Chapter 114.1 |
“You’re looking sleepy.”
“Yeah… it’s my first time getting attacked so many times while camping…”
“That’s a good experience. From today, you’ll sleep without worry.”
Ignoring Hans’s resentful look, I bit into some Nudroak meat from the morning.
Since then, attracted by the smell of blood, additional Nudroaks and regular wolves had appeared.
Although we had brought plenty of healing potions, it seemed wasteful to use them, so I took off the magic tool and dealt with them quickly with the Gaushe sword.
It wasn’t much of a training, but it did warm my pockets a bit.
After a simple breakfast and re-equipping the magic tool, Hans and I packed up the camp.
Hans followed, eyes lifeless and ringed with fatigue, but his steps were steady—he truly was a merchant.
As the sun rose high, we sensed humans.
The direction was south, toward the highway.
Since Selen was nearby, they were probably adventurers.
We decided to check it out, changing our course.
Hans, though puzzled, followed quietly, but his expression soon turned tense.
The sound of clashing swords echoed through the forest.
At this distance, the situation was clear.
Personally, I’d prefer to turn back immediately.
Scratching my cheek, I continued, spotting two carriages stuck in the highway’s mud.
Six orcs surrounded them.
Hans noticed too, hastily hiding in the shadows.
“The carriages are under attack!”
“Yeah.”
The carriages belonged to the Larsen Trading Company.
Holger’s party defended the rear carriage, while unfamiliar adventurers guarded the front.
They had progressed well, but the forest near Selen was dense, and the highway was worse than at Filsatch.
The carriages got stuck in the mud, alerting the orcs.
Holger was swinging his sword desperately, struggling with the orcs’ thick hides.
His companions were in a similar state, but surprisingly, the mage was fighting valiantly.
However, with limited mana, handling three orcs seemed tough.
C-rank adventurers, battling orcs, the beginners’ wall.
Watching this tragic fight, I tilted my head.
They’re struggling quite a bit.
Despite personal and behavioral issues, Holger and his group were C-rank.
They shouldn’t lose if they fought properly.
As I pondered, Holger got caught in the mud and took a hit.
That’s the problem.
There’s no battlefield with perfect footing.
My grandfather is truly great.
Though their deaths wouldn’t bother me, I owe Laurie.
And the front adventurers haven’t been interfered with yet.
I removed the magic tool and switched to the Gaushe sword.
“I’ll lend a hand. Hans, stay hidden.”
“Y-yes!”
I climbed a nearby branch and leaped to the front carriage.
“Need a hand?”
The adventurer looked up, startled.
Before he could reply, an orc’s club sent him flying into the forest.
Though my sudden appearance was partly to blame.
Don’t lose focus. At least answer before flying away.
“You… from before!?”
Holger reacted from the rear.
Raymon also peeked out from the driver’s seat window.
“Kid, help us!”
His tone was immediately commanding.
Ah… why do I want to go back?
Thinking it over, I’ve fulfilled my obligation to Laurie.
I don’t need magical metals right now.
Maybe I could just ignore it.
But—I won’t.
Because I’m kind.
Activating [Physical Up], I kicked an orc’s face head-on.
The orc fell back, splashing mud.
I turned and proposed to the stunned adventurers.
“If I defeat them, can I take them?”
The adventurers nodded in unison.
Deal made.
I jumped onto the orc’s shoulder, swinging with [Power Strike] to decapitate it, using [Wind Fang Run Bite] to keep the neighboring orc at bay.
Using the headless orc as a stepping stone, I pierced the heart of the screaming orc with [Power Strike], decapitating the last orc before it could rise.
Alright, finished.
I stored the orcs in the magic bag, Terpaz’s Bag, and raised a hand to the unknown adventurers.
“Well, I’ll be off.”
As I turned to leave, I felt a gaze.
A man was bowing from the front carriage.
A familiar face—a young employee working near Laurie.
He must be Raymon’s supervisor.
I nodded in return and walked off.
Holger’s rough voice shouted after me.
“W-wait! Help us too!”
“Ha ha, what a funny joke. You’re C-rank, handle it yourselves.”
Waving, I returned to the forest.
As shouts and screams continued, Hans worriedly looked between the carriages and me.
“They’re still fighting…”
“The adventurers I helped will support them. They won’t lose. If they do, they should give up their C-rank.”
“They’d be dead by then.”
“Well, let’s head to Selen.”
Wiping the Gaushe sword, I began walking.