episode_0013

Riding comfortably in the carriage, I found myself patrolling the forest with orcs. How did I end up doing forest patrols with orcs when I was having such a good time?

To explain, it’s a long story.

Short version?

Hmm. Killed everyone and transformed into an orc with an artifact.

Why, what?

Oh, you want a detailed explanation?

Ugh.

To explain, after Linus left, I lay down on the expanded seat and was on my way. Since Ma Bu was driving anyway, the attendants were preparing food like rice and the luggage like clothes were with Gané. So, I had to lie down and plan for the future.

I heard that the skewers near the Southern Port are delicious, and there’s something in a hidden coastal cave over there. Would Linus agree to go there if I asked? I pondered.

-Creak-

“Hmm.”

As the suddenly stopped carriage came to a halt, I stretched my body and got up. With a feeling of nausea, I could only hear footsteps outside as I stepped out.

“So, this is how it turned out?”

Surely we were supposed to be on our way, but suddenly, a landscape full of tall trees in the forest.

Ma Bu and the attendants, each holding weapons, looked at me with a grim aura, making me click my tongue in annoyance.

“Do you know?”

“Yeah.”

Looking at Ma Bu as if surprised, I nodded vaguely.

The attendants… no, the K’nafuls of the warlocks, gave me strange looks even though they were planning to kidnap and kill me. Were these guys really consumed by dark magic to the extent of being so indifferent?

“Yet you sent reinforcements…”

“It’s a lack of confidence.”

“..?”

You lack confidence, kid.

Every time they fail to understand my banter, I start to feel like an old man wallowing in self-pity.

Promising revenge on the one who made me feel that way, I lightly tapped the back of my shoe and said, “What are you waiting for, not kidnapping?”

“…Capture them, no need to injure, just don’t let them die.”

“Fine… quite merciless.”

He’s ruthless indeed.

Before I could finish speaking, the enemies rushed towards us.

Even dogs aren’t touched during dialogue, mind you.

I dodged the attacks of a woman rushing at me with a dagger, using the power of Parma imbued in the raised toe to strike her neck lightly and uttered her name.

“Julia.”

As the power of extreme purification reached her, the former maid Julia collapsed where she stood.

I continued to fend off those approaching me with swords, whips, and fists, using the power of Parma to soothe their pain while calling out their names.

“Chen, Is, Mary, Idun, Jun.”

It was surprising that they winced in pain and surprise even though they knew their names. Why is that so surprising? What has this brat been up to?

I’ll have to catch him someday and hear his story properly.

Anyway, the reason I knew their names was simple.

These guys appeared as enemies who dabbled in dark magic with Vihan in the game.

Following traces of dark magic left in the west led to encountering these guys, and defeating them led to unveiling a surprise.

Meeting Vihan, who burned down the mansion in a frenzy.

After that, Vihan melted away before Vivian and they ended up spending their lives together… Oh, gives me chills.

So, when heading to the Dulliere family this time, I brought these guys along personally.

I don’t know how they hid, but they’ve already dipped their toes into dark magic.

The method I used to find them was sensing their growls upon seeing them.

Anyway, I kept them in the family in case something happened, and also brought them along just in case.

“Do you all know about us?”

The last remaining leader-looking guy kept using honorifics consistently.

An intriguing fellow.

“Well, yeah.”

“Indeed… Adelheid’s blood doesn’t disappear, does it?”

I slightly narrowed my eyes at the guy who seemed relaxed in his response.

Is this guy someone special?

Somehow, I started to feel hopeful.

In the game, he was a mid-boss, slightly stronger than a named NPC. What makes him different?

For now, I asked.

“However, why did you delve into dark magic?”

I was curious.

Boss-level characters in this game usually have intricate backgrounds.

That’s why even villains were popular in novels and games for being intriguing.

So, this guy showing composure in front of me must have some remarkable backstory, right?

As someone who enjoys stories from all walks of life, it was a highly anticipated moment for me.

“..Isn’t it obvious? It’s all due to unfairness. Do you think it makes sense that everything is divided from birth? Just because you were lucky enough to be born noble or on the streets…”

But my expectations plummeted rapidly at his words.

Before giving in to the clichés spouted by these dark wizards about unfairness and whatnot, I decided to ask one more time.

“Well, I get it’s unfair. But do you have any other story? Like losing a fiancé due to unfairness, or losing family to a corrupt noble…”

“What..?”

If it had been something like that, understanding, seeking revenge, and then calling it a good story would have lifted my spirits.

The person I addressed remained silent at my words.

“…Really, nothing?”

Then why all the fuss about unfairness..?

With deep disappointment, I utilized 【Dash】 to approach him and pierced his heart.

Even without building up speed with Dash, my legs wobbled, and while my fingers that pierced his heart might have broken, all I felt was disappointment instead of pain.

What is this?

I had hoped for something

He’s just a fool consumed by greed.

-Tingle tangle

I reset my broken finger, took out a potion from my bag, drank it, and turned my head to ask, just in case.

“Is there anyone else with a different story? Someone who ended up in dark magic for another reason.”

“Um, um..”

“P-please, sir…”

“Ugh..”

That way, I heard the stories of six tearful individuals, and after listening to tales packaged with greed, I vanquished all the lackeys of the dark wizards.

How can there be only people driven by greed without any real stories?

Truly disappointing.

“Well, shall we go?”

Still, I quickly regained my energy.

From now on, I will save more people and continue the story.

If things are resolved successfully, how many more people will be able to carry on with their lives?

10,000? 20,000?

Unable to hide my smile at the thought of the new stories they will create, I moved forward.

…

Not long after defeating the lackeys of the dark wizards, I got lost in the forest.

“This is so confusing..”

Well, it couldn’t be helped; it was a new map for me, and with a tired body, walking for a long time wasn’t easy.

Is this what F-rank stamina feels like?

After walking for about 30 minutes, I leaned against a tree trunk and sat down, pondering.

‘Isn’t it about time we meet?’

Recalling the in-game records, I tapped my fingers while thinking.

According to the records, the second chieftain was first discovered in the forest.

I found Orcs patrolling in a forest where Orcs were unlikely to be found, not as monsters but as a certain number of Orcs moving together.

Tracking them led to the discovery of a large village where three tribes had merged after finding the second chieftain, and except for one, all were executed.

Remembering that, I smiled softly at the faint rustling sound nearby.

Finally, we meet.

I suppressed my presence and waited for the Orc to approach.

…

“Phew.. my body is really a mess.”

I said as I stretched my arms and legs over the Orc’s corpse.

Fortunately, it seemed like one Orc had strayed from the group.

Whether he came to resolve a dispute or not, I focused and swiftly struck him down in one blow, causing my body to tremble.

Since Orcs aren’t inherently evil, my Palma’s energy didn’t flow properly, so I swiftly cut his throat with the sword I had picked up earlier, causing my limbs to ache terribly.

What am I supposed to do if my arms and legs are like this after just one 【Dash】 and one 【Horizontal Slash】?

There were quite a few useful tools in my bags, but they were not abundant, so I need to think carefully about it.

To the extreme, saving is good, but when your body gets too messed up, it’s not worth it.

Taking a moment to catch my breath, I pulled out a round bead from my bag.

This bead that looks like a small glass bead is a disposable artifact.

Its name is “Hunter’s Up.”

It transforms into the last creature you killed for up to a day, and in the game, you can find it with a certain probability near the general store of a mansion of noble rank or higher.

I was lucky enough to find it on an outing thanks to my servant, but when it doesn’t come out, it’s really an item that doesn’t come out dirty.

Thinking of the servant who looked at me with a face that seemed to have a lot to say, I laughed and put the bead in my mouth.

If I swallow it like this, I will transform into an orc.

If you suddenly ask why I’m turning into an orc,

I can say it’s for two reasons.

First, there are orc patrols around here, so I need to blend in with them to confirm the village’s location, and

Second,

[“Applying Hunter’s Up! The last life you harmed is an ‘Orc Warrior.’”]

Oh, it was an Orc Warrior, not just an orc.

Since I didn’t have any equipment, I thought it was just a big orc.

[“Due to the effect of Hunter’s Up, you will transform into an ‘Orc Warrior’ for half a day.”]

[“Borrowing some stats of ‘Orc Warrior’ for half a day!”]

That’s right.

An item that temporarily fills my weak stats, which are currently my only weakness.

However,

“The borrowed stats are proportional to your own stats!”

There’s a condition like this…

Originally, it was an artifact that many people used for fun gameplay, like growing their character well, capturing an evil dragon, transforming, and then burning enemies with the dragon.

But it’s really not great when used with a weak body.

However, since I expected this result, I humbly accepted it.

[“Borrowing the strength and stamina of ‘Orc Warrior’!”]

Even if it’s an Orc Warrior, I should be able to rise to Grade 5…!

As an Orc Warrior, I’ll rise to at least Grade C…!

Feeling the power surging through my body, I shouted inwardly, “‘Status window!’”

[Vihan Von Adelheid]

[14]

[Stats]

Strength: F -> D+ New!

Agility: E

Stamina: F- -> F+ New!

Willpower: S+

Magic Power: F-

[Abilities]

[Power of Exorcism (Transcendence)]

[Arrogance]

[Absolute Contract (In Progress)]

[Fair Contract 3 times]

Wow!

Amazing!

My strength has increased by 4 grades, and my stamina has gone up by 2 grades!

Overwhelmed with joy, I raised and swung down the dead orc’s glaive, shouting, “Are you kidding meeeee-!!!!!!”

“Yessssss!!!!!!!!!!”

Today, Vihan’s body was still dizzy.