I Was a Loner, but My Class Got Summoned to Another World…
Chapter 382 - 382: Ogre’s Hollow

The next day, the group was ready to move out.

Now that Serana had grown stronger, the expedition was split into three teams. Her recovery overnight was remarkable—proof that the fallen deity had truly been destroyed. Drakhel, her terrifying blood dragon, would accompany her directly, while her other minions were assigned to assist Lisa and Orus.

Silvia joined as well, mounted atop Stormwing with Emary as well as Uriel, Rubina, and her father. Meanwhile, Logan formed the final team, taking Chloe, Kai, and Wyver. Scorch would remain behind, guarding the base with Gaia and Zephyr who was in charge of taking care of the ship.

Though Scorch had healed well from yesterday's battle, Logan refused to risk him again so soon. Unlike Serana, Scorch didn't regenerate mana quickly, especially in the dense fog that amplified dark-element healing. For now, rest would serve him better.

Rather than marching, Logan flew on Wyver. The frost drake was large enough to carry all three of them comfortably. Wrapped in protective Frost Shields and a thick coat, Logan kept the freezing wind at bay. Wyver's body gave off the chill of a glacial peak, and even a brief moment exposed to his icy aura could numb flesh.

Despite the elevation, visibility remained poor. Only Logan, thanks to his skills and affinity, could see more than thirty meters ahead. That was why the teams had been split—each led by someone who could navigate through this cursed land.

Wyver flew at a steady pace, careful not to outrun the others. Below, monsters stirred in the shadows—some following the dragon's silhouette, others fleeing in fear. A few dared to attack, launching projectiles or flying up to challenge them.

Large black birds—raven-like but easily triple in size—were the most persistent. Wyver let out a warning roar that scattered them instantly. It was clear: lesser drakes and aerial beasts recognized a true dragon's dominance. None dared face the apex of sky and ice.

"Well, you two," Logan called over the wind, glancing back at Chloe and Kai who were holding hands tightly, "how've you really been?"

Their grip said it all—they were terrified of flying, especially without any innate flight or fall-breaking abilities.

"We're fine…" Chloe replied, hesitant, not eager to elaborate.

Kai didn't hold back. "Please. I already asked her to marry me. We're just waiting for this damn war to be over."

Logan raised an eyebrow.

"I hope your next evolution helps with that," Kai added.

He'd changed too—now level 80, he was both handsome and strong enough to lead a battalion. He had even helped design a prototype tank using his geomancer talents. But he also understood the enemy. The demons were growing stronger, and their plan had somehow succeeded.

"It will, don't worry… but marriage… I guess we're just living different lives now on this new world…" Logan muttered thoughtfully. "Marriage at your age… maybe it's something to think about."

Chloe stayed silent during the whole talk though, Logan respected her wish and tried to move the conversation to something else, but before he could he saw what looked like a cave at the side of the mountain.

[Go left, Wyver. Large tree ahead. Stop there—we might need to check that area.] Logan issued the command mentally, eyes narrowing as a structure came into view.

The cave he spotted looked like a path into the mountain itself.

They landed smoothly. The three dismounted while Wyver flew overhead to scout the region from above.

"I think I see a path," Logan said, crouching by the entrance. "Chloe, did you mark our way here?"

She nodded, holding a small enchanted torch crafted using one of Rubina's skills—imbued with darkness resistance.

"All marked and sent to the others," she confirmed. "Lisa will head here once Serana and her dragon reach her. As for Serana—she's fighting a mob of wyverns. Drakhel wants to eat, so it'll be at least an hour before they reach us."

"Then we set up camp here. It's only twelve. We've got six hours to explore the entrance."

The wind howled around them as they prepared the makeshift camp. Having two geomancers made things much easier. Both Kai and Chloe worked together, molding the ground into a bunker reinforced with stone—solid enough that even a few of Gaia's stomps wouldn't shake it.

As they worked, Wyver's shadow circled overhead like a military chopper on patrol. So far, any aerial threats had been swiftly dealt with. Logan, meanwhile, began investigating the cave's entrance. He didn't dare enter yet, but carefully surveyed the perimeter, trying to get a sense of what kind of monsters lived nearby.

"It smells… and terrible," Logan whispered, cringing slightly.

It reminded him of the goblins—but somehow, this was worse. The stench was heavy, clinging to his throat like spoiled blood and rotten roots. Based on his experience, only less intelligent humanoids could create something so foul. Likely a species that lacked sanitation—or enjoyed filth.

Soon after he finished, Kai joined him. The two exchanged quick notes and theories.

"I think it's either a cyclops or a giant… maybe even a minotaur," Logan said, eyeing the uneven rock formations. "At least, that's what I figured."

Kai nodded. "I took a look around too. Whatever it is, it doesn't like coming out—or maybe it just fears something else..."

"Why do you think there are no prints outside? Was it scared of the vampires perhaps?" Kai asked, frowning. "That's the only reason that makes sense to me."

Logan shrugged. "No idea… but if that's true, then there's something in there it feeds on. It didn't starve yet."

Just then, their terminals blinked. Reinforcements had arrived.

"Guess they're here. Let's go get them," Kai said, sliding his device away.

"Alright. Let's move fast. I think we're in for a good fight," Logan replied.

Ten minutes later, they returned with everyone—except those too large to fit in the tunnel. That was another concern. In a tight fight, they'd be restricted by terrain and who could actually participate.

"We're out of luck, huh?" Victor Rosengard muttered, looking around. "I thought finding the temple would be more straightforward… and with the large creatures not being able to help we are going to be more at risk… it might be even a longer journey."

He shook his head. "This tunnel wasn't here when I came as a child. The whole island's changed. It has become bigger… darker… and way more dangerous."

"Well, I can feel pulses of dark energy coming from inside," Serana said softly, eyes narrowed as if reading the cave's very walls. "So I think it's our only way forward. Maybe if the temple is under the mountain's peak."

She was far more sensitive to such things now—even more than Logan, who'd missed the subtle vibrations.

"It's fine. We'll manage," Logan said. "Just stay close and cover your mouths. Kai tried dirt bombs to bury the scent, but it barely helped."

"Ugh… did you try your wind magic?" Lisa whined. "Couldn't you make a breeze to push it away?"

She hadn't joined them in the Goblin Nest—and had no resistance to such stench.

Twenty minutes into the cave, the ground began to tremble. The path sloped upward, and the bottom chamber, it turned out, was some kind of primitive latrine. As they moved higher, the smell eased, and they even saw large holes in the walls that let air flow through—clearly designed by something intelligent to make the place more livable.

But those tremors—small quakes every few minutes—kept the entire group on edge.

And then they saw the cause.

Two beasts were locked in brutal combat at the top of the long climb.

One was a Scorpicore—its tail torn clean off, hissing in pain, acid dripping from its broken stinger. The other was… massive. At first glance, it resembled a gorilla. But as they got closer, the horns came into view—twisting from its forehead like curved obsidian blades.

"Damn it… it's an ogre," Kai muttered, slapping his face. "The worst one we forgot to mention."

"Ogre, huh…" Logan said, his tone sharpening.

"We might have trouble using magic to weaken it," Victor Rosengard added grimly. "They're like apes—only more monstrous. Not human, but far from stupid. And those horns? That's where their power comes from. You want to win? Break those. If you don't, it'll regenerate like a vampire on steroids."

"It doesn't even look winded after fighting that Scorpicore. No wounds… nothing. It's an experienced fighter," Victor the Shadowchaser said, emerging from the darkness with a wide yawn.

Logan turned, eyebrows raised. "Don't tell me you were sleeping in my shadow. That's just... wrong man..."

"Relax. Doesn't affect you," Victor waved lazily, stretching his arms. "But I've been thinking. We're gonna need everything we've got to take that thing down."

He stepped closer, expression serious now.

"I want in. Do that blood tattoo thing with me. I need power—and you can use mine. You do your bond or pact or whatever it is, and I'll give you full permission to use my skills. Let me lend you my strength, and maybe you can tap into my shadows too… or whatever copying skill you use."

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