Chapter 30

Chapter 2

Frosty Oak Hunt

The northern snowfield was extremely cold. Without proper winter gear, one could catch a cold in just a few minutes and eventually suffer from frostbite.

However, Grid, who was fully equipped with a set of giant fire bear leather, had a cold resistance of a staggering 60%.

"Hahaha! It's refreshing!"

In the midst of the swirling snowstorm, Grid had a refreshing expression, as if he were standing in front of an air conditioner in midsummer.

This was a testament to the excellent effects of the giant fire bear leather set.

"There they are."

After cutting through the snowstorm and searching the snowfield, Grid discovered the village of the Frosty Ogres and drew his Ideal Dagger.

<Ideal Dagger>

Grade: Unique

Durability: 168/168

Attack Power: 242~264

Attack Speed: +11%

*Rare chance to instantly kill the target.

*Agility +20.

*Skill 'Gale' created.

*Skill 'Swift Movement' created.

This is a work created by an unknown craftsman with great skill and potential, in collaboration with the renowned blacksmith Kan. The materials and methods used were nothing special, but the unknown craftsman's skill and Kan's cooperation resulted in the birth of the ideal dagger.

Usage Requirements: Level 180 or higher. Agility 450 or higher. Advanced Dagger Mastery.

<Gale>

Shoots a blade-like wind forward. The wind deals 60% of the current attack power.

Skill Mana Cost: 100

Skill Cooldown: 40 seconds

<Swift Movement>

For 1 minute, increases evasion by 30% and agility by 2 times.

Skill Mana Cost: 80

Skill Cooldown: 100 seconds

"Ogres, with this weapon, it's just one hit."

Thinking it would be incredibly easy, Grid boldly charged into the Frosty Ogre village.

"Come out, you ogres! And hand over Speed's scales to me nicely! Otherwise, there will be a bloodbath here!"

Grid, shouting a cheesy line that could only come from a cartoon, loudly!

The ogres on the watchtowers, spotting him, muttered.

"Kuek, kwek kwek? (What's this human in a reversed fur?)"

"Kuek kwek kwek. Kwek kwek kwek. (He must be crazy. To dare charge into our village head-on without fear.)"

"Kwek kwek kwek! Kwek kwek kwek! (No time to deal with this lunatic! Let's drive him away quickly!)"

Two watchtowers were set up at the entrance of the village. The ogres, armed with bows, drew their bows and aimed at Grid without any warning.

Swish!

"Huh?"

Grid heard a sharp whistling sound from the watchtower and, upon seeing a small light, realized an arrow was coming his way and was startled.

"Ah! An arrow?! Swift Movement!"

[Swift Movement effect activated. Agility and evasion will significantly increase for 1 minute.]

Pew pew pew!

Reacting instinctively, Grid used the skill and narrowly avoided the arrows. He felt a chill as he saw the arrows embedded in the spot where he had been standing just moments ago.

"Ogres using bows?"

Ogres have intelligence. They have their own language and form villages. However, they are known for their lack of dexterity. It is said that with only three fingers, they cannot handle delicate weapons like bows well.

But the Frosty Ogres were using bows.

"An ogre can hit this accurately from about 10 meters away?"

While observing the watchtower, Grid recalled Kan's advice.

'Frosty Ogres are monsters that form villages in the northern snowfield. Unlike regular green-skinned ogres, they have a pale blue skin, higher intelligence, and are 1.5 times larger. They are strong against the cold and have immense strength, but they are weak against fire.'

'Listen, Grid, don't be complacent. As I said, Frosty Ogres are different from regular ogres. They are very powerful. If you don't exploit their weaknesses, you might be in big trouble.'

Grid was enveloped by a sense of foreboding.

"Could this be a bad omen? No, no. Just because they can use bows, they're still ogres. I'll be fine."

Trying to calm his unease, Grid saw an ogre approaching, having already descended from the watchtower.

"Kwek, kwek kwek! Kwek kwek! (Hey, human in the reversed fur! What are you doing here?)"

A blue-skinned ogre, clearly over 2 meters tall, glared and shouted something.

Although Grid couldn't understand the ogre's language, he grasped the general meaning and stated his business.

"Hand over Speed's scales now!"

Grid, who had come to a peaceful village and demanded an item, looked no different from a highwayman.

The enraged ogre drew his bow again.

"Kwek! Kwek kwek kwek! (Crazy! Get lost!)"

Swish!

The arrow, cutting through the snowstorm, was fierce.

The fact that it could be shot so quickly and accurately, ignoring wind resistance, was proof of the Frosty Ogres' high archery skills and arm strength.

Thanks to Swift Movement, Grid managed to dodge the arrow again and immediately counterattacked.

"Gale!"

A sharp wind cut through the snowstorm and struck the Frosty Ogre.

Whirl!

The Gale skill, which had critically injured NPC soldiers in one hit, caused a blue blood, the same color as the ogre's skin, to spurt from the Frosty Ogre's chest.

However, the wound was not deep. This meant the Frosty Ogre's defense was much higher than that of the soldiers.

"What... How thick is this skin?"

Grid, in shock, heard the ogre shout in anger.

"Kwek... Kwek kwek! (This... It hurts!)"

The ogre, discarding his bow and drawing a hand axe, charged with a fierce glare and struck Grid's face with the axe.

Grid defended with the Ideal Dagger.

Clang!

"Ugh?"

Grid's brows furrowed. The ogre's attack was so powerful that his arm went numb. It felt similar to when he had blocked the sword of the knight Leo, known as the northern saint.

'Strong!'

Only now did Grid acknowledge that the Frosty Ogres were far more powerful than he had imagined!

This was natural.

Grid didn't know, but the Frosty Ogres were level 120. Although their agility was lacking, their attack power and health were far superior to their level.

At level 45, Grid should not have been a match for the Frosty Ogres. Normally, he would have been knocked out in one hit.

However, Grid, who had grown by completing various quests and crafting numerous items, had stats comparable to a mid-100s level user, thanks to the superior base stats of Pagma's Descendant. With his gear, he was not at a disadvantage even in a direct confrontation with the Frosty Ogres.

"Ogres, nothing more!"

Crack!

Kicking the ogre's abdomen, who was pressing him with rough breath, Grid quickly thought.

'What should I do? Should I run first? No, no! I can't return empty-handed after coming this far! Besides, if I don't get Speed's scales, it will be difficult to go to Kesang Canyon!'

Grid made up his mind.

"Let's do this properly! If I use my skills well...!"

Blacksmiths generally have no combat skills. But Grid was different.

After changing his class to Pagma's Descendant, he completed various quests and, armed with the Ideal Dagger, now possessed several combat skills.

<Blacksmith's Fury>

Lv.1

For 20 seconds, increases all attack power by 10% and attack speed by 30%.

Skill Mana Cost: 50

Skill Cooldown: 60 seconds

<Undefeatable Justice>

Lv.1

Deals area damage equal to 300% of physical attack power.

Skill Mana Cost: 350

Skill Cooldown: 100 seconds

"Blacksmith's Fury!"

[Blacksmith's Fury effect activated. Attack power and attack speed will significantly increase for 20 seconds.]

Grid felt a surge of power. He faced the Frosty Ogre head-on.

"Gale!!"

"Kwek!"

The 10% increased attack power of Gale dealt more damage to the Frosty Ogre than before.

Seizing the opportunity while the Frosty Ogre was in pain, Grid stabbed the ogre's neck with the Ideal Dagger.

A moment where the sword skills he had honed from hunting countless monsters as a warrior came into play.

[Critical!]

[Dealt 923 damage to the target.]

[The target's vital point was accurately hit, causing a bleeding effect. The target will take continuous damage.]

"Kwek kwek kwek!!"

The Frosty Ogre shuddered in pain, spewing blue blood from its thick neck. The heat from the blood caused the surrounding snow to evaporate, creating steam. However, the ogre continued to swing its hand axe, not stopping its counterattack.

[Took 807 damage.]

[Took 1,005 damage.]

"It hurts! Damn it! It hurts, you ogre brat!!"

The Frosty Ogre's attack power was extremely strong. Even Grid, who was well-equipped with a set item, took significant damage each time he was hit.

However, Grid maintained his composure and continued to counterattack. He didn't retreat after each hit but retaliated with equal force. The fight between Grid and the ogre continued in a you-die-I-die manner.

[Dealt 501 damage to the target.]

[Took 1,051 damage.]

[Dealt 607 damage to the target.]

[Took 988 damage.]

[Used a medium potion. Restored 1,500 HP.]

[Dealt 700 damage to the target.]

[Took 890 damage.]

Who would die first!

The intense battle between Grid and the Frosty Ogre continued, with Grid's red blood and the Frosty Ogre's blue blood splattering everywhere. The heat from the blood caused the snow to evaporate, creating a red and blue blood mist.

Grid faced a crisis midway.

His health was almost depleted, and the cooldown for the potion was still a long way off.

'Damn!'

Grid tried to buy time to reduce the cooldown of the potion. However, the Frosty Ogre relentlessly pursued him, giving him no respite.

[Took 929 damage.]

"Ugh!"

Finally, after taking another hit, Grid's remaining health dropped below 10%, and he was on high alert.

[The Apostle of Justice is valiant.]

The passive effect of the 'Apostle of Justice' title, which Grid had never experienced before, activated.

[The Apostle of Justice is strong in crisis. He will not easily fall until the enemies in front of him are defeated.]

[All stats increase by 30%.]

Grid smiled with satisfaction.

'After all the hard work, I can't blame Pagma anymore! The Apostle of Justice title has such an excellent function!'

Crack!

[Dealt 1,100 damage to the target.]

"Kwek kwek kwek!! Kwek! Kwek kwek! (Ahh!! This guy! He suddenly got stronger!)"

The Frosty Ogre's scream turned into a desperate cry.

The ogres on the watchtower, watching the fight, gradually distorted their expressions.

"Kwek... Kwek kwek? (What... This human? He's strong...)"

"Kwek kwek kwek! Kwek kwek kwek! (He suddenly got stronger!)"

"Kwek kwek kwek! Kwek kwek kwek! (We can't be complacent! Let's join in!)"

The ogres on the watchtower hurriedly descended to help their comrade. Upon entering the blood mist, they were shocked.

On the ground, their comrade was turning gray, lifeless, with his eyes rolled back, while the human in the bear fur was alive, covered in blue blood.

"Kwek kwek? (What the...)"

The ogres doubted their eyes.

"Kwek kwek kwek! (How is he not even injured!)"

The ogres had clearly seen the human and their comrade fighting fiercely, splattering blood. The human should have been at least critically injured. However, strangely, there was not a single scratch on the human's body.

Why was