After parting with Tancred, we walked around these woods in search of the orc village. We did run into some orc bands but they were defeated really fast. We just took their pemadras and moved on. During these encounters I ran some experiments on Exp and teamwork. What I've found is that Exp is divided depending on individual contribution. The one to give the finishing blow gains a bit more exp, but even if I drag some monster to the edge of death and call someone to give the final blow like I tried to do with Helen and Red Streak, that someone won't gain much Exp.

It was really bad I could not recruit Tancred. To have his own strength recognized by the Orc King, he is no small fry. To survive my full power punch, he is not a pushover. I feel bad for cheating on our fight, but I needed to test that skill. Wait, if it is my skill (regardless of how shady was the way I got it) it is not cheating, is it?

Good news! I leveled up and some skills increased, specially my [Long Spear] skill and i got a new skill called [Evasion]. I was able to raise [Skill Growth] to 7 too. This expedition is already worth it. I am looking forward to meeting this orc king. There is a chance I won't have to fight him. Should I treat him like I see people treating royalty in movies and comics back on Earth? I have no idea. Maybe they are too bellicose and it will degenerate into a fight at first sight.

Shraaizar's mood has improved. She slashed orcs with wind blades, and made others even greener with her poison fangs. I left the runaway monkey behind, with orders to coordinate with the others back at the syrup meadow to ferry my precious bacon back home. It is somehow useless to worry about the fact, but should I be eating sentient orcs? I didn't notice, but I was really ravenous during that time alone in the syrup meadow, my decision making ability was hindered without me noticing. I think [Troll Regeneration] consumes too much nutrition but this is not unexpected from a skill that can regrow even a head. I was not a vegetarian back on Earth. I'd eat some hamburger or ribs or a sirloin steak with great pleasure anytime. I was very found of meat, now that I think of it. But from what I've seen, most monsters are intelligent. I bet Red Streak could think even if he could not speak. The monkeys are intelligent. I am almost grasping they ooking patterns. Is this the correction of the [Skill Growth] skill?

But now that I've tasted orc bacon, I'm like the tic-tock alarm clock crocodile in neverland. I want more.

And we finally found our all-you-can-kill bacon buffet. Also known as orc stronghold. We are in front of a crudely made wooden palisade, with several big orcs in front of its open gates and even more smaller orcs behind it. The stench of filth and rotting meat from the stronghold reaches even out here. The trees around the palisade were all cut off, and the ground is bare dirt, compacted. The stronghold was built with the mountain wall at its back, attacking from that direction without flying is impossible. My camp is composed of only me and Shraaizar. The orcs are wary. Maybe that guy that I let escape reached here.

"Is this the stronghold of the Orc King?" I make my best gangster impression. The orcs are unimpressed.

"Puny troll and naga should leave! If you value your lives, go away." Yeah. And if you were sure you could win you would've already attacked.

"I wish to speak to your King. Show me the way." This is going breaking down to a brawl really soon, isn't it?

"You weak. Weaklings cannot meet the king. Go away." My intelligence stat is being drained by this dull talk. I'm going to pull a Leroy Jenkins or I'll soon be talking like a caveman.

"Yeah. Weak troll killed and ate your Prince, weak troll defeated Tancred with a single punch and killed over 20 orcs just today. Weak troll is now going to kill every orc at that gate that does not surrender." I tap Shraaizar lightly, and she understands it is time to slither off of me.

I take a deep breath and active my wimp filter. "[Ferocious Roar]!!"

The orcs at the back of the big ones just run for it. Good. I'm not chasing or hurting those that won't put up a fight. That is a line I am unwilling to cross.

The high orcs at the gate are furious. Instead of afraid, the roar made them angry. They charge at me, their pig nostrils flaring and their crude weapons ready to swing at me.

Shraaizar hisses behind me, and goes for blood with her wind blades. Two high orcs further to the sides lose part of their legs, and stumble down grunting and bleeding.

I steel myself and hold my ground. My form is now more fluid. I feel confident in the power of my own horn.

With a sudden jolt, I transmit the power from arms to the spear as the first orc comes into reach. It tried to dodge, but there are orcs on both sides. He loses part of his belly.

Hacks and slashes come at me, my tough skin resists. I focus on killing orcs and keeping them away from Shraaizar.

Soon the last high orc is no more. Shraaizar is annoyed. It is easy to tell as the tip of her tail is shaking.

Composed, I walk past the bodies of the high orcs with respect. One of them tries to grab my leg but I just jump forward. I won't finish him. I point at the orc and turn to my companion. "Shraaizar, could you..." My like is cut halfway.

"With pleasure, Grendel!" She slithers next to the high orc and hea... bites him.

I still have a long way to go regarding reading her, right? She was annoyed because she had not poisoned any high orc. Maybe she should evolve to some class that spits poison next. I think she can make it, she doesn't have an ahoge.

Grendel has leveled up. 5 skill points gained. Title Orc Devourer acquired.

Those that relentlessly hunt orcs to sate their ravenous hunger.

Increases damage dealt on orc creatures by 50%

Combat ends as we cross the gates. The last surviving high orc died of poisoning. Some weird title was added. Shraaizar wraps herself around her nest, I mean, me. Its natural now. If the status screen had a paper doll, there would be a little Naga icon in the amulet slot. Speaking of it, I can set [Skill Growth] to 8 now.

Inside, chaos reigns. Orcs have craftiness only on things related to war. There are orc huts everywhere, it is hard to figure how a path. The thing is like a labyrinth. Remains of hunted prey are half-dried in the sun, the rest is rotting. Filth and orc droppings are everywhere. All kinds of bugs that like these things prowl around. Half hidden behind the huts, there are parts of orc heads and fearful orc eyes. Hateful ones too. Oh, there is an orc with boobs over there. So there are female orc too. It is not like some fiction when they are all male and seek human female knights to breed. And then the knight turns out to be the princess.

Regretting having entered this place, I yell. "Grendel the Troll has come to talk to the orc king. Lead me to his majesty." Noise, grunts and more grunts can be heard in the distance.

I'll just wait here. If they live here, I'll have to thoroughly wash my orc before butchering them. Now I know where it has been. Time passes, and I hear the distinct footsteps of metal greaves approaching.

A redhead orc wearing fancy metal armor comes. A big sword is at its back. Its long crimson wavy locks flow over his engraved cuirass as he moves. It is like I'm watching a monster shampoo ad. He stops at a distance from me. Awkward silence.

I'm the visitor, I think I should open negotiations. "I am Grendel the Troll. This is Shraaizar the Naga. We came to talk to the Orc King. Are you the Orc King?"

"I am Prince Gronkirion. My father won't suffer you." Do you want to fight? I don't feel any bloodlust from him.

"Oh. The one I ate was not Gronkirion. Gronkirion is the other orc prince..." I let my thoughts fly out loud. I need to get a reaction from him so I can figure him out.

"Then it is true that you defeated my brother, right?"

"Yup. This is his leather." I tap the amber-covered leather straps binding my spear. "Are you going to become my next one?" I'll throw a blatant taunt. I need to figure out what he is up to.

"I'll pass. I have no interest in fights that bring me no advantages. And fighting you now is exactly that."

I need to read his intentions. He is not letting me see his father, but he won't fight me either. His speech is not very orc-like. And his hair. is too pretty. I've yet to see another orc with hair.

"Now with your brother gone, you are next in line to become Orc King without anyone to contest, right?"

Gronkirion smiles. Bulls-eye. Or not. "Only if I can defeat my father." Oh, this is a classic trope.

"And you would not mind if I defeat your father and become Orc King, right?" Two orcs at the back run away when I say that. Gronkirion will probably double cross me after I defeat his dad. Let's see if I can make him angry. "Hey, Gronkirion this is bothering me, but you have a really silky hair there, right? Was your mother human?"

"No. She was an Elf. I'm half-elf half-orc." He smiles victoriously as he sees my puzzled face. Elves! It is elves, you know? Tall beautiful and skilled in bow, sword and magic! Mae l'ovannen!

I want to visit the elves. Goodbye orcs. I have no interest in you guys now. I have bacon for a month anyway. But the meat will spoil. Gronkirion is making a funny face. What is it? Am I acting weird because I am thinking?

"Is your mom fine?"

"She died in childbirth." He doesn't bat an eye. Callous, man!

"My condolences."

"That is unnecessary. Any woman would die birthing a hybrid." New data. Monster-person crossbreed is called hybrid. The woman is going to die in childbirth. I remember Helen and all that fuss those guys were making. I had no lust for her anyway, so she was safe. Now that I think of it, I have no lust whatsoever. I haven't even comforted myself once after I was reborn as a troll in this world.

"Hey Troll, are you feeling fine? You are making some strange faces there for a while." How rude of me.

A big commotion happens at the back of the village. Shouting and the sound of several feet trotting. Someone big is coming.

"Gronkirion, is that big guy your father?" There is a huge orc looming over the huts. Thirteen, fourteen feet tall. With a big bag on his waist, he doesn't even care to wear armor. It is coming here. He is wielding an axe bigger than me.

"Yes, that is father, and he is angry. It was nice talking to you, now have a nice death." Gronkirion is leaving the place, going to the inner palisade.

"Hey, Shraaizar, what rank is that thing? Is it a B?" I want a p*k*dex. Or a monster encyclopedia.

"No. That guy is at least an A. You are done for, Grendel."

I clench my spear in my right hand, and hug Shraaizar snake body wrapped around me with my left. Then I turn around and run outside. I'm not stopping. Chicken? I don't mind.

The Orc King chases. This guy is fast!! He breaks part of the gate as he tramples the palisade. He is closing in.

"Are you fighting, Grendel?" As Shraaizar asks, a whistle and something huge flies next to me and gouges the ground next to me. A rock? A Boulder?

Tancred why didn't you warn me??? You did? You were supposed to make me listen!!!! This guy won't just give up, will him. Another whistle, I jump to the side and roll before another boulder bashes the place I was at and smashes a tree.

Skill Evasion level 3 acquired.

I made up my mind. Unless I take my full HP in acid or fire damage, it is almost impossible to die. I'm fighting this guy. "Shraaizar, get off, I'm fighting. Lets see what this orc king is made of."

"If you die, I'm going to kill you." She bids her unique farewell as she slithers away from me.

Boss mode. I'm going to stand my ground here. At least once I'll put this spear of mine in his flesh. "Take some piece of me home, will you Shraaizar?"

I turn off system messages, but leave the info window open. I don't want to be distracted by those skill up messages.

I ready my spear and swallow my fear.

Orc king gives up on the next boulder and charges with his axe held high.

I'll charge too. I need to keep moving.

He is surprised I turned to face him. I'm so dead. Just a few meters now.

The Orc King is no rookie. He read the distance. Axe comes down.

My spear flies at his elbow as I dash forward. He blocks with the axe pommel.

It was a feint. But he fell for it. I dive between his arms, his swing overreached.

Two long thin horns came from below the king and find their home in the belly of the huge orc.

Orc King hollers. I thrash the horns inside his belly. The axe falls to the side.

Two fists come down on my back, breaking several bones. Hurts even more than the napalm.

I roll back, and grab my spear. The Orc King is busy holding his bleeding belly. I can't breathe. But I'm smiling.

Even without the SS skill, I did a 600% opener.

I regenerate enough to stand up, and ready my spear again. He should be almost out of combat now. But wait. He is recovering HP too. Slower though.

I can't gloat now. Advance, circle and attack the flank. Separate him from the axe.

He gives ground. Now he respects his adversary. My bones are pushed back in place by the muscles. 712011z R0x0rz!! What?

A spear honed by hunting his brethren pokes his sides, pokes his arm, pokes his leg. Even now I feel like I'm improving.

I take a backfist on my head, the world spins for a while. He grins, I grin. He bleeds, I bleed.

We monsters exchange blows while growling and roaring like monsters. I crave his blood. But I am no monster. I almost became one if I gave in. I'm a hunter. He is my prey. He is completely battle crazed now. The eyes that were looking between the axe and me are now completely mine. He craves my blood.

Head, throat, groin. I know where to aim for a kill. His moves are slowing. Speed is a friend of the spear. I distance myself. Control the field. Goad.

Haymaker incoming. I duck, spin and stab his calf. The King kneels. He is praying. I won't drop my guard.

"Ancient one, king of the mountain, heed our covenant. Come and take me as it was promised. Be set free and eat my entrails!!!"

I finish the orc king with a stab to his occipital. Instant and painless. Rest, my enemy. You fought with honor. Pressing my hand in the open wound, I sift through his cerebellum until I find what I want the most. I take Orc King's pemadra out and figure out what 'Ancient one, king of the mountain' that 'was set free' meant.

Twisted and broken, it is indeed a fantasy world. Crap.