Orc: Evolution and Anatomy
Orc. (1) Orcs are monsters evolved from hobgoblins. When dozens of goblin packs containing hobgoblins band together to form a massive goblin horde, one hobgoblin within that horde transforms into an orc. Once this transformation completes, the orc is regarded as an entirely separate species from ordinary goblins—and the reason lies in its overwhelming strength. Unlike hobgoblins, which match or slightly fall short of an average human male in power, orcs possess physiques vastly superior to any human's. Height, weight, muscle mass, bone density, sensory acuity, skin toughness—superior in every physical aspect.
To hunt such a beast requires a team of battle-hardened adventurers or soldiers working in concert, and even then, casualties are inevitable. This is why goblin packs showing hobgoblins must be culled promptly to prevent orc emergence, and why the Adventurer's Guild and Church of Life invest heavily in goblin extermination.
……Orcs evolve from hobgoblins, but not every hobgoblin can become one. Only those with exceptional physical potential qualify. Lesser hobgoblins evolve differently. For instance, in death-charged sites like dragon graves, they forgo orc-like brawn for abilities like wielding necrotic energy as poison or animating dead goblin flesh—becoming goblin shamans. Those evolving in frozen wastes turn into frost goblins, manipulating chill with mana. Hobgoblins adept at herding others become goblin chieftains with superior command skills. Heat-blasted environments birth flame goblins wielding fire... though they often incinerate their own horde, so best as an exception.
Goblin-to-hobgoblin evolution is uniform, but hobgoblin paths diverge wildly, adapting to environments much like goblins themselves.
The orc was remarkably sturdy. Tougher and more resilient than any human—like an upgraded version in terms of durability. Not invincibly hard, mind you; three to five spearmen could pierce it with effort. The hide was leathery, but not enough to outright deflect blades.
"Grrrk!"
The orc rolled its eyes wildly, struggling against the tree trunk binding it. Terror gleamed in those eyes. Smarter than a hobgoblin, clearly. Hobgoblins had some wits, but never showed emotion this raw.
Hmm. I'd love to capture it for intelligence tests, poke and prod to my heart's content... But too risky.
Dissection first, then.
I approached the immobilized orc and prodded its skin with a finger. Solid. Not rock-hard, but tougher than a wild boar's. A mass of pure muscle. The power surging from those fibers must be immense. It wore a ragged beast hide around its waist—skinned crudely, untanned, fur and fat still clinging. No different from goblin rags, really... though its bulk meant it barely covered the essentials.
The face was tolerable compared to a goblin's—still ugly. Massive jaw, jutting lower fangs giving it a feral vibe. Green skin and that mandible combo screamed savage. A little reshaping, and it might pass... but whatever.
In its grip: a club fashioned from a thick branch, trimmed like Lyclean's old one. Hefty weight for that girth, wielded one-handed. Impressive strength.
As I examined it, I noticed the orc's gaze fixed on me. Staring even while trapped? Gutsy.
Ah, no. Its eyes crinkled in a smirk. Lips twitched upward. And... well, crudely put, a certain part under that waist hide was... excited. Multiple ways.
Into bondage play? Or just thrilled by my looks? After watching its goblin and hobgoblin minions burn in seconds?
Oh. That thing? The one where facing death spikes the libido instinctively?
Gross.
Tsk. Libido? From an orc? I'm a human girl with dragon horns right now. Do orcs lust after other species? High enough intelligence for that?
Ugh. Who knows. Creepy. Want to erase it.
But investigation first.
Snip!
I sliced off the offending lower appendage and cauterized the stump with fire. No anesthetic. The orc shrieked, foamed at the mouth, and passed out.
Its leer and that thing disgusted me utterly—my lingering male ego screamed in horror, but oh well. It was that repulsive.
Ahem. Fainted or not, live dissection time.
I manipulated the binding vines to splay its limbs wide, exposing the torso fully.
Now, then—vivisection.
The orc's vitality was extraordinary. Skin flayed, organs bared—no death. Muscles sliced, bones exposed—still kicking. Only when I excised a chunk of innards did it teeter on the brink, but I couldn't lose my prime subject.
Heal up, heal up.
Overall skeletal structure mirrored a hobgoblin's— just incomparably tougher. Bones, muscles, skin, nerves—all leagues beyond. Organs similar too, with extras: two stomachs, oversized lungs and heart relative to body size. For maximal digestion? Like a cow's four stomachs, maybe mimicked.
Another trait: that green skin's photosynthesis. Goblins and hobgoblins sustained minimal life via it, but orcs couldn't. It happened, sure, but insufficient for basics. Larger body, more muscle—energy demands skyrocketed.
And... mana stone.
The orc's was roughly twice a hobgoblin's size. Small-to-medium tier, fitting a potent monster. Substantial mana reserves. Despite the horde inferno torching all goblin mold, its body brimmed with power.
I extracted the stone from the near-dead heart. The orc expired instantly. Even with such a developed frame, monster rules held.
Clutching the stone, I drew the hero's sword and held it near.
Hmm... no fragment of darkness. Thought this size might yield one.
Tsk.
I conjured mana flames to incinerate the corpse, then departed.
The orc—hobgoblin evolved anew—delivered a fresh shock. Creatures growing stronger through numbers and unity. Social structure unlike any before. Monster or not, intriguing.
But that elevated the threat. Hobgoblin packs? Rural villages could handle. Orcs? Not so much.
Hundreds of goblins, dozens of hobgoblins, one orc. Weaklings or no, that swarm menaced. Villages without stout walls and defenders? Annihilated by the orc alone.
Thus, I disseminated goblin intel via the Church of Life. Potential human threats demand timely culls. Better prune when possible than let fester.
Humans would agree, right?
Apparently not. Or maybe they're dumber than I thought.
