Arthfael: The Grinding Hero

Chapter 5. Second Match

Arthfael's second match finally continued at night, after he finished dinner to replenish his body energy that was depleted from his fight with Dreadspawn earlier in the day. The three women who accompanied him had left him since he finished dinner, and now only Valentina the fairy was beside him.

"Ogreking usually has a weak spot in the neck and chin area. But because that area is usually quite thick, it seems like you have to hit it hard," said Valentina, who appeared to be flying on Arthfael's right side while waiting for the wooden door in front of them to open.

Arthfael looked at Valentina, "Don't I have any weapons? Do I have to fight with my bare hands again?"

Valentina shrugged her shoulders, "You can take a weapon from the opponent you defeated. But because Dreadspawn didn't bring a weapon, you don't have any weapons."

"Damn," murmured Arthfael, feeling that this match would be much harder.

"Because your opponent this time is an S-level monster, every hit will increase 5 times every time you successfully hit the opponent. Maybe this will be the last match. Usually, matches in Thunderthopia are held three times, with the last opponent being an S-level monster." Valentina explained to Arthfael, who had just arrived in that world and immediately competed in a place called Thunderthopia.

"So if I win, the match is over?" Arthfael confirmed.

Valentina nodded her head, almost losing her balance as her body flew in the air.

"That's right. If you lose, it means you're dead."

Arthfael shuddered at Valentina's answer. He could already imagine the strength of the Ogreking he would face. Moreover, as far as he knew, an Ogre was a creature with a large body, large protruding lower fangs, and often carried a fairly large and heavy striking object.

After waiting for a few moments, the wooden door in front of them opened again. Cheers were heard again, even more chaotic than this afternoon. Arthfael then stepped forward to the center of the arena alone, without Valentina by his side.

Although his body had fully recovered and his energy had returned as usual, Arthfael could feel the emotional pressure in the stadium making his body feel weak.

"Can I do this?" Arthfael murmured, initially feeling doubtful. His gaze fell on two young boys sitting in the front row of the audience seats. The two boys looked like they were cheering him on.

"You can definitely win this match again! Don't disappoint me!" shouted one of the boys, while clenching his fists to show his burning spirit.

Arthfael smiled when he heard those words. He clenched his own fist and his grey eyes turned sharp, "Alright. Let's do this, Arthfael." Arthfael murmured.

Right in the middle of the audience seats, located between Arthfael's entrance and Ogreking's entrance, Arthfael could see a man with hazelnut brown hair and a matching mustache. The man was wearing a red robe with gold stripes and a crown on his head.

"He must be King Galen of the Kingdom of Esteria," said Arthfael, then looked towards a young woman who was standing next to him and looked so graceful in her long white gown.

Their gazes met and made the woman quickly turn away when she realized that Arthfael was also looking at her. However, she looked back at Arthfael and smiled at him, making Arthfael's heart beat faster.

Arthfael immediately held his chest as he felt his heart racing. Just a few moments ago, Arthfael was accompanied by three beautiful women and even wore revealing clothes that showed off his sexy curves. But the aura of the three women was instantly overshadowed by the smile that was thrown by the Lady Princess at him.

In the midst of Arthfael's admiration for the Lady Princess whose name he didn't know, a trumpet sounded loudly and the cheers grew louder. From the opposite side of where Arthfael stood, the wooden door that was previously closed slowly opened. Unlike Dreadspawn who immediately entered by running with enthusiasm, Ogreking entered calmly, with one of its feet wearing a large chain with a rather large iron ball.

The Ogreking monster that was in Arthfael's imagination suddenly appeared in front of him. Arthfael had guessed that the monster would be at least a little bigger than the Dreadspawn he had just fought. Not only was its body big, but the weapon in the form of a club in its hand was also equally large and could crush Arthfael's body in just one blow.

"Attack its weak spot to finish it quickly," muttered Arthfael as he jumped up and down to prepare himself.

The spectators watching Arthfael jump looked confused.

"Hey, what is he doing?" asked one of the spectators.

"I don't know. Maybe he's nervous because he's facing Ogreking, King Galen's pet," replied one of his friends.

The chain that was bound to Ogreking's leg was opened by a magic controlled from a distance by a bald-headed man standing next to King Galen. After the chain disappeared, Ogreking began to walk towards Arthfael and looked at him sharply.

"I'm Ogru, the one who will kill you. Remember that name well," said the Ogreking, introducing himself to Arthfael.

Arthfael was surprised to hear the words of the Ogreking in front of him, "You can talk?" Arthfael asked.

"I'm Ogru!" he yelled again, louder.

Unlike level A monsters, level S monsters and above have the ability to speak. In addition, the power of level S monsters is 10 times greater than that of level A monsters. Arthfael's second match finally began. Arthfael widened his legs shoulder-width apart, then moved his right foot back and clenched his right hand to prepare to strike Ogreking, who was already running towards him.

Ogreking continued to run towards Arthfael and got closer. Arthfael's body became hotter along with his tense muscles, ready to launch his punch at the monster in front of him. Until finally, Ogreking's distance got closer and the stick carried by the Ogreking was raised in the air and ready to strike Arthfael.

"Hiyaaaa!" shouted Arthfael as he reached Ogreking, and immediately jumped and swung a punch at Ogreking's cheek with full force.

BOOOMMM!

The strong blow created a large gust of wind around Arthfael. Ogreking's body was thrown away from Arthfael and he almost lost his balance. However, Ogreking managed to stand up with the help of the wooden club he was holding. Arthfael's strength had increased fivefold, and he could feel his body was much stronger than before.

"Wow, I can feel the drastic change in my strength," exclaimed Arthfael while looking at both of his arms alternately.

Meanwhile, Ogreking, who was unhappy with the blow he received, shouted in the middle of the arena.

"I will kill you!" shouted Ogreking named Ogru, who was the monster pet of King Galen.

As memories of the video games he used to play raced through his mind, Arthfael remembered how he had defeated monster characters with movements that could knock them down in just two punches with one strike.

Arthfael smiled, "I'll beat you first," he replied, then prepared himself to attack Ogreking.

King Galen, who was watching the match enthusiastically, hoped that his pet Ogreking would win the match.

“Don't lose, Ogru! Bring me more money!" Galen hissed while clenching his fists.

Ogreking ran towards Arthfael once again and this time attempted to throw the club he was holding at Arthfael. Knowing what Ogreking was up to, Arthfael immediately jumped and performed a backflip to dodge the thrown club.

The spectators looked surprised at what Arthfael had just done and were impressed with his uncommon feat. Most people would have been hit by the club due to the incredible speed at which Ogreking threw it.

Instantly, cheers and shouts once again erupted as the audience witnessed Arthfael's impressive move. They started to chant and give him encouragement.

"Come on, finish it quickly," said Arthfael as he prepared to jump and attack Ogreking again.