Crimson Overlord-Chapter 308: Elder Troll

Turning his attention to the new challenger, Orpheus let out a low growl, a sound that sent shivers down the spines of the remaining trolls. The playful facade vanished, replaced by a cold, predatory glint in his eyes.

The monstrous challenger, emboldened by a misplaced sense of bravery, roared and swung its club with a ferocity that could fell a lesser opponent. The air itself seemed to crackle with the force of the blow. But Orpheus, his crimson eyes blazing with a newfound intensity, was no longer the toying phantom. He had become the predator.

With a movement that defied logic, Orpheus vanished from where he stood. The challenger’s club whistled harmlessly through the empty air, the troll momentarily stunned by the sudden disappearance. Then, a blur of crimson reappeared behind the troll, so fast it seemed like teleportation. Orpheus’s black sword, imbued with a power no longer hidden, sang a deadly song.

This wasn’t the controlled dismantling of before. This was a display of raw, terrifying power. The black blade, a blur in Orpheus’s hand, sliced through the troll’s thick hide with an ease that bordered on mockery.

The troll let out a surprised bellow, the sound cut short as another slash severed a crucial tendon in its leg. The massive creature crumpled to the ground, its roar replaced by a whimper of pain.

The remaining trolls, their courage evaporating faster than the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves, huddled together, their guttural roars devolving into whimpers. The chieftain, nursing his wounded leg and staring at Orpheus with a mixture of fear and hatred, realized his mistake. This wasn’t a creature they could fight. This was a nightmare given form.

From the makeshift mountain of roots below, cheers erupted, a ragged but defiant sound. Lily, her face pale but her eyes gleaming with newfound hope, deactivated the shimmering barrier. Hellion and Ilya, battered but not broken, stood tall, their weapons held high. The tide had turned, not just because of Orpheus’s display of power, but because it had rekindled their fighting spirit.

Orpheus, his predatory glint fading but replaced by a chilling amusement, turned his crimson gaze towards the terrified trolls. The silence stretched, thick with tension.

Just then, a brutal growl echoed from the largest hut. A figure even larger than the chieftain emerged, its eyes glowing with an unnatural red light. It was an elder troll, a shaman perhaps, its presence radiating an aura of ancient power. The troll chieftain scurried to the elder’s side, whimpering and gesturing towards Orpheus.

The elder troll turned its gaze towards Orpheus, a silent conversation passing between them through unknown means.

The elder’s response was unexpected. Instead of a roar of defiance, a guttural rumble echoed from its massive chest, a sound that resonated through the very earth like a tremor. The ground beneath Orpheus’s feet seemed to vibrate in response, a physical manifestation of the elder’s power.

But the surprise was short-lived. The chieftain, emboldened by the elder’s intervention, roared and lunged, his wounded leg forgotten in the heat of renewed rage. The sight sent a flicker of annoyance across Orpheus’s crimson eyes.

Lily’s face, drained of color, mirrored the fear gripping the others. They had witnessed the terrifying display of Orpheus’s power, yet here he was, facing not just one, but two enraged trolls. Hellion and Ilya, their weapons clutched tightly, started to move forward, ready to defy Orpheus’s order and join the fight.

"Stay back," Orpheus boomed, his voice a sharp command that cut through the chaos. A single word, infused with a potent energy, halted their advance. They remained rooted to the spot, a mixture of fear and loyalty keeping them at bay.

In that same instant, Orpheus vanished. One blink, and he was gone, leaving behind a bewildered chieftain and a wary elder. Then, with a sound like a whisper, he reappeared, a crimson blur materialized right before the elder, his black sword held high.

The elder, despite its immense size, seemed surprised by the teleportation trick. Its red eyes narrowed, focusing on Orpheus with an intensity that could bore holes through steel. Its massive hand, tipped with wicked claws, shot out, aiming to crush Orpheus like a gnat.

But Orpheus was a too fast. He ducked beneath the elder’s attack, the wind from the passing claws whipping at his hair. With a swift counter-attack, he slashed at the elder’s arm, leaving a shallow gash on its thick hide.

’’Graaaaa!"

The elder roared in pain, a sound that shook the very huts around them. It was a primal sound, one that spoke of wounded pride and an anger far more potent than the chieftain’s.

The fight had taken a dramatic turn. Orpheus, who had seemed untouchable moments ago, was now locked in a deadly dance with a creature of immense power. The elder’s raw strength was formidable, but Orpheus countered with his speed and a deadly sword that seemed to defy normal limitations.

The chieftain, emboldened by the elder’s fight and fueled by his own rage, charged once more. This time, however, Orpheus didn’t even turn his head. With a flick of his wrist, he sent a crimson projectile flying from his fingertips.

Bang!

It struck the chieftain squarely in the chest, sending him flying backward with a sickening thud. The chieftain lay still, unconscious, a testament to the true power Orpheus held in reserve.

The elder, enraged by the sight of its fallen comrade, redoubled its attack. The troll village became a battleground, the ground trembling as the two figures clashed. The other trolls, cowed by the display of power and the fallen chieftain, huddled together, whimpering and whimpering.

Lily, Hellion, and Ilya watched in horrified fascination. The fight was a blur of crimson and shadow, punctuated by the earth-shattering roars of the elder and the metallic clang of Orpheus’s blade. Their fear for Orpheus warred with their loyalty to his command.

Although they were fighting as well, they couldn’t help but focus their eyes on him again with a question running through their minds.

Would Orpheus prevail against this seemingly unstoppable foe? Or would the forgotten village become a tomb for them all?