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Chapter: 241

Orcs are monsters evolved from hobgoblins.

When dozens of hobgoblins gather into a large horde of goblins, one of the hobgoblins in that horde will transform into an orc.

Once the transformation is complete, orcs are treated as a separate species from goblins, and the reason lies in the orc’s strength.

Unlike hobgoblins, which are roughly similar to or slightly weaker than an average man, orcs possess a physique that is vastly superior to humans.

In terms of height, weight, muscle mass, skeletal solidity, sharpness of the five senses, and the toughness of their skin, one could say orcs are stronger than humans in every aspect.

To deal with such orcs, it’s necessary for several experienced adventurers or soldiers to cooperate and hunt them down, and even then, they must prepare for a certain amount of sacrifice.

For this reason, it is crucial to eliminate the goblin hordes, which include hobgoblins, before orcs appear. This is also why the Adventurer’s Guild and the Church of Life exert efforts to eradicate goblins.

……

Orcs evolve from hobgoblins, but not all hobgoblins can evolve into orcs.

Only hobgoblins with exceptional physical potential can transform into orcs. Those that don’t meet this condition may evolve into other forms.

For example, hobgoblins that evolve in places with strong Energy of Death, like the Dragon’s Tomb, will not have physical strength like orcs, but instead, they might acquire special abilities, such as using the Energy of Death as poison or animating the corpses of dead goblins. They evolve into what is referred to as goblin shamans.

Hobgoblins that evolve in frigid environments may become frost goblins that manipulate cold through magical power, while those with excellent management skills over other goblins will evolve into goblin chieftains with superior leadership abilities.

Hobgoblins that evolve in hot environments become flame goblins, but… such goblins often end up annihilating their own horde with the flames they emit, so let’s consider that an exception.

The evolution of goblins into hobgoblins is a fixed path, but hobgoblins can diverge into several different directions upon evolution.

The trait of adapting to the environment and evolving applies to hobgoblins as well.

– Encyclopedia of Monsters. (2). Orc Edition.

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Orcs were considerably sturdy.

More solid than humans, tougher than humans… they felt like an upgraded version of human durability.

Of course, they weren’t so tough that three to five soldiers with spears couldn’t pierce through them somehow!

Their tough skin wasn’t strong enough to deflect blades, though.

“Grrr!”

An orc was rolling its eyes and trying to get away from the wooden trunk. Fear was evident in its gaze.

It seemed to have superior intelligence compared to hobgoblins. Hobgoblins had some degree of intelligence, but they didn’t openly express such clear emotions.

Hmm. I would love to capture it and test its intelligence through various experiments, but… that would carry a bit of risk.

For now, let’s try dissecting it.

I approached the immobilized orc and poked its skin lightly with my finger.

It’s solid. Not as hard as a rock, but definitely tougher than a beast like a wild boar.

The body itself was a true mass of muscle. The strength emanating from such muscles must be considerable.

The leather it wore looked like it had been roughly stripped off some beast, with fur and fat still clinging to it without proper tanning.

Well, that wasn’t too different from goblins, but perhaps because of its larger size, the orc was only partially covered by the leather.

Its face was somewhat tolerable compared to a goblin’s, but still pretty ugly.

It had a massive jaw, with the fangs of its lower jaw protruding, giving it a beast-like impression. The mix of green skin and that jaw created a very rugged vibe.

I thought maybe a little makeover could make its face somewhat presentable, but let’s not dwell on that for now.

What it was gripping was a wooden club used as a weapon. It resembled a thick branch that Rychlen used, somewhat roughly polished.

With that thickness, it must weigh quite a bit, and the fact that it can hold it in one hand suggests pretty decent strength.

As I examined the orc, I noticed its golden iris was fixed on me.

Even in such a captured state, it continued to glare at me? Does it have some guts?

Oh wait, no. This orc… its eyes seemed to be smiling as it looked at me. The corners of its mouth were also slightly upturned.

And… well, it’s a bit embarrassing to mention, but… one part of the leather covering its waist looked a bit… excited.

Is it into restraint play? Or is it just turned on by my appearance? With its subordinates, the goblins and hobgoblins, going up in flames just moments ago?

Ah, is that it? They say facing death can instinctively elevate sexual desire?

A bit gross. Ugh.

Wait, sexual desire? An orc? I’m currently in the form of a human girl with a dragon’s horn!

So orcs are monsters that can feel sexual desire for other races?

With such intelligence, can they experience sexual attraction to other species?

Ugh. I don’t get it. That’s nasty. I just want to delete it from my mind. But I can’t do that right now. Investigation comes first.

So…

Bang!

I cut off a part attached to the orc’s lower body and cauterized it with fire. Of course, without anesthesia.

Amidst the pain, the orc screamed, foaming at the mouth, and lost consciousness.

I found its sight and various aspects truly unpleasant, and even though the male persona lingering in my mind screamed in horror, what could I do? It was very disturbing.

Ahem. It’s unconscious now, so let’s dissect it while it’s still alive.

I maneuvered the wooden trunk that bound the orc, restraining its limbs vividly as I spread its body wide open.

Alright, it’s time for a live dissection.

—

The vitality of the orc was remarkable.

Even when I cut its skin and exposed its insides, it didn’t die, and it remained alive when I cut through its muscles and checked its bones.

When I removed part of its internal organs, it felt slightly like it was dying, but I couldn’t let an important specimen die. Recovery, recovery.

The structure of the orc’s muscles and bones resembled that of a hobgoblin.

It was just far stronger compared to a hobgoblin.

Bones, muscles, skin, and nerves, all vastly superior compared to hobgoblins.

Its innards looked similar to those of a hobgoblin but had some differences.

First, it had two stomachs, and its lungs and heart were quite large in proportion to its body size.

Is this perhaps to maximize digestion? I’ve heard that cows have four stomachs; could this be mimicking that?

Oh, and there’s another point. Photosynthesis through green skin.

While goblins and hobgoblins could sustain minimal life activities through photosynthesis, it seems orcs can’t do that.

Photosynthesis continues to take place, but it probably can’t sustain minimal life activities, given the size of their bodies and the increased muscle mass requires more energy.

And… hmm. Let’s talk about mana stones.

The mana stone of the orc was about twice the size of a hobgoblin’s stone. At this size, it would be similar to a relatively strong monster, ranging from small to medium.

The amount of mana contained within was considerable. The other goblins and hobgoblins had gone up in flames, but even so, the orc’s body retained significant mana.

I removed the mana stone from the orc’s heart, which was almost out of breath, and simultaneous with that, the orc’s breath ceased. It seems that even with such a developed physique, it remains a monster.

Holding the removed mana stone in my hand, I took out the Hero’s Sword and brought it close to the stone.

Hmm… no shards of darkness? I thought there might be with this size. Ugh.

I ignited the flames of mana to burn the orc’s corpse before making my exit.

—

The existence of an orc evolved from a hobgoblin brought me a fresh shock.

A creature that grows stronger by increasing numbers and gathering together. A creature forming a social structure that hasn’t existed until now.

Although a monster, this was quite a refreshing revelation.

However, that also raised the danger posed by goblins and orcs.

While a horde of hobgoblins could be dealt with in a countryside village, it wouldn’t be so easy starting with orcs.

Hundreds of goblins, dozens of hobgoblins, and one orc.

No matter how weak goblins are, just the presence of this many would pose a threat.

Unless it’s a village with strong defenses and enough people to fight back, the emergence of an orc could spell doom.

For that reason, I disseminated information about goblins through the Church of Life.

It’s crucial to eliminate goblins that pose potential threats to humans in a timely manner.

It’s much easier to deal with them when you can, rather than letting them linger until a crisis arises.

I thought humans might think similarly, right?

But it seems my assumption was rather mistaken.

Or perhaps humans are more foolish than I had thought.

 

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