Chapter 92.3 - The Second Year at the Academy - Another Craftsman (3)
I explore the forest where the scent of spring wafts through.
During this season, gathering materials is easy.
While searching for signs of orcs, I picked leaves of Seron grass and young Lanim grass.
As I dig up the roots of Nilcabu grass, I finally spot the orc footprints with an upward glance.
I stop and observe from up close. They're old, at least a week old.
I look around, but there are no signs of battle. The footprints headed toward the grasslands.
Small goblins might venture there, but big orcs avoid the open plains.
I didn't know the forest had a break in it.
Clearly, they're newcomers.
There's no use chasing after them.
Their tracks are fading, and they're probably already defeated.
The guild didn't post this request just yesterday.
I put the roots of the Nilcabu grass that I dug up in a bag and continued my exploration.
After walking around for a while, I can't find any new tracks.
It seems the guild's continuous requests are making an impact, or they're getting wiped out near the shallow forest.
Travelers got attacked along the main road, but adventurers patrol there too.
"If so, it must be deeper in."
Individuals lacking focus or caution are already defeated.
The orcs, or those who've learned, must be lurking deeper.
I walk westward.
As I progress, the presence of creatures becomes denser.
I hear the sound of animals and monsters rustling the undergrowth and faint breathing.
I find goblin footprints too. It seems they've returned.
If goblins increase steadily, they'll approach the original balance.
Even if orcs are stronger, their breeding power is incredible when they gather in numbers.
I'm not thrilled about them increasing, but for now, I'll reduce the orcs and give them a push.
After about an hour of exploration, I somehow managed to find fresh orc footprints.
There are five to 6 of them.
Smaller footprints got mixed in, so there might be young ones too.
If they're females, there's a high chance they're forming a settlement.
I should deal with them promptly.
I activate [Night Seeker] and start tracking."
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