Chapter 35: GATES: Embodiment of Sins and Malice Part 3

I found out that the orcs were not that intelligent but a bit dumb. I killed at least 4 of them. There are still 3 orcs in there and finding out that most of their comrades are missing in action all of a sudden, they go on full alert and they did not try to move away from each other anymore. I just shook my head because this is how dumb they are, if it was a much more intelligent creature, they would already start looking for the missing comrades. Not just by waiting aimlessly until they realize that they are starting to dwindle in numbers.

This dagger is a useful tool but it has to rest this time around. There is a weapon that I have not used and I have to test this weapon since it didn't work much earlier. I don't want to show myself out by announcing my presence. That was just plain stupid. Preemptive strike is the way and there is nothing wrong with it. I am not a chivalrous person after all.

Wearing the Skull Knuckle(the brass knuckle purchased earlier) over the gloves, I finally felt a bit of bloodlust on the weapon. Is this what they mean that the weapon has its consciousness? It didn't activate earlier so now I am not sure why it did activate right now. Still, that did not change my goal. As soon as my hands are ready to strike, I crouch and made a running stance, while my eyes are locked-on to the orcs and the flames holding it's power to the sole of my shoe. I can't just burst off without any reason, I need to do it in the precise way so that my strikes will be really effective since I am going to use blunt force instead of edged weapon like the dagger.

Opportunity is hard in this position and I am making sure that I will get that opportunity by waiting.

Waiting...

Waiting...

As soon as the other orc turned around, I activated the burst in my shoes. Red Magic Circles appeared on both soles of my shoes, and with a sudden burst, like a rocket launching into space, I launched myself forward, still making my fists ready to burst out and deal the strongest blow I can give to them. The orc who is not looking behind him was stunned by me who just appeared out of nowhere, launched himself towards them speeding up. And before the other orc who is still not aware of what is happening, I ignited my fists and with a spin from the momentum in my propulsion, I added the force of it in my punch and the fiery fists did not even wait for the orc to recover.

BANG!

I think the force was just too much for the demon because before I can land into the ground, the orc exploded to pieces after punching his face. I don't know, is it too much force? The other orc finally noticed the commotion but I didn't want to cause unnecessary battles, I attacked his abdomen using the brass knuckles and just before the demon can also react, his body exploded once more. This time, I am the one that gets to be stunned.

'WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON?'

That was the third explosion of a body already. It was like I punched a balloon with a brass knuckle shaped like a needle. What's up with all the enemies exploding after punching them? Is this due to how strong I am or how weak they are?

"Neither of them Kazuma," the voice said.

"Huh?"

"Since you are in the GATE, examine the panel of the Skull Knuckles and see for yourself."

"Check the panel..." And just like the voice said, I can check the panel of this item like a regular drop.

(Skull Knuckles)(Cursed)

Status: Sentient(Satisfied)

Tier: Gold Tier(Degraded to Bronze due to the curse)

Special: Bloodlust Strike: 1/4: Targets that are punched in full force with the intent to kill are all reduced to meat pile once the weapon came in direct contact with the target. 4 uses available every day.

Description: A knuckles that said to possess the soul of one of the most bloodlust filled monster in history. Since the body of the monster is no longer present, it decided to stay in the knuckles. Until now, it was looking for its rightful owner that can wield the powers that this weapon contains deep within and today, it seems to have found its destined owner.

Owner: Kazuma Fukuyama

All I can say is what the actual f*ck?!

I actually managed to subdue the spirit of the brass knuckles? And it was actually the skill of the Skull Knuckles that made the orcs and that Man of Greed earlier explode? That was a mindblowing fact that I did not expect! And what's with the acknowledging me as the rightful owner? It doesn't make sense since I have not done anything yet to properly subdue the sentient mind of this weapon and now I actually managed to conquer and let it acknowledge me as its master? Talk about how amazing I was!

"Don't get too worked up kid. It can disown you if it finds itself wrong on its judgment so you better be good at your work alright?" the voice said.

"I will be careful."

Although I am happy with the result, the effects of the skill named as Bloodlust Strike is excessive but it was a limited one since I can only have at least 4 strikes using those attack. This means if I used it again, I will be left out without any emergency strike. I better keep the strikes by myself for now. After knowing that, I pull out the dagger once more. I will save the last strike to a stronger foe.

Now that everything is clarified, time to go find those mana shards. Oh, and by the way, I managed to get 30 mana shards now excluding the mana shards that these two orcs have right now. I thought that every mana shards they drop are fixed. Then I realized that they don't actually have a fixed amount. They drop randomly around 2 or 10 pieces at most. The two orcs right now yielded me 12 pieces after both of them yielded 6 mana shards each. Now I got 42 pieces of the shards stored in a pouch that is included in the advanced kit. So far so good but I think I need to rest. The toll was actually great that I did not really expect it much but now, here we are, we have been exhausted by the place.

"Resting once in a while in the GATES is a good idea. Pushing yourself further will just cost you your life if you pursue your greediness."

"I am not greedy and I am making my whole time trying to master everything. And I hope that I won't be able to get exhausted."

Just before I can sit down on a rock, something cold grabbed my foot.

"What the f*ck?!" With a reflexive kick, I kicked the cold thing that grabbed my foot and I realized that it was a hand, no to be precise, it's a bone hand.

"Oh damn, we are actually hanging out around the graveyard of the GATES. A place that the malice is much concentrated here. And since there are skeletons here, the main enemy here this time would be a necromancer."

"Aw great..." I said gloomily and pulled out the tabar I picked up earlier and a buckler that the orcs dropped earlier. Looks like the food I prepared will have to wait for a while I guess.