Chapter 75
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Ogre Raid
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"Fuck, this is scary as shit. Scary as fuck, Barbarian. Give me some comfort quick. Sing me that savage song that fills me with courage."
Kobson came trembling over to me. Seeing him spout nonsense like that, his delirium seemed pretty bad. This guy's completely lost it.
Well, still, gotta give him credit for his survival instincts. I managed to dodge the ogre by sticking close to Cloudy, but Kobson evaded it with just his natural talents. Fitting for a guy who runs around everywhere like a maniac—he's got a gift for it.
"I'm fucking scared too, you bitch."
I grumbled. He was scared, sure, but I wasn't in any shape to comfort anyone either.
"My whole body's shaking like a leaf. Worried we're gonna die here. Hell, we might actually bite it."
"Fuck, same here."
Kobson's hand trembled on his sword hilt. Every time the ogre showed up, someone vanished. Even though everyone was on high alert, bracing for ambushes, we got snatched away helpless. No one could stop a 4-meter giant in full sprint.
—KIIIIIYAAAAAAA!!!!
And sure enough, a scream echoed from the darkness. The fate of the abducted wasn't pretty. We'd all seen it firsthand.
Now I was even starting to doubt if we could take down the ogre at all. It kept dodging the Lady, Cloudy couldn't get an opening with so many people fleeing, Winia's spells were always a beat too slow. And the people? Total chaos, no control.
"We're totally fucked."
"Don't worry too much, Katt. We'll get it soon."
Cloudy wrapped her arm around my waist from the side. Had she come up with some clever plan? I asked to find out.
"You figure something out?"
"Well... not exactly a plan, but if we thin out the crowd a bit more, it'll be less chaotic, right? That should do it. If just about ten more drop..."
"Huh?"
I stared at her in shock. But she just averted her eyes shyly when I met her gaze.
Did she just... say we just need ten more people to die...
I suppressed the ominous chill gripping my heart. It's fine. She's a half-breed, so her morals might be a bit off. We can work on that while living together.
"Ten more, huh..."
How long till ten more die? Probably not long. The ogre's tired too, but so are we. The attacks seemed to be coming faster lately.
Unlike the ogre, which hit and ran, we were stuck here, maintaining peak tension waiting for the next strike. Our stamina and mental drain was way worse. Ten more would go down in a flash.
"You cowardly ogre! No matter what, I won't be satisfied till I lop off its head and bring it to Father myself!"
The Lady bellowed. No matter how she charged, the ogre wouldn't engage her. She was fit to burst. Only five of her soldiers left now.
—KUUUUUUR!!!
Then the ogre charged in again. The adventurers, who'd agreed to stick together, scattered in panic once more. Winia fired a Flame Arrow. It lodged in the ogre's side, but the beast ignored the burns and kept charging.
"Tch!"
The Lady blocked its path head-on. Her eyes bloodshot with rage. Her greatsword seemed to howl with killing intent.
—Goooooo.
Red mana aura swirled around the massive blade.
Prep for a superhuman strike fueled by mana.
Cloudy dodged the fleeing crowd and flanked the ogre from behind. Nice—her movements were smoother now, thanks to the thinned numbers.
—KUR!
But the ogre snorted mockingly and rolled sideways to escape. Hitting the ground prevented Cloudy from targeting its legs.
If the adventurers and soldiers had flanked both sides here, we might've finished it. But the adventurers were busy running, and five soldiers couldn't do much.
"How long are you gonna keep running...!"
The Lady finished charging and crossed over ten meters in a single step. She swung her greatsword wide—
—Boom!
The ogre leaped high to dodge. Her blade cratered the ground. No matter how strong the strike, if it misses, that's it. The ogre knew.
"Uwaaaack!"
The ogre landed on all fours, snatched another adventurer, and vanished.
"Goddamn it, goddamn it!"
The Lady spat curses unfit for nobility.
"Fuck! This is pissing me off so bad!"
And that was just how it kept going. Rain poured endlessly, sky stayed dark, bodies soaked through. Dropping body temp clashed with the heat from exertion, throwing balance off. Dizzy. Senses overclocked from constant tension. Someone looking exhausted plopped down where they stood.
"We're all gonna die..."
"Don't talk like that. Didn't we come to make money?"
Kobson hauled him up. Then another scream. They flinched. I felt deep fatigue too. At first clash, morale was high, we mobbed like a pack and slashed away. But the ogre switched tactics, and we were fucked.
Adventurers aren't soldiers. Can't form up, can't maintain it even if we did. No training for this shit. So no coping.
We just partied up small and hunted. Never synced with dozens to kill something this strong. Numbers meant nothing without coordination.
We realized too late. Already lost a ton of adventurers. Couldn't overwhelm with sheer numbers anymore.
In the silence, Cloudy spoke.
"Alright, Katt. Numbers are thin enough now. One favor?"
"What do you want? I'll do it—spill."
"Draw its eyes from the front. Ogre won't fight the Lady. I'll tell her."
Her face dead serious.
"Seriously? That work? One hit from it and I'll fly home."
"You're the only one I trust here. It'll be fine. We end it this time. I'm getting tired too. Wanna go home."
"...Okay."
Sounded insane, but I trusted Cloudy. Nodded. No big deal. When ogre charges, I stand firm and block front. She'll handle the rest.
Cloudy went to the Lady. They talked; Lady's face lit up.
"What courage! You... Barbarian? Y-yes, a Barbarian!"
The Lady approached, hands clasped. Never talked to nobility—unsure what to say. Manners matter... I bowed 90 degrees.
"Yes. I'll take the front. Stake my life on blocking it."
"Y-yes! True Barbarian! Race of valiant warriors! Chin up!"
Facing her racist remark, I glanced at Cloudy before lifting my head. What'd she say? Our eyes met.
"A warrior's bearing indeed! Fine, I entrust it to you! Take the front! With praise for your valor, let's succeed!"
She said that and returned to position. Stunned, Cloudy approached.
"Got it? Front. Block the ogre's front. Honestly, just stand there..."
"Fuck, scary. Scary as shit."
"Can't do it?"
"Nah, gotta. Fuck, trust me only."
"Hehe."
She cupped my face, kissed my forehead. Attack +100, Valor +100 buff skill. Super pumped, I swallowed a cheer.
Time passed like that. Massive battle spirit overflowed from my forehead, surging through my body.
Good.
I can draw its eyes.
I'm that kind of guy.
After that? Not my problem.
—Boom.
The giant's earth-shaking steps returned.
Pinned direction. North? South? Opposite ends, hard to tell. West too?
"East, Katt."
"Yeah."
Cloudy whispered direction, vanished.
—Fuck, all wrong.
Power into legs. Root like a tree, stance locked. Under 5 seconds stretched like minutes. Footsteps close.
Quake as steps neared—
—KURRRRRRRRR!!
Ogre appeared.
Tireless, same tactic: straight charge. Right at me. Gulped. Fuck up, and I die.
—Boom! Boom! Boom!
4-meter giant barreling at me.
Terrifying, fucking terrifying.
No bullshit, scared so bad I'm gonna puke. Like a giant dump truck at 100kph. Body vibrated with its steps. It's close.
Said I'd do it, but facing this clusterfuck, transcendent terror hit.
"—Gr."
Just 5 seconds.
Less.
Plenty for ogre to snatch or trample me. Where's Cloudy? Lady? Winia, Kobson? Others?
World stretched, just me and ogre. Gripped sword tight. Useless probably, but I set stance.
Stance set—
"KIIIIIEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!"
—Battle roar at the ogre. Pushed vocal cords past limit, beastly bellow. Taunted the monster, pumped my courage.
—kUUr?
Ogre flinched at the roar. I kept roaring.
"—EEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!"
—KKKUUUUUUUUURRR!!!!
Charging ogre roared savagely back.
It didn't swerve. Annoyed at my louder roar? Or figured I wasn't the Lady, so fair game? Locked eyes, charged to crush me. Took the bait.
Collision in under a second. All or nothing. Tore shoulder muscles thrusting sword. Even thick hide, with full power last strike plus speed, might pierce gut.
"Dieeeeeee!!!"
Gamble anyway, squeezed eyes shut. And—
—KUR?!
"Diiiiieeeeeee!!!!!!!!!! Got it!!!"
—Thwack!
Lady's mad scream with flesh-exploding sound.
Strange floatiness, I opened eyes.
"Good job, Katt."
"Uh..."
Cloudy held me. Ogre distant. She'd snatched me at the last second. We flew a bit, then rolled on ground in her arms.
"You worm! Finally! Got it!"
—KkKkKkKkKkKkUuuuuuuuuRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!
Ogre's 'scream' erupted.
"Oh my god."
I witnessed it. 4-meter ogre bulk. Side literally 'burst' open. Lady's massive greatsword embedded there.
—Squelch!
Lady yanked her greatsword free. Gush! Ridiculous bloody sausages tore off on the blade. Ogre screamed, convulsed.
—KUR! KUR!
Tried to rise, but burst side prevented movement.
Walloped in its own blood pool, ogre wailed mournfully like calling its mom.
"Ohohohohohohoho!!"
The Lady cackled at the sight.