Era of Players: Death God

Nemesis sang a cold song as it sliced through the air, leaving two distinct vertical slashes in its wake. One aimed at the orc's shoulder, the other at its leg. The strikes were swift and precise, leaving no room for error.

A sickening thud filled the air as Nemesis met flesh and bone. The first slash tore through the orc's shoulder joint, releasing a spray of crimson mist into the air. The second strike, aimed at its leg, severed a vital artery. The creature let out a horrifying shriek, its sound echoing through the silent forest, before collapsing to the ground lifeless.

{39% Experience}

Noah pondered over the numerical significance of his battle accomplishments. With a staggering increase of 39% in experience, it became apparent that each vanquished orc contributed a substantial 13% to his overall progress. A meticulous calculation revealed that Noah's current experience point total was achieved by successfully slaying three of these formidable creatures.

However, in order to ascend to the next level, an additional five orcs would need to fall by his hand.

Driven by his insatiable thirst for growth, Noah wasted no time in embarking on a quest for his next conquest. After a mere half-hour of relentless searching, he came face to face with two formidable orcs.

Through the dense foliage, he spotted not one, but two orcs lumbering towards him. This time, they looked a bit different. These orcs were slightly larger, clad in crude leather armor, and wielded wickedly barbed axes instead of cleavers.

Noah's lips curled into a sadistic grin as his eyes fell upon the two menacing orcs. He hunkered down, concealed within the thick foliage. A sense of vengeance surged through him, matching his unwavering determination. This battle would not be simple. This time, he would exploit the element of surprise and harness his newfound telekinetic abilities to his advantage.

With a swift flick of his wrist, imperceptible to the orcs, Noah directed his focus towards one of their jagged axes. The weapon jerked in mid-air, torn from its owner's grip by an unseen force.

"!!"

The brute bellowed in bewilderment, desperately reaching for his now weightless axe.

Before the orc could react, Noah forcefully thrust the pilfered weapon into the back of the other orc using his telekinetic prowess.

Bang!

The impact propelled the second orc forward, causing it to collide with its companion in a chaotic flurry of limbs and startled roars.

Pandemonium ensued. The two orcs, momentarily taken aback and thrown into disarray, engaged in a fierce struggle with each other, their barbed axes abandoned on the forest ground. Noah observed them with predatory eyes, relishing in the sight of his prey in utter disarray. It was a perfect moment.

He straightened himself, Nemesis casually hanging at his side, projecting an air of nonchalant confidence that concealed the lethal power coursing through him.

"Seems like the fun and games have come to an end," he declared, his voice resonating through the clearing.

Chaos erupted. The two orcs, momentarily stunned and disoriented, grappled with each other, their barbed axes forgotten on the forest floor. Noah watched, a predator observing his prey in disarray. This was perfect.

He rose slowly, Nemesis held loose at his side, a picture of casual confidence that belied the deadly potential humming within him.

"Looks like playtime is over," he announced, his voice carrying through the clearing.

Pandemonium ensued. The two orcs, momentarily taken aback and thrown into disarray, engaged in a fierce struggle with each other, their barbed axes abandoned on the forest ground. Noah observed them with predatory eyes, relishing in the sight of his prey in utter disarray. It was a perfect moment.

He straightened himself, Nemesis casually hanging at his side, projecting an air of nonchalant confidence that concealed the lethal power coursing through him.

"Seems like the fun and games have come to an end," he declared, his voice resonating through the clearing.

''Graaa!"

''Graaa!"

The disoriented orcs finally snapped their focus to Noah, primal rage burning in their eyes as they roared in unison. With renewed determination, they charged forward, a whirlwind of fur and barbarity aimed at crushing this unexpected threat. But Noah wouldn't be intimidated. A glint of icy blue flickered in his eyes, his mind a steel trap formulating a plan.

He focused on the first orc's charge, analyzing its momentum. Just as the creature lunged, Noah sidestepped with lightning reflexes. A surge of blue energy erupted from his hand, flowing seamlessly onto Nemesis. The cold steel transformed in an instant, the once familiar weight replaced by a crackling heat. Nemesis was ablaze – a burning blade radiating an intense heat that shimmered in the dim light.

He had just used the Flame Art.

In a blur of motion, fueled by adrenaline, Noah swung Nemesis in a deadly arc. The fiery blade cleaved through the first orc with a sickening sizzle, the creature's surprised bellow cut short. Its body split in two alongside its weapon as the flames greedily devoured its flesh.

The second orc, witnessing the horrifying spectacle, faltered in its charge. Fear flickered in its eyes, momentarily replacing the primal rage. It spun on its heels, attempting a desperate escape. But Noah wouldn't allow it. With a flick of his wrist, he telekinetically seized a jagged piece of metal, a remnant of the first orc's shattered weapon.

The shard transformed into a gruesome projectile, propelled by an unseen force.

Swoosh!

It zipped through the air with a deadly whisper, finding its mark in the fleeing orc's back. The creature crumpled to the ground, dead before it even realized its demise.

Noah stood amidst the carnage, the air thick with the stench of burnt flesh and blood. The flames of Nemesis still flickering ominously in his hand. A chime echoed in his mind.

{+ 26% Experience}

He extinguished the flames on Nemesis with a deep breath, the cold steel oddly comforting in his grip. He glanced at the fallen orcs with a sight.

"I will do anything to achieve my goals. Let's keep moving forward."

Forty minutes had passed, the forest growing progressively darker with each passing moment.

Suddenly, a flicker of movement caught his eye. Four shapes emerged from behind a thicket of trees – orcs, but unlike the previous ones. These were leaner, clad in leather jerkins and carrying shortbows instead of heavy weapons.

"Scouts, huh?" Noah muttered under his breath.

A mischievous gleam danced in Noah's gaze. He recalled the strategy that had proven successful in the past. With a wordless directive, he directed his attention to a pebble nearby, urging it to lift from the ground. The small stone hovered momentarily, then swiftly darted through the air, bouncing off a tree trunk without causing any harm.

The scouts froze in their tracks, their heads turning towards the noise. The leader among them, easily distinguishable, prepared an arrow on his bow, scanning the surrounding foliage for the origin of the commotion. This was it.

Noah tapped into his telekinetic ability once again, focusing his power on a nearby branch that hung low, heavy with lush leaves. With a subtle flick of his wrist, he snapped the branch, causing a flurry of leaves to rain down upon the unsuspecting orcs. The startled yelps that escaped their lips filled Noah's ears with satisfaction, like sweet music to his senses.

Amidst the chaos and disarray, Noah seized the opportunity to unleash his final assault. His concentration honed in on the leader's bow, his mind commanding it to twist and wrench out of the orc's grip. The startled leader grunted in surprise as his weapon was forcefully ripped from his hand, sailing through the air before clattering onto the forest floor several meters away.

In the aftermath of the skirmish, the remaining scouts found themselves vulnerable and disoriented, their leader disarmed and incapacitated. It was the perfect moment for Noah to strike. With a surge of adrenaline coursing through his veins, he burst forth from his hiding place, brandishing his weapon, Nemesis, with deadly intent.

The cold steel gleamed in the dim light, a symbol of his unwavering determination.

Noah's mind echoed with the name of his most powerful sword skill, "Fangs of Insanity." With the grace of a dancer, he moved swiftly, each strike with Nemesis finding its mark with lethal precision. He expertly dodged desperate swings and deflected panicked thrusts, his movements a testament to his skill and control.

In the chaos of battle, Noah became a grim reaper, his every strike harvesting lives with chilling efficiency.

In a matter of minutes, the forest floor was strewn with the fallen, their expressions frozen in surprise as the fading light cast an eerie glow over the scene. Noah stood amidst the aftermath, his chest heaving with exhaustion and his body covered in a sheen of sweat. The adrenaline-fueled thrill of the fight began to wane, replaced by a somber weight in his gut.

He knew he wasn't a monster, but in this unforgiving world, survival necessitated a ruthless edge and beside he was ready to do anything to achieve his goals.