I was assigned to head to the frontlines with Yuya.

Other adventurers would take turns keeping watch in our place.

“Huh? Yuya-san, aren’t you going to keep watch?” I asked.

Yuya smiled wryly and replied.

“Those adventurers are injured from fighting the Giant Orc. We need to let them rest while keeping watch.”

Injured.

That word made me feel a little uneasy.

“…Are those adventurers also B-rank like you, Yuya-san?”

He must have sensed the intent behind my question. Yuya once again smiled wryly.

“Yeah. That’s right. The A-rank adventurers are fighting at the frontlines.”

…I see.

So that’s how it is.

To fight the designated A-ranked monsters, B-rank adventurers would be a bit too weak. So, the battlefield was left to A-rank adventurers, while B-rank ones like Yuya were tasked with keeping watch. Still, they couldn’t defeat the Giant Orc, so Yuya and the others must be rotating between combat and watching over the area.

Looking around, there were no adventurers unscathed, except for Yuya.

Just as he said, it really was a situation where they could use all the help they could get.

“…There are actually three A-rank seniors here, but apparently this Giant Orc is on a whole different level. I’ve never seen such a huge one before.”

“…Is it really that bad?”

“Yeah. But it’s been a while since the battle started, so I think it should be over soon.”

Could it be?

Having three A-rank adventurers on the battlefield is reassuring, but… something about it made me feel uneasy.

— And that feeling would unexpectedly prove true.

★

“What… What is that!?”

Yuya froze, his face pale. His body was shaking, his eyes wide in shock, and he let out a hoarse voice.

“That’s impossible…! Is it really something even the seniors can’t handle…?!”

The battlefield was a hellish sight.

The Giant Orc.

A one-eyed monster with a massive, towering body. Honestly, just seeing its size filled me with fear.

In its right hand, it wielded a massive club, and if it struck with that, I didn’t have confidence I could keep my consciousness.

Around the Giant Orc, three adventurers lay face down.

Needless to say, they were A-rank adventurers.

The battle was supposed to be ending soon? Because three A-rank adventurers were there, everything would be fine?

Not at all.

Can this even be called a battle?

“Damn…! Arios-kun, you need to go back! Report this to the guild!” Yuya said, pulling out his sword with a stern expression.

He seemed prepared to die.

His resolve was admirable, but his body was still trembling.

“But Yuya-san, you alone…!” I protested.

“I know! But there’s no other way, right?! Please, understand!!”

That’s true.

My Cheat Code Manipulation is indeed powerful, but I still don’t fully understand it. Whether it works against the Giant Orc is still unknown.

What should I do?

What should I do…?

Suddenly, a voice reached my ears.

It was from a female A-rank adventurer.

She had collapsed face down and was crying out in pain.

“I… I don’t want to die… Please, help me…”

“Grul?”

Perhaps hearing that voice, the Giant Orc turned its gaze to her.

“GRUURRRRAAAA!!!”

The Giant Orc’s eyes glowed with malice as it raised its club to strike the fallen adventurer.

In that instant…

Something within me snapped.

— Cheat Code activated.

《Attack Power Up (Small)》

“WOOOOOAHHHHHH!!!”

I charged forward, drawing my sword.

The Macba style.

— Swift First Slash.

With all the strength I could muster, I struck the Giant Orc’s club with the fastest sword technique my father had taught me.

Normally, someone as weak as me would have no chance against it.

But…

“GRRRAAA…?”

The massive Giant Orc—taller and stronger than me—leaned back and fell flat on its rear.