The Record of Orc Civilization - Chapter 428: Epilogue Volume 2

Hey everyone! Are you ready for next month? 🔥

The conflict in TROC is reaching a boiling point, and I know many of you are dying to see what happens next. To keep the momentum going, I’ll be opening up a massive Privilege access of up to 30 Chapters next month!

Privilege will be opened starting on May 1, at 18:05 GMT +8

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Zoanyin Kingdom, Human Alliance Territory.

Malakai stepped out of the laboratory with a sour expression. Once again, he had been rejected. Once again, his life’s work was treated as a passing breeze.

Are the high officials of the Human Alliance blind? Or were they simply too intoxicated by the delusion that Stent Gaht would forever be capable of crushing humanity’s foes? Their sheer ignorance made him nauseous.

Did they not understand how vastly different humans were from other mana species? Humans possessed no Nature Spell Factions like the Elves, nor were they gifted with the mighty bodies and natural weaponry of the Warbeasts. The emergence of new species like the Arion and the Demons only further manifested the bitter reality: humans were the weakest mana species in the world.

Humanity’s only advantage was creativity. Through imagination, humans could mimic the Elves’ Nature Spell Factions and forge Magic Items that rivaled the fangs of the Warbeasts. But it wasn’t enough. Other species were learning too. They had begun to steal and integrate human inventions into their own natural strengths.

The Elves began studying incantation factions, and the Warbeasts started plating their claws with magic items. If this continued, humanity would fall behind again. And in this world, there is only one fate for those left behind: to become prey for the strong.

Spell Factions were not enough. Magic Items were not enough. Even Artifacts would never be enough—because all of them could be imitated. It was time for humans to stop relying on external tools and start changing themselves.

The Arion betrayal was living proof. That new species hadn’t attacked the nearby Elves or the distant Warbeasts; they stabbed the humans who had been their trading partners. Why? Because to them, humans were the softest targets, the easiest to conquer.

Evolution.

That was the only path. To become a stronger entity and surpass the other species. Malakai was certain of it. His research was the only bridge that would allow humanity to exist—to stop being the losers who were always oppressed.

Unfortunately, the Alliance leaders continued to turn a blind eye. Luckily, there were still those capable of seeing reality. The Wuhan Clan supported him even though his proposals were constantly rejected. They continued to pour in funds, and Malakai did not disappoint them. He had successfully created a prototype for human evolution, even if it meant sacrificing countless adventurers as guinea pigs. He was certain those victims would be proud to have been martyred for the future of the human race.

“Ah… Malakai, how is your day going?”

A voice broke Malakai’s reverie. He turned to find a middle-aged man smiling at him. Instantly, the gloom on Malakai’s face evaporated.

“Yin! What brings you here?” Malakai greeted him cheerfully. “Ah, not that I mind, but your arrival is a truly pleasant surprise!”

And why wouldn’t it be? This man was the largest financier of his research. Despite Malakai’s arrogance regarding his own genius, he still needed to eat. He couldn’t fund his research with stones. A bit of flattery toward a major donor was a small price to pay.

“Hahaha… I’m glad to see you’re well. I bring good news,” Yin said with a mysterious smile.

“Good news? Yin, don’t get my hopes up. I know the PSA Faction is vehemently against my findings. I’ve already given up on those fools!”

The mere thought of the PSA Faction made Malakai seethe. They were mages from commoner stock, just like himself, yet they were the loudest in their rejection. Paradoxically, it was the Mana Ruling Family faction that showed an ambiguous, almost curious stance. In Malakai’s eyes, stupidity didn’t vanish just because someone became a powerful mage. It was the nobles who possessed the broad vision—the true pillars of human civilization.

“I’ve received word from the Valya Family,” Yin continued, gauging Malakai’s response.

“Ah, the Valya Family… I am truly sorry about what happened to Artur. But what he swallowed was only a prototype! He used it incorrectly! The Genesis Pill must be taken with the support of multiple Mana Stones in a mana-sealed room so the body can adapt. Artur’s death wasn’t my fault! If anything, it proves the Arion are much stronger than we thought!”

Malakai spoke rapidly, defending himself. Artur Valya’s death had deeply annoyed him. He hadn’t given those two pills to Artur for his personal use, but to be given to others as experiments. He had hoped that if Artur saw the effects on someone else, he would be enticed to use the second pill under Malakai’s direct supervision.

He had been desperate after the Alliance’s rejection, so he tried to approach Robert—Artur’s close friend—hoping that if Robert saw the pill’s power, he would recommend it to the military faction. Instead, Artur got himself killed through his own recklessness, making the PSA even more stubborn in their refusal.

“Hahaha… you needn’t worry. I’ve spoken with Robert, and he isn’t particularly concerned about Artur’s death. To him, Artur was just someone he met at the Military Academy. Robert felt Artur’s usefulness had long since expired, but since he came from the Valya Family, Robert simply didn’t want to cut ties too harshly.”

Hearing Yin’s explanation, Malakai breathed a sigh of relief. He had ideological issues with the PSA, but he didn’t want to trigger an open feud with them.

“So, what does the Valya Family want from me?”

“Well, the Valya Family sees the effect of your Genesis Pill as very promising. They want to order several units to be tested in actual combat.”

Malakai was taken aback. “But it’s still a prototype! Even with the correct procedure, the effect is temporary and the side effects are massive. Have you explained that?”

“Relax, they already know. They won’t be giving them to the primary mages of their family. There are plenty of mages from subordinate families who can be ’sacrificed’ to use these pills,” Yin replied casually.

“Oh, I see. In that case, I will prepare more. I’ll need more Mana Stones, Yin. And… I’ll need more guinea pigs to perfect it.”

“Of course, Malakai. In the middle of a war like this, who’s going to care if a few adventurers vanish without a trace?”

“You’re absolutely right!”

Their laughter broke out, filling the air under the stinging heat of the midday sun. Yet, that laughter made the atmosphere feel darker and more grey than it should have been.

This was the true Afternoon Grey—the moment when the light is at its peak, yet the human conscience is at its darkest point.

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Oh, and one more thing!

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Ever wondered why someone would design such a bloody death game in the first place? What’s the motive behind the slaughter?

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