OGRE LEADER'S POINT OF VIEW:

"Who is that damn human?"

"Why is he so strong?"

"He's only Emerald rank? That has to be impossible."

I remember a few months ago when one of the leaders came to me. He spoke of a small plan. They were planning to send in some weak human children soon. He told me: "They'll likely die as soon as they arrive in this dungeon. If any survive—kill them!"

I was confident. Their rank would only be Amethyst, something simple even for us. Only a few ogres have reached rank three through constant battles among ourselves. The rest were forcibly advanced using a mysterious device from that group.

I can't believe how a lower-rank human is killing them like common monsters. Yes, they were forced to evolve—but still, they're a superior rank! Their strength should place them in the middle ground between two tiers. It should be easy to kill a mere child.

I carefully clutch the orb embedded in my chest. This artifact allows me to be a rational monster at rank three, something unheard of without a legacy. If not for their intervention, we'd still be the same idiotic ogres fighting among ourselves to see who's strongest.

I became their leader, guiding them into a community. Our group grew and grew. Soon, I expected a summons from that person—and possibly freedom. But now everything is crumbling because of a single Emerald-ranked child.

It's hard to believe what I see through the window. A boy killing monsters one rank above him with relative ease, when it should be impossible to fight more than two at once. How did he become so strong? Who sent him? What does he want?

"Number two died by his hand, and even number three barely escaped. There's no stopping him if he commits to running." I couldn't formulate a plan against that boy. My intelligence isn't enough to close the gap between us.

I pace around the fortress, walking and thinking. Could I set a trap for him in the core chamber? According to HIM, the only way to end this dungeon before escaping is to destroy the core. If I manage to hide a few elites, along with number two and myself, maybe we'll have a chance.

I must summon number two back immediately. He can't die on that battlefield so soon. I send some ogres to deliver my message.

I keep watching from the window as that boy continues killing ogre after ogre. "Those swords aren't normal. That magic is way too powerful."

The Ice affinity left me traumatized. When I met that person as a mindless ogre, I was nearly frozen to death with a single thought. That person saw potential in me and slowly raised me, granting me this orb that enhanced my intelligence and allowed me to lead my kind.

"I still can't believe this." According to others from that group, it's hard enough to fight several opponents of your own rank—you have to be insanely talented to do so. Beating someone of a higher rank? Nearly impossible. Fighting several of them? Out of the question.

My head aches just thinking about that child and a possible plan B. The messenger ogre reaches number two, delivers the message, and number two turns around to return to me.

I watch as that child—his back turned to number two—suddenly whirls around, forms those spheres filled with immense mana, and fires three constructs in a second. The ogres had strict orders to protect him no matter what. Three die using their bodies as shields.

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That damn kid… I only have a little over 1000 ogres left at my disposal. That should be enough to last one or two more days. When was the last time the dungeon created ogres?

As the top predators of this place, we're formed differently. After collecting enough mana, the dungeon slowly releases more of us. Our only enemies used to be ourselves. Only after I became the leader were we able to increase our numbers so rapidly.

I approach the core chamber. In this short time, they taught me to read a tiny fraction of the complex orb before me. I can only tell how long until more ogres are created. "About two days?" That's useless—only 50 to 100 ogres might come out. That boy could wipe them out.

I slam my fist against the floor in frustration. Gaining intelligence has its downsides. Now I have something akin to human emotions… making me more psychologically vulnerable.

MAKI'S POINT OF VIEW: "That ogre mage ran away again. His legs are faster than his brain." I can only sigh in exhaustion as I watch him flee once more with his tail between his legs.

My mind is a bit distracted while my body stays focused. My swords keep swinging without pause. My feet shuffle side to side, and my magic supports me when needed.

Ogre bodies pile up on the ground, making it harder to move across the battlefield. My magical capacity has dropped over the minutes, and some of my movements are starting to slow down. "Time to take another break."

In the final minute, I slash as much as I can, moving side to side to finish off dying ogres with ice swords. I store two charges in my feet and escape. One charge launches me onto a dead ogre, and the second activates mid-air to shoot me into the forest.

I heal my wounds before sitting in the same tree hollow. My body collapses onto the ground from exhaustion, my hands feel heavy, and my brain is mush from overexertion. My breathing is rough at first and slowly calms down.

"These ogres just don't stop." By my calculations, there should be between 1000 and 1500 left. I've killed about 800 today alone—if I keep it up, I can end this place in two more days.

I pull out Arisa's watch from my storage bracelet. I check the time and just stare at it for a long while. It's a reminder of everything that's happened. The same goes for my swords, this bracelet, and the ring—precious memories of my family and friends.

I check my notifications and my status before sleeping. "With this exhaustion, I'll probably sleep for hours."

"I've gained some good levels today." Seeing my updated status makes me smile. A sense of joy eases my weariness.

Maki: 11 years old – Advanced Emerald.

ABILITIES: • Death's Sharpness (IV) – Level 1 → Level 2 • Fortified Construction (III) – Level 10 → Level 11 • Unified Moldable Mana (III) – Level 11 → Level 14 • Charged Electric Steps (III) – Level 10 • Domain (III) – Level 10 → Level 12 • Frozen Core (III) – Level 11 → Level 13 • Vital Synthesis (III) – Level 10 → Level 11 • Gravity Well (II) – Level 1 → Level 4

Laws and Pseudo-Laws: • Yin-Yang Law: Life and Death • Pseudo Law of Ice

Only one level in Death's Sharpness? Is it really that hard to level up rank (IV) abilities? That was the last notification of the day. I've used that skill to kill countless ogres—I thought I'd get at least two levels. Still, I can't complain with such a high-ranked skill.

It's a bit depressing to see Charged Electric Steps still at the same level. I'll need a Pseudo Law to level it up… I don't know when that will happen.

I have no complaints about the rest—my other skills have leveled up quickly. I take a few minutes to reflect. I used to gain far more levels doing far less. The higher the rank, the harder it is to level up.

I've also noticed that the more difficult the situation, the better the rewards after the fight. Sure, now it's physically and mentally exhausting—I take constant damage. But I've never been in true mortal danger… I always avoid it. I'm not a masochist looking to throw myself into those situations all the time.

I glance at my status one last time before closing it mentally and thinking about how shocked everyone will be when they see how powerful I've become. I could probably fight Sers and Ritmo right now—maybe even both at once.

I laugh inwardly imagining their surprised faces… and then feel a little sad thinking about how worried they must be. I want to see them soon. I know it'll be hard to return home and pretend everything is fine. I need to steel my heart for that moment.

My grandma will be the most surprised to see me. She's watched my growth since I was a child—and she was my first teacher in this life.

I let my thoughts wander for a while until my eyelids begin to close on their own. Slowly, the god of sleep takes hold of me, and I drift into a deep, well-earned rest.

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