Orc Slayer (AKA. Absolmi)
"Am I really supposed to fight that...? For real...? It looks super mad…?"
No matter how I thought about it, it seemed way too harsh for a nine-year-old girl like me to battle a hulking orc. One punch from that thing would knock me out cold.
Following Jong-woo Uncle's guidance, we arrived in a space similar to the room where the other tests had taken place. The main difference was the glass window separating the arena.
Once Absolmi and I stepped inside the arena, a door on one wall slid open with a soft shrrk. Out came an orc with bronze skin, at least 1.5 times bigger than Yong-su Grandpa. Each step made the whole room shake—he must weigh a ton. Tears welled up in my eyes without me even realizing it.
Me, fight that...? Sure, its limbs were bound right now, but wouldn't they release it for the test...?
"Considering Shiro-yang's abilities, we've arranged for a vanguard to fight alongside you up front. No need to worry too much."
A vanguard role? Ah, I got it. Since my physical stats are trash and I'm better at supporting from the back with my powers, they're tailoring the test to that situation.
— Grroooaaarrr!!
"Eek!"
The orc let out a guttural roar, probably frustrated at being tied up. It was so scary that Absolmi and I clung to each other, trembling. Well, actually, Absolmi was totally fine—it was just me hugging him desperately. But he's my summon; isn't it his job to comfort me? Right?
"Hahaha! Shiro looks scared, so let's get this started and over with quick."
The truth? I wasn't scared. It was just an unstoppable shiver starting from my toes and spreading through my whole body. Like I might collapse any second...
Desperate, I shot a pleading look at the glass window. The door opened, and in strode Yong-su Grandpa with his massive shield.
Yong-su Grandpa was a hunter who specialized in large shields as his main weapon. He'd come out of a grade-5 gate raid without a scratch before. That spoke volumes about his defense stats.
"G-Grandpa's gonna fight with me?"
"Of course. We've already raided together once, haven't we?"
"Wow!"
That made me feel a bit better. Yong-su Grandpa was seriously the strongest. He'd even beaten Jangryong in a fight—the Jangryong Hunter himself. No comparison to regular monster hunters.
Clank—
Grandpa gripped his shield tight and turned toward the orc. The orc, spotting him, tensed up for battle, veins bulging all over its body as drool poured from its mouth.
Did orcs always drool like that? I'd never seen one do it before. But since there wasn't much I could do anyway, I just watched quietly.
"Then we'll release the restraints."
"O-Okay…!"
Kang—!
A sharp metallic clang echoed as the bindings snapped off the orc and flew away. Instantly, the orc kicked off the ground and charged at Grandpa.
The monster, bigger than Grandpa, thundered forward, shaking the entire floor. That's when Absolmi flapped his wings from my arms, chirping like he wanted to be let go.
— Kyak! Kyak kyak!
"Wh-what can you even do...?"
— Kyaaak!
Kwaaaang—!!
In the meantime, the orc's massive fist slammed straight into Yong-su Grandpa's shield. Of course, as a grade-2 gate boss, it couldn't inflict any real damage on him. Impressive size and strength, but its mana was weak, and it didn't look that sturdy overall.
Half-doubting, I released Absolmi and pointed at the orc.
"G-Go, Absolmi!"
— Kyaaaak!
Surprisingly, Absolmi wrapped his tiny body in a fierce blizzard and shot into the air. He turned his head toward me and nodded his beak.
"You want me to help too?"
— Kyak! Kyak!
He seemed to want a Breath of the White Night buff. The longer we spent together, the easier it got to understand him.
I raised both palms toward Absolmi and focused my mana. Like feeling a fart coming on after holding it forever, then letting it rip all at once...!
Whoooosh—!
A massive surge of mana exploded from my body, swirling into a storm that merged with the blizzard Absolmi had cloaked himself in.
"Ooooh...!!!"
— Kyak! Kyak!!
Absolmi, now enveloped in a raging storm, rocketed toward the orc. His speed was bullet-like—I could barely track him with my eyes.
Pang—!
Where Absolmi passed, a trail of ice remained. Following it led to the orc, a gaping hole punched through its chest midsection, head tilted in confusion.
It had happened in an instant. A huge hole gaped in the orc's chest, frost spreading around it.
— Gruuuuh...!
The orc couldn't even process it before the cold hit. Pain surged belatedly from the deep freeze. Its eyes rolled back as it toppled over. The ice around the hole shattered, breaking its upper body into chunks.
"Hoo..."
Yong-su Grandpa set his shield down with a thunk and exhaled. This clearly wasn't the outcome he'd expected.
Who could blame him? I was just as stunned. Absolmi had evolved from a tiny chick to a magpie, but I hadn't realized he'd gotten this strong. Or was it me? Was Breath of the White Night the world's strongest skill? Maybe I was the top Jangryong Hunter all along?
Screee—
Jong-woo Uncle and Se-eun Sister entered through the door.
"Incredible, Shiro-yang. You might need some prep time, but that destructive power rivals top A-rank levels."
"Whoa, our Shiro's amazing!"
"Ehehe."
Getting hyped like that always lifted my spirits. I fidgeted my legs and grinned sheepishly.
Yong-su Grandpa walked over slowly, plopped a hand on my head, and ruffled my hair wildly. Ugh, my bangs fell into my eyes.
— Kyak! Kyak!
"Absolmi-yang...? Absolmi-kun...?"
"Um... Absolmi, are you a boy or a girl?"
— Kyak...?
Jong-woo Uncle seemed unsure how to address him, so I asked directly. Absolmi tilted his head frantically, like his identity was in crisis. No real expression on a bird face, but he looked hilariously flustered.
What to do? Honestly, he gave off male vibes. Logically, as a snow creation, he had no gender... Wait.
But I made him.
"Hmm... Be a boy!"
— Kyak! Kyak kyak! Kyak?!
Before, when he was huge, I'd told him to shrink, and he did. Maybe this would work too? As soon as I said it, I felt my mana drain. Absolmi shuddered, hopped around on the floor, flapping wildly.
Weird for a bird to spend more time on the ground than flying, but whatever.
"Ahaha, so 'Absolmi-kun' it is. He's beyond exceptional—most hunters' summons aren't this intelligent."
"Ooh...!"
"So, what rank will Shiro get?"
"We'll discuss details later, but I'd start her at B-rank. She's just too young."
"Hmm... Can't be helped, I suppose."
No, I'm actually a strapping young man. But revealing that now? I'd look like a criminal. Better keep my mouth shut.
"Should take about two days. Normally three, but since I examined her personally, it'll be faster."
"Good, that's one plus."
"Ahaha... Shall we head out now?"
"Yeah. Shiro and our girl look tired."
"Huh? I'm fine."
"M-Me too."
Se-eun Sister hadn't done much, so she eyed Grandpa skeptically. I was a little sleepy, but rebelled out of spite. What was this? I must really be a bratty nine-year-old now. The Innocence skill messing with my mind? Not purely innocent, huh. Kids this age learn to lie and throw tantrums when it's bedtime. Totally normal. Not defending myself or anything.
"Still, time to go home and eat."
"Aww..."
"Oh, right—what about Shiro's identity issue, Jong-woo?"
Grandpa kept his hand on my head and asked. Right, I'm under some hunter law clause for now. No family registry or missing person match for me...
Gasp, would they think I'm an illegal immigrant and deport me?
"I'll need to investigate more. There might be parents looking for her, and we can't just issue a new identity without checking, even if she has no memories."
"True..."
"Actually..."
Jong-woo Uncle glanced at me. Like a kid shouldn't hear this.
But I wanted to know!
"I-It's okay. Say it straight. Really."
"Hmm... Sometimes awakening aftermath changes not just appearance but genes too. Parentage tests mismatch in those cases."
"So without memories, finding real parents could be impossible...?"
"Yes. And with power-hungry fakers claiming her. Plus, if hair, eyes, and face changed, her parents might not recognize her."
Makes sense. Awakenings refine faces toward beauty for better mana flow—supposedly easier in pretty bodies. Not that ugly hunters don't exist. But big changes meant A-rank jobs or higher. Beautification was rare.
"Hoo... We'll see, then."
"For now."
They exchanged sympathetic looks at me. A nine-year-old living with strangers, parents hard to find—pitiful.
I'm fine, though.
I was a proud orphan adult. Innocence or not, no moping over this. More worried about the landlord lady... Sorry. I'll pay back big somehow...
My stoic front hit them hard—Grandpa's eyes welled up, mismatched to his bulk.
"Sniff..."
"Reminds me of my daughter too..."
Uncle, Grandpa's such a softie...
"Let's go. I'll call when results are out."
"Sniff... Got it. Come on, Se-eun, Shiro."
— Kyak!
"Y-Yeah. Absolmi too."
Absolmi hopped onto Grandpa's shoulder, like "Don't forget me!" Suited his huge frame better.
Back home, Se-eun Sister pulled me onto the sofa in a hug. Was this okay? No big thrill—kinda weird.
"Shiro, wanna do raids?"
There it was, that question.