Adventurer VS Ogre
[Slayer Quest: Unique Ogre Individual]
[A Ogre has appeared in the nearby forest. Unlike standard Ogre species, this is a unique individual with high combat capability. The advance party was nearly wiped out. Survivors report the Ogre possesses several special abilities. Estimated danger level: B–]
The quest posted on the guild's bulletin board drew a crowd.
They were high-ranking adventurers who had been away on other quests or on leave when the Ogre appeared—those who had not participated in the slaying.
Their goal was singular: to accept the quest to slay the unique Ogre individual.
Revenge for a slain guildmate, a stepping stone to raise rank, gold rewards, experience points upon successful extermination.
Reasons varied. All shared the same target: the Ogre.
Yet the opponent was a unique individual with minimal available data.
Moreover, the danger level exceeded that of multiple adventurers rated C rank or higher, all of whom were repelled in a single engagement.
Danger level B to unknown—B being the minimum, upper limit still undetermined.
Thus, the guild master opted for a strategy of overwhelming numbers, assembling multiple adventurers to resolve the threat in one decisive assault.
The adventurers gathered at the guild hall were those who had volunteered for this extermination mission.
"Good. You’ve all arrived."
Before the assembled adventurers, the guild master spoke.
"As you know, the target this time is a unique individual among ogres. Status values appear higher than those of standard ogres, and skills include unknown variants, surpassing those of typical specimens."
The usually boisterous adventurers listened in silence to the guild master’s words.
"Three features stand out."
These were the details brought back by the few survivors of the vanguard expedition.
“One is an abnormal recovery ability! It defies explanation by existing skills—unusual method of healing entirely! The body suddenly glowed, and in the next moment, the wound vanished without trace! There were even instances where MP and SP were restored! A party that had cornered an ogre was later defeated due to this recovery!’
The guild master’s words stirred unease among the adventurers.
Amidst the murmurs, a young man bit his lip.
Lukkuso, a promising young recruit.
He was one of the few survivors from the vanguard expedition.
He had healed his wounds to join the extermination quest—to avenge the comrade who had sacrificed himself to save him.
Second ability! Sudden surge in combat capacity! Resembles Qi Combat Technique, but clearly distinct! Duration is brief, but during activation, stats spike dramatically! No visible change—react by instinct!
Such a crude method of response—yet this is precisely how adventurers fight.
Adaptability.
This is the foundation, the ultimate technique, for an adventurer.
Third ability! Ogre wields a magical sword! And two of them!
A louder murmur spreads than before.
Magical swords with unique properties are extremely rare—few in number.
An ogre possesses one.
Ogres typically carry crude weapons—wooden clubs, stone axes.
This was abnormal.
Silence!
The Guildmaster’s sharp command brings all murmuring adventurers to stillness.
Guildmaster. One question.
Amidst this, a single man raises his hand.
An A-rank adventurer. Goto.
"What happens to the ownership of the cursed blade after the ogre is slain?"
All eyes turn to the Guildmaster.
Their gazes carry unmistakable greed.
Possessing a cursed blade is a form of aspiration for adventurers, and simultaneously a pure stat enhancement.
"Granted to the two with the highest contribution."
A cheer erupts.
Adventurers' morale spikes instantly.
"Then, departure!"
High morale. High training. High numbers.
Thus, they do not consider the possibility of failure.
"Didn't hear you, idiot."
Amidst the frenzy of shouts, Goto wiped cold sweat from his brow.
A disoriented adventurer sprinted past him—his lower body severed in an instant.
The ground, previously empty, exploded without warning.
The adventurers were thrown into chaos in an instant by the mysterious explosive attack, their numbers diminishing one after another.
They could not determine the origin of the assault.
Even if they tried to flee, they did not know where to run.
They only ran in circles—then exploded.
A hellish scene unfolded.
If a reincarnated being had been present, they might have recognized it as a minefield.
The adventurers believed they were fleeing the unknown attack, but in truth, they were walking directly onto mines.
The mechanism was simple.
Using Illusory Weapon Forging, a magical sword imbued with self-destruct properties and maximum fire attribute was forged and buried in the ground.
The self-destruct effect functioned as intended.
The energy contained within the sword was released in a sudden explosion, generating an attack with greater destructive force than normal.
The sword would lose all durability and shatter after a single use.
Adventure seekers darting through the minefield were now struck by long-range attacks.
The adventurer hit directly was blasted apart, leaving a massive wind hole in their body.
As if struck by a direct cannon blast.
Yet the projectile was a sword.
A blade specialized for durability was placed inside a cylindrical casing and launched using the explosion of the self-destructing sword.
A makeshift cannon.
Mines from below, artillery from afar—attacks came without mercy.
Goto assessed the situation and turned back.
Through his sharp observation, Goto had discerned that explosive attacks did not originate from behind.
If retreating, the explosive attacks would not follow.
Goto fled.
Naturally.
There was no chance of victory.
Explosives from below. Artillery from afar. Where was the core?
Goto saw the answer.
Through the skill of千里眼.
There, a familiar A-rank adventurer named Negg—his severed head tossed carelessly aside by an ogre.
As Goto recalled, Negg had once said ogres were roughly the same height as humans, growing larger with each evolution.
The ogre Goto saw through千里眼 stood a full head taller than a human.
Evolved. Capable of effortlessly crushing even an A-rank adventurer.
And atop that, an unknown skill that had forged this hell.
On this day, Goto survived. The majority of the other adventurers were obliterated.