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Chapter 6: Mutant Hunt (1)

A week passed by in the real world.

Because of Elder Lord’s brain acceleration system, a day in real life amounted to five days in Elder Lord. This meant time was five times faster in Elder Lord.

Thus, Yi-An had practiced the same movement for over a month in game time. Yi-An had the will to keep training, but the progress of regular players like Grom stayed stagnant for a month. Yi-An became aware of just how strict the orcs were as a species.

In what game would a player sharpen their basics for a month? Every day was the same until he collapsed with fatigue on the training ground. So, it was understandable that there weren’t many orc players.

Lenox summoned Yi-An and Grom.

“You two are a bit useful now.” Lenox looked in Yi-An’s direction as he said those words.

“Of course, you two are still very lacking though,” He said as he looked at Grom.

Yi-An and Grom were now famous in Orcrox Fortress. They were acknowledged as the epitome of grit and willpower.

While Yi-An was known for his training grit, Grom was known for his grit to train over and over again even after being beaten up by Lenox.

“I’m still not satisfied, but it will take one hundred years for you guys to become acceptable. So, I will just give you your first quest as apprentice warriors.”

“Yes!”

They were finally getting a quest. Grom and Yi-An looked at each other and smiled.

“Recently, wolves have begun appearing in the southern region of Orcrox Fortress. They seem to have ventured over here because there isn’t enough food for them beyond Orcrox Fortress, but orc farmers are suffering damages because of them.”

An orc farmer—it was a novel title.

“It’s appropriate work for those trying to become warriors. You need to help orc farmers by hunting wolves.”

[Lenox assigned a quest.]

[We are rooting for you on your first quest. Please rescue the simple and good-natured orc farmers who are being threatened by evil wolves!]

[You need to help them!]

[First, look for orc farmers outside the fortress.]

[The rewards are Lenox’s recognition and achievement points. There might be more depending on your performance...?]

A quest window appeared. Grom’s eyes moved rapidly as he read the messages.

“Okay, start heading out.”

As usual, Lenox then yelled at the orc warriors rolling on the training grounds.

“Don’t give up! Run! Forget breathing! If you want to become comfortable, just quit!”

“We are orcs!”

“Bul’tar!”

“If you are comfortable, you are not a warrior. Comfort makes you weak! Pain will make you grow! Fight!”

“Arrgghhhh!”

Yi-An nodded. “They’re so cool.”

“You think that’s cool?” Grom shook his head heavily.

“They’re working hard.”

“I’m still struggling to adjust to being an orc. Yi-An, based on how you train, it seems like you must have been a college athlete. Do you work out a lot?”

“I used to be in the military as a soldier.”

“Ah, that makes sense. Now I understand. The way you talk or act doesn’t give it away. You are so amazing. I’m worried about whether I should continue as an orc.”

“Let’s do it together. It can be lonely by yourself.”

“Damn, I do this ‘cause of you, Yi-An-ssi.” Grom laughed.

If he had been human, Grom would have been a friendly neighbor or younger brother. However, he seemed threatening when he smiled with an orc’s face.

“Should we buy some items?”

“We don’t have any money.”

“Ah, right. Let’s earn some money on this quest by catching wolves. Let’s buy lots of tasty food.”

They had been eating the food that was distributed at the warriors’ barracks. Unexpectedly, the orcs’ food suited Yi-An’s palate. It was pretty similar to what humans ate except it had a high ratio of meat.

As Yi-An and Grom departed the Fortress, the polite orc guards greeted them.

“Hey, you are the newbies from last time. Are you alive?”

“Yes, I’m alive.” Yi-An and the guard bumped fists.

Grom also exchanged greetings with the other guard.

“Instructor Lenox must have trained you properly! You look sharp!” The orc guard cackled.

“Is it a wolf-hunting quest?” asked the guard.

“Yes, sir.”

“I see. Be careful. Werewolves and dire wolves have been appearing among regular wolves lately.”

Grom made a shocked expression. ‘Werewolves and dire wolves seem to be quite strong.’

He asked, “What should we do if we run into them?”

“Gauge the situation and run if it becomes dangerous.”

The guard solemnly raised a finger to his face. “Keep in mind, survival is strength. Recklessness is not courage. If you are in danger, don’t be stubborn, and run immediately.”

“Understood.”

“Stay alive. Let’s see each other again.”

Yi-An and Grom said farewell and exited the Fortress.

***

Yi-An knew werewolves were dangerous beasts, but he wasn’t worried. He peeked over at Grom who was walking next to him. Grom was big and brawny. Yi-An felt as if Grom could easily beat up wolves with his strong orc body. Although Yi-An and Grom were just a bit taller than humans, the widths of their bodies, arms, and legs were twice the size of an adult male’s and comparable to a gorilla’s. Moreover, they carried weapons, unlike the wolves.

“Are the wolves here different from real wolves?” asked Yi-An.

“Animals are usually similar. The animals here are very realistic. Elder Lord is hard because of monsters and other species, not because of the animals.”

“Then shouldn\'t the orcs be able to deal with the wolves even if they are only farmers?”

Yi-An curled his bicep. Its size was at the scale of a Guinness world record.

Grom laughed. “That’s true. It might not be just a wolf but an unusual strain like dire wolves, which are categorized as monsters.”

Yi-An turned his head abruptly. He tensed up as he sensed a nearby presence.

It was a roe deer.

The roe deer pranced around but halted once it discovered the two orcs. A bird came flying and landed on the deer\'s back, causing it to shudder. The bird briefly perched on its back and then flew back up, but the two continued to mingle as if they were playing together. It was a beautiful scene.

It seemed even more realistic than real life. Sometimes, the beautiful scenes portrayed in Elder Lord were more beautiful than reality, and Yi-An felt moved by them. Yi-An really felt as if he was an orc and an apprentice warrior when he played Elder Lord.

Yi-An muttered the shout of orcs, “Bul’tar!”

Orcs always gave this shout. It was an ancient orc word that meant life. When he recited it, he could feel his head clear up.

Grom smiled. “Yi-An-ssi, you should role-play sometime.”

“Role-play?”

“In Elder Lord, it’s important how immersed you are in the game because it affects assimilation. There are many role-players who act as NPCs, film themselves, and produce TV series. The videos are popular on television and the internet.”

“Haha, I’m not good at that kind of stuff.”

“Look at you smiling. Sometimes it feels like I’m with a real orc. Your assimilation rate must be high.”

Suddenly, Yi-An flinched. He sensed there were eyes watching them. It was different from the presence of animals. Instead, it resembled the gaze of enemies who were aiming for his back on the battlefield. Yi-An’s body tensed up again.

“Huh, what’s going on?”

“There’s someone.”

“Who?” Grom looked around. “There’s nothing...”

He continued to look around and went toward the bushes.

The forest was so dense with tall grass and trees that multiple points of their vision were blocked. When Grom waved his hands in front of the bushes, hands appeared and wrapped around his neck.

“Ahhhhhhhhh!”

“Who is it?”

Yi-An picked up his greatsword while Grom flailed and dropped his axe.

The hands that sprung from the forest tightened their grip on Grom as the owner of the hands gradually revealed themself. They had a malicious face and jutting tusks; they were an orc.

“Who are you guys?”

“...We are orcs, sir.”

“I can see that. Haha.”

The orc stepped on Grom’s axe.

“You guys are holding weapons. Are you bandits?”

‘There are orc bandits too?’ Yi-An shook his head.

“No, sir.”

“Then who are you?”

“We are warriors.”

“...You guys?” The orc narrowed his eyes.

Yi-An explained, “We are apprentices.”

“I find it hard to believe. I know youngsters are weak these days, but this is a warrior?” The orc gripped Grom’s neck even tighter, making Grom flail his limbs helplessly.

“Fine. Who is your instructor?”

“Lenox.”

“Oh, he’s a very kind instructor. Isn’t he?”

“Lenox is not kind at all.”

“Hmm, guess you guys know Lenox after all.”

The orc finally let go of Grom. Grom fell to the ground and gasped for breath.

The orc nudged Grom’s head and said, “Watch out, apprentice. How could you casually wander the forest? Anything could have come at you.”

“Yes... sir.”

“There are many orc bandits these days. They have lost their honor.”

Grom wiped the saliva from his mouth and got up. “Then who are you?”

“Me?” the orc said. He swelled up his chest and stated, “I am Grant, a farmer.”

“...A farmer?”

“I’m an honest orc. I reap the harvest as much as I sweat.”

Yi-An picked up Grom’s axe and gave it to him.

“We’ve met the right person,” Yi-An said.

“Hmmm...” Grom murmured.

“Grant, we are here because we received a quest from Lenox to help orc farmers.”

Grant laughed forcefully. “You guys...?”

“We are apprentices, but we can still help. We heard wolves have been a problem lately.”

“That’s true, but I’m not sure if you guys can be of any assistance.”

“Please trust Lenox’s judgment.”

“Well... I guess Lenox wouldn’t have sent you guys for nothing,” Grant said. He fell into deep thought for a moment, then he nodded. “Okay, follow me.”

Yi-An and Grom followed Grant to a log cabin not far from where they had met. Beside the log cabin was a small field surrounded by fences. There were two small orcs using farming equipment on the field.

“Hey, are you alive?

“Dad!”

“Father!”

The small orcs ran up to them.

Yi-An found the small orcs cute. He hadn’t expected young orcs to be cute considering the general unattractiveness of the species, but he realized all babies were cute. The orc kids were simply adorable with their small faces and big eyes, so much so that Yi-An wanted to pat their heads.

However, the kids immediately became guarded upon seeing the two strangers. So, Grom hinted at Yi-An to give an introduction. When the young orcs heard Yi-An and Grom had been sent there to help Grant, their eyes lit up.

“Warrior, that’s awesome!”

“Warrior! Stay alive!”

The two little orcs began to swing their farming equipment, pretending they were warriors swinging their weapons. Grant snorted at this sight.

Grant’s wife was inside the log cabin. She wasn’t exactly pretty because she was an orc, but she greeted them with a gentle expression and served them warm stew.

Yi-An and Grom eagerly gulped down the stew as they hadn’t eaten regular food for quite a while.

Grant’s wife contentedly watched them eat.

Then she suddenly remarked, “You are a good person.”

“...Yes?” Grom raised his head.

“But the world is driving you into a corner.”

“I don’t understand...”

“Pick the right path.”

Her words were like riddles.

Grom looked at Yi-An with a puzzled face.

Grant explained, “My wife is a sorcerer, and she can see your destiny, albeit faintly. It’s good to keep what she said in mind.”

“Ah, yes...”

Then Grant’s wife directed her eyes, which looked like pools of water, at Yi-An and said, “You were born with the soul of a warrior.”

“Thank you.”

“But your soul has suffered a lot of pain.”

“...Huh?”

“You gave up the path of the warrior due to many woes in your life... but you picked up your weapon again to protect others.”

Yi-An was dumbfounded. ‘Did this NPC just read my past?’

He had left the army after having doubts about war and fighting, and he was now playing this game to protect his sister.

‘Could virtual reality systems even collect and read memories?’

Grant\'s wife smiled warmly. “I don’t know the specifics, but I felt compelled to share these words. Please have courage and act on your beliefs.”

Grom still looked confused.

Grant burst into laughter. “Hahaha, if you\'re surprised now, just wait till we go catch wolves.”

“Huh?”

“Didn’t you come here to fight wolves?”

“Yeah, but you are coming with us...?”

“It’s an issue that concerns me, so I should go,” Grant said. Then he pointed at the halberd hung up on his wall. “I can take care of wolves myself. They are just little pests, but there is one that I need your help with.”

“Who?”

“A mutant wolf,” Grant said with a lowered voice. “It’s a wolf, but it’s bigger than a dire wolf and crazy smart. It leads the pack and moves strategically. That’s why orc farmers have been suffering because of those measly wolves.”

“Ahhh...”

“I don’t have much faith in you guys, but I need your help,” said Grant as he cackled.

Grant’s wife looked at him with concerned eyes.

“Don’t worry. I won’t be beaten by mere wolves,” Grant asserted to his wife.

“You...”

“Just cast a blessing on me as sweet as your lips.”

“Please be safe.”

They looked at each other affectionately and shared a brief kiss.

Grom averted his gaze as if he had seen something he shouldn’t have seen, but Yi-An watched as the couple whispered to one another.

It was a picturesque scene like that of a couple from a movie. Orcs had a lot of love in their lives.

A smile spread across Yi-An’s face.

He nodded and said, “I will do my best to help.”

“Hmm.” Grant grinned. “Your eyes are burning with life. Bul’tar.”

“Bul’tar,” Yi-An echoed.

Grom read the atmosphere and self-consciously followed them.

“...Bul’tar.”

“This guy’s eyes are dead,” Grant commented when he turned toward Grom.

“They are alive. B-Bul’tar,” Grom hurriedly retorted.

“Dead.”