For I Am A Side Character - 53: Hunting Rogres

As new and as early as the day was…it didn’t seem real.

My mind still feel groggy from the trial…and I keep seeing hints of black spots appearing at the corner of my eye…

My mind is as clear as a blank canvas and its making me nauseous, my skin as pale than usual, and my mouth is as dry as a sun-dried raisin.

He said that it will soon fade, but still…I feel like shit.

But along with it, each time I look at the blue sky and the soft wind blowing at my face, it all feels so peaceful…

My mind is so clear of distractions that I can’t seem to ignore anything…

No a hint of fear dwells within me, and because of this, I feel like a new man.

***

As Soril gripped his hand in the realization of his experiences in this new awakening, he felt more present in the moment, more alert as things go by…like the wind, like the sound of nature and the chatter of the people walking down the road.

Feeling this sort of experience made his feel reborn and awaken.

Like that of Spider-man who gained his abilities and was able to sense his surroundings with his spider-sense.

Soril could hear and notice everything even at the back of his head. Nothing could escape his notice.

This was what meant to be a person who was able to overthrow the concept of fear in his mind.

As he took in this experience, he soon heard the familiar voice of a heavy Humvee’s engine and tires, and the footsteps of his classmates and girlfriend.

Today was the day that they continue on with the assigned work.

***

Deep in the forest, rushing Kobolds came with their sharp fangs and menacing nature.

Kobolds, the kind of monster that was able to adapt the face of a dog, and the boy of a man. Although they resemble that of a werewolf, the Kobolds are much more weaker in strength and speed. They are known as a lesser monster compared to the superior werewolves.

They were known as D-ranked monsters…

With their coordinated attacks in the dungeon, a party of hunters should be prepared to take on such a coordination with their own.

Leading such a party was Marilyn who acted as the support of the group were she handled the position of their tactics to a point where it shouldn’t fall apart against around 15 or more kobolds making their way to them.

With her and Zelisha at the centre who acts as the support of the group, while Jessica, Soril and Thors acts as the front force, it was easy to take charge knowing their roles and personality.

With Thors being a more independent character and going around chasing the Kobolds nearest to him, his big stature and menacing nature simply acted as a bait for the kobolds, seeing as how he was mostly catching their attention in battle with his screams and presence. To Soril, he reminded him of a rushing viking who wanted to pillage a village, there was no stopping the man.

Jessica with her superior speed and agility, took on the incoming Kobolds who weren’t attracted by Thors incessant nature. With her appealing and graceful movements, she was able to quickly deal with the kobolds who were no more of a challenge than that of a simple orc. The only problem that came from her position was the fact that her class as a hunter who wields dual swords were more similar to that of an assassin class. Her skill wasn’t meant for dealing huge upcoming groups of monsters.

So those who passes by her were dealt by Soril and Zelisha where Zelisha acted as support by firing arrows down at the Kobolds who went pass Jessica and Thors while Soril dealt with those Kobolds who simply came his way.

To Kobolds, every hunter that tries to hunt them down, were the very meal that they also hunt in return. It was a hunt on hunt world. So everyone in the group was a target.

Still, despite what it may seem, this wasn’t as hard as one could imagine.

After all, the people on this group were quite skillful with their roles.

They were one of the strongest students of Class C after all.

By the end of the hunt for D-ranked monsters…they were able to hunt 17 kobolds…and having to take the evidence for their assignment, the only thing they were left to hunt for the day was the C-rank monster category.

After the hunt for Kobolds, they rested by a camp. As they rested, Jessica was able to call for assistance from the association where as they rested by the camp. The hunted kobolds were sold to the called group.

As they rested they also talked about their next goal for the day…

It just around about 10 AM, very early enough to go and finish the combat class assignment and move on with the rest of the homework left by the academy.

“So what kind of monster do you think we should hunt that’s a C-rank?” asked Zelisha as she looked at all the categories of C-ranked monster in some near dungeons.

“What do you think is the closest C-ranked Dungeon?” asked Soril.

“Well…judging by the hunter’s website, the closest one is filled with rabid undead knights controlled by a Lich sorcerer. Some of the undead knights are below C-rank but others can be classified as a C-rank depending on his weapon. The only problem is the Lich who is around B-rank.” said Zelisha.

“That seems a bit much for me, what else?” asked Marilyn as she had a troubled face after hearing about the Lich.

“Hmm, there’s a few Mountain Rogres just a few kilometers from this dungeon.”

“Oh, I faced one mountain Rogre before. It was pretty tough when I was using a hammer against its skin. Nearly died that day.” said Thors.

“I was there that day…you were a moron for going in head first without waiting for backup!” shouted Marilyn angrily.

“…I learned my lesson then. I’m sorry.” said Thors apologetically.

“Is this all the dungeon there is near us?” asked Soril.

“Hmm, yeah I guess so.” she said as she turned off her phone.

“Their C-ranked monsters, it going to be hard either way no matter what we choose. But as long as your there Soril, we can manage.” said Jessica as she felt assured with Soril being with them.

“Well, either one is fine for me. But to be sure, lets take a vote.” said Soril.

As they took a vote, it was decided that they would go and hunt a pack of Rogres.

As they drove their with the Humvee, with Thors at the back and the four smaller hunters inside the car, they had a small conversation to pass the time.

“Hmm, have you guys heard about the news this morning?” asked Marilyn.

“I think I did. Was it about the academy already half-way through with fixing itself or was it about the newly found artifact?” asked Jessica.

“The last part. I was surprised to find that the artifact that they showcased in the news looked somewhat familiar to the artifact that was found when we raided the Goblin Fortress…it seemed pretty identical.” said Marilyn.

“That’s because that was the Artifact.” said Soril as he looks through the side, gazing by the streets as the car was moving fast.

“…How can you be sure?” asked Zelisha.

“The people who were recognized for finding it was the Armadillo Knights. Although Juel wasn’t the one in the face of that news, his brother was.” said Soril as he yawned from how tired he was for not sleeping the entire night.

“You looked into his guild?” asked Jessica.

“I was just curious.” said Soril. But he didn’t actually looked into it, he just knew based off of the information from the book he read.

“Well anyway, I heard that the artifact was said to have the skill related to Dark Magic. They said it could make someone ten times if they used it right.” said Marilyn excitedly.

“Really? That sounds like fake news…I don’t think an artifact from an F-rank dungeon is capable of such an effect. And Dark magic? From what I know, using dark magic is more of a curse than anything. Its riskier to use dark magic than to have sex without a condom.” said Zelisha.

“That’s a bit over the top…I know a few dark magicians, and some are pretty normal.” said Marilyn as she tries to defend dark magic.

“Dark magic…seems unique.” said Soril.

“Yes it is…although I don’t particularly use it, I don’t find it disturbing as any other magic is. Every element has its ups and downs, so we shouldn’t try to look down on them just because of its reputation.” said Marilyn.

“Okay…I’m sorry.” said Zelisha as she apologizes.

“…*yawn*” as the car drove on, Soril yawned again, showing that he was unnaturally sleepy at this time of day.

“You’ve been yawning a lot lately. Didn’t you get enough sleep last night?” asked Marilyn.

“Oh..ahh…yeah. I couldn’t sleep well last night.”

“What happened?” asked Zelisha.

“You know…stuff.” said Soril as he didn’t want to go deep in this conversation.

“W-What kind of stuff?” asked Jessica nervously as she stared at Soril with restless eyes.

From her tone, it was clear that Jessica was still nervous of what Soril would say after what happened last night. She still hasn’t told anyone yet about their relationship, and if Soril were to say it…she wouldn’t know how to go about it in front of her friends.

To her, she was brave when it came with being comfy and huggy around Soril, but that only happens when their alone. If its in public, she rarely ever show a side of her that made Soril fell for her.

In this time, she was just acting like a friend to him and nothing else.

In other words, this experience of getting a boyfriend was new to her and she didn’t know how to go about it. So the only thing she could do at this moment was to keep it a secret…

She even talked about with him right as they met this morning.

Soril agreed that she would be the one to state whether or not if their relationship were to go public.

So for now, they are keeping this relationship on the down low.

“I tried looking into the use of a new elemental skill for Professor Morrison’s class. But looking at some videos on the internet doesn’t really help well with understanding magic and its properties. Still I spent all night looking for a chance to use elemental magic properly.” said Soril.

“Oh, if you could have just asked, I can help you.” said Marilyn as she happily volunteered.

“Really? That would be helpful, thanks.”

“Your welcome. And since this is a homework, lets do it as a group too. We can study a new skill at my place.” she added.

“We can also go to my place. I have a training ground there big enough that it can handle a number of people training.” suggested Jessica.

“Hmm, a training ground…sounds perfect. Lets do that.” said Marilyn as she find it more appealing.

***

In a certain ridge of a mountain, where the sight of a split path made to think that it was cut by a giant’s sword, was seen before the group, this land was named the Rogre’s Ridge.

A place that was infested with cannibalistic Mauling Ground Rogres.

Their nature to eat anything for anything can easily make a hunter shudder in fear especially if it roams in packs.

Although it was dumb as any other animal in the wild, the rogres were always very perceptive in knowing when an enemy is nearby. Their instincts were more keen than that of a wild tiger, with an impeccable hearing yet troubled capability to see well in bright places, the Rogres had a tendency to go to dark places where their sights weren’t impaired by the sunlight. That was why Rogres usually live in places like the mountain trench or caves.

Now as the group finally made it in front of the Rogre’s Ridge, just from getting off of the Humvee, they quickly came to sights with a few Rogres staring at them up from the cliff edges.

“Looks like not few hunters go here.” said Zelisha.

“Can’t blame them. Rogre’s are pretty tough even for a C-ranked hunter.” said Thors.

“Is this a mistake? Should we really be going here?” asked Marilyn as she started feeling nervous as she was being stared down by the Rogres up in the tree.

“Marilyn, this is the best place to use your element. Light is very sensitive to the Rogres, so if you can throw a flash of light in their eyes, we can use that to our advantage and take them down.” said Soril.

“Hmm, I know that but…remembering back to when we faced Rogres, I still feel scared whenever they rush at me from a distance. Their heavy bodies can barely feel my attacks even if I tried my best attacks.” said Marilyn.

“Don’t worry, You got me and Thors to cover for you when the going gets tough.” said Soril as he tried to encourage Marilyn in this hunt.

“And from what I know, Killing Rogres give off a lot of Experience. The assignment entails us to face off a C-rank monster not because of its accomplishments, but because of the experience we gain from facing a monster twice our size. Size is one of the things that causes a Rogre to be very fearful, if you can get pass that, any other monster its sizer is n problem in the future.” Said Soril with a confident face.

Seeing him like that made Marilyn feel confident about herself.

“Well…as long as your there, then okay…” she said nervously.

“…!?” hearing her say that, Jessica felt threatened from how cutesy she acted. Like that of a cute kitty who came to rely on its owner.

In seeing that, Jessica poked Soril in his hips with her sharp swords.

“Ow…whats the matter?” asked Soril as he looked to Jessica with a curious brow.

“Nothing…its nothing.” she said as she pouted and walked on forward.

“R-right…” feeling clueless about her reaction, Soril followed right back at her as they all moved forward.

***

As shaded as the trench was with how the light never struck the ground, it was eire and uncomfortable for the rest.

With Thors at the front and right back at him, they were the strongest to stand up front.

“…Can you feel them Thors?” asked Soril.

“Yeah…I noticed a few up in the cliffs…do you think that they would come down here?” he asked as he was sweating nervously.

“I doubt it…the cliffs are too steep…and if they do decide to jump from this height, it’ll probably break their legs and spine…so we’re good.” said Soril as he talked cautiously while walking slowly head first.

“Do you think there smart enough to push a boulder off of those cliffs?” asked Thors.

“I doubt it. From what I know, Rogres are just wild monsters…their as dumb as rocks when it comes to using things like boulders and other traps. Their not like goblins and orcs…the only thing going for them is their muscles and hard skin.” he answered.

“Okay…hey, looks like there’s a few up ahead.”

“Yeah, about three of them. This is good, we can use this as a chance to gain experience by hunting a small group.” said Soril.

“A small group of Rogres is at the most, one rogre…three is a lot.” said Thors as he started feeling more nervous as he got closer.

“Hmm…right, do you want me to take the lead?” he asked as he felt that Thors was getting scared from facing Three Rogres all at once.

“Y-yeah sure.” Thors quickly agreed and took his pace slower. As Soril was now at the front, he raised his shield and he stopped in place.

“…this is good. From here on, I’ll call on those Rogres and we should take this as a chance to fight them. Once they get close, Marilyn I want you to fire a flash of light at them to try and stop them at their tracks, and Zelisha, if you can, try to destroy their ears with your arrows…having to lose their hearing can help us take them down faster.” said Soril.

“Jessica, your with me. As I get close, I’ll try to paralyze them with my shield and you go for his throat. While Thors, you stay here and assist Zelisha and Marilyn if a Rogre gets pass us.” said Soril.

“R-right.” said Thors as he gripped on tight on his Hammer.

‘…their all nervous…especially Thors and Marilyn…I should do this right if I want to help them.’ as Soril thought of this, he made the signal and dashed in forward while Jessica followed behind him.

As they went, Marilyn took this chance to fire a flash of light straight at their eyes and as they meet, they were instantly blinded.

Using that chance, he came forward with his shield and struck the first Rogre down straight first. The moment his shield met with face of the confused Rogre, the force of his power was enough to push the Rogre off of his feet and straight back, rolling like a ragdoll.

“!!”

“!?”

“!???”

Everyone was surprised to find him one-shot the Rogre like it was nothing.

[+1100EXP] and he gained the experience from that Rogre, meaning that he killed it with just his shield.

“…damn it, I did it too rough.” as Soril regretted this choice, he made his way and struck the second Rogre down.

As he did, this time he did it more gently. As he did, his second thrust of his shield simply broke the bone of the Rogre’s knee, making the Rogre fall down kneeling while it wails in pain.

In that moment, he realized his power was too much…he got to serious in this event.

But a he was having these thoughts, Jessica swoops in and tries to finish off the Rogre who had his knee bent and broken.As she thrusted her sword straight into his eyes, she successfully took down one Rogre.

Seeing that moment when Soril was able ot take down a Rogre with just his Shield….it made Thors

As the Second Rogre fell, the third Rogre who was starting to regain his sights back came to meet with an arrow falling from the above.

It struck its left ear and upper forehead. Being coated with a reinforced mana, the arrow was able to pierce through the Rogre and to it, it was put down instantly as the arrow was able to hit the brain.

The Rogres were instantly taken cared of…seeing that they were successful, they took this chance to regroup.

“…I’m sorry.” said Soril.

“About what?” asked Jessica as she was curious on to why he was trying to apologize.

“…I thought I could use this as a chance for you guys to learn…”

“Don’t be stupid, there’s always another chance….and this time I’ll do my part well.” said Thors as he gripped tight on his hammer. Seeing Soril take down a Rogre in ease made him somewhat feel competitive…a little bit of himself knew that Soril was tough…and seeing it now against a Rogre who Thors believes to be his limit of an opponent, made him feel like he can do more.

To find someone who was stronger and see their strengths can only leave a man either envious or idolized….

‘To think that I actually thought of him to be my rival…I was a fool…my strength and confidence is a lie…’

In that moment, Thors found Soril to be his motivation…

‘No more…no more of this…I need to be a man, I need to face my fears!’

As they made their way to the next group of Rogres, Thors took this chance as a way to face his fears…

This time, he stood side by side with Soril.

And even though his knees shook in fear, the fact that someone who was strong was with him, made him somewhat confident…

So he took his step and made himself fired up.

They attacked…for hours, they took on groups of Rogres slowly but surely…

At first, Soril was the one who made a significant amount of help because his team could barely deal with a Rogre while dealing with another Rogre…

But by the end, the group was now moving fluently against the Rogres.

They had studied their attack patterns, their nature as a monster…and they took every advantage they could.

By the time they decided to stop because of exhuastion…

The Group was able to hunt….

65 Rogres in just under 8 hours.

As they left, they were left feeling stronger as their levels grew and their experience matured.

Soril assisted the group 45 times…while killing 25 rogres.

Jessica killed 16 rogres…while assisting 10 times.

Thors killed 12 rogres while assiting 14 times.

Zelisha killed 7 Rogres while assisting 35 times.

And Marilyn killed 5 Rogres while assisting all of the hunt against these Rogres.

One way or another, the reason they were able to get this far was because of Soril. He didn’t fear the Rogres nor did he once took a step back when he came to face them even all at once…

His bravery and conviction to move forth encouraged the group to do their best.

They came out of that trench a winner…and richer.