Chapter 7 - The Second Trial (4) (2/2)

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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