"Damn it, the tyrant's avatar is coming!"
"All squads, cast Fireball with me! Volley fire!"
"Anyone still breathing, cast Forcecage together and restrict his movements!"
"Watch out for those demon lackeys... another batch has appeared! Someone deal with them, now!"
One day earlier, on the western front, outside the fortress.
A blood-red phantom as vast as a mountain formed a cloud that loomed over the wilderness.
Beneath that blood-red phantom, mages gathered in force, unleashing attacks on the hulking figure in the center of the battlefield.
It was a devil's avatar transformed from an ogre, with a long, flat, savage head like a crocodile's. Its thick, coarse skin formed biological armor reminiscent of a rhinoceros's, while its hair was wild and disheveled. A short animal-hide coat draped over its body, barely covering its waist and belly.
Feeling spells hurtle toward him from every direction, Shank burst out laughing as long-forgotten pain and exhilaration surged through him together.
This humanoid monster's body restricted his spellcasting abilities, but as an ogre, it possessed a naturally powerful physique. Bolstered by legendary might, it had swiftly surpassed mortal limits and gained terrifying, unparalleled strength.
Shank swung the bone club in his hand. Amid a hair-raising howl, the fireballs approaching his body shattered.
In the blink of an eye, he charged up to a nearby squad.
Fear spread across the faces of several human warriors. As they looked up, the shadow covering their faces rapidly expanded.
Towering over them, Shank swung his massive club, instantly smashing a human warrior into a bloody pulp. Even the armor the warrior wore crumpled like paper.
Then he swept his club sideways. A Momentum Slash smashed the others apart at the waist, sending severed chunks flying in every direction.
Their blood essence rose, turning into streaks of bloody light