The orc's axe descended upon me as if the entire world were collapsing, but at the last moment, a soft green light flared. The pain in my chest abruptly dulled, and my breath came easier, as if someone had yanked me by the hair from the quagmire of death. I rolled to the side and rose, feeling torn tissues knitting themselves anew beneath my skin. My gaze darted — it was the healer. Her hands trembled, determination and fear etched upon her face, but she stood firm, her eyes unwavering. There was no time for gratitude.
In one swift motion, I got to my feet and instantly poured mana forth, summoning two imps. Their forms materialized beside me — and without hesitation, I activated "Berserker's Strength." A crimson flash, a wave of searing heat — their bodies warped, infused with mad power. The orc froze, baring his tusks in a snarl, sensing the threat. Rage hummed in my chest, yet my mind remained cold and clear: this was my only chance.
We charged simultaneously. The imps flanked him; I struck head-on. The first blow he blocked with his axe, iron clashing against iron. One imp lunged low, sinking its claws into the fleshy calf of his leg. The orc roared and kicked it aside, hurling it across the room, but the second imp was already clinging to his back, scratching and biting. I gave him no time to recover — I drove a blow toward his liver. He twisted, his axe carving the air, but I slid sideways, skimming the gravel-strewn floor.
My whole body screamed in protest. Muscles throbbed, my lungs burned, but I did not falter for an instant. The orc lashed out furiously, but with every heartbeat, he slowed. Blood streamed from his wounds, and the shirt stretched over his bulk was shredded to tatters. His wild blows shattered walls, but the berserk-empowered imps were too swift. They darted around him, biting, clawing, striking anew and anew.
I lunged forward again, swinging the pipe. The orc raised his axe to block, and our forces collided. A vibration rattled through my bones, but I leapt back, giving the imps room to strike. One imp clawed under his arm — that vulnerable spot beneath heavy flesh. Roaring in fury, the orc lashed out with an elbow, slamming the imp into the wall with a sickening crack. The creature fell limp, a bloody smear trailing after it.
I felt "Berserker's Strength" fade. The second imp sagged visibly — and in the next instant, the orc seized it in his massive fist and, with effortless brutality, snapped its spine. The bones crunched like dry twigs.
I was alone.
The orc turned toward me, his tiny eyes gleaming with feral hatred. He stepped forward, each thunderous footfall striking a hammerblow into my chest. I tightened my grip on the battered pipe, knowing there was almost no hope left. As the final blow came down, I raised the pipe to block. His axe crashed down with merciless force. The pipe cracked, metal shrieking, and then shattered like paper. The impact flung me several meters away. I felt a rib crack under my skin; a hot taste of blood filled my mouth.
Lying on the ground, I could barely hear my own breathing. Each attempt to draw air was agony. My vision blurred, a low hum filled my ears. I saw the orc advancing slowly, his blood-slicked axe gleaming in his hand. Was this the end? Was this how it would all end?
I tried to rise, planting trembling hands against the floor. My body refused to obey; my mind floated in a grey fog. Only one thought beat in my skull — no. I cannot die here. I must not. I coughed blood, spat it to the ground, and clenched my fist.
The orc raised his axe for the final blow.
And in that moment, the green light flared once more, washing over me. Pain ebbed away; strength flooded back into my limbs; my chest expanded with fresh air. I lifted my gaze — the girl still stood there, her hair disheveled, her face deathly pale, barely able to remain upright — but she was still healing me.
Strength roared through me. I sprang up. The orc's eyes widened in shock — but I was already moving. Seizing the moment's hesitation, I dodged aside, evading the descending blow, and summoned new imps. I immediately activated "Berserker's Strength" again. Red light wrapped around their forms, and our assault reignited. The orc charged at us, but this time, I did not retreat. The imps harried him, biting and tearing. I danced around him, striking with the broken pipe, battering his hands, his joints, his legs. Even a weakened pipe could be deadly if aimed well.
The imps' attacks grew fiercer; my blows struck with ruthless precision. The orc's axe swiped at me, but his strength was bleeding away. I could see the blood streaming down his sides, dripping from his thighs. His breath came in ragged gasps.
At last, when he swung one final, desperate blow, I ducked under his arm and drove the pipe straight into his chest, between his ribs. The orc roared — hoarse, broken — staggered, lost his footing. Seizing the chance, I raised the pipe high and struck again — across his throat. The giant convulsed, his entire body shuddering — and then he crashed to the floor with a thunderous crash.
Silence.
A notification flared before my eyes:
+1000 experience.
+200 coins.
Item acquired: Necklace of Sinister Doom [☆☆] (+5 Strength, +5 Endurance, +100 HP).
I stood over the fallen orc, breathing heavily. Every inch of me ached, but in my chest bloomed a wild, heady joy. I wiped the blood from my face with a sleeve and picked up the massive necklace. It looked crude, barbaric — like a chunk of metal hammered into a symbol of raw strength.
I turned to the girl, who now could barely stay on her feet.
"Thank you..." I breathed.
She smiled faintly.
"I should be the one thanking you."
I glanced at the coin counter in the notification.
"Want to split the reward?"
She shook her head.
"No. You earned it. I only healed."
I wanted to protest, but I knew it would be useless. I simply nodded. Then, focusing on the orc's body, I activated "Blood Absorption." Crimson energy flowed into my wounds. Some of the pain receded. Alive. Whole. Stronger.
Another message about a reward choice flashed before me. Without hesitation, I selected a new skill — Bone Weapon (Level 1). Curiously, I activated it, channeling mana into the orc's remains. Mana drained quickly, heavily. The orc's bones stirred, lifted — but the construction collapsed immediately, leaving only a Broken Spine[-] in my hands — useless and without grade.
I stared at the "weapon," sighed.
"Fine. Practice later."
Turning to the girl, I asked:
"Hey, do you know what the coins are for?"
She smiled and nodded.
"You need to find a vending machine."
I squinted.
"A vending machine?"
"Yes. They're everywhere here. You just walk up and use your coins."
I chuckled darkly.
"This world grows madder with each passing hour."
But inside, a fire burned brightly.
I had survived.
And with every battle, I grew stronger.