From the orcs' guttural chants, it wasn't hard to tell—they were preparing for war.
Others might not have noticed, but Kaen Eowenríel knew very well.
These creatures were likely mustering for a war that would soon break out—none other than the legendary Battle of the Five Armies.
In the original tale, the five armies were the Orcs of Gundabad and the Misty Mountains, the Elves of the Woodland Realm, the Dwarves of the Iron Hills, the Men of Lake-town and the Eagles.
Now, although the battle was still a year away, the Dark Lord Sauron had been laying the groundwork for far longer.
"My lord, what should we do? These beasts seem to be preparing for war."
All eyes turned to Kaen, waiting for him to decide.
"We're leaving. There's only seven of us—this kind of large-scale battle isn't something we can interfere with. Our top priority is to reach the Troll-woods, retrieve the treasure, and raise an army."
"Yes, my lord!"
Everyone nodded. But just as they turned to leave, a sharp screech echoed from deep within the tunnels behind them.
"INTRUDERS!"
"Seven humans!"
The voice caused the entire underground hall to fall into eerie silence.
Kaen instinctively looked down—and locked eyes with the Orc Chieftain.
The orc bared his yellow fangs and bellowed, "Oh heavens! Seven little thieves have broken into my hall? This is absolutely unforgivable! Seize them!"
"RRAAARGH!"
The Wargs howled and began charging across the winding stone bridges, charging straight toward them.
Behind them surged a flood of orcs—like ants spilling from a broken nest.
"Run!"
Kaen shouted.
Zakri reacted first. He raised his bow and shot the screeching orc dead with a single arrow.
The group spun around and bolted into the twisting tunnel maze.
"RRRAAARGH!"
The Wargs were fast, hot on their heels as they plunged deeper into the labyrinthine passages. The orcs were not far behind, a flood of snarling shadows pouring after them like a living avalanche.
They twisted and turned through the tunnels, the pressing swarm behind them pushing them further and further into the dark. There was no time to think—only to run.
"RAAARGH!"
Suddenly—a Warg burst from a side passage and lunged straight at them!
Caden was quicker. His massive axe swung down in a blur of steel and blood, cleaving the beast in one blow.
Orcs and wolves came one after another.
Caden wielded his battle axe, Mundar held his spear and shield. The two led the charge, hacking open a path forward.
Behind them, the siblings Lairon and Cathril covered the rear, cutting down every orc that dared get close.
Kaen and Zakri held the middle, fending off attackers from the sides while shielding Ameliah in their midst.
EXP +3
EXP +0.7
EXP +1
Level: 1 (174/200)
The numbers on Kaen's Mount & Blade System ticked upward, but he had no time to pay attention to them. The enemy was closing in—fast.
Then—
A Warg lunged from the left!
Ameliah stumbled and was knocked to the ground.
"Watch out!"
Kaen lunged forward, grabbing her hand and pulling her into his arms.
With a powerful swing, his sword flashed silver and cleaved through the Warg's neck in one smooth motion.
EXP +5
Kaen helped Ameliah to her feet and asked, "Are you alright?"
"I—I'm fine… Thank you, my lord," she said, still shaken.
"Good. Then let's go." Kaen grabbed her hand again and took off running.
"RRRRAAARGH!" Another beastly roar echoed from the tunnel behind them.
"My lord! There's a way out ahead!" came Caden's voice.
"Break through!" Kaen ordered.
Seeing the faint light ahead, the exhausted party summoned the last of their strength and charged forward, fighting through the orcs that blocked their path.
"Don't let them escape! Stop those thieves!" roared the Orc Chieftain from behind, leading a massive swarm in pursuit.
The orcs branched off into other tunnels, circling around to ambush them from the sides.
Amid the chaos, Kaen and Ameliah were cut off from the rest.
"My lord!"
Lairon turned back to help, but Kaen shouted, "Keep going! These things won't stop me!"
"Ameliah, give me your sword."
"Huh?" She was in the middle of fending off an orc, but quickly handed it over.
Now wielding a sword in each hand, Kaen took a deep breath and whispered, "Follow my lead."
Then, his eyes turned sharp and cold.
He charged into the group of orcs blocking the path.
With twin blades dancing, he parried and spun—like a war-dancer from the old tales. In the narrow corridor, every swing was swift and precise, claiming life after life.
But flesh was still flesh. Wounds began to appear on his body, his clothes stained with blood.
EXP +1
EXP +1
EXP +1
Level Up!
Level: 2 (0/300)
The panel flickered. A surge of strength burst through his limbs—endless power filling every muscle and bone. His swings grew faster, more deadly.
Each strike cleanly felled another orc.
At the same time, his wounds began to heal. The pain faded. The bleeding stopped.
"By the Valar… what am I seeing?"
Ameliah, right behind him, stared in awe.
A faint golden glow had begun to surround Kaen—subtle, but ethereal—making him seem otherworldly in the dim cavern, both holy and terrifying.
With his second power-up, Kaen could feel it—his body had leapt to another level. Strength, speed, reflexes—all greatly enhanced.
Against these orcs, who wore no armor and wielded crude weapons, Kaen was unstoppable.
He didn't even notice the light enveloping him. But to others, he now looked like a war god descending from the heavens—sacred and invincible.
The orcs were terrified. They began to retreat before his advance—only to be cut down without mercy.
No more stood in his way.
Kaen handed Ameliah's sword back to her and grabbed her hand again.
"Let's go."
"My lord! Ameliah! Hurry!" Caden and the others were calling from the cave's exit.
Kaen and Ameliah sprinted out—and the others rushed forward.
…
By now, night had fallen. The group dashed through the dark forest, torches lighting their path.
"RRRAAARGH!"
A thunderous roar echoed behind them. The ground shook. Trees trembled.
Three towering trolls crashed through the woods, each swinging a massive wooden club as they gave chase.
The party ran for their lives, finally diving into the deeper, darker parts of the forest.
But then—
The trolls and Wargs stopped.
They roared furiously but refused to step further into the trees.
As if something frightened them.
"Stop!"
Kaen spotted their hesitation and raised his hand.
The group came to a halt and looked around.
Something was wrong.
This part of the forest… was too dark. No light seeped through the dense canopy. A thick mist lingered in the air, cold and eerie.
The wind was freezing, cutting through their sweat-drenched bodies like knives.
Not a single sound—only silence.
Even their breathing felt unnaturally loud.
Chiii-chiii-chiii…
From the darkness came a strange squeaking sound—like rats. Wings flapping.
Getting closer.
Clearer.
Suddenly—Zakri, whose eyes were the sharpest, narrowed his gaze.
"Bats!" he gasped. "Vampire bats!"
—