Chapter 20
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: My Drill Pierces the Heavens
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Moemoe-chan, can you cast an illusion on that guy?”
“I’m sorry, Master. The illusion won’t work because of the rank difference.”
Moemoe-chan scratched her head awkwardly.
“No helping it. Everyone, gather up!”
I called my minions with great ambition. Then, the three goblin brothers and Moemoe-chan lined up behind me.
Actually, looking closely, these guys… were hiding behind me like I was a shield.
“You bastards… Didn’t you say last time you’d protect me with your lives? Was that all empty talk?”
“G-Gob…”
Despite my scolding, the goblins just trembled while staring at the orc. At first, I thought it was just because it was one rank higher, but no. On the green leather draped over the orc’s body, I spotted what looked like goblin faces.
“Damn, it’s their natural predator.”
Orcs apparently catch goblins, eat them, and wear their skins as clothes. Looks like the goblins won’t be much help.
Even now, they were so scared they wanted to run, but they were forcing themselves to stay because of my orders.
“Fine, I get it with the goblins. Moemoe-chan, why are you hiding behind? You’re a spirit, so physical attacks don’t even work on you.”
“Oh my? So you’re telling this lady to take the front right now?”
“Yeah. Take the front! Go, Moemoe Kyun! Ladies first!”
“That doesn’t seem like the right time to say that…”
“Shut up and go do something! At least mess with its mind!”
“Tch! Evil boss…”
Moemoe-chan muttered something and flew in front of the orc, buzzing around it.
“You guys spread out to the sides and just harass it by throwing rocks. Do not clash head-on, so be careful!”
The orc was a 2-star monster. That meant at least level 11. The level 2 or 3 goblins couldn’t do a thing. At best, they could distract it from the sides.
‘In the end, I have to face it myself… Can I even win?’
I was only level 8 myself. Sure, my stats were pretty high, but the rank difference meant skills wouldn’t work.
No illusions, no stealth. I had to face the orc with pure physical ability and combat sense.
The one saving grace was that I’d briefly learned basic spear techniques.
‘The basics of spear arts are thrust, slash, and block.’
Thrusting was straightforward: gripping with both hands and stabbing hard. It was the foundation and core of spear arts.
Slashing used the blade to cut, but since the blade was thin, it wasn’t great against thick-skinned monsters like orcs.
Blocking was a technique to check approaching enemies by smacking them with the shaft or deflecting their weapon…
I couldn’t use such advanced moves, and besides, there was no blocking a crude weapon like that axe.
So, attack with thrusts, defend by dodging no matter what.
‘Yeah. It’s fine. I just hit all my attacks and dodge all of his.’
Recalling the instructor’s teachings, I gripped my spear. I lowered my stance for stability as taught and positioned the spear sideways for thrusting.
But as soon as I took the stance, a problem arose. The posture made lateral movement difficult.
It was great for forward charges, but hard to move side to side.
There was probably a footwork for it, but I didn’t know it yet. To dodge attacks, I’d have to back up instead of sidestepping.
‘Distance management will be key.’
Fortunately, the orc’s agility was low compared to its strength. Its steps were slow, so backing away would keep the distance.
Thanks to Moemoe-chan and the goblins occasionally drawing its attention, I could poke at it from afar, trading hits one-sidedly.
“Grrr… Kraak!”
Was it pissed from all the misses? The orc bellowed and swung its axe wildly in all directions. I flinched and yanked my spear back.
Whoosh—
The axe passed where the shaft had been, kicking up wind pressure. That was close. I’d almost let my weapon get smashed by getting complacent with distance.
‘It even targets weapons. Gotta be careful.’
As I tensed and widened the gap again, the orc suddenly snorted long and hard, then stomped in place.
A familiar prep motion. Sure enough, it bared its fangs and charged on all fours. The orc’s racial skill, ‘Charge.’
Thud thud thud—
The ground shook as the distance between us closed in an instant.
‘Damn, I forgot. Should’ve been on guard for skills…’
Now that it was happening, I panicked. As I’d said, my current stance wasn’t easy for sidestepping.
With a sudden charge in this situation, I had no idea how to dodge.
But this wasn’t the time to worry leisurely. The distance was still shrinking by the second.
‘Screw it!’
Like a frog, I held my spear and hopped forward. I planted the shaft on the ground and rolled forward, spinning once before standing up.
In that instant, I’d moved about 3 meters from my original spot.
“Hoo. Hoo. See that? That’s the veteran roll.”
Boom!
Because I dodged suddenly? The orc kept charging straight into the stone wall, staggering from the headbutt. Experience told me now was the attack window.
“Haaah!”
I sprinted full speed and thrust the spear. Target: the side, where bones and muscles were thinnest.
Puk—
“Kraaak!”
The orc reflexively swung its axe from the sudden pain. But nothing was in range. I’d aimed for the left side, away from its weapon.
While it flailed, I retrieved the spear and reset my stance.
‘Damn, the hide’s thicker than I thought?’
It was a solid hit, but the wound wasn’t deep. Just some blood trickling out. Now I saw its vitality was higher than its strength.
For reference, high vitality meant high defense too. The skin toughens up.
‘Still, if I keep this up, I can win.’
After two or three repeats of the same pattern, suddenly the orc howled at the sky. Its eyes glowed red, veins bulged across its body, turning grotesque.
“W-What’s this? Got cholera or something? Why’s it acting up?”
“It’s berserk! Dodge, Master! Orcs get way stronger during berserk.”
“No way. It has two skills?”
“It’s 2-star, of course!”
“Kuaaaah!”
The berserk orc swung its axe wildly, and the windmill-like attacks caught Gobling nearby.
He barely blocked with his dagger just before getting sliced, but the dagger shattered under the impact, and shards embedded all over his body.
“Kek!”
“Gobling! Damn it!”
“Master! This isn’t the time to worry about Gobling! T-The orc…”
That damn orc was right in front of me before I knew it. This thing… its movements were much faster than before.
Too late to run. It was already raising its axe. I reflexively raised my spear to block.
Crack!
No use.
The axe snapped the spear in two instantly, and the shock sent me tumbling backward.
Luckily, I flew back before it could cleave me, but my only weapon, the spear, was now halved.
No, the spear wasn’t the issue now. The orc was still coming with its axe raised.
I had to run first. But my body was sluggish from the tumble. It was closing in faster than I could stand.
At this rate, I’m done for!
‘Danger. I’m gonna die.’
My heart pounded like mad, blood drained from my face. As death loomed, agony surged from the back of my left hand.
Right when it seemed I’d die for sure, Marbling and Ppurirng Ppurirng, who’d been harassing from afar, ignored orders and charged the orc.
“No! Marbling! Ppurirng Ppurirng!”
Rushing a frenzied orc with just short daggers looked as reckless as jumping into fire with dry grass.
Sure enough, the orc casually swept its axe, sending both goblins flying far away.
The attack ended pathetically quick. But it wasn’t meaningless.
Thanks to that second or so they bought, I stood up again.
“Gobling, Marbling, Ppurirng Ppurirng too…”
The goblin brothers were a mess on the ground. If I didn’t treat them soon, they might die.
“You? The bastard who made my precious minions cry?”
“Keh heh…”
The orc snorted and laughed for some reason. In that moment, I felt my reason snap. Rage overtook fear.
“Fine! Let’s see who dies, you or me. You wild boar bastard!”
“Kuaaaah!”
The berserk orc stomped, prepping its charge.
I didn’t back down. My weapon was halved anyway. Time to go all in.
Thud thud thud!
The orc charged on all fours, fangs first. I took one big step toward it.
Then, I gripped the half-spear reverse, pulled it back over my shoulder, and hurled it forward with all my might.
Swoooosh—
Like a pitcher throwing a ball—no, throwing a spear, so javelin toss?
Whatever. The spear tore through the air toward the orc’s face. Its huge mug made a perfect target.
No time to check the hit—I rolled diagonally. The orc’s half-broken fang grazed my side.
A jolt like electricity shot up my spine. Felt like something cracked.
“Kuiiik!”
The orc’s cry came next. Clutching my side, I staggered up. Luckily, the orc was sprawled flat, not moving.
Using the half-spear as a cane, I approached.
Dark red blood pooled on the ground.
Up close, the spear had artfully dodged bone, embedding deep in its left eye.
Only about 50cm stuck out. Meaning 30-40cm pierced into the skull.
Even orc grandpa couldn’t survive this.
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
[Cha In-hyeok. Lv 10. (0.2%)] [Mana 4/10]
[Strength 26, Agility 26, Vitality 26, Intelligence 20]
[Unallocated Stat Points: 16]
Sure enough, the orc died instantly. Leaving behind massive experience.
“Did you see it? My drill pierces the heavens.”