Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: 2. Job
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Combat experience was a problem too.
This was the first time he'd directly clashed with an opponent swinging a weapon. If the orcs hadn't attacked simultaneously, if they hadn't been sick orcs, or if he hadn't had Self-Advancing Step... had even one of those conditions not been met, his life would probably be gone by now.
'If I take down three, I can complete the mission. Should I just grab one more and bail?'
It was a very tempting proposition from a safety standpoint.
However, he shook his head. The sick orc quest was one of the few E-grade quests that pitted you against humanoid enemies. Even if he backed off now due to the danger, he'd have to face them again eventually. And above all, he'd subconsciously decided he needed to build real combat experience. Basic swordsmanship alone wasn't enough.
In reality, even without skills, an elite martial artist or kendo practitioner could subdue orcs like these without issue. Yet Sung-hoon, who had skills and magic, had nearly died struggling against just one. This wouldn't do.
Of course, that didn't mean he planned to charge head-on.
Pulling out the fishing line he'd bought from the general store, Sung-hoon bared his teeth in a wide grin.
"Time to dry up the orc seed."
"Chwiit! Chwiik! What in the world is going on?!"
"Chwiit! We have no face to show."
The orc elder began rampaging in surging rage. Naturally, the orc at the bottom of the hierarchy bowed its head deeply and didn't dare move. Whether due to illness or calmed anger, the elder let out a long snort before gulping down water.
"The patrol unit hasn't returned at all?"
"Chwiit! Yes. A total of fourteen have gone missing."
"Who dares! They can't be getting the better of us! Gather everyone who can move, arm them, and assemble!"
"B-but the illness is still severe."
The sudden plague sweeping the village wasn't life-threatening, but it brought high fevers for days, leaving sufferers bedridden. It wasn't something to take lightly. At the order to drag out every orc who could move, the subordinate listed reasons one by one to dissuade the elder.
But before it could finish, a wooden cup flew and struck the orc square on the head.
"That's exactly why we need to act faster! If the plague really takes hold, we won't even be able to fight properly. If humans invade then, are we all just going to lie down and die?!"
"M-my thinking was short-sighted! I'll spread the word right now!"
As the subordinate rushed out, the elder gnashed its teeth and picked up a small wand from the corner. It wasn't in fighting shape, but a mage's presence could make the difference between heaven and earth in battle.
It didn't matter who. That bastard had dared to touch the red-feathered orc tribe. He would pay the price.
"I'll skewer your head on a spear and plant it high. Rip your arms and legs to shreds and toss them to the beasts, scatter your guts everywhere, and watch you rot away slowly!"
Sung-hoon shivered suddenly, tightening his coat as he peered ahead. Two orcs were staggering toward him. The path was scattered with leaves here and there.
But one pile stood out, thickly heaped. Orcs had the smarts to avoid food on the ground but not the wits to spot traps. One boldly stepped right into it.
"Kkwee-ee-ee-eek!"
A pitiful scream echoed through the forest.
It wasn't an elaborate trap. He'd dug a hole to a certain depth and buried a dagger upside down, blade protruding. For good measure, he'd slathered the blade with plenty of poison. He hit the disoriented orc with Shock, followed by a kick to topple it, then swung his sword at the unharmed one.
"Human! Kill!"
"We agree on that much!"
Clang!
Their swords clashed. He couldn't help being pushed back slightly by the strength difference each time, but Sung-hoon was holding his own without skills. Dodging and deflecting the orc's pouring attacks, he gradually started dictating the fight.
A world away from being overwhelmed by orcs just moments ago.
'Facing seven orcs head-on forces you to reach this level whether you like it or not!'
Orcs traveled in pairs.
Maximizing Self-Advancing Step, he figured he could beat two. But he couldn't rely on one skill forever. What if mana ran dry? Death. He needed to fight efficiently and gain experience. His solution: create one-on-one situations.
Neutralize one with a trap, face the other head-on for practice. Minimize skill use. The result: he could now handle three without skills to some extent, and even gain a slight edge.
"Human! Human!"
This trap hadn't done much damage. Glancing at the staggering orc, Sung-hoon unhesitatingly called out the skill to turn the tables.
"Self-Advancing Step!"
Self-Advancing Step was an amazing skill.
Ghostly footwork that flipped dire situations in an instant. If mid-tier magic wielded this power, higher grades were unimaginable. With half a step—or half of that—he slashed shortly. Incredibly, the flat of his blade struck the orc's hand.
Blood sprayed as the sword hung in the air. Without hesitation, Sung-hoon raised it and swung at the orc's neck.
"Grrglurk..."
Even with full power, the blade sank only a third. But that was ticket enough to the afterlife. Without magic or potions, death was certain. The orc, stunned by its comrade's instant fall, stared at Sung-hoon in bewilderment. Not an opponent it could beat alone.
Especially not sick, with one foot crippled.
"Chwek?"
Suddenly, the orc's vision split double. The dagger poison kicking in late. Sung-hoon swung like harvesting wheat, claiming its life easily. Catching his breath, he deftly extracted the orc's teeth with practiced motions.
His inventory was full of weapons scavenged from orcs. Unsure which body parts sold, he'd pulled molars for now.
Crunch!
"Urk."
The moist, squishy feel at his fingertips made Sung-hoon dry-heave. It got better in combat, but post-fight revulsion wrinkled his face. He'd sliced, pounded, smashed, torn—tried everything since the starting room—but he still recoiled a bit each time.
He recovered the trap dagger, dragged the bodies, and dumped them in nearby bushes. Sloppy enough to find with care, but better than nothing.
"With full mana, six Shocks and four Self-Advancing Steps. Can I handle three orcs head-on?"
Using skills aggressively, two orcs were no problem now. Three with some strain. Deciding to face the next group head-on without traps, he moved.
The orc pack wandered the mountain randomly.
Oddly, they stuck to paths. Consideration for newbies or just stupidity? Traversing the forest undetected was easy.
'Am I fast or slow?'
Hunger hit; he'd eaten bread and water simply, but intense fights made his stomach empty faster. Half the reason for this sick orc hunt was not to lose to that ponytail girl. He needed to hurry.
After this ordeal on massacre difficulty, missing first-clear bonuses would piss him off big time. Sixteen down, fourteen to go.
Cheering himself at 50% done, Sung-hoon soon noticed something off.
'What's with these guys? Not a single one in sight? Did they all run?'
Precisely, they were gathering to hunt him—but he had no clue. Meeting them meant death, no escape. Over twenty orcs, plus a mage elder.
Luckily, they were far apart. Grumbling as he wandered, Sung-hoon unwittingly voiced aloud.
"Huh?"
Exiting the forest revealed a village of unknown origin.