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*******

After successfully dealing with the initial group of ogres, Chris decided to venture deeper into the dense forest, wanting to ensure there were no more lurking threats before calling it a day. Silently, he couldn't help but hope that his search would yield no further adversaries, sparing him from the rigors of battle once again.

After resting for a while to regain his strength and composure, Chris resumed his exploration of the forest. Unfortunately, his hopes were soon dashed as he encountered another group, albeit a smaller one, consisting of three green ogres.

Without hesitation, Chris assessed the situation and quickly realized that this smaller group presented a manageable challenge for him. His determination undiminished, he steeled himself for another confrontation and charged at the three green ogres, his flaming sword at the ready.

Chris tightened his grip on his flaming sword

The first ogre lunged at Chris with a ferocious roar, its massive club raised high. With a quick step to the side, Chris narrowly avoided the crushing blow. Seizing the moment, he delivered a swift and precise strike to the ogre's exposed flank. His flaming sword cut through the green flesh, leaving behind a trail of smoldering wounds. The ogre bellowed in pain, stumbling backward, much like its larger counterparts.

The other two ogres, undeterred by their companion's injury, pressed on with their attack. Chris knew he couldn't afford to be surrounded. He spun his sword in a defensive arc, the flames creating a barrier between him and the advancing ogres. Their club strikes met the fiery defense, causing the wood to sizzle and smoke.

With a calculated step, Chris moved toward the ogre on the right. He deftly parried a club swing and countered with a blazing strike to the ogre's chest, leaving behind a searing mark. The ogre recoiled in agony, giving Chris an opportunity to pivot and face the last remaining foe.

This final ogre, filled with a mixture of fury and desperation, launched a powerful overhead strike. Chris leaped backward to avoid the impending impact, his quick reflexes saving him once again. As he landed, he channeled the power of the wind, creating a localized whirlwind that swept debris into the ogre's eyes. Blinded and disoriented, the ogre swung wildly, missing Chris by a wide margin.

Chris seized the moment, closing in on the ogre. He delivered a powerful, flaming strike to the back of its knee, causing the ogre to collapse to the ground in agony. With a final thrust of his sword, he ended the battle, leaving the last ogre defeated and smoldering.

******

Ace continued his pill-making endeavor until dusk began to descend, prompting him to halt. It wasn't fatigue that led to this decision but rather the awareness of his teammates' return. Though he had yet to lay eyes on them, their distinct voices carried from a distance, signaling their approach to his location.

Taking advantage of the opportunity to stretch his body, Ace set his pill-making materials aside and ventured outdoors.

Outside, Anna engrossed in conversation with Emma, who cradled a peacefully slumbering Mia in her arms, while Chris stood nearby with his sword casually resting on his shoulder.

In a moment of uncanny synchronicity, all three of them simultaneously twitched their noses.

As their powers grew, so did their senses, and even before they reached the residence, they could detect the unmistakable aroma of herbs. Without exchanging a word, they quickened their pace, their expressions sharpening as they drew nearer to the house.

Ace, already anticipating their imminent arrival, stood beside his loyal companion Blue, gently stroking the animal's head. As Anna, Emma, and Chris approached, their steps hastened, and they soon entered Ace's field of vision.

"Ace!" Anna was the first to call out, her voice filled with warmth and relief.

Ace, calmly awaiting their arrival, was momentarily taken aback as Anna transformed into a blur, materializing before him and enveloping him in an affectionate hug.

Ace surprise was palpable, yet the embrace stirred something deep within him.

It felt oddly reminiscent, as if he were reuniting with someone his body had long missed and yearned for, although the source of this emotion was shrouded in mystery.

"I'm glad you're okay," Anna whispered softly, her embrace demonstrating a strength that could easily overpower ordinary men, even some that were in the early stages of rank 1, but it had no effect on Ace. To say that it didn't faze him would be an understatement; he didn't even register the force behind her hug. In those few seconds, Anna became acutely aware of her actions, and a shock of realization coursed through her. Her caring for Ace was undeniable, but her reaction had caught her off guard. historical

Anna made a move to separate from the embrace, but just as she did, she felt Ace's hand gently encircle her waist, another settling atop her head, drawing their bodies closer. This surprising action not only flustered Anna but also flushed her face with a deep shade of red. It was the closest interaction she'd had with another man, making her feel both surprised and flustered.I think you should take a look at .cοm

Attempting to break the tension, Emma made a fake cough as she and Chris finally approached Ace and Anna. Like Anna, both Emma and Chris were taken aback by the sudden display of affection. While it could be passed off as a friend's concern, it was clear that there was more to it, no matter how they tried to interpret the situation.

What added to the shock was Ace's response. The usually reserved and often distant figure had returned the affection, defying their expectations.

Quickly separating herself from Ace, Anna stood shyly at his side, her gaze fixed on the ground, too self-conscious to meet his eyes. Ace, still sporting his typically calm expression, stared deeply at Anna with a depth that made it seem like he was studying her.

lightsΝοvel.cοm Anna couldn't help but feel the weight of Ace's gaze, and it only added to her unease. Her face flushed even deeper, and her mind raced with curiosity about what might be going on in Ace's thoughts. However, her assumptions about his thoughts were far from the truth.

Unbeknownst to Anna, her earlier actions had triggered something in Ace's memory. The visions he had experienced while unconscious flashed before his mind. He couldn't quite pinpoint what had changed or why he felt different when Anna hugged him, but his instincts told him that something was amiss.

In the midst of the silence, it was Chris who decided to break it. Sensing that the quietude had grown uncomfortably loud, he addressed Ace, "Uhm, brother Ace, how are you feeling now?"

The sound of Chris's voice snapped everyone out of their individual contemplations. Ace nodded and replied, "I'm feeling better now," before pausing and adding, "Thank you for asking."

The exchange served as a bridge, breaking the awkward moment and bringing the team back into the present.

"Is the emperor back with you?" Ace inquired, his question hanging briefly in the air before a loud flapping sound echoed through the settlement from above.

The team's attention turned to the sky, where they witnessed the imposing figure of Andrew Dawn with his massive dragon wings soaring gracefully. With a pause and a swoop, he descended in their direction.

After landing gently by their side and retracting his wings, Ace and his teammates drew nearer to Andrew Dawn, who initiated the conversation.

"Ahh, Ace! It's great to see you're okay," Andrew Dawn expressed, his happiness evident as he tapped Ace's shoulder.

While Andrew Dawn's genuine joy at Ace's well-being was apparent, he couldn't help but feel secretly surprised.

This lad seems to have grown stronger in the short time I haven't seen him Andrew Dawn mused to himself. His shock was coupled with a sense of happiness for the boy's increasing strength, yet it was also tempered by lingering concerns about Ace's previous bout of going berserk.

Despite the mixed emotions, Andrew Dawn pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind and engaged in conversation with Ace.

********

Dear cherished readers,

I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt appreciation for your continued support and for choosing to accompany me on this thrilling literary journey. Your presence here today is not taken for granted, and it's a source of immense inspiration for me as a writer.

Your comments and votes mean the world to me.

Your active participation in the story's development, your thoughts, and your feedback have all played a pivotal role in shaping the narrative. Your engagement is what breathes life into the characters and makes this world come alive.

I value your input immensely.

Remember, your support is the lifeblood of this novel, and I am deeply grateful for your continued presence. I'm eagerly looking forward to seeing you all again tomorrow for the next chapter, as we continue this epic adventure together.

Thanks for reading!!!