Gather Divine Coins and Gacha! - Chapter 134

 Swinging my right arm over, I slipped past the front left side of the one charging at me, delivering a kick to its back, then targeting one on the far right.

The Ogre in the center and on the left also sensed my move, trying to intercept, but I was faster.

"Take this!"

Dodging the arm aiming to strike from above, I maneuvered around it from a low position and delivered a strong kick to its knee, causing it to stagger.

With just one leg, it seemed vulnerable, so I swiftly pierced its core as it stumbled and fell backward.

"Phew... That's it?"

Just as I thought I had defeated one, another at the rear immediately threw a stone.

Although it was at the edge, it was still within my field of vision, making it relatively easy to dodge, but I couldn't afford to let my guard down.

The one at the front, whom I kicked earlier, was already getting back up.

Taking a moment to regroup and reassess from above, I noticed it was still determined, not taking its eyes off me.

Though my technique, "Scarlet Horn's Sting," inflicted substantial damage, it wasn't enough to bring it down in one hit. I realized it had thick skin and muscles underneath, effectively absorbing the impact.

Targeting its head might be an option, but that seemed challenging.

"Shadow's Blade" was effective, and aiming for the legs to destabilize before targeting the core seemed like a reliable strategy.

Directly targeting the core might be possible, but it felt risky when dealing with its swinging arms.

Four left.

Glancing toward the back of the hall, they were watching but hadn't joined the fight yet.

The situation might change as their numbers dwindle, but for now, I'll take out whoever I can.

Earlier, one at the rear threw stones to distract while another stood at the front, and three in the middle tried to surround me.

Well, I foiled their plan by dodging the stones from the rear, kicking down the one in front, and then taking out one from the side as they tried to encircle me. But these monsters are different from the ones I've faced before.

The others have been coordinating with timing and encirclement tactics... they're clever.

I need to be careful not to charge in recklessly!

"What?"

They didn't like that I was hovering without moving, so three of them, excluding the one at the front, launched stones at me.

I checked with the "Fairy's Eye," but there wasn't much difference in strength among them.

It doesn't matter who I target first; they're all the same. Next, I'll aim for the one at the rear.

◇

"Hah!"

The kick I delivered in what seemed like a finishing move lodged into the Ogre's chest, and as it recoiled, I pierced its core with a follow-up strike.

That was the last one of the stone-throwing group.

It must have taken around 10 minutes?

Even though I dealt with five of them, it was quite a struggle.

Although, if it were one-on-one, just kicking and stabbing like I did now would be enough to take them down in two hits...

The problem lies with the remaining Ogres further back, who have been observing the fight from a distance the whole time.

The monsters I've fought before either attacked or fled, but this is the first time they've been observing like this.

I've been on edge, wondering when they'll join the fray, but even after defeating the stone-throwers, they haven't done anything... It's frustrating.

Anyway, refocusing, as I ascend back toward the ceiling to reassess, I notice that the formation of the Ogres below has shifted slightly.

"Monsters shouldn't be forming formations..."

Perhaps I've taken a bit too much time.

They're well-prepared, waiting for me.

The largest individual, probably the boss of this group, has positioned itself furthest from me, forming a formation that resembles an inverted "V."

Was it called "Crane Wings"?

Something like that.

Well, it might be taking that shape because it makes it easier to encircle prey... but it's intimidating when faced with it head-on.

Akame managed to take down one of the five earlier, so she's capable, but charging in there alone with just one more companion would be foolish.

I've researched the Ogres in the middle layer. There were documents on how to breach the corridors and tactics for fighting, but they all assumed large numbers and a quick, decisive victory. There was nothing about fighting alone and taking time...

Forming a formation was unexpected.

I might have underestimated the Ogres a bit.

"...Shall we go back?"

We've already got one holy coin, so there's no need to risk it unnecessarily.

Retreat, retreat.