Episode 197. Orc Hunter (2)
Rubin enters the jungle.
They rode leisurely. They had heard that it was a place where orcs appeared, but no orcs appeared before them. The steady sound of horse hooves was so peaceful.
It wasn’t that there weren’t any orcs here. They were occasionally glaring at Rubin with their eyes gleaming.
But they couldn’t bring themselves to rush in. They instinctively felt the gap between the dark clouds that Rubin had solidly laid out.
Oak.
A race that is difficult to define, regardless of the era. They are not a foreign race like elves, but they have a language and a culture that they inherit.
Elves define orcs as monsters. Then what about orcs to monsters? No one knows the answer, because monsters don’t even have the intelligence to define orcs.
At one time, orcs even had colonies that resembled human cities.
However, since the empire was completed, they have been scattered in pieces all over the continent. Even those are quickly disappearing due to frequent subjugations by humans.
-The unique thing about orcs is that everything is decided when they are born. Their rank, their role, even their realm.
Haneke was quite knowledgeable about orcs, having spent his career in the Imperial Army subjugating orc tribes since his youth.
– In other words, it means that the concept of growth itself does not exist. So training is meaningless.
The orc was an adult from birth, like a casting from the forge.
-I once saw a 6-star orc. He was a 6-star from birth. Now, it would be hard to come across one of those.
It was easy to subdue the orcs. Since there was no concept of growth, all you had to do was kill the top-tier orcs.
A tribe that loses its leader naturally heads toward extinction.
This jungle was like that too. There were quite a few of them, and it seemed like there were some that could be called orc warriors among them.
Originally, with this number of individuals, there should be four-star warriors. However, that was not the case in reality.
The strongest ones were only 2-stars, and it was natural for them to be afraid of Rubin’s darkness. This meant that the current Orcs were on the path to extinction.
‘I was thinking of using a sword, but it seems pointless in this condition. I’d rather use a monster.’
-I don’t know. There’s madness. If that’s the case, then it’s no different from a monster.
Orc’s ‘Madness’.
Why Elves Never Accept Orcs as a Different Race.
It was a state of rage that was emitted when fear or submission exceeded a certain level. An orc who fell into madness became a warrior who did not fear death. His combat power also increased slightly.
‘The madness of the orcs… ‘
Of course, even if all the orcs here were driven mad, it wouldn’t be a big problem for Rubin right now.
but.
‘It might be a good idea to use it to check Blane’s realm.’
Soon, Rubin’s thoughts shifted to Blane. Two years had passed since he had made his ‘second choice’ with Blane. How had he grown in the meantime?
When I think of Blaine, I can’t help but think of her burn scars. They weren’t there in her previous life. They were changes brought about by Rubin’s rise to prominence in this life.
He got burned while training with a golem, and Blane suffered from the trauma throughout the ‘second selection’.
However, Rubin did not want Blane, who had risen to the position of Black Shadow before the return, to collapse. So he helped her overcome the trauma of the burn and overcome her father.
‘Am I doing as well as I expected?’
Secret Archer Beauty. This was the nickname given to Blanet in her previous life. It meant a beauty who uses a secret bow.
-Sniping isn’t everything, is it? Considering that he went up to the Black Shadow.
That was right. The Black Shadow was a position that only the winner could obtain through a duel. If Blane had only been able to snipe, it would have been impossible for him to compete with the other lords.
As Rubin recalls, Blane wielded a variety of projectile weapons.
In addition to stealth sniping, there were also projectile weapons to deal with enemies who approached.
‘I also used a hand gun that could be loaded with nails instantly.’
Blane, who sacrificed her life for the Assassins in the war against Telmah. She was one of the Dark Shadows who devoted herself to the main family.
The image of him evading the attacks of the surging imperial army and firing his crossbow at close range suddenly came to mind. Even Rubin could see that it was an amazing sight.
‘Will I walk the same path in this life too?’
Rubin, who had given that advice two years ago, said he would take it, but it remained to be seen what would happen.
‘Whether to proceed with sniping assassination or take another path-‘
Anyway, that was a secondary issue. Rubin’s top priority was to grow Blane to a level comparable to Black Shadow.
-Rubin, why did you choose Blanet as your first companion?
‘I feel like I didn’t receive much support in many ways.’
Hamil of the Kunitli family would receive full support from her family as she was alone without any siblings. Not to mention Kun.
But there was no telling what would have happened to Blane. I don’t doubt her talent, but I wonder if the Krieger family would have recognized it.
So, it was necessary to lay the foundation for growth before other children.
“Rubin! Let’s go quickly. I’m hungry!”
“Lady Tina! From now on, you must be careful. You must remember your disguised identity when outside. Luhan Melas, Imperial Inspector.”
When Tina, the cat who was walking ahead, complained, Kuze’s reaction followed suit. The two of them kept nagging each other so much that it had become like exchanging lines from a play.
“Yes, yes, I would be happy to do so.”
“And one more thing.”
“also……?”
“Cats can’t talk. Remember.”
“after…….”
Tina, who had been trembling, jumped up and transformed into an orc. She chose to become an orc because she couldn’t speak in cat form.
Tina spat out a lot of Occitan to Kuze, who was making a bewildered expression. To Kuze’s ears, it sounded like noises like kurerek, kuurur, kurek, kurek.
“Crunch, crunch!”
“Don’t swear, Tina. I understand.”
“What? How did you know?”
Kuze shook his head and sighed. Tina continued to spit out orcs excitedly.
“Crunch, crunch!”
It had been a long time since Tina had transformed into an orc. She enjoyed the orc’s body, poking its unique and tough hide with her long nails as if it were a new experience.
“Lady Tina. It’ll be Avern soon. So… … .”
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The jungle had finally ended. The sunlight that had been hidden was now faintly shining through the bushes.
“Okay. I’ll go back to Roinecrow.”
But then Rubin shook his head.
“No. Stay as is.”
“hmm?”
“There are orcs outside. Something must have happened.”
Tina glanced out of the bushes. Just as Rubin had guessed, there were thirteen orcs gathered there.
“I think they are orcs on patrol.”
“It seems so, Young Master.”
Rubin looked at Tina without saying anything. Tina, who realized what he was trying to say, asked back.
“Go say hello in orc form?”
As Rubin nodded, Kuze whispered worriedly.
“Your Majesty, Tina might be in danger right now… … .”
“I have something to check.”
Then Rubin gave Tina immediate instructions.
“Tina, go outside and hold those orcs back so they don’t go anywhere else. Let’s see what happens to ‘that kid’.”
Tina shook her head and complained in Orcish, but eventually followed Rubin’s instructions. She knew Rubin would step in anyway if things got dangerous.
Tina makes her way out of the jungle, pushing through the bushes.
The orcs looked at Tina, who had appeared out of nowhere, and their eyes were suddenly filled with hostility. The guys spoke to her in Orcish.
“(Hey, get your mind straight!)”
“(…hmm?)”
“(There’s an ‘orc hunter’ somewhere out there. A few days ago, my kin were killed by his arrows. Look here. One died just now.)”
“(…Yeah, there are a lot of corpses.)”
Tina slowly took a step back.
“(But I’m seeing you for the first time.)”
“(Huh? Not me?)”
“(What is your name?)”
“(Uh, um…….)”
As I trailed off, the orcs’ faces turned fierce. The moment they took a step closer.
Fighting-
There was a sound like a tree being chopped down, and then an arrow struck the throat of the orc who had been speaking to Tina.
“Ugh.”
The orcs began to run wild at the death of their comrade.
‘You saved me the trouble of finding it.’
A smile appeared on Rubin’s face as he watched the situation from inside the jungle. The panicked orcs screamed.
It sounded like a gurgling sound to Rubin and Kuze’s ears, but it was clear what it meant.
“(I’m an orc hunter!)”
“(Find him! Kill him!)”
First, twelve orcs, excluding the dead orcs, looked around. It was a big mistake. They should have run away immediately.
Fighting-
Fighting-
Another arrow was fired. The interval between the arrows was extremely short. It was hard to believe that it was fired by one person.
“Are they soldiers of Avern?”
Rubin shook his head and pointed to the sky at Kuze’s muttering.
Kaaaaaaah.
It was Roynecro drawing a circle.
“Blanya. It’s over there in front.”
“Miss Blaine? I didn’t feel any darkness.”
“It was so far away that I almost didn’t notice it.”
Kuze didn’t sense Blane’s shadow. This meant that she was hiding at a great distance. Sniping the orcs from such a long distance.
but.
“The accuracy is gradually decreasing.”
Fighting-
Fighting-
Orcs were still falling one by one to Blane’s arrows, but they were increasingly unable to inflict fatal wounds. The arrows that had killed with a single blow at first were now missing vital points.
So about half of the twelve orcs fell.
Krrrrrr.
“… It’s madness.”
The six orcs who saw their dying comrades went mad. Their eyes grew wide and they turned their heads away, a bizarre sight.
I felt the airflow change. Madness was transmitted. It meant that the other orcs in the jungle were reacting one by one.
Thud thud.
Rubin walked out of the jungle. Now it was time to take care of Tina. It seemed like the arrows fired this time were aimed at Tina, who had turned into an orc.
Wheezing.
An arrow rushing through the wind. Rubin quickly reached Tina’s side and immediately deployed a shadow field.
Wheww.
The arrow that entered the hemispherical area lost speed in an instant. Tina raised her thumb, feeling awkward for no reason.
“Tina, transform into Royne Crow.”
“Kuru!”
Rubin held the arrow still tied up inside the force field.
Judging by the arrow’s trajectory, the hidden Blane would have only seen Rubin’s back. Of course, even if he had seen Rubin’s face clearly, there was a high chance that he would not have recognized him.
‘If Blane’s dark realm was high enough, the arrow’s speed wouldn’t have slowed down.’
Blane, who had reached 6 stars in his previous life, improved the perfection of his sniping skills by lengthening and spreading out his dark smoke. This was a method that could only be done at 6 stars.
The shadow field was ineffective against those with dark powers, so if it had been the same this time, there would have been no change in the arrow’s speed.
‘2 stars? 3 stars?’
Rubin took a moment to gauge Blanet’s level.
There was quite a distance between Rubin and the hiding Blane, but it was a distance that could have been reached if he had a 4-star dark smoke. In other words, Blane was not a 4-star at the moment.
‘It’s disappointing. I have to work hard to raise it.’
Rubin then turned to Avern. He had already found the place where Blane was hiding in the dark. Rubin deliberately walked away from there.
Kaaaak.
At that moment, Tina transformed into Roinecrow and soared into the sky.
Blane’s eyes trembled as he watched from afar.
‘Royne Crow… That’s the assassin swordsman. Who is he?’
She remained hidden for the time being. If she moved rashly, she would be discovered by the Avern soldiers.
I don’t know where the assassin came from, but I was sure he wouldn’t hurt her. I held my breath and observed the man, but I had a strange feeling. He looked familiar.
‘Are you a vassal of our family?’
Blanet continued his observation.
“What kind of guy is this!”
The Avern soldiers on guard duty approached Rubin with their weapons drawn. They were prepared for orcs, but out of nowhere, they saw humans.
Rubin spotted a familiar face among the line of soldiers standing in front of him.
‘Burso?’
A talented retainer and Roynenser from the Roynen family. It has been two years since he left the mansion after being chosen by Blane.
Rubin pretended not to know and assumed a new identity.
“I am Luhan Melas. I am carrying out the imperial order as an imperial inspector. I stopped by Avern to do some maintenance before heading to the northern plains.”
The soldiers tightened their grip on their weapons, but for some reason they felt overwhelmed by the young man before them.
It was even more amazing because the overwhelming feeling was manifesting in my body. I was sweating and my breathing was ragged. It was as if I had encountered a monster.
“Are you really an Imperial Inspector?”
“It’s just talk! But why is my body shaking like this?”
“Who is that man behind me killing an orc? Is he one of your party?”
It was a remark made about Kuze. Kuze was dealing with the maddened orcs one by one, without paying any attention to his soldiers.
The swordsmanship was leisurely and restrained, as if he was tending to a garden. It was so strange that it gave the onlookers goosebumps. The soldiers’ faces turned pale.
“Hey… Hey, someone go get the Commander! I need to confirm that he’s the Imperial Inspector.”
“You can just have them volunteer for that.”
“You idiot, don’t you see that volunteer is going crazy right now? He’s on the verge of losing his mind.”
Burso, who was watching the situation, had a blank expression. His face was still not recognizing Rubin. To be exact, his face was a long and hesitant one.
But soon a look of surprise appeared on his face.
‘… It’s definitely Master Rubin. But how did he… … in two years?’
A state of shocking darkness.
It’s only been two years, but how could they have grown so much in that time? With such darkness, it was no wonder the soldiers’ hearts were trembling.
At that moment, Rubin’s telegram to Burso rang out.
– Long time no see, Burso.
-Do, Do-ryun-sama… … .
-I’m sorry for bothering you unintentionally. How is Blane doing?
* * *
The moment Rubin enters Avern.
Swish.
Swish.
Heavy rain is pouring down on the northern plains. It’s as if a thin veil is being drawn over the world, blocking all view.
On a rainy day like this, the Tuheung people hold their own unique event.
Everyone except the sick and the old goes out into the meadow to get wet in the rain.
To the people of the empire, it may seem like just a tent, but the ‘Tuhunpu’ is the only architectural style in the long history of the Tuhun people.
They came out one by one, drenched in rain, and took in the vitality of the meadow. Then they knelt quietly and kissed the earth.
Soon they began to sing songs of the wind. As expected of a nomadic tribe that held the wind sacred, their songs included the word ‘wind’ without exception.
Swish.
The rain continued to fall, and the song of the Tuhun tribe continued.
And then-
“… … !”
“… … !”
The songs gradually died down. Then, just in time, the rain stopped.
Groan, groan.
From the moment the singing ceased, surprise began to spread like an epidemic.
“What, why did the song cut off?”
In the midst of the ominous atmosphere, an old man from the Tuhun tribe came out of the Tuhunpu to check the situation.
All the Tuhun people were blankly staring north.
“What the hell is wrong with you?”
“Over there… look over there.”
north.
There was a high wall built there. A huge wall built by the empire to block the monsters of the ‘polar region’.
Someone was approaching from afar. No one lives in the north where the wall is built. So that means one thing.
“Did the monster finally get over the barrier?”
The old man’s eyes were dim. However, by the standards of the Tuheun people, they were dim. By the standards of ordinary people, his eyesight was far superior.
So the old man soon realized that the person walking towards him with his back to the barrier was not a monster.
“… … ?”
The one walking towards us was a giant. He was even dragging the monster’s corpse with one hand.
“… He’s carrying a horse on his shoulder. Poor thing. He must have lost a friend.”
Since horses were friends to the Tuhun tribe, the old man sympathized with their sorrow. Then, the Tuhun tribe, who noticed this, all sang a song of mourning.
“Imacarum, who was thought to be dead, has come back to life. I need to let the other thieves know.”
“That’s just like Imacalum. To have jumped over the polar barrier and come back.”
The giant’s name is Imakarum.
Its nickname was ‘The Wind of the Fighting Trace’.
Not long ago, he was a first-class prisoner of the Empire who returned alive from the first-class prison ‘Valley Prison’ in the western part of the continent. Now, he has returned to his former status.
“You’ve finally returned home. Imakarum.”
