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nAli scratched her cheek.

n“You ask me if I know them; I’d rather ask you! They clearly came for you.”

nUndoubtedly, this was a classic case of deflecting responsibility.

nAlthough Ali was unaware of Gick’s specific intentions, the cloaked figures’ relentless pursuit of her life indicated that Gick certainly marked her as a target, likely a priority second only to whatever was hidden within the subhuman village.

nSuddenly, Ali thought of the deep red wolf head in the cabin.

nAccording to Jelia’s later explanation, it was undoubtedly an orc legacy.

nCould that be Gick’s target?

nAli pondered for a moment, her thoughts spinning in her head, yet ultimately, she chose not to voice her speculation.

nIt seemed wiser not to get entangled in these mysterious affairs.

nShe had been dragged into this mess and thought escaping and striking Gick a vicious blow on her way out would suffice.

nGetting more involved meant losing control over her own extraction.

n“We? How would we know what these ‘civilized people’ are up to? They kill and set fires; we know nothing at all!” Rudo scoffed, brandishing his knife.

n“There will soon be big trouble here. If you don’t want to die a senseless death, it’s best you leave now.”

n“Leave? Leave?!”

nAli’s expression changed, as if she heard a joke, then turned fierce.

n“I was attacked, and you suggest I just scurry away with my tail between my legs! Do you think I’m a half-orc? I’m leaving my words here! I will find out who’s behind those cloaked attackers and strike them hard with my blade!”

nWith a spit, Ali touched the corner of her mouth, her gaze landing on Rudo’s face: “Given your current situation, I doubt you’re in the mood to talk about cooperation. But if you come across any intelligence, I hope you’ll let me know. If we find the one pulling the strings behind the scenes, I won’t mind lending a hand.”

n“Of course, the same goes the other way.”

nThis was not an alliance of interests, merely two individuals fueled by rage coming together.

nRudo pondered for a moment.

nUltimately, the decision to act still rested in his own hands.

nA verbal agreement like this held no substantive significance, so he simply nodded.

n“If you’re looking to get involved, and you’re not worried about getting stuck in the mess…”

nBy this point, the warning was clear.

nIf Ali still insisted on taking action, Rudo had neither the means nor the stance to stop her.

n“By the way, your companion… how is she?”

nRudo remembered the way Ali had approached him, honestly thinking at that moment he was facing the fierce beast from his memories.

nEyes blood-red, capable of tearing everything apart.

n“You mean Jelia?”

nMentioning the young girl, an odd expression crossed Ali’s face. .𝒎

nAlthough Jelia had explained the situation within the legacy space, Ali could tell there were many omissions in her story.

nBut she hadn’t pressed Jelia for more, just as she kept her own secrets from Jelia.

nShe trusted Jelia’s judgment, believing she had made the right decisions.

nYet, even so, she couldn’t understand how Jelia, a young girl with virtually no combat ability, managed to escape on her own and even successfully entice a fighter to join her.

n“She’s doing fine; I’ve found her. Her disappearance was just a little girl’s mischief,” Ali waved off, signaling the end of that topic, preparing to leave.

nHowever, before departing, she felt compelled to share some information with the half-orcs.

n“About those attackers, there’s something I need to say.”

nThis statement indeed captured the attention of all the half-orcs present.

nFacing those pairs of eyes, each of a different hue but all burning with a similar flame of anger, Ali couldn’t help feeling slightly uneasy.

n“The attackers are strong! Among those I’ve encountered, there was one level 2 magus and several level 3 magi. The ones who died were level 3 magi, meaning the enemy still has at least one level 2 magus and multiple level 3 magi at their disposal. If it’s not necessary, it’s best not to act alone, or you stand no chance.”

nAre half-orcs strong?

nThe answer is unequivocally yes.

nThis much is evident from the number of personnel Gick has deployed.

nA force capable of waging a localized war, yet only to confront a village of half-orcs.

nEven if the half-orcs in this village are somewhat unique, it still indirectly showcases the formidable nature of half-orcs.

nAn adult half-orc’s combat ability is roughly equivalent to a newly initiated preparatory-level magus, or a standard seven-person squad.

nAnd for half-orcs like the village hunters, who have undergone prolonged real combat training, their fighting capability could even reach that of a level 3 magus.

nHowever, due to the lack of mana support, their combat style is less versatile, primarily focusing on close combat.

nAnd as for Rudo…

nUntil now, Ali hadn’t been able to gauge the Werewolf’s strength, just as she couldn’t fully understand Elder Monka’s thoughts.

nHowever, as the strongest in the village, Rudo’s power must at least rival that of any level 3 magus.

nThis level of capability, achieved purely through physical prowess, is unmatched except by orcs on this continent.

nNo other race can develop their physique to such an extent.

nYet, despite their strength, half-orcs, outnumbered and facing magi, often end up as the ones who perish.

nIt’s a matter of fundamental capabilities.

nAfter issuing her final warning, Ali didn’t linger any longer and turned to leave.

nShe knew why Rudo and the village hunters had come, but doubted they would uncover anything useful.

nAny clues that might have existed would likely have been obliterated by the fire, leaving nothing but more ruins beneath the rubble.

nDeparting from the village ruins, Ali headed towards the cave where Jelia and Roronora were hiding, guided by her memory of the location.

nThe sky was nearing dusk, with a yellowish hue, and faint blue beginning to appear on the horizon.

nIf she didn’t reunite with Jelia and Roronora before dark, their meeting would have to be postponed until the next morning.

nThe uncertainties were too great, especially with Gick still actively seeking to eliminate them both.

nAli couldn’t even sleep peacefully at night because of this.

nHowever, less than two kilometers from the village, Ali was forced to slow down.

nIt wasn’t that she was too physically drained to maintain her pace, but rather she sensed someone trailing her.

nShe certainly didn’t want to bring trouble back with her.

n… 𝘪.𝘤𝑜𝘮

nChoosing a spot that seemed most appealing to her, Ali landed, turned around to face the direction she had come from, with her sword already drawn.

nInfused with mana, the blade emitted a sharp aura and a deep hum.

nDescribing the sword as capable of slicing through iron like mud would not be an exaggeration.

nAli didn’t have to wait long.

nShe sensed a fluctuating presence rapidly approaching, like a ghost, elusive yet with a distinctly strong presence.

nAli’s expression changed slightly.

nHer inability to precisely detect the enemy only meant one thing: Gick was serious this time.

nThe opponent was at least a level 2 magus, equivalent to another Red Eye.

n“How did you find me?”

nA vague shadow landed about twenty meters in front of Ali, its body enveloped in granular black mist, with its shape and face hidden under a hooded cloak, reminiscent of the cloaked figures Ali and Roronora had dispatched in abundance.

n“If I tell you, will you just turn around, leave, and disappear from my sight?” Ali asked.

n“That’s unlikely, I’m afraid. My orders are to kill you,” the shadow shook its head, then nodded.

n“But, I can offer you a quicker death, one that’s less unsightly and without torture.”

nNegotiations had clearly broken down at this point.

nHowever, Ali still wanted to say something more, even if just to buy some time.

nIt could prove useful.

nWith this thought, Ali began to formulate her words.

nHowever, the shadow showed no interest in continuing the conversation with Ali.

nWith a gesture, the black mist converged, swiftly forming into a pitch-black rapier about three feet in length.

nThough short, the rapier, a weapon designed for close combat, didn’t need length to be effective.

n“You can call me Code 19.”

nThe shadow raised its hand, the tip of the rapier aiming directly at Ali’s face.

n“I’m somewhat sorry, but I’d like to return to Oak Village quickly; it’s been a long time since I’ve had a rest.”

nIn his view, Ali was merely a pawn whose fate had already been decided.

nWithout sufficient strength, how could one escape the chessboard and become a “hero” against a player like Gick?

n“So, please, go ahead and die!”

nThe voice stretched on the last syllable, reminiscent of a comical falsetto on a theater stage, where half a note is abruptly elongated and then distorted.

nCode 19 vanished from Ali’s sight!

nAnother opponent who relied on speed.

n𝘳𝑎.𝒸ℴ

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