The female approaching him was no longer a standard Orc like he was. She had a tall frame, seven and a half feet, and no excess fat. Although she was considerably less bulky than a male of her race, she still had generous muscles wherever one looked. Her face had become markedly less pig-like with the exchange of the snout in favor of a brutish, but still human-like, nose. Her ears had become firm, and no longer drooped at the tips, but pointed up proudly. Her eyes were still narrow, and her tusks had gotten even slightly thicker than they were before. Thick dark hair grew from the top of her head. It was wound tightly into curls to keep it from matting excessively or covering her eyes. Her feet had changed from hooves to feet like a human, and her hands had grown a full five fingers. Her pink skin had changed to a warm caramel color, and her curled tail was no more.

“Don't want your pity, Irsha,” he grunted, looking away.

“You being stupid. Why I pity you? I here to scold you for fighting alone.”

Varoon snorted and ignored her.

“Ah?! Hey, Varoon, you listen to me! I would get mad!”

“Shut up! You annoying! You is already War Orc, so you isn't have to worry about me!”

“Ah?! I reserve you, Varoon! You is my mate! How you say I isn't have to worry? Now tell me what leaders told to you.”

“...Tch.” Varoon didn't answer, and just kicked another stone.

“Varoon!”

He flinched and made eye contact with his mate. After she stared him down for a while, he finally sighed.

“They say I is doing everything right, but since I has the wrong motivations I is never going to evolve.”

“So? What is your motivations?” Varoon didn't respond. “Is it for to impress her?”

“Yeah.”

“...Varoon is stupid. You never ask her why she did that. You is probably misunderstanding.”

“Hmmmm,” Varoon groaned. He clearly wasn't convinced enough to actually take Irsha’s advice yet.

“Listen, Varoon. They not be holding more ceremony, since all the War Monkeys get scared off last time.” Varoon’s eyes drifted to the necklace Irsha was wearing, loaded with dangling teeth and claws. In his eyes was a hint of jealousy. “Fomors summer tribute is also ending soon. You already miss best timing. Why not we go see her before fighting starts again?”

“Irsha…” hesitation was written all over his face.

“What? Do I having to drag you with me?”

“No. I get it. I go, okay?”

Irsha grinned. “Good! Come now!”

“Now?!”

“You not wimp out this time!” Irsha said, grabbing Varoon’s wrist and dragging him away from the village.

***

We’ve been walking for most of the day already. It’s so nice to be surrounded by green trees and thick foliage again.

When it was my turn to catch prey, I overheard Fiara and Dodoran discussing. Because I was curious, I didn't come back right away, and hid nearby to eavesdrop. Apparently, Fiara is going to wait for Dodoran to evolve before they have a child. As it stands, due to male monsters being exempt from the law of halfs, their child would be a regular Orc. Since Wisdom Orcs aren't overly gluttonous, they aren't equipped to nurture gluttonous Orc babies. She could always get some help from a nursing Orc woman, but she said she’ll just wait and see for now.

Because I felt a little bad for eavesdropping, I came out of hiding with the prey I'd caught. Their conversation ended there, and Dodoran was noticeably cheerful for the next hour or so. I don't know whether I should root for him or criticize him or feel disgusted. Since it’s interesting, it's fine.

… I never knew I could be such a gossip monger.

Dinner time rolled about and we prepared the prey we had caught. There were a few snakes in the batch this time, and I found myself craving grilled snake, so we started setting up a fire.

“We didn't bring any firestones,” Dodoran said helplessly.

Ah, crap. Neither Fiara nor I know any fire magic. Hmm…

“Hey, Fiara, maybe you could light it with a lighting spell?”

“Hm… I’ll try it,” she agreed.

is a basic lighting spell used to momentarily stun an opponent. Fiara put a little more magic power into it to increase the intensity, and we managed to get a fire going.

“Ah, chief, can I have a tablet?”

“Hm?” Could it be using in a strange way unlocked a new spell? “Of course.”

According to the tablet Fiara showed me, [[ allows the user to create an energy state high enough to create the first sparks of a flame. It is listed as a basic spell.]]

She says that was absorbed by immediately after she learned it.

The concept of basic spells… I feel like it might be quicker just to ask.

Spirits, what are basic spells?

[[Information is accessible. Basic spells can be used by anyone with magic power, disregarding elemental affinity.]]

Like I thought. This will require further investigation once we return to the village. Right now, the snakes and other prey are cooking, and it smells delicious.

… And I feel like I'm being watched.

[[Conditions met. acquired.]]

And that’s my cue to draw my weapon.

With fluid movements, I stand up and face behind me, my Demonic bone mace gripped in my right hand.

“Who’s there?”

“She seen us? She good!” following the slightly alto female voice, two figures came out from their hiding spots in the foliage. One was an Orc male. He had a decent build, about as big as Durghan, I think. The other one… is that a W*W Orc?! No, no, it definitely is! I saw the movie they made before I died. She looks just like that!

I don't know which evolution that is, but I want it!

“Sorry. We was gonna come out and say hi. We isn't suspicious.”

No, don't say that. It makes you sound more suspicious.

“Could it be, you wanted to join us for dinner?” I guessed easily.

“Yup!” The W*W Orc nodded and grinned, and the male Orc gave an awkward grunt.

Well… we have enough to go around.