99: We'll see about that

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When I come to, I see that the orc is almost on top of me. I try to dodge anyway, dodging away in a hurry while throwing one of Deirdre's smoke bombs from my inventory out of desperation.

My improvised idea works, and the sudden smoke confuses Garnuk, who stares at it suspiciously. Which gives me some more time to walk away.

I look at my health bar, but there doesn't seem to be anything abnormal. Then I notice that Azur's status has only half of his health bar filled.

When I ask him about what happened through the link, he sends me the images of him blocking in the air with his body a giant flaming ball falling from the sky, aimed at the area where Deirdre is standing next to Charity.

The sphere exploded on contact with his body, and he fell from the sky as a result. At the same time, it sends me the sound of Charity's voice saying, "That was very gentlemanly, Mr. Dragon. But next time, let us take care of that. We have ways to nullify those projectiles. You have nothing to worry about."

It seems that, thankfully, the bomb didn't shatter any parts of Azur's body. And, as the health potion I took only moments ago is still taking effect, my companion's health bar is already starting to refill.

I glanced angrily at Gell for a moment, since we were never told that orcs had those kinds of weapons.

'But I suppose that, if what Charity says is true, it's to some extent logical that they wouldn't mention it. Anyway, now is not the time to worry about that sort of thing.'

As I communicated with Azur, the smoke cleared, and Garnuk was already a few inches away from me again.

"Nice toy, kid, but not much use." As he catches up to me, he swings his battle axe in a sideways arc that is clearly intended to split my body in half.

"At least it bought me some time," I say, confidently blocking the ax with my left arm guard, intending to be able to use the opportunity to counterattack by taking advantage of the orc not having his shield guard up.

But, as I block the edge of the ax, I feel a terrible pain in my arm, and I see that the direct hit takes 30% of my health bar.

'I'm an asshole. It's obvious that his unarmed strike was going to generate far less damage than that done by an orichalcum weapon? I shouldn't have been confident based on that alone. Evidently, what just happened in front of the city walls is still distracting me.'

Through Azur, I get the image of the army leaders struggling to maintain order among the troops and calling them to retreat a little further away from the city.

'I have to get this over with quickly. If that explosive flaming ball had landed on Deirdre, she'd be dead for sure by now.'

Gritting my teeth in pain, I try to counterattack by swinging my sword in a thrust aimed at the orc's head, but the damn shield blocks my blow, at the same time glowing menacingly again.

We are too close for me to attempt to dodge, and in a millisecond, the orc swings his shield at me again, using my own strength against me.

'Damn it! I have to find a way to get past his defense!'

I'm in a very similar situation to the one I was in when facing that guy who was nullifying my attacks during the tournament. The difference is that he could barely hurt me, and the orc in front of me is more than capable of doing so. Also, here I can't attempt as risky a maneuver as I did in the tournament, not when there is so little difference in strength.

The blow sends me back several meters, but Garnuk doesn't let me widen the distance between us in the slightest and runs towards me as he swings the axe again in a sideways arc, this time intended to decapitate me.

'Focus! There has to be a way to prevent him from being able to block with his shield.'

I dodge the axe by ducking, but he swings backwards at me again with his shield, which no longer does as much damage as it is no longer charged with my strength.

I jump backwards, taking advantage of the momentum of the blow, and suddenly my sword is covered in flames.

'Shit! I seem to use magic unconsciously'

"Magic!" says Garnuk, stopping in place and clicking his tongue. "Too bad, little human, I was having fun. Though I see from your expression that it wasn't intentional.... What does that magic do?"

I look to Gell for direction on what I should do in this situation, but the Archmage just shakes his head and motions for me to answer Garnuk.

"Amplify the damage of my weapon," I say, worried that this slip-up might ruin all the plans. Which seems very likely based on the hostility-filled mutterings heard from the direction of the guards.

At my response, Garnuk is silent for a few moments, thoughtful.

But my patience is at its limit, and for that very reason, I have not extinguished the flames of my sword.

'I don't have time for this. Not when Deirdre's life is still in danger because of that strange orc weapon.... But if I try to defeat it using magic, I'm going to have to...'

"I see. Well, that's not so bad. It's no use if you can't reach me. Besides, I have a labyrinth-enchanted shield, so I guess you can say we're even now. If what you say is true, we will continue with our duel," he says, and suddenly turns to look at his guards, "but if any of you see that this stranger has lied to me, you have permission to assassinate him on the spot." Turning to look at me once more, he continues, "We can go on now. Please don't make any more mistakes. Despite being of an inferior race, you are a good warrior, and I would not want others to have to intervene in this combat."

"Fine," I say as soon as he finishes speaking, and I try to catch him off guard by taking advantage of the moment of distraction generated by my accidental magic by running towards him to attack with a lunge aimed at his heart.

But it doesn't work. Garnuk blocks with his shield, as I had anticipated, and counterattacks with his ax with the intention of ripping my head from my body.

I dodge his blow, ducking, and reach up to throw a hooking blow with my left hand, aimed at his chin.... The blow might have connected, but once again the damn shield gets in my way, blocking my fist and my sword at the same time.

As it takes the second blow, the shield's dim light shines brighter, and suddenly I feel an overwhelming force slam into me, throwing me away from my opponent.

"Nice try, kid. You're strong, I admit, but you lack experience," says the orc, looking at me with a grin.

That blow has taken a third of my health bar, which, taking into account the previous blows, is already about half of my total health.

The blow left me very dizzy, but fortunately, Garnuk has decided not to attack and will wait for my moves.

'I guess, seeing the smirk on his face, he's really enjoying seeing that I can't reach him no matter what I do… Now that my sword is on fire, my weapon has left a small notch in his shield.... but that's not important! Focus! That shield is a problem, but it can't block his whole body at the same time... but without my magic...'

Suddenly, a crazy idea forms in my mind, and I launch myself back into the attack.

Garnuk remains patiently on guard, still smiling. But as soon as our distance shortens, the smile is wiped off his face as he sees the large amount of smoke starting to rise around us. "Come on! I told you that doesn't do any good."

"We'll see about that," I say, lashing out with a downward slash aimed at his chest as I throw several smoke bombs to obstruct his vision.