Landing a fiery punch on Asterion's face, Enrico stomped the ground, using his charged momentum to kick the minotaur's chin, leaving him disoriented for a second.
"Fire Steps"
"That won't work again, human."
Even disoriented, Asterion punched the ground, causing an impact that shattered and shook the floor, immediately unbalancing Enrico, then charged forward with his axe aimed at his head.
"Well, that axe won't work on me either."
Using a shield, Enrico managed to withstand the attack, and when he saw the axe turning red, he immediately spun, letting the strike land on the ground instead.
"Flame Impact"
Aiming his punch at Asterion's hand with all his strength, Enrico forced him to drop the axe. As Asterion tried to grab it again, Enrico's kick sent his arm upward.
"Let's see how good your axe really is."
Holding the axe, Enrico spun quickly, using his strength to cut Asterion's chest deeply. Taking a step back, his eyes gleamed with excitement as he held the weapon.
[Asterion's Axe – Rare Rank: While the user wields this axe, they gain affinity with Fury magic]
[Critical Strike: By channeling Fury mana into the axe, gain a chance for a critical attack with a 10% damage increase]
"This axe really is good."
"You'll regret this, human."
Summoning two stone axes, Asterion gripped them tightly, his surrounding mana increasing more and more as an earthen armor began covering his entire body.
"Stone Magic – Dual Axes, Earth Magic – Bull Armor."
Enrico didn't seem afraid; in fact, he licked his lips, excited. Activating the axe's magic, his body adapted well.
[Fury Magic activated – 15% increase in physical performance]
Enrico's eyes began to glow dark red, combined with his crimson pupils. His ring was also active. It wasn't an exaggeration to say that in this state, he would only lose to Astrong's rank 2 or rank 1.
The two clashed again with their axes. Though the weapon was large, it didn't feel heavy at all—at least, not for him.
[It must be nice to see all your efforts bear fruit.]
"You're right, the feeling is great."
Asterion used his left axe to force Asterion's Axe downward and tried to strike with the other. Enrico blocked with the axe's bone handle, deflecting it to the side.
"Furious Strike—"
A red explosion engulfed Asterion's Axe, followed by a burst of flames. Channeling his attack, Enrico slashed Asterion's leg, cutting deeply.
"Cursed Stone"
An explosion erupted from below, launching Enrico backward. His body weakened, and he realized he could no longer lift the axe.
'Looks like he weakened my body.'
[Then it's better to drop the axe and focus on what you can do.]
"It's a shame to leave it behind, but it's better this way. No one but me can wield it anyway."
A surge of mana erupted where Asterion stood. Looking ahead, Enrico saw a stone bull charging at him with great speed.
"Better drop—"
Before he could act, a massive shadow appeared in front of him, holding back the bull with a hand wrapped in a green aura.
"Sorry for the delay. I was thinking too much."
Smiling at the sight of Grakka, Enrico approached with a fiery punch, shattering the bull. Standing beside her, he forced his body to lift his arm and handed the axe to her.
"Just use everything you've got this time."
"You're giving me this important item? I can't—"
"Keep it. I was planning to give it to you anyway, once you returned to your path."
"You trusted I would follow this path?"
Holding the axe tightly, Grakka felt a new magic awaken within her. Her lips trembled as she saw his trust in her.
"Of course. You're my friend, aren't you?"
"Thank you for trusting me, friend Enrico."
"All right. Now, while I hold him, you'll deliver the final blow."
Nodding, she watched Enrico's excited gaze fixed on Asterion, who charged at them with both axes brimming with mana. She didn't judge him for smiling in that moment—after all, that was just how orcs were.
'This is who I am… and I had forgotten that.'
She had always been like this but had lost her way. Of course, none of her friends would blame her for straying after that hellish day.
'Forgive me for staining our family name, Father.'
A sincere, animated smile spread across her face as she gripped the axe with all her strength, channeling both her mana and that of the weapon.
'With this strike, I'll return to the path I should never have left, to make my father and mother proud as they watch me now.'
Enrico leapt over Asterion, his fiery bow aimed straight at his eye. Releasing the arrow, a blazing shot pierced deeply.
"Damn you—"
"Better not cry, I'm not done yet."
Feeling his arm bound, Asterion saw fiery lines wrapping around his body, while Enrico pulled tightly from behind.
"You can't match my strength, human."
"No, I can endure."
Asterion forced his body forward as Enrico dug his feet into the ground, pulling with all his might. They clashed in a tug-of-war of strength.
Asterion channeled magic into his own body, boosting his power, especially as he saw Grakka amassing immense mana in her axe. Enrico, seeing his effort, grinned like a demon and poured seventy percent of his mana into the fiery threads.
"Congratulations on breaking free."
Confused by the words, Asterion suddenly felt the fiery threads around his arms grow sharper.
"Wait—"
"Too late."
Both his arms were severed, and the force he had been using to resist hurled him straight toward Grakka, who bore a demonic smile, smoke rising from her mouth, her eyes glowing red.
"Furious Strike – Maximum"
With an explosion of mana, Grakka brought the axe down, unleashing a massive crimson slash upon Asterion. Struck by the attack, he could only scream as an explosion engulfed him.