Chapter 257: On the verge of death (1/2)

Although to the best of her knowledge she had no special talent or active innate abilities like the others, Scarlet had enough experience under her belt to develop a sort of 'battle awareness, a skill that could not be taught but learned through one's own effort.

This awareness, or in other words 'Battle Sense' allowed Scarlet to sense incoming threats, and to have a 'feel' to the enemy's strength, to be able to judge its power against her own. This was critical to her survival up till now.

Right now, her senses were going overdrive, giving warnings about the grave danger this battered and bruised orc's new state represented.

However, even without this skill, she was clearly aware that the monstrosity that was heavily heaving in front of her, was not your average opponent. He or to be more precise, IT, as it no longer had any sanity, was closer to a monstrous predator than anything else, grew almost a head taller, and at least a category wider. Its already robust body was now monstrously bulked, with large, wide veins visible under its dark brown skin.

His dark red eyes that now had no visible sclera nor an iris glowed ominously at Scarlet, giving her chill run through her spine as she tried to withstand it. Its body had a faint, colorless glow to it, and an invisible pressure, an aura of killing intent emanated from it.

”What the… What happened?! What is this?!” Scarlet cried out, incredulous at the sight.

”I'm not sure…” Naybeah's voice came from behind the creature. Seeing the orc transform, she stopped her mindless charge. She calmed her raging, battle-crazed mind, forcing the clarity back in her mind. Although this, in turn, reactivated her suppressed sensors, causing her nervous system to immediately flare up and send multiple signals of the searing, burning pain of the several lacerations covering her body.

Still, she withstood all the pain, the only visible sign of her being 'normal' was the scowl that replaced the wide grin on her face.

Sizing up the back of the still heaving creature, she spoke thoughtfully.

”I am not sure… but it looks like the orc evolved to something… else, whatever this thing now is…”

Her words shocked Scarlet. Flabbergasted, she sized up once more the much taller monster in front of her.

”Evolved?! H-how? That should be impossible!!” She cried out, unable to accept this strange, new reality.

”Not sure to be honest… In any case, we need to work together to be able to overcome this! Be carefu-”

Before Naybeah could finish her words, suddenly the orc turned around and swung his large fist with incredible speed. His swing was simple and carried a monstrous power and momentum with it.

Thanks to her instincts, Naybeah managed to raise her arms in front of her, creating a shield with her forearms to block the blow.

The sheer strength behind the creature's blow proved to be too much for the amazon's weary body. The tall amazon was flung back like a broken kite as both of her forearms snapped under the brutish power.

With a painful cry, the blonde girl flew back several meters before violently crashing against the ground and tumbling further away helplessly. As the ground finally put a stop to her cruise, she tried to stand up, however, she was unable to. Although the brunt of the blow was blocked, both of her hands were now turned completely useless. Adding the constant pain she was under, she was now finally at her wit's end. The monstrous creature ignored the much weaker-looking red-haired woman and walked after its first prey laying on the ground. The only signs of her still being conscious was the pain-filled groans that could be heard from her direction.

With great difficulty, she looked at the slowly approaching monster, before turning her attention sideways. Seeing the shocked and fearful expressions of the crowd of slaves they were trying to protect, the image of a long, black-haired boy came to her mind, and with it, bringing a relaxing, soothing calm.

Her expressions relaxed, she turned towards the sky. A faint smile returned to her face, she silently murmured, whispering to the wind.

”I'm sorry hubby, I can't go on any longer…”

With that, she closed her eyes, as her mind finally gave in to the pain and pressure…

---

Sarah was rushing through the crowd herself, running to reach the back with a worried expression on her face. When she felt the sudden change in the air, she knew that something bad must have happened to the girls.

Boosted by the adrenaline, she forced herself back to her feet and after pulling the plunged dagger from the dead body of the orc, she bolted towards the source of the danger instantly. Before rescuing this large crowd, she had to keep her newly made friends safe.