The gigantic figure loomed before me, its shadow stretching ominously across the cave’s entrance like a foreboding curtain. As I approached cautiously, the beast’s imposing form came into clearer view, and a sense of awe mixed with dread washed over me. Its scales, a blend of dark hues with an iridescent sheen, reflected the scant light that penetrated the cave’s depths. Each movement elicited a low, resonant growl that reverberated off the cavern walls, creating an eerie sound that echoed through my bones.
The creature’s size was staggering, its massive frame filling the cavern and dominating the very air around it. Its broad, powerful shoulders spanned what felt like the entire width of the cavern, emphasizing its sheer bulk and formidable stature.
***
Ogre (Kiiroi)
Level: 18
Title: Hit First, Talk Later
Description: Ogres are often depicted as large and brutish humanoid creatures. Typically, they’re characterized by their immense size, great strength, and often a lack of intelligence or cunning, though this can vary depending on the interpretation. Ogres are frequently portrayed as being dim-witted and prone to violence, but they can also be described as cunning and sometimes even capable of magic. Their favorite food is peaches—
***
Eh? Peaches? Is this guy just like me? I was dumbfounded, skimming the rest of the creature’s information.
—the actual fruit, dumbass!
“That bitch of a system!” I gritted my teeth in annoyance.
My gaze returned to the ogre. It was the first time I had encountered a Kiiroi creature with both a level and title assigned to it, and its level was more than twice my own. The gap was daunting; could I bring this creature down? The odds were heavily against me. One blow from that giant club would squash my body into a pancake, and the creature’s skin was likely tougher than a hobgoblin’s.
Assessing the situation with a quick glance, I realized I was in a dangerous position. The imposing ogre blocked the entrance to the cave where my essential supplies awaited. My heart raced as I considered my options, each moment ticking away with the ogre’s heavy footsteps reverberating through the cavern.
Without further delay, I formulated a risky plan. Drawing upon what little I knew of Kiiroi creatures, I recalled their notorious curiosity and hoped to exploit it. Perhaps, just perhaps, I could divert its attention long enough to slip past and retrieve my belongings.
Gathering all the charm and diplomacy I could muster, I called out in a warm, friendly tone, “Excuse me... Why are you in my cave?” The words hung in the air for a moment, met only by the gloomy silence that seemed to stretch endlessly. But before I could process the futility of my attempt, the ogre’s response was swift and brutal.
True to its title, the ogre swung its colossal club downward with thunderous force. Instinct propelled me into action—I dove to the side with split-second timing, narrowly evading the crushing blow that would surely have ended me. Energy surged through my movements as I rolled to my feet, scrambling for distance.
Summoning my sling, I began my attack. A barrage of kōkyū flew from my hands, each steel ball aimed at the creature’s formidable form. Yet, to my dismay, the ogre seemed unaffected, its thick, armored skin shrugging off the metallic assault like raindrops on stone. My heart sank with the comprehension that direct confrontation was futile against such overwhelming odds.
As I bolted toward the treeline, desperation fueled each stride while the ground trembled under the ogre’s thunderous pursuit. The thudding of its enormous footsteps echoed through the air, growing louder with every passing moment. Each stride felt futile against the relentless advance of the monstrous creature.
Glancing back in sheer terror, my heart sank at the sight of the ogre gaining ground rapidly. Its grotesque figure loomed closer, tearing through the dense foliage with unsettling determination. The safety of the forest ahead felt agonizingly distant, a mirage teasing my frantic escape.
Fear tightened its grip on my racing heart, urging me to push harder despite the burning ache in my lungs and the searing pain in my legs. Survival instinct took over, propelling me forward with every ounce of remaining strength. However, before I could summon the resolve, a chilling shadow enveloped me.
Turning abruptly, I was met with the sight of the ogre’s massive club hurtling toward me with deadly intent. The crude weapon arced through the air threateningly, a grim reminder of the imminent danger lurking just behind me.
This time, evasion was not an option. The club struck hard on my side, its brutal impact resonating through my entire body. Pain exploded in my ribs, a white-hot agony stealing my breath and blurring my vision. The sheer force of the blow sent me soaring through the air, utterly helpless and weightless.
An unattractive smile tugged at my lips. Here I am, flying without wings for the second time in my life.
As I hung in mid-air, time seemed to stretch into eternity. The realization hit me like a wave crashing over me—I was on the brink of failure in the tutorial phase, my dreams of advancing in the game about to shatter. All the efforts to level up, increase my stats, and accumulate rewards were about to come to a devastating halt. Ironically, it was a creature with a penchant for peaches that had ended my run.
The system alert blared in my vision, stark against the backdrop of impending doom.
Attention! Your HP is dangerously low! Please consume a Health Potion to prevent further drop! 5% remaining!
The robotic voice echoed in my ears, but its urgency felt distant and futile.
What’s the use? Even if I somehow recovered, the ogre would surely be upon me the instant I touched the ground, ready to deliver the final blow and end my journey with its brutal club. The memory of its deadly arc was etched vividly in my mind, and the thought of enduring another excruciating hit was unbearable.
HP Countdown:
5%
Well, it doesn’t seem that bad at all getting eliminated since I’ve lasted longer than I expected.
4%
3%
I wonder how the other players are faring? Would their levels be higher than mine?
2%
If I could see Mai’s face one more time, getting eliminated in this game would be worthwhile.
1%
I mean, her peaches.
0%
Not the actual fruit, by the way.
Aoi Player Akira Sakamoto has been eliminated. Transferring to the staging area.
There was a fleeting pause before—
SYSTEM FAILURE! SYSTEM FAILURE! SYSTEM FAILURE!
The heck is wrong now?
I stared at the screen, the edges of my vision blurring from the tension and exhilaration coursing through me. Just moments ago, I had been soaring through the air like a bird, thoughts racing about the culmination of my tutorial phase and the expected transition to the staging area. Now, inexplicably, I stood alone in the center of a forest clearing. The sun was beginning its descent in the sky, casting an amber hue across the treetops, signaling late afternoon.
The abrupt transition left me disoriented, my mind struggling to reconcile the rush of urgency from the chase with this sudden stillness. Questions swirled in my head, demanding answers that seemed elusive and beyond reach. How had I escaped the ogre’s deadly swing? Why was I here, alone and seemingly safe, when just moments ago my life had hung in the balance?
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