For I Am A Side Character - Zetro Translation

“Their gone…so they decided to run away.” seeing as how I could no longer feel an orc’s presence inside my domain, it was possible that they decided to give up on their hunt.

Having almost caught an orc by his throat in just a sliver of a chance, that alone must have warned them to give up.

Its impossible for an orc to use a portal skill with his nature. The only way they could have moved in such a way is probably because of the artifact…but are orcs smart enough to use that kind of artifact? And more to the point, the portal’s activation was fast…fast enough to even escape me. If someone was able to activate the artifact that fast, it must mean that they’ve mastered using the artifact.

It was interesting to think that someone was able to master the artifact in such a way…

Now if that was the case, I wonder how the purity cult was able to obtain the artifact in the first place against someone with that mastery over the artifact.

Still despite this thought, I went back to finding the artifact. I didn’t really have that much time left. Seeing as how it was midnight, I only have a few hours left before I could return to the base camp.

Now, with the nature of an orc’s environment inside a dungeon, they live a similar life as that of a Goblin. Meaning, they huddle in groups inside caves and even built structures of forts meant to act as a safe haven.

Its possible that in this forest, there’s probably a fort built to act as their home…I just need to find it.

With that said, I decided to rely on all my senses yet again to track any sort of trail left by the orcs.

[Enlightened Domain of the Dark]

Expanding over a large radius of my domain, I was able to pick up some trails on the ground.

Mostly, some were made by animal hooves. What I was looking for were big footprints, three times the size of my own.

“…?” and to my luck, this footprint lead a trail.

In that moment, I quickly went to this trail and started looking for any signs of monsters in the area. And there were some…but none were close to that of an orc.

“Egh, this is something.” when I followed the trail, it lead me to a few things in the forest.

A wolve’s head…it was staked by a spear and stood by the side of the trail left by the orcs.

“…An Orc’s tradition. From what I know, they do this to serve as a warning and as a sign that this is their territory.” to think that orc’s were able to create something like this…

‘Hmm, now that I think about it…compared to the orcs inside the dungeons, the orcs here are more organized. They way they hunted me with arrows and lured me in with a barrage from all direction was completely different from that of an orc hunting with nothing but a huge club on hand. It was like a true hunt…’

As I began to get more curious about the orcs, little by little, I started to dig more into the nature of the orc’s lifestyle here in the forest.

After two hours of looking, I finally arrived at a place that I presumed was their own camp.

‘Hmm, a camp that’s well fortified. Interesting.”

With walls that spanned over ten meters tall and five surrounding towers that was stationed with orcs carrying the same three-sized bow and arrow, it seemed like this camp was well fortified enough to protect itself from any sort of threat. For monsters and the like, it was a perfect fort to act as a safe haven.

“…This is really something.”

Having seen their front defenses, I decided to dig in deeper into the inside. Seeing as how it was night time, not a lot of the orcs were awake…

But even with that, I can’t just sneak in like I usually would in a normal mission. The orcs had a sensitive nose, that was why they were able to find me even in a place like the forest that was crawling with all sorts of smells. I was foreign to a place like this, making my smell new and unique to the orcs.

As of now, the only way I could hide my scent was with rain…

Dogs when hunting are just as sensitive to smell as that of orcs. But I’ve seen in some made evidences that when it rains, dogs can lose the scent of its prey…

If that is the case, I only had to make it rain in that camp specifically so that my scent would be lost by the orcs during the night.

A light rain won’t do…it needs to be heavy enough to cover my entire tracks and scent.

So off I went into the clouds.

Although it was a bit of a new experience creating rain using God’s will, I expected it to be not as hard since I knew the process of a water cycle. Having to understand a process of what was to be created can easily be formed by God’s Will…

Now, as the forest was cloaked in darkness, the midnight sky barely visible through the dense canopy above. Every sound seemed amplified. The rustle of leaves, the distant howl of a wolf, and most ominously, the heavy footsteps of the orcs down at their camp. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat a reminder that I couldn’t afford to be detected. Their sharp noses were trained to sniff out any trace of me, but tonight, I had a plan to mask my scent.

I found a small clearing in the sky…with clouds in the distance, this was the perfect spot to harness my [God’s Will] to create a storm. Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and centered myself, feeling the divine energy surge through me. The cool night air was thick with moisture, making it the perfect foundation for what I was about to create.

“Let’s get started.” I whispered, extending my consciousness to the elements around me.

Evaporation was the first step. Drawing moisture from the damp earth, I willed the clouds to gather and unleash their torrents upon the forest.

I focused on the damp earth and the lingering dew on the leaves and the air that was filled with the mist of the clouds. My mind reached out, drawing the moisture upward, turning it into invisible vapor. I could feel the water molecules rising, responding to my command as they ascended into the night sky. Once it happened, the air around me grew warmer as the moisture evaporated, with the subtle scent of earth and foliage dispersing into the atmosphere.

Next came condensation. I directed the rising vapor to gather above me, cooling it rapidly to form tiny droplets. These droplets coalesced into dense, dark clouds, thickening the canopy above. The temperature dropped as the clouds gathered, and a fine mist began to swirl around me, cloaking my presence. The mist acted as a veil, dispersing my scent into the moist air, making it nearly undetectable to the orcs below.

“Now, let’s stir up the wind.” I commanded silently, feeling the divine power intensify. The gentle breeze picked up, swirling the mist into more substantial formations. The air grew heavy with moisture, and the first signs of a storm began to take shape. With how the trees around me swayed as the wind gained strength, their leaves rustling louder, blending with the distant sounds of the loud chatters of the orcs below.

Precipitation was the final phase. I concentrated my energy, urging the clouds to release their stored moisture. Rain began to fall in heavy sheets, the droplets thickening the air and further masking my scent. The sound of the rain hitting the forest floor was a symphony of cover, drowning out any subtle noises I might make as I moved.

But I needed more—wind. I channeled my power into the storm, increasing the intensity of the gusts. The rain transformed into a relentless downpour, each drop hitting the ground with purpose. The winds howled through the trees, creating a cacophony that masked my movements. The combination of rain and wind created a turbulent environment, making it nearly impossible for the orcs to track me by scent alone.

Lightning flickered within the dark clouds, illuminating the forest in brief, blinding flashes. Each bolt of light was a reminder of the power I wielded, a beacon to deter any who dared to follow. Thunder rumbled through the night, its deep resonance adding to the illusion of a natural calamity, convincing the orcs to abandon their search.

As the storm reached its peak, I felt a surge of satisfaction. The storm was my shield, a barrier between me and those who sought to hunt me. The relentless rain and fierce winds made the forest an inhospitable place, ensuring that my scent was buried deep within the chaos of the storm.

Breathing steadily, I began to move through the tempest I had created. The rain soaked my clothes, but the storm’s fury provided the perfect cover.

Despite the pain I’ve been experiencing in creating this storm, I endured it. I needed the storm to last long enough to have the orcs think of not doing anything else in such a storm.

At best, I wished that they would simply wait and rest, to let their guards down.

God’s Will was a duel edged sword, but I made it happen. Now, in this loud night, I can hide both my scent and steps.

Once I landed, I could see that the orcs were shocked by the change of weather. But it still was early to act. I needed to wait for an hour before their security was low enough for me to infiltrate their base camp.

An hour later, it was finally time to take action.

Despite the guards watching over on the towers, the winds were strong enough to blind them from fully guarding their base.

“…now’s my chance.” as quick as I was, I instantly moved inside using the steps of the Emissary Ghost.

I couldn’t mess this up. If the orc who was controlling the artifact knew of my presence, he would surely escape with the artifact…that artifact was the perfect tool to be used as an escape.

The moment I got in, I was surprised to see over a hundred orcs inside this camp. Most of them were in their own tents, resting and waiting for the storm to die down.

Each and every one of them were A-ranks at most…but one particular presence that caught my attention was in the tent that was placed in the center of this fort.

‘Hmm, that must be where their leader is resting…its possible that that’s where the artifact is as well.’

Having assumed this, I didn’t waste anytime making my way to that large tent.

Once I got inside, I was surprised to find an orc twice the size of the other orcs. With a braided beard to show his mature nature and stoic-like presence, this orc was surely the leader of this camp.

He was alone in this tent, but even then, this tent was only so big enough to accommodate his large build.

‘He’s an S-rank alright.’ I thought as I could sense the power built around his presence.

And while looking at his large build, I noticed that by his neck, a shining chain was seen resting on his chest like jewelry.

No doubt about it, he’s the user.

Once I finally had confirmation of the artifact, I didn’t wasted anytime at all.

I decided that here and now, I would kill the orc leader and claim his chains.

So I brought out a sword and raised it over his body in the attempt to execute him in where he sleeps. And the moment I waved it down, the moment I touched his skin with my blade, his body was sucked into a portal.

“!?”

[Automatic Defensive Function.]

The artifact acted on its own to protect the wearer.

And like so, the orc leader was dragged out of his own bed and out to the raining storm outside his chambers.

“…” I quickly tried to exit his tent, but once I did, all but in an instant, I was meet with a hundred pairs of stares.

Some were confused, but mostly some were carrying weapons with the intent to kill me.

“…” and the one responsible for this confrontation was none other than the leader himself who wore his chains with a smirk.

He must not have expected this, but nonetheless, I failed to claim the chains and he responded kindly by showing his greetings along with the rest of his army.

“You must be so confident of yourself to think that you can claim something that was gifted to me by the Gods.” said the Orcish leader.

“…You can talk, that’s surprising.” I said.

“Hmph, I am simply evolved. I alone am special.” he said.

“…I can see why you are this confident about yourself, but I propose that you just give me the chains around your neck.”

“Oh? And why should I do such a thing?” he asked.

“If you can give it to me in peace, I won’t decimate your entire territory to the ground.”

But once I said this, the orc simply used his chains to appear before at a closer distance.

“Hmm, now that I got a good look at you, were you not the rat lurking around in my territory earlier?” he asked as he only stood about five meters away from me.

“What can you say about my offer?” I asked.

“I can see that not a linger of fear is reflected your eyes. That can only mean two things. Either you are completely arrogant, or you are true to your word.”

“…I am true to my words, orc.” I said.

“Are you…? because along with that, you also stink of arrogance.” he said as he tries to make fun of me by gesturing that I smell bad.

“…Just give me the damn chain.” I said.

“Like I said, this was a gift blessed by the Gods…so no.” said the orc.

The air crackled with tension as the rain continued to pour heavy droplets splattering against the ground between them. The orc leader stood unwavering, his massive frame imposing even in the dim stormlight, with the artifact glowing faintly around his neck.

And for the orcs surrounding the camp, they watched silently, their weapons drawn but not yet raised, as they waited for their leader’s command.

“I see… negotiation is not an option.” I muttered under my breath.

The orc leader’s eyes narrowed. “I’ve never negotiated with prey before. But you… you are different. I smell the essence of a true warrior in you, human. You’re not like the others that dare enter my territory.”

Despite the calm in his voice, I knew he was probing for weakness. His words were calculated, designed to unnerve me. But fear was not something I allowed myself to feel in these moments.

“I didn’t come here for words, orc,” I said, tightening my grip on the hilt of my sword. “I came for that chain. It belongs to me now, whether you like it or not.” as I said this, I invoked even more of my presence as a threat to those who opposed me.

He let out a deep, rumbling laugh that seemed to shake the very ground. “Is that so? I have worn this chain for decades. It’s bonded to me in ways you cannot understand. You, a mere human, …cannot hope to wield such power.” the orc leader finished, his grin widening as the rain cascaded down his heavily scarred face.

The storm raged on around us, but I kept my focus locked on him. His words were meant to intimidate, to break my resolve. Yet, I’d faced worse than this—beings far stronger, more cunning. This orc, with all his bravado, was merely another obstacle.

“I don’t need to understand it,” I replied, my voice steady. “I just need to take it.”

The storm raged on as I faced the orc leader, with his stance steady despite the chaotic rain and wind. Around me, the orcs tightened their grip on their weapons, waiting for the inevitable battle to begin.

The orc leader’s eyes gleamed with anticipation, the artifact around his neck glowing brighter, shimmering with energy. “This chain has made me invincible, human. You’ll be nothing but a memory. There is no place I cannot reach because of this artifact…and you are merely a warrior!”

***

Soril gripped his sword tighter, his body attuned to the rhythm of the battlefield. And without a sense of time and call, he activated [Phantom Rush] dashing forward in a blur of motion.

Using the [steps of the emissary ghost], he was faster than light itself, and along [Phantom Rush] which made afterimages of his own, where as he passed though the orcs, they were left confused as they swung wildly at shadows of his own image. What followed then was a quick, precise movement, where Soril cuts down ten orcs in a single strike, leaving their bodies falling limp to the ground.

At this sight of an attack, the orc’s felt fear upon his fast kills. Not a single of those orcs were able to comprehend his speed.

But the orc leader smirked, and with a flash, he vanished. Soril barely had time to react before a massive axe was thrown towards him from behind but his senses never failed him to act on instinct. All but in an instant, Soril conjured his shield from his space storage, invoking his [Heavy Blocking Stance]. Despite the strength of an S-rank monster throwing at such an unpredictable angle, no mere weapon could ever pierce through his shield that easily, that he was sure of.

The force of the chain strike was immense, but Soril’s barrier absorbed it, reflecting a portion of the damage back toward the orc, who grunted in surprise.

“You’ve got tricks, human,” the orc leader growled as he vanished again.

And what came after that was a whistle into the raining night. A rain followed from above…a rain of spears coated with poison.

Their accuracy was top notched, with not a single one ever to miss his position. But as those spear-like arrows fell, Soril could only gaze at the speed to which they fell…

‘Hmm, slow…’ with all his focus pointed to the orc leader’s position appearing in and out his eye, witnessing the sight of a simple attack from weapons with no significance comparable to that of an artifact was a bore to him.

An artifact that could push through the limits of distance and speed was all the trouble that gained his eye’s attention.

So all but a small effort, Soril simply moved out of the way from those falling spear-like arrows.

And to the witness of his effortless dodge, the orcs saw the speed of what seemed like a lightning’s flow. His glistening sword was flashing in an out of the night…carrying the deaths of the orcs that came his way.

No one was safe…

But no one was also allowed to leave this fight.

The battle became a blur of motion for both the orcs and Soril. The orc leader teleported from place to place with blinding speed, using the chains as a weapon, he lashed out from all directions, but Soril simply pointed his attention first to the orcs on the side who might be a potential threat.

All but in a moment, the orcs started to die one by one…not even a minute has passed and Soril’s actions placed a threat on the Orc Leader’s judgement.

“What is this speed…is he a demon?!” the witness to his actions simply spoke to his position as an Aranean Warrior. He was merciless…for but all in an instant, his orc army was reduced to less than a half in just under a minute.

In that moment, the orc leader decided to stop this and let his men retreat.

With just one thought, the remaining army was swallowed by a portal and placed into a safe location. Leaving only the Orc Leader and Soril all alone.

“…You picked on my men like they were cattle. And already, they were reduced to less of a half…some couldn’t even raise their swords or axes to face you…”

“I offered you a simple way out, but you denied it because of your arrogance.” said Soril as he carried the head of one of the orcs he slayed with his sword.

“I see…so it wasn’t arrogance that I smelled upon your body, it was confidence.”

“So, what do you want now? Do you still intend to run and hide using the artifact…or do you wish to hand it to me and I will leave this camp in peace.”

“…Tch.” but doing nothing but clicking his tongue, the orc leader felt insulted.

“I am a leader…and I shall show my worth in gold!” and without any sense of mercy, the orc attacked Soril with no intents to hide. His pride as a warrior simply didn’t allow him to give up all that easily.

Using every arsenal he had, he gave it his best.

With no one else to worry but himself, the orc used the artifact to its limits. Appearing and disappearing like a glitch in reality, Soril could barely keep his eyes on him.

Another strike came, and this time, Soril retaliated with [Phantasmal Reposte]. A counter-attack that creates a mirror image of the user, confusing the orc and delivering a swift strike from an unexpected angle.

But the orc leader’s chain struck the illusion, and in that split second, Soril slashed upward with a [Mountain Splitter] a surge of energy crackling through his blade. The orc leader howled in pain as the energy cut through his magical defenses.

In this witness of pain and agony, both their reaction to each of their own attacks were simply like that. Both experienced in a fight barely anyone could comprehend with their naked eye.

“You’re faster than I expected,” Soril said calmly, his voice steady. “But you’re not invincible…you’re just a rat!”

The orc leader’s eyes flared with fury. “I will tear you apart!”

Teleporting once more, the orc aimed to strike Soril from multiple angles, but Soril activated [Vortex Guardian]. A spinning attack that utilizes both the sword and shield, creating a vortex of energy that pulls enemies in and deals continuous damage.

Spinning with both sword and shield, he unleashed a whirlwind of energy that pulled the orc leader toward him, disrupting the teleportation. The orc, caught off guard, was battered by continuous strikes, and from those strikes, his defenses were beginning to falter.

Finally, Soril saw his opening. Summoning all his strength, he invoked [Heaven’s Rift]. His sword came down with immense power, splitting the earth and the sky beyond the orc leader and unleashing a torrent of energy. The ground erupted, throwing the orc leader off balance as he staggered, bloodied and disoriented.

Heaven’s Rift was so powerful in fact that it tore through the storm that Soril crafted. All but in an instant, the Storm was gone…

With a final burst of power, Soril activated [Dominion Overload]. His body surged with energy, and in an instant, he was upon the orc leader. With one fluid motion, Soril drove his sword through the orc’s chest, severing the connection to the artifact.

“!!?” the Orc leader was surprised by this sudden growth of power…to see that he was able to muster that much strength all too easily, the orc simply knew that he had no chance of winning.

Now, the orc leader’s body was slumped to the ground, with his life slowly fading away and the glowing chain around his neck dimming and fading into nothing. Losing its power as it was.

The orc smiled…

“Haa…it looks like you lost your goal. The artifact is broken.” said the Orc as he had a smirk placed on his face.

“…” but without saying anything, Soril simply claimed the broken and artifact and he repaired it using [God’s Will]. seeing the magnificent light glow upon his hand as he held the artifact, the orc was flabbergast. All but in a moment, the artifact was fixed.

“T-this can’t be!? how is it possible that you were able to repair?!” he asked as he ignored the pain that was on his open chest.

“…” but Soril simply kept his mouth shut and turned his back. It was pointless to explain it to a fool like him…His expression was simply cold and calculating as through his fight for this night…he never cared for the lives he took. Orc’s were nothing but savages to him, they were monsters who showed no morality and kindness to a human’s soul, so he showed the same kind of sympathy.

But in this moment, Soril now understands why the Orc’s lost the artifact to the cult. Unlike the orc soldiers who felt fear, and would think nothing less but their escape, in this fight alone, Soril understood that the orc leader was just as prideful as he was.

He was not one to run away in a fight…

But he was willing to let his army escape…

That is why it was possible for the cultist to obtain the artifact. The orc leader was simply defeated…he didn’t had any intent in escaping using the artifact. He was a warrior through and through.

But despite this acknowledgement, Soril won. He claimed the artifact and that was all that matters. And more to the point, he was finally able to utilize some of his skills he attained in his second awakening as an aranean warrior. Rarely does he get to do this, so it was a fresh fight for him.

Soril stood victorious, his breath steady despite the intensity of the battle. “This is over,” he muttered, wiping the blood from his blade.

And from there, in that moment, in this chance, as the sun was starting to rise, Soril used the artifact to his convenience.

To his first try using it, he opened a portal that was pointed to the location of his choosing. And to his choosing, he went to the base camp, where Jessica waited.

It was a long night, but Soril was finally finished with another mission set out by God.