Chapter 73
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Ogre Raid
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"Ugh... What? When did it get so dark?"
"You're finally up?"
Kobson rubbed his eyes as he woke. He'd been sleeping so soundly that I hadn't wanted to wake him. Actually, it was better for everyone that he stayed quiet. Claudia and I had enjoyed some pleasant time together anyway.
"No ogre yet?"
"If it had shown up, you'd all be dead by now."
"Fair point."
The newly awakened Kobson stretched and began his exercises. I had no desire to describe the bizarre grunts and grotesque poses he struck.
In any case, time was rushing toward a dark night. Unlike the warm day, the temperature was plummeting rapidly. Clouds were gathering. A sign of rain, perhaps.
If the moon rose and those clouds obscured it, we couldn't count on moonlight. The difference between having moonlight and not was huge. In this otherworld without electric lights, nighttime illumination was limited to primitive torches, oil lanterns, and a few spells.
Those were pitiful compared to modern lighting.
In such deepening darkness, it was the monsters, not humans, who gained the advantage.
Monsters' senses were at least as good as humans', never inferior. I felt a twinge of unease. Things weren't looking good. If rain started pouring, just waiting for the ogre would drain our stamina.
If the ogre was counting on that, we'd be in for a tough fight.
Looking around, the other adventurers had noticed the chill too and were lighting more campfires. I thought I should do the same. Temperature aside, darkness would put us at a disadvantage.
"Claudia, we should light a fire."
I stood from my spot.
"No, wait."
"Hm?"
Claudia, who had stopped me, explained.
"Ogres don't have great eyesight. If it's ambushing at night, it'll likely charge toward the light. The other adventurers have already lit plenty of fires. They've turned themselves into bait for us. We can hide in the dark, hold our breath, and wait. With my senses, I won't miss the ogre, so we can move after it shows up."
Her tone was so logical that I nodded. Claudia's reasoning, born of experience, made perfect sense.
"I-is that so? But if it rains, our body heat..."
"We can just hold each other, you and me."
"Oh, right."
"Hehe, let's move then."
I glanced at Kobson. He shook his head, expressing his intent.
"Look, the lady has descended from the watchtower. I'll stand by nearby. Might get a chance to hear her voice a bit more."
"Uh... good luck."
Kobson vanished like a moth diving into flames.
"Hm... your friend took off. Just us two then?"
Claudia took my hand and led me. We needed a good spot to lie in wait. Making a hideout would be ideal, but Claudia calmly explained there was no need with all the bait around. She didn't seem to realize she was casually treating the adventurers as bait.
Mixed blood with other races, maybe? She was ruthless in those ways.
"Hmm... it's so different from the desert. Not sure where to hide."
Claudia, leading the way, showed her frustration. Thinking about it, for all her experience, most of it was probably in deserts. I had more know-how in dense mountain forests like this.
Time for me to take the lead.
"Then let me guide us. I've camped in mountains plenty. I know hiding spots from experience."
"Really? I'll trust you then."
I pushed through the woods, careful not to stray too far from the clearing. Getting accused of fleeing would be trouble.
Just before sunset, I found a good spot. A massive tree trunk and boulder provided cover. I cut branches with thick leaves for camouflage.
"Hmm~ Not bad, pretty comfy."
"Right?"
All learned in the army.
No joke, that insane army experience came in handy in this otherworld sometimes. If you're heading to another world, do your military service first (total bullshit).
As we hunkered down, full night fell. Rain started as expected. I'd made a roof with rain in mind, but it wasn't perfect—my shoulders got damp. My toes went cold as the temperature dropped.
"Come closer."
"Okay."
Claudia hugged me from behind. Armor and clothes muffled the warmth, but her coziness warmed my heart—and body.
A bit chilly. We kept eyes on the clearing.
Orange firelight flickered below our shelter. Campfire flames danced, visible clearly despite the moonless black night.
The ogre would see them too...
"Katt."
Claudia stood and whispered.
"It's here."
I gripped my sword tightly. I stood behind Claudia. "Hear it?" Her ears perked. "No." Nothing to me.
"Look over there."
Thud, thud. Thud!
The sounds came from the opposite side of the clearing.
The enraged footsteps of a giant shook the earth. Claudia moved toward the clearing. I followed.
The clearing grew chaotic as we approached,
「 —KurRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!! 」
and the ogre appeared with a roar.
"It's the ogre!"
"Everyone! Everyone! Kill the ogre!"
"Uwaaaaaah!!!!"
"Beat it down!"
A giant seeming over 4 meters tall charged the watchtower like a cannon shot.
Incredible speed. The watchtower, under the brightest light from its tent below, was larger than the ogre. Annoyed, perhaps, the roaring ogre rushed it like a moth to flame.
The ogre's massive body slammed into the watchtower.
Crunch!
The tremendous shoulder tackle collapsed it. Five or so flew into the sky from the impact. Those buried under wouldn't survive. The ogre grabbed a nearby adventurer.
"Aaaargh!!"
A pitiful scream, and one adventurer was smashed. Dead in under 3 seconds. Hurled hard, he shattered on impact.
"Oh ho ho ho ho! Impressive strength! Ogre!"
Blocking the ogre was Lady Isvant. Even after several instant deaths, her energy didn't flag. Noble poise, I guess.
She faced it with her massive greatsword raised.
"Kill the ogre!"
The soldiers reacted nimbly, spreading to surround it. Zaulerus shouted.
"Adventurers! Fleeing means penalty fees! I have the list! Attack it! Surround it! The lady promises 1 gold to whoever lands an effective hit!"
"U, uwaaa!!"
"Kill the ogre!!!"
"That gold's mine!!"
Some had fled early, but dozens remained. Despite comrades' quick deaths, excited adventurers swarmed from behind the lady, joining soldiers to encircle and strike with weapons.
The fierce assault made the ogre turn. But.
"Not so fast!"
The lady thrust forward with her greatsword at eye-blurring speed.
Gliding like on skates, her blade grazed the ogre's side. Blood flowed, but not fatal. Its superhuman speed and agility dodged the tip.
—KURRR!!!!
Twisting to evade, the ogre swung its arm using centrifugal force. The lady recovered her sword as shield but flew back from the blow.
"Kyaa!"
No, you idiot!
One shot?!
"Lady!"
Only now did soldiers and adventurers charge. The enraged ogre whipped its arm like a lash; those who couldn't dodge flew skyward. People can't fly. But they did. Satisfied, they could die happy.
"The ogre gave them wings!"
Excited by the deaths, I yelled.
Attacks were landing constantly. Surrounded on all sides, no matter how it raged. Blades cut hide, hot blood sprayed. Time for me to join.
"Katt, calm down. Not yet."
Claudia strode through the melee. Warrior and assassin both. Amid screams, roars, spraying blood, whistling blades, she timed the perfect moment. When she released her killing intent, the ogre would die.
Whoosh!
"Attack! Attack! We outnumber it! It's dying!"
Zaulerus, dodging an ogre punch by rolling, spat the words.
The ogre's legs were bloodied. Adventurers weren't total pushovers; many died, but survivors dealt solid damage.
—kuR!!!!
When the ogre attacked front, front lines fell back, rears stabbed legs.
Turned to rear? Front lunged. From all directions. Mistakes meant death; skilled repeated the dance. Damage accumulated.
True to mercenaries, they excelled at paid killing.
Fwoosh!
A fireball flew in.
"Mage support! Dodge!"
Boom!
Winia, deadly serious, fired Fire Bolts. Five hit chest and arms.
Explosions scorched and burned. The beast roared in agony.
—KURRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!
"Hot enough for ya!"
Arms crossed guarding head, the ogre trampled adventurers straight ahead. One unlucky soul burst underfoot.
All dove aside from the charge, clearing a path revealing Winia.
The ogre rushed her.
"Now!"
Claudia shot out like lightning. Arena empty. Low like a leopard, she raised her curved sword. I chased her.
Shick!
Claudia's blades flashed in dark. Face shielded by arm, she slashed exposed right calf and ankle while sprinting.
I swung my bastard sword full force into its calf.
Splurt!
Blood sprayed.
—KUUUURRRRRRRRR!!
Thud!
The ogre roared and pitched forward. Winia? Long gone. Safely aside, she aimed her staff at the fallen beast and chanted.
"Flame Arrow!"
Fiery arrow embedded in back. Massive explosion, scent of roasting meat. Skin-charred, it writhed in pain, crawling toward woods.
We win?
"I-it's fleeing!"
"Kill it! We won!"
"Beat it!"
Soldiers and adventurers, seeing the mountain lord crawl pathetically, charged yelling. Now a race for the killing blow. 1 gold reward. Enough to change a lowlife adventurer's fate.
Humans strongest in greed. Eyes bloodshot, they dashed like starved dogs. Sprint speeds rivaling pros.
Beyond love, friendship, survival—raw greed unleashed superhuman power beyond limits. They burned it as fuel.
But greed makes fools too.
I pulled back with Claudia, avoiding the rush.
"Hyup!"
Fastest martial artist raised arms. Aimed hammer-fist at ogre's head. A real hammer would've been two hundred times better, but he ignored that.
Firmly believed his fist stronger than any hammer.
—KKKKKUR!
"Aaaargh!!!"
Suddenly, ogre sprang up, snatched the would-be hammerer, and bolted into woods at explosive speed.
No one could catch it.