Chapter 41 : The Fall of Katarlos

The Hidden Mission on the 13th Floor.

It was to defeat the Destroyer Katarlos and the Orc Legion.

Katarlos was the ruler of this area.

The power he gained from fruits imbued with magic was unmatched by anyone on the 13th floor.

They suddenly appeared in the peaceful orchard and quickly conquered the 13th floor.

The orc horde that drove out the previous boss monster.

Because of them, countless beasts were slaughtered.

Ruthless violence.

The new owner of the orchard solved everything through brute force.

As a result, most left the 13th floor in search of a new base.

All the Rarun who managed the garden, raised the guards—they all fled.

But the Rarun were caught by the strict orcs and couldn’t escape.

The orchard’s core labor force was completely captured.

Eventually, the Rarun became slaves, forced to meet daily quotas.

Even the slightest rest meant being mercilessly beaten again.

Their sleeping time was controlled, their freedom stripped away.

So when the mysterious gate appeared, the Daejang Laroon moved covertly to escape the orcs’ watchful eyes.

They planned to establish a new base where the sweet scent lingered.

Passing through the gate, the place they arrived at was truly peaceful.

The sunlight was warm, the breeze cool.

This was the perfect place for everyone to live happily.

One by one, they crossed the gate, evading the orcs’ eyes.

Finally, they could escape their grueling slave life.

As they looked around, suddenly a brown dog appeared!

Bow bow!

It ran eagerly with short legs but escaping was impossible.

How could a Rarun run away from a dog?

Eventually, the Daejang Laroon was caught.

Covered in saliva, he was trapped.

There was no escape.

Was this how he was going to die?

Panicked and struggling, it was then that the dog’s owner appeared.

A kind person radiating a gentle aura.

It was the first time seeing such a fruit, and the owner greeted them while offering it.

Soft and fragrant yellow fruit.

The moment it entered the mouth, sweet juice burst forth.

Was there such a delicious thing?

It felt like flying through the sky.

Who knew such fruit existed?

I want to eat it again.

Slowly savor it, filling my cheeks.

But I can’t just receive gifts like this.

So, to help expand the new orchard, I handed over an apple I brought.

In Rarun’s code, you must repay gifts received.

Just in case, I’d keep the seeds separately later.

“Where are you from?”

Suddenly, a man appeared, asking where they had come from.

He pointed to the gate with his finger.

“We came from there,” I answered, “but don’t ever cross it.”

He nodded in response.

Ku-u kuuu!

That should have been enough to understand, right?

But then.

“Hey guys, come here.”

Instead, he called over other beasts and prepared to cross the gate himself.

One human, four beasts.

We must stop them.

Orc Legion leader Katarlos showed no mercy.

If our identities were revealed?

They would be captured and forced into the same fate as us.

But before we could stop them, they passed through the gate.

Ku-u kuuu.

We hurriedly chased after them.

“Let’s go back quickly. This place is too dangerous.”

At that moment, it was too late.

We were caught by the orc guards.

It was all my fault.

I should have stopped them for sure.

Clenching my eyes shut, I blocked the way.

“I’ll buy us some time. Everyone, return to where you came from.”

They’re about to come for me now, right?

My body trembled with fear.

Whipping through the wind, a lash of pain wrapped around my entire body.

It already hurt from the start.

No part of me was left unscathed.

This time, I might really die.

But the feared moment did not come.

Instead—

Bbyak!

Bbyak’s wings spread wide, suddenly burst into flames!

***

“Guaaah.”

In the blink of an eye, the orc guard collapsed, scorched and burned.

He was one of Katarlos’s prized subordinates.

Ranked around 15th in the hierarchy.

He had been rushing forward until just a minute ago.

“Good job, Bbyak.”

When capturing guys like these, Bbyak is simply the best.

The justice beast, the Phoenix.

A hero who catches villains.

Watching this scene, the Rarun cheered.

They jumped excitedly in place.

It was truly satisfying.

Seeing the orc that had tormented their friends collapse in flames was a glorious sight.

Ku-u kuu!

Ku-uu!

Only, the expression on Woo min’s face watching this was not good.

He looked pitiful, seeing someone rejoice despite wearing such heavy shackles.

Let’s free them first.

Somi, you know that, right?

Bbiee.

The all-purpose key.

The shackles that had suppressed the Rarun, made of crude iron chains, were all unlocked.

Finally free, the Rarun tossed off the heavy shackles and ran around like they were flying.

How dare Katarlos torment such adorable Rarun?

Unforgivable.

“First, catch all of them!”

No matter where the leader is hiding, it doesn’t matter.

Look over there.

He’s hitting one of the guards and driving them back.

Typical third-rate villains.

What should we do?

What’s so hard about it?

Just catch them all.

As long as a few stay conscious, they’ll spill the leader’s location eventually, right?

At my command, Bbyak and Toto were ready.

Our combat team.

A fifth-rank beast each.

Toto, master of speed, moved first.

He transformed into a yellow fox.

Pachi pachi—

He flicked away the rushing orc warriors, painting them yellow.

Bbyak wasn’t about to be outdone.

She flew into the sky, scattering red flames.

In the end.

Guaaah……

All the rushing orc warriors were defeated.

Of course, leaving out a few here and there.

“Where’s your leader?”

Bbyak.

Despite the threatening pressure, the orc soldiers shook their heads.

Apparently, they had a strong will.

Still, that means there’s a warrior’s pride.

Ugh, can’t be helped.

We had hoped to resolve this peacefully.

“Toto.”

Pachi!

Though it’s not a pleasant aroma, there was no other way.

To get them to talk, this was the best method.

Toto’s electric torture.

Yellow sparks began crawling up.

Ready.

When Toto grabbed an orc soldier’s hand—

Pazizjik—

Strong electricity surged through the entire body.

No matter how strong their spirit, no warrior could endure this.

After all, it’s one of the worst tortures.

Even watching, it made my whole body feel numb.

Guuu.

The blackened orc soldier remained silent.

What did you say?

“Maybe he lost consciousness?”

None of my business.

Did he endure with a strong warrior spirit?

They were okay tormenting other beasts but couldn’t endure this?

If you want to hurt others, you must know you’ll get hurt too.

I couldn’t be lenient.

“Toto, maximum output.”

Pazizjik.

Aaaah. Aaah.

The soldier writhed in unbearable pain.

But.

Sorry.

Honestly, I don’t know what he was saying.

Toto.

Just keep shocking him.

Pazijik—

Eventually, the soldier completely lost consciousness.

Then, the next victim.

Guaaah! Guuak.

It was urgent.

Trying hard to explain something.

But he still had to taste the electric shock.

Where do you think you’re going?

Pazizjik—

Guaaaah! Guuak!

Phew.

Watching made me more exhausted than the victims.

Only one remained.

How to deal with this one?

“Should we fry him, Toto? Or maybe roast him? Bbyak, come here.”

Bbyak perched on my shoulder.

Well then, shall we give our teacher a chance?

“Do you want right side, or left side?”

“Mom or dad? That’s a harder question.”

If you pick the right side, you’ll feel burning agony all over your body.

What about the other side?

Electric torture is the same.

No choice at all.

They’re basically ordering us to kill him.

Guaaah.

Eventually, the orc burst into tears.

The words of a hideous villain, fittingly.

No matter how strong the warrior was, in front of Bbyak and Toto, he was just a tiny child.

“Now, lead us to the leader.”

This was the final chance.

Instead of enduring searing flame torture and paralyzing electric torture, betraying Katarlos was a thousand times better.

No, a thousand times better than that.

Suddenly standing up, the orc spilled the location of the leader without any hesitation.

“That guy is Katarlos?”

Guaaah.

Following the orc soldier, we arrived to find an extraordinary monster sitting there.

Next to him lay a large halberd, and he wore heavy steel armor.

Let’s see.

What should we do?

Just catch him?

No.

That’s too boring.

We can’t just defeat a villain like that.

We have to do it in the coolest and most heroic way.

In front of everyone, let’s take him down.

Good. It’s decided.

Kicking the gate of the warehouse hard, Bbyak screamed.

Bbyak-bbyak!

“You’re gonna get a lesson!”

***

Katarlos wore a stunned expression.

The imposing look was gone, and he just gaped at Bbyak.

The red bird, as if it could burst into flames at any moment.

A Phoenix!

Maybe the others didn’t realize it, but it was clear.

The owner of a great beast.

One of the four great beasts.

Each one a Vermilion Bird or Phoenix.

The Black Tortoise, White Tiger, and Azure Dragon.

They were called the Four Great Beasts.

Their latent power was on a different level compared to ordinary beings.

Even a baby Phoenix could annihilate most floor rulers in an instant.

Normally, the best option would be to run like crazy now.

But Katarlos was different.

He was confident.

How much magic fruit had he consumed?

So much that he couldn’t even count.

This was enough to face a Phoenix chick.

If he devoured that bird, he would become a new ruler beyond species.

Kuaaargh!

Katarlos, the orc chief, let out a wild roar and charged, gripping his halberd.

He was the fastest opponent we had faced so far.

How could such a huge body move so fast?

Wielding a halberd over 2 meters long like a bamboo staff.

A powerful gust of wind was generated.

Just a brush from it would be lethal.

Even the Phoenix wasn’t safe from such an attack.

Especially a young chick whose form was still developing.

Destroyer Katarlos was indeed powerful.

Even standing at the top of the orc hierarchy, he was formidable.

My calculations weren’t wrong.

No matter how powerful a Phoenix was, a chick this age was manageable.

That is, if it were an ordinary Phoenix.

Who was Bbyak?

Already a Phoenix who had awakened one level higher.

No one of the same age was stronger than Bbyak.

Bbyak-bbyak!

Ducking quickly, Bbyak dodged Katarlos’s attack and spread her wings wide.

Then, flying low, she slipped between his legs.

Completely catching him off guard.

Bbyak!

Katarlos panicked and turned to defend himself.

But.

Hwarrurur—

It was already too late.

Bbyak’s flames engulfed Katarlos’s entire body.

[The Destroyer Katarlos, ruler of the 13th floor, has been defeated.]

[Ownership of the magic-rich orchard has been transferred.]

[You have become the new ruler of the 13th floor.]

At the same time, a message notifying mission success appeared.

Moreover,

[Additional reward obtained.]

[Golden Apple acquired.]

An additional reward had arrived.

A golden apple.

Just the name sounded extraordinary!