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.'

while I began

turn out a lot more difficult than I had

I don't

I could use my mana. After all,

"Here you go, Chief."

of Silug and handed him an item that was

arms, Silug brought it up and slowly unveiled the

air stirred with each

me a question while he

going to

"Weapon?"

my head and stared at my waist where my sword usually

wasn't there at the

moment, I

good for

of my body, not my skill with the

"Are you sure?"

Silug questioned.

nodded my head

"Yes, I'm confident."

"Okay."

cover to show a single-sided, ancient, worn-out axe. It didn't appear to be anything noteworthy at first sight. However, as soon as the final piece of cloth was taken off, a menacing atmosphere swept through the square, and the scent of

whiff of the smell,

'It smells like blood.'

sort of

Krr….

stopped and rested

oppressive and authoritative pressure slowly started to

"Are you ready, human?"

while deeply

took a deep breath and closed

[Body Hardening]

[Mind and Spirit connection]

felt what felt like an electric current going through it as soon

but just then, I noticed that my body's

This one…

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

the muscles inside of my body were one. I didn't even need

about as close as I could describe the sensation that I was feeling. It wasn't

its effect would be more noticeable during battle…which I was about to

"Alright, I'm ready."

muttered under my breath as

sentences ended. One could wonder how he was able to move at such

'Swing to my left.'

easily read his movement as I took a

Boom—!

spot I was in before. He vertically swung

full-scale assault, as one might anticipate, and a huge, thunderous

anyone within a couple of kilometers

however. I was currently in a state where

Monarch Indifference, but with

noise didn't bother me in the least bit as Silug was the only

a step to the right, and

vertical swing, which was once again easily avoided by me. I felt a little sting in

probably the chip which was running at full

to the right again and use your left hand to

of my mind, I raised my left hand and blindly smacked the left

Smack.

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