I did not have any fighting experience. Even if I did, they were long forgotten with the remainder of my memory – probably buried down deep in my brain somewhere where I will never be able to dig them out. Still, it was my battle that I was drawing the horde of goblins into. I had to be there to lead them.

I appointed Gobi our vice commander and Gobo our strategist. I divided the army of 300 goblins into 30 groups, each led by a blue goblin. We also took the orc, Mhood, with us, in case the orcs have the intention to bargain. The less blood we spill on our side, the better.

To be honest, I did not want to attack the orc camp if it were not for our own protection. Orcs and goblins were almost always on bad terms with each other. Many of the goblins were pretty sure because of this that if they crossed an orc while hunting, they would be dead meat. This seemed to be our only option – a bad one.

As we approached the orc camp, I could not help but realize how the trees were logged. They were cut down using metal equipment – I was pretty sure. As compared to our stone axes, these trees were cut down much clearly as indicated by the trunks. If we can get our hands on the orc equipment…

Orc camp was surrounded by a 4-meter log wall, on top of which several orcs stood guard. They were reasonably stupefied by the 300 goblins marching towards them. They probably had never seen a goblin horde this big, as goblins, I collect. When the guards called the rest of the orcs, they started climbing the wall to view the oddly big group of goblins led by a human one by one. They numbered easily over a 100 unlike what Mhood said! And this was only those who climbed the walls. Once they saw Mhood with us, their faces took a rather fierce expression as if they were wrangling the goblins with their bare hands.

“Where is your leader?” I asked the orcs standing on the wall with a firm tone. For some reason, I did not fear them despite their daunting look and strength.

Orcs were surprised, and just as I was trying to figure out the reason why, I remembered – I speak their language.

“I am here human. What do you want?”

A tall and muscular yellow orc appeared on top of the gate that led into the camp. If I had to guess, he was still young and had a clear skin. His eyes were piercing amber and he had a long black hair that he tied behind his back. He was carrying a double-edged metal axe on his right hand.

“Your man has killed 7 of us. We want justice.” I said, pointing at Mhood.

The orc was visibly surprised. His glances traveled between Mhood and I until he opened his mouth.

“That is not one of us. Our tribe does not unnecessarily kill monsters.”

Now I was confused too. Mhood has to be one of them. He even led us here. He knew that they lived here!

“He is the one to bring us to your camp in the middle of the forest. How come then he knows where you live?”

“He is from another tribe, at the other end of the forest. They lost many to pestilence, so they had members run to us for help. He was disguised as one. He killed one of us. Stole from us. Run from us like a coward!”

The roar from the orcs was like an earthquake.

If what he was saying was correct, I guess we had no use of Mhood anymore. If he was just bluffing, killing Mhood now would be a good idea to see through his scheme. I highly doubt he is lying at this point though. Regardless, Mhood deserves to die as he killed 7 of us.

I prepared myself for this moment. I have never taken a life – it was always the goblins hunting for me. As their leader, I shall command respect by proving this to myself: I have the will to make die and let live. Those who hurt us, get hurt in return.

“Release Mhood!”

The moment I ordered his release, the goblins hit the wooden handcuffs on Mhood’s hands, bursting it open. Mhood was quick to run towards me, wishing to knock me over.

Having studied magic with Gobo, I learned that my aptitude was unique: There was no such thing as opening a gate in magic as far as Gobo’s knowledge went. Just by focusing on the essence of my magic, I was able to realize one more thing: the more people in my order, the stronger my magic and I was. Physically, Mhood was probably at my level, but when I focused my magic on my right palm and reach it out to stop him, he was knocked over instead in a single maneuver as if he ran into a wall.

“Bring me the axe.” – the stone axe, of course, but it could still kill.

As Mhood was still struggling on the ground from the impact of my palm full of magic, I grabbed the handle of the axe and raised it in a cinematic fashion. I had all the eyes on me, from goblins and from orcs. Mhood did not have the time to escape. When the axe hit the ground, his chest was torn open. A single move, a single life taken. The first life I have ever taken was that of an orc’s.

With Mhood’s last breath, my magic started absorbing his life energy. I was feeling overwhelmed by how quick my magic was expanding for its container felt like it was about to break. In pain, hold on, I said to myself. There is more.

When I sucked the entirety of Mhood’s energy, I had to let go of the magic with the only way I knew: I reached my hands out and pour my energy into a gate. A gate from which came orcs and goblins, walking side by side.

The orcs were left in pure disbelief. The leader yelled:

“The Caller! The Caller has come!”

“Hurrayy!”

“…?”