The lightning released in a violent cascade, crawling and swarming over the orc’s entire body like a living thing. White-black arcs snapped across its crimson skin, illuminating the battlefield in harsh flashes. It didn’t bruise or burn it at all—there wasn’t even the smell of scorched flesh—but the force was enough to halt its downward stomp before Desmond could be crushed again.

  More lightning gathered instinctively at my back, the spell feeding greedily on my reserves, draining my mana faster than I liked.

  My breath hitched as I opened my palm, fingers trembling from exertion, and said, "Telekinesis."

  The invisible force snapped into place. I yanked my arm back hard, wrenching Desmond free from the orc’s foot and dragging him through the air. His body floated for a split second—weightless, limp—before I released him. My arm fell to my side as gravity reclaimed him, and he hit the ground with a dull thud a short distance away.

  I said, "Heal him."

  Mary immediately crouched beside Desmond, hands glowing faintly green as she began her attempt. Her expression was tight, jaw clenched, as though she already knew how bad it was.

  Beside me, shadows stretched unnaturally along the sand. Mei condensed them into form, summoning a knife of pure darkness. She stepped up next to me, her voice low and cold. "You saw the message as well as I. He's gone."

  Something inside me snapped. Heat rushed to my face, and I roared, "Shut the fuck up! You chunnibyou syndrome bitch!"

  Mei didn’t flinch. She flicked her wrist and threw the knife with lethal precision. It struck the orc square in the chest, right where its heart should have been. The blade dissolved into shadow on impact. "We can, however, get revenge."

  The orc growled and pushed forward, muscles bulging as it forced its way through the lightning. The arcs sputtered, then faded, no longer even capable of slowing it down.

  It spoke, its voice deep and amused, "I like her attitude."

  Mei’s eyes narrowed. "Shut your mouth, inferior. Shadow Zone."

  The ground beneath the orc darkened instantly. The sand lost all color, becoming a rippling pool of black shadow. The orc glanced down at its feet, curiosity flashing across its monstrous face. "What a great ability... it shall be mine soon."

  Could it have sneaked up on us from an ability it stole? What if it can copy our skills?! You... you dare... with what we were given... kill him!

  My face twisted into something ugly, rage distorting my features until my jaw ached.

  Something smacked into my chest. Instinctively, I caught it without even looking—it was a sandwich.

  Alex’s voice followed. "Take it! It will increase your mana reserves! More mana, more power, right?"

  I didn’t hesitate. I shoved the entire thing into my mouth and swallowed it in a single bite, barely chewing. Mana stirred faintly in response. I whispered, "Dimensional Storage."

  A translucent portal flashed. Four mana potions remained—each one capable of completely regenerating my reserves. I’d need them. I pulled one free and chugged it without a second thought, cold blue liquid burning its way down my throat.

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  The orc exploded out of the shadows, moving far faster than before. My lightning crashed against it again, but it shrugged it off entirely now. It was on me in an instant—too quick for comfort, too quick to fully react.

  Its massive arm swung downward, aiming to crush me into the ground. I threw my arm up reflexively and shouted, "Light Wall."

  A radiant barrier formed just in time. The impact was devastating. The force drove me straight into the sand, the ground collapsing beneath me and forming a crater. My legs buckled violently, bones screaming in protest as the shockwave rippled outward.

  I forced myself upright, staring directly into its eyes through the glowing barrier. "Fuck you, motherfucker."

  Mei vanished.

  Not ran—not leapt—vanished. A heartbeat later, she reappeared behind the orc, right at the base of its neck. It wasn’t speed. It had to have been a skill.

  She drove her shadow blade into its spine, aiming to sever nerves. The moment stretched—then she clicked her tongue in frustration. The orc let out a low chuckle. "You'll need a better knife to pierce my skin."

  Not even a scratch. She hadn’t broken skin.

  As the fight raged on, two new presences pressed against my awareness—heavy, oppressive. I turned, heart sinking, and saw them. Two more red orcs emerging from the distance. They were slightly shorter than this one, but still enormous, still terrifying.

  The orc grinned wider. "Fiki! Guku! It took you a while!"

  It can smile?! It can feel friendship?!

  Mei leapt backward off the orc’s back, but she was just a fraction too slow. The orc slammed its elbow into her. The impact sent her crashing into the sand with explosive force.

  For a split second, I thought she might be dead too.

  Then she moved.

  Mei pushed herself up, trembling violently as she spat blood onto the ground. Shadows immediately coiled around her wound, sealing it shut. She looked at me, eyes unsteady. "Sorry, Haruto. I wish I could've helped more..."

  No, I want this for myself.

  She melted back into the shadows, retreating. The orc’s arm still hovered above my light wall, pressing down relentlessly. The other two orcs were closing in.

  Whoosh!

  Maya stood her ground, summoning an RPG that looked absurdly large in her hands. She fired again and again in rapid succession—something that should have been impossible. Missiles streaked forward, detonating against the incoming orcs. Flames and shockwaves engulfed them, leaving bruises and burns—but nothing fatal.

  The lead orc laughed. "This group is much stronger than the last... Fiki and Guku might die..."

  I didn’t listen to anything else it said.

  My fingers twitched uncontrollably, shaking with barely restrained fury. "Heavenly Wrath."

  A massive magic circle formed in the sky, above the orcs glowing white instead of gold. The power felt different—denser, sharper. The beam fired downward, and at my will, it split into two perfectly aligned streams.

  They pierced straight through Fiki and Guku, erasing their bodies entirely in a blinding flash. The only thing that remained were their two clubs.

  The remaining orc reeled back in shock, then launched a vicious kick. I weaved aside just in time, the wind of it brushing past me.

  I pulled out another mana potion and drank it, energy surging back into my limbs.

  I said, "Great Mana Enhancement."

  A blue glow wrapped around my legs, humming.

  The orc’s expression twisted. I sneered, "Did that hurt? I hope it did, you waste of oxygen."

  The orc smirked. "You think I care about anyone other than the great one such as myself?"

  You really are incorrigible...

  I leapt into the air, and as if answering my intent, Eli and Soto appeared behind me.

  Eli bent his knees, rage simmering in his eyes. "I had reason to hate him... and you still made me angry."

  Soto clenched his fists, muscles taut. "I'll make you pay. Desmond was a good man."

  The orc raised its fist dismissively. "Was that his name? Desmond? What a weak name for a weak human..."

  I locked eyes with it, pouring every ounce of hatred I had into my stare. It didn’t even blink.

  "Weapon Gate."

  The air warped. Black weapons erupted around the orc—blades, spears, axes—forming a massive sphere of steel and killing intent.

  I clasped my palms together. "While those two beat you to high heavens... I'll make you a goddamn pincushion!"