Era of Players: Death God

Chapter 122: Berserk State

The Ogre's thunderous roar echoed through the clearing, its shattered club clattering to the ground. For a brief moment, disbelief tinged its fiery gaze as it recognized the speed and strength of a human. But that flicker of intelligence was swiftly extinguished, replaced by an all-consuming rage. With another earth-shaking roar, the Ogre charged forward once again.

Noah, however, was always prepared. His heightened senses as the Lord of Night tracked every movement of the creature. Activating his [Mana's Armor], a shimmering blue light enveloped him, just in time to withstand the bone-crushing force of the Ogre's fist. The impact was deafening, crackling with energy, but Noah's armor held strong, deflecting most of the blow.

Stumbling back a few steps, adrenaline surged through Noah's veins. This Ogre was more formidable than he had anticipated, with raw physical strength surpassing his expectations. But raw strength alone wouldn't guarantee victory. Noah needed strategy, exploiting the Ogre's size and limited agility.

With a growl that matched the Ogre's own, Noah lunged forward, not to attack directly, but to set up his next move. Unleashing his newly acquired Skill, [Fangs of Insanity], a swirling vortex of dark energy materialized around Nemesis, crackling with ominous power.

As the Ogre swung another heavy blow, Noah met it head-on. Instead of trying to block the attack entirely, he used the Ogre's momentum and the swirling energy of Fangs of Insanity to deflect it at an angle.

Klangs!

The clash of metal filled the air as Nemesis met the Ogre's fist, the impact reverberating through the clearing. Rather than landing a clean hit, the Ogre's massive fist glanced off Noah's blade, sending a shockwave through its own arm and throwing off its balance.

This was the opening Noah had been waiting for. With a ferocious snarl, he unleashed a flurry of attacks, his movements enhanced by Lord of Night. Nemesis became a blur of dark energy as it struck at the Ogre's exposed side, carving deep gashes into its thick hide.

"Grrrr!"

A pained bellow erupted from the Ogre's throat as it stumbled back, clutching its wounded side. The surprise was gone, replaced by primal fury and a begrudging respect for this unexpected adversary.

Recognition flared in the Ogre's red eyes - this human was no mere plaything. Noah had not only withstood its initial fury but also inflicted deep wounds. The playful swipes were replaced with a focused brutality. The Ogre charged again, its immense weight thundering against the forest floor, but this time with calculated intention.

Noah, ever vigilant, recognized the shift in tactics. Years of honed instincts and the heightened senses granted by Lord of Night's skill pulsed within him. He wouldn't fall for brute force anymore. With a flick of his wrist, a surge of telekinetic energy propelled him backward, just out of reach of the Ogre's gnashing maw.

The beast's roar echoed through the clearing, tinged with frustration, as it slammed its massive fist onto the spot where Noah had just been. The earth trembled with the impact, a testament to the raw power coursing through the Ogre.

From a safe distance, Noah surveyed the situation. The Ogre's reckless abandon left openings, but also increased the danger of its attacks. He needed to choose his moments, exploit weaknesses while minimizing the risk of being caught in a bone-crushing blow.

A plan began to form in his mind, a strategy honed in countless battles. He wouldn't overpower the Ogre; he would outsmart it. With renewed focus, he channeled a sliver of his mana, his eyes gleaming with a predatory glint. The air shimmered faintly as he unleashed a carefully controlled burst of telekinetic energy.

The invisible force targeted the Ogre's legs, subtly disrupting its balance just a fraction. The effect was instantaneous. Mid-stride towards another charge, the Ogre stumbled, its massive frame swaying precariously.

This was the moment Noah had been waiting for. With a burst of speed fueled by Lord of Night's skill, he dashed towards the lumbering beast. Nemesis, radiating a dark aura, became a blur in his hand. He wasn't aiming for a direct confrontation; his target was a specific point - the Ogre's knee, a crucial joint supporting its immense weight.

The attack landed true. Nemesis, honed to razor sharpness, sank deep into the Ogre's knee with a sickening crunch. A howl of pain ripped through the clearing, a feral sound that spoke volumes of the creature's agony. The Ogre crumpled to the ground, its massive form shuddering with the force of the blow.

But even injured, the Ogre wasn't finished. With a surge of adrenaline fueled by its pain, it lashed out blindly, its remaining hand searching for its tormentor. Noah, however, wasn't about to be caught off guard. He sidestepped the flailing limb with practiced ease, his movements a blur thanks to Lord of Night's skill.

The clearing fell silent, save for the labored breaths of the wounded Ogre.

Fear coiled in the pit of Noah's stomach as he surveyed the injured Ogre. It stared back at him with a mix of respect and burning hatred, promising a final, desperate battle. Noah knew that this fight was far from over.

Just as he raised his weapon, Nemesis, a surge of crimson energy erupted from the Ogre. Its muscles grotesquely bulged, its roar transforming into a savage snarl. The creature was enveloped in a crackling red aura, radiating a dark and powerful energy. It had entered a state of berserk rage.

Noah's heart pounded against his chest. A B-rank Ogre was already a formidable opponent, but a berserker Ogre was on a whole new level. Its strength and ferocity were amplified to the point where it became as dangerous as an A-rank threat. Noah knew that he was simply not equipped to handle such a monstrous creature at his current stage.

He cursed himself for underestimating his opponent, thinking that he could end the fight quickly. Now, he found himself facing an enraged beast fueled by a dark power. The initial dread that filled him was replaced by a steely resolve, fueled by adrenaline. Hesitation was not an option.

With a burst of speed granted by his ability, Lord of Night, Noah darted backward, putting as much distance as possible between himself and the rampaging Ogre. The beast, devoid of any semblance of strategy, blindly chased after him. Noah, once a graceful hunter, now became the hunted, relying on his agility and wit to survive.

The clearing turned into a chaotic racecourse of destruction, with every swipe of the Ogre tearing through trees and uprooting saplings.

Noah weaved through the carnage, utilizing his enhanced senses. He knew that direct confrontation was not his goal. He needed to wear down the beast, exploiting its berserker rage and limited stamina. Whenever an opportunity presented itself, he unleashed bursts of telekinesis to trip the Ogre or disrupt its charge.

Although the invisible force wouldn't inflict lasting damage, it would drain the creature's already dwindling energy reserves.

They ran in a desperate, chaotic circle. The night air resonated with the Ogre's enraged bellows and the crashing of falling trees. Minutes felt like an eternity, each one testing Noah's endurance. His lungs burned, his muscles screamed, but he couldn't afford to stop.

As dawn began to paint the sky with a faint blush of pink, Noah noticed a change in the Ogre's movements. Its attacks, fueled by raw fury, became sluggish. The red aura surrounding it dimmed, a sign of its waning power. A glimmer of hope pierced through Noah's exhaustion. His strategy was working. The berserk state, fueled by a temporary surge of power, was fading.

If he could hold on just a little longer...

The chase continued, a relentless dance between hunter and hunted under the watchful gaze of the rising sun. The once proud Ogre, corrupted and monstrous, had been reduced to a pathetic shell of its former self. Its movements were now driven more by desperation than true strength.

Just when Noah thought he couldn't push his endurance any further, a glorious opportunity presented itself. The Ogre, exhausted and fatigued, stumbled on a gnarled root. It crashed to the ground with a bone-jarring thud, the red aura flickering out completely.

This was Noah's moment. With a final surge of adrenaline, he charged forward, Nemesis firmly in his hand. The clearing fell silent, the only sounds being his ragged breaths and the pounding of his heart.

The fallen Ogre looked up at him, its eyes devoid of rage, replaced by a hollow acceptance. In that moment, Noah didn't see a monster, but a creature twisted by dark power.

But his hesitation was fleeting. The world he inhabited was harsh and unforgiving. There was no room for mercy here. With a deep breath, he steeled his resolve and delivered a final, decisive blow, his voice a rasp in the dawning light.

"This ends now!"

The once fearsome Ogre now lay motionless, bearing witness to the relentless struggle Noah had endured. The clearing, now illuminated by the gentle light of dawn, bore the scars of their brutal battle - shattered trees, torn earth, and the lingering scent of blood and electricity.

Noah's body trembled with exhaustion as he stood over the defeated creature. His breaths came in labored gasps, his muscles aching and protesting. The adrenaline that had fueled him throughout the long night was slowly fading, leaving behind a profound weariness that seeped into his bones.

With a trembling hand, he reached down and retrieved the pulsating crimson Magic Stone from the lifeless body of the Ogre. It pulsed with a faint, ominous energy, a grim memento of the harrowing encounter. Sliding the stone into his ever-growing collection within his item box, Noah turned away from the fallen beast. He knew he needed rest, a chance to regain his strength and tend to his wounds.

Though not life-threatening, the wounds were numerous and drained what little energy he had left.

Letting out a sigh that resonated through the quiet clearing, he surveyed his surroundings. Despite his fatigue, the enhanced vision granted by Lord of Night guided him towards a suitable resting place. A cluster of majestic oak trees, their branches forming a protective canopy overhead, offered a semblance of shelter.

Weary and drained, Noah made his way towards the comforting embrace of the trees. Settling on the soft ground beneath them, he allowed the waves of exhaustion to pull him into a good night of sleep.

[You have obtained 55% Exp]