The forest surrounding the clan's cave felt tense. Cold air slipped through the gaps in the leaves, carrying the damp scent of earth and decaying foliage. The sounds of night insects and other nocturnal creatures echoed back and forth, yet amid nature's roar, there was a louder, more dangerous sound — the heavy thudding of footsteps and furious shouts.
Kenji stood in the middle of a circle of earth torn apart by claws and heels, facing his first truly serious opponent: Gruk, an aggressive and strong young Orc, son of one of the small clan leaders vying for power since the queen's death.
Gruk's Challenge
Gruk glared at Kenji with pure hatred.
"You're small, weak, and strange. You think your brain can beat my muscle?" Gruk snarled, gripping a massive two-handed mace, ready to crush anyone who dared challenge him.
Kenji said nothing, but his gaze was sharp and calculating. This was more than just a fight to prove who was stronger — it was a battle for life and death, to secure his place in this brutal clan.
Gruk swung his mace toward Kenji with full force, the clash against stone ringing loudly. Kenji dodged quickly, relying on the reflexes gained from his now-developing Adaptive Touch skill.
The First Dirty Trick
Kenji knew he couldn't win by strength alone. He had to use every trick — including dirty ones he'd learned as a human.
When Gruk swung the mace again, Kenji jumped back and threw a handful of fine dust into Gruk's face.
"Blind!" Kenji whispered cruelly.
Gruk grunted in frustration, trying to wipe the dust from his eyes — and that was Kenji's chance.
He struck Gruk's leg with a trained hard kick, throwing him off balance.
Then, swiftly, Kenji grabbed a small shard of stone as a sharp weapon and slashed Gruk's arm.
Gruk roared in pain, but his rage only made his attacks more brutal.
The Fight Turns Brutal
The fight grew fierce. Both wounded, bloodied, and gasping for breath.
Other Orcs began gathering around them, cheering and betting on who would win.
Kenji felt blood flowing from his hands and legs, but he refused to give up.
His Adaptive Touch was becoming more active. He began mimicking Gruk's movements, anticipating attacks, and looking for openings.
"You think you're the winner, Gruk? I've just begun," Kenji thought silently.
The Mysterious Whisper
As the fight neared its climax, a soft whisper entered Kenji's mind, as if coming from the depths of his soul.
"The War God chooses you... Accept this power..."
Kenji looked around but saw no one nearby.
The whisper came again, clearer and more commanding.
"I am the War God, and I see potential in you. Use the power I grant to change your clan's fate."
Kenji fell silent. Was this a hallucination? Or... a new power hidden inside him?
New Power
Suddenly, Kenji's body felt a burning heat, an energy unlike anything he had felt before flooding his muscles and nerves.
Adaptive Touch skill surged drastically.
Skill Level Up: Adaptive Touch — 15%
Additional Effect: Increased reflex speed, attack power, and real-time battlefield analysis.
Kenji felt himself faster, stronger, and his mind clearer.
With this boost, he launched a counterattack.
Decisive Strike
Kenji surged toward Gruk, who was still recovering from the dust and kick.
He used a new technique: a fast strike targeting weak muscle and bone points he had learned from earlier observations.
With one move, Kenji kicked Gruk's knee, breaking it and sending him crashing to the ground with a loud thud.
Gruk howled in pain but struggled to get up.
Gruk's Confession
As Gruk lay defeated, Kenji crouched down close.
In a final whisper, with half-closed eyes and ragged breath, Gruk said, "The War God... chose you... Don't waste that power... Be... a strong leader... not just for the clan, but for the future..."
Kenji stared at Gruk with mixed feelings: pity, anger, but also respect.
Gruk, his first real opponent, had given him a warning and a charge.
Clan's Reaction
News of Kenji's fight and victory spread quickly throughout the clan. Some young Orcs began to see him as someone different — not just weak and small, but dangerous and smart.
However, many adult Orcs still looked down on him, viewing him as a threat that needed to be eliminated soon.
Tensions rose.
Kenji's Reflection
That night, Kenji sat on a large stone near the cave, gazing at the dimly twinkling stars.
"I'm not just fighting to survive... I'm fighting to change this world," he thought.
He knew the road ahead would be bloody and full of betrayal.
But with his new power and burning determination, Kenji was ready to face whatever came.