Coming out of the shadows, five green Orcs appear in front of Himitsu, standing side by side wearing wooden armor plating. A sinister smile runs across their faces, saliva drooling from their mouths, ready to eat. They hold wooden clubs with spikes on them, swinging them in the air recklessly.
Fear runs through Himitsu's body as he slowly starts walking backward, his heart pounding fast. He speaks up, his voice trying to drive them off.
Himitsu: "L-leave me alone! Go away!"
The orcs don't care, leaving off bigger smiles and continuing to walk forward.
Terrified, Himitsu quickly scans the ground for a weapon to fight back. Seconds later, he finds a small stick beside him. He bends over and picks it up from the ground, pointing it toward the orcs, his hands shaking.
Himitsu: "I have to fight back. If I don't, I'm going to die!"
Still in fear, one of the orcs rushes at Himitsu, laughing like a maniac, eyes fully wide open. Not knowing what to do, Himitsu covers his eyes with his hands, ready to accept his fate.
But then something happens.
The laughing he hears vanishes. Confused, Himitsu slowly opens his eyes to see a large sword pierced through the orc's skull, seeing nothing but blood. The person behind the orc quickly pulls the sword out from the orc's head, the body falling to the ground.
When he takes a better look at the person, he sees a woman with long red hair, wearing light silver-plated armor, and a smile that gives comfort. He has no words, still trying to process everything that's happening.
The woman sticks out her hand and starts patting Himitsu's head.
Woman: "What are you doing out here in the forest all by yourself? It's too dangerous, especially for a little boy."
The other orcs behind her change from excited to angry, seeing their orc friend dead on the ground. Himitsu looks into the woman's eyes and asks a question.
Himitsu: "W-who are you?"
The woman stops patting his head, turning around toward the other orcs.
Woman: "I'm someone who's going to stop these creatures."
As she lets off a cocky smile, she points her sword toward the remaining orcs. Anger fills the air, making the orcs get ready for an assault.
Now it begins.
The second orc runs toward the woman, preparing to launch a swing. Closing the distance, the orc swings its club at her head. But, in confidence, she jumps over the orc and avoids the attack with zero effort.
Himitsu can't believe his eyes, standing there still speechless.
When she lands on the other side, she takes her sword and does a 360-degree slash to the orc's head, successfully cutting it off like slicing through butter. The decapitated head falls to the ground, along with its body.
With the second orc down, she flicks the blood off her sword and looks at the three orcs left, giving them a death stare.
Woman: "Do you want to die as well? Or will you run like the little cowards that you are?"
Her gaze sends chills down their spines. Not hesitating, the last three orcs turn around and run back into the shadows, not wanting to face her wrath.
With them gone, Himitsu sighs in relief, plopping down to the ground and holding his chest.
Himitsu: "That was too close…"
Feeling glad, the woman sheathes her sword on her back, turning back to Himitsu with that same smile.
Woman: "It's okay, you don't have to worry about them anymore."
Himitsu: "T-thank you so much, miss! I probably would have died if it wasn't for you."
Mizuda: "You don't have to call me 'miss.' Call me Mizuda."
She sticks out her hand toward Himitsu to help pull him off the ground. He grabs it and does just that, wiping the sweat off his forehead.
Mizuda: "But you didn't answer my question before. What are you doing in the forest by yourself?"
Himitsu: "O-oh. I came to the forest to claim a bounty."
She raises her eyebrows.
Mizuda: "A bounty?"
Himitsu: "Yes! Here, take a look!"
Himitsu digs into his pocket and pulls out the bounty paper, handing it over to Mizuda. She takes it from his hand and starts reading it, understanding the whole situation.
Mizuda: "So that's why you're here. You wanted to kill the orcs so you could get a 'special power' or whatever it could be."
He nods his head rapidly.
Himitsu: "Yes, yes! That's exactly what I want!"
Mizuda: "I see…"
Continuing to scan through the paper, she sees on the bottom right corner an address on where to claim your reward, having a bad feeling that it could be a scam.
Himitsu looks at her face with concern.
Himitsu: "Umm. Is everything okay?"
She looks up at him.
Mizuda: "It looks like our little mission is far from over."