Chapter 20 — Shadows of the Old Cage
Oreario. Early morning.
The gate of the Loki family opened with a heavy creak.
The Hulk—now officially the Hulk Drask—stood in new-style leather armor. Rough, reinforced with steel. On his back is a black sword made from a fragment of the Ash of the God of Chains.
For the first time, his own equipment.
"The guild has given you a solo quest," Finn said, handing over the scroll. — A simple sweep at the northern cliffs. But be on your guard. In recent months, someone has been attacking caravans and slaves who escaped from the Colosseum.
The Hulk said nothing, but his eyes darkened.
"Do you think they're survivors from the Colosseum?" Ais asked, standing next to him.
"Or... hunters." "I'm sorry," he muttered. — Those who believe that we are property.
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The north of Oreario. The coast of the Drain.
The Hulk was walking along a ruined road. The wind from the sea brought the smell of salt and rust.
The footprints were fresh—bloodstains, the remains of a wagon, the burned guild seal.
There are bodies in the bushes. A few young adventurers and slaves.
One of them has a broken collar around his neck.
The Hulk clenched his fist.
Condition: Threat nearby.
Rage instinct: active.
Skill: "Hunter's Instinct" is enabled.
Figures came out of the forest. Six of them. Wearing masks made of bones and with chains on their hands.
— Hulk Drask. The destroyer. The chain traitor.
— Sentence: death. And the body goes back to the Colosseum.
"Are you the dogs of a dead god?" "What is it?" he asked calmly.
"We are the Shadow Of Chains. Followers of Gra'n-Dol'Junk food. We are restoring order.
The Hulk exhaled and activated Rage.
The world has slowed down. His body was filled with strength, and his skin began to darken like metal.
— Then I am the flame that will burn your order.
He jumped forward. The first opponent did not have time to react — the Hulk's fist pressed him into the ground.
The second attacked with chains, but they broke from the vibration of rage. The Hulk grabbed him and threw him into a tree. It flew apart like paper.
Those who remained began to retreat in panic, but it was too late.
Skill activated: Fury Surge II.
Speed and strength increased 3 times for 30 seconds.
It was over in a minute.
He stood in the midst of the dead. But his breathing was steady. Rage is under control.
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Later, when he returned to Oreario, he reported everything to Loki.
—Shadow of the Chains, you say?" She frowned. "So his cult is still breathing."
"Then I'll finish them off."
"You're not alone, Hulk. Now, never.
She handed him a new plaque.
Advanced rank received: Knight of the family name.
Special mark: Liberator.
⸻
And that same night, in the underground catacombs of a distant city, someone whispered:
"He's coming." The Hulk Who Swallowed The Chains. He is our enemy. And he's getting closer.