Praise the Orc! Chapter 6:
Chapter 6 – Mutant Hunt (1)
Ian and Grom passed Lenox’s test .
Grom brandished his axe a few times and went to Lenox, where he was beaten and started training again . Meanwhile, Ian didn’t go to Lenox and stayed at the training grounds .
Therefore, a week passed by in reality like this .
Thanks to the brain acceleration system, one day of reality was five days in Elder Lord . A time acceleration of five times was applied . Thus, Ian reported the same thing for more than a month in game time .
Ian, who repeatedly trained himself, and Grom, who acted like a normal user, couldn’t progress in the game for a month .
Ian realized the severity of the orc species .
Who would want to spend a month doing the basic foundations in a game? They trained repetitively everyday until they collapsed from exhaustion . It was natural that there were no users .
Then Lenox called Ian and Grom over .
“Now you are a little usable . ”
He looked at Ian when saying this,
“Of course, you are still greatly lacking . ”
This time he looked at Grom .
Ian and Grom had become an attraction in Orcrox Fortress . Both of them had become synonymous with fighting spirit . Ian trained diligently, while Grom had the habit of going over to Lenox, being beaten, and then going back to training without giving up .
“I’m still not satisfied, but that would take another 100 years, so you will now receive your first mission as an apprentice warrior . ”
“Yes!”
Finally, a mission . Ian and Grom looked at each other and smiled .
“Recently, wolves have appeared to the south of Orcrox Fortress . There seems to be a shortage of food, so the orc farmers are suffering damage . ”
Orc farmers . They were fresh words .
“It is suitable for both of you who desire to become warriors . Hunt the wolves and help the farmers . ”
[Lenox has given you a quest . ]
[The first quest . I am cheering for you . Get rid of the wicked wolves that are threatening the good-natured orc farmers!]
[You must help them!]
[First, look for the orc farmers outside of the fortress . ]
[The compensation for the completion of the quest is Lenox’s recognition and achievement points . Depending on your accomplishments, there might be something more…]
A quest window was created . Grom’s eyes moved like he was also seeing it .
“Now, start . ”
Then Lenox yelled at the orc warriors at the training grounds as usual .
“Don’t give up! Jump! Forget about your breathing! Do you want to be comfortable? Then quit!”
“We are orcs!”
“Bul’tarrrr!”
“Being comfortable isn’t for a warrior! Comfort makes you weak! You will only grow through pain! Fight!”
“Uwaaaaaah!”
Ian nodded .
“Really cool . ”
“That is cool?”
Grom shook his head .
“I am enthusiastic . ”
“I still haven’t adapted to being an orc . Speaking of which, Ian-ssi seems like you have received training like this before . Do you work out?”
“I was a soldier, a professional soldier . ”
“Aha . So that’s what it was . Now I understand . Your tone and behaviour naturally fits this place . I am currently worrying over whether I should continue as an orc . ”
“Come on, I will be lonely if you leave me alone . ”
“Kuk, then I will stay because of Ian . ”
Grom laughed .
He felt like a friendly neighborhood friend or younger brother, but he had the threatening face of an orc .
“Shall we buy some items?”
“I have no money . ”
“Ah, that’s right . We can earn money by doing the wolf quest and by selling the loot we pick up . Let’s eat delicious food at that time . ”
The meals at the warriors’ barracks tended to just be cafeteria food . Surprisingly, the orcs’ diets were quite palatable . Their diet was similar to that of normal people, except that they had a higher proportion of meat and that there was a lot of food .
As Ian and Grom left the fortress, the orc guards greeted them .
“Hey! It’s the newbies . Are you alive?”
“I’m alive . ”
Ian and the guard’s fists met . Grom also shared the greeting with the other guard .
“You must’ve been trained properly by Instructor Lenox! Now you have a bit more flesh on you . ”
The orc guards laughed,
“Is it a wolf hunting mission?”
“That’s right . ”
“I see . Be careful . Lately, there have been direwolves blending in with normal wolves . ”
Grom was surprised, as they were a pretty powerful monster . Ian asked,
“What if we run into them?”
“Look at the situation and run away if it is dangerous . ”
The orc guard raised his finger with a serious expression .
“Keep this in mind . To survive is to be strong . Boldness isn’t courage, so if you are in danger, don’t be stubborn and run away . ”
“I understand . ”
“Kulkulkul, come back alive . ”
Ian and Grom left the fortress .
***
Wolves were dangerous beasts . Ian was well aware of this .
However, he wasn’t worried .
He glanced at Grom walking next to him . Big and burly .
He was also an orc, but the orc’s solid body and tight muscles made catching any wolf-like beast seem simple in comparison . Although they were only slightly taller than humans, their bodies were twice as large as an adult male’s body . They also had thick limbs, making them seem like gorillas .
“Are these wolves different from those in reality?” Ian asked .
“They are usually similar . Animals are almost identical to those in reality . Elder Lord is difficult due to the monsters and other species being really strong . ”
“Then can’t the orc farmers deal with the wolves?”
Ian lifted his forearm and showed his biceps, which were at a Guinness world record level . Grom laughed .
“That’s true, but there may be something unusual like the direwolves among the wolves . ”
Ian suddenly turned his head . He was nervous, but it was just a roe deer .
The roe deer often ran off when they saw the two orcs . A bird perched on the roe deer, causing both the roe deer to buck and the bird to fly off . The bird seemed to be playing a joke on the deer .
It was a beautiful sight .
The world of Elder Lord, which sometimes seemed more realistic and beautiful than reality, was inspiring . As he played Elder Lord, Ian seemed like he was really becoming an orc apprentice warrior .
Ian muttered the orc slogan,
“Bul’tar!”
It was a word that orcs always repeated . It was the ancient orc word meaning, ‘life’ . Chanting this seemed to clear his mind .
Grom laughed,
“Ian will become a role-player later on . ”
“Role-player?”
“Immersion is important in Elder Lord, as is the assimilation rate . There are many people who make a drama by acting like real NPCs . It is popular on TV and the Internet . ”
“Kulkulkul, I can’t do that . ”
“Look, look at that smile . Sometimes I can’t help but think that you’re a real orc . Your assimilation rate must be high . ”
Ian jumped, as he could feel eyes watching them . This gaze was different from those from the animals . It resembled the ferocious gaze of the enemy on the battlefield . Ian’s body tensed up .
“Uh, what is it?”
“Who is there?”
“Who?”
Grom looked around .
“There’s nobody…”
He walked towards a bush as he looked around . The forest was filled with tall bushes and trees blocking the field of view . As Grom waved his hands in front of the bushes, hands appeared and gripped his neck .
“Uwah!”
“Who?”
Ian drew his greatsword . Grom floundered and missed his axe . The owner of the arms gradually left the bushes, revealing his appearance . He had a rough face with protruding tusks . He was an orc .
The orc asked, “Who are you?”
“…I am an orc . ”
“I see that . Kulkul . ”
The orc stepped on Grom’s axe that had fallen to the ground .
“Are you thieves who stole these weapons?”
Orcs could also be thieves . Ian shook his head .
“No . ”
“Then?”
“We are warriors . ”
“…Really?”
The orc narrowed his eyes .
Ian added, “Apprentices . ”
“It is hard to believe . No matter how young, you look too weak to be warriors . ”
The orc pressed harder against Grom’s neck . Grom struggled frantically .
“Okay . Then who is your instructor?”
“Lenox . ”
“Oh, he is a very friendly instructor . Isn’t that right?”
“Lenox isn’t friendly at all . ”
“Hrmm . I guess you know Lenox . ”
He let go of Grom, who fell to the floor with a loud cry . The orc then hit Grom’s head .
“Be tense, Trainee . You should’ve expected something to emerge from the bushes . ”
“Kuock…”
“These days, there are many orc bandits . Everybody has lost their honor . ”
Grom stood up while wiping away his drool .
“Who are you?”
“Me?”
The orc puffed up his chest .
“I am Grant . A farmer . ”
“…Farmer?”
“I work honestly and sweat while gathering the grain . ”
Ian gave Grom his axe .
“It is nice to meet you . ”
“Ohhh…”
“Grant . We’ve received a mission from Lenox to help the orc farmers . ”
Grant burst out laughing . “You guys?”
“We might be weak, but we can still help . I heard that there is a problem with wolves . ”
“Yes, that is true, but will you be able to help?”
“Believe in Lenox’s eyes, not us . ”
“Indeed… Lenox wouldn’t have sent just anyone . ”
Grant considered for a while and nodded .
“I understand . Follow me . ”
They followed Grant . A log cabin was built not far away . There was a fence built around a field that wasn’t large . Two small orcs were using farm equipment in the field .
“Hey, are you alive?”
“Daddy!”
“Father!”
The little orcs ran forward .
Cute .
Considering the orcs’ horrible appearances, he wouldn’t have expected to think they were cute, even if they were young . However, any animal would be considered cute as they looked with wide eyes at the person patting their head .
The little ones discovered the two unfamiliar orcs and became wary .
Grom glanced at them before the introductions started .
Ian and Grom introduced themselves . The eyes of the young eyes shone when they heard that Ian and Grom were warriors who came to help Grant .
“A warrior, how awesome . ”
“Warrior! Stay alive!”
They pretended to wield weapons like the warriors . Grant snorted with an affectionate expression .
Grant also had a wife living in the log cabin . She was an orc that couldn’t be called pretty, but she greeted them with a gentle face . Ian and Grom were treated to her warm stew .
After only having cafeteria food, Ian and Grom hurriedly ate the stew . Grant’s wife gazed at them happily before suddenly saying to Grom,
“You are a good person . ”
“…Huh?”
Grom raised his head .
“But the world is pushing you . ”
“What are you…”
“Make the right choice . ”
It sounded like a zen riddle . Grom looked at Grant with a puzzled expression . Grant explained,
“My wife has magic eyes that can weakly see destiny . It would be better to listen to her . ”
“Yes…”
This time, Grant’s wife turned to Ian and said,
“You were born with the soul of a warrior . ”
“Thank you . ”
“But your soul has been greatly hurt by something . ”
“…Huh?”
“You gave up the warrior’s path because of this pain… However, you picked up the weapon again in order to protect others . ”
Ian was stunned . Did this NPC just read his past? He got into an argument during a war meeting and was discharged, and then he started playing this game due to his sister . Could the virtual reality system read his memories?
She gently laughed,
“I don’t know the details, but I feel like I should say this . Do what you believe in with courage . ”
Ian and Grom both had confused expressions on their faces . Grant burst out laughing .
“Kulkulkul . You must be surprised . What are you going to do if you are surprised at just this? You have to go with me to catch wolves . ”
“Huh?”
“Didn’t you come to hunt the wolves?”
“Grant, you’ll go as well?”
“It’s my job, I have to go . ”
Grant pointed to a wall, where a halberd was hanging .
“I can catch all the wolves alone, but I encountered an enemy that I need your help with . ”
“What is it?”
“A mutant wolf . ”
Grant lowered his voice .
“He’s just a wolf, but his size is bigger than any direwolf, and he is very smart . He had started moving the wolves methodically . That is why the farmers have recently been damaged by the wolves . ”
“Ah…”
“Your help is needed . I have faith . Kulkul . ”
Grant’s wife looked at him with concerned eyes .
“Don’t worry . I’m not someone to be killed by wolves . ”
“You…”
“Just cast your spells . The sweet blessings like your lips . ”
“Be careful . ”
The two of them gazed at each other with affectionate eyes and kissed lightly . Grom dropped his eyes, as if the sight wasn’t great, but Ian watched them as they quietly whispered to each other . It was like watching a sad scene of lovers in a movie . Orcs had their own love life . A smile appeared on Ian’s face .
Ian nodded .
“We will do our best to help you . ”
“Um . ”
Grant laughed,
“Your eyes are alive . Bul’tar!”
“Bul’tar . ”
Grom noticed and followed them quietly .
“…Bul’tar . ”
“The look in your eyes is dead . ”
“I am alive . B-Bul’tar . ”
“Dead . ”