Chapter 14: Goblin Swamp (5)
[Orc Extermination]
[Description: Exterminate one orc]
[Reward: random]
'A sudden quest!'
The mission description was incredibly simple.
He didn't know how valuable it would be since the reward wasn't clearly explained, but one thing was certain: he had been given an opportunity.
'Whatever the reward, it'll be a gain for me. If sudden quests are hidden in the mission field like this, then in future missions, I shouldn't just obsess over the main quest—I need to look for sudden quests as well.'
His mind raced.
Akan watched the orc, keeping his body hidden in the bushes.
He scrutinized the orc, inferring as much information as he could.
'It's about 180cm tall with a considerably developed body. Judging by the large and small wounds covering its entire body, it's no ordinary orc. Probably a warrior of the orc tribe. My current limit is casting 2nd-circle magic about twice. In my present state, taking down that orc is impossible.'
Orcs were an extremely belligerent race that enjoyed combat.
In a situation where he couldn't even guarantee victory against a normal orc, a warrior-class orc was virtually an impregnable fortress to Akan.
An orc's innate magic resistance meant it wouldn't collapse easily even when battered by 3rd-circle magic.
Receiving the party's help was the only way to increase his odds, but Akan didn't want to reveal the sudden quest to anyone.
'The existence of sudden quests creates a gap between others and me. Sharing information would be a loss for me in the long run. I have to resolve this mission alone somehow and monopolize the reward.'
Unlike main quests, sudden quests were not missions that applied to the entire party.
If he solved it alone, it was a golden opportunity to monopolize the reward without anyone else learning of the mission's existence.
'But how do I take down that orc? Unlike a normal orc, its physique is incredible.'
The problem was that the orc before him looked too powerful.
Akan had seen many orcs through magic experiments, but orcs with that kind of build were quite rare.
Considering that ordinary orcs usually stood around 160cm tall, one could tell how extraordinary that orc's physical abilities were.
The orc's innate physical capabilities were so tremendous that it seemed to belong to the Giant lineage.
Akan's mind worked busily as he ran countless simulations, yet he found no way to bring the orc down.
Had he possessed the mana to cast 3rd-circle magic at least three times, he might have attempted something, but Akan's abilities were still far too meager.
*Kkiririk.*
'What was that sound?'
At the sound piercing his ears, Akan shifted his gaze.
He saw goblins approaching from afar in his direction.
There were three of them.
In an instant, Akan's eyes flashed.
'Goblins! If I consider the disposition of monsters hostile to other races, there's a way to take down the orc.'
His mind felt as if it was brightening.
Akan carefully raised his mana.
It wasn't powerful magic for attacking monsters, but basic magic of the neutral type.
'Sound Up.'
*Woooong.*
The mana that had climbed to the 1st-circle spread out into the surroundings.
The target of Sound Up was the goblins.
From the goblins' footsteps to their cries.
When every sound resulting from their actions was amplified, the orc reacted despite being quite far away.
'The way to pit monsters against each other is simple. You just have to make them aware of each other's existence. Especially a belligerent orc—it would never leave nearby goblins alone.'
Sure enough.
As soon as it heard the goblins' sounds, the orc let out a rough snort.
*Shwick!*
The orc moved its steps in the direction of the goblins.
Soon, having spotted the goblins, the orc stomped the ground without hesitation.
Its rugged muscles bulged massively, then it brought down the hand axe it held, smashing a goblin's head in one blow.
*Smack!*
*Kkiririk!*
There was no time to dodge.
The goblin's head shattered, and white brain matter and dark red blood splattered around.
The goblins beside it panicked at the orc's sudden attack.
They screamed noisily and attacked with paralyzing poison, but the orc didn't fall just from being struck by a bout or two of paralyzing poison.
*Kraaaak!*
*Smack!*
The orc roared and struck the goblin's face.
At the sight of the goblin's face being torn away, Akan sent the mana he had raised into his circle back down to his dantian.
'It's stronger than I thought.'
Akan's plan had been to whittle the orc down with combat against the goblins, then subdue it with a surprise magic attack.
But far from exhausting its stamina, the orc one-sidedly slaughtered the goblins.
The one remaining goblin was as good as useless.
This many goblins weren't enough to subdue the orc.
'At least ten or more goblins would need to attack together to face the orc. Then I need to lure more goblins here.'
He had already thought of a way to lure them.
A flute, faintly visible on the goblin corpse.
If he used that flute, he could call all the goblins in the vicinity.
'But.'
Akan was suddenly struck by a question.
Right then, the goblin was being torn limb from limb by the orc.
With that, three goblins had died.
The question arising from this was that goblins were targets of the main quest.
'Goblins died by a third party. If this happens, what becomes of the main quest?'
The way to resolve his doubt was simple.
Akan opened the mission window and checked the current situation.
[Mission Progress: Goblin 19/50]
'Three decreased!'
Akan's eyes grew wide.
The fact that three had decreased meant that even if goblins died by the orc's hand, the mission progressed normally.
And.
'The goblins that just died dropped items.'
Shining objects were visible among the goblin corpses.
At a glance, they looked like fragments.
*Snicker.*
Akan couldn't hold back his laughter.
What the current situation meant was all too obvious.
Akan's rapidly spinning mind presented him with a single path.
'This isn't just an opportunity to monopolize a sudden quest. It's a golden opportunity to monopolize not only the sudden quest but the main quest as well!'
This was truly killing two birds with one stone!
Akan's bright smile showed his resolve not to share the mission's rewards with anyone.
- To be continued in Chapter 15 -