"Alright Hajime, next we're going to rip off both sides of the ork."
Kazuma took the knife from Hajime's hand gently and bent down. With practiced ease, he went to the long cut and lifted the skin on the left side. Holding onto the skin, Kazuma used his other hand to slowly cut, disconnecting it from bone and muscle, being careful not to hit any organs.
"Ah, finally done." After a minute, all the skin on the left side was removed and now lay draped over the ground.
Kazuma folded the skin into a square before looking at Hajime.
"Now it's your turn," Kazuma said, handing Hajime the blade.
During that time, Hajime had zoned out and forgotten what Kazuma had done.
Damn it, I zoned out. Why wasn't I watching? And it's not like I even know how to skin anything. In my past life I barely left the house. Kazuma doesn't know I was reincarnated, so in his eyes, he's asking an 8-year-old to skin and cut this bullshit. The fuck, man.
Hajime took the knife from Kazuma and looked at the dead ork. Half its body was still covered in skin, the other half stripped to bone and muscle.
That looks a little unsettling, Hajime thought. I got this!
He took a deep breath and leaned down. His left hand dug under the ork's skin, slightly lifting it.
Alright, next I just need to separate the skin from the bone and muscle… I think?
He moved his right hand, holding the knife, and stabbed into the lifted area. Slowly, he guided the blade, separating the skin from the ork's body. Halfway through, he uncovered the ork's heart—it had stopped beating, but its size was impressive.
Damn, how can an ork even lose to a human with bigger and stronger body parts? It's like I run on a four-cylinder engine and he runs on a V8. No wonder they were so hard to beat, even without magic.
After a few more minutes, Hajime finished skinning the right side of the ork. All that remained was muscle, bone, and the ork's organs.
Phew, I finished. That was more complicated than I expected—but it's my first time doing this, Hajime thought, turning to look at his father.
"Father, I have finished."
Kazuma looked at the ork briefly before turning to Hajime. "Good job. You didn't damage any organs. Well done."
Yes! I was worried I accidentally hit something valuable.
Breaking Hajime's moment of triumph, Kazuma continued. "Okay Hajime, now we're going to cut out the ork's lungs, heart, liver, and—well, the one you already cut off—his dick."
Kazuma stepped forward and held out his hand. Hajime stared at it, confused.
What does he want? Oh—wait, the knife.
Hajime handed him the blade, which Kazuma accepted.
"Alright, first we're starting with the heart. It's the ork's most valuable part, so pay attention."
Hajime narrowed his eyes, focusing intently.
"I'm going to disconnect the heart from the arteries by cutting around it," Kazuma explained as he began carefully slicing. One by one, he cut the arteries connected to the heart.
It's hard to focus when he's cutting so slowly. I want to say something, but Kazuma looks super focused—I better not interrupt.
"Alright, now that I'm done, I'm going to slowly lift the heart out of its chest. Come here for a second, Hajime."
What does he want me to do now?
Hajime took a few steps forward. Kazuma handed him the knife.
"Hold this."
Hajime took the knife again, and Kazuma, now free-handed, slowly lifted the ork's heart from its chest.
Kazuma looked at the folded skin from earlier. "Now I'm going to use this skin to wrap around the heart," he said, walking over and placing the heart gently on the square.
He turned and looked at the second piece of skin Hajime had removed, which still lay sprawled on the ground.
"Hand me that ork skin."
Hajime grabbed the disgusting skin and lightly tossed it to Kazuma. He caught it and began wrapping it around the heart, covering it completely.
"Alright, now that the heart is wrapped, it's safe to pack away."
"Father, why does the heart need to be wrapped?"
"Good question. It's delicate, and while ork skin is mushy and flexible, it's still good for covering the heart. It helps prevent accidental crushing or cuts that might lower its value."
That makes sense… kind of. But I still don't think wrapping it really helps that much, Hajime thought.
Kazuma finished wrapping the heart and placed it into a bag he'd brought along.
"Alright, let's move on to the other organs."
One hour later
Hajime and Kazuma had finished skinning and collecting all the organs from the orks they'd slain.
Hajime stood beside Kazuma, carrying two wrapped ork hearts as they walked back toward the path they had taken.
I can't wait to get back home.
As they moved through the tall grass, Hajime saw adventurers skinning goblins and collecting parts. Others sat exhausted from battle. Some stood in silence, grieving over fallen comrades with brutal wounds.
"Father, are we not going to wait for the others, or are we just heading back?" Hajime asked.
"We'll just head back. Otherwise, we'll get home too late—and I don't want your mother to scold me."
Normally, I wouldn't think of my mother as scary… but considering Rin's love for me and her temper when she's angry, I guess it makes sense why Kazuma's afraid of her sometimes.
Kazuma and Hajime finally made it through the tall grass, stepping onto the rugged dirt path they had taken to reach the forest. They began walking when suddenly—
"HAHAHA! Kazuma, you think you could leave without saying goodbye to your friend?"
Shit.
Hajime jumped, his balance faltering, nearly dropping the two ork hearts he held.
He looked up at the source of the voice. Thrax? Why is he here?
Thrax looked at Hajime, who had leapt back into a readied battle stance.
"Sorry if I scared you, ummm…" Thrax paused, stroking his beard like he was trying to remember. "I forgot your name."
This dude is a battle maniac idiot.
"My name is Hajime," Hajime replied, annoyed.
"Oh right, that was your name. HAHAHA!"
What is this guy's issue? He looks like he could tear me in half, but his personality doesn't match his looks at all.
Kazuma gave Thrax an irritated glare. "Thrax, why are you always like this? You scared my son."
Thrax stopped laughing and looked at Kazuma. "I said I'm sorry, alright? Anyway, let's get to business—do you mind if I stay at your house tonight?"
Kazuma didn't hesitate. "No."
"Come on, friend. I just need a place to stay—for one night."
Kazuma grew more irritated. "I said no. You're going to piss off my wife and add to her stress. She already wasn't happy about letting Hajime join this hunt."
Thrax pressed his massive hands together and let his axe fall to the ground with a thud. "I promise I won't piss off Rin. Please, just for tonight."
Hajime stood still, watching Thrax practically beg. Wow, this is sad. He went from honorable warrior to beggar real fast.
"Fine. You can stay at my mansion—just for tonight. But don't piss off my wife."
"HAHAHAHA! Thanks, friend! I won't forget this kindness!"