“By the way . . .” Zukulum looked over at Ragnar from top to bottom. “I see that you haven’t reached the second stage of your class like Orakh and Sharina did. It’s not too late to change your class then. I can see potential in you. A path in Magic!”

Ragnar groaned under his breath. “I don’t want it.” He wasn’t the type to stay in the back and be protected while uttering ridiculous spells or going to tireless ordeals just to get one.

Zukulum seemed like she didn’t hear anything and continued, “Wonders isn’t about what you see . . . it’s what you feel. The mystic arts are ever-present. All you need to do is open yourself to it. Surrender yourself to something even greater.

“I’d rather not.”

Zukulum’s ears were still closed. “Magic is dawned in many worlds. It is mysterious and scarcely understood. Feared and revered. It is something far greater and larger than any one of us can possibly understand.”

While Zukulum was focused on her rumbles and her wonderment of Magic, Ren and the others steadily moved away from her.

When they were far away from Zukulum’s location, Ren said to the others that they should split and talk to the inhabitants, asking only about Sharina’s children and nothing more.

Both Evie and Ragnar nodded, and they went their way to gather information about Draki and Shurna.

Ren went to some tents and areas in the camp but couldn’t find what he was looking for until he went to the clinic or known as the Healer’s tent, in The Great Valley. There he saw the head Healer tending to the injured.

Ren patted the Healer and chatted with her for a moment. “Is Shurna here?”

The lady Orc raised a brow, lips skewed to the side, showing her canines. “Lady Shurna is resting in her tent. She got injured fighting the Night Crawlers last night.”

“Does she come here often?”

“Sometimes to help us tend to the injured. But often, she goes out to hunt with the hunters.”

[New Information Acquired!]

Ren then went to Shurna’s tent, but of course, he couldn’t just enter her abode. She was stopped by her guards outside. The Orcish Guards were towering in height and rippling with muscles and fat. They were intimidating, and their deep rumbling voice was enough for the faint of heart to run for the hills.

“This is as far as you go,” the guard said.

“Do you need anything with Lady Shurna?”

“I just want to ask how she is. I heard that she suffered injuries from her fight last night.”

The guards didn’t flinch and batted their eyelids.

“Lady Shurna only acquired minor injuries that didn’t need concern.”

“She’ll be up and about when it’s time to hunt. Come back later.”

[New Information Acquired]

Ren didn’t have anything left to do here, so he asked around the camp.

“The lady Shurna? She had a habit of sighing and rolling her eyes often. She was generally disliked throughout the camp, and others might listen to her if she was not grimacing all the time.”

“She doesn’t smile, but she’s an excellent hunter.”

“She’d be the next Chieftain if Draki wasn’t born.”

“Draki is the third-best warrior in the clan. His strength is second only to her mother and Orakh. If only he has his mother’s character as well, he’ll be an excellent chieftain.”

“Draki doesn’t like Orakh. He felt the head warrior is challenging his position as the next chieftain. Not to mention that Sharina consults with Orakh often. Though the Chieftain’s position is already decided by blood, it’s no rumor that Orakh will marry Shurna in the future.”

“Shurna is Sharina’s beloved daughter. She is wise in her judgment, perceptive in her dealings, and a gifted hunter. She is perfect. Her only fault is she is too ambitious and has a jealous streak that her mother refuse to acknowledge.”

“Draki is brave and also a remarkable warrior but too arrogant and blinded by the knowledge that the mantle of the chieftain would belong to him when the time comes.”

“Sharina is an excellent chieftain. Her only criticism is she is blind to the faults of her children.”

. . .

. . .

Eventually, the day progressed until it was time to scout the area with Orakh and the others.

“How long are we going to wait here?” asked Draki, who stood at the others. His axe had been sharpened. His arrows double-checked. His tusk was polished, and he was long past bored.

“Sorry, Draki, me and the Chieftain had a little talk, so I’m a little late.” Orakh marched into the group with a serious face and intimidating strides.

“Mother?” Draki’s bored face changed to one of confusion and jealousy. “Why you?”

“At ease, Draki.” Orakh didn’t flinch under Draki’s glares. “The Chieftain and I are only discussing the area to scout.”

“. . .” Draki’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t say anything more.

When he was sure that Draki wouldn’t open his mouth again, Orakh addressed Ren and his group and the new Orcish recruits.

“Listen up, outside this camp is a jungle with the only law is survival, and it must be carved from the force of might and Magic. Shatter your blades on the backs of your enemies in savage combat. Hunt primordial beast, hold your breath as you hide from massive predators, and seek safety in your numbers as you journey beyond the wild Great Valley, where every step of the journey is plagued with danger and death.

“The Wilderness is full of secrets, beasts, wonders, roars, things that are forgotten, and things that were never glimpsed by mortal eyes. It’s vast and extremely . . . deadly.

“But we don’t have any choice but grit our teeth, grip our blades and set out into the wilderness with square shoulders and unwavering spirit.”

Orakh looked everyone in the eyes. “There’re only three things when you go in the wild. Don’t gather anything rotten. Don’t eat anything that speaks. And don’t eat anything much. Like a beast with multiple eyes or limbs. They’re poisonous, and most cause hallucinations or even instant death.

“The most important rule of the scout. Never chase a beast alone. I have seen many warriors and hunters lose themselves at the sight of prey, forgetting where they are. Take a break. Take a moment. Look around. The world is wide, and you are small. Remember who and where you are.”

Orakh spoke some more, and when he felt that everyone was ready, he shouted, “Move out!”

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