Sounds of clashing swords and yelling could be heard inside the forest and among the tall trees, the ongoing battle between the goblins and the Orcs was brutal, between a race who only wants to protect its village and the latter who wants to satisfy its sense of predation.

Blood dyed the ground red, limbs and gore were practically seen in every corner of the small battlefield, but there was two strong presences, a large and imposing Orc with a halberd that made people feel fear and a human who with his sword in his hand confronted the monster without flinching we can even discern a grin on his face.

“Piggy your reaction time is good along with your reflexes!”

Yefan who was at a few meters of the Orc commander praised but the pig like creature didn’t seem to understand only its ferocious expression became even more ferocious, its pair of blood red eyes narrowed, with its heavy halberd it readied itself, the small human who didn’t compare against its three meter in height pushed it back and even had an advantage it made it furious.

Stomping the ground the large body of the Orc rushed toward Yefan every step made the earth shake and deep imprints appeared , with his hands the commander lifted his halberd and hacked at him with the axe part ,the speed of the blow was amazing and even the muscles of the Orc contracted to the extreme.

A normal person hit by this attack would become a pill of mud flesh, Yefan whose attained the rank of master swordsman had his reaction improve he dodged the blow by side stepping leisurely.

SFX: BOOM!

Due to the tremendous power behind the attack the earth exploded and a hole appeared with the halberd embedded on the ground dust and rubble covered the previous position of Yefan and the shockwave even caused some orcs and goblins to fall.

Yefan didn’t wait for the Orc to stabilize himself and with his impressive agility was already near its body without any flashy movements he pierced toward the heart, the soul slayer was made of cold iron, it was a hard and perfect ore for weapons, Yefan had confidence in its ability but the fact was that it only was able to penetrate its armor and didn’t leave a scratch on its hard skin.

“What the ?”

Yefan was distracted by his surprise and forgot for a second to retreat which made the Orc clench its right hand and hit him in the stomach resulting in him being blown away.

“He…he lost?”

Jar who wasn’t far from the fight when he saw this scene he exclaimed , he wasn’t stupid the Orc commander was an existence who is invincible for them they had no chance of winning and seeing Yefan disposing of orcs like mere trash had hope instilled in them but now that hope was blown away.

“No he is alright, look “

Kroll pointed at a direction while smiling, indeed Yefan was alright, being thrown inside the trees he landed safely, the orc strength was frightening but it still was inferior to his.

Walking out of the lush he appeared in front of the Orc again who already retrieved his halberd, seeing him unscathed the Orc was irritated and became enraged.

It leaped at him and recklessly flung its halberd at him hoping to cut him into pieces.

“Hoy hoys, impatient aren’t we?”

Yefan dodged each blow without fear, the Orc may be powerful but his movements were slow and he had no technique for a master lie Yefan it wasn’t difficult to evade.

Yefan took the chance to land hits with his sword but each time it left only some dents on the armor of the Orc , the armor was special he concluded maybe it was also made of cold iron.

(Well if I can’t finish it normally then I have no choice)

Suddenly under Yefan a circular shadow formed and like being absorbed he disappeared, the Orc jar and kroll were shocked.

“Isn’t he a warrior?”

Jar blurted unconsciously.

“No from the first time I saw him I sensed Mana inside him, he is probably a magician warrior and a powerful one at that “

Kroll being experienced replied and explained.

Another circular shadow formed but this time behind the Orc, Yefan appeared from within and with his sword aimed at its neck.

SFX: Roar!

With its beast like instinct the confused Orc commander roared and turned quickly trying to parry with its halberd, all those actions were quick and swift.

SFX: clank!!

The sword and halberd collided and sparks flew from the contact, the Orc was pushed back at least ten steps and Yefan also backed away with two or three steps.

“Tsk tsk, sudden attacks are a no go “

Murmured Yefan.

“Sigh...”

Yefan gripped his sword tightly and gradually lightning began to envelop the blade making it appear to be a sword made of thunder small crackling sounds were heard and the pressure emanating from his body increased making The Orc flinch slightly, it sensed the danger it wasn’t intelligent but instincts were means of survival and it now sensed that its opponent became scary.

“Well it’s time to finish this “

With a cruel and cold smile that penetrated the soul Yefan appeared instantly in front of its body and slashed directly at its chest without fancy motions, his movement was even caught by the eyes of the awestruck Kroll and Jar.

The Orc was taken by fear and was only able to lift the handle of its halberd as a mean of blocking, the lightning sword and halberd collided again but this time the edge of the blade cut the halberd in two parts cleanly before hitting the armor who also got easily bypassed and left a horrible wound oozing red blood.

The orc screamed with pain and kneeled heavily on the floor. Suddenly Yefan sensed something behind him and without looking behind delivered a kick with his right leg.

An Orc who saw its commander being defeated tried to sneak behind Yefan and backstab him but it was in vain, the Orc flew like a ragged doll and hit the trunk of a tree, the two meter burly body was easily thrown in the air which made the other orcs terrified.

“When grandfather is fighting, little shits have to go into hiding …”

Yefan arrogantly declared, looking at the still kneeling Orc commander he made a turning motion while gripping his sword with his two hands and cleanly beheaded the large Orc without an ounce of hesitation.

The big head fell to the floor rolling , silence , the battlefield became silent when the General of an army got taken down his subordinates moral will hit rock bottom and that’s what truly happened.

Yefan sheathed his sword behind his back walked toward Kroll and patted his shoulder.

“I’ll let the remaining small fry for you to clean “

“Ah ah yeah …”

Kroll and Jar were still stunned by the rapid actions of Yefan who easily slew the Orc commander.

(Is it fate that we encountered this young man? if we didn’t we would have long been digested inside the orcs’s stomach)

Kroll thought inwardly while smiling wryly.

***********************

The remaining Orcs got easily killed, the total amount of causalities in the ranks of the goblins was 19 and 25 injured, a small price compared to survival nonetheless it was still sad for the families back inside the village.

Mia seeing her grandfather return safely was relieved and regained her cheerfulness, the night of the same day the goblin prepared a feast and celebrated their victory and it was a feast where Yefan didn’t appear.

Yefan was inside his room, like usual he sat on the floor it became a habitude when thinking.

(Too weak I’m still too weak …if I can’t even take down that sort of opponent without using magic then … and the first technique I learned is made for multiple enemies If I used it with that Orc I could have also killed goblins …shit I hate this feeling !)

Suddenly a knocking sound reached Yefan ears, Moa appeared inside the room holding a plate filled with fruits and some meat with vegetables.

“I …I hope I didn’t bother you “

After that incident Mia always acted timidly in front of Yefan and he occasionally noticed that her face becomes red.

“No …what is it?”

Yefan said with a short reply.

“I…I wanted to thank you “

Mia exclaimed while looking intently at Yefan.

“For what?”

“For saving my grandfather and also saving the village, Jar told us how you defeated the Orc commander …”

Mia when saying these words her eyes were shining and worship was felt from them.

“I didn’t do it for your village you don’t have to thank me I just wanted to fight a strong enemy “

Mia was taken aback by Yefan retort but her admiring gaze didn’t disappear instead it became more apparent.

“It doesn’t matter, because of you we are safe and living, whether it’s directly or indirectly you still save us and I’m thankful for that “

Mia bowed deeply to Yefan

(What a strange goblin …)

“Whatever”

“Mm..i …I… “

“Is there something else?”

Yefan seeing her stuttering thought that she had something else to say.

“No nothing! …Then I will take my leave “

Mia hurriedly ran away while blushing, Yefan didn’t think too deeply about her weird actions and remained silent his expression was unpleasant but it was about something else.

The next day Yefan was sitting around a table with Kroll, there was only the two of them.

“Old goblin I need to ask you something “

Yefan was the first to speak.

“What is it? You saved us and also our benefactor so I will do anything you want “

Kroll thought of Yefan as the hero of their village so he was prepared to do anything for him, like reading his thoughts Yefan replied bluntly.

“Old goblin I’m no hero and saving you was only because I wanted to fight don’t misunderstand, it can also count as me repaying the favor of you treating me “

“hahaha I don’t care the fact Is still that you saved us from a disaster”

(Are all the goblins in his family so fucking stubborn)

Yefan thought inside.

“Well what do you want to ask? “

Kroll returned to the important discussion.

“I want to ask about going to the west, what is the shortest path to go the west?”

Yefan principal objective was to cross the wilderness so he wanted to inquire about the shortest path and gain time.

Kroll stroked his beard and thought deeply, his expression was hesitant and complicated.

“Young man there is truly a path that can be said to be the shortest but it’s also the most dangerous “

“Ho! And where is it?”

“To go west you have two choices make a detour to the south but it will take several weeks and the shortcut the dangerous path I mentioned previously …this short path is dangerous because you need to cross the iron mines”

Kroll explained carefully and meticulously.

“Iron mines?”

“Yes the iron mines also named the Orc mines “

“Hmm so that is why it’s dangerous “

“Yes the mines are the base of the Orcs and it is also said that an Orc lord is residing there “

Kroll while saying those two words shuddered.

“orc Lord? What is an Orc Lord is it like the one I took down?”

Yefan remembered the Orc commander and said.

“No …an Orc lord is a supreme Orc who governs its race, it is extremely powerful and has intelligence unlike the normal Orcs, and the Orc commander is only an ant compared to an Orc Lord”

Yefan was surprised then his heart began to beat violently, this wasn’t fear this was his blood boiling and the feeling of excitement.

(Stronger huh? hahahaha perfect for me! )

“And also the number of Orcs there is said to be a thousand, the one who we fought could only be a unit “

“How do you compare that orc to a warrior?”

Yefan wanted to know the strength of his obstacle, if he wanted to pass from there a battle is inevitable considering the savageness of that pig race.

“I would say that it’s comparable to a late master warrior!”

(Shit a late master warrior? I think even with my magic and technique I can barely win, there is also a possibility that I lose …I need to remain here for some time)

*****************************

Another weak passed by quickly, Yefan was now sitting cross-legged beside a small river not too far from the goblin village, his bare upper body was like a work of art, his muscles were not the inflated type but they were abnormally compressed and made Yefan body appear like lump of condensed power, strength was felt from the muscles hiding the explosiveness.

During this weak Yefan successfully increased his level and attained magician apprentice level 10 short of a breakthrough that is why today he is attempting to become a middle ranked magician.

His eyes shut he was sensing the Mana surrounding him , his Mana root already evolved and now it was a thick plant.

The surrounding particles of Mana were revolving around his body and were being absorbed continuously, the plant was being reinforced and its shape was slowly changing.

After being enlightened about the origin of Mana and how it is created Yefan felt like the breakthrough this time will be easy.

The flowing particles of Mana were now absorbed with an amazing speed, from the Mana plant small sized branches were forming they began to appear slowly but steadily.

Four hours had passed and the Mana was still being absorbed, four branches Of Mana appeared and the fifth one was forming.

After completely forming the fifth branch the swirl of Mana ceased to be absorbed and the surroundings became still.

“fuh! I succeeded hahaha now I’m a middle ranked magician!“

Yefan opened his eyes and laughed with a sense of satisfaction, now he advanced another rank he had further confidence in fighting the Orc Lord.

“I can now learn the second stage of shadow movement and all my stats increased, I should also try to execute the second technique the old man taught me “

Yefan cleaned the sticky sweet of his body, after the two breakthroughs he noticed that his body was ejecting small patches of black substance that emitted stench which will make him feel nauseated.

“The sticky thing is more than the previous time, it’s like in the novels cleansing bone marrow hahaha I never thought that it will happen to me “

Yefan unable to withstand to sticky feeling bathed in the river, after feeling refreshed his eyes flashed coldly.

“Orc lord wait for me I will make some Ma Po Tofu (a popular Chinese dish )”

End.