Everyone Else is a Regressor - Chapter 35

◈ Everyone Else is a Regressor (35)

Chapter 8. Overflow (2)

KiJun spotted an orc.

After obtaining a unique-grade half-mask that allowed him to disguise as a ‘Flame Human’, he jubilantly dashed through the forest, eventually emerging onto the plains.

He had thought it would take about half a day to reach the city when he encountered them.

“Hmm?”

Rough brown skin, fierce upturned noses, eyes slit like those of a boar, and prominent tusks… these muscular monsters were about twice the size of an average human.

In the tutorial, seeing one orc meant there were thirty more nearby. Either you fled or eliminated every single one, or the next day, three hundred would swarm you.

However, in the early tutorial, when meat was scarce, everyone turned a blind eye to the fact that orcs walked on two legs like humans and butchered them for their pork-like meat.

Moreover, orc meat boasted an overwhelming taste and aroma that could trample over any known pork.

‘Now that I think about it, that was a tough choice. Ordinary wild orcs are one thing, but later, those like the High Orc Legion Commanders under the Demon Lord even spoke normally.’

By then, it was already the latter half of the tutorial, and the heroes’ minds were likely twisted.

They knew the orcs could communicate with humans, yet they were more concerned about how to distribute the meat after raiding them.

It was the same for Minotaurs and other monsters.

In low-level zones, it was easy to consider them wild animals since they walked on two legs but couldn’t speak or reason. But in higher-level areas…

―It’s like a ‘civilization’, Contractor.

Lucy’s words brought KiJun out of his thoughts.

Indeed, the orcs were fully clothed and even wore earrings with unique symbolic meanings.

The five orcs, apparently a party, wore different outfits, and their distinct roles were clear from the weapons they carried, like bows and shields. They were undoubtedly a part of a sophisticated civilization.

“I’ve never seen this race before.”

The orcs, too, seemed slightly tense at the sight of KiJun.

He must have radiated an aura of a mysterious and powerful being. Despite masking his face, his legendary-grade charisma still drew attention.

“Who are you?”

“You first.”

KiJun wouldn’t recklessly attack orcs that showed no hostility and belonged to a civilization, no matter his past behavior.

Feeling an awkward restraint, he refrained from drawing his knife. Sensing they were weaker, one of the orcs – a leader wielding a greatsword – stepped forward.

“Fifth-year, as you see, an orc. A member of the Continental Mercenary Guild.”

The orc seemed proud to be a ‘formal mercenary,’ perhaps indicating stringent requirements for becoming one in this world.

“Second-year, Flame Human.”

“Flame Human? Never heard of it… Are you a solo participant?”

“A solo participant? If we kill him in a fight…”

“Stop talking nonsense. Solo participants are all incredibly powerful. We’re no match for them!”

The orcs began to stir. KiJun realized something at that moment.

There might indeed be no ‘Flame Humans’ on this continent.

Thinking they saw him as a representative of a civilization wasn’t far-fetched.

Originally intending to disguise his human identity, if his supposed race stood out too much, it would defeat the purpose.

But Lucy whispered in his ear.

―Don’t fall for their ignorance, Contractor. This continent is vast, and these orcs have barely seen a tenth of it. What would they know? Don’t let their misconceptions lead you astray.

‘Right.’

Even if ‘Flame Humans’ probably didn’t exist, it was better to be seen as a rare race’s representative than a human’s.

―Besides, your charisma is too high. No matter how you disguise, attention will follow. Pretending to be another major race might even raise more suspicion. This is just right.

Lucy’s words calmed him.

Better to be thought of as a representative of a rare race than a human.

Besides, he didn’t want to remove the highly effective mask.

“Have you never met my kind?”

“Uh?! No, we haven’t.”

The orcs nervously nodded, fearful their private conversation had been overheard. KiJun pretended not to know.

“Thanks for the information.”

Simply hinting he wasn’t a ‘solo participant’ and possibly searching for his kind, KiJun prepared to pass the orcs. However, one orc addressed him.

“Flame Human, do you know what happened in that forest? The temperature suddenly dropped last night. We were sent to investigate the cause.”

“I did deal with some nuisances in the forest.”

“Oh, you don’t know then.”

The orcs, not as foolish as KiJun thought, sensed he was related to the incident but didn’t press further, fearing retaliation.

After exchanging glances, the leader spoke again.

“May we know where you’re headed? If it’s the same direction, we’d like to accompany you.”

“Your mission?”

“It seems beyond our abilities. We plan to give up and return.”

The orc leader spoke decisively. They couldn’t find the hidden spirits or flame ghosts in the forest, and even if they found the now-ruined relic, they couldn’t analyze the cause.

Joining KiJun was the best option.

“Why do you wish to accompany me?”

“A non-arrogant powerful individual is always a solid companion.”

Strange.

Wasn’t he acting quite arrogantly, with a stiff tone and an air of nonchalance?

―A proud person wouldn’t easily express gratitude, Contractor.

KiJun gleaned an important insight. To maintain the guise of a haughty strongman, he must never openly acknowledge gratitude for others, but rather attribute it to his own merit. Nodding in understanding, he said, “I’m headed to the small city of Turris.”

“That’s expected. A strong individual like you would only find Turris suitable for activities in this area. We’re also heading there. May we accompany you?”

“Hmm.”

KiJun contemplated for a moment. Traveling with orcs who had been active in Reta for years could be beneficial in understanding this world.

However, two concerns nagged at him: revealing personal information and the possibility of the orcs playing tricks during the journey.

‘No, if mere companionship risks exposing my identity, it’s better to break it off early. I am now a Flame Human.’

And he was a formidable figure, even acknowledged by the Demon Lord of the tutorial, Bice, as a force to be reckoned with in Reta.

If he couldn’t trust orcs, whom he could read like an open book, how could he survive in this world? If they really tried to harm him, he could decisively deal with them.

“Fine, we can travel together for a short while.”

“Thank you. Ah, now our return journey will be safe.”

“Just make it quick.”

“Of course. We need to report back and take new assignments.”

The orc leader, introducing himself as Charbanbesh, seemed to have a name derived from the orcish language system.

Despite the language barrier, they communicated effortlessly, a wonder of this otherworldly realm.

KiJun introduced himself as Jun. Common enough to be unremarkable, but if someone linked him to rumors and sought him out, it would be a pleasant surprise.

“Are you going to Turris to gather information about your race? That’s a wise decision. Turris is populous with diverse races and civilizations.”

“Yes, I’m going for information. Planning to stay for a while.”

“I might be able to help then.”

Charbanbesh eagerly offered various pieces of information, some of which intrigued KiJun.

“If you’re Jun, you might participate in exploring a dungeon too difficult for others. Near Turris, there’s a unique-grade dungeon untouched for three years. Several expeditions have tried and failed.”

At the mention of a unique-grade dungeon, KiJun’s eyes widened. The reward he received from clearing a similar dungeon was immense.

He had formed a contract with the incredibly potent spirit Ur and obtained a unique-grade artifact that could disguise his race.

“Why leave it untouched? Aren’t the NPCs strong?”

The orcs laughed at his question, with Charbanbesh hastily explaining to avoid offending KiJun.

NPCs valued their lives too much to enter such dangerous dungeons. Instead, they pushed summoners to explore them.

“And now, even summoners refuse to enter, leaving the dungeon untouched for a year. There are always teams being formed, but no one volunteers.”

KiJun now understood why NPCs weren’t tackling the dungeon.

But it still puzzled him; there must be strong summoners among them.

“Summoners prefer to explore other dungeons rather than risking uncertain rewards in a unique dungeon. Especially since Turris isn’t a hotspot for high-grade summoners.”

That made sense. In a region active with beginners to intermediates, a high-difficulty dungeon would have already claimed many lives.

“Leaving a dungeon for too long is dangerous, I’ve heard.”

“Right. The lord sends soldiers periodically to deal with monsters seeping out, but eventually, it will burst. The pent-up energy in the dungeon will explode.”

Charbanbesh emphasized this, hoping they would be strong enough to leave Turris before that happened.

KiJun mulled over the possibility of tackling the dungeon.

The relic Ur slept in was rated high mainly due to Ur’s potential, but the creatures inside were mostly uncommon, at best rare-grade boss monsters.

“So, Lucy, could I join an exploration team for that dungeon?”

―If you plan to hide your identity, it’ll be tough.

They had agreed that KiJun, as a Flame Human, would focus on Ur’s fire power, leaving Lucy’s light abilities unused for the time being.

―Why not try entering the dungeon alone and fight at full strength? You survived rare-grade relics even as a common grade.

‘But that was with Bice’s backing. Now I must set my own safety margins.’

KiJun sighed, realizing the need for trustworthy companions. Only Superman can save the world alone.

While lost in thought, KiJun noticed a large group approaching. Dozens of individuals, clearly a unified group, and they were humans.

Not of his civilization, Earth, but sharing the same species instinctively evoked a sense of kinship.

“Oh, those are…”

“Grrr.”

Charbanbesh growled as he saw them.

“Filthy humans, rumored to be raiding near Turris!”

“They seem to be tracking us, knowing we’re from the Turris Mercenary Guild!”

The orcs unsheathed their weapons. KiJun was about to dissuade them when an arrow aimed at his head flew from the human group. To his astonishment, the arrow burst into flames and vanished.

It must be the power of the Flame Eyes, igniting what he sees.

“Damn, he burned a magic-infused arrow without casting? Did we mess with the wrong guy?”

“Only orcs were supposed to be here, what’s that thing!”

“Trying to kill it first and now this!”

The distant human voices reached KiJun as he suppressed his initial response. The orcs lowered their weapons, looking to him for guidance.

“Don’t lie. Do you have a grudge against them?”

“No. They’re scavengers, following weaker targets to hunt. They must have followed us from Turris.”

“Is that so?”

Charbanbesh trembled as he answered.

KiJun nodded, a ball of fire formed from his spiritual connection with Ur, fueled by his legendary-grade Light Magic, burning brighter and fiercer.

“Don’t interfere.”

He declared to the orcs, remembering his rule from the tutorial days: end those who cross him.

He hurled the fireball with all his might. The inferno engulfed the approaching human group, a fireball powerful enough to devastate a major group.