The Ogre's Gesture
“It's coming!”
“Yes, sir!”
Just as Staff Sergeant Edric said, the orc we'd targeted was charging straight at us.
The problem? It had brought a friend along.
“Kurruruk!!!”
“Kurruk!!!”
The two orcs swung their clubs in perfect sync, like some kind of mated pair.
Whoosh!
The moment we spotted the second one, Staff Sergeant Edric and I had pulled back, so luckily their strikes sliced through empty air.
“We need another squad...”
I whipped my head side to side, calling for backup, but every soldier nearby was locked in combat with orcs of their own.
Can't isolate one, can't call for help. What now?
Running away screaming “danger” would just let them barrel through, disrupting the formation and screwing everyone else.
Damn it.
In the end, there was only one answer.
“Major, I'll take the one on the right.”
Staff Sergeant Edric sized up the pair and pointed to the slightly bulkier brute.
“Got it.”
This wasn't the time to turn down his courtesy. I nodded and dropped into stance.
“Be careful, sir.”
With those final words, he lunged at his chosen target.
Clang!
Sword met club midair. By size alone, you'd expect Edric to get flattened, but their power clash was dead even.
“Over here, you bastard!”
Edric shifted position to draw the orcs apart. Did the taunt work?
The orc started following him. That left me with one job: grab the tagalong.
“Your opponent's me!”
While its eyes were fixed on Edric, I closed the gap in a flash and slashed.
Squish!
My blade carved into its gut.
“Kurruru!!!”
Blood sprayed as it howled, but it didn't look badly hurt.
“Goddamn gut's thick as blubber.”
Slicing through that fatty mass felt gross.
“Kurrururu!!!”
Thud! Thud! Thud!
It locked onto me like a raging bull, pounding the earth as it charged.
Damage?
I could dodge easily if I wanted. But to end this quick, better not give it space.
“Come on, you little shit!”
I dug my heels into the dirt for stability and raised my sword.
“Kurruk!”
Its massive shadow engulfed me.
Ha! Fucking huge up close.
Arm's reach away, the size difference hit harder than ever. But no matter how big an orc was, that was just superficial intimidation.
“Kurrururu!!!”
Club plunging straight down at my head like a piledriver.
The instant it committed.
Now.
I swung on reflex.
Slash!
Not a clash—my sword sheared the club clean in two, the top half tumbling to the ground.
“Kurru...”
Caught off guard, even under hypnosis, it staggered back a step. It must've felt it: strong versus weak, and it was the weak one.
“Too late for epiphanies, punk.”
A disarmed foe only had death left.
Clang!
I closed in swinging; it desperately raised its half-club to block.
Just cleave that too?
I could adjust angle and do it, but wasting power on junk was idiot territory.
“Think flailing changes anything?”
Whoosh!
Another strike before it recovered. It tried blocking with the stump again.
Like I'd fall for that crap twice.
“Too slow, lardass.”
Whoosh!
Stepping aside as it froze in place, I redirected to its flank.
“Kurru.”
It sensed something wrong. Too late again.
“Block this one too!”
Shhhk!
My dwarven-forged blade—club-shatterer—sliced from its hip up to armpit.
“Ugh.”
Blood erupted. A few drops hit my mouth—tasted like shit.
“Kuru...”
Thud!
Tough as orcs were, even they had limits. It crumpled.
“Go on.”
Slash!
Not a pretty sight, thrashing in agony. One neck slice ended it clean.
He's done too.
Glancing over, Edric had just finished his orc right on cue.
“Impressive skills, Major.”
“Nah.”
Short exchange done, I scanned the field.
“Everyone's holding strong.”
Contrary to my worries, no weak points anywhere.
“We'll wrap this up quick at this rate.”
“Good. Let's pick up the pace too.”
I shook blood from my blade, turning for the next orc.
Boom!
The ground quaked.
“Wha—what the hell?!”
“Earthquake! Don't fall—pull back!”
Chaotic, but platoon leaders called it fast, withdrawing troops.
But... this felt off.
Boom! Boom!! Boom!!!
Rhythmic, growing stronger. Not an earthquake—footsteps. And we learned whose soon enough.
Rumble!!! Crack!
A colossal bulk rising at the mountain pass mouth. Trees splintered with every step—insane power.
“An... an ogre why...”
Mythic unrealness. Edric named it.
“Evac! Get the wagons now!”
“Platoon Sergeant! Horses all snapped lines and bolted!”
“Shit!”
Terror shattered the site. I was rattled too, scared shitless, but couldn't look away.
This bastard... no hypnosis.
Too sharp eyes, too casual stride. It chose to come down here.
So hypnosis isn't the root cause of monsters descending?
My hypotheses crumbling—head spun.
“Major! We need to evac now!”
Edric yelling urgently.
But oddly... I felt calmest now.
“Hold up a sec.”
“Pardon...?”
Lunatic major saying wait in do-or-die evac time. Even I knew it was nuts, but some gut certainty: that giant wouldn't attack us.
Boom!!! Boom!!!!!!
Ogre closing in. Looking around, just me and Edric left before it.
“Aaaah!”
Thud.
Crane neck—no face visible. Edric's legs gave out; he collapsed.
Sh—shit.
As it loomed one step away, regret hit; my body shook.
You dumbass, thinking you read intent sans skills. Truth Eye shows truth, so you figured you see all now?
Harsh self-roast facing death.
Too late for that.
“Uruk.”
It halted nose-to-nose, speaking first. Voice echoed like from a cave. Soft, but immense weight.
Rinsing mouth before eating me?
Cold sweat soaked my back.
But... what it did next differed.
“Ururuk.”
Head dipped, peering down. Eye contact first time.
One-sided before, but those eyes alone screamed superior being.
“Ha... haha.”
Desperate for mercy, I forced an awkward smile, waved weakly.
It brought its right fist to me.
Yeah, figures. Shit, I'm dead.
No fleeing urge. Body frozen.
Up close, face angry-ish.
“Ururuk!”
Fist straight at me...
“Huh...?”
Stopped dead before crushing, hand opened wide. Inside: huge rock.
What the...?
I gawked blankly; it clenched fist again.
Crunch!
Rock pulverized. Insane grip strength.
“Ururuk!”
Clear rage now.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
Dumped pebble handfuls on ground. Pointed once... turned away.
Boom!!! Boom!! Boom!
Business done, lumbered off. Stunned, it vanished deep into mountains before I snapped to.
“Ma—Major!!! You okay?!”
“What the hell happened! Major! Edric!”
Company rushed up post-ogre.
Waved to signal I was fine.
“I'm good. Staff Sergeant Edric too...”
Turned: he'd passed out flat.
“No injuries—just fainted. Someone carry him.”
“Yes, sir! Stretcher here!”
They whisked him off quick; I briefed remaining platoon leaders.
“What happened, sir? It got real close.”
“No clue. But since I'm alive, probably not hostile.”
“Seems so. Whew! An ogre. Tales exaggerate, but this one's beyond.”
“Glad you're safe, Major.”
Couldn't agree more; nodded.
“Lucky break. Prep evac fast—could be more.”
One save by luck didn't guarantee repeats.
“What about that rock...?”
1st Platoon Leader Staff Sergeant Jerun pointed to ogre-crushed chunks.
“I'll check it. Handle the rest.”
“Roger.”
“Report when ready.”
They dispersed; I approached fragments.
“Not here to flex rocks. So what is this?”
Picked up fist-sized piece, inspected sides.
“Huh...?”
Outside normal, cross-section blue.
Instinct screamed weird; scraped with finger.