Player with Maxed-Out Talent

Chapter 80

# Player with Maxed-Out Talent, Episode 80

I looked at the ‘Orc Warrior’, bellowing a predator’s roar in the distance. Its level appeared as ‘?’ to me right now.

‘The brute’s probably around level 40.’

That would be a fair guess. While I couldn’t ascertain it visually, I have a very useful skill called ‘Sensory Eye’.

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[Monster]

Name: Orc Warrior

Level: 41

Race: Orc

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The level was 41. The one showing up this time wielded a massive ‘axe’.

‘This is good.’

A type similar to Kim Taecheon. An enemy that crushes with strength, holding the power of a heavy strike.

‘The kids are doing great, too.’

Now all that’s left is for me to do my part. It’s not the time for me to maintain the position of an ‘observer’. I need to act decisively to capture this creature.

I focused my mind. Its level was 41, and mine was 30. In reality, if there’s a gap of about 10 levels, soloing without a special strategy is nearly impossible. That’s the conventional wisdom. The ‘Orc Warrior’ doesn’t have a fatal weakness like the Lycanthros Wolf.

‘I had the help of paralysis poison last time.’

Dozens of mutant wolf fangs were hammered into the orc’s body, restricting the Orc Warrior’s movement, which I then hunted. But this time, I don’t have that. I must confront the beast head-on.

‘One hit and I might die.’

That’s a possibility if I’m unlucky. But the situation has changed from before.

‘I didn’t have a set of Orc Warrior’s gear back then.’

Now it’s different. I possess the Orc Warrior set.

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Partial Set Effect: Defends against one unbearable physical attack per day, provided the attacker’s level does not exceed 30. If the level is above 30, the intensity of the attack determines the degree of damage reduction applied.

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Complete defense is impossible. However, there is definitely a ‘damage reduction effect’.

‘It’s an item useful even in the intermediate levels.’

I’m wearing three pieces of that gear.

‘I should be able to take at least three hits.’

I never thought about catching it without damage. It’s a strategy of sacrifice; giving up flesh to take the bone.

‘As long as I avoid the vital spots, I won’t die in one hit.’

I continued to approach the Orc. The aggro of the other orcs was completely caught by the others. I only moved with the Orc Warrior within my focus.

However, I felt strangely light on my feet. It’s hard to articulate, but it was certainly the case. The Orc Warrior drew closer. It looked at me too, possibly recognizing me as its ‘prey’.

‘This time... let’s go with a straightforward approach.’

Many Guardians were focused on this moment. I chose the conventional method on purpose. Our average level was barely in the early 30s.

‘I’ve shown plenty of unorthodox tactics until now.’

A textbook execution of defeating the Orc Warrior. This would surely excite the Guardians. It might hurt a bit, but it was definitely doable.

‘Here I go.’

Krrraaaack!

The Orc Warrior, screaming its battle cry, slung the axe over its shoulder and began to charge. It was like a great bison charging at me.

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

As it ran towards me at this moment,

I still read its movements through the Observer’s Eye.

[‘Observer’s Eye’ is observing the target.]

The scene became clear in my head. The tutorial field. The time the Magic Troll attacked me. It was a similar situation to then. That time, I overcame the ‘Death Sentence of Hyper Sense’.

‘That feeling from back then.’

Back then, Hyper Sense visualized all sights my eyes couldn’t see. According to its ability, my head should have been crushed by the Magic Troll’s club.

Just like then, the scene naturally played out in my mind.

‘I see it.’

How a level 40 monster would move became clear.

‘I’ll need to dig in to the left from here.’

‘Take that and... get hit one more time.’

He couldn’t afford to use ‘Form-Shift Maneuver’ from his current stance or state. Like raising a guard in martial arts, he protected his temple, bracing for the impact.

‘Wait.’

When there appeared to be no other way but to defend, another path suddenly revealed itself. In that split-second, he made his judgment.

‘The beast’s belly!’

Kim Hyukjin kicked at the Orc Warrior’s abdomen. Not to deal damage, but as he kicked, he was pushed backwards.

Whoomp-

The Orc Warrior’s fist missed and cut the air.

‘I dodged it.’

It was a close brush. Like a giant boulder flying past.

‘If it had hit...’

Despite being on guard, the impact would have been considerable. He rolled backward to distribute the force and ended up tumbling on the ground. Rolling on the ground wasn’t a graceful sight, but it was definitely better than taking the hit.

Kim Hyukjin was caught by a strange sensation.

‘This feeling... What is it?’

There had been no path. Defense was the only option. But naturally, a way presented itself. As if his instincts had reacted on encountering the situation. But he couldn’t dwell on this feeling for long.

‘It’s visible again.’

He saw it. An orc, still unrecovered from swinging and missing, exposed and enraged.

‘The orc’s mouth.’

The mouth was visible.

‘In this state...’

Should he use ‘Form-Shift Maneuver’? If he failed to land a critical strike, he’d be counterattacked right away. There was no time for long thoughts. The Orc Warrior’s moment of vulnerability was fleeting. An instant, as minuscule as a speck of dust, couldn’t be missed. A perfectly safe attack never exists, especially when facing someone stronger.

When facing the strong, a bit of risk is necessary.

[Special skill. ‘Form-Shift Maneuver’ activated.]

A line. The shortest route connecting two points. He moved along that trajectory, closing the distance instantly. As if through a telescope, the Orc Warrior’s blood-red mouth became clear.

‘With the speed of Form-Shift Maneuver...’

This velocity, if managed, could wield incredible destructive power. This speed, coupled with his weight and strength, could exploit the orc’s weak point, dealing serious damage. The orc’s mouth became a ‘point’.

‘I puncture that point.’

Kim Hyukjin was unaware that he was embodying the state of ‘Sword-Body Unison’ as a ‘Observer’s’. He replicated what he had seen from Sin Yeonseo, a ‘Swordsman’, despite the difference in their classes. Yet, he presented a new realm.

Sswift!

With a sound of cutting through the air,

Pffft!

Kim Hyukjin’s sword pierced through the Orc Warrior’s mouth, protruding out the back of its neck.

“Kwuak!”

The Orc Warrior spewed a cry of pain. In anguish, it flailed its arms aimlessly.

Thump!

Kim Hyukjin took a punch. Pain surged through his wrist. It wasn’t a vital hit nor a weighty strike. It was just a glancing blow, yet the damage was significant.

‘My wrist might be fractured.’

He kicked the Orc Warrior again like before, widening the distance. He took a quick survey of his surroundings.

‘Everyone else... is finishing up.’

They played their parts well, befitting the heroes of the future. If even one of them had been missing, this encounter would’ve been nearly impossible.

Pant! Pant!

Between heavy breaths, Kim Hyukjin spoke.

“Do you remember my last order?”

As Kim Hyukjin finished his sentence, the waiting Gwak Taeun and Kang Sanggu sprang into action. Kim Hyukjin steadied his breath and looked at Senia. Senia’s expression was still emotionless.

‘I said I would make this play, Senia.’

It wasn’t idle talk. He couldn’t move the Guardians with lies or deception. If he had promised a demonstration, he had to deliver.

‘If we’re showing them a straightforward fight, we show them one.’

Even up till here, it was a decent spectacle. A level 30 player fought head-on against a level 40 Orc Warrior and held a fairly favorable position.

But Kim Hyukjin wasn’t satisfied.

‘The climax... starts now.’

The climax of the quest bet by the cowboy from Las Vegas, the valiant Lion King, and the whispering demon had arrived.

Toward the climax orchestrated by Kim Hyukjin.