Chapter 29: SS8 – Divine Intervention

The young man, who just entered the age of manhood, stood his ground against the monster before him as he yelled to his comrades.

“Get Ricky out of here! I’ll hold it off!”(?)

“You can’t, Hender! You won’t stand a chance!”(??)

“If you don’t go we all die! GO!”(Hender)

The young man raised his shield as he waited for the growling monster’s next advance. He could hear the rustling of his comrades fleeing the scene in the forest.

At least we all won’t have to die.

The monster was no longer in a hurry. Humanoid in shape that was twice his height, dark skin and long arms that hung just above the ground as it stood hunched over with bent knees. A dark troll.

It was intelligent enough to realize that the others had abandoned the boy, as he had managed to wound two of the others. 

The first wounded had been the young girl in their adventuring party as the troll had knocked him and Ricky out of the way. With a broken arm she could no longer wield her bow.

Ricky had been quick to recover and charged at the troll, but got his chest plate dented into his chest. He had to get help from the two girls, the archer and the magician, to get back to the city and find treatment quickly. 

But the troll would not abandon its pursuit. Hender’s choice was clear.

I don’t want to die.

He and the troll circled around each other as they both seemed to wait for an opportunity.

I just have to buy enough time. Then I can try to escape.

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The troll made its charge. Swinging its arm in a wide arc, the young man ducked as he stepped to the side to avoid it. He ended up stumbling on the uneven ground as he turned to face the troll. 

The troll was quick, it already stood with its arms raised to pummel him into the group with his fists.

Body Enhancement!

The young man leaped to the side once his body enhancement was active. He heard the sound of the troll’s fists striking the soft earth where he had stood a moment before. 

Hender felt a dull pain as something hard struck against his side as he rolled over it. He knew he wasn’t injured and quickly stood up, finding the troll who had turned its eyes toward him.

I need to get a strike in. Get it wary of me. 

Once again the troll began approaching. As it drew its arm back to make another swing, the young man stepped forward, ducking under it again, this time prepared.

Slashing Strike!

Mana rushed through him to guide his movement as he slashed the troll’s waist, making a deep cut with his sword. Deep for a human.

Hender continued forward to get away from the troll, but was too slow. With a bone crushing force he was struck on his back by a fist, sending him flying. 

He flew into a tree and spun in the air as he fell down on the ground. Every part of him hurt now.

[Ding!]