The clash between the monsters had been going on for several minutes. Neither of them was going to let go, and both sides were clearly exhausted. The numerous wounds on the bodies of the beasts were a testament to their prowess and unyielding spirit.

Elrianthe and her team, hiding behind nearby rocks, carefully watched the battle. After only a few minutes, the bets began. Gaz and Matt bet on the ogre-minotaur hybrid, while Duncan and Mitta decided on the lizard. Taygeer couldn't make up his mind and was cheering for both sides, wanting to see an exciting clash. Elrianthe, on the other hand, ignored all the fun; she was just waiting for the right moment to step in and claim both prizes for herself.

When, after another few minutes, the huge minotaur began to totter on its feet, the group finally decided to join the fight. The monsters were so exhausted that it didn't take any trouble to bring them to the edge of their endurance. Finishing them off by Elrianthe was just a formality.

“It's good for once not to be the one they fucked up without a soap,” she said to herself, pulling the poisoned blade of her spear from the lizard's body.

[ +2800xp ]

[ +3200xp ]

[ +600 bonus xp ]

[ Level: 9 (6850/25600xp) +850 ]

'Make money, and don't mess yourself up. I like that.'

Meanwhile, not far away...

Marguz led a group of eight orcs, aiming to capture an elf. On his left was walking Struka. They were heading toward the place where they found the corpses of their hunters, but to shorten their journey, Marguz decided to cross the hills.

“Are you sure it's better to climb these hills than to take the easier route?” Struka asked.

“I don't want to waste time on that. I know this path because I often came here to hunt. Soon the climb will become more gentle, and then it will be downhill,” replied Marguz.

“If you say so...”

“Marguz, look over there!” Called out one of the orcs walking behind.

Marguz turned in the indicated direction and spotted two monster carcasses and a group of people. Among them stood an elven woman.

“It's them! It's those people,” Struka said.

“What are they doing there? Did they fight the beasts?” Marguz asked.

“We should attack right away,” suggested one of the older orcs.

“That's right. Since they fought the beasts now, they must be tired. We have an advantage in both strength and numbers,” added another.

“Wait, we can't underestimate them. Thanks to the elf, they are stronger than ordinary humans,” Struka said.

“In that case, let's give them a chance to give up on her without a fight, and then we'll kill them anyway,” the older orc suggested.

Marguz thought for a moment, but the old orc's idea fell to him.

“That's what we'll do. It's a good plan. Let's go,” decided Marguz.

Elrianthe stood next to Taygeer, inspecting her skills, while the rest of the group looked closely at the fallen monsters. Few of those present had the opportunity to see such creatures with their own eyes, which aroused great curiosity in them. But more than the monsters' corpses, Elrianthe was preoccupied with thoughts about where to spend the experience she had gained.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

'Maybe it's better to leave it for later,' she thought.

She turned around, intending to look for her next target, but she didn't expect to find a group of nine orcs behind her back.

'Where did they come from?' She surprised herself.

All the members of Elrianthe's group immediately drew their weapons. Then Marguz, one of the orcs, took a step forward.

“Put down your weapons, humans. You don't stand a chance against us. We can do without a clash,” announced Marguz.

< Research >

[ Marguz ]

[ Race: Orc ]

[ Level: 12 ]

[ Status: Seeks revenge for his kin ]

The levels of the other orcs ranged from 8 to 11. Elrianthe, however, felt confident. She knew something that her opponents could not guess.

“What do you want then?” Elrianthe asked.

“Two days ago you killed three of our hunters. Our shaman believes that if it weren't for your elven magic, you would never have defeated the orc in battle. Their deaths are your fault, so our chief, Narzagul the Strong, has decided that if you surrender and come with us, we will spare the rest,” announced Marguz, making his generous offer.

“Are you serious? Will you let the rest go free? You won't kill anyone after I surrender?” She asked, not hiding her curiosity.

Marguz nodded.

'He's lying. He will attack us as soon as we lower our guard. Since he wants to play such a card, I'll play a similar one.'

“Taygeer,” whispered Elrianthe, after which she exchanged a few words with him and handed him her spear.

Taygeer nodded and Elrianthe walked toward the group of orcs.

Matt and the others, not knowing what was going on, did not hide their surprise when they saw their leader surrender without a fight. They had managed to get to know her well enough that her current decision was completely out of line with her previous behavior. Seeking an explanation, they looked at Taygeer, and by his calm and confident expression, they understood that something was up.

Marguz, on the other hand, was convinced that the elven woman was sacrificing herself for the rest of the people.

'Stupid woman. Not only did she willingly give herself up as a slave for the people, but on top of that she will let us kill them later. Elves are extraordinarily stupid,' thought Marguz, with a visibly satisfied face.

Then Elrianthe stopped about two meters in front of Marguz.

“I don't like your face look,” she said.

“Haha. I'm just laughing at your stupid...”

*WHISTLE*

Elrianthe put her fingers in her mouth and whistled with all her might. Two wolves and a bear ran out from behind a rock and instantly rushed at the orcs standing in front of her.

“You fraud!” Shouted Marguz, swinging his axe.

< Daze >

[ The target's immunity is high, and the effect has been weakened.]

'Fuck, I must finally invest in this skill,' thought Elrianthe.

However, the effect was enough to interrupt his attack, and Elrianthe gracefully moved aside.

*Swish*

The swish of a flying object sounded in the elf's ears as Taygeer threw the spear at her with all his might. Thanks to his new skills, the throw gave the spear such energy that if it weren't for the cross blades, it would have pierced the orc through straight away. It hit Marguz in the chest, and the force of the blow knocked him over onto his back.

Gaz and Matt immediately attacked the surprised enemies, who turned to face the oncoming animals. Duncan began to shoot at the orcs, like Polish hunters at their comrades on the hunt.

Mitta also tried to do something with his flames, but the key factor for victory in this battle was not magic, but careful preparation.

All their blades were coated with a poison that caused partial paralysis. Duncan's arrowheads were no different. This was a lesson learned after the battle with the great eagle.

Taygeer, after throwing a spear, grabbed his axe and went into battle. In the blink of an eye, the orc's advantage was completely crushed by the coordinated attack of Elrianthe's group. According to the old rule, none of the orcs were killed.

“Lay them out in one place,” she called out, approaching Marguz.

The huge but no longer so confident orc was lying on the ground with broken ribs. Blood was oozing from his chest, and the effects of the poison prevented him from even raising his head.

Elrianthe grabbed her spear and, with a smile on her lips, said something that none of those present expected.

“Now, in exchange for the lives of your fellow warriors, you will tell me all about your fortress.”