Chapter 101: Leaving the Lair (1/2)

Amidst the howls and screams of Ogres and Ruin Dwellers alike, the scene at the front was already too bloody. Since they all used blunt attacks, there were no limbs flying or cleanly cut wounds, it's all either smash someone or be smashed by someone.

During all that, while I was directing those who were still standing like an idiot somewhere, I was moving backwards.

When most of them were already crowding at that entrance, I turned around and went to the room where Jagu is.

”What's happening outside?”

I already expected that this would be his question. I put a hand to stop him and gestured for him to look outside.

I then went to the Ruin Dwellers inside their Prison and looked for those we caught earlier.

They're most possibly the reason why the Ruin Dwellers suddenly stormed this lair.

Observing each one of them, even if they're the same as the Ogres who only have one face template, I noticed the difference between those we caught earlier.

They're exuding a different scent that will go unnoticed if no one paid attention. Just like how we didn't notice it

Then what's special about that scent? I don't know and there seems to be no point in knowing.

They're already here. The battle was already ongoing. Even if I find out what's so special about these captured Ruin Dwellers the battle will continue.

Ugh... I guess it's much better to leave these guys imprisoned here or just kill them. It's already chaotic outside and letting them stay here will lure more of those Ruin Dwellers.

Ah. We only needed to wait until they annihilated each other, eh? But that wait will probably be too long.

”What do we do now? Do we still need to release these thick-armed?”

Jagu asked when he went back from outside. He probably saw how many those Ruin Dwellers are. If we released these creatures from imprisonment, the Ogres will surely lose and we will be implicated.

”No. If I'm not wrong, those we caught earlier were the ones luring those Ruin Dwellers here.”

We just need to wait for Jayna to finish the disguises and then we can move out of here, leaving them in the carnage they were creating for themselves.

There's also my Orb of Concealment but yeah, we need to open up the narrow pathway for us to leave. The orb will only conceal us, it will not block a stray attack for us. If we are hit, the concealment will be disabled and we have to deal with them while protecting the weakened captives.

Now that he's freed from his task. I turned to Jagu. This guy has been proven really helpful and cooperative, much more than the other Spirit Beasts who left.

”Jagu, help me clear the exit pathway for us. But first, I'll go and steal the Pole.”

”Won't it be better to have the twins or Yumiko to help as well?”

Jagu voiced out his suggestion.

”You're right. Go to them first and relay what I said to Yumiko and ask for her opinion. I'll act like their Shaman for now.”

”Alright.”

He nodded and left the room.

I followed him soon after, leaving the Prison room unguarded. It's fine. It's not as if they're strong enough to get out of there by themselves.

As I passed through the young Ogres who were cowering in their tents, I didn't feel any sympathy. Well, it might just be me being cold-hearted but they will become like those Ogres when they grow up or baptized by the Shaman.

When they saw me passed by, even if they're scared, they cheered as if they saw their saviour in the form of me. That's how respected the Shaman was.

Unfortunately, he's already a corpse down in his room and we will leave this lair in chaos. Whether they will live or die is of no concern to me. As long as they're enemies, I wouldn't hesitate to use them for our own benefit.

After arriving at the platform, I pulled out the Totem Pole that was stabbed on the ground.

When those young Ogre saw me doing that, their eyes glimmered with hope. False hope.

Well, I'll let them have that. This will be the last time they will see this pole, anyway.

With a wave of my hand, the Totem Pole was stored in one of my storage necklaces under the watchful eyes of the young Ogres.

They were shocked and confused when the Pole disappeared but they didn't question it.

Err… I paid them no heed after that. They can continue hiding and that's not my concern anymore.

I went back to the frontline where the intensity of the battle was slowly dying down because of the dead bodies clogging the pathway.

When the Ogres saw me. Their morale naturally increased.

To help me push the battle out of the lair, I activated the Energy Field and strengthened the Ogres to easily kill the originally weak Ruin Dwellers. They just have the advantage in numbers now but the Ogres were still physically superior.

When they felt the increase in their strength, they howled cheerfully and grew bolder. From the barricade, the Ruin Dwellers were slowly pushed out until we reached the corner where we had to turn.

By then, what I saw at the other end of the narrow pathway were giant Ruin Dwellers. Not just one, but three of the same kind! Because of their huge bodies, they couldn't enter the pathway.

I thought they were territorial. However, for them to appear here in full force, looks like today is the day these Ruin Dwellers decided to end this lair.

In any case, without the real Shaman who could possibly strengthen them, these Ogres' future was bleak.

Luckily for them, we need to get out so… Helping them avert this crisis was the least I could pay them for the Pole, chest full of necklaces as well as those piles upon piles of Energy Stones.