Chapter 76: Monstrous Encounter

Aaron's mouth expanded in wonder.

"What on earth is that?"

"Never seen a beast?"

"Honestly, this is my first encounter as well."

I drew my blade across my shield, and the piercing sound of metal split the silence.

"Don't be afraid, everyone! It's just a monster, like us. It has a brain and a heart. If it has a heart, it means it can die. Keep pushing your weapons, and it'll fall."

"Indeed, it's better than facing a horde of trolls!"

*Ping!*

In a swift, smooth motion, Jenna said and then released an arrow.

Spinning through the air, it found its mark deep within the monster's belly.

"Kuaaah!"

The monstrosity roared, drool flying from its mouth, but it continued its approach steadily. Each heavy step disturbed the earth underneath.

Jenna, grinning, scratched her cheek casually.

"Or perhaps, it's better to face trolls?"

"We'll find out once this one's down."

I cast a look behind me.

My party was tense with uncertainty, yet their stances betrayed no fear.

This was promising. If each held their ground, victory was within our grasp.

"Get hold of yourselves! We're dividing responsibilities. Eolka, you're to create a wall of fire near the dam."

"A wall of fire?"

"To deter the trolls from advancing until reinforcements arrive."

"I can handle that, but what about that beast?"

"I'll handle it. Aaron, your duty is to guard Eolka. Jenna, depending on how things unfold, assist either Aaron or me. Trust your judgment."

"Understood."

"Alright!"

"Everyone, to your positions."

As Eolka ran toward the riverbank opposite the dam, she began her spellcasting.

Aaron moved in a quick stride, deflecting any shots aimed at Eolka.

Jenna, entrusted with the middle position, observed the unfolding situation, her arrow ready to strike.

I heaved a stone from the riverbank directly at the monster's dreary face.

The monstrosity glared at the sudden shock and advanced towards me.

I prepared myself, drawing my blade and raising my shield.

"Kuoouoouoo!"

With a stunning yell, the beast swung its considerable iron mallet.

I agilely moved aside to avoid. The ground shuddered under the powerful force of the hammer, throwing soil and mud high into the air.

"One hit could mean certain doom."

"A shield is only as good as its ability to endure the force it's meant to deflect."

I vaulted backward, deftly avoiding the erratic arc of the descending hammer.

*Ping!*

Jenna's second arrow pierced the monster's right shoulder.

"Kiaaaa!"

Simultaneously, trolls began to surge towards the dam in a furious rush.

"Ignite!"

"Whooosh!"

Fire scorched a path between the trolls and the riverbank. The flames' threatening wall caused the trolls to hesitate momentarily, a pause Aaron seized to skewer a troll's skull with lethal accuracy.

Eolka, her eyes closed, continued chanting her spell unwaveringly.

Her purpose wasn't to shoot fire, but to sustain it. Even in the relentless rain, the flames roared vertically, their ferocity undiminished.

The beast, after retrieving its iron mallet, casually shrugged its shoulders. An arrow lodged in its muscular forearm was plucked out effortlessly. Jenna, who was preparing her third arrow, muttered a curse faintly.

"What a monster!"

"Go for the gold, or don't bother. We can't waste arrows."

"And where in the world are these vital spots?"

"That's for you to figure out!"

*Whoosh!*

As if about to leap in, I moved forward. Where I once stood was obliterated by the iron hammer. I sprang to my feet and swung my blade in a wide arc, eliciting a spurt of blood from the monster's right arm.

"The monster, unaffected, swept its mallet sideways. I narrowly dodged."

"Cutting deep is tough without a proper opening."

I sneaked a look sideways.

Aaron was doing his utmost, but there was no guarantee of how long he could protect Eolka. The trolls, having assessed the situation, had transitioned from close combat to long-range attacks. They fired arrows; the ones without crossbows resorted to slinging stones. Whether arrow or stone, a single hit could disrupt Eolka's balance.

"I must take the chance."

"The monstrosity lifted its mallet and brought it down with a resounding crash."

"I semi-bowed my knee and moved closer to the monster. As the mallet's head threatened to crush my skull, I yanked my left hand back, lifting my shield in a deflective block."

"Ka-ka-kak!"

"A bone-jarring shockwave shook my left hand. I ignored the pain and, with a nimble move, slid under the monster's feet and gripped my sword handle firmly."

"With my right hand, I thrust the blade tip into the monster's crotch vigorously."

"A sensation of crumbling filled my hand."

"Ow, so he's a male."

"Blood spurted between its legs as I pulled out the blade and quickly wriggled free."

"Kuoooooo!"

"The monster roared, swinging its mallet wildly in a frenzy, a desperate attempt to override its agony."

"I put a safe distance between myself and the colossal monster, ensuring I was only a few meters away."

"A searing sting surged from the deep wounds of my left arm, the sensation akin to a broken bone. Nonetheless, it wasn't disabled, and with some effort, remained functional."

"Kuoo, Kaaaa!"

"The monster bellowed, hurling its iron hammer down with beastly force, laying out a horrifying scene as a handful of trolls were crushed into a ghastly pulp."

"In a charging moment, an arrow from Jenna's quiver found its mark, piercing the beast's left eye with lethal precision."

"The monster let go, dropping its hammer and thrashing wildly, leaping and spinning erratically."

"Taking a quick breath to steady myself, I moved in for the attack. With a nimble step back, the monster's tree-trunk-like fist brushed past my nose in a close miss. I plunged again into the fray, seeing the monster's back arching over. The beast's armor, covering its left chest, revealed a visible gap."

"With a firm grip on my sword hilt, I lunged, aiming directly for the monster's heart. The beast's sturdy chest put up a fierce resistance against my sword. Undeterred, I twisted my blade, plunging it deeper until I could sense the pulsating throb of its heart through my weapon."

"With a swift pull, I withdrew my sword. Blood, thick and red, spurted from the gap in the monster's chest plate."

"With a heavy crash, the behemoth's body fell face-first into the muddy mire."

"The rain, now tainted with the monster's blood, splashed wildly, drenching me to the waist."

"Stunned by the scene, the remaining trolls faltered, their confidence shattered."

"Spitting out the water that had slipped past my lips, I moved toward the frozen trolls. The first didn't even react to my blade, and just as I was about to engage another !ChatGPT

one, Jenna's urgent voice rang out.

"Oppa!"

"What's wrong?"

"I think there's another!"

I turned swiftly, scanning the surroundings. Through the curtain of rain, I caught sight of another monstrous figure lumbering towards us.

"Prepare yourselves! We've got another one incoming!"

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