After the "Sword Master" job class was upgraded to the maximum level, Minori's speed advantage became obvious.Compared to the brutish ogres behind him, he was much faster—yet, in the chaotic jungle environment, the distance between them wasn't widening.
On the contrary—
The ogres were gaining.
—
"Tch... troublesome."
Hearing the crashing footsteps growing closer, Minori grimaced.
His strength exceeded that of a single ogre.However, one versus six was another matter entirely.If he allowed them to encircle him—he could easily die.
"My magic power is too low. Only 8 MP left..."He thought rapidly as he moved, dodging between thick trees in a weaving "S" pattern, trying to use the dense jungle to block their pursuit.
"I must save at least 5 MP for [Minor Heal]. Otherwise..."
The situation would become truly desperate.
BOOM!
A deafening crack echoed behind him.
Minori risked a glance over his shoulder—and his pupils shrank.
The two lead ogres had ripped up a tree, roots and all.
And then—
With a roar, they hurled it at him.
—
The world seemed to darken under the enormous falling shadow.
Without hesitation,Minori planted his legs, raised his iron sword in a double-handed block, and braced himself.
Bang!
The massive tree slammed into him with terrifying force.A deep, heavy thud rang out, vibrating through Minori's bones.
The impact forced him back, and the branches battered him mercilessly.
His already tattered cloak was shredded further, and shallow cuts opened across his face.
『HP: 109/113』
—
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
He barely kept his footing—
But the worst was yet to come.
Step, step, step—!
The other four ogres seized the moment and charged forward.
Minori spat out blood, his eyes sharpening into cold slits.
"Hah... The New World isn't nearly as 'gentle' as anime made it seem."
These ogres weren't mindless beasts.
They had set a trap using a goblin colony as bait, and now coordinated attacks using trees as weapons.
They might be crude,but they possessed battle instinct.
—
"Human, food!"
"Eat, human!!"
"Kill!"
Roaring wildly, the four ogres raised their crude wooden clubs overhead—dark yellow eyes filled with murderous greed.
—
"Quick Slash."
Minori's iron sword flashed as he unleashed a full-strength martial art.
The sword whistled through the air—
120% attack power compressed into a single brutal motion.
—
Click! Click! Click! Click!
The giant wooden clubs splintered and cracked.
Boom—!!
The broken weapons exploded outward.
But the impact was punishing.
Minori's palms split open from the force, blood spraying.
And worse—
The battered iron sword, unable to withstand the clash, shattered in his hands.
Bang!
The broken blade flew off into the underbrush.
Minori staggered backward, panting heavily.
His hands trembled, bleeding.
Yet—
One against four.
To emerge even half-alive against that was already a minor miracle.
Fortunately,the ogres wielded only makeshift wooden clubs torn from trees.If they had real weapons—even low-grade iron—he would have died already.
Ordinary human gear was ill-suited for creatures of their size unless enchanted to resize.Without it, their attacks, though powerful, were easier to survive.
Still—
The four ogres, enraged by the destruction of their weapons, roared even louder.
They cast aside their splintered clubs and lunged at Minori, fists swinging.
Minori gritted his teeth.
Reach.
An iron sword appeared in his hand, summoned from his Item Box.
"Ten!"
A cold countdown began in his mind.
"Nine!"
Huge fists, each the size of a small boulder, came crashing down.
Minori raised the sword to block.
Bang!
A shuddering impact.
He slid back half a step, then immediately sidestepped—narrowly dodging a second blow aimed at his ribs.
"Eight!" "Seven!"
Two more ogres came at him from opposite sides.
Minori narrowed his eyes—
Retreat!
He ducked backwards, avoiding a pincer strike.
At the same time, he swung his iron sword—
Targeting the outstretched arm of the nearest ogre.
Snap!
Bone and muscle split apart.
The ogre howled in agony, clutching his ruined arm.
"Six!"
But there was no time to celebrate.
Another ogre raised a massive foot, aiming a kick.
Minori twisted—
But the kick connected.
He caught it partially with his sword—
"Five!"
Only to see a second ogre's fist hurtling toward him.
Desperately, Minori snatched a second iron sword from his inventory with his free hand and raised it—
"Four!"
One sword blocked the kick.
The second sword blocked the punch.
But he couldn't defend against everything.
"Three!"
Bang!
A fist struck his right shoulder full force.
He flew backwards, crashing into a thick tree trunk.
Pain exploded across his body.
『HP: 71/113』
Blood spilled from his lips as he slid down the bark.
"Tch... it hurts..."
Minori grinned fiercely, teeth bloodstained.
But in his heart—
Relief.
The cooldown was over.
"Quick Slash" had a 10-second cooldown.
Martial arts like "Fourfold Light Slash" would weaken attacks over multiple hits—not suitable for the brutal single targets in front of him.
As for "Instant Reflection"—
It was defensive and almost useless under siege.
Thus—
Only Quick Slash could save him.
—
"RAAAAAH!"
The ogre Minori had wounded was limping toward him—
Still eager to kill.
Minori chuckled darkly, cold eyes glinting.
"Then die."
Bracing his body against the tree,he pushed off hard, iron sword gripped tightly in both hands.
He charged.
"Quick Slash!"
The world blurred.
The sword arced upward—
Pshhh!!
Green blood and shattered organs sprayed into the air.
The ogre was cleaved cleanly in half from pelvis to skull.
Bang! Bang!
The two halves hit the ground with wet, sickening thuds.
Organs spilled out.
『Experience gained: 310』Current EXP: 1581/5000
—
The other ogres froze.
Even their low intelligence couldn't mask the fear in their yellow eyes.
Minori wiped blood from his mouth and cast a cold glance at the three remaining ogres—and the two more approaching from behind.
Taking advantage of their hesitation—
He turned and vanished into the undergrowth, melting into the jungle's shadows.