Monster in the Lab #1

 

Jonathan, who had just taken the reins as the new leader of the Orc Village, was very busy.

Now I could eat and drink as much as I wanted, but it seemed like I didn’t have time to enjoy it leisurely.

That’s what a number one person is like.

Even after reaching the pinnacle of success, the arduous days continue.

To maintain power, one must never be lazy.

“Jonathan, what should we do with the Bloodstone Mine now? I will follow your orders. As a warrior orc, you are the wisest of us all.”

“There’s no need to work in the mine anymore. As of today, the mine is closed.”

Jonathan gave firm instructions.

Of course, this is not Jonathan’s own will, but my will, which actually determines the course of action behind the scenes.

From now on, every orc is a valuable worker and soldier. There’s no reason to waste them in harsh mining labor.

“Then what should we do with the brothers who worked in the mine? Are they all just playing?”

“No, that’s not it. Some hunt and store food, and some make weapons.”

“Oh, I see. That’s wise, Jonathan. I will do so.”

Soldiers, weapons, and food.

I plan to gradually secure the three major elements necessary for war.

The goal was clear: to defeat Kamula, the conqueror of the northern continent.

“Oh, Jonathan. I have another question. What do you do with the bloodstone you’ve already mined? That damned bloodstone, soaked in our blood and tears. I don’t even want to look at it anymore.”

“Well, that’s-”

Jonathan trailed off and looked at me.

I muttered silently under my breath.

‘custody’.

“⋯Do not discard.”

“Why? Bloodstones aren’t of much use to us orcs.”

“that-“

As I muttered again, Jonathan deftly read my intentions with his quick wit.

“There’s no need to mine more, but there’s no need to discard what’s already been mined. I’ll entrust the bloodstone to Estelle, the goddess of necromancy.”

“I see. I understand.”

Jonathan shuddered as the orc, having received the order, left.

“Ah, I can’t do this, Estelle. Why are you worrying so much? My head’s going to explode!”

“That’s just how it is. If you didn’t like it, you should have just lived quietly and obediently under Wapa and Betty.”

“Ugh- I didn’t realize that. And the most painful thing is….”

Jonathan looked out the window of his office.

The street outside the window was alive with energy for the first time in a long while. Everyone, sensing the coming of change, diligently worked at their assigned tasks.

Times had changed. The Orcs were intoxicated with a blind optimism they’d never imagined before.

“Everyone else is worry-free except me! I’m the only one with a headache. I’m the only one anxious to death. Will things work out? Will I be able to defeat Kamula? I’m the only one who can’t sleep at night, worrying about this. Is this right?”

“That’s how it was originally.”

“Estelle, are you a parrot? How many times do you have to say that’s just how it is?”

“Well… that’s how it was originally.”

“cadet-!”

Jonathan howled like a wolf and vented his anger.

It was so frustrating that I felt like I was clutching my chest.

“I feel like I’m deceiving my brothers. Everyone believes everything will work out somehow. I made it so. It’s all my fault…”

“usually-“

“Again, that bastard, is that how it was originally, Estelle?”

“Correct. A leader must keep a cool head, even when everyone else is in a frenzy. A captain at the helm of a ship must be alert, day or night, to every little change. That’s your job now.”

“⋯Is it too much to hit me now, Estelle?”

Instead of answering, I smiled.

Jonathan sighed deeply and buried his face in the papers again, seemingly resigned.

Perhaps it was just my imagination, but it seemed like wrinkles were already starting to form on my forehead.

Has my hair thinned out? I’m still young.

But while I can help, I can’t replace you.

Because I won’t stay in the snowy orc village forever.

Eventually, Jonathan will learn the duties of a leader and lead the orcs on his own without me.

‘Cheer up, Jonathan.’

Being number one is tough. However, the harder the number one struggles, the more smoothly the ship sails.

That’s how it was originally.

***

Outside the Orc Village.

The open space, originally used to gather and supervise slaves, has now been converted into a parade ground and training ground.

Young, sturdy orcs sweated and trained. Ahead, an orc elder watched them, carrying a bundle on his back.

“Have you come, Savior?”

As I approached, the elder glanced at me.

Although I told him that there was no need to call me by such a grand nickname every time, the elder stubbornly called me a savior.

“Grandpa, how are you?”

“Hmm. It’s still too early to tell, but I’m still sowing seeds for the future. I don’t know how many will sprout, though.”

The elder was given the task of teaching young orcs the art of orcish combat.

It’s an important mission.

Depending on the results of this special training, the quality of our soldiers going to war will vary greatly.

However, the elder looked quite displeased. He furrowed his brow and let out an uncomfortable sigh.

The reason was obvious.

“Hey, Grandpa. What’s wrong—are you still upset?”

“I’m not upset.”

“You’re really upset. What’s wrong with being an adult and getting worked up over such trivial things?”

“Savior, how can you say something trivial!”

The elder shouted. The young orc training in the front row glanced at us, startled.

“What is Jonathan’s fighting style? Jonathan’s fighting style! This fighting style is a unique tribal fighting style, passed down from generation to generation. What is that rookie Jonathan talking about—”

“But that’s because other orcs want to learn.”

Despite the elder’s strong opposition, I slightly changed the name of the orcish fighting technique.

It’s a kind of brand renaming.

There’s nothing wrong with orc combat itself, but it hasn’t been appealing to young orcs so far, so a change was needed.

What we’re introducing here is a new brand and narrative.

The very technique used by the warrior orc Jonathan, Jonathan’s combat skills.

I defeated Wafa and Betdi too. You can do it too!

Other orcs would probably want to learn this too.

I’m sorry to say this to you, Elder, but when you say that it’s a fighting technique passed down from an old grandfather orc, it smells a bit old.

The effect was remarkable. Just look at the orcs that filled the training grounds.

“Jonathan’s fighting skills! Truly excellent!”

“I too will become a warrior orc like Jonathan someday!”

The young orcs laughed happily, even though they were covered in dust and bruises all over their bodies.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. This isn’t it. I don’t like it⋯.”

So far, everything has been going smoothly, except for one disgruntled elder.

“Still, it’s better than before. Before, no one paid any attention to what Grandpa said. It’s so much better now.”

“That’s why I’m holding back, Savior. But once Kamula is defeated and the village is stabilized, I’ll restore the name of Orc combat to its original form.”

The elder spoke with eyes full of determination.

Well, I’m not sure if that’s what the elders want.

“Let’s get to the point, Savior. You came here because you have something to say.”

“Oh, right. You know where the lab is, right?”

I spoke directly. The elder silently swallowed his breath.

“⋯You’re not thinking of going to that dangerous place, are you?”

“Tell me. You would know.”

“Yeah, I know… I’m probably the only one in town who’s actually stepped foot into that hell and escaped.”

The elder raised his head and gazed into the distant sky. A nightmare from long ago flashed through his eyes.

“You’re a true hero, unlike the idiot Jonathan. It would be foolish for me, a commoner like myself, to judge your merits… but even so, I wouldn’t recommend exploring that lab.”

“I know it’s dangerous. But I decided that the power stored in the lab is absolutely necessary to defeat Kamula.”

“But that Camula is now leaving the lab untouched. He suffered massive damage in a single expedition and has given up on taking possession of the lab.”

A “secret laboratory” located somewhere in the north.

Even I, a game expert, cannot pinpoint the exact location.

Because each game is randomly changed to a location somewhere in the vast polar region.

The Secret Lab is a high-difficulty dungeon that requires completing over 10 consecutive quests if you follow the standard route.

“You have to take risks to get the treasure beyond that.”

“I see… Well, it’s impossible for me, a mere orc, to understand the thoughts of a lich with the power of immortality.”

The elder closed his eyes. After a long moment of reflection, when he opened them again, his thoughts seemed to have gathered.

“I’ll select a few talented orcs and send them to you. Take them with you. Even so, it’s impossible for you to do it alone.”

“There’s no need to do that.”

“Don’t be stubborn and listen to me. If you, my savior, don’t return safely, we orcs are finished.”

“Well then, okay. Okay.”

The elder drew a map.

Even though it’s a crude drawing, if you gather these basic clues, you can easily find your way with the guidance of India’s walking stick.

“I have one last request.”

The elder said.

“The lab is called hell for no other reason than the monsters that sleep there.”

“⋯Monster?”

“Yes. A monster that even Camula couldn’t handle. Never attempt to confront it. Take only what you need and get out quickly. That’s how you’ll survive.”

The elder’s lips were trembling slightly, as if he was afraid just to bring up memories from long ago.

I’m a little nervous too.

I want to dismiss it as the ramblings of a worried old orc, but…

Because I also know that what the elder said is true.