Chapter 140
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 140
Chapter Title: Arena's Barbarian Warrior
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Metal clashed, sparks flying.
—Clang!
The full-force sword strike slammed into Bulbaza's axe blade and was blocked. This fucking orc just blocked my attack with one hand? A moment to probe. —Follow-up flurry. I twisted the blade immediately, wrapping it around to target the orc's wrist.
—Whoosh!
The essence of swordsmanship isn't in the slash.
It's in what comes after the slash—like flowing water, wrapping the blade around, thrusting in to neutralize the opponent. The brutal training with Karin, backed by that measly 10 silver investment, had seeped deep into my soul.
Truly the realm of the Mind Sword.
If the attack fails, just attack again. —Clang! Clang! Clang! But my strikes weren't landing. They were being blocked in succession. Bulbaza was deftly parrying my snaking blade with his club and hand axe like a snake charmer handling a viper.
This bastard... he's the real deal!
"Kreeeeek!"
Whoosh! Seizing the timing, Bulbaza swung his hand axe in a short arc. What he held was just a simple hand axe, but that strike looked massive, like a murderous fisherman casting a deadly net.
"Grrrrraaaah!!!!!!"
I let out a world-shattering scream, yanking my legs back and arching my waist to barely dodge the attack. —Bulbaza's follow-up barrage. Before I could reset my stance, his club came hurtling toward my upper body.
—Boom!
"Gahk!"
I threw up my arm to block right away. A heavy impact surged through it. Even with the chainmail guard, my forearm throbbed like it was about to shatter.
But the assault didn't end there. Bulbaza raised his hand axe next. Like a guillotine, the blade dropped.
"Y-You fucking bastaaard!!"
I stifled the pain, slashing upward to deflect the strike. —Clang! Sparks flew again. Lucky. A gap opened in the barely deflected attack.
—I won't miss it.
"Die!"
I straightened my posture and brought the upward slash down like lightning. If this one landed, it'd carve a huge wound. Induce enough bleeding, and I could just run to win!
"Kreeeeek!!!"
In that razor-edge moment between life and death, Bulbaza pulled both weapons back, crossing them in an X to defend. —Ha! Foolish! No way that sloppy stance could block my two-handed overhead smash!
I'll shatter the guard and split his skull...
—Clang!
"No way!"
The blade didn't cleave Bulbaza's head. With a shocking metallic ring, my sword was repelled instead.
"Y-You fucking piece of shiiiit!"
Me, overpowered in strength?
Judgment lagged in the unbelievable situation. Not only did Bulbaza block, he started pushing me back. "Kreeeek!" The orc's foul grin drew closer. The one-eyed Bulbaza leered at me.
A killer smile. No!
A slaughterer's smirk!
—Bang!
"Gahk!"
I was flung back.
I nearly lost balance and toppled, but rolled backward to evade the danger entirely. Tap-tap-tap! Sensing the threat, I chained backsteps to create distance from Bulbaza.
"Fuck... that was close to death."
I caught my breath.
Me, outmuscled. Never thought I'd face someone who could overwhelm me with sheer mass. Fights with weaklings had dulled me.
I hadn't even considered getting overpowered physically.
So, instead of pinning him with my weight class, I needed to exploit something else.
My brain spun at its limit against this formidable foe. Analyze the situation. But fuck, my head's naturally dumb—I had no clue what to do. I'm screwed.
No choice but to backpedal stealthily.
"Kreek, kreek."
Bulbaza just advanced slowly toward me. The one-eyed orc, who moments ago looked like a green retard, now resembled a walking fortress.
No openings.
Up close, I'm outmatched. What's my edge? Sword reach and height, maybe. Arm length? Slightly longer? Who knows. Use the blade's length for hit-and-run pokes?
...No.
I could tell from the clash.
Tricks like that won't work on him.
This orc was a true warrior.
"Kreek!"
Bulbaza snorted aggressively.
—Clear provocation.
"...Fucking bastard."
—Thud.
Backing up, my back hit the wall. Pushed this far already? Bulbaza's eyes gleamed like a monster eyeing dinner... Fuck this!
"Ooooh! Barbarian Katt! Are you really going down hereeee!!! This barbarian's been powerless against Bulbaza from the startttt!!! Even a savage warrior can't beat an orc!!!???"
The announcer shouted excitedly.
His voice, practically drooling for my death, ignited my killing intent. You fucking prick! I'm one step from dying, and you phrase it like that? I'll gut you, you bitch!
—Bulbaza! Bulbaza!
—Execution! Execution!
—Wooooaaah!
The crowd craved the rampaging barbarian's demise. That was their 'impact.' Filthy bastards. Flip-flopping like chameleons.
In that frozen time, I strained my eyes to the limit, searching for a lifeline. What? How do I beat someone stronger than me? Not just stronger—his club and axe work were clearly superior.
Just straight-up better than me?
How...
"Gr..."
Bulbaza closed in relentlessly.
What do I do to win? Even if just barely...
Huh.
Something caught my eye.
"...Pebbles?"
Pebbles at my feet.
The arena floor was sand. But along this massive wall perimeter, pebbles littered the edges. Swept into corners? Sizes varied—from perfect throwing stones to chewable chunks.
A literal pebble pyramid. Tiny grains at the bottom, bigger pebbles above, even larger ones on top. A gravel patch.
"Pebbles!"
—Whoosh!
No need to think more. I tensed my leg muscles to the max and exploded along the wall. Time to put distance from Bulbaza!
"Ooooh! The barbarian's running awaaaayyy—!!!! Can't handle the orc after aaaaalll—! Death! Death! The savage warrior meets his end against Bulbaza!!!"
Shut your trap.
I'd found my path.
"Kreek."
I glanced back. Bulbaza just advanced slowly. Can't run? Or no need? Didn't matter. He'd regret not sprinting soon.
At a safe distance, I stopped.
And picked up a good-sized pebble.
Baseball memories flooded back.
Back in boyhood, I was called Hyper Pitcher Kim Geun-tae. 'Hyper' says it all—just hype among kids that age. But as an adult warrior, I was different.
—Whoosh.
I tossed the pebble up lightly and snatched it mid-air.
Perfect grip. Bulbaza walked on. His tiny orc brain couldn't fathom it? He still looked relaxed.
"I'll show you hell."
Raise the arm.
Plant the feet.
—And.
"Demonic Meteor Striiikeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!"
I hurl the pebble.
—Screeeee!
The pebble tore through the air, spinning ferociously toward Bulbaza. He halted mid-step. Then—Splat! Flesh bursting, the orc's scream rang out. Prep the next pitch.
"Kr-, kreek!"
Bulbaza raised both arms to guard vitals. The pebble smacked his arm and flew off.
No matter how tough orcs are, they're flesh and bone. A pebble hurled with massive energy hurts. Torn muscles, cracked bones—that's physics.
—Whoosh!
Bulbaza kicked off, sensing danger. But
—Too late.
I was ready with the next one.
Arm up, fire—
"Kreek!"
Bulbaza dodged in sync. His massive gut jiggled. In that off-balance sharp turn—
"—Fake, you retard!"
Hurl the pebble.
The gesture was a feint.
—Scree!
Bulbaza flinched, flailing arms up. But.
—Splat!
"Kreek!"
This hit the gut. Magic Bolt! Bulbaza clutched his belly, dropping his mace. Internal damage for sure, but
you can't stop now.
Next pebble already in hand.
"A, aaaah!!! Barbarian! The barbarian finally!!! Finaaaally!!! He's regressed to the extremesss!!! Primal regression!!! Like primordial man, he's throwing stones!!!! Not a savage—just a caveman!!!"
—Coward! Cheater!
—What the hell!
—Foul! Fouuuul!!!
The announcer freaked, crowd booed. No gladiator ever fought with pebbles, huh. Good—hate me more.
This is my 'impact'.
Hurl another. Elbow this time. "Kreek!" Fresh scream. Bulbaza charged, forgetting his dropped club. Charge me? I run too—pebble in hand.
My speed edged his. Ranged beats melee mobility. He can't catch or counter.
"Die!"
Scree! Curveball. Low grounder suddenly veered into his thigh.
"Kreek!"
The old orc howled. Respect elders? Nah!
"Elder abuse!"
Grab, hurl. Hurl again. Heard some place stones women to death—culture's booming. Not copying, but survival demands pebbles.
"Take thiiiis!"
I was a baseball boy.
Just hurling stuff felt great. Bulbaza crumbled. I went wild, pelting away. Ace pitcher and orc slayer now!
"Kreeeek!!"
But stones couldn't finish him. Bloodied and berserk, he raised his hand axe and charged. Reckless boar rush. Defense ditched, his burst speed overtook mine!
Run again? Too late.
I gripped my sword hilt, stabbed into the ground earlier.
HP whittled.
Boss enrage triggered.
Worth the gamble.
Deep breath.
"—Kiyeeeeeek!"
Burst it out. "Kreeeek!!" Big wind-up. Bulbaza swung his axe in a sharp crescent. Honed edge flashed sunlight. Why? It looked slow. Manic confidence bloomed; unseen details emerged.
Senses expanded.
Read the win.
—Whoosh!
This creeping emotion from my depths was surely
Weakling Contempt
Senses sharpen against the strong. Gaps reveal themselves.
"You one—eyed freak—!!!!!!!"
Bulbaza's one-eyed. Left eye mangled blind. Announcer said complications killing him. Maybe his last fight.
Can't see left.
Blind spot?
"You little shiiiit!!!"
To the right.
Dive right.
"Kreek?!"
In Bulbaza's world, I vanished.
Full-swing axe cleaved air. —Victory sealed. Into his blind spot, I spun the blade and stabbed the old orc's fully exposed back.
"Kreeeeeeeeek!!!!!!"
Bulbaza's scream erupted.
Heavenly Demon Divine Art
拔 sword.
Rear Naked Choke
Grab the thrashing Bulbaza.