Day Sixty-One

Today, I teamed up with my old friend Gobkichi and ventured into the uncharted areas of the forest for some hunting. Then, in the late afternoon, we spotted twelve armed humans.

The humans, clad in dark camouflage coats, were cautiously advancing toward a region rumored to house an elven settlement. Though the humans moved at a decent pace, it seemed slow to us. We guessed they were likely a reconnaissance unit sent by the human army to gather intelligence on the elves for the imminent war.

We could have ignored them, but curiosity got the better of us, so we decided to track them instead.

One might think that two towering ogres, each over two and a half meters tall, would be too conspicuous to follow anyone without being noticed. Fortunately, Gobkichi and I have honed our hiding skills considerably—after all, we began hunting for sustenance when we were only four days old. Since then, we’ve perfected the art of reading our prey’s breath and launching surprise attacks from their blind spots, rather than charging in head-on. At this point, concealing our large ogre selves and staying unnoticed by our targets is a simple task.

Plus, I possess the Hiding ability, which means I can effortlessly support Gobkichi. There was no way this could go wrong. So, we silently followed the humans from behind as they quietly progressed through the forest, eventually reaching a path marked with elf footprints—evidence of frequent elven travel. It appeared to be the humans’ target destination, and they soon formed a U-shaped group around the path.

Each of them grasped a crossbow, one in hand and the other set on the ground for easy reach. Merging seamlessly with their surroundings, they moved almost without breathing, minimizing their movements. They were predators poised to strike, expertly hiding their presence.

Their hiding skills were impressive; their target could probably get very close without having any idea they were being watched. But this was still inferior to how well we, creatures of the wild, could hide.

The humans had positioned themselves so thoroughly that a surprise crossbow attack would almost certainly silence their targets. Since they each had two crossbows, they could fire both in quick succession before even engaging in close combat. Their preparations gave away their plan—it was exactly what I would have done in their place.

Elves typically preferred light, maneuverable leather armor, so it was unlikely they would be able to withstand a bolt from a crossbow capable of piercing metal armor… unless their leather armor was endowed with magic or they had some other magical protection. I doubted they were adequately prepared for an attack this close to their stronghold; the human army hadn’t yet launched a full-scale invasion of the forest.

What are these humans trying to do? To find out, I extended an invisible thread from my fingertips and used it to eavesdrop on their whispered conversation, much like a telephone made by connecting two cans together with a string.

According to the conversation I overheard, the humans had come to kidnap the beloved daughter of a certain elven chieftain. The elven settlement consisted of several clans, each led by a chieftain. To make important decisions, these leaders gathered on a council called the Round Table. It seemed that the chieftain in question was the current chairman of this council.

Normally, during times as dangerous as these, it would be unthinkable for such an important figure’s family to be outside the settlement. In this case, however, the chieftain’s beloved daughter had gone out to attend an elven festival called Arbel and was expected to pass through this area on her way back.

During Arbel, elves offered up rare fruit and crafted treasures, such as sacred swords, to a holy site known as the Spring of Spirits. A chosen elven maiden, the Priestess of Sahl, also performed a traditional dance to entertain the gods.

In a world where gods did indeed exist, such festivals hold immense importance. They can occasionally result in direct blessings from them, and they’re vital for ensuring the continued blessings of the forest as a whole. As residents of the forest, it’s an important event for us too.

It seemed the human army had chosen that moment to strike.

Based on what I’d learned, the humans planned to massacre the beloved daughter’s guards and the festival officials. To us, staining the return from a sacred festival with blood was tantamount to blasphemy against the gods, but I couldn’t fathom how the humans felt about it. I set that aside for the time being.

I learned something else from the humans’ conversation: there was clearly a traitor among the elves. While I couldn’t pinpoint the exact individual, this information was still undeniably extremely important.

Well, it’s not uncommon for people to betray their comrades for self-preservation when faced with annihilation. If the stakes are high, there will undoubtedly be more betrayals; though, to be honest, it doesn’t concern me much. Maybe an opportunity will arise for me to profit from this information, but that’s about it.

I had Gobkichi hunt a bit further away to keep from getting bored and instructed him to notify me through his ear cuff if anything changed. For the moment, I decided to continue observing the situation.

※※※

It unfolded about two hours later. The armed elves, a group of strikingly handsome men and beautiful women, slowly approached the humans’ trap. The girl the humans intended to kidnap was likely the one sitting on the palanquin carried by four male elves—the Priestess of Sahl herself. She had downcast eyes and a slightly melancholic expression. She looked to be in her late teens or early twenties, with an androgynous face, bluish-silver hair reaching down to her waist, and skin as flawless as virgin snow. Her clear emerald eyes shone with intelligence, seeming to see into the depths of one’s heart. Her sheer clothing, which exposed her back and shoulders, was designed to be both modest and suitable for the dances required of the Priestess of Sahl.

Perhaps due to having just performed a ritual dance, the girl’s slightly sweaty skin glowed with a healthy, vibrant aura that contrasted with her mournful expression.

I was momentarily mesmerized by the unexpectedly beautiful girl and was staring at her absentmindedly when I noticed a slight change in the hiding humans. Realizing that the situation was about to escalate, I used my ear cuff to summon Gobkichi.

In that instant, the twelve humans moved as one. With their pre-loaded crossbows, they fired simultaneously and with deadly accuracy, taking down twelve targets. The elves fell without ever knowing they had been ambushed.

The humans then swiftly switched to the second set of crossbows they had prepared at their feet, firing once more. Another twelve elves were struck down.

Thrown into confusion by the sudden ambush, the remaining eight elves tried to retaliate with their bows, only to be quickly silenced by the humans, who had discarded their crossbows and were closing in with blades. Throats slashed by daggers, their blood sprayed, and they died with expressions of agony on their faces.

It all happened in just about ten seconds. Swift and deadly, the humans executed their ambush flawlessly. The elves’ blood, repelled by the humans’ cloaks, stained only the ground and did not touch their attackers.

Afterward, one of the men approached the lone survivor, the elf girl, and pressed a cloth against her mouth. She struggled briefly, then soon went limp, losing consciousness. The humans, who had accomplished their mission without taking on a single injury, took the unconscious elf girl and began their retreat, making a swift and decisive exit.

Incidentally, I was waiting for them along their escape route. This was natural; I had been tracking them from behind, after all.

When the distance between us had closed sufficiently, I decided it was time to make my move. As soon as I appeared, I shot golden threads from my fingertips. A mass of the strong threads spread out, obscuring the humans’ entire field of vision. As an additional measure, I used Ground Control to ensure their escape routes were completely blocked. Earth walls erupted on three sides, leaving only one opening. The humans’ panicked expressions at the sudden development were amusing.

The result was an unequivocally successful capture.

The golden threads, an ability I’d gained from consuming a meal of Golden Spiders, retained their flexibility while gaining additional weight due to their golden composition. This not only exhausted my captives but also provided a degree of resistance to their various attacks. Cutting through these threads would not be an easy task.

The sight of the humans writhing on the ground, ensnared like golden cocooned insects, was hilarious.

However, leaving them like this risked the possibility that they would resort to releasing poison hidden in their molars or biting their tongues to commit suicide. I could heal them if it came to that, but it would be a hassle. So, I made them bite on gags of golden thread. Then, to further ensure my captives couldn’t escape, I dislocated their arm joints and securely bound their thumbs and wrists together.

Just as I was finishing up, Gobkichi returned. It would be his job to carry all twelve humans.

Even though they were only lightly equipped, twelve adult males would still be quite heavy. When Gobkichi lifted them, though, he made it look effortless. Equipment included, the total weight had to be over a ton. I tilted my head curiously but said nothing, seeing as he handled the task with ease.

The bodies of the fallen elf guards were a grim sight, either struck down by crossbow bolts or deeply gouged across the throat by daggers. The humans’ precision was impressive, and even though I could heal wounds, I couldn’t (yet) revive the dead, so there was nothing I could do for them now that their vital points had been so accurately destroyed.

I took all the equipment from the fallen elves, plus their hearts, then ensured their bodies were properly buried to prevent monsters from desecrating their corpses.

Interestingly, I acquired both a beneficial ability and a detrimental one from eating their hearts. I decided to keep Luck active at all times and made a mental note not to accidentally activate Doom.

After completing my task, I clasped my hands together in prayer. “May Buddha’s light guide you,” I muttered, hoping their souls would find peace.

I picked up the still-sleeping elf girl and decided to return to our base.

Hmm? What will I do with the twelve captured humans? Well, after we interrogate them, they’ll make a nice contribution to our earned experience, not to mention serving as practical demonstrations for efficient torture techniques.

All the captives were men, and they weren’t as visually appealing as elves, so the best use for them would be as practice dummies and fuel for our future endeavors. Yes, tonight was going to be quite eventful.

Day Sixty-Two

Based on the information extracted from the captured humans, it appeared that the human army planned to launch a full-scale invasion within the next twenty days. However, because fairly strong monsters like Hind Bears and Triple-Horned Horses inhabit the forest, the humans could only mobilize a large number of troops along specific routes.

Of course, we had already extracted information about those routes.

One might think that professionals wouldn’t divulge such crucial information easily, but when you sever limbs and cauterize the wounds, slice off flesh and bone before performing healing, open their bellies and stitch them back up, and force people to watch their comrades being devoured, anyone would eventually answer all your questions.

I’ll undoubtedly be considered a fiend for actions like these, but such practices are nothing new in the history of warfare, so it doesn’t bother me. Besides, I inherited most of my techniques from the methods refined by my predecessors. I bear no guilt personally.

Anyway, I’m now an ogre, not a human. Such things are of no concern to me. As it happened, for the sake of improving my skills, I refrained from using Subjugation and extracted all the information I needed manually. Once my captives were no longer useful, I savored their flesh.

In addition to a variety of jobs and abilities, I acquired several magic items and a considerable amount of experience.

It was quite a few abilities. In particular, adding abilities like Beheading Vorpal Strike and Aura Slash to my direct physical attack repertoire, which previously consisted of nothing but Triple Thrust, will be quite beneficial. Useful abilities like Unlocking and Disarm Trap are the cherry on top.

The elf girl, who had now been in a drug-induced sleep for a full day, finally woke up around noon. I was just watching her serene sleeping face when she opened her eyes and, upon seeing me, sprang to her feet in shock, spreading her translucent blue-silver wings as she did.

“Where are my guards?” she cried out in a panic. “What do you intend to do with me? Are you planning to… take my chastity?”

I calmed her down by giving her a sedating tea, a blend of calming herbs I had created with the alchemist. Once the girl had settled, I explained everything to her in a calm and matter-of-fact tone.

I told her that none of the elves who had been traveling with her had survived, and that I had taken their equipment and their hearts as a token of respect before properly burying their bodies. I also told her I had observed the humans preparing to ambush her companions, and that I had killed and consumed all the attackers.

She listened, processing the information bit by bit. It was a lot for her to take in, but it was the truth, and she needed to understand the situation.

I didn’t hide anything regarding last night’s events. Ah, but I refrained from mentioning the elves we had previously captured. It’s not relevant to the current situation. If it had been, I might have brought it up, but since it’s not, I kept it to myself.

In any case, the elf girl was predictably furious. She followed the guidance of her emotions and pounded her fists against my chest. I wasn’t wearing armor, but my thick chest muscles absorbed the majority of her blows until they felt like light taps from a child. I suppose you could call them “pow! pow!” punches. That captures the essence of the situation.

Given the elf girl’s noble status, I thought it was odd that she was acting this way, but I understood where she was coming from, so I let her vent for a while.

Her faint insults and sobs gradually diminished and then ceased altogether. I gave her a light flick to the forehead in return for the ineffectual beating I’d taken. If I had punched her, of course, it would have been a serious matter. Even the forehead flick was delivered with restraint—otherwise, it could have been disastrous.

Restrained though it was, the flick made the girl’s head jerk back significantly. She put both hands over her reddened forehead and glared at me with tearful eyes. I ignored that.

“The conflict between you elves and humans has nothing to do with us,” I said. “But we did help you, so you have no right to complain now.” Then I added that there seemed to be a traitor among the elves, which caused the color to drain from her face. She fell silent.

Understandably, she was overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events, angry at me for merely observing as her comrades were massacred, and saddened by their loss. Being scolded and then informed about a traitor only made things more complicated. Her reaction was layered but understandable.

After a while, all those complex emotions burst forth, and she really did start to cry. I did my best to comfort her. To be honest, it’s hard to turn away from a beautiful girl’s heartfelt tears.

I had planned to return her to the elven village, but our conversation took longer than expected, and it was getting late. So, she ended up staying another night. For her, though, it was basically the first night, because she’d been unconscious before.

That night, she slept in one of my thread hammocks again.

Tomorrow, we’ll be heading to the elven village. I was wondering how things would turn out when I noticed Gobjii giving me expectant looks. Annoyingly, he started asking if I was going to make the girl a slave. I had to spend about two hours explaining to him that she wasn’t our enemy and I had no intention of doing anything to her.

Day Sixty-Three

This morning, as I was about to wake up as usual, I sensed someone very close, so close that I could feel their breath. I pretended to be asleep to find out who it was. Using Aura Sensing, I confirmed that it was the elf girl. I wondered what she was up to…

On top of that, Gobmi, Redhead Shorty, the blacksmith, the chef sisters, and the alchemist were all peering at me from a distance.

What on earth is going on?

I couldn’t keep pretending to sleep forever. Besides, the mixed emotions in Gobmi’s gaze were starting to make me feel uneasy. So, I suddenly opened my eyes wide, startling the girl and reversing the roles from yesterday.

Her translucent blue-silver wings unfurled again in surprise, and her cute, flustered movements amused me so much that I couldn’t help but laugh. She blushed deeply and slapped me on the cheek.

Why, though? Well, no harm done, anyway.

After finishing the breakfast the chef sisters had prepared, Gobkichi and I set off to escort the elf girl to her village. By the way, now that Gobkichi was an ogre, he also thought it would be too easy to kill hobgoblins by accident, so he, like me, no longer participated in training. Currently, training was overseen by the second-in-command hobgoblin.

We walked for about three hours, occasionally hunting Golden Spiders as we traversed elven-made forest paths and rarely used trails, until we finally arrived at our destination. The elf girl, having warmed up to us, shared various pieces of information along the way about her blue-silver wings and the power dynamics among the elves. It was quite enlightening.

As soon as we reached the village, we were surrounded by elves who sprang out from the bushes and descended from the trees. I counted at least twenty-five in my line of sight, and with Aura Sensing, I could detect even more hidden, waiting for an opening. It seemed we were encircled by a force of forty-eight elves, and every last one was aiming mithril-tipped arrows at Gobkichi and me, targeting our vitals.

However, it wasn’t much of a concern. We could easily have wiped them out if necessary with our abilities alone; our bodies and equipment could withstand several dozen mithril-tipped arrows without problem. Ogres have remarkable vitality.

Of course, taking several hits directly to the head might have been dangerous. Even at close range, I was confident in my ability to dodge, but fighting the elves here would be more trouble than it was worth, especially with the elf girl nearby.

Gobkichi, however, reacted to the killing intent and drawn bows by coming close to slaughtering the surrounding elves with his axe. I stopped him while the girl calmed her companions.

Incidentally, we stored our axes, shields, and other items in handy magic storage bracelets that could hold up to 20 items at a time, making them easily accessible when needed.

After some initial hubbub, the elves found they couldn’t ignore her orders. As a compromise, it was decided that the elven guards posing as sentinels would escort us through the elven village.

As soon as we first set foot in the village, it was immediately clear that the elves lived in harmony with immense trees. At the center of the village stood an absolutely enormous tree, much larger even than the tree housing the dryad I had encountered before. Around it were several other gigantic trees, each fitted with staircases, platforms, and living quarters, connected by suspension bridges.

The elves’ living spaces were mainly above ground among the trees, but they also had inverted hedges and moats at ground level to fend off external threats. Additionally, livestock pens were built at the bases of large trees, indicating that their lives weren’t confined solely to the treetops.

As we observed the village’s layout, we climbed and descended stairs, crossed creaky suspension bridges, and endured the elves’ curious or condescending stares. Eventually, we reached a building that seemed to be our destination.

It was a grand mansion, distinctly larger than the surrounding houses. Two guards stood by the imposing gate, and I could feel numerous eyes watching us from the shadows. It appeared to be the elf girl’s home. The servants who came out welcomed her warmly, as would be expected when greeting the daughter of a chieftain.

We were led into the mansion and brought to a room that seemed to be a reception area, where we met her father. He was an impressive elf, with a well-groomed white mustache and a fit physique—truly a distinguished gentleman. He embraced his daughter with a loving smile and expressed his gratitude to us with a dignified bow. His every movement exuded authority befitting his position.

The same blue-silver wings that the elf girl had displayed unfolded from his back. According to her, these wings were proof that an elf had undergone Existence Evolution to become a high elf.

High elves usually kept their wings hidden within their bodies, making them indistinguishable from regular elves, and rarely showed them in public. She was too inexperienced to control her wings when startled. Her father, however, displayed them intentionally—perhaps to assert his authority or to show sincerity in dealing with us, or maybe both.

Following his invitation, I tried to sit in a wooden chair, but it creaked ominously under my weight, so I politely declined and sat cross-legged on the floor instead.

A maid brought us tea, which was quite delicious, likely made from high-quality leaves. As we sipped our drinks and exchanged casual conversation, we gradually moved to more serious matters. Our request was straightforward: since we had saved the chieftain’s precious daughter, we expected a suitable reward.

I left the specifics of the reward to the chieftain, allowing him to determine the value of his daughter’s life. Maybe that’s an unpopular approach, but I knew it would help us understand the chieftain’s character and whether he could make rational decisions, which in turn would make future negotiations easier.

Such costs were necessary. If this strategy failed, there were other ways to proceed. However, to my surprise, we were offered an Ancient-class Divine Relic Artifact as a reward.

It was a magic item in the form of a bow, identified as Failnaught, the Legendary Absolute Accuracy Bow. Unlike ordinary bows, this one didn’t require arrows. Simply drawing the string would create arrows from air and magic, materializing them into semi-physical form. In other words, Failnaught never ran out of arrows. Plus, its arrows were endowed with Absolute Accuracy: as long as the target was within range and not blocked by a shield, they would never miss. The bow has other abilities too, but I’ll set aside the detailed explanation for now.

From the elf girl’s reaction—one of astonishment and incredulity—it was clear that this bow was one of her family’s treasured heirlooms. However, her father was willing to part with it, valuing his daughter’s life above all else. It was a bit extreme as rewards go, but I didn’t object because I was the one benefiting. I only watched the father-daughter interaction with a warm, approving gaze.

That being said, receiving a family heirloom made me feel a bit guilty about just leaving afterward. So instead, I decided to share some of the information I had. It wasn’t like I personally disliked the chieftain or anything, and considering the upcoming war—not to mention neighborhood relations—it was a good opportunity to establish a connection.

I casually dropped details about the human forces—such as their routes, scale, and timelines—and even some effective trap combinations and strategies. The chieftain then offered more rewards in exchange for further information, including thirty mithril chain shirts, thirty mithril short swords, twenty mithril ingots, and several useful magic items for daily life.

I was lucky to be dealing with someone who understood the importance of information.

As I watched the elf chieftain scribble down the details of the enemy’s internal affairs and my trap advice, I placed five each of the Water, Earth, and Wind Spirit Stones from my Item Box onto the table, along with ten knives crafted by our blacksmith from each type of Spirit Stone. I also added three unique shovels, specifically designed for elves skilled in handling spirits.

My intention was partly to gain the elves’ favor, but I also wanted to help fill the gap left by the elite elves I’d defeated in the past.

Thus, our negotiations concluded successfully. I exchanged a friendly smile and a firm handshake with the chieftain; though, when he asked if I knew the whereabouts of his elite troops, I had to laugh it off and deny any knowledge. I certainly couldn’t admit that we had taken them captive.

As we were leaving, the chieftain presented us with some elf-crafted elixirs and fine wine. The wine alone amounted to three barrels. I was starting to wonder if all this good fortune was thanks to my Luck ability. Either way, I was very much looking forward to the wine. Before leaving, I told the chieftain that I would assist him in the future for a modest fee.

That night, we shared the wine with everyone—it was a special occasion, after all. As for me, I couldn’t help but exclaim, “Elven wine is amazing!” The taste was rich and refreshing, not quite addictive but so delicious that it almost felt that way. Yes, I will definitely be trying to get more of this wine. Now, I have another reason to stay on good terms with the elven chieftain.

Day Sixty-Four

A lot happened today, so I’ll keep it brief and to the point.

First, eight new hobgoblins evolved—all the goblins who had reached level 100 underwent Existence Evolution. Among them, two had the aptitude to become mages, and one became a cleric. That last one was close to Hobji, the hobgoblin cleric, and likely influenced by that relationship. I couldn’t help but smile to myself as my plans successfully unfolded.

The other individuals who evolved were as follows.

Gobmi, previously a hobgoblin, woke up today as a dhampir variant, a half-vampire species, and a far more drastic transformation than the one she had undergone to evolve from a goblin to a hobgoblin. In fact, the two evolutions were incomparable.

Gobmi now stood over 180 centimeters tall, with a slender, graceful figure. She had an ample chest that spilled slightly over her hands as she held them against herself, and her waist was noticeably slim, giving her an attractive hourglass shape. She’d become as beautiful as the moon is ephemeral, surpassing even the elves. She had plump lips, waist-length hair that shimmered like silver, flawless skin, red eyes with golden pupils, and an aura of enchantment.

On top of her new look, she had also acquired the Blessing of the Ice God, which allowed her to generate and manipulate large quantities of ice from thin air. According to Gobjii, this blessing from a God, who was a rank higher than a Demigod, made Gobmi’s abilities even rarer and more powerful than those of someone with dual Demigod blessings, like Gobkichi.

Gobmi’s physical attributes, like strength and agility, had improved dramatically… likely to the point where she was on par with Gobkichi, and possibly even stronger than I was. Additionally, as a variant, she was protected by divine power and did not share the common weaknesses of vampires, such as sensitivity to sunlight. She could move perfectly freely during the day with no restrictions whatsoever.

The really important part is that Gobmi had become incredibly beautiful. That’s the main point. Oddly enough, her appearance resembles someone I used to know, albeit a few years older. The memory is hazy, though, so I’ll set it aside for now and continue detailing the numerous changes that occurred today.

Indeed, the differences compared to yesterday were substantial.

Next up was Gobei.

Gobei had evolved into a half earth lord, a subspecies of demon lord. Unlike Gobmi, Gobei was a normal type, not a variant, and she now stood over 240 centimeters tall—approaching my height—with a robust and muscular build. Her most prominent features were her short, slightly spiky yellow hair, two twenty-centimeter-long curved horns on either side of her head, garnet-like eyes, and supple skin with a dark, earthy tone. She had a well-proportioned chest the size of a couple of watermelons, defined abdominal muscles, and two yellow orbs embedded in her elbows, each about five centimeters in diameter.

The orbs embedded in Gobei’s elbows, like the one in Hobsei’s forehead, were known as “Demon Orbs.” Every demon-type species had these orbs embedded somewhere on its body. It was said that the true power of the demon species could be unleashed by activating these Demon Orbs.

Gobei’s new abilities mainly revolved around terrain manipulation, with a particular focus on mining. Abilities such as Geological Insight allowed her to pinpoint weak points in rock formations, and she had various physical enhancements that helped her mine and extract minerals efficiently from the earth. Now, when she tried digging into a wall with her bare hands, she could do so with the ease and precision of a drill. It was quite a sight to behold, and a bit unsettling. Her digging speed surpassed even that of a Unique-class magically endowed pickaxe, which was impressive. This allowed for much faster and more abundant extraction of Spirit Stones and other minerals, so I had no complaints.

She could also use a bit of Lightning magic, which allowed her to sense different metals, and would be put to good use detecting minerals while mining. Gobei had always focused on improving her mining skills; once she found something she was passionate about, she pursued it relentlessly, and got impressive results. Her dedication was commendable.

Of course, her combat abilities were not to be underestimated either. Considering that she could crush rocks with her bare hands, it was easy to imagine what would happen if she hit a soft-bodied creature. They would be reduced to meat paste. It was truly terrifying to imagine.

Next was Hobsato.

Hobsato had always been skilled with sword-type weapons, so she evolved into a half blood lord, another Demon lord subspecies. Like Gobei, she was a normal type, without any divine blessings.

Standing about two meters tall, her physique clearly displayed her muscles while retaining a feminine softness. She had a modest chest, a single fifteen-centimeter ruby-like horn protruding from her forehead, carnelian-like eyes, slightly reddish skin, and long, blood-red hair tied into a ponytail, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of her nape. Each of her hands had a red Demon Orb embedded into the back, about five centimeters in diameter.

While she didn’t gain any new magical abilities, her physical attributes and close combat skills had improved dramatically. In fact, it seemed that the blood lord species excelled in close combat. As indicated by their name, they possessed a unique ability to manipulate blood—both their own and others’—under certain conditions. This made them quite formidable, even without magic. On blood-soaked battlefields, their strength would likely be unparalleled.

In terms of close combat capabilities, Hobsato would probably rank third or fourth, just behind Gobkichi and me. While her physical prowess was somewhat lower than Gobkichi’s or Gobmi’s due to her species, she had abilities like Foresight, Precognition, and Intuition, all of which would make her a formidable opponent in melee combat.

What puzzled me was that, like Hobsei, everyone else also had black tattoos that resembled mine but were slightly different. Gobmi had one on her back, Gobei and Hobsato had them on their arms, and the hobgoblins had them variously on their necks, arms, or legs. They reported feeling a surge of power from these tattoos, so for now, I decided not to worry about it. I’ll consider it a mystery to be solved later.

To celebrate their evolution, I gave each of my newly evolved comrades a selection of magic items.

To Gobmi, I presented a magic dress called Mist Garment of the Undying Queen, made of blue and white magical steel thread and blackish-purple enchanted cloth. I also gave her Glasses of Sealing: Evil Eye, to prevent her from using her species-specific Enthralling Evil Eye recklessly, and a beautiful magic claymore sword called Moonlight Drops, with a blade made from magical ice crystals harvested from permafrost.

Gobei received the War Pick of the Earth Mother Goddess and a matching shovel, Shovel of the Earth Mother, both sized and strengthened to suit her large frame and abilities. Since she had outgrown her clothes, I also gave her three gray coverall-style magic garments and a towel made from my threads, enchanted for extra durability—she had requested something to wipe her sweat.

For Hobsato, I provided a full set of red iron armor resistant to both physical and magical attacks, along with a matching magical red cape and a magic longsword called Crimson Empress, which had vampiric abilities. Though she didn’t think she’d need a sword with her Demon Orbs activated, I still gave it to her as a precaution.

Then, I gave Gobmi, Gobei, and Hobsato standard-issue storage bracelets, similar to what Gobkichi and Hobsei already had.

I must say, the sight of them all lined up was pretty impressive: Gobmi, now dressed like a noble lady in her elegant dress, Gobei with her jumpsuit unzipped in the front, revealing her gray, sarashi-like chest wrap and exposing her navel and collarbone, and Hobsato, now a steel knight clad in red armor with a dangerous aura… All looked perfect for their new roles.

Despite styling them myself, I couldn’t help but think how well each of their new looks suited them.

Still, it felt odd that, despite our significant evolution, we were all still using names, like Gobrou and Gobkichi, that no longer reflected our current status. We weren’t goblins or even hobgoblins anymore. So, I decided to consult Gobjii, and here’s what we came up with:

I, Gobrou, became Ogrou.

Gobkichi became Ogrekichi.

Gobmi became Dhami.

Gobei became Asue.

Hobsei became Spellsei.

Hobsato became Bloodsato.

Gobfu became Hobfu.

And so on… Each individual who had evolved received a new name.

Right. I hadn’t expected much from Gobjii, but these names were just terrible. Well, as long as individuals could be distinguished, it was fine. And it wasn’t like names were something individuals usually got to decide for themselves anyway. I resigned myself to it.

Moving on, here’s a simple ranking of the average strength of each species:

Dhampir ≧ Half Spell Lord = Half Earth Lord = Half Blood Lord ≧ Ogre ≧ Elf > Foot Soldier Kobold > Kobold = Hobgoblin = Human > Goblin.

This is purely based on the average strength of the species and doesn’t account for equipment or skills. For example, ogres physically surpass half lords, but their lower intelligence leads to simpler tactics, making them somewhat inferior to the half lord species, which combine intelligence and physical strength.

I’ll provide an individual ranking another time.

Now, let’s talk about the kobolds and elves.

I decided not to eat the kobolds who recently joined us. They didn’t offer much in terms of abilities or physical enhancement, and they seemed genuinely loyal. Plus, I was curious to see how the kobold species would rank up over time.

Having more pieces on the board that I could control freely would be a significant advantage. With the impending war between the elves and humans, it was almost certain that the elven chieftain would request our assistance. And when that happened, I intended to agree to it.

A large-scale war would not only secure new abilities and strength; it would also help me understand the combat capabilities, tactics, and methods of this world better. Plus, strengthening my connection with the chieftain would make it easier to acquire more of that exquisite elven wine. It really was incredibly delicious.

If we were going to participate in that war, that would mean setting traps, building fortifications, and launching ambushes against humans. More pieces on the board meant access to a broader range of strategies.

That was why I chose to keep the kobolds as subordinates rather than kill them, but I wasn’t about to blindly trust everything they said. There were few in the group overall I trusted completely, and newly joined kobolds certainly didn’t fall into that category.

As a precaution, I decided to enhance the kobolds’ ear cuff communicators, which I had already distributed to the whole pack. These new versions were enchanted with three abilities: Sustainable Regeneration, which boosted self-healing; Basic Strength Boost to raise physical power; and Basic Speed Enhancement to improve agility. For good measure, I also added the Subjugation ability to ensure the kobolds couldn’t defy me. Even if their loyalty wavered, I would have no trouble controlling them.

The elves currently serving as breeding and sexual relief units also got their own ear cuffs. These cuffs included an extra enchantment, Concealment, to obscure their identities and avoid unnecessary conflicts with other elves. The idea was that Subjugation would make them my subordinates, and Concealment would keep them flying under the radar.

Unfortunately, it turned out that ear-piercing or wearing decorations was a major taboo in elven culture. Most of them refused to wear the ear cuffs, seeing this as their last stand against a grave dishonor. For such offenses, punishments such as permanent expulsion or exile from their clan were common. Elven slaves even had their long ears cut at the halfway point to signify their subservient status.

Forcing the cuffs on them would have been easy, but then they could have argued they wore them only under coercion. So, I decided to strip away their remaining pride, taking my time until they asked for the cuffs themselves. I won’t go into detail about what I did, but let’s just say the elves eventually pleaded for the ear cuffs. In my opinion, living honestly is always the best choice.

Afterward, I released all the elves from their cells, where we had been keeping them to prevent escape, and they joined the kobolds in our training sessions. These elite elves were too valuable to be used solely for breeding and sexual relief, and elves were generally less fertile than humans anyway. Now that the ear cuffs had eliminated any risk of rebellion, I decided to place them in combat roles for maximum efficiency.

Capturing female human enemies would suffice for breeding purposes.

Freed from their cells after a long stretch of imprisonment, many of the elves looked downright liberated. One of my goals had been to refresh their spirits, and it seemed I had succeeded.

During this initial training session, I had the kobolds and elves quickly form ranks and run for extended periods. Then I taught them the combat basics I had instilled in Ogrekichi and the others. The elite elves, with their superior physical capabilities, could have skipped the basics, but I needed to be sure everyone was starting with a solid foundation. Knowing the basics is always better than not knowing them.

Training continued as usual until they were too exhausted to stand.

After a break, I pulled aside the kobolds who, based on their personalities and physical abilities, I had deemed unsuitable for combat. I assigned them to the rear support unit, Pleasure, where they’d learn their duties under the supervision of goblins.

For the kobolds and elves designated as combat units, I organized mock battles in a format similar to real combat. Even the kobold children participated; training them from a young age would make them excellent soldiers.

Their opponents were neither Ogrekichi nor me, nor any hobgoblins or goblins. Nor were they to fight among themselves. Because this training also served as an experiment: the elves and kobolds would be battling against skeletons I had created with Lower Undead Creation.

I could generate skeletons almost indefinitely as long as my mana lasted, so it was a risk-free exercise that provided combat experience and leveling experience. Each use of the ability helped me level up, and the bones left behind could be used as materials for alchemy or blacksmithing. It was really a win-win situation in multiple ways.

Even though it was daytime, the cavern was only dimly lit, providing a suitable setting for me to activate the ability and summon an undead creature. From the ground, a black shadow emerged.

I was envisioning a white skeleton emerging from the shadow, recalling the numerous skeletons I had defeated the night I’d gained the ability. However, something unexpected happened instead: what appeared was a skeleton knight standing two meters tall. It wielded a saber and a kite shield that glowed red, and it wore a cloak over a full suit of black plate armor that looked like it was designed to look menacing. Finally, its bones were black, not white.

This is not what I anticipated.

The thickness of the skeleton’s bones and its overall appearance indicated it was a higher-tier, superior type of skeleton. It might have possessed abilities on par with or even exceeding those of the boss-level Greater Skeletons.

In the skeleton lineage, the quality of a skeleton’s “Soul Gear” changes based on the individual’s abilities—Soul Gear refers to the weapons manifested through abilities like Gear Manifestation or Superior Gear Manifestation, weapons that vanish into mist if the wielder is killed or the weapon is taken, making them unusable by others. The extent to which the body is covered by a skeleton’s Soul Gear correlates with the quality of the gear, which means the nearly fully armored skeleton I’d summoned was likely the strongest skeleton I had seen so far.

After some investigation, I discovered that Lower Undead Creation allowed me to create undead beings significantly weaker than myself, with some flexibility. I had a general understanding of abilities when I acquired them, but actual usage sometimes revealed nuances, as in this case. Practical use was always the best way to understand abilities.

I immediately named the black skeleton Black Skeleton Knight because of its appearance. Then I pitted it against the elves, who were equipped with mithril short swords and round shields. In most cases, the Black Skeleton Knight emerged victorious.

It became apparent that the Black Skeleton Knight possessed the skill level of a seasoned knight. Its barrage of saber strikes and the solid defense of its kite shield were impressive. With abilities that granted resistance to fatigue and slashing attacks, it excelled in prolonged battles, and the elves, despite their comparable skill levels, eventually lost to the Black Skeleton Knight’s superior endurance.

One elf, wielding a mithril short sword that dealt extra damage to undead, initially seemed confident but was eventually overpowered. The looks on the combatants’ faces drew laughter from the onlookers.

Interestingly, even the defeated elves seemed to be in high spirits, smiling despite their loss. Previously, their pride would have prevented them from showing such expressions, especially in front of the goblins they once looked down upon. But we had thoroughly broken their pride and reshaped their sense of ethics and common sense, so they had developed a much more agreeable disposition.

This was a positive development. Forcing them into compliance was always an option, but fostering natural camaraderie was far more advantageous. Allies who bonded naturally might exhibit unexpected strength in moments of crisis.

In any case, this exercise was quite useful. That being said, the Black Skeleton Knight couldn’t sustain the right balance in combat to yield significant earned experience. I had to find a way to address this. When I had the Black Skeleton Knight hold back, the experience earned was significantly reduced compared to defeating it normally. I wasn’t sure why, but that’s how it was.

So, that night, I continued experimenting with Lower Undead Creation. Through these tests, I learned that the ability had a variety of applications.

Day Sixty-Five

Last night’s experiments with Lower Undead Creation revealed that I could use my will to control the type of undead I generated. For example, I could create variations like the Black Skeleton Butcher, with its battle axe and thick black bones; the Black Skeleton Lancer, which wielded a short spear and attacked at high speed; the Black Skeleton Archer, capable of precise long-range shots; and the Black Skeleton Mage, which could cast spells up to the second tier. These were all derivatives of the Black Skeleton Knight. I could also generate regular white skeletons by using less mana.

Then I could create other types of undead like “zombies,” which are moving corpses, and “ghosts,” which are weak spiritual entities. I did briefly try eating a ghost, but it was incorporeal; my attempts to grab it were futile, my hand passing right through it, and trying to consume it felt like swallowing air. It was more like breathing than eating.

Clearly, I couldn’t currently consume incorporeal monsters. I could easily obliterate them with mana-infused attacks, but eating them was another matter. I wasn’t ready to give up just yet, though.

It seems that in this world, fulfilling certain conditions would allow me to consume ghosts. I resolved to find and devour something that had the ability. If I could eat a ghost, I’d have the chance to gain useful abilities like Material Transference. Plus, I was curious about how incorporeal monsters might taste.

So, to help my new trainees quickly gain a lot of experience, I mostly generated zombies and regular skeletons that matched their levels. Meanwhile, the Black Skeleton variants served as sparring partners for Ogrekichi and Dhami, as well as training supervisors for the kobolds and elves. True, they couldn’t speak and communicated only through rattling noises, but they still managed to convey instructions through gestures and body language.

Even with such rough communication, things progressed smoothly. The strengthening of our forces was proceeding remarkably well.

Of course, there were issues with the undead. Their various inherent traits—especially Sunlight Weakness—proved to be significant hindrances. Dhami didn’t have any problems because she had a God’s Blessing as a variant, but others weren’t so fortunate.

Undead of the Black Skeleton Knight class could endure sunlight for about fifteen minutes, though they would emit smoke from their bodies the whole time, and their overall strength was significantly diminished, to the point where even kobolds could defeat them. This rendered them ineffective as combat units.

Of course, lesser undead like zombies and ghosts were purified under sunlight within seconds. Zombies left behind decaying corpses, which could be used to spread disease in enemy territories, fill holes to create makeshift pathways, or feed Hobfu, who loved rotting flesh. But ghosts left nothing behind and were entirely useless in daylight.

Undead were also easily purified by holy water or holy light and were highly vulnerable to fire, a common means of attack.

In all, the usefulness of the undead during the day was highly limited.

So, while I had initially planned to rely on them for daytime battles, I was forced to reconsider. For the time being, I set aside the problem and continued with the rigorous training of the elves and kobolds.

The elves, already at an elite level, naturally improved their skills and strength by sparring one-on-one with Black Skeleton Knights and Black Skeleton Butchers. Repeated practical training would further hone their abilities, making instruction relatively easy.

Therefore, I focused my efforts primarily on training the kobolds, who had physical abilities on par with, or even surpassing, those of the hobgoblins, but our group's current composition looked like this:

• Half Lords: 3

• Ogres: 2

• Dhampir: 1

• Hobgoblins: 10

• Hobgoblin Mages: 5

• Hobgoblin Clerics: 2

• Young Goblins: 30

• Elderly Goblins: 8

• Elves: 10 males, 7 females

• Humans: 5 females

• Foot Soldier Kobold: 1

• Young Kobolds: 32

• Elderly Kobolds: 3

Total: 119 individuals

Then there were our pets, who added to the count:

• Triple-Horned Horses: 5

• Hind Bears: 3

• Alpha Dark Wolf: 1

• Dark Wolves: 8

Total: 136 individuals

Within such a large group, the kobolds held a relatively low position, so they were often treated as errand runners and received less food as a result. As for the food, it consisted mainly of game that the hunters brought back. We also had plenty of fruit and mountain vegetables, which ensured that the dishes prepared by the chef sisters and the other goblins responsible for cooking were tasty and nutritionally balanced—though I don’t actually know if goblins and ogres need nutritionally balanced meals in the first place.

Everyone has enough to eat, at the very least. However, after intense exercise, every creature wants to eat their fill. Their low status meant kobolds could only eat about half as much as they needed, which in turn prevented them from building up their bodies properly.

Gear was another major factor. In the harsh, untamed wilderness, having powerful equipment directly correlates to chances of survival. Sharp fangs and claws, poison, and impenetrable hides are just a few examples. For humanoid monsters like kobolds, having weapons makes things significantly easier. Even weak humans can kill powerful monsters with the right weapons. Naturally, the better the weapon, the better the results.

Unfortunately, the rules I set said that weaker individuals would receive inferior weapons. This made them easier targets for enemies, drastically reducing their chances of survival. Changing this rule might seem like a good idea, but giving superior weapons to the weak would only lead to wasted resources and possibly even pose more danger to those without the ability to handle such gear.

It’s essential for everyone to be aware of their own capabilities at all times. The inferior weapon rule would remain unchanged, meaning the only way to get more powerful equipment was to train hard and improve their base strength and skills.

Some kobolds were already nearing level 100, as it happened, and if they managed to achieve Existence Evolution, they could secure better positions within the group. I also had high hopes for the younger, fast-growing kobolds. As a species, kobolds excel at speed, so I decided to focus their training on enhancing this natural advantage.

Day Sixty-Six

Today, I rode Jiro, the Hind Bear, to the cave where the kobolds used to live. Accompanying me were Dhami, Redhead Shorty, and Asue on their respective familiars, along with seventeen combat-ready kobolds, including a foot soldier kobold, who followed us on foot.

The purpose of our expedition was to seal the hole in the cave that connected to Velvet’s dungeon and to secure the kobolds’ few belongings and supplies.

The kobold cave was about a forty-minute walk from our base. After quickly moving their belongings, Asue, the most skilled in handling terrain, collapsed the cave completely with a strike from her war pick. This would ensure that no skeletons would emerge from the cave again: one of our main goals for the day.

Next, I sent the kobolds out to hunt.

They hunted Armored Raccoon Dogs and brought back food, but the primary target was the Dark Wolves. It was all part of my plan to increase our number of familiars while also gaining experience in teamwork by clashing with the Dark Wolves as a group.

After all, training bouts were important, but real combat experience was invaluable. I had taught the kobolds the basics over the past two days, and now it was time to see if they could apply their knowledge in real-life situations. Although it was a risky endeavor, nothing could ever come of it without action. The ear cuffs would provide support, ensuring the kobolds wouldn’t die easily… And even if they did, replacements were readily available.

My expectations weren’t particularly high, but the kobolds exceeded them. Following my instructions, they managed to drive a pack of twelve Dark Wolves into an area laden with traps. They sustained various injuries due to my condition, which aimed to prevent them from killing the wolves, but the Sustainable Regeneration I had added to their ear cuffs helped heal them easily.

The kobolds turned out to be a valuable find, loyal and competent within their pack. I quickly turned the captured Dark Wolves into familiars by using one of my abilities to manipulate their minds.

We successfully cornered another pack of Dark Wolves the same way. By the end of the day, I had gained twenty new Dark Wolf familiars, which would significantly boost our combat strength sooner than expected. The only letdown was that neither of the captured packs came with an Alpha Dark Wolf. Nonetheless, securing such a substantial number was an achievement, so I considered it a good outcome for the day.

On our way back, we encountered a Stamp Boar, known for its stiff fur and enormous snout shaped like an iron, which it used to crush its enemies before consuming their carcasses. It was the perfect test of strength. Asue dismounted from her Triple-Horned Horse and charged at the Stamp Boar head-on. It didn’t back down and charged right for Asue.

They were headed for a collision, with both sides knocking away obstacles in their path as they rushed toward each other.

As soon as Asue’s War Pick of the Earth Mother Goddess made contact with the Stamp Boar, it absolutely obliterated the creature. The front half of the Stamp Boar’s body, which was said to be as hard as a rock, couldn’t withstand Asue’s attack and was blown apart. The air filled with the thick scent of blood, and scattered innards and chunks of flesh hung from branches. It was a gruesome scene.

Asue had apparently held back, but the outcome was still as expected. The Stamp Boar’s body may have been hard as a rock, but that only made it an easy target for Asue, who could smash actual rocks with her bare hands. Without commenting, I helped her wash the blood off her face with a Water Sphere.

We stored the Stamp Boar’s valuable meat in the item box and cooked it into a stew back at the base.

That night, while I was working in my workshop, the blacksmith approached me and asked me to come to the forge. Curious, I followed her and found a newly refurbished halberd waiting for me.

It was the halberd I had used in my deadly battle against the Red Bear, the one that had become unusable due to heavy wear and tear. I had asked the blacksmith to repair it, and now it was finally back in working order. And not only that, but the blacksmith had also made some enhancements. Proudly, she explained the modifications.

First came the halberd’s axe head, one of its defining features, which was now made from an alloy of aquasteel, wrought iron, and mithril. The inclusion of aquasteel meant that, like the Spirit Stone knife, it could produce a dramatic water display when swung, and swinging it with sufficient speed turned the water into sharp blades.

This feature extended the halberd’s attack range, which was already three meters. I tested it out and easily sliced through a large boulder from a distance with the water blade.

The cutting power of the axe head had also been improved significantly, transforming it from a blunt instrument into a sharp blade.

The spear tip of the halberd was newly made from another alloy of Spirit Stone, wrought iron, and mithril, but the Spirit Stone used in this alloy was a Thunder Spirit Stone, capable of discharging electricity. When the weapon was thrust at high speed, lightning would shoot from the spear tip, allowing me to strike distant enemies at impossibly high speeds. These lightning spears also had a piercing effect, enabling them to attack enemies even behind obstacles.

While testing this, I activated Triple Thrust on a whim. Lightning bolts erupted from the two invisible spear tips, too, producing three lightning spears with a single thrust and obliterating my target.

How convenient!

The pick on the opposite side of the axe head was also made from an alloy, this one with the inclusion of Fire Spirit Stone. I tested it by striking a log retrieved from the Item Box, and it roared to life with flames—a fantastic feature.

Finally, the opposite end of the spear, the butt spike, was fitted with an alloy using Earth Spirit Stone sharpened into a triangular pyramid. This would both allow for stabbing enemies and serve as a tool for terrain manipulation.

The most impressive feature overall was that all the Spirit Stone effects were significantly more powerful than before, rivaling or exceeding those of the knives I had previously improved with enchantments.

When I asked why, the blacksmith explained to me that she had acquired a new job class: Elemental Smith. She had kept it a secret until the halberd was complete to surprise me. Apparently, now I was the only one who knew. Sharing the secret felt special.

The Elemental Smith job class is a rare occupation obtained by meeting several challenging conditions, such as handling various Spirit Stones for an extended period and mastering their use. Overjoyed, I gave the blacksmith a hug, having recently become adept at unconsciously controlling my strength. Her smiling face in my arms was incredibly adorable.

Day Sixty-Seven

Today, three more hobgoblins evolved. Although none were mages or clerics this time, which was a bit disappointing, it was still a positive development. Generally, a goblin group would have only one or two mages anyway, so our current situation was already unusual.

As usual, I gave them gifts to celebrate.

Later, after training, I paired the kobolds and sent them out for combat practice and food-gathering. This wasn’t just to gain experience efficiently; it was to build adaptability by fighting various types of creatures. My eventual plan was to lead the group out of this forest, so it was essential for them to gain diverse combat experience now.

With the kobolds busy, I had some free time and decided to go hunting alone. I had already mapped out the Stamp Boar’s territory and, having familiarized myself with that particular monster’s scent recently, finding more of them would be easy.

As I was about to depart, Ogrekichi stopped me. He wanted to talk in private, so we left the base and walked for a while to ensure no one was around before he spoke.

Apparently, Ogrekichi had finally decided to confess his feelings to Asue. Her transformation had intensified his feelings, and he felt it was time to act. However, he wasn’t sure what to say and asked for my advice.

Since Ogrekichi was my close friend, helping him was a given. I postponed my Stamp Boar hunt and spent the afternoon strategizing with him instead.

The confession was planned for this evening, and we’ll know the result tomorrow.

Day Sixty-Eight

It was a success.

What am I talking about? Naturally, Ogrekichi’s confession.

Before our usual morning sparring session, which had become a part of our daily routine, he blushingly reported the good news. I wasn’t surprised; I had expected it to go well.

Ogrekichi hadn’t noticed, but Asue had liked him for a long time, too. As it turned out, Asue had been confiding in Dhami, who had relayed the information to me. So, I wasn’t too worried about a negative outcome. In fact, during our strategy session yesterday, I used the ear cuff communicators to secretly coordinate with Dhami, setting the stage for the confession.

So, the result was as I expected.

What concerned me was whether Asue had overexerted herself last night. She’s in charge of mining Spirit Stones and rare metals in the area affected by Velvet’s Vault, and if she were incapacitated, it would significantly reduce our work efficiency as a whole. After all, Asue is essentially a living drill now. Depending on her condition, various schedules may need to be adjusted.

From what I heard, though, she seemed fine. This was probably because Ogrekichi wasn’t her first. Asue was really quite tough, and Ogrekichi had managed to control himself, as we had discussed during the strategy meeting.

The whole thing was pretty heartwarming.

That said, Ogrekichi was overly energetic during today’s sparring session, and I ended up taking a few good hits. My knees were wobbling for the first time in a while. In fact, his energy was so overwhelming that I thought it might be best to let him work it off by fighting a few Black Skeleton Knights. I immediately put this plan into action.

When training ended around noon, and I was about to go capture a Hind Bear with Ogrekichi, Dhami and Asue said they wanted to join us. I asked Asue if the mining work was on schedule, and she said she had met her morning quota; it wouldn’t be a problem.

So, the four of us went hunting together for the first time in a while.

We didn’t encounter any Hind Bears, but we did manage to hunt five Stamp Boars; six Poison Mantises with their giant scythes that dripped a toxic purple liquid; four Megabeetles with black, meter-long, iron-hard exoskeletons and large horns; five Golden Spiders; four Demonic Spiders; three sixty-centimeter-long Gray Grasshoppers; and eleven Yellow Monkeys with their thick, long tails and bright yellow fur.

This was an area we hadn’t explored before, so there were many new monsters to try. While none of them were exceptionally delicious, they were all edible, at least. That being said, the Poison Mantises were somewhat of a concern due to their potent venom, which was capable of killing ogres, and the hard-shelled Megabeetles were not suitable for consumption by anyone other than me. They didn’t exactly make for great souvenirs.

It was a bit of a disappointment. Quite unfortunate, to be honest.

So, we stripped our prey of any usable parts and stored them in the Item Box. The rest we munched on together.

I felt like a hero as I went through my transformation sequence.

Upon activating the Exoskeleton Armor ability gained from eating the Megabeetle, my armor, made from Red Bear materials, was instantly absorbed. It transformed around me into a humanoid figure over two and a half meters tall, covered in a unique, glossy red-and-black exoskeleton resembling that of a stag beetle.

I wondered why eating a Megabeetle turned me into a stag beetle, which was clearly a different kind of beetle. It was likely due to my horns. It felt right, anyway.

When I focused on my twin horns, which curved like blades, I found I could move them freely, opening and closing them. I tested them out on a tree, and effortlessly sliced through it with a clean cut. They were incredibly sharp.

I spent some time experimenting with the exoskeleton. It was remarkably flexible yet extremely durable. To test its strength, I had Ogrekichi punch me. The impacted area dented slightly but then gradually returned to its original shape over time, suggesting that the exoskeleton had self-healing properties.

Plus, there was almost no pain. The exoskeleton seemed to have mechanisms to disperse shock and reduce damage. It felt just like the bio-metal powered suits deployed at my previous job before reincarnation—so well-fitted that I barely felt like I was wearing anything. It didn’t hinder my movements at all; in fact, I felt even more agile than usual.

The exoskeleton also provided full-body power assistance, allowing me to run faster and boosting my strength to levels equivalent to using physical enhancement abilities. There appeared to be no significant drawbacks to Exoskeleton Armor. Standing out too much could be considered a downside, but otherwise, this was an exceptionally beneficial ability.

That being said, deactivating Exoskeleton Armor left me completely naked. Very inconvenient. Since the armor used my previous protective gear as raw material, it was inevitable. Luckily, I had prepared a spare pair of pants in advance. I had no interest in stripping; I didn’t mind anyone seeing me, I just didn’t particularly want to show off.

Losing the armor I’d made after my fight with the Red Bear was a bit of a sentimental loss, but I consoled myself that its shape had just changed. In fact, focusing my thoughts displayed a menu in my mind:

Ability: Exoskeleton Armor

Registration 1: Might of the Mountain Lord Registered

Registration 2: Empty

Registration 3: Empty

Registration 4: Empty

Registration 5: Empty

Four more forms can be registered. Which form would you like to equip?

So the armor wasn’t completely gone; it could be swapped out based on the situation. Clearly, this ability was highly versatile and useful. I intended to register forms for aerial and naval combat soon.

Moving on, the Elytra Generation ability allowed me to create insect wings for flight, but I found controlling them to be harder than expected. Balancing was challenging and seriously tiring without practice, so I resolved to do some flight training upon returning to the base.

This hunting trip had yielded highly satisfying results. I returned in high spirits, my spoils in hand, and enjoyed a hearty meal. The Stamp Boar meat was absolutely delicious.

After eating, I practiced flying and worked on some projects in the workshop until night fell, then I slept soundly. It was a productive day.

Day Sixty-Nine

Today was the first rainy day in a while, so I decided to spend it entertaining myself with Redhead Shorty, the blacksmith, the chef sisters, and the alchemist. We usually slept together at night, but we were often busy with various tasks in the morning and afternoon, so we hadn’t had much time to spend together recently.

Since acquiring the Monster-Eater Warrior job class, Redhead Shorty’s progress had been remarkable. Before, she had been on par skill-wise but lagged behind in physical strength. Now, she was catching up and steadily growing stronger. Recently, she had been adorably insistent about it, constantly saying, “Train with me, let’s spar a little!”

It was utterly charming, like a cute puppy eagerly seeking attention, a miniature dachshund wagging its tail. Maybe others saw her as more of a powerful Doberman due to how quickly she was growing, but to me, she was just endearing.

So, in the morning, I sparred with Redhead Shorty for a bit. We trained hard, sweating and thoroughly enjoying ourselves.

After quickly washing off the sweat from training, I headed to the blacksmith’s workshop. Lately, she had been engrossed in creating a variety of alloys by mixing mithril with other metals, with the help of elven artisans Kille and Arue. Test pieces, like knives and short swords, were scattered around the workshop.

Kille and Arue were the two female elves who had attacked us in the past, when they’d served as bodyguards. To keep things simple, I’ll refer to them collectively as “the bodyguard elves” since they often operated together.

Mithril is a special metal that only elves can forge, so it requires their expertise, and among the captured elves, only the bodyguard elves possess the requisite knowledge. It turns out that they came from noble families. The technique for producing mithril isn’t common knowledge among all elves; it’s a skill passed down within certain families specializing in blacksmithing. Ordinary elves can’t produce it, but the families of the two bodyguard elves had rigorously trained them in both combat and mithril production.

Incidentally, my newly repaired and improved halberd was made from these alloys.

Given that there were only two of the bodyguard elves, mass production of mithril wasn’t feasible, but it was fortunate that they could forge any at all. When I tried to learn the production method myself, I found it far too complex to replicate. It was sheer luck to have captured elves who knew the process.

I joined the blacksmith and the bodyguard elves as they discussed new projects and inquired about the development of the rapid-fire crossbow, or repeating crossbow, I had requested earlier. While the repeating crossbow sacrifices some power and range due to the smaller bolts it uses, increasing the number of ranged attacks is the priority.

The prototype had been completed, so I brought it over to the training goblins for a test. The results were promising; it was a functional and effective weapon. Satisfied with its performance, I requested that we begin mass production. I also asked the bodyguard elves to incorporate the mithril they had produced into my left silver arm—the Legendary-class Artifact known as Silver Arm Airgetlám—and use the arm itself to create more items for me. By extracting ingots from my fingertips, new metal could be produced and crafted into my exclusive gear.

“I’m on it!” the blacksmith said, smiling brightly and puffing out her chest with pride. She looked so cute that I couldn’t help but steal a kiss.

We then spent some time exchanging various ideas for new creations, including defense mechanisms for the base.

As evening approached, I headed over to visit the chef sisters.

Recently, the sisters had unlocked a new job class: Head Chef. They were diligently overseeing the goblins engaged in preparing food. Given the total number of members in our horde, starting the cooking early in the day was essential to ensure dinner was ready on time; the kitchen had basically turned into a battlefield.

Fortunately, we had various cooking utensils, both looted and crafted by the blacksmith, but we were still short on manpower—I mean goblinpower. So, I joined in, swiftly chopping ingredients. Despite my appearance, I was quite capable in the kitchen.

Once the meal preparation was complete, I joined the chef sisters in experimenting with recipes. Our long-term goal was to recreate dishes from my previous world—so far, we had managed to make something similar to potato chips. Though the ingredients were vastly different, I was pretty confident that, with the sisters’ expertise, we would eventually achieve our culinary ambitions. The pursuit of good food is always a worthy endeavor.

After a delicious dinner, I headed to the alchemist’s place. Lately, she had been focusing on creating original magic items using black bones from the Black Skeletons, but she hadn’t shared the results yet. This time, I intended to find out, and surprisingly, she revealed everything without hesitation.

The real surprise came after that, when the alchemist handed me a set of crude black stakes, presumably also carved from Black Skeleton bones. Each stake was about twenty centimeters long, as hard as iron, and seemed almost unbreakable. Their special ability was to immobilize anyone they pierced for a certain duration. Impressed, I complimented the alchemist on her work.

“These are the first items I created after unlocking the Magic Item Creator job class,” she said. “Treat them as you would treat me.”

Her words, combined with the rare bit of playfulness peeking through her usually cool demeanor, were absolutely charming. We shared a tender moment before, as usual, someone interrupted us. I’ll leave the rest to your imagination.

Day Seventy

Just as the sun passed its zenith, six elves arrived, envoys from the elf chieftain. Although they came without an appointment, their courteous demeanor earned them entry. Upon entering the grand hall, they observed our elite elves training but made no comment, merely casting a brief look of disdain.

Thanks to the Concealment effect of the ear cuffs, the elite elves appeared to outsiders as having darker skin than they actually did… so they were likely mistaken for Dark Elves or Desert Elves, notorious for their poor relations with regular elves, at least in fantasy lore. This misunderstanding worked to our advantage.

The elite elves glanced over at the envoys, but said nothing. Now that they were wearing the ear cuffs, they knew there was no turning back. I led the envoys to my workshop and private quarters, offering them tea gifted by the elven chieftain. I lacked fine furniture, but my chairs made of thread sufficed as seats. Only one envoy, seemingly the spokesperson, actually sat down; the others stood as guards.

The spokesperson broke the silence, confirming my suspicions: the human army had begun its advance along the route I had previously informed the elven chieftain about. The army was substantial, and despite the magic items I had provided to the elves, their current forces felt inadequate. The absence of the elite elves—the ones who were now my subordinates—left a significant gap. Thus, the elves sought our assistance.

Feigning ignorance, I inquired about the elite elves. The spokesperson explained that a capable but difficult prospective clan leader had acted without permission and subsequently disappeared. His whereabouts remained unknown, and given the circumstances, they had little hope of finding him alive. It was clear the elven chieftain had framed the situation this way to simplify matters, which I appreciated.

After the brief exchange of information, we moved on to business.

The task at hand was straightforward: repel or, ideally, annihilate the human army. A strategic retreat would be acceptable, but desertion would not. The difference seemed negligible to me, but the conditions were clear. There would be a substantial reward: forty mithril short swords, round shields, and chainmail, along with ten mithril ingots, two thousand arrows, and various magical items, like light sources. Depending on our performance, there could also be additional rewards, and any plunder would be ours to keep.

The terms were favorable, so I accepted the mission without hesitation. However, I stipulated that we would be operating freely. Our strength lay in guerrilla tactics, and direct confrontation would only be a last resort. To facilitate communication, I provided the elven envoy with wristbands equipped with communication functions, instructing them to deliver them to their chieftain. I was sure such a precaution would prove worthwhile.

After seeing the envoys off, I immediately dispatched some of the miniature self-replicas I had created out of my blood as scouts. Gathering information and assessing the situation will be crucial. This will be the first task for our mercenary group, Parabellum.

Day Seventy-One

In the early morning darkness, we moved stealthily through the forest. To prioritize mobility, our group was small: thirty-six, including myself atop Jiro the Hind Bear, and others on their respective familiars. The rest stayed back at the base so they wouldn’t get in the way.

We were advancing at such an early hour to launch a surprise attack on the human army’s encampment that my scouts had discovered. Their force numbered around eight hundred, significantly outmatching our seventy-three, even counting the familiars. A head-on confrontation would likely end in our defeat due to sheer numbers.

Even I knew it was premature to attack an unknown enemy force directly. We needed to maximize our chances of victory, so we decided to take advantage of the cover of night.

Continuous generation of Black Skeletons and zombies would ensure we didn’t lose by virtue of our numbers, and the ambient magic in the darkness would prevent any depletion of my internal magic reserves. If things went south, we could retreat quickly, hence the emphasis on mobility.

Without the ability to see in the dark, humans would find it challenging to pursue us deep into the monster-infested forest. But our surprise attack was so well prepared that it turned out we didn’t even need to retreat. Within an hour, we had totally annihilated our targets.

Here’s how it unfolded:

First, we silently approached under the cover of darkness. We discovered a semi-transparent flame barrier surrounding the area and spotted sentries patrolling within. Then we spread out around the barrier, positioning ourselves strategically.

Once everyone was in place, I shattered the barrier with an end-series magic spear. As the barrier cracked and crumbled, Asue erected a four-meter-high earthen wall around the human camp.

That was the signal for Dhami, Spellsei, and the rest of the mage squad to unleash their magic into the enemy ranks. The pre-planned area-effect spells wiped out hundreds of humans in an instant.

While generating about ten undead per second, I used my transformed left arm—a pseudo-ballista—to fire end-series magic spears. After a few dozen seconds of powerful, indiscriminate attacks that decimated the human grunts, a select few elites emerged from the largest tent in the center and managed to take down some zombies and regular skeletons.

The elites included a silver-haired lady knight in a red cape, a young male priest in white, a fierce red-haired swordswoman, and an experienced-looking, black-clad male mage. They began to rally their troops, so I sent a horde of Black Skeletons to surround the lady knight, focusing their attacks to immobilize her.

While the elites were occupied, we continued to eliminate the surrounding enemies. We captured women (unless they were excessively repulsive) as prisoners, and all proceeded smoothly.

Mounted on Jiro and accompanied by Saburo, I wielded my halberd in a final assault against the elite troops. Ogrekichi, heavily armed and accompanied by his own Hind Bear, fought alongside me. Spellsei, riding her Hind Bear, chanted spells. Dhami, her claymore Moonlight Drops in one hand, used her Enthralling Evil Eye and cast charms left and right. Asue, smiling while swinging her giant war pick, and Bloodsato, the crimson knight with thirty blood blades swirling around her, joined the fray.

I faced the main threats personally—the Lady Knight and her close allies—while my comrades dealt with the remaining soldiers. We took the Lady Knight and any other valuable individuals prisoner, and the battle concluded.

Looking back, it was a brutal battle. It might as well be called a one-sided massacre.

Anyway, putting that aside…

The undead had shouldered all our losses, so while we had injuries among our actual forces, there were no deaths. The enemy, on the other hand, was completely wiped out except for some women and a few other promising individuals.

Since we had surrounded them with earthen walls, there probably weren’t any stragglers, but just to be safe, I scattered the fastest Black Skeleton Assassins around the area. Sunlight would purify them eventually, but as a precaution, they would be helpful.

The results of this surprise attack were an immense quantity of experience, numerous captives, and a large haul of weapons and provisions. The acquisition of magic items and women for breeding was particularly significant.

I ate the bodies of the exceptional individuals on the spot to ensure I could secure their abilities before their freshness decreased.

I was quite pleased with the results.

Afterward, I brought back the poisoned and sleeping prisoners along with the spoils of war, administered drugs as I had with the elves before, and threw them in the dungeon. Unlike the handsome elf men, the human men weren’t so visually appealing, so I intended to use them as both sources of information and slaves. I immediately fitted them with collars of enslavement and tossed them all into the same cell together. This time, I showed mercy by not simply killing them. They would work until they dropped dead.

As for the women, I wondered how many days they would be able to withstand their carnal desires.

I reported our gains to the elf chieftain via our communication device. At first, he was astonished and incredulous, but after verifying the facts, he came over personally, guards in tow, along with five barrels of elf wine to express his gratitude.

I wondered if it was appropriate for someone of his rank to come to such a place, but apparently, news that we had annihilated an enemy army had reached the human forces, causing their advance to stall. So, with a nod of mutual understanding, we toasted to our victory.

The elf chieftain, busy as he was, didn’t stay long after the drinking party began—though he enjoyed the snacks the chef sisters had prepared so much that he happily took some with him as a gift when he left.

The revelry continued late into the evening.

At some point, curious about the state of the prisoners, I visited the dungeon to find that every single one of them had already reached their limit. It seemed that humans, being more in tune with their instincts than elves, showed the effects of the aphrodisiac more prominently and quickly.

Even the brave and valiant Lady Knight, who had fought so fiercely, responded sensually to just a gentle touch of my fingertip, displaying a remarkable level of debauchery.

A noblewoman, you say? Well, how interesting. But that doesn’t matter to me now. After all, I’m not a man—I’m an ogre.

Human matters were irrelevant to a monster.

I also found it amusing to see how the male prisoners’ bodies responded, despite the frustrated expressions on their faces. I loaned them out to the female goblins and kobolds who had requested them, though naturally, I was the first to have my way with the Lady Knight.

Today was filled with a variety of different screams.

Day Seventy-Two

While sleeping soundly, I felt a slight pain in my chest. Upon waking, I realized someone had stabbed me in the heart with a knife. The blade was buried so deep that its entire length was hidden, reaching halfway into my heart.

The would-be assassin was the Lady Knight, who was still naked and wet in places from last night’s activities. I hadn’t yet fitted her with the enslavement cuff, and despite the intense debauchery of the night before, she seemed to have regained her senses and decided to take me down, at the very least. Fortunately, there had been a wrought iron knife (crafted by the blacksmith) lying nearby, which she’d used to execute her plan.

I pondered this rather nonchalantly, grasping the knife handle protruding from my chest and pulling it out. There was some pain, but it was bearable, and the bleeding was minimal. The vitality of an ogre shouldn’t be underestimated.

Without even needing to activate one of my many abilities, a mere stab to the heart with a wrought iron knife wasn’t enough to kill me. It did make moving slightly uncomfortable until it healed, but that was all.

So, because even tolerable pain is unpleasant, I activated High-Speed Healing. Instantly, I could see the wound healing at an accelerated pace. The torn flesh writhed and bulged, and then the gaping hole closed up.

Raising my gaze, I saw that the Lady Knight was now completely exposed, pinned to the ground by an angry, naked Dhami, who was roughly yanking her victim’s hair. The knight had no chance of resisting Dhami’s inhuman strength, and as she was pressed against the ground, she glared up at me with a look of resentment.

It seemed my affections last night had been insufficient. With a sigh, I carefully secreted a concoction from my fingertips and injected it into the knight, ensuring it wouldn’t leave any marks.

Then, Dhami and I took turns tormenting her. Despite her desperate, endearing pleas to stop, we continued undeterred. And by the afternoon, the Lady Knight had willingly donned the cuffs herself! But let’s set that aside for now.

I gathered the dazed male slaves and extracted all the information they possessed. Thanks to the effects of Subjugation, they couldn’t lie or hide anything, allowing us to gather a significant amount of intelligence, which we then relayed to the elven chieftain. To keep the elven soldiers’ morale up, we had arranged a deal with their chieftain yesterday to exchange information for ten barrels of elven wine—the chieftain was cunning enough to use the celebratory gift as a bargaining chip.

Finally, four more hobgoblins evolved today, one of them into a cleric. As usual, I presented them with gifts of congratulations.

Day Seventy-Three

Today, we set traps along the human army’s invasion route and prepared an ambush. It seemed the human army planned to use their numbers to attack the elven forces from multiple directions. Dispersing their forces might seem unwise, but the narrow forest paths and the threat of monsters likely forced their hand. They might also have been aiming to prevent any elves from escaping.

For us, this strategy allowed us to ambush and defeat the humans in smaller groups, which was quite advantageous. And according to the information we’d extracted from the Lady Knight, one of the main units would pass through our current location.

Anticipating a nice haul of experience, Asue and I set about creating our hunting ground. We shaped the terrain to resemble a slightly sunken animal trail that gradually sloped upward as it progressed. It was a demanding task, but with the two of us working together, it wasn’t overly exhausting.

We dug pits at the bases of the trees lining the path and trenches deep enough to conceal us a short distance away. To further ensure our safety, we discreetly integrated wooden shields into the nearby bushes. Then, we stationed our long-range attack unit, Regret, armed with the crossbows the blacksmith and her workers had crafted, in the trenches.

We prepared until absolutely everything was in place for the ambush. As an additional insurance measure, we also positioned the lightly armed unit, Hatred, in the trenches, ensuring that even if the enemy soldiers managed to jump over the pitfalls and dodge the rain of crossbow bolts, they would still be delayed—if the kobolds lurking in the pits didn’t kill them.

With everything ready, we waited. Soon, my doppelganger scouts reported back with information on the enemy’s movements. At their current pace, the enemy would arrive in roughly thirty minutes, so we all held our breaths and waited.

Finally, they arrived.

Led by a knight clad in dull iron armor atop a warhorse, the heavily armed troops advanced in well-ordered ranks. Their individual combat abilities seemed high, which fit the description of a main force. Numbering around five hundred, they were all equipped with costly full-body armor, indicating a wealthy contingent.

Among them, the number of magic users—including those in professions such as wizard, summoner, arcanist, and sorcerer—was probably around a hundred. Considering the destructive power of magic, even this force of five hundred was formidable. They could likely hold their own against the main elven forces, and maybe even repel them.

To us, though, this thoroughly prepared and well-equipped enemy was nothing more than delicious prey.

Once the last of the enemy ranks passed the designated point, I issued commands through the ear cuffs to block their retreat by felling trees. The crashing sound of the falling giants diverted their attention, and I issued the next command.

The initial attack involved rolling multiple rounded boulders down the slope toward the humans. The sunken path worked against them, and those who couldn’t escape in time were crushed or trampled by their desperate comrades. Some of our enemies tried to break the boulders with weapons or magic, but I had enchanted the boulders to resist such efforts. Anyone who tried to push back against them was crushed.

The rolling boulders caused the deaths or incapacitation of one to two hundred of the five hundred enemies. Many others were injured in the confusion, cut by their own comrades’ weapons as they tried to flee. The suddenness of the attack left them in chaos, making it difficult for them to regroup immediately.

Of course, I had no intention of giving the enemy any respite. Next, I ordered the crossbows to fire.

With their retreat blocked and the smell of their comrades’ blood and entrails filling the air, the enemy now faced a relentless rain of powerful crossbow bolts. To make matters worse, I had coated the tips of the bolts with my own poison, which ensured that even a glancing hit would be lethal. The enemy’s numbers quickly dwindled.

A few tried to charge toward the trenches to escape and retaliate, but fell into cleverly concealed pitfalls, where lurking kobolds swiftly finished them off. It was a pitiful end for those who thought they could escape.

Even so, this wasn’t enough to completely crush the enemy. The Dull Iron Knight’s command was not to be underestimated. The forces used their shields to block the poisonous bolts, slashed them out of the air with their swords, and gathered the surviving troops. Then they formed a defensive formation using the bodies of their fallen comrades to shield against the bolts. Despite our concentrated attacks, they successfully defended themselves.

Resigned to the limited effectiveness of the first wave of rolling boulders and crossbow bolts, I decided to send another round of boulders, but the enemy’s mages launched a barrage of spells that shattered the boulders despite their enchantments.

With the boulders and crossbows no longer effective, a temporary stalemate ensued. I admired the enemy’s resilience, especially that of the Dull Iron Knight, and grew increasingly interested. Hoping to add him to my ranks, I decided to hold off on the planned magical bombardment for the time being.

Instead, I ordered Ogrekichi, who led the heavily armed unit, Anger, to advance down the slope. To avoid friendly fire, I ordered the crossbow attacks to cease as I observed Ogrekichi and his troops with their tower shields.

The enemy seized the opportunity to launch a flurry of colorful magical attacks toward Ogrekichi. Red beams turned into spears of fire, and blue beams morphed into spikes of water. Various spells flew at high speed, but all were futile against the enchanted tower shields. The fire spears disintegrated into sparks, and the water spikes dissipated into mist.

Realizing the futility of targeting Ogrekichi, the enemy shifted their attacks toward the other hobgoblins and goblins. Yet Ogrekichi’s unwavering defense also blocked most of these attacks. His unit’s defense was too strong. I almost felt sympathy for the enemy.

As the gap between the two sides closed, the human soldiers, in a desperate gamble, broke from their formation. However, they couldn’t penetrate the Anger unit’s heavy armor. Instead, the soldiers were picked off one by one in coordinated attacks by unit members, each team of three attacking a single enemy.

The Dull Iron Knight, fighting Ogrekichi one-on-one, gave a valiant effort. But with his combat skills sharpened by recent battles with the Black Skeletons, Ogrekichi was a truly formidable opponent. The only reason the Dull Iron Knight was able to hold his ground at all was that I had instructed Ogrekichi to capture him alive rather than kill him.

About thirty minutes later, the Dull Iron Knight, who had been thoroughly enjoying the fight with Ogrekichi, was knocked unconscious and captured. Then we selected the bodies to consume and started chomping away.

They were excellent results. We collected all usable weapons and valuable items from the enemy corpses and buried them together in one spot. Then we transported the spoils and useful captives back to our base as before. We drugged and imprisoned the captured women, while the men were immediately fitted with slave collars.

Afterward, I reported the incident to the elven chieftain.

If the captured women couldn’t resist their desires and sought us out, they would be rewarded to the individuals who had performed well in battle. For those wondering about the rule against force in such matters, it applies only to non-enemies. And anyway, I believe that drugging the enemy so we don’t have to force them is within acceptable limits.

Just as I was thinking about interrogating the Dull Iron Knight and others, Dhami, blushing and looking embarrassed, tugged at my sleeve and whispered something softly into my ear.

“What? You want a child?”

I felt a surge of intense emotion.

Day Seventy-Four

Today, eight new hobgoblins evolved. Among them, there were three mages, one cleric, and for the first time, one Hobgoblin Shaman—as well as three regular hobgoblins. I was pleased to see the increase in mages, who had been so effective during yesterday’s ambush. The addition of a shaman capable of manipulating and strengthening the undead, extending their activity during the day, would significantly broaden our capabilities.

Three kobolds also evolved into foot soldiers. When this happened, the kobold would automatically generate a weapon known as a “Living Spear.” This living weapon is a part of their cells, and as the kobold grows, so too does the weapon. Even though it was their first time wielding these spears, the three foot soldier kobolds handled them as if they were extensions of their bodies.

Nevertheless, they still required proper training and were set to undergo rigorous spear-handling training under the guidance of the kobolds' leader, who was already proficient with the spear.

The recent battles against the human army had yielded a great deal of experience, leading to an increase in evolution. The addition of slaves, who served as both labor and combat support, proved immensely helpful—and with the acquisition of females for breeding, we could consider expanding our numbers. However, overpopulation could strain our food supply and make things more complicated, so we needed to manage it carefully.

Given the high possibility of casualties in future battles, these became crucial considerations. According to Gobjii, a goblin child took about twenty days to be born from a human woman, and about twenty-five days from a goblin female. A hobgoblin child took about forty days to be born from a human woman and fifty days to be born from a hobgoblin female. Gobjii didn’t know the gestation period for offspring of creatures ranked higher than hobgoblins, like myself.

Despite the range, the reproductive rate was astonishing. It was suddenly clear why humans conducted regular goblin hunts; with such prolific breeding, even weak goblins could cause significant trouble.

Leaving aside the finer details, I distributed the usual celebratory gifts to the newly evolved. Like with Ogrekichi, I had been providing magic items with specific attributes to see if their users would evolve into variant subspecies. But so far, only Ogrekichi, Dhami, and I had become variants. It seemed that without fulfilling certain conditions, such as acquiring a Blessing, it wasn’t possible to evolve into a variant.

Let’s treat that as a future task.

After today’s morning training, I interrogated the Dull Iron Knight, who had been fitted with a Subjugation Collar and imprisoned, along with other individuals who seemed to be in command positions. My intention was to supplement the information I had already extracted from the captive Lady Knight about the human army’s objectives in this war.

As a result, I managed to grasp the broader picture of both the overt and covert aspects of this conflict.

The war originated in the affliction of the First Princess of the Kingdom of Sternbelt (hereinafter, the Kingdom) with a highly dangerous and rare disease. The First Princess had contracted Chrishind Disease, which was known to affect only humans. With no known cure, it was recognized as one of the world’s deadliest diseases and had no hope of recovery.

The most notable symptom of Chrishind Disease was the gradual internal decay of organs over time. This internal rotting resulted in foul breath and body odor, along with multiple pus-filled blisters forming on the skin. The mortality rate within one year of contracting the disease exceeded ninety-nine percent. Although there were cases of individuals surviving for up to two years, none had ever recovered; they all ultimately succumbed to the disease.

Fortunately, Chrishind Disease was not airborne or spread through droplets, and its incidence was relatively low. This fact provided some relief, though it also meant fewer opportunities to study potential treatments.

The Kingdom desperately sought a cure for the First Princess’s disease. Known as a wise princess for her intelligence and grace, she was also soon to be married to a prince from an allied nation. This marriage was both a political alliance and a love match, which only made the efforts to save her more fervent.

Under royal command, the Kingdom’s doctors and alchemists worked tirelessly but with little success. While they managed to slow the disease’s progression, nearly half of the First Princess’s organs had already decayed. Normally, such a condition would have driven a person mad with pain, leading to death, but various magic spells kept her in a forced slumber to alleviate her constant agony and extend her life by treating the decaying organs.

Unfortunately, the disease remained relentless, and the decay continued to spread. She would soon meet her inevitable end.

Then, a woman who held the title of Saint Mary and prayed daily received a divine revelation from the Demigod of Healing, who had once been a subject of the Kingdom. The revelation stated that to cure Chrishind Disease, the secret elven medicine blessed by the Demigod of Verdant Green was required.

Following this revelation, the Kingdom launched a desperate search and found that the secret medicine matching the criteria was made by the elves living in the forest where we were born, known as the Great Kudeln Forest. To obtain this secret medicine, the young heir to the Keelica Empire, the betrothed of the ailing princess, attempted to negotiate with the elves.

Given that the request came from the future emperor of the Empire, it was expected that negotiations would be quickly settled. However, the elves refused, citing that the secret medicine was in short supply and that, according to an ancient law, it could not be given to humans. Despite repeated attempts at persuasion, all efforts failed.

Elves were known to have many rigid and troublesome laws, and they were insular and xenophobic. Their inherent pride and disdain for humans likely played a role in their refusal, regardless of the strict rule.

No matter what the reason, the secret medicine never reached the empire or the kingdom. This failed negotiation undoubtedly sparked the war, but as I listened further, I discovered additional human motivations behind it.

To summarize without going into tedious detail: humans are greedy.

In fact, one word would suffice: greed.

But to break it down, there are four main reasons for the war:

• First, most elves are beautiful, making them ideal sex slaves. They remain incredibly popular, fetching exorbitant prices on the market.

• Second, elves are naturally superior to humans, making them excellent guards and soldiers.

• Third, the elves have exclusive access to magical metals like mithril, as well as hoarded magical items and rare materials harvested from the forest, which is essentially a treasure trove.

• Fourth, the locations of the elven settlements serve as crucial strategic points during wars with other nations.

As I listened to these justifications, it struck me how brutally pragmatic the humans were. While the immediate cause of the war was indeed the refusal to sell the secret medicine to cure the princess, human greed and other ulterior motives had twisted the original intent, leading to the current conflict. It seemed that humans are a troublesome species, even in this world.

Of course, I’m in a position where I can hide or flee if necessary, so it isn’t much of a problem for me.

I also extracted various other pieces of information, particularly about the current composition of the human army. I needed to know if I had any opponents I couldn’t handle in my current state.

I learned that the human army comprised the allied forces of the Kingdom and the Keelica Empire. The Dull Iron Knight belonged to the Empire, so he lacked information on the Kingdom’s forces, but I had already learned about them from the captured Lady Knight, who served the Kingdom. According to the Dull Iron Knight, the Empire’s forces were larger and of better quality than those of the Kingdom. Notably, the Empire’s monster unit was especially formidable, composed as it was of powerful species like ogres, ogre lords, and dragonewts, as well as chimeras created by combining various monsters.

Most members of the monster unit were slaves who, under their master’s command, would become suicidal soldiers willing to lay down their lives in battle. This was quite troubling, but it also meant that, with the right strategy, these monsters could be easily manipulated.

I identified the individuals who had command authority over these units. They were all nobles with considerable combat experience.

After the interrogation, I decided to conduct a series of combat training games to improve our general command abilities. The players were squad leaders, and I divided the goblins and male captives among them to ensure each team had roughly equal strength. The players would then issue commands to their troops to eliminate the opposing side’s troops in a simulation of real combat.

The troops were equipped with different weapons: standard soldiers with wooden swords and shields, spear wielders with longer reach, axe wielders with higher attack power, archers for ranged attacks, and shield-bearers for defense. The key point was whether the players could give appropriate commands suited to the weapons their troops wielded.

I did not participate; instead, I acted as the referee.

The results were as follows: Dhami and Spellsei had the most victories, while Ogrekichi and Bloodsato had the most losses. Asue was right in the middle. This clearly indicated the difference between muscleheads and strategists. Asue leaned more toward being a musclehead, but her experience in excavation likely helped her perform better.

We had a large stockpile of food taken from the human army, so no one went hunting, and everyone stayed at the base to focus on the command training. To be honest, though, it did seem more like they were playing than training.

In any case, through training, a sense of camaraderie has recently begun to develop among the goblins, kobolds, and elves. I hope to strengthen this bond in the future. The enslaved humans, initially astonished that we were training at all, wore more serious expressions as time passed. Their reactions were amusing enough to make me laugh out loud.

At night, the human women were vocal in their delight—humans seemed to adapt faster than elves because of their stronger desires. The blacksmith wore a complicated expression on her face, but her attitude had changed significantly since she’d first arrived. She no longer felt the same level of aversion. Perhaps she rationalized that, given the circumstances of war, such events were inevitable and even natural. Plus, she probably believed that since the women sought it willingly, it wasn’t an issue. She acknowledged that happiness varied for each individual, and it wasn’t for others to judge.

The blacksmith was an understanding and remarkable woman, almost too good for me.

Human women were tasked with fulfilling sexual needs, while the unforced elven women, who watched enviously, were paired with the newly evolved kobolds and hobgoblins. Both groups seemed quite pleased. Breaking an elf’s pride once made it relatively easy to subdue them, but I had no intention of attacking elves deliberately. I was satisfied with the current state of things and saw no need to create unnecessary enemies.

Day Seventy-Five

While training with Ogrekichi this morning, the Dull Iron Knight, who had been fighting against a Black Skeleton Knight, requested a sparring match with me. He was no longer wearing his dull iron armor. By now, their pride shattered, other captured humans had either resorted to trying to plan their escape or attempted suicide by repeatedly banging their heads against the wall. In contrast, this knight silently endured the training I imposed and continued to look me straight in the eye. I found his unwavering gaze commendable and agreed to spar with him.

Through the sparring session, I realized just how strong the Dull Iron Knight was. Although he didn’t come close to matching my brute strength, he possessed the best martial skills of any human I had encountered. As a result, his physical capabilities were almost on par with mine. Even without using abilities, having physical prowess approaching that of a rare ogre variant was impressive.

While sparring, I asked the Dull Iron Knight how he could be so strong. He revealed that he held four combat jobs: level 100 Warrior, level 100 Knight, level 62 Monk, and level 25 Temple Knight. These jobs, along with rigorous training, contributed to his exceptional abilities.

His fists were swift and heavy, his body flexible yet tough, and his movements precise and efficient as he relentlessly targeted my vital points. He also used various techniques known as arts, unique to humans, which emit a faint glow when executed. Even with all that, though, he was not as formidable as the Red Bear that had attacked me before, so I ultimately won. The techniques the Dull Iron Knight employed, though impressive, were basically the same as abilities that enhanced attacks with various effects, making them relatively easy to counter.

Despite my victory being somewhat narrow, I didn’t want him to think he had any chance of winning if he took me lightly. So, I decided to face him again, but this time, I would use my abilities, which I hadn’t used during our first battle. This required some preparation. Using my Enchanter job class, I enchanted the cropped hemp pants my opponent wore, adding enhancements to physical strength, recovery, and defense. A blue phosphorescence enveloped him, indicating the effects had taken hold.

The Dull Iron Knight looked at me in surprise, while I activated Guardian and Tough Skin of the Mountain Lord to significantly boost my defense, and Monk and Mighty Muscles of the Mountain Lord to enhance my attack power.

To use abilities at my level in training, I needed to apply at least this much enhancement to my opponent, or else I risked accidentally killing him. I had no desire to leave behind a dismembered corpse after training. I also had to limit the number of abilities I activated to avoid overpowering the enhancements I had given my opponent.

In the end, the Dull Iron Knight lay on the ground, battered and exhausted. He had shown remarkable tenacity, so I might have gone a bit overboard. Nonetheless, he had passed out with a satisfied expression on his face, so I assumed he was fine.

As I tended to the Dull Iron Knight, I noticed Ogrekichi staring at me intently.

The desire in his gaze was clear: “I want to fight too,” he seemed to say. I understood; Ogrekichi wanted to fight the Dull Iron Knight barehanded. Indeed, a match between a barehanded Ogrekichi and the Dull Iron Knight would likely be evenly matched.

Ogrekichi had been able to overpower the Dull Iron Knight on the battlefield mainly due to a magic item’s superiority. The tower shield known as the Black Oni’s Butcher Board possessed extraordinary defensive power, easily repelling all of the Dull Iron Knight’s techniques as if they were mere child’s play.

So now, Ogrekichi wanted to rely not on a tool, but on his own body to achieve victory. He sought an unassailable, perfect win. However, I told him to wait a bit longer. As things stood, his advantage would be too great.

After some time passed and the Dull Iron Knight recovered, I let Ogrekichi fight him as he wished. Predictably, it was a good match, but Ogrekichi’s inexhaustible stamina finally tipped the scales, securing him a narrow victory. Despite the close call, both participants looked satisfied.

The Dull Iron Knight’s ability to adapt so seamlessly was impressive. During lunch, over some elven wine, I asked him about it. It turned out that the Dull Iron Knight was hoping to leave the Imperial Knights and join our side.

He explained that he had grown up in an area populated by many demi-humans, so he didn’t harbor the same prejudice against other races that most Imperial citizens did. In fact, he couldn’t understand why humans around him despised demi-humans, and it often made him feel out of place.

He had also been used to fistfights from a young age, when they had been a daily occurrence, and he had a basic principle of following those stronger than himself. His loyalty to the Empire was minimal; he served because he had once lost to the previous captain of the knightly order he belonged to. When that captain died in battle, a young noble, whose name the Dull Iron Knight didn’t even know, took over.

The young noble was only capable of fighting at a level on par with average soldiers, lacking the strength to command someone as skilled as the Dull Iron Knight. If the noble had at least had some leadership skills, it might have been tolerable, but he was disastrously lacking even in that area; he had become captain purely through connections.

As it happened, that very captain was crushed to death by one of our rocks. Now that I thought about it, I recalled seeing a guy in unnecessarily luxurious armor among the regular soldiers. That must have been him.

Back to the Dull Iron Knight’s story. If the captain’s lackluster abilities had been the only issue, it might have been bearable. However, as a noble, the captain started bringing his noble connections into his unit.

The Dull Iron Knight’s comrades, with whom he had broken bread and bonded, were transferred to other orders. On the other hand, due to his outstanding combat skills, the Dull Iron Knight had risen from regular soldier to vice-captain and was left behind to train the new recruits.

Now that he was in a teaching position, he couldn’t just quit, and he trained his subordinates diligently, creating a formidable unit that became highly regarded within the Empire. Many joined willingly, knowing the training would be tough.

The Dull Iron Knight continued to train the new recruits, but his background as a commoner meant he couldn’t see eye to eye with the nobles as he rose through the ranks. Recently, he had been arguing even with the more capable soldiers.

He soon began to feel there was no reason to stay, and everything was more trouble than it was worth. He was just considering quitting when he met us. He saw it as fate, and that takes us back to the present.

I extracted this information with the use of Command to ensure truthfulness, so I had no doubt it was accurate.

The Dull Iron Knight would be useful, so I had no complaints about accepting him, just like with the elite elves. I released him from his collar and had him wear an ear cuff voluntarily. Then, after he’d donned the ear cuff, I returned his full set of equipment, restoring his appearance to that of a Dull Iron Knight.

Thus, he transitioned from slave to comrade. Although the others didn’t fully trust him yet, that would grow and change based on his future actions. For now, I decided to make him my direct subordinate. I expected him to prove his worth.

In the afternoon, I went out hunting and set up areas for future ambushes. Meanwhile, I had the Dull Iron Knight teach Redhead Shorty some combat arts.

Currently, Redhead Shorty could handle a total of six combat arts:

• Slash: Increases the power of a slash attack once.

• Shield Bash: Hits the enemy with a shield, with a chance to knock them back.

• Stab: A thrust attack with added momentum for increased piercing power.

• Rapid Slash: Consecutive powerful slashes with a large opening.

• Magi-Boost: Temporarily enhances the body by amplifying internal magic, granting monstrous physical abilities but with a recoil.

• Variable: Allows the user to freely use the abilities of a monster they have consumed for a certain period.

The first four were basic techniques that anyone with the warrior job class could use, while the last two required a specific job like Monster-Eater Warrior. Having six usable combat arts was slightly above average for a fledgling adventurer, but the Dull Iron Knight had mastered over seventy.

It seemed that combat arts could be learned with practice as long as the user had the necessary job class unlocked, so I planned to have the Dull Iron Knight teach me once I acquired the prerequisite jobs myself. A monster freely wielding human-exclusive combat arts…

Indeed, it would be wise to avoid leaving witnesses when using these techniques.

Day Seventy-Six

Early this morning, during my free time before training, Asue discovered a hot spring while mining Spirit Stones. Until now, we either had to bathe in a river some distance away or wipe our bodies down with towels soaked in water from large containers we’d filled using Water Spirit Stones. Now, with the discovery of the hot spring, we could relax in a warm bath instead.

The mystery of why a hot spring had appeared there seemed trivial in comparison to the convenience it provided. After all, this was a fantasy world; such things were likely common.

As a result, today I dedicated myself to working on the hot spring with Asue and a few others—and fortunately, we had an endless supply of skeletons as laborers. By leveraging the numerous skeletons I generated, we achieved incredible efficiency. With abilities and various brute-force methods added in, it was no wonder we finished all the work before nightfall.

We had turned the hot spring into quite a grand facility, with separate baths for men and women, a large mixed bath for groups, and three special baths reserved for me, Ogrekichi, and other leaders. I planned to add features like waterfall showers and foot baths in the future, but this was a good start.

One of the special baths extended to the mountainside, making it an open-air bath. It was hidden among rocks, making it difficult to spot from the outside, and the sheer cliff made it nearly impossible for enemies to access unless they could fly. Nonetheless, I set traps throughout the area, just to be safe. For instance, if someone tried to climb the cliff, rocks would rain down on them. There were other traps as well, but I’ll keep those details secret.

After a particularly delicious dinner following all our hard work, the first to enjoy the newly completed hot spring were, of course, the few of us at the top. Everyone felt incredibly relaxed in the hot spring, especially Ogrekichi, who looked more blissed out than I had ever seen him. Asue also looked utterly relaxed as she soaked next to him. Both had been doing grueling physical work and had accumulated significant fatigue. Dhami and Redhead Shorty also seemed to enjoy the bath as they took turns washing each other’s backs.

I had ensured the water's safety by tasting it when we’d first discovered the spring, which confirmed it was harmless, and we resolved any potential fumigation issues with an air conditioning system powered by Wind Spirit Stones.

As a matter of fact, the water turned out to have fantastical effects, like improving healing, clearing up skin, and curing status ailments, so I intended to use the hot spring regularly. I even wondered if drinking the water could grant me an ability, but that seemed unlikely.

Regardless, it was seriously a treasure trove. I owed Asue my gratitude.

Day Seventy-Seven

It appeared that the combination of our ambushes, the large-scale traps the elven army had set throughout the forest, and the secret theft of supplies by my self-replicated avatars had paid off, resulting in significant losses for the human army.

The traps the elves had set originally, along with the elaborate, multi-layered traps I had taught the elven chieftain to use, had caused more damage than anticipated. It was gratifying to see our information used so effectively.

In all, our tactics had greatly weakened the human army, much to my satisfaction.

At this point, the human army seemed to have realized that their planned routes were riddled with traps, and they suspected internal leaks. In response, they were reevaluating their strategies, leading to a temporary retreat from the front lines over the past few days. During this brief respite, the elves fortified their traps even further, while we continued training to increase our chances of survival.

I also continued gathering intelligence by infiltrating with my avatars. Based on the gathered information, we planned to ambush the supply unit that was scheduled to deliver provisions to the human army’s encampment in the forest. On an expedition, supply availability can be a matter of life and death. Although the forest is more forgiving than a desert in terms of available food and water, the human army’s large numbers meant they required substantial quantities of provisions. Cutting off their supplies would be a harsh blow.

If we could repurpose their food and equipment for our use, we would effectively be killing two birds with one stone. Actually, it would demoralize the enemy as well, so it would be a win-win-win.

The supply unit approached from across the plains. We avoided attacking them out in the open because our forces were too small—even with the addition of forty-seven prisoners, our total was just over two hundred, with fewer actual fighters. In contrast, the supply unit numbered over six hundred, triple our size. Given this disparity, it would have been unwise to engage the enemy in the open. Sure, we could have handled them anyway with clever tactics, but there was still the possibility of enemy reinforcements, so it was better to avoid a direct confrontation.

So, we waited until the supply unit ventured deeper into the forest. As expected, in accordance with the information provided by the Lady Knight, the Dull Iron Knight, and my avatars, the supply unit arrived at the designated kill point. It was a narrow, poorly visible path through dense trees, a location the human army’s reinforcements would have difficulty reaching quickly.

Upon confirming the supply unit’s arrival, I glanced at the trembling slaves hidden in our rear. Their faces were pale with fear; due to my Parasitism ability, which heightened my control over them, they couldn’t move a muscle of their own free will. Ideally, I would have preferred them to work voluntarily, like the Dull Iron Knight, but I had to make do with what I had. After all, the slaves were disposable pawns. They weren’t particularly tasty, nor did they have many uses. Left to their own devices, they just muttered among themselves incessantly and wore worrisome dark expressions. So, I planned for them to play a dramatic role in this operation.

The strategy was straightforward.

First, we sent ten of the seventeen male slaves, who were noble knights without any useful job classes, such as Wizard or Enchanter, ahead toward the supply unit. We staged it as if we were chasing them: a small group of humans in knightly attire fleeing, and a horde of armed ogres and goblins, roaring with murderous intent as they chased after them.

In such a clear-cut scenario where anyone can easily distinguish between allies and enemies, the fleeing group would be taken in without much suspicion. In emergencies, people tend to focus on the immediate threat rather than questioning likely allies. There was still a risk that they could be killed alongside the enemies, but the fact that they wore high-quality, noble-looking armor worked in our favor, and the plan succeeded.

After confirming that our humans had successfully infiltrated the human army, we hid in trenches a bit further from the kill point. From our concealed positions, we fired bolts coated with paralyzing poison using the crossbows that the blacksmiths had worked hard to mass-produce. Those capable of using magic cast spells with reduced power. The Hobgoblin Shaman controlled six ghosts to inflict mental status effects, such as Melancholy, on our enemies.

The trees and underbrush hindered our accuracy, but the same was true for the enemy. Our goal was to cut their numbers, delay them, and keep them in one spot while we waited for the real attack to begin.

Then, our ten noble knights hidden within the enemy army sprang into action. They scattered an original magic item that the alchemist and I had created, the Burst Seed. Burst Seeds were made from materials like Yu Grass, Burst Fruit, and Hazy Fragrance Grass, which emits a strong hypnotic fragrance when burned.

Although the structure of the Burst Seeds was simple for a magic item, each one packed a powerful punch and came with a special sleep-inducing effect. Scattering them in a dense area could result in numerous light and severe injuries, incapacitation, and even death. Cheap, high-powered, easy to mass-produce—they were excellent magic weapons.

In exchange for these benefits, though, using them at close range could lead to self-destruction. That was why we had disposable slaves use them. I ordered them to keep setting off explosions, reassuring them that we would at least collect their bones if they died.

The forest echoed with the deafening sounds of the Burst Seeds exploding, numbering three hundred in total, for quite a while.

Eventually, the explosions ceased, but the enemy remained in disarray due to the lingering sleep gas. I instructed Asue’s support unit, Pleasure, to collapse the ground beneath the supply unit, adding to the confusion. Thanks to the groundwork we had laid, the collapse was easy to trigger.

The ground sank about two meters… more than enough to increase the chaos. The sudden change in terrain threw the human soldiers off balance, making escape impossible. They were further assailed by a rain of poisoned crossbow bolts and spells from a distance, and the pervasive sleep gas only worsened their condition. To finish them off, the elves, whom I had stationed in the trees, poured large bottles of my potent poison onto the soldiers below.

Drenched in the fast-acting paralytic, the soldiers collapsed to the ground. They weren’t dead, but returning to the fight was out of the question. While issuing commands, I activated my Minstrel job class and Melody of the Red Crystal, using the otherworldly string instrument along with my voice to strengthen our allies and weaken our enemies.

There weren’t any particularly strong enemies in this supply unit, but I couldn’t rule out the possibility of reinforcements arriving, drawn by the explosions. To ensure a swift retreat, it was best to be thorough, so we carried out the plan to the end without mercy, and the operation concluded smoothly.

Of the ten knights we’d sent to scatter the Burst Seeds, three were killed in the explosions, five sustained injuries from the blasts or were trampled while unconscious, and two returned unscathed. These were our only casualties.

As we gathered captives and supplies, we consumed the flesh of the three deceased knights. I had been expecting them to taste better, due to their noble status. Disappointingly, I was wrong.

Incidentally, I hadn’t brought Redhead Shorty along; while she had no qualms about eating monsters, I felt it best to avoid allowing her to witness us eating humans.

I killed the severely injured members of the supply unit swiftly to end their suffering and claim their experience, then I consumed their hearts and other parts of their bodies, turning their essence into my own. It is one of my principles to eat those I kill, so I can live on for those I’ve consumed.

I also made sure the other goblins ate parts of their kills, to reinforce the responsibility that comes from taking life.

We took the lightly injured as prisoners; they totaled exactly one hundred, all of them men. Although there had been a few women among the unit, they had died during the attack. It was a pity, but it couldn’t be helped. Otherwise, we already had enough labor, so there was no need to capture more at this time.

Since we didn’t have enough ear cuffs or collars for all our new prisoners, I parasitized them with the bodies I generated from my blood. Fortunately, there was plenty of raw material (blood) around, which allowed me to replenish immediately and prevented any significant drain on my stamina.

I acquired several combat arts I had heard about from the Dull Iron Knight. From Rapid Thrust to Sword Storm Dance, all of my new abilities were combat arts. In my case, I would use them as abilities, meaning that activating them in conjunction with the techniques I’d already learned would enhance their effects and increase my power compared to using them on their own. Non-humans shouldn’t even have been able to use them, so they’ll serve as a secret weapon for critical situations.

Feeling quite pleased, I returned to the base with our prisoners and other spoils of war.

As we made our way back, the gloomy looks on our new prisoners’ faces made the already dim forest path seem even more dismal. An idea struck me. Although our base still had plenty of room to spare, these supply unit soldiers weren’t particularly strong and, frankly, wouldn’t be very useful as pawns, and treating them as disposable just seemed wasteful.

So, I decided to pass about half of them to the elven army, figuring that the best and most profitable option was to cultivate their favor. We changed our plans and walked to the elven village to sell the prisoners to the elven chieftain. He immediately agreed, noting that having humans who could follow orders would expand the elves’ tactical options. Our payment included convenient magic items for daily life.

While we were exchanging new information, I inquired about the elixir the humans were after. According to the elven chieftain, the elixir had extremely high efficacy and no notable side effects, making it very versatile. Due to its highly rare ingredients and unique production method, it even contained a faint power of the Demigod of Verdant Green, so it could function almost like a universal remedy. It wasn’t as effective against powerful curses or special toxins, but a single dose could cure most diseases.

… If I drank that, would I gain an ability?

The sudden thought made me remember that I actually already had the elven elixir. I had received it as a gift, along with the elven wine, on the first day I’d met the elven chieftain. The wine had left such a strong impression that it had overshadowed the elixir, which had been forgotten in my Item Box until now.

Curious, I asked him why he had given me such a precious elixir. He explained that while there was a long-standing law against giving it to humans, giving it to an ogre who had saved his daughter did not violate any rules.

What? So if the Empire had asked for the elixir through non-human intermediaries, they could have gotten it? Well, that’s beside the point.

On the way back, I drank the elixir.

Elixir Blood transformed my blood into the elixir.

To test it out, I gave a drop of my blood to an injured slave. Amazingly, he healed instantly, his gaping wound closing within seconds and his complexion improving as if the lost blood had returned. He also mentioned that his chronic back pain, which had troubled him for years, was suddenly gone.

This is terrifying. If a single drop can do this, what would happen if someone drank a large quantity?

I didn’t intend to find out, but my curiosity was piqued. Could my blood grant something akin to immortality?

If humans learned about this, I’d become a target, a “golden goose” ogre, and that thought scared me deeply. Yes, my healing abilities had just significantly improved, but considering the risks, it felt like a mixed blessing. Humans were greedy, arrogant, persistent, and incredibly numerous, so I had to ensure they never found out what my blood could do.

Then again, if they did, I could always eliminate them.

My mind swirling with such thoughts, I arrived back home.

Day Seventy-Eight

We skipped morning training today and headed to the river together instead. The hot spring we’d built was designed with enough depth for ogres, which turned out to be too deep for goblins, causing a few of them to nearly drown—many of them had never swum before, so it was understandable. Everyone had to start somewhere.

We couldn’t afford any casualties due to a lack of swimming skills, especially since there might be future battles at sea or situations where we need to swim to escape. So, today’s agenda was swimming practice at the river with the waterfall, where I’d previously encountered the Forest Lizards.

I also took advantage of the opportunity to bring along the blacksmith for a change of scenery since she rarely left her workshop. Using my clones, I scouted the area and discovered that the Forest Lizards’ lair was upstream from the waterfall. I hoped they might attack us again, but they didn’t show up. It was a bit disappointing.

However, seeing the blacksmith enjoy her swim made up for it.

Day Seventy-Nine

It seemed the goblins had hit their limit. We currently had fifteen goblins, all of whom had reached level 100, which meant they lacked the talent for Existence Evolution.

It was unfortunate, but there was no need to despair. Even if they couldn’t evolve quickly, they could still grow stronger through diligent training.

Training never lets you down. Even goblins, with continuous training, can become Goblin Elites—goblins overcoming the limitations of their kind. I encouraged the dejected goblins with these words, and it seemed to lift their spirits, so the matter was settled.

On the other hand, the kobolds still had room for growth. This morning, two more foot soldier kobolds and one Lower Ninja Kobold emerged. The foot soldiers would follow the usual training regimen, but the Lower Ninja Kobold stood out.

The Lower Ninja Kobold wielded a small swordlike “Living Blade,” which was similar to the Living Spear but in the form of a sword, and had a much leaner build compared to regular kobolds. It retained its doglike face, but its eyes sparkled with intelligence, and its body structure was more reminiscent of a human’s.

As a Lower Ninja, it had also gained the ability to use a special technique derived from sorcery known as ninjutsu. This probably made it well-suited for espionage and behind-the-scenes activities. When I instructed it to stay hidden, its presence became almost undetectable. The Lower Ninja Kobold’s natural stealthiness was evident in its exceptional ability to hide.

Because the human army had shown no significant movements, we went back to the river for more swimming training today. There were a few mishaps—some members nearly drowned from exhaustion—but we enjoyed a relaxing time overall.

Day Eighty

I declared today a rest day and canceled training. Whether studying, embracing one another, training, or going hunting, everything was left to individual choice. Everyone needs a break now and then.

With that in mind, I decided to engage in a multi-opponent martial arts match, facing Ogrekichi, the Dull Iron Knight, Redhead Shorty, and the Lady Knight.

The four of them employed a strategy where Ogrekichi, with his exceptional durability, took the front while the other three attacked from the sides. Ogrekichi’s strikes were heavy and painful, while the Dull Iron Knight’s blows precisely targeted my vital points, making it impossible to drop my guard. Redhead Shorty focused on tripping and blinding me, relentlessly trying to disrupt my stance, and the Lady Knight charged whenever she saw an opening. It was a challenging but highly effective training session.

After soaking in the hot spring, I spent a while playing with my (somewhat oversized but nevertheless endearing) pets to my heart’s content. For lunch, I nibbled on Melzac, a dish from this world, similar to a sandwich, that the chef sisters had prepared. Then, I visited the ever-dedicated blacksmith, who was engrossed in weapon development, and discussed some new weapon concepts with the bodyguard elves.

In the evening, I went to the alchemist’s place to work on making more Burst Seeds, which will undoubtedly be useful in the future. Though we didn’t talk much during the process, it was calming and sorely needed.

As night fell and stars illuminated the sky, Dhami and I enjoyed a flight together. The night wind was a bit chilly, but ogres are resistant to cold, and Dhami, blessed by the Blessing of the Ice God, felt no discomfort either. We flew side by side, enjoying each other’s company. After a while, finally feeling slightly cold from the prolonged flight, we soaked in the hot spring to thoroughly warm up, then got into bed with the Lady Knight and the others. Although we worked up a sweat before finally going to sleep, we planned to wash it off in the hot spring in the morning.

It was a wonderful day off.

Day Eighty-One

Both Jiro the Hind Bear and Saburo the Alpha Dark Wolf underwent Existence Evolution. They had been catching their own food and accompanying us during our attacks on the human army, quietly accumulating experience.

Jiro evolved to a size even larger than a Red Bear. His once gray fur darkened, his muscles bulked up significantly, and a sharp, fifty-centimeter obsidian-like horn grew from his forehead. According to Gobjii, he had evolved into a Demonic Bear.

Demonic Bears are known for their strong territorial instincts and fierce temperament. Their claws are harder than steel, and their massive arms can crush rocks with a single swipe. It’s said that a single Demonic Bear’s rampage could completely annihilate an average town in this world. However, once subdued, they become highly obedient, making them excellent mounts.

With time, the horn on a Demonic Bear’s forehead can harness special powers. Jiro already seemed to possess some form of power—occasionally, when attacking with his arms or horn, a black aura would appear, significantly increasing the power and speed of his attacks. While he couldn’t fully control this ability yet, it was likely just a matter of time before he mastered it.

Next was Saburo, who had grown to the size of a warhorse and now had two heads that could think independently and exhaled black flames crackling with lightning. This species is known as Orthrus. Typically found in volcanic regions and underground caverns, they’re a rarity in this area.

An Orthrus can breathe both lightning and fire, but according to the Dull Iron Knight, the flames should be red. Saburo’s flames are black. His fur has also darkened even further. It seems that my influence is at play, but I don’t fully understand how, so I’ll set that aside for now.

To test the capabilities of my newly evolved creatures, I planned a raid on a human military unit. Our party consisted of me, Ogrekichi, and four other ogres (those who had undergone Existence Evolution twice), along with their familiars, totaling thirteen.

As a small, elite group, we hoped to increase our levels. Recently, we had been focused on raising the overall level of our group, so the main fighters like us had been careful not to over-hunt. The more members there were in a party, the less experience each one received, which made it harder for us to level up, since we needed more experience to do so. Despite all the battles and kills, our levels haven’t increased as much as anticipated.

While boosting the group’s overall strength is important, in the end, we have to rely on ourselves. Staying weak would mean being unable to protect what we hold dear, so it was time for a significant level boost.

I left the Dull Iron Knight and the Lady Knight in charge, along with some Black Skeleton squads and three larger self-replicated clones for added security. The human forces were focused on the elves, so they likely wouldn’t target our distant stronghold.

Around sunset, when it started getting dark, we rode through the forest. I was on Jiro, with Saburo by my side, and the others were on their respective familiars. Our target was a group of humans with a small number of mages but many heavy warriors with high attack power and knights who excelled in both offense and defense, making them formidable in close combat.

The enemy force numbered just under six hundred. All were humans, with no demi-humans among them, and each soldier had risen through the ranks on the strength of their martial prowess. With nearby enemy units like this one, the plan was to inflict as much damage as possible in a short time before retreating.

After an hour’s run, we reached the enemy encampment. The darkness had already settled, making it convenient to bolster our forces with summoned undead. Human armies rarely moved through the forest at night, so they were easy targets.

From a hill overlooking the enemy camp, where tents and bonfires illuminated the area, I observed their setup. The only notable figure was an elderly knight with a prominent white beard. Even while dining, he held a black iron short spear with numerous small thorns on the red-black blade. He wore a luminous white scale mail.

The Dull Iron Knight and the Lady Knight had mentioned this individual on the “List of Notable Adversaries of the Kingdom and Empire” we had compiled. He matched the description of one Aizen Ritter, the second brigade commander of the third division of the Empire’s army, known as Luutrun Nea, the Lair of the White Serpent. This elite unit trained in state-owned military dungeons to enhance their strength. In his younger days, Aizen had been a famed adventurer.

The black iron short spear, an Ancient-class magic item named the Cursed Reversed Thorn, was something Aizen himself had acquired from the Empire’s Divine Era Dungeon. Even a slight graze from the weapon’s blade would inflict multiple powerful curses: Curse of Sluggishness, Curse of Paralysis, Curse of Near-Death, and so on. The white scale mail he wore was also a magic item named the White Dragon Scale Armor, crafted from a white dragon Aizen had slain. It could easily deflect crossbow bolts and possessed high magical resistance.

These items and Aizen himself were all prime targets for consumption—especially the armor.

Taking Aizen out first would remove the most significant threat, improving our overall chances and safety. To ensure his elimination, I retrieved the Legendary-class Artifact, the crimson spear Hunger-Thirsting Impaler of a Thousand Thorns, Kazikli Bey, from my Item Box. Then I transformed my silver arm into a ballista and loaded the spear.

To improve my chances of success, I activated multiple abilities and jobs: Assassin for increased assassination efficacy, Archer and Hunter for long-range attacks since I was using a ballista, Throwing and Needle Shot for improved accuracy and power of ranged attacks, and Blood Flow Manipulation to increase power more generally. Then I aimed the crimson spear at Aizen’s torso and fired.

Aizen, positioned near the center of the enemy camp and about three hundred meters away from us, was well within range. As I concealed my presence as much as possible, my crimson spear launched, resembling a red comet more than a projectile weapon. It struck Aizen’s torso, where it was protected by the White Dragon Scale Armor, and pierced through it effortlessly.

Aizen had no time to react to the powerful, unseen strike. His final expression, one of bewilderment, lingered in my memory. The soup-filled bowl he had been holding shattered as it hit the ground, the sound echoing through the mostly silent camp.

This is the beginning of the legend of the ultimate surprise attack.

Let the notion of fighting fair be fed to the pigs.

In the end, the natural order is survival of the fittest, and history is written by the victors.

These trivial thoughts briefly distracted me. Regaining focus, I observed the enemy’s reaction.

The crimson spear’s momentum remained undiminished, embedding itself deep into the ground. A hole marked where the spear had landed. Soldiers stood around Aizen’s lifeless body, which now had a gaping chest wound. Their mouths agape in disbelief, the shocked soldiers struggled to comprehend what had transpired, perhaps thinking such an abrupt death was no more than an illusion.

When enough soldiers had gathered around Aizen’s body, I activated the spear’s ability: Tepes, the Bloodstained Crimson Spear Legion. Without warning, numerous crimson spears emerged from the ground at high speed, impaling anyone within a hundred-meter radius. Those caught within the ability’s range either perished or sustained severe injuries, with many suffering from pierced limbs or torsos.

I could have killed all the enemies within range, but that would have reduced the amount of experience everyone would gain, so I held back. As we watched the chaos brought on by our repeated attacks, we charged into the darkness, ready to feast on the enemy ranks. Properly responding would have been nearly impossible for them, which made this ambush close to a complete success. We had also positioned Black Skeletons around the area. No one was meant to escape.

Killing the panicked masses was easy. The speed of our beasts—whether Demonic Bear, Orthrus, Hind Bear, or Triple-Horned Horse—far outmatched that of any of the humans’ warhorses. Within moments, we covered the distance to the enemy, spreading out and launching attacks on the still-confused soldiers.

Ogrekichi’s familiar, the Hind Bear, used its speed and size to trample fleeing soldiers from behind. Some were crushed, their innards spilling out, while others were sent flying through the air. Riding the momentum of its charge, the bear swung its colossal battle axe, engulfing its surroundings in flames and cutting down the group of Heavy Warriors.

Seemingly reacting out of muscle memory, the soldiers managed to raise their heavy shields in time to block the axe’s blow despite the confusion all around them. A sharp, heavy sound echoed through the air. But they couldn’t block the flames that followed—the axe’s inherent ability—which burned the entire front row of soldiers alive. The heavy shields bent under the pressure of the powerful strike.

The Heavy Warriors’ defense proved almost meaningless in the face of Ogrekichi’s overwhelming power. His devastating force, combined with the ability granted by his Blessing, intensified the heat from his axe, spreading a wide swath of flames and leaving a mass of charred bodies in its wake.

With his flaming axe, strikes that could break heavy shields, and a tower shield that made him nearly invincible, Ogrekichi struck sheer terror in the hearts of the enemy. Nearby, Dhami used her Enthralling Evil Eye to control any enemies who couldn’t resist her charm, forcing them to fight each other. This allowed her to avoid dirtying her own hands while still causing enemy casualties. Apparently, she also still gained experience from this, making it a highly efficient method.

We continued our assault, leveraging our unique abilities and tactics to sow chaos and destruction among the enemy ranks.

That said, not all enemies could be controlled. Some resisted Enthralling Evil Eye with combat arts, innate resistance, or possibly by using some kind of magic item, and charged at Dhami.

Those who fully resisted were few, though, and their movements sluggish. Dhami personally dealt with these foes, skewering them with ice spears generated by her Blessing, crushing them with ice blocks, or slicing them with the claymore I had given her. She would toss the bodies high into the air, and as they were shredded by ice spears, she bathed in the blood that showered down, her beautiful yet terrifying visage elevated by the streams of blood she licked off her cheeks. It sent chills down my spine.

A bit farther away, Asue’s war pick shattered the ground with deafening booms. The resulting walls of earth cut off the enemies’ escape routes, and the cracked and split earth swallowed those who couldn’t flee in time.

Most of Asue’s attacks were wide swings focusing on power, leaving openings for enemies to exploit. However, even among the half lord species, her high defense as a half earth lord meant mere steel swords couldn’t even scratch her skin. While she might have felt the shock of the attacks, her thick muscles absorbed most of the impact.

Seeing that normal attacks were ineffective against her, some enemies tried to use combat arts. But the brief moments needed to activate these skills were exploited by Asue, who killed her opponents with crushing punches, kicks, and body slams that could shatter rocks. Her cheerful, hearty laughter echoed amid the enemies’ screams.

Nearby, Spellsei conjured torrents of water with her magic, sweeping away enemies that Asue didn’t reach. It was like tossing soldiers into a washing machine filled with swords, spears, and metal armor. The fate of those caught in it was grim, as they were stabbed, shredded, and ultimately washed into the chasms Asue had created. The scene was almost comically grim, as if the battlefield was being cleansed of corpses.

Elsewhere, Bloodsato’s thirty or so blood swords, created from her abilities and only growing larger as they absorbed the blood of their victims, were cutting down enemies left and right. Those who entered the range of the blood swords spinning rapidly around Bloodsato were shredded, making her already red figure even redder with blood. She looked like a goddess of death.

The monsters, whose specifications were already higher than those of humans, had been undergoing intense daily training, leading to this one-sided massacre. I, too, cut down our enemies, reducing their numbers with my halberd that the blacksmith had enhanced with Spirit Stones.

About twenty minutes had passed since the attack began when the battle ended and the quiet of the night returned. As soon as I’d struck Aizen, we’d surrounded the area with walls of earth to ensure no one escaped. I had also cast Concealment on everyone, so even if there were any survivors, the enemy would have perceived us as something other than what we were.

This was good enough. Our objectives had been achieved. After pulling the buried red spear from the ground and collecting any usable supplies, we began to consume the flesh and blood of our fallen enemies.

Since there were many, I absorbed them efficiently using my Enhanced Digestion and Absorption, Vampiric Drain, and Metamorphosis.

Finally, it was time to consume today’s main dish: Aizen. Despite most of his torso being gouged out and scattered, I managed to secure a decent amount of meat. And while I could have kept the White Dragon Scale Armor and the Cursed Reversed Thorn, I decided to eat them as well.

I crunched down on both. The armor had a crisp texture and a refreshing taste, while the spear was rich and slightly sticky.

We returned home satisfied with the experience and skills we’d obtained.

Day Eighty-Two

I received a message from the elven chieftain through my communicator, instructing me to come to his village. I had been training with the Lady Knight and Redhead Shorty, so I decided to take them along as guards. Guards weren’t really necessary, but I could use that as a pretext to let them enjoy a bit of sightseeing. The others were assigned either to training, hunting, or studying.

Redhead Shorty and I rode on Jiro, while the Lady Knight rode on Saburo as we headed toward the elf village. Given that it was already known that I had integrated humans into the group, there were no significant issues when we arrived.

That said, there were elves who looked at us with rude, disdainful gazes, as if we were mere livestock, but they were quickly forced to avert their eyes when I used Intimidating Gaze to remind them of our respective positions. Eventually, we arrived at the elven chieftain’s mansion and made our way to the room where I had been received previously.

While waiting for him, I sipped on the tea that had been served. Redhead Shorty and the Lady Knight, both of whom were visiting for the first time, looked around curiously, and I didn’t stop them. Instead, I busied myself with compiling the information my distant clones were gathering.

It was about five minutes later that the elven chieftain arrived, carrying elven wine and cups. Behind him was his daughter, the one I had saved before, holding a platter of what looked like snacks. Upon inquiry, I learned it was a dish called Ragout Mush, made from lightly roasted white mushrooms with butter—a popular treat at elven feasts.

The elven chieftain began by apologizing for the delay and then offered us a drink. The daughter poured the wine from a translucent bottle, and the rich aroma tickled my nose. Naturally, I downed it in one gulp, then gave the snack a taste. The food and drink complemented each other perfectly, each enhancing the other’s flavors. Infused with butter's richness, the mushrooms made the elven wine go down even more smoothly.

I lost track of how much I had eaten and drunk, not due to intoxication but simply because of how delicious everything was. The excellent refreshments put me in a great mood. After exchanging some pleasantries and sharing information, we got down to the main topic.

In summary, the chieftain proposed that my group and the elite elven forces launch a surprise attack on the enemy’s main forces. He wanted to drive the enemy leaders away before the village could be surrounded and their escape routes cut off.

A prolonged war was undesirable for both sides. The enemy, already under high tension with other nations, risked being attacked by those nations if they continued their war with the elves. On the other hand, despite their superiority over humans, the elves had already suffered significant casualties and didn’t want to increase their losses further. They also wanted a safe place where the wounded could recuperate. From their perspective, there was little to gain from this war, and they wanted it to end quickly.

As mercenaries, we couldn’t ignore the wishes of our employer. We had been given the freedom to operate as we wished and had received ample compensation for our efforts. It was time to end this. After all, greed could lead to ruin.

After our discussion, we began making our way back. During the journey, the Lady Knight approached me with a request. She asked if I could send the medicine to cure the princess’s illness to her country.

“My loyalty is willingly given to you,” she said, “but as my final duty as a noble, I want to deliver the medicine.”

I turned the request over in my mind. It could be advantageous to earn favor and establish a connection with the country’s leadership. Having the nation’s backing could make a significant difference in times of need, providing access to information and opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable.

However, delivering the medicine personally, as a black ogre with the Divine Protection of the Great God of Terminus and Origin, presented numerous potential complications. Even if I sent a representative, it would be clear that I was behind it. The main issues that sprang to mind were around religion. The blessings of the five Great Gods, who command most of the faith in this world, carry immense significance. Specifically, the First Queen of the Kingdom is a devout follower of the largest religion, the Pentatheistic Church, which could only lead to trouble.

Frankly, it was a bothersome issue. I decided against personally delivering the medicine or sending a proxy, but a new plan formed in my mind. After considering and evaluating its benefits, I decided to implement it.

Now, preparations for tomorrow’s decisive battle are in order.

Day Eighty-Three

It was still dark, with some time left before dawn. We ran through the forest and arrived at the encampment of the enemy’s main force, led by the crown prince, the future emperor himself. The enemy had about two thousand soldiers. As expected of the main camp, security was tight, with many sentries on watch even at this hour.

Considering the risk of friendly fire in a chaotic battle, I decided not to bring any humans with me this time. Our forces, including the five hundred elves provided by the elven chieftain, numbered only about six hundred and fifty. Under normal circumstances, engaging would not have been advisable.

That was precisely why we chose to strike at this hour.

This early in the day, we could create Black Skeletons to even out the numbers, and the surrounding darkness would allow us to continually replenish our magic, minimizing our energy expenditure. Since humans relied solely on campfires and similar sources of light, once they were extinguished, darkness would descend, providing us (with our night vision) with a significant advantage.

However, we couldn’t rush in blindly. The enemy had a slave unit composed of monsters with abilities on par with, or even surpassing, ours. They needed to be dealt with first to avoid significant trouble.

To start, I decided to send in Black Skeleton Assassins, my doppelgangers, and the Lower Ninja Kobold. Our target was the person controlling the slave unit, as per the information extracted from the Dull Iron Knight. The slave unit obeyed because of their Subjugation Collars; if we removed them, they would be able to act freely. They might still be hostile, but that was a risk I was willing to take.

Luckily, our target happened to be a mage controlling a chimera. Once the collars were off, killing the mage would stop the chimera, and by devouring the mage, I might gain the ability to control the chimera myself or acquire other new abilities.

Unfortunately, my optimistic plan hit a snag. After killing the handlers and removing the slaves’ collars, the chimera sensed its master’s death and went on a rampage, attacking everyone indiscriminately. The chimera, a six-meter-tall creature combining features of an elephant, a tiger, a snake, and a crab, first targeted the former slave soldiers trying to escape.

Caught off guard, many of the ex-slaves were trampled, slashed, strangled, and crushed in various ways by the chimera. Within moments, dozens were dead. The resulting chaos at once reduced our number of potential temporary allies and revealed our presence to the enemy, throwing our plan for a stealthy, gradual assault into disarray.

Resigning ourselves to the situation, we launched our attack anyway. The chimera, being the biggest threat, was our primary target. Despite its tough hide, we managed to crush its elephantine legs, peel off its tiger claws, sever its snake-like tail, and shatter its giant pincers, ultimately tearing it apart.

Adaptability is key to survival on the battlefield.

As the sun rose, the chaos continued.

The sunlight shone brightly, significantly hindering the Black Skeletons’ movements and causing their numbers to diminish rapidly as they were destroyed. The human army, sensing an advantage, began pushing back, letting out war cries to boost morale. However, we had already devised a solution to counter the sunlight problem; it was merely a part of the plan to briefly expose the Black Skeletons to daylight.

The sunlight countermeasure was simple: I gave my avatars a slime-like form to coat the entire surface of the Black Skeletons, effectively blocking the sunlight. Fortunately, there was plenty of blood scattered around, providing the raw material needed to create and sustain a large number of doppelgangers.

Once shielded from the sunlight, the Black Skeletons quickly regained their original mobility, cutting down the attacking enemies. The human soldiers, caught off guard by this sudden recovery, suffered heavy losses. The piles of corpses mounted. Targeting and eliminating the enemy officers was particularly effective.

The slime avatars also extended tendrils that lashed out like whips, increasing both the number and power of their attacks. The enemy’s morale plummeted rapidly, palpably.

Imagine the scenario: the human soldiers, already struggling against our skeletons, now faced opponents sprouting multiple highly acidic tendrils, tirelessly and relentlessly coordinated in their assault. It was no wonder their morale crumbled. Some soldiers even started to show signs of resignation, and the battle’s momentum swung completely in our favor. It seemed like the fight might conclude sooner than expected.

Just then, it appeared.

※※※

The battlefield was a chaotic blend of expressions of suffering frozen on the corpses of comrades, a copious amount of fresh blood saturating the ground with a thick, metallic smell, and a muddied terrain dyed red. Flashes of colorful magic and ear-splitting explosions painted a grim picture. Shouts of anger, screams of pain, final death cries, and the metallic clash of weapons against armor filled the air. It was a spontaneous clash where pure brute force met pure brute force, devoid of any strategic formations or plans.

A knight, clad in full armor of glistening icy silver, let out an enraged roar as he brought down his holy steel bardiche upon the enemy before him.

“Whoooaaaaaah!”

The foe was an abomination, a skeleton clad in a slime coating that adhered to its black bones—a member of the undead army. This particular skeleton also had ten protruding slime tentacles. The knight’s strike, powerful enough to crush several normal skeletons at once, was intercepted by these tentacles and lost its momentum. While the tentacles were severed, the main target—the black bones—remained intact.

A dull sound, akin to hitting a rock with a club, echoed across the battlefield.

“Damn it,” the knight cursed under his breath, stepping back just in time to narrowly evade the falchion the skeleton was aiming at his head. It was a near miss, and the knight’s reddish-purple bangs were sliced off and carried away by the sword’s wind.

The knight immediately retaliated, swinging his bardiche with such speed that it became a blur. The weapon glowed with the red light typical of a combat art, infused with the knight’s magic.

“Hah!”

With a short exhale and eyes filled with the intent to kill, the knight executed his combat art. This time, the strike that had previously been thwarted by the slime’s tentacles effortlessly sliced through the black bones. The entire skeleton shattered into pieces as if struck by a hammer, then disintegrated completely.

It was a combat art designed to crush monsters with hard shells or scales, and was poorly suited to slashing weapons like swords. By compressing his inner magic (also known as his “od”) and enveloping his weapon, the knight significantly enhanced the range and power of his attack, reducing the skeleton to fragments.

The shards of black bones scattered around, crashing loudly, smoking in the sunlight, the evaporating slime emitting purple fumes. Only then did the knight confirm his kill. Quickly wiping the sweat from his forehead, he muttered his frustrations.

“Damn, what a pain that taking down one component isn’t enough.”

The enemy was a combination of a Black Skeleton and a slime, and both parts had to be killed. Many fellow knights, having slain one half of the monster and then letting their guard down, had been subsequently counterattacked, suffering grievous injuries. Many had died.

A lone Black Skeleton was formidable, and the slime was equally troublesome. Its highly acidic bodily fluids dissolved skin and muscle on contact, exposing the white of bone; even metal armor and weapons were rendered useless as they melted away. Fighting such an enemy meant incurring damage whether attacking or defending. It was a foe one would rather not face.

The purple smoke emanating from the slain slime likely carried toxicity, too, but there was nothing the knight could do about it at the moment. He tried to minimize his inhalation, taking short, shallow breaths. He then inspected his bardiche, noting that while the blade was somewhat chipped, the damage wasn’t too severe.

“These bastards are damnable nuisances, aren’t they?” he muttered, shifting his focus to a new adversary approaching from the side.

This enemy wielded a corseque—a polearm with a triangular spearhead flanked by two smaller blades—slightly longer than the knight’s bardiche. The corseque’s thrusts came quickly, one after another, making it difficult to counterattack. Each near miss chipped away at the knight’s armor, accompanied by unpleasant metallic screeches and showers of sparks.

Despite this, the knight maintained his composure, biding his time until the skeleton’s bone arm fully extended with a thrust. Seizing the moment, the knight closed the distance, aiming a strike at the skeleton’s exposed left side. As his bardiche glowed with a red light, it erupted in roaring crimson flames.

A Flame attribute combat art, fueled by the wielder’s od, was a rare technique that also gained Holy and Light attributes when wielded by knights sworn to absolute loyalty to their liege. However, its immense power came at a high cost, consuming large amounts of inner magic and imposing significant post-use fatigue.

The Black Skeleton, struck by the flaming bardiche, ignited along with the slime covering it. The added Holy and Light attributes were particularly effective against the undead, reducing the skeleton to mere ashes in seconds.

While the attack had been highly effective, the knight’s inner magic reserves were now severely depleted, causing him to feel dizzy, his vision wavering slightly. He hastily planted his bardiche in the ground for support, working to steady his erratic breathing and recover his spent magic. The recovery was slow, frustratingly so.

He struggled to suppress his rising anxiety, but the chaotic melee around him made it impossible to remain calm. Cold sweat trickled down his cheeks. Fortunately, distinguishing friend from foe was easy. The enemies were predominantly Black Skeletons, shrouded in slime, along with elves and various demi-humans, such as goblins and hobgoblins—unexpected participants in this battle. The Empire’s former slave units, now free from their collars, also had to be treated as enemies.

The sheer number of enemies far exceeded expectations. At a glance, they matched, if not outnumbered, the combined forces of the Kingdom and its allied Empire. The individual strength of the skeletons alone was on par with that of an average soldier of the allied army.

“This is bad… If only we could reestablish command, we might stand a chance,” the knight muttered, though in his heart, he doubted it was possible. The primary reason for his skepticism was that the Black Skeletons were systematically targeting the allied commanders. Before the battle had descended into this free-for-all, a few commanders, though struggling, had managed to maintain some semblance of order and attempted counterattacks.

One such commander was the knight’s superior, the flame-haired Knight Chief. The Knight Chief was a seasoned warrior, renowned for his battlefield prowess, sincerity, and loyalty. He was highly respected and had taught the knight and his comrades not only the common combat arts of this world but also non-combat art techniques. He was a mentor figure to many.

Moments ago, just as dawn was breaking, the Knight Chief had been killed.

It had happened when the Black Skeletons, not yet coated in slime, had begun to be weakened by the sunlight, emitting smoke from their bodies. Seizing this opportunity, the allied forces had attempted to turn the tide. That was when the Black Skeletons suddenly changed tactics.

Now encased in the slime that emerged from the ground, the Black Skeletons shifted from randomly attacking to focusing exclusively on the allied commanders. They used suicidal tactics characteristic of mindless skeletons, attacking with no regard for their own lives, thrusting their short spears even if it meant killing their own, or swinging their great axes knowing they might fall in the process. This merciless onslaught led to significant casualties among the commanders, including the Knight Chief himself.

As the knight recalled the scene, he tightened his grip on his bardiche, ready to continue the fight. The battlefield was an unforgiving place, and he knew he and his comrades had to adapt quickly or face total annihilation.

Despite slaying tens or hundreds, the Knight Chief was eventually overwhelmed by the endless tide of enemies—his weapon shattered, his body covered in wounds and soaked in blood, and his strength completely spent. Unable to stand, he was finally consumed by an enormous slime, which dissolved his body into a gruesome mess right before the knight’s eyes.

No matter how seasoned a warrior he was, the sheer volume of enemies was insurmountable. Similar scenes unfolded all over the battlefield, with commanders being killed in horrific ways, their bodies and even their belongings completely dissolved.

With each commander’s death, the enemies targeted those who tried to take over command, crushing them along with their soldiers. Their strategy was clear: obliterate the command structure first. This led to increasing isolation and disarray among the allied soldiers, though some managed to maintain minimal coordination with nearby comrades. The knight considered himself relatively fortunate to still be able to do so. Those who were isolated were being picked off one by one.

The situation was dire, and the knights didn’t know how to respond. They were barely managing to fend off the immediate threats before them.

“Damn these skeletons,” the knight cursed, swinging his bardiche to cleave through another skeleton’s torso. The forceful swing shattered the slime’s resistance, cracked the skeleton’s bones, and sent it flying, colliding with another skeleton and taking it down as well.

“Don’t get cocky!” the knight yelled, preparing to eliminate the two fallen skeletons once and for all. Rage filled his face as he channeled the red glow of his combat art into his bardiche. His grip tightened, readying for a wide, sweeping Holy Light attack—a move that would drain him significantly but might turn the tide. It was a desperate gamble, a last-ditch effort to survive.

“Woooaaahhh!” he roared, his battle cry echoing across the battlefield.

With that cry of resolve, the knight’s entire body emanated a surge of magic that enveloped his bardiche, swirling into a vortex. This energy soon transformed into a radiant white light, making the weapon shine like a miniature sun; the skeletons illuminated by it noticeably slowed down.

Amused by their panicked attempt to stop him, the knight prepared to unleash his combat art, swinging the bardiche downward with determination.

“This will end it—”

Before he could complete his attack, a massive black ogre surged toward him from the side. Moving with a speed unexpected for its colossal frame, it seemed almost graceful, its presence barely perceptible until it was too late.

This brief lapse in awareness proved fatal. The ogre’s enormous hand gripped the knight’s, crushing it along with the bardiche’s hilt in an instant. The knight barely had time to register the pain before the ogre’s massive fist drove into his abdomen.

“Guh—!”

The blow shattered the knight’s armor, which could deflect crossbow bolts, and inflicted excruciating pain as if a sledgehammer had pulverized his insides. Overwhelmed, the knight collapsed to his knees, vomiting profusely and struggling for breath. As he lay on the ground, writhing in agony, the ogre’s foot came down on his head with terrifying force.

The knight’s skull could not withstand the immense weight and power of the ogre’s stomp, and it burst open, scattering brain matter. His body twitched in a final spasm before going still, leaving behind a decapitated corpse. The ogre gazed down at the lifeless body with indifference, then scanned its surroundings.

For the ogre, this was an insignificant act, but the knights and soldiers who met the ogre’s gaze reacted with paralyzing fear. Some broke out in cold sweat and turned pale, while others trembled uncontrollably and froze; a few even screamed out in incoherent terror. The pressure and presence emanating from the ogre were beyond anything anyone had encountered from such a typically brutish species.

The allied knights managed to hold their ground, albeit with great difficulty, while the regular soldiers fled in desperation.

“Seems the Black Skeletons are taking heavier losses than expected. Can’t be helped,” the ogre muttered, producing a halberd from seemingly nowhere.

For a moment, the humans were distracted, wondering where the weapon had come from, and that brief distraction proved fatal.

“Impossible…”

“Are you kidding me?”

The whispers came from various directions, perhaps from the trembling knights of the allied forces or the soldiers trying to flee. What was certain was that these fear-filled voices belonged to those opposing the ogre.

“Black Skeletons, assist the others. I’ll handle things here,” the ogre commanded, swinging its halberd in a swift motion. The speed was such that even the afterimage was indiscernible, and the blade cleaved through five fleeing soldiers, cutting them cleanly in half. Their upper and lower halves dropped away, their deaths instantaneous, leaving those who witnessed it stunned and instinctively readying themselves for battle.

It was too late. Another swing of the halberd sent a watery blade from its axe head, claiming six more lives. In less than ten seconds, the ogre had killed twelve soldiers from the allied forces. The keenness of its blade, which cut through armor as if it didn’t exist, and the water attack that was nearly impossible to defend against, sent shivers down the spines of the humans.

“U… Uoooaaahhh!” one knight roared, trying to muster courage. He raised his longsword and kite shield, charging at the ogre in a desperate attempt to fight back. Was it a reckless charge fueled by fear or a calculated move seeking an opening? Perhaps it was both, or maybe neither. Either way, the ogre crushed his attempt with a single step as the earth trembled and collapsed around its foot, causing a quake so severe that it made it impossible to stand.

“What… What the hell is this?” the charging knight faltered, his movement halted by the tremor. It was a feat in itself that he didn’t fall, but he was left in a daze, staring blankly at the sight before him.

The ogre extended its silver palm, and the blood that had soaked into the earth and the underground water seemed to be drawn to it. The liquid writhed as if it were acting of its own accord, rapidly gathering and being absorbed into its hand, compressing into a fist-sized sphere. It was a collection of blood and fluid from over two hundred fallen comrades, compressed under such high pressure that it formed a dark red gem-like orb, mesmerizing in its uncanny allure.

“Haha… What the hell is that?” the knight muttered in disbelief. The knight stared blankly at the blood sphere, a strained smile on his face. He couldn’t even bring himself to ready his weapon; he was unable to move as he watched it being unleashed.

It’s like a comet, he thought vaguely, and in the next moment, the sphere pierced through the center of his chest, ending his life.

Having pierced through the knight and created large holes in several other bodies, the sphere was then released from its compressed state. The enormous quantity of blood and water, mixed with the loosened earth from the ogre’s stomp, transformed into a massive, swirling torrent that, seemingly possessing a will of its own, swept away everything in its path: knights, human corpses piled up on the battlefield, heavy armor, abandoned weapons, and even the surviving skeletons and humans.

“Whoa! What the hell is this!”

“Glub! I can’t swim, someone help me!”

Only the humans suffered, though, swallowed by the torrent, struggling to breathe and drowning in the mix of blood and mud. Some lost their footing, disoriented in the turbulent waters, only to be pierced by weapons or battered by heavy armor carried along by the current. The skeletons didn’t need to breathe, and their hard, bony bodies sustained no damage from colliding with weapons and armor—not to mention they were coated in shock-absorbing slime.

After the torrent passed, the ground was littered with muddy, bloody bodies, humans grimacing in pain. Severed limbs protruded from the blood-soaked earth, and the air was thick with the stench of blood. The literal mountain of corpses and river of blood painted a gruesome picture. Those who had barely survived remained silent, trying desperately not to draw the ogre’s attention, holding their breath to avoid being noticed.

“This should do it,” the ogre muttered nonchalantly, even in the face of such a horrific scene. It picked up a nearby corpse—a knight clad in a once-majestic, now dirt-covered set of white-silver armor adorned with intricate decorations. The faint insignia on his chest hinted at his high rank.

After a brief inspection, the ogre opened its massive mouth and devoured the knight, armor and all. It chewed through the tough armor and thick flesh with ease, savoring every bite. In the distance, the sounds of battle continued, roars and screams filling the air. The ogre, however, seemed to be taking a break, as if this were no more than a calm interlude.

Despite appearing to have its guard down, the ogre was fully aware of its surroundings, relaxed yet ready to react. If anyone were to attack, it would respond immediately, cutting down the attacker with its halberd. The humans around it instinctively understood this; they knew that trying to run or even being noticed at all would lead to their deaths.

Then, as they quivered in despair, on the brink of giving up, a small, clear voice rang out.

“Hey, Mr. Ogre, Mr. Ogre. If you’re free, how about facing me?”

The speaker was a boy in a green coat who seemed to be squinting. He looked to be in his early teens and was around 150 centimeters tall, a full meter shorter than the ogre. His green hair, which reached his shoulders, had one peculiar strand that resembled an antenna and swayed as he moved.

Despite his youthful appearance—he seemed far too young for a battlefield—the way he handled his wavy-bladed dagger showed he was a seasoned warrior. The ogre swallowed the remaining meat in its mouth and fixed its gaze on the boy. The boy met the ogre’s stare with an unbroken smile and a cute tilt of his head.

“You are… if I remember correctly, part of the Imperial Eight Great Knight Corps, Rugald Orden. You’re the Bone Bug Brave, named something like Phillippo, right?” the ogre said after a moment of thought.

The boy—Phillippo—looked genuinely astonished.

“Wow. I’m shocked you know about me, Mr. Ogre,” Phillippo said. “Say, who told you who I was? I don’t really like that nickname. I mean, it makes people think of pests, you know? Sure, it’s my official title and not entirely inaccurate, but when someone below me says it, it ticks me off. Really ticks me off.”

Phillippo’s voice turned cold in an instant, annoyance filling his tone as he opened his narrowed eyes slightly, staring back at the ogre. The deep green eyes that shone briefly resembled the compound eyes of an insect, despite his otherwise human appearance. It made Phillippo all the more unsettling.

“Oops, my bad,” he said. “People tend to get freaked out when they see that, so I usually keep it hidden.” Phillippo quickly squinted his eyes again.

“I see. Those eyes are a symbol of the Blessing of the Insect God,” the ogre said with a nod, seemingly understanding. “And as for who told me about you, well, that’s simple enough. You can get any information you need by torturing prisoners.”

“… Ah, I get it now,” Phillippo said. “So, you’re the one who wiped out several of our units. Man, you really caused me some trouble. I was on vacation, you know? And then I get dragged out here because of you. I’d appreciate an apology. War is so much work, and I hate having to work.” Phillippo complained with exaggerated gestures, looking at the ogre with a mixture of annoyance and resentment. Though his mostly closed eyes made his face hard to read, the rest of his demeanor conveyed his feelings clearly.

“By the way, Mr. Ogre, you have a Blessing too, right?” he continued. “Which God gave it to you? I can guess the general type because of your dark aura, but I can’t pinpoint the specific deity. Hmm, considering you manipulate blood and create those Black Skeletons… I’d say it’s likely the God of Yomi or the God of Bone Fields. Am I close? Or am I way off?” Phillippo inquired.

The ogre didn’t say anything.

“Ah, the silent treatment. I guess you don’t want to tell me. That makes sense. If I weren’t so famous, I’d keep my Blessing a secret, too. Oh well. It doesn’t matter who your Blessing is from right now anyway.”

Phillippo smiled wryly at the silent ogre as he pulled three glass tubes from his pocket. Inside each tube were countless grotesque insects, a mix of white spiders and worms, writhing and pressing against each other.

“These are called Undead Soldiers: Andero, which I created using a combination of my Blessing and necromancy,” Phillippo said. He bit off the rubber-like caps of the tubes with a popping sound, then spat them out onto the ground. “Watch what happens if I sprinkle this on some nearby corpses.”

Phillippo scattered the insects from inside the glass tubes around. The moment the bugs came into contact with the half-buried corpses, they began to move, using their worm-like bodies and spider-like legs to penetrate the dead flesh, ripping into the bodies with their small fanged mouths before burrowing deep into them. Within seconds, the fingers and arms of the corpses started to twitch, as if they had come back to life.

“The death bugs burrow in and spread pseudo-ganglia throughout the body, allowing it to move,” Phillippo explained.

Bathed in the morning sunlight, countless corpses began to rise. Their limbs were bent at odd angles, brains and entrails spilling out, fragments of swords and spears embedded in their bodies as they emerged from the bloody dirt. Their eyes were hollow, and they bore an unmistakable resemblance to zombies. However, they showed no signs of being purified by the sunlight, and they moved with surprising speed and strength, even more than they had in life.

Clearly, they were not mere zombies, but rather something else entirely.

Behind his army of corpses, Phillippo wore a smile on his face. “Do you know the difference between a Brave like me and a Hero?” he asked.

“… The difference lies in one’s maximum individual capacity versus the number of companions that can be enhanced,” the ogre replied after a pause.

“Correct. Heroes excel as individuals and are generally stronger in one-on-one combat,” Phillippo began. “However, they can only enhance four to six companions at a time, at most ten. This makes Heroes suited for small elite groups. On the other hand, Braves like me might not be as individually powerful, nor can we enhance companions as much as Heroes can. But…”

As the number of reanimated corpses reached a hundred, Phillippo’s smile took on a euphoric quality. He raised both hands toward the sky, facing the ogre with closed eyes.

“When we, Braves, have over a hundred soldiers under our control, that’s when we truly shine!” Green phosphorescence emitted from Phillippo’s entire body, enveloping the moving corpses around him. Then, a significant change began. “It’s playtime, my little toys, my insect warriors. Break through that flesh and reveal your true form to the ogre.”

“Giiiyaaahhh!”

With a shrill, piercing cry, the corpses’ bodies began to transform from within. Their flesh bubbled and writhed as the insects within them proliferated, altering their core structure.

The corpses that had lost their arms grew long appendages with centipede-like heads and numerous legs. Those who lost their legs transformed their lower bodies into ant-like forms. Corpses with crushed heads sprouted new feeding appendages filled with circular rows of fangs or entire insect heads. Those with relatively less damage had their skin replaced with chitinous shells, grotesquely resembling insects forcibly molded into human shapes.

While there are demi-humans known as Insectors or Insectoids that bear strong insect-like characteristics, the creatures that now approached the ogre were far removed from them, abominations that could never naturally exist in the world.

“This is my Andero Bazilara, the Army of Death Bugs,” Phillippo declared. “It requires death bugs and fresh corpses to use, but they’re not technically undead, so they can operate in sunlight. Plus, they combine their former abilities with those of the death bugs, making them quite formidable.”

The death bugs continued to multiply, surrounding the ogre. But despite Phillippo’s preparations, the ogre remained calm, showing no signs of impatience. He watched Phillippo with a steady gaze.

“I apologize for keeping you waiting, Mr. Ogre. Now, let’s have some fun,” Phillippo announced, and the death bugs began their assault.

Death bugs with multi-legged lower bodies scuttled quickly toward the ogre, those with centipede-like arms extended their long limbs from a distance, and those with ant-like heads spewed liquid like formic acid from their mouths. Some transformed parts of their bodies into murderous spikes and fired them off. The one thing the death bugs all had in common was that they were aiming to kill the ogre.

However, none of their attacks reached him.

The moment a death bug with a multi-legged lower body entered the ogre’s range, it was struck by his silver left arm, the force so great it pierced its chest, scattering dead flesh. Despite its tenacious vitality, as it attempted to crush the ogre, the death bug was suddenly consumed by white flames from within, leaving not even ash behind.

Centipede-like arms were sliced to pieces by the halberd, and one bug’s body was split vertically by the water blade emanating from the halberd’s axe head. The bisected death bug tried to reattach its halves with tendril-like appendages, but in the next moment, it was crushed with a dull sound. No visible object could be seen crushing it; it was as if an invisible giant had squashed it with its foot.

The ant-headed death bug’s acidic liquid was scattered by a sudden strong wind and dissolved other death bugs in an instant. An attack with countless spines was blocked by the carcass of another dead death bug, which shattered its carapace. The death bugs launched countless attacks, from poisonous stingers to high-temperature gases, but all were crushed by the ogre’s inexplicable abilities and exceptional halberd skills.

The sight was surreal: an army of death bugs, each capable of easily wiping out ten to twenty times their number in human soldiers, being slaughtered by a single ogre. Yet Phillippo trembled with joy, his cheeks flushed with excitement.

“Amazing, amazing, amazing, Mr. Ogre! To kill my bugs so easily! For my toys to be destroyed so effortlessly, it’s incredible! And I can’t even understand some of what you’re doing! What is that?! How do you do it?!” Phillippo’s voice, filled with a mix of cheer and admiration, echoed across the battlefield.

The surviving soldiers felt indescribable emotions as they watched the bizarre scene unfold in stunned silence.

“I like you, I really like you, Mr. Ogre. I’ll definitely add you to my collection!” Phillippo declared, with the enthusiasm of a child who had found a new favorite toy. His smile, filled with innocent malice, spread across his face as he began to move his dagger like a conductor’s baton.

In response, the death bugs’ movements changed dramatically. They stopped charging recklessly and began to show coordinated actions. The centipede-like arms attacked from the ogre’s blind spots, flaming liquid rained from the sky, and spines that had unintentionally pierced other death bugs now aimed directly at the ogre’s heart.

Gradually, the ogre started to be pushed back, his flesh torn and his blood flowing. Yet none of the injuries were fatal, and the wounds healed within seconds. This remarkable healing ability, far beyond the natural resilience of even the strongest ogres, made Phillippo lick his lips. “Even now, I can’t kill you. You’re truly amazing, Mr. Ogre. But how about this?”

Phillippo moved his dagger in a downward motion, and the ground began to shake slightly. It felt as if a gigantic creature was burrowing underground, causing a rhythmic tremor. When the dagger was raised again, the tremor briefly stopped, only to resume with even greater intensity.

The ground behind the ogre heaved upward, and a colossal centipede-like death bug, easily over ten meters long, emerged from the earth. Its segmented body was covered in an exoskeleton as hard as steel in bright red and yellow warning colors. Its numerous sharp legs dripped with purple venom, and six red-purple eyes scanned its surroundings. Its enormous mandibles and mouthparts clicked menacingly.

The ogre slew the death bugs approaching from the front and turned to face the massive centipede emerging from behind, but the centipede attacked first.

“Ki-shaaa!!”

The centipede emitted a high-pitched screech, causing the surrounding ground to ripple, shattering small stones, and distorting the hearing of those who heard it. Even its allied death bugs were forcibly immobilized. The ogre, despite its strength, was also momentarily paralyzed by the sound.

The giant centipede’s massive body, coiled like a whip, crashed into the ogre from the side. Its powerful mandibles clamped down on the ogre’s abdomen and back, digging deep and breaking bones while injecting potent venom into its organs. The ogre’s black skin began to darken to a deep purple, its torso contorting as the centipede’s jaws tried to tear it apart. In agony, the ogre dropped its halberd, which struck the ground with a burst of lightning before falling inert.

“You couldn’t dodge that one, could you?” Phillippo quipped. “This is the Armored Centipede, Artilum, a Disaster-designated monster. It’s one of my prized pets.” He spoke with pride, his eyes gleaming with admiration as he watched the ogre struggle in midair, suspended several meters above the ground in Artilum’s grasp.

“Artilum’s venom should paralyze your organs with just a scratch, but you’re still alive. I really want to know which God’s blessing you have, Mr. Ogre. But I’ll just find out later when I dissect you.”

Artilum’s mandibles bit deeper into the ogre, causing more blood to pour out. The area affected by the venom continued to spread, with a third of the ogre’s torso already turning purple. The ogre’s muscles bulged as he tried to pry Artilum’s jaws apart, but the sheer strength of the centipede seemed insurmountable. Blood flowed more freely, staining the ogre’s lower body.

About a minute after being bitten, the ogre finally lost all strength and went limp, his head drooping.

“Wait, Artilum. Don’t totally eviscerate him; I don’t want to clean up that mess,” Phillippo commanded, signaling with his short sword for Artilum to lower the ogre to the ground.

Obedient like a dog to its master, Artilum gently laid the ogre on the ground, withdrew its deeply embedded mandibles, and brought its enormous head closer to Phillippo. Smiling, Phillippo began scraping the carapace of Artilum’s head with his short sword, causing the giant centipede to writhe in apparent pleasure.

“Good job, good job. Now, go back to your post and keep up the good work. It’s over here anyway.”

With a reluctant screech, Artilum raised its body skyward, then plunged its head into the ground with such force that dirt and stones sprayed everywhere. Within seconds, its massive form was completely burrowed underground, leaving only a series of tremors behind, which soon ceased.

Once Artilum had departed, Phillippo, still smiling, turned his gaze back to the ogre.

“Now then, I’ll take the ogre’s body back and… Huh?” His cheerful tone abruptly shifted to one of confusion and disbelief. “Huh? What? What’s going on?”

Phillippo’s face contorted in bewilderment as he stared at the spot where the ogre’s corpse should have lain. Instead of a body, there was only a pool of dark red blood, stark against the surrounding crimson-stained earth.

Where had the body gone? What had happened? How was this possible? Questions raced through Phillippo’s mind, paralyzing him with confusion. He stood stock still, his form riddled with openings.

Taking advantage of this, something moved silently into Phillippo’s blind spot. But because he was a Brave, Phillippo’s body reacted instinctively. As Phillippo ducked his small body down with all his might, something sharp and thin like a needle shot through the air above him, glinting silver.

“Tsk.”

A small tongue click. Hearing right beside him the faint sound of irritation at his narrowly avoiding the attack, Phillippo leaped sideways with beast-like agility, all four limbs pushing off from the ground. That reflexive action saved him from a blade that descended like a guillotine.

Cold sweat trickled down his back when he realized how close he had come to being killed. He glared at his assailant suspiciously.

“I’m genuinely surprised, Mr. Ogre. How did you survive that?”

Standing before Phillippo was the ogre, unscathed and gripping the halberd he had apparently dropped.

“Why would I tell you?” the ogre replied, sounding exasperated.

Phillippo laughed and nodded. “Right, of course. Well, the one who died must have been a fake, but still, fooling me like that is impressive. My compound eyes are supposed to see through a lot, but you completely tricked me.”

Phillippo’s normally squinting eyes opened wide. His dark green compound eyes, like an insect’s, reflected countless images of the ogre.

“Maybe I sent Artilum back a little too early. But it’s probably far away by now, so there’s nothing I can do about that.” Phillippo chuckled bitterly and pulled out yet another glass tube from his pocket. This one contained a large, poisonously colored caterpillar floating in yellow fluid.

“This is one of my trump cards,” Phillippo announced. “You’re way too strong for an ogre, so I thought I’d use this to play with you. But before that, how about we properly introduce ourselves? Even if we’re going to kill each other, it’s nice to know a bit about your opponent, right?”

“That might be true, but I decline,” the ogre replied. “I’d rather not reveal too much right now.”

“Wow, you’re so cold, Mr. Ogre. That’s fine, I’ll just introduce myself then. My name is Phillippo Belld Locarta, the second son of a noble in the Keelica Empire. As you probably know, I’m part of the Eight Great Knight Corps, Rugald Orden, and known as the Bone Bug Brave. By the way, my rank is seventh from the bottom, so I’m far from the strongest. Just because we’re evenly matched, don’t—”

As Phillippo spoke, the ogre thrust his halberd from several meters away. Despite being out of range, three spears of lightning shot forth, aiming straight for Phillippo’s face.

Using the superhuman reflexes and physical abilities of a Brave, Phillippo narrowly dodged the attack. However, a part of his antenna-like hair got singed, and his body was jolted with electricity.

“Ouch! That was mean, Mr. Og—”

Ignoring Phillippo’s protest against his sneak attack, the ogre shattered the ground beneath his feet and closed the distance in an instant, bringing the halberd down in a swift strike. The blade moved so fast it became a blur. The intention was to increase its destructive power by wrapping the axe head in a watery edge, but the blow was stopped, effortlessly.

A high-pitched metallic screeching echoed around, and a foul, metallic stench filled the air.

What had blocked the halberd were six tentacles that now extended from Phillippo’s abdomen. Covered in overlapping small shells, the tentacles not only defended against the attack but also began to move individually, attempting to ensnare the ogre. The ogre instantly leaped back to avoid them.

“Darn it. I ended up using my second trump card before I could even play the first. I wanted to save it for later, but you’re too fast, Mr. Ogre. Actually, aren’t you moving much faster than before? Huh.”

Seeing no response from the ogre, Phillippo sighed like he was bored and began manipulating the surrounding death bugs with his short sword again. The death bugs, which had remained perfectly still to avoid interfering with Artilum’s attacks, now ignored the ogre and gathered around Phillippo. He pierced them with the tentacles from his abdomen, absorbing their essence.

With each insect absorbed, the tentacles grew thicker and stronger, and Phillippo’s body began to transform. His back swelled until it burst out of his clothes, revealing new appendages that resembled a blend of dragonfly and butterfly wings. His arms developed green exoskeletons, akin to gauntlets, and his head morphed into something resembling that of a praying mantis. Other parts of his body also changed, exhibiting pronounced insect traits and making him look anything but human.

At once, he appeared more ferocious than any of the death bugs, exuding a menacing aura and vitality unmatched by any other creature in the area.

The ogre furrowed his brow at the transformation, but soon enough, he displayed a feral grin. It was the look of someone about to feast on delectable prey. The ogre’s eyes gleamed with hunger, and his slightly parted mouth revealed teeth glistening with saliva.

“What an appetizing scent you have. Looks like you’ll be quite the satisfying meal,” the ogre said, his voice positively ravenous.

“A ha ha, it seems you’ve finally gotten serious, Mr. Ogre. But, it’s too late—ha!”

Phillippo, who spoke in an ear-piercing, high-pitched voice reminiscent of an insect’s buzzing, blurred and vanished. In the next instant, he reappeared behind the ogre, the six massive tentacles striking out where they protruded from his abdomen.

However, the ogre seemed to have anticipated this move. He turned around and, in the same motion, sliced off three of the tentacles at their roots with his halberd. Blue fluids spurted from the severed stumps as the remaining three tentacles continued their assault. Then two of those, too, were cut down by a suddenly ignited blade of flame, and the last one was crushed in the ogre’s silver left hand.

Without giving Phillippo a chance to retaliate, the ogre followed up with a brutal punch to Phillippo’s torso, launching him backward. As Phillippo flew through the air, the ogre hurled a black spear of rapidly conjured magic.

The spear would have been powerful enough to kill Phillippo, but he dodged it, his wings performing a rapid deceleration and acceleration maneuver while a torrent of blue blood spewed from his mantis-like mouth. Apparently, the damage Phillippo had sustained from losing all his tentacles was severe.

“Gah… I didn’t expect you to evade and counterattack so harshly, Mr. Ogre… It’s really a mystery why someone like you isn’t a Psalm Awakened,” Phillippo coughed out, spitting more blue blood.

Just as he was about to finish him off, the ogre paused at the unfamiliar term. “What is this Psalm Awakened you speak of?”

“Heh, I’m not going to tell you. You ignored me plenty, so now you have to find out for yourself,” Phillippo replied, grinning defiantly despite his injuries.

“Fine, I get it. I guess I’ll have to force it out of you,” the ogre said, resuming his charge.

Each step shattered the ground beneath him, and his halberd sped through the air, a deadly blur. Phillippo met the attack with his transformed arms and the new insect legs that had sprouted. Even the tentacles regenerated quickly, and an intense battle ensued, one that ordinary humans wouldn’t have been able to withstand for even a second.

The clash between these two monstrous beings had a massive impact on their surroundings; many died from the shockwaves alone. The sight of the ogre and the insect-like Phillippo tearing into each other stood out gruesomely on the battlefield, and their combat only grew fiercer with every passing moment.

※※※

“Well, this has been fun. Okay, let’s call for a temporary truce,” Phillippo said abruptly after narrowly dodging the halberd aimed at his neck. Using his tentacles, he threw up a mixture of bloody earth and corpse parts to momentarily obscure the ogre’s vision, then leaped back to put some distance between them. His voice was filled with a clear sense of satisfaction, as if he’d fully enjoyed himself.

“… You think I’m going to let you escape?” the ogre asked calmly, a frown creasing his brow. Unlike when the battle had begun, he was now clad in an insect-like, red-black armor that covered his entire body. He bore several small holes in his arms and abdomen, evidence of the Brave’s fierce attacks, as well as numerous wounds of various sizes all over his armor, caked with oxidized ogre blood.

Phillippo’s condition was even worse. His right arm had been twisted off at the elbow, half of his wings were torn from his back, and one of his compound eyes was crushed. Blue blood covered half his body. But despite their severe injuries, both combatants moved fluidly, their immense vitality preventing any of their wounds from being fatal.

“I doubt it, but I’m gonna try my best to escape anyway,” Phillippo said with another defiant smile—though his insect-like face made it hard for an ordinary person to discern his expression. He slowly backed away, while the ogre silently closed in on him.

The battle had been in the ogre’s favor from the start. The idea that an ogre could corner a Brave like Phillippo, a chosen hero among those with divine Blessings, was almost unbelievable. But there was no hesitation in the ogre’s actions. No matter the counterattack, he advanced with relentless determination, intent on crushing everything in his path.

“Scary, really scary, Mr. Ogre. But you know, I’m pretty confident when it comes to running away,” Phillippo said, his voice filled with an unnerving blend of fear and confidence. Despite being pierced by the ogre’s sharp gaze, he, too, acted without hesitation. The ogre moved to stop him, then paused at the strange sight before him.

First, Phillippo’s back split vertically. Then, emerging from a mess of wet, semi-transparent liquid came a completely naked Phillippo, looking as he did when the ogre had first met him, free of any insect-like features except his compound eyes. His twisted-off right arm was restored, and there wasn’t a single wound on his body.

It was like an insect being reborn from its chrysalis. The discarded exoskeleton made a sickening sound as it hit the ground.

“See you later, Mr. Ogre,” Phillippo called out. “Next time we fight, let’s go all out and really have a good time.”

Still naked, Phillippo turned his back to the ogre and started to run away. He sprinted at full speed without looking back, trampling or leaping over the armor and debris scattered on the ground.

“Tsk.” Momentarily taken aback, the ogre started running a few moments later. His speed was far greater than Phillippo’s in his human form, and he seemed to be closing in quickly.

However, there was an obstacle in his path.

“Out of my way!”

It was the discarded exoskeleton.

Structurally unstable, it wobbled erratically from side to side, its battered appearance making it look like a zombie. The compound eyes glowed a pale blue, countless tiny fangs were visible in its insect-like mouth, dripping with semi-transparent fluid, and the tentacles extending from its abdomen writhed, seeking prey.

With a high-pitched scream, the exoskeleton stepped in front of the ogre, who swung his halberd downward without hesitation. The exoskeleton crossed its arms and layered its tentacles in a desperate attempt to block the descending halberd, but the ogre’s strike cleaved through them and split the ground beneath.

Riding the momentum, the ogre ran through the center of the bisected exoskeleton, searching for Phillippo. But Phillippo had already blended into the battlefield, making it impossible to find him.

“I could still catch up… but it’s time to put an end to this.”

Crushing the tentacles still writhing at his feet with a sense of disgust, the ogre looked in the direction Phillippo had fled. The exoskeleton, dealt a finishing blow, soon melted away into formless goo.

After glaring for a few more seconds, the ogre turned his back and left the battlefield.

And so, this battle came to an end—but their next encounter was not far off.

※※※

Meanwhile, one of my body doubles was stealthily approaching the enemy’s main camp. Utilizing the sorcerer job’s specialty in status ailment attacks, I lowered the awareness of the surrounding enemies. Combining the assassin job class with abilities such as Perception Interference and Hiding, along with a magic item called the Cloak of the Hermit, I managed to hide my presence completely. This daring maneuver was all to get close to the next emperor, the enemy’s supreme commander.

I didn’t intend to kill him. If I did, the Empire would stop at nothing to annihilate the elves. They wouldn’t relent until every last one was dead, no matter the cost. That was something we absolutely had to avoid. If the Empire came at us with its full strength, we would be easily overwhelmed by sheer numbers. It would be far too difficult to fend them off.

I also wanted to maintain a good relationship with the elven chieftain. Letting him get killed was not an option. Some materials could only be harvested in this forest, and losing our base would be disastrous.

These were the thoughts that ran through my mind as I successfully positioned myself behind the next emperor, who was wearing an exceptionally ornate suit of armor. There were guards around, but none of them noticed me whispering to their commander.

I instructed him to retreat, slipped a small vial of red medicine—made from my blood and capable of curing the princess’s illness—into his breast pocket, and explained how to use it. Then I whispered a few other things, and when he confirmed his understanding with a silent nod, I swiftly departed.

Having completed my task, I communicated with Asue via the transmitter, asking her to build a large earthen wall to separate the two armies. We had already taken down nearly half of the enemy forces, so this would probably be enough.

Before the enemy could break through the earth wall, we quickly gathered our injured and dead comrades, as well as the remains of the chimera, and made a hasty retreat. Ideally, I would have liked to take the bodies of some of the more skilled enemy soldiers, too, but time was too short. I had already sampled a bit during the battle, so I had to be content with that. We had plenty of loot as it was.

Patience, patience.

We avoided the human army’s pursuit by sacrificing a large number of Black Skeletons.

Once we retreated to our base in the cave, we hurried to treat the injured. As we were focusing on the critically wounded, the elven army’s medical unit, which I had requested during our retreat, arrived. This significantly sped up the treatment process, and very few of our own died from delayed care.

Afterward, the elven reinforcements returned, leaving behind only about a hundred former slave soldiers whom we had brought back.

I didn’t see any need to kill these people if they weren’t a threat. So, to respect their wishes, I told them they were free to leave if they wanted, but if they decided to stay the night, they should ask someone about the rules here. With that said, I stepped outside the cave.

We’d experienced our first casualties, losing six hobgoblins, two hobgoblin mages, eight goblins, ten kobolds, and four male elves—thirty in total. It was our most chaotic battle yet, and against an exceptionally strong enemy. Considering that one of the Empire’s Heroes had even participated in the battle, the fact that we suffered only as many casualties as we did could be considered fortunate.

Thankfully, we managed to recover the bodies of everyone we lost. This was something I insisted on. We took out their internal organs to eat, then burned the rest of the remains as we had once done for the women captured by the older goblins. The number of bodies meant we needed a large amount of Yu Grass to burn them. The flames roared, and sparks flew. To keep the location of our base secret despite the large fire, we scattered the black smoke using Aeromaster.

Everyone gathered around. Some offered prayers, others cried, and some simply watched the flames with blank expressions. Personally, I didn’t feel sad. I shed no tears. Rather, I resolved to live greedily for those who had been consumed.

After ensuring the bodies were completely burned, I checked the condition of our worn-out weapons and armor and ate the chimera meat we had collected. It would be a waste not to use my Absorption ability within its efficacy time limit.

Eating the chimera granted me two interesting abilities. Synthesis allows me to combine multiple items or abilities to create new ones. It seems versatile and useful. Chaos Wraith appears to enhance incorporeal monsters like ghosts by merging them together.

I was too tired to test them out today. After setting up a suitable sleeping area for the former slave soldiers, I relaxed in the hot spring and then lay down on my handmade bed in the bedroom.

If this war continues to go well, my contract with the elven chieftain will come to an end. When that time comes, I’ll prepare thoroughly before finally venturing beyond the forest.

Decision made, I drifted into a deep sleep.

Day Eighty-Four

Both the quantity and quality of the experience we gained from yesterday’s battle led to a significant number of Existence Evolutions.

Hobji, who was previously a hobgoblin cleric, evolved into a species known as a half saint lord. He now stands about 170 centimeters tall, which is slightly shorter for a species in the demon lord lineage. His limbs are not particularly muscular but rather slim and delicate, while his notably pale skin makes the black tattoos on the backs of his hands stand out. His shoulder-length hair now has a silver tint, and his eyes are golden.

Like Spellsei, he has a white Demon Orb embedded in the center of his forehead, flanked by two small horns about five centimeters long. This species isn’t particularly suited for combat, so his physical capabilities are lower than those of other demonic species like Spellsei’s, but he excels in defense and healing.

To test Hobji’s new abilities, I had him heal an injury on a slave, and the speed of his healing was unmatched. As soon as his palm glowed where he held it over the wound, the injury healed almost instantly. Next, I had him use one of his unique abilities, Shell Field—a thin, circular light membrane that surrounded him. I punched it, although I wasn’t using any abilities, and it withstood twenty strikes. Eventually, it shattered, but he could re-deploy it in about a minute, proving its remarkable durability. Honestly, I was a bit annoyed that it could withstand twenty hits from me. We decided to change Hobji’s name to Seiji.

Hobfu, a hobgoblin mage with a penchant for eating rotten meat, evolved into a ghoul. Lately, she had been eagerly consuming the zombie flesh I generated, so I had anticipated this transformation. As a ghoul, unlike zombies, her body doesn’t show signs of decay. In fact, with her black hair and lifeless, pale blue skin, she could almost pass for a normal human woman at first glance. However, she exudes an aura of danger, likely generated by her habit of eating rotten flesh… and even spirits. As expected, she also has the black tattoos.

One thing that I didn’t expect was that she kept alternating between looking at Ogrekichi and me, or at Seiji and me, with a blissful expression, letting out a low, sinister laugh, and sometimes even drooling. Every time it happened, it sent chills down my spine, but it seemed pointless to address it. We changed her name from Hobfu to Ghulfu. Yeah, swapping the character for “floating” (浮, fu) with the one for “rot” (腐, fu) was intentional.

Hobme, one of the hobgoblins, evolved into a Hundred-Eyed Demon. She now possessed countless eyes all over her body, though they usually stayed closed. She had long black hair and a woman’s figure, standing about 160 centimeters tall. Whether she was beautiful or not was definitely in the eye of the beholder, given her unique appearance. Interestingly, she came into her new form clad in a kimono-like garment, which turned out to be a form of “Living Armor” akin to the Living Spears used by foot soldier kobolds. This Living Armor was lightweight, durable, and capable of self-repair.

She could also now wield sorcery, though her physical abilities were quite low, making her overall combat capabilities relatively limited. However, she was quite capable of gathering information due to abilities such as Remote Viewing and Introscopy. It seemed she would be a very promising addition to our intelligence operations. We renamed her Dodome.

Seven additional hobgoblins, including the infamous five who were once slaves, evolved into ogres. Two of these were female, and their new appearance was quite striking, exuding a certain commanding presence. They’re about the same size as me, with muscular bodies and brown skin adorned with black tattoos. Their hearty laughter and open-mouthed grins radiate an aura reminiscent of a military commander. Anyone seeing them would likely imagine them clad in camouflage, wielding large firearms, and rampaging across the battlefield, leaving a trail of corpses in their wake.

In reality, of course, their weapons of choice are large swords and other massive armaments. We renamed them as well, to names like Ogasen and Ogamitsu.

Next, the number of foot soldier kobolds increased by six, and the head kobold, who had been a foot soldier, evolved into a Samurai Kobold. He now appears to be a stern-looking Asian man in his late thirties, but with dog ears and a tail. He wears a black kimono with vermilion armor and gauntlets, and carries a black-sheathed katana and a white-sheathed wakizashi¹ at his waist.

His face and physique had become noticeably more human-like compared to his foot soldier days, but the image of a gruff middle-aged man with dog ears and a tail was, frankly, the worst. From my perspective, he looked like a man cosplaying a gangster—it’s only natural that I would instinctively want to avert my eyes. While his enthusiastic “my lord, my lord” behavior when he was a foot soldier was somewhat endearing, now that he looks like a cosplay yakuza, it’s a bit unsettling.

Putting aside his appearance, I had been calling him “Foot Soldier Leader” until now, so I thought I’d start calling him “Samurai Leader.” However, it seemed that in this world, once one reached a certain level of existence, they were granted a “True Name.”

Accordingly, the Samurai Leader’s True Name was Akikaze no Tsuji.

Incidentally, revealing one’s True Name to others is generally considered foolish, because if someone knows your True Name, the power and effectiveness of curses and various techniques that could be forced upon you is increased. In this world, revealing your True Name is something you’d only do with a knife held to your throat.

The Samurai Leader revealed his endlessly important True Name to me as part of a simple ceremony to show his lifelong loyalty.

I nodded in understanding, but I still needed to come up with a name to call him on a regular basis; after all, one cannot use their True Name casually. So, after some thought, I decided to call him Akita. His previous appearance reminded me of an Akita dog, which may have unconsciously influenced my choice.

Thankfully, he seems to agree, so it shouldn’t be a problem.

As expected, all those who evolved bore tattoos on their bodies. I wonder what they signify. It’s something I’ll need to investigate eventually.

For now, though, I decided to give each of them a congratulatory gift.

Now, let’s talk about the former slave soldiers.

More than half of them decided to return to their respective hometowns or to places where they have relatives, but they were almost entirely without money. Therefore, I had them work odd jobs, such as leveling the grounds around the base or cutting trees for the construction of an external training field. They were paid in food, cooking utensils, and money looted from the human army, proportional to their work. And as it happens, because they’re deserters, they already have their own weapons.

They should be able to save up enough for travel expenses in about five or six days. They’re highly efficient as a labor force, so I want them to leave as soon as possible; their hourly wages are very high. However, we’re working them hard to match those wages.

There’s really not much else to say about those who chose to return home.

The majority of my focus has been on the fifty who decided to stay and join the mercenary group Parabellum. Their reasons for joining varied: having nowhere else to go, having been slaves all their lives and not knowing how to live in freedom, wanting to continue living amid the thrilling, blood-pumping excitement of the battlefield, feeling compelled to repay their debt of gratitude, and so on.

Broadly, the categories and numbers of their species were:

• Demon Lord: 3

• Half Demon Lord: 5

• Dragonewt: 4

• Half Dragonewt: 6

• Great Ogre: 10

• Giant Troll: 1

• Lizardmen: 5

• Dwarf: 5

• Dullahan: 1

• Orrorin (ape-person): 3

• Dhampir (half-vampire): 1

• Redcap: 3

• Weretiger: 2

• Centaur: 1

Honestly, the new recruits are generally from stronger species compared to the majority of our current members, the hobgoblins. Personally, I don’t have an issue with letting them join, but there are significant drawbacks to adding so many at once. The others likely won’t accept it easily.

Monsters like redcaps, lizardmen, centaurs, and dwarves might be manageable for most of our hobgoblins, but against higher classes, only a few, like Ogrekichi, stand a chance. Demon lords are naturally powerful, and dragonewts, which are on par with demonic monsters, are far stronger than hobgoblins. No matter how much training they’ve had, it’s not enough to bridge that gap.

If we just let them in without considering the consequences, the current hierarchy will be drastically disrupted. When I, a member of the same species, rose to the top, it was one thing. But if a bunch of unfamiliar faces suddenly came in and took over their positions, resentment would be inevitable.

If it were me, I wouldn’t stand for it.

This could easily lead to internal conflict—in fact, it almost certainly would—and that would be a waste after all our training. In fact, for the sake of the future, securing the loyalty of the hobgoblins is crucial. They’re more trustworthy.

There are ways to forcibly prevent defection, like using the ear cuffs, but having the members of our group act of their own accord is much more efficient.

So, for now, I decided to treat the fifty former slave soldiers as provisional members, relegating them to the lowest rank, even below goblins, as a kind of apprenticeship until they earned our trust. Naturally, this led to complaints from the former slave soldiers. Predictably, their leaders, specifically two demons of the direct combat type, all ten dragonewts, including the half-breeds, one boss-like Orrorin who looked like a muscular gorilla, and one flippant dhampir, started demanding to be in charge.

The weretigers, however, who were large and had tiger heads, and the headless knight Dullahan, who carried their own handsome head under their arm, didn’t join in the complaints. They seemed reluctant to repay kindness with betrayal. Both appeared to have a warrior’s spirit. Because they were so understanding and agreeable, they would be quite easy to manage, so I decided to give them a slight advantage. It wasn’t much, just a promotion from apprentice to second-class soldier, but it was something.

And I decided to teach the fourteen who spouted the nonsense about being in charge a lesson about their place.

First, I took on two demon lords simultaneously. I didn’t hold back or apply any enhancement enchantments as I had for the Dull Iron Knight. This was because these two, a gale lord with excellent attack speed and a flame lord with high attack power, had complementary abilities, making their combat power considerable… not that it really mattered.

My real reason was that they were the most arrogant among the fourteen. They had been loudly proclaiming that I, as an ogre, was a lower-ranked monster. They seemed to enjoy mocking me, so I thought it was time to crush their pride and other things. (I heard later I had been grinning ominously.)

Now, my two opponents were barely alive, lying there on the ground. It had taken about three minutes. After about a minute, they’d begun to unleash the power of their Demon Orbs. The gale lord donned emerald armor and long boots imbued with wind, while the flame lord equipped a flamberge that spewed ruby flames. Both had unlocked their unique abilities, significantly boosting their combat power.

However, I matched their escalation by using my threads and poison to restrain their movements. In the end, I shattered their weapons with one of my silver arm abilities, the Arm Blast, concluding the fight without taking any significant damage.

This incident revealed that when the weapons created by unlocking an orb’s power are destroyed, the orb itself cracks, rendering a demon’s abilities unusable for a while. The demons themselves also become paralyzed by the backlash, so they’re unable to move for a period. But according to them, both the orbs and their bodies naturally recover over time, so there’s no need to worry.

I decided to have Seiji treat them right away.

Next up were the four dragonewts. The six half dragonewts, upon seeing how the two (superior) demons had been utterly defeated, had a change of heart, which made things easier.

Incidentally, the simple way to distinguish between dragonewts and lizardmen is by whether they look more human or more reptilian. Dragonewts have a human appearance with dragon-like features, such as horns or tails, while lizardmen appear more reptilian at a glance. Half dragonewts fall somewhere in between, leaning slightly more toward dragonewts.

Setting that aside, the exact classification of the four dragonewts was thunder dragonewts. They could generate lightning from their horns and use Lightning Breath, a powerful attack that some subspecies of dragons can wield. They also possessed physical abilities on par with demon lords.

Even with these attributes, I had no trouble dealing with all four simultaneously. I had already acquired the ability to nullify lightning attacks, making me immune to all their electrical assaults. Whether they fired Lightning Breath at me or launched thunderous spears, the lightning would blink out the moment it touched or almost touched my skin.

While their strongest ability, lightning, was rendered ineffective, their physical prowess remained formidable. If they’d had decent combat skills, they might have had a chance to kill me. However, their techniques were generally poor, predictable, and easy to counter. They had likely been relying solely on their innate powers without any deeper thought. They stood no chance against me; I had, of course, surpassed my natural physical abilities through numerous enhancements.

Like the demons’ Demon Orb, dragonewts also have something called a “Dragon Sphere.” Although these spheres have similar powers to Demon Orbs, I was able to neutralize them almost entirely, rendering them insignificant.

I left the dragonewts’ treatment to the medical team to give them some practical experience.

Next up was the boss ape. He launched a surprise attack from my blind spot the moment I finished battling the dragonewts and instructing the medical team. I sensed it with my Intuition and could have dodged, but I decided to take the hit to assess his capabilities.

The way he concealed his presence, the timing of his strike, his footwork, and the efficient use of his body all pointed to his high skill level. Although his species’ physical abilities are inferior to those of the demon lord or dragonewt, his combat techniques, likely honed to compensate for this, made him one of the more formidable candidates among the fifty hopefuls.

His powerful blow, which could have shattered rocks, struck my side and sent me flying into the rock wall, embedding me there.

Seeing this, the boss ape pounded his chest. For a while, the sound was all that echoed around us.

I could have just recovered as if nothing had happened, but a mischievous idea struck me. I decided to repay the sneak attack with a sneak attack of my own. I began by just watching the boss ape for a while.

Just as the boss ape started to declare, “Starting today, I’m the boss around here,” I extracted myself from the rock wall and launched an identical sneak attack from behind. He must not have noticed me at all; my fist plunged deep into his unguarded side, and the sound of bones breaking rang out. The boss ape was sent flying, embedding himself in the wall just as I had.

When I checked on him, he was barely alive. Hmm, he was surprisingly tough. It seemed he was about more than just speed; he had a good balance of abilities, too. Given the severity of the boss ape’s injuries, I entrusted Seiji with his immediate treatment.

As for the dhampir, he had spent the wait trying to seduce Dhami, so I putF a bit more force into my actions. Vampires generally have high vitality, so he would likely be fine unless something extreme happened.

Right at the start, he tried to charm me with Enthralling Evil Eye, but since we were the same gender, its power was halved, and at his level, it had no effect on me.

I pinned his limbs to the ground with a large knife retrieved from my Item Box and beat him until several of his organs ruptured. Despite inflicting what could be considered fatal damage, vampires can heal most injuries by drinking blood, so I let him drink mine.

For me, this was simply a way to introduce a part of myself into his body so he’d be more likely to obey me. However, my blood seemed to be extremely delicious. As soon as he drank the first drop, his expression became one of ecstasy, and his red eyes gleamed. This was likely related to my secret Elixir Blood ability.

I only let him drink about a mouthful, but as soon as he finished, he started saying disturbing things like, “Oh, my beloved,” and “My body and soul are all yours, my love,” and trying to kiss my hand. I was genuinely creeped out.

I reflexively punched him, which felt like a normal reaction. Then I thought he might be enjoying being hit, but I decided it was just my imagination. Pursuing this further wouldn’t be good for my mental health. Since the dhampir was so creepy, I decided to keep my distance from him going forward.

So, I had all the new recruits fitted with ear cuffs and subjected them to the usual basic training. However, because everyone already had a reasonable skill level, I made the training harder than ever before. It was a fulfilling training session with no reservations.

In the afternoon, I instructed the five dwarves to work with the blacksmith. The dwarves’ blacksmithing skills were said to be among the best of all species. Their strength did make them useful on the front lines, but it was more convenient for me to have them focus on smithing.

I advised the blacksmith to learn from the dwarves, whose skills in smithing surpassed hers, and I appointed the most skilled dwarf as the head blacksmith. Although the blacksmith seemed a bit intimidated by the stubborn, craftsman-like dwarves, I believed time would resolve that issue. The blacksmith herself has a similar stubbornness, after all. I look forward to seeing what kind of work the dwarves will create with our mithril supply.

For today’s afternoon training, I had Ogrekichi train the new recruits, as usual. He’s a battle junkie, so Ogrekichi’s training began with taking on ten Black Skeletons at once, with no breaks until all ten were defeated. After that, he increased the number to twenty, then thirty, and so on, making it quite a rigorous session. I told the recruits to push themselves to their limits—without dying, of course.

Now that I finally had some time on my hands, I decided to try out my new Synthesis ability. Since I was apprehensive about synthesizing abilities right away, I decided to start by synthesizing the orbs and spheres I’d recovered from the battlefield. I had deliberately limited myself to ten orbs and spheres in order to minimize human casualties. Too many losses could result in a situation where they couldn’t retreat, even if they did obtain the medicine they needed. Although the practice of recovering orbs and spheres from deceased slaves, demons, and dragonewts had been going on for a while, it was better to play it safe.

Orbs and spheres are highly valuable and can be made into powerful magic items. I decided to start by synthesizing two emerald-like orbs with my knees. The result was a success. When I activated the gale lord’s orb ability, a luxurious version of the long boots I’d seen in the previous battle with the demon lord appeared, only a bit blacker.

I tried moving around several times and found no issues. The ability worked perfectly fine, and there were no signs of rejection. Delighted by this, I diligently engaged in several more syntheses. Then I experimented with Chaos Wraith and obtained some interesting results.

Day Eighty-Five

Today, I’ll explain the findings from last night’s Synthesis experiments. First of all, synthesis turned out to be mentally rather than physically exhausting. After synthesizing all ten orbs and spheres with my body, I tried combining two abilities that I could afford to lose: Sunlight Weakness and Light Damage Weakness. That was my limit. The mental fatigue was so extreme that I couldn’t muster the will to continue synthesizing. Continuing in such a distracted state would likely lead to irreparable mistakes, so I stopped. Therefore, the effects of synthesis after exceeding one’s limits remain unknown. But it’s not something I need to know.

Incidentally, the resulting ability from that synthesis was Severe Weakness to Sunlight Damage. When I tested it by exposing my fingertip to sunlight, I was shocked to find that it caught fire immediately. Spontaneous combustion is no joke. Also, that ability couldn’t be changed back. The two synthesized abilities remained, but they no longer activated, so it seemed that once synthesized, abilities couldn’t be reacquired either. I’ll need to proceed more cautiously in the future.

Regarding Chaos Wraith, I combined around a hundred ghosts to create a monster called Legion. However, it ignored my commands and went on a rampage, so I had to kill it immediately. It seemed overmixing could cause trouble, so I resolved to be more careful in that department going forward as well.

While Ogrekichi was training the new recruits, Asue, a few others, and I worked on making our living quarters even more comfortable. Fortunately, with the tireless Black Skeletons and the sixty-two human slaves and part-timers, we could carry out multiple tasks simultaneously.

We worked on improving the bedding and clothing, leveling the ground for an outdoor training area, erecting wooden walls around the living quarters to block out external threats, and expanding the hot spring facilities to squeeze money from the elves; most of the elves had only experienced bathing in river water, so based on their reactions, I believed our hot springs would be quite a hit. I even considered inviting the elf chieftain next time I saw him to spread the word about the benefits of hot springs. I contemplated various promotional strategies.

Results of Today’s Synthesis:

• [Dragon Scale Refinement] + [Scale-Armor Generation] = [Dragon Armor Scale Refinement]

• [Precognition] + [Visual Field Boost] = [Eyes of an Instant]

• [Blood Flow Manipulation] + [Mighty Muscles of the Mountain Lord] + [Strength Boost] + [Leap Strength Boost] = [Resilience of the Dark Demon]

• [Intimidating Roar] + [Cry of the Scaled Horse] = [Roar of the Dark Demon]

• [Evil Eye] + [Intimidating Gaze] = [Evil Eye of the Dark Demon]

• [Lower Damage Reduction] + [Lower Magic Damage Reduction] = [Lower Physical and Magical Damage Reduction]

• [Regeneration Inhibition] + [Cursed Scar] = [Unhealing Cursed Wound]

That was enough for today.

Day Eighty-Six

During today’s morning training, I immediately used the abilities I’d gained from Synthesis. To quickly verify their effects, I sparred alone against twenty-three of the new recruits. I chose them as opponents because, even if there were accidents, they could easily be replaced.

As I mentioned, the species and number of new recruits included:

• Demon Lord: 2

• Half Demon Lord: 5

• Dragonewt: 4

• Half Dragonewt: 6

• Giant Troll: 1

• Dullahan: 1

• Orrorin: 1

• Dhampir: 1

• Weretiger: 2

Since they had been in the same unit, the new recruits demonstrated decent coordination. However, their lack of skill was apparent. They moved quickly, but their actions were too straightforward and filled with unnecessary movements, making the overall flow easy to predict. I didn’t escape unscathed, but my injuries were minor enough to be healed instantly using my recovery abilities.

We sparred continuously until lunch. It was a very productive training session. However, I discovered that Resilience of the Dark Demon, created by combining five abilities, was difficult to manage. It was too powerful and proved excessively dangerous for training purposes. For example, I never imagined that even the toughest and most well-defended among the new recruits, the giant troll, would collapse from a single blow to the abdomen. As a side note, cleaning up the vomit from such a large creature was quite a task.

In the afternoon, I continued improving our living quarters. The preparations for the hot springs were also progressing smoothly. With the war between the elves and humans gradually nearing its end, I planned to execute a strategy using the human slaves soon.

Day Eighty-Seven

In the morning, I woke to the sound of someone calling my name. Rising from bed, I put on some shorts and stepped outside the room where the women were sleeping. There, I found a group of dwarves, who presented me with a war hammer made from a metal alloy of mithril, Spirit Stones, and steel. The hammer, adorned with intricate craftsmanship, was clearly made for practical use in battle.

The head blacksmith handed me the hammer. I tilted my head curiously and asked about it. The dwarves explained that it was customary among their kind to gift a handmade war hammer as a token of gratitude and friendship. The higher the quality of the hammer, the deeper the sentiment behind it. The one I received, being of exceptional quality, symbolized the highest level of their feelings.

Nodding in understanding, I accepted the gift with gratitude, even though I typically preferred polearms. I appreciated the gesture regardless.

As it happened, interacting with species like the dwarves, for whom I had yet to acquire language abilities, was somewhat challenging due to their unfamiliar phrases and expressions.

After morning training, I wandered alone through the forest. Now that there were no more enemies left to fight, a strange sense of loneliness crept into my heart. In the past, I had always needed to stay alert to my surroundings, but now, if I didn’t hide my presence, all creatures would flee from me anyway. Not much time had even passed since my birth, yet I already felt a nostalgic longing for those perilous days of the past.

After walking for several minutes, I arrived at the large tree where I had previously met the dryad. Although we had been communicating regularly via my clones, I came in person today for a specific purpose. As always, the dryad looked stunning. She immediately tried to charm me, but I focused first on the purpose of my visit: obtaining special seeds. Afterward, we spent some quality time together.

On my way back to our dwelling, I collected several materials the dryad had mentioned.

The night, as usual, was full of activities.

Among the human women we had captured, some had begun showing signs of pregnancy. I wondered whose child would be born first. It’s something to look forward to.

Day Eighty-Eight

To increase our self-sufficiency, we decided to start farming. Therefore, today’s training was limited to basic exercises, then everyone worked on clearing and leveling the land around our dwelling. We used seeds that the dryad had magically created for us, along with those collected from the forest.

The dryad’s seeds were supposedly far superior to natural ones. We also used Spirit Stones and other materials to further boost the growth, efficacy, and taste of the plants.

We had some people with agricultural job classes unlocked, including Redhead Shorty and a few former supply unit members, who guided the work. We all worked up a good sweat today. There’s something satisfying about good, old-fashioned, healthy labor.

Today’s Synthesis Results:

• [Scale-Armor Mobility] + [Dragon Armor Scale Refinement] = [Sturdy Dragon Scale Armor]

• [Blade Strike Enhancement] + [Piercing Power Enhancement] = [Slash and Pierce Enhancement]

• [Think Fast] + [Dual Processing] = [Dual High-Speed Processing]

Day Eighty-Nine

In the morning, a group of returnees, whose destinations weren’t too far away, set off after accumulating the necessary travel funds earlier than expected. While measures to prevent information leaks were in place, they had also been sworn to secrecy. Their future safety depended on their own sincerity.

After seeing them off, I selected thirty-six noblemen from among the human male slaves and sent them back to their respective homes. This wasn’t out of goodwill; they had been brainwashed using my doppelgangers and Dhami’s Enthralling Evil Eye. They would serve as “plants,” or spies, to gather information from within the Empire and the Kingdom.

The human army had retreated to the plains and was preparing for a full withdrawal, which presented an opportunity. Though I had no desire to antagonize either nation, my knowledge of this world was limited, and my connections were sparse. To safeguard against the failure of my primary plan, it would be prudent to take as many precautions as possible.

After completing our early-morning tasks, we proceeded with the usual training. By noon, the human army had fully withdrawn, and I confirmed that our spies had successfully merged with them. Then, I contacted the elven chieftain via communicator.

We exchanged the final details regarding the conclusion of our contract and the rewards. After some casual conversation, it was decided that I would participate in tonight’s Rutolf, a Banquet of Souls held in the elven village. This ritual is a ceremony conducted by the elves to mourn the dead and ensure their spirits don’t linger in this world as undead entities, such as ghosts.

In the evening, I entrusted the newcomers and my self-replicas with the defense of our base and headed to the elven village with some gifts. This time, I brought along the former elite elves with me… I didn’t want to be so cruel as to prevent them from attending the memorial for their acquaintances. Besides, with the Concealment ability altering their appearances, the risk of their identities being discovered was minimal.

When our group arrived at the village, the ritual had already begun. Ignoring the mixed emotions evident in the stares directed at us since our entry, I handed over several pieces of Bicorn Bull meat I had hunted to the elven chieftain, who greeted us at the venue.

It was also important to ensure the safety of Redhead Shorty and the others, who were curiously looking around. I’d had some reservations about bringing humans along, but I accepted their strong desire to join me. Of course, I left behind the Dull Iron Knight and the Lady Knight out of respect, given that they had previously clashed with the fallen elves.

After quickly exchanging greetings, I told everyone to mingle and dispersed our group, though only a few actually attempted to converse with the elves. Most of them gathered in one spot instead, enjoying the food among themselves.

Meanwhile, I felt quite pleased as the elf girl I knew from before poured me some elven wine. Toward the end of the banquet, the girl took the stage in front of the large bonfire in the center of the venue and danced to the band's music. Her wild yet delicate movements naturally drew the attention of the whole crowd, and soon, all other sounds faded, leaving only the melody of elven music.

Midway through the performance, numerous white orbs began to float around the dancing elf girl. As they touched the elves, some stifled sobs or even shed tears. Eventually, the orbs ascended into the night sky and vanished.

According to the elven chieftain, this signified that the souls of the departed, which had been lingering in this world, had returned to the heavens. Our hobgoblin shaman confirmed that the spirits of the elves had indeed departed, so it was likely true. I continued to offer silent prayers for the departed souls for a while.

Day Ninety

The mining operations led by Asue concluded with the discovery of two massive Spirit Stones. Not that we were stopping because we were bored or we’d finally secured a sufficient quantity of Spirit Stones, though—we were forced to stop because the number of Spirit Stones available for extraction had been depleted.

We had only been able to mine such a large variety of Spirit Stones in the first place due to Velvet’s dungeon, which was favored by the spirits. Even after Velvet’s demise, the dungeon’s administrator, Returner, had continued to attract spirits, resulting in an abundance of various types of Spirit Stones.

Returner had also passed away, and with her, the reason for spirits to visit the dungeon had vanished, so no new Spirit Stones were formed. Once the existing ones were mined, that was it.

Fortunately, we’ve already secured more than enough.

The benefits we’ve gained from Velvet’s blessing have been immense. Filled with gratitude, I offered a prayer for peace to the two enormous spirit stones. Afterward, of course, I consumed them.

The two Spirit Stones I consumed—the Light Spirit Stone and the Dark Spirit Stone—surpassed any Spirit Stones we had previously mined in terms of purity, size, and beauty. Though I found it a bit puzzling that I had gained a Gravity Manipulation ability from the Dark Spirit Stone, when I thought about black holes, it kind of made sense. And honestly, having a more defined term like “gravity” instead of the vague “darkness” made it easier to grasp, so I had no complaints.

Following this morning’s training, I checked the progress on the renovation of our dwelling. Then I prepared for our journey out of the forest. I had promised Redhead Shorty and a few of the others that I would eventually take them into a town, so I first needed to figure out their means of transportation.

I could have used our familiars, but I decided to use the tireless pawns at my disposal instead. First, I mass-produced Black Skeletons using Lower Undead Generation. Then, I disassembled them, gathered the black bones, and started constructing a vehicle using Bone Fusion.

After several hours of work, I managed to complete a centipede-like structure with a rectangular cargo bed on its back. I then coated the skeletal frame with the numerous slime duplicates I had created on the battlefield and implemented measures to protect it from sunlight, preventing the bones from evaporating.

By the time I finished, it was already late. After dinner, I called Redhead Shorty and the others for a meeting to discuss our departure. When they asked if this was just an excuse to kick them out, I explained that it was to honor my initial promise to take them to a town and promote our work. I told them they could decide later whether to stay with me.

We talked late into the night.

Day Ninety-One

The guest hot spring was completed, and the interior of the base was finally settled. Today, the group that decided to return home departed. Though their time with us was short, sharing meals together made the farewell somewhat melancholic, and many of our members saw them off.

With the departure of the returnees, our numbers significantly decreased, but it wasn’t a major issue; it merely returned us to our original state. Various tasks had to be completed before our big trip out of the forest, such as preserving food and conducting training.

Overall, it was a peaceful day, with not much happening.

Day Ninety-Two

Today, we explored the forest specifically to gather goods we could sell once outside. The forest is rich in materials, but it’s unclear which are valuable. We enlisted the help of four among us who had unlocked the Peddler job class, including the blacksmith, and collected as many saleable items as possible.

Apparently, common items like Yu Grass and Steel Needle Grass, which we used quite casually, were in demand. I appreciated having people around who were knowledgeable about this world.

Assisting the blacksmith was especially rewarding during moments like these.

Day Ninety-Three

After this morning's training, everyone gathered for a drinking party to strengthen camaraderie. Since we’d acquired so many new members in such a short period, there was still some awkwardness among the group. This party aimed to quickly bridge that gap. Fostering good relationships is always useful; it encourages mutual assistance on the battlefield.

Of course, drunken fights might have worsened relationships, but I wasn’t concerned. That would be a personal issue for individuals to resolve.

We served elven wine and some homemade alcohol crafted by the alchemist. The taste was akin to ordinary wine, with a decent aroma and a much-improved flavor, so it was quite satisfying. Naturally, it couldn’t compare to elven wine, but that was an unfair comparison.

The party went on until quite late. Halfway through, we held a dance competition, which helped break the ice and bring everyone closer.

Day Ninety-Four

Tomorrow, we’ll be splitting into five groups before venturing outside the forest. Our reasons for departing are varied: some of us want to enjoy different surroundings, and some need to gather information. The primary reason, however, is that the efficiency of gaining experience in this forest has significantly declined.

There’s no need to worry about other monsters taking over our base; some of our members will be staying behind. Each venturing group consists of exactly ten members, excluding familiars, so the total number varies depending on how many members bring familiars.

The members of each group were:

• First Group: Dhami, Redhead Shorty, and four other humans, three demon lords, and me.

• Second Group: Ogrekichi, Asue, one hobgoblin cleric, three humans, and four foot soldier kobolds.

• Third Group: Bloodsato, Spellsei, three elves, one human, three hobgoblins, and one hobgoblin cleric.

• Fourth Group: Two ogres, one hobgoblin mage, two weretigers, two dragonewts, and three humans.

• Fifth Group: Dodome, five ogres, two humans, one kobold underling, and one centaur.

We included humans in every group because they’re the most widespread species in this world, which will help us avoid unnecessary conflicts while also handling miscellaneous tasks. There wasn’t any real reason for including some of the newcomers in our group. If anything, that was a whim. But the designated individuals seemed to have misunderstood it as a formal entry test for the mercenary group, and I didn’t bother to correct them since they appeared to be taking it seriously.

Seiji, Ghulfu, the Dullahan, and the Lady Knight were part of the group that would be staying behind. I planned to quickly secure some mercenary work and take them outside at a later date.

Before all that, I had one final task for the day: inviting the elven chieftain and his entourage to the hot spring. The guest hot spring was located outside our main base, at a slightly distant spot that made it easier for visiting elves to access. It was also in a defensively advantageous location and equipped with minimal security features to ensure safety during baths.

The elven chieftain’s reaction was highly favorable. The elves soaked in the warm hot spring up to their shoulders, with towels on their heads, looking very pleased. I took the opportunity to ask them to spread the word among the elves. Of course, I also explained that there would be a fee and specific rules for bathing.

When the elves were through soaking, I served some light dishes. Thanks to the chef sisters, the goblins who had learned to cook prepared the meal. I thought it was quite delicious, and the elves also seemed satisfied, judging by the contented smiles on their faces.

The elves had also brought along a barrel of elven wine, so we naturally transitioned into a banquet. Luckily, we had our outdoor training ground, with space to set up a campfire and dance freely—music provided by me—which significantly enlivened the atmosphere.

The newcomers seemed to be gradually fitting in, and I noticed some of them dancing along. It was a good sign. As I observed my surroundings, I shared a drink with the elven chieftain.

It's great to have a drinking buddy, isn’t it?

Day Ninety-Five

Finally, the day of our departure arrived. We left behind numerous prepared Black Skeletons as a precaution, ensuring there would be no issues with defense. Various renovation projects were also planned to continue during my absence.

I intended to deepen our ties with the elves through the hot spring while also earning some profits at the same time, though the hot spring operation was really little more than a hobby.

In any case, all preparations were complete, including the finer details. Today, we were set to venture beyond the forest in earnest.

As we exited the forest, a windswept plain welcomed us, stirring up contemplation of the unknown world beyond. Our initial destination was the defensive city of Trient.

Side Story: The Lady Knight’s Tale: The Moon Sword and the Black Ogre

As the sun sank below the horizon, the Great Kudeln Forest transformed into a realm ruled by beings other than humans. Traveling through this forest at night was a suicidal endeavor, even for the mightiest of armies.

In fact, there were several documented instances of entire forces being annihilated before dawn: armies that had fallen prey to the monster hordes that roamed freely in the darkness. The beasts of the forest showed no mercy to intruders, launching relentless attacks. Many of these magical beasts grew more ferocious at night, making them an ever-present threat to humans.

Our unit, the Kingdom of Sternbelt’s Pegasus Cavalry Corps, had therefore set up camp in a slightly open area within the forest to rest. We remained vigilant, though. My subordinates took turns patrolling the perimeter, and we had erected a magical barrier around the camp—Ruby Ash Ray, the Border of Rejecting Flames, a third-tier Flame spell designed to repel monsters weaker than the caster.

The mage who had cast the barrier was a renowned adventurer and a close associate of my family. His prowess was well established. Unless the elven army attacked, multiple Hind Bears appeared simultaneously, or the Red Hind Bear known as the Mountain Lord approached, the barrier would not be breached.

Reassured by this protection, I—Therese E. Eckelmann—had removed my armor and set aside my magic estoc, Lune Vent. I had changed into a more comfortable outfit: black shorts and a gray sleeveless top, which had been developed and recommended by our kingdom’s esteemed Sage of the Otherworld. Indeed, it allowed for easy movement and provided a sense of comfort without any restrictive feeling.

Oddly enough, one of my male attendants had previously asked me to cover up, claiming that my bare thighs and shoulders were too stimulating. Why would he say such a thing? As I was wondering about the attendant’s meaning, the mage who had set up the barrier, Lord Weissly, entered the tent.

“Good work today, Lady Therese,” he said. “Your command was exemplary.”

“Thank you, Lord Weissly,” I replied with a nod.

“However, you seem a bit restless. If you’re too tense, you might falter when it matters most.”

“Perhaps. But to cure the princess’s illness, we must end this war quickly. I wish to shed as little blood as possible, not just of our own, but of the enemy as well. The more blood that is spilled, the greater the sorrow and the deeper the grudges and anger.”

I spoke while looking directly into Lord Weissly's eyes, whose rugged, resolute features exuded a sense of dependability. He met my gaze and smiled—a gentle, reassuring smile.

“You are kind, Lady Therese.”

“Killing does not seem kind to me, but… I will take that as a compliment.” I smiled, feeling my cheeks heat with a bit of embarrassment. Just then, my stomach growled loudly, catching me off guard.

Lord Weissly and I stared at each other for a moment, and I felt my face flush even more from the awkwardness. I began to sweat uncomfortably. I hurriedly tried to change the topic to cover my embarrassment.

“Speaking of which, I haven’t had supper yet,” I said hastily. “If you haven’t either, Lord Weissly, would you care to join me?”

“Heh heh… Yes, I would be honored to join you.”

At Lord Weissly’s restrained laughter and affirmative nod, I tried to hide my blush as I ordered the guards outside to bring our meal into the tent.

I am the commander of the Pegasus Cavalry Corps, but this is still a battlefield. Therefore, the food that arrived was not a selection of the lavish, spice-laden dishes we might enjoy in times of peace. Instead, it was a simple meal: a vegetable-rich soup, hard bread, smoked jerky from Jarlou cattle, and the tangy, addictive fruit of the Langdo tree.

Before starting on the meal, I sipped some tea to wet my lips and soothe my throat. Then I dipped the bread into the soup and took a bite. Perhaps it was because of my fatigue, but this simple fare seemed to nourish me more deeply than usual. I chewed thoroughly, savoring the flavors and appreciating the sustenance it provided.

The more I chewed, the more flavor seeped out from the bread. It was truly delicious, and my appetite only seemed to grow as I continued eating. I quickly finished the first piece of bread and immediately reached for a second. Noticing Lord Weissly’s amused gaze, I raised a questioning eyebrow.

“Lord Weissly, what do you find so amusing?”

“Nothing, nothing. It’s just that seeing the usually composed Lady Therese chowing down like this, I couldn’t help but be captivated.”

“To be captivated by someone eating… Lord Weissly, do you have peculiar tastes? I hadn’t realized.”

The words slipped out before I could stop them. And judging by the slightly troubled look on his face, my comment seemed to have missed the mark.

“No, it’s certainly not that.”

“Then, what is it?”

“Hmm. How should I put this? Given my position, being too direct might be inappropriate… but if I speak indirectly, I doubt it will get through. It seems that Lady Therese is not well-versed in such matters… This is quite a conundrum.”

As Lord Weissly laughed awkwardly and seemed to turn the issue over in his mind, I finished my second piece of bread. Though I intended to eat about eight more, it wouldn’t be right to continue eating while Lord Weissly, whom I had invited, hadn’t touched his meal yet. I was about to reluctantly urge him to start eating too when a sharp, shattering sound echoed around us.

It was a sound reminiscent of glass or a mirror breaking—crisp yet somehow ominous.

“Hm? What was that sound—”

“Impossible!”

Before I could finish voicing my question, Lord Weissly sprang to his feet, his face etched with unmistakable shock.

“W-What is it, Lord Weissly?”

“My barrier has been breached. I don’t know what’s coming, but it’s definitely an enemy. Quickly, don your armor.”

Just as Lord Weissly finished speaking, an explosive roar, presumably an enemy attack, shook the air. The ground and the tent shook violently from the impact, accompanied by the sounds of repeated crashes. Fortunately, the fabric of the tent had been woven from the threads of the Arachne, so it remained intact despite the force. However, outside was chaos.

I strained my ears to hear the shouts and screams rising in the night.

“Enemy attack! Enemy attack!!!”

“All units, prepare for battle! If you don’t want to die, move it!”

“It hurts! It hurts so bad!”

“My arm! My arm’s gone!!!”

“We’ve identified magical bombardments. The enemy has mages, and plenty of them! Any available magic users, do something to block those attacks, or we’ll all die!”

“Medic! Medic!!!”

“Enemy sighted! The enemy is a horde of undead! I repeat, the enemy is an undead horde!!!”

“Don’t bunch up too much! If we get too close together, we’ll be easy targets for magic! Spread out and coordinate!”

Hearing the commotion outside, I hurriedly put on my armor. As a magic item, my armor automatically adjusted to fit my body, allowing me to quickly gear up without help. It had been expensive, but worth every coin.

After ensuring my armor was perfectly secured, I grabbed my beloved magic sword, Lune Vent. The reassuring presence of Lune Vent in my hand calmed my heightened nerves. I then donned an enchanted cloak, crafted by my personal tailor, and grabbed a shield engraved with the emblem of a Pegasus, symbolizing our Pegasus Cavalry Corps.

Now fully equipped, I felt the supplemental effects of my gear boosting my strength beyond its usual limits. My body naturally adjusted, ready for combat.

As I finished my preparations, two familiar figures burst through the tent entrance behind me.

“Excuse the intrusion, Commander,” one said. “I have a report on the enemy attack.”

“The enemy consists of a massive horde of Black Skeletons! We’ve also spotted several hobgoblin mages. We suspect that there’s a high-ranking monster with a Blessing among them,” added the other.

Turning to face them, I issued my orders to my two deputies: Baen, a highly capable young male priest who had already become a bishop at the age of twenty-two, and Levias, a swordswoman clad in crimson armor.

“Annihilate the enemy,” I commanded. “Follow me. Lord Weissly, join us as well.”

“Of course. Let us achieve victory.”

“Naturally.”

I didn’t want to spill any more blood, whether of my allies or my enemies. That sentiment was genuine. However, if I did not take the lead now, many of my subordinates would perish—soldiers who had joined our forces to support their families, comrades who had trained and sweated alongside me. Therefore, I resolved to harden my heart and kill the enemy, to save my subordinates’ lives. I firmly embraced this resolve, without allowing any cracks to form.

Buoyed by this determination, we marched onto the battlefield, committed solely to victory. I was prepared to stain my hands with blood and do what was necessary for the sake of my subordinates and comrades.

Unfortunately, I did not yet know what awaited us outside the tent: an immensely formidable ogre, trained in the martial arts of the battlefield and possessing bizarre, extraordinary abilities, far beyond anything I had ever encountered.

※※※

The moonlight shone in the night sky, and crimson flames licked at the tents, providing just enough illumination for humans to fight. However, the enemy’s black coloration made it exceedingly difficult to see. The darkness cloaked them, making it difficult to see and detect any ambushes. Just the thought of hidden enemies added a psychological burden.

Combined with our accumulated fatigue, the idea that we might be facing only a small part of the enemy force threatened to dampen our fighting spirit. But I pushed these thoughts aside with sheer will. The individual strength of each Black Skeleton was extraordinary. Their skill with weapons was high, and they were incredibly physically tough, able to deflect weak attacks with ease. They were difficult to defeat.

One could often infer the level of a skeleton by observing the extent of the Soul Gear they wielded. Given that these skeletons were almost fully clad, it was clear they were at a significantly high level.

Why are there so many high-level monsters here at this moment? I wondered. But I had to keep moving forward. My position did not permit me to stand still on the battlefield.

Fortunately, the moon was out, allowing my magic sword Lune Vent to unleash its full potential, which was a significant relief in our current dire situation.

A skeleton charged at me from the front. In its hands was a massive double-edged axe, forged from wrought iron and adorned with gold. Despite the weight of such a powerful weapon, the skeleton swung it with ease, producing a sharp whooshing sound as it approached at high speed. Although skeletons appeared weak due to their lack of flesh, their movements were powered by magic, giving them unseen strength.

I knew I couldn’t block this attack. Lune Vent wasn’t built for raw strength, and even if I tried to block with my shield, the weight of the axe would surely crush me. Luckily, the skeleton wasn’t impossibly fast. I focused on delivering a swift, precise thrust before the axe could strike me. My intent to kill sharpened, and I channeled my strength into the tip of my sword.

The blade of Lune Vent glowed faintly red as I activated my combat art. It absorbed the moonlight’s magic, surrounding itself with a swirling silver vortex.

“Haaah!”

The Black Skeleton’s double-edged axe was forcibly redirected by the silver vortex enveloping Lune Vent, creating a chilling sound as it narrowly missed me and buried itself into the ground, leaving a deep scar. In contrast, my attack barely grazed the skeleton’s skull. I had aimed to pierce it through, but piercing attacks were not particularly effective against skeletons.

Nevertheless, this skeleton was already finished. The red light imbued in the blade infiltrated the skeleton, and in the next instant, a pattern of red roses spread across its entire body. The red roses were the hallmark of the unique combat art Sacred Rose Sanctuary, a technique that only those with the title of Temple Knight could wield. These roses carried the Holy attribute, which was fatal to most undead.

Completely covered in the red rose pattern, the Black Skeleton rapidly lost its internal power due to the additional Holy damage, causing its bones to scatter as their cohesion was disrupted. Smoke rose from the bones as they gradually dissolved into particles and disappeared. Before the last traces vanished, I kicked the remains toward another skeleton’s head, smashing it, while simultaneously crushing the head of a new attacker from the side with my shield.

“Baen!” I shouted. “How much longer until the wide-area purification spell is ready?”

“Just a bit more, please hold on—Commander, behind you!”

Responding instantly to Baen’s urgent tone, I spun around. What I saw was another Black Skeleton with a short spear aimed at me, its jawbone clattering as it advanced rapidly, crushing the ground beneath its feet. The skeleton was fast due to its light weight and closed in on me before I could evade or block, thrusting its spear straight at my head. Just as I thought I was about to be impaled, a red slash gleamed.

“Commander, you’re wide open in the back.”

The Black Skeleton’s head, arms, torso, and legs were meticulously and relentlessly sliced into fine pieces. Flames ignited the remains, reducing them to ashes in an instant.

“… Thank you, Levias.”

The one who had stopped the skeleton was my other vice commander, Levias. She held her beloved sword, which emitted flames and bore a faint trace of red light that still lingered from her combat art. Judging by the skeleton being diced into tiny pieces, she had likely used her Crimson Lotus Thousand Cuts technique to save me.

“It’s not like I can just let you die, Commander! Don’t worry about it!” Levias ducked her head in embarrassment. Behind her, a blue flame flickered briefly before extinguishing.

“You’re also wide open behind you.”

Lord Weissly stood behind Levias, instantly reducing the skeleton that had been approaching her to ashes with a flicker of blue fire. As he played with the azure flames in his palm, he wore a wry smile. This blue flame was proof of his exceptional mastery over magic, at a level that allowed him to manipulate mana more efficiently than ordinary mages, who could only produce red flames. Watching Lord Weissly handle this so effortlessly was reassuring.

“Whoa, hot! You’re too close, Lord Weissly!”

“Ha ha ha. It’s your own fault for letting your guard down on the battlefield.”

Lord Weissly shot a ball of blue flame from his hand, incinerating three more skeletons at once. As the azure explosion engulfed the area, I was both mesmerized by the beauty of the flames and overwhelmed by the intensity of the heat wave spreading around us. I couldn’t help but be impressed by him.

But despite being scorched by such flames, the enemies did not stop. The skeletons Lord Weissly burned were not the lightly armored lancer or mage types, but rather the heavily armored axe-wielding ones with thick, sturdy bones. As these unyielding skeletons advanced, Levias stepped in, slicing them to pieces. Having been burned, they were likely more brittle, making their ends surprisingly swift for skeletons that typically resisted both thrusts and slashes.

Though the enemies were strong, our mutual support allowed us to continue fighting. However, the overall outlook was gradually turning against us. While I managed to rally and direct the soldiers around us to hold the line, the sheer number and strength of the skeletons made it a daunting task. Even when we managed to defeat them, it took considerable time.

If Baen, our high-level cleric, could successfully cast his wide-area purification spell, we could neutralize or weaken all the skeletons within a fifty-meter radius. The spell had the potential to turn the tide of battle, giving us a crucial advantage.

I believed we had a chance. But reality proved to be far harsher and more unforgiving.

“WOOOOOAAAAHHHH!!”

The roar tore through the battlefield, causing me to gasp involuntarily.

“Wha—” Lord Weissly’s shock was palpable.

“Oh—” Baen’s concentration faltered.

“Eek!” Levias let out a small scream.

The roar resounded across the chaotic battlefield, filled with a mix of friends and foes. It was more than just a roar; it shook the ground and reverberated through our very cores, an attack in itself. It was akin to the howls used by powerful monsters like dragons or giants.

The deafening roar made me instinctively cover my ears as I turned toward its source. And there it was.

A black ogre, covered in red tattoos and with a silver left arm. It sat astride a Hind Bear, one of the strongest monsters in the forest, and exuded an aura of dominance over the Black Skeletons.

Among the demonic monsters, ogres were particularly renowned. They were known for their exceptional physical abilities, but they were typically simple-minded brutes who could only wield basic weapons like clubs. However, this particular ogre wielded a massive halberd, fitting for its enormous size. Its upper body was bare, and it wore only leather trousers, but the way it held the halberd indicated it was no amateur.

The sheer presence of this ogre convinced me it was an evolved form, and not a typical one. Unlike the dark-skinned Mine Ogres, for example, this one had truly black skin. This blackness suggested that it had received a Blessing from one of the lesser Gods serving the great deity of Terminus and Origin. And given the intensity of the color, it was likely a significant God, like the God of the Sea of Death or the God of the Underworld. That would explain the ogre’s control over the Black Skeletons.

It was an extremely formidable foe, but now I had a solution to the Black Skeleton army problem.

This black ogre was undoubtedly creating the skeletons; my intuition confirmed that the ogre was the source of all this trouble. Thus, the target was clear: eliminate the black ogre, and the skeletons would likely crumble—or at the very least weaken.

“We’re going to kill that black ogre. Baen, after casting the wide-area purification spell, provide continuous support spells focusing on defense and speed.”

“Understood, Commander. Leave it to me.”

“Lord Weissly, target the enemy’s openings with your magic. Levias, you and I will lead the charge and hold the front. Everyone else, follow us. We must strike swiftly and decisively.”

“Yes, Commander!” my subordinates responded in unison.

Leading my troops, I charged forward.

The skeletons stood in our way, brandishing their weapons to block our path to the black ogre. However, when Baen’s wide-area purification spell, Wave of Purification, washed over them, they either disintegrated into dust or slowed significantly. We used our momentum to smash through the weakened skeletons, pushing them aside as we closed in on the black ogre. Then we heard something unimaginable.

“Decent situational awareness. The magic you wield is of fine quality,” the black ogre said in fluent human language.

Usually, even the more intelligent mage-type ogres could only manage broken speech; their physical structure wasn’t suited for articulation. Yet the black ogre spoke as if it were human. Despite our shock, there was no stopping now. We charged forward.

Just then, Baen’s support magic enveloped us from behind, dramatically boosting our speed. My body felt light as a feather. Just by pushing off the ground, I moved as if flying. When I caught the surprised expression on the ogre’s face at our sudden acceleration, I saw my opportunity.

Aiming high for the heart of the black ogre, who was perched on the Hind Bear, I leaped, shattering the ground beneath me with the force of my jump. Combined with my powerful leap, the added lightness from the support magic propelled me forward with the speed of an arrow. The trajectory and velocity of my attack were perfect for striking at its heart. Just like when I’d dispatched the skeleton earlier, I imbued my blade with unwavering killing intent, causing it to glow red.

It was the strongest strike among my combat arts. Since the target was an ogre, the additional Holy damage from Sacred Rose Sanctuary wouldn’t be as effective as it was against the undead. It might cause some damage, but not enough to be fatal. Hence, I chose Sacred Altar Sanctuary, which dealt direct soul damage by imbuing the attack with the Light Spirit attribute.

If I could pierce its heart with this, even an ogre with formidable vitality would suffer a fatal wound.

Through all my training and battles, I had slain many ogres. Even if this black ogre was a variant blessed by the Gods, it shouldn’t differ too greatly. This strike, the one I tasked myself with, was meant to kill swiftly and surely.

A deadly slash sped through the air.

There was no way the enemy could react to my movement. Even if it could, my wind vortex would divert any counterattack to ensure I wouldn’t suffer a fatal blow. This strike would pierce its heart. I was certain of it.

Before I knew it, my body was airborne, soaring into the sky.

My mind struggled to catch up with the situation. I couldn’t comprehend what had just happened.

“Commander!”

The impact of my subordinate catching me as I fell snapped me back to reality. I looked back at the black Ogre, trying to understand what had just occurred. Then it dawned on me. I had been scooped up, lifted by the butt of the halberd, so quickly and gently that I hadn’t even felt pain.

Realizing this, a cold sweat broke out all over my body.

I hadn’t even seen the halberd move. Not even a shadow. If the black ogre had intended to, it could have killed me in that instant. Swatted me down like an insect.

So why am I still alive?

The answer came soon enough.

“Alright, I’ll capture you alive,” the ogre said. “You seem quite useful.”

The black ogre had been appraising me, determining whether I was worth keeping alive or if I was better off dead. I had attacked before it made up its mind, so it spared me for the time being.

Realizing this, a boiling anger welled up from deep within me.

I was born the daughter of a noble family, cherished and raised with care. It was true that my position as commander was, in part, due to my father’s influence as a high-ranking military official. But I had pride as a knight, as a warrior. I had worked tirelessly to fulfill my responsibilities and earn my place as a leader.

I couldn’t stand being looked down upon like that, as if I were an opponent who could be easily defeated. Yes, I was furious. That was why I glared back at the black ogre, matching its gaze with my own murderous intent on full display.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Ogre. I will cut you down.”

“Hmm, such spirit. You are indeed a fine woman,” the ogre said, placing a finger on its chin and smiling defiantly. Even that simple gesture carried an overwhelming sense of power. I could sense the ogre’s strength just by standing in front of it. And despite my rage, deep down, a part of me was genuinely looking forward to facing such a powerful opponent.

“My name is Therese E. Eckermann. I am a knight of the Kingdom of Sternbelt, fighting to save the First Princess, Stelvia. If you wish to take me, then prove your strength. If you can defeat me, do as you wish afterward. Even if my body is defiled, I’ll accept it as the result of the battle.”

“My name is Ogrou. I’m the leader of the mercenary group Parabellum. I’ll say this—if you don’t want to lose, come at me with everything you’ve got.”

“Of course. No more words are needed. Let’s settle this with our blades.”

“Indeed, let’s.”

Just after we wrapped up our introductions, like lightning, the halberd came down toward my head.

It was fast. Really fast. Far swifter than the Black Skeleton’s axe. I even saw a faint spray of water coming from the blade. There was definitely some trick with the axe head. Given the combination of water and axe head, it was highly likely to be a water blade. Attacks involving water were particularly difficult to defend against because they could change shape.

Even so, I judged that my wind vortex could handle it. But just as I was about to deflect the halberd’s strike, I realized something for the first time. My swirling vortex had disappeared without a trace.

Before I could think about why, I instinctively jumped to the side. Without the vortex, there was no way I could block that strike. I didn’t even have time to think about cushioning my fall, and I rolled clumsily on the ground.

My armor was dirtied by the earth. The exposed parts of my body were scraped by stones and the ground, causing blood to trickle out. However, the dirt and minor pain were nothing. They were a small price to pay for avoiding a strike that had deeply cleaved the ground.

“Good reaction. I want you even more now.”

“… You possess a strange power. It’s something other than the divine Blessing.”

Ignoring the ogre’s amused laughter, I couldn’t help but voice my suspicions. The ogre’s smile grew even wider, almost making me want to step back.

“Why do you think that?”

“Because you are not ordinary.”

The black ogre’s eyes fixed on me. Taking advantage of the distraction, Levias’s magic scimitar, Slicing Flame Trompf, silently swung from behind, aiming to slice through the black ogre’s side.

The timing of the surprise attack was perfect. The strike, imbued with a combat art, seemed poised to cut through the ogre’s flesh. But it didn’t. The halberd’s shaft, moving without the ogre stealing even a glance toward Levias, blocked the attack.

Even the flames entwining Trompf’s blade were inexplicably extinguished in an instant. It was as if something had effortlessly blown out the flames. The magic flames, which couldn’t be extinguished even in water, had been snuffed out. Startled by the incomprehensible situation, Levias tried to retreat but was struck harshly in the abdomen by the halberd’s butt end. Thankfully, her armor mitigated some of the damage, but a small hole was punched through, and blood began to flow. It seemed that the butt end of the halberd was sharp, designed to pierce.

The pain slowed Levias’s movements. The silver arm reached out toward her. She was about to be captured by the black ogre. Acutely aware of the danger, I moved instinctively.

I reabsorbed the moon’s magic power into Lune Vent, redeploying the spiral wind of the vortex. I aimed for the Hind Bear’s head, hoping that if I could disrupt its footing, it would create an opening.

Once again, my expectations were betrayed.

“Too naive.”

Suddenly, a spinning Water Sphere the size of my head appeared on the trajectory of my thrust. The intense whirlpool within the Water Sphere neutralized the vortex wrapping around my blade.

“Wha—”

What shocked me more than the blocked attack was the existence of the Water Sphere itself. This wasn’t magic. There was no trace of the magical waves typical of spells. It wasn’t any known magic. So what was this Water Sphere? Before I could even attempt to find the answer, the black ogre moved.

“Your aim was good, though.”

The black ogre gripped Levias’s torso with its silver arm and looked at me, its gaze now filled with clear intent. In that instant, fear consumed me. My body froze, unable to move. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from those piercing eyes that seemed to see right through me.

I felt certain I was going to be killed. Those were the eyes of a predator regarding its prey.

“Lance Phalanx of Blue Flames, Luid Farah Lux!”

Thirty spears of blue flame shot past me at high speed, all aimed for the black ogre. This powerful spell, Lance Phalanx of Blue Flames, could only be cast by someone like Lord Weissly, who held an advanced class like High Wizard.

The blue flame lances carried enough heat to incinerate an ogre on contact. The sheer heat of the lances caused the air around them to ripple, scorching my skin even at a distance. Such a powerful spell should easily have destroyed even an ogre variant, but—

“Too slow,” the black ogre muttered softly. I heard it clearly, being so close.

At the same time, the approaching blue flame lances flickered out one by one, leaving only cooling blue embers in their wake. Within three seconds, all thirty lances vanished without igniting anything. What remained was the unharmed Hind Bear and the black ogre.

Seeing this and recalling the ogre’s earlier words, I realized it had nullified the attack completely. But how? The question flashed through my mind.

“Lady Therese, retreat at once!” Lord Weissly’s angry shout reached me from behind. His words snapped me back to my surroundings.

It seemed that the black ogre had used both arms to fend off the blue flame lances, releasing Levias, who had already retreated for wound treatment. Now, I was the closest to the black ogre.

I quickly took a few steps back, preparing for a counterattack, but the black ogre gazed into the darkness and spoke.

“Hmm, that mage seems useful too. Ogrekichi, capture that whole group if possible.”

“… What are you saying?” I couldn’t help but let the words slip out.

“Hmm? Ah, I was just confirming our targets,” the black ogre replied, turning its gaze back to me.

“What the—”

Before I could finish my sentence, the bodies of several soldiers moving to surround the black ogre were instantly severed. An immense quantity of blood splattered onto the ground, spilling out from the vivisected torsos. Their guts spilled out and scattered, with the upper halves of their bodies violently spinning and tumbling to the ground. Moments later, the corpses burst into flames.

Reflexively turning to see what had happened, I saw the second ogre. This one’s skin was not black, but a reddish bronze, and it was even larger than the black ogre. It held a massive double-edged battle axe and a huge, sturdy-looking tower shield that covered three-quarters of its enormous body.

At a glance, it resembled a moving fortress. Adding to the menacing aura, it had a Hind Bear following it, making it appear nearly as dangerous as the black ogre.

“Ogrou, can I kill and eat them all?” the red-bronze ogre asked.

“Well, keep it reasonable. But go ahead,” Ogrou replied.

“Got it. I’ll capture the tough ones,” the other ogre responded. “The rest, I’ll eat.”

“Fine, now get going.”

With a nod, the red-bronze ogre and the Hind Bear rushed toward the soldiers fighting elsewhere. It moved fast. In an instant, it covered a thirty-meter distance as it swung its battle axe horizontally. Like weeds being cut down, the bodies of several nearby soldiers were sliced in half. Their bisected bodies, like the earlier ones, burst into flames.

No doubt about it, that battle axe was a magic item, and it had to be a high-ranking one.

Why does an ogre have something like that? I wondered as I turned my gaze back to the black ogre.

The red-bronze ogre was dangerous, but the black ogre was an even greater threat. As I cautiously adjusted my distance, I heard a voice near my ear. From its distinct resonance, I knew it was delivered via magic.

“Lady Therese, please buy us some time. I will use my trump card to kill the black ogre.”

“Understood. How much time do you need?”

“I know it’s a tall order, but about two minutes would be ideal. Also, if possible, I need you to deal with that silver arm. If you can, try to sever it. That thing is extremely problematic. It could cause my plan to fail.”

“I see. It’s certainly a difficult task, but I’ll do my best.”

“Please.”

Lord Weissly’s voice cut off, and I heard faint chanting from behind me. Simultaneously, I felt a surge of magical power. The tremendous speed at which it was being woven and the rapidly swelling energy indicated the magnitude of the spell being prepared. My mind flashed with the scale of the resulting magic that would be unleashed once the process was complete. This was likely a tier-four spell, capable of devastatingly powerful destruction that could pulverize even the sturdiest of fortresses.

Sensing this, the black ogre dismounted from its Hind Bear and began walking toward us. Its gaze was fixed on where Lord Weissly stood, and it clearly intended to disrupt his chanting. I had to stand in its way; I had to stop it.

“We will now protect Lord Weissly with all our might. Levias, you and your team attack from the left. You and you, from the right. The rest of you, from behind. I will engage from the front. Baen and his group will continuously cast support buffs on us and debuffs on the black ogre.”

“Understood. I’ll give it my all until my internal magic runs dry.”

“That bastard. I’ll definitely cut him down.”

“That’s the spirit!”

We coordinated our timing and launched our attack. Everything hinged on protecting Lord Weissly and buying him time, holding on to the possibility of killing the black ogre.

※※※

One minute had passed out of the promised two. And the price paid for that minute was steep.

There were those who had been sliced in half vertically by the water blade emitted from the halberd’s axe head, their entrails spilling out. Those impaled through the torso by the silver arm, their heads devoured. Some had been skewered on the ogre’s horn and crushed together with their comrades. Others were engulfed in sudden flames, reduced to ashes. And others pierced by lightning spears shooting from the halberd’s tip, their internal organs burned.

The bodies piled up, a grim testament to the sacrifice made just to delay the black ogre. The casualties, both severe and minor, were countless; the devastation wrought by the black ogre was enormous.

Now, I was the only one left standing before the black ogre.

Levias lay on the ground, covered in blood, her scimitar shattered. Baen, having overused his internal mana, had fainted from magical depletion. The other soldiers were also on the ground, groaning in pain. Despite this, the black ogre stood unscathed. All our attacks had been parried with unfamiliar movements and techniques.

“Your command was appropriate. The simultaneous attacks from all directions, targeting different areas, were difficult to handle. That’s why it’s taken this long. But now, it’s over,” the black ogre said matter-of-factly, without a hint of mockery, but rather with a strange tone of admiration.

“Why are you so strong?” I asked. Like Levias, I was not unscathed. My body was covered in numerous minor cuts, my dominant right arm bore a deep gash, and a small knife was embedded in my thigh. The knife had been thrown by the black ogre, retrieved from who knows where.

With Baen and the priests already down, there was no hope of recovery. I had no energy left to remove the knife and heal myself. Any attempt at healing would be met with an immediate attack from the black ogre anyway. My unit was effectively destroyed. The camp was now a chaotic mix of screams, roars, and the sounds of battle, and filled with the stench of blood. Those who had been killed were now being devoured, the loot taken, and the fleeing soldiers mercilessly cut down.

In just a few minutes, the appearance of the black and red-bronze ogres had completely turned the tide of battle. Overwhelmingly and utterly unreasonably.

“Why are you so strong?” I asked again, this time with an unconscious smile. Perhaps I smiled because it was the only way to keep my sanity.

“You feel that way because you’re weak. Your daily training is insufficient, relying only on flashy techniques like physical enhancement through levels and combat arts,” the black ogre replied.

“Our training? Insufficient? You’re saying those days of sweating, covered in dirt and blood, were wasted?” I retorted.

“Yes, they were wasted. It seems like you’ve spent your time in vain. Anyone who relies on laws created by others can’t be strong. If you want to be strong, understand the essence of the power you’ve gained and train until it becomes part of you,” the black ogre declared.

The black ogre’s words wiped the smile from my face, replacing it with an overwhelming surge of anger. If I didn’t get angry here, if I didn’t act now, it would mean denying all the days I’d spent trying to become stronger, denying everyone who had taught me, and denying all the feelings we’d built up together. I couldn’t stand the thought of them being dismissed, even if just by me.

Fueled by anger, strength, and willpower that had almost faded, surged back into me.

“Don’t say another word!” I screamed.

I yanked the knife from my thigh. Pain shot through me, dizzying and sharp. Blood spurted out; my vision blurred.

I ran. Pain pulsed through me with every step. My thigh muscle, half-severed, tore further, a sickening sound accompanying the sensation. My leg was losing feeling.

The crack in my femur, worsened by the strain, threatened to snap completely. The pain was excruciating, but I forced my body to move through sheer willpower. Even if my leg shattered, I had to keep going.

The silver blade of my magic sword, Lune Vent, and my pain-racked body were imbued with my murderous intent. The blade glowed red, and my body shone with a white light.

I combined my ultimate technique with the speed-boosting combat art Wind Ambush. Although I was far slower than my peak speed due to my injured thigh, the combat art still granted me the speed of the wind.

To keep up with my impossible speed, my thoughts accelerated too. My vision seemed to fly backward, centering on the black ogre poised with his halberd. Looking into those eyes again, the flames of hatred in mine blazed even hotter.

It wasn’t a simple desire to kill—it was a compulsion, a near-obsessive need to kill him. The ten meters between us vanished in less than a second.

I thrust Lune Vent. The blade, imbued with a red glow and wrapped in a spiral of silver wind, increased the power of my thrust exponentially. This was my ultimate attack, combining my sword’s ability and combat art—my strongest strike, in terms of both power and speed.

The black ogre casually caught Lune Vent with his silver arm, which had discarded the halberd. His large fingers sparked as they gripped the blade tightly. Seeing this, something inside me deflated rapidly. Yet my momentum didn’t entirely dissipate, and the tip of my sword managed to pierce the ogre’s thick chest muscles slightly.

Blood flowed. Red blood, just like ours, trickled out. It was a sign, proof that my attack had reached him. I felt a sense of relief. The Light Spirit, meant to attack his soul, didn’t kill him, but my attack had still landed.

“I’ll have to retract my earlier statement about it being futile,” he said. “What you’ve built has, at least, reached me.”

I forced my heavy, exhausted body to look up at the black ogre’s face. He was smiling. Despite his fearsome, savage appearance, there was a gentleness in that smile.

“Lady Therese, get down!” Lord Weissly’s voice cut through the space between the black ogre and me. The promised two minutes had passed. I’d forgotten about it somewhere along the way; there hadn’t been room in my mind for that.

I sensed the immense destructive magic coming from behind me. The sheer force of the magical wave was overwhelming. Lord Weissly had told me to get down. He had likely adjusted the magic to minimize the damage to me if I did. Normally, such precise control would be impossible, but for a High Wizard like Lord Weissly, it was certainly feasible.

However, I no longer had the strength or willpower to move. If I got caught in this, I might die. No, there was a ninety percent chance I would. Yet, for some reason, I found myself thinking that it was fine.

I didn’t understand it myself. I didn’t understand, but what filled my chest was not regret or remorse, just a sense of satisfaction. It was absurd. My precious subordinates had been killed, and now I was about to be killed too, yet all I felt was satisfied.

I looked at the black ogre, still gripping my magic sword, Lune Vent, with his silver arm. Words naturally came to my lips.

“How’s that, Monster? That wound is my gift to you. Remember it well.”

“Yes, I see it. And I accept it. That’s why I won’t let such a fascinating woman as you die.”

Before I could even wonder what he meant, the black ogre wrapped his thick arm around my waist. I didn’t understand what was happening, but the motion was familiar… it was like a dance. And despite our size difference, the movement felt strangely fitting.

As the black ogre spun me around, Lord Weissly’s magic approached from behind him. Finally, I could see what magic had been cast, even though most of it was obscured by the ogre’s large frame.

It was a dragon, with a long, thin body made of white flames, a mixed-type fifth-tier magic spell, White Flame Dragon. I realized this truly was an ace in the hole, and I nodded to myself.

White Flame Dragon was a synthesis magic combining the Flame Heat and Wind Dust attributes. It was said to be controllable at the caster’s will for a limited time. I had seen it once on a battlefield where my father had taken me, and I hadn’t forgotten the sight of a dragon of white flames mowing down a thousand enemy soldiers in seconds. Even as a child, I had felt a mix of respect and awe for that magic. And now, that very magic was coming straight at me.

The final scene of my life being this spectacular wasn’t a bad way to go. It was an honor to die by such a spell. The distance was too close to dodge. I was going to die along with the black ogre—

“What’s with that look of resignation? Do you really think you’re going to die?” The black ogre’s words snapped me back to reality.

“Huh?”

I must have looked dazed.

“I told you, didn’t I? I have no intention of letting you die. Sorry, but I’ve won this battle. Your life is now in my hands.”

The black ogre said this while turning his head to look behind him. In his arms, I could do nothing but go along with what was happening.

The white flame dragon did not stop. Lord Weissly must have determined that it was no longer possible to save me. Any remaining hesitation was gone, and the dragon came hurtling toward us at full speed. It was the right decision, I thought. If he had hesitated here, I wouldn’t have been able to help but despise Lord Weissly.

The immense heat of the dragon’s jaws, capable of annihilating even the black ogre, opened wide, ready to sink its fangs into him. The black ogre’s flesh would evaporate instantly, leaving no trace of bone behind. Naturally, I, too, would be obliterated. That would be the end.

Even as a subspecies, an ogre shouldn’t have been able to withstand such destruction. However, this black ogre kept exceeding my expectations.

I couldn’t comprehend what exactly he did at that moment, as I was merely watching in stunned silence. But the fact was, the White Flame Dragon, charging from behind the black ogre, vanished due to whatever the ogre’s attack was. To describe the scene in words would be impossible for me.

The black ogre had done something with his back turned that resulted in the explosion of the White Flame Dragon. The remnants of the flame scattered, painting my vision with its afterglow, accompanied by a thunderous roar like a dragon’s death throes.

Only three of us witnessed this: Lord Weissly, staggering from mana deficiency, Levias, who had raised her head, and me. However, I lost consciousness shortly after, so my memory of what followed is unclear. All I can say for certain is that the battle between the black ogre and me ended in his overwhelming victory.

※※※

Later, I learned from Ogrou that the technique used to defeat the White Flame Dragon was called Heavenly Mountain Lean—also known as Iron Mountain Lean—combined with several abilities, such as the end-series magic, Back Attack.

To explain in detail: First, he used the Hydrokinesis ability to create a layer of water around his body. Then, using Aeromaster, he formed a vacuum layer slightly away from the water membrane. On top of these dual defensive layers, he enhanced and activated the end-series third-level magic, All Shall Perish by My Darkness—a triangular prism shield—using the Attribute Echo ability from his silver arm.

These three layers served as both shield and spear, Ogrou explained. He then used Heavenly Mountain Lean, strengthened with abilities like Back Attack, to propel the three shields at high speed, smashing the white flame dragon head-on.

Truly, he is a monster. No, it’s more accurate to say he can only be described as such. His actions defy all common sense, and even as I recount them, it all seems like a joke.

Nonetheless, I lost. Thus, my body belongs to Ogrou as promised. A knight does not break their word. At least, that’s my code of chivalry. Therefore, I will serve him until my life ends.

I mean, I didn’t expect it to be so intense at first. In fact, it shocked me into stabbing Ogrou in the heart with a knife… but such an attack didn’t even faze him, and I’ve already been punished for it.

Now, I find myself not minding being with Ogrou. When I’m near him, when we talk, I realize he’s quite a decent guy. Watching him, I feel a warmth in my chest, a strange comfort that wasn’t there before.

The suffocation I felt as a noble seems to have eased without me even noticing. I tilted my head in puzzlement at this newfound feeling.

Author: Kanekiru Kogitsune

A resident of Shikoku, Kanekiru Kogitsune began posting fiction online in late 2009 and quickly gained a devoted following. Re:Monster marks his official debut in print.

Illustrator by Yamada

This novel is an edited and expanded version of a story originally serialized on the Japanese web fiction platform Let’s Become a Novelist

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A shorter traditional Japanese sword worn by the samurai in feudal Japan.

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