Uruk-hai finally came into light and showed its sinewy body in front of me. All this ogre did was command all its pawns to attack us. Although Uruk-hai negated Rain's magic, I could not fathom the strength of this being.
My system told me that each of the ogres had a strength of 1,000 statistical power. All those ogres were also around level 30, which meant that they were your average creatures living around the forest.
Despite these beasts, I was still thankful to meet them instead of other creatures like the cyclops, titans, or even lesser dragons. They had more levels than these ogres that would reach around three digits, and sometimes even more.
However, these ogres were still an obstacle for us to face, especially with my puny self and my nerfed character.
These gaming terminologies meant these monsters had the strength of a footsoldier without training. I could also compare that statistical power from an average gamer that played Magique around a year.
Magique was not simply a game where any player could level up without effort. This game required skills and proficiency to aim and use their skills against overwhelming puzzles and monsters.
And if I had to guess the statistical power and the levels of Uruk-hai… it might reach around 10,000 or even more with a level around 200 hundred. It was a decent hunch for me, since Uruk-hai was an ogre with demonic blood surging through its veins.
That number was still an understatement, considering that the monster had yet to show off its skills. And I did not even know if Uruk-hai needed any magic ability to take me down.
But now that I regained a fraction of my power, I may stand a chance against this bastard. It was one man against one monster.
Our battle would become legendary…
"He who strikes first wins…" I remembered a cool line from a television show I watched before and exclaimed it out loud. Never I had expected that line would bring me enough confidence to rush in headfirst at my enemy.
I gripped my sword tighter and longed towards the Uruk-hai. Clarent was the only weapon I have, since I had already lost all my mana from that fight before. If I had to use another spell-like [Phoenix Sphere], my stamina would hit rock-bottom, hindering me from attacking.
I planned to engage this battle carefully, considering all the disadvantages I had against Uruk-hai. I was not in tip-top shape, and my level was still incomparable to that monster.
And that was what I did.
"I won't back down now!"
I shouted, with my blade blaring out a clunking tone. As I glanced in front, Uruk-hai's arm was already waiting for my sword. With one hand alone, that ogre stopped my momentum and pushed me away from his body. Uruk-hai wanted to create more distance between the two of us, knowing that I was a threat to its existence.
"Give up, Arthur. Your sword has a dull point. You've played the hero long enough!" Uruk-hai chided, while glaring in my direction.
I shook my head and readied for another attack. "No… this village needs me. I'll gladly fight in their stead rather than watch them perish."
I launched my body forward and attacked again while adding more power to my slashes. Although I cannot access my skillset, each of my swings had force in it. It could even kill those ogres I fought before if I did it early.
However, Uruk-hai also had the moves, as the monster slid and turned to avoid getting hit by my blitz. After my last swing from the succession of attacks, Uruk-hai jumped backwards and reset the fight.
A grin emerged from his face as I flashed the monster with a stern look. That beast was enjoying every second in this battle. My heart roared and beat one billion seconds per minute.
But upon blinking thrice, a smear of blood emerged on Uruk-hai's cheek. My eyes widened upon realising that my blade reached the monster.
Within a few moments, the ogre also noticed the wound formed around its face. The monster raised its hand and touched its rough skin.
"A drop of blood… It feels nice to feel pain again," Uruk-hai whispered, and wiped the blood off from its face.
The smirking look from Uruk-hai changed into something sinister and bloody. It was the first time that the monster finally revealed its true form… It was the one that could tremble all mountains in sight.
Uruk-hai was just a newborn demon, and yet… that beast could quiver the land surrounding its feet. It exceeded my expectations.
I had fought against demonic beings with my main account before. But never did I face such a threat this close. Every time I clashed against those beings, I always won within a few seconds. Those demonic beings never stood a chance against Clarent and me.
But now… I had second thoughts inside my mind.
Uruk-hai charged with intense speed, even faster than a jaguar. If I had to guess it right, Uruk-hai was close to the speed of sound. I was just a normal human being who had mediocre powers.
My heightened senses did not stand a chance against the frightening monster. My luck got the better of me, and now I was in a pinch.
Every time I would block Uruk-hai's jabs, a kick was waiting for me at a split second. Every time I moved to the side, Uruk-hai was already waiting for me. It was as if that monster knew where I was going…
No… not that. Those beasts did not know where I wanted to go. Uruk-hai and the others did not have any foresight of some sort. However… that ogre waited for the right time to strike. It allowed me to move anywhere I liked and used that position to attack me when I became vulnerable.
"You're nothing but a human! You worthless hunted down my kind without fail! You killed the defenceless ogres in their campsite, and yet you wish for peace! How foolish of you!"
"Are you… trying to make sense now! I know your story! It wasn't what you've pictured!"
After our exchange, Uruk-hai tossed me to the side. I did not land any hit from the ogre, considering the stamina I lost during this match. If this continues, I would only lose the battle.
I forced myself to stand on my ground while shaking the pessimistic thoughts devouring my head. There was no point in thinking about that negativity right now, since this was my last chance to prove myself to the village. Even though I would die, I would die as a hero…
That thought was what I believed.
Right after I took a step forward, the vein inside my head twirled and constricted. An excruciating pain followed afterwards, making me kneel on the ground. My hands instinctively covered my head and pressed my skin, hoping to ease my pain.
However, the touch even brought me more suffering during this clash.
"Good."
With that word alone, I knew that my life was in danger. I needed to move now if I wanted to see the sun for tomorrow, or else I would feel the wrath of that ogre. Every cell inside of my body cursed me for being hard-headed.
But what else could I do when this ravaging sensation hindered me from moving.
Before I could accept my horrible faith, a gust of wind coming from behind blew towards the ogre. A set of fireballs launched themselves afterwards, stopping Uruk-hai from moving. A trail of icicle spears followed by and pierced Uruk-hai's thighs. Dozens of lumps of soil hit the monster, creating a fuzzy vision around its eyes.
"Get 'em, Arthur!"
"We hold the monster off!"
"That's my lad!"
You can do it, Arthur!"
Those were the cheers coming from the village. They did this before, and these townspeople did it again, helping me with this battle. Although scared, those people reached their hearts for me and gave me some protection and time to recover.
Upon looking at the centre, the wounded Afenos marked the monster and was the one shouting instructions.
"Thanks… Afenos." Although I was not worthy to stand at his side, I expressed my gratitude to him with a smile.
That boy met my gaze and gave me a nod. He knew I had to win this fight for the sake of everyone, including me.
"This is our fight, Arthur… I believe in you," Afenos said. I could not hear his words, but I knew what the guy meant.
I channelled my mana and gathered all the arcane swirling around me. A brilliant glow of light covered my sword, telling me that the spell was ready for me to use.
It was the lesser version of the actual skill. But as long as it would deal damage, then I'm fine with that.
It was my favourite sword move when using my Clarent. It defeated thousands of foes, after all.
"[Riposte]!"