Sudden Brawl

Ever since coming to this world, I had lacked in one important thing. My continued survival depended on whether I had it or not.

Information

This one singular thing was one of my serious disadvantages that I had been burdened with since arriving in this world. Just having a little bit of it could decide whether or not I would live to see the next day.

Casting my gaze away from the giant bat's corpse, I made may way further into the labyrinth. My body was still heavily injured. Each bone and muscle damaged in one way or another.

On my way, I picked up the dagger too. The blade had a small crack in the middle, like a single bolt of lightning. It was probably from when I was getting beaten by that giant bat.

Speaking of which…

Wielding the least amount of mana I could, I try to pour it onto the blade. My body ached as I did so. The muscles in my right arm were begging me to stop. My mind was also strained. As I thought, I was still in no condition to wield mana.

Stop getting distracted!

I berated myself. While the pain was something I couldn't really ignore, it wasn't my goal. I refocus on the blade on my hands. The miniscule amount of mana that I had gathered moved through my body. Passing through my shoulder to the tips of my fingers, the mana flowed. It was a little bit faster than before.

It flowed further, eventually reaching the hilt of the sword. Then, it stopped. The mana swirled just a little bit away from my fingertips, unsure where to go. I willed it to move to the dagger, still nothing.

This isn't working

Changing my tactics, I enhance my arm. The mana burned my skin–at least it felt like it. With the pulse of a heartbeat, I suddenly felt my arm getting stronger. The burning hurt even more.

Willing the spell, I try to transfer the 「Reinforcement」 to the blade. Still, nothing. Dejected, I retract the mana.

It would seem that imbuing objects with mana was still out of my reach. I thought that after watching the beast wield mana so effficiently would let me transfer mana onto weapons. Unsurprisingly, I was wrong.

I still have so much to go…

I reminded myself for the hundredth time. The road ahead stretched far and wide, I just needed to take it one step at a time.

Moving down the winding tunnel, I hear a few shouts. I stick myself close to the walls, trying to hide myself from the dozens of presences that I felt. I stayed like that for a while, not blinking or breathing. In my current condition, fighting was out of the question. Despite my paranoia, though, nothing came.

I let out a deep breath. Exhausted both physically and mentally.

Am I just hearing things?

The shouting and clashing continued. Each sound was as natural and real as I first heard them.

「Skill 'Instinct' is warning you」

Amongst the ensuing chaos of the faraway brawl, a light shone. The light burned brighter and brighter. Each moment it grew closer and closer.

No, wait, that's…!!

I duck to the side. My numerous bruises ached as I hit the ground, but that wasn't my biggest concern right now.

I turn my attention to the shining ball of fire. It's flames illuminated the dark cavern, irritating my eyes. Then, it flew further into the labyrinth. Eventually reaching a wall. The impact shook the cavern, much louder and much more powerful than my clash with the giant bat. It burned a section of the earth, now black and smoking.

I lift myself up, reinforcing my entire body with as much mana I could gather. My body ached and screamed from the sudden burden. I ignored it.

Looks like I won't have anytime to recover

I moved closer to the ensuing battle. As I did, the sounds of an ongoing battle filled my ears. I tighten my grip on the sword and steel my resolve.

Lowering my center of gravity, I dash forward. The scenery passed by in flash, and it didn't take me long until I reached the end of the tunnel.

As I did, light of multiple colors blinded me. Even with my eyes closed, I could still see the vivid green, yellow, and red streams that filled the cavern.

「Skill 'Instinct' is warning you」

A guttural scream alerted me of an oncoming strike. I leap to my side, my vision still partially blinded.

「Your attribute 'Assimilation' is activating」

Suddenly, my vision cleared. My attribute was helping my eyes adjust. With renewed vision, I look at my assailant. The creature stood about three times my height. It had a muscular build along with a grotesque face. I had seen this creature before.

What are the orcs doing here…?