Venturing (3)
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I decided I shouldn't fight.
"Hey," I called out, keeping my voice calm and steady. "I don't know why you're attacking me but relax. I'm not here to fight."
I stood firm, not reaching for my sword. My tone was confident. I didn't want to escalate anything. But the Giant?
He didn't seem to care.
"It does not matter. Come on!" he roared.
And just like that, he charged.
His massive form thundered forward, each step shaking the ground beneath my feet. Dust flew up behind him as he sprinted—and then, without warning, he leapt high into the air.
The sun caught his silhouette mid-flight. Both hands gripped the huge wooden club that looked like it could crush a house. The club swung downward with brutal momentum, aiming straight for me.
"Tch... figures."
I drew my sword in one swift motion. Magic flared to life around me, crackling like sparks off a wildfire. Destruction surged across my blade, wrapping around me like a shield.
I slashed forward hard.
[Divine Departure]
A wave of pure Destruction Magic shot out though Shanks adjusted the intensity, slamming into the giant mid-air. Dust exploded from the impact, the wind howling with the force of the clash, but when it all cleared—the Giant still stood.
I could see the scorch marks spread across his chest; his skin burnt but he was grinning.
"Do you still want to continue or…?" I asked, my tone a little too casual.
The moment the words left my mouth; I realized my mistake.
The Giant's expression shifted. His brows twitched ever so slightly - just enough to tell me I'd poked the bear.
"Of course," he replied, grinning wide. "Now I'm fired up."
That grin said it all. He wasn't angry… he was excited.
'Very well then,' I thought as I slowly raised my saber, pointing its tip directly at him. The distance between us was about twenty meters, the wind beginning to stir around us from the tension in the air.
He mirrored my movement - his club, a massive slab of wood, lifted and pointed toward me like he'd accepted a duel.
I smirked.
INHALE.
I drew in a sharp breath - not with my lungs, but with my Magic.
The tip of my sword began to glow. Just a small dot of destruction.
Then it pulsed.
A sphere of pure Destruction Magic condensed at the tip, crackling violently with energy.
My eyes locked on his.
"This is gonna sting."
[Cero]
BOOM!
The orb fired.
A wave of crimson-black destruction shot forward, a blinding pillar of magic tearing across the space between us. It roared like a dragon, howling as it devoured everything in its path—dust, rock, even the light around it seemed to flicker.
It was fast.
But the Giant… he didn't dodge.
He roared and stepped forward, raising his club and bracing his feet. The moment the wave hit -
KRA-KOOM!
The impact shook the mountainside. The ground cracked beneath him, chunks of stone lifting and then disintegrating under the pressure. Smoke and magic mist erupted, obscuring everything in a red-black haze.
I held my ground, eyes narrowed, waiting to see what remained.
When the smoke cleared...
He was still standing.
Kneeling, actually—one leg dug into the dirt, his club buried halfway into the ground like a shield. His arms were trembling.
A long burn stretched across his chest where the beam had connected, smoke rising from his body.
But he was grinning.
"That was… fun," he said, panting.
I lowered my sword slightly, surprised. That attack should've left him down for the count.
"You're still up?" I asked.
"You think one trick like that is gonna take me out?" he laughed. "I am the future leader of Giants!"
I chuckled which may seem disrespectful, but I really did not care.
"Well, I did not want to fight you it was you who instead-
Just then I felt-
CHILLS
I turned back and I saw a Giant, like - a real Giant. He was taller and bigger than the Giant in front of me and he had a pissed off expression.
"YOU!" His loud voice resounded throughout the rocky terrain.
'Don't tell me he is here to punish me because I just beat his brother?'
"Sigh!" I sighed.
But unlike my expectation, he walked past me and looked at the Giant I fought and then...kicked him in the face.
"Holy Shit-"
I muttered as he kicked the already injured Giant again. He then turned back at me-
"Human, I deeply apologize. It seems my brother has caused you unnecessary trouble. We- Giants can sense the intent of person in front of us and I know you do not have any ill intent."
I nodded without saying a word but the Giant who I had just beat screamed-
"We were having a Warrior's bout!"
...Warrior's bout? The hell is he talking about.
"Shut up!" The bigger Giant screamed louder and then in a toned-down voice asked-
"What is your name, human?"
"It's Shanks. What's yours?"
Of course, instead of the bigger Giant answering, the more annoying one answered loudly-
"He is Rock, and I am Crotch!"
...Rock and Crotch?
"I see." I said to Crotch. His screaming was becoming more and more annoying, and it seems Rock also realized as he glared at his brother.
"Shanks, Let's go to our village. It has been a long time since we had an outside visitor! I am sure there will be many who will wish to converse with you." I nodded to Rock's words.
"Sure."
And then we walked towards the Village.
Finally.
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(Finished Volume 1 in pa_treon! Thank you too all of the dear people who joined my pa_treon or bought the collection (discount is still going on). Lots of love (no homo) to you and thank you for all those who are giving me valuable suggestions as well. I will write more about it in Volume 1 afterword.)