Kazuma and Hajime walked over to an ork who was still mostly intact. Its head was split down the middle, blood oozing out and covering the surrounding grass in crimson.
"I didn't notice it before, but these orks smell horrible."
Even though the orks were dead, they hadn't decomposed yet, but the stench was overwhelming. Hajime gagged. It was like someone who had never taken a shower and had only rolled around in blood and shit their whole life.
Kazuma's lips curled slightly as he looked at Hajime holding his nose, trying not to breathe in the foul stench.
"You'll get used to the smell eventually," Kazuma said with a grin.
"I don't think I'll ever get used to this," Hajime replied, disgusted.
"Well, the smell doesn't matter. Let's begin."
They knelt in front of the dead ork, both placing one knee on the ground.
Kazuma lifted part of his pants, revealing a small knife in a holster strapped to his leg. He pulled the blade free, holding it up to show Hajime.
"This is a skinning knife," Kazuma said, handing the blade to Hajime briefly before taking it back. "It's mostly used for skinning monsters or animals."
The blade was small, with a light tannish-brown wooden handle. The blade itself was made of iron. The top edge was straight before dropping diagonally halfway, and the bottom edge was straight as well, then dipped and curved back up to meet the top, forming the tip.
Kazuma continued, "The curve allows for smooth slicing cuts around the animal's hide. The knife is only five inches long, so I don't cut too deep and damage the organs. And since it's small, it's easy to carry."
Why is he giving me this much detail about the knife?
Kazuma, still explaining, glanced at Hajime's almost bored expression.
"Hajime, do you know why I'm teaching you this?"
Hajime flinched.
Crap. Did he somehow read my mind?
"I don't know, Father."
Kazuma shook his head. "Picking the right blade for the job is important. For example, your short sword is used for fighting and killing, but its shape and size aren't good for skinning. You'd end up damaging the organs and ruining the hide. What I'm trying to say is—you need to be prepared. You need knowledge about things like this," Kazuma paused, "Trust me. It'll help you in the future."
Hajime sighed, thinking about Kazuma's words. He's right. Damage to the hide or organs would lower the quality.
"I understand, Father."
"Okay, good. Now let's begin!" Kazuma said excitedly. "We're going to start at the head, so let's move over."
They both stood, dusting off their knees, and walked over to the ork's split head.
"So, we're going to start with the ork's head since it's already sliced in half." Hajime nodded, and Kazuma continued, "I'm going to cut a straight line from the head to the crotch."
Hajime watched as Kazuma slowly started cutting the ork's skin, starting at the neck and going straight down its back. The blade easily sliced through the thick hide. Kazuma was careful not to cut too deep and damage any organs.
"Done," Kazuma said after cutting a clean line down the ork's body.
He looked at Hajime. "Now it's your turn," he said, holding out the small knife.
This is going to be disgusting...
Hajime moved quickly, grabbing the knife out of Kazuma's hand.
"So what do you want me to do?"
"Help me turn the ork over and do the same cut on the other side."
"Okay."
Hajime set the knife on the ground, then put his hand underneath the ork's arm.
I guess I should also boost my strength with magic.
[Rank 1 Spell: Physical Boost]
"I'm ready," Hajime said, looking at Kazuma, who also had his arms under the ork's side.
"Okay, pull up in three... two... one... now!"
They both lifted the ork's side until it flipped over.
"Good job, Hajime. Now get to skinning."
Hajime picked the knife off the ground and walked back over to the ork, staring at it.
Guess I should start, Hajime thought with a sigh.
He positioned himself over the ork, placing the knife at the center of its throat before slowly inserting it. Carefully, he pulled the blade downward. The knife sliced the ork's tough skin like butter. Hajime looked at the ork, disgusted, as blood occasionally oozed out and trickled down its body.
This is disgusting, Hajime repeated inwardly.
Just as he neared the ork's crotch, his eyes widened in horror. A long shaft—at least two feet long—stared back at him.
No.
Hajime felt like vomiting.
It was a light green, monstrous thing. He hadn't noticed it before, but now that he thought about it, the orks' genitals had probably been swaying the entire time they were fighting. He'd just been too caught up in battle to realize.
I could've touched that... or hit it by accident while fighting...
Trying to distract himself, Hajime spoke up.
"Father, where did you meet Thrax?"
"Well, it's a long story," Kazuma said. He paused before continuing. "I was born a noble, you see. One day, I was told I'd be arranged to marry a woman I had never even met." He looked up at the sky. "Out of anger, I left my duty as a duke's son and ran away from home. I didn't have any money, so I became an adventurer."
Wow, I never knew Kazuma had a delinquent side.
"Because I was good at combat and hunting, I managed. One day, I accepted a mission to escort a wealthy merchant to the Albania Kingdom. That's where I met Thrax."
"Where's the Albania Kingdom?" Hajime interrupted.
"It's right next to ours. Only the Southern Bane Kingdom separates us from Albania."
Albania... I should research that once we get back.
Kazuma continued, "Thrax and I became friends during that mission. After we completed it, we formed a party."
"So why did you quit adventuring?" Hajime asked.
"Because I met your mother."
Makes sense, Hajime nodded inwardly.
"After I met your mother, I decided to settle down with her."
By the time Kazuma finished talking, Hajime had already finished cutting the ork's long shaft off. The conversation helped keep his mind off the disgusting details—or at least distracted him from them.
"Father, I finished skinning him."
Kazuma stepped closer, inspecting the long cut Hajime had made down the center of the ork.
"Not bad. You did good."
Hajime let out a small smile. Thank god—I thought I'd ruin the organs.
"Alright, now for the next step."