CHAPTER 20

The Empire’s Fortress (1)

“Shield!”

Ernolf couldn’t just stand and watch. As Khazar jumped down into the black smoke, Ernolf quickly put a shield around him. Right after, Khazar disappeared inside the dark fog.

The black smoke from the dark wizards spread like a thick cloud, filling the area. Ernolf held his breath and watched.

‘Khazar, come back if it’s too dangerous!’

The enemy’s magic had an evil aura. Khazar wasn’t yet strong enough to fight that. Ernolf prayed for his friend’s safe return.

“Ahhh!”

Suddenly, someone screamed, and one of the dark wizards fell from the cliff.

Ernolf used magic to look through the smoke and saw Khazar fighting. Khazar’s aura blade broke through the enemy’s shield and hit his shoulder. When the enemy lost his grip, Ernolf reached out.

“Fire Arrow! Shield!”

He quickly cast two spells. Though the spells were low-level, Ernolf’s talent made them very strong.

“Gyaaah!”

The fire arrow pierced the wizard’s wrist and cut it off.

At the same time, another black beam came at Khazar from behind. Ernolf’s shield blocked it just in time, causing an explosion.

‘You jerk!’

Khazar grabbed a rock with one hand, spun his body, and broke the enemy’s neck using his legs.

Crack!

The second enemy fell off the cliff. Two out of seven enemies were now out of the fight.

Ernolf touched the cliff and started preparing a powerful earth spell. It needed time and mana.

Just then, a terrible energy approached him.

‘What—?!’

A big hand came at Ernolf’s chest—it was Belligon! He had quickly climbed up and attacked Ernolf.

“Tiri!”

Khazar threw a dagger at Belligon.

Clang!

The dagger hit Belligon’s hand, making his aim go off. Still, Belligon grabbed Ernolf’s wrist tightly.

“Aaargh!”

Ernolf screamed in pain as his wrist bones felt like they were breaking.

“Heh! You haven’t opened the God’s Library yet!”

Seeing that the Beast King’s Heart was still black, Belligon laughed.

“That thing was never meant for you!”

Black smoke came from Belligon’s hand and flowed into Ernolf’s arm.

“Uaaah!”

Ernolf’s arm was being eaten by death magic.

“Tiri!”

Khazar sent a powerful crescent-shaped aura blade at Belligon’s arm.

At the same time, Ernolf finished his spell.

‘Rock Buster!’

Cracks spread from where Ernolf was touching the cliff. Big chunks of rock broke off and fell.

“Uwahhh!”

The enemy wizards hanging on the cliff panicked.

Even though both healers and dark wizards use life-based magic, dark wizards twist it for killing. Ernolf’s magic was stronger.

The enemies began falling like leaves.

“Aaargh!”

Some fell and died, others got hit by flying rocks. Their shields were useless now.

Belligon lost balance as well.

Khazar saw the chance.

“Here goes!”

He jumped, grabbed Ernolf, and flew into a small gap in the rocks.

It was just big enough for one skinny person—perfect for them.

“You okay?”

Khazar checked Ernolf. His arm was black from Belligon’s magic.

“Damn it…”

“I’m fine. I can hold on,” Ernolf said weakly.

Just then, Belligon appeared, blocking the only way out. It became dark.

Swoosh!

Khazar used aura. Ernolf cast a shield. The aura scratched Belligon’s face.

“Is that guy human? His skin’s like armor!”

“We can’t win. Don’t go, Khazar,” Ernolf warned.

Their attacks weren’t working. Ernolf decided they needed to escape.

“Let’s go deeper.”

“Trying to outlast him in here?”

They couldn’t stay long—Belligon’s evil energy was draining their strength.

–“Look there.”

Ernolf pointed with his eyes. A mossy cave entrance was deep inside the crack.

“Poison Mist!”

Belligon sent black poison fog into the crack. Ernolf’s shield began to melt.

“Let’s move.”

“Why are you going first? Carry me.”

Ernolf hugged Khazar’s neck. Khazar piggybacked him and moved along the cliff wall.

Crash! Rumble…

Belligon started smashing the rock opening with his hands.

“You rats! Stop right there!”

The gap was too small for Belligon. He couldn’t get in.

Ernolf kept using shield magic to block the poison fog as they moved.

“Just a little more. Almost there!”

Khazar reached toward the cave.

“Death Spear!”

A black spear came flying at them. It broke through the shield and aimed for Ernolf’s chest.

“Fire Lance!”

Ernolf shot a flaming spear. It hit the Death Spear. Both exploded.

But some dark energy still hit them.

‘Just a bit more…’

Khazar tried to grab a rock by the cave to toss Ernolf inside.

He couldn’t reach.

Then suddenly, a green hand grabbed his wrist.

“Kou! Qua kou!”

Loud goblin voices followed.

‘No way!’

Khazar realized who it was and flipped his body. He threw Ernolf into the cave.

“Whoa!”

Ernolf landed on his butt and looked up.

“Khazar…”

He saw green goblins staring at them with glowing yellow eyes.

“Do those look like goblins to you?”

Khazar looked. The goblins’ eyes widened.

“Kia-ro! Kia-ro!” (Hero! Hero!)

They stomped and shouted loudly.

Khazar sighed and gestured for them to calm down.

“Hoo…”

Ernolf’s eyes lit up.

“Wow. I thought you were a loner, but you actually have friends!”

“What are you talking about!”

Khazar yelled, and the goblins went quiet.

Then they heard Belligon smashing more rocks.

“Kou!”

One goblin waved at them to follow. Ernolf smiled and stood up.

“Abandoned ruins often become monster homes.”

“No, they’re not from here…”

“We’re visiting your friend’s house now. I should’ve brought a gift.”

Ernolf brushed off his clothes and straightened them like he was visiting someone’s house.

“Shall we go?”

“They’re not my friends!”

Ernolf ignored him and followed the goblins, even saying politely:

“Excuse us.”