Chapter: 241
Orcs are monsters evolved from hobgoblins.
When dozens of hobgoblins gather in a group of goblins, one of the hobgoblins from that group will eventually transform into an orc.
Once this transformation is complete, the orc is treated as a completely different species from the goblins, and the reason lies in the orc’s strength.
Unlike hobgoblins, which are similar in stature to regular men or slightly weaker, orcs possess a physique far superior to that of humans.
In terms of height, weight, muscle mass, skeletal density, sharpness of the five senses, and toughness of the skin, it can be said that orcs are stronger than humans in every aspect.
To confront such an orc, it requires several adventurers or soldiers experienced in battle to collaborate and hunt it down, and even then, they should be prepared for a certain level of sacrifice.
For this reason, it’s crucial to eliminate any goblin groups that might spawn hobgoblins before they escalate into orcs, which is also why the Adventurer Guild and the Life Church exert effort in goblin extermination.
……
An orc evolves from a hobgoblin, but not every hobgoblin can transform into an orc.
Only those hobgoblins with outstanding physical potential can evolve into orcs. In the case of hobgoblins that do not meet this criterion, they may evolve into other forms.
For instance, hobgoblins that evolve in places with strong death energy, like a dragon’s tomb, do not obtain a physique as powerful as an orc but rather acquire unique abilities, such as using the death energy like poison or animating the corpses of fallen goblins. They evolve into what is known as goblin shamans.
Hobgoblins evolving in harsh cold environments may evolve into frost goblins that wield cold through magic, while those skilled at commanding other goblins might evolve into goblin chieftains with exceptional leadership abilities.
Hobgoblins that evolve in hot environments become flame goblins, but… it’s common for those goblins to obliterate their entire group with the flames they unleash, so let’s consider them an exception for now.
While the evolution from goblin to hobgoblin is fixed, the paths for hobgoblins to evolve can diverge in various ways.
The trait of goblins adapting and changing according to their environment also applies to the evolution of hobgoblins.
— Monster Encyclopedia (2). On Orcs.
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Orcs are remarkably sturdy.
More solid than humans, tougher than humans… they feel like an upgraded version of human durability.
Of course, they aren’t absurdly tough! If three to five soldiers armed with spears take them on, they can definitely be pierced.
While the skin is tough, it isn’t resilient enough to deflect blades.
Grug!
An orc, rolling its eyes and trying to escape from the tree trunk. Fear was evident in its eyes.
It seems its intelligence surpasses that of a hobgoblin. Hobgoblins possess some level of intelligence, but they never expressed such clear emotions.
Hmm. I’d love to capture it and test its intelligence through various experiments, but… that could be a bit risky.
For now, let’s proceed with dissecting it.
I approached the immobilized orc and poked its skin with my finger.
It’s tough. Not quite like rock, but tougher than a wild boar.
Its body is truly a mass of muscle. The strength emanating from such muscles must be considerable.
The hide it wore seemed roughly sheared from an animal, not properly tanned, with hair and fat still attached.
Well, it isn’t much different from goblins… but perhaps due to its larger size, the orc was only loosely covered around the waist.
Its face was more bearable than a goblin’s, but still quite ugly.
It had a notably large jaw, and its lower tusks jutted out, giving off a wild animal vibe. The mix of green skin and that jaw made for a very rough appearance.
Maybe with a bit of modification, it could have a decent-looking face, but… let’s set that aside for now.
What it held in hand was a wooden club used as a weapon. It looked like a thick branch that had been trimmed somewhat, just like the club that Ryklen used.
At that size, it must weigh quite a bit, and the fact it can wield it with one hand shows… its strength must be quite impressive.
As I examined the orc, I noticed its eyes were fixed on me.
Even in such a captured state, it continues to look at me? Quite the bold one, isn’t it?
Ah, wait. This orc. Its eyes had a slight smile directed at me. The corners of its mouth seemed to lift just a bit.
And… Hmm. It’s a bit inappropriate to say this out loud, but… one part of the leather covering its waist seemed a little too… excited.
Is it into bondage play? Or is it just aroused by my appearance? Considering its subordinates, the goblins and hobgoblins, were burnt to a crisp in an instant?
Ah, is this what they say? When faced with death, instinctively sexual urges rise?
That’s a bit disturbing. Ugh.
Wait a minute, sexual urge? An orc? I’m currently in the form of a human girl with dragon horns!
Orcs… are monsters that harbor sexual desires for other species?
Does having higher intelligence mean feeling sexual attraction towards other species?
Ugh. I don’t get it. It’s unsettling. I just want to erase it. But I can’t do that right now. Investigation comes first.
So.
Thud!
I severed a part of the orc’s lower body and cauterized it with fire, of course, without anesthesia.
At that pain, the orc let out a scream and foamed at the mouth, losing consciousness.
While its gaze and various aspects were exceedingly unpleasant, I was driven by this urge to act, but my male consciousness inside screamed in terror. What could I do? It was all rather disgusting.
Humph. Fainting’s one thing, but let’s dissect it while it’s still alive.
I moved the wooden trunk binding the orc’s limbs and restrained its body completely.
Alright. Now it’s time for a live dissection.
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The life force of the orc was quite remarkable.
Even after cutting through its skin and exposing its organs, it didn’t die; even when slicing through its muscles and checking its bones, it remained alive.
When I removed a portion of its internal organs, it felt like it was barely hanging on, but I couldn’t let my important subject die. Heal, heal.
For now, the structure of the orc’s bones and muscles resembled that of a hobgoblin.
It was just that it was unimaginably tougher than a hobgoblin.
The bones, muscles, skin, and nerves were all far superior to those of a hobgoblin.
The internal organs were similar to a hobgoblin’s, but there were differences as well.
First, there were two stomachs, and its lungs and heart were significantly larger in proportion to its body size.
Perhaps it’s to digest food as efficiently as possible? I’ve heard that cows have four stomachs, could this mimicry be the result?
Oh, another point: photosynthesis through its green skin.
While goblins and hobgoblins could maintain minimal life functions through photosynthesis, orcs could not seemingly do so.
Photosynthesis itself continues, but using that to sustain minimal life functions seems impossible. It’s likely because they require more energy due to their larger size and greater muscle mass.
And… hmm. Magic stones. Let’s talk about magic stones.
The magic stone of the orc seemed to be about twice the size of that of a hobgoblin. At this size, it would be similar to a moderately strong monster from small to medium size.
It possessed a considerable amount of magical power. While it had incinerated the other goblins and hobgoblins upon their assembly, the orc still contained considerable magical energy within its body.
I removed the magic stone from the orc’s heart, which was almost out of breath, and at that moment, the orc’s breath ceased. Even with such a developed physique, it seems the fact remains that it is still a monster.
Holding the removed magic stone in my hand, I took out the hero’s sword and placed it against the stone.
Hmm… no fragments of darkness? I thought there might be something at this size. Sigh.
I ignited a magical flame to burn the orc’s corpse and left the site.
The existence of an orc, evolved from a hobgoblin, brought me a fresh shock.
Creatures that grow stronger in numbers and form a society of unprecedented structure.
Though it was a monster, it certainly left an impression.
But at the same time, the danger posed by goblins and orcs has escalated.
While a group of hobgoblins could be handled in a rural village, dealing with orcs wouldn’t be so simple.
Hundreds of goblins, dozens of hobgoblins, and a single orc.
No matter how weak goblins may be, an assembly of this magnitude alone poses a threat.
Unless it’s a village with solid ramparts and enough combatants to wage war, the mere appearance of an orc could lead to complete annihilation.
For that reason, I spread the information about goblins through the Life Church.
It’s crucial to remove goblins that pose potential threats to humans in a timely manner.
It’s far easier to eliminate them when the opportunity arises than to wait for a problem to emerge.
Surely humans will think the same way, right?
But it seems that thought might have been my delusion.
Or perhaps humans are far more foolish than I had imagined.
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