System's POV
chapter-83-1

Thirteen and Cristopher observed the Orc Stronghold from a safe distance.

Unfortunately, even after waiting for several hours, they didn't see a lone Orc leaving the Stronghold.

They always left in groups of four to six, as if it was some kind of rule that they must follow.

The Hunting Parties, on the other hand, were composed of a dozen, or more Orcs, and all of them looked like seasoned warriors, even if they were only Rank 2 Monsters.

Just as the sun was about to set, Thirteen decided that he would initiate Plan B and infiltrate the Orc Stronghold alone.

"Young Master, be careful," Cristopher said. "Prioritize your safety at all costs."

"I will," Thirteen replied. "You stay here and keep watch. If I don't return by sunrise, go back to the cave and wait for me there. It's dangerous to stay out here in the open during the day, the Orcs might find you. I'm very sure that they will be more than happy to roast someone like you."

"Young Master, please don't joke around like that," Cristopher looked at his surroundings anxiously, thinking that there might be some Orcs that might be hiding and waiting for the right opportunity to ambush them.

"Relax," Thirteen patted Cristopher's shoulder. "Just equip your Dusk Brute Armor and pretend that you are a Yellow Striped Dusk Brute. I'm sure that they will not dare to come near you if you do that. Well then, I'm off."

"Safe trip, Young Master," Cristopher said.

Thirteen nodded. "Mmm, you be safe as well."

The chubby boy didn't really specialize for such covert operations, so Thirteen ordered him to remain hiding on their spot, and keep watch, and wait for his signal.

The Stronghold had several guards stationed at its entrance, and a few watchers on their fortified walls.

From what Thirteen could see, the Stronghold seemed to be built using Monster Bones, so he wondered if the Orcs had built it when they found the bones of a giant monster, or if they just carried back any large bones that they found in the desert.

Thirteen used the cover of darkness to sneakily approach the wall of the Stronghold.

He had several man-made tools that were properly stored inside his Spatial Storage, and among them was a grappling hook made from the claws of one of the Condors that they had killed on their first day in Solterra.

The base of the claws were tied up with the long braided hair of the Houdini Mustang, guaranteeing its firmness and strength.

Thirteen was confident that the braided hairs wouldn't snap even if he and Cristopher were to climb the grappling hook together.

As someone who mastered the Martial Technique, Cheap Shot Savant, Thirteen was proficient in throwing things.

Because of this, he didn't have any trouble throwing the hook over the bone walls of the Stronghold, and securing it in place.

Slowly, but surely, he climbed up, making sure that he wouldn't be detected by the Orcs that were keeping watch.

Truth be told, the Watchers weren't really paying too much attention to what was happening outside of their Stronghold.

They would just give the surroundings a casual glance from time to time, allowing Thirteen to infiltrate it without too much problem.

After successfully stepping onto the ramparts, Thirteen promptly stored his grappling hook and observed the interior of the Stronghold from his vantage point.

The place was illuminated by torchlight, so it was not too dark.

As Thirteen observed his surroundings, he noticed that near the very center of the plaza, several Orcs gathered, with some of them being High-Orcs.

He didn't see it right away because their bodies were blocking the view earlier, but after a slight movement, his gaze landed on two Humans.

One was a boy, the other was a girl, and both of their hands were tied behind their back.

'They look to be the same age as Cristopher,' Thirteen thought. 'They are also wearing the standard clothes for beginner Wanderers. I guess the Orcs captured them when they appeared in their territory.'

The Houdini Desert was a large place, so it was highly possible for the teenagers to appear near the settlements of the four races that called it their home.

Perhaps, the luckiest of the Wanderers would appear near the Barbarian Territories.

If they were discovered, the worst thing that could happen to them is to be sold as a slave.

For Thirteen, that was still infinitely better than being eaten by Trolls, Ogres, and the other Monsters that roamed around the Desert.

He didn't know if Orcs still ate Humans, especially after their improving their relationship with the Barbarians.

But, seeing that the two teenagers were only tied up, it is safe to assume that they would not be part of their menu for tonight… at least not yet.

The Orcs seemed to be discussing something, and judging by the pale expressions on the two teenagers' faces, it definitely wasn't something good.

As Wanderers, they had also gained the ability to learn the language of the world. But, this was only true for the Free Humans.

Those who were not Free Humans were unable to understand the language of the Monsters, unless they were using common language shared by all humans in Solterra.

Orcs usually used the language of Free Humans, so it was possible that they were speaking using the Human language.

After half an hour, the two teenagers were dragged away by one of the Orcs, who held the ropes that were tied on their bodies.

Thirteen followed them with his gaze, and remembered the building where the two teenagers were taken.

Suddenly, one of the High-Orcs glanced in the direction of the ramparts, forcing Thirteen to lower his head, so that he wouldn't be seen.

Although not all Orcs had Dark Vision, High Orcs definitely did, so the seven-year-old didn't take any chances and lied low for the time being.

Only after several minutes had passed did Thirteen start moving again.

He knew that it was dangerous, but he still decided to infiltrate the interior of the Orc Stronghold and go to the building, where the two teenagers had been taken.

'Maybe there are other Wanderers in that place,' Thirteen thought.

Thirteen didn't want to think of such a possibility, but there was a chance that his brother, Mikhail, was also sent to the Houdini Desert.

Because of this, he felt that he should investigate the place to see if his brother was really there.

If he was, Thirteen would find a good opportunity to free him, so that both of them could escape the Stronghold together.

As for the other Wanderers?

He didn't really care about them, but that didn't mean that he would not try to give them an opportunity to escape if there was a high chance of success.