Chapter 8 - The Orcs’ Plan

Emily crouched behind a pile of broken crates, her breath steady despite the tension thickening the cold mountain air. The three orcs sat around a fire, their guttural voices blending into the crackling of burning wood. She had concealed herself with magic, making her presence undetectable. Carefully, she listened, translating their strange language in her mind.

There were three of them:

The first was massive, towering over the others with bulging muscles and thick green skin. His broad shoulders and deep scars marked him as a warrior.

The second was a female orc, significantly taller than an average human. She wore minimal armor, revealing her toned physique, but her real strength lay in her speed.

The third orc was completely covered in heavy armor, with a pair of crossbows mounted on both arms. His face remained hidden behind a dark metal mask, giving him an eerie, lifeless presence.

The largest orc spoke first, his voice deep and commanding.

"Tomorrow, we take the children and offer them to the mountain gods," he grunted. "The ritual will make us unstoppable."

He pointed at a crudely drawn map, marking a location where they planned to kidnap the town's children.

Emily's eyes widened. They're planning an attack.

She carefully backed away and returned to Ray and Kael, her magic fading as she reappeared in front of them.

"Ray, I heard their plan. They're going to kidnap the town's children tomorrow and offer them as sacrifices."

Ray's expression darkened. "Then we keep an eye on them."

However, the orcs soon disappeared into the snowy mountains.

Ray sighed. "Fine. Tomorrow, we'll prepare them a welcome party."

Kael stepped forward, his expression eager. "Sir Rayan Volksikin Vex, I can help you! I'm very tactful, you see. And since you helped me, I have to return the favor."

Ray studied the boy, then nodded. "Alright, come with us tonight."

---

A Conversation Before the Battle

Later that night, as they settled in their room, Kael turned to Emily.

"So, Emily, what's your full name?"

She frowned. "I… I don't know. My name has only ever been Emily, as far as I can recall."

Kael tilted his head. "Weird. Anyway, how old do you think I am?"

Emily smirked. "Twelve?"

Kael puffed his chest proudly. "Thirteen! Just turned this month."

Emily chuckled. "So, have you always been on your own, or do you have a family?"

Kael's expression faltered. "Nah, I'm an orphan."

"Oh… sorry for asking suddenly."

"Nah, it's fine," Kael shrugged. "Besides, you told me about your family earlier. But what about Sir Rayan? Do you know his past? His goals?"

Emily glanced at Ray, who sat in the corner, sharpening his sword. "I don't think he likes talking about his past. Whenever I ask, he just says, I hunt, get my money, eat, and live."

Kael grinned. "So basically, he hunts ghosts just to survive."

Emily nodded. "Yeah, he does."

Ray lay on the floor, sword resting on his chest, one eye open. He never truly slept—always on guard.

Then, Emily heard a voice in her head.

"It's me, Emily. Kael."

She blinked in surprise.

"So you weren't lying when you said that drop you mixed into my drink would let us talk through our minds?"

"Yup! Pretty cool, huh?"

Emily smirked. "And does this guy always sleep like that?"

"Yeah, always. I have no idea how he does it."

Kael yawned. "Anyway, I'm sleepy. Goodnight, Emily."

"Goodnight, Kael."

---

The Orcs' Arrival

The next night, the wind howled as the three massive figures emerged from the shadows at the location they had marked on their map.

"Now, now, now…" the big orc chuckled, stepping forward.

But as they took another step, they stopped—Ray, Emily, and Kael stood in their way.

Ray's crimson eyes glowed in the dim light.

"You three have no luck," he said coldly. "We already evacuated the children and the town's residents to another part of the village. No use hiding anymore. Surrender."

The big orc growled. "So we just have to go to the other part of town, then."

Before anyone could react, the armored orc suddenly vanished.

The female orc dashed forward at full speed, attempting to slip past them. But before she could, Ray moved even faster—his fist connecting with her stomach, sending her crashing through the wall of a house.

Then, without warning, arrows rained from the sky.

Emily and Kael dove for cover. Emily quickly extended her hands, forming a protective aura around Ray as he moved swiftly through the battlefield.

Kael crouched beside her, trembling. "I—I'm not a fighter!"

Emily gritted her teeth. "Then just stay down!"

The massive orc lunged at Ray, his fists swinging wildly. Ray dodged, but the orc managed to land a powerful punch.

Yet, when Ray stood up, completely unharmed, the orc's eyes widened in disbelief.

"You monster."

The orc ripped off his necklace and drank a dark potion. Instantly, his muscles swelled, veins bulging as his body grew larger and faster. This time, when he punched Ray, it sent him crashing into a massive boulder.

Emily barely kept up, her magic struggling to block the endless arrows from an unseen source.

The female orc returned, moving even faster than before. Ray noticed—her necklace was gone too. She drank the potion.

Now, her only focus was speed and defense, dodging each of Ray's attacks.

Meanwhile, Kael clenched his fists. "Damn it…"

He pulled out a small paper, folding it into the shape of a falcon. Then, he dripped a strange liquid onto it. Instantly, the paper falcon sprang to life, soaring into the air.

Emily's eyes widened. "What the hell was that?"

Kael grinned. "Cool, right? I'm a craftsman! This drop changes its energy, making it move on my command."

Far away, the armored orc continued firing arrows at insane speeds, each one curving mid-air to follow Ray's movements.

But then, the paper falcon crashed into the orc's arm—exploding in a burst of energy. His arms were blown clean off.

"W-what the hell?!" the orc gasped.

However, he quickly took the potion as well. In mere seconds, his arms regenerated, stronger than before. His arrows now moved even faster, nearly surpassing Ray's speed.

Kael's face paled. "Shit."

Emily turned to him. "What happened?"

Kael swallowed hard. "That was my last falcon."

---

The True Battle Begins

Ray exhaled slowly. His red eyes burned even brighter.

The female orc lunged at him, aiming for his eyes with her claws.

But Ray reacted instantly—low-kicking her calf, snapping the bone. She collapsed, unable to stand. Running was no longer an option for her.

Then, he turned to the big orc.

Ray moved like a ghost, grabbing the orc by the neck. But instead of strangling him, he swung his sword—severing the orc's arm in a single strike.

The big orc coughed, glaring at him. "You… you're not just a hunter. You're the Ghost Hunter."

His eyes widened in realization.

"It all makes sense now."

The armored orc smirked. "But we'll be back."

With that, the three orcs disappeared into the shadows.

Emily gritted her teeth. "Are we just letting them go?"

Emily sighed. "Now what, Mr. Ghost Hunter?"

Kael smirked. "Don't worry. When my falcon exploded, it released tiny tracking beads."

Emily's eyes sparkled. "Wait… that means—"

"We'll find them soon enough."

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