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Victory over Hogg

Naturally, when facing a boss, one must first clear out the mobs. Forseti didn't waste any time; he charged straight at one of the remaining two gnolls, brandishing his warhammer.

"Charge!"

The gnoll braced for impact.

However, Forseti swiftly followed up with another lightning-fast hammer strike. This time, the gnoll was caught off guard, screaming as it collapsed to the ground.

Forseti then stepped on its neck's vulnerable spot with a foot, hearing a satisfying snap as the gnoll expired.

Meanwhile, Hogg lunged forward once more.

"Clang clang!"

Having just dispatched the gnoll, Forseti had no time to retreat. He clashed axes with Hogg, sparks flying from the impact.

The last gnoll attempted to attack Forseti from behind, but Forseti had been vigilant. Despite engaging with Hogg, he moved swiftly to prevent any ambush.

When the gnoll closed in, Forseti swung his hammer in a sweeping arc.

The Fist of Verrigan connected with the gnoll's chest, flames erupting upon impact. The gnoll perished instantly, dissolving into smoke.

With all four common gnolls dispatched, only Hogg remained—the boss.

As a formidable boss, Hogg was far more agile than his underlings. Witnessing his comrades fall, he gritted his teeth, a look of pure malice in his eyes. "Human, you will pay dearly!"

With those words, he charged at Forseti with his axe, moving like a whirlwind.

"Charge!"

Their weapons clashed, the sound echoing sharply.

In a matter of moments, they exchanged dozens of blows with incredible speed, dodging and weaving in the open space.

Suddenly, Forseti noticed a slight movement in Hogg's throat and a slight parting of his lips.

Forseti's pupils constricted in response.

These subtle movements signaled Hogg's Roar ability.

Forseti had faced Hogg's Roar countless times before. Once activated, it invariably put him at a disadvantage.

Without hesitation, Forseti pointed his left hand.

Hand of Reckoning!

Struck by the Hand of Reckoning, Hogg momentarily faltered. Forseti seized the opening, delivering two consecutive hammer blows to Hogg's face.

Hogg was startled and enraged, swiftly parrying Forseti's attacks, his Roar stifled, his expression a mix of frustration and anger.

They continued their back-and-forth, each side gaining ground then losing it.

Hogg swung his axe, but Forseti deftly blocked. As Hogg closed in, his jaws widened, fangs aimed straight for Forseti's neck.

Forseti's heart skipped a beat.

Hogg's teeth were as sharp as Graf Swift's, capable of tearing through flesh effortlessly. Dodging sideways hastily, Forseti's left elbow struck Hogg's chin.

A grunt escaped Hogg as he staggered back, regaining his balance, growling defiantly, "Hogg is invincible!"

With a sudden tightening of his muscles, Hogg's body bulked up, veins bulging on his arms.

"Charge!"

His swing was powerful, knocking Forseti back several steps.

Remaining calm, Forseti knew Hogg's empowered state wouldn't last long—it wasn't the time to engage directly.

"Clang clang!"

Hogg's assault intensified, his axe raining blows upon Forseti like a storm, each strike calculated and cold.

Despite Forseti's efforts to parry, sweat trickled down his brow.

After weathering the storm for a while, Hogg's swollen muscles deflated, his strength waning.

Sensing an opportunity, Forseti shifted from defense to offense, pressing forward. He swung the Fist of Verrigan down decisively.

Holy Light Strike!

"Charge!"

Holy light and flames intertwined, erupting in a burst. Hogg staggered back, nearly toppling over but managing to steady himself.

After dozens of exchanges, Forseti landed another Holy Light Strike on Hogg, moving in swiftly to deliver a potentially fatal blow.

Hogg panicked, opening his mouth wide.

Forseti's expression hardened as he activated Divine Protection. He swiftly retreated, pointing his left hand and swinging the warhammer.

Hand of Reckoning!

Judgment!

Hogg, with his keen battle instincts, would diminish the effectiveness of the same move if used consecutively. Forseti had learned this from previous encounters.

Thus, to counter the second Roar, Forseti varied his tactics considerably, timing his strike precisely.

Hogg barely evaded the blow, almost struck in the head, swallowing the Roar once again.

Forseti charged forward, the Fist of Verrigan moving like lightning, launching a ferocious assault.

Hogg retreated steadily, growing increasingly flustered and vulnerable, ultimately shouting in defeat before turning and fleeing.

Hogg's escape was swift, making pursuit difficult. Forseti anticipated this, tracking his path and plunging the Fist of Verrigan into the ground.

Sword of Justice!

As Hogg leaped to evade the sword emerging from the ground, one leg was caught, blood spraying.

"Ow—"

Hogg cried out, collapsing.

Forseti rushed forward, leaping up, Holy Light bursting from the Fist of Verrigan.

Holy Light Strike!

Hogg rolled desperately, attempting to dodge the fatal blow, but Forseti pinned him down.

"Charge!"

Hogg struggled to parry Verrigan's fist, his hands pressed firmly against his chest, offering no room to maneuver.

With one hand free, Forseti delivered a punch followed by another Holy Light Strike to Hogg's face.

Hogg screamed in agony, his resistance weakening.

Grasping Verrigan's fist with both hands, Forseti unleashed another Holy Light Strike from the warhammer.

"Boom!"

Hogg finally fell, the legendary gnoll leader meeting his end.

Forseti sighed deeply, a sense of relief washing over him.

Hogg the Gnoll—a notorious killer in these lands.

Defeating Hogg just before the Hunting Festival marked the beginning of a new era...

Forseti composed himself and examined Hogg's loot drop. Being a boss, the spoils were sure to be worthwhile.

"Wow, this is..." He gasped in surprise.