Chapter 6 Continued: The Orc Lord Battle
The Orc Lord's massive axe cleaved through the air as it descended. Kurogane barely managed to dive sideways, avoiding the direct hit, but the pressure wave from the swing sent him stumbling back several meters. The stone floor where the axe landed shattered into fragments.
"Only 15 mana left," Kurogane calculated rapidly. "I need to make every move count."
The Orc Lord roared, "Running away? Don't you have the courage to face me, little human?"
Kurogane narrowed his eyes, desperately searching his memory of the manga pages. The Orc Lord's weak point... Yes! The poorly armored spot behind his left knee!
But reaching it seemed nearly impossible. Despite his massive size, the Orc Lord moved with surprising speed and agility.
"If I use Shadow Dagger, I'll only have 10 mana left," he calculated internally. "But maybe..."
The Orc Lord attacked again. This time, he swung his axe horizontally in a wide arc that covered a massive area of the temple.
An idea sparked in Kurogane's mind. "Enhanced Jump!"
[ Ability Active: Enhanced Jump -10 Mana ]
[ Remaining Mana: 5/8000 ]
He launched into the air, clearing the sweeping axe, and landed precisely on the Orc Lord's shoulder. He immediately swung his katana at the creature's neck, but the Orc Lord's armor was too thick. The sword merely sparked against it.
The Orc Lord bellowed and swatted at his shoulder, trying to knock Kurogane off. Kurogane desperately stabbed his katana into a crevice of the armor to avoid falling, left dangling precariously.
"Now!" he shouted internally.
With his free hand, he drew the Shadow Dagger and thrust it toward the less armored section of the Orc Lord's neck. The dagger slid between the armor plates, finding its mark.
The Orc Lord roared in pain and finally flung Kurogane from his shoulder. Kurogane managed to twist in the air and land somewhat steadily.
The dagger had struck true. Dark, black blood began to flow from the Orc Lord's neck. But it wasn't enough to stop him—only enrage him further.
"You insignificant insect!" the Orc Lord bellowed, his eyes burning with crimson fury. "I will tear you to pieces!"
Kurogane was breathing heavily. Only 5 mana remained—barely enough to do anything.
"I have no other choice," he thought. "I have to use what I bought from the item shop."
As the Orc Lord prepared for what seemed like a final, devastating attack, Kurogane mentally accessed the item shop. His eyes scanned the list frantically. "I bought Nashor's Elixir! But I need time to use it!"
The Orc Lord raised his axe high, reaching almost to the temple ceiling. This was going to be the finishing blow.
A desperate plan formed in Kurogane's mind. "Shadow Cleave!"
[ Ability Active: Shadow Cleave -25 Mana ]
[ Warning: Insufficient Mana! ]
[ Remaining Mana: 5/8000 ]
A system warning flashed, but Kurogane ignored it. He poured all his remaining energy into the attack. The crescent-shaped energy that erupted from his sword was smaller and paler than usual, but it shot forward nonetheless.
The Orc Lord laughed, a deep, grating sound. "This pitiful attack? You plan to defeat me with this?"
But Kurogane's goal wasn't to defeat him with this strike. As the Shadow Cleave sped toward the Orc Lord, Kurogane turned and sprinted in the opposite direction. The attack was a diversion, a feint to buy a precious second.
The Orc Lord easily batted the weakened Shadow Cleave aside with his axe, but in that moment of distraction, Kurogane had already reached the far end of the temple. He swiftly retrieved Nashor's Elixir and drank it.
[ Item Used: Nashor's Elixir ]
[ Strength Increased 10x - 5 Seconds ]
Instantly, a golden light erupted from Kurogane's body. His muscles swelled, his veins bulged. He felt power like never before.
The Orc Lord paused, stunned by the transformation. "What is this?"
"This," Kurogane shouted, his voice echoing with newfound power, "is your end!"
He had only five seconds. Kurogane shot forward, moving so fast he was almost a blur. The Orc Lord tried to raise his axe in defense, but Kurogane was already at his weak spot—behind his left knee.
He swung his katana with all his enhanced might. This time, the armor shattered, and the blade sliced cleanly through tendon and bone.
The Orc Lord screamed in agony, crashing to one knee. Kurogane didn't stop. He leaped onto the creature's back and drove his katana deep into the existing wound on its neck.
The Orc Lord's roar was cut short. Its massive body shuddered violently and then fell still. It slowly toppled forward, hitting the ground with a thunderous impact that shook the very foundations of the temple.
Kurogane, breathing raggedly, jumped down from the lifeless form. The effect of Nashor's Elixir faded, leaving him feeling utterly drained. But he had done it.
[ Quest Successful ]
[ Reward: 1,000,000 Tokens + The Lord's Power ]
The remaining orcs in the temple, witnessing their lord's death, panicked and began to flee in every direction. Kurogane didn't bother pursuing them. Instead, he walked toward the Orc Lord's massive throne.
Behind the throne, he noticed a strange symbol carved into the wall. As he approached, he recognized it—the symbol of a Sword God. Perhaps this was the mark of one of the seven.
"So the Lords and the Sword Gods are connected," he murmured to himself.
Just then, a new system message appeared:
[ New Main Quest Unlocked: Find the Seven Sword Gods ]
[ First God: Master of the Gravity Sword ]
Kurogane took a deep breath. His journey was only beginning, but he was now stronger and more prepared. With 1,000,000 tokens and a new main quest, he was ready for his next adventure.
But first, he needed to get out of this temple, find a safe place, search for the Orc Lord's treasures, and understand his new powers...