Chapter 14: Hidden Mission 3 Completed!

"All you have to do first is gather some stones and twigs…"

"Got it!"

Hnung began searching for twigs and stones. He found many sticks and stones nearby and picked up one of each. Once he had gathered them, Hnung placed them beside Dux.

"Please arrange the sticks in a circular shape and use the stones to help keep them in place."

Hnung started to arrange the stones per Dux's order.

"Done.."

"Alright, watch how I do it."

Dux also had his arrangement of sticks and stones.

"To start a fire, you just need two stones. First, bang them together several times to generate a spark. Then, direct the spark towards some sticks and it will ignite the fire."

Dux demonstrated his technique on the stones while Hnung observed. After a few attempts, they successfully created a small fire.

"Amazing…"

"Now you try.."

Hnung nodded his head and proceeded to strike the stones repeatedly. Although a spark was produced, it failed to ignite a fire.

Despite this setback, Hnung remained determined and continued to strike the stones persistently.

Whilst Dux just watched Hnung, he was also recovering his stamina from the fight earlier.

Hnung spent an hour building a small fire, and he felt delighted to have learned the skill.

However, Dux instructed him to try again to fully grasp the process and become proficient. Hnung didn't resist and nodded in agreement, determined to master the skill.

This took Hnung many tries, he would keep on creating fires to learn the trick.

And after another two hours, Hnung succeeded. He could now create a fire.

[Ding!]

[Hnung has succeeded in creating a fire! +10 Intellect]

[Hnung has now learned the skill Fire Making!]

"Now that you know how to make a fire, next is how to create a weapon. Gather a stone and a stick and some vines hanging loose on the trees."

Hnung followed Dux's instructions and began to collect the materials needed. After collecting the needed materials Dux began to explain to Hnung how to create a small knife.

"It isn't easy creating a huge weapon like an axe, it took my friend Callidus a day just to finish one axe. So for now, let's start with creating a smaller weapon such as a knife."

Dux began to show to Hnung how he created the knife, he first started to shape the stone using nearby rocks.

After getting the sharp texture of the stone. Dux tied the stone using the vines to the stick. And after finishing the product he showed it to Hnung.

"A knife can be a handy tool due to its small size and portability. My friend, Celer, uses a knife for hunting and is skilled at throwing it accurately to damage the prey. However, creating a weapon requires time and patience, so don't be discouraged if it doesn't turn out the way you envisioned it at first."

"I understand.."

Hnung diligently followed Dux's instructions, replicating his every hand movement with precision.

Although the ogres relied on the trees in their environment as weapons, Hnung recognized the significance of having proper gear after encountering numerous formidable creatures in the forest.

Hnung tried his best to follow Dux's movements but struggled to craft a knife. Despite putting in several hours of effort, Hnung couldn't seem to shape the stone the way he wanted to due to his large hands.

Seeing Hnung's struggle, Dux decided to switch gears and teach him how to create an axe instead. However, Dux himself was unsure of how to create an axe, as it seemed like a difficult task akin to crafting a knife.

"Creating an axe is harder than a knife and I'm not that proficient. But there is one who knows how to make an axe, and it's one of my friends. Since we are going there I'll ask him to teach you how to make one."

"Thank you then.."

Dux was beginning to warm up to Hnung, despite his initial anger. Learning about Hnung's tribe had softened his attitude towards him.

Dux appreciated that Hnung was working hard to improve for the benefit of his tribe, which gained Dux's respect.

Both Dux and Hnung shared a desire to improve things for their respective tribes, which made them alike in this regard.

They were both resting beside the lake. The fresh breeze from the forest made them feel at ease.

"Can you tell me more about the ogre clan?"

"Ah well, we are a small tribe consisting of 15 individuals. 13 adults and two children."

"Children? What's that?"

"Y-You don't know what a child is?"

Hnung glanced at Dux. He was confused about why Dux doesn't know what children were.

"No, what is it? Is it another race living with you?"

"N-No, a child is a smaller version of an ogre. Don't your tribe have children?"

"A smaller version?"

"Wait, how many are you in your Beastmen tribe?"

"Five…"

Hnung was perplexed to know that the Beastmen tribe only consisted of five individuals.

"How is this race of children born?"

"Ummm well. My brother told me it's created by the love of two individuals.."

"Love?"

"Umm, love is a feeling. You don't feel love?"

"I don't even know what this love or children is…"

"Ummm let me explain! You see a child is born from two individuals who love one another. And ahem, love is a kind of feeling, our tribe got to know the feeling of love due to the nature of the forest."

"When we were first born, the first sight we saw was the bustling green trees, the insects flying around, the fresh breeze."

"While were in the forest, we feel safe, protected, and happy, that's when the word of love was created in my tribe. We thought love only exists in the forest, but strangely it also exists in certain people we meet."

Seeing the serious expression on Dux's face. Hnung continued:

"My brother, we were born at the same time. When the tribe was created, he felt love in one of the ogres."

"My brother was the one that discovered that love not only exists in nature but is also in us, my brother fell in love with her, and he got rejected a few times..."

"He was very pitiful at that time, but my brother never gave up he continued to show the woman he loves with his affection and eventually, they got together… They have two children..."

"I understand, love makes you feel safe, happy, protected….But what about children? What are they?"

Dux briefly understood what love meant. But he was confused, he feels that way about everyone In his tribe, not only that love for him was a new topic that he didn't know about.

And the topic of children, plus how Hnung's brother took lengths just to seize the woman as his, he was confused as to why Hnung's brother would go that far just for love.

"Uh, I also don't know that… But that woman my brother loves gave birth to two children, they were boys. They were small, always sleeping, crying, pooping, and they were fragile…But my brother loves and protects those two with all his might, they may be fragile but just looking at the two children made me feel the wonders of life…"

Though Hnung is the champion of his tribe, he never felt such feelings like his brother had described. He was busy protecting their tribe, and for Hnung he only feels that way inside the forest.

Hnung who was reminiscing while telling Dux, could remember his tribes and brothers face clearly. He missed them dearly and was worried for their safety.

But Hnung knew that their god Orcus was looking out for the tribe, as such he didn't have to worry that much.

"Children…They must have been adorable….."

"They are, that's why I can't wait to see everyone in my tribe again.."

"I'm very sorry for what I have done to you Dux, sincerely, I know that words aren't enough as such I'm willing to accept any punishment…"

Dux could hear the sincerity of Hnung's apology.

"Then if you are sorry, spar with me every time. Then I can forgive you.."

"T-Thank you, Dux, thank you…"

[Hidden Mission 3 Completed!]

[Description: Dux has forgiven Hnung, but the two have formed a small rivalry.]

….

After a boring shift at work, Cedric was back. The store was empty, and customers rarely come inside. Though Cedric was happy that there weren't many customers, bore consumed his whole mind.

Cedric took off his shoes and lay down on the sofa. He wasn't feeling particularly exhausted, but he was feeling lazy.

After resting for a few minutes, Cedric decided to have some instant noodles and watch TV.

Cedric was dragging his feet to the kitchen. Work made him bored, the only thing he did was tend to the cash registrar and would occasionally sweep the floor.

The store was desolated, and Cedric didn't have anything to do. Though the pay was good, the boredom was slowly killing him.