I mingled with the other chiefs and learned something disturbing. Apparently, everyone with a village North of mine has had at least one encounter with a War Monkey. Even more disturbing, they usually live at the Southwestern base of the mountain. It looks like they dodged the cultist tribes and fled this way for some reason.

Oduran, the oldest chief present says he suspects it has something to do with the skirmishes at the border between the Expansionist Orcs and the Fomors.

Those guys down there had better not drag the rest of us into a war with the Fomors. Because I was curious, I asked how my strength compared to a Fomor.

“You might be able to beat one that hasn't evolved yet,” the old man told me ruthlessly.

He’s speaking regular Orcish, without any modifications, but for some reason, my translation magic gives me full and sophisticated sentences when he talks.

Wait.

“Evolution?”

“What? Haven't you heard of it?”

“I'm only eighty days old. There are still things I don't know.”

“?!” For a second, I thought the old man’s eyes would pop out of his head. “Spirits help me. What is with children these days…?” He heaved a sigh. “Evolution is when a monster changes form to become a higher ranked species. The appearance and power both change greatly.”

“Can Magic Beasts and human-like races evolve as well?”

“With Magic Beasts, it’s called mutation. They don't become a different race, just a different version of the same race they already were. Evolution, mutation, or neither. That’s how you tell the difference between a Monster, a Magic Beast, and a descendent of the gods’ children.”

“The gods’ children? I thought we worshipped the spirits.”

“Well, I can tell you the legend, but I wasn't there myself. Among the pantheon of gods the descendants worship, there is the god and goddess of civilization. They created a handful of races to walk the earth. These were the Alfs, the Eves, the Indigos, the Indra, the Yols, the Wyre, and the Noct. As the divinity faded from these children, their descendants became the Elves, the Humans, the Demons, the Dwarves, the Dragons, and the Beast People. The Indigos were lost to time.”

“We monsters were never loved by the gods, thus, we worship the spirits instead.”

“Do you know what exactly the spirits are?”

“The spirits are Impartial, all-knowing, omnipresent beings lacking any kind of physical form. It is said that the ancient Indigos were able to communicate with them directly, not just through the S system. Some say that had something to do with their demise.”

“Do you know what the S in S system stands for?”

“The most popular theories are that it stands for Spirit system, Soul system, or Skill system.”

“I see…”

This guy is interesting and knows a lot, so I end up talking to him the whole time and ignoring the other chiefs. I leave with my escorts early the following morning. A few hours later, I realize that I forgot to ask about the conditions for monster evolution.

***

The eligible Orcs should arrive starting later tonight. I was going to run around doing little errands while I wait, but Durghan insisted I just rest. He said that the village meets could be quite exhausting and absolutely insisted I stay at home without working on any projects.

Hm… it’s a little boring. I feel antsy since I'm not doing anything. At times like this, it would be great to have a smart phone.

… I've been living in this world for a little over eighty days, huh? In my old world, that’s about two and a half months. It's a long time, in some aspects.

… What would I be doing if I were still there, I wonder?

Ah, no. I shouldn't think about it. I've already died in that world, and there’s no way to go back. I should just focus on this new life I was given. Right, right, just don't think about it.

…

…

Yeah, no. Doing nothing isn't for me. I feel really anxious.

I know! Let's go add a few more houses before the remains of Faok’s tribe arrive! I should be able to make about fifty huts before dinner with my current magic power.

Tonight at dinner, I learned that Fiara has claimed Dodoran as her mate. I honestly didn't think she was looking for anyone. When I asked her about it:

“Ah, no, chief. I don't plan on having kids this year. I'm only reserving him.”

“R-reserving…?”

“Yes. There’s a superstition among Orcs that the first seed produces the best child. Dodoran is an intellectual; a rare breed among male Orcs. Just in case, I don't want any other women having him before I do.”

What does a person say to that?

“What about you, chief? Are you interested in finding a mate? I know Durghan offered himself to you a while ago.”

“Oh… I’ll hold off for now.”

“Are you sure? I don't think he would mind.”

“There’s a variety of reasons why my answer is still no.”

“Truly no interest? … Is it because your race has changed from your previous life?”

“Do you see many humans from this world mating with Orcs?” I answered sardonically.

“Not willingly.”

Wait, what?

“What could that mean, I wonder?”

“Well…” Fiara paused. “You know, the Expansionist tribes have high casualty rates. I hear they explore alternative avenues for replenishing their population.”

“?!”

I don't even want to ask anymore, but I have to know. “... What about the Demon Worshippers?”

“They’re monogamists.”

“Ah, so they don't rape descendants? That's good. Now as long as they don't perform human sacrifices--”

“They do though.”

… What the hell… Do they have to be so cliche? Ah… I think I'll have to clean up this forest a little.

After dinner, Orcs from other villages began to arrive. I posted a few hunters to stand watch and direct them to the room underground. It's strange that I have to go to sleep just when it’s finally begun.