Orcs
Kraaaah!!
The first thing I spotted as I descended the hill was a male orc charging straight at me.
I swatted aside the blood-smeared wooden club hurtling my way, then swung my sword in a clean arc that severed its head from its body.
Thud!
The orc's massive bulk crumpled to the ground. Familiar handfeel, I thought, as I plunged deeper into their territory.
By then, the commotion had drawn orcs crawling out from the ramshackle wooden huts they'd slapped together. The stench they gave off aside, it was almost welcoming.
Even bad blood counts as a bond, I suppose.
Brought back memories of the colosseum, facing them nonstop.
Well, that much made it—
Slaaash!!
—child's play to deal with orcs.
I spun my body, slicing across two of their necks in a single stroke, then dropped low to dodge an incoming club. Slash— I carved a deep gash into the chest of the orc swinging at me and pulled back.
Kraaak… thud!
Orcs collapsing in sprays of blood.
By now, the thick metallic tang of blood overpowered even their stench. Familiar scent, of course.
I reset my stance and scanned the surroundings.
Behind me, the mercenaries who'd just come down the hill were clashing with orcs, while those bursting from the sides and front all rushed me. Dozens of them, easy.
But small fry nonetheless.
Amid the charging horde, my eyes locked on a lone orc standing farther back. Bigger than the rest by far, hooded, clutching a staff. That had to be the orc shaman.
I'd tangled with orc warriors plenty, but a shaman? First time.
They don't mix well with the colosseum—who brings unpredictable magic into an arena?
Still, was that the only elite?
Whoosh—
I leaped high to evade an orc that had closed in, planting my foot on its surprised face— Kraak?— for another boost.
My body soared noticeably higher. From there, I peered down.
Skipping the shabby huts, I scanned for elite lodging… Hm?
A cave mouth came into view—one I hadn't spotted from the hilltop earlier.
Something's probably in there.
Thud!
I dropped back down.
Whoosh—
Sword sweeping wide at the orcs now swarming me. But this time, infused with Aura.
Rush.
Boom!!
The explosive burst staggered the nearest cluster, leaving them with gashes large and small.
I blew past them, charging straight for the orc shaman raising its staff, up to some incantation.
Then—
"[ГАЗРЫН УУРЛАЛ-!!]"
⟨ Earth Burst ⟩
A glow erupted from the staff with those incomprehensible words.
The ground beneath the shaman heaved, hurling rock shards at me.
Hmm, that kind of thing.
Fast and sharp, but nothing I couldn't deflect.
Crack crack.
I batted away the big chunks aimed at vitals; the smaller ones I tanked with Guard. Solid impact, but the buff coat's thick leather held.
Now in close—
I swung wide.
Clang!!
Damn thing blocked with its staff.
Even rotten fish has its uses, huh? Seasoned orc or not, it had some melee chops. Hell, its ferocity topped that last warrior.
But—
Fleet.
—an orc's still an orc.
Pfshk!
In the blink of an eye, I circled behind and plunged my blade into its heart.
Graaak! Thud!
It deflated with a wheeze and collapsed.
"Phew."
Easier than expected.
Considering the payout, this was free money.
I yanked my sword free from the fallen shaman and eyed the onrushing orcs.
Enraged at their shaman's death, eyes bloodshot.
"Let's keep going."
Mopping them up didn't take long.
*
"Jeban, how's it over there?"
"Just minor injuries, sir."
After clearing my area, I linked up with Jeban's mercenaries. The orc corpses around showed they'd racked up a massive haul.
Orc packs were no sweat for them.
"Saw some with limbs sliced clean off…"
"Yes, the new guy's work."
"Impressive."
Chopping those chunky limbs must burn stamina, yet Haguro just looked a bit winded. Stamina freak, or just efficient?
Anyway, cleanup seemed done.
"Where'd those screams come from earlier?"
"The central hut, sir."
"Rescue 'em. Grab jewelry and staff from the dead shaman; the rest of you handle it."
"Understood."
I delegated as evening fell. Wrap this quick, overnight at base camp, then head down the mountain.
Sure enough—
"Boss! Man and woman here!"
"Got the jewelry!"
—bloodied, unconscious merc duo and mission swag secured.
"Staff?"
"Right here."
"Good."
I pocketed one too.
Nice material haul pace. Might commission that sword sooner than thought. Rental blade's solid; custom should be killer.
"Boss, these folks…"
"What."
"Silver Wings Duo."
"What? Really?"
The mercs' stares at the pair were weird.
"You know 'em?"
"Yes… famous in the capital."
"Why?"
"Gold-rank adventurers, working as a pair…"
"What? For real?"
Gold-rank adventurers? I checked their gear—yep, golden badges with winged boots.
"Legit?"
How do gold-ranks end up captured by orcs?
"Wake 'em."
"Safe?"
"Splash water. No limbs missing."
Orc numbers were high, but they'd been nabbed in the woods and dragged here. Some story there—I doused them.
Gack! Hack!
Kek! Cough!
They bolted up. Silver hair explained the name.
"You bast— wh, where…"
"Huh?"
They scanned around, spotting dead orcs and us.
"Continuous Strike Jeban?"
"J-Jeban?"
Recognized him first, somehow.
"Famous as ever, Continuous Strike Jeban."
"…Our paths cross often."
Anyway.
I gestured at the carnage for the rising pair.
"Small fry. Why'd they nab you?"
"You… no, never mind."
Then—
The guy surged to his feet.
"Th-thanks later. Le-let's get outta here first."
"Yeah, planned that. Spill why you got caught."
"Th-there's a weird one among the orcs."
"Weird how?"
Nothing like that here.
More details would help, but his face paled further.
"A-a monster on another level from the rest…"
"Ah, gotcha."
Mutant orc? Or the chieftain.
That cave, then?
My gaze drifted to the hill cave. No sign as its tribe got slaughtered.
Out hunting, maybe?
Whatever.
"Let's go. Base camp's up."
They looked panic-stricken; I nodded mercs to help them up.
"Move out."
As we climbed the rocky hill back to camp—
Thud…!
Ground trembled.
"Eek!"
"It's him! That thing!"
The duo freaked.
Gold-ranks, my ass?
Injured bad, minds frayed.
"Take wounded up top, now."
"Yes, sir…!"
"Healthy ones, hold here."
"Huh?"
Others stayed put.
Because—
Thud!
—more to come.
The prize was still out there.
Deep in that cave, a silhouette lumbered out with heavy footfalls.
Probably the duo's monster.
How badass to panic gold-ranks? I waited.
And soon—
Groooar…!
It squeezed from the entrance, backlit by the dying sun.
Too huge for orc, clad in battered armor.
And—
"Wh-what the hell is that?"
"Orc champion, maybe…"
—three arms per side.
Six total, each gripping a weapon.
"Champions get two extra arms now? Mine didn't."
What the fuck even is this.
Nearly double normal orc size, six arms—pure monster.
Like that alpha wolf before. Why always weird shit when I hit these mountains?
Or Kaine Mountain Range just sucks overall.
Rowell did warn me. And lectures mentioned rising merc deaths from orcs.
Yeah, with that, no wonder.
Anyway—
Groooaaar!!
Enraged at the corpses, it bellowed and charged.