Full-Time Psychic Martial Artist

Looking at the long list of buff information in the system battle report, Lorne's eye twitched slightly.

Oh no, this is really turning into a Zaku vs. Gundam battle!

Based solely on Zaku's memories, he had previously believed he could defeat Gorgon.

But now that he had the system's battle report, he immediately understood that Gorgon had never used his full strength before.

Even with Zaku's current strength, and even if his base power were increased by 10 points by the substitute body, he still wouldn't be able to defeat Gorgon.

Therefore, Lorne decisively activated Plan B.

Lorne threw down his hand axe and shouted to one of his clan's orc warriors on the sidelines, "Shield, come here!"

The orc warrior immediately threw his orc heavy shield over.

This shield originally belonged to Zaku, and it was given to this orc warrior by Lorne before he went on stage.

Mogo-Kshaka allows each participant to change weapons after the deathmatch begins, but the deathmatch will not be paused. Whether you can successfully change weapons depends entirely on your skill.

So when the warrior threw the shield, Gorgon suddenly lunged forward and swung his great axe at Lorne with a heavy blow.

Lorne now only has a shield in his hand, and in order to guard against the other giant axe in Gorgon's left hand, he can only choose to dodge backward.

The axe blade cleaved deep into the blood-stained, blackened mud, plowing open two mounds of earth.

Gorgon cleaved the shield in mid-air with his axe, then swung his left-hand great axe in an attempt to intercept the incoming shield.

But then Lorne raised his right hand, and the shield, which was halfway through its flight, suddenly turned in mid-air and precisely landed on his right hand.

[You are only wielding a shield. The [Shield Warrior Stance] effect is enhanced, and your block rating is increased by an additional 3.]

You have equipped an Orcish Heavy Shield using [Shield Retrieval], increasing your block rating by 13.

You have activated [Dual Wielding Shield and Battle Shield], attack power +3.

~~~~~

[Dual Wielding of Warrior and Shield] (Shield Warrior Training Level 3)

In shield stance, you can dual-wield either a small shield or a light shield in combat, and simultaneously gain the full block rating bonus from both shields.

When you use a shield to attack with a weapon, there is no attack power penalty, and your attack power is increased by 1.

• [Mentor Correction]: (Shield Warrior Training Level 5)

In shield stance, you can also dual-wield either a medium shield or a heavy shield in combat, and simultaneously gain the full block rating bonus from both shields.

When you use a shield to attack with a weapon, there is no attack power penalty, and your attack power is increased by 2.

• [Master Correction]: (Shield Warrior Training Level 7)

In shield stance, you can also dual-wield [great shields] in combat and gain the full block rating bonus from both shields simultaneously.

When you use a shield to attack with a weapon, there is no attack power penalty, and your attack power is increased by 3.

~~~

[Shield Retrieval] (Shield Warrior Training Level 5)

You can consume 1 Battle Will to enchant a shield with the [Retrieve] effect, lasting until long rest.

You can pull this shield back into your hand at any time. The pulling force is equal to (subclass level + strength modifier).

Maximum retrieval distance = (sub-job level × 10) meters.

～～～～～～～

Lorne glanced at the status bar; the Zaku's [Defense Rating] had now reached an astonishing 66 points.

Leather Armor +10, Evasion +2, Shield Stance +21 (Strength +10, Agility +2, Psionic Power +9), Shield Stance additional +7, Orc Heavy Shield (Left Hand) +13, Orc Heavy Shield (Right Hand) +13.

In his berserk state, Gorgon saw Lorne take the shield and let out a furious roar, then began to swing his axe at Lorne with alternating hands.

Lorne then used two heavy shields to block.

Boom!Boom!Boom!Boom!Boom!

The heavy axe cleaved the heavy shield, sending sparks flying.

The shield stance's blocking is not simply about using the shield to block incoming weapons, but rather a more sophisticated defensive technique for warriors.

This type of block, through precise angle of impact and coordinated operation of the whole body's muscles and bones, transmits the impact force from the shield through the arms, shoulders, chest, back, core, thighs, calves, and feet to the ground, thus dissipating the force.

In this way, the body can absorb the impact with minimal load and avoid injury.

This defensive technique is very useful for most pure melee classes, especially pure strength-based brutes.

So even though Lorne is currently being beaten so badly by Gorgon that he is not fighting back, he is actually expending far less energy than his opponent.

Now all he needs to do is one thing—buy time.

He wins as long as he survives until Nelly and Monteridge rescue the captured elves.

Boom!Boom!Boom!Boom!Boom!

In the arena, Gorgon swung his axe alternately with his left and right hands, while Lorne parried in accordance with the rhythm and angle of his opponent's attacks.

With a loud clang, Lorne's parry failed, and his shield was smashed, tilting upwards and vibrating wildly, making it difficult to control.

Gorgon's movements suddenly accelerated, and his other giant axe cleaved into Lorne's defensive opening with lightning speed.

[Gorgon unleashed [Berserk Combo].]

~~~

[Berserk Combo] (Barbarian Level 1)

In Berserk mode, when your melee attack deals damage to a target, you can immediately follow up with a swift action melee attack.

If the follow-up attack also deals damage, you can continue the combo.

When performing a series of Berserk Combos, each hit reduces the attack power of the next hit by 2.

Maximum combo count = Barbarian level / 5 + Strength modifier (times).

~~~

Lorne already knew about the barbarian's ability through Zaku's memories, and immediately used [Action Like a Tide] the moment the defense failed.

~~~

[A Tide of Action] (Warrior Level 1)

Consume 1 point of [Battle Will] to grant yourself a brief speed boost, doubling your action points for this turn.

You need to wait 1 hour between each use before using it again.

~~~

Boom!

Lorne instantly adjusted his body posture and narrowly managed to block the attack with his other shield.

When Gorgon saw his attacks blocked by that damned shield yet again, he roared in fury:

"Damn warrior, I've had enough of your tricks!"

With a roar, he threw away his two giant axes and began to strike the shield with his bare fists.

Each punch struck the heavy steel shield with a dull thud, tearing open his own fist and causing blood to seep out.

Lorne's defensive pressure was immediately relieved, but he was not happy about it. Instead, he frowned with a serious expression.

The blood flowing from Gorgon's hands turned into a faint blood mist, swirling and covering his entire body.

His eyes emitted a scarlet, menacing light, and golden arcs of electricity crackled and popped across his body.

Upon seeing the arcs of electricity, the onlookers retreated several meters, making the already expanded arena even more spacious.

[Gorgrond's "Titan's Wrath" charge progress 2%.]

[Gorgon's "Blood Frenzy" +6.]

[Gorgon activated the Bloodlust Armor.]

[Gorgon has activated "Bloodlust".]

~~~

【Titan's Wrath】(Barbarian, Titan's Path Level 6)

In Berserk state, you gain 1% Titan's Wrath charge progress every time you deal or take damage.

When the charge reaches 100%, your next attack will unleash a chain lightning bolt upon hitting the target.

Each jump deals (2d6) points of lightning damage, up to a maximum of (subclass level) times.

It can jump to multiple targets, prioritizing the closest target, and can jump to itself and allies.

You are immune to the lightning damage from Titan's Wrath, but your allies will take the full damage.

Maximum jump distance = sub-class level (meters).

After unleashing Chain Lightning, you return to normal and begin accumulating Titan's Wrath again.

• [Master Correction]: (Titan Path Level 7)

Each time you gain 2% charge progress.

Each jump deals (3d6) points of lightning damage.

When struck by lightning, restores (3d6) health.

~~~