Chương 10: Ch 10: Guild quest Orc purged

The forest loomed thick around Gray and Vanisa as they quietly made their way toward the cave. Each step was cautious, their feet barely making a sound as they slipped through the underbrush. The air was dense with the scent of damp earth and moss, the occasional rustling of leaves and distant calls of wildlife the only sounds that broke the silence. Shadows danced between the trees as the sun began to set, casting an eerie glow over the forest.

Suddenly, Gray's heart jolted as he caught sight of movement up ahead. Three orcs, lumbering beasts with coarse green skin and brutish faces, sniffed the air, their beady eyes scanning the surroundings. He grabbed Vanisa's arm gently and whispered, "Hide." He pointed toward a large boulder nearby, and they quickly ducked behind it, crouching low to the ground.

Vanisa's face was tense, her breathing shallow as she pressed herself against the rock, her body close to Gray's. "Gray," she whispered, her voice barely audible, "this is too dangerous… what if they find us?"

Gray glanced at her, his brow furrowed in concern. "I won't let them," he reassured, though his own heart pounded against his chest. He peeked over the rock, watching the orcs sniffing the air, their large nostrils flaring as they grunted in a language he couldn't understand.

The first orc, slightly larger than the others, growled in a guttural tone, "Raka riko huro ka!" Its words sounded like harsh grunts and snarls, completely incomprehensible to Gray.

"What are they talking about?" Gray muttered, more to himself than anyone else.

Suddenly, the familiar, detached voice of the system rang in his mind. 「Would you like to translate their language? I can provide you that.」

Gray blinked, surprised. "Yes," he whispered, "translate it."

A soft hum filled his ears as the system activated the translation mode, and the next words the orc spoke came through clearly. "I smell something. Like there's a human hiding nearby," the first orc said, its voice low and suspicious.

The second orc huffed, waving a hand dismissively. "You're imagining things. Humans wouldn't be dumb enough to come here."

But the first orc shook its head, sniffing the air more intently. "No, I'm sure of it. The scent is strong. They're close by… hiding or camping."

The third orc grunted, his heavy club resting on his shoulder as he scanned the area with narrowed eyes. "Humans? Where?"

Gray's stomach dropped as the meaning of the conversation sank in. They were on the hunt, and they were getting closer. His eyes darted toward Vanisa, who was clinging to his shoulder, her body trembling slightly. Her grip on his arm tightened, and Gray could feel her fear in the way she pressed against him.

"This is bad," he thought, his mind racing. "Vanisa is here with me… I can't let them find her."

Vanisa whispered, her voice shaky, "Gray… what do we do?"

Gray swallowed hard, trying to keep his nerves in check. He placed a reassuring hand on hers. "Stay close," he whispered, his voice steady despite the panic rising in his chest. "I'll think of something… I promise I won't let them get to you."

The orcs were getting closer, their massive forms moving through the forest with heavy footsteps that shook the ground. Gray's heart pounded as he tightened his grip on his spear, his mind scrambling for a plan. He couldn't risk fighting them head-on, not with Vanisa so close.

The forest around them seemed to close in, the once peaceful sounds now drowned out by the heavy breathing of the orcs and the tense beating of Gray's heart. He felt the weight of Vanisa's trust on his shoulders, knowing that her safety depended entirely on his next move.

The wind rustled the leaves above them, a small breeze sweeping through the trees, and for a brief moment, Gray closed his eyes, listening. He needed to be smart, to outmaneuver the orcs without drawing their attention.

"I have to protect her," he thought again, the thought burning in his mind like a fire.

As the orcs continued their search, Gray made a decision. "I need to create a distraction," he whispered to Vanisa, his voice calm but firm. "Stay hidden here. Don't move until I come back."

Vanisa's eyes widened, fear flashing across her face. "Gray, no… it's too dangerous!"

But Gray shook his head, giving her a small, reassuring smile. "Trust me. I'll be fine." He gently brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear, his touch lingering for a moment longer than usual. "Stay safe."

With that, Gray slowly began to creep away from the rock, his heart pounding as he prepared to make his move.

Gray moved cautiously, his body low as he darted from rock to rock, keeping his presence hidden from the orcs who were still sniffing around. His heart raced, every beat louder than the last as he planned his next move. The air was thick with tension, and the faint rustling of leaves and snapping of twigs underfoot seemed deafening in the otherwise quiet forest. He could see the orcs from the corner of his eye, still prowling, still searching for their prey.

Vanisa, crouched behind the large boulder, peeked out toward Gray, her face pale with fear. Her eyes locked onto him, wide with worry. She whispered his name, her voice barely audible, "Gray…"

Gray looked back at her from his hiding spot, giving her a firm nod. His eyes were filled with determination, silently telling her not to worry. He mouthed, "I've got this." His fingers wrapped tightly around a small pebble he had picked up earlier. Taking a deep breath, he threw it in the opposite direction, towards the cave entrance.

The pebble struck the rocks near the mouth of the cave, creating a soft clinking sound that echoed through the forest. The orcs immediately perked up, their heads turning toward the sound.

The largest orc grunted, "What is that?" Its deep voice was filled with suspicion.

The second orc waved it off dismissively. "It's probably just the wind. You're too jumpy."

But the third orc, its eyes narrowing, focused on the cave entrance, gripping its club tightly. "We should check it out."

As they turned their attention to the cave, Gray saw his opportunity. His heart pounded in his chest as he quietly crept out from behind the rock, spear in hand. His movements were fluid, his senses heightened as adrenaline surged through his veins. Every step was careful, deliberate. The orcs had no idea he was there.

Vanisa, still hidden, watched in horror as Gray moved closer to the unsuspecting orcs. Her heart raced, her hands clenched tightly into fists as she whispered a silent prayer.

Gray positioned himself behind the largest orc, the one who had spoken first. His grip tightened around the spear, his knuckles white with the strain. "Now or never," he thought, steeling himself.

With a surge of energy, Gray leaped from his position, thrusting his spear into the orc's neck with a battle cry. "Haaaa!" he shouted, the sound of his voice cutting through the stillness of the forest.

The spear plunged deep into the orc's flesh, and a spray of green blood erupted from the wound. The orc let out a guttural scream of pain, "Arrrggghhhh!" It staggered forward, its massive hands clawing at the wound as its blood poured freely onto the forest floor. With a heavy thud, the orc collapsed face-first onto the ground, dead.

Gray quickly yanked his spear from the orc's neck, his chest heaving from the exertion. The system's voice echoed in his mind, cold and mechanical. 「Player Gray, level up to level 5.」

A warm glow enveloped Gray's body, the surge of power coursing through him making his muscles feel stronger, his senses sharper. He felt an undeniable rush, a sense of invigoration, as his body adjusted to its newfound strength. "So this is what it feels like…" he whispered to himself, feeling the difference immediately.

But there was no time to relish in the moment. The other two orcs had witnessed the death of their companion. The third orc, the smaller one, screamed in rage, its voice trembling with grief, "Big brother!"

The second orc's face twisted into a snarl, its eyes glowing with fury. "I'll kill you!" it bellowed, gripping its weapon tightly as it advanced toward Gray, its muscles bulging with anger.

Gray stood his ground, his grip on the spear tightening. His breathing was heavy, but his mind was focused. The forest seemed to close in around him, the trees swaying in the breeze, their shadows casting eerie shapes on the ground. The sounds of the birds and insects faded away, replaced by the heavy footsteps of the advancing orc.

Vanisa, still hiding, watched in terror. Her heart was pounding in her chest, and she wanted to call out to him, to warn him, but the words caught in her throat. She knew that Gray needed to focus, to stay sharp if he had any hope of surviving the fight.

The second orc charged at Gray, its massive club swinging through the air with a force that could crush bone. Gray barely dodged the first strike, the wind from the blow whipping past his face. He rolled to the side, his spear at the ready as the orc raised its club for another strike.

"I have to time this perfectly," Gray thought, his mind racing. He could feel the ground trembling beneath his feet as the orc prepared to swing again.

In a flash, Gray lunged forward, driving his spear toward the orc's chest. The orc swung its club down at the same moment, the force of the blow sending shockwaves through the ground. Gray's spear connected first, piercing the orc's skin with a sickening squelch. The orc let out a deafening roar of pain, its club falling from its grasp as it staggered backward, clutching at the wound in its chest.

Gray didn't let up. With a swift motion, he pulled his spear free and delivered a second, fatal strike to the orc's heart. The beast collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

Breathing heavily, Gray looked up at the remaining orc, its face twisted in shock and rage. It let out a feral growl and charged at Gray with reckless abandon, its fists raised to strike. Gray braced himself, ready for the next battle, his mind focused on one thing: protecting Vanisa.

The last orc, towering and filled with rage, let out a feral growl as it raised its massive fist to strike. Its heavy breath clouded the air, eyes burning with fury and pain from the death of its comrades. In one swift motion, it swung its fist toward Gray with all its might, aiming to crush him.

But Gray was ready. He had anticipated the orc's move, his body instinctively shifting into a fighting stance, legs spread and spear poised for the counterattack. As the orc's fist came barreling toward him, Gray darted to the side, his movements fluid and precise. His spear gleamed in the faint sunlight breaking through the trees as he slashed at the orc's arm, cutting it with deadly accuracy.

The orc roared in agony, "Urggghh!" its voice shaking the ground as dark green blood spurted from the wound. Furious and desperate, the orc swung its massive club with its remaining arm, but Gray was already on the move. He ducked low, evading the crushing blow with swift agility. The club slammed into the ground, sending dirt and debris flying, but Gray had already slipped behind the orc.

In one decisive motion, he thrust his spear into the orc's back, the tip piercing through thick muscle and bone. The orc let out a final, gut-wrenching scream, "Brotherrrr!" Its voice echoed through the forest, filled with grief and fury. The spear sank deep, and as Gray twisted the weapon, the orc's body convulsed before collapsing face-first into the dirt. Green blood gushed from the wound, soaking the earth beneath it.

Gray yanked the spear from the orc's body, breathing heavily, his heart still racing. The system's familiar voice chimed in his mind: 「Player Gray, level up by 8.」

A radiant glow enveloped his body once again, the power surging through him, invigorating him with newfound strength. He flexed his fingers, feeling the energy coursing through his veins. "Hoooh," he exhaled, a small smirk forming on his lips. "That was easier than I thought."

Before he could even catch his breath, Vanisa came running toward him, her voice filled with both relief and worry. "Graaaaay!" she cried out, throwing herself into his arms. She hugged him tightly, pressing her face against his chest, tears streaming down her cheeks. Gray stood still for a moment, taken aback by her sudden embrace.

"Careful, Vanisa," Gray said softly, his voice warm despite the battle. "You'll get dirty from all this…" He glanced down at his clothes, stained with the orc's green blood. His armor and tunic were soaked, the pungent smell clinging to him.

But Vanisa didn't care. She hugged him tighter, her small body trembling against his. "Don't worry about it," she whispered through her tears, her voice muffled as she nuzzled into his chest. Her tears fell freely, soaking his tunic. She didn't pull away, didn't care about the grime or the blood. She just held him, her grip firm and desperate, as if letting go would mean losing him.

Gray's heart softened at the sight of her, a gentle smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer, feeling the warmth of her body against his. He could feel the tension in her slowly ebb away as her crying subsided, her breathing returning to a steady rhythm. "It's okay," he whispered, stroking her hair. "I'm here. We're both okay."

As Vanisa's tears dried, something unusual happened. Three glowing orbs floated from the fallen orcs' bodies, shimmering softly in the air. The light was mesmerizing, casting a soft glow on the darkened forest floor. The orbs drifted toward Gray, hovering above his open hand.

Gray stared at them, bewildered. "What… what is this?" he asked, watching as the orbs gently floated in his palm. They pulsed with a faint light, almost as if they were alive.

Vanisa pulled back slightly, wiping the last of her tears from her cheeks as she looked at the orbs. Her expression shifted from sadness to curiosity, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I've heard about these," she said softly. "They're proof… proof that you've defeated the orcs. The bigger the crystal, the stronger the orc."

Gray's eyes widened in realization. "So, it's a victory then," he murmured, the weight of his accomplishment sinking in.

Vanisa nodded, her smile bright and genuine. "Yeah, it is." She looked up at him, her eyes filled with admiration. "You did it, Gray."

Gray chuckled softly, still gazing at the glowing orbs in his hand. "We did it," he corrected, his voice filled with warmth as he looked at her. "I couldn't have done this without you."

Vanisa blushed, looking away bashfully, but her smile never faded. She leaned back into his chest, the tension of the battle finally leaving her body. The forest around them was quiet now, the danger gone, replaced by a serene calm. The trees swayed gently in the breeze, their leaves rustling softly above them. The distant sound of birds chirping returned, signaling the end of the fight and the peace that now surrounded them.

As they stood there, bathed in the soft glow of the floating orbs, Gray couldn't help but feel a deep sense of accomplishment. The journey ahead was still long, and there were more challenges to face. But for now, they had won. And that was enough.

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