151 - The Freed S*aves Became Obsessed

**Chapter 151: Obsession of the Liberated Slaves** A land ruled by Valkrash. A place where no life shall remain. These were the words left by a certain northerner who feared him. An orc who pledged his soul on ice to the dragon Skadia, swearing allegiance. Gifted with the dragon's power, Valkrash reigned as the overlord of the North. A colossus beyond the mere body of an orc. Leading his legion on a frost direwolf, cities where Valkrash passed couldn't even sustain flames. A world of death and silence. In the face of Valkrash's brutality, life itself bowed and departed, leaving the earth breathless. Reputable knights from the North were dispatched to subdue Valkrash, but all fell prey to his double-bladed axe. Their skulls were strung into necklaces for Valkrash as a trophy. People no longer tried to stop Valkrash. They only fervently prayed he would not come to where they lived. And now, Valkrash walked steadily toward Asies. Facing each other, Asies and Valkrash felt a mysterious sense of kinship unknown to others. “You, you have received her power.” Undeniably, Valkrash sensed Skadia's blessing within Asies. Her appearance, surpassing any racial aesthetics, was not ordinary either. “You must be Skadia’s chosen one. How do you happen to be here instead of her nest?” “I am... a slave of Lami...?” “Lami? Who is that?” “Lami is Lami...” “...?” Clearly not fitting to be Skadia's match. Regardless of her state or thoughts, it mattered not to Valkrash. She dared to intrude and slaughter his subordinates. Making her pay and returning her to Skadia was Valkrash's duty. “If you surrender now and bow your head, I will settle with just one arm.” “No... give back Baskal...” A childish demand, oblivious to the situation. With a low sigh, Valkrash shook his head. He then suddenly fixed his gaze, gripping his blood-red double ax with determination. Crunch! As he pressed down the earth with his colossal legs, the ground sank, screaming as snow scattered wildly. He hoisted the ax onto his right shoulder, gathering strength. His muscles expanded like hardened steel for a brief moment. “Do not die.” He swung down. A ruthless strike, rendering his plea useless. The earth split apart. Along the trajectory of his strike, the ground beneath was laid bare. It was a disaster sweeping across the plains with an overwhelming force. For a moment, Asies’ fine eyebrows flinched. It was a powerful blow she had never encountered. She erected a thick ice barrier to protect herself. Crash! The next moment, ice and slashing force clashed. The ice screamed as it was whittled away. Heavy snow and a pile of earth covered the ice, obstructing the view. Asies firmly gripped her sword, all nerves on edge, when the ground began to rumble. Like a giant traversing a storm. Valkrash charged boldly. The ground cracked, shrieking as it was trampled under his feet. Snow exploded and rose following his steps. With no intention to ambush. Valkrash revealed his presence boldly and charged at Asies. Once more, he steadfastly swung his double-bladed ax down. Boom──!! A thunderous roar erupted. Asies’ body was not split like firewood. The ice barrier forming from the freezing air once again protected her. Yet, something extraordinary occurred. Despite successfully defending against the attack, a solemn expression graced Asies’ face. Currently, she and Valkrash were at an extremely close range, close enough for their weapons to meet. It was an even closer range than when Karami approached Asies. Even the orc berserkers, empowered by an orc shaman's magic, couldn't escape the influence of cold. However, Valkrash only suffered a light frost on his skin. Of course, even that was surprising. Having lived his entire life in the North, Valkrash was also blessed by Skadia. Yet, even he could not fully escape Asies’ cold aura, indicating that the blessing she received was superior to his own. To Valkrash, it might seem unfair. He vowed with his soul and made a blood oath, while Asies received a stronger blessing simply for her beauty. But what can be done? The world is a place of superficial values. If it's unjust, one must overcome it with their strength, and Valkrash had such power. Crack. The ice emitted an ominous groan. A fine crack began to form. Asies reflexively retreated. Crash! In the nick of time, the ice shattered into pieces, and the ax landed where she had been. There was no time for relief. Valkrash’s eyes locked onto Asies. Then, he charged. No skill, no technique, just a fierce and relentless advance like a raging storm. To hinder his charge, Asies cast a spell. Ice spikes emerged from the ground, crisscrossing and stabbing toward Valkrash’s body. “Such petty tricks won’t work.” The ice spikes shattered fruitlessly against Valkrash, unable to inflict any notable damage. Freezing his legs to bind him was also futile. They couldn’t hold him even momentarily. Brushing off all the spells, Valkrash closed in on Asies. Holding the ax with his left hand, he pulled his right fist back. For a brief moment, a menacing red aura surged within his hand. Valkrash launched a punch, akin to a hammer. “…!” Once again, Asies blocked the attack with her ice barrier, yet the outcome was different this time. The impact of Valkrash's explosive punch, not fully absorbed, engulfed her. Asies’ body was flung backward. This was unlike any opponent she had faced. Without deep contemplation, she could feel it instinctively. Asies twisted in midair. A foothold, perpendicular to the ground, materialized in the air. Landing gracefully on it, Asies propelled herself forward. Her sword clashed diagonally against the double-bladed ax. Crack! The sound of ice clashing with metal resounded chillingly. Valkrash swung his axe broadly, casting Asies aside. Once more, Asies leapt into the air and repeated her attack in the same manner. She mixed magic into her strikes, forcing Valkrash to divide his attention and defend against her onslaught. However, the situation wasn't unfolding as Asies intended. Her combat style combined fluid movements with versatile magic. In contrast, Valkrash lacked agility but invested everything into power, embodying a powerhouse. While both had their strengths and weaknesses, in this match-up, Asies was at a disadvantage. Valkrash, also a recipient of Skadia's blessing, was largely unaffected by Asies’ magic. Her special skills, in this moment, were rendered useless. Although Asies' swordsmanship was undoubtedly impressive, it was insufficient to penetrate Valkrash’s seemingly invincible might. Whoosh! Valkrash twisted his massive upper body. A ferocious spinning slash, creating a heavy vacuum. Unable to withstand its power, Asies was flung backwards, sliding across the ground. Valkrash rested his axe on his shoulder. He looked down at Asies with a disinterested expression. The human chosen by the ice dragon Skadia. He had somewhat anticipated what she might be like, but she fell far short of his expectations. Most warriors who faced Valkrash were defeated in a single blow. Despite that, Asies, who had held her own against Valkrash multiple times, was clearly more skilled than those who had fallen. It was an achievement worth boasting about. However. “You are hollow.” She was empty. While the Northern knights exhibited fighting spirit despite their lack of skill, Asies possessed nothing of the sort. There was a spark of resolve in her eyes, but it was far from enough to intrigue Valkrash. It felt like facing a specter. His interest plummeted. Valkrash was a warrior. The northern overlord who relished in carnage and combat. While boredom crept into his days, this opponent appeared at last, but it was unsatisfying to end it this way. How could he draw out Asies’ fighting spirit? Scanning his surroundings for something useful, Valkrash noticed the slaves. Amidst the slaughtered orcs, the slaves were unharmed. Judging by the transparent ice barrier surrounding them, it seemed Asies was protecting them. That Skadia's chosen one came merely to save slaves was ironic, but irrelevant. Valkrash signaled to his men and turned his gaze back to Asies. “From now on, there will be a time limit. Give it everything you have. Burn with resolve. If not, those slaves will die.” Orcs, following Valkrash’s command, surrounded the ice barrier. They began to pound on the ice with their weapons. “Please, spare us!” The slaves, avoiding the orcs, huddled toward the center. The ominous crackling of the ice pierced the air. Though Asies crafted the barrier with magic, it wasn't unbreakable. Shards of ice fell with each clash against weapons. “…!” To protect them, Asies conjured ice eagles and sent them flying. “Roar───!!!” Suddenly, Valkrash roared skyward. The powerful reverberation shattered the soaring eagles. “What are you doing? If you can't defeat me, you cannot reach them.” “…….” Asies’ icy demeanor faltered for the first time. Her brow furrowed. Annoyance. And clear hostility. Valkrash's lips curled into a satisfied smile. “Finally, a worthy expression. Yes, that’s more like it.” Asies raised her sword and swiftly closed the distance. A chase of white and blue. Her frosty sword shone like a dancing blade. For every defense Valkrash mounted, five consecutive strikes followed from Asies. When Valkrash attacked, she smoothly dodged and retaliated, striking repeatedly at his form. Asies executed her swift strikes without allowing a single moment's respite. At a glance, it seemed like a one-sided battle. However, the reality was different. Despite her repeated attacks, Asies failed to inflict significant damage on Valkrash. Her attacks were fiercer than before, yet still, she lacked the power needed. Anxiety began to manifest in the trajectory of Asies' sword, something Valkrash didn't miss. He swung his axe vertically. “Gah…!” Asies quickly turned her sword horizontally to block the axe. But perhaps her strength had waned. The battle-worn sword couldn't endure and shattered like glass. She was hurled backward by the ensuing force. Asies rolled across the ground, coming to a stop without being able to properly land. Her once pristine snow-white hair now tainted with dirt. The impact was significant, as Asies struggled to rise. Even if she managed to stand, what would change? Her sword was broken. There seemed no way to pierce through Valkrash. The resolve that once filled Asies wavered. Seizing upon that gap, the curse lingered, ensuring she'd never dare resist again. The sprout fighting through the harsh cold was gently buried. A protagonist from a fairy tale exists. Helping the weak. Understanding their feelings. Stopping a child’s tears. A story that warms the viewer’s heart. No matter the hardships, it always ends in a happy ending. Therefore──── “Would you like some help?” A benefactor to lift the sunk protagonist. A helper to push the hesitant hero forward. The appearance of such aid was inevitable. Karami leisurely walked out of the fortress. Tipping a blue and white goblet casually as he moved. With a lighthearted sway. **User Comments Section:** "Janghwa Hongryeon 2025.01.29 16:47 Report Was it shackles? There was a fight between Lin and Mirabelle where they mention a general increase in abilities if they are shackled to the soul." "Pipae Love It 2024.12.18 07:31 Report Looks like they'll get even stronger now haha How powerful are they aiming to be?" "Dioside 2024.12.18 15:52 Report Can't wait to have Lami all to myself!" "Stripey 2024.12.18 14:18 Report So far Lin and Mirabelle are giving off world’s strongest vibes, and Arpia and Asies feel similar? Maybe Asies will become stronger with this." "Pure Love Lover 2024.12.18 15:48 Report Please see the comment I left at Chapter 150 first! +Rated 19, caution It's hard to read due to character count and enter limit." "Adishe 2024.12.31 08:11 Report Spoiler" "Pure Love Lover 2024.12.18 15:49 Report There's a sequel to this?" "Pure Love Lover 2024.12.18 15:49 Report Self-satisfaction spill. Around 5000 characters." "SKKQ12 2024.12.19 09:11 Report Crazy person haha" "DogAndCat 2025.01.10 22:22 Report Oh, does he give a buff with the Holy Grail?" **Weekly Bests:** Adult BL/GL +3041 You still have to work even in ghost stories +992 Mistakened for a war legend +363 Declared a breakup with the female lead who hates me +2884 How to live as a wizard at Magic School +1245 Obsession of the Liberated Slaves +316 The Mad Priest of the Slums +937 Dark Fantasy Normalization +408 Mistaken for a disaster-grade ghost temple +809 I want to be a former VTuber +1910 Stolen regression from the heroine +4011 Surviving the damn fantasy world +16812 Genius Magician on Drugs +17313 The childhood friend of the world's best +1514 The Crown Prince Growing a Sub-character +7515 Martial Arts Are Nothing Special +5616 Reincarnated for 30 years, turns out it's a romance fantasy genre? +9117 Being Handsome Makes Life Easy +5418 This wasn't an NSFW game? +5119 I'm not a boss mob! +2020 Mistaken for a Genius Magician in the Game **New:** More New for Adoption I'm anxious, so I'm putting up tops for adoption... Haven't logged out? Below is a novel I've been searching for all week (I want to forget the side story), and it seems like a happy ending despite appearances?! GiveMeACat +2 02.23 Recommend campus materials for me 02.23 Recommend a webtoon 02.23 Please recommend a novel (with bookmarks attached) 02.23 Requesting the Traitor's Nemesis Child of the Foreign Education King +5 02.23 Re: Requesting Goreo Black Prince 02.23 Requesting My Wife's Past Story 02.23 Include the complete ending for the Divining Princess including the epilogue +4 02.23 Re: Requesting The Radar +1 02.23 Oh, didn't see that coming +4 02.23 Re: Natural Products From the Earth Superstar Actor Request