Chapter 34: Interrupted Part 2

Looking at the troll that had just reattached his arm like it was nothing taunt him. Azar’s expression changed, it wasn’t a pleasant one as he realized he had gotten in way over his head when his anger had suddenly subsided a little. This was why humanoid monsters were so hard to deal with. Even without being magic beast they possessed a certain level of intelligence that made them harder to fight. Although magic beasts possessed intelligence that could sometimes surpass humanoid creatures, the latter could use weapons armors and artifacts that would factor in their fighting prowess, humanoid monsters could sometimes even employ battle tactics and strategies.

Trolls were generally known as dimwitted creatures whose only known quality was their strength and regeneration racial ability. However, this didn’t completely apply to all trolls as they could adapt to harsh conditions and develop various other traits over time. From what Azar could see these were not ordinary Tier 3 trolls but they were Gray trolls, serving under a strong undead creature they were stronger that regular trolls and had a lot more energy than usual.

There were ten trolls standing before him and even though they were weaker than him individually, with the help of their regeneration ability and battle instincts, and the combined factors of their numbers he was at a huge disadvantage. Azar turned his head around and saw both Albert and Tyler staring at him or perhaps they were just staring at the battlefield. He had acted too rashly and had gotten them involved in a battle that would delay them from their objective without even asking for permission.

He knew fully well that were in a hurry and yet, he still let anger control him, what kind of chief does that. Azar gritted his teeth. He needed to end this himself and fast, he didn’t want his saviors to get upset, deciding to leave them behind. That would be the same as him sentencing his people to death. “Skills: °Ogre’s Strength°, °Higher Dexterity,° °Critical Strikes° and °Burst Impact.°”

Activating four skills at once an orange aura enveloped his sword and his arm and leg muscles budged. He disregarded the taunts of the trolls, sending strength to his legs he bent his knees slightly and jumped. With a burst he slammed into one of the trolls in front of him, the impact sending the others around him tumbling back. Azar wasn’t going to make the same mistake again. His blade had pierced the shoulders of the troll beneath him so he quickly pulled his sword out and swung it at the head of the troll.

*BOOM!

A huge boulder that seem to come out of nowhere slammed into Azar before he could finish off the troll beneath him. Although he had reacted quickly and had managed to block it with his sword, even with Ogre’s Strength activated he still wasn’t prepared for that much Force. The attack sent him flying back as he slammed into one of the carriages. At this point no one could hold back any longer. They couldn’t watch their chief lose without doing anything about it and they couldn’t afford to waste any more time.

Thwish…

An arrow let loose from the jaws of a crossbow from the cloacked Gail and pierced the right arm of a troll that was about to attack the red scaly creatures. Jarret and the others then ran forward and engaged in combat. To be honest they were all frustrated about the battle in the towns gate and were acting purely on emotions. Albert intercepted another boulder that was aimed at them, he was a noble demon so keeping his emotions in check was easy for him.

All the ogres and beastmen went into formation and they tried to keep the trolls at bay. Even without any discussions, or any opportunity to make a functioning plan they moved in fluid motions and fought in almost perfect sync that showed their experience.

They were already used to this as they had encountered several monsters in this journey already. However, Although these trolls were just Tier 3 at most, they felt more powerful than the Tier 5 lesser basilisks they had just fought against. Most of the ogres and beastmen hadn’t even fully recovered their stamina and Mana from the last battle that happened just yesterday not even factoring the minor fights against the weak monsters they had encountered on this trip and yet, they were locked in another intense brawl.

The tiny red scaly creatures and the winged scaly one were proving useful as they fought in a way that provided support to those that needed it. They used various traps that appeared out of nowhere alongside creating pits and sinkholes on the right locations in battlefield before ganging up on any foolish troll that fell in it. Azar managed to join the fray after being healed by Erin who was conserving her Mana and couldn’t join the fight.

The only ones not participating in the battle right now was Tyler and Liz who just watched from the side. Tyler seemed to be staring deep into the forest with a serious expression and Liz provided support from the side when she saw an opportunity. The previously smiling trolls no longer smiled when they saw their numbers dwindling. Their bloods boiled with excitement as their battle instincts kicked in. They sung their weapons wildly at the enemies around them, they had no offensive skills or abilities but their strength was enough to push the group back.

Still, they were unable to kill off any of their preys as the ones with shields attracted their attention and were somehow able to withstand their attacks even after taking steps back. In the end they were the ones still losing numbers. There were only around six of them left as thanks to the scaly creatures traps the ogres were able to finish off four of the trolls before their regeneration had the time to kick in.

The remaining trolls had finally adapted to the addition of the ogres on the battlefield and the battle had suddenly gotten harder for them with the trolls accurately able to avoid the traps and launch adequate and accurate counter-attacks sometimes ignoring the provoke skill of the tanks. Some of the red scaly creatures had died in just the few seconds the trolls had taken the battle seriously.

Albert couldn’t afford to lose another person so he quickly got serious as well. The trolls were large and had long arms that gave them and incredible reach with the addition of their weapons so they were able to take on multiple enemies at a time and were sneering the entire time. They didn’t seem to think there was a possibility for them to lose and kept swinging their weapons wildly.

Albert used a secret Technique “Shadow step.” He then sashed at one of the trolls in front of him, swiftly avoiding a vertical club Strikes by twisting his body in the air, followed closely by a black shadow. He followed the Technique with another one. 24 Twin Strikes.

Twenty four evenly spit attacks of silvery light and black aura descended on the troll who was still in midst of it’s attack and was unable to perform an evasive maneuver or even simply blocking the attack. The troll was split into 24 cleanly cut pieces reducing their numbers to five. Azar not wanting to lag behind stepped forward, he carried his massive great sword and even though he was considered an half giant amongst the ogres he was still way smaller than the trolls.

With their massive spiked clubs and long arms their reach surpassed Azar as well. However, he wouldn’t let them move again. Azar stepped forward, with most of his skills still active aside from Burst impact. His movements was almost as swift as the wind. And then, faster than that, he swung the great sword in his hand. The blade left a orange afterimage in its wake as it cleaved through the air.

This stroke was an outstanding one, bearing the full might of the ogre chieftain as it clever the troll in half leaving behind only four more. Azar was panting heavily from how much energy he had put into that attack. He turned to look at Albert who now faced a different troll alongside the other ogres, beastmen and the red scaly creatures that provided support.

He hated to say it, but this was harder than the battle against the lesser basilisks with the trolls incredible regeneration turning the tides against them. They had to use their most powerful skills and Techniques just to take one down before it regenerated. The fight continued and they managed to take down another troll but now most of them no longer had any stamina to keep this up.

Azar thought long and hard about this. The last time he used this ability he had almost died and had ended up not doing much to change the outcome of the battle. Moreover his life force hadn’t recovered yet and he would only be able to maintain °Thunder Rampage° for a few seconds. Turning his head to look at Tyler who didn’t seem to have any intentions of joining the battle and he couldn’t bring himself to ask for anymore help.

Gritting his teeth Azar was about to activate °Thunder Rampage° when he suddenly felt something, turning his head he saw something almost upon him. It was a massive Hamaxe, larger than his great sword and was engulfed in pale grey mist as it spined and speed towards him. The speed of the weapon was so great that even just turning his head to look had already made it too late to dodge.

Azar was also in the midst of using a berserk skill and was in no position to even raise his blade and attempt a block or parry. Azar’s heart tighten, while he wasn’t scared of death, he knew full well that dying here would be a massive blow to the remnants of the red ogre settlement. His heart tighten and just as pain, frustration and despair were about to have their way with him, he felt a tug on his shoulder and before he knew it his feet were off the ground.

Azar was then flung backwards in such a startling motion that he lost the grip of his weapon. He strained his eyes in the air to see what had just happened only to see the young man in a white shirt and black pants standing in his previous location as he caught his two handed great sword with a single hand like it weighed nothing and swung it casually. Azar slammed into the carriage behind him with less force than he expected and immediately tried to stand up.

The massive Hamaxe was deflected by his large great sword and Azar finally noticed it’s origin as a black chain was attached to it and had dragged it back. By the entrance of the forest stood over 10 trolls alongside a massive troll that had the chain wrapped around it’s right arm. It was more than 5 inches taller than the other trolls and had a darker skin tone that was almost black. It wore armor sparingly across its body and wore an helmet made out of the skull of an unknown beast that even in death radiated a bloody aura.

Tyler tilted his head and looked at this massive monster that had just appeared out of thin air as it tugged on his chain and his Hamaxe flew back into its grip. ‘Mmm… I guess i was right about being watched this time… Huh, perhaps i was right back at the town as well and someone was actually watching me. Geez Ty that’s a rookie mistake, Shit. I should learn something like Magic sense when i get the chance.” Tyler lampooned as he realized that someone might’ve been watching the town.