Chapter 27: The Higrant's Totem (5)

Southwest of Druhwood.

A thunderous noise shook my ears, leaving me feeling oblivious to whether my plan had even worked or not. Amid that stupor, I was blinded with a white light that I couldn’t make out what exactly it was nor even where it came from. And as that white light and noise faded, my eyes were met with a vivid blue sky accompanied by disbelief.

“Aha. I’m still alive, huh...? It actually...worked...?”

It was a rather impulsive plan, centered around how crafty and deceptive I could try and be. A layered list of spells—one after another—just to ensure that the risk wouldn’t end up with me being dead. Again.
Sounds of the brute walking away from me, and possibly toward Druhwood, came at the cusp of that thunderous noise now. I tried to move even slightly, yet I could still feel a pulsating surge of pain. Even so, my line of sight was adjusted toward the leaving Kortbos’ direction as [Detect Other] had already ended.

Now I’m kind of feeling a bit regretful for letting Cruubi just fly off. Its healing isn’t incredibly effective on me, but something must be better than nothing, right...? Well, I should still be grateful to even be alive right now.

The Chieftain was creating more and more distance between us as I shifted my attention now toward the area where my [Abysmal End] was still nested. This time though, it hadn’t been alone. Three spectral wolves, a magical eye and a pair of hands huddled near it. More specifically, the spells [Winter Pack], [Eye of the Magi] and [Arcane Hands]. With their assistance, I had successfully deceived Kortbos. And in attempting to do so, I had been whittled down to a single Divination use left out of my original eight.

Despite saying I should be careful on how to use them... I really did just rush through them all, didn’t I?

To start, I had used [Divination] in order to determine the best course of action in my attempt and to figure just how well the idea would work out. The chances given to me were low and yet, that didn’t discourage me in the slightest. From there, I once again used [Winter Pack], but this time it hadn’t been to bait Kortbos and instead to carry something—or some things. These two things were the [Eye of the Magi] and [Arcane Hands], two spells that couldn’t exactly move from their location alone—outside of simple height adjustments. After, I used [Direct Path] to locate my [Abysmal End] with pinpoint accuracy and then [Whisper of the False Goddess] to relay said information precisely to one of the spectral wolves. They needed this in order to guarantee their arrival and to avoid any issues.

I don’t want to even imagine how it would have ended if they didn’t make it there in time. I definitely wouldn’t have been able to even think about it after the fact like I am now...

The prompt arrival to my stave had been one of the most crucial parts to the plan, since I still had yet to use my three preemptive spells up until that moment. As Kortbos descended upon me in full, it only left me with enough time to use two last spells: [Goddess’ Fortune] and [Point of Invulnerability].
The former was akin to a crutch, a Divination buff that boosted a target’s or one’s own luck by a small amount. It may possibly be hindsight bias, but I remain doubtful on whether I would still be alive without it. The latter was a layer of damage mitigation that was placed over my torso, in order to tank the hit from Kortbos. It was a spell that I wouldn’t be able to use again for the remainder of this fight.

And thanks to those guys over there, I was able to use [Mark of the Quarry] and [Phantasmal Touch] instantly at the last second. Making it look as if Kortbos had successfully killed me in his eyes...

“Geez. That really was far too close...”

Including the [Detect Other] from earlier, I had used seven of my eight Divination uses within that short time frame. [Divination], [Eye of the Magi], [Direct Path], [Whisper of the False Goddess], [Goddess’ Fortune], and [Mark of the Quarry]. That succession of spell casting, choices and the end result though, was without a doubt thanks to an unimaginable stroke of luck. With that being said, I could feel as if the most difficult part of this fight had still been on the horizon.

They haven’t returned yet, meaning...I still have a job to do.

“I haven’t lost yet... So, I hope you’re ready for round two...!”

The damage from the prior direct hit and aftershock still kept me from moving too quickly as I attempted to sit myself upright inside the small crater around me. Unlike before, this would have to be a stationary fight on my end instead. Using my quarterstaff to prop myself up to my feet, I was now facing Kortbos’ direction.

“I only have one Divination use left... Luckily, unlike [Detect Other], [Mark of the Quarry] seems to still be in effect. Meaning any illusory spells should be remain highly effective against him... Maybe I could still work around that?”

[Detect Other] was a short a sweet spell that was similar to echolocation. A simple blip on a radar, that only lasted slightly longer than 30 seconds due to my [Robes of the False Nephilim] and its ability to increase the activation time of Divination spells. [Mark of the Quarry], on the other hand, was a long-lasting debilitation ailment that allowed for easier success toward Divination and illusory spells that were directed at enemies. The latter was practically required against any boss-leveled monster, even if they held a lower resistance toward mental attacks.

Once he starts charging at me again, I won’t have anywhere else to run to—nor any way to completely block any of his attacks... Meaning, I need to further stall and even push him back somehow with each spell that I send out next. I still have one more preemptive spell in the chamber, and one last Divination use.

“All right! I’ll hold off from using them for now make them count. Let’s do this...”

With a slight stumble as I propelled my quarterstaff outward in front of me, I could feel my legs seemingly getting closer to giving way. Nevertheless, I readied the start of the second round as I began shoveling out spells.

“Summoning: [Aqua Wolf]. Casting: [Wheel of the Firebug].”

My first two choices were a single spectral wolf constructed with the element of Water, whereas the second, was several hovering and linked magic bullets formed with the element of Fire that took the shape of an inflamed wheel behind me. Two lower end spells. I would attempt to catch Kortbos by surprise and confuse him. I also still had the three Winter wolves by my stave as well.

“Go!”

As the Aqua wolf began running toward Kortbos, the three Winter wolves followed suit.

Now, how will you react to this...?

The Aqua wolf was the first to arrive, and with it, my plan of action began as I sent a single bullet from the wheel behind me. The target hadn’t been Kortbos himself though, but the Aqua wolf instead. And as the bullet made contact, a burst of steam surrounded the Giant.

“RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!”

As quickly as it arrived, the cloud of steam was cleared as a heavy wind erupted from its center in response to Kortbos’ wide and belligerent swing. He was now eying his surroundings, attempting to figure out the root cause as his gazed then locked onto the descending Winter wolves. Slamming his foot toward their direction immediately, the ground beneath him split as they dodged and assumed a prowl in a now standoff. Awaiting either his next move or my next command.

“Dammit! This guy just reacts too quickly to everything I throw at him...”

Kortbos’ reactions were almost unnatural, different than what I usually dealt with regarding boss-type monsters. It felt more as if I was fighting against another player—a human—instead.

“Should this be expected from someone who holds the reputation of “Hero” amongst his own kind then...? Aha, geez... Is there really no way of winning this all alone...?”

Another failed attempt that was followed by a rising sense of dispirited resolve. I wasn’t even allowed to bask in that failure for too long as something began to feel off about Kortbos’ demeanor. It was as if I could feel his anger radiate and beam against me like the prolonged heat of the sun.

“What is this...?”

In that instant of questioning, a massive pulse wave of pressure then rippled across the lands as the white, complex markings that were scattered through his body exuded and covered him with a diluted cloud of smoke. Kortbos had seemingly activated his Warlord skill, [Berserk Vitality].

“...You can’t be serious—!?”
“Human!!!!!”

There was a wide gap between us, a distance that even he wouldn’t be able to close in such a short amount of time given his usual movement. And before this moment, that pace could have been equivalent to a casual walking speed—at times even slower due to his stature. Now, he was running toward me at a baffling pace as he tossed aside his war hammer to shed off the extra weight.
In panic, I sent off the remainder volley of fire bullets his way and he simply brushed the barrage off with his speed. I didn’t have any time to think as I began dual casting. With both my quarterstaff and my stave from afar that still had the [Eye of the Magi] and [Arcane Hands] active.

『Casting: [Sinking Ground]!』

“Casting: [Collapsing Cloud: Freeze]!”

There was one thing I understood immediately after the ineffective volley; regardless of what I threw at him right now, he would brush it off again due to his currently enraged skill and speed. Meaning, I had only one other option available—a perfectly timed trap.
My previous idea of wanting to stall him—repeatedly—was tossed aside in light of his [Berserk Vitality] skill release. I would have to bet it all, once again, on a single instance. A single set of spells that would either simply pave the way to my ongoing fight for survival or turn the tide of this battle for good.
My eyes met the area where my [Sinking Ground] took form as I took a deep breath for recomposure. Finally, I decided to use my last Divination use. The final one being [Divination] itself—toward preventing his charge—and what was shown only left me frustrated as I gritted my teeth.

So, only two won’t be enough to do it then?! Does it have to be three...?!

I didn’t have the leisure of questioning a decision any further as the gap between us lessened immensely. He was within seconds away from the trap I set forth—consumed in anger—he couldn’t see nor care for anything in between him and I. I had to use that to my advantage as I adjusted my quarterstaff toward his incoming bull rush. I bit my lip in restlessness, waiting on those last few and agonizing seconds to pass. And when that time finally arrived, I unleashed the last wave of spells.

『Casting: [Gravitation]!』

“Casting: [Gravitation]!”

Within that split second of his legs being caught in the spell, [Sinking Ground], a collapsing pressure of—not only double the force—but the accompanying [Collapsing Cloud: Freeze] descended on him as that weighty force sank him quicker and further inside. Yet, that still hadn’t been enough as the liquid and slow-freezing ground only reached his waist. He still had a bit of room to maneuver as he struggled to escape.

Dammit! I need him to sink just a bit more! But... I can’t move at all and the cooldown until I can use [Gravitation] again is still a few more seconds...

In tandem with [Fast Casting] provided by my stave, I was allowed a swift enough casting of lesser end spells with short cooldowns. Just enough to double down on a single spell once before said cooldown would take effect.

He’s going to escape! Think! What can I—

A sudden descent upon the sinking Giant as three spectral wolves amassed on his back. His now scattered and loose attention shifted from the dirt pond to the pests that he involuntarily shouldered. I was gifted the few more seconds I was in dire need of—and for extra measure—I decided to once again dual cast that crucial spell.

『Casting: [Sinking Ground]!』

“Casting: [Gravitation]!! This is it!”

The [Winter Pack] remained on his back until the very end as another double descent of pressure saddled onto the Giant’s stature. As the former were reduced to mana particles, Kortbos’ hands were now left in an awkward position over his shoulders. The surface of the pond now sat above his chest as it completely frosted over just in time. He could barely budge or move in his now frozen prison as the short-lived buff, [Berserk Vitality], died down as he seemingly became calmer.
My body dropped to the floor as it finally surrendered to my exhaustion. My eyes then met the Chieftain, and his oddly quiet demeanor still left me a bit skeptical on whether I was successful or not. It felt as if he was attempting to assess the situation while grounded.

He doesn’t have any other tricks up his sleeves, right...? I genuinely can’t do any more...

“Human.”
“Huh?! Y-yes...?”

It was difficult to even process how different his nature had become as the tone of his voice lacked every bit of animosity from before now.

“My apologies... From earlier... My anger got the best of me...”
“Ah, don’t...worry about it...?”

What is this exchange...? Did quelling his [Berserk Vitality] rid him entirely of his prior anger or something like that...? He seems to be speaking without all that grunting, growling and intent to tear me apart now at least...

I was taken aback by the sudden change. The Giant that had almost killed me earlier, had now apologized for his actions as he remained in a frozen pond of dirt while holding a more dignified expression. A scenario that left me quite bemused, regardless, I decided to take this opportunity to talk it out with the Higrant tribe’s leader.

If only we could have had this discussion before you left me in a crater!

Responding to my questions without any hostility or issues, I was able to learn quite a bit. If anything, it felt as if I were talking to a regular person rather than a Special Beast variant of a Giant. To no one’s surprise though, he was searching for his tribe’s stolen totem. It had been missing as of possibly the very early morning, to which a Higrant guard had reported that a few humans were snooping around the night before—two human men to be exact.

That must have been the two Adventurers that were hired by the merchant, right? It makes sense, since I doubt that shifty noble would even lift a finger himself. That means Torrel was correct after all. That’s reassuring.

I then told him about how the Chief of Druhwood was currently on the perpetrator’s trail, to which I summed it up as it being a few strangers from the north that had nothing to do with Druhwood or the settlements around this region. Assuring him that the totem would definitely be returned as soon as possible.

“I see... How unfortunate this situation is... I was ready... To destroy all nearby human settlements... In search for our totem of offering...”
“Ahaha... Thank goodness I was here then...”

He just nonchalantly said that... I can’t help but forget he’s a Special Beast due to the way he speaks... Terrifying, this whole situation feels rather surreal too.

In a sudden eclipsing silence, his gaze focused on me as if he were ready to ask a question. But before he could, something else had caught our attention as a familiar bird’s tweets filled the area from above.

“Chirp! Chirp~”

Accompanied by a voice from afar, one that shouted my name.

“Albel!!”

Toward the direction of Druhwood—behind a still sunken Kortbos—I could now see a young woman in the distance. Swinging her arms above her head and waving as she frantically ran in our direction. All alone, without Torrel, any of the other townsfolk or even a horse.

“ALBEEEEEEEEL! Thank...goodness...you’re okay!!”

By all appearances, she arrived practically out of breath from her full-on sprint to our location. I found it surprising, since I had assumed she had gone after the merchant with Torrel. Eru, while alongside Cruubi now, had somehow arrived rather quickly to the area southwest of Druhwood.