The Steelhide Ogre roared, and the sound hit like a physical wave, the kind that rattles your bones and makes your ears ring.
Kazuo didn't flinch. "Left flank!" he barked. "With me, Rian!"
I sprinted forward, spear in hand. The beast's first swing came down like it was trying to split the earth in half. Spatial Rift Step kicked in, one moment I was about to be paste, the next I was three meters to the right, dust and debris where I'd been.
"Not bad" Kazuo grunted, cleaving into the ogre's thigh.
The steel-like hide turned his blade, but it still drew blood.
The ogre roared again and backhanded him across the chamber. Kazuo rolled, came up swearing and charged back in.
It swung at me this time. I met its blow with Stonehide active, the impact jarring my arms but not breaking them. My spear darted in, finding a seam in the creature's armor-like skin.
It didn't like that.
"You've got its attention!" Kazuo shouted. "Keep it!"
"Great" I called back. "I love being the distraction!"
The ogre lunged. I sidestepped, Blood Scent letting me track every wounded twitch in its massive body, and slashed another deep line into its side.
The mages pelted it with spells. The healers scrambled to keep the front line standing. Kazuo and I moved in a rhythm, his heavy sword strikes opening spots, my quicker spear thrusts exploiting them.
Minutes dragged into what felt like hours. Sweat stung my eyes. My arms burned. The ogre was slowing, bleeding heavily now, each roar weaker than the last.
It stumbled, and Kazuo shouted, "Now, Rian! End it!"
I tore open a Spatial Rift Step, appearing right above its head in a blink. My spear came down, driving through its skull with a sickening crunch. The ogre toppled like a felled tree, shaking the chamber.
[SteelhideOgredefeated.
Choose one skill to assimilate:]
• Steelhide (Passive) — Skin hardens to reduce all physical damage by 20%.
• WarCry — Emit a terrifying roar, reducing enemy attack power by 15% for 10 seconds.
Well, War Cry sounds fun, but I'm not in the market for open mic nights.
Steelhide was the clear choice, more survivability, which meant more time to mock my enemies before killing them.
[Skillacquired: Steelhide.]
Kazuo walked over, wiping blood from his blade. Without a word, he tossed me a short sword, the hilt worn but sturdy.
"Use this" he said. "Spear's fine, but you'll be faster with a blade. More efficient in tight spaces."
I caught it. The balance felt good. "Not bad. Guess I'll keep it."
He extended a hand. I shook it.
His grip was strong, firm.
"Thanks for the help" Kazuo said. "Couldn't have done it without you." He pressed a credit chit into my palm. "Double your wage. You earned it."
We left the dungeon together but split outside. Kazuo gave me a nod from across the street before heading off with his men. I returned it.
[StatusWindow]
Name: Rian Wale
Class: Transcendent (Hidden)
Level: 9
Skills:
• Transcendent (Passive): +300% Experience Boost
• BloodScent (Passive): Detect injured enemies within 20 meters
• SpatialRiftStep: Instantly move short distances through space
• Stonehide: Temporarily harden skin, reducing incoming damage by 30%
• Steelhide (Passive): Skin permanently reduces incoming physical damage by 20%
I was looking better and better.
Then my phone buzzed.
It was a text from Aya: Wanna join me and my friends for some food at Sato's Grill?
I stared at it for a moment.
I guess I will.
I typed back: Sure. Be there in 20.