When a man expresses interest in another man, it’s naturally creepy.
So I quickly asked for an explanation, and Cheska handed a file smoothly and answered.
“I want to write evaluation reports for the expedition mbers.”
“Evaluation reports?”
“I thought it might help in planning future steps, so I’m compiling data on the specs and abilities of each expedition mber.”
As I opened it and read, I saw the profiles of the current expedition mbers, along with rough ability stats that could appear on a status screen, and detailed notes on their specialties, strengths, and weaknesses.
He probably analyzed them by observing their battles with monsters or gathering data through conversations with the mbers during breaks.
“…You want to add my data to this?”
“Since you haven’t been directly involved, I haven’t had a chance to compile your data. So if you’re going on a scout, I’d like to observe and write it down…”
His attitude was more of a gentle request rather than forceful.
I could refuse if it felt unreasonable, but I couldn’t deny that the detailed data seed helpful for the expedition.
And who knows? I might be able to objectively analyze my own strengths through his data and seize an opportunity to reach a higher level.
“I understand the reason, but you know I can’t protect you from everything that might happen in the forest, right?”
“In other words, you want to confirm if I can protect myself.”
Understanding my words imdiately, Cheska picked up a stone nearby.
He then tossed it above his head and swung his hand in the air, making the stone fall with a slicing sound, and the surrounding soldiers stir.
Ignoring them nonchalantly, Cheska picked up the cut piece and handed it to , asking.
“Is this enough?”
“…Yes, there’s no need to see more.”
“Then let’s go right away. I think it’s better to start searching over there…”
Saying so, he started walking into the forest ahead.
Taking my eyes off his indifferent figure, I looked down at the stone piece he handed and held my breath.
The stone had split in half without even being touched.
And it was so neatly cut that it felt like a machine had been used.
“Was that magic just now?”
“Rather than magic, wasn’t it aura imbued in the hand?”
“No, it split without touching it.”
The surrounding soldiers also guessed that Cheska’s skills were not crude, but they seed unable to grasp the principle behind the stone splitting.
Naturally.
In that brief mont of swinging his hand, seeing the ‘single thread’ that shot out from his sleeve with the naked eye would not be easy unless one had transcendental senses like .
“…Imbuing aura into a thread?”
But having grasped that, I couldn’t dismiss the thought that his skill was extraordinary.
Even I, with my precision control ability using spirits, still found it challenging, so how could this young noble use it so effortlessly?
“Hero Woo Hyo-sung. Aren’t you coming?”
“Oh, yes. I’m coming right away.”
Whether it was luck or real skill, he wasn’t soone to be taken lightly.
As I put the neatly cut stone piece in my pocket and followed him, a vague tension started to build in my heart.
The place the orcs occupied was a canyon area outside the empire’s jurisdiction.
It was full of rugged mountains and cliffs, with thick trees and bushes, making it hard to see the surroundings.
The only saving grace was that orcs, as a species, were not accustod to stealth activities, so it was very easy to spot their traces.
“Has it already been occupied for a while?”
The floor in the middle of the forest was covered with haphazard footprints.
The number of footprints and the lack of consistent direction indicated that they had been staying here for a long ti.
Given their reproductive ability, rivaling that of goblins among the Aein species, it was safe to say this entire canyon might have turned into an orc den.
“…Is the village over there?”
But no matter how their numbers grew, being social creatures, they had to operate from a central point.
By observing the relatively recent footprints lined up towards one place, I could roughly guess where the orcs were gathering.
The smaller footprints near them also indicated that not just orcs but ‘people’ had been taken there.
“There are human footprints too.”
Cheska, who seed to have noticed it too, adjusted his glasses and began to examine the footprints closely.
“The orcs probably took the survivors from the previous expedition. Judging by the size and stride of the footprints, they all seem to be won.”
“Well, yeah… Orcs don’t need n.”
They kill the n and turn the won into breeding slaves.
That’s common knowledge regarding orcs, but it’s a conclusion inferred from observing their habits.
To determine gender just from footprints, he must be naturally talented in deduction.
“You seem quite skilled at this kind of investigation. Have you ever worked as a scout before?”
It seed he was evaluating in the sa way, as he subtly spoke to .
The file and pen in his hand indicated that this question was for the evaluation report.
“Well, yeah. Porters usually choose the scout class for safety.”
“So you chose the scout class during your porter days.”
-Scribble, scribble.
Cheska imdiately started writing the evaluation report after hearing my words.
His actions soon stopped, and his gaze shifted to .
“So, what’s your class now?”
My body flinched and trembled.
As I moved forward in silence, Cheska finally took his eyes off the file and looked at .
“…Hero Woo Hyo-sung?”
“Do I really have to say it?”
“It’s necessary for the evaluation. The class has a certain impact on your combat power.”
Ah, yes. That’s certainly true.
But still, I felt uneasy about saying it directly, so I averted my gaze and answered in a quiet voice.
“…Spear User.”
“Spear User? As far as I know, there’s no class called Spear User…”
His questioning voice trailed off.
Then, as if guessing sothing, Cheska adjusted his glasses and spoke in a serious tone.
“I see. You’re Spear Man, Hero Woo Hyo-sung.”
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