The cave was unusually still the next morning, save for the low snores and guttural grumbles of the adult ogres sprawled across the rocky floor. The air was damp and heavy, laced with the lingering smell of decaying meat and wet stone—a scent that clung stubbornly to everything, including me.
I caught a glimpse of myself in a shallow puddle near the cave wall. My reflection wavered, but the sight was unmistakable. My green skin had taken on a slightly darker hue, marred by smudges of dirt and faint bruises from yesterday's skirmish with Grumpy. My stubby limbs were still clearly undersized compared to the other ogre babies, but my light pink eyes gleamed with an intensity that hadn't been there before. Tiny tusks jutted out from my lower jaw, barely noticeable but sharp enough to make biting a viable last resort.
A tattered strip of cloth wrapped around my torso served as both clothing and protection, though it did little against the cave's cold air.
It sort of looks like the clothings of the goblin's in that one slime show.
My stubby fingers, clutching the glowing Relic, trembled—not from fear, but from a surge of restless energy. Yesterday's victory had ignited something in me. For the first time, I felt like I had a shot at more than just surviving.
Grumpy, still nursing the impressive lump on his forehead, sulked in a corner. His small, beady eyes darted toward me occasionally, filled with a mix of fear and simmering resentment. I smirked, the tiny tusks in my mouth giving it an oddly feral quality.
"Time to find something stronger than rocks," I muttered, gripping the Relic tighter as I waddled toward the cave entrance.
---
The forest outside was alive with sound—chirping insects, distant bird calls, and the faint rustling of leaves as the wind wound its way through the ancient trees. Rays of sunlight pierced the trees, painting the forest floor in gold and green.
The environment was both enchanting and dangerous. The trees stretched towards the sky, their bark twisted and wrinkly like the hands of my old man.
Ferns and moss blanketed the ground, their softness masking treacherous roots and hidden pitfalls. Every shadow seemed to pulse with unseen life, and every sound made my pointed ears twitch.
This place is really peaceful...If this were back in my world, it would've been the perfect picnic spot...
Despite the dangers, I pressed on. My small feet squished into the damp earth with each step, and the Relic pulsed faintly in my hand, its glow an oddly comforting beacon.
It wasn't long before a peculiar smell caught my attention—sweet, earthy, and almost intoxicating. My stomach growled in response. Following the scent, I stumbled into a clearing bathed in soft, golden light.
And there they were: the Glowshrooms.
They were unlike anything I'd seen before. Towering stalks, easily twice my height, swayed gently despite the still air. Their caps shimmered with a faint, otherworldly glow, and the mist surrounding them carried the sweet aroma that had drawn me in. The sight was mesmerizing, and for a moment, I forgot all about the dangers of the forest.
Hungry~ wanna eat~
But as I reached for the nearest stalk, the ground beneath me trembled.
A guttural growl, deep and resonant, sent a chill racing down my spine. From the shadows of the clearing emerged a massive figure.
A Mushroom King?!
The heck?! Those actually exist?
The creature was monstrous—standing over three meters tall, with a bulbous, glowing cap for a head and a body covered in thick, spongy fungus. Its glowing yellow eyes locked onto me, unblinking and full of malice. A wooden club, gnarled and massive, rested in its oversized hands.
It actually looks kind of hilarous (*^▽^*)
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Boss Monster Encountered: The Mushroom King.
Fuck.
My heart dropped. I was no hero. I was barely an ogre, let alone one capable of taking down a boss monster.
"Uh, maybe we can talk about this? Good mushroom?" I stammered, my voice weak and squeaky compared to the creature's guttural snarl.
Okay, it didn't like that!
The Mushroom King roared and lunged toward me, swinging its club with terrifying force.
I barely dodged, the club smashing into the ground where I'd been standing moments before. Dirt and debris flew everywhere, and I stumbled back, clutching the Relic like a lifeline.
"Okay, Plan B it is!"
I snatched up a nearby rock and activated Stone Toss. The glowing projectile flew through the air, striking the Mushroom King square in the eye.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Critical Hit! Stun Inflicted (3 Seconds).
The boss staggered, roaring in pain.
Fueled by adrenaline, I grabbed another rock and hurled it with everything I had. The second hit wasn't as clean, but it still did some damage. The creature roared again, its glowing eyes narrowing in fury.
My attacks were working, but they weren't enough. The Mushroom King shook off the stun and charged again, its massive footsteps making the ground tremble.
Desperation gripped me as I dodged another swing. My eyes darted to the glowing mushrooms around us. Maybe they held the key to defeating this monstrosity.
I ripped off a piece of a Glowshroom's cap and shoved it into my mouth.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Glowshroom Consumed. Temporary Buff: Enhanced Stamina (5 Minutes).
Energy coursed through me, sharper and hotter than anything I'd ever felt. My tiny body moved faster, my reflexes sharper. I darted around the clearing, dodging the Mushroom King's relentless attacks while pelting it with glowing stones.
But it wasn't enough.
With a roar, the boss slammed its club into the ground, sending a shockwave that knocked me off my feet. The Relic slipped from my grasp, rolling just out of reach.
Groaning, I scrambled to my feet, panic rising. The Mushroom King loomed over me, its club raised for a final, crushing blow.
"Not today," I growled, grabbing another piece of Glowshroom.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Glowshroom Overconsumed. Side Effect: Hallucinations Imminent.
The world blurred and twisted, the glowing mushrooms pulsing like living creatures. My head spun, but I felt an overwhelming surge of power.
Grabbing the Relic, I poured everything into one final Stone Toss. The projectile flew faster and brighter than ever, striking the Mushroom King square in the chest.
For a moment, the clearing fell silent. Then, with a guttural roar, the boss toppled backward, its massive body crashing to the ground.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Boss Defeated: The Mushroom King.
Rewards Unlocked: Glowshroom Spores, Boss Relic Shard, Skill Level Up: Stone Toss (Level 3).
I collapsed onto the ground, panting and trembling. The once-ferocious Mushroom King now lay still, its glowing cap dimming.
"Note to self," I muttered, staring at the sky. "Never underestimate a mushroom."
---
The clearing, now eerily quiet, was mine. As I sat there, clutching the Relic and surrounded by glowing mushrooms, I couldn't help but feel a flicker of pride.
For the days to come, I knew I'd do my best to overcome any challenges!