The horde of orcs marched with determination as they crossed the threshold of their territory, leaving behind the familiar and venturing into the perilous unknown.

The air grew thicker with an ominous energy, the trees taller and darker as they moved deeper into the wild lands.

Volk, surrounded by nearly fifty younger orcs like himself, felt a sense of excitement mingled with trepidation.

This was his first time on such a dangerous mission, and every step they took felt like a step closer to proving himself as a true warrior of the horde.

The group was led by a formidable group of older, seasoned orcs, clad in bone armor that rattled with each step they took.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

These were the veterans, the protectors, the ones who had survived countless battles and emerged stronger.

Suddenly, without warning, the armored orcs at the front raised their hands, signaling the entire group to stop.

“Mag’Durotan!” he called out.

Volk and the other younger orcs halted immediately.

“Watch carefully!”

He watches as the armored orcs, standing at the front, closed their eyes and took deep, steadying breaths.

For a moment, nothing happened.

The forest around them was eerily still, the only sound the rustling of leaves in the faint breeze. But then, without warning, a low, guttural sound began to emanate from the armored orcs.

“Gawruuuuuuuuuuuhhh…”

It started as a deep hum, a vibration that seemed to come from the very earth beneath their feet.

Not long, the sound grew louder, more intense, until it erupted into a primal scream that echoed through the trees.

“GURRAAAAAHHH!!”

Volk felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up as the sound reverberated through him.

The scream was filled with power, raw and untamed, as if the orcs were channeling the very essence of the forest around them.

As the scream reached its peak, Volk saw something incredible begin to happen.

From the bodies of the armored orcs, a strange energy began to emerge.

Shooosh!

It was unlike anything Volk had ever seen before—an aura that seemed to pulse with life itself.

Unlike the radioactive magic particles he had grown accustomed to seeing, which floated like colored mist, this aura was different. It was brighter, more vibrant, like an ethereal aurora that shimmered with a deep green hue.

The aura was not confined to a single point; instead, it flowed around the orcs like liquid light, rippling and undulating as if it were alive.

The green aura began to expand, slowly moving away from the armored orcs and toward the younger ones, including Volk.

Zooosh!

As the aura touched him, Volk felt it sink into his skin, his bones, his very being.

“Hmm?”

It was a sensation unlike any other—a warmth that spread through his body, soothing and invigorating at the same time. It felt like the energy of the forest itself was being absorbed into him, fortifying his body and mind.

Volk could feel the aura settling deep within him, resonating with his own energy. His senses seemed to sharpen, his awareness heightened. He could hear the distant rustling of leaves, the quiet breathing of the other orcs, the heartbeat of the forest itself.

It was as if the world around him had suddenly become more vivid, more alive.

When the aura had fully settled, the armored orcs opened their eyes.

One of the orcs, his voice deep and commanding, stepped forward to address the group. “This is the horde’s innate special ability,” he began, “called the Botanical Aura Veil.”

The orc’s voice was filled with authority, and Volk listened intently as he continued.

“The Botanical Aura Veil is a technique that you will all learn once you reach the sixth stage of Mag’Durotan. It is essential for your survival in these lands. This veil will protect you for half a day from the hazardous magic particles that permeate the trees and leaves in this forest. Without it, you would be vulnerable to the magic that seeks to twist your mind and body.”

The explanation was detailed, the orc’s tone unwavering as he spoke of the importance of this technique.

“The Botanical Aura Veil is not just a shield against the elements. It also grants you resistance against any form of control abilities that may be used against you, particularly by the Dark Elven Witches. These witches are known for their insidious magic, capable of bending the will of others to their own.

With this veil, you can stand strong against their spells and protect your mind from their influence.”

Volk listened in awe as the orc continued to explain the significance of the veil. “This is the first skill you must master as a member of the horde, a warrior of Mag’Durotan. The Botanical Aura Veil is your lifeline, your shield against the dangers of this world. But know this—this is not something that can be taught directly. You must learn it only by witnessing it, by feeling it within your bones.

Only then will you truly understand its power and be able to wield it yourself.”

The orc continued, answering the unspoken question that lingered in Volk’s mind. “If we were to teach you this directly, you would not gain the full control that comes with mastering it. The power of the Botanical Aura Veil lies not just in its ability to protect you, but in your ability to control it, to wield it as an extension of your own strength.

By witnessing it, by feeling it resonate within you, you will learn to harness its full potential.”

Volk nodded in understanding.

The explanation made sense.

He was grateful he hadn’t asked the question aloud, as it was clear that this was something the orcs valued deeply—a rite of passage that each warrior had to experience for themselves.

With the veil now in place, the group moved forward, the landscape around them changing as they ventured deeper into the forest.

“Horde!”

The leader shouted, “March!” he added.

The trees here were unlike anything Volk had ever seen before—tall and imposing, their leaves a vibrant, almost unnatural green.

The air was thick with the scent of earth and foliage, the magic particles that filled the atmosphere making the entire forest shimmer with an eerie glow.

As they walked, one of the armored orcs turned to the group and spoke. “These trees are green, greener than any you have seen before. This is the result of the hazardous magic particles that saturate this land. These particles are what give the trees their unnatural color, their strength.

Only the Wood Elves can survive in a place like this, for they are born of the forest, their bodies attuned to the magic that flows through these lands. For us, this place is deadly without the veil.”

Volk marveled at the sight before him.

The trees seemed to stretch endlessly into the sky, their branches intertwining to form a dense canopy overhead.

The ground was covered in a thick carpet of moss and leaves, the green so deep it almost seemed black in the dim light that filtered through the foliage.

The air was heavy with the magic that permeated the forest, a constant reminder of the dangers that lurked in these lands.

Suddenly, the armored orcs stopped again, signaling the group to halt.

Volk tensed, his hand instinctively reaching for his weapon. Ahead of them, the forest opened up into a small clearing, and within it was a sight that made Volk’s blood run cold.

A group of wild boars, their massive bodies nearly as big as the orcs themselves, were grazing in the clearing. Their skin was a dark, mottled green, blending perfectly with the forest around them.

Their eyes glowed with an unnatural, malevolent light, and Volk could see the raw power in their muscular frames.

There were a few smaller boars among them, but even these were formidable, their tusks sharp and dangerous.

One of the armored orcs stepped forward, his voice low but firm. “Prepare yourselves,” he said, his eyes scanning the group of younger orcs.

“These wild boars are not to be underestimated. This will be your warm-up before we reach the catacomb. Consider this your first real test as warriors of the horde.”

Volk’s heart raced as he looked at the boars.

They were massive, their sheer size and the way their muscles rippled beneath their skin were intimidating. He could feel the tension in the air as the younger orcs around him gripped their weapons, he could see their expressions wore a mix of determination and fear.

The armored orc continued, his gaze locking onto the younger orcs. “We will take down the largest of these beasts. Your task is to deal with the smaller ones. Do not underestimate them. They may be smaller, but they are just as dangerous. Work together, use what you have learned, and prove that you are worthy to stand among us.”

Volk swallowed hard, his grip tightening on his basher club.

The weight of the task ahead of him settled in his gut, but he pushed the fear aside.

This was what he had been training for, what all of them had been preparing for. He wouldn’t let his comrades down.

The armored orc who had spoken earlier raised his weapon high into the air and shouted, “Lok’tar Ogar!” His voice was a battle cry, filled with the promise of blood and victory.

The other armored orcs echoed the cry, their voices joining in unison. “Lok’tar Ogar!”

The sound of their battle cry rang out through the forest, a call to arms that sent a shiver down Volk’s spine.

The wild boars in the clearing lifted their heads, their glowing eyes locking in them.

ROOARRRKK!!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep