Free Web NovelChapter 167: Strength versus Speed
Although the orc’s blow struck Bel, the young man partially blocked it with his sword. But the overwhelming force of the orc’s mace threw him backward. His feet dragged across the arena floor, kicking up dust and small stones as he struggled to keep his balance.
When he finally stopped, he felt his arms shake from the impact. He was gasping for breath and sweat ran down his face.
Still a little shaky, Bel raised his head, his eyes fixed on the orc, who was running toward him again with a wide, excited smile on his face.
"You resisted my blow, human!" the orc shouted through yellowed teeth and with that strong accent. "Not many can do that. I’m impressed."
Bel took a deep breath, trying to catch his breath and regain control of his body. The pain radiated from his arms to his shoulders. The Orc’s strength was frightening, but he couldn’t afford to show weakness. freewёbnoνel.com
"You say a lot for someone who’s about to be defeated," Bel replied, trying to sound confident. He turned the sword in his hands, adjusted the hilt, and prepared for the next attack.
The orc roared with excitement and lunged forward, mace raised, ready to smash Bel with all his might.
Bel knew he had to be quick. He had to use his agility to avoid the orc’s devastating blows, he probably couldn’t take another direct hit.
When the orc was only a few meters away, Bel jumped to the side, dodging the mace that came down with brutal force.
The weapon hit the ground with a thud, shaking even the orc’s arms from the dry impact.
Taking advantage of the orc’s moment of vulnerability, Bel quickly slashed at the creature’s right leg. The cut was deep this time, and the orc screamed in pain, but did not fall. Instead, it spun the mace in a wide arc, trying to catch Bel off guard.
Bel’s eyes widened, and he ducked at the last second, out of sheer reflex.
Over the next minute, Bel delivered a series of blows to the orc’s wounded leg, severing muscles and tendons with quick blows. Each blow was designed to further weaken the big orc, who groaned in pain and tried to strike Bel with the mace with each blow, but his movements became increasingly difficult.
"Now you’re starting to look like a mouse that just runs away! Face me again!"
"I don’t have to," Bel said calmly. freewebnøvel.coɱ
Bel knew he was making progress, that the orc was beginning to crack under the constant pressure. He had to keep pressing; he had to find an opening for a decisive blow.
"You will fall, one day or another." Bel muttered, turning the sword into his hands once more, preparing for the next attack.
Not being able to use the advanced technique Victor had taught him, Bel had no way to end the fight with one blow like Jonas did, so he had to be patient.
The orc, realizing that Bel was a potential threat, became more angry than excited and swung his mace furiously.
As the orc swung his mace, Bel quickly moved to the side and slashed the side of the orc’s torso. Blood gushed from the wound, but the creature didn’t seem to care. Instead, it continued to attack, each blow more ferocious and desperate.
Bel knew that he was wearing the orc down, that each blow made it slower and less precise. He had to keep moving; he had to keep attacking. There was no time to stand still or rest. With an agile leap, Bel climbed onto the orc’s back, drove his sword into the creature’s shoulder, and held on tight.
The orc screamed in pain and felt the arm holding the mace lose its strength as he tried to grab Bel.
Bel seized the opportunity to rip and forced his weight down, slicing deep into the orc’s right shoulder.
The creature staggered, feeling the tearing pain.
"Haa... Haa..." The orc gasped. "Now, human, you will see the genuine fury of an Orc!!!" his opponent shouted, his voice full of anger and a little pride.
Bel was also panting, his uneven breathing contrasting with the determination in his eyes. He could feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins, fueling his will to win.
The orc, wounded and weakened, still tried to maintain a threatening posture, but his actions were increasingly slow and clumsy.
"You can roar all you want, Orc, but it won’t change the outcome of this battle," Bel said, his voice filled with confidence and determination. He placed his sword in front of his back.
However, the battle was closer to being over than Bel had imagined, for the orc soon fell to his knees, weakened and bleeding profusely.
"You don’t know what you’re doing, human... I have children on the other side of the sea, waiting for me... If you kill me, they’ll be left... with nothing," the orc said.
Bel paused for a moment and lowered his sword a little. A shadow of doubt crossed his face. He had never killed an intelligent being before, and the thought of leaving children without a father stirred his conscience. Orcs weren’t monsters, they were just another race, like elves, but one that couldn’t coexist with humans.
"I... I’ve been away from home for too long... I was brought here to fight... I don’t like it," the orc continued.
But something in the orc’s voice didn’t seem genuine. There was a tone of manipulation, a desperate attempt to gain sympathy.
Bel could not be remorseful, not if he wanted to become a knight. And no matter how heavy the burden of killing someone with hopes, memories, and family, this was the burden Bel had to carry if he wanted to become a knight like his father.
So Bel sighed: "This test would be much easier if you didn’t speak my language. But don’t underestimate me, Orc. Your tricks won’t work on me," Bel replied and settled back into his stance. He knew he had to trust his instincts and not get carried away by his enemy’s false emotions.
The orc growled in frustration and tried to get up with one last effort.
Bel was ready and took advantage of the opening, thrusting his sword forward. The metal struck the orc’s skin with a thrust and then his heart with a sharp blow.
The sword pierced the orc, and his wide eyes reflected surprise and pain. Then he fell slowly to his knees, the mace slipping from his weak hands.
Bel drew his sword and stepped back, letting the orc’s body fall all the way forward.
After the orc’s body fell heavily to the arena floor, Bel paused for a moment, taking in the scene before him. Silence hung over the place, which had been filled with the sound of the blows and roars of battle. Now the only sound was the distant echo of the gasping breaths of the spectators, who watched the fight with fixed gazes and varying expressions of excitement, tension, and even a little horror.
A mixture of emotions washed over Bel. There was guilt, but there was also fulfillment and happiness.
He had never killed anyone before, especially not an intelligent being like this Orc. And despite all the justifications and reasons for the fight, the weight of the action still weighed on him.
Bel tried to push these thoughts aside and concentrate on the lesson this battle had taught him. He had to be stronger, faster, more decisive. He needed to control his emotions and act decisively when necessary.
As Bel reflected on what had just happened, a murmur began to spread among the spectators. They commented on Bel’s skill and courage, how he had faced the orc with such determination and intelligence. Some even began to applaud, acknowledging the young warrior’s accomplishment.
Bel looked up and met the eyes of Sir Reinhart in the crowd. "Congratulations, Bel Selvarum Segundo. You have masterfully passed the second test. Please go back the way you came into the arena and go to the waiting room for the next and final test."
Bel nodded in agreement and headed back down the corridor she had come from, but not before taking one last look at the orc’s corpse.
Inside the cabin, Gracela sighed in relief that Bel had won. "Phew, he’s one step away now. Watching these fights is even harder than fighting them."
"Isn’t it?" Liana, Jonas’ teacher, agreed with a slight smile. "Anyway, it was a pleasure to meet you, Victor Shieldman and Gracela Selvarum." She said and held out her right arm to greet them.
Victor was a little confused. "Aren’t you staying to watch the rest of the exam?"
"Oh no, of course not. The last test will be much easier and I only came here to watch Jonas. I stayed a little longer because I was interested in Bel Selvarum. But now that he’s passed, there’s no reason for me to stay any longer. See you later!"
