Chapter 167: The Scenery of Five Senses (3)
The commentators picked their words carefully because they finally realized.
-Hahaha, Crockta is trying hard... to resist.
-As expected of a character with a fan club...
Words were useless in the face of reality. It was a program that featured and packaged the Heaven and Earth Clan as the main character, but the hero and villain of the story were becoming clearer to the people.
It was still acceptable even though it was uncomfortable that the Heaven and Earth Clan entered the city and slaughtered its inhabitants. It was a triumphant victory. The enemy’s fierce resistance was broken down under Rommel’s brilliant command.
Following Rommel’s gesture, the command flag was waved around, and the sounds of drums rang out throughout the battlefield. Then, the army changed its shape as if it were one living being. It was the imposing dignity of the War Maestro, who made the Heaven and Earth Clan who they were.
When Crockta showed up, the people’s reaction was at its peak. It was a battle between a named NPC and players, which was unprecedented. The related media outlet even delivered exclusive news, and the ratings were also the highest in the Under Games channel’s history.
Crockta appeared along with four of his companions. He was a named NPC that everyone knew of. In the end, would he be buried by the Heaven and Earth Clan?
They resisted persistently. They broke through the encirclement by the Heaven and Earth Clan and the imperial army and ended up entering Ogochai, which was basically no different from a deadly situation.
It was an impossible war, no matter who saw it. There was an overwhelming difference in numbers. However, Crockta was a warrior who never gave up. He would swing his greatsword and, whenever he let out a battle cry, the people’s expression would change.
-Crockta, what a heartbreaking sight!
-The people with him are the members of... his fan club, Praise the Orc, right?
-They are all enthusiastic players. Both the Heaven and Earth Clan and Praise the Orc are enjoying the game in their own way.
-Crockta seems to be fighting well.
The Heaven and Earth Clan retreated and the knights rushed forward. There was an overwhelming difference in numbers, and Crockta was so huge that it seemed to obscure the wave of knights.
Crockta fought desperately at the battlefront, but the imperial army passed by him and ran to the rebel forces behind him. Crockta gave it his all to try and save them, but his enemies persistently stood in his way. His expression distorted while he swung his greatsword.
Those who killed the weak, and those fighting against them. The killer and the savior. The viewers' hearts sank heavily at Crockta’s desperate struggle. Even the commentators kept quiet. For a while, only the desperate screams and Crockta’s battle cry resonated throughout the battlefield.
The screen angle also began to focus on Crockta. The eyes of the world were mesmerized by Crockta. The Ogochai siege war, which was created to boost the Heaven and Earth Clan’s image, was now a war story of an orc warrior with an indomitable will.
The orc and the knights confronted and looked at each other.
“Aren’t you ashamed?” Crockta said.
The camera angle moved down. Now, the screen captured the confrontation between Crockta and the knight commander with a low angle. They looked like giants from that perspective. Above their head, the imperial flag was raised high, covering the sun. The scene showed the image of the ruined city, the burning sun, and the fluttering symbol of the empire.
Crockta’s voice was clear even within the commotion of the battlefield. In the background, the blade of a soldier stabbed yet another resident. The victim’s death throes were buried under the chaos.
Crockta said again, “I am asking if you, as a knight, are not ashamed of this behavior.”
The knight commander smiled bitterly at Crockta’s burning gaze.
“Shame, huh... An old man like me does not care about honor.”
Despite saying that, he looked ashamed. At that moment, everyone watching the video realized the true nature of this fight.
It was not about the Heaven and Earth Clan, the game channels, the commentators, or the storytelling crudely made up by the strangers who interfered in the world of Elder Lord. Rather, it was about the kind of scenery the living and breathing NPCs saw in the world of Elder Lord. Why did the orc known as Crockta jump into such an impossible battlefield?
***
A fight ensued. Crockta overwhelmed the two knight commanders. However, this war wasn’t about killing; it was about protecting. He turned his body to try and save the rebels. He shook off the soldiers grabbing onto him and swung his greatsword desperately.
The situation of the war tilted steeply. There was an arrow stuck in Crockta’s shoulder, and the members of Praise the Orc had also fallen and turned into white particles.
“Gert!”
Crockta shouted out the name of the dead Gert.
“Damn it!”
He was surrounded again. The arrows, the spears, the blades, and the wizard’s fireball were all aimed at Crockta. In response, he clenched his teeth and looked around. It was a critical situation.
Suddenly, he spotted an unusual event.
“Capture this bastard! Use the concrete method!”
“Tie him up! Restrain them!”
The members of the Heaven and Earth Clan were trying to use the concrete method on the players of Praise the Orc. The concrete method was carried out implicitly, but that act, which was not honorable at all, was being showcased to the entire world.
The commentators, who had not spoken for a while, hurriedly opened their mouths.
-Haha, that’s... The Heaven and Earth Clan takes firm actions against their enemies... That’s the kind of clan they are. Yes.
-It’s probably because they’re at war. I think they will release them after the quest is over...
Crockta immediately reacted. Crockta ran toward the members of Praise the Orc. Swords were embedded in his back and attacks came flying from all sides. There were also fireball spells flying at him. However, nothing was able to stop him in his tracks.
“Bultarrrrrrrrrrr ─────!”
Crockta ignored everything and threw his greatsword.
-What the...!
-That, he is...!
The greatsword cut the member of Praise the Orc. Just before they succumbed to the concrete method, Crockta chose to kill his companions himself. The final surviving member of Praise the Orc turned into white particles.
_Ah...
Crockta was struck by a ball of flame and tumbled down. He staggered and picked himself up. Then, he punched the soldiers running toward him with his bare hands. He aimed for the enemies while gasping for breath.
The imperial army and Crockta stared at each other. Suddenly, the battlefield turned quiet. Everyone watching the stream realized it.
Everyone was dead, and Crockta was the only one who survived.
“Kekeke...”
Crockta laughed deeply and looked up. Then, he straightened his back and stared into the sky. It was the image of a warrior who was left alone in a desperate fight, in a world that was all too real for him.
What did the sky he was staring at look like? It was as if the world had come to a standstill. The viewers looked away from the screen and stared at the sky of their own world.
***
In the end, Crockta made it back alive. Another group appeared to save him and stopped the Heaven and Earth Clan. It was a relief for everyone. The viewers were relieved that Crockta’s adventure wasn’t over, and the broadcasting network was happy that they would once again be able to hit high ratings. The opportunity to rebrand their image remained for the Heaven and Earth Clan.
In the midst of all that, a player raised a suspicion in the Elder Lord community.
「Author: Evening Game」
「Title: [Must Read] Crockta may be a player.txt」
「I am a professional lurker who has been watching Crockta.
To begin with the conclusion, I think Crockta is a player.
Not long ago in the battle of Ogochai, I witnessed a strange scene when Crockta was in danger. Time passes differently in Elder Lord compared to reality. Thus, even though it were a stream, it would be no different from a recorded broadcast.
In other words, the video would have to be slowed down since the recorded video is fast-forwarded. So, the Under Games channel edits unnecessary parts in real-time to maximize realism. The reason why Under Games broadcast is much faster than Heaven and Earth Streamer’s broadcast is the editing.
I’m not sure about those who have only watched the Under Games channel, but in Heaven and Earth Streamer’s video, the members of the Heaven and Earth Clan peeked at Crockta’s forehead when he was in a perilous situation.
I think they saw something. So I asked an executive of the Heaven and Earth Clan whom I personally know. Apparently, the clan members saw something white between the gaps of the headband at that time. They did not see it properly, so they tried to pull away the headband. However, they failed and could not confirm it.
Come to think of it, have any of us ever seen Crockta’s forehead? Even in Laney’s video where he first appeared, he wore a black bandana, and later on, he switched to a headband. Although NPCs can wear headbands, it is a little suspicious.
Besides, as you have all seen, when the members of Praise the Orc were about to be subjected to the concrete method, Crockta threw his body to kill them. These days, NPCs know about the concrete method, but the weird thing is that he tried to save them while jumping directly into danger.
If Crockta is a player, then this would be understandable. People all think that he is an NPC, so he won’t have to worry about being subjected to the concrete method, and if he died, he would come back to life. In conclusion, he was able to do that because he has unlimited lives.
Even when Crockta fought against the Haedong Balhae Clan in the past, there was a record that Crockta used the concrete method on the members of the Haedong Balhae Clan. At the time, we thought he was just a scary NPC, but if we assume Crockta is a player, then it would be a reasonable action.
Let’s assume Crockta is a player and imagine how monstrous he must be. First of all, his level must be very high. His achievement score would also be very high. He would definitely be a ranker. Looking at the Rankers rating in Elder Lord, the current No.1 is Choi Han-Sung. Then who is in second place?
It’s ‘Mystery’. A private ranker whose information has not been disclosed. I think Mystery is Crockta. From a common-sense standpoint, if you become a ranker, you will become a star. But if the No.2 Ranker chose to be a private ranker, wouldn’t there be a reason for that?
Mystery is level 142 now. It is much higher than Choi Han-Sung’s level. If you become a ranker, you will inevitably stand out no matter what you do. But no one knows anything about this level 142 monster. If Mystery is Crockta, then everything could be explained.
1. Crockta’s forehead
2. The Concrete Method
3. The identity of Mystery, the No.2 Ranker in Elder Lord
Because of these three points, I think Crockta is a player. Of course, there is a good chance that he is not a player.
In fact, Crockta’s movements did not make sense for a player. I wouldn’t have believed it if it wasn’t for the torn headband.
He will fight the Heaven and Earth Clan again soon, so I hope it will be revealed by then. 」
This post caught people’s attention. Soon, there was a conflict between the opinion that it made sense and that it was a wild guess.
「└ Conspiracy Theory Out: The dedicated fans are solving conspiracy theories even in games now
└ Nodnod Bang: That’s possible. There is strong suspicion, but there is no physical evidence.
└Post-It: You should take a wild guess in moderation kekekekeke. The aunties selling bread in Maillard Fountain also wear headbands, are they players too? Kekeke does that mean if they cover their forehead, they are players? Kekekeke
└China Road: Putting all aside, I am quite curious about Mystery’s identity. If he is level 142... It cannot be explained unless it really is Crockta, no? Kekeke. Even if it’s not Crockta, he is definitely pretending to be an NPC... I’m sure that there’s no other among the players
└Food Fighter: Shut up, whether he is a player or not, Crockta hyung-nim will destroy the Heaven and Earth Clan
└Barley Tree: I don’t think he’s a player... I don’t want to see an Orc bastard. It would be great if Rommel just wins
└Oslam: Barley Tree// Shut up
└Barley Tree: Heaven and Earth Bar// Yes future orc, yes future puny mob. Keep up the good work
└I Love Orc: If Crockta hyung-nim is really a player, I would like to meet him and have a drink with him
└Lukaku no9: Crockta is a real player, he’s a hyung-nim I know kekeke
└Barley Tree: Lukaku no9// Yes Mr. Exaggerate
└(Load more comments) 」
All of this had sparked the people’s interest. The Heaven and Earth Clan marshaled their troops and began to march. Their goal was Cathalu, the center of Espada. Crockta was there too.
Now, the empire and the Heaven and Earth Clan were moving toward their final goal in their rise to prominence.
***
Crockta touched the worn-out helmet. It was a black and sturdy steel helmet. Although some cuts and scratches had formed over the years, the frame was strong.
It was Lenox’s helmet. The faint smudges reflecting off the surface were the blood of the enemies that Lenox had cut down. Perhaps the blood of the dead Lenox also remained smudged on the helmet somewhere.
Crockta couldn’t bear to wear it on his head and placed it on his lap. Tashaquil’s note was concise.
「You will need this, oh great warrior. 」
He sent Lenox’s helmet via Simba. On the way here, Simba met Kumarak, and he accompanied Simba as he was interested in Tashaquil’s traces.
However, Crockta could not figure out what Tashaquil meant that this would be necessary. Crockta blinked.
“Crockta! Let’s eat! Come out!”
“I’ll come out soon,” Crockta replied.
Despite saying so, he sat on the bed and did not move. He touched Lenox’s helmet and let out a sigh. Then, he walked to the window and looked down on the streets of Cathalu. They were busy preparing for the upcoming battle. Everyone was weaving a tree to make a barrier, and they gathered wood. After that, they proceeded to build walls and barricades.
Their expression was not dark. They were filled with hope. Kumarak and Crockta, Tiyo and Anor—as people like them had joined them, they began to see hope. They started to believe that they could win.
However, Crockta saw despair in their hopeful faces. He looked at everyone in front of him, and he said he could foresee a tragedy. They would end up dying in the near future.
“Damn it...”
It was the bizarre phenomenon he felt while shaking hands with the leader of this place, Guardi. Since then, his perspective had changed.
The ‘Eyes of the Ashen God’ continued to activate. Crockta could not control it the way he wished to. He had to face the unwanted deaths of people. That was referring to the deaths of everyone.
Kyahaha.
He heard a crackle of laughter. It was a child. The child, who was now laughing and running down the street, would soon be dead. The mother running after the child, smiling, would also die. He saw the deaths of those armed soldiers walking side by side as well.
Everyone within his sight would die in one day. Crockta wanted to look away, but he couldn’t. The passing parade and the people working... he had to face the same number of deaths as the people within his sight.
“Crockta! Aren’t you coming?!”
Tiyo was jumping up while looking at him below the building. Anor and Kumarak stood beside him, and Simba was yawning.
“Go ahead first. I’ll catch up soon.” Crockta replied.
As he watched his companions walk away, Crockta closed his eyes. They were no exceptions too. Everyone and everything in Cathalu would soon die. There were no exceptions. The buildings, livestock, animals, soldiers, young adults, children, and elderly, women and men alike, death was looming over all their heads.
Crockta could not bear to face the terrible sight and closed his eyes. The darkness calmed him down.
“Damn...”
Everyone died in Ogochai too, and the tragedy would repeat here. The imperial army’s numbers were clearly overwhelming, and they were merciless. There was a precedent in Ogochai, so this time they would put more effort into destroying Cathalu.
Crockta wanted to turn a blind eye. If he closed his eyes, he would not have to see more deaths. How could he watch the cold death looming above those he held dear? He would rather look away. Suddenly, he felt the rough surface of the helmet at his fingertips.
“Lenox.”
This was what he meant. He inherited the warrior’s commandments from Lenox. Now that he was about to crumble in despair, Lenox’s determination had come back to him in the form of a helmet. Perhaps Tashaquil foresaw all of this.
He should not crumble like this. He had to stand back up somehow. He was not just an ordinary orc. He was a fighter, a warrior. A warrior does not give up.
“An indomitable will.”
That was always the answer. Crockta opened his eyes. Suddenly, something white fluttered and white ashes scattered all over the area.
“...”
He was no longer in the room. A world covered with ashes, a white world with countless stars floating in the sky. It was her.
“I wanted to see you.”
The Ashen God smiled brightly.
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