Chapter 265: Ogre Water Elemental Mage, a New Identity to Meet Gagaran
Gagaran's serrated fangs opened and closed, continuing to chew the tender roasted elk meat. The meat fibers tore between his teeth and were swallowed down his throat in great gulps.
Without the enhancement of various precious spices, the roasting technique could only be described as a complete mess.
It didn't taste good.
Gagaran couldn't help but recall his extravagant life in the Imperial Capital, but after only a moment's recollection, he cast the thought aside.
As long as it could fill his stomach, whether the food was terrible or not wasn't worth worrying about.
He had originally joined the Imperial Capital Arena to train in pursuit of greater power, and his purpose for coming to the Abelion Hills was exactly the same!
The image of that strange alchemist who could summon angels flashed through Gagaran's mind. He didn't much like that little human brat.
However.
That person was right. The Arena could no longer make him stronger, whereas here, there were truly powerful and even troublesome opponents.
The Ten Evils of the Demi-Humans were all formidable foes worthy of an all-out battle. Unfortunately, the strong individuals here were not so easy to challenge.
A cracking sound rang out.
Gagaran tossed the bone from the leg of meat into his mouth, chewed it to pieces, and swallowed.
Bang!
The ground shook.
Gagaran's three-meter-tall, powerful figure stood up. He lifted his spiked club and turned his head to look at a spot to his front-left.
"I already gave you a chance."
Gagaran wiped the red juice from the corner of his mouth. His thick-soled feet pressed against the ground, and with a speed that defied his frame, he charged out with a roar.
Whoosh—
He raised his right arm, swinging the hard, heavy spiked club, which seemed to have a metallic texture. It tore through the air, emitting a piercing whistle.
Bang!
A large tree half a meter thick in front of him was snapped in half by the astonishing force of the spiked club's strike. Shattered wood chips flew in all directions like bullets.
Boom.
The massive tree crashed to the ground, letting out another roar.
A strange, white, mist-like figure fled from behind the tree, rapidly retreating. Then, its form flickered and blended back into the jungle, disappearing from sight.
"Another strange race."
A look of annoyance appeared in Gagaran's cold, white eyes. His gaze shifted constantly, as if he could lock onto the flickering figure to some extent.
Since coming to the Abelion Hills, he had seen too many races that defied imagination, some possessing bizarre abilities.
This was not the Imperial Arena.
There were no restrictive rules or distances. Faced with some demi-humans with strange abilities, even Gagaran was helpless at times.
"This is the first time I've seen this method of movement."
As Gagaran observed, he thought to himself, "This shouldn't be the same type of demi-human I've encountered before."
"Heeheeheehee."
"So you really did find me. I thought you were just bluffing."
The ethereal voice echoed from all directions.
Illusory Sound!
"That was so dangerous. You almost hurt me."
A cheerful laugh, as pleasant as a bell, drifted from the dense forest, making it impossible to pinpoint the speaker's location.
Magic?
The whites of Gagaran's solid-colored eyes flashed. He shouldered the heavy spiked club he had raised and cast a cold glance at a certain spot in the distance.
The opponent's concealment technique was superb; he could only barely determine their general location by relying on his warrior's intuition.
If it were only that, it would be manageable.
The most troublesome part was the bizarre movement method they displayed, which seemed perfectly suited for moving through the jungle.
Next, he had to fight a powerhouse in these hills, a warrior whose reputation was second only to the "Ten Evils of the Demi-Humans." He couldn't afford to waste his stamina here.
Gagaran had already determined that the demi-human stalking him was far weaker than himself; otherwise, it wouldn't have kept hiding.
If it likes to follow, then let it follow.
Gagaran retracted his gaze, pushed aside the tall shrubs, and advanced into the depths of the jungle.
On a thick tree trunk in the distance.
A faint white mist seeped out from the bark, coalescing into the form of the White Mist Witch.
"He's just leaving?" The White Mist Witch was a little surprised to see Gagaran ignoring her.
She had thought a fight was about to break out.
"Master should have received the message. I can't lose him." The mist around the White Mist Witch's body trembled, and she started moving again, tailing Gagaran closely.
She had used her own mana to trigger the magical mark her master had left on her; as the caster, he would be able to feel it.
The deeper he went into the jungle.
The number of large wild beasts he encountered grew scarcer. Faintly, he could already hear the sound of a flowing stream.
Gagaran knew he had entered the opponent's territory. A trace of excitement and fervor appeared on his indifferent, dark green face.
"Hmph, still following?"
"Whatever you're planning, you'd better not show your face in front of me and interfere with a warrior's battle."
Gagaran glanced over his shoulder, snorted coldly, and continued forward.
Rustle rustle~
The lush, dense trees suddenly began to thin out, and a stream appeared in Gagaran's line of sight.
The trees on both sides of the riverbed were even taller. Their roots were tangled, and their leaves intertwined in the air to form a green dome over the stream. Vines hung down from the drooping foliage, touching the stream's surface.
The surrounding ground was covered over a large area with thick, muddy green moss, and an indescribable stench permeated the air.
Gagaran's nostrils twitched. His gaze immediately fell upon a damp-looking nest of wood and grass beneath the highest treetop next to the stream.
"Roar!"
"Roar!"
Following Gagaran's arrival, the ogres living here surrounded him from all sides.
These ogres showed intense hostility, but upon seeing Gagaran's appearance, they all showed hesitation and glanced at one another.
"This... is... our... territory."
"Lea... leave!"
An ogre opened its mouth, releasing a foul stench, and spoke haltingly in a tone unused to communication.
"Bring out your leader."
Gagaran impatiently scanned the ordinary ogres, who were more than a head shorter than him.
"It's an enemy... invading our territory." The ogre that had just spoken's eyes instantly turned fierce, and it charged forward with its thick arms outstretched.
Bang!
The heavy spiked club swung. With a wail and a dull thud, the charging ogre was sent flying by the single blow, a blur of minced flesh and blood scattering through the air.
Faced with such a shocking scene.
The remaining ogres' faces filled with fear, and they backed away one by one.
If Gagaran had been of another race, the ogres, with their low intelligence, would have been scared but not cowed. However, due to their racial instincts, when faced with a stronger related race or a higher-tier species, ordinary ogres are more inclined to submit. They can even form a kind of symbiotic relationship with weaker creatures like goblins.
"Is there an intruder?!"
Just then, a roar came from the direction of the stream.
Boom!
Accompanied by a tremor in the ground.
An ogre emerged that was about the same height as Gagaran, though slightly leaner, its entire body taut with muscle.
It was completely different from an ordinary ogre.
It wasn't just the difference in physique; its skin color wasn't the usual brown of an ogre but a pale bluish-white. Notably, a conspicuous, thick horn grew from its forehead, giving it the impression of a fiendish demon.
Its whole body exuded the same tyrannical aura as an ordinary ogre, yet its face looked far more rational and wise.
Ogre Water Elemental Mage!
Rather than an ogre, it could be described as an independent race.
This being had a great reputation in the Abelion Hills. It was one of the few powerhouses in the hills, said to be second only to the "Ten Evils of the Demi-Humans."
With its appearance.
Gagaran clearly smelled the moisture in the air thicken. He couldn't help but grin. "Divine Skill: Flash!"
Bang!
A pit was stamped into the ground.
Gagaran's massive figure turned into a cannonball, fiercely charging the Ogre Water Elemental Mage. His heavy spiked club came smashing down toward its head.
Self-introduction?
No, this was how their race greeted each other!
Seeing this, the Ogre Water Elemental Mage's face also twisted with ferocity and excitement. It raised the nailed hammer weapon in its hand and swung it forcefully.
Bang!
A collision of pure power exploded in mid-air. A ferocious rebound force traveled up their weapons.
Gagaran landed, his feet stamping heavily on the ground, while the Ogre Water Elemental Mage had to retreat three consecutive steps to stabilize itself.
"Roar-oh-oh-oh, what immense power."
"I know you. The kinsman who has been challenging everyone in the hills lately."
After getting a clear look at Gagaran's face, the Ogre Water Elemental Mage shook its arm, stared fearlessly at Gagaran, and laughed heartily. "They gave you the 'Great Ogre' title."
"I prefer to be called 'Warrior King'," Gagaran said coolly, his eyelid twitching.
"Warrior King? That's a title only those from the Ten Evils of the Demi-Humans can possess. You are not yet worthy, kinsman." The Ogre Water Elemental Mage let out a taunt, then grinned.
"You should think about it now. Will you submit to me, or—will I turn you into meat!"
The Ogre Water Elemental Mage suddenly raised its palm toward Gagaran. "Flying Flower Water Foam."
The water in the air condensed into a water bullet. At such a close range, it was almost impossible to dodge.
But Gagaran displayed an extraordinary reaction speed. He lifted his spiked club and blocked the water bullet.
Immediately after!
The spiked club swung again.
Gagaran smashed his weapon toward the Ogre Water Elemental Mage's raised arm. The moment his weapon made contact, the opponent's arm dissolved into a watery mist, letting his weapon pass right through, the blow missing its mark.
This incredible scene left a look of astonishment on Gagaran's face.
The Ogre Water Elemental Mage gave a ferocious grin and swung its nailed hammer weapon toward Gagaran's head.
Bang!
Gagaran stomped his feet and rapidly retreated to create distance. "What was that?"
"Your attacks are useless against me!"
Seeing its own attack miss, the Ogre Water Elemental Mage looked somewhat dissatisfied, but a glint of cunning flashed in its eyes.
Gagaran's brow furrowed slightly. He knew his opponent was an ogre that could wield magic. Although it was the first time he had heard of or seen such a thing, he had made some preparations.
But that ability to nullify an attack—he had never even heard of such a thing among humans.
The air fell silent.
Crack!
"Roar!"
The faint sound of a tree branch snapping and the roars of other ogres came from the front-left of their position.
This made Gagaran and the mage, who were preparing to fight, pause and look up toward the source of the sound.
And there!
On a large tree not far from the two of them, a slender figure completely shrouded in white mist was sitting on a thick tree branch, its legs dangling and swaying in mid-air.
Even through the veil of white mist, they could tell the figure was propping its chin with one hand, striking a pose as if watching a play.
"Is it with you?" the Ogre Water Elemental Mage asked coldly.
"No," Gagaran said flatly.
"Then... huh?"
"Who!"
Gagaran and the Ogre Water Elemental Mage simultaneously stared at a spot next to the White Mist Witch.
In a place that had just been empty, a mysterious figure suddenly appeared out of thin air, wrapped in a red magic cloak with a black mask covering its exposed face.
"Master," the White Mist Witch said respectfully the moment she saw Tang Zheng appear.
Tang Zheng gave an almost imperceptible nod. His gaze drifted downward, impassively watching Gagaran and the other ogre with its unique appearance.
Such an appearance?
Is it an Ogre Water Elemental Mage?
Tang Zheng searched his memory and quickly recalled the creature's race. That was right—its racial name was literally Ogre Water Elemental Mage.
It was a relatively rare higher-tier species of ogre.
His gaze shifted.
Looking at the wary Gagaran, the corners of Tang Zheng's mouth curled into a slight smile beneath his mask.
The last time they had met was in the Imperial Capital.
More than four months had passed since then. At that time, facing Gagaran, he'd had little confidence in winning.
But now.
The difference in power between them was like heaven and earth!
The identity he was using to appear before Gagaran this time was not that of the genius alchemist he knew.
"Oh, my apologies for interrupting your battle."
Tang Zheng stood on the thick tree branch, arms crossed, and spoke in a hoarse, sinister voice, "Please, continue."
His voice was altered by a magic item. To maintain his disguise, Tang Zheng had specially prepared for this. Magic items not related to combat were much cheaper.
The Ogre Water Elemental Mage's eyes widened, its face showing delighted surprise. "Roar-oh-oh-oh, a human actually appeared here!"
This was the territory of the demi-human races.
It had always been them invading human territory; when had a human ever dared to appear in the Abelion Hills?
*Gulp*
The sound of swallowing saliva was heard. The Ogre Water Elemental Mage wiped away the drool dripping from its mouth, its gaze feverish. "Raw human meat is delicious!"
"Don't you dare fight me for it, Great Ogre!"
The words had barely left its mouth.
The Ogre Water Elemental Mage had already lifted its nailed hammer and charged toward Tang Zheng.
"Wait!" Gagaran hurriedly shouted a warning.
He knew very well that for a human to dare appear in the extremely dangerous Abelion Hills, they had to be anything but simple.
But at this moment, the Ogre Water Elemental Mage was completely deaf to Gagaran's warning.
(end of chapter)