Barbarian Quest

Chapter 152

Chapter 152

The northerners roared as they witnessed the resistance of the western natives. Valiant battle cries resounded powerfully. It was a style of combat that began with overpowering the enemy with a roar.

Clang!

Swords clashed against each other. Sparks flew to briefly illuminate the surroundings.

Swoosh!

The blades grazed past each other, aiming for the enemy's throat like the teeth of a wolf.

'It's hard to strike the neck in one blow. They are experienced warriors.'

Urich stepped back and pushed away a charging northern warrior with a front kick.

"Gizzle! Get over here!"

Urich grabbed Gizzle by the nape and ran. Gizzle was almost suspended in the air as he was dragged along. Urichs strength was tremendous.

'We can't get surrounded. It's impossible to fend off attacks coming from all directions.'

Urich knew how to fight against multiple opponents simultaneously. He often fought in disadvantageous situations, constantly moving to induce one-on-one confrontations.

'Gizzle can't move properly now. Defending him and fighting them at the same time is going to be difficult.'

Urich looked at Gizzle limping. The pain should have subsided in the heat of excitement, but his foot was as good as dead, making his movements sluggish.

"Leave me here. I'll try to buy you some time."

Gizzle planted his spear in the ground and said to Urich. Holding the spear, he faced the enemies without being dragged by Urich.

"What? Dont give me that bullshit. Come on, we have to keep moving!"

Urich widened his eyes in disbelief as he glanced back. Time was of the essence. Every second counted. The northern warriors were leaping through the trees toward them.

"I'm a chief who can't even move. I'll use what's left of my life for you."

Gizzle pulled back his shoulder and arm, holding the spear. He exhaled and launched the spear.

Thwack!

Gizzle's spear got buried in one of the northern warriors' heads. The warrior fell backward and dropped dead. Gizzles ferocious maneuver made the advancing northern warriors flinch and draw their shields.

"I said enough of your bullsh...... Shit, duck, Gizzle!"

Urich grabbed Gizzle's head and pushed him to the ground. Unaware, Gizzle's nose broke from the sudden impact.

Thwip!

A crossbow bolt whizzed past where Urich and Gizzle had been standing. The northern warriors had given up on capturing them alive. They fired crossbows, fully intending to kill the western natives.

"What the hell did you do that for... was that an arrow just now?"

Gizzle looked at the bolt stuck in a tree. His eyes were opened wide.

"That cross-shaped thing is basically a bow."

Urich watched the northern warriors reload their crossbows.

"Anyway, I said I'll cover you! Go down to the village, Urich! I can't shake them off with my legs in this shape!"

Another arrow barely missed Gizzle and Urich's heads. The northerners alternated firing crossbows, pinning Urich and Gizzle down. Two warriors circled around to the flanks to attack them from the side.

Theyre using the imperial tactics...'

Urich frowned. The northern warriors hired by the empire were skillfully employing imperial military tactics.

"I don't leave my brothers behind."

Urich gripped Gizzle's arm, his eyes shining.

"Thats rich coming from the one who came to take my chief position! Let's fight then, dammit!"

Gizzle bared his teeth and scoffed. Urich handed him one of his steel axes.

After quickly scanning their surroundings, Urich gave Gizzle a series of instructions in a rapid fire.

"When I give the signal, run to the left. Even if your feet hurt, run and jump them from the left. I'll circle to the right and kill the ones coming from that side and then climb up on the right."

Gizzle listened to Urich, a mere warrior, even though he was the chief. Without doing so, they had no chance of winning.

Urich closed his eyes for a moment, recalling what he had learned. He knew not only the imperial language but also the northern language.

The priest warned. Gizzle propped himself up and grabbed the priest's collar.

"There are enemies beyond the mountains! How long will you keep spewing such nonsense!"

"Evil spirits take on human forms. They stand against those who wish to cross the mountains."

"Why is Urich unharmed then? Shouldn't he also die for breaking the taboo?"

Gizzle glared at the priest, baring his teeth.

"Urich will soon pay the price."

"You sure talk a lot of shit for a coward who's never set foot in the mountains!"

The priest frowned at Gizzle's scolding and retreated.

Gizzle caught his breath and lay back down. He sent a few warriors to bring Urich.

"I heard you called for me."

Urich, who had also climbed the mountains, stood calmly, unlike Gizzle. Gizzle put his jealousy aside for a moment and gestured for Urich to sit beside his bed.

"I dont have long."

"Call your brothers for a proper farewell."

"There's something more important. Our tribe is going through a change. I couldn't keep up with it."

"It's natural you couldn't. I don't blame you."

Being confined by the era and convention wasnt ignorance. It was simply a limit of experience.

"Don't pretend to be nice, Urich. Youre telling me that youve never resented me once?"

Urich awkwardly twisted his lips. Gizzle too chuckled, breathing roughly.

"Are you leaving me your dying wish or something?"

"The next chief is you. In these uncertain times, you're the only one fit to lead the tribe. It's annoying as hell... But before I die, I'll declare my support for you, and my warriors will too. Just be careful of the priests and shamans."

Urich nodded, taking in Gizzle's words as seriously as they were.

"Thanks, Gizzle."

"Im not doing this for you. It's for our tribe."

"It doesn't matter why youre doing it. You were an excellent chief who fulfilled the responsibilities of his position."

Everyone stands in different places. Gizzle and Urich, both wishing for the tribe's prosperity and safety, saw different directions from their standings.

"Remember, Urich. You must also fulfill your duties and responsibilities. You can't abandon the tribe anymore. The tribe's fate is more important than your curiosity and pride."

Urich's eyelashes trembled. He was no longer a free warrior. He now bore the weight of his tribespeople on his shoulders and back.

"A heavy burden to remind me of, Chief Gizzle."

Urich clasped and then released Gizzle's hand. He stood up and left the tent. Gizzle didn't have much time left, and he had to say goodbye to the other brothers.

"Thank you for bringing Gizzle home, Urich."

Kirungka said as he passed by Urich, nodding before entering the tent.

Gizzle had told his followers to support Urich. Urich would take over as chief, and Gizzle had handed him his entire support base so that the transition would be smooth.

"Kek-kek."

Left alone, Gizzle chuckled. His insides boiled with resentment and frustration.

'Who will remember me...'

Gizzle's name would wander the empty world before disappearing into the void. He was but a firefly lost in the brilliance of the great warrior Urich. He felt pitiful for having to help Urich knowing what it meant for himself.

His head felt like it was being cooked by the fever. He gasped for air. The sounds coming out of his mouth were shapeless. Gizzle flailed his arms helplessly.

"Guuuugh."

Gizzle's arm fell limply as he struggled.

A warrior, who was waiting for Gizzle's passing, awoke and checked his pulse. Realizing what had happened, he rushed out of the tent.

The village bell tolled, and a lifeless body grew cold.