Liam's hands clenched into tight fists as he stared down Grogath. The massive Orc cracked his knuckles, his lips curling into a sneer. They stood bare-handed, each sizing the other up like two predators preparing to pounce.
The air was thick with tension as Liam made the first move again, dashing forward with speed. His right fist shot toward Grogath's jaw, but the Orc tilted his head just enough to avoid the strike. Liam pivoted on his heel, following up with a sharp left hook aimed at Grogath's ribs.
The punch connected with a dull thud, but Grogath barely flinched. Instead, he grinned, his sharp teeth glinting in the sunlight. "Is that all you've got, human?" he mocked.
Before Liam could respond, Grogath lunged forward. His massive fist came barreling toward Liam's chest like a sledgehammer. Liam sidestepped at the last second, grabbing Grogath's arm and twisting it in an attempt to unbalance him.
But Grogath was too strong. He planted his feet firmly and yanked his arm back, pulling Liam toward him. The Orc's knee shot up, aiming for Liam's stomach, but Liam reacted quickly, using his forearms to block the strike. Even with the block, the sheer force of the blow pushed Liam back a few steps.
"Not bad," Liam muttered under his breath, shaking out his arms.
Grogath didn't give him time to recover. He advanced with a flurry of attacks, each punch and kick coming with the force of a battering ram. Liam ducked, weaved, and parried, his reflexes keeping him just ahead of the storm.
Grogath swung a wide haymaker, and Liam saw his opening. He ducked under the swing, closing the gap between them. With precision, Liam drove his elbow into Grogath's side, aiming for the ribs. The Orc let out a grunt but retaliated instantly, slamming his massive forearm down toward Liam's back.
Liam rolled out of the way, the ground shaking slightly as Grogath's arm hit the ground. He sprang to his feet, landing a swift kick to Grogath's thigh. The Orc staggered but quickly regained his footing, his expression darkening.
"You're quick, but you won't last," Grogath growled, his deep voice rumbling like thunder.
Liam didn't reply. Instead, he feinted to the left before delivering a sharp uppercut to Grogath's chin. The Orc's head snapped back slightly, but he shook it off like it was nothing.
Grogath roared and charged, slamming his shoulder into Liam with the force of a bull. Liam was sent flying backward, rolling to a stop on the ground. He coughed, the wind knocked out of him, but he forced himself to his feet.
This time, Grogath didn't wait. He closed the distance with a series of heavy, wild swings. Liam dodged the first few, but the Orc's speed and ferocity were increasing. A right hook grazed Liam's shoulder, and he winced at the sting.
Liam retaliated with a quick jab to Grogath's nose, followed by a spinning backfist aimed at the Orc's temple. Grogath leaned back just enough to avoid the second strike, then roared as he slammed his fist toward Liam's chest.
The blow landed squarely, and Liam stumbled back, his breath hitching as pain radiated through his torso. Grogath pressed the advantage, launching a brutal kick toward Liam's midsection.
Liam twisted his body to the side, narrowly avoiding the full force of the kick. However, Grogath's foot still clipped his hip, sending him off balance. He regained his footing quickly, but he could feel the strain beginning to wear on him.
The Orc grinned, sensing the shift in momentum. He rushed forward again, throwing a flurry of punches. Liam blocked as many as he could, but Grogath's power was overwhelming. Each blocked strike sent shocks through his arms, and his legs felt like they were anchored to the ground.
Finally, Grogath's knee shot up, aiming for Liam's stomach. Liam tried to twist away, but the Orc was too fast this time. The knee connected, and Liam let out a sharp gasp as he stumbled back, clutching his ribs.
Grogath didn't stop. He spun and delivered a powerful kick to Liam's chest. The impact sent Liam skidding backward, his boots digging into the dirt as he struggled to stay upright.
Breathing heavily, Liam planted his feet and glared at Grogath. His chest ached, and his arms felt heavy, but his determination burned brighter than ever. Grogath stood tall, his confidence evident in his smirk.
"You're tough, human," Grogath said, cracking his neck. "But this is where it ends."
Liam clenched his fists, his sharp mind already working on his next move. The fight was far from over.
His chest was heaving from the relentless assault Grogath had unleashed. His bare fists were no match for the sheer brute force of the towering Orc, and it was becoming painfully obvious to everyone watching. Marcus, who had been gripping his sword tightly, finally let out a frustrated growl.
"Catch, Liam!" Marcus shouted as he hurled his sword through the air.
The blade spun end over end before Liam's hand shot out, catching it with practiced ease. The moment his fingers closed around the hilt, a visible transformation occurred. His posture straightened, his breathing steadied, and a fierce glint appeared in his eyes.
Grogath paused, narrowing his gaze as he watched Liam assume a stance that radiated confidence. "So, you finally decided to fight properly, human?" Grogath sneered, cracking his knuckles.
Liam didn't respond. Instead, he tightened his grip on the sword, its weight familiar and comforting. Memories of countless battles in virtual worlds flooded his mind. He was chosen as the best swordsman in the Nexus Corp trials for a reason, and now it was time to prove it.
With a sudden burst of speed, Liam dashed forward, his blade slicing through the air with precision. Grogath swung his massive arm in an attempt to swat him away, but Liam ducked low, sliding beneath the arc of the blow. As he passed, his sword lashed out, cutting a deep gash across Grogath's thigh.
The Orc roared in pain, stumbling slightly. Liam didn't let up. He pivoted on his heel, spinning around to deliver another strike. This time, his blade sliced across Grogath's side, leaving a trail of crimson.
Grogath snarled and lunged, his fists coming down like twin hammers. Liam sidestepped, the punches slamming into the ground and sending up a cloud of dust. Using the distraction, Liam leaped onto a nearby boulder, gaining higher ground. From his elevated position, he launched himself at Grogath, his sword aimed for the Orc's shoulder.
The blade sank deep, eliciting another guttural roar from Grogath. The Orc swung wildly, trying to dislodge Liam, but the swordsman was already moving, landing lightly on his feet a few paces away.
"You're faster than you look," Grogath admitted, his voice tinged with grudging respect. But his eyes burned with fury. "But speed won't save you!"
With a roar, Grogath charged, his powerful legs propelling him forward like a freight train. Liam braced himself, holding his sword steady. At the last possible moment, he sidestepped again, slashing downward as Grogath passed. The blade tore through the Orc's back, sending him crashing to the ground with a howl of rage.
Grogath pushed himself up, blood dripping from multiple wounds, but his strength was waning. Liam could see it in the slight tremble of his legs, the labored rise and fall of his chest.
"I warned you," Liam said, his voice cold and steady.
With a sudden burst of movement, Liam closed the gap between them. Grogath raised his fists in a desperate attempt to block, but Liam's sword was faster. The blade darted past the Orc's defenses, piercing straight through his chest.
Grogath froze, his eyes wide with shock as he looked down at the sword embedded in him. Blood bubbled from his lips as he let out a choked growl.
Liam withdrew the blade with a sharp tug, stepping back as Grogath fell to his knees. The towering Orc looked up at him, his expression a mix of fury and resignation.
"You should have run," Liam said quietly, his tone devoid of mercy.
With one swift motion, Liam raised his sword high and brought it down. The blade sliced cleanly through Grogath's neck, and the Orc's head fell to the ground with a heavy thud.
For a moment, silence hung over the battlefield. Liam stood tall, his sword dripping with blood, as he surveyed the scene. His gaze shifted to his companions, who were all watching him with a mix of awe and relief.
The battlefield was silent except for the faint rustle of the wind through the trees. Liam stood amidst the carnage, his sword still glistening with Grogath's blood. He exhaled slowly, the tension in his shoulders easing as the reality of their victory settled in.
Sophia, still perched on her horse, lowered her bow and slung it over her shoulder. Her sharp eyes scanned the area, ensuring no more threats lingered. Eleanor and Jason exchanged a brief glance, their expressions a mix of relief and exhaustion.
"We're done here," Liam said, his voice steady but firm. He wiped his blade clean on the remnants of Grogath's tunic before sliding it into its sheath. His gaze swept over his companions. "Now, let's get to work."
"What work?" Marcus asked, rolling his shoulder. "We just wiped the floor with these Orcs. I think we deserve a break."
Liam shot him a sharp look. "We need to extract the crystals from their heads."
Jason, who had been leaning against a nearby boulder, straightened up at Liam's words. "Oh, I nearly forgot "
"Yes," Liam replied. "If we sell them in Arthalon City, we'll have enough money to buy whatever supplies we need for the next part of our journey."
Eleanor nodded in agreement. "Liam's right. Supplies, lodging, horses—none of that comes cheap. If we're going to survive out here, we need to be practical."
Marcus muttered under his breath but eventually relented, drawing a small knife from his belt. "Fine. Let's get this over with."
The group split up, each approaching the fallen Orcs with varying degrees of reluctance. Liam crouched beside Grogath's massive corpse, his expression unreadable as he studied the lifeless form of the creature he had just defeated. With precise movements, he began the gruesome task of extracting the crystal from the Orc leader's skull.
The others followed suit, though not without complaints. Marcus grumbled the loudest, his face twisted in disgust as he worked. "Why couldn't these things just drop coins like in normal games?"
Sophia smirked, holding up a glowing crystal she had just retrieved. "Where's the fun in that?"
Eleanor worked silently, her movements efficient and calculated. Jason, on the other hand, seemed almost fascinated by the process, turning each crystal over in his hands before placing them carefully into a pouch.
After a while, the group reconvened, their spoils gathered in a single bag. The crystals pulsed faintly, their eerie light casting long shadows in the fading daylight.
"How many do we have?" Liam asked, his tone all business.
Eleanor counted quickly, her fingers brushing over the smooth surfaces of the crystals. "Eight in total, including Grogath's. That one alone should fetch a high price."
Liam nodded, satisfied. "Good. Keep them safe. When we get to Arthalon, we'll find a merchant who deals in rare items. Until then, no one touches them."
Sophia raised an eyebrow. "You really think we'll find a trustworthy merchant in Arthalon? That place isn't exactly known for its honesty.... According to Eleanor"
"We'll manage," Liam said simply. He hefted the bag of crystals over his shoulder, his expression resolute. "Let's move out. We've wasted enough time here."