"That woman from earlier gave Ogerpon a really dangerous feeling."
Ogerpon didn't know how to describe it. Treyni didn't have the overwhelming pressure of a powerful being.
But Ogerpon just had the sense that if a fight broke out, it would definitely be her and Rin's side that would end up dead.
"It's probably because of the Spirit King."
Rin explained to Ogerpon that Treyni could summon the Wind Spirit King. This once again reignited Ogerpon's drive to grow stronger.
"The path to getting stronger is right in front of us."
"We've gotta seize this chance."
Rin was referring to the Ogre village. His Ogerpon was currently A-Rank.
That meant only enemies B-Rank and above, including B-Rank could provide her with experience points.
C-Rank, even C+, had already lost their value as food.
"Mhm, mhm, there are a lot of strong ones in the village."
"Ogerpon wants to fight them!"
The Ogre village had close to 300 residents.
Excluding those who had died in battle, those out on mercenary commissions, and young children…
There were still 200 B-Rank-or-higher combatants in the village.
"I'm thinking the same."
"But…"
Rin added, "What reason should I give?"
He couldn't just send Ogerpon out to start beating people up for no reason.
"Ogerpon thinks… training guidance?"
"Training guidance?"
"Yep."
Rin nodded. "The Ogre race is naturally combative, so sparring and dueling must be part of their daily life."
"This is a perfect chance for Ogerpon to have some matches with them."
Ogerpon was now an A-Rank Ogre, which meant she was already classified as an Upper Demon.
It made complete sense for her to guide the Ogres, spar with them, and gain experience in the process.
And as it turned out, things went even more smoothly than Rin expected.
In fact, Rin didn't even need to bring it up. The Ogres came to him first.
The Red Ogre Chieftain and Hakurou, along with several young Ogres, came to see Rin and Ogerpon.
They hoped that during Rin's time in the village, he could help train the young warriors.
"Of course!"
It was like getting a pillow the moment you feel sleepy. Rin had been racking his brain for how to bring up sparring, and they handed it to him on a silver platter.
However, Rin didn't want to reveal the secret that Ogerpon could gain experience and level up from combat.
Ogerpon's Growth, combined with Rin's Leader, would be their fast-track path to power until their magicules broke the one-million mark.
If it were other subordinates, Rin wouldn't mind revealing it.
But for the Ogre race, who he'd only just met…
Rin played it safe.
"Chieftain."
"What are your instructions, Rin-san?"
The Red Ogre Chieftain treated Rin with great respect, which Rin found a little excessive.
Still, considering the warrior culture of the Ogres, Rin decided to go with the flow.
"From here on out, I'll have Ogerpon spar with the warriors of your village."
To avoid exposing Growth while maximizing experience gains, Rin decided to scale up the training sessions.
"You can come at her one-on-one, or team up in groups."
Rin ruffled Ogerpon's hair. "Don't worry. I'll have her hold back so she won't hurt anyone seriously."
"Poniii!"
Ogerpon gave an innocent smile, winning more favor from the Ogres.
"Are you sure that's okay?"
"Won't that be a huge burden on Ogerpon?"
Hearing Rin's decision, the Chieftain was overwhelmed with emotion.
He hadn't expected Rin to be this considerate. He had just made the request, and Rin not only agreed immediately but even made arrangements to benefit everyone.
At this moment, the Red Ogre Chieftain became even more determined to keep Rin and Ogerpon in the village.
Even if he had to give up his position as Chieftain, he wouldn't hesitate!
"I'll go gather everyone right now!"
Leaving aside the matter of persuading Rin to stay for the time being, what the Red Ogre Chieftain needed to do now was inform everyone in the village of this great news.
"What, what?"
"What's going on?"
The central plaza of the Ogre village, called a plaza but really just a large open space surrounded by wooden houses, had a raised platform built into it, the designated sparring arena.
"It's Ogerpon!"
"Ogerpon is willing to train with us and help us get stronger!"
The Ogre race worshipped strength and yearned to grow stronger.
Being able to spar with a powerful Upper Demon like Ogerpon was something they wouldn't have even dreamed of on an ordinary day.
"Ogerpon's going to teach us combat techniques?"
In a monster world where the strong preyed on the weak, the Ogres were somewhat better. At the very least, Rin and the elders would teach their juniors swordsmanship and combat skills.
But that was the limit.
To face higher-ranked monsters, you had to risk your life.
Now, Ogerpon—an A-Rank Ogre whose real strength might even exceed that was willing to spar with them.
No wonder the Chieftain made the request.
This kind of experience was too valuable. The Ogres had to seize this rare opportunity.
"How do you want to do this?"
Ogerpon stood in the center of the arena, surrounded by an excited crowd. She summoned her Ivy Cudgel and planted it firmly in front of her. "One-on-one, or all at once?"
Beside Rin, Ogerpon was a soft-spoken, gentle, well-behaved little cotton jacket.
But once she stepped into the battlefield, this quiet, socially anxious little girl became more violent than anyone else.
One swing, one down. Three swings, shattered peach hearts.
Her record of inflicting hundreds of years of psychological trauma on a certain scoundrel wasn't just a rumor.
(To be continued.)