The first orc, muscles rippling with rage, roared and charged forward like a mad bull—hammer raised high, eyes wild.
Rikuya didn't flinch. His feet shifted just slightly, weight coiled like a spring.
"Too eager," he muttered under his breath.
As the orc lunged in, Rikuya pivoted smoothly on his back foot, his body turning sideways with practiced grace. At the same time, his left fist whipped out in a tight arc—a perfect check hook.
Crack!
His knuckles slammed clean into the side of the orc's jaw, the force magnified by the sharp angle and timing of the pivot. The orc's head snapped sideways with a thunderous thud, and its momentum betrayed it—its own charge sent it stumbling off-balance, skidding across the dirt like a sack of potatoes.
Rikuya exhaled calmly, resetting his stance.
"Rush in without thinking," he said, eyeing the other two, "and you get countered like a rookie. Next?"
The two remaining orcs growled, eyes flaring with a mix of fury and caution. The second one—larger and smarter than the first—approached more carefully, gripping its hammer with both hands. Its thick arms flexed as it suddenly swung the hammer upward, aiming to catch Rikuya from below.
But Rikuya's footwork was fluid—he backstepped cleanly, the hammer slicing the air just inches from his chest.
Without missing a beat, he surged forward.
"One—" Pop!
His lead fist jabbed out lightning-fast, snapping the orc's head slightly back.
"Two—" Pop!
Another jab landed squarely on the orc's snout, forcing it to stumble, blinking in confusion.
The double jab rhythm was tight, sharp, and controlled—enough to disrupt the orc's guard and set it up perfectly for something worse.
Rikuya smirked. "Don't blink, pork chop."
The orc stumbled, dazed from the double jab—eyes wide, nostrils flaring.
Rikuya didn't give it a chance to recover.
His stance shifted lower, tighter—then he exploded forward.
"Let's dance."
Jab. Crack! A sharp shot to the snout.
Jab. Pop! The orc reeled back again.
Cross. Thud! His rear hand slammed into its jaw, rocking the beast's head sideways.
Left Hook. Smack! A brutal blow to the temple, snapping its neck in the opposite direction.
Right Uppercut. Boom! Fist drove up into its gut like a cannon, lifting the orc's massive frame an inch off the ground.
Left Hook. Whap! Across the ribs—bones cracked audibly.
And then—Cross. CRACK!
A final straight punch slammed into the center of its face with enough force to send the orc flying backward, hammer slipping from its grip, body crashing to the forest floor with a dull thud.
Rikuya exhaled slowly, fists still raised, chest steady.
"Stay down," he muttered. "Breakfast's already late."
From his perch on the branch, Tsuki jumped up excitedly, wagging his tail and letting out a string of happy barks. He spun in a little circle, nearly slipping off the branch in excitement.
"Yeah, yeah!" Rikuya chuckled, shaking his hands loose and glancing over his shoulder. "Calm down, cheerleader. You'll get a front-row seat for the next one."
The final orc—the biggest of the three—stood frozen, fists tightening around its hammer. Its veins bulged. Its eyes twitched.
Rikuya raised an eyebrow, brushing imaginary dust off his shoulder.
"So you're the brick house, huh?" he said with a lopsided grin. "Took down straw and sticks easy, but you… you've got some structure."
He started circling the last orc, calm and collected.
"But you know what happens in the end, right?" he added, cracking his neck. "Even the brick house got blown to hell... if the wolf hit hard enough."
Tsuki barked in agreement from the tree, tail thumping wildly.
The final orc let out a war cry, bracing itself, hammer held high—but Rikuya was already in motion.
He dashed in, fast and low.
"One—two!" His jabs snapped out clean and fast—pop pop!—but the orc raised its thick forearms, blocking them.
Rikuya grinned.
"Good block. Let's see how long you keep it."
Jab. Distracting, sharp, aimed centerline.
Left Hook to the Body. Thud! His fist slammed into the orc's ribs—muscle compressed, air forced out.
Right Uppercut. Boom! A powerful shot slid under the guard, snapping the orc's head back.
Right Hook to the Body. Crack! Another body blow—relentless, hammering the same spot.
Left Hook to the Head. Wham! The final strike rocked the orc's skull sideways. Its knees buckled slightly, breath ragged.
Then—Shift Step.
Rikuya slid his rear foot forward, switching stances mid-combo, rotating his angle. In that instant, he coiled power through his legs and hips.
"Time to tuck you in," he muttered.
Gazelle Punch.
He launched off the ground like a spring-loaded missile, leaping into a devastating forward hook—a leaping, explosive arc of power that landed square on the orc's jaw.
CRACK!!
The orc's body lifted off its feet for a split second before it came crashing down like a felled tree, eyes rolled back, limbs sprawled in the dirt.
Rikuya stood tall, lowering his fist, breathing steady.
Tsuki barked wildly, tail wagging like a flag, hopping up and down in the tree.
Rikuya glanced up and smirked. "Now that was the real brick house."
Rikuya rolled his shoulders, fists dropping to his sides. He swayed side to side like a showboating boxer, light on his feet, then pointed at the downed orcs with a grin.
"See that, Tsuki?" he called out, voice full of swagger. "One pig ran in like a clown, the second was confused whether he was holding a hammer or a toothbrush…"
He paused, hands moving as if reenacting the final blow.
"...and the third? Brick house, huh?" He leaned down next to the unconscious orc's face, tapping its cheek lightly. "Buddy, if you're the brick house, I must be the damn wrecking ball."
Tsuki barked twice, tail thumping, clearly loving every second of it.
Rikuya stood, turning toward a roasting spit he'd improvised with sticks.
"Now, let's get these pork chops sizzling. I'm not saying I beat the flavor into them, but…" He sniffed the air dramatically. "Mmm. Smells like victory... and bacon."
He gave a playful wink up at Tsuki, who barked in approval, then dropped his head back against the branch like a proud little king.
Rikuya grabbed the orc's meaty limbs, pulling them over to the makeshift firepit. The flames danced, casting flickering shadows over the forest floor. The scent of roasting meat began to fill the air, rich and savory, mixing with the earthy aroma of the forest.
Tsuki sat on a nearby branch, watching with wide eyes as Rikuya expertly skewered the chunks of orc flesh over the fire, turning them occasionally to ensure they cooked evenly.
The heat from the fire was intense, and the meat sizzled as the fat rendered, crackling in the flames. Soon, a thick, greasy aroma wafted into the air. The outside of the meat turned golden-brown, its surface bubbling slightly as the juices pooled around it.
The meat had a strange, thick texture, and as it cooked, the once-fresh cuts became somewhat leathery and fibrous, almost too tough to be appetizing. The strange odor mingled with the scent of burnt fat, a combination that wasn't quite pleasant, like a mixture of wild game and something… off.
Rikuya let out a small sigh as he turned the meat one last time, looking down at it with a slightly disgusted expression. The juices had started to blacken on the outside, and he could see the tendons pulling slightly as it cooked.
"...This better be worth it," he muttered, shaking his head.
He poked at the meat, his stomach growling despite his initial doubts. The outside looked crispy, but the inside—well, it was far from tender. There was a slight bitterness to the scent that made his nose wrinkle.
"Ugh, this is what I get for not hunting for something that doesn't smell like it's been marinated in swamp water," he grumbled to himself, pulling the skewer off the fire.
He gingerly tore off a chunk and took a tentative bite. The texture was tough, chewy, and… not great. But hunger gnawed at him, and he forced himself to chew. His face scrunched up as the aftertaste lingered in his mouth.
"Well, I've eaten worse," he said, trying to sound optimistic, though his tone suggested otherwise. "Guess it's time to get used to this... wild world cooking style."
Tsuki barked, clearly enjoying the scent, but when Rikuya offered him a small piece of meat, the pup sniffed it suspiciously before looking back up at him, clearly unimpressed.
"...Yeah, you and me both, buddy." Rikuya chuckled, tossing the meat into the fire, where it sizzled, finally giving in to his instincts.
He leaned back, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "At least it'll fill the stomach," he muttered. "Not sure what kind of wild this is, but I think I'm already over it."
Rikuya finished the last bite of the questionable orc meat, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. His stomach was full, but the strange, tough texture of the meat had left a lingering bad taste. Sighing, he stood up and stretched, cracking his back with a loud pop. He glanced around at the dense forest, the trees standing tall and proud.
"Alright, Tsuki," he said, looking down at the little pup, "if we're heading toward the exit, we must be close, right?"
Tsuki, ever eager, barked excitedly and dashed forward a few paces, wagging his tail like crazy. Rikuya raised an eyebrow and crouched down, smiling as he gently scooped Tsuki up and placed him on top of his head.
"Lead the way, buddy," he said, giving Tsuki a small pat on the head. "I'm trusting you on this one."
Tsuki, now perched comfortably on Rikuya's head, barked again, clearly enjoying the ride. His little paws gripped Rikuya's hair, and his ears flopped in the breeze as they made their way forward.
Rikuya grinned, rolling his shoulders. "Just don't make me regret this, alright? We don't need another detour through monster alley today."
Tsuki barked once more, as if in agreement, and pointed his head toward the direction ahead, signaling Rikuya to follow. With a chuckle, Rikuya adjusted his path and began walking forward, Tsuki happily perched on his head, leading the way.
As they walked, the forest began to open up, and the sun filtered through the canopy of trees, casting dappled light across the ground. The air was crisp and fresh, filled with the sweet scent of flowers that Rikuya had never seen before. They were vibrant, with colors so bright it almost seemed like they were glowing in the sunlight.
Rikuya stopped for a moment, taking in the beauty around him. "Well, I have to admit, this world does have its perks," he muttered, his eyes scanning the blossoms. "Never seen flowers like these in my old world... Feels like I'm in some kind of dream."
Tsuki, perched on his head, seemed to share the same awe, his ears twitching at the breeze that carried the sweet floral fragrance. The little pup's eyes sparkled with curiosity, watching the new world unfold before him.
Rikuya continued walking, but then, as they cleared a patch of trees, he looked up at the sky. The clouds were fluffy and scattered, lazily drifting across the bright blue canvas above. He squinted, his gaze tracing one particularly round cloud that seemed to be shaped like a—
"No way…" he muttered, squinting harder. "That cloud... that looks like a butt!"
He laughed under his breath, shaking his head. "Hah, that's gotta be the most ridiculous thing I've seen today."
Tsuki, still perched comfortably on his head, gave an excited bark, as if he, too, had spotted the strange shape in the sky. He tilted his head, eyes wide, and barked once more, almost as if to say, Yeah, that totally looks like a butt!
Rikuya chuckled, patting Tsuki gently on the head. "I swear, you get me, buddy. Definitely a butt cloud." He pointed up at it again, laughing. "If I didn't know better, I'd say this world's got a weird sense of humor."
Tsuki barked in agreement, wagging his tail as if he were sharing a private joke with his owner. The two of them continued on, their laughter and lightheartedness filling the air as they enjoyed the beautiful scenery—and the strange cloud formations above.
Rikuya and Tsuki moved cautiously through the forest, the light ahead growing stronger. The dense trees began to thin out, and he could almost taste the freedom as the exit loomed just ahead.
"Is that the exit?" Rikuya asked, glancing down at Tsuki, who barked enthusiastically in response.
The excitement was clear on both of their faces as they sprinted forward, eager to escape the forest's confines. However, just as they were about to reach the light, something unexpected happened.
Wham!
Out of nowhere, a powerful kick struck Rikuya's side, sending him spinning through the air. Tsuki yelped in surprise, but Rikuya, with his reflexes honed from years of combat, held him tight and twisted mid-flight. He landed smoothly against a sturdy tree, still holding Tsuki on his head, and looked up.
There, standing before him, was the rabbit-woman from before.
Her powerful, muscular thighs were on full display, her brown skin glowing in the light of the forest. Her body was toned and defined, and her long ears flicked with an almost predatory curiosity. She was covered only by minimal clothing, enough to shield her chest and lower parts, but leaving her strong, well-developed legs and thighs exposed.
Rikuya's eyes widened slightly. "You again?" he muttered under his breath, clearly not expecting to encounter her so soon, especially after their last run-in.
Without missing a beat, he grinned and said, "Well, I'll be damned."
The rabbit-woman didn't speak. Instead, she narrowed her eyes at him, her stance relaxed but ready, as if she were waiting for him to make the next move. Rikuya could feel the energy crackling between them, tension building in the air.
Grinning, he shook his head and dropped into his boxing stance, his body coiling like a spring. "I guess you just can't get enough of me, huh?" he said, clearly amused. "Alright, then, let's see what you've got. But this time, no surprise kicks."
Tsuki, perched on Rikuya's head, gave a small bark of excitement, his tail wagging. The rabbit-woman's gaze flickered to Tsuki, but she said nothing, her silence only adding to the intensity of the moment.
Rikuya's muscles tensed as he prepared for whatever would come next. The rabbit-woman might not speak, but she was undoubtedly a formidable opponent. He wasn't going to back down now.
Rikuya carefully placed Tsuki on a branch, giving him a gentle pat. "Stay here, buddy. This is gonna get dangerous."
Tsuki whimpered softly, his ears drooping, but Rikuya gave him one more look to reassure him. The little pup obeyed, curling up on the branch and watching closely as Rikuya turned back to face the rabbit-woman.
The rabbit-woman raised her front leg slowly, her knee coming up in a controlled, deliberate motion. She didn't speak—her actions were enough to communicate everything. Her muscles coiled in preparation, and her stance shifted as if she was waiting for him to make the first move.
Rikuya raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping over her powerful, toned body. "Wow," he muttered under his breath, genuinely impressed despite himself. "Didn't know a monster could be this attractive."
The rabbit-woman's lips curled into a knowing grin, and her eyes glinted with amusement, as though she understood exactly what he said. Her gaze remained steady, and Rikuya could feel the tension in the air between them.
Taking a deep breath, Rikuya shifted his weight and dropped into his hitman stance, a boxing guard designed for maximum defense and explosive strikes. His hands were positioned just below his chin, his body leaning forward slightly, prepared to unleash a devastating counterattack at a moment's notice.
With a focused look, he cracked his knuckles and said, "It's not about how hard you can hit, it's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward." He smirked, eyes narrowing as his muscles tensed. "Let's see if you can make me move."
The rabbit-woman tilted her head slightly, as if intrigued by his words, but she remained still, her powerful frame radiating quiet confidence. She might not speak, but she was ready for whatever came next.