Chapter 10
A Frenzy of Slaughter
Why does he keep saying that like he actually plans to cut off someone's head?
Lily Rowan blinked in confusion.
Before she could think further, Ethan Quinn had already rushed forward like an arrow released from a bowstring.
He charged straight into the middle of the orc warriors.
But instead of immediately cutting them down, Ethan slowed his attacks. Each strike landed deliberately, drawing the attention of every nearby enemy. Orc swordsmen from every corner of the camp began rushing toward him.
Within moments, the entire camp surrounded him.
Three layers of orcs packed tightly around his position.
Only then did Ethan move.
"Now."
With a flash of light, his body vanished from the ground.
Flying Immortal activated.
Ethan appeared high above the battlefield as countless arcs of sword light rained down from the sky.
The attacks carved through the mass of orcs below like falling stars.
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The screams echoed through the camp as the stacked ranks of warriors collapsed one after another.
Seconds later Ethan landed lightly on the ground.
Silence followed.
Not a single orc remained standing.
From behind a pile of broken crates, Lily Rowan slowly peeked out. Her wide eyes stared at the battlefield in disbelief.
Dozens of elite orc warriors had been wiped out in moments.
"Come here," Ethan called calmly. "Your black truffles are inside this tent."
The words instantly pulled Lily from her shock.
She ran over excitedly and looked inside the tent Ethan pointed to.
The moment she stepped in, she froze.
In the valley forest she had searched for hours and barely found a dozen black truffles.
Inside this tent, however, the rare mushrooms were piled into a small mountain.
"Why are there so many?" she asked, stunned.
Ethan shrugged slightly.
"Orcs are far better at finding them than we are. What humans consider valuable ingredients are just food to them."
He gestured toward the pile.
"Take what you need. I'll collect the rest of the loot."
"Okay."
Lily immediately began filling a bag with truffles while Ethan moved through the battlefield gathering the dropped items.
While searching the bodies, he noticed a piece of equipment glowing with a faint green light.
He picked it up.
Kinetic Combat Boots
Level 10
Grade Bronze
Durability 1000
Effects
Increase movement speed by ten percent.
Kick attacks gain ten percent additional power.
Description. Combat boots forged by dwarven craftsmen. Built for explosive movement.
Ethan finally smiled.
After looting so many useless items, he had finally found something valuable.
Movement speed bonuses were extremely important during early progression.
Although the level requirement was slightly higher than his current level, these boots would soon become useful.
He stored them in his inventory and continued collecting the remaining drops.
Several minutes later the battlefield was cleared.
Lily walked out of the tent carrying a massive sack stuffed with truffles.
She struggled under the weight.
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
"Give it to me. I'll store it in my inventory."
"…I…"
Lily lowered her head, clearly reluctant.
She did not want to give up the bag. But she also knew she could not refuse him.
Clang.
Ethan flicked the Dragon Slayer Blade with his finger.
The sharp metallic ring echoed through the camp.
Startled, Lily immediately removed the sack from her shoulders and handed it to him.
Ethan nodded with satisfaction.
Good. She understood the situation.
"Let's go," he said. "This little pile won't last long. I know where we can find more."
"Okay."
Under Ethan's lead, the two walked toward the center of the camp.
In Ethan's memory there was a hidden bunker beneath the open clearing in the middle of the camp.
Compared to the truffles in the tent, the storage below was far larger.
He opened the bunker door and stepped inside first.
The air inside was surprisingly clean. Ventilation shafts allowed fresh air to circulate, and candles along the walls illuminated the narrow passageway.
After descending for a short time, Ethan reached the first underground level.
There he encountered the third group of enemies in the camp.
This time they were not swordsmen.
Orc Archers.
The moment Ethan stepped into the chamber, arrows rained down like a storm.
Ethan swung the Dragon Slayer Blade.
Instead of defending, he attacked.
The blade moved so quickly it formed a curtain of steel that shattered every incoming arrow in midair.
The instant the archers began drawing new arrows, Ethan moved.
He surged forward.
The sword flashed again and again.
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Red damage numbers exploded above each archer's head.
System notifications rang continuously.
You killed Elite Monster Orc Archer. Experience gained 3000.
You killed Elite Monster Orc Archer. Experience gained 3000.
You killed Elite Monster Orc Archer. Experience gained 3000.
Golden light suddenly surrounded Ethan.
Level Up.
Current Level. 5
Five free attribute points available.
Ethan placed all five points into Intelligence to increase his mana pool.
Then he continued fighting.
More orc warriors rushed up from deeper inside the bunker. Ethan moved through them like a phantom, his blade flashing left and right.
Cold sword light swept across the entire chamber.
Fifteen minutes later the bunker floor was silent.
Ethan sheathed the Dragon Slayer Blade and waved toward Lily.
"You can come down now."
"Okay."
This time Lily walked forward without hesitation. The fear she once felt had completely vanished.
Watching Ethan fight had erased every doubt about his strength.
After taking a few steps she asked quietly, "What are you planning to do next?"
Ethan glanced at her.
So she finally wants to help.
"Simple," he said. "We keep cutting through the camp."
Lily nodded.
"Then let me help you. I'm pretty good at support spells."
"Sure," Ethan replied casually. "Do whatever you want."
The two continued down the bunker passage together.
Soon they reached the entrance to the next underground level.