Gorath stared intently at the figure before him. His eyes burned with disbelief and curiosity.
"Join you?"
The fanged figure grinned, revealing its sharp teeth. "We are a people who have long been hidden from the world, waiting for the right time to rise again. We smell your blood, Gorath. You are one of us."
Gorath's heart beat faster. The words had triggered something in him, a feeling that was hard to explain.
One of them?
No way.
He was a monster. A reincarnated orc who thrived by consuming his enemies. He was not like them.
"I don't care who you are. If you only want to talk nonsense, I will make you part of my power."
Instantly, a black aura gathered around Gorath's body, a chill permeating the air.
However, before he could attack, the fanged figure raised his hand.
"Wait. Before you make any rash decisions, hear our offer."
Gorath didn't answer, but he didn't attack either.
"You've proven your strength by slaughtering the trolls. But that's not enough. If you want to be a being truly at the top of the food chain, you need more than raw strength. You need… knowledge."
Gorath snorted. "What do I care about knowledge? All I need is the power to destroy the human world."
"Really?" The figure narrowed his eyes. "You think humans are the only threat? This world is bigger than you imagine, Gorath. There are other forces watching. And if you rely solely on your wild instincts, you'll end up becoming food for them."
Gorath was silent.
A part of him hated the fact that those words made sense. Since his reincarnation, he had relied solely on his instincts and abilities to survive. But if there was a stronger enemy… if there was even one that could hunt him down…
Then he would need more than just strength.
"Prove it." Gorath finally said. "Prove that you can give me something more valuable than the blood of my enemies."
The fanged figure grinned. "Good. Then come with me. I will show you something that will change the way you see this world… forever."
Gorath stared at him for a moment before following them, stepping into the darkness.
Before he knew it, he had entered a world bigger than he had ever imagined.
And this was the beginning of something far more dangerous.
Gorath's footsteps echoed through the dark stone hallway. The air here was heavier, thicker with the scent of blood and something more… ancient.
The fanged figure guiding him remained silent, letting the silence speak for them. But Gorath could feel the gazes of the darkness. Unseen eyes that watched his every move.
"Halt."
Gorath halted his steps.
Ahead of them, a giant gate stood. Decorated with strange carvings that seemed alive, pulsing with a faint red light.
"Beyond this gate," the fanged figure whispered, "is where those who wish to go beyond the bounds may find what they seek."
Gorath did not answer.
He sensed something powerful behind the gate. Not just power… but something dangerous.
The figure pressed his palm against the gate, and slowly, the giant stone door slid open.
Gorath stepped inside.
The first thing he saw was an altar.
A massive structure, covered in carvings that pulsed with dark energy. Above him, bodies hung, some still moving… some no longer.
In the center of the altar stood a creature.
Tall, larger than Gorath, with skin as black as obsidian. Its eyes—eyes without pupils, just bottomless darkness—turned to stare at him.
"So this is it… the one who wants to be more than a mere monster."
The voice echoed, not just in the air… but directly inside Gorath's head.
A challenge.
A test.
Gorath clenched his fists.
He had no idea what awaited him here.
But if this was a step toward greater power…
Then he would face it without hesitation.