Chapter 72 – Orc

'Status'

[Name: Kayogg | Species: Orc | Level: 250]

[Health 28,125/28,125]

[Stamina 28,125/28,125]

[Magicka 0/0]

'He's actually... a little underwhelming, maybe having a literal one hit ability makes this less of a worry'

Both me and Petra are looking at the big green guy with our status screens, he honestly isn't that impressive thinking about it. Sure, he looks like a beefy overgrown goblin sleeping on that throne made from bones and his stats to most people would be difficult to defeat, we aren't most people though.

[<Orc's have a distribution multiplier of 2.25x>]

I guess I didn't even need to ask that time, Aesa be reading my mind before I even got the chance to ask. It's kinda mad to think dragons are only a little bit more than his multiplier, it won't be long till I'm able to hold up to father in combat. Thinking about Aesa though, she has been a little silent recently.

[<When -user- has no need for system, Aesa prefers silence>]

'Oh, I guess that kinda explains it then'

Anyway, back onto what's going on at present.

"That's... not a pleasant scene"

"Relax brother, we'll be curing their pain and misery very soon"

(Ria) "We're not mercy killing them Zeki"

"You really are stupid dryad, that's not what I meant"

The three behind us have now joined me and Petra in this room and all have something to say on what's going on, Ariza looks really concerned seeing all those captured women, it sounded like Zeki was thinking about mercy killing them but the dryad was clearly mistaken about that. I kinda thought that's what he meant as well but looks like we were both wrong.

Now that all of us have arrived, I'm a little curious on why we're all standing around not attacking just yet, it would make sense to try and kill most of the creatures while they're sleeping just to make this whole process easier.

"What's the hold up anyway? Why aren't we attacking?"

"Something seems amiss Ikarus, never known goblins to all be asleep at once"

Petra does have a point, even though goblins are extremely stupid, even they tend to leave people on watch or at least one of them shouldn't be sleeping. It turns out, the party member with the goblin fetish might know the reason.

"It's something that goblins in mating seasons have on themselves and their prey, it's similar to an animal's hibernation during winter. Give it some time and they'll definitely awaken"

She almost seems a little proud of her knowledge on such a weird subject, I think she really does have a goblin fetish...

"It almost sounds like you've been sleeping with them. You know how disgusting and vile that is cow?"

At least Zeki says what everyone is thinking even if it can be extremely blunt, remember there used to be a time I was a little like that.

"Of course I haven't! Just because I enjoy carnal pleasures of the body and mind does not mean I'd ever do something like that! I just have a soft spot for goblins, that's all it is, really!"

She seemed pretty adamant in that response but who knows? If she had said yes though, that would be my reasoning for killing her on the spot, we're not having that type of mixed-species relationship here. Both must have a human form otherwise it's crossing a line; this is just another reason why all goblins must now be destroyed.

"*Sigh*, you know anything else that might help with this situation dryad?"

Petra's trademark facepalm and sigh comes out, can't say I blame her really.

"I don't know if it'll help but I can definitely tell you more on why they're sleeping. After a day of mating, they have a day of rest, the pattern goes something like that, I think. They must've just finished this day's activities"

This dryad really has no compassion in her voice for the women who have been captured here, at least we'll be saving them from their fates shortly. I do have a question though, if they're all knackered out, then shouldn't this be extremely easy?

(Ikarus) "Does this mean we can just slaughter them without any issue and they'll remain asleep?"

"No chance, the second one of them awakens, all of them will as well. They'll also be extremely pissed and feisty over such a thing as well"

This dryad really knows a little too much about goblins, it's really is sus. Better not to ask any further otherwise any answer on why she knows this much about them might start to get disturbing, at least she flat out denied to sleeping with them though.

(Ikarus) "So how should we do this then? We obviously need to be slightly careful"

This fight shouldn't prove that difficult, we've got to avoid injuring the women after all so certain attacks like my star blaze thing shouldn't be used here. Also it would kill the dryad but that would be a positive.

"Might be best to split up and assign different roles. Me and Ikarus thin the herd and both take a side of the sleeping goblins, Zeki take care of the boss"

"Hey! Why am I stuck dealing with the boss? I wanted to kill even more"

The thing is, I already understand Petra's reasoning for sending Zeki to fight the boss. It basically comes down to the layout of the room, he won't be close to the chained-up prisoners on our sides of the room so it'll be less risky that way.

As for our roles, I'll be able to use my flamethrower alright here as long as I make sure not to overcharge it and accidently hit one of the captures, Petra will probably use her samurai sword I reckon. I might give my sword a quick run out as well while we're here if I get the chance.

"That's because it's you Zeki, friendly fire isn't acceptable under any circumstances"

"I mean, you are kinda wrong there older sis but whatever, I'll just deal with the big guy then"

Obviously Zeki is unhappy with this plan of action. In all honesty, it would probably make more sense for me or Petra to use aspect of gigantomachy on the boss taking him out quickly but then that would leave Zeki alone to use his hellfire, some of the women will probably 'accidently' end up dead, danger close and all that.

Looks like we're somewhat in an agreement anyway, best to leave the healer and the pervert over here where it's safe. Pretty sure Ariza has some way of defending herself if things get dangerous, she isn't a complete pacifist after all. I'm yet to see her harmful phoenix fire but probably down to her only using it for self-defence, no problem with that seeing that she is the healer after all.

"So that's the plan, we all ready then?"

I could stop and drink a magicka potion quickly but it's already more than high enough sitting at around twenty thousand, stamina is only at four but that's still good enough.

"All good Ikarus"

"Yup orangey"

"Uh huh, I'll heal you all if you all need it"

(Ria) "I'll just cheer you lot on from over here"

Then it's time to get started. Zeki is the first to act switching form and then flying over the other side of the room to deal with the orc, me and Petra split up and pick out a large group of goblins each.

Once I go to my side of the room, I plan to be the one to start the attack and wake them all up, Mr obnoxious can't help but get worked up and stops me in my tracks though.

"Ahahaha... it's time to burn, you pig looking fuckers!"

Zeki has now arrived at the boss throne and has sent a red fireball towards the sleeping orc, he's still flying about while doing this clearly wanting to be a nuisance towards the orc.

"GEOAAKKKK!!"

The orc awakens with a blood curdling roar, this obviously awakens every sleeping soul in this room as well.

'No time to watch his fight, got to deal with my lot'

Immediately, all the goblins in front of me rise from their sleeping positions and set their sights towards my direction, I can't help but look into the eyes of the furious looking little green men as they very clearly want to send this bird into pain and misery. Thankfully, they'll never have such a chance.

I put out my arm and release my stream of fire all around in front on me burning these green little bastards all over, none of them have the chance to even get remotely close as I keep this continuously up.

I reckon I've got a good few minutes left in the tank if I keep my magicka reserves high, it clearly won't be needed though. Thinking about it as well, it appears I have a second before the next wave of awakening goblins approach me, I killed these lot pretty quickly after all.

Since I've got a second, I take a glance over to Petra and look how she's handling her goblins. She's taking longer to cut through her horde but that's to be expected, she is only using her samurai blade tearing and slashing through them like it's nothing. Watching her calming, majestic swordplay is really something else but I shouldn't be doing this right now. I can't keep admiring her forever despite me wanting too.

Going back onto my fight, I use more of my flamethrower to thin the herd even more, I very clearly seem to have the less populated side of the goblins so once I've finished up here, I'm going to give some help.

It only takes a minute more for me to finish off the last of what I have to face, must've easily killed around a hundred or so right there so it's now time to give Petra a helping hand. She clearly doesn't need it since I doubt even a million goblins could ever match her sword skills but I'll definitely lend a hand though.

While I'm making my way over to her side, can't help but notice Zeki and his little fight off in the distance, he's just toying with that orc flying above him right about now. He could've easily burnt him to ash quickly if he so pleased so I guess he's just enjoying himself at this moment in time.

Now that I'm over to Petra, I pull out my vampiric blade and it's now time to switch the fighting style up, she's taken care of most that attacked her but there still is a good dozen or two left.

"Heh, were yours too easy Ikarus?"

"Please, we both know you could kill all of these in the blink of an eye"

"Still prefer to rely on my own two hands if possible, the slaves play a part as well"

Can't forget Petra is a sword fighter after all, even if she uses her flame and abilities sometimes, her favourite is always the sword.

Now that I've joined her though, we start to hack and slash at the last group together, this honestly from the outside must look like an action movie scene where the couple fight back-to-back brilliantly together and is absolutely epic to watch. I'm over exaggerating it since fighting goblins isn't all that dramatic but you get my point.

Hang on, don't those scenes normally end with the couple joining arms and finishing it off with a k-kiss!?

"Fuck!"

The second my mind starts to wonder; I find a goblin club from one of the last few remaining smash into my leg. Petra very quickly decapitates him in response and with her free arm, holds me from falling over on the ground from the attack

"Ikarus, you okay?"

I actually can't believe it; I think my leg is broken from a fucking goblin! For fuck sake, why did I have to think something like that right at that specific moment? Petra holding me in her arms is making me even more flustered as well now, you stupid bird Ikarus! Damn it, I've got to avoid her concerned gaze as well, it's not helping.

At the very least, all of the goblins are now dealt with it seems, Petra finished the rest off while still holding me and now slowly helps me sit on the ground, this hurts a lot.

"Jesus Christ!"

I can't help but look at where the attack landed, the lower part of my leg is very clearly broken, any kids or someone squeamish would need to look away right now. Ouch!

"You might want to divert your gaze Ikarus"

"Then tell me that before I look! Sorry Petra, this hurts so fucking bad right now"

Look, I know my pain threshold can be a little meh at times but seriously, my leg! Need to look away, that might help. I fucking hate those little green shits!

(Petra) "Ariza! Over here!"

While Ariza is rushing over here to me and the crouching Petra, need something to take my mind off the pain. This is why your mind cannot wonder in combat, a fucking goblin has caused this to me!

'Urgh, I've got to stop looking at my leg, status'

[Name: Ikarus | Species: Phoenix | Level: 97]

[Health 29,172*/30,000*]

[Stamina 3,699*/10,000*]

[Magicka 6,821*/30,000*]

[You currently have 3500 unassigned points]

'Seriously!? My leg is broken and my health has only gone down a few hundred!?'

[<Broken limb -lower left leg- is currently not bleeding nor could cause -user- immediate death. Infection is always possible but broken limb is not always a death sentence -user->]

I feel like I'm being lectured by Aesa a bit there, I swear this is like the first proper painful injury I've received up to this point. Sure, I've been shot and even stabbed once or twice but never anything this nasty looking and painful. Obviously pain and health is a completely different type of thing then, already knew that but still it's annoying how this hurts this bad. In future, I need to treat every enemy the same, I refuse to experience this type of pain from being naïve ever again.

Tis but a flesh wound I guess, maybe trying to laugh about it might help.

At least I've got Petra to help me get through this, I swear we kinda had a moment there but she was just trying to help me out. Would a kiss have been a step too far right now for me? I don't know, this hurts too much to think about...

"Dang it orangery, that wound is gnarly! Were you thinking of older sis during that fight or something? You must've been distracted to end up like that"

'I hate this kid so, so much!'

(Petra) "Zeki, just cut it out for a little bit, please?"

"Fine"

Somehow phoenix form Zeki has made it over to us before Ariza has, I guess even he decided to finish his fight then. Thankfully, Ariza is now here as well.

"Just stay still Ikarus and I'll give you a hand"

Ariza crouches down and places a hand on my leg close to the area where the break has happened, then flows her blue looking power from her hands into it.

During the healing process of her power, I can't help but look at what's going on. In a split second, the bone has gone from view and the pain is already subsiding! I know I've been cured from her before back when we were fighting off the elves in that dungeon from the odd arrow wound but it really is amazing especially for stuff like this.

She keeps it up for a minute or so longer and by now, it feels completely brand new. Ariza has to now be a permanent member of this party, her healing is so freaking dope! Who needs all those healent potions if we've got her around anyway?

"Now that's sorted, we've still got those lot to deal with"

The dryad joins us as well and has noticed something all of us four birds haven't realized just about yet, my injury was clearly more important. Thinking about it, Petra seems a bit calmer as well now, I guess even she doesn't like seeing me hurt, we're pretty similar in that regards, she did seem a little stressful during that.

What the dryad has noticed is the chained-up women, all of them have darkened eyes, looking to be snapping or trying to bite and looking like they'll kill anyone they come across. Whatever these goblins have done to them, it's made them go feral.

(Ikarus) "Why do they look like that?"

"..."

I direct that question at Petra who is still alongside me on the floor but even she is unsure, miss know it all about goblins has an idea though.

"Goblin mating season has that effect on the inflicted, they'll probably end up in that state permanently unless they get some help"

I'm starting to get sick of hearing all this about goblin mating, we're banning those two words together from being used in the future.

However, there was something much worse that the dryad seemed to imply there.

"So wait, how do we help them then? We're not going to have to mercy kill them, right?"

I'm still not all that into helping others but for these lot down here, no one deserves that type of fate. We've already given these humans vengeance, I just hope there is a happier solution to this problem. A mercy killing would be better than just allowing them to stay in the fate they're currently in but still isn't a happy ending.

"He-he-he, tis a very good thing you brought along this beautiful dryad! I know a concoction that'll help calm them down and relieve their anger. Just give me an hour and I'll have everything sorted!"

Well then, at least that's a good sign that the dryad knows how to handle this. While she's gone off doing whatever it is she's doing, it seems Zeki has something to say while he's switching back into human form.

"Hey, have you lot unlocked that shit ability as well?"

"It does seem a little pointless"

"..."

Those other three phoenixes seem to have unlocked something, why hasn't Aesa said something to me yet then?

[<Aesa needed -user- to focus on healing wound before focusing on system. -User- has also unlocked 2 additional abilities>]

'Two? I know there's supposed to be a normal and a hidden reward but getting two abilities at once is unheard off... except for gambling though'

I'm a little surprised that's all there is to it in this dungeon, can't see any exit in sight from where we currently are and we've completed this place just like that? These abilities are going to be shit, I can already tell. Nothing was worth having my leg look like that.

[<-New ability -kallikantzaros killer- is probably what target -Zeki- was referring to. First ability gives -user- a 25% increase to damage against goblins>]

'Ah, so that is pretty shit then, we basically always one hit them anyways with nearly every attack. What's the next one?'

[<Second ability is -blessing of Typhon-, that ability gives -user- additional 10% damage multiplier to all creatures considered monsters>]

'I'm guessing there's like a monster class that certain species fit into? What type of creatures does the damage multiplier effect?'

[<Aesa is unable to list off everything but species that -user- has encountered are phoenix, dragon, wyvern, goblin and orc>]

You'd think maybe the undead species, stuff like zombies and skeletons would count towards it but I guess it's only a very specific class that gets mentioned when the term monster is used, undead is probably its own class. Feels a little bad for us phoenixes to be considered monsters but I guess it means I can hurt Zeki even more when he starts acting like a dick.

I guess it's alright but both abilities are just stat bonuses after all, almost feels like I'm being cheated by given something that basically has next to no noticeable effect. Oh well, at least I got something new this time, Zeki didn't say anything about a second ability which I find a little odd though.

(Ikarus) "Zeki, did you get the second one as well?"

"Huh? What are you on about orang-... hang on one second"

I'm guessing Zeki's voice is also speaking to him right now, it's the only thing I can think of why he'd stop talking throughout that.

"That's fucking bullshit orangey, why is it you have been blessed but not I!? I killed that large dickhead after all!"

Zeki seems to be getting angry at whoever gave me this blessing, it's not even that good but it's still better to have something over nothing. Unfortunately, it's about to get worse.

(Ariza) "I also got two things Zeki"

(Petra) "Same"

It's looks like the dryad has gone over to him to try and calm him down, that's not going to work though. Whoever gave out the blessing has made an enemy he'll never forgive.

"Whoever that Typhon God is, he is a right c..."