Chapter 24: The Higrant's Totem (2)

The Higrant, Giant, Kortbos...?

Giants were tribal, religious and territorial monsters that were found often near mountain sides and especially large mountain caves in MO. They were also prideful—programed in such a way that if you were to enter their territory alone, they wouldn’t gang up on you at all. Instead, one by one, they would challenge you—individually while the others watched on.
That being said, each of them were incredibly strong in their own right, even more so than the standard dungeon monster despite being of a lower Level. They were often used to train newer endgame players in dealing with upper dungeon-like enemies. If I were to compare them to the Grey Grimms from earlier, who had been more of a pain to deal with due to how they fought—the average Giant was far stronger in just raw strength.

“And this one here is a Special Beast variant...? The Chief of its tribe, no less.”

The image quality provided by Cruubi’s sight was incredibly vivid. I could make out the Higrant Giant Kortbos’ entire appearance as it marched in our direction all alone. With an over 270cm (8’8”) stature, it lugged around a massive war hammer on its shoulders. Its ash gray skin had an array of white, complex markings befitting of a Chieftain. Thick, tusk-like teeth protruded from its bottom jaw, covering the sides of its mouth, while its eyes gleamed like jaded-colored cat eyes. If what the woodworker said had been true, and Palvo really saw Kortbos’ appearance, his reaction didn’t surprise me in the slightest now.

This is really bad. The fact that it’s a Special Beast variant means that even I won’t be able to beat it all alone... That monster even has the same skill as the Warlord Class, [Berserk Vitality], which should be considered an outright cheat! What the hell... If even one hit connects while he’s using that skill, it could easily kill me!

"Huh...? Kill...me...?”

I could feel a set of shivers ripple throughout my body as I murmured those words to myself. I then closed my eyes, releasing [Conjurer’s Agent] and turn my gaze to my trembling hands.

“Aha. I really am shaking, aren’t I...?”

For the first time since arriving in the real world of Aerith, I now felt genuinely terrified. I never even gave much thought about it until that moment. There was no one else in Druhwood that could even attempt putting up a fight against the Higrant Chieftain—only I could. And I had yet to face anything even close to its threat level so far. If I couldn’t stop it, that would just mean the end of Druhwood and possibly other settlements. Simple as that.

Do I...even need to stop it...? Does it have to be me...? Why should I risk my life for some random place to begin with?! I...

“Sir Albel...”

“!!!”

I hadn’t really known why, but for some reason, Marna’s face and voice appeared as those selfish thoughts raced through my mind. I then became submerged in a flood of anger, a surge of disgust sprung from my gut and a binding mortification entrapped me. All of these, all toward my own self and only me—no one else. I could feel my nails dig deeply into the palm of my hands. That prickling pain and wetness felt deserved after I realized what those thoughts had implied.

“Ha. I don’t remember being this much of a coward before... At least, not in this world...”

What would Marna think of the choice I was about to make? Ah. I’m an absolute idiot! I didn’t earn this title of Diviner for nothing, dammit!

I headed toward the almost shut south gate, rushing through the small opening that still remained. I could hear varying voices from behind, yelling to come back, that it was dangerous—as if I hadn’t known that already. And it didn’t matter either way. Once that thing arrived—gate or no gate—it wouldn’t mean anything. Thus, I made sure to at least create some distance between the gate and myself. Coming to a stop at the place where I would stand my ground against Kortbos.

“Now think!”

What would instigate the Chieftain of a tribe of Giants? Even if it’s alone—no, especially because it’s alone, this makes the situation even more dire. Back in the game, roaming tribes existed in certain mountainous areas, right? So, a herd of Giants could have simply implied that they were moving locations. A single one though, and a Chieftain at that, means that someone or something angered them. Possibly—no, definitely in a very serious way and it’s looking to either set things right or get even. So, think! What and which is it, and why!?

My thoughts swirled to standstill as I couldn’t figure out any answers alone. Even with my knowledge from MO, I was still ignorant of any differences that could exist in the real world of Aerith.

“Albel!”

A familiar voice then called to me from behind, and looking back, I could now see someone clumsily running toward me. It was Eru. I didn’t have the patience nor was I in the right head space to deal with any others currently. So, before I could even stop myself, the first set of words that sprung out—came without regard nor care for her reasoning. She had no place on that field.

“Eru! Why did you come all the way out here?! Go back, now! There’s nothing you can do here!”
“B-but! What are you...planning on doing out here yourself, Albel...?! To fight against it...? All alone...?”

Even out of breath, it didn’t stop her from voicing her concerns. As terrified as she was earlier, she still gathered the courage to follow me. In seeing this, I felt apologetic. I wasn’t thinking straight in my lack of composure. Taking a deep breath, I attempted to calm myself down.

“Yes, I plan on fighting it alone. Defeating it though... I’m not really sure if that’s something I’d be capable of doing by myself...”
“...Isn’t it a Higrant Giant...? They’re really strong, but as a summoned Effigy, shouldn’t you be able—”
“It isn’t just a normal Higrant Giant, that’s why. It’s their Chieftain...”

It felt as if a thin slither of hope that she may have held prior had now vanished as her face was drained in response to my words. She was right, a Higrant Giant wouldn’t be too difficult for me alone after all.

“What...? What do you mean by that...? How would you even—Cruubi...? Is that why you called its name earlier...?”
“Linking our sights together, I was able to see the Giant—including its status—through Cruubi’s eyes. The Higrant Giant heading this way is the Chieftain. One that is Level 130 at that. Even for me...”
“Y-you’re joking, r-right...? That’s...not—”

I met her eyes with a stern expression. She could tell I was completely serious now as dejection struck her hard enough to make her head and eyes sink to her chest. Looking away, I could see the brute’s figure approaching slowly now.

“Eru, please. Return to Druhwood. Get everyone to flee to the north. I’ll do what I can to make sure you guys have enough time. That’s...probably the best I can currently do... I’m sorry.”

I could only feel a bottomless pit of powerlessness open like a gaping cavity in my chest as I was met with silence on her end. I wanted to be able to do more, but I wasn’t omnipotent. My true strength came from my Divination tactics, and that could only take me so far alone. I held eight uses and I had to make sure each of those eight counted, without senselessly wasting any in this fight. I wouldn’t be able to protect anyone near me, thus, she needed to leave.

“Eru! Lad!”

The clopping sound of hooves suddenly came from behind us as both Eru and I turned our attention toward the rough voice.

“What in the world are you two doing all the way out here?! Especially you, youngin’! Are you trying to get yourselves killed?!”

Torrel had arrived on horseback and in the nick of time. He was starting to remind me of a particular maid with his sense of timing. Eying the brute once more and gauging its distance, I then turned toward Torrel.

“Torrel, I’m sure you’ve heard the news already, but I’ll tell you this—the Higrant Giant on the way isn’t anything Druhwood nor I can deal with easily. It’s the Chieftain of its tribe, and a very strong one at that. Take Eru with you and begin evacuating the town. I’ll try and hold it off as best as I can until then.”
“What are you on about, lad?! Are you crazy in the head or—”
“Grandpa! He’s telling the truth... We don’t have any other choice...”

Breaking out of her silence, she turned toward her grandfather, assisting in my given warning. It was definitely difficult to outright believe in some random traveler all of a sudden, so having Eru here did help in that regard. And after a moment of Torrel giving the situation rather serious thought, he then addressed something I wasn’t expecting him to.

“If it’s the Chieftain as you say, then that could only mean that someone decided to go and mess with their [Totem of Sanctity]. They keep it at the front of their territory, as a way to ward off others and to pray to the Goddess before entering their home.”
“...So, that would mean that the Chieftain is out looking for that totem?”
“Aye, that has to be the reason for its sudden appearance. Almost nothing else could antagonize a tribe leader more than messing with their religious offerings.”

There was validity in what he revealed. I had forgotten about the importance of their totems entirely. Every single one of the Giant tribes erected one as an offering toward the Goddess. And if this were the actual case here, then that would mean there was still hope in fixing the situation after all.

Maybe, just maybe, right...? If we find that totem, then maybe we can quell its anger somehow? It’s better than doing nothing!

“Torrel! Does anyone come to mind for you on who might have been idiotic enough to steal that totem?! As the Chief of Druhwood, you interact with most—if not all—the people that come to town, right?”
“Aye, you’re right on that and someone does. That damned merchant! He’s left for the north a short while ago after our meeting, with a full carriage in tow at that! That slimy bastard! No doubt he’s aware that such an act goes against the Crethian law on religious artifacts!”

There wasn’t even a second wasted in his response, as he seemingly held a lingering suspicion the moment the topic of the totem was brought forth. We now had a suspect in mind and where they were currently heading. If he had left just a short while ago, they could potentially still make it before he took off completely. We couldn’t afford to waste any more time here.

“I’ll leave that guy and retrieving the totem to you, Torrel! Once you get it, come back here immediately. I’ll do what I can to hold off the Chieftain until your return.”
“Lad, are you sure you’ll be able to do that...?!”

In response to his question, I immediately changed out of my normal clothing—now adorned with my usual equipment and stave. I could feel the swelling of my resolve now as the golden aura faded.

“Ah. Now that I know we have a chance at fixing this situation, I won’t be discouraged or beaten that easily. Trust in me to handle this, as I trust in you to handle that idiot!”

I grinned in his direction, a seconds later, Torrel responded in kind. I could even see Eru’s spirit liven a bit more as well as she watched on with curled fists to her chest and a smile of her own. We had struck a partnership on the belief of trusting one another to handle what we were served with. For the sake of Druhwood and fixing one idiot’s absurd and intentional mistake.

“Youngin’, we’re heading out and after that damned merchant! Jump on.”
“Yes, Grandpa! And good luck, Albel! I believe in you, but make sure to be careful!”
“Aye, don’t you dare go dying on us, lad!”

Eru then jumped onto the back of Torrel’s horse as they readied themselves to head out, whereas as I returned my line of sight toward the approaching Giant.

“Just leave it to me!”

They were now on their way back to Druhwood as the marching of the Chieftain in the distance began sending small tremors with each step. Despite the distance between the two of us lessening, I didn’t feel as demoralized or as scared as before.

I don’t have to defeat him here—just buy time. As much time as I possibly can. That, and not die. Those are my two priorities. Two that I will definitely—with everything I have—make a reality! For those two that currently trust in me to do this, and for the promise I made to her.

Slamming my stave into the ground in front of me, the time to ready myself had arrived. And with a short glance above, I caught a glimpse of Cruubi as it headed in the direction of Druhwood. My eyes then returned back to the figure that stood across from me as I grinned once more. Funneling every ounce of strength and resolve into my shout, I addressed myself.

“Now, allow me to show you exactly why I was referred to as the Diviner!”