Their bodies slammed into each other with incredible force. The Orc Champion's giant axe collided with Gorath's claws, producing a loud bang that echoed throughout the forest.
The ground beneath them shook. Cracks began to spread from where they stood, reflecting the intensity of the fight.
The Orc Champion pushed his axe down, trying to crush Gorath with all his might. But Gorath blocked the blow with one hand, his claws gripping the blade of the axe that trembled from the incredible pressure.
"You are no ordinary orc…" the Orc Champion growled, his muscles tensing as he tried to increase the pressure.
Gorath grinned.
"And you are no match for me."
With a sudden push, he released his grip and twisted his body to the side, causing the Orc Champion's axe to miss. Before his opponent could react, he swung his claws toward the Champion's chest.
SLASH!
Blood spurted from the deep wound.
The Orc Champion staggered back, but with his incredible fighting instincts, he used the momentum to twist his body and launch a horizontal strike.
Gorath jumped back, dodging the attack with incredible speed.
However, in the blink of an eye, the Orc Champion was already in front of him again.
"RAAAH!!"
The axe swung at an insane speed, cutting through the air with destructive force. Gorath only had a split second to act.
With his sharp instincts, he twisted his body and slid down, avoiding the axe swing that almost hit his head. Once he was in an advantageous position, he leaped forward and slammed his knee into the Orc Champion's chest.
BOOM!
The impact was strong enough to send the Orc Champion flying several meters back, destroying several trees in the process.
But he still didn't fall.
Although blood continued to flow from his wounds, the Orc Champion remained standing with a determined look.
"Not finished yet…" he muttered, taking a deep breath.
Gorath frowned.
Suddenly, the air around the Orc Champion began to vibrate. Black energy erupted from his body, swirling around him like an evil mist.
Gorath could feel the power. This was no ordinary magic.
'He has a special technique too?'
The Champion raised his axe high, and a dark aura flowed into his weapon. A red light flashed in the Orc's eyes, indicating that he was going to use his full power.
Gorath knew that he could not withstand this attack without doing something.
"Very well… then…"
He took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment.
When he opened them again, they were flashing a fiery red.
He raised both his hands to his sides, and a thicker black aura began to envelop his body. The wind swirled wildly around him, creating a vortex of energy that radiated terrifying pressure.
"Listen well, Orc Champion… I will end it with this."
He raised his hands up, his claws glowing purplish black. The sound of thunder echoed in the sky, as if the world itself felt the power he was about to unleash.
Then, with a voice that echoed throughout the battlefield, he uttered his final spell.
"DEVOURING VOID..."
"...ANNIHILATION!"
In an instant, darkness exploded from his body, creating a wave of energy that devoured everything in its path.
A wave of black energy swept across the area, tearing the ground and destroying the surrounding trees. The air was filled with the roar of the destructive energy released by Gorath.
The Orc Champion who was right in the center of the attack couldn't dodge. His body was sucked into the vortex of darkness that formed a bottomless abyss. He tried to fight back, stabbing his axe into the ground to defend himself, but it was in vain.
"AARRRGGHH!!"
His scream echoed before his body was torn apart by the overwhelming force. His blood and flesh disintegrated, absorbed by the black energy that swirled around Gorath.
[Consumed Orc Champion. Ability gained: Berserker's Wrath Lv.1]
[Consumed Orc Champion. Ability gained: War Cry Lv.1]
The black aura that enveloped Gorath began to subside, but its effects were still felt. The ground around him cracked, and the air was filled with the stench of death.
He moved his hands, feeling new strength flowing through his body.
'Amazing…'
The Devouring Void: Annihilation technique not only destroyed the enemy, but also sucked their strength completely, leaving no trace behind.
However, before he could enjoy his victory, he sensed something.
Someone was watching him.
Gorath turned around, sharpening his senses. In the distance, among the shadows of the trees, he could see a pair of glowing red eyes watching him.
Not a goblin. Not an ordinary orc.
'Hunter? No… this isn't a human.'
The figure stood still, as if assessing Gorath. There was no intention of attacking, but there was also no sign of fear.
"Who are you?" Gorath finally asked.
The figure didn't answer. However, in the blink of an eye, it simply disappeared, as if it were just an illusion.
Gorath frowned.
'Damn, what was that just now?'
He knew that the battle with the Orc Champion was only the beginning. If another creature could appear without being detected, then there was probably something bigger waiting out there.
And he would have to become much stronger to face it.
He clenched his fists.
'Alright… Time to hunt again.'