Solo Max-Level Newbie - Chapter 373: The Black Hill Tribe 'Tarachen' (1)

“A seal only given to bosses?”

“Yeah, it’s that thing… uh…”

Alice trailed off, her words suddenly cut short as if something was blocking her speech.

Jinhyuk had seen this phenomenon before.

*‘The Lake of the Moon.’*

It was a symptom that occurred when the system forcefully intervened to prevent players and residents from sharing information they weren’t meant to know.

*So, there are things we aren’t supposed to learn about each other.*

He didn’t understand the exact reason behind it, but one thing was certain: Alice’s words weren’t baseless.

In fact, Dark Elves and Vampires had long maintained close ties. Their high intelligence, excessive pride, and affinity with the darkness element made them natural allies.

*This is getting interesting.*

Jinhyuk felt a shiver run through his body as his instincts awakened.

He had to choose the third card.

“I trust you, Alice.”

He stretched out his finger and tapped the card on the far right.

[You have selected your reward.]

The inscriptions on the card disintegrated into tiny fragments.

*Please…*

Jinhyuk clenched his fist tightly.

And then—

*Ding!*

The long-awaited reward appeared.

—

[You have obtained the unique ability, ‘Phase 2’!]

**[Phase 2]**
– **Difficulty of Acquisition:** Unmeasurable
– **Effect:** A rare ability possessed only by a handful of boss monsters in the Tower. Temporarily transforms the body, increasing all stats and skill levels by 50% for three minutes.

—

This… was incredible.

Jinhyuk froze, his mouth agape.

This was an ability he had never been able to obtain, even during his earlier climb through the Tower of Trials.

“Alice.”

“Yes?”

“Well done.”

“Huh… well done? Me?”

Alice blinked, her expression bewildered as if she didn’t fully grasp what she had accomplished.

“Hehe. So, I did better than that dumb saintess and that blue-haired fool, right? Right?”

“Yeah. For once, I think you’re actually worth the food I give you.”

Jinhyuk smiled warmly.

This was the joy of traveling with companions.

—

The ‘Black Hill Tribe,’ made up of orcs.
The ‘Red Giants,’ an alliance of Dark Elves.
The ‘Great Wing,’ a cult of wraiths and cursed undead.

These were the three major factions on the 20th floor.

And Jinhyuk was now heading toward the heart of the Black Hill Tribe’s territory.

He walked with a light step, humming a cheerful tune.

“Dammit. How can you be in such a good mood? Can’t you take this seriously? This is the 20th floor, for crying out loud!”

Chun Yoosung snapped, clearly annoyed by Jinhyuk’s carefree attitude.

It was understandable—after all, they were venturing into the domain of a powerful orc tribe with just the two of them.

For Chun Yoosung, the 20th floor held a personal grudge. It was a floor he had once failed to conquer, no matter how hard he fought.

*No wonder he’s been training obsessively every chance he gets.*

Every spare moment, Chun Yoosung would swing his sword or polish his techniques. It was almost… pitiful.

*…Not really. If I let my guard down even for a second, he’ll stab me in the back.*

In fact, the stronger he became, the more restless he grew, eager for another challenge.

*It’s about time I put him in his place.*

This was the reason Jinhyuk insisted on going with just the two of them—tailor-made training.

But outwardly, Jinhyuk maintained his nonchalant demeanor.

“Come on, enjoy the scenery. Feel the sunlight. It’s not every day you get to relax like this.”

“Enjoy the scenery? Are you insane? This is prime hunting time for orcs. It wouldn’t be surprising if we ran into them any second!”

“Well, you’re not wrong.”

“And yet, we could have gotten here faster if you hadn’t wasted so much time! What were you doing back there?”

Before they departed, Jinhyuk had sent the earth spirit, Gnome, to deliver a message to someone on the lower floors. The back-and-forth communication had delayed their arrival, and now they were venturing into the orc territory during the most dangerous time of day.

No wonder Chun Yoosung was fuming.

“You know, you have a great voice, Yoosung. You should consider becoming a singer. Maybe try rock?”

“Argh! Can you at least listen when someone talks to you—?”

Just then—

*Rustle.*

Both Jinhyuk and Chun Yoosung stopped in their tracks, their senses on high alert.

There was movement in the bushes.

“…Did you hear that?”

“Damn it. Nothing good ever happens when I’m with you. How do you always find the worst possible situations?”

Though it was hard to pinpoint the exact number, it was clear that they were surrounded.

*Swish!*

Both drew their swords in an instant.

And soon—

“Growl…”

“So, you noticed us, human.”

“You’ve got sharp senses, I’ll give you that.”

One by one, orcs with black skin emerged from the shadows. Their hulking, muscular bodies were adorned with tusks and gleaming yellow eyes.

They were armed with sharp glaives and shields—clearly not your average orcs.

These orcs were at least three times the size of regular ones.

*These are the strongest orcs in the Tower.*

Numerous, fearless, and exceptionally skilled in battle.

This was precisely why Jinhyuk had come here first.

A sly grin spread across his face.

“You’re smiling? Now, of all times?”

“Brave human. Do you think conquering the Gray Forest makes us weak?”

“Silence. I’ll handle this.”

The apparent leader of the orcs stepped forward, twirling his glaive.

“Oh? So you know about us taking the forest? I didn’t expect orcs to be this well-informed.”

“Don’t underestimate the Black Hill Tribe’s intelligence. We’ve already gathered plenty of information about the Veteran Corporation. You may be strong… but coming here alone was a mistake.”

The orcs began preparing for battle, their sharp weapons gleaming under the light.

But Jinhyuk just shrugged, seemingly unfazed.

“If you attack us now, you’ll regret it. I came here with information that could help you.”

“Information? Hah! Our tribe’s policy is to respond to outsiders with death, especially humans.”

“That’s a shame. I was going to tell you how to hold onto the ‘Sanctuary of Sin.’ You do know you can’t keep it without securing a proper supply route, right?”

The leader’s glaive halted mid-thrust.

“How do you know… that we attacked the sanctuary?”

“Who knows? Maybe I just do.”

Jinhyuk’s grin deepened.

“Look, let’s skip the clichés. No need to threaten me with skinning and torture. Let’s just have a constructive conversation, shall we?”

“…What do you want?”

“Take me to your chieftain. I need to speak with him directly.”

“You want to meet our chieftain? Ha! You must be out of your mind.”

The orc laughed loudly, but Jinhyuk remained unfazed.

“Important matters can’t be discussed with underlings. You understand, right?”

“Hmm. You’re no ordinary human… Fine. The chieftain might enjoy meeting someone like you.”

The glaive lowered slightly. Though they hadn’t completely dropped their guard, the hostility eased.

“Alright. But if you waste our time, you won’t leave here alive.”

The other orcs murmured in concern, but the leader silenced them with a gesture.

“I’ll take responsibility. If his information helps us keep the sanctuary, it’s worth it. If not, we can just kill him.”

It was a win-win situation.

—

The Black Hill Tribe’s stronghold was built atop a massive obsidian hill.

“It’s always impressive, no matter how many times I see it,” Jinhyuk muttered in admiration.

Countless tents lined the steep slopes, and at the heart of the settlement—

“…”

A towering orc with rippling muscles stood waiting.

*Tarachen.*

The legendary monster who had led the Black Hill Tribe for nine years and forged countless myths.

Chun Yoosung clenched his teeth so hard they seemed ready to crack.

*I’ve never seen him this tense before.*

The pain of his past defeat—and his desire to finally overcome it—were written all over his face.

“Are these the ones, Baktur?”

“Yes, Chieftain. As I mentioned, they insisted on speaking only with you.”

“Hmm…”

Tarachen planted his glaive into the ground with a heavy thud.

*Thud!*

The massive weapon buried itself deep into the earth.

“Human. Do you know who I am?”

“Roughly. You’re the strongest orc here, right?”

Tarachen’s lips twitched at Jinhyuk’s nonchalant response.

“Interesting… You seem quite relaxed, even with so many warriors around you.”

The chieftain’s elite guards radiated a deadly aura, and countless soldiers waited behind them.

Yet Jinhyuk remained unfazed.

“Thanks for the compliment. I get that a lot.”

“So… do you still think we’re going to have a conversation?”

“No.”

Tarachen shook his head.

“I’ve met plenty of smooth talkers like you. If your plan is worth anything, prove it with your strength.”

Among orcs, only the strong had the right to lead—and to survive.

“Groaaaar!”

“Raaagh!”

Two elite orcs charged simultaneously.

“Block the first strike. I’ll finish this quickly.”

“Tch. Fine.”

Jinhyuk and Chun Yoosung positioned themselves to fight side by side—well, that was the plan.

“Y-you bastard!”

Jinhyuk suddenly left everything to Chun Yoosung.

“Sorry, buddy. Just handle these small fry for me, okay? I believe in you, Sword Saint.”

*Clang! Clang! Clang!*

While Chun Yoosung clashed with the elites, Jinhyuk darted toward Tarachen.

*Tap.*

Engaging with the lesser foes would only give his opponent the upper hand.

“You seem to enjoy testing others. Let’s see how you handle this.”

Jinhyuk raised Barnard high, a soft blue glow spreading along the blade.

“Hah! What do you think you can do with that toothpick of yours?”

Tarachen didn’t even bother drawing his glaive.

But that changed in an instant.

*Boom!*

The glaive shot up like lightning, colliding head-on with Barnard.

Sparks exploded from the impact, and Tarachen was pushed back several meters.

“I also enjoy playing with those who think they’re strong.”

*Vrrrm!*

Jinhyuk began releasing his full power, his mana surging like a storm.