These newly appeared ogres stood less than two meters tall — dwarves among their kind — yet their bodies were covered in tattoos and savage runes of unknown purpose.
"Ogre Shamans!"
The black-robed mage cried out inwardly. Ogre Shamans were bloodline bearers among the ogre race, awakening several quasi-spell-like abilities as they matured in age.
Among ogre tribes, these Ogre Shamans held positions of tremendous influence, and now they had actually set up an ambush right here.
A sudden sense of impending doom washed over the black-robed mage.
"Rrrraagh…" The Ogre Shamans opposite gave the black-robed mage no time to think. As they roared, the tattoos and runes across their bodies lit up layer by layer. The innate gifts of bloodline bearers allowed them to cast spells without study or memorization, though they still depended on the Weave's support and channeling.
Mana gathered, and several enormous fireballs, blazing with an orange-red glow, tore straight through the flimsy magical barrier surrounding the mage, incinerating her and the warhorse beneath her into charred remains.
"Rena!" Siegfried's eyes turned red. Even though he had already broken free from the encirclement, he turned back and charged straight at the Ogre Shamans.
Though somewhat cold and selfish by nature, Siegfried truly valued his real friends and the woman he loved.
With Rena killed before his eyes, his blood rushed to his head, filled with nothing but the impulse and desire for vengeance.
Clang!
His silver-white longsword was caught mid-swing by an enormous black war hammer, producing a deafening boom.
The tremendous recoil forced Siegfried back into a shred of冷静. He looked at his opponent — a two-headed ogre standing over four meters tall, its skin a startling blood red and covered in a layer of scales. Two savage heads, one large and one small, bore black fangs from which disgusting drool dripped. Beneath the two-headed ogre sat a grotesque land lizard, which also had two heads — but the second was merely a massive tumor with only the faintest suggestion of facial features.
"Rrrraagh…"
The two-headed ogre roared and swung its enormous black war hammer — acquired from who knew where — charging straight at Siegfried.
The terrifying strength born from its monstrous physique forced Siegfried to retreat again and again. Though his warhorse was a fine steed, it was no match for a magical beast and had already begun foaming at the mouth, clearly on the verge of collapse.
With the appearance of the two-headed ogre, the remaining Ogre Shamans and ordinary ogres seemed to find their backbone and began hunting down the other mercenaries.
Thanks to the shamans' support, the mercenaries suffered devastating casualties in short order. Only a scant few lucky ones broke through the encirclement, and not one dared glance back as they fled for their lives.
"There's even a Two-Headed Ogre Overlord and Ogre Shamans!"
Leilin exclaimed, the light in his eyes flickering as the Chip displayed the opponents' data.
【Name Unknown. Race: Ogre (Mutated). Sex: Male. Strength: 16. Agility: 7. Constitution: 15. Spirit: 6. Description: Two-Headed Ogres are mutated variants that appear sporadically among ogre populations. The duplicate brain often leaves them in a state of mental confusion, though exceptions exist in which a sudden leap in intelligence occurs. Mutated Two-Headed Ogres possess abilities far beyond ordinary ogres, and when blessed with heightened intelligence, they often rise to become overlords of ogre tribes.】
【Name Unknown. Race: Ogre (Shaman). Sex: Female. Strength: 5. Agility: 4. Constitution: 9. Spirit: 10. Innate Gifts: 1. Regeneration — Ogres possess extraordinary regenerative capabilities; even after decapitation, they can survive for a considerable period. 2. Bloodline Bearer — Ogre Shamans who have awakened traces of ancient caster bloodlines possess quasi-spell-like abilities, though the spell types and daily casting limits depend on the degree of bloodline awakening.】
"All excellent data. If I could devour them all, that would be even more perfect…"
The Devil Blood Dagger materialized silently in Leilin's palm. The devil's skull on its hilt hummed and moaned, as though voicing its craving for flesh and blood.
"Now!"
Leilin burst from his stealth, and the Devil Blood Dagger was already buried in the throat of an ordinary ogre.
A terrifying devouring force erupted, reducing the creature to a desiccated husk in an instant. A warm current flowed from the dagger into his hand and surged up along his arm, while the Chip's notification chimed in his mind.
【Ding! Host has completed a Devil Blood Dagger enhancement! Strength +0.1, Constitution +0.05!】
"Truly worthy of ogres — such rich Life Energy!"
Leilin praised, his steps never pausing. He danced like the god of death himself, the dagger trailing broad arcs of blood-red light.
Then he leaped onto a riderless warhorse wandering nearby and galloped away in a cloud of dust.
In the chaos, the mercenaries had no idea what had happened on this side, and the simple-minded ogres had no concept of what a devil was. All they could see was an accursed human springing out and slaughtering several of their companions!
"Rrrraagh!!"
With furious roars, one of the Ogre Shamans and several elite ogre warriors gave chase.
Meanwhile, the Two-Headed Ogre Overlord was still locked in combat with Siegfried. The latter was, after all, a high-ranking human warrior and not so easily subdued. Seeing the situation, the overlord could only let out a few incomprehensible roars, urging the other ogres to redouble their efforts.
A brown steed thundered down the road, with several speed-enhanced ogres in hot pursuit.