Chapter 19: Danger, Third-Tier Magic - Lightning Strike

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The ground trembled as two ogres charged forward.

Captain Dosari, retreating swiftly, barked out orders to his team.

"Bask, Rand, you two block the one on the left and hold your ground! Conserve your strength, but keep it busy."

"Lerr, we're taking on the one on the right. Aim for the eyes and throat—those are its weak spots!"

"Understood, Captain!"

"No problem!"

Bask and Rand responded in unison, raising their shields and charging toward the left ogre.

"I'll cover you," Lerr said, pulling back his bowstring and aiming for the right ogre's eye.

Whoosh!

The arrow flew toward its target.

The right ogre instinctively raised its broad, rough hand to shield its face.

Thwack!

The arrow embedded itself in the ogre's palm but failed to penetrate it fully.

"Humans... food!"

The intense pain enraged the ogre, which roared furiously, pulled out the arrow, and threw it to the ground before charging at Lerr.

"Perfect," Captain Dosari muttered, noting the ogre's distraction. But his expression grew grim.

Despite Lerr's skill, his arrow couldn't pierce even the ogre's palm. It was a stark reminder of how thick and tough the creature's hide was.

Captain Dosari stopped retreating. His legs bent slightly, and he crossed his twin swords in front of him.

"Accelerate!"

A faint blue light enveloped his body as he launched himself forward at an incredible speed, closing the distance to the ogre in the blink of an eye.

In one fluid motion, his twin swords slashed downward, crossing in an "X" against the ogre's chest.

Slice! Slice!

Two deep gashes appeared on the ogre's chest, spilling blood.

However, for a creature of its massive size, the wounds, though severe, weren't life-threatening.

"RAWR!"

The ogre bellowed in agony and swung a massive fist down at Captain Dosari.

Thud!

Dosari barely managed to raise his swords to block the blow aimed at his head, but the sheer force of the strike reverberated down the blades, numbing his arms and almost causing him to drop his weapons.

At this critical moment, Lerr's steady voice cut through the chaos.

"Double Shot!"

Two arrows whistled through the air, finding their mark.

The ogre, about to capitalize on its momentum, suddenly froze as both arrows struck its eyes.

"RAWR!"

It shrieked in pain, staggering and clutching its face as it fell to the ground, thrashing violently.

Captain Dosari quickly distanced himself from the blinded ogre, exhaling in relief.

"Thanks, Lerr."

"No time for thanks, Captain. While it's down, we need to finish it off!" Lerr said urgently, drawing another arrow.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the battlefield, Bask and Rand were locked in a grueling struggle against the other ogre. Despite their best efforts to exploit its weak points, their attacks barely seemed to faze the hulking creature.

"Rand, I'm struggling here! Its hide's too tough—how is it still alive even after a hit to the eye?" Bask shouted, his voice tinged with frustration.

Observing from a safe distance, Lyle calmly assessed the situation.

"The disparity between humans and subhumans is really stark," he mused.

Unlike the ogre species with "Rapid Regeneration" traits, these ogres simply had unnaturally tough hides and brute strength. In games, such attributes could be ignored or bypassed. But here in this world, where their physical size and raw power were amplified, even skilled adventurers were struggling to hold their own.

"Without the advantages of the system mechanics, humans here are far weaker. It's no wonder humanity was on the brink of extinction before players arrived," Lyle thought, watching as Captain Dosari launched another assault.

Dosari steadied himself, shaking off the lingering numbness in his arms. Locking his gaze on the fallen ogre, he moved in for the kill.

With precise aim, he drove his sword into the ogre's heart.

Squelch!

Dark, greenish-red blood gushed out as the ogre convulsed violently. Its thrashing slowed, and its limbs finally fell limp.

Relieved, the adventurers took a collective breath.

"Captain!" Lerr called out, his eyes darting toward Bask and Rand.

Dosari withdrew his blade and prepared to assist his comrades when—

ROAR!

The supposedly dead ogre suddenly jerked back to life. With a ferocious cry, it reached out and grabbed Dosari's leg.

"Captain, move!" Lerr shouted, panic overtaking his calm demeanor.

Caught off guard, Dosari hesitated for a moment too long. The ogre's massive hand clamped down on his ankle, the bone snapping audibly under the immense pressure.

CRACK!

"ARGHH!"

Dosari cried out in pain, his face contorted in agony.

The sudden turn of events left Bask and Rand momentarily stunned. Their rhythm broke, leaving them exposed.

The ogre they were battling seized the opportunity.

Thud!

Bask was sent flying by a devastating blow.

Rand, now alone, struggled to defend himself as the ogre pressed its advantage.

Amidst the chaos, Lerr loosed another arrow to support Rand, but the ogre, learning from its fallen comrade, shielded its face with one hand while continuing its relentless assault.

"Dammit, Rand's going to collapse!" Lerr cursed under his breath, his frustration mounting.

Inside a nearby carriage, Nfirea's face went pale as she watched the desperate scene unfold.

"Grandma, we have to help them!" she pleaded, turning to her stoic grandmother, Lizzie.

"Pathetic. They dream of reaching 'Gold-Rank,' yet can't even handle this," Lizzie said flatly. Her words were harsh, but her expression softened slightly as she raised a hand.

Blue-white energy crackled at her fingertips.

"Lightning Strike."

A blinding bolt of lightning surged forth, cleaving through the air.

The energy first severed the arm of the ogre clutching Dosari, forcing it to release its grip. Without pausing, the bolt arced toward the second ogre, striking its chest.

BOOM!

When the light faded, a smoking, charred hole was visible where the second ogre's heart had been.

Both creatures collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

The battlefield fell silent, save for the adventurers' labored breathing.

Lizzie lowered her hand, her expression unchanged.

"Let this be a lesson. If you aspire for greatness, you must be prepared to face death," she said coldly.

Nfirea glanced nervously between her grandmother and the wounded adventurers, conflicted.