One Punch Man: My Inspiration

Chapter 20: An Unavoidable Sacrifice

I stood firm, waiting for Orochi to make the first move. I knew making the first attack would be the equivalent of suicide with how powerful Orochi seemed. I watched as Orochi slid his right foot forwards and dropped the stance he had copied. In one quick motion he was now in front of me ready to strike. To the best of my ability I dodged out of the way, part of my baggier clothes getting caught and torn in the process.

"My my, not bad, not bad at all. I'd say that was Orochi maybe putting a bit of power into that attack." The slug like creature said in a matter of fact tone. I gulped. "This really isn't good, if I don't-" My thoughts were cut off by another attack from Orochi. Instead of trying to run I made an attack, trying to squeeze through the gaps of his large body. To my surprise I was able to slip past his attack and my attack landed. A strong punch to his upper shoulder was made. Orochi stumbled for a moment before regaining his footing. His face read that of surprise rather than any actual pain.

I looked at my fist. "This isn't the extent of my strength right? It can't be..." In a fit of frustration I let loose and attacked Orochi with reckless abandon. I threw punch after punch at the monster and he took one after the other. I began to push him back with my punches, throwing a few kicks in to the best of my ability. I started to wonder if I was gaining the upper hand. My hopes were destroyed when my next punch was intercepted by Orochi, his grip tightening on my hand. A sinister grin appeared on his face. "Why don't I put some more effort into this then?" He said, putting his hand in front of me as he held me.

His hand morphed into the dragon form from before and a blast of energy came from it. As hard as I tried to break free I could not and was forced to take the full force of the attack. The energy burned my skin, just as the energy began to boil the flesh it stopped and Orochin delivered a devastating punch that encompassed my entire body. I was sent into the wall of the room, I could feel most of the bones in my body were completely shattered in one way or another. The pain that I had felt had already subsided, I couldn't feel anything anymore. I fell to the floor, unable to get up. I watched Orochi stomp over to me. He knelt down to my level. "That was my full strength, I hope now you understand what you are up against, human." I could feel the monsters hot breath on my face as he spoke.

I couldn't believe what was happening. Even after overcoming my limits, and training so hard I was powerless against the force of nature that stood before me. "I have an idea. What if I give you the monster cell we were discussing earlier. It will heal your wounds and turn you into a monster. It's the perfect outcome is it not, human?"

I finally managed to sit up from the ground, working through the feeling of pain that was slowly coming back. "There has to be something I can do... He has to have some sort of weakness right?" I tried to rationalize the situation but all paths seemed to lead to death in not only my case but the other humans here as well. Orochi continued to stare at me before pointing a fist at me. "Here, allow me to show you something, something that will either make or break you." From Orochi's fist came a small gross and veiny orb. "This is a monster cell, now, ingest it willingly before I choose to kill you. I'm sure that you already understand how much I outclass you based on the short fight that we just had." He stopped for a moment. "So, eat the cell and become the strongest version of you." I eyed the cell. "That thing... Maybe..." I thought about it for a moment before coming to a conclusion.

"Alright, I've made my decision." I said, putting my hand out, he graciously placed the cell in my hand. It felt gross and slimy, my hand quivered. He seemed pleased by my actions. I looked it over once more. "I just have to eat this, right?" I asked. Orochi nodded in response. "And once I do my strength will begin to improve." Orochi smiled. "Oh, very quickly, if you're not careful you could be overtaken by the newfound bloodlust." He said to me.