She was a monster
That was the only thought I had as I watched the battle–nay bloodbath that occurred. The moment she took a step towards the burly orc, the atmosphere around her completely changed. The mind-boggling mist of mana constantly surrounding her shifted. The swirling mass moved according to it's wielder's will.
「Skill 'Instinct is warning you」
A oncoming blow from the front alerted me of my current predicament. I dodge the orc's blow. As much as I wasn't to watch the mage's fight and her revolutionary utilization of mana, I had my own problems to deal with. Stepping on the orc's club, I use it as a ramp.
My entire body was covered in mana that I had unconsciously recovered. Ever since reaching my Core, I felt my connection with mana getting stronger. Mana was now more naturally drawn to me. What would have taken hours of absorbing mana only took me a couple of minutes. Though, that doesn't mean I had fully recovered.
My mana was still nowhere half of what I originally had. Though it's an amazing feat, I was still unsatisfied. There was still something that was missing. Like a word on the tip of my tongue.
Bringing my blade up to the orc's neck, I further enhanced my arms and shoulders. Unlike before, the blade had resisted and remained lodged in the beast's neck, proposing me with a problem. This time was different.
As the blade landed on the beast's neck, I could feel the sensation of flesh tearing. But it wasn't mine.
The sword pierced the beast's thick skin. Slicing through it's tough muscles. I could just about feel the beast's bone as the blade stopped after seemingly an eternity.
「Skill 'Instinct' is warning you」
A sharp hiss in the air made me jump backwards, away from the blazing ball of fire. I put the orc between me and the fireball. Right on cue, the ball of fire collided against the orc. The orc jerked. The beast was strong, but not enough to deal critical damage. A monstrous roar in both volume and intensity shook the cavern.
This again
The moment the figure began casting magic, the orc let out this same roar. When he did, the fallen orcs started standing up. They all stood with such vigor that it was almost impossible to think that they had been pissing themselves just under a minute beforehand. That wasn't all.
「Skill 'Instinct' is warning you」
Another attack came towards me, this time from side. I catch the beast's burly arms, still holding the sword with one hand. The beast was yelped in surprise, his grip momentarily loosening. I did not miss chance.
Focusing my mana on the hand holding the orc's hand, I pull at it. The beast realized what plan was, quickly tightening it's grasp on the club. It was a second too late.
I let go of the sword, letting it fall to the ground. Then, with one swift motion I grab the club the size of torso with both hands. Reinforcing my shoulders and hands, I swing the giant club.
With a loud thud, the club crashes against the orc's arms. Despite being of inferior intellect, the beast have good instincts. Still, that wasn't enough.
As the club crashed against the orc's burly arms, the club snapped. My improvised strike was powerful enough to destroy a thick piece of lumber with just one swing. The orc backed away for the first time.
The orc eyed me suspiciously, watching my every move. We were both without a weapon, turning this into a contest of pure strength and technique. The orc had a clear advantage in the former, while I had the lead in the latter. The orc gripped it's wounded neck. Crimson liquid flowed from the stab wound. I eyed my dropped weapon. It was at my feet, just where I had intended it to land. I moved my feet closer to it.
「Skill 'Instinct' is warning you」
The orc charged at blinding speed, creating a cloud of dust behind it. Still, even without being able to see or follow it's movements with my eyes I could still predict it's behavior. I recalled my findings of the orc's nature.
The orcs are simple, barbaric, and muscle-headed creatures. They followed the motto of 'The strong eat the weak'. This produced a hierarchy that valued strength over anything else.
Which means…
I scoop the sword up with my feet, lifting it up.
The orc would never even think about strategy and just go straight for me
I grab the sword midair. With one quick motion, it was now within my grasp once again. The timing had to be just right.
Gathering mana on my arms, I sweep the blade in front of me. As I had predicted, a green blur appeared before me. My blade slashed across the green beast's eyes. The beast groaned, but still continued it's assault.
The orc blindly attacked me. It's onslaught consisted mostly of grabs and punches. It seemed that it was being cautious of it's footing, not once using it's legs for anything other than keep balance. I dodge the beast's blows. With the beast's attacks weakened by the blood it had shed since earlier, I was now in a more advantageous position.
Let's end this
I position myself into a stance. With my sword pointed towards my back, I wait for the most opportune moment. The orc had been blinded, leaving it with numerous openings that I could exploit. Still, they weren't good enough. What I wanted was a singular point in which I can finish the beast off with minimal effort.
After a minute of concentrating on the orc's every move, the perfect opportunity finally presented itself. Pushing mana into my legs, I dash forward. While it may not had been as fast as the orc's desperate charge, it was still enough to catch the beast by surprise.
Having caught the orc at it's weakest, it didn't have the time to react to my sudden assault. Pushing heat and mana into my arms, I felt my muscles strain. I had for too long with little such an injured body. This was the reason I opted for a more conservative method.
My blade drew an arc in the air. As I concentrated on the target even more, I let my blade flow into the beast's stab wound. It had previously been extremely guarded when it came to it's neck. But now that it was practically a mindless berserker, it cared not for it's injuries any longer.
My sword traced the wound, letting the blade sink further in. As the blade sank, I could feel the bone, muscle, and blood vessels being cut as I continued my merciless assault. Eventually my blade reached beyond.
The orc's head flew.