Solo Max-Level Newbie - Chapter 374: The Black Hill Tribe 'Tarachen' (2)

*Crack!*

A deep fissure opened in the ground from the shockwave.

The force behind the blows was monstrous—there was no other way to describe it.

When no decisive outcome emerged, Tarachen furiously swung his glaive again.

*Boom!*

*Bang!*

The ground trembled with each thunderous impact.

However, the one faltering was not Jinhyuk—it was Tarachen.

“Urgh!”

The balance in Tarachen’s stance wavered, revealing more and more openings.

*How is this possible… How can such a small dagger wield such absurd destructive power?*

Even with all his strength, his massive glaive had been easily blocked by his opponent.

“You are strong, no doubt about that. You certainly deserve your reputation as the mightiest among orcs.”

Jinhyuk let out a low whistle, impressed.

“You dare… act so nonchalant before me?”

Tarachen lifted his glaive high.

At that moment—

*Vroooom!*

Green energy spiraled, condensing into a swirling vortex.

—

[Tarachen has activated the unique ability, ‘Inheritance of Annihilation’.]

—

This ability allowed him to summon the souls of his ancestors, which was why Tarachen stood far above the other orcs.

*Rumble…*

Transparent auras rose from the ground and flowed into Tarachen’s body.

Even his mana signature changed, growing more powerful by the second.

—

[Copy Condition: You can copy Tarachen’s unique ability if you become an orc and his successor.]

—

Naturally, Jinhyuk had no intention of switching his race just to obtain this ability.

And, in any case, his objective wasn’t to kill Tarachen or steal his powers.

*I just need to fight him enough to form an alliance.*

It was coming.

Jinhyuk tracked the path of the glaive aimed at his upper right.

He could dodge it easily, but if he wanted to gain Tarachen’s acknowledgment…

—

[Activating the unique ability, ‘Tombgrave’s Right Arm’.]

—

Jinhyuk’s right arm, gripping Barnard, transformed.

*Boom!*

The clash was deafening, as if the world itself were splitting apart.

Two weapons collided at a single point, unleashing an explosion of force.

—

*Boom! Boom! Boom!*

Both Jinhyuk and Tarachen were driven into the ground, their feet sinking into the earth.

Dust billowed around them, obscuring everything from view.

The tremor in Jinhyuk’s hands showed just how intense the clash had been.

*He’s strong…*

Tarachen pressed his lips together tightly.

He hadn’t underestimated his opponent, yet he still couldn’t gain the upper hand.

Even the orcs who had been snickering earlier were now silent, their laughter wiped away.

The battle unfolding before them far exceeded anything they had imagined.

This was not some evasive, dodging duel—it was a raw contest of strength, a brutal clash of wills.

Even after releasing his unique ability, Tarachen found himself in a deadlock.

“How can a mere human endure the chieftain’s full-strength glaive?”

“That other human is no joke either. He’s fighting two of the elite guards by himself!”

Murmurs spread among the orcs.

*Good. The introductions are done.*

Jinhyuk withdrew the mana from Barnard.

“What’s this? The fight’s not over yet.”

“It’s true. But what’s the point of continuing? We’ve already proven our strength to each other.”

Jinhyuk gave Tarachen a reason to save face while leaving room for negotiation.

If the fight dragged on, it would turn into a battle to the death—a result neither of them wanted.

*Now is the time to end this.*

However—

“You humans always do this. Using clever words to try and manipulate us into compromise.”

Tarachen’s eyes gleamed, his pride wounded. His aura grew sharper, more hostile.

“I’m not trying to manipulate you… I just want to avoid an unnecessary fight.”

“Once a weapon is drawn, blood must be spilled. That is our tribe’s law.”

It was almost amusing to apply concepts like honor to a monster, but the orcs were different. They prided themselves on their honor, especially the Black Hill Tribe.

*I knew it. Holding back only makes things worse with them.*

Jinhyuk clicked his tongue in frustration.

*Boom!*

Tarachen launched himself forward, his eyes blazing red.

Jinhyuk rolled to the side, narrowly evading the attack. Tarachen immediately gave chase, but Jinhyuk quickened his pace, widening the distance between them.

“Need help? You look like you’re struggling.”

Chun Yoosung called out mockingly.

The problem with Chun Yoosung was that any small success went straight to his head.

“Don’t get too comfortable. Those orcs won’t back down just because you beat a few.”

Right on cue—

*Boom!*

*Thud!*

More elite guards swarmed Chun Yoosung.

If two guards weren’t enough, they sent ten. And if ten weren’t enough, they would send the entire squad.

“Dammit!”

“I told you to keep quiet and just watch.”

Jinhyuk shook his head, amused.

Pretending to be cool had only brought more trouble upon Chun Yoosung.

The sounds of metal clashing filled the air as the orcs pressed their assault.

Killing them wasn’t an option, not if Jinhyuk wanted to negotiate. But holding back wasn’t working either—their relentless attacks were becoming a real nuisance.

“We can’t keep fighting like this! We’ll wear ourselves out!” Chun Yoosung shouted, veins bulging in his neck.

Even Baktur, the captain of the elite guards, joined the fray, leaving Chun Yoosung in a desperate struggle.

Of course, Jinhyuk had no intention of letting things go on like this forever. He had anticipated this situation and prepared a trump card.

“Sorry, no bright ideas yet. Just hang in there. Something might come to me.”

He smirked, enjoying Chun Yoosung’s frustration.

“You… You’re messing with me, aren’t you?”

“Probably. Just wait a bit longer. The odds will shift in our favor soon.”

Jinhyuk averted his gaze innocently, leaving Chun Yoosung no choice but to keep fighting.

—

Time passed.

“Hah… Hah… Damn it…”

Chun Yoosung staggered, drenched in sweat, his breath ragged.

He had teetered on the edge of consciousness several times.

“I… I can’t move… anymore…”

At that moment—

*Tap.*

Jinhyuk appeared beside him, patting his shoulder.

“Already tired?”

“You…! Are you seriously saying that right now?”

“You used to act like you could take on an army of orcs single-handedly.”

“If I die here, I swear I’ll take you down with me.”

Chun Yoosung’s face twisted with fury.

Jinhyuk decided he had teased him enough. It was time to act.

*Now, let’s get things started.*

Jinhyuk reached into his dimensional space and retrieved a new item.

—

[Activating ‘Cord of Shared Belief’.]

—

A massive gate materialized before them, radiating immense power.

—

**Honor.**

To the orcs, it was everything. They lived and died by it, dedicating their lives to the honor of their tribe.

This was why orcs distrusted humans, who could easily betray their values for personal gain.

But what if…

What if these humans were aligned with others who held the same beliefs as the orcs?

The answer was clear.

*Boom!*

Through the gate, a group of blue-skinned warriors emerged.

They were trolls, bearing long tusks—creatures just as fearsome as the orcs.

Though they hailed from lower floors, their presence was no less significant.

“We heard through Gnome that you need our help.”

At the forefront stood Karakal, the chieftain of the Frostblade Tribe.

Two tusked races now faced each other on the obsidian hill.

“…!?”

For the first time, Tarachen froze, his rage subsiding.

“That banner… How did they get here?”

The orcs whispered among themselves, stunned by the arrival of the Frostblade Tribe.

“Karakal…”

Tarachen spoke slowly.

“It’s been a long time, Tarachen. Since the Tribal Wars, if I recall.”

“Why are you siding with humans?”

“I owe them a debt. One I can never repay.”

Karakal’s words silenced the orcs.

“If you intend to harm him, you’ll have to go through all of us.”

“Raaagh!”

The trolls raised their weapons, their battle cries shaking the air.

Though fewer in number, their determination was unyielding.

“Perhaps… this human is not like the others.”

Tarachen planted his glaive into the ground.

“The fight is over. Lead the humans and Karakal to my tent.”

—

With the negotiations finally underway, the outcome of the 20th floor would soon be decided.

“Phew. That went well, didn’t it?” Jinhyuk grinned.

“You… You planned this all along, didn’t you?” Chun Yoosung growled.

“If you’d brought the trolls earlier, I wouldn’t have had to fight for my life!”

“Come on, it all worked out in the end. Why sweat the small stuff?”

“Small stuff!? You—!”

“Oh, they’re calling us. Time to go!”

With a mischievous smile, Jinhyuk jogged toward Tarachen’s tent.