The Cornflower Witch

Chapter 96: Joint Kill

"Someone found the 'Blood Aberration Flower' on the second day. This assessment has produced some promising seedlings."

An enchanting voice came from the black carriage stopped at the foot of the mountain. Unfortunately, at this moment, only the Black Stork on the branch responded to her.

"However, that two-headed fool is not easy to deal with. I wonder if this child can survive. How about we make a bet?" She extended her snake-like wrist out of the window. The Black Stork immediately flew down and landed on her outstretched wrist.

"It's a pity you can't speak. It is indeed a bit boring for me to sit here alone watching the show."

"Lead the way ahead. Take the carriage to where that boy Heide is."

Then, this Black Stork with a red beak flew up, flapping its wings as it flew ahead of the carriage. It pressed a claw onto the mane, waking the black horse that had been lowering its head and closing its eyes.

Blood-red eyes opened. This black horse snorted, shooing the Black Stork on its head, then shook its body and started walking again, following the Black Stork flying ahead.

...

In the forest, Sylutia looked up at the colossal creature before her. This Ogre had two bizarre heads. Its body was about four meters tall, seemingly capable of blocking the sky behind it, giving people a powerful sense of oppression.

Race: Ogre (Aberrant)Status: Healthy (Bloodthirsty)

Talents:

Great Strength [Excellent Grade]: Ogres are born with outstanding strength. Their tall stature and physique grant them strength far exceeding that of other lifeforms of the same tier.

Fate Card: [Two-Headed Ogre] (Second Tier · Bloodline)

'A variant individual among Ogres. Roughly one in fifty Ogres grows two heads. They have two hearts, sharing two sources of power. They are formidable and troublesome individuals among their tier.'

- Effect: [Great Strength Body Lv.5], a talent in your bloodline grants you innate, powerful brute force and physique. Even an elephant becomes a plaything in your hands.

- Effect: [Dual-Core Drive Lv.2], you have two hearts and two brains. All low-tier abilities receive double enhancement. (Original ability level not higher than Lv.3)

Ability Cards:

[Blood Devouring Method Lv.4] (Bloodline): Can digest devoured flesh, scales, skin, and bones, converting them into your own 'Bloodline' Aspect power. (Upgraded from Lv.3 → Lv.4 due to 'Dual-Core Drive')

[Crimson Resilient Hide Lv.3] (Bloodline): Tough, thick outer hide. Difficult for spears and swords to pierce. Heat resistant. Difficult for flames to harm. (Upgraded from Lv.2 → Lv.3 due to 'Dual-Core Drive')

[Intimidating Aura Lv.4] (Bloodline): After killing many creatures, you gain an aura that intimidates other lifeforms, causing them to lose all fighting spirit, dare not resist, and even shattering the hearts of weak lifeforms. (Upgraded from Lv.3 → Lv.4 due to 'Dual-Core Drive')

When this Ogre appeared before Sylutia, an intangible aura spread out like a shockwave, shattering the insects in the mountain grass. Sylutia's heart also tightened, sending a wave of pain.

A very terrifying enemy. The girl reached this conclusion the moment she saw the other party. If this was the final third objective, then the difficulty was already beyond imagination.

However, now was not the time for random thoughts, because the Ogre before her began to move.

He stepped out with his left foot, swung the thick iron club in his right hand, and smashed it toward the girl in front of him. The whistling sound of the weapon cutting through the air was terrifying. The gust of wind it raised blew back Sylutia's hood, revealing her overflowing black hair.

Pushing off the ground with her heel, Sylutia activated her Breathing Technique, propelling herself forward in a desperate leap to avoid the descending club. Then she escaped from the wide, grasping hand that lunged at her and dashed into the woods to the side.

Seeing that he hadn't caught the girl, the Ogre strode forward with long steps, following her. The sound of snapping branches constantly echoed along the path.

The mountain path was not easy to traverse, often having very steep slopes. At such times, Sylutia could leap nimbly, while the Ogre could only laboriously push aside branches and struggle to climb the slopes.

His speed couldn't match Sylutia's. Seeing the girl about to escape his line of sight, this Ogre roared in furious anger. A surging wave of sound and aura spread out, making the fleeing girl ahead feel as if an iron hand was gripping her heart, causing intense discomfort.

Her foot stumbled, almost stepping into a crevice between rocks. Fortunately, she stabilized her posture at the last moment, took a few more steps forward, left the Ogre's line of sight, and entered the secluded depths of the forest.

It was very difficult to defeat this Two-Headed Ogre head-on. She would have to think of another way.

...

Because they had entered the interior of the forest, the danger level began to climb. Many students felt uncomfortable. Some, after finding the spring, directly withdrew, not daring to venture deeper. Some, with slightly better luck, desperately defeated monsters also at the 'First Tier', then took the monster's head, placed it together with the water bottle, and went back to report.

Under the shade of the trees, Karen gripped her longbow as she advanced. Her footsteps were silent, her gaze scanning her surroundings. At this moment, she heard the faint sound of water from a distant mountain hollow. Thinking it might be the Sweetwater Spring the Instructor mentioned, Karen quickened her pace.

Several minutes later, in front of the Sweetwater Spring, Komea and Karen hugged each other.

"Wah, Sister Karen, you're here." Komea hugged Karen's waist, feeling like crying with joy.

"I've been so scared these past two days, afraid of encountering monsters I can't fight. If it weren't for Doughball accompanying me, I would have gone home yesterday." She spoke intermittently about her situation over the past two days and how she relied on 'Doughball' to find this spring.

"I thought, there must be others coming to find the spring too. Then I could meet classmates and form a team with everyone to return." Her idea was indeed good, except that not every classmate she met was trustworthy.

"Alright, I'm here now. It should be fine." Karen patted Komea, then looked around. She noticed that not far behind Komea, under the shade of a tree, a snow-white Tili Wolf was cautiously hiding behind the tree, peeking and seeming a bit afraid of her.

Is this Tili Wolf this timid? Karen thought to herself, then asked Komea.

"That's just how it is, so I don't expect it to fight." Komea said, calling the Tili Wolf over, pressing its head down to pet it, and introducing it to Karen.

"But it's very obedient and can help us find many things."

"In that case... it would be very helpful for us to meet up with Tia, Mick, and the others." Karen said thoughtfully.

"Oh right! I can have it help me find Tia and the others." Komea happily jumped up at this moment.

So the two of them collected the spring water and set off again.

...

Afternoon, the sun slanted westward.

Following Jello's intermittent descriptions, Mick found the lair of that Ogre and discovered the blue-skinned Ogre taking an afternoon nap.

Is it really this big? Mick tightened his grip on his sword and slowly approached, preparing to ambush the Ogre while it slept.

However, he was only from an adventurer background and hadn't systematically learned assassin techniques. Before he got within five meters, the Ogre smelled his scent, discovered him, and propped itself up to stand.

The other party's massive body blocked the rays of the setting sun, its elongated shadow enveloping Mick.

The air seemed to grow a bit colder. Facing the Ogre, who was over a meter taller than him, Mick rushed forward quickly, then leaped up, swinging his raised longsword down with all his might.

The steel longsword smashed onto the thick wooden club that was raised to block, splitting open a deep crack. Splintered wood fragments flew everywhere, and the recoil force also made Mick's palms tingle slightly.

The first strike missed. Mick adjusted his position, circled to the side, and charged forward again. The longsword in his hand swung in a huge arc through the air, slashing diagonally down from the Ogre's shoulder.

The sharp blade cut through the thick hide, tearing open a dark red bloodstain. The Ogre, suffering intense pain, roared in anger, its eyes bloodshot. It covered the wound with one hand while the other hand swept the wooden club in its grasp with all its might, hitting Mick who couldn't dodge in time.

Even with the longsword blocking, the tremendous force still sent Mick flying. The broken front end of the wooden club smashed into Mick's head, making him dizzy, almost kneeling on the ground. Then, a trickle of warm blood flowed down from his forehead.

He was injured, but not seriously.

Seeing the wooden club in its hand damaged, this Ogre first grabbed a stone by its feet and threw it at Mick. The hard, heavy stone hit Mick's back like a millstone impact, making his chest feel stuffy, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.

Not long after, this Ogre strode closer. Even with the long gash on its body, the bloodlust and excitement in its eyes remained unchanged. Its outstretched hand directly grabbed for Mick's shoulder.

The thick fingers were like bluish-grey stones, full of wrinkles. Its nails were filled with thick sludge and bloodstains, emitting a foul smell. When they gripped Mick's shoulder, it felt like iron pincers, causing Mick pain.

Gritting his teeth, Mick tore open the strap on his chest, then untied the leather shoulder armor on his shoulder, freeing himself and escaping. He staggered as he ran toward the mountain forest.

Afterwards, this Ogre chased him all the way. The injured Mick couldn't run fast. The speed difference between the two wasn't great, so they continued advancing along the hillside like this.

This situation only ended when an arrow shot out from the woods and hit the Ogre's eyeball.

Komea and Karen stood on the hillside. One opened her eyes wide, swirling with grey mist to interfere with the Ogre. The other continuously drew her bow and shot arrows, hitting the Ogre's eyes, throat, and knees, causing it to exhaust its strength and slowly collapse on the hillside.

The three of them gathered at this moment. Through concerted effort, they killed a 'First Tier' Ogre monster.

At this time, there were still three 'First Tier' Ogres and one 'Second Tier' Ogre in the mountains.