EP5. Arena
The surrounding mana was rapidly sucked into Hestia's gaping maw.
The orcs' gazes turned toward Hestia.
Their dazed, wavering eyes held no sense of reality.
Soon, azure flames poured from Hestia's mouth.
Kwaaaaaah!
The dragon breath struck the orcs directly overhead.
The ferocious blaze spread in all directions, destroying everything in its path.
"Ugh!"
The intense heat choked the air from his lungs.
The steam in the atmosphere had evaporated in the flames, leaving thick smoke billowing into the sky.
Everywhere except where Jae-jun, Barik, and Nariel stood was engulfed in the surging azure fire, melting away.
Roarrrrr!
The orcs were nowhere to be seen.
Orc Grok of the Arena defeated!
Orc Nurk of the Arena defeated!
...
Orc Ushma of the Arena defeated!
Orc Barak of the Arena defeated!
It was always a pleasing sound from the System.
"...Fuck."
Nariel summed up the dragon breath spectacle in one word.
Hestia, out after a long time and in high spirits, flew around before landing beside Jae-jun.
Thud!
Krooooh—
[Did I do well?]
Hestia's voice echoed in his mind.
It wasn't the childish tone from before.
Jae-jun stroked Hestia's neck and said,
"Yeah.
Hestia is the best."
[I'm hungry.]
"..."
Jae-jun flinched, thinking of the B-rank magical core in his inventory.
A 100 million won core.
A moment of conflict hit him, but seeing the devastation Hestia had wrought, those thoughts vanished.
"Alright.
Special treat today."
Jae-jun pulled a B-rank magical core from his inventory and handed it to Hestia.
Crunch.
Now larger, she swallowed it whole in one gulp, no longer chewing like before.
"Good work."
At that moment, a chilling wind blew through the blazing azure flames.
Jae-jun turned toward the source of the thick killing intent.
Crackle.
Amid the crumbling earth, a figure rose.
'That's the one.'
Jae-jun recognized the orc champion at a glance.
Orc Champion Beorn slowly emerged from the molten ground.
Sizzle!
The melting earth clung to his skin, searing his flesh, but Beorn glared at Jae-jun without a flicker of expression.
'Survived Hestia's dragon breath, huh?'
Jae-jun met Beorn's gaze with intrigued fascination.
Step. Step.
As Beorn advanced, chunks of rock fell from his body.
When Hestia's dragon breath had rained down, Beorn had burrowed into the ground, avoiding direct damage.
"Orcs do not yield."
With a voice full of conviction,
Beorn walked toward Jae-jun.
"Hmph!"
Barik and Nariel let out low groans and stepped back.
But Jae-jun stared down Beorn without a hint of wavering.
With each step, the curse tattoos imbued with the orc god's power began to activate.
Tattoos of various monsters and figures rose across his body.
They were the beings Beorn had slain in the arena.
Tattoos of werewolves and ogres wrapped his arms and chest, swelling his muscles.
Tattoos of gnolls, elves, and dryads encircled his legs, lightening his body and boosting his speed.
Tattoos of drakes and golems covered him, hardening his skin to an extreme degree.
Countless other tattoos etched themselves, turning Beorn's entire body pitch black.
"Heh.
Never thought a dragon would serve a mere human."
"Better than orcs, isn't it?"
"Are you saying a primitive sub-race like humans surpasses orcs?"
"Then why are all of you lying dead?"
Beorn's face twisted viciously at Jae-jun's calm retort.
The power from the orc god intensified.
He would chew this insolent human to the bone and etch him as another tattoo!
Releasing his pent-up killing intent, Beorn roared ferociously.
"Kraaaaaah!"
Winds whipped around him, sharp energy devouring the surroundings.
Ding.
Opponent's rank is higher than user's.
Title 'Grade Transcender' activated.
All stats increased by 50%!
'Whew.'
It had been a while since he'd heard the title effect after his stats surpassed average A-rank.
'That orc must be average S-rank or higher.'
Whoooosh—
Otherwise, the chilling aura and killing intent prickling his skin from Beorn made no sense.
Beorn struck first.
Shattering the ground, he leaped instantly, his fist slamming toward Jae-jun's face.
Kwang!
Jae-jun drew the Frost Blade from subspace to block, staggering back momentarily.
It was monstrous power.
Jae-jun swiftly propelled himself deeper into the arena.
Beorn, who had put everything into that lethal blow, was inwardly shocked.
He hadn't expected a human to block his strike, no matter how strong.
Creak!
A twisting sound came from the gauntlet on his hand.
His pride was wounded.
Pouring full power into both fists again, Beorn searched for Jae-jun.
But Jae-jun wasn't just fleeing.
Spotting an opening, he twisted and aimed Shadow Slash at Beorn's neck.
Krrrk!
Flesh met steel, but Beorn's skin was unscratched—Jae-jun's blade notched instead.
Simultaneously, a sweeping orc fist struck Jae-jun's side, smashing him into the arena wall.
Boom!
The wall dented like it had taken a bomb.
The impact nearly knocked Jae-jun unconscious.
"Shit.
You're a fucking monster.
Ptoo!"
Jae-jun spat the metallic blood rising in his mouth.
'Acceleration!'
'Blink!'
Jae-jun's form flickered, reappearing behind Beorn.
He swung his sword almost simultaneously.
'Shadow Slash!'
Kikik!
But again, it failed to pierce Beorn's flesh.
Beorn's grotesque face turned, fist flying.
The distance closed in an instant.
'Blink!'
'Infernal Flames of the Demon Realm!'
As the attack failed, Jae-jun Blinked away and cast the spell.
Roarrrrr!
Exploding flames enveloped Beorn.
Did it work?
"Heh!
Useless!"
Shattering Jae-jun's hopes, Beorn emerged through the fire.
A thin membrane over his black tattoos repelled the flames.
Kikikik!
Jae-jun's sword and Beorn's gauntlet clashed, emitting a grating screech.
Jae-jun and Beorn exchanged full-power blows without yielding an inch.
When Beorn attacked, Jae-jun blocked with the blood shield and Frost Blade.
His passive Counter skill didn't trigger.
And Jae-jun's Shadow Slashes and magic attacks were repelled by the black tattoos.
Kwaang!
Shockwaves from their clashes shook the arena air.
Barik and Nariel ducked against the flying sand and gusts.
Their stomachs churned with each wave.
The spectators watching went wild, screaming in frenzy at the nail-biting match.
Waaaaaaaaah!
But gradually, the tide turned against Jae-jun.
Their attacks didn't land, but cracks began forming on Jae-jun's blade.
Creeeak!
Kwang!
Beorn, noticing, blatantly swung at the sword.
Crack!
Finally, the Frost Blade shattered against Beorn's gauntlet, shards scattering everywhere.
'This ends it!'
Beorn's fist aimed straight for Jae-jun's heart.
Thank you.