“AAAARRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOAR.” The ORC roars a challenge that shakes the woods and trembles the trees.

Greg’s head rotates around, taking in the sight of the monstrous beast; it’s 7 feet tall and almost as wide, has a body that seems to weigh in excess of 400 pounds and his thick arms are bands of corded muscles! But despite that, his belly is large and glutinous. The creature looks like a warthog, with its massive protruding tusks and beady red eyes that are intelligent but mean.

Matt uses Identity, and information becomes available for both the necromancer and the skeleton warrior-

Orc Warrior

Level : 7

Strength : A++

Magic Power : D-

Speed : C++

Defense : B+

Difficulty Rating : B

Status : Perpetually hungry (Though capable of sitting still, an Orc will always seek to satisfy its urges. Gains an additional strength rating each day he has not consumed human/demi-human flesh.)

Greg slowly backs away from the large beast as he sees the A++ Strength rating allows him to drag a club the size of a small tree across the forest floor.

Orc warrior bellows another challenge and steps closer, its eyes darting between Greg and Matt but mostly on Matt, who, at this point, is mostly trying not to make any sudden movements. A B- is still fast, really fast, actually, and the Orc hasn’t charged because it doesn’t see either the skeleton warrior or the necromancer as a threat. Only the prospect of his prey running away excites the Orc, who has long dreamed of becoming a hunter. The type of Orc that stalks the woods to bring home meat for the tribe. A human covered in sweat from exertion tastes the best, after all.

Matt only has precious few moments before the Orc stops deliberating and decides to knock the skeleton aside to bring the funny-clothed wizard back home to his band of brothers. Only luck and his concealment spell made the other three orcs give up the hunt after his first party fled. Now the only thing standing between Matt and getting his body torn apart is—

“Greg!”

Greg turns his head back to Matt, who at this point seems to have aged ten years. The look of cruel glee is lost, and a careful consideration spreads across the skeleton’s brow.

“I need your help,” Matt pleads. “I didn’t mean to bring you here! I just needed help to fight that thing. That monster right there!”

Matt points to the Orc, who is creeping in ever closer. He swallows hard as his throat is dry from the fear and continues, “Please! I can help you get back home!”

Greg perks up. “I thought you couldn’t?”

“I can. I just can’t right now!”

“You’re lying!”

The accusation almost makes Matt scream in frustration, but high willpower and resolve are a necromancer’s first tools.

“Fuck you! You can blame me, you can kill me, but I’m just the person who cast the fucking level two spell! I don’t know why the fuck you’re here. I can’t pull people across—” Matt looks up and sees the stars and mouths, “Oh fuck”, as he realizes what could have happened. Though it is too stupid of a coincidence for him to admit it out loud.

“So here’s the deal. Whatever you were before, you were human, right? You’re gonna watch me get eaten by a giant pig monster, or are you going to help?”

Greg looks between the pig monster and the necromancer and, with some reluctance, chooses to face the Orc.

“You promise to help me?”

Matt shakes his head. “I promise to try.”

Greg nods and raises his sword. Then realizes that he has no idea what the fuck he is doing.