----------------- Cloude's POV --------------------

Being back in sick bay is no fun. But it can't be helped.

Things went really bad after I reported about the orc horde to the Guild Master. He was desperate about something, but changed the subject the moment he saw me. I got properly rewarded for the scouting mission after presenting the medal, and also for the orc horde report, but I was dragged into the front lines the same moment. My money was held in escrow at the guild base. My family would receive it should I die.

And so I went in and fought orcs. I fought orcs for a whole day. I got some minor wounds the next day, so I had to stay at the rear, helping. Then, on the dawn of the first day of autumn, something happened. A huge tree walked through the fields, and started to kick and smash orcs left and right. Some guys tried attacking that tree, but it fled from us whenever we got close. Since it was mowing down the orcs, we let it do its thing, and pressed on the assault from the other flank.

It was noon when the tree just stopped attacking, shook itself and took root in the middle of a field. It then stopped moving altogether and just stood there like any normal tree. The guys still set fire to it. It didn't react, but also didn't burn well. The wood was too damp. The orcs also hacked at the tree, but left it alone after a while. Nobody wanted to waste much effort on a mere tree that didn't react.

People started a rumor that this tree was a blessing from the harvest goddess. Guild Master was annoyed as hell at this rumor. He was even more annoyed that Marcy was nowhere to be found. He had some guys waiting at her house to bring her to fight, but she was not home. Her mom said she left earlier to met the Guild Master in person, but she never arrived. Guild Master was angry but I had my suspicions. Marcy is no longer in this town. That kiss, was it a goodbye kiss?

Then several days later, hell broke loose. The walking tree left a hole in the wall, and some high orcs led by a red haired orc assaulted the hole. The guards defending the hole were trampled. We lost the garrison grounds, and the orcs gained a staging ground to raid the city from inside. The garrison was built to keep things from getting in, not getting out. Soon the orcs holed themselves up in the garrison, and kept it as a fortification.

The oc raids were frequent. Our defense was not that good. Hundreds died. The lord refused to open his estate to refugees. It was the only other walled construction in town. We set fire to the row of houses next to the garrison to buy time and make a buffer, but it was gone after two more days.

Orc raids killed our livestock, that was previously sheltered inside the walls. We then learned the truth about the orc's leader: a red haired orc hybrid. I remembered all the fuss around Helen. A hybrid is terrifying. Its combat strength, its skill was like a B rank monster. Whenever he led a raid, we would just try to keep him at bay. Nobody tried to defeat it.

We were trapped. Going to the monster-infested wilderness was suicide, staying in town meant the orcs would soon find and kill you. Yet we fought bravely. Some more bravely than others. The remaining knights mounted an offensive to recapture the garrison. All of they were defeated, their heads held on spikes at the garrison walls. I think my friend Julius was one of them.

I had enough. I've lost Marcy. I've lost Julius. Helen was seduced by a monster.

Enraged, I went out to attack the orcs. Some other adventurers, including Rowdy went with me on a suicide raid. I wanted to bathe in orc blood to avenge my friend Julius.

The orcs showed no mercy.

We died like the idiots we were.

Except me. Not even death wants me.

Orcs swarmed around me. Finish this pain, please.

When I was about to die, someone killed the orcs in front of me.

"Hey kid, are you alright?" from below, I look at the figure of the person in front of me.

A boy of the same age as me, maybe even younger, black hair, leather armor, some fancy armguards, not too thin, not too strong, wielding a shining sword that seemed to be made of silver. I know that sword. My hero came to save me.

"Helmholtz!!! You are here, Helmholtz!!" Even the clothes are similar... but the figure shook its head.

"Sorry kid, but that Helmholtz guy is dead already. I found this sword in the forest. Along with some other adventurer's weapons."

Dread takes over my heart. "That monster Grendel murdered the Shining Blades?? Uaaaaaaaa"

The figure waits for my crying to stop while murdering even more orcs with the sword. His form and technique is bad, but his speed and strength is the real deal.

"Wrong, kid. There is no such Grendel in those woods, he became food for some dragon long ago. The one that butchered the Shining Blades was that redhead orc mutant there. Oi, can you stand up?" He reaches a hand and lifts me up.Then with a kick, he takes my sword and gives it back to me. "Stop gawking there, kid. Go cover the retreat of the wounded ones."

"What are you going to do?"

"In the king's name, I am saving this town." He jumped over the walls and dove into the orc-infested garrison.

Grunts and squeaks could be heard from the other side. It sounded like it was a slaughter. I had to help the wounded retreat. "Somebody help me!!!" I shouted. Some fearful heads appeared, but none came to help. Then a woman's voice shouted from across the row of destroyed houses:

"What are you waiting for. I won't let those kids I brought into the world die while doing nothing. MOVE!"

That is Marcy's mom. She helped a lot of kids into the world. She is like everyone's mom. Such is the respect people held for her, that the previously fearful townsfolk moved into action. They helped pick up the wounded adventurers and we moved away from the garrison wall. Inside, the sounds of metal clashing, and meat being cut still echoed.

"Cloude, what is going on inside the garrison?"

"Some hero at the service of the king jumped inside and began to slaughter the orcs."

People around us became noisy. "The king sent a hero?" "A hero? Is it the Shining Blades' return?" "No, he said Helmholtz is dead." "Did he kill Helmholtz?"

Some obviously false rumors began to spring, and I defended my savior. "NO! You are wrong! The one that killed the Shining Blades was the redheaded orc mutant." I yelled at those coward people.

Ms. Mercy came to me, and patted my bloody head. "My, why are you shouting with such a gushing wound in your head? Can't you wear a helmet? Go to Alvus place and you know what to do there. I don't know how, but Alvus has a ton of herbs around. Go get some medicine for those wounds. Come, I'll go with you.

We left the garrison walls towards Alvus' apothecary. Great, more sickbay time for me.

"I hope he has a medicine for idiocy, you know. Marcy will be really upset if you die." Ms. Mercy winks at me.

------------------------ Hero's POV ----------------------

I still need to get used to this sword. It is too light. But it cuts just fine. Those orcs should not have come here. I might even earn some training here. Besides, the exp is juicy.

"Hey, how many of your kind are you going to let die before facing me, red-haired orc mutant???" I shout. I don't even know if those orcs can understand language, but I'll taunt anyway. The lesser orcs still come at me like flies. I have killed about fifty already.

Your job leveled up. 1 skill point gained.

Your job leveled up. 1 skill point gained.

This crappy job of mine only gives 1 skill point per level. Welp, no crying over what I can do nothing about. Keep killing.

More orcs come out of a ruined building. I think that redhead is in the knights' barracks. I will go there after dealing with even more small fry.

Skill Swords has leveled up.

Yay. One more skill level and I might gain a {technique}

I reach the knights barracks, and shout outside. More orcs come, but those just stay around, slowly circling me. I am unfazed. There is not a single orc here that can be a danger to me. Then finally he comes.

The red haired orc grunts. "Bugihhh bugrooo grugrunt!"

"Yeah, have a merry autumn festival you too. Or better, just leave human lands while you still live. I promise I won't chase." I lick my lips. This is such a blatantly obvious lie that it can only be understood as a taunt. If this guy here can understand language.

"You are brave for a dead human. We lost our lands and demand this one in compensation." The red-haired orc spoke between grunts.

"Did a human expel you from your own lands?" Silence.... "Oh. Won't say, eh? I bet it was one of you orcs screwing around or picking fights with monsters too strong for you to take on and then you were chased from home by a even stronger monster. Right?" I make my best mocking tone. I want this idiot to descend into savagery. "Won't you leave?"

"After you murdered my kin like that?"

"You did the same to us." I ready the sword. It is no use talking now. "Here I come."

I run at redhead, then slash at the orc next to him. Then the other one. And the next. He grabs an axe, and keep swinging at me. I keep dodging him and killing the other orcs.

"Come at me you bastard human!!! Gaaaaaaaaaaaaa" Done. The last shred of rationality left the guy. I turn and face him. The other orcs were running away, I was tired of chasing.

The red orc slashes his axe savagely, his hair flailing wildly behind him. It is using every ounce of its strength.

I slip past the axe reach, then lunge forward with a stab to his forearm. Although the wound was shallow, I cut some muscle.

It doesn't mind its arm, and swings again. I duck and roll to its side, and slash behind its knee. It is limping, but didn't fell.

Another swing, from above. Right handed. I move to my right, and the axe grazes my left vambraces and is stuck. It is ruined, but my arm is only numb. I close in, i can feel its breath.

A feint to its neck followed by a forward slash at its left elbow that is prying loose the axe. I can't cut the bones, but the tendon is done for.

It gives up the axe, and punches me. I take it and seize the opening to stab its belly. I almost fainted.

I spin my body and free the sword sideways, splitting its entire flank. I take my distance and leave it to bleed to death.

Your job leveled up. 1 skill point gained.

Your job leveled up. 1 skill point gained.

Your job leveled up. 1 skill point gained.

The other orcs were coming to attack me. I let go a war shout with my intimidating skill "FOR KING AND COUNTRY!!!"

Their leader gone, even the hatred against humans won't make the few surviving orcs suicide themselves. They run for the hole in the wall.

I am too tired. I won't chase them. Collect the leader head, take its core and keep it in a leather pouch. I then proceed to collect the snouts and cores of all the other orcs I defeated.

When I walk to the porticullis after I am done collecting my trophies, there is already a crowd on the other side.

"Amazing" "A true hero" "The king has not forgotten us" "My son has been avenged." "Marry me Mr. Hero" "Give me a baby"" I wave at them, and loud cheers echo in the town.

I crank the porticullis open, and call for the remaining guards. I salute them as they walk in the ruined garrison, and leave for the Adventurer's Guild.

I bet the Guild Master wants to have a talk with this great me.