Mkulme didn't chase after Kilio after he ran off to face Tumwa. Instead, he came to Roho who had just been freed by the Disorient status. Without pause, his fists that held the karambits struck Roho repeatedly.
His repeating punches were very fast and were executed as if they were one rapid movement. Peniel informed Jack that those punches were Battle Monk's non-standard skill, Chained Strikes. This skill's damage increased with each connected strike. Jack counted Mkulme delivering twenty consecutive punches, which Peniel said was the number of strikes delivered by a Max-level Chained Strikes.
With Mkulme harassing Roho at melee range, Roho was denied the chance for casting a spell.
Kilio who had been knocked away by Tumwa was immobilized when Tumwa cast Hell Whip, a Warlock's spell. The fiery whip locked him in place, preventing him from assisting Roho.
Kilio activated a strength-increasing skill and then use brute strength to release himself from the hell whip. However, by the time he was free, another obstacle appeared. Tumwa's pet, the armored basilisk had finished taking care of the two treants. It now stood between him and Roho.
With her pet facing Kilio and Mkulme harassing Roho, Tumwa took a supporting role. She moved back and threw her flying knives at her two opponents, continuously chipping their lives while they were occupied.
After being forced into such a passive situation, Roho and Kilio couldn't find the chance to get out of their predicament. Mkulme and the armored basilisk made it so that the two stayed separate, with Tumwa steadily reducing their HP with ranged attacks.
Roho fell first. With that, the outcome was sealed. Kilio was already having trouble dealing with the armored basilisk. With Mkulme flanking him, he soon fell as well. The finalists of Block B were decided.
"Still think we have a chance of winning?" Four Winds asked Jack.
Jack didn't answer.
In the arena, after announcing the Giantkiller tribe as the winner, Makadi made a gesture. Rune diagrams around the arena flared. The armored basilisk disappeared. Mkulme and Tumwa's HP and skills were reset.
Makadi then called Jack and Four Winds to come into the arena for the final round.
"Well, win or lose, I won't go down without a fight!" Four Winds declared as he stood up.
"Of course, we will win!" Jack exclaimed. He then gave Four Winds a raised fist.
"What?" Four Winds questioned his gesture.
"Fist-bump. It's a good luck charm before a battle," Jack replied.
"What a childish belief," Four Winds said, but he still bumped his fist into Jack's.
The two then walked into the arena. Mkulme and Tumwa stayed in the arena waiting for them. The crowd was wild as the final round was about to begin.
"When the battle begins, I will handle Mkulme," Four Winds said as they walked. "Tumwa is too fast for me to chase. Only you can catch her. I will hold Mkulme for as long as possible while you take care of Tumwa."
"Bloody hell… Do you forget already that woman is a mythical grade? Without using my other classes' skills, I will be lucky to survive against her."
"Don't sell yourself short. Even without relying on game skills, you are a formidable opponent. Your martial arts are a league away from the first time I fought you in the world tournament."
"She also knows martial arts, remember?" Jack said.
"The natives' martial arts can't be compared to ours. They have the form but not the essence," Four Winds replied. "You should be able to see from her match just now."
"Even so, it will still be a very slim chance…"
"But not impossible. I believe in you," Four Winds said.
"Damnit! You just push all the pressure on me," Jack complained.
"Which shows how much I believe in you," Four Winds grinned.
After the four got into positions, they saw the grand chief who was originally sitting in his arranged seat, had come to the front of the VIP section. He made a gesture to the crowd which then quieted down.
"My good orcs of Verremor! You are witnessing the rise of the new member of our council. By the end of this next match, we will have a new tribe that represents your voice!"
The grand chief then looked down at the four combatants below. "Giantkiller! Cipher Flight! Both of you defeated the other opponents to be the last ones standing in this arena. You aim for the highest honor in our great nation. For that, you need to give your all! Now, you will both continue this trial of combat, the highest trial in our nation's tradition. Four of you stood in this arena, representing two sides. By the time this final round ended, only one side will remain. This last trial will now commence!!"
Horns were sounded. The crowd cheered wildly. The drum players were hitting their drums like mad orcs.
Makadi gave the crowd some moment to make noises. After the bustle lessened a bit, he looked at the four combatants before him. There was no need for him to ask if they were ready.
"Fight…!" He announced.
Four Winds used Cry of Rage the moment Makadi gave the word. Both he and Jack then rushed forward. Mkulme also lunged forward. The only one who jumped backward was Tumwa.
Four Winds used Charge and headed straight for Mkulme. Mkulme, who saw he was targeted, didn't back away. He also charged forward with an energy shell enveloping his body.
Four Winds' body enlarged as it was propelled forward by Charge. He had activated his bloodline skill, Titan Strength. At the same time, crimson tattoos covered his body.
The two muscled orcs crashed into one another. This time, it was Four winds who got thrown away. It was not just a few steps back, his body was flying back uncontrollably. He fell on his back and skidded on the ground. He had to do a backflip before he landed back on two feet and stopped the knockback force.
He could hardly believe it. Even with both his Titan Strength and Enhanced Berserk, his strength still lost by such a large degree.
He looked over at his opponent and was stunned to see that Mkulme's body was also covered in the same crimson tattoos as his.
