An Operator Lost in Another World [ONGOING]

Chapter 4: Promise

Within a large cave deep inside the Lost Forest, hundreds of High Orcs gathered before their leader, whose intimidating presence dominated the room. The air was thick with tension; any intruder foolish enough to enter would instantly feel the crushing weight of their hostility, particularly from the immense figure standing atop a pedestal, overseeing them all. Under his command, they had ravaged the lands and brought fear to everyone who stood against them.

None dared to question his orders, even when they seemed outrageous.

Like the rest, the leader heard a voice in his mind instructing him to slaughter every human encountered. He obeyed without question, and the voice had recently issued another command: attack the human settlement to the north.

With a thunderous roar, the leader raised his staff high, signaling the Orcs to march. In unison, they bellowed back, charging from the cave to bring destruction as their mysterious master had commanded.

****

Seeing all the High Orcs drop dead so suddenly, the adventurers weren't sure if they should celebrate or brace for a second wave. Whoever had picked them off from a distance could be an ally—or something far worse.

But instead of panicking, most of them simply collapsed where they stood. After the brutal fight they'd just endured, they had no strength left to care.

Out of the corner of their eye, they spotted movement—someone emerging from the treeline.

The adventurers tensed instantly, hands on weapons. But as the figure stepped into the clearing and they got a proper look at his face, they collectively let out a breath.

Mason approached slowly, careful not to startle them. These people had just brushed death, so it was only natural they'd be wary of strangers.

As soon as they spotted him, he raised a hand in greeting and flashed an easy smile.

"Hi there," he called out. His eyes landed on the armored swordsman, who he assumed was the leader. Classic RPG logic—the guy with the sword and shield usually ran the party. But he made sure to meet everyone's gaze evenly. "Lovely day, isn't it?"

The adventurers glanced at one another, dumbfounded. Mason shook his head, amused.

"Hello? Anybody home? Do you guys know how to greet people, or has the trauma already set in?"

He was surprised by how young they looked. Some barely looked twenty, and the youngest couldn't have been older than sixteen.

Eventually, the armored swordsman stepped forward.

"Um... hello, sir. Apologies for our rudeness. We're just... still in shock from surviving that High Orc attack."

"No worries. From where I was watching, it looked like you guys were in a tight spot. Fortunately, they all dropped dead for some mysterious reason," Mason said with a slight smirk. He decided not to mention that he'd been their unseen sniper. They wouldn't believe him anyway.

The knight's expression shifted as he pointed toward the forest. "This might sound strange, but... why did you walk out of the Lost Forest?"

"Why?"

"That forest is classified as a Diamond-rank danger zone. Not many people walk out alive. And you don't look like an adventurer. So how are you here... without a scratch?"

Mason stiffened slightly. Great. A minefield. He had no idea what Diamond-rank meant, but the tone said it all—it was bad news. No wonder they were suspicious.

Then he felt a gentle tug on his shirt. Masami, still clinging to him, peeked from behind his back.

An idea sparked.