The Second Trial (4)

Surprisingly, it happened in an instant.

My strengthened stats played a role in taking him down, but it was mostly because he was in shock from the situation.

But…

「 You have absorbed the soul of the orc. 」

「 Number of souls in possession – 1/5 」

「 Proficiency increased by 7% 」

"Huff, huff."

Although I caught him off guard, an orc was an orc.

I just barely dodged all his attacks and managed to stick my sword into his neck.

「 Activating Skill – 'Accelerated Regeneration.' 」

The small wounds I got during the process already started to close.

'Is this how accelerated regeneration works…?'

My energy was sapped from my body as the wounds disappeared.

'I didn't know until now but…'

I finally understood the regeneration's mechanisms.

As the name suggests, the skill speeds up the healing process of small injuries by consuming my vitality.

Of course, it wouldn't do much against life-threatening injuries.

But…

'I'm healed enough to fight again already.'

I don't have to use any of my potions.

At least, not yet.

I'd consider using them if I was in a pinch later.

Still gasping, I converted the soul into extra stats.

「 Permanently increasing your stats using the souls in captivity. 」

「 Strength increased by 2. 」

「 Agility increased by 3. 」

「 Stamina increased by 4. 」

「 Number of souls in possession – 0/5 」

Unlike the worker orc's soul, the guard orc's soul also increased my stamina.

As a weight lifted off my body from the extra stamina, I noticed something.

'The rate at which my strength is increasing has decreased.'

But it was pretty easy to guess why this was happening.

My stats were starting to reach heights where it wasn't possible to easily increase them.

It was a pleasant surprise.

That just meant I was surpassing the limits of a normal human.

"Huff, huff'

I panted as I looked around with the sword and shield in my hand.

In the split second it took to kill those orcs, the fire spread to the entrance and completely blocked it off.

'Good.'

That meant the hunter orcs wouldn't be able to come in through this entrance.

They'd have to take the long way around if they wanted to get here.

Of course…

"That applies to me as well."

I realized that I was also in a position where I couldn't easily escape now.

I got the 2 orc souls going for me though.

'I even killed a guard orc so this is going better than I planned.'

I was initially worried that the increased stats would feel foreign to my body but…

It felt strangely natural.

'Maybe it's because my stats aren't too high yet.'

Either way, it didn't feel bad at all.

It would cost me the trial if I needed more time to get used to these new stats.

"Sheik! Sh-sheik! Sheeeeeik!"

"Sh-sheik? Sheeeeeik!"

"Sheeeeeik!"

A group of orcs poured out from the entrance.

There was an old orc in the center of the group, as though he was being protected.

'That's probably the chief.'

They seemed to recognize me as a threat as they were armed with a bow and arrow, stone swords, and spears.

'Well, it would be stranger if they didn't know with all the commotion I caused.'

'Thanks for grouping up for me.'

There were only about 5 enemies.

And only one of the five had a battle-related job.

The worker orcs weren't too dangerous even if they were holding a weapon.

So…

Tatat!

While the orcs were still taking in the situation, I ran in to seize the opportunity.

With my current stats…

I had a feeling I could get through this battle.

"Sh-sheeeeeeik!"

One of the orcs aimed its arrow at me.

Whoosh!

It was fast.

Looking at the speed and accuracy of the arrow, the orc seemed to have some experience with the bow.

It wasn't something I could dodge at my current stats, but my shield wasn't just for show.

Ting!

"Sh-sheeeeik?"

I raised the shield and easily bounced off the arrow.

The bow-wielding orc was clearly flustered, but I wasn't.

I swiftly slashed my blade at the bow-wielding orc's neck and sliced through.

"Sheeeeeeeeik!"

"Sheeeeik!"

The nearby orcs pointed their swords and spears at me to no avail.

It was honest, predictable, and sloppy.

Their only target was my heart.

I took a step back and held my shield up to my chest.

Worker orcs tended to have little to no battle experience and only relied on their natural strength.

Tang!

On the flip side, although I've only just started getting stronger, I've been studying battle techniques for the last 7 years.

So it wasn't too hard to block their attacks.

"Sheeeik!"

The orcs seemed surprised that their attacks were blocked.

This is what happened to most people who lack fighting experience.

Same with orcs.

Sket!

I swung my sword as their spears and swords bounced off my shield.

Unable to react due to the recoil, a vertical red line formed on the orc's stomach.

Puaaak!

Its stomach split and vomited out the inner organs.

Even this didn't invoke any emotion in me.

More accurately, I didn't have time to feel anything yet.

Although I took care of the spear orc, the sword orc was still standing tall.

Feeling something was a luxury I couldn't afford in battle.

'All I have to do is stay calm.'

I took a step back to regain my breath.

After wiping the splattered blood from my cheeks, I rushed towards the rest of the orcs.

Feigning retreat then rushing back in.

The inexperienced worker orc couldn't even react to this.

The guard orc realized this and finally gave up on hovering the chief but…

It was already too late.

Shing!

When I sliced open the last worker orc's throat, the guard orc let out an anger-filled roar.

"Shieeeeeeeeek!"

It was as if its murderous gaze was saying:

"I will slice you in two."

He slammed down his greatsword, fully intending to cut right through the shield.

My instincts told me that my E-rank shield wouldn't last this blow.

And even if it did, it would break the left wrist that was holding the shield.

Would I be able to fight without my left hand?

No, I wouldn't stand a chance.

If I couldn't block it, I'd have to redirect it.

I tilted my shield to have the blade of the greatsword slide off.

In the past, I wouldn't have been able to pull this off, but it was different now.

Skkkkkkkt…!

"Shi-shieeek?"

As the weight of the sword pulled the orc down to the ground, I stabbed mine into its abdomen.

Pshh!

The blood stained the pierced leather armor as I pulled the sword out to take another swing.

Shuaat!

He clutched his stomach as he took a step back.

"Sh….ieeek…."

His knees met the ground as his stuttering cries died out.

Boom.

He fell face down on the ground and I stabbed my sword into his head again.

I couldn't let my guard down just yet.

The guard orc's muscles finally relaxed as the lifeless body laid on the floor.

Now the orc chief was all that was left.

Then…

"Sh-shieeek! S-sheeik!"

The terrified chief held onto his staff and continued to mutter under his breath.

When the rambling stopped–

Boosh!

A giant fireball appeared in front of the chief.

It was only then that I realized what the chief orc was doing.

'I was wondering why the guard stayed put till the end…'

They were just protecting the chief until he had enough time to finish his incantation.

The worker orcs were only there to keep me occupied.

Of course, they only did so because they didn't expect me to kill any of them.

I knew that the most experienced hunter orc became the chief but,

I didn't expect this to be the case.

'Why would an orc be a mage…!'

That didn't change what I had to do though.

Broosh!

I crouched my entire body and hid behind my shield as the ball of fire hurled towards me.

This wasn't very effective.

Boooom!

With the impact on the shield, my vision went red.

"Ahhhhh...!"

Every inch of my skin broiled as the scent of burning flesh filled the air.

Even then–

"Argggggg….!"

I stayed put with every ounce of my mental strength.

I didn't realize how painful it was to be burned alive.

It was to the point where I'd rather rip the burning skin off myself.

In agonizing pain, I slowly stepped forward.

It was the only thing I could do at this time.

「 'Endurer of fire' achievement unlocked. 」

「 'Heat Endurance' skill generated. 」

A couple of messages popped up, but I had no idea what they said.

I couldn't think of anything besides staying conscious.

I did know one thing for sure.

Szzzzzzz.

"Ugh. U-aagrggh."

I survived.

I lowered my shield and stared directly at the chief.

With as much intimidation in my voice, I mustered

"…You're fucking dead."

Even as I could barely breathe, I could still say those words.

The chief seemed to understand despite the language barrier and stepped back in fear.

"…!"

His face slowly paled as he looked at his surroundings.

"Sh-sh-sh–!"

He realized there was nowhere to escape as we were surrounded by fire on all sides.

Hope fled from his eyes as his chance of escape decreased to zero.

I dragged my barely moving body while barely gripping to the hilt of my sword.

The orc chief stood there, paralyzed with fear.

"Sh–"

Crack!

The chief orc let out its final cry as I split his head in half.

「 Congratulations. You have overcome the Tower of Trials floor 2. 」

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