“Are these four coming at me?”
It was good timing to take advantage of their confusion by killing one bravely and sending another one while they were caught off guard.
However, the price for that was the four muscular tanks charging towards Jeonghyun right now.
Until now, if the target remained relatively static or could deploy ambush techniques from the opposite direction, Jeonghyun could handle it. But this time, it seemed like enraged orcs were solely targeting him.
Allowing them to engage in close combat would surely result in Jeonghyun not surviving, even if he was Jeonghyun.
He had to reduce the numbers as quickly as possible.
Originally, he would have chosen to flee.
Just reducing the burden on the front line by half was enough for Jeonghyun to fulfill his role and still have some left over.
No one could blame Jeonghyun for fleeing to save his own life.
But Jeonghyun had a strange confidence.
Memorization techniques that reached D-grade level 2.
In fact, it wasn’t a direct increase in strength and pure destructive power.
But having thrown it twice already, the dagger was clearly embedded deeply.
Perhaps the way he utilized a similar strength had changed significantly, leading to this.
Moreover, the most welcome news was that the movements became cleaner, more efficient, and the throwing speed increased dramatically.
For example, originally, he would have to aim each dagger precisely to deliver proper force,
Swish – Swish –
Now, even maintaining the same accuracy as before, he could almost throw them rapidly like automatic fire.
“Kweeii!”
The first orc was easy.
Straight ahead, pierced through the forehead, dead.
The second, likewise, hit in the heart and died instantly.
Is there a target that keeps getting bigger as it moves forward?
It’s like asking to be hit.
But the third one was a bit different.
“Eo-rop-sho?”
Although he clearly aimed for the chest, the orc he targeted twisted his body.
Thud –
Ultimately, the dagger landed slightly off to the left shoulder.
Then he managed to knock him down by hitting the neck, but it ended up consuming one more dagger.
The reason this was critical was that,
“There’s only one left…”
With a total of 10 daggers, now there was only one left.
And the remaining orc was the largest leader.
Instead of the usual orc battle cry, the leader was exhaling determination.
Indeed, could he be defeated with just one dagger?
As Jeonghyun pondered this, he simply threw the last dagger.
After all, hesitating would only waste time.
If he kept considering the target area, and the leader got closer, it would be a situation where neither escape nor fighting back would be an option.
Swish –
And the spot Jeonghyun chose was precisely,
“Kweeiiii!”
The left knee.
Realizing that Jeonghyun had been targeting vital spots all along made it an unexpected area.
Moreover, it was a distance close enough that one wouldn’t even consider the option of throwing a dagger, given the time.
With the added power of the memorization technique reaching level 2, the dagger didn’t just embed itself deep but penetrated completely.
The leader let out a painful scream.
Although he almost collapsed from the shock, even with his left leg incapacitated, the orc limped and continued to charge.
One couldn’t help but acknowledge his perseverance.
Of course, the battle was practically over by now.
Thud –
He was right-handed.
Since the left leg, which could be considered the foundation of his attack, was unusable, there was no real force behind his attacks.
At this level, Jeonghyun could easily dodge even with his eyes closed.
He effortlessly dodged the axe swung at him.
The axe missed its target, losing momentum, and stuck into the ground.
Of course, given a little more time, he could adjust his posture. But at this moment, both Jeonghyun and the leader knew.
The game was over with this.
“What are you looking at with those eyes?”
His green eyes, seemingly filled with both anger and resentment, looked almost childish.
Jeonghyun disliked the emotions conveyed in the monster’s eyes.
As if it were claiming to be a life form itself.
There were a few more exchanges of attacks and defenses.
But the orc, unable to swing the axe a few times, eventually succumbed to exhaustion.
Finally, he planted the huge axe upside down into the ground and knelt down.
Even if left alone, there would be no problem reaching death.
But Jeonghyun’s mace mercilessly struck the orc leader’s chest.
No matter how tough it was, muscles were just muscles.
They weren’t as tough as minerals.
The swollen muscles tore apart like tofu.
And the blood gushed out.
The life in the orc’s eyes gradually faded away.
To Jeonghyun, the orc leader was no longer an enemy of his parents.
[42%]
Just had a slightly higher chance than the others.
It suited him.
“You’re my coin now.”
With a chilling voice.
Thud-
With a swing of his mace towards the larger head than a basketball, Jeonghyun severed the Orc’s neck.
[You have acquired 1 coin.]
Even though the odds were barely half, the leader didn’t disappoint Jeonghyun’s expectations and left him with one coin.
“Whew… Whew…”
As the realization of being completely out of danger set in, the tension that had unknowingly gripped his entire body relaxed.
Unbeknownst to him, his body was clad in Orc blood armor.
To think this was the extent after just two close-quarter battles.
The reason for the stench on the hunter’s equipment was now apparent.
Turning his head to where his party members were, he found the battle had also ended there.
They had managed to withstand against fourteen Orcs, none falling victim to death.
Of course, the primary hero of the day was Jeonghyun, who had slain eight of the Orcs.
[Sudden Coin Quest ‘No Bad Orcs in the World’ Cleared. Rewards will be distributed.]
Acknowledging the fact, the system awarded the due compensation.
Jeonghyun not only compensated for the losses from his unsuccessful hunts but also gained an extra coin.
“Uh… Jeonghyun, are you okay?”
Yunghoon, who had rushed over in a hurry, asked cautiously.
“Whew… I’m fine.”
Though he was a bit out of breath, he hadn’t sustained any injuries.
Most of the Orcs were taken down through ranged combat with archery skills, and even in the few close-quarter fights, victory or defeat was almost certain.
“Chuckle.”
And then, with a cough, Jongwoo revealed himself belatedly.
His face was pale, and he was sweating profusely, likely from casting magic at a speed he had probably never tried before.
However, the looks his party members gave him now weren’t as approving as before.
Even though he had lived as he pleased until now, it was evident that the atmosphere was uneasy.
“N-no, I’m sorry, Jeonghyun.”
If one were to scrutinize, everyone here was indebted to Jeonghyun for their lives.
Just pulling this level of apology out of Jongwoo was enough to surprise and amaze the association members, but Jeonghyun had no intention of letting Jongwoo off that easily.
He chuckled and spoke up.
“Boss, remember you agreed to a favor for me?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah, but…”
Clearly, he had thought a half-hearted apology would suffice.
Jeonghyun’s expression grew even grimmer.
Watching him, even Yunghoon, Sua, and Ha-jun were momentarily taken aback.
“I haven’t told you all about my past experiences.”
“Experiences?”
“I used to work at a monster processing plant for quite some time. So, I was planning to at least skin the Orc hides today.”
Even though Jeonghyun had mentioned that, Jongwoo only blinked repeatedly, seemingly unable to comprehend.
A processing plant? Orc hides? What did that have to do with him and joint mobility?
On the other hand, the expressions of the others turned contemplative and somber.
It was easy to guess what Jeonghyun might be thinking.
And then, a small knife fell from Jongwoo’s waist.
“This time, I suppose the boss will have to skin the orc hides.”
“W-what!”
39-year-old Dan Jongwoo, a veteran.
He never imagined such a moment would come in his life.
And the orchestrator, Jeonghyun, added with a warm smile, as if to say not to worry.
“Oh, of course, I’ll explain everything in detail from step one.”
***
It was dusk when Jeonghyun’s party escaped from the ‘The Ruined Campsite of the Tandan Orcs.’
“…”
Usually, there would be some casual chatter upon returning from the gate to the real world, but no one was willing to open their mouths.
“Ah, it was truly a rewarding hunt. Wasn’t it?”
Only Jeonghyun spoke with a gentle tone, directing his words to Jongwoo.
His bag was inflated to the point where it seemed like it could burst any moment, unlike the others’.
Inside were, of course, the Orc remains.
Most of them were dismantled by Jongwoo himself.
“How can you do such a thing to me now!”
Of course, there was fierce resistance at first.
Even before the gate incident, Jongwoo’s father was a prominent politician.
Afterward, as an association branch president, he exerted even more influence, so how could anyone expect Jongwoo, who had grown up so well, to be capable of such a thing?
To ask him to strip Orc hides raw?
No one could ask such a thing.
Except for Jeonghyun, who had nothing to lose.
“Ah, you can’t do it?”
“Fine! This menial task…”
Thud-thud-
“Wait, come to think of it, I’ve always wanted to try something like this.”
However, after witnessing Jeonghyun expertly severing Orc fingers with a work knife,
Jongwoo started the task without another word.
Somehow, those fingers looked too similar to his own.
Although he wasn’t directly involved in skinning, it was a fresh shock to his colleagues who had to watch.
“Ack! My hand is injured!”
“Daeyoon, I need a heal.”
“N-yeah!”
At first, Jongwoo deliberately inflicted wounds on himself, but every time, Dae-yoon would heal them at Jeonghyun’s command, so he couldn’t even exaggerate.
As they returned from their hunt, finally stripping the last orc skin,
“Oh, you’re getting quite good at this. You do have talent.”
“Heh heh, well······ hmm.”
Jongwoo had developed quite a skill.
From the outset, as a C-grade hunter, he could easily adapt to such simple physical labor regardless of his background. It was just that his aversion was too strong.
And the result was the awkward atmosphere now.
Initially, Yunghoon, who had even admired Jeonghyun, now kept more than a three-step distance from him.
“He’s dangerous. Really dangerous······.”
Others felt the same.
Only Jeonghyun was cheerful, having finished the hunt.
“If a single piece of Tadan orc skin is in good condition, it’s worth more than 200. How many pieces do we have here?”
Some of the creatures Jeonghyun killed with his mace were in slightly bad condition, but most of the skins were of good quality, thanks to his dagger and Yunghoon’s spear.
Moreover, Jeonghyun’s share was the skins he dismantled.
It wasn’t anyone’s fault,
“Shall we divide them equally? Well then, Younghoon?”
“Um······ I’m fine······.”
“And Sua?”
“Me too······.”
Even when Jeonghyun pushed the skins Jongwoo had dismantled toward them, they just clapped their hands.
Of course, who would take them if he offered them with bloodstains and a sinister smile?
“And there are ten coins! Haha, Tadan orc is the best!”
“Well, then let’s just part ways here. Okay?”
“Oh, yes! Thank you for today.”
“Yeah, thank you all for your hard work.”
Jongwoo, who no longer wanted to be close to Jeonghyun, hurriedly tried to disband the party.
Their speech had deteriorated to the point where they sounded like different people from when they entered, but before Jongwoo could even pay attention to that, the party members had dispersed.
And Jongwoo, too, hurriedly tried to get into his car,
“Manager?”
He heard Jeonghyun’s voice.
“Um, yeah? What is it, Jeonghyun?”
Surely he didn’t have anything else to exploit from him!
Jongwoo felt instinctively uneasy.
And his instinct wasn’t wrong.
“I’m sorry to bother you with this appearance, but could you give me a ride?”
“Uh······.”
“Surely the association manager, seeing me like this, won’t ignore the citizens trembling in fear······.”
“Get in, quickly!”
In the end, it was Jongwoo who swallowed his tears and opened the back seat of his car.
“Darn it······ It’s only been three months since the appointment as manager······.”
