Ten years had passed like shifting seasons, and the Crimson settlement now bore little resemblance to its former self.
The initial census of the Crimson clan had numbered around eighty ogre's, but with the integration of fifty former Yin clan members, their population had swelled to a formidable one hundred and thirty.
A young ogre with a distinctive single black horn jutting from his forehead and matching obsidian hair emerged from Sarion's hut. His mother's voice drifted after him like a gentle morning breeze. "Sera, honey, say hello to Ursa for me and make sure you treat Gia well."
The one identified as Sera offered a brief nod of acknowledgment before turning to see two young ogres waiting expectantly outside his dwelling. Their presence had become as routine as sunrise.
These companions were Grimbold and Nokka, the twin children of Brogak, who had fallen during his fateful clash with Venna. Despite the tragic circumstances of their father's death, Sarion had welcomed them into his protective embrace, ensuring they felt valued and comfortable while growing alongside his own son. The irony of their friendship was not lost on anyone—children bonded despite the blood their parents had shed.
Nokka, the female twin, couldn't resist taunting Sera as he stepped into the morning light. "So where are we adventuring today, young master? Perhaps we'll chase down another docile herd of stags, or maybe challenge the alpha of that new direwolf pack?" Her voice carried the playful mockery that had become their daily ritual.
Sera's recent adventures had indeed become the stuff of local legend, and the twins had accompanied him through every thrilling escapade. They had even persistently requested to become his official retainers—a proposal Sera consistently declined. Yet they continued following him faithfully, even knowing that his father bore some responsibility for their father's demise. Loyalty, it seemed, transcended even the deepest wounds.
"Stop your endless teasing, Nokka," Grimbold interjected, flicking his twin's head with practiced precision. "The young master is most likely headed to see his beloved." He made exaggerated romantic faces that sent both twins into fits of uncontrollable laughter.
Sera's face flushed crimson as embarrassment flooded through him. Without a word, he stormed away from the cackling twins, his dignity trailing behind him like a tattered banner.
'Those two knuckleheads! Always trying to burrow under my skin. I am supposed to be a god!' Despite his mental protests, a smile played across his lips. The truth was undeniable—he and the twins had forged such a strong bond that throughout the village they were known as the 'three musketeers,' always stirring up trouble wherever their feet carried them.
Sera's destination brought him to Veryan's hut, where he could see Gia standing with her hands planted firmly on her hips in a pose that spoke of barely contained frustration. "You're late, Sera!"
Sera slapped his forehead in exasperation, turning back to witness Grimbold and Nokka now doubled over with laughter, tears streaming down their faces as they had followed him all the way to Gia's residence.
"Gia, my dear! It's their fault—hold them responsible! They're the reason I arrived late," Sera declared, pointing accusingly at the twins with theatrical flair.
Gia brushed off his excuses with a dismissive wave. "Regardless, we're late and need to depart immediately."
The four young ogres set off together, their feet carrying them deeper into the forest's emerald embrace until they reached their familiar hunting grounds. They had established a routine of hunting monsters daily for both entertainment and training, particularly since the adults remained preoccupied with preparations for the looming war.
The Trollbreed had been keeping the Crimson clan perpetually busy throughout the present year. Though no lives had been lost since their last major hunt, the warriors consistently returned battered and bruised from their encounters. Sarion found himself consumed with political matters, working tirelessly to prepare their settlement for the inevitable conflict that hung over them like storm clouds.
The young ogres sought to hunt the forest's beasts to sharpen their battle instincts and awaken their dormant warrior spirits. They had formed their own hunting party and prepared themselves for engagement. The atmosphere around them shifted dramatically as they noticed rustling in the nearby undergrowth.
"Everyone prepare yourselves—they're here," Sera announced with the authority of a seasoned leader.
From the concealing bushes and overhanging tree branches, monkeys burst forth like nightmarish apparitions. These creatures bore little resemblance to ordinary primates—they were crazy-eyed monkeys with fangs protruding grotesquely from their mouths, twin horns crowning their heads, and blood-red eyes that gleamed with predatory hunger.
"Hu hu… ah ahhh!" The collective screaming of the monkeys created a cacophony that would have chilled the blood of lesser warriors.
All five monkeys charged toward the ten-year-olds with murderous intent. This was clearly not their first combat encounter. Nokka and Gia stepped back strategically, stones clutched in their hands as they assumed their roles as ranged support. Meanwhile, Sera and Grimbold advanced to the front lines, sturdy sticks gripped firmly in their hands like ancient weapons of legend.
The five crazy-eyed monkeys bounded toward them with supernatural agility. Sera was the first to break formation, swinging upward with precision as his weapon arced through the air. The stick seemed destined to connect with the monkey mid-leap, but in an instant that defied comprehension, he found himself striking only an afterimage. The actual monkey had somehow materialized behind him, claws extended and ready to rend flesh.
The sharp crack of stone meeting skull echoed through the forest. Gia had intervened at the crucial moment, her projectile finding its mark with deadly accuracy. The monkey, stunned by the unexpected blow, stumbled dizzily—giving Sera the opening he needed to bring his stick crashing down upon the creature's head with bone-crushing force.
Crazy-eyed monkeys were deceptively fragile creatures that could be felled with relatively minimal force, but their speed and cunning made them as deadly as their frail frames suggested vulnerability.
With one monkey fallen, the remaining four observed their fallen kin with eyes that blazed even more intensely red. They rushed forward as one, their collective fury palpable in the forest air.
Grimbold possessed a more muscular build than his companions, his frame suggesting the warrior he was destined to become. His attacks carried considerably more weight behind them. He charged at one monkey with his weapon raised high, but as the creature prepared to dodge, Nokka's stone flew from the side with perfect timing. The projectile connected with devastating effect, allowing Grimbold to deliver the killing blow with thunderous impact.
Three monkeys remained, and they had begun leaving trails of afterimages as their speed exceeded what the young ogres could track visually. One of the creatures managed to slip past their defenses, its claws finding purchase in Grimbold's flesh. The young warrior cried out as crimson blood began to flow from the fresh wounds.
Sera bit his lip in concentration as internal conflict raged within his mind. 'I could use that power, but if I exhaust myself completely, I won't be able to stand for several minutes afterward.'
He was contemplating his mana reserves—through dedicated training, he had managed to increase his capacity to fifty points, though he suspected he had reached the absolute limit for his current physical form. He began focusing on the energy source within himself, visualizing the thin golden line that encircled his heart like a celestial orbit.
A resonant boom emanated from his body as power awakened. In that transformative moment, golden flame-like energy began swirling around him like ethereal smoke. The others couldn't perceive this mystical manifestation, but the monkeys instinctively recognized that something fundamental had changed within their young adversary. Sera concentrated the energy into his hands and feet, knowing these would be the most efficient focal points for engaging the remaining creatures.
One monkey launched itself at him with predatory intent, but with newfound ease, Sera ended its life with minimal effort. To the others present, this display was hardly surprising—since beginning their training together, Sera had consistently produced such miraculous feats that bordered on the supernatural.
Witnessing the dramatic shift in this single individual's capabilities, the surviving monkeys attempted to flee in terror. However, Sera had no intention of allowing their escape. Before they could cover even a few meters, he had closed the distance with inhuman speed, delivering simultaneous strikes to both creatures' heads before deactivating his mana enhancement.
"Perfect! Now there are enough cores for everyone," he announced with satisfaction, tossing one of the monster cores into his mouth and crunching it between his sharp teeth like it was nothing more than crispy crackers.
[Ding!]
[Combat experience gained!]
[You have gained the maximum exp needed to level up]
[Congratulations! You are now level 6]
[You have also gained 2 attributes point]
[You have consumed the core of a beast with an innate skill]
[Your skill Plunderer is now taking effect]
[Congratulations! Host has gained the skill Mirage Blitz C]
[Mirage Blitz C - The user moves at blinding speed, creating a series of shimmering afterimages that confuse enemies. The dash is so fast it feels like a short-range warp, but it's still grounded in extreme physical speed, not true teleportation] [Max range - 10-15 meters] [Cooldown - 10 seconds] [Mana - 2 per use]
Sera's eyes widened with genuine excitement. It had been quite some time since he had acquired a new skill from consuming beast cores. The familiar thrill of growth and advancement coursed through him like electric current.
The others also consumed their respective cores with enthusiasm. Unlike Sera, who had reached the middle stages of D-rank core development, his companions remained at E-rank, meaning the monkey cores would provide significant advancement opportunities for their growth.
As they began cleaning up the aftermath of their battle, collecting useful materials and preparing to depart, another disturbance rustled through the surrounding foliage. What emerged from the concealing vegetation was a monster none of them had anticipated—the pack leader they had inadvertently challenged.
A massive crazy-eyed silverback ape crashed into the clearing like a force of nature. This creature stood nearly twice the height of a full-grown ogre, its silver fur rippling with barely contained power. Scars crisscrossed its muscular frame like battle trophies, and its blood-red eyes held an intelligence that far exceeded its fallen subordinates. Most intimidating of all were the twin obsidian horns that curved from its skull like deadly crescents, pulsing with an otherworldly energy.