Chapter 33：The Battle Starts

Seeing their morale lowered, I tried to raise it back up by standing in front. These two knew I'm not someone from this world. If I showed them how confident I am despite my current strength, it will at least let them recover.

"Be careful Erin, they may be barbarians but they're already corrupted by the Invading World."

I warned her. This girl tends to rush by herself. True that she was enhanced just now by my aura, but those guys also received enhancement.

I just don't know how strong the enhancement was. Will it be stronger or weaker than the orb? It's hard to gauge.

"What do you mean corrupted?"

She asked back. Their knowledge about those foreign invaders was lacking.

If not for her scouting and seeing it for herself, she wouldn't believe my words.

"They already surrendered themselves to the enemy. In return they can become stronger. "

"But I feel stronger too because of that necklace... What to do Daisuke?"

Erin asked me again.

Err. Now that I'm standing in front of them, she turned to me for instruction.

"You're the strongest here, why are you asking me?"

"I told you, I'm just a soldier."

Ah. Right. Back then she also did what I asked by capturing one of those beastmasters.

"And I'm a support!"

"Argh! Just give us a command, will you? What are you doing at the front if you won't lead us?!"

This girl. I guess I really have to step up and take this post, I'm already here. Even Avelin is looking at me, waiting for my command.

This Chieftain…

Ah. Former Chieftain. She's now depending on me.

"Alright. Erin, can you handle two?"

"No problem."

Erin is our strongest fighter. She can certainly do that.

"Avelin, take the one on the left, she's probably at your level."

"Okay…"

Avelin nodded. She turned to the only woman barbarian enemy I pointed at and raised her greataxe.

She's probably at 1st Stage or 2nd Stage Augmented Realm. I feel confident with the enhancement given by the orb but it's better to be cautious.

Avelin can take her on. Hopefully.

"You guys, keep that one busy."

I pointed to the weakest looking guy for the tribesmen.

Err, I'm feeling less pressure from him. He's probably a 1st Stage Augmented Realm. They don't need to defeat him, but if they can then it's better.

10 strength and 10 endurance enhancement are higher than how many stats I got when I advanced up to the 5th stage Mortal Realm.

In essence, all of us got an additional stats equivalent or higher than a 5th Stage Mortal Realm. They can fight an Augmented Realm on their own by now. But these enemies are not ordinary Augmented Realms.

We'll see when the fight started.

I'm still wary about the Saint Realm. If he suddenly decided to join the fray, then it would be hopeless for us. Plus the Aura of Enhancement will wear off in less than 10 minutes, we have to settle everything within that time.

"I'll take on the guy that was fighting you earlier, Erin."

"Huh? Will you be fine?"

Is she worried? If it's proven that he's stronger, I can just run around again. I'm an expert on doing that.

"What do you call me again?"

"Monster."

"Then trust me."

I have all those stat point bonuses, I can probably handle him, right? He's far from a Saint Realm but he's either a 4th or 5th Stage Augmented Realm.

What I have to be wary of are his Augmented Skills. I have several cards up my sleeve, I need to play them well.

Seeing us still talking to ourselves, the five couldn't ignore it anymore. Led by the guy fighting Erin earlier, they all charge towards us.

As if I'll let them take the initiative!

I immediately used Flash Step to block his path.

Using my sword, I brandished it towards him.

Startled by my sudden appearance, the barbarian raised his weapon to block.

When my sword got into contact with his, an explosion of energy happened.

Energy Explosion!

My Augmented Skill was immediately put on display.

I have unlimited Brute Energy, this Augmented Skill of mine can be said to be passive when I'm in this world. All my attacks will be coated by it.

He got pushed back because of the explosion, his guard blown open.

I was about to chase but my Adaptability told me to duck.

I didn't ignore that warning and immediately heeded it.

I ducked and a strong force passed above me.

What was that?

I looked to the front and saw my opponent smiling.

"You're good. You dodged it."

I see. That was one of his Augmented Skills. I didn't see it clearly but that's certainly an offensive skill unlike Erin's and Avelin's skill that could be said as auxiliary skills.

Well, I still don't know all of Erin's Augmented Skills, she only shows that Shadow Concealment.

I looked at my opponent, he's smiling but he's certainly protecting that bag.

That's right. That bag.

If I cut off his supply of Brute Energy, he'll be limited with using his Augmented Skills but that will also make him desperate.

I need to prepare.

I took a glance at the other battles, Avelin is fighting her opponent quite well, her Augmented Skill proved to be effective.

Erin is taking care of the two opponents. The enhancement aura of the orb is proven to be better than the one given by that Saint Realm.

I raised my sword and a clanking sound from metal hitting metal sounded. The guy tried to sneak attack me while I'm looking at the others.

Then after that sound, another energy explosion happened.

He was pushed back again. This Augmented skill is really useful. I just have to replenish my used Brute Energy and I will be able to use it endlessly.

I stood up and kicked him to his stomach.

He lowered his elbows to block it but another explosion happened opening his defense.

My foot landed on him and he was blown away. The belt on his waist was implicated by the explosion, it got cut off and its contents spilled to the ground when it landed.

An opportunity!

I didn't miss that chance to chase after him. Putting all my focus on possible attacks.

I dodged to the left and another sort of Augmented Skill was thrown to my previous position. It's different than earlier. If the first one was like a blunt force, that one looked sharp.

He really did attack me. Good thing I was prepared.

He already recovered and was about to stand up.

No. I shouldn't give him the chance to launch a counterattack.

I shot an Air Bullet towards him.

It didn't miss and accurately hit his knee.

Because of that he tumbled back face first.

Another Flash Step and I appeared in front of him.

My sword swung down to his head.

He rolled to the left and immediately raised his arm to block it.

"Kuahh!!"

Another explosion and I felt my sword cutting through flesh. Blood splashed and a thud from something landing on the ground rang out. His arm was cleanly cut off.

My stats were proven to be at least on par with him. 

When his defense was broken by that energy explosion, his arm offered no more resistance against my sword.

The stat bonuses from my system somehow bridged the gap between us.