her face was sharp and triangular, her ears almost elven. But unlike the others, her skin wasn’t green—it was a fair, flawless tone. Her bust sat high, each as full as a ripe pineapple, and her hips swayed with regal precision.

The goblins dropped to their knees as one, foreheads pressed to the ground.

Silence fell.

The Goblin Princess—Nora Aurelia—had arrived.

The sight of her only made the pool of blood and scattered flesh behind Allen more stark.

"Who’s this man?" Nora asked, pacing forward without hesitation, stepping over goblins twice her age.

Allen could feel it—not just see it—the raw authority radiating from her. The goblins’ fear told him she was ruthless.

"I came to retrieve my friends, that’s all," Allen said evenly.

"And what do you call that pool of blood behind you?" she purred. "In this clan, I’m the only one allowed to kill. How dare an intruder break our laws?"

"Their deaths weren’t my fault, they—"

"I can see the slash marks. Deliberate. All aimed for the neck. Don’t waste my time with lies."

Damn... she’s good.

"Ultra Necromancy," she said suddenly, extending one arm.

The ground beneath Allen glowed a haunting blue. He leapt back instinctively—only to realize she wasn’t targeting him, but the fallen goblins.

Their bodies stirred, picking up their severed heads, walking like zombies toward the direction Amaterasu had fled.

Risen grudges... they won’t rest until their killer is dead. And the curse only ends if she’s slain.

"Now..." Nora stepped closer, her eyes locking on his. "What’s your name?"