Matthew dashed toward Sophie on the ground.

The orc’s butcher knife was descending fast and, before it reached the girl on the ground, Matthew rammed into the orc and pushed it away.

The orc turned to face him, angered that it missed its defenseless target because of him. It raised its arm wielding the knife and attacked Matthew.

Matthew blocked the descending knife with his sword and pushed back. He then swung his sword with great force and cleanly decapitated the orc. The body fell down and the head flew and rolled away.

Ring

[You have gained a level.]

‘It felt much easier than I thought. Was it weak? Is it because of the buff I received? Or the new sword and Sword aura? Or the levels I gained in my last fight?’ Matthew wondered, impressed by his own strength.

“Are you alright?” Matthew turned back and helped Sophie get back up.

“Huh? Uh, yes I’m fine.” she said as she grabbed his hand.

Sophie barely got up when Thomas ran up to them. He had smashed the ground heavily and sent all of the orcs flying along with large debris from the ground.

‘He must have used a skill. How powerful is he?’ Matthew thought, looking at the street turned upside down with bodies of orcs buried in rubble.

“Are you okay?” Thomas hurriedly asked his sister, turning around her searching for any sign of wounds.

“Yes, I’m alright. Matthew got to the orc before it got to me.” she said with a thin smile.

“Denis!” Thomas turned back and yelled.

“I made it very clear that you had to remain in the back to protect them! Do you have any idea what could have happened?” he burst at the burly man.

“I’m sorry, I saw the fight happening and I wanted to help… I- I wasn’t thinking.” Denis stuttered, clearly ashamed.

“Thomas, calm down. Nothing happened, I’m okay.” Sophie tried to interject.

“Yes, no thanks to him!” he spat angrily.

Thomas took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. Denis had his gaze fixated on his own feet.

“Matthew. Thank you. Without you, my sister would have been badly hurt. If not worse…” Thomas slowly said. 

“Oh, uh, it’s okay. Anyone would have done the same, I didn’t really think too much.” Matthew replied.

“Still, thank you.” Thomas insisted.

“Everyone, let’s take a quick break and then we’ll go kill the orc chief and finish this.” he then told everyone.

“Here, and thank you. I didn’t even get to thank you for saving me hehe.” Sophie told Matthew, handing him a water bottle.

“Oh, it’s nothing. Uhm, thanks for the water.”

‘I was wondering why she had a backpack. So she carried water for the group?’ Matthew thought, watching her go to hand everyone a water bottle.

“In case you’re wondering, when groups raid normal portals, there is at least one porter that carries supplies for the group. I’m doing it here now because I’m in the backline and don’t need to be mobile. Plus, it’s a Perma portal so there is not much to pack.” she explained when she came back, as if she had read his mind.

“Oh, I see. I was wondering, is your role a mage?” Matthew asked.

“Hm, not exactly. I did have to buy Mana application like mages to learn spells, but I want to focus on supporting spells like buffing or healing so I can help my brother not get hurt.” she replied with a wide smile.

The rest of the break went quietly. After a few minutes, Thomas picked up his shield and mace. That was the signal to get ready.

“There is only the orc chief left. Sophie will remain in the back line. Matthew, you’re welcome to join if you don’t want to remain as an observer.” Thomas instructed. “And Denis, well… You already know where the front line is.” he added, still spiteful.

Thomas started walking further down the street. The rest of the group followed shortly after him.

They arrived in front of a larger cabin. It had a stone structure at the bottom of the walls, unlike the rest of the village.

“This is it.” Thomas stopped in front of the entrance. “Get ready everyone!”

Sophie refreshed the buff and the rest of the group grasped their weapons tightly.

The group entered after Thomas, with Sophie last. They spread to the sides to observe the boss monster.

The orc chief was sitting on a throne-like structure in the center. It was easily one head taller than the orcs they fought before, and those were already quite large creatures. Some gasps could be heard from the players with low experience.

Just like the first battle, Thomas knocked thunderously on his shield with his mace.

“Come at me!” “he screamed.

In the next instant, the orc got up and brandished a large battle axe, before rushing at Thomas.

Matthew was on the far right of the group and dashed forward, parallel to the direction of the orc. They passed each other with a few meters between them, and Matthew turned around.

The orc paid no attention to the rest of the group and smashed its axe into Thomas, protected behind his shield.

As the weapon clashed against the shield, Matthew had already caught up behind the orc and slashed at its right leg.

Thomas had perfectly blocked the hit and saw Matthew’s action. After him, the others also tried rushing in.

However they had to jump back as the orc was collapsing to the side after Matthew’s hit. They narrowly escaped the large axe that accompanied the fall.

'Impressive!' Thomas observed. “Rush it while it’s down!” he commanded the others.

The whole group rushed in on the fallen orc and slashed and stabbed to their heart’s content.

“Take that!” some yelled as they slashed at the body.

“It’s so much easier when there is only one of them.” another added.

“Hahahaha” and one only madly laughed.

Within seconds of this chaos, Matthew heard a ringing sound from the system.