Chapter 82

Summary of the previous chapter ------------------------------------------------------

Tommy taught us [Strength Enhancement] and [Iron Wall]. Although the teaching method was a bit subtle, Yuki, who has [Skill Copy], managed to learn them. We confirmed that using magic power for body enhancement is possible, so we aim for everyone to acquire these skills.

The next day, we wanted to resume hunting orcs, but it has become a bit difficult to find suitable orcs while walking through the forest. We have already hunted around 50 orcs, and the number in a group has increased to about 10.

At first, we would find 2 orcs, and sometimes just 1, but gradually the number has increased. The orcs must have some intelligence.

However, considering the nest we scouted earlier, there must be around 100 orcs in total. An Orc Leader is almost certain, and there might even be an Orc Captain. In that case, we can't rule out the possibility that the Orc Leader goes out to hunt, so we can't be complacent.

"Hey, we've hunted and disassembled quite a number of orcs, right?"

While searching for orcs and walking through the forest, Yuki suddenly said this as if she had just remembered.

"Hmm? Yeah, so what?"

"Well, I left parts other than the meat pretty much as they were, but I haven't seen them around. What's disposing of them?"

Indeed, when we walked through the same place the next day, there were almost no traces left. Occasionally, we would notice some blood, but that was about it.

"In this forest, it's probably the Night Wolves and insects."

"Wolves? Are there any? I've never seen them."

"They seem to exist. They are apparently completely nocturnal, so the chances of us encountering them during the day are low. They are a helpful presence that cleans up the remains of disassembled bodies, so we don't have to see rotten organs."

I think I read about it in the materials I read yesterday. It said that people in a group are rarely attacked unless they are extremely hungry, but I don't remember the details.

"Forest cleaners, huh. If we accidentally collapse in this forest—"

"We'll be cleaned up, too."

"That's not good."

The thought of my corpse being ravaged by wolves is quite depressing.

"For me, if I can be eaten cleanly, that might be better. I don't want my decomposed body to be seen by others."

"Interesting point."

I might not want my decomposed body to be seen either. For girls, it would be even worse. I can somewhat understand the idea that being eaten is better if you're already dead.

"Of course, the best would be to be buried normally—no, not to die at all."

"That's right. Don't say such ominous things. I plan to live a long life and die in bed. I'll be there to see you off, Natsuki."

"When I die of old age. I can't even imagine it, but Haruka is an elf, right? You would probably live longer than me. It would be reassuring to be seen off by someone I know."

"Well, but the elves in this world have a lifespan about twice that of humans. We might live longer. After all, we have [Skill Theft]."

"A bonus character who can share their lifespan!"

Natsuki clapped her hands.

Indeed, that's the reality, but they are actually a bunch of scoundrels who try to steal others' skills. Thanks to the evil god's trap, the problem has been resolved.

Perhaps some of them thought they would only use it on bad people, but the ones who used it on Natsuki and the others can be treated as bonus characters.

"That's true. If the one using [Skill Theft] is an elf, there's a possibility I'll be seen off. Thanks in advance? A human with such a long lifespan would stand out, though."

"That's a concern. But in this world, there's no strict household registration system. Moving to a new place should solve the problem. It's something to think about decades from now."

That's right. In Japan, living for 200 years would be immediately noticeable, but in this world, age is self-reported. Moving to a new city would solve the problem. In that sense, it might be a world where outcasts can live more easily.

"Hey, you guys, we're in the middle of hunting. Stop chatting and pay more attention?"

Toya, who was not part of the conversation and was keeping watch, voiced his complaint, but Yuki also opened her mouth with a slightly dissatisfied look.

"Well, but we haven't seen any orcs at all. Right?"

"Yeah, not at all."

I was also constantly searching for enemies while talking. We sometimes encounter boars or goblins, but there are no orcs, which are our target.

"Should we get a bit closer to the nest?"

"But then we'll face about 10 orcs."

So far, the most we've faced at once is 6 orcs. In the first attack, Haruka, Yuki, and I took down 2, and in close combat, we faced 4. We had some leeway, so we might be able to handle 7 or 8, but 10 seems a bit risky.

"In the forest, 10 orcs might be manageable. We don't have to worry about being surrounded."

"True, the terrain is disadvantageous for the orcs."

Orcs, who are over 3 meters tall, are clearly less agile than us, who are less than 2 meters. There are often situations where we can slip through gaps between trees that orcs can't pass through.

Orcs also don't have the space to swing their wooden branches, limiting their attack options.

The same limitations apply to us, but our weapons, which can pierce, and their wooden branches, which are used to smash with centrifugal force, have different levels of restriction.

"I'd like to destroy the orc nest if possible..."

"At least 30 orcs, right? Without a terrain advantage, it's impossible."

If there were a high cliff from which we could snipe, it might be possible, but this area is basically flat. Haruka often snipes from trees, but if the orcs get close, even being on a tree is not safe.

"Maybe we can lure a group of 10 orcs and fight while retreating. Right now, we wait and ambush them, right?"

Our current hunting method is to find a group of orcs, approach, and wait for them to notice us. Then, from a distance, Nao, Yuki, and Haruka snipe, taking down 2 to 3 orcs or wounding them before engaging in close combat.

Toya and Natsuki can handle 2 orcs each, and Nao and Yuki can handle 1 with ease, so we can hunt safely without serious injuries.

"Retreating means reducing their numbers with our sniping, right?"

"Yeah. If we fight too close to the nest, reinforcements might come."

"That's a concern. If we do it right, it might work... What do you think, Toya?"

Nao and I agree, Yuki and Haruka don't strongly oppose.

"Let's try it! Nao, good luck with the scouting."

"Got it. We'll be cautious since we're getting closer to the nest."

It's not good to chat casually when approaching a dangerous area. We shut up and approach the location of the nest.

When we were about 300 meters from the nest, enemies appeared in my scouting range. There were 11 orcs, but there was something that caught my attention.

"One of them has a strong reaction."

"Is it a higher-level orc, like an Orc Leader, or even higher?"

"According to the materials, an Orc Captain is equivalent to 16 orcs. I don't think it's that strong."

"An Orc Leader... Should we retreat?"

From the reaction, it doesn't seem as strong as 4 orcs. My experience is still shallow, so I can't be sure. The [Scouting] skill only gives a vague sense.

"I think we should do it."

"Natsuki... That's a bit surprising."

Holding her spear, Natsuki said this, and Haruka looked a bit surprised.

Our party consists of Toya, who is somewhat reckless, Nao and Yuki, who are moderate, and Natsuki and Haruka, who are cautious. For Natsuki to suggest a battle with the largest group and a strong enemy is unexpected.

"If we can't take them down, we won't be able to hunt orcs for a while. They probably won't act in smaller groups."

"That's a high possibility. After killing so many."

"I'll take on the Orc Leader. There's a risk of injury, but I can heal broken bones, right?"

"True, as long as there's no limb loss, it should be manageable."

Injuries, huh.

Thanks to Haruka's policy of not engaging strong enemies, we've only had minor injuries like bruises and scrapes. The only cut was from a grass blade.

Is it necessary to have the experience of getting injured? ——With the condition that we don't die.

"...I don't oppose it, but I want to prepare."

"Agreed, we should avoid injuries if possible."

"Then, let's set traps. Fortunately, our different builds make it easier."

By "traps," we mean pitfall traps. Yuki's magic is very useful for this. Orcs aren't that smart, so digging a hole and covering it with branches and leaves should work.

To avoid falling into our own traps, we set them in gaps between trees where orcs can pass and mark them. When we retreat, we avoid these areas and move through spaces only humans can pass.

Additionally, we create small protrusions on the ground as we approach the orc group. Making noise as we approach changes the path of the orcs, as confirmed by [Scouting].

"They noticed."

"Let's move forward a bit and guide them into the traps."

We advance to a suitable ambush spot and wait for the orcs to arrive.

The moment the orcs enter our range, Nao and Yuki's magic and Haruka's arrows fly. We have pre-arranged priorities and targets, so there's no overlap. Nao's magic eliminates an orc's head.

It's technically a "fire arrow," but we can now take down orcs with one hit. Yuki is still about 50-50, so she needs more practice. This time, it worked well, and 2 orcs fell, and another orc crouched with an arrow in its head.

Usually, we would wait and face the orcs, but this time we choose to retreat. The fallen orcs slow down the following orcs, giving us time to escape.

"They're spreading out and chasing us!"

Toya's voice comes from behind, and a quick glance shows orcs spreading out to the left and right.

The largest orc, clearly the Orc Leader, is at the back. Even from here, it looks quite imposing. Natsuki, you're going to face that!?

We need to take down a few more orcs before engaging. That way, we'll have more room for our magic users to support.

After running for a while, we stop just past the pitfall traps and attack the orcs on the left and right. Nao takes down another orc, but Yuki fails to finish it off, and Haruka follows up.

"Should we retreat again!?"

"Let's do it!"

At Haruka's voice, we ready our weapons. It would have been easier if they had followed in a line, but that's not the case.

If they spread out, there's a risk of being surrounded, which would be dangerous for Haruka at the back.

"One more time! 'Fire Arrow'!"

We cast magic at the approaching orcs, but the one aimed at the head slightly misses, only taking off the left arm.

"Damn!"

"Nao, stay calm."

Natsuki, with a calm voice, stabs an orc that tripped into a pitfall, stopping its movement. Natsuki hardly changes her expression during battles...

"I'll hold off the Orc Leader. Please cover me."

"Got it!"

Natsuki, stepping on the fallen orcs, runs forward, jumping over the pitfall, and slashes the Orc Leader's leg with her spear.

Toya, on the other hand, slashes the neck of the orc I took the arm off and heads towards the next two.

"I'll support Natsuki! Yuki, Nao, can you handle the other two!?"

"We'll manage!"

Nao positions on the left, and Yuki on the right. The remaining two orcs are on the right.

Yuki, holding her iron bar, calls out, but I'm a bit worried. I stab the head of the still-living, armless orc and rush to Yuki's aid.

"Damn, 'Fire Arrow'!"

The orc Yuki is facing has two arrows in its body and a burned face. Yuki is using her iron bar to keep it at bay, but it's scary how easily she could be crushed.

I cast 'Fire Arrow' at the orc approaching from behind, but it's deflected by its arm, not causing a fatal wound.

"Yuki! Are you okay!?"

"I can hold on! But I'd appreciate some quick support!"

Sliding between Yuki and the orc, I ready my spear. Her response is that she can hold on, but she's using her iron bar to block the orc's club, leaving no room for magic or a fatal blow. Even Toya couldn't damage a Vibe Bear with an iron bar. I doubt Yuki's attacks will do much to an orc.

"Just hold on!"

I ready my spear and face the orc, which is almost unscathed