[Berserker Rage]

[Battle power 158]

Tristan could not believe the number that he was currently seeing, he even double analyzed it just to be sure, and apparently, the number was not wrong.

All three of the orc’s attributes just increased by a whopping 30 points. This meant that Ghral now had higher battle power than Tristan and he had lost his only edge.

Seeing Ghral coming at him, Tristan once again tried to outmaneuver the orc. But the latter, who previously couldn’t touch the former, managed to keep up and began sending blow after blow.

Bammm!!

Bammm!!

Bammm!! 

The fight suddenly made a sudden turn. All the orc punches managed to land on Tristan’s body. The heavy punches were so powerful that it was able to make him stagger. 

Tristan tried his best to parry and dodge Ghral’s assault, but more of those heavy punches kept coming before he could do anything.

The sound of Tristan’s bones cracking and blood splattering with each punch made all who watched amazed, because none of them would be able to stand after receiving even one of those heavy punches.

Seeing Tristan being thrashed by the orc warchief, his group of companions began to become concerned. Especially Layla, who was shouting her worry out.

“Dodge!! Punch back!! What the fuck are you doing Tris?!! Fight back!!”

The current spectacle, obviously, brought cheers to all the orcs. Seeing the strength of their chief as he overwhelmed Tristan truly excited them, to the point that it almost brought them into frenzy.

“Chiiwiiikkk!! Cwhiwikkk!!”

After a dozen barrages of heavy punches, Tristan was finally able to stop one and countered it with a headbutt.

Baaammm!!! The two figures were separated as the momentum forced them to take a few steps back.

Tristan wiped the blood that dripped from his mouth while staring at the orc warchief. 

Although the number of their battle power was not that far apart, now that Tristan finally fought someone with similar strength like him, it all came down to techniques and fighting experience. And it was clear that his brawling years in prison could not match the orc’s years of battle experience.

At a moment like this he really wished he had learned any real martial arts. Karate, taekwondo, judo, or even boxing would do. Unfortunately, he never learned any of those things back on Earth.

Tristan had no real techniques, but he did have plenty of experience with being beaten to a pulp. Therefore, this kind of situation where he was getting beaten relentlessly and endlessly was nothing new to him. The difference this time was his new Elf body.

He could clearly feel the pain wrecking all over his body, but somehow his strength never dwindled. It is as if his body was able to absorb all the damage from the punches. That’s why he could still stand even after receiving all those heavy punches. In fact, throughout the beating, Tristan took the time to learn and get used to his opponent.

After a while, Tristan started to get used to the orc’s fighting style. He began to be able to follow the orc’s movement, which leads to more successful dodges and counterattacks.

Baaammm!!!

A sudden, direct counter punch to his stomach made Ghral move a few steps backwards. It also signified the end of the next barrage of punches, giving Tristan some room to breath.

With his bloodied body, Tristan stood there and gave a wicked smile to Ghral.

“Is that all you got? Hahaha! Come! Give me some more and let me give you some too!”

The sight of Tristan being entirely covered with his own blood but still managing to provoke their chief made the crowds of orcs fall into madness. This kind of display was exactly the kind that made the orcs’ blood boil.

“Ghrall!! Grahll!! Grahll!!”

“Golug!! Golug!! Golug!!”

Now, the orcs were not only just chanting their warchief’s name, but also Tristan’s nickname; Golug the worthy elf.

Realizing that his subordinates were cheering the puny figure before him, Ghral shouted a battle cry and punched his own face. The orc’s unexpected actions made Tristan confused for a second, but he still didn’t drop his guard.

After bashing his own face, Ghral glared at Tristan and began screaming as he charged towards the latter again.

Bammm!! Baammm!!

BAM!

This time, with every two punches he received, Tristan managed to give one to Ghral as payment. 

The situation still didn’t look really good for him, but Tristan unexpectedly found the fight becoming more enjoyable with every second. After a while, he could even swear that he saw a smile appear on Ghral’s face. It seemed that his opponent also relished in their battle.

After 10 minutes, hundreds of heavy punches, the huge orc suddenly slowed down on his assault.

Looking at his exhausted expression, it was clear that Ghral was already at the end of his fuel. 

Tristan concluded that there must be a time limit on his skill as he saw the warchief’s battle power that was shown by the system began to dwindle, returning to the way it was, and go even lower than before.

With Tristan finally able to get his edge back, he slowly regained his earlier advantage. This was exactly when the orc warchief started to get pushed back. 

The sight gave wonder to everyone. No one, especially the crowds of orcs, expected that the elf’s pale, skinny body could hold out that long against the bulky, muscular orc. Well, funnily enough, not even Tristan expected his body could hold out this long.

Everyone could clearly see the dozens of swelling and bruises on Tristan’s body. Not to mention his few, if not dozens, of broken and displaced bones. Everyone without exception marveled at how the elf was still standing.

With the way it was going, everyone expected Tristan would be bashed by the orc until he stayed knocked out on the ground. 

But the truth was, after these 10 minutes, Tristan finally felt as if his life force was dwindling before his eyes. He suddenly felt extreme weakness all over his body and his vision began to blur.

Then, amidst the painful sensations he was feeling, a notification came to Tristan’s mind.

[Body’s condition has become critical. Host needs immediate treatment]

[Restore health for 500 Blood Essence]

[Proceed?]

“No!” Tristan screamed in his mind.

Definitely no, that was his hard-earned Blood Essence, one that he spilled blood and sweat for. Literally. 

Even though he was hurt, Tristan clearly knew that he wasn’t in a life-threatening situation. 

Moreover, he still had a few alternatives before he had to resort on using his precious Blood Essence.

He could use his [Heat Touch] spell to catch Ghral off guard, sending him to the underworld via baptism of fire. Or, take out his sword and dispatch the orc on the way with one simple slash. 

Both actions were definitely dishonorable acts, one that shouldn’t be committed in this situation. But between life, honor, and Blood Essence, Tristan undoubtedly knew what his priority was.

So, it was definitely a big NO for the costly health restoration.

Still, the notification made Tristan happy though. It looked like he could depend on this self-restoration feature in the future.

But for now, Tristan believed he would not need any of those things as he could already see doubt and desperation emerge from his opponent. With his current condition, Tristan didn’t want to risk it with another prolonged fight. 

Hence, he stood tall and shouted with all the energy he had, 

“YOU LOSE, GHRAL!! ACCEPT IT! YOU CANNOT DEFEAT ME!”

That’s right, Tristan decided to resort to a bluff. The cheapest solution of them all.

Tristan’s thunderous remark didn’t even need to be translated as the meaning was clear to all. His energetic shout, his confident smile, his heroic gait; all of this could only mean one thing.

His action was also quickly supported by the female orc as she began chanting his nickname, and all the other orcs started to follow her, one by one.

“Golugg!! Golugg!! Golugg!!” 

The chant was echoing through the whole fort and finally, Tristan could see Ghral’s expression change. He slowly approached Tristan, stretched his arms, put a fist on his chest, and then to Tristan’s chest.

At the same time, Karra quickly shouted something in orc language and knelt on the ground. Meanwhile, all the other orcs amplified their cheers, as they excitedly called out his name.

Moments later, Karra got up and said to Tristan, “Congratulations. You are now our new chief.”

Tristan had no idea what that would entail, but at least for now he would have full control of the incoming battle.

Looking at his surroundings, Tristan raised his hand to the air and the crowds cheered again.

Seeing all these greenskins, deep in thought, Tristan had already prepared a series of plans for them.

‘Hehehe.. There will only be work, work, and work for them. Hahaha! All must work for my benefit.’

The orcs were still loudly cheering Tristan on, unaware of the fate that awaited them.