"It's because of that–what I went through, what my brothers-in-arms went through–that I have to consume, I have to grow stronger!" Redrum claimed, stamping his feet into the ground as the mud erupted with the thunderous downfall. "--No matter what it takes!"
It was a peculiar sight for Noah; though he accepted his ignorance when it came to the world, his understanding of monsters was no more than simple-minded beasts. While it was surprising, it didn't halt his mind in the slightest when it came to confronting the orc.
[Strengthen]
The muscles in his legs inflated with mystical power, allowing him to launch forward as if guided by a propulsion of fire.
Yet—
"Ngh?!"
—The orc was faster; with the first step taken faster, the larger foe collided against him. Only by a miracle did he manage to conjure the ethereal shield between his stomach and the monster's blade.
[Minor Shield]
Though its form held, he still had the wind taken out of his lungs with the goliath's force pushing the barrier into him. He pressed his boots into the dirt, but it didn't stop him from being pushed back as though he was trying to hold back a speeding train.
Trees were broken against his back as he was ruthlessly carried against his will before being thrown. The breath in his lungs evacuated as he smashed through tree-after-tree, finally coming to a stop as he escaped the forest.
By some miracle, he landed on his feet, though with a slight wobble in the muddy field. As he caught himself, his frantic steps splashed the muddled puddles, hurriedly glancing behind him. To his dismay, he was back in the village; there was commotion as the people there gathered, confused by the happenings.
"What's going on?!"
"Is that—"
"A monster!"
"It's an orc!"
The gathering of villagers was a stomach-churning sight for Noah, knowing the savagery of his enemy.
"Get back to your homes! Get out of here!--" Noah shouted desperately to the concerned onlookers.
Bathed in the rain, the red-skinned orc stood at the foot of the forest as the villagers screamed in terror, though he hardly seemed to relish in it, "I'll make you an offer, human."
"What?" Noah looked ahead at the imposing monster.
"If you submit your life to me, to become my sustenance and growth, I will spare everyone in this village," Redrum calmly offered.
"If you're even making that kind of deal, then you're not completely confident you can win, are you?" Noah accused, taking one breath to completely reset his stamina.
[Resurgence] [B-Rank Cardio Skill]
Though he contested the words of the orc, a glance back at the confused, helpless people of the village made a part of him consider it. As quickly as the idea came though, he dismissed it–there was no trusting the monster.
"You're mistaken in your assessment of my words. I've issued my offer out of respect, from one warrior to another," Redrum clarified, planting his swords into the watery soil. "Take it or leave it. The choice is yours alone to make."
He stood there silently, leaving him pondering the words relayed to him. With the strength unveiled by the orc, there was a part of him that doubted his own ability to triumph.
"Noah!"
The familiar voices echoed from behind, passing the heavy rainfall as he looked back. Both twins stood at the top of the hill, amidst the now crowd of onlookers from the village.
"We'll help!—"
"Stay back!" Noah shouted, intercepting any idea of them aiding.
The desperation in his voice must've made it clear, as the brother and sister kept their distance, though with clear pain in doing so. As much as he hated to think it, he was the only one there that could stand in the way of the driven orc.
Redrum stood there, unmoving to the shouts and cries of the frightened, confused villagers, letting the rain slide down his scarlet skin, "It wasn't just when you saved Little Elsa, but I felt it in our clashes. You're naturally a hero. That's why I gave you the offer I did."
"Well, thanks–" He half-heartedly said, gripping his axe.
"Say in the off-chance you do claim victory over me," Redrum continued without missing a beat, exhaling through the rainy mist. "If I end up killing some of these good people in the meantime, how will that weigh on you, little hero? If you could've prevented it, surely that regret will swirl in your mind like a maddening fog."
"It's an easy choice," Noah declared.
"Hrm?"
"It's simple math. The chance of me beating you outweighs your word."
At that moment, it was clear to both the man and the monster; the time for words was over. Just as the orc plucked his blades from the mud, Noah pressed his boot into the ground with rumbling vigor.
[Strengthen]
[Axe Throwing+++]
Releasing the clenched handle, the empowered axe was sent forward with the speed of a bullet. With a swift, upward motion, Redrum's far-reaching blade guarded the incoming axe, though not easily deflecting it.
"Hooh–?" The orc let out in surprise, planting his feet down.
Against the monster's wishes, he was pushed back several meters by the force behind the axe before deflecting it, yet–
"You?!" Redrum exhaled.
In the instant the projectile was rejected, it was caught in the grip of the thrower. Noah arrived within reaching distance of the monster, bringing the axe back once more.
[Strengthen]
All of the power was imbued into his legs and his weapon-gripping arm; giving him a strong base to swing from, and adding every bit of fuel into his edge.
[Enhance]
The head of the axe was enveloped in the empowering hold of the enhancement skill. Although a fleeting gift, the craftsmanship of a legendary blacksmith tempered the steel.
He swung it forth with everything he had, not halting his momentum in any way even as all four of the orc's swords intercepted his path to the monster's gut. The air hissed with the sheer force behind his swing before it clashed against the nefarious blades–CLANG.
Sparks danced amidst the rain, igniting the night.
Though an axe made for and used to cut down trees, in that moment, it was no lesser than the sword of a revered knight; sharper than the tongue of a merchant. As the orc grunted and held his ground, the flattened sides of his swords used as a barrier cracked, then shattered like glass all at once.
"What?!--" Redrum grunted.
There was no chance for the orc to relay his dismay before Noah followed through, passing by the broken blades as his axe reached the red belly. The abdomen of the monster felt like a wall of reinforced steel as the sharpened edge sliced across.
A gasp left the orc's mouth as its giant self was sent back with a new incision along its stomach. Through the tearful air, a trail of blood followed the monster as it stumbled.
[EXP: +1,000] [7,000/10,500]
["Strength" Proficiency Up +3] [206/999]
["Monster Hunting" Proficiency Up +10] [14/999]
[Skill(s) Acquired: "Muscle Hardening" | "Fiend Tracking"]
While his system developed, he watched the orc catch himself, not yet falling. By the grunt that came from the red-skinned brute, it hardly seemed close to finished.