-Found four more people here!

-Found ten more over here! Bringing them down now!

-I'm coming down too!

Hearing the incoming reports over the radio, Park Joon-sik relaxed just a little.

“Hoo…”

Inside Gate 12-K98, visibility was poor. Worse than in a typical fire scene.

Any regular firefighter would have already withdrawn. Not only was it impossible to see even an inch ahead, but there was also the lurking danger of monsters.

‘This ability is saving so many lives.’

Park Joon-sik and the firefighters didn’t possess full-fledged awakening powers, but they had unique abilities that significantly aided in rescues.

Even in zero visibility, they could sense the location of those in need as if it were being drawn in their minds.

Whoosh!

Even their skin had a fireproof effect. They wouldn’t get burned, not even a single scorch mark.

The same went for breathing.

Thanks to these abilities, they were able to save so many lives even in such dire situations.

‘That should be enough.’

The subordinate firefighters were steadily returning to the assembly point with civilians in tow.

Fortunately, the explosion had occurred when most civilians were away at work or school, so despite the scale, the number of casualties was relatively low.

About forty people, roughly.

‘Good thing the summoning was delayed.’

They hadn’t encountered any major monsters yet. Just a few goblins—but compared to an A-rank Gate explosion, goblins were nothing.

But there was no time to waste. The full-scale summoning of monsters would begin any moment now.

The firefighters had to be the eyes of those who couldn’t see a step ahead.

As a temporary measure, they tied the civilians and firefighters together with ropes and had them hold onto each other’s shoulders.

Then, carefully but swiftly, they began to evacuate.

‘Almost there.’

He couldn’t see it with his eyes, but he could feel it in his mind. The exit was just 20 meters ahead!

“Kuwaaaah!”

A sudden monstrous roar.

The civilians panicked.

“What was that noise?”

“F-Firefighter, what was that just now?”

“It’s not a monster, right? Please, tell me it’s not a monster!”

Park Joon-sik lowered his body and focused his mind. Moments later, a gasp of shock escaped his lips.

‘Oh no…’

A Twin-Headed Ogre. A regular ogre alone was classified as a D-rank monster, and a Twin-Headed Ogre would be at least a C-rank.

Gulp.

“Everyone, stay quiet and wait here.”

Park Joon-sik prayed that the Twin-Headed Ogre would just pass by. But miracles did not happen.

“Kuwaaaaaah!”

The Twin-Headed Ogre appeared before them. As its monstrous cry grew closer, the civilians shrieked in terror and tried to flee.

In the panic, the rope connecting them all was pulled, and like dominos, they collapsed one after another.

Park Joon-sik was no exception. He hurriedly tried to get up and respond.

‘Please! Move, damn it!’

But his body wouldn’t obey. It was as if he were paralyzed—desperate to move but completely frozen.

In the meantime, the Twin-Headed Ogre let out a roar and reached out its hand.

And then…

Swish—!

The ogre’s massive hand, thick as a tree trunk, was severed cleanly.

Despite its rapid regeneration ability, the severed hand did not grow back.

“Kuwaaaaah!”

The ogre writhed in agony, its eyes darting wildly in search of its attacker.

“Kuwaaaah!”

But it saw nothing. No attacker was visible anywhere, and that only infuriated the ogre further.

It swung its remaining hand toward the humans before it.

Swish!

That hand was severed as well.

Next was its head.

Thud!

The massive body collapsed, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Watching through his mental vision, Park Joon-sik was stunned. The ogre’s limbs had been cut off one by one, and then its head.

‘An Awakened? Or another monster?’

There was no time to think.

“Everyone, move out!”

He quickly led the civilians out of the Gate.

And as soon as they reached safety, a man revealed himself.

He was staring down at the severed ogre’s hand.

“Ogres taste terrible.”

It was Seo-jun.

He stood up and followed the aura he had sensed, strolling forward.

The monster summoning was beginning in earnest.

“Chwiik!”

The first to appear were goblins.

With a mere flick of his hand, the entire horde was shredded into thousands of pieces.

‘Getting closer.’

The familiar aura was now nearly within reach.

“Kiiiiieeek!”

A sudden shriek made him look up.

‘Arutus?’

Dozens of Arutus were circling in the sky. He forced them all down and stored them in his subspace.

The familiar presence was now right in front of him.

Seeing its source, Seo-jun’s eyes gleamed. And the other party reacted the same way.

“Chwiik! Demon God?!”

“Red Orc Tribe?”

“Chwiik! To see the Demon God! Chwiik! It is! Chwiik! An honor! Chwiik!”

“I asked if you were from the Red Orc Tribe.”

“Chwiik! Yes!”

All the monsters and demons he had encountered so far were not from his realm. But this one was different.

The Red Orc Tribe.

One of the divisions under his subordinate, Barunk’s army.

“How did you end up here?”

“Chwiik! I do not! Chwiik! Know! Chwiik! I woke up! Chwiik! And was here….”

“...Enough.”

“Chwiik! Yes! Chwiik! But Demon King! Chwiik! How! Chwiik! Are you! Chwiik! Here?! Chwiik!”

Why did it have to be an orc? Their constant verbal tics were giving him a headache.

Taking a deep breath, Seo-jun asked, “Did you come alone? What were you doing before you got here? What’s happening in the Demon Realm?”

“Chwiik! I came alone….”

“Chwiik! Before that! Chwiik! I was guarding! Chwiik! Lord Barunk’s castle….”

“Chwiik! In the Demon Realm….”

After enduring the endless chwiiks, he finally got his answers.

The Red Orc had come alone. Before arriving, he had been standing guard at Barunk’s castle.

And the Demon Realm was in the middle of a great war over his throne.

‘No connection to the Gate at all.’

But the Red Orc’s account had nothing to do with the Gate.

As Seo-jun fell into thought, the orc suddenly spoke up.

“Chwiik! Demon God!”

Seo-jun looked up to see the Red Orc kneeling before him.

“Chwiik! I have! Chwiik! A request! Chwiik!”

“What is it?”

“Chwiik! I have not yet! Chwiik! Given my son! Chwiik! A warrior’s token….”

Seo-jun immediately recalled the culture of the Red Orcs. They were a race devoted to battle.

They did not fear death—on the contrary, they considered it an honor.

They matured by age three and received a warrior’s token from an elder orc at that time.

Usually, it was a tusk from the elder orc. Without this, they could not participate in battle.

They weren’t even recognized as part of the tribe.

Which meant…

“He won’t become a warrior.”

“Tchwiik! If I miss the timing! Tchwiik! That’s what will happen! Tchwiik! Please! Tchwiik! Bestow your grace upon me! Tchwiik! And send me back! Tchwiik! To the Demon Realm!”

Not becoming a warrior was the greatest dishonor for the Red Orcs.

Could an orc lack fatherly love?

Even in another dimension, the concern for his son rather than his own safety was evident. That sincerity made Seo-jun want to grant his wish.

If only there wasn’t a problem.

“Unfortunately, even if I wanted to grant your wish, I cannot. Your body won’t be able to withstand demonic energy.”

“Tchwiik! What? Tchwiik! What do you mean?”

“Your body won’t be able to accept the demonic energy and will be torn apart in the dimensional rift. And your soul… will be trapped there forever.”

“Tchwiik! Then, tchwiik! What will happen to my son’s! Tchwiik! Warrior’s token! Tchwiik!”

Seo-jun shook his head. There was no way to help at the moment. Karanto, the Red Orc, lowered his head in despair.

“Tchwiik! My son….”

“Hmm?”

“Tchwiik! He is strong! Tchwiik! That is why I thought he could become a warrior! Tchwiik! And serve! Tchwiik! The Demon God and! Tchwiik! Lord Barunck! Tchwiik! I was sure of it….”

“Is he really strong?”

“Tchwiik! Of course he is!”

“If your son is truly strong as you say… then you don’t have to worry too much.”

“Tchwiik?”

“Barunck will deliver the warrior’s token to him.”

The warrior’s token was usually given by the father’s side, but it didn’t have to be a blood relative.

It could also be granted by a ruling lord or a chieftain.

“Tchwiik! Will that really happen?”

“It will. That…”

“Ah! Tchwiik! My name! Tchwiik! Is Karanto! Tchwiik! Karanto!”

“I see. Karanto. So don’t be discouraged.”

At those words of comfort, Karanto bared his fangs in a grin.

To some, it might seem like a grotesque sight, but Seo-jun saw in it the fatherly love Karanto held.

‘I wonder if Yeon-jun also feels this kind of love….’

At that moment.

Gurgle—

“Hmph! Tchwiik! S-Sorry!”

Maybe it was because he finally relaxed.

Karanto’s stomach let out a loud growl. Seo-jun chuckled.

“Come with me.”

While cleaning the bathroom at the shop, Park Yeon suddenly flared his nostrils. This scent was unmistakable….

Clatter—

The door to the shop opened, and a hooded figure walked in. Park Yeon infused ether into the mop in his hand.

“Did you think I wouldn’t recognize you just because you covered yourself with a robe?!”

The hooded figure flinched in embarrassment and hesitated. That awkward movement revealed its grotesque appearance.

Park Yeon snorted.

“I knew the foul stench was strong—it had to be an orc! Do you even know where you are?! Never in your wildest dreams did you imagine this was the place where I, the Hero Veltebray, reside! You fool! This will be your grave!”

Just as Park Yeon was about to swing the ether-infused mop at the orc—

Seo-jun stepped in to block him.

“Demon God?”

“I brought him.”

“You did?”

“He was lost and wandering.”

Seo-jun explained the situation. Park Yeon nodded but still looked dissatisfied.

“You’re only feeding him and sending him away, right?”

“Yeah. So don’t worry.”

“Fine, I’ll let it slide then.”

“Tchwiik! How dare! Tchwiik! You speak! Tchwiik! So rudely! Tchwiik! To our! Tchwiik! Demon God! Tchwiik!”

“What?!”

Seo-jun quickly intervened as Park Yeon fumed.

“You’re lucky, orc. If not for him, I would’ve smashed that ugly face of yours with this mop.”

“He’s just here for a meal, so don’t pay him any mind.”

“Fine. But make sure he stays far away from me and Seo-woo.”

Seo-jun nodded and closed the shop door. It wouldn’t be good if customers walked in while an orc was inside.

Once the door shut, Karanto asked,

“By the way, Tchwiik! Demon Lord! Tchwiik! Why are you! Tchwiik! Here?”

He might actually give me a headache.

Seo-jun sighed.

“Can’t you cut down on the weird sounds?”

“Hiiik! I’ll try!”

“I returned.”

“Tchwiik! I know that, but… why are you here with such a rookie? Tchwiik!”

At that moment, a side door burst open.

“I can hear you, you ugly orc! Watch your mouth!”

Seo-jun smirked.

“Well, that hero… followed me to take me down. And I live here, so naturally, I’m here. Simple, isn’t it?”

With that, Seo-jun opened the fridge. There wasn’t much to cook with.

The Red Orcs were omnivores. They ate both monsters and plants.

But there was one thing they never ate—Krekseg meat.

Since Krekseg were a related species, they refused to consume them.

‘So Krekseg gochujang pork belly is out… I guess ramen will do.’

Given the ingredients available, ramen seemed like the best option.

Seo-jun pulled out a pot and started boiling water for the ramen. Karanto watched in awe.

‘I’ve heard that the Demon God eats human food, but I never imagined he’d cook for me…!’

Tears of gratitude trickled down his fangs.

Meanwhile, Seo-jun focused on making the best ramen possible. He chopped some green onions—oh, wait! He almost forgot something important.

“Do you eat Arutus eggs?”

Although Red Orcs were omnivorous, their tastes varied.

Some liked Arutus eggs, while others found them too fishy.

“Tchwiik! I love them!”

“Good.”

Ramen wasn’t complete without an egg.

Crack—!

Seo-jun cracked an Arutus egg and added just a quarter of it to the ramen. It was as big as an ostrich egg, so using the whole thing might turn the dish into a porridge.

He sprinkled in the chopped green onions and a bit of red pepper powder to finish it off.

Instead of chopsticks, he handed Karanto a fork.

“Eat up.”

“Tchwiik! Thank you!”

Karanto flared his nostrils and sniffed. His slitted eyes widened.

‘This scent…!’

It was a smell he had never encountered before. How could anything smell this good?

Swallowing his saliva, Karanto took a bite. The moment the ramen touched his tongue, his whole body shuddered.

‘This must be the food of Valhalla….’

It was said that orc warriors who died in battle went to Valhalla.

If food existed there, surely it would taste like this.

Slurp! Slurp!

As Seojun watched the orc eat, Park Yeon approached, his face twisted with displeasure.

“Where did you find him? Judging by his aura… he seems to be one of your subordinates.”

“At the gate.”

“Not from the Demon Realm?”

“No.”

“Then you didn’t summon him?”

“If I had, he wouldn’t have been the only one.”

“True… so, what’s your plan?”

“For him?”

Park Yeon nodded.

“Hmm…”

As Seojun pondered, he recalled the Arutus flock circling the sky at the gate.

‘Arutus, huh….’

Arutus eggs made excellent ingredients. And a Red Orc tribe member…

‘Not a bad idea.’