Avince stood beside a large rock near the stronghold, his heart pounding as he surveyed the orc stronghold. The crude construction loomed over him like a grim monument to danger and power, its walls bristling with the promise of violence. Each orc he had encountered so far had only reinforced his belief that he had ventured into something far beyond his current capabilities. Now, however, he needed to think—not just about survival but also about escape.
I can't just run in blindly, he thought, peering through a gap in the rocks. I need to gather information, find a way to lure them out, and then make my move.
As the sun dipped low in the sky, casting long shadows across the ground, Avince began his reconnaissance. He observed the routines of the orcs, taking careful notes. Their patrol patterns were erratic yet predictable; a couple of orcs would wander out for brief hunting trips while others remained inside, perhaps feasting or engaging in some form of revelry.
If I can isolate a few of them… he mused, envisioning a plan.
Avince spent the next hour watching. He noticed that several orcs would leave the stronghold to scout the nearby area for food. He could use this to his advantage. A sudden loud noise, perhaps an explosion or a distraction from the far side of the stronghold, could draw them out, leaving the portal momentarily unguarded.
But how do I create that distraction? he wondered. He had limited resources specially on this barren place at his disposal. Then an idea struck him.
Fire! The thought ignited in his mind like a spark. He could conjure a fire spell powerful enough to burn a side of the wall and create a significant disturbance away from the stronghold, drawing the orcs out to investigate. He could use the vegetation and fallen trees and make the fire bigger to his advantage, a way to lure them away while he made his move towards the portal.
With a determined resolve, Avince began to gather small twigs and dry leaves, stacking them in on the far side of the wall, a spot well within the shadows of the stronghold.
As twilight began to cloak the landscape in shades of deep blue and indigo, he carefully lit the pile. Flames quickly licked the dry material, crackling with energy. The fire hissed and spat, quickly growing larger than he had intended, but it would serve its purpose.
As the flames reached high into the sky, illuminating the surrounding area, Avince held his breath, waiting for the inevitable response. Within moments, the distant cries of orcs filled the air, their guttural voices mixed with the sounds of boots stomping against the ground.
Avince took this moment to stealthily approach the stronghold. He darted between shadows, the flickering flames of his fire providing cover and illumination. As he neared the portal, he could hear the orcs shouting at one another, scrambling to figure out the source of the fire. The voices were chaotic, a blend of anger and confusion that only fueled his determination.
This is it, he thought, steeling himself. I just need to get closer.
However, as he edged closer to the portal, he felt a sudden tension in the air. It was as if something had shifted, a warning bell ringing in his mind. Avince slowed, squinting into the dim light. Just beyond the edge of the portal's glow stood an imposing figure, silhouetted against the flames.
An orc stepped forward, larger than the others he had encountered. His skin was a dark green, marred by scars that spoke of countless battles fought and won. As he stepped into the light, Avince's heart sank. The orc's jagged teeth glinted menacingly, and a cruel grin spread across his face.
"So, a kid thinks he can sneak into my domain?" The orc's voice was deep and taunting, reverberating through the night air.
Avince swallowed hard, realizing this was no ordinary orc. This must be the boss, he thought in horror.
"Name's Rokhan Grimjaw," the orc continued, his tone mocking. "I see you've made quite the effort to find your way to my door. But, tell me, what do you think you'll find here? Death? Glory? Perhaps just a quick end?"
Avince took a cautious step back, calculating his options. The orc must be at least C-ranked, the strongest type he had ever faced. He cursed his luck, knowing full well that named bosses often had special abilities and were designed to be much stronger.
"Tell me, little man," Rokhan said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "What do you plan to do now? Perhaps beg for mercy? I do love the sound of people begging for mercy as I tear them limb by limb ."
Without warning, Avince turned to run. His instincts screamed at him to escape, but before he could get far, he felt a force slam into his back, sending him crashing to the ground. Rokhan was faster than he had anticipated.
"Running? How quaint!" The orc chuckled as he approached. "But it won't save you. I've had my fill of little morsels like you. Time to play!"
Avince scrambled to his feet, adrenaline coursing through him. He conjured a barrier of earth, hoping to protect himself from the next attack. But Rokhan was relentless, charging forward, his massive form closing the distance in an instant.
The earth wall held for only a moment before Rokhan smashed through it like it was made of paper. Avince stumbled back, dodging to the side just as Rokhan swung his massive club, the weapon barely missing him.
With a quick flick of his wrist, Avince summoned a ball of fire, hurling it at the orc in an attempt to slow him down. The flames connected, igniting a patch of skin on Rokhan's arm. He let out a roar, but it was mixed with laughter.
"Is that all you have? I barely felt that! Come on, give me a real fight!"
The taunt stung, and Avince gritted his teeth, feeling the pressure mounting. He conjured a blade of wind, aiming to slice at Rokhan's side. But the orc sidestepped effortlessly, the wind blade missing its mark completely.
"You're going to have to try harder than that," Rokhan mocked, his cruel smile widening as he feigned disappointment.
Avince's breathing quickened as he realized he needed a new strategy. He conjured a swirling vortex of wind around himself, enhancing his speed as he darted in and out of range, looking for an opening. The orc swung wildly, but Avince was quick, dodging and weaving between the strikes.
"Come now, don't be shy!" Rokhan growled. "You're just making this more fun for me!"
As the battle wore on, Avince began to feel the strain. Each dodge was more exhausting, and he was running low on mana. He summoned a quick burst of ice, launching it at the orc's feet, hoping to trip him up. But Rokhan leapt over the attack with ease, landing gracefully as if he were merely playing a game.
"Nice try!" he bellowed, slashing the air with his clawed hands. "But I've faced foes far more skilled than you. Why don't you just give up? It'll be easier that way."
Avince refused to relent, but his options were dwindling. He focused, trying to gather the remaining mana within him. It was now or never. He released a flurry of elemental spells—fire, ice, lightning—hoping to overwhelm the orc.
The spells collided against Rokhan, each one seemingly absorbed by the orc's immense resilience. He laughed, a deep, rumbling sound that echoed through the clearing. "Is that the best you can do? I expected a challenge!"
With each failed attack, Avince felt the weight of despair closing in on him. Then, in a moment of desperation, he decided to take a risk. He feigned retreat, running back toward the edge of the clearing, drawing Rokhan further away from the portal.
"Running away again?" Rokhan called, chasing after him. "You're truly pathetic!"
But Avince wasn't retreating without purpose. As he reached the edge of the clearing, he turned suddenly, summoning a wall of stone behind him. Rokhan crashed into it, momentarily dazed.
Taking advantage of the opening, Avince summoned the most powerful spell he could muster. "Lightning Strike!" he shouted, a bolt of electricity forming above his head. He hurled it toward the orc, but Rokhan anticipated the move.
With a speed that belied his size, Rokhan sidestepped, avoiding the attack completely. Avince's heart sank as he realized he had committed himself to a losing battle.
Rokhan charged again, this time more furious than ever. Avince scrambled to create another barrier, but it was too late. The orc closed in, delivering a powerful kick that landed squarely in Avince's chest. He felt the air leave his lungs as he was sent sprawling across the ground.
"Now, this is fun!" Rokhan taunted, stepping forward. "You're putting on quite the show for me!"
Avince struggled to his feet, barely able to stand. The pain radiated from his chest, and he felt the edges of his vision beginning to blur. But he couldn't give up now. He summoned every ounce of mana left in him, ready to make one final stand.
"Is this the best you can do?" Rokhan sneered, his jaws snapping just inches from Avince. "You're just a little boy playing with magic! I could end this now, but where's the fun in that?"
Desperate, Avince lunged forward, channeling his remaining mana into a surge of power. But Rokhan anticipated his move, catching Avince by the arm and squeezing tightly.
The orc's jaws snapped down, and Avince felt a searing pain as Rokhan's teeth punctured flesh. In an instant, he was on the ground, clutching his severed arm, blood pouring from the wound.
Rokhan leaned over him, his expression a mix of sadistic glee and mockery. "Pathetic! You were supposed to be entertaining, turns out you are just another snack!"
Avince's heart raced. He was on the brink of defeat, yet he refused to give in. Summoning the last remnants of his strength, he rolled away, desperately crawling toward the portal.
But Rokhan was fast, his foot crashing down mere inches from Avince's head. "You think you can escape? You're just prolonging the inevitable!"
As Rokhan prepared to deliver the final blow, Avince gathered his mana. "Fireball!!" he shouted, launching a desperate surge of fire toward the orc's face.
Rokhan staggered back, momentarily blinded. Seizing the opportunity, Avince closed his eyes and focused on the mana around him. He drew upon his last drops of mana, and conjured an ice mirror image of himself, creating a shimmering, reflective clone that mimicked his movements.
Rokhan, blinded and furious, roared in frustration. "Coward! You think you can escape?" He lunged at the ice clone, swiping at it with his massive fist, his blow shattering the illusion into a cascade of frost.
Avince used this distraction to make his real escape, heart pounding as he darted past the orcs that were just getting back from the fire, utilizing the chaos caused by the ice clone. He felt adrenaline surge through him, the portal's shimmering light growing brighter as he drew closer.
Rokhan's furious roar echoed behind him as he realized the deception. "Get back here, you little rat!" The sound of the boss's heavy footsteps boomed in pursuit, but Avince was almost there.
With a final burst of speed, he dove through the shimmering portal just as Rokhan's monstrous form came into view. He felt the cool air rush past him, the safety of escape enveloping him like a comforting blanket.