1.13 Free Omelet?

Chapter 13

Eight points wasn’t enough to close the full gap between myself and the ork’s massive strength stat. And the added vitality didn’t instantly heal my shoulder wound, as it still was bleeding down my arm as I fought.

My wrist and hand stung with every block of the ork’s axe.

“Bligfar! Vub jargary!” It yelled nonsense at me as it fought, and I could see its skin beginning to take on a red sheen of energy. It was activating some sort of skill that was boosting it even further.

But this also made it more predictable, its attacks becoming telegraphed and basic. Its openings grew in number and duration within moments.

[Ork Elite Warrior – Lvl 10; Marked to Die]

I side stepped the next axe blow, my sword slashing across the ork’s bicep, carving open its skin and muscle. It swung in a backhanded slash, and I ducked under, tearing my weapon into its thigh.

This repeated, me dodging a blow and countering with a cut or stab of my own leaving a small wound.

But it began adding up, my class’s skill appearing to ensure the damage I left behind being greater than the force behind my attack would suggest.

Within a dozen exchanges the ork was left with just as many wounds, bloody rivulets running down over its entire body. It began to show weariness, its footing becoming unbalanced. I knew my victory would be drawing near.

“Gaaah!” The warrior bellowed a warcry just before the red energy around its body condensed and was launched outward like a shockwave.

“Oh fuck!”

I leapt upward, my feet clearing the ring of energy by mere inches before it continued on, blasting away the tents around us and tearing them from their ground where they were staked in.

The force was enough that had I been hit, I knew that my bones would have been broken and my body practically crippled.

I landed on my feet a few yards from the warrior, whose posture showed me that the fight was basically over. With slumped shoulders, axe dangling low and the red glow of his skill now gone, it was obvious that the ork was exhausted.

“Spent your whole load, huh?” I stepped toward him, raising my sword with my still good hand. “I would say it was fun, but I don’t know if you are even real, and to be honest, you’re just experience and stats to me even if you were.”

It was a morbid sort of thought, but it was true. All these orks were to me were rungs on a ladder. Points to climb in making myself stronger.

“Bargver, drust,” the ork said between gasps, his eyes still focused on me, burning with hate.

“Yeah, yeah. Time to die you green skinned fuck.”

I brought my sword down,

[You have slain Ork Elite Warrior – Lvl 10]

[Optional Quest Completed:Calculating rewards based on performance and actions…

Additional experience gained, loot table upgraded.

Rewards:

Additional Experience Gained.

+ Companion Egg Received, + 150 Copper Credits, + 1 Silver credits ]

I quickly spent my new stat points, making sure I didn’t forget later. All of them went into vitality, my hope being that they would at least help me heal faster. Which appeared to be working, as my arm had already stopped bleeding.

I checked my stats once more.

[ Name: Adam Pierce

Class: Death’s Disciple
Level: 11

Stats:

Strength: 25

Dexterity: 49 (53)

Vitality: 46 (47)

Intelligence: 32

Willpower: 32 (33)]

I was already looking to be far stronger than only weeks ago, which cemented even further my thoughts of what life would be looking like in the future. With the System in play, and the Dungeons popping up, all of human life would pivot on its axis.

I need to be ready, I need to be stronger.

It really was as simple as that.

[Ability Activated: Soul Usher (F)

Harvesting Uncommon Grade Sentient Essence…

Soul Essence Absorbed: 20

Essence to next ability rank: 99/1000

This narrative has been purloined without the author’s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Essence Available: 44