I’ll be the Red Ranger
Chapter 125 – Blights

- Oliver -

Some of the Rangers were still trying to comprehend what was happening when the noise intensified within the forest. A deafening creaking sound echoed around them as if trees and roots were being torn from the earth.

Oliver didn't wait to find out what it was. Gripping his rifle tightly, he began firing bursts into the direction where he felt the energy shifting. He heard the impact of the projectiles, followed by a guttural roar.

Finally, the other Rangers understood the direction of the threat. At that very moment, the trees ahead of them were violently uprooted and hurled aside, crashing into the underbrush with thunderous force.

From behind the shattered trunks emerged creatures unlike anything Oliver had ever seen. These monstrous forms were composed of dry branches, decomposing leaves, and intertwined roots. Their eyes glowed with eerie yellow lights, casting a spectral luminescence amidst the shadows. Where their arms should have been, twisted appendages of branches and wood formed claws of vines and bark.

The monsters emanated an acrid stench, a mixture of decay and damp earth. Each of their massive steps tore roots from the ground, which they absorbed into their deformed bodies. The very forest seemed to recoil from their presence.

"Blights! Be careful," Alex's voice crackled over the comms. "We've got just over a dozen of them. Aim for the head and completely explode it or sever them from the ground."

Before Oliver could fully process what was happening, Alex was already in motion. He moved with astonishing speed, a blur of red amidst the greens and browns of the forest. In each of his hands, he donned a Ranger Weapon Gauntlet.

The Red Ranger leaped toward two of the Blights, delivering punches that, to any observer, appeared more like cannon blasts. The impact echoed like thunderclaps, and the torsos of the two Blights exploded into splinters and shards. It was hard to believe such destructive force came from his fists alone.

Out of the corner of his eye, Oliver spotted one of the Blights veering away from the Red Rangers' frontline, making a beeline straight for the Blue Rangers at the rear.

[Observation] Oliver mentally commanded, attempting to analyze the new threat. But nothing happened—his ability failed to activate.

‘Dammit! Well, it was about time,’ Oliver thought, a mix of frustration and resignation settling in. It was inevitable that he'd encounter opponents who had surpassed the Pawn level on this mission.

Without wasting a second, he accessed his interface, glancing at the experience he had accumulated. Swiftly, he navigated to his Boon and clicked into upgrade Observation.

| Status Page

| User: Oliver [Nameless]

| Level: 4 [Knight]

| Experience: [286/800]

| Credits: 11.260

|

| Boons

| Observation [Pawn][Growth]

| [Use 200 Experience Points to Upgrade]

Oliver confirmed the upgrade, feeling slightly drained as the experience points were deducted. The information before him updated rapidly.

| Boons

| Observation [Knight][Growth]

| [Use 800 Experience Points to Upgrade]

‘Let's go, one more time,’ he urged himself.

[Observation]

Finally, he felt the familiar surge as the ability activated. The approaching Blight was now highlighted in his vision, which shifted to a monochromatic hue. A network of lines and vectors overlaid his sight, projecting the creature's probable paths of attack and defense.

Analyzing the pattern, Oliver anticipated how the monster would move. He adjusted his stance, bending one knee slightly for stability. Bringing the rifle's scope to his eye, he aligned the crosshairs with the Blight's erratic movements.

Though Oliver was still getting accustomed to the kinetic rifle, confidence flowed through him. After all, he'd handled far more challenging targets with his Energy Pistol in the past.

He began to fire, each trigger pull sending a projectile hurtling toward the creature. The weapon's muted recoil was manageable, allowing for quick, successive shots. Each round struck true, hitting what could be considered the Blight's face—or the twisted mass that served as one.

Chunks of wood and entwined roots exploded from the impact points, fragments scattering in all directions. The Blight recoiled under the assault, its advance faltering as Oliver's relentless barrage continued. The eerie yellow lights that served as its eyes flickered erratically.

Around him, the battle raged on. The other Rangers were fully engaged, but Oliver remained focused. With the enhanced perception from Observation, he could predict the Blight's movements, adjusting his aim milliseconds ahead of each shift.

"Keep at it!" Elliot's voice crackled over the comms. "Don't let it close the gap!"

"Roger that," Oliver replied tersely.

The Blight let out a guttural roar, a sound like creaking timber and rustling leaves amplified. It lunged forward, but Oliver was ready. He aimed for the base of its tangled limbs, firing a series of shots that severed the roots, anchoring it to the ground.

"Fuck you!" Oliver shouted as the Blight dissolved into dead wood and vines.

Oliver finally exhaled as the Blight in front of him withered into nothingness, giving him a moment to extend a hand and fumble for another magazine in his backpack. He swapped out the almost empty one in his rifle with a swift, practiced motion. Ahead, Emma and Elliot had their hands full, taking on another Blight that attempted to flank them.

Meanwhile, a squad of Red Rangers had obliterated several more creatures charging from the front, leaving only one remaining. Oliver didn’t need his [Observation] ability to recognize that his Boon wouldn’t work on this particular Blight. This one was bigger, seemingly stronger, and sprouting more writhing roots than the others.

‘It’s no [Knight]-class,’ Oliver muttered under his breath, keeping his eye pressed to the scope. 'Most likely a [Bishop].’

He held his position, prepared to assist wherever the fight demanded—front lines or flanks. The Yellow Rangers seemed to be handling the smaller Blights best, yanking them from the ground like weeds before tearing them apart in a flurry of sparks and shredded greenery.

“Get clear!” Alex bellowed. The Rangers leaped aside, giving him space as he thrust both hands forward.

[Dragon’s Breath]

A river of searing flames erupted from Alex’s palms. Yet the inferno was far from chaotic. It swirled and danced around each Blight, burning away their twisting roots. Even the largest among them failed to withstand the scorching assault, crumbling into dust in seconds.

When Alex finished using his Boon, the flames disappeared in a heartbeat, leaving behind nothing but the charred scars marking the ground. The Red Ranger stepped over to a nearby tree, bracing himself against its trunk.

“I used too much Energy,” Alex muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. “Let’s move carefully until we reach the clearing ahead. I’ll need a bit of time before we can press on.”

Everyone understood the detour posed a problem for the mission. Still, aside from Oliver—who had managed to dispatch a Blight using only his rifle shots—most of the group had drained some of their Energy, wiping out the horde.

The team moved out without further delay, leaving the smoldering battlefield behind. Before long, they reached a small clearing, safer than being hemmed in by thick forest. The Rangers sat down to catch their breath.

“Were those things part of a trap?” a Yellow Ranger asked.

“Unlikely,” Alex replied. “Seemed like a random group of monsters. Blights have been on this planet long before the Orks arrived.”

Oliver listened intently, noticing how the others deactivated parts of their armor for some relief. On the other hand, Oliver kept every piece of his suit active—helmet included.

‘Damn it,’ Oliver thought. ‘I managed to shut it off earlier. Why can’t I do it now?’

Nearby, Elliot and Emma sat with him under one of the trees. Meanwhile, Alex and Chloe stood at the center of the clearing. Alex had fully deactivated his armor, wiping sweat from his forehead as he tried to cool down. Other Rangers paced around the perimeter, securing the area.

After a few minutes, Oliver watched Alex struggle to his feet. Although still not wearing his armor, the Red Ranger clutched a small towel in an effort to dry the perspiration beading on his face. Recognizing the group was about to move on, Oliver rose, intending to follow.

Out of nowhere, the world went red. A thunderous blast ripped through the air. Oliver’s ears rang; he couldn’t hear anything clearly. All he knew was that blood splattered across his visor.

Just a few steps away, the mission leader—Alex—stood with his head severed from his body.

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