Chapter 53: Negotiation Breakdown
"Can’t believe we got stuck on hunting duty again."
"Tsk."
"What use is complaining now?"
"Should’ve won, then we wouldn’t have to do this shit." The fourth female Orc spat on the ground before crouching to start skinning the defeated Spotted Bull. "You know they’re probably fucking right now."
"No shit."
"That’s what I would do."
"Knowing that a meal I didn’t have to hunt for is coming... Yeah, no shit."
"Well, what are you gonna do? The sooner we’re done with this, the sooner we can go back. While they’re busy eating, we’ll take our time with the guys."
"Hell yeah."
"Let’s get this done quickly."
"We’ll..." The last Orc’s words trailed off. "Oh, what do we have here?" She immediately rose to her feet after setting her knife and mace aside. "What’s a good-looking Ogre like you doing in here?"
The words immediately caught the rest of the Orcs’ attention, and they quickly turned in his direction. Unlike the first, they didn’t stand up, though.
"These parts are pretty dangerous, you know? Especially for a guy... Are you lost or something?" The Orc continued, and her companions snickered.
"Not really," Jason answered with a shrug. "Hunting food, that’s cool."
"It sure is." The Orc smiled. "Are you hungry? Want some?"
"No, I’m fine." He nodded. "I would take the Cores though, if you don’t need them."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk." The Orc shook her head and clicked her tongue as she walked closer. "I guess males are the same whether they’re Orcs or Ogres. All they want is the shiny Core that can be sold and traded for other shiny things."
"Hm. I guess...?"
"How about we trade now, then?" The Orc smiled widely as she arrived to stand right in front of Jason. "I’ll fuck the shit out of you, then you get-"
"Don’t forget about us!"
"That’s right!"
"Yes, yes, sorry." She corrected herself. "We’ll take turns fucking the life out of you, then... We’ll let you live."
"Yeah," A second Orc added. "We’ll let you live with us, as our toy."
"You dumb fuck," The third spat. "Don’t tell him that!"
"Oh, right..."
Jason watched silently with a raised eyebrow. ’I can see why Camelia was worried now.’
"So, what do you think?" The Orc added, leaning closer. "Lie down and get hard on your own, or have your arms and legs broken before?"
It was mildly infuriating. Jason didn’t have the time to even bring up their village, yet negotiations seemed to have broken down already.
"That’s no way to talk to a stranger." He sighed. "Though I don’t really mind."
"Yeah? Then get on the ground before I get impatient and end up messing up your pretty face." Her gaze lingered on its way down his body. "He’s packing too. I can see it despite the clothes."
"Really?"
"Let me see. Tell him to turn around."
"Yeah, make him dance and strip for us."
"That’s a great idea." The Orc chuckled before laying a hand on Jason’s shoulder. "Let’s get you... Arghh...!"
Her sentence was interrupted as Jason’s hand instantly wrapped around her throat and quickly tightened.
"Get me..." He whispered, tilting his head. "What?"
The three female Orcs laughed out loud.
"Oh, you got him mad!"
"Oh, no! A guy is angry!"
"Whatever will we do? Be careful!"
While they were still convinced that the Ogre standing in front of them was no big deal,
’Fuck... Fuck...!’ The Orc cursed internally. ’I can’t... I can’t breathe...!’ Her arms extended and curled, aiming for his face but unable to reach. "Le... Let go...!" Her voice was barely audible as her hands fought against Jason’s grip. "Let go... Of my...!"
"I don’t think I can let you around my guys," Jason whispered. "I hope not all Orcs are this way."
The three female Orcs raised eyebrows and sighed.
"What are you doing?"
"Are you messing with him or something?"
"Knock him out so we can have our fun already."
"I’m... Tr... Ryinnng...!" The female Orc as her gaze met Jason’s cold eyes.
"I have a feeling that I’ll mostly be fighting women in this world," He sighed. "What a waste..."
’What... The hell is he... Talking abo-’
"Oh, well." The thought was interrupted. "You’re not my type anyway."
Pierce! Pierce! Pierce!
The three female Ogres immediately felt cold sweat form over their back, and they watched in confusion as their comrade’s body fell to the ground.
"That’s a good one." Jason whispered after letting go of the Orc. "Very cool."
He stared at his hand for a moment, at the multiple spikes that had appeared from his palm and from the palm of his hand.
Jason thought about deactivating the Skill, and his hand went back to normal.
’The Spiked Catfish can produce these spikes over their entire body to defend themselves. The Skill I gained by Devouring their Cores is -Hand Spikes- but it might evolve if I eat more Spiked Catfish Cores...’ Jason’s thought trailed off as the three female Orcs rose to their feet, weapons in hands.
Their eyes were filled with confusion as they stared at the injuries created on their dead companion’s neck, throat, and head. They weren’t injuries that an Ogre could inflict.
Two female Orcs immediately growled and leapt forward.
The third, however, noticed the female Ogres that were approaching, quickly running closer.
’Two coming to fight, one running away.’ Jason sighed. ’I don’t think this is going well.’
The two Orcs were halfway through reaching Jason when they noticed the rest of the Ogres. It was too late to turn back by then.
They swung their weapons, but Jason swiftly dodged by jumping back.
Before they could reach him again, Vel and Camelia positioned themselves in front of their Chief.
’I need to blow off some steam!’ Vel thought as she raised her mace.
’Ugh! I’m not letting Vel show me up!’ The Catgirl hissed internally and curled her hands slightly.
Both attacks connected at the same time.
Vel’s mace was brought down on the first Orc’s skull, cracking it instantly, while Camelia’s nails turned into claws and sank deep into the second Orc’s throat.
Both bodies fell simultaneously.
’Oh...’ The Catgirl pursed her lips and quickly turned towards Jason. ’I didn’t want him to see this! Men hate...’
The expression on his face didn’t seem to imply that.
"Hot." The Chief muttered. "You have even more bite than I thought."
Camelia immediately blushed. "Oh, well... You know..." She scratched her head timidly.
A couple dozen meters away,
’Freaking dumbasses!’ The last remaining Orc thought while running away. ’I can’t believe Ogres are attacking us. They’re dead! Freaking dead! Once the Chief...’
The Orc’s thought trailed off as an eagle’s screech echoed. She turned in its direction, and her eyes widened.
’Fuck...’ The Orc cursed internally. ’Fuck...!’
The Orc’s left foot caught her right ankle, and she fell to the ground.
"P-Please! D-Don’t shoot!"
An Ogre was two meters to her right, and another two meters to her left.
Both had bows loaded and aimed straight at her head.
"Hm..." Fia pursed her lips. "I guess we’re keeping this one alive, right?"
"I think so." Kon nodded.
Neither lowered their bows.
