Chapter 43: Cash Out Big time From a Generous System!
Chapter 43
"You know, when I decided to join the team for the gate raid, I didn’t freaking sign up for this!" Zen roared in anger as he suddenly found himself surrounded by four massive ogres.
Their foul breath reeked of rotting meat, their tusked mouths curling into snarls as, almost in perfect sync, they bolted toward him like predators closing in on prey.
"Crap." Zen muttered shakily, forcing himself to steady his breathing as his eyes flicked from one hulking beast to the next. He kept his stance low, dagger gripped tightly, waiting—baiting for the exact moment they would attack.
It didn’t take long. One of the ogres lunged first, swinging its spiked club with terrifying force. The wind whistled as the weapon cut through the air.
But strangely enough, Zen’s body reacted faster. He darted backward in a quick leap, the club missing him by inches as it slammed into the ground, cracking stone.
’Huh? Why did it feel like the beast was moving slower? Wait... don’t tell me it’s working?’ Zen thought, a glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes. He flicked a glance at his system screen.
{AGI: 20 (5)}
’That’s the dagger’s advantage. When equipped, I get +5 agility... just enough to outrun death itself.’ His lips curled into a strained smirk. The thought barely lingered before another shadow loomed over him.
The dull sound of death came rushing for him again.
Zen snapped his head up—too late. He raised his dagger instinctively in front of his chest.
BANG!
The club connected. The force tore through his guard. His teeth clenched as his body was thrown backward, boots dragging lines across the dirt. He spat a mouthful of blood.
{-2 HP}
{38/40 HP left}
"Fuck..." he hissed, twisting his head from side to side, trying to anticipate the next strike. His muscles burned, but his grip on the dagger only tightened.
The next wave came instantly. Two ogres lunged from his left and right while the other two pressed in from the front. A coordinated onslaught.
"Give me a break, damn it!" he cursed under his breath. He launched himself backward, narrowly dodging the pair on his flanks, then pivoted sideways just in time to evade the two in front.
But the monsters weren’t dumb. As if reading his mind, one of them twisted mid-motion, its club spinning in a wide arc straight for his face.
Zen’s eyes widened. Too fast.
CRACK!
The spiked weapon smashed into him with bone-jarring force. His body was hurled across the battlefield, tumbling violently as blood sprayed from his face, the spikes leaving jagged cuts across his cheek and temple.
{-5 HP}
{33/40 HP left}
"Sh...shit..." Zen coughed, blood dripping from his lips as he struggled to rise. His body barely left the ground before another impact came.
A gust of wind slammed his skin, then—
THUD!
A massive ogre’s kick landed squarely on his face. His body flew several feet, crashing hard against the ground. Stars exploded in his vision.
{-5 HP}
{28/40 HP left}
’I...I need to do something... otherwise I’ll die here. I can’t die. Not now! Not when I’ve barely started climbing! Come on brain, think! Think!’ Zen roared inside his own mind, panic gnawing at his resolve.
GROOOWL!
The guttural roar vibrated the ground beneath him. Zen’s head snapped upward just in time to see a club descending straight for his skull.
’No! Not now!’ His instincts screamed as he rolled aside at the very last second. The weapon smashed into the earth, sending dirt and stone flying into the air.
The ogre stumbled forward, off-balance from the missed swing. Its flank was wide open.
"My chance." Zen growled. His legs coiled, and he darted forward like lightning. His dagger slashed through the air, gleaming with murderous intent as it drove straight toward the creature’s exposed ribs.
But before the blade could connect—
GROOOWL!
Another roar. Zen’s blood froze. He spun on instinct, just in time to see the massive silhouette of another ogre behind him. Its club was already mid-swing, the air itself trembling from the sheer weight of the blow.
He could feel it—this wasn’t just an attack. This was a kill shot.
"Shit!"
Zen ducked low, throwing himself forward. The massive club sliced the air right above his head with a deafening whoosh. The sheer force of the swing made his ears ring.
But then...
BANG!
Another club from behind smashed into his back, sending him tumbling forward. His shirt tore apart from the force of the metal spikes, and his face slammed into the ground with a sickening thud. Blood dripped steadily down his back and across his face, staining the dirt beneath him.
{-3 HP}
{25/40 HP left}
’Damn it! How do I beat these damned beasts?! What can I even do right now? I wish I had some skills... anything at all.’ Zen thought frantically as he pushed himself up with trembling arms, his eyes darting toward the four beasts slowly circling him.
Their monstrous grins and the glint in their eyes told him they were savoring the moment, like predators playing with their prey.
’Skills? Wait... I do have one. But will it even help in this situation?’ Zen clenched his teeth as doubt gnawed at him. The hesitation was cut short when two of the ogres suddenly lunged forward, the ground quaking beneath their heavy steps.
"Screw it. It’s better than nothing. System! Activate Soft Touch now!" Zen roared, his heart beating faster than a drum while the ogres closed in with terrifying speed.
{Soft Touch activated!}
{Time active for: 1 minute.}
The system notification blinked in front of his eyes just in time. One ogre’s massive club was already inches from his skull. Out of sheer reflex, Zen threw his hand forward and slapped at the incoming weapon.
The instant his palm connected with the metallic club, the ogre stumbled forward awkwardly, losing its balance completely. Zen’s brows shot up in shock.
He didn’t understand how it worked, but there was no time to dwell on it. He shot forward like lightning toward the beast’s exposed side.
With every ounce of strength in his body, he drove his dagger deep into the ogre’s back. Its flesh parted with a sickening resistance.
Gritting his teeth, he tightened his grip around the dagger’s hilt and dragged it down with sheer force. The blade tore through muscle and skin until it revealed pale ribs glistening under the dim light.
"Die!" Zen roared savagely as he lifted his foot and slammed it hard into the beast’s rib cage.
CRACK!
POP!
The ribs shattered, and the beast was sent flying back with a pained howl. Its massive body slammed into the second ogre that had been rushing at Zen, the two of them crashing to the ground in a violent tumble. Dust scattered as the impact shook the battlefield.
The remaining two ogres froze for a brief moment, staring wide-eyed at their fallen companions. One lay still, unmoving, its chest split wide open.
Tring!
{Host has killed a C-rank ogre.}
{+60 XP granted.}
{First time killing an ogre beast. Additional +40 XP granted; +2 STR stat and +20 NP}
"Oh? So the system is feeling generous today?" Zen muttered with a weak grin. He adjusted his stance, planting his feet firmly while his dagger dripped with blood. His eyes locked onto the remaining three ogres.
"Then I guess this is my chance to cash out big time from this generosity."
The ogres snarled in rage, and in the blink of an eye, all three dashed at him from different angles, their heavy footsteps rumbling like war drums.
{Skill active for: 50 seconds more.}