Chapter 75: Ambush in the Forest

  Emilia was once again working late into the night. She had managed to isolate the herbal combination that allowed her to stay awake. After offering the herbal mixture to the rest of the hunting party, Emilia realized the effect on her was significantly stronger, possibly due to her skills.

  Lora and Titus were alert after only six hours of sleep, but that was normal for them. Emilia, however, needed only four hours of sleep thanks to the herbal blend. And perhaps, when she grew older, she would need even less.

  This allowed her to be even more productive in working on her skills. Now that she could afford to make slightly fewer protective talismans, she would be able to focus on her fireballs. She was searching for a way to create some kind of formation that would launch fireballs, similar to the village's tower formation when the satyrs attacked them.

  However, things were not going easily, because this talisman was a little more complex and its power more destructive.

  ***

  The next day, Titus’s group gathered again and set off to hunt, but this time they would be looking for Level 2 monsters. Everyone was preparing and looking for opportunities to improve their equipment. At the moment, they needed monsters with particularly tough scales so they could transition from rattan armor with leather to armor made from monster scales. If the hunters provided the materials themselves, the cost would decrease significantly.

  The problem was that such monsters were usually much harder to kill, and most hunters avoided them. Stronger hunters ventured deeper into the forest, where the chances for powerful monsters and valuable herbs increased considerably.

  Emilia boasted about her new armor and demonstrated its capabilities.

  "Can you make armor like that for me?" asked Zevan, unable to restrain himself.

  "You need mana to use the formation."

  "And what about me then?" Boss Titus asked.

  "I can make one for you, but you will have to direct the energies and auras yourself. Perhaps if you set aside time to study these skills."

  Titus thought for a moment.

  "Also, it will require maintenance time after every single battle," she rushed to clarify.

  "Maybe some other time. For now, let's just look for suitable creatures."

  The group made progress and often fought the evil races. Apparently, something had stirred them up in this part of the world, and Krapelit would not be the only settlement attacked. Emilia began using her fireballs a little more freely, and the results soon followed.

  "Congratulations Emilia, you have unlocked a new skill, 'minor trajectory control'." Emilia immediately recognized the skill. It would allow her to significantly better control the trajectories of zero and first-level spells. After that, the effect would be minimal.

  In addition, she could also increase or decrease their speed.

  Emilia had read about this skill. It was often unlocked after hundreds or sometimes even thousands of spells. In very rare cases, with particularly talented mages, it could be unlocked after just a few dozen fireballs, but Emilia was apparently not that talented.

  "Maybe I'm a late bloomer," she thought, clinging to the idea like a lifeline.

  After that, things became much easier. The development of the skill progressed quickly, and Emilia always aimed for the monsters' heads. They were quite large, and if the spell was launched from just a few meters, when the monster wasn't moving much, Emilia could track it and change the fireball's trajectory. If she was lucky, she could even make it explode near its eyes!

  Naturally, this was quite dangerous, as magical creatures could sense the source of the magic, and since Emilia looked quite small and defenseless, they might try to attack and wound her.

  It was not long before they came upon a little river Nessie. This was an aquatic creature that possessed the needed scales but disliked fighting, often hiding in the depths and rarely attacking anyone.

  Afterward, they moved on, where they found a goblin village, which they were legally required to destroy. The little pests were extremely cowardly and immediately scattered, while the stronger members of the group gathered wood and set fire to their village.

  While they waited for it to burn, Emilia drew talismans and reflected on the cruelty in different worlds. Was the girl who had been born in her world doing well? Or had Transmigrea sent her a different way? And was she still a girl? Actually, this was not of particular importance, she decided, and continued to enjoy the streams of mana before her.

  Finally, after five whole days, Titus couldn't hold out any longer and suggested they attack one of the Kozor dens.

  These were creatures that had an average of five large, thick scales on their bodies, as well as many smaller ones. They had been modified by Echidna during the time of the first war against the Titans, even before modern humans were a factor in this world. Individuals who had not been modified by Echidna and had thick gray fur instead of scales were still encountered, but they were quite short and cowardly. They lived far to the south, primarily at the foot of Mount Oerx.

  The Kozors who lived near the city, however, were quite large, sometimes reaching even the height of a human. They were much wider, and their bodies were often as wide as two humans. They had strangely short limbs and moved equally well on two or four legs. They were capable of using tools, but their culture was quite primitive. In battle, they often charged forward driven by their instincts, and instead of weapons, they attacked with teeth and claws.

  Some of them, especially those with unlocked mana, were more intelligent, relying on armor and primitive weapons. They were even capable of strategy and ambushes.

  Boss Titus had paid for more recent information, and Petra had updated her map. Their dens were not directly shown nearby, but several associated territories were marked. The group had to head there and find them.

  And so, the group quickly changed direction, and on the very next—the sixth day since they had left the city—they were attacked by two forest trolls. They were a full five meters tall and were Level 2.

  They had huge, thick clubs, and if they managed to hit someone directly, they could inflict terrible damage. The group immediately began to retreat, with Petra showering them with a barrage of arrows. The trolls' skin was thick, but the arrows still managed to penetrate it. The problem was that the trolls possessed incredible regeneration.

  "What's the strategy?" little Emilia asked while running with all her might next to Lora.

  "For now, we will keep backing away and look for some solution. We cannot engage in a direct fight. And also, you never know, Petra might get lucky with her arrows and hit something vital... Although the chance is minimal."

  They soon came upon a small river, and Emilia thought it might stop or at least slow down the trolls. However, they boldly crossed the river and, without delay, began to close the distance.

  Boss Titus chose to pass through the denser parts of the forest, where the shorter people could move easily, but the trolls lost some of their speed.

  At one point, Petra pointed to an ancient, half-ruined structure, and Boss Titus signaled them to head there. There, they took cover and waited for the trolls to approach.

  Petra had placed a small jar containing an alchemical substance, which quickly began to produce smoke, partially obscuring the dilapidated structure.

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  The trolls, however, were not particularly impressed and continued boldly forward through the smoke screen. A minute later, they reached the structure, and Titus pointed to the smaller troll. It was only three and a half meters tall and its skin was less coarse.

  Boss Titus leaped out first, attacking the creature low at its legs, and immediately headed for the other part of the structure. While the monsters tried to hit him with their clubs, he had reinforced his body with mana and maneuvered carefully to avoid their strikes. A second later, the others appeared, immediately attacking the smaller troll. Emilia, however, attacked the large troll with two fireballs, carefully aiming them at its face.

  Almost simultaneously, three things happened.

  First, Titus, who was using his movement method, managed to evade the trolls' initial attacks. They were hindered by the proximity of the building, and Titus, with his magic, was the fastest in the group.

  Next, Petra and Emilia attacked the large troll from two different sides, successfully confusing it.

  Meanwhile, the others successfully approached and began to fight the small troll. Fortunately, Lora managed to pierce it with her spear, and Big Han circled around it and struck it with a powerful blow from his enormous halberd.

  The small troll let out a powerful roar, completely abandoning Titus and turning toward the hunters.

  The large troll hesitated for a moment, confused by the attacks, but after a brief moment of disorientation caused by Emilia’s magic, it managed to lift its heavy club and turn to support the wounded smaller troll.

  This, however, gave Petra time. She had previously tied a rope made of thousands of threads cut from monster hides and now leaped from the top of the ruined building, trying to entangle the monster with the rope.

  The troll, however, grabbed the rope with its hand and began pulling with all its might. Its muscles tensed fiercely and became almost twice as large. The piece of wall it was tied to could not withstand the force and began to crack. The troll continued to press, and gradually, the wall gave way and fell.

  During this time, the group did not stop attacking the smaller troll, and Boss Titus in turn had managed to slightly wound the larger monster.

  At that moment, Petra reappeared, throwing a bag that contained a large amount of chili pepper, and the troll hit it with its club. The bag was quite close to its face, and the pepper immediately fell into its enormous blue-green nose.

  Emilia sent another fireball, and the monster was temporarily stunned. Titus began to land powerful blows with his sword, while the blinded creature spun around, trying to shield itself and even attack with its huge club.

  All of this bought time for the others. The small troll, pierced by Lora’s spear, maneuvered with difficulty, and Big Han was hiding among the others, continuously striking it in its blind spots with his halberd.

  Magical creatures were usually much faster than trolls and were constantly moving. That is why it was much more difficult to fully surround them. However, this smaller, inexperienced troll had allowed itself to be surprised and encircled, and was now paying a huge price with its blood.

  "We have to kill it, otherwise if the battle drags on, even these wounds will heal!" shouted Zevan and took advantage of one of Big Han's attacks, landing a powerful blow with his saber, lifting it high above his head and bringing it down with two hands toward the troll's torso.

  Zevan had significantly improved his strength with the help of the Abyssal mushrooms, and his heavy curved saber tore through the troll's skin and even partially severed a bone from its body. The enraged troll turned to defend itself, and Lora took advantage and stabbed it diagonally in the stomach with her spear. She then twisted the spear and pulled it aside to widen the wound.

  Big Han gathered momentum and raised the halberd high above his head. He aimed carefully and with a powerful shout, brought it down on the monster’s unprotected back!

  Three rivers of blood began to flow from the troll, and even its legendary regeneration could not cope with them. Garik saw his opportunity and rushed forward, hidden behind his shield. He had seen that the monster was unstable and rammed his entire body into it, managing to make it stumble and fall heavily to the ground, losing its weapon.

  Meanwhile, the other troll had recovered and charged toward Lora, who was the closest. It completely ignored Titus and Emilia and almost immediately reached the fallen small troll, standing over it with its enormous club raised to guard it.

  Petra targeted the deepest wounds on the small troll and continued to pepper it with arrows, even sacrificing some of her special ammunition. The group regrouped and maneuvered around, avoiding getting close and taking risks. Gradually, the small troll, which had lost too much blood, began to make pitiful sounds.

  Emilia could see the eyes of the fallen creature begin to dim. Boss Titus gave a signal, and the group began to retreat toward the ruined building.

  The larger troll saw their weakness and grew ferocious. It grabbed its heavy club and attacked the retreating hunters. It delivered powerful blows, and with every strike, large fragments of the building's walls and roof flew in different directions.

  "Magic Shield." Emilia activated the ability on her armor, and a heavy fragment pushed her aside.

  During this time, Boss Titus activated one of Emilia's Strength talismans, approached the troll with his sword raised, ready to run off again in one direction or another at any moment.

  The troll, slowed by the ruined structure, lumbered after Boss Titus. He avoided its blows by slipping behind one collapsed wall after another. This bought the group the time they needed to regroup, and they quickly began striking the troll from multiple angles.

  Petra and Emilia continuously attacked the creature's face, giving it no chance to focus.

  At one point, when the monster was weakened and injured, Lora gave a signal, and Emilia approached, activated Strength talismans for everyone, and then pulled back again. The group immediately renewed their attacks, with everyone relying on Big Han with his enormous halberd or Boss Titus with his magic and the heavy, strength-enchanted sword.

  Gradually, the wounds began to multiply, and shortly before the talismans' effect wore off, the second troll was also struck down and later finished off.

  The group immediately began draining the trolls' blood and collecting their hearts and other organs.

  "We will celebrate this time. Two whole trolls!"

  Troll meat was not fit for eating, but their blood and organs were widely used in alchemy. If they succeeded in transporting the blood to the city, the group would share a total of 200 silver coins per person.

  "Emilia, have you ever rubbed yourself with troll blood?" Petra asked.

  "No, what is that rubbing used for?"

  "That way you can significantly strengthen your body. You should wait though, the fresh blood will be too strong for you."

  Aside from the money they earned, the hunters' other gain was the different ways to improve their bodies and strength. Older hunters had gone through hundreds of procedures, and the oldest among them, like Chief Nikos, even thousands.

  Emilia quickly inquired about the rubbing procedure and even chose to sacrifice part of her profit to collect blood for Kael and Ronan. She knew her mother well, and she would never agree to sacrifice money for such procedures.

  While the others finished their work on the monsters' bodies, Emilia quietly approached Lora, who was resting, leaning on her spear.

  "Auntie Lora, when will I be able to perform real magic—like the battle mages in the city? Without talismans, without formations... just whoosh and throwing fireballs?" she asked in a low, tired voice.

  Lora looked at the young girl. She thought about the battle and the heavy burden on those young shoulders, letting out a long sigh.

  "Emilia, it’s still too early for that. Maybe in a year or two, when you have more mana, you’ll find a teacher who can show you the different ways."

  "But I want to use magic now!" Emilia protested, pointing at the fallen trolls. "I could help so much more that way."

  "It's not that simple. When you don't have enough mana, your magic runs out much faster. Besides, almost all battle mages carry several talismans with spells at least one level higher than their own, just to stay safe. A single first-level spell can do damage, but a second-level talisman would have ended this fight at the very beginning. And third-level spells? They would have simply erased these trolls."

  "Are they really that powerful?" Emilia wondered, looking at her still-trembling hands.

  "Haha, of course they are. Chief Nikos has power at the upper limit of the 3rd level. Do you think these trolls would be a problem for him? Ha! He’s capable of fighting creatures from the early phase of the 4th level... like a young dragon, a Behemoth, or even a Roc bird. He was part of the city's defense eight years ago and personally took down one of those birds."

  "What is a Roc bird?" Emilia asked.

  "It’s a massive magical bird that usually lives in the mountains and hunts in the surrounding forests. They can swallow a whole horse in a few bites and are as large as a two or three-story house. That’s why they call them the 'Rock birds'."

  "How is it even possible to kill something that big?!" Emilia gasped, her hand instinctively gripping her small spear. She reached toward her talismans as if a giant bird might swoop down at any moment.

  "Well, with birds, it’s a bit easier. Most of them have weaker muscles, hollow bones, and a huge amount of feathers. Their feathers are magical and they need many of them to generate the magic that keeps them airborne. Such massive creatures can’t stay in the air with just muscle power."

  Emilia fell into deep thought. Lora stepped closer, ruffled her hair, and smiled.

  "Don’t worry. Maybe soon we’ll find some legendary treasure and you can start casting 'normal' spells... even if they are only zero-level, like your talismans."

  "Ha, as if legendary treasures grow on trees!" Emilia grumbled.

  Lora looked at her with genuine confusion.

  "Some of them do grow on trees, Emilia. You really should read more library books. Maybe if you spent less time on romance novels, you’d know more about the world of magic."

  "I don’t read romance novels! I study talismans and formations! And I read the sacred books and the stories of heroes!"

  "Ha! Then why haven’t you read the story of Arthemis—the first human mage to defeat a demigod?"

  "I’ve read it! At least three times!" Emilia snapped, stepping forward defensively. She adored magic and had devoured almost everything related to it in the library. "But they purposefully removed all the explanations on HOW the magic is actually used!"

  "Hmm... alright. When you raise your mana a bit more, Titus and I will look for a hunter who actively uses magic, don't worry. For now, just improve your foundations. They are what matters most. Look—even the mayor’s son, who is two years older than you, doesn’t use magic freely yet. You’re still young!"

  "Everyone keeps telling me how young I am..." Emilia whispered to herself, staring into the dark forest. Lora watched her, a bittersweet smile on her face, and gave her shoulder an encouraging squeeze.