CHAPTER 36: COMING TO TERMS

The sun sank behind a veil of clouds, and soon darkness claimed the land.

Above, the stars were scattered across the night sky like inklets of paint on a vast black canvas.

The sweet aroma of grilled meat and stir-fried vegetables filled the air, making every orc’s mouth water. Old Lady Gino was working wonders yet again.

"I’m sure you haven’t eaten yet. Want a bite?" Aria asked, standing beside Nibo as they both watched the old lady cook.

"Hmph, since I evolved, I don’t even think I need food anymore," Nibo said proudly, puffing out his chest.

Right on cue, a low growl rumbled from his stomach.

"Yeah, tell me more," Aria teased with a smirk.

Nibo’s shoulders slumped. "I hate you."

"I did nothing!" Aria laughed, but her laughter slowly faded as her eyes drifted toward the tent.

Around them, the air buzzed with warmth and laughter. The orcs were in high spirits, celebrating their survival after the first beast horde—something no one had truly expected. But even in all that joy, one person was missing.

Akhil still hadn’t stepped out of his tent.

"What happened?" Nibo finally asked, following her gaze. He’d been meaning to ask since Aria returned earlier, but with all the chaos of organizing the camp, he hadn’t gotten the chance.

Aria let out a slow sigh. "We had a little quarrel... and I snapped. Maybe I was too harsh."

As she spoke, guilt crept into her tone. Thinking back to the way she’d lashed out, she realized she hadn’t even tried to understand him first.

"Snapped?" Nibo raised an eyebrow. "I doubt you’d ever do that with Nexus."

Aria frowned, glancing sideways at him. "What’s that supposed to mean?"

"Well," Nibo said casually, crossing his arms, "you always go easy on him... unlike me." He pouted exaggeratedly.

Aria rolled her eyes at his childish tone, but Nibo’s voice softened as he continued. "You’re probably overthinking it. I’m sure you didn’t say anything wrong. He’ll be fine."

With that, he gave her a reassuring nod and walked off to help with the preparations.

Aria stayed still for a moment, eyes fixed on the tent. Deep down, she couldn’t shake the worry gnawing at her. If Akhil really decided to leave, she’d feel it was her fault. But at the same time, she knew she’d said what needed to be said. Someone had to make him see that his self-doubt was holding him back.

Still, the thought weighed on her chest as she turned and rejoined the others.

As time passed, the aroma of the food grew thicker, almost intoxicating. The orcs could barely contain themselves. They couldn’t even remember the last time they’d smelled something so delicious.

Even before the food was ready, many had already stopped working, their gazes fixed on the makeshift kitchen where Old Lady Gino and her daughter, Asteria, were busy cooking.

Their stomachs growled in unison as they worked to finish cleaning the settlement—hauling the last of the dead beasts to the storage area, sweeping away ashes from the burned ditch, and covering the ground with sand to mask the harsh scent of oil.

By the time the work was done, the camp was restored, and the long-awaited feast was ready to begin.

Excitement spread like wildfire. Orcs pushed and argued as they tried to get in line first, some even sneaking between others to grab a piece of meat before it disappeared.

Seeing the commotion, Aria and Nibo decided to serve the sick and injured orcs first so they wouldn’t get caught in the scramble.

"Relax, everyone! There’s enough for all of you!" Old Lady Gino shouted over the noise, her wrinkled arms flexing as she held her large stirring spoon like a weapon.

Meanwhile, Nibo stood beside her, his imposing presence alone enough to keep anyone from cutting the line or sneaking extras to their friends.

Before long, everyone had their share.

The orcs tore into the crispy meat eagerly. The savory juices burst over their tongues, and their eyes widened in pure delight.

The taste was divine!

They could feel a surge of energy rush through their veins as they bit into the meat.

For some reason, eating the flesh of these beasts seemed to restore all their lost strength in an instant. It wasn’t just food—it was revitalizing.

They could immediately tell the difference between this meal and their usual ones.

Off to one side, a burly, sick orc began telling stories to a few curious children. Before long, more orcs gathered around him, laughing and listening intently.

After a long month of living like hunted animals, this was the first time the orcs no longer wore fear on their faces. They weren’t worrying about survival.

Nor did they carry the heavy anxiety of no longer being human.

Tonight, they simply chose to live.

Not like prey constantly running from danger. Not like outcasts burdened by what the human world thought of them. But like people who wanted to treasure every fleeting moment of peace together.

Even with the looming threat of a second horde approaching the next day, they didn’t care.

For the first time in a long while, they took a real breath.

It felt refreshing—almost freeing.

And as Akhil stepped out of his tent and watched the scene before him, he realized, perhaps for the first time, that he had truly done his best.

’Perhaps I was being too naive,’ he thought, letting out a soft sigh.

His gaze swept across the camp until it stopped on Aria. She stood near the bonfire, a cup of juice made from crushed fruits in her hand, her face calm under the flickering glow.

With steady steps, Akhil walked toward her. She noticed him immediately but kept her eyes on the fire.

"So, you finally decided to come out," she said with a faint smile. "I almost thought you tore a hole through the back of the tent and ran off."

Akhil laughed. "Of course not. Don’t you think that’s a bit too dramatic for me?"

"Yeah... it is," Aria said, taking a small sip.

Silence lingered between them for a few moments.

"I—" they both began at the same time.

"Sorry, you go first," Aria said quickly.

Akhil chuckled awkwardly. "No, ladies first."

"Oh, so now you’re a gentleman? Spare me the courtesy."

Akhil grinned. "Alright, alright. I’m sorry. I took a moment to think about what you said, and I guess you were right. I wa—"

He froze mid-sentence.

A faint metallic clank reached his ears.

Akhil’s expression sharpened as he turned toward the dark edges of the settlement.

Aria followed his gaze, her instincts immediately kicking in.

From within the shadows, a small round metallic object rolled slowly across the ground toward them.

Click... clank...

"What’s that?" Aria asked cautiously, stepping back slightly.

Click... clank...

As the object came closer, its shape became clearer. Both of them watched carefully, tension building.

The ball rolled to a stop just a few feet in front of them.

"A bomb?" Akhil muttered, narrowing his eyes. That was the first thought that crossed his mind.

"I doubt it," Aria replied, taking a cautious step forward.

They both moved closer—just as the metal sphere split open and.....