LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 52 - The First Expedition 4
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The group disembarked from their carriage a day’s march away from the destination, as carriages couldn’t traverse the unmapped wilderness from there onwards.
Since their sole task upon arrival would be investigating environmental changes in the vicinity, the real expedition began with trekking through the forest to reach that location.
Before entering the woods, Leona reiterated their positions.
“I’ve been told you two are melee combatants, but having you at the vanguard from the start is risky. Newcomers to actual combat often panic. For now, protect the rear while observing the overall battlefield flow.”
“Understood.”
Leona spoke with refined poise. While Doyun hadn’t witnessed her full capabilities yet, she clearly possessed the experience befitting a team leader.
The group set off towards their destination.
As a ranger, Leona vigilantly scouted ahead while maintaining their marching pace, and the team members remained alert to their surroundings too. Quite a capable team indeed.
“I’ll let a couple through this time! Don’t panic, just do your best!”
Whenever they encountered monsters for combat, Leona would occasionally let some slip past to allow Doyun and Sophie to engage.
Even amidst that, Doyun didn’t neglect Sophie’s training.
“Hah!”
Crack!
Shatter-!
Accompanied by Sophie’s alluring moan, a charging wolf monster was shoulder-checked, sent flying.
But soon, another took its place, rushing at her in turn.
“Tch…!”
Weaving her fists and kicks seamlessly, Sophie repelled the wolf.
Having slain one wolf with her sword, Sophie approached Doyun.
“Sophie. When facing multiple weaker monsters – in other words, during assured hunts – it’s crucial to fight efficiently while conserving stamina.”
“Huff… Yes.”
She nodded, clearly comprehending his words.
Conveniently, the wolf she had just repelled charged at Doyun from behind.
“Against aggressive foes like this, it’s most effective to simply strike the center of their momentumwhile they’re charging straight at you.”
As Sophie swiftly adopted a stance, about to extend her thigh,
“Like this.”
Doyun lightly lifted his leg, striking the charging wolf squarely in its chest center.
Crunch-!
A brutal crunching sound, distinct from Sophie’s impacts.
The wolf’s body halted in place before crashing lifelessly to the ground with a dull thud, not even a shattered whimper. It had perished instantly.
“Ah…”
“No need to imitate it immediately. Just observe and remember the feeling.”
“Ye, yes…”
She replied, marveling at Doyun’s prowess.
And the rest of the team had been witnessing Doyun’s combat and tutelage towards Sophie.
After an appropriate conclusion to the skirmish, Leona approached Doyun, barely concealing her astonishment as she asked,
“…Are you two really fresh graduates this intake? Especially you, Doyun.”
“Yes, we are from this intake.”
“Truly? I haven’t witnessed your full abilities yet, but you already seem quite out of the ordinary?”
She deliberately spoke with a playful tone.
Regardless of combat power, Doyun’s seasoned demeanor didn’t feel like a newcomer’s vibe at all.
Everyone assumed Doyun must have undergone harsh experiences in his original dimension before crossing over.
‘Just what dimension did you come from…?’
But even as she inwardly marveled, Leona deliberately maintained a bright tone, not letting on.
Cases like Doyun’s invariably involved individuals who had endured dreadful struggles in their previous lives. Bringing it up would be highly insensitive.
“It’s all thanks to the guidance from you noona and hyungs.”
“Heh. Speaking so sweetly too. Are you really a newbie?”
Leona laughed and playfully nudged Doyun’s side with her elbow. Naturally closing the distance between them, prompting Chiwoomen to frown at the sight once more.
Shortly after, Doyun was fully integrated as part of the team’s combat force. The members even felt the expedition had become far smoother thanks to his presence.
After a few more skirmishes, Doyun sensed something amiss.
‘…Is this really just a low-difficulty expedition?’
The combat encounters seemed more frequent than expected for a supposedly low-difficulty mission.
While the current team was quite capable, they still had limited stamina. Considering the numerous clashes, this wasn’t a suitable destination for such a small party.
And indeed, Leona soon signaled the team to halt.
“…Strange.”
“Leader. The mission difficulty seems higher than briefed.”
The tank Kaperman murmured to Leona in a low voice. Then, one by one, the other members shared their own sentiments too.
“Not unmanageable progress-wise.”
“That’s true. Stamina is an issue, but we can simply slow our pace.”
And they had Doyun as well.
Leaving the unspoken words hanging, they all glanced at Doyun as if by unspoken agreement.
Had it just been the original five, they likely would have felt quite burdened and retreated. But the unexpectedly formidable Doyun and Sophie, who were supposed to be under their tutelage, made the expedition feasible.
Leona pondered briefly. Still, such variables fell within the range occasionally encountered in the field.
She soon reached her decision.
“We’ll proceed with the expedition.”
“Yes, Leader.”
The team members nodded at her judgment.
Leona scouted ahead again, advancing cautiously.
However, Doyun, more perceptive than anyone, soon sensed the forthcoming variable in advance.
‘…Why is that here?’
More than being dangerous, it was simply an utterly incongruous variable.
Puzzled, Doyun followed behind Leona.
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“Halt.”
Leona murmured to her team.
And as if by unspoken agreement, they all maintained silence.
“…”
“…”
“…An earthquake?”
Someone muttered.
The ground trembled intermittently – too irregular for an earthquake, the intervals repeating like footsteps instead.
The team looked to Leona. If they could perceive it, the skilled ranger Leona should have sensed it long before. But she hadn’t.
Which meant this tremor had manifested abruptly well within Leona’s detection range.
“…”
Leona pressed her ear to the ground, analyzing the vibrations. After a brief perplexed look, her complexion paled.
“Wha…?”
She rose unsteadily, face ashen.
“This is… Wha…? No… But it matches? This has to be…”
“Leader. What’s wrong?”
Had Kaperman sensed something ominous from Leona’s reaction? Or had their survival instincts simply kicked in?
His expression hardened as he addressed her,
“Leader?”
“Ju, just a moment. Something’s off. This can’t be right. Is, is that really what it is? Why would it be here?”
Leona couldn’t trust her own analysis.
It wasn’t due to any incompetence – she was undoubtedly a skilled and experienced ranger.
Thump.
More crucial than on-site sensory information for a scout was the prior knowledge from preliminary investigations.
Thump. Thump.
Hence, Leona’s bewilderment was hardly surprising.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
For the existence approaching them was something that absolutely should not be inhabiting such a peaceful region.
Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.
To them presently, it was akin to a veritable calamity.
Thump.
Thump.
Crunch-
The tremors drew closer until thick trees snapped like toothpicks, their towering forms crashing to the ground.
A massive, colossal frame stood backlit by the sun, casting its shadow over them.
“Wha…?”
Chiwoomen gaped ahead, letting out a dumbfounded sound.
“Wha, what is that…? Why, why is it here?”
Easily over 6 meters tall, a gigantic bulk akin to a small hill.
Forearms thicker than tree trunks. Rippling violet muscles glistening with vibrant elasticity.
Crude mana coursing through distended veins, uprooting entire trees without effort as it obstructed its path.
“Ah…”
The apex predator of the continental food chain, a walking siege engine said to topple citadels with a mere charge.
An Ogre.
Thump. Thump.
Crunch-
“…”
Overwhelmingly powerful by mere sight, it lumbered towards Leona’s team, crushing trees with its thick arms while its heavy footfalls shook the very earth.
Nobody could speak. They could only gape helplessly, staring up at the calamity before them.
Only Doyun tilted his head quizzically, scrutinizing the Ogre through his senses.
‘Leaving aside why an Ogre is here… why did something like that suddenly manifest?’
Doyun held no interest in the Ogre’s presence itself. While anomalous, another aspect grated on him far more acutely.
To Doyun’s perception, the Ogre before them wasn’t just a regular Ogre. More than a mere ‘Ogre’ lifeform, it was an utterly incongruous, incomprehensible existence.
‘This doesn’t seem like something to just ignore.’
Doyun resolved to verify what he was sensing.