Chapter 60

Chapter 60: Chapter 60

Kelvin adjusted immediately, his stance widening. When Urgak’s next attack came, Kelvin was able to deflect it more effectively, using the momentum to spin into a counterattack that forced Urgak to step back.

"Better!" Urgak said with approval. "Again!"

Watching from the sidelines were several other warriors. Satou recognized Ragar, Torn, and Mira ,all Hobgoblins he’d named. There were also five orc warriors, likely part of the training rotation.

"Kelvin’s gotten strong," Ragar commented. "A few weeks of training with Urgak has done wonders."

"He’s motivated," Torn agreed. "After what happened with Vegeta, he’s been pushing himself harder than anyone. Says he never wants to be helpless again."

Mira nodded. "He gained a skill from his determination. Basic Weapon Mastery. And he’s focused entirely on the spear. At this rate, he’ll be better than some of our veteran warriors."

Satou felt a surge of pride watching Kelvin. The kid who’d once been unable to defend his sister was now holding his own against a High Orc. Growth like that was impressive.

He deactivated Shadow Step, his presence suddenly becoming detectable again.

The effect was immediate. Every warrior in the training ground tensed, hands going to weapons before they realized who’d appeared. Then, as one, they dropped to one knee.

"Chieftain Satou!" Urgak’s voice boomed across the grounds. "Welcome back!"

"We’re honored by your presence, Chieftain!" the others echoed.

"Satou!" Kelvin’s face lit up with joy, but he maintained the kneeling position. "You’re fully recovered!"

"Rise," Satou said, feeling slightly uncomfortable with the formal greeting but understanding it was necessary for maintaining order. "There’s no need for such ceremony during training."

They stood, and Satou saw the genuine relief and happiness in their eyes. These people had followed him, trusted him, and nearly died because of his decisions. That they still looked at him with such loyalty was humbling.

"Congratulations on your full recovery, Chieftain," Urgak said, his single eye assessing Satou’s new form. "And on your evolution. You’re a Hobgoblin now. The first among our original goblin settlers to achieve it naturally."

"Thank you," Satou replied. "I’ve been idle for a month. My body may have healed, but I need to shake off the rust. I was hoping to test myself."

"Against who?" Kelvin asked eagerly.

Satou smiled, a hint of mischief in his expression. "All of you."

Silence fell over the training grounds.

"All... of us?" Ragar repeated slowly. "You want to spar against all ten of us at once?"

"Yes," Satou confirmed. "I need to test my limits, see how my new abilities work in combat. And I need to understand how much stronger I’ve become. What better way than facing multiple skilled opponents?"

Urgak’s face split into a wide grin. "You’ve gotten arrogant since killing that hero. I like it. Very well, Chieftain. We’ll show you that numbers still matter, evolution or not."

The warriors spread out, forming a loose circle around Satou. Kelvin moved to join them, his spear ready, excitement and determination clear on his face.

Satou rolled his shoulders, feeling his new body respond. "Don’t hold back. I want to see what I’m capable of."

"As you command," Urgak said. Then, to the others, "Get into formation! Coordinated assault! Show the Chieftain why we train!"

The warriors moved as one, their months of training evident in their coordination. Two orc warriors charged from the front, their axes swinging in synchronized arcs. Kelvin and Mira circled to attack from the flanks with their spears. The remaining warriors positioned themselves to cut off escape routes.

It was a good strategy. Satou had trained them well before his battle with Vegeta, and they’d clearly continued learning in his absence.

But they were about to learn just how much a few weeks of unconsciousness and the consumption of a hero’s essence could change someone.

Satou activated Battle Instinct.

Time seemed to slow. He could see the trajectory of every attack before it landed, could predict the warriors’ movements based on their body language and positioning. It was like having a tactical map overlaid on his vision, showing him not just what was happening but what would happen next.

The two orc warriors’ axes came down. Satou stepped between the attacks, his enhanced agility making the movement look effortless. His hands shot out, grabbing both orcs by their wrists. Using their own momentum against them, he redirected their swings so the axes passed harmlessly by his sides.

Then he used Orc’s Might.

His muscles surged with impossible strength. He yanked both orcs forward, smashing them into each other with enough force to make them see stars. They collapsed in a heap, conscious but dazed.

Kelvin’s spear thrust toward his back. Without looking, Satou activated Shadow Manipulation. His shadow rose up like a shield, solidifying into a barrier that caught the spear point. The weapon stuck fast, and Kelvin’s eyes went wide with surprise.

"When did you—"

Satou spun, his shadow releasing the spear. His leg came up in a sweeping kick enhanced by his new strength. It caught Kelvin in the chest, launching him backward to crash into two other warriors. All three went down in a tangle of limbs.

Mira attacked from above, having leaped onto a training dummy to gain height advantage. Her spear descended in a deadly arc toward Satou’s head.

Satou raised his hand and activated Stone Spit. Three shards shot upward, striking Mira’s spear shaft and knocking it off course. She landed gracefully but before she could reset, Satou had closed the distance.

His hand pressed against her chest gently. "You’re out."

A pulse of mana, and shadow energy spread across her body, not harmful but binding. She found herself unable to move, wrapped in tendrils of darkness that held her like gentle chains.

"What is this?" she gasped.

"Shadow Binding," Satou explained. "One of Vegeta’s techniques. Non-lethal but effective."

The remaining five warriors attacked together, having realized that solo attempts were useless. They came from all sides, weapons raised, battle cries echoing.

Satou grinned. This was what he’d needed. A real test.

He activated Shadow Clone.

Five perfect duplicates of himself materialized from the shadows around him, each one solid and real. The attacking warriors skidded to a stop, confusion evident on their faces.

"Which one’s real?" Torn shouted.

"All of them," Satou—all six of him—replied in perfect unison.