The Vastness of Magical Destiny

"Ilot, get up there and finish off those skeletons with the ogre—if we don’t do something now, we’re done for!" The echoing howl from afar intensified the buzzing in Komer’s head, and his face twisted in dismay. The meaning behind it was all too clear, and Komer truly regretted his hasty actions. If more ogres joined the fray, he feared it might spell the end for both of them. Their only option now was to defeat their opponents and flee as quickly as possible.

The magic wand returned to Komer’s hand, leaving no time for preparing another large-scale spell, he rapidly launched a series of nine ordinary fireballs in succession. Despite their simplicity, the head-sized fireballs continuously struck the unprepared ogre, swiftly engulfing it in flames. However, this rudimentary fire magic inflicted limited damage on the ogre, at most causing some harm to its hair and flesh, slowing its attack speed without dealing substantial harm.

At this point, Ilot couldn’t afford to ponder the questions still swirling in his mind. Releasing a deep breath with a low shout, his great sword glinted once more. Using a skeleton with a sword and shield to pin one ogre’s center of gravity, Ilot’s great sword horrendously sliced into the creature’s abdomen. Stricken by the heavy blow, the ogre, in a fit of madness, smacked the sword with its hand. As its arm fell off, Ilot, too, was sent flying several meters with the sword by the ogre’s final, desperate strike, full of all its remaining strength. Yet, the skeleton crossbowmen, patiently waiting for their chance, finally found it. Before another ogre could crush them, they managed to loose a lethal arrow, piercing the badly wounded ogre’s throat, splattering droplets of blood that arced beautifully through the air.

Seeing its three companions fall one by one, the most robust male ogre went into a frenzy. The terrifying gleam in its egg-sized eyes was enough to scare anyone away. Its fetid breath from its mouth and armpits washed over the battlefield. Despite its bulky frame, it moved across the battlefield with such lightness and agility—resembling a monkey swinging through the trees—that it was hard to believe this was a creature weighing over three hundred kilograms. Komer felt increasingly out of options.

As Komer watched helplessly, the ogre withstood a skeleton soldier’s spear thrust and then lunged forward to crush the crossbow skeleton in its embrace. With a series of cracking noises, the crossbowman shattered into fragments of bones scattered on the ground. Another skeleton with a sword and shield was effortlessly disarmed after missing its strike, and the ogre knocked it, along with its shield, a good distance away with a heavy hit. Thankfully, Komer’s solidification technique was effective; although rolling on the ground in a scramble, the skeleton quickly re-engaged in attack, smashing its heavy iron shield onto the ogre’s groin. The intense pain caused the male ogre to curl up in agony, howling as it broke the deceitful skeleton into pieces.

Groggily standing up, Ilot suddenly discovered a new figure had joined him in the fray against the ogre, alongside another skeleton soldier. In contrast with the clumsy movements of the skeleton, this new figure moved so swiftly and nimbly around the ogre, its peculiar stiletto glittering and leaving deep marks on the ogre’s body.

The unfortunate sword and shield skeleton soldier still had to undertake the task of frontal obstruction. Even with the large shield and Komer’s enhancement and solidification, the ogre’s powerful attacks easily broke through the skeleton’s defensive line. After dodging the skeleton’s futile stabs, the ogre’s neck was thrust once again by the spinning figure’s attack, causing azure blood to flow down its back. However, the ogre managed to capture the fearless skeleton soldier by the skull, and with a clap of its palms, reduced the skull to crushed bones that tumbled through its fingers, the body instantly collapsing. The last of Komer’s carefully crafted self-defense tools also met its demise.

The figure with a golden-hued, expressionless face looked more like an assassin wearing a mask. Ilot had never seen such a lifelike mask anywhere on the Continent before. After greeting the figure and receiving no response, Ilot nonetheless resolutely joined the combat. This male ogre had clearly learned from the demise of its mates, protecting its underarms carefully while it fought. As for its throat and lower body, it skillfully avoided the duo’s siege with agile movements and steps.