Chapter 47. Operation (2)

Getting back to the cave entrance wasn't exactly a walk in the park.

"Ugh, slippery as fuck!"

"Careful not to fall!"

Yeah, no shit. The slick, sloped cave floor that was a pain in the ass going down was even worse going up.

And to make matters worse…

*GROOOOAAAR—!!*

The ground vibrated like that crazy Ogre bastard was taking a goddamn jog.

“Everyone, keep a tight grip on the ropes!”

At least we had ropes tied to us. Grabbing them and hauling ass made the climb slightly less shitty.

“D-Do Ogres even *transform*?”

As we clambered up using the ropes, the knight who'd been all stoic and shit beside me earlier asked, his voice laced with bewilderment.

“First time scouting the highlands?”

“Yes. I’ve been assigned to the mid-level zones, so I’ve only dealt with Intermediate-level Monster transformations…”

Oh, a newbie, huh?

The danger level between an Intermediate-level Monster transformation and a High-Tier Monster transformation is like night and fucking day.

Even that Orc Champion I struggled with before was only mid-to-high level.

“That thing needs to be taken down by the main force outside.”

“Yes… It seems so. The Squad Leader will have to step in.”

“…Do you think the Squad Leader can even *win*?”

“Huh? Um, I didn’t get a good look at it, but I can't imagine our Squad Leader losing.”

Wow, talk about faith. The Knights' Squad Leader is that strong?

Well, I guess I can't imagine Lowell losing either. That old bastard would probably tear a Transformed Ogre in half.

So, maybe if I join the main force, I can watch an Aura Master in Combat?

Well…

*GROOOOAR–!!*

*BANG!! BANG!!*

Survival first, sightseeing later.

The Sound was getting closer, but not that fast. Judging by the irregular vibrations, the bastard seemed to be slipping around too.

Well, it's several times bigger than us, so it should be harder for it to climb. Fair's fair.

“Almost there! Just up ahead!”

And so, after hauling ass up the ropes for what felt like fucking forever, we finally saw the cave entrance.

…Good. The Devil Worshippers didn’t try any funny business while we were Escaping.

Well, they probably didn’t have the time. They must have noticed the main force behind us, so they might even be preparing to run.

And so…

“Alright! Everyone out!”

We finally made it out of the cave, with that Ogre still hot on our heels.

“Run towards the main force! Now!”

“Yes!”

We didn’t even look back. We had to put as much distance between us and that Ogre as possible before it climbed out.

Transformed Monsters are fucking fast.

Once it’s out of the cave, it’ll catch up to us in no time.

As we all sprinted towards the main force…

*GROAAAAAAAAR—!!!*

The Ogre’s roar echoed from the cave. It must have made it out.

Three heads, huh? Must be why it’s so goddamn loud. We put some distance between us, but it still felt like it was splitting my Head open.

“Let’s go!”

“Yes!”

I was slightly worried the Ogre might wander off.

*GRAAAA–!!*

*THUD THUD THUD!!!*

But judging by the Sound, it was definitely chasing us.

Ogres have good senses. It won’t lose us just because we’ve put some distance between us.

As we ran, the Ogre's roars growing closer, several Knights galloped towards us from the main force.

“What’s going on?!”

“Ogre! A Transformed Ogre!”

Aslan yelled to the approaching Knights. Their faces contorted in horror.

“Transformed Ogre?! Quickly, inform the Squad Leader!”

“Get to the main force!”

These guys must have experience with High-Tier Transformed Monsters.

An Ogre's Combat prowess already puts it at the top of the High-Tier list. A *transformed* one? I can't even imagine how strong it is.

You could call it the Devil Worshippers’ Secret Technique.

But one thing's strange…

Would they really use a Monster this strong, one that could easily cause such panic amongst these Knights? No matter how powerful it is, the Knights will eventually take it down.

“We need to prepare for a possible Ambush. They might send more.”

It seemed I wasn’t the only one thinking that. One of the Knights voiced the same concern.

“Yes, let’s divide the troops into two groups.”

“For now, focus on the Ogre…”

They took off ahead of us toward the main force, already strategizing amongst themselves. Looks like I don't need to stick my neck out.

Anyway, we continued running towards the main force, the Ogre still on our tails.

*THUD-!! BANG–!!!*

Being in the forest gave the Ogre a definite speed advantage.

Truth be told, Aura Users like me, Locke, and Aslan could outrun it easily, like the Knights who already ran ahead.

But we had to look out for the other members, so we adjusted our pace.

The Ogre's roars grew closer and closer as we sprinted through the forest. After a while, a clearing became visible through the trees.

And in that clearing, rows of Knights clad in gleaming armor stood at attention. The Royal Knights we saw on the plateau before we left.

“Just up ahead!”

“Almost there!”

The Ogre was practically breathing down our necks now, so we picked up the pace, bursting into the clearing.

And as we finally broke free of the forest and reached the open plain…

“Drawing Sword!”

A commanding voice boomed from up ahead.

Was that him yelling?

My gaze shifted to the handsome man with long white hair standing in the center of the Knights.

Arthur Clayton, Squad Leader of the Royal Knights.

…He looks younger than I expected. He's an Aura Master?

As I briefly sized him up and passed the Knights, crossing the plains…

*Grooooaaaaar–!!*

*Thud!! Crack!! Thump!!!*

From behind, snapping trees as it went, an Ogre emerged onto the plains.

“That's the Mutated Ogre…!”

“The size of that thing….”

I hadn't gotten a good look earlier as I was busy running the fuck away, but now, hidden behind the Knights, I could take a moment to properly observe the beast.

I'd seen an Ogre a few years back at the Colosseum, but this one, true to its "mutated" label, was on a whole other level.

Its body, more massive than the surrounding trees, was packed with muscle.

Its grayish-brown skin was cracked and fissured, resembling rock.

Its legs were short for its size, but its arms were grotesquely long.

And….

*Groooooaaaaar—!!!*

Its three heads, contorted in rage, each faced a different direction. The Fear radiating from those heads, characteristic of High-Tier Monsters, made my head spin despite the distance.

However.

Facing the Mutated Ogre, Squad Leader Arthur Clayton stepped forward and said,

“Charge.”

Hearing those words, I instinctively activated Track.

Immediately after….

*Kwaaaang–!!*

The Knights, standing in a single line, simultaneously used Fleet.

In the slowed time…

Only a dozen or so Knights tore through space, advancing towards the Ogre.

Their target was the Ogre’s short legs. Their thickness surpassed that of most trees, and the grayish-brown skin appeared harder than rock. But…

Without hesitation, the Knights, wielding their longswords, advanced and each swung their blades.

Then…

*Kwaaaang-!!*

*Groooaaargh!!*

Simultaneously unleashing their Rush…

The seemingly impenetrable legs of the Ogre were instantly shredded.

“Wow….”

“...What the…?”

The awed voices of Aslan and Locke came from beside me.

Of course, I was just as surprised as they were.

…Is that how the Knights hunt?

Even if it *is* a mutated High-Tier Monster, getting hit like that wouldn’t leave anything left.

As I watched in amazement…

A step behind, Arthur Clayton moved.

One slow step.

And then…

*Kooong–!*

As if pulled by a string…

He leapt towards the Ogre, tracing a beautiful arc.

Then…

*Gruuuuaaargh…!*

In an instant, Arthur Clayton reached the Ogre, disoriented from its shredded legs.

Just as he was about to swing his sword…

*Whoosh–!*

A fireball, moving with incredible speed…

Flew past Arthur Clayton.

When the hell…?

*Kwaaaang-!!!*

The fireball exploded, sending the airborne Arthur Clayton crashing down.

“Squad Leader!”

“What the…!”

Several Knights rushed forward at the sight.

…A spell from the Devil Worshippers?

I had anticipated an ambush, but I didn't expect them to fire a fireball like that.

I, too, was about to rush forward in preparation for what came next, when…

“Everyone, halt.”

*Hwaack–!*

The aftermath of the explosion vanished instantly, and Arthur Clayton, who had fallen, stood up unharmed.

There was a slight scorch mark on his silver armor, but seeing him without a single scratch, it seemed he'd managed to Guard at the last moment.

However…

…This isn't the time to be complacent.

*Grooooaaaaar—!!!*

Because the Ogre had regained its senses.

Its face contorted into a hideous grimace, the Ogre, using its shredded legs as a makeshift foothold, threw a massive fist at Arthur Clayton.

A fist, impossibly fast for its size, too fast for the eye to follow.

I thought there was no way he could dodge it, when…

“Bloom.”

Arthur Clayton muttered a single, indifferent word, and lightly flicked his sword.

Then…

The Ogre’s fist never reached Arthur Clayton.

Literally blooming…

From the extended fist to its elbow…

*Graaaaaaaagh–!!*

As if fed into a grinder, the Ogre’s massive arm was pulverized and scattered into the air.

Seeing that, I knew.

This wasn't a basic Aura User technique or a Secret Technique.

This was the unique skill only Aura Masters could wield.