Gordon's Sacrifice

- Near the Village Chief's Office -

Jim's frustration echoed through the air. "Bloody hell! We've been waiting here all day!" His impatience evident as he cursed the passing time.

"Sir, why not visit the village head's office? I'm sure his other son is there," Ford suggested, contemplating the success of the young Gary in his thoughts.

"All right, let's go! Damn it, I hate waiting," Jim continued his string of curses, unwilling to endure the stagnant atmosphere any longer.

"Fred! Done yet?!" Jim shouted, summoning the impatient warrior.

As Jim completed his sentence, Fred swiftly dispatched the last guard, slicing him in half with ruthless efficiency. "Done, we can now proceed," Fred declared, his emotions veiled behind a facade of obedience. Respected as a clan leader, Fred found himself reluctantly following the orders of a younger man simply because of their shared lineage with the Viper Young Master.

Among the remnants of the Boa Clan warriors, only about 20 remained, wearied and bearing the scars of battle. Despite their fatigue, they walked towards the village chief's office with Jim leading the way.

Pointing at the office door, Jim signaled a warrior to approach, who promptly smashed the door into pieces. Startled, Glenn, the village chief's second son, cowered beneath the office table, his face drained of color.

"Why is it like this? Where are the warriors? Is Dad dead? Please help me, anyone!" Glenn muttered anxiously, his fear palpable.

"Immortal, sir, the chief's second son is here," reported Fred after checking inside the office. He seized Glenn by the collar and tossed him outside.

"Who are you people?! You will pay for this! My father will behead you all!" Glenn shouted, pointing shakily at the assembled crowd.

Jim snorted, drawing his blade from his waist and advancing menacingly. He placed the blade against Glenn's neck.

"Do you know who you're talking to?! I am an 'immortal'! You should kneel to me before I decide to cut your head off!" Jim asserted forcefully.

"I may be a wimp when fighting, but you can never force me to kneel. Hurt me all you want, but never insult a man's dignity!" Glenn spoke with unwavering righteousness.

"Yuck!" Disgusted by Glenn's defiance, Jim delivered a swift kick to his face, sending the teenager stumbling to the ground with blood dripping from his nose.

"Let's just finish this; I'm getting sleepy. Now that I'm here, I don't really see the importance of that seal anymore. Fred, kill him already, and let's get over it," Jim declared as he walked back towards their starting point, ready to conclude this unsettling chapter.

##

Chapter 9:

A sudden tremor shook the ground, and the air filled with the ominous sound of approaching footsteps, resonating with a hint of fury.

"Well said, Glenn. You are truly the son of I, Gordon Cross. I'm proud of you!" Gordon's commanding voice echoed, cutting through the tension like a blade.

Surprise swept through the assembled warriors, prompting them to hastily take up arms in preparation for the impending threat.

A colossal figure, wielding a massive axe seamlessly connected to his arm, charged forward with unbridled might.

"Gore Slash!" Gordon bellowed, swinging his axe with a thunderous force. A massive blue aura gathered on the blade, and as Gordon forcefully brought it down, an unfortunate warrior rushing toward him was effortlessly cleaved in half. Shockwaves from the impact rippled through the surroundings, claiming the lives of 14 out of the remaining 20 Boa Clan warriors.

Witnessing this gruesome display, Jim, the once arrogant leader, crumbled to the ground, nearly succumbing to fear.

Seizing the opportunity, Ford, the greedy opportunist, hastily invoked his skill. He threw a Tat coin towards the ground and shouted, "Gold Digger!" directing the mystical force to target Gordon.

Fred, approaching Glenn with lethal intent, drew his weapon with the intention of dispatching the vulnerable teen.

Observing the unfolding chaos, Gordon's fury ignited. He charged towards Fred, proclaiming, "Balrog Kingdom shall never fall! I, Protect!" The text tattoo on his chest glowed with the activation of "Bangle of Strength," multiplying his stats but draining his HP, leaving his face pale.

A sharp golden spike erupted from the ground, aimed at Gordon. Anticipating the attack, Gordon evaded the deadly pillar, cleaving his axe towards Ford who obstructed his path. "Die!" Gordon thundered.

With no time to escape, Ford employed his skill, conjuring a golden spike in a futile attempt to block Gordon's axe. The axe effortlessly cleaved through both the spike and Ford's body.

"I... Impossible, my gold?!" were Ford's final words.

Unfazed by Ford's demise, Gordon swiftly turned towards Fred, who had recovered from stumbling. Fred swung his weapon downward in an attempt to strike Glenn when a voice whispered beside his ears, "I'm here, Freddy~!" Startled, Fred halted his attack, instinctively leaping back and pointing his weapon towards the voice.

Recognizing that Glenn was out of harm's way, though unaware of the unseen assistance, Gordon rushed forward, slamming Fred with his buckler. Fred staggered, losing a tooth in the process.

"Ackk!" Fred gasped, struggling to regain his balance.

Gordon seized Glenn by the collar, hurled him towards the village, and bellowed, "GET TO THE PORT!"

Understanding the urgency, Glenn sprinted towards safety, leaving the chaotic scene behind.

Without turning back, Gordon unleashed his skill once more. "Gore Slash!" Aura gathered on his axe's blade. A sharp claw-like nail ambushed Gordon, impaling his heart. Unfazed, Gordon swung his axe down towards the recovering Fred. "Tail Smash!" Fred employed his own skill, hoping to trade blows, only to realize the fatal error after the exchange.

Gordon's axe effortlessly cleaved Fred in half, leaving Jim, who still had his nails embedded in his heart, horrified.

With a pallid face, Jim roared, "What the hell are you doing?! Attack now!" Startled into action by Jim's command, the remaining six warriors struck at the bloodied Gordon, causing him to stagger and collapse.

Jim hastily withdrew his nails and fled back towards the forest, gripped by the fear of impending death. "Damn it! If only that old man were here, I could have ended this fight easily! This damn dwarf got lucky!" he muttered as he escaped.

Gordon, gazing up at the sky, bellowed, "I, Gordon Cross, have protected the dignity and honor of Balrog Kingdom!" His eyes dimmed after the powerful proclamation, and he breathed his last.

The shout sent shivers down the spines of the remaining warriors, but upon realizing their formidable enemy had fallen, they sighed in collective relief.