Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Orc Subjugation
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Inside the adventurer guild building.
The air was tense, taut with anticipation—different from the usual vibe.
Had the adventurers ever gathered with such gravity before? The people here today all had a different air about them.
"What's going on?"
Esty seemed to have a hunch.
"Probably the orc outbreak."
"Orc outbreak?"
I'd heard the term once, in passing.
"Sometimes orcs surge in massive numbers due to the Demon King's influence. When that happens, adventurers from all over band together to deal with it."
"It's also when you see elite adventurers who are usually hard to spot."
Esty nodded.
"Even the main guild hall in the capital was packed. Looks like it's hit Marn now, too."
Were all high-rank adventurers such oddballs? Their outfits were flashy and individualistic, but they seemed like lone wolves.
One man approached us, his hair grown out to a grotesque length.
"To think I'd spot the 'Lofty Hunter' today. Lucky me."
...He wasn't coming for me—he was heading straight for Esty.
"..."
"You might not remember me, but we crossed paths during the 'Minotaur Subjugation.'"
"Wabid. I remember."
Esty just stared at the hand Wabid extended, not taking it.
Wabid awkwardly withdrew it and spoke.
"Elves are guardians of the forest. I figured you came after hearing about the orc surge."
"Orcs...?"
"You didn't know?"
"No."
...This Wabid guy—could he not see me?
I felt like a ghost.
"If you'll allow it, I can share the intel I've gathered. Shall we head over there?"
"I'll look into it myself."
Esty politely turned down Wabid's offer and took my hand.
For the first time, Wabid looked straight at me.
"Are you... traveling together?"
"I was starting to think I was invisible."
"My apologies. I never imagined..."
Never imagined?
Meaning it was that surprising for Esty to be seen with someone specific.
"What changed your mind to form a party? They must have some impressive skills."
Esty squeezed my hand tight.
"Yeah, they're amazing. I fell for them hard."
That wasn't just hype—that was launching them into orbit.
Coming from Esty's mouth, Wabid seemed at a loss for words.
"There are already so many talented adventurers... feels like I'm getting squeezed out more every day.
Nice to meet you. I'm Wabid, just your average adventurer."
"Decal."
We shook hands.
From what Esty remembered about him, he was clearly no average adventurer.
"Decal, was it? Looking forward to your exploits on this orc subjugation mission."
I could feel eyes on me.
Not Esty—me? Wow. It was hard to gauge just how high my rep had risen thanks to her.
A guy who could barely handle basic attack magic—did I even belong here?
"Well, I'll take my leave then."
Wabid backed off.
"You're pretty famous among adventurers, huh?"
"Not really. Plenty ask to party up, but I always turn them down."
"Your name's not out there either? Do you hate saying it in front of others?"
"I don't want anyone knowing. Humans can't be trusted. They betray oaths so easily."
Unexpectedly, Esty revealed her distrust of humans.
I'd forgotten for a moment. She was an elf—wary several times more than most.
"You don't trust me either?"
Esty intertwined her fingers with mine and smiled.
"You're the exception, Decal. Human or not, I can trust you."
From her words and actions just now, it was clear: her trusting me didn't mean she'd soften toward others.
An elf's distrust of humans ran deep.
Well, I had no intention of changing that.
She was right in the end.
Thinking back on what I'd done to her, how deep was my sin?
Even after holding her last night, I was getting hard again. Man, I really was twisted.
"Fine, I'll only call you by name when we're alone.
Oh, my name's fair game."
"I don't want to share your name either."
Esty said it with a playful whine.
"It's fine. I know how to handle humans."
It came out with a bit of bite.
Anyway, things were lining up for us to take on the orc subjugation quest.
"Shall we try taking down some orcs? Are they tough?"
"No idea about others' standards. They were easy for me."
Of course they were. Diamond rank and all.
"Wanna give it a shot? Kinda scary, though."
"I'll protect you, Decal."
Come to think of it, with Esty along, there was no real danger.
Might as well go for it.
I headed to the quest board first and checked the orc subjugation details.
「Orc Subjugation」
Rank C+
Recommendations
Level 24+, party of 3+, combat skills, search skills required
Notes
Orc outbreak, high risk. High chance of groups forming.
My level was 16.
Way below the recommendations.
"Esty, what's your level?"
I pulled her aside and asked.
If she was around 50-60, I could trust her to handle it.
"1193."
"What?"
"Thousand one hundred ninety-three."
She spelled it out, thinking I'd misheard.
"...How strong are you, exactly?"
"About on par with a diamond-rank adventurer?"
Level-wise, orcs couldn't even touch her.
I headed straight to Aselin at the counter.
"Uh, wh-what can I help you with?"
What was this?
She'd been smooth lately, no stuttering.
Aselin's face was oddly flushed. Seeing that jogged my memory of the suggestion I'd planted.
「Masturbate thinking of me every night...」 Yeah, that one. Guess she'd reached the point of lewd fantasies just looking at me.
"Your face is red. You okay?"
"Y-Yes! N-No problem!"
"I want to take the orc subjugation quest..."
"The orc subjugation? You need a bronze-rank license or higher for that."
"My license hasn't come in yet, right?"
"Yes, you'll need to wait a bit longer."
"Then..."
I glanced at Esty.
She caught on quick and stepped up to the counter for me.
"I'll take it."
"Y-Yes!! Um, our branch doesn't have extra-large soul stones. Is that okay?"
"Yes. Five large soul stones, please."
...Was this the prestige of diamond rank?
The soul stones you could claim were on another level.
"We'll need the guild master's approval, so please wait a moment."
While Aselin dashed off, I asked Esty,
"How many small soul stones is one large worth?"
"100."
"..."
That was enough capacity for 100 goblins per small—times 100?
One large could hold 10,000 goblins...?
No one would hunt goblins with a large, but still, insane capacity.
"So medium's ten smalls?"
"Yeah."
Fully filled, how much would that pay?
Monster outbreaks might actually be prime money-making time for adventurers.
Life-risking work, but solid rewards made it appealing.
"Here are five large soul stones. Please return them to the guild after completion. And..."
Aselin glanced at me.
"Would you like to register a party?"
"Party registration?"
Esty looked clueless too. Makes sense—she'd never partied before.
"When forming a party, the leader has to declare the members and register them.
For fair distribution and recording of achievements upon completion."
"Decal as leader, me as party member."
"No license and I'm leader, while you're diamond rank? Doesn't make sense. You be leader."
"I've never done leader before..."
Must be unfamiliar for an elf.
Same for me. Boss, sure—but leader?
"It's just a title anyway, right? Aselin, any perks for leader?"
"The leader's word carries more weight in evaluating achievements."
"If you say you killed 100 orcs and I lie and say 50, does it count as mine?"
Bad idea popped up first thing.
Aselin panicked, glancing around.
"P-Please don't say that so loudly."
Rarely, Esty gave me a stern look.
"Decal, no cheating. Earn rewards fairly through effort."
...Such honest girls.
"What's wrong with it? Dead orcs don't change."
"I'll be leader."
Esty's mind seemed made up.
"I'll watch you closely to make sure you don't cheat."
"You don't trust me?"
Esty gazed at me steadily.
"I do. But you strike me as the type who'd fudge kill counts."
She'd pegged me sharp.
Never underestimate an elf's insight.
"Then I'll register the Hunter as leader."
Aselin quickly filled out the paperwork.
I had no complaints. Strongest should lead.
So, where were the orcs spawning?
"Where do the orcs show up?"
"You can find them easily in the forest outside the village now. Destroying their base and bringing back a totem ups your score, so keep that in mind."
They scored based on all sorts of factors, huh.
Esty and I left the guild.
"Grab some food before we head out? Leader?"
"D-Don't call me that."
She'd taken it on, but hearing it embarrassed her.
We ate at a nearby restaurant, then set out for orc subjugation.