Solo Work Arc: Chapter 35.
"The orcs first, let's kill them first." Winter said, scratching his chin, listening to Bricks' advice. Based on the in-game lore, orcs were tall and bulky creatures with the ability to injuries within minutes. Their constitution made them tricky opponents.
(Why Bricks would want me to face them first, I don't know.) Winter mused while Felt Mae Puppy walked behind. Most of their rations and supplies were inside Felt's hidden inventory. To the outside, they look like two partnering adventurers with nothing noteworthy in them.
Some of the formerly enslaved girls waved at them as they exited the town. Winter waved back and smiled.
After a few hours...
The two of them arrived at the location. A distant part in the forest where the trees were taller and their foliage produced a dark shade below. These parts were explored but not routinely visited due to the looming dangers around.
The mana in the air was thick, a sign that there are manifested creatures around. Winter then raised his hand and crouched, sensing something up ahead beyond the trees. The two then slowly crept until the view of an orc hideout was found.
There it was, eight manifested orcs, their bulky forms shimmered as they moved. The orcs had a pale peach colored skin and their faces looked like a combination between a wild boar and a goblin. They stood at eight feet tall, their colossal height complementing their bulky muscles.
"Such disgusting creatures..." Felt whispered while being oddly close to Winter. Felt was now wearing a full sleeved leather armor same as Winter but the quality was sub-par. Still, it provided enough protection and movement.
◆ [ Analyzing target: Orcs have impressive regeneration and durable skin, close quarters combat is acceptable but risky. Verdict: You're faster and stronger, simply overwhelm. ] ◆
That was what Winter wanted to hear, to be strong enough that a simple strategy of jumping ahead and striking down whatever you see was viable.
"Felt, you go over there and provide ranged support. You have that bow right?" Winter ordered as Felt silently nodded and made her way into the pointed position. It was a steep mound that gave a decent vantage point.
She quickly turned around and smiled. "Be careful."
Winter chuckled and gave an earnest bow.
"Bricks. How many techniques should I use in this case and which techniques should I use?" He whispered, slowly creeping forward, carefully pushing aside the vines and making sure to not step on any fallen twigs.
◆ [ Greater Strength, Greater Speed, Enrage, and Fleet-foot. ] ◆
"Just four?"
◆ [ I don't have complete data when it comes to the proper measurement of the average strength of all adventurers but, as of now, you're already ahead than most. You've even surpassed Feledil DeBestEye already. ] ◆
Winter paused, hearing the assessment. "R-really...?"
◆ [ You're a genius when it comes to being a fighter and supporter. You have an innate understanding and sense when it comes to these two classes and not only that you have tens of thousands of combat experience. ] ◆
Winter slowly continued creeping forward.
"Then that means, there's no need for subtlety at this point." Winter rose and dusted himself off, surprising Felt since there was an orc four meters in front of him. She then raised and drew her bow, already in combat mode.
(Overwhelming strength at this point huh? I should've known. I am a transmigrator that can 'level up' after all. It was only a matter of time.) Winter mused as he took several steps forward and stabbed the Orc from behind that noticed him a second too late.
The orc screeched, the painful sudden stab was at its lower back, as it then burst into flames and collapsed. "As always, regeneration can be circumvented by fire or poison." Winter mused as the orcs then turned towards him and raised their weapons.
They let out a loud shrill, a mix of a boar's roar and a goblin's battle cry. Nevertheless, it was unpleasant to hear.
Greater Strength, Greater Speed, Enrage, Fleet-foot.
Winter's whole form steamed as he then charged forward, striking down the first three charging manifested orcs. Their forms burned, collapsed, then disappeared. The remaining manifested orcs became hesitant.
Winter, sensing the reluctance, skipped forward. The remaining orcs cried and then burned. The magical concentration in the air subsided, slowly withering away.
He felt a surge of power.
◆ [ You've reached level 22. ] ◆
◆ [ You've reached level 23. ] ◆
(A level two hundred level cap.)
(Most players would level up to twenty by the time they leave the introduction area. Then after four hours of focused gameplay, they'd reach sixty in no time.)
Winter mused, recalling while scratching the dagger's tip in his hair, he could feel the heat coming off of the dagger.
(Leveling up wasn't an issue. Your build was the one that mattered. Speaking of my build. My build was made when I was young, not following any meta. This is all random, made by the whims of a younger me.)
(If there's another hero or player out there. I am so getting bodied.)
At the distance, Felt dropped her bow and just stared. She felt useless, not being able to do anything but felt awe at the displayed prowess. "How are you doing that!? Were you hiding your true strength!?" She shouted, catching his attention.
"Huh? I am not hiding anything. I just grow stronger as more time passes by."
Technically not a lie.
"Anyways, where are the trolls located?"
Felt took out the folded job post and read the text written at the bottom. "It's east of here, quite the distance away. It's probably a three hour walk."
"Well, you better be in the mood for some hiking then." Winter commented as Felt slowly approached, her expression was a kind of expression that wanted to ask something but didn't know how to say it.
Winter noticed this and lightly sighed. "You want to ask something?"
Felt was shocked. (Was I too obvious!?) "Y-yeah. You have a heroic ancestor, right?"
"Guilty as charged." He raised his hands.
Felt smiled, shaking her head. "No wonder, you're that strong. I wish I had that kind of lineage, would solve a lot of problems." She then snapped out of her thoughts. "Anyways, let's go while we still have daylight."
◆ [ Felt Mae Puppy's opinion of you has increased. ] ◆