The Author's POV

The area went completely still when it was revealed that I managed to stop the attack with one of my fingers.

"You…"

When Silug and the others turned to look at me, I could feel their shock. Everyone in the room was obviously astonished by how I was able to stop his attack with just a single finger—I would have also been astounded if I had been in their shoes.

It had to be noted that...it wasn't as 'effortless' as it seemed to be on the outside.

'I think I broke my finger.'

My body was strong.

Extremely strong at this point. Especially after I had been training in the martial body art that Han Yufei had given me.

The durability of my body was still considered inferior to that of an orc, which was much more resilient than my body could possibly be.

The only reason I was able to stop him was because I had cheated.

Sort of.

'…and just when I promised myself to no use mana.'

In the end, I was forced to use it. Silug's strength was far more terrifying than I had expected.

I was even starting to think that his strength was on par with that of Liam.

Well, that was at least what I managed to make out from this short exchange.

"Alright, let's go again."

Moving my finger away from his fist I took a couple of steps back.

'It hurts.'

I gestured for Silug to come my way with my other hand without showing any signs of pain on my face. In reality, I knew...I knew that my finger was definitely fucked.

Without saying anything, he nodded his head. Straightening his back and taking a deep breath, he extended his hand in the direction of the other orcs.

"Bring me my axe."

His loud voice causes the surroundings to shake.

His body was emitting an erratic, dark green color. I was astonished to see a crimson tint mixed within the green hue when I took a closer look at him. Taking note of this particular aspect, my eyes flinched wide a little.

'He's different from before.'

The aura around him…

How could it explain it? It was a lot different from before.

'Bloodlust.'

The cause of the change in demeanor became clear to me quickly. In the end, it came down to the fact that Silug's body was emitting a strong bloodlust.

It made me realize that he was finally taking this seriously.

'No, rather than being serious. He's betting his life on this.'

The way he was staring at me…

It gave me the impression that he saw me as one of his biggest foes, one with whom he intended to contend all the way until the end of his life.

'Interesting.'

thought while I began stretching my legs

more difficult than I

I don't

mana. After all, with the aid of [Eyes of Chronos], I didn't fear getting hit by his

"Here you go, Chief."

knelt down in front of Silug and handed him an item that

Silug brought it up and

with each unwrap of

while he continued to unwrap the

going to take

"Weapon?"

lowered my head and stared at my waist

wasn't there

moment,

good

was here to test the limits of my body, not my skill with

"Are you sure?"

Silug questioned.

nodded my

"Yes, I'm confident."

"Okay."

It didn't appear to be anything noteworthy at first sight. However, as soon as the final piece

of the smell,

'It smells like blood.'

weapon to have this sort of smell...It must've

Krr….

axe on the ground; sparks flew in the air until Silug stopped and rested the top of his

pressure slowly started to

"Are you ready, human?"

while deeply

deep breath and closed my

[Body Hardening]

[Mind and Spirit connection]

an electric current

that my body's muscles were pulsing

This one…

as though I could control every single muscle inside of my body with

as though my mind and all the muscles inside of my body were one. I didn't even need to think before my muscles moved

was just about as close as I could describe the sensation that I was feeling. It wasn't something that could be explained with mere

noticeable during battle…which I was about to

"Alright, I'm ready."

muttered under my breath as I

as my sentences ended. One could wonder how he was able to move at such speeds with

'Swing to my left.'

was able to easily read his

Boom—!

side, Silug appeared in the same spot I was in before. He

as one

anyone within a couple of kilometers could

I was currently

was in Monarch Indifference, but with my own body

the least bit as Silug was the only thing that was in

a step to the right, and

avoided by me. I felt a little sting in my head when I dodged, but it wasn't

the chip which was running at full

the right again and use your left

raised my left hand and blindly

Smack.

and flat surface on my hand, Silug's axe came hurtling toward the