Ascension of the Nephilim

The Balefire Butcher, Dryklash, was famous in Kyros's former life. It was this orc that became one of the Champions of the orcs that were responsible for the deaths of two Champions of the human alliance. His strength was marvelous, and his followers were numerous.

Orcs had a different class set from humans due to their tremendous advantage over humans. A regular orc was larger and was not suited for some human classes. They could wear more armor and wield larger weapons. While humans devised more tactics and magic to defend themselves, orcs mostly focused on brute force. 

The Barbarian class was one of the few jobs that the orcs adopted. Most of those under the Barbarian class tree was available for orcs. This includes the Berserker class and the more formidable Ragion class. But the more privileged kingdoms in the Midlands had a Berserker class that was specially made for Orcs. It was a stronger version of the common Ragion as it emphasized the strength, size, and natural release of rage that orcs naturally had.

The Orc Berserker was considered the peak class among the Berserker route in the Barbarian tree among all classes.

Dryklash's power was horrifying, and the more his rage builds, the stronger his attacks and defenses were.

Unlike the other orc captains who had various means to add defenses to their bodies, Dryklash didn't need it. He would abandon all armor to increase mobility and speed. This was what an Orc Berserker was. Like the Ragion class that the slain Viscount Querk Stonefist had, their body that was so hard, his very skin would be as hard as the shields of Shield Orcs!

Kyros had to use various means to bypass the defenses of the warriors he attacked, and so he aimed for the neck. But this one would have such a hard defense since Kyros not only taunted the man but killed his brother!

Berserker relied on their emotions to enhance the quality of their Force power. And this time, he didn't need to do much as the rage he had in his heart was great.

But aside from these disadvantages, Kyros could feel another force at work.

Kyros stood and watched as this unripe Champion move towards him. He could feel the contest of Fate between them. It was as if the factors that made up their fight was fighting for dominance. Kyros could feel that the Fate of this orc was clearly overpowering him.

Kyros retreated and evaded the powerful attacks of the orc.

Each slash from the Berserker created a powerful gust as if the wind exploded on the areas he would slash.

Kyros was using the darkness to stick to the ground on each of his steps and keep his footing. He already knew what elements this man wielded and began to act to defend against the attacks.

Kyros dodged and evaded each slash, being very careful not to be within the direction of where the slashes were made.

Dryklash expected that the dark one would have such skills and kept on rushing. His force energy leaked out and would create a whip of force energy that acted like the wind.

Impressive force control!" Kyros praised as he kept circling around the orc to avoid the attacks.

Suddenly, the orc whirled and spun, creating a force explosion that was like a strong gust.

Kyros expected the attack and allowed the wind to throw him away. The darkness transformed into some form of wings that allowed Kyros to glide towards the roof of a nearby house.

"Archers! Magis! Get ready! Focus strength on your arms! His telekinesis should be weak now! His skills are limited! I dove close, and he can't do the dark energy he released earlier!"

The archers and the mages got ready.

"Don't get distracted either! I don't believe his lies! He might have some telepathic powers that can make us hear things! No matter what happens, if there are shouts or cries near you, focus on shooting him!" The orc ordered.

Kyros was rather impressed with the orcs plan. He knew that the orc was forcing Kyros to fight the orc on a melee.

"This guy is definitely favored by Fate. As early as now, he already has mastered using his Force to make it like the wind. And he has an interesting ax imbued with Balefire. I'm guessing only a Berserker like I have Apathy, and this orc should have a minor favor blessing. Unfortunately, my luck is diminishing." Kyros assessed.

"Why are you even fighting him head-on?" Calaminus asked with a worried expression.

"In my past life, I've fought countless Fate favored enemies and slain them. What's the big deal?"

"They were always within your range of strength! This one isn't! You barely have enough mana to make that powerful attack that enhances your strength. The Force energy in your body is not enough to break through his defenses! Look! He's already using his Berserker ability to increase his vitality! His anger is at its peak! You won't be able to do cheap shots anymore! And since you don't have the Source energy to help you increase your attacks, you're at a disadvantage!"

"It's perfect for trying it out. I don't know what powers I've gained from Hyperion Steele."

"He is the source of Sword Force. You must have felt it. He is the reason why the many sword gods managed to draw a sword. The concept of wielding a sword began with him. That's why he's an Ancient God."

"Interesting. So just like Fate and Time, wielding a sword is also a concept of creation? Does that mean that the simplest things like picking up an item, carrying a hammer, is also a concept?"

"No. What I mean is, anyone can carry a sword, but not everyone can become a swordsman without the Ancient God. A sword can be trained to do various things. There is a Greater God for Sword Magic. There is a Greater God for Force Manipulation, Martial arts, Speed, Power, and other forms."

"Oh. And I have the granddaddy of them all? So this means... Everything is possible?"

"Yes. If you can learn it, I can feel the God curses still in effect. Your understanding and application will be hindered."

"I noticed. But still... Experimenting on ways to harness sword force is quite interesting." Kyros smiled as the darkness fell to the ground. Kyros backed a bit, and the darkness began to stretch.

Kyros jumped, and like a slingshot, Kyros flew towards the orc. 

The archers and mages shot their attacks, but Kyros flew faster.

Dryklash hooked one of his ax to a strange mechanism on his back and flung his ax. The ax was hooked to a chain, and with a simple flick of his wrist and the force energy that directed it, the ax began to spin dangerously.

Kyros glided straight on and used his dexterity to evade the whirling chain ax by only a few inches.

Dryklash raised his other ax and slashed towards Kyros, who was approaching him.

Suddenly, the dark wings of Kyros became a parachute that decreased his speed dramatically.

The slash missed as Kyros stopped another few inches away from the reach of the large ax that slashed out.

The force wind howled, but Kyros was not moved as the darkness had rooted itself on the ground.

With one ax still returning to Dryklash and another which had been slashed out, there were no weapons to block Kyros's attack.

"[Force Slash]!" Kyros struck with all his might.

BANG!

The strike resounded like an explosion and caused Dryklash to be thrown back a few steps.

"Hahaha! Where is your strength, dark one?!" The orc laughed.

Kyros evaded the ax that was whipping back thanks to the chain, and then Dryklash caught his ax.

BOOM!

The ground shook as Dryklash jumped forward with the force of energy erupting on his feet and slashed down as he approached Kyros.

Kyros dodged the attack by making a small step backward.

BOOM!

The ground exploded as the ax stabbed deep into it.

But as Dryklash's rushing slash missed, he held on the to ax that was deeply embedded on the ground, and a mechanism allowed him to use the ax to make his forward charge into a quick turn as the piece that connected the handle to the ax blade had a round contraption that allowed Dryklash to spin in an axis.

The turn allowed Dryklash to execute a quick spin and attack the enemy who would expect him to push further forward and not make a complete turn.

But as he spun and readied his other ax to attack, Kyros was already rushing forward with his sword slashing upwards.

SLASH!

A rising slash sliced Dryklash from the chin up to the forehead.

But it was as if Kyros struck steel. The slash only left a small wound on Dryklash's face.

Dryklash swung his other hand, and his ax was fueled with Balefire.

SWISH!

But his attack struck empty air as Kyros used his upwards slash, which struck the hard face of Dryklash to push himself backward.

Suddenly, a large boulder came falling down on Dryklash.

With one ax on the ground and another hand spent on doing a wide slash, Dryklash had no weapon to block or strike the large boulder. And so, Dryklash used his powerful force energy to erupt and explode upwards on his head, which he used to resist the boulder.

BANG!

The headbutt smashed on the rock, and it created a force that threw the boulder forward. The force of the headbutt was so strong that the rock broke into two pieces.

But that was the moment that Kyros was waiting for. The Force energy in the head was used up, and only a few remnant force energy was left for defense.

STAB!

The Bloodied Sword stabbed right at the head of Dryklash, and it pierced through.

[Force Pierce skill acquired.]

BOOM!

The broken boulders crashed down on the ground right after the attack occurred. 

It all happened so fast. The strong strikes of Dryklash caused the dust to kick up.

By the time the dust settled and the large boulder was down on the ground, the orcs saw their leader dead with a sword stabbing right through his head.

"Slashing is not the only thing I can do, Dryklash." Kyros laughed as his blade began to devour the blood.