arc2 · 025-ch25

Episode 25: After Wooden Goblins Come Ogres

　Having finished his battle with the Wooden Goblins, Suzuka continued his exploration. After walking for just ten minutes, there was another group of Wooden Goblins, so he turned them to smoke without any trouble.

"Hmm. These guys aren't very strong. They just charge in fearlessly, what do you call it... That's it! They feel like a disorganized mob."

　Without particularly coordinating with each other, once they spot Suzuka, they attack shouting "Whoo-hoo!! Let's go!!". They remind him of Drunken Sheep, but these guys don't drop meat, so there's no reward.

"Ah, maybe I'll try snatching a weapon from one of them."

　He hadn't been paying attention since they drop weapons at a 50% rate, but from these guys, he can directly snatch weapons using the Snatch skill. Weapons snatched with the Snatch skill get enhanced and their names change, so they can't be sold, but he wants to see what kind of weapon it becomes.

　While walking around looking for Wooden Goblins, he spotted another group of explorers.

"I don't like having so many people around. Wish these guys would just disappear."

　He avoided the other explorers while imagining unreasonable demands, and searched for Wooden Goblins. There were many explorers, but there were also many monsters, so he was able to find them quickly.

　As he approached a group visible in the distance, there was one monster with a particularly large body.

　Wooden Ogre: Level 15

"Oh, an Ogre appeared. Maybe this'll be a bit more exciting?"

　Unlike Goblins, Ogres are taller, reaching around 170 centimeters in height. Their physique is also sturdy, and from their sinister appearance, they look like the type you wouldn't want to get involved with—the aggressive, in-your-face kind.

　Ogres are considered the upper species of Goblins, but they're not area bosses. They're general monsters that appear in the level 13-16 range.

"GAGIGAGIGAGAAAAAA!!!"

　The moment it spotted Suzuka, the Wooden Ogre charged forward with a roar. While Boss Fox had a fighting style of sending Underling Foxes ahead first to assess the situation, Ogres seem to be the type that shove Goblins aside and rush to the front lines themselves.

　Perhaps because its level is high and its body is large, it has considerable physical strength. However, since it's just an ordinary monster and not an area boss, Suzuka's stats seem to be higher. He blocked the Ogre's attacks several times, but he was never pushed back.

　While he was thinking about how to snatch a weapon, the Goblins scattered to the left and right lunged toward the backpack Suzuka was carrying. Since he had experienced Underling Fox tackles, he was able to easily repel them, but it seemed they were trying to steal his luggage.

　He put some distance between them and looked at the faces of the Ogre and Goblins, and they were grinning with nasty smiles. It seems their tactic is for the Ogre to draw the opponent's attention while the Goblins steal luggage or get in the way.

　Grin, grin, grin, grin, grin, grin, grin. They seemed to be genuinely enjoying just doing things the opponent would hate. Suzuka sighed at their nature.

"You guys are boring. A total disappointment, too."

　The magic iron pipe Suzuka gripped faintly glowed with color. Just like before, the Ogre came toward him, but there was no need to deliberately receive its attack. He stepped into its inner space as it swung down, and swung his magic iron pipe up at the arm it was swinging down with.

　Shattering the forearm bone and tearing through flesh, Suzuka used the magic iron pipe to rip off the Ogre's arm along with its weapon.

"GUGAGAGAHAAAAAA"

　Ignoring the Ogre roaring in pain, he slammed the Goblins that lunged at him in that opening into the ground, turning them to smoke. The Goblins not only got defeated but also charged at him raising their weapons, but like the Ogre, they turned to smoke from attacks that tore off their arms along with their weapons.

　Finally, when he finished off the noisy Ogre screaming "gyaa gyaa," all that remained on the ground was the spear the Goblins had been carrying and the wooden sword the Ogre had been holding.

"Well, let's see what kind of items they turned into."

　Items obtained through Suzuka's Unique Skill "Snatch" drop in an enhanced state. These wooden weapons should also be enhanced.

　He checked the item details while feeling excited.

Name: Wooden Spear (Ogre Apprentice Craftsman-made)

Grade: Normal

Details: A flexible and sturdy wooden weapon made by an Ogre craftsman's apprentice. An item Goblins admire. If you have this, Goblins will try to steal it at all costs.

"...That's disappointing."

　Through the effect of the Snatch skill, ordinary wooden weapons have become enhanced items. However, the materials haven't changed at all—the only difference is that it was made by an Ogre craftsman's apprentice.

　Unlike magic iron, it can't be melted and reused, so its use is truly just as a wooden weapon. Being sturdy is good, but his current magic iron pipe is sufficient for that alone.

"Is this one similar too?"

　The wooden sword dropped by the Wooden Ogre had similar contents.

Name: Hardwood Sword (Ogre Apprentice Craftsman-made)

Grade: Normal

Details: A flexible and sturdy hardwood weapon made by an Ogre craftsman's apprentice. An item Ogres admire. If you have this, Ogres will try to steal it at all costs.

　Ogre drops become hardwood weapons instead of wooden ones. This one was also made by an Ogre craftsman's apprentice, and the grade is Normal, not rare.

"Ah, if you look closely, there's an Ogre mark carved on it. Surprisingly detailed."

　The Hardwood Sword is double-edged in shape. The blade is also large and thick, so it looks like a sword sufficient for crushing things. It's obviously a heavy-looking sword, but Suzuka with his high stats could easily swing it around.

"Not bad, but the magic iron pipe is easier to handle. I'll put it in storage."

　The magic iron pipe, with its higher grade and easier mana flow, is superior overall. The drawback is that the drop rate is poor, so it's hard to obtain.

"I'm done with Ogres. They're annoying. Are there any other monsters?"

　Suzuka stored the snatched apprentice craftsman weapons in his storage and continued his exploration.