"Saber?" Chloe's voice was soft, laced with concern.
Saber blinked, his eyes heavy. "Feeling dizzy," he mumbled, his face pale and drawn.
"Dizzy? Here, take this!" Chloe pressed a potion bottle into his hand. Saber drank it down, the liquid glowing faintly. Chloe helped him to his feet, her grip firm. "Do you have any healing potions of your own?" she asked.
"Yeah," Saber replied, his voice still a little groggy. "And where's that gutter grunt?"
"You mean him?" Chloe pointed to the left. The ogre, a hulking brute, was being steadily pushed back. Ergo and Argil, their hands glowing with arcane energy, rained down a barrage of magical attacks. Marco, his blade flashing, weaved in and out, delivering precise strikes. And Lead, his face set in a grim mask, choked the ogre's thick neck, his grip unyielding.
Saber watched the scene, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "He's in a really pitiful state, isn't he?"
"Yupp!" Chloe said, her smile bright and triumphant.
Saber tapped at a screen projected in his vision, and a wave of healing energy washed over him, the effect visible as a soft, golden aura. Chloe's eyes widened, her expression a mixture of surprise and disbelief. "How did you do that?" she asked, her voice hushed.
Saber looked at her, his brow furrowed in confusion. "What now?"
"No, how were you able to use the potion when you didn't even drink it?" Chloe pressed, her voice laced with incredulity.
"You can't do that?" Saber asked, his tone genuinely puzzled.
"Of course not," Chloe replied, her voice firm.
Crap! I think this is one of those 'Player Benefits' which the system warned me about, Saber thought. "I think we should focus on the fight here," he said, nervously laughing.
"Yeah, you're right," Chloe admitted, a sheepish grin spreading across her face. "Aw! I forgot about it." She reached behind her back and produced a long, black sword, handing it to Saber. "Here."
"Oh! I think I'll be fine without it. I have unlocked 'Arm'," Saber replied, flexing his hand, a faint, purple energy swirling around it.
Marco, his breath ragged, groaned. "I think my arms are going to fall off."
Lead, his eyes fixed on the ogre, growled, "We have to start slicing him."
Saber and Chloe exchanged a quick, knowing smile. "I think I'll change my mind," Saber said, taking the sword.
"You're right," Chloe agreed.
Suddenly, the thick rope binding the ogre snapped. With a roar of rage, the massive creature threw Marco aside like a rag doll and kicked Lead with enough force to send him sliding across the ground, crashing into Ergo and Argil.
"So, what's the plan?" Saber asked, his voice calm despite the chaos.
Ergo, his face grim, looked at Saber. "You know something, kid? You're very lucky."
Argil nodded, his gaze softening as he looked at Chloe. "Yeah, Chloe was worried about you the entire time."
Saber's eyes widened in surprise, and Chloe's cheeks flushed a deep crimson as she hid her face in embarrassment. "Really?" Saber asked, turning to Chloe.
Chloe avoided his gaze, her voice muffled. Ergo chuckled. "Hahaha… How cute!"
Lead, his eyes narrowed, cut through the awkward moment. "What is your specialty?"
"Like?" Saber asked, his brow furrowed.
"A mage, a warrior?" Marco clarified, rubbing his aching arms.
"I use close combat, decide yourself," Saber replied, his voice firm.
Lead's eyes narrowed. "Another warrior?"
The group took their stances, their expressions grim. "Follow my lead!" Lead instructed.
Saber, Chloe, Marco, and Lead sprinted towards the ogre, their movements synchronized. A massive fist hurtled towards them. Marco crossed his arms, forming a shimmering, energy-infused shield. Simultaneously, Saber and Chloe slashed at the ogre's knees, the force of their blows causing the creature to buckle. Lead followed up with a powerful punch to the ogre's face, and Marco, using his shield, shoved the creature backwards, sending it stumbling.
"His health is really low. You two rookies take care of him," Lead commanded, his voice sharp.
Saber's eyes widened in shock. No way, just a few swings took him to fall. These people are on another level, he thought, his gaze sweeping over the group. "Wait a minute? You ARE a rookie too?" Saber asked, his face betraying a hint of suspicion.
Chloe dodged his gaze, a nervous laugh escaping her lips. "Ahehehehe… Don't know what you're talking about?" she stammered.
Lead's voice, sharp and urgent, cut through the tension. "Look behind!"
Both looked back. The ogre had healed and stood up again. No way, Saber thought, his eyes wide in shock.
STATUS
King Ogre- 40 HP
Average HP remaining
Saber's eyes narrowed. He only healed himself physically; the HP is still the same. He glanced at Chloe. But I don't think Chloe is able to see such details.
"He-he healed himself? But how?" Chloe stammered, her eyes wide.
Thought so… Wait. A memory flashed through Saber's mind: Player may use Player's Benefits for or against NPCs but cannot reveal it. "I can use it but cannot reveal it. Alrighty then," he murmured, a sly smile spreading across his face. "Chloe, you stay behind him and keep stabbing him. I'll get you the openings," he said, already moving forward.
"But…" Chloe began, her voice filled with apprehension.
"He only 'Sealed' the wound, not 'Healed' them," Saber explained, his eyes fixed on the ogre.
"You sure?" Chloe asked, her voice laced with doubt.
"Look at the knees carefully… He's dragging them rather than walking," Saber pointed out.
"You're right," Chloe admitted, her eyes widening in realization.
"ON MY MARK!" Saber shouted.
"Understood!" Chloe replied, her voice firm.
Lead chuckled, a low, amused sound. "What's wrong?" Argil asked, his brow furrowed.
"Nothing, but the kid's good at observation. Don't you think, Marco?" Lead replied, his eyes gleaming with a strange intensity.
"Yeah, you're correct. It would've been even difficult for me to notice too," Marco admitted, his voice laced with respect.
"Indeed," Lead agreed, his eyes fixed on the unfolding scene.
Saber stopped, his eyes glinting with a dangerous amusement. "Hey boiled egg! Catch me if you can," he taunted.
The ogre roared, charging forward. Its legs, still wounded, buckled, and it stumbled.
"Still intact…" Saber muttered, his eyes narrowing.
"You sure have really thick fat, don't you?" Chloe taunted, her voice laced with a strange glee.
The ogre grabbed a chunk of the ground, its eyes burning with rage.
"Hey potato head," Saber taunted.
The ogre looked back, its eyes filled with a primal fury. "Missed me?" Saber taunted, running towards it. Chloe slashed at its legs again, but it remained standing.
"Hey sludge face," Chloe added, her voice sharp. "Looking for company?"
The ogre roared, hurling a massive stone at Saber. Saber's eyes widened, a predatory smile spreading across his face. His leg slipped slightly, a subtle movement that caught the ogre's attention.
BOOM! Saber appeared right in front of the ogre's face, his sword raised high. "You sure love to throw stones at people. DON'T YAA?" he snarled, swinging the sword down.
TING! The sword was blocked by the ogre's teeth, the force of the impact sending a shockwave through Saber's arms. The ogre retaliated with a powerful punch, sending Saber crashing into the wall.
"SAB…" Chloe began, her voice filled with alarm, but the ogre backhanded her, sending her sprawling against the opposite wall.
"NO!" Marco shouted, attempting to jump forward, but Lead's hand shot out, stopping him.
"Are you out of your mind?" Marco demanded, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"Chloe asked me for a chance. And it is crucial for the boy to understand the pros and cons that come with being an adventurer. If he gets too close, then I shall jump. Till then… Obey the order!" Lead's face was grim, his eyes cold and hard.
The ogre lumbered towards Chloe, its eyes burning with a malevolent intent.
"Come on, Saber. What's wrong? The monster is going to tear apart your 'Best Friend' while you rest there," Lead taunted, his voice laced with a cruel amusement. I told you, you were not made for this, he thought, his eyes fixed on Saber.
The ogre stopped, raising its fist high. Lead tensed, ready to intervene.
Incoming fist.
BOOM! Lead's eyes widened in confusion. "She was not there!"
"Look there!" Marco shouted, pointing towards the other side of the room.
Saber was carrying Chloe, his eyes burning with a dark intensity. He looked back at the ogre, his expression menacing.
What happened to him? Lead thought, his face filled with shock. Is he the same scared kid?
Saber gently placed Chloe near the wall and walked straight towards the ogre, passing Lead without a glance.
The ogre roared, its massive fists swinging towards Saber. Saber dodged both blows, his movements fluid and precise.
"How did he do that?" Argil whispered, his voice filled with awe.
Saber used a double-armed strike, slamming his fists into the ogre's gut.
System: Leveled up to level 5.
"Is that the same kid whom Lead chased away?" Ergo murmured, his eyes wide with disbelief.
The ogre swung again, but Saber dodged every blow, his movements a blur of motion. Saber attempted a punch, but the ogre caught his fist, retaliating with a powerful blow that sent Saber sliding backwards. The ogre pressed its advantage, swinging wildly, but Saber evaded every strike. Claws extended from Saber's hands, and he delivered a powerful uppercut to the ogre's jaw. The ogre, enraged, grabbed Saber's waist and head, attempting to crush him. Both struggled, their faces contorted with effort.
STATUS
Saber- 05 HP
ALERT! LOW HP!
Lightning sparked in Saber's hand, a crackling, raw energy that pulsed outwards. The faces of Lead, Marco, Ergo, and Argil mirrored their astonishment, each expression a study in disbelief. The ogre, its eyes wide with confusion, saw the smoke that briefly obscured Saber, and then a blinding flash of light. When its vision cleared, Saber stood before it, the 'Core Handle' gleaming in his hand, waves of dark aura swirling around him.
With a roar of rage, the ogre hurled a massive rock at Saber. But Saber moved with impossible speed, leaping into the air, executing a mid-air split. He seized the ogre's head, yanking it backwards, and plunged the 'Core Handle' into its back before executing a swift backflip, landing gracefully.
Saber settled into a run stance, both swords held ready. The ogre, its eyes burning with a primal fury, charged. A powerful punch was about to connect, but a stark, white 'X' flashed across a black panel in Saber's vision.
The faces of Ergo, Argil, Marco, and Lead registered their shock. Saber stood behind the ogre, a significant distance separating them. The ogre, its eyes bloodshot and filled with a chilling realization, turned its head, attempting to move. But its limbs, now completely dismantled, collapsed beneath it.
Saber walked towards the fallen ogre, his movements deliberate, his expression unreadable.
Argil's voice, a mere whisper, broke the stunned silence. "Who…"
Ergo, his eyes wide with disbelief, finished the question. "Exactly…"
Marco, his voice thick with awe, added, "Is…"
Lead, his face a mask of shocked comprehension, concluded, "This kid?"
Saber placed his left foot on the ogre's face, his demonic smile showing. The ogre screamed in fright as Saber shoved the black sword into the creature's face. Saber turned his head towards the group, and they stared at him while he stared back.
The aftermath of the battle showed Saber surrounded in aura with both swords in hand.