Chapter 220: Monstrous
*Howl* The eerie, bone-chilling howling sound reverberated from the depths of the desiccated forest, growing louder with each passing moment. Beads of sweat trickled down the soldier's face, his expression etched with a tinge of unease, as he peered ahead into the murky unknown.
*Thud* The ground trembled beneath their feet, causing the meadow to ripple like a disturbed pool of water. Pebbles danced in a chaotic rhythm, their incessant jumps mirroring the descent of leaves from the withered trees above.
Anxious anticipation gripped everyone as their eyes remained fixed on the foreboding depths of the dry forest. While the soldiers dutifully guarded the carriages, the formidable mercenaries from the Corps of Teleknights banded together, assuming a unified formation before them.
Their arrangement was simple yet effective, with three members positioned at the rear, while the mercenary leader, Ray, stood confidently at the forefront. His countenance exuded bravery, accentuated by his unwavering gaze, fixed intently upon the mysterious entity shrouded within the darkness of the desolate forest.
"Prepare yourselves," Ray commanded, his voice resonating with authority, as he activated his swordsmanship skill. Veins bulged on his temple, while his hands and legs underwent a subtle transformation, gradually adopting a faint reddish hue.
The tremors intensified, assaulting their senses, as one of the ancient trees succumbed to the force, crashing forward and revealing the bald visage of the enigmatic creature lurking within.
"ROAR!!!" A thunderous, guttural bellow erupted from the depths of the left forest, accompanied by a powerful gust of wind that swirled through the remaining dry trees, causing the leaves to quiver in trepidation.
*Kaboom* The final barrier of withered trees disintegrated, unveiling an imposing figure standing tall at a staggering seven meters, dwarfing the surrounding foliage. Its bald head glistened in the pale light, while a cascade of long brown hair flowed down its back.
This creature possessed a grotesque blend of human and animal features, its corpulent frame barely concealed by sparse fur, serving only to mask its modesty and adorn its wrists.
*Boom* With a colossal club clenched tightly in its right hand, the creature swung its massive limb downward, shattering the ground beneath it. Cracks spiderwebbed across the earth, snaking towards the mercenaries and sending shockwaves rippling through the remaining humans.
"Attack!" Amidst the soldiers' efforts to regain their footing, the indomitable mercenaries of the Corps of Teleknights surged forward, swords brandished defiantly towards their formidable foe.
"An ogre!" The panicked soldier finally regained composure, yet his voice trembled with fear as he beheld the creature's terrifying countenance. "Why would an ogre venture so far from its natural realm within the beast's territory?"
"We must slay it!" Another soldier exclaimed, determination gleaming in his eyes.
...
Rather than succumbing to fear, a fervent excitement coursed through the remaining soldiers, their eyes ignited with a passionate resolve as they locked gazes with their unwavering captain.
"Left flank, lend aid to the mercenaries! The rest of you, hold your positions!" The captain, standing at a vantage point near the ferocious clash between the mercenaries and the ogre, bellowed his command.
In an instant, the soldiers sprang into action, galvanized by the unwavering courage displayed by their comrades. With a surge of adrenaline, they charged forth, their hearts ablaze with pride and the weight of their duty.
"ROAR!" The ogre bellowed in anguish, its roar resounding through the battlefield.
Ray, the valiant leader of the mercenaries, stood triumphantly atop the ogre's back, his sword having found its mark, piercing one of the creature's eyes.
Yet, the ogre remained unyielding, its immense pain tempered by an iron resolve. With a fierce swing of its left hand, accompanied by a forceful gust, Ray somersaulted backward, narrowly evading the onslaught, landing with impeccable grace upon the unforgiving earth.
As the mercenaries pressed their advantage, each of them deftly thrust their swords with precision into the ogre's massive chest. Their strikes hit their mark, penetrating the tough hide of the creature. With calculated coordination, they swiftly withdrew their weapons, knowing that engaging the ogre at close quarters for too long would be perilous.
"ROAR!" The ogre's roar reverberated throughout the battlefield, a thunderous symphony of pain and fury. Its remaining eye turned bloodshot, fixating on the intruders, the mere ants whose weapons had managed to breach its thick skin.
Desmond, observing the chaotic scene, was initially shocked by the appearance of the legendary creature—an ogre. He could hardly believe his eyes, witnessing the destructive force unleashed upon the flora, the ravaged ground, and the assault on humanity.
But how did the mercenaries achieve such an astounding feat, piercing the ogre's defenses so effortlessly? Desmond pondered, his gaze shifting to the soldiers who were now closing in.
"Fools," he commented under his breath, watching the soldiers charge forward, their pride compelling them to mimic the mercenaries' tactics.
The outcome was inevitable.
"GHAA!" The soldiers were sent hurtling through the air with a single swing of the ogre's club. Their expressions were frozen in disbelief, their faces etched with shock and astonishment.
A glimmer of disappointment flashed in Desmond's eyes as he witnessed the lackluster display of the kingdom's soldiers. Was this the quality of troops the kingdom had to offer? He silently praised his foresight in seeking additional reinforcement from the mercenaries.
However, his attention soon returned to the ogre, and he commanded the system.
"System, scan the ogre."
Unbeknownst to the surrounding people, including the ogre itself, energy emanated from Desmond's body and enveloped the battling beast. The energy returned to Desmond, seamlessly absorbed into his being. Years of analysis and study had allowed him to refine this scanning function of the system to avoid alerting his targets.
The process unfolded smoothly, without a hitch. Desmond observed with a nod, his eyes capturing every detail.
[Scan complete!]
The system relayed the information to Desmond, shedding light on the ogre's nature.
[Race: Beasts
Species: Ogre
Information:
Ogres are creatures belonging to the beast race. They possess a humanoid form and stand between 5 to 7 meters in height, depending on their age. With limited to no intelligence, they possess a hulking and resilient physique, capable of decimating caravans with a single blow. However, their speed is compromised in exchange.
Additional Note: Ogres are infamous for hunting caravans and consuming the bodies of female humans. Their blunt teeth require several days to fully consume a victim.
Special Note: Ogre blood is rumored to contain potent and invigorating energy, rendering men more resilient during sexual intercourse.
Predicted Combat Power (Strength): 50.00 – 70.00]
[System Conclusion: This information can be easily found in books, with the additional and special details being acquired through oral tradition.]
"I see. That's why the soldiers were unable to match their strength," Desmond murmured, his eyes narrowing as he observed the members of the Corps of Teleknights. "And it appears they have become accustomed to facing formidable foes," he added, noting the absence of fatigue among the mercenaries, their composed demeanor, and the conspicuous absence of perspiration.
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