Rolling Ogre's head

Just inches away from the massive claymore, Toru dodges the claymore.

The impact of the claymore hits the ground and hurls upwards chunk of large stones towards Toru, severely injuring he's body.

He rolls and drop's his weapon on the ground.

He tried to get up with an injured body, he slowly gets up then was kicked on the back by the giant ogre.

He's body was launch by the kick and he hits on the walls and dropped on the ground.

"Toru!"

Ray screaming and Cecilia's shouting caused the ogre to switch its attention to them.

It charges towards them while having his right arm to its side ready to swing whenever it's on range.

With panic and the thought of losing made them to simply stood motionless and afraid.

The charging ogre runs towards them with murderous eyes and the two simply closed their eyes as if they accept their demise.

Their eyes closed and waits for death to come.

As they closed their eyes, the noises stop.

Curious to why the loud footsteps of the ogre suddenly stops, they opened their eyes and found the ogre frozen in one place.

The ogre was suddenly pulled back and fell on the ground.

"What the?"

"Didn't I told the three of you not to engage in a fight but inform me first! Why do I even trust you…"

"Luke!"

"Save your gratitude over me, we have much to talk over this matter later."

Embarrassed, Cecilia sat down while Ray follows.

"Don't sit in there and do nothing, help Toru."

"Ri–right."

They then went to Toru to help him.

"Hguuuugh ghaaaa!"

The giant ogre got up and focused his attention on Luke and charges towards him.

The ogre claymore crashed down to Luke and hits his right shoulder.

Luke was surprised why the weapon of the ogre did not turn to rubbles or water.

The impact of the claymore hitting Luke's shoulder created a loud bang which catches the attention of Ray.

Ray saw Luke standing still while the ogre hits with a direct hit.

Unfazed the strength of the ogre, Luke touches the blade and created a strong impact that launches the claymore to the walls of the cave and created small cracks.

The ogre was confused to what just happened and stood for a second looking on his hands.

Luke lift's his right hand towards to ogre and casted a great spell.

"Shock"

With just one word, a blast of lightning shocks towards the ogre.

The blast was so large it pierce the ogre and hits the ceiling of the cave which created cracks.

The blast of lightning disappears and drops the body of the giant ogre burnt with visible purple markings created by the shock.

The blast shocked Ray as she drops on the ground amaze and afraid to what power she wetness.

Luke then began to walk towards them with small branches of electricity lingers on his fingertips.

"Is he alright?"

"He's unconscious and have some few injuries but he'll be fine."

"Hmm…"

Luke notice the shocking expression of Ray on her eyes but ignores her to focus on Toru.

"Let me have a look."

Luke then went to Toru's body and examines him.

"I don't see any fatal injuries..."

Luke then puts his finger on Toru's neck and small shock hit Toru that made Toru instantly got up.

"AHH! What the hell what that?!"

Toru notice the disappointed look written across Luke's face.

"Ehhe…"

Moments later, the two sat down with their knees on the ground and sitting on their foot along with a embarrassed face.

"Didn't I told the both of you not to attack, but inform me when you see one. Look at what happened to the three of you."

"Sorry…"

"We won't do it again…"

"*Sign*… I'm not cruel, tell me an excuse and maybe I'll forgive you two."

"It was Toru's fault! He was the one who suggested the idea in the first place!"

"Nah! If you're not so damn slow we would have not got in the cave and get stumped on!"

"What?!"

"Enough, the two of you are in the wrong here."

"But…"

"Not listening to me is already enough reason why I should punish you both."

The two sat in silence.

"However, if the giant ogre wasn't here, the three you would win without a doubt."

Luke then looks over the pile of dead ogres on the background.

"For this, my punishment to you both is no healing over your wounds."

The two still sat but inside a little happy.

"But I think that's to kind."

"Pain"

Luke casted a unknown spell towards the two and they began to weaken duo to the previous fight they had.

"What happening to me…"

"So damn painful!"

"The spell I casted is a pain multiplayer that enhances the pain twice."

"Uhgh!"

"Uhgh…"

"Don't cry like a baby, get up and head back to the village at once."

"I'm sorry as well…"

"No need, you had no choice but to join, if you were out there alone, something may have happened to you."

"If I tried to stop them-."

"I highly doubt that you could stop them from their idiocy, don't feel any pity over them, they disserve this."

"Head to the village immediately, I'll be here for a minute."

"Okay…"

Cecilia and Toru heed Luke and slowly went out of the cave while Ray is still standing in the side of Luke.

Ray then went to the pile of ogre corpses and took her knife out.

She then began to cut off the ear of the ogres and put it on her bag.

"What are you doing?"

"Our mission to dispatch the ogres, we can make extra money if we present monster remains to the guild."

"I see…"

She finished cutting off the ears of the ogres and went to Luke.

"I don't have any space on my bag, I can't put anymore but… the giant ogre…"

"Don't worry, I'll take care of that."

"Thank you."

"Go with the two, I fear they might stray once more if not given any guidance."

"Right, I'll check on the two now."

"Yes please, make sure they don't do any ruckus."

"I'll do my best…"

Ray then went out to the cave to follow the two and left Luke inside.

"Hmm…now for the claymore that the ogre uses."

Luke then begin to walk towards the claymore that was stuck on the wall.

He was also staggered by the fight earlier with the ogre, he was amaze that that weapon did not turn to water but acted as if it was a normal weapon.

He grabs the weapon and pulls it out of the wall and examines the claymore.

He lets go of the weapon and it started to float.

He turns the weapon up and down and was dazzled by the weapon.

Luke clumps he's palm and the weapon disappears in a bright light.

Luke then went over to the body of the giant ogre and examines the beast.

"A Grundu… there is monsters like you living here…?"

Continues to examines the body of the ogre for an hour.

Suddenly, cave began to shake with the cracks growing bigger and bigger.

Large cracks began to rapidly expand in the walls, ceiling and the ground.

The cave collapses to ground till nothing left but dust and rubles.

Outside, they heard the cave crumbles and we're worried about Luke's safety.

They we're already on the village waiting for Luke's return.

"Is he alright?"

"Thank you concern, but I'm good."

Unnoticed by the presence, Luke then suddenly appears at the side of Ray.

"Where did–?"

"Surprised you? Haha."

The four stood on the weaken gates.

As they got there, they we're greeted by the villagers with fear and anxiety.

Afraid of the noises in the forest and the clear injuries of both Cecilia and Toru along with their distressed and pain full expression, they fear even more to what new they will hear.

"What was that noise?!"

"No need to know, the ogres are now gone, all of you can rest easy."

The villagers face began to show enlightenment and joy to the great and wonderful new.

One villager was not convinced and wanted evidence not lies.

The same villager that greeted Luke in the first time they got in the village and doubt that a copper ranked adventurer held a hand to an ogre.

"Don't believe these fakers! They don't present any prove that they got reed off the ogre!"

"Furthermore, how could a copper fight a ogre? That's just insanity!"

The villagers began to whisper and also doubt their accomplishment.

Ray then walked in front afraid and anxious but she put up her best show of courage and pull out her bag.

Her let everyone see the bloody bag.

"What are you doing? Is that…blood?"

"We found the ogres and defeated them, if you want prove…then this is the ear of the ogres!"

She then puts her hand on the bloody bag and pulls out an ear.

With bloodstain in her and blood dripping on the shivered ear, the people in the village finally believe them but it was still not enough for the man.

"That is the ear of a ogre?! How can we insure that's even an ogre ear? And even if it's an ogre ear, perhaps maybe you just ripe it off but those beasts are out there in lose!"

Ray tries to speak but Luke's hand suddenly stopped her.

"Our job is to dispose the ogres, not debiting truth and lies."

"How can we even make sure our safety?! Explain that you copper!"

"Like I've said, we dispose was our job not to ensure your safety."

"Wha–."

"If you die, it would pose no lose on us, it's either you believe us or not, it won't affect us in any way or form."

"How could you say that?! Your adventurers! You suppose to protect us!"

"That the duty of the government not us and from what I see, I understand why the kingdom did not made any action over this matter."

"Are you saying we're worthless!?"

"That's enough talking, we didn't come here to chat, let's go."

Luke went to the gate with Ray and the others and leaving the village to protect themselves.

"Why did you say those things to him?"

"kindness deeds, returns kindness gifts, the same can be said towards evil."

"I don't understand…"

"Let's just say he deserves no mercy over the gods."

"Okay…"

"Now… how can we return safety to the kingdom…"

"Right, I still need to buy meds for mom."

"Ah yes, your mother's illness."

"Ah ha… I need money to buy meds… it the only job I can think of to make money…"

"I see, now how do get back?"

"Right, I'll cast teleportation magic."

"You can cast teleportation magic?"

"Yes, mother thought me how."

"I see…"

"Gather please, you guys might get left off."

They gathered around her and waits for her to cast her magic.

She then stabs the ground with her staff and a magic circle appeared on their feet.

The bright circle envelops then and disappears in thin air.

They appeared right in front of the adventurer's guild.

Luke saw Ray gasping for air due to the use of too much Mana.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm… okay… I'm not used teleporting multiple people in one time."

"If you say so, let's head inside and grab out money."

"Right…"

"Can we have a little healing…?"

"Suffer."

Toru and Cecilia frown for the words that Luke said.

They went inside the guild with the two having a painful expression.

"Hello! You four are back– that looks painful, do need healing."

"No need."

"Okay…then, is the quest that you accepted finished?"

"Ye–yes, here."

Ray then puts the bag of ogre ears on the table.

The receptionist girl then took the back with no hesitation and placed it over a tray.

"Thank you, any more to tap up your reputation?"

"No there no– hold on, Luke you said you'll take care of the giant ogre, right? We can tap up that for more money."

"The Grundu? Okay… here"

Luke lift up his hand and right in front of him came a dark mist appeared in a form of a floating head.

The mist disappears and drops the head of the giant ogre.

"This is what you wanted, right?"

"…"

The receptionist girl was stunned while the other adventurers shocked by the freshly cut head of a giant with fresh blood dripping on the floor.

They stood silently for a flat second and later spoke.

"Is…this even in our report…?"

"Why did you bring the head here?!"

"I had no time, the cave was collapsing so I had no time to think and also, I thought we'll get more money if we offer a head than just ears. Is it wrong?"

"Okay… I just need the ear please…"

The receptionist girl the whispers to the other receptionist girl.

"I want to know if this species of ogre is on our book…"

"Okay…"

"Just the ear? Okay then."

Both of the ear of the ogre suddenly got torn out from the head and floats towards the table.

With blood dripping, the ear landed on the table.

The receptionist girl the pulls out a bag of money that contains 3 gold's and 15 silvers.

Ray took the went back to Luke.

"Let's get out of here and took about splitting this money outside."

"As you say."

They went outside the guild starts talking over the splitting of money.

"Take the all of the money, we don't need it."

"WHAT?! Are sure? Are the two okay with this?"

"They are fine with it, right?"

They then looked behind and found Toru and Cecilia covering their stomach with their hands with their face having a sad expression.

*Sign*…

Suddenly, the two began to glow in a green light and their wound began to heal.

Seconds later, they are full healed and healthy once more.

"You two are good with this decision, right?"

"Ahhhh…."

"I feel so good…"

"I'll take that as a yes."

"But this is too much, you guys won't have any money."

"I insist you'll take the money, we have no need over it."

"If you say so… I'll go in stores to buy food and medicine for mom."

"Take care of your mother and I hope she'll get well soon."

"Thanks! I'll get going now."

"Stay safe."

"I will."

She then left and head over to the markets.

Luke then turns around to head inside once more and found the door slightly open.

He looked closely and found eyes peaking inside.

When Luke notice this, the door shut.

"Let's head inside you two."

"Right."

"Okay."

They entered the adventurer's guild and was instantly greeted with receptionist girl stares along with the other adventurers.

"Where did you find this ogre?!"

"How'd defeat it?!"

"Guys, calm down, we don't want Luke getting annoyed to us again."

"Curious about the head?"

"Yes!"

"Guys! Let's sit down and talk about this first."

"Right!"

"Okay!"

Then then went in the adventurers living hall and sat down to talk.

Many adventurers stood listened while the administrator band the receptionist girls sitting down with a book in the table.

"What is it do you need?"

"Do you know what kind of monster this is?"

"This is a giant ogre."

"Not just any giant ogre! This is a Titan ogre!"

"Special because?"

"This is the beast that was once slayed by the mighty hero Alexburth Beansmith!"

"I'm this is a deferent ogre."

"Even so! This monster and great regeneration not to mention great magic resistance!"

"Well, it's not resistant enough. Furthermore, is it that important?"

"It is important! This is a mystical beast! Capable of destroying large cities!"

"The monster thick skin is as hard an iron! No walls could even stop this monster!"

"I mean, it's head laying in there. Maybe it's just a myth?"

"It's no myth! This beast is called the King of Giants!"

"With no body."

"Where did you find this monster?!"

"More like the those two found the monster, but it was on a cave."

"Where is it?!"

"The cave was destroyed from the battle and lastly, you'll find no goods in there."

"But only bones, human remains, rotting flesh and a need of therapy once you get out."

"How did you even defeat such a beast?!"

"I blaste– we found it sleeping on a cave.

"Having it's guard off, we chopped it's head off.

"Ahha... then why does it have burnt marks? It looks like it came from a combination of shock and flames."

"Maybe to its size, it's head was struck by lightning."

"That's… a good answer…"

"How did chopped bit head? Its skin is as hard as iron, how did you even penetrate it's thick skin?"

"Ask the two, they are one who found and killed the ogre."

They then turned their attention to the two and went to the two ask for the truth.

"How did you chop off the head?!"

"I…"

The two looked over to Luke and found him sipping tea.

Luke then winked at the two as he let out warm air created by the sobering hot tea.

"I just… sliced it…"

"How could you easily slice it head so easy?

"Maybe my sword was just sharp… ehehee…"

"Really?".

"Or… it just a deferent species of ogre…"

"Deferent… maybe that's it…"

"There's no way they could defeat such a monster."

"Sorry that we jumped into conclusion…"

"We're so sorry."

"No need to worry."

The crowd then splits off their business and the worker went back from their stands.

The two then look at directly at the eyes of Luke.

Luke eyes was closed from drinking his tea.

He opens his eyes in satisfaction along with a little smile. He puts down his tea to the table and looked back at the two.

"If you want answers, ask me back in the tavern. For now, stand and listen at my shoulders."

Luke then stood up and began to walk to the reception desk with the two following him at his back.

Luke stopped at the desk and greeted by the receptionist girl.

"Luke! I'm sorry earlier."

"No big deal."

"Now then, what do you need?"

"Can I ask for another quest for us."

"Ah sure, hold let me check."

"And before that, by any chance, does our rank gone up by now?"

"We are still talking about it but I'm quite sure that you'll rank up by this."

"Good to hear."

The receptionist girl then went back to her desk in search for a new quest to give."

While she was searching, Luke notice the a poster on the board.

It says "Breaking! King Buthward has been killed! 5000 gold for the murderer to be caught!.

"Um... us that sign true?"

Luke pointed to the poster in which the receptionist girl looked.

"Haven't you heard? The kingdom is investigating over the death of King Buthward."

"It said that he was murder but the killer is yet to be found."

"Killed?"

"Yes, the kingdom is closed from the inside and the outside."

"Oh... I see."

"By the way Luke, maybe you guys interested in on a fest?"

"Fest, you say?"

"Yes! it's the Monster hunt event!"

"Monster hunt?"

"Yes, adventurers who voluntarily entered this event as tasked to hunt monster of any species."

"Is once every six months and just to be happen in the next day! The location is close to the kingdom, only a few kilometers."

"On foot, it would take many hours but with a horse, it would for a an hour."

"Hmm..."

"Well?"

"Alright, we we'll participate."

"Great!"

She then pulls out a guest list book on her covers and put it on the desk.

"Sorry, we're out of stock on the original list that we use to list the names of the participants."

"It's okay, we're going to write our name on this right?"

"Right! Here's a pen."

She gives the pen to Luke.

Luke then began to write he's name on the guest list along with the names of the two logs on his back.

"It's finished, where is the location of the hunt?"

"In the forest of Rhuth, make sure you don't stray in the forest of death."

"Forest of death?"

"You don't know that place? That place is filled with poisonous and venomous plants and insects."

"The forest is so dangerous that even monsters don't live in there."

"Hmm…"

"Legend has it, in the middle of the forest, there is the tree of life!"

"That place…"

Toru then butts in the conversation.

"Ohh… tree of life, sound awesome."

"Does it have mystical powers or stuff."

"We don't know, it's only a story, but don't go in there to find out okay."

"We we'll not, what time will the event start?"

"In morning, but I doubt that the other adventurers will be there in the morning…"

"They are all slackers."

"What is the reward on this event?"

"The prices now is great! Due to the dead people being brought back to life, people are now celebrating to the blessings of life!"

"Thanking the God for the miracle that blessed us, even harvesting crops and mining ore's is having the best harvest of to this year!"

"Because if that, the rewards are great in this following."

"Third place is simply goods like fish and apples, second place is a new weapon of choice and last is 50 gold coins!"

"50 gold coins?! That's big as big can be!"

"I can buy so much make-up on that money."

"Back in the forest of death, there are fences placed so that no one would mistake the place."

"And lastly, the forest has a very sweet smell but don't get baited! It's for luring prey into the forest to eat you! So, if you smell something really sweet, move away to avoid being dead meat."

"We shall, we will take our leave, we have much to talk back in the inn."

"See you then! By the way, my name is Lucy."

"Then we shall see each other tomorrow again, Lucy."

"Take care!"

The three then went out of the adventurer's guild and starts heading in their inn.

"Yeah Luke, do you think Dad already knew about this King Buthward death thing?"

"No doubt, if any big reports will come up, he would be the first to know."

"Does that mean that we should stop from finding this Clark guy?"

"No, our main goal is to find Clark, not King Buthward."

"Okay then, by the way, why did you lie to the guys in the adventurers?"

"Yeah, you just gave the credits to us."

"I'll attract too much attention if I admitted that I killed that ogre, that would be nuisance if people think you're a hero."

"But still dude."

"I simply dislike like crowded places, especially when I created the crowd in the first place."

"I diverted the attention to you two, I thought you two want to be famous?"

"Yeah, but not in a way like that."

"I don't feel like a hero if I didn't deserve the credits."

"Is that so…haha, then I won't do it again."

They stopped in the inn and entered.

Once again, the same adventurers greeted them with a smile and with other man besides them.

An adventurer like them but with a deferent aura.

He wears a brown coat, black boots, a sword on his side and a skull of a drake on right-side of his shoulder.

Luke notice the man's rank necklace, a diamond ranked adventurer.

"Hey Couz, this is the guy we're talking about."

"This man?"

"Yeah, *Burp* with the floating thing that he did to us."

"So, it's you…"

Before they could even blink, the man dashed forward with the speed of light and having he's sword going forward to Luke's neck.

He was so fast that the chairs and tables flipped and swiped away from his speed.

The air the dashed forward hits Cecilia and Toru and made fall on their feet.

With the sword close to Luke's neck, with the man staring dead eyes with Luke.

Luke simply looked straight and slowly blinks and opens his eyes to stare back at the man.

"You blocked it… how?"

The men in the back was confused to the man's word.

"What do you mean blocked? You were supposed to kill him!"

"Silence, worm."

He drops he's elbows and puts his sword back on his scabbard.

"Who are you?"

"I am but a copper ranked adventurer."

"Dodging an attack like that is far from a copper rank, what's your name?"

"I am Luke, a simple adventurer."

"Hmm, I am Landerthal, a obsidian ranked adventurer and guild leader of the Blue Daggers."

"Blue Daggers?!"

Landerthal then notice Cecilia and Toru slowly getting up.

"Owh, the princess and the bulldog, great seeing you two again."

"Bulldog?! You–."

"Why have you come here, Landerthal?

"I came here solely to kill you, but now… I'm very intrigue on you."

"Intrigue?"

Landerthal then lift his hand towards Luke with an open palm.

"Do you want to join on my guild?"