The night wind blew softly, carrying the scent of dried blood on the forest floor. Gorath stood atop a pile of goblin corpses, his breathing heavy but full of satisfaction. His large, strong hands were still stained with blood, the remnants of the brutal battle that had just ended.
His body still felt hot from the effects of Berserker's Wrath, but the primal urges within him were beginning to subside. Right now, there was only one thing on his mind—his next journey.
He looked ahead, into the increasingly dark and secretive forest.
Out there, more enemies awaited him.
More power to consume.
More worlds to conquer.
But before he could go any further, a deep voice echoed behind him.
CRACK. CRACK.
Gorath turned his head quickly.
From behind the trees, a large creature emerged. Unlike the goblins or hobgoblins he had just slain, this creature was much larger—nearly three meters tall with muscles bulging like steel.
His skin was a deep gray, covered in old scars that showed how many times he had been in mortal combat. His glowing red eyes stared at Gorath with hatred.
An Orc Champion.
One of the strongest warriors of his own race.
Gorath grinned, his blood boiling with excitement.
Finally, a worthy opponent.
The Orc Champion growled lowly. "You smell like us, but you act like a demon. Are you really an orc?"
Gorath laughed. "I am more than that. I am a predator among monsters."
The Orc Champion did not answer again. Without warning, he raised his great axe and charged at him with incredible speed.
BOOM!
The ground shook as the axe struck where Gorath had been standing, but Gorath had already dodged to the side with surprising agility.
"Slow."
Gorath leapt into the air, his claws ready to rip his opponent's throat.
However, the Orc Champion was faster than he had expected.
WHAM!
A massive fist slammed into Gorath's stomach with brutal force, sending him flying backwards into a large tree.
"Khh…"
Gorath felt his bones tremble, but the pain only made him thirstier for battle.
The Orc Champion approached him with heavy steps. "You are strong… but not enough."
Gorath rose to his feet, his eyes burning with the fire of hatred.
"I will show you… what it means to be the strongest being!"
He took a deep breath, energy gathering around his body.
The Orc Champion's ears twitched, his instincts telling him something dangerous was happening.
Gorath raised his hand.
The air around him began to vibrate.
"From the deepest darkness…"
His claws glowed blood red.
"Hellfire that burns all…"
His eyes grew sharper, his pupils glowing like a true predator.
"DARK FLAME… ERUPTION!"
BOOM!
A tongue of black flame erupted from the ground, enveloping the Orc Champion in a suffocating, hot inferno.
A scream of rage and pain echoed throughout the forest.
Gorath smiled in satisfaction, waiting to see if his opponent could still hold on.
As the smoke cleared, he saw it—the Orc Champion was still standing.
His skin was burned, blood dripping from wounds all over his body, but his eyes were still filled with rage and fighting spirit.
He was still alive.
Gorath raised an eyebrow, chuckling.
"Interesting. Looks like I have to get serious."
This fight had only just begun.
The night wind carried the scent of blood and ash that still billowed in the air. The black flames of the Dark Flame Eruption slowly dissipated, leaving behind a charred earth and gaping cracks in the forest floor.
However, amidst the destruction, the Orc Champion still stood.
His wounds were severe—his gray skin was now black in places, fresh blood flowing from the burned flesh. But beneath all that, he was still alive.
And what was worse—he was smiling.
"Heh… you're interesting. I almost died…" The Orc Champion growled lowly, his eyes glowing like embers that would not go out. He held his great axe, stabbing it into the ground as if to hold his body still. "But I am not defeated yet."
Gorath stared at him expressionlessly. He recognized his opponent's courage. Not many could survive his attack—especially after taking a direct hit from his ultimate move.
However, he would not let his opponent breathe any longer.
Without warning, he charged forward.
WHAM!
His fist slammed into the Orc Champion's head, sending the creature flying back several steps. But this time, his opponent did not fall.
Instead, he struck back.
His axe flew in a deadly arc, slicing through the air with a sharp whoosh. Gorath dodged nimbly, jumping back several meters.
But the attack did not stop.
BOOM!
The ground where he had been standing exploded from the impact of the Orc Champion's axe. Shards of stone and dirt flew in all directions. If Gorath had been a little slower, he would have been minced meat.
'His speed and strength have not diminished even though he is so badly injured…?'
Gorath began to feel something akin to excitement.
This fight could kill him.
And he relished the challenge.
From afar, on a tall tree branch…
A pair of eyes were watching the battle intently.
A black-haired man in a raven-feathered robe, his smile faintly as he watched the fierce battle below.
"Interesting… an Orc capable of such power…"
He glanced behind him, where several other shadows were lurking in the darkness.
"Report to our lord. It seems we have encountered something more than just a simple monster."
With that, the mysterious figure disappeared into the night.
On the battlefield…
Gorath and the Orc Champion were still staring at each other, both panting but still full of fighting spirit.
Gorath raised his hand, feeling the remaining energy in his body. He could not continue to use a big attack without considering the consequences. But there was one thing he could do.
He slowly raised his right claw, pointing it at his own body.
"Devour."
The Orc Champion's body widened.
In an instant, the air around Gorath vibrated. His small wounds slowly closed, his exhausted body now filled with new energy.
A wild smile formed on his face.
"I will show you… the difference between us."
He lowered his body, taking an attack position.
Wind swirled around him.
The Orc Champion gritted his teeth, but his eyes were full of determination. He knew that he had to give it his all.
"Come, Black Orc…!"
And with that, the two of them charged towards each other.
The final battle had begun.