Chapter 105
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 105
Chapter Title: New Encounter
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Jinwoo's group carefully advanced along the waterway.
There might be other intelligent beings living here besides them.
That fact hadn't changed their fundamental approach.
But it had certainly shifted their mindset.
"For now... honestly, they're unlikely to pose much of a threat unless it's something extraordinary."
"I think so too."
Jinwoo nodded at Shin Seomhwa's words.
As he said, their group's strength was on par with S-Grade parties in society.
Unless some exceptional monster appeared, they weren't a real threat.
Of course, complacency wasn't wise.
That's why Jinwoo's group was traveling through the forest right next to the open waterway.
Hilde asked with a cautious expression.
"Hmm, do you think they'll be hostile toward us?"
"There's no guarantee they will be. But it's better than assuming they're friendly."
For starters, they were opponents who used bows as weapons.
The possibility that they viewed this side as enemies couldn't be ignored.
"There are roughly three possibilities."
Jinwoo slowly opened his mouth as he walked.
"One is if they're survivors shipwrecked on this uninhabited island like us."
This was a different island from the last one.
But it was still connected to that previous uninhabited island.
The chance another survivor was living here wasn't zero.
This place had defied common sense from the start.
Nothing would surprise him much at this point.
He hadn't mentioned it specifically,
but he also had Shaolin's existence somewhat in mind.
"The second is if they're native inhabitants who originally lived here."
"That would be a hassle, honestly. If they can make bows, there must be more than one or two of them."
"Given the environment here, it's hard to imagine they'd be few in number."
Even they, who had first crash-landed on the uninhabited island, had managed to survive like this.
If these were original residents, they probably numbered at least in the dozens or hundreds.
At minimum, it would be a tribe.
"And the last one... honestly, this isn't a scenario I want to consider—"
Jinwoo suddenly stopped in his tracks.
It wasn't just him.
Hilde, leading at the front, and Shin Seomhwa, preparing magic slightly behind, did the same.
Everyone froze in place as if by prior agreement.
"Huh? What's going on?"
Only Han Soyoung tilted her head in confusion.
Clang!
Hilde suddenly swung her spear.
Something collided in mid-air with a sharp sound.
Thud. An arrow fell to the ground.
Judging by the angle, it seemed more like a warning shot than one aimed to kill.
'Nothing impressive.'
Part of it was Hilde's exceptional spear technique.
But the arrow didn't seem infused with any special mana either.
At this level, Jinwoo could crush them alone.
Of course, since it was a warning, they might have held back their power.
"Why don't you come out instead of just shooting blindly? You've all gathered quite the crowd."
A brief silence followed Jinwoo's words.
But soon, rustling sounds came from the bushes all around.
Their opponents gradually revealed themselves.
Jinwoo's eyes widened at the sight.
'Elves and orcs?'
Races commonly seen in fantasy.
A large number of elves and orcs, clearly visible as such, had surrounded them.
'I considered other races might appear... but seeing it for real is even more shocking.'
He'd seen simple monsters like goblins often.
But this was his first time encountering other high-intelligence races like this.
Jinwoo focused on the two at the very front.
One was a typical orc with a massive build and an axe strapped to his back.
However, rather than the usual ugly image, he gave off more of a muscular warrior vibe.
The other was an arrogant-looking elf holding a bow.
Her skin wasn't the pale white commonly known, but a tanned bronze.
Perhaps what they called a dark elf.
'Quite the unusual combination.'
Orcs and elves... honestly, the only thing that came to mind was something lewd.
But they didn't look like that.
On the contrary, their tight formation gave the impression that the orc was the elf's subordinate.
"What are you?"
The dark elf, who seemed to be the leader in the group, spoke up.
Jinwoo shrugged his shoulders in response.
"Shouldn't you introduce yourself first before asking others?"
"Ha! You don't grasp the situation."
The dark elf haughtily lifted her chin.
"One gesture from me, and I could turn you all into pincushions. I'm only sparing you out of my mercy."
The elves scattered around aimed their bows at them.
But from Jinwoo's perspective, it didn't feel particularly threatening.
'Lots of numbers, but not enough to take us down.'
Shin Seomhwa's magic was specialized for mass slaughter from the start.
If she wanted, she could inflict massive casualties and escape.
The only reason not to was the lack of reason to fight them.
They were another race living on this island.
They surely held information this side didn't know.
Plus, their exact strength was unknown.
'And the elves have great figures.'
Jinwoo's gaze swept over the scattered elves one by one.
Even as dark elves, true to their name, they all had looks rivaling top idols.
Perfectly sculpted faces, excellent hips, and not a bit of excess fat on their stomachs or sides.
Their bronzed skin added an exotic allure.
Especially that arrogant dark elf leader—her chest was quite—
"Ow."
Lost in those thoughts for a moment,
Hilde pinched his side with a sulky expression.
"You were thinking something naughty just now, weren't you?"
"...Sorry."
Hilde had reached the level of reading his mind now.
He'd have to be more careful from now on.
"We have no intention of fighting you. Don't you want to talk?"
"Hmph! That's for equals. We have no reason to—"
"Wait a moment, Maia."
The orc standing sternly beside her spoke.
A strange authority emanated from his deep voice.
"You saw her deflect that arrow earlier. Their skills are no joke. There's no gain in fighting, and here..."
Just as some sensible words seemed forthcoming,
the dark elf called Maia kicked the orc's leg.
"Shut up, you pig bastard. Don't speak to a noble dark elf so casually, beast."
"......"
Even after that treatment, the orc said nothing.
He merely furrowed his brow slightly.
The dark elf clearly held the upper hand over the orc.
'Given their size difference, you'd think he'd just grab her and go at it.'
Maybe he had some weakness or circumstances.
The orc, who had closed his eyes briefly in thought, continued.
"...We just want to protect our subordinates. Wouldn't it be troublesome for you if your forces were greatly reduced before the war with the elves is over?"
"There are only four enemies."
"I could kill ten elves before an arrow hits my head."
"Hmm......"
The dark elf pondered the orc's words.
Jinwoo considered interjecting but stayed quiet.
Staying silent let information flow in anyway.
And things were heading in a good direction.
"So what do you propose? You can't mean for me to bow to them first?"
"If they have no intent to fight, that could be one way."
The orc sighed deeply.
As if he knew she wouldn't from the start.
"Or we could settle it one-on-one between leaders, per ancient tradition."
The orc drew his massive axe.
His gaze was fixed squarely on Jinwoo.
"Warrior I've never seen before. You're the leader of that group, right?"
"Well, if we're being precise, yeah."
Jinwoo shrugged lightly.
Of course, he was equals with the women.
But if picking a representative, it was him.
"Let's duel fair and square. If you win, we'll let you go. But if you lose, come with us quietly."
"Hey, wait! Why are you deciding things on your own? I never agreed to that!"
"This minimizes casualties. Or do you have a reason to fight someone who could beat me alone?"
The dark elf scowled in dissatisfaction but clamped her mouth shut.
His build was exceptional, and clearly, the orc was strong.
"...Interesting."
Jinwoo casually pulled a weapon from his inventory.
Gripping the now-familiar 'Returning Knife,' power surged through his body.
"Hold on."
Shin Seomhwa stopped him.
"Do we really need to accept that? If we want, we could just kill them all and run."
It sounded brutal at first glance, but if Shin Seomhwa willed it, she could.
Jinwoo was confident of victory in a straight fight too.
But he shook his head.
"They picked a fight with me just now. A man has to accept."
"...Anyway."
Shin Seomhwa sighed but didn't press further.
She and Jinwoo had sparred countless times by now.
The results were her total defeats.
Jinwoo's skill was beyond S-Rank now.
Truth be told, he wanted to test that power too.
Not in a simple spar, but a real life-or-death battle.
"I don't think you'll lose, but be careful, Master."
"Don't worry."
Jinwoo stepped forward with knife in hand.
The orc leader pushed through his subordinates to emerge as well.
As the others created distance,
it naturally formed into an arena-like setup.
"Thanks for accepting the fight."
"No need to thank me."
"...I know those behind you are strong at your level too. If we fought as is, it'd be our complete defeat."
Jinwoo whistled lightly.
It was praise.
The ability to gauge strength just by looking wasn't easily acquired.
'He looks pretty skilled too. At least A-Grade.'
Probably around Hilde or Shin Seomhwa's level, or slightly below.
Not someone to lose to, but no room for carelessness.
"I don't get it. With that strength, why follow that hothead?"
"Pfft! Hothead. She'd explode if she heard, but spot on."
The orc chuckled briefly before flashing a bitter smile.
"Unfortunately, we have our circumstances. Honestly, if I can save my subordinates with my life alone, that's a relief."
"...What's your name?"
"Kite."
"I'm Kim Jinwoo. Remember it."
"Good name."
Jinwoo kicked off, and the orc leader swung his axe.
A roar tearing through the air soon echoed.