Chapter 4: The Mushroom King

The cave was unusually still the next morning, save for the low snores and guttural grumbles of the adult ogres sprawled across the rocky floor. The air was damp and heavy, laced with the lingering smell of decaying meat and wet stone—a scent that clung stubbornly to everything, including me.

In a tiny puddle close to the cave wall, I saw a glimpse of myself. The image was clear, but my reflection wavered. Yesterday's fight with Grumpy had left me with minor bruises and smudges of dirt which made my green skin a little darker.

My stubby limbs were still clearly undersized compared to the other ogre babies, but my light pink eyes gleamed with an intensity that hadn't been there before. Tiny tusks jutted out from my lower jaw, barely noticeable but sharp enough to make biting a viable last resort.

A tattered strip of cloth wrapped around my torso served as both clothing and protection, though it did little against the cave's cold air.

It sort of looks like the clothings of the goblin's in that one slime show.

My stubby fingers, clutching the glowing Relic, trembled—not from fear, but from a surge of restless energy. Yesterday's victory had ignited something in me. For the first time, I felt like I had a shot at surviving in this world.

Something inside me was triggered by yesterday's victory. I felt like I had a chance to live in this world for the first time. Grumpy sulked in a corner, still nursing the big lump on his forehead. Although sometimes, with a mixture of terror and brewing wrath, his little, beady eyes would shoot toward me. Which I replied with a sneer.

The few tusks in my mouth gave my sneer a rather savage appearance.

"Time to find something stronger than rocks," I muttered, gripping the Relic tighter as I waddled toward the cave entrance.

My hands tightened around the Relic, I mumbled, "Time to find something stronger than rocks," and waddled toward the cave entrance.

---

Outside, the forest was alive with sound, including distant bird calls, chirping insects, and the slight rustling of leaves as the wind blew through the trees around me.

The forest floor was painted green and gold by the rays of sunlight that pierced the trees. The surroundings were both captivating and threatening.

Like my old man's hands, the bark of the trees were wrinkled and twisted when it rose towards the sky.

Moss and ferns covered the ground, their softness concealing hidden risks as well as dangerous roots.

My ears twitched at every sound, and every shadow seemed to beat with invisible life.

This place is really peaceful...If this were back in my world, it would've been the famous for being the perfect picnic spot...(─▽─)

Anyway despite the dangers of the forest, I still pressed on. My small feet squished into the damp earth with each step, and the Relic pulsed faintly in my hand, its glow an oddly comforting beacon.

I really need to put this relic into something.

It wasn't long though before a peculiar smell caught my attention—sweet, earthy, and almost intoxicating. My stomach growled in response. Following the scent, I stumbled into a clearing bathed in soft, golden light.

And there they were: the Glowshrooms.

They were unlike anything I'd seen before. Towering stalks, easily twice my height, swayed gently despite the still air. Their caps shimmered with a faint glow, and the mist surrounding them carried the sweet aroma that had drawn me in. The sight was mesmerizing, and for a moment, I forgot all about the dangers of the forest.

With only one thing in mind being 'Hungry~ wanna eat~' I walked forward.

But as I reached for the nearest stalk, the ground beneath me trembled.

A guttural growl, deep and resonant, sent a chill racing down my spine. From the shadows of the clearing emerged a massive figure.

What came out was... A Mushroom King?!

The heck?! Those actually exist?

The creature was monstrous—standing over three meters tall, with a bulbous, glowing cap for a head and a body covered in thick, spongy fungus. Its glowing yellow eyes locked onto me, unblinking and full of malice. A wooden club, gnarled and massive, rested in its oversized hands.

It actually looks kind of hilarous, pft (*^▽^*)

[SYSTEM MESSAGE]

Boss Monster Encountered: The Mushroom King.

Fuck.

My heart dropped. I was no hero. I was barely an ogre, let alone one capable of taking down a boss monster.

My voice was weak and squeaky in comparison to the creature's guttural snarl.

"Uh, maybe we can talk about this? Good mushroom?" I muttered.

Okay, it didn't like that!

With a horrifying stroke of its club, the Mushroom King yelled and sprang at me. The club smashed into the ground where I had been standing just a few seconds before, and I barely managed to avoid it.

I staggered back, holding on to the Relic like a lifeline as dirt and debris sprayed everywhere.

"Okay, Plan B it is!"

I grabbed a nearby rock and used Stone Toss. As it traveled through the air, the bright missile hit the Mushroom King in the eye.

[SYSTEM MESSAGE] Critical Hit! Inflicted Stun (3 Seconds).

The boss staggered, roaring in pain.

Fueled by adrenaline, I grabbed another rock and hurled it with everything I had. The second hit wasn't as clean, but it still did some damage. The creature roared again, its glowing eyes narrowing in fury.

My attacks were working, but they weren't enough. The Mushroom King shook off the stun and charged again, its massive footsteps making the ground tremble.

Desperation gripped me as I dodged another swing. My eyes darted to the glowing mushrooms around us. Maybe they held the key to defeating this monstrosity.

I ripped off a piece of a Glowshroom's cap and shoved it into my mouth.

[SYSTEM MESSAGE]

Glowshroom Consumed. Temporary Buff: Enhanced Stamina (5 Minutes).

Energy coursed through me, sharper and hotter than anything I'd ever felt. My tiny body moved faster, my reflexes sharper. I darted around the clearing, dodging the Mushroom King's relentless attacks while pelting it with glowing stones.

But it wasn't enough.

With a roar, the boss slammed its club into the ground, sending a shockwave that knocked me off my feet. The Relic slipped from my grasp, rolling just out of reach.

Groaning, I scrambled to my feet, panic rising. The Mushroom King loomed over me, its club raised for a final, crushing blow.

"Not today," I growled, grabbing another piece of Glowshroom.

[SYSTEM MESSAGE]

Glowshroom Overconsumed. Side Effect: Hallucinations Imminent.

The world blurred and twisted, the glowing mushrooms pulsing like living creatures. My head spun, but I felt an overwhelming surge of power.

Grabbing the Relic, I poured everything into one final Stone Toss. The projectile flew faster and brighter than ever, striking the Mushroom King square in the chest.

For a moment, the clearing fell silent. Then, with a guttural roar, the boss toppled backward, its massive body crashing to the ground.