EU: Chapter 039 | Truth of Level 3

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Year 19—1st Day of the 9th Moon!

Right as nighttime was about to set in, a bloody figure rushed towards the entrance of a maze within the Elven Prison that was guarded by two soldiers.

“That’s…” One of the guards recognised the incoming soldier, “That’s the Ogre Gate’s messenger.”

“What happened?” The soldier approached the messenger in a hurry and grabbed the latter who had tripped in exhaustion.

“Ogre…L-L…Level 3…” The messenger grabbed the soldier’s collar and gasped before plopping dead, “Alert…the Warden.”

“Shit…!” The two soldiers eyed each other, “This is the worst time for it to happen.”

“You stay here.” One of the soldiers said and rushed into the tunnel, “I’ll inform the Warden.”

Ten minutes later, after running through a series of winding tunnels, the soldier kneeled with force before a stone gate and bellowed, “Emergency!”

“Which Gate?” Came a reply from inside as the stone door turned to dust and scattered away. There was a gentle layer of flames covering the individual, which dissipated to reveal a giant of a man who had reached a whopping 198 centimetres in height.

He had a bulky stature and was decked from head to toe in a metal armour. The armour was red-hot and seemed to obey his will. His every step cracked the floor as he slowly tilted his head to the side to stare at the soldier who gawked at his stature, “Gate?”

“The Ogre Gate, Warden!” The soldier said in a hurry, “The messenger was injured and only delivered about the presence of a Level 3 Ogre before dying.”

“The timing couldn’t have been any stranger.” Through the visor radiated a gentle glow of fire, brightly lighting the corridor. Even though the armour was red-hot, no heat radiated from it.

Fire Race of Humans—Level 3 (Relic)!

A pause later, the Warden whistled, speaking upon seeing two Soldiers gather before him, “Summon every available officer and gather them at the Lizardmen Gate. Tell them to hold on long enough until my arrival.”

‘We’re on the same level, but they are terrified of me.’ The Warden began to walk through the corridor.

When the two Level 3 Ogres targeted the Ogre Gate, they didn’t come alone. Even when there were two of them, they were still not sure if they’d be able to defeat the Warden. And hence, for insurance, they contacted the Lizardmen Race.

The Lizardmen Race had actually dispatched a Level 3 Lizardman to target the Lizardmen Gate. The time matched the arrival of the Level 3 Ogres.

The two Gates were far away enough from each other that even the Warden couldn’t shuttle between them while battling Level 3 existences.

“Soldiers,” The Warden called out softly and addressed the group of soldiers that had gathered before him, “Raise the prison’s defences to the maximum. I won’t tolerate any excuses.”

He then stared at a soldier and nodded, giving a subtle clue. Immediately in response, the soldier rushed through the tunnels and headed into their quarters. He barged into the kitchen and stared at an Elf there, “Warden’s orders. It’s time.”

“Got it.” The Elf dropped his tasks promptly and mentally prepared himself, asking, “What’s the excuse?”

“Both the Ogre and Lizardmen Races are attacking. The Warden and everyone else have left for the Gates.” The soldier said his piece and rushed out, “The entire route will be empty, but you need to hurry. Give them a time limit.”

…

Around the same time, Pinaka had arrived next to a pit, his gait quick but composed. He had disguised a clone as the messenger of the Ogre Gate to relay the news to the Warden.

By the time the soldier brought the news to the Warden, Pinaka had already arrived next to the pit where the Level 3 Dwarf lived. He surveyed the place, observing nothing but a cropped lawn filling the place. Farther away was a small hill range, with the tallest among them only reaching around 300 metres in height. Farther beyond it was another prison, with its surroundings covered by ash.

As Pinaka stood and strained his ears, he could hear the faint murmurs of the Dwarf within the pit. Roots stretched out of his feet and burrowed into the ground. They expanded deep and soon, caused open a small pit, enough for two people to stay inside.

Pinaka jumped in after leaving a clone on the ground. Once inside, he created a second clone and slowly extended its ears out. He made a mess a few times, but was eventually able to extend the ear canal out.

With that, the pit was closed with a lid, and its top was covered by grass resembling the surroundings. Amidst the perfect camouflage was the clone’s ear, slowly extending until it was able to peer into the pit. It was still hidden perfectly, and in this position, was able to fully hear whatever happened within the pit.

Once the preparations were ready, the Pinaka clone on the surface walked towards the edge of the pit. It had been granted two units of Control Factor.

[Spell: Root Glove]

“Hmm?” Fiddling around with a metal ladle was the Level 3 Dwarf, his moustache perking up as he lifted his head to see an Elf walking down the vertical cliff of the pit. ‘An Elf?’

‘Besides, those are metal walls.’ He thought in surprise, watching Pinaka land on the floor, ‘How is he walking down them?’

“Did you escape from your prison?” The Dwarf asked and then pointed to the top of the pit with his ladle, “Go whence you came from. I have no intention to help you.”

“I didn’t come here requesting help.” Pinaka coolly dusted his shoes and eyed the place, soon spotting a rusty armour scattered among one of the metal piles. He reverted his gaze to the Dwarf, “I heard you have fought against the Warden.”

“I need to know how strong he is before I kill him.” Said Pinaka with confidence. He had no intention of facing the Warden at the moment. He simply oozed confidence to make the Dwarf treat him with some respect.

Pinaka’s only intention at present was to gather information about the Warden’s abilities, so that he wouldn’t be caught off guard once he left the Elven Prison.

“You? Kill the Warden?” The Dwarf laughed boisterously as suddenly, a metal spike protruded out of the ground and targeted Pinaka’s head. It stopped a centimetre before the latter’s eye, beyond the latter’s reaction speed, “You simply aren’t capable.”

“You know,” Even though Pinaka couldn’t react to the attack, he had already prepared his nerves beforehand. Unflinching, he calmly tilted his head to the side and pointed at the metal walls of the pit, “On Earth, we have a famous quote for this scenario.”

He eyed the Dwarf and said in a tone of mockery, “A frog at the bottom of the well knows not the vastness of the ocean.”

“So many things are happening out there, and here you are, slacking…” A spearhead branched out from the spike and stabbed his shoulder, stopping him from speaking.

“Bloody root crawler,” The Dwarf snorted, “You dare mock me?”

“Yeah, I do. What of it?” Pinaka chuckled and calmly took a step forward, his face unflinching as the spear lodged deeper, “If you think you can kill me, go ahead. Protect your ego now and remain a loser for the rest of your pathetic existence licking the Warden’s feet.”

Pleading wouldn’t work against a Dwarf who was stubborn like a mule and, most of the time, didn’t listen to the other part. Hence, Pinaka started with an insult. He had no worries since the one dispatched into the pit was a clone.

If the clone got killed, he would send in another, maybe take a different, more forceful approach.

“You got my attention, root muncher.” The Dwarf didn’t retract the spear and instead condensed a Warhammer in his hands, “Speak your need.”

“A Level 3 Ogre is invading.” Pinaka said, “If you ever wish to kill the Warden, now is a good time.”

“Just one?” The Dwarf huffed grudgingly, “It’s suicide then.”

“Mind telling me his abilities?” Pinaka asked, “I can plan my action against him once I know him better.”

Sniff!

The Dwarf spat a mouthful of alcohol into the air and sniffed after a couple of seconds had passed. He stared at Pinaka to say, “You’re a Level 2 Elf.”

“Your scent is a stranger to me.” The Dwarf threw his Warhammer to the floor and retracted the metal spear. He then pointed at his eyes, “At Level 3, the eyes of a Human turn into Sun Stone. It grants them the ability to discharge all the heat within it in a single burst, in a concentrated form.”

“A laser,” Pinaka’s eyes widened in shock, “That’s terrifying.”

“Indeed,” The Dwarf nodded, “Among them, the Warden’s Range Factor is especially terrifying. I’ve seen him blast a target from over four kilometres away. This was more than a decade ago.”

“He’s stronger now.” The Dwarf slowly approached Pinaka, observed the latter and asked, “Tell me now.”

“Are you a just root-cruncher? Or something else?”

‘Is he able to sense what I am somehow?’ Pinaka thought but didn’t show any signs to acknowledge the fact, “I am an Elf.”

“Whatever,” The Dwarf didn’t seem interested. However, his behaviour had changed as he slowly walked towards the pool at the corner and sat on its edge. Using a ladle to scoop some water to quench his thirst, he extended it towards Pinaka, “Want some?”

“Sure,” Pinaka didn’t refuse the offer as he drank the water.

“I would offer you some ale, but you lot never drink it.” The Dwarf said, growing silent as he seemed to be thinking. After a few minutes, he eyed the silent Pinaka and asked, “Do you truly intend to fight the Warden?”

“Eventually,” Pinaka nodded.

“Are you confident despite the fact he burnt up the Elven King?” The Dwarf asked next.

‘So, it’s a test then.’ Even though he didn’t wish to reveal his abilities, Pinaka had to express his confidence here. Only then would the Dwarf indulge in him, “I witnessed that scene when I was within the World Tree’s embrace.”

“Are you confident?” The Dwarf asked next, his tone turning chilly.

“Not really,” Pinaka shook his head, “But I will get it done eventually.”

“Good,” The Dwarf huffed, extended his hand, and clenched it into a fist, condensing a metal key. There were faint lines across it, revealing the fact that the key had a series of interlocking parts that had been attached to form it.

“It’s one of my Living Armours,” The Dwarf said as he handed it to Pinaka, “If you bring it to the Dwarven Kingdom and present it to the King after reaching Level 3, you’ll be granted audience with our Race Authority.”

Metal Authority of Dwarves—Earthen Heart!

“Why…” Pinaka trailed off, unaware of what the Dwarf was hinting at.

“At Level 1, you borrow your Authority from your Race’s Authority and merely control it.” The Dwarf said, “At Level 2, you make the borrowed authority your own and now are able to Create it.”

“But at Level 3,” The Dwarf said solemnly as his beard flailed from his strong exhales, “You become a minor manifestation of the laws the Race Authority was based upon. In that realm,”

He continued in seriousness, “You don’t just wield your power, but instead, it becomes your tool to understand and relate to other authorities.”

“Any object that the Warden succeeds in infusing heat into becomes something he could control.” The Dwarf grunted in anger, “Whether it be a rock, a piece of wood, or…”

“Even a Living Armour.”

“What?” Pinaka was stunned by the revelation, “The Warden could do that?”

“His heat needs to first affect the target object. Level 3 Humans enjoy a severe advantage in this regard as they could get any object to its boiling point and subject it to their Control Authority.” Th Dwarf grumbled, “And the Warden is an expert of the craft. That’s why I have never managed to win against him.”

“You can’t win against him, not as you are now.” The Dwarf suddenly got up in a hurry, made Pinaka hold the metal key tightly and bade the latter to leave, “After the Elven Race was annihilated, we Dwarves have the most knowledge in regards to everything.”

“Head to my home, arm yourself with knowledge, and try to understand Metals through your Authority. And when you reach Level 3,” the Dward patted Pinaka on the shoulder, “Return here, and we’ll join hands to kill that bastard. I’ll be waiting in patience until then.”

“Now, go.” At his urging, Pinaka ran up the walls and reached the top. Once he had arrived, the Dwarf’s voice resounded in his ears, “If you wish to confide in someone about your speciality and seek wisdom, approach my brother, Ranabowen.”

“Tell him Dolonoquiem sent you. He will understand.” The Dwarf waved his hand as he watched Pinaka disappear from view. There was a smile on his face, ‘That scent, it’s a first.’

‘I smell both an Elf and a Dark Elf on him.’ He chuckled, ‘I don’t know he did it, but if anyone can break free from this place and return to free the Elves, it’s him.’

Tap! Tap! Tap!

A minute later, the temperature in the pit increased as all the plants withered. The Dwarf calmly sat on the pool’s edge and stared with absolute hatred, watching the Warden saunter in, “Has your conscience finally caught up to you?”

“Came to offer me your head, didn’tcha?”

Authors Notes: Gangnea Daily: A Level 3 Ogre can control as many Sky Boulders as their Control Factor. The same held true for a Level 3 Dwarf’s Living Armour.

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