CHAPTER 7: So This is How I'm Gonna Die

My hands trembled when I sensed how powerful the approaching beast is in front of us. How can the coachman leave us here? Just from one glance, you'll already know that this forest is dangerous. Leaving us here vulnerable to any beast that might attack us any moment is just so absurd. I can hear the rustling leaves indicating that something is walking towards us.

"No matter what you'll see don't scream... Okay?" I asked her knowing that she might scream and attract the nearby beasts. She nods her head but I can see the tears that might fall from her eyes. I know that Carole is afraid but you can see how brave she is and I hugged her.

What am I gonna do? I don't know how to use my mana and I haven't learned any magic spells yet. I don't know why, but when the beast is nearing our direction, the nearby beasts watching us earlier ran away as if they were afraid of something. I became uneasy knowing that I can't feel any beasts anymore aside from the beast that is in front of us. What surprises me is when the beast in front of us was revealed.

It was a big gruesome ogre that is 5 meters tall, because it's dark we can't clearly see it but I can see the bloodlust in its bright red eyes aiming at us.

"Wha-what's that Sam? I-is that-that gonna eat us?" Said Carole stuttering and as she trembled in my embrace.

"Sshhh... Calm down, Carole. Ma-maybe we can shoo it away?"

Are you an idiot Sam? Shoo? Really? How can you think it would be effective? Idiot! How did I come up with that stupid idea?

"I don't think it would work Sam." Of course, it won't why would it leave when we are clearly its' perfect prey but I can't tell her that.

"Maybe if we can buy time until the coachman and Noel return it might work. We don't have a choice because it's not a wise idea to run away and we might encounter a beast that is much more dangerous." One glance from that ogre it's clearly not your typical ogre but is it normal to encounter an ogre this tall and big? I don't think it's a normal ogre, what am I gonna do? I can feel my knees trembling and nearly losing their strength but I tried to remain calm so that Carol won't panic. Doing a rush decision is not a wise action, but doing nothing is also not a good choice.

*grrrrrrrrrrrr*

*grrrrrrrrrrr*

*grrrrrrrrrrrr*

It's making a weird noise that caused Carole to break into tears. Who wouldn't? Hearing it talking makes my hair stood up and also causes my legs to give up.

*grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr*

It stops walking 3 meters away from us then decided to flaunt its weapon and lick the blade, it's a big sword that is 1 meter long and 50 cm wide. Just one swing of that sword can guarantee our death.

What surprised me is when its attention focuses on Carole. From my own knowledge, monsters tend to kidnap women to breed and I can clearly see its intention. I tried my best to stand up and shield Carole away from the ogre's sight.

*grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr*

The intense glare from the ogre aims at me and I can clearly see that it is angry at me by shielding Carole. My knees are still trembling but I need to be brave. I don't know if I'm unlucky? Why do I always end up in a dangerous situation? This misfortune is like a curse since I left the orphanage.

The angry ogre growled loudly and dashed in our direction. The ogre swung its' big sword aiming at me, I don't have a choice but to close my eyes. So this is how I'm gonna die. I still haven't experienced the prime of my life yet and I still have a lot of dreams that I want to accomplish. I pushed Carole away from me so that she won't get hit by the sword. She stumbles as I pushed her hard, I can see how her confused expression turns into horror.

"SAM!... Nooooo... don't!"

The fear from her voice was evident but I didn't falter. I closed my eyes and waited for my death. After a minute I still can't feel the sword hitting me but instead I heard something bounced back. I opened my eyes and what I saw in front of me shocked me.

The ogre's sword was blown away by the force when it hits the barrier. An almost white transparent barrier was erected and it saved me from death's door. Where did it come from? I looked around and what catches my attention is the lamp that was placed on the ground.

It glowed brightly and the runes that are not there before became visible that activates the barrier. So the coachman didn't leave us vulnerable and trying to protect us if it is really needed. The strength in my knees gave up as I slumped on the ground and I breathe the air out without knowing that I stopped breathing.

I thought I'm gonna die and at that moment I accepted my fate, but now I don't want to die. I burst to cry and the tears that I'm preventing since earlier are continuing to fall. I can feel Carole hugging me tight and she is also crying.

"Do-don't do that again Sam. I don't what you to do die just to protect me... I-it scared the hell out of me."

She tightens her embrace and I can feel that my shirt is wet by her tears. I pat her head to stop her from crying and she raised her head looking at me. Her eyes are red and puffy from crying making her cheeks red.

"But I don't have a choice. I'm the guy here so it's my job to protect you. I can't just stay still and watch you getting hurt."

I know I'm not making any sense, but I can't think of any solution but to sacrifice myself.

*grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr*

The ogre is flaring up in anger as its plan didn't work. Its weapon was flown away but it slices the cheek of the ogre leaving a small wound before it stuck on the nearby tree.

*grrrrrrrrrr*

It punched the barrier as it's losing its cool, bursting in anger. It didn't stop punching the barrier even though it's not working. I can feel how hard those punches are, the barrier was slightly shaken from the impact. I don't know how long the barrier can keep us safe but I hope it can buy us more time. Then the ogre suddenly stops from punching, but what happens next terrifies me even more.

Its muscles are bulging showing the veins all around its body. It is continuing to grow bigger and wider it's like it is gathering mana inside his body. How can a normal beast like an ogre possess mana? From what I remember monsters or beasts don't possess mana but they have brute strength. There is only one exception, monsters and beasts are ruled by a king for big forces but for small packs, they are ruled by a chief.

So this ogre in front of us is a Chief Ogre but why can't I see its minions? From the information that I've found out, I know that this barrier won't last long. It's only effective to the normal beasts but the beast in front of us is a Chief Ogre. I tried to stand up but my feet won't listen to me. I can't feel my legs no matter how hard I try.

"W-why is it getting bi-bigger?... Sa-sam?" Carole stopped crying because of fear.

When the ogre finished gathering mana, I can see a bright red that is emitting from its body. Its eyes flared red even more and growled making us freeze from fear. I don't know why I can't move maybe it is part of its ability. If it's not because of the barrier we might lose our consciousness right now because of the pressure.

It might be much more troublesome if we can't defend ourselves.

*grrrr*

The mana gathered on its clenching fist and dashed in our direction before it punched the barrier. I can hear a loud 'bang' from the impact and I can see how a single punch shakes the barrier violently. I don't know how many punches from the Chief Ogre this barrier can handle and I don't know what I'm gonna do if it will shatter. The Chief Ogre continued punching the barrier and suddenly I can hear something cracking.

"No-noo... STOP!"

I shouted but of course, the Chief Ogre didn't stop punching. Then for the last punch, the barrier broke. The pressure that the Chief Ogre releases are unbearable it's like it is choking my neck making it hard to breathe. I looked at Carole but her situation is worse than mine. Her face turns purple while gasping for air as she looked at me with fear visible to her eyes before losing her consciousness.

Noooo... I can't die here. It's like someone heard my prayer as I can feel soothing energy surging inside my body. Green energy glowed on my skin and the ring on my finger feels hot. I looked at it and I can feel like it's stopping me from using my power. When I used my mana I can feel that I became one with nature.

I can feel the trees and the surrounding like it's part of my consciousness. It feels like someone is guiding me that I can easily control my mana without any experience. Then a small cute child suddenly appeared that boost my power, so this is my guardian. I tried to stand up resisting the pressure that the Chief Ogre emits.

I looked in Carole's direction and cast magic that makes the grass around her grow and protect her making a big circle made of grass to shield her from the pressure. The circle grass that protects her is glowing and heals her wounds. I tried to control the trees around us but I can't control them very well so I decided to control the branches and making them sharp hitting the Chief Ogre.

The Chief Ogre shrieked from the pain every time the sharp branches pierced its body. It won't be easy as I expected, the Chief Ogre tried to fight back by getting its weapon back to cut the branches.

I don't know how long can I bear it as I can feel my mana depleting at a fast pace as I control a lot of trees and protect Carole. I expected this outcome as I don't have any experience using my mana.

The Chief Ogre is continuing to cut the branches and I barely hit it as I feel like I'm about to lose control. I slumped on the ground grasping my chest as I can feel my heart aching and I feel dizzy. I lost my control of the trees causing them to stop attacking the Chief Ogre.

Before I lost my consciousness I saw someone cut the Chief Ogre's head. It was a perfect cut that the Chief Ogre didn't notice and died from the stranger's sword. I tried to look at him memorizing his face before I succumb to the darkness.