Blake was about to faint when he realized that Shara was next to him producing a strange green light that covered his entire body making his wounds disappear, then he noticed how the green bar was filling little by little until he returned to be at the maximum.
"How are you feeling, Blake?"
"I feel so much better, what was that strange light from just now?"
"Ah, that? It was just healing magic."
"It's surprising, I don't feel any pain anymore, and it seems like I was able to take care of the orc, hehe."
"Don't laugh, you had me very worried... But I'm glad you're okay, you were amazing!" After Blake's embarrassed look and Shara's laughs, she gave a slightly melancholic look. "Besides, I know you had no choice, I feel bad for it... But it had to go back to the forest of beginnings..."
"Yes, I also feel bad... But what is that 'forest of beginnings' you speak of?"
"Ah, well, I only read about it in the books, so I don't know many details... But it's supposed to be a place where only monsters live."
"So when you defeat one, it goes back to the forest of beginnings?"
"Yes. The weapons and tools we use are enchanted with the 'Tamitaya' spell... This allows the monsters to be sent back to the forest of beginnings unharmed."
"Really?" But as if something were attracting bad luck, what appeared to be more orcs emerged from the weeds, scaring Shara in that instant.
"Kyaa!"
"Oh no, more monsters?! And this time there are two!... Shara, go to safety!"
"Okay, be careful please!" Blake was lamenting inside, the previous orc was difficult for him, and now two more had appeared.
[Species: Common Orc. Status: Furious.]
[Species: Common Orc. Status: Very Furious.]
'If only one had already left me half dead, how am I supposed to defeat two at the same time? Although Shara healed my wounds, the fatigue is still present in my body... What should I do?' Those were all the thoughts in his head, but just as he was about to step into battle, he heard a scream in the distance.
"Here, use this!" A peculiar dark-haired boy accompanied by Raven, threw what seemed to be a kind of double-edged short sword, its handle was made of wood, and it was made of iron. Blake reached to take it and a smile crossed his face when he heard what was in his head.
[Short sword equipped. Basic short sword techniques learned.]
Suddenly, various movements related to a short sword art appeared in his mind and he felt as if he had practiced them all his life. He took the sword and prepared to charge both creatures.
'I don't know what that voice is in my head, but I'm not going to complain at the moment.' Blake placed himself in the middle of both orcs and made some signs to get their attention and that they attack him, and so it happened, the orcs grabbed their maces and ran in his direction as they growled to bury their weapons in him, but before they arrived, they felt several cuts appear on its clothes and body, as values of -10 came out of them, they noticed how the blonde in front of them he would reposition himself and attack them with a combo of cuts in different directions, making it impossible for them to respond.
After that torrent of attacks left the two creatures in bad condition, Blake took his weapon and turned in his place creating a small air current that, when connecting with the two orcs, they flew away while more values than their health declined as they left their bodies, and once again like the previous time, they began to glow and become orbs of light that disappeared in the distance at the same time that something sounded in Blake's head.
[Level up.]
"Pant... Pant... Pant!" After that one-sided battle, Blake fell to his knees gasping for air and leaning on the small sword that was in his hand, he realized that the green bar had not decreased one bit, but what had happened was that the blue bar there was only one thread left before it ran out. 'So the blue bar represents my energy, and what was that level-up thing? How strange.'
Just as Shara was approaching to help Blake, Raven arrived next to him and put something in front of our dear blonde. It was a glass filled with a yellowish-white liquid that shone in the low light of the place as well as giving off a mesmerizing aroma.
"Here, drink it..." Without even hesitating a second, Blake drank the entire contents of the glass without wasting a single drop as if his life depended on it, the liquid had a sweet and refreshing taste, since apparently, it was of freshly made apple juice, and once he finished it, Blake could see that the strange blue bar was almost filled. "I guess the fatigue is gone..."
"Yes, I feel like new! Thank you very much, Raven!" Blake gave her a cheerful smile causing what seemed to be a small blush almost non-existent in Raven, and once he got up, he heard again that voice from a few moments ago that seemed to belong to the dark-haired boy.
"Hey, you! What's your name?" His hair was black as iron and tousled, in his hands, he carried a huge hammer that was almost the same size as him, since he was shorter in height than Blake, in his face you could only see a Grayish open eye, since in the other there was only a blue line that crossed vertically to this while it was closed, in addition to that his clothes were almost the same type as the ones Raven was wearing...
Blake stared at him for a few seconds until he realized that he hadn't replied.
"Blake, my name is Blake, nice to meet you. Thanks for the sword! Who are you?"
"I am Gaius... You are quite strong."
"Hehe, thanks!"
"You should thank Raven... She came to tell me when she saw the monsters."
"Oh? Thank you, Raven!"
"..." And as soon as he finished thanking her, Raven began to walk away without concern leaving everyone where they were.
"Um, did I do something to annoy her...?"
"Don't worry, Raven is like this… Well, I'm coming back… I work at the town smithy, feel free to stop by. See you later."
"Thanks a lot for the help, Gaius!" And so like Raven, Gaius left the place leaving Blake and Shara alone. "Are you hurt? Blake."
"Don't worry, Shara. I'm perfectly ok."
"Still, I can't believe those monsters suddenly attacked..."
"It happens a lot?"
"No... On the contrary... The monsters around here are very calm. But lately, I've heard rumors of violent monster groups attacking people. Maybe there is a connection, but I can't say exactly what it is." It took a few seconds that Shara was immersed in her thoughts until she returned to her typical cheerful attitude. "By the way, you are very strong, Blake!"
"So you think?" Blake's face was red, due to the praise Shara gave him as well as her dazzling smile.
"Yes. I was surprised! Those orcs seemed very strong!"
"Well..." In an attempt to surprise her even more, Blake thought about not admitting that, if it hadn't been for the sword, right now he would be the one sent into the forest of beginnings. So he chose to appear very calm. "In fact, they were weak..."
"Really?! Wow, you're awesome, Blake!" And while he was enjoying the new accolades, that voice sounded in his head again.
[Difficulty has been changed to Hard.]
[Progress... Saved.]