My Protect skill can take my life but it can also help me flirt and make love with cold beauties!
Chapter 13: Battle of Est; Ogre

Ogre. Like goblins, it's a name often heard in fantasy stories.

"Ogres are also a kind of demon, just like goblins. But…"

Those goblins, with their guard up, seem to be protesting something to the ogre in some kind of lower demon language. Even though they're of the same demon kind, they don't seem to get along.

"But, that ogre gives off a strange feeling."

"A strange feeling?"

"I can't explain it well. But, it doesn't even speak demon language and gives off a strange feeling." El's explanation wasn't very clear. But, the point about the strange feeling is something I can agree on as well.

"Vuoohhh!"

The ogre let out a growl in annoyance towards the shouting goblins. Seeing this, the goblins hastily fled into the depths of the forest.

I also wanted to run away. But, behind me were Emily-chan and Eva-san, of which one had injured her legs. I looked back with my sword at the ready.

The girls too were frightened by the appearance of the ogre and were still right behind me.

"I'll buy some time! Anyway, even if it's just a little, please get away from here."

"Hero-sama!"

I turned my head in surprise as El's voice interrupted my words, but it was already too late. The Ogre's giant palm swept through my body from my right shoulder to my torso.

"Buhiguuo!?"

I was blown away without even knowing what had happened. My nearly 90-kilogram body was easily lifted into the air, slammed to the ground from my back, and then rolled over and over.

"U, ua, gu, ugh."

Intense pain coursed through my body. My arm is definitely broken, and several ribs must have been broken too. I wanted to scream, but I couldn't even make a sound.

In my distorted vision, I could see Eva and her companions. I have to help them. Despite the fear, the thought of needing to help them came to my mind first, as if to stitch together the pain. However, my body won’t move. I can’t even feel my fingertips.

But then, the next moment, something strange happened in my body. A sensation like something crawling inside my body. The heat that made my internal organs burn.

A discomforting cracking and squishing sound shook my eardrums directly. Sensations returned to my body, and fingers that didn't move before now moved along with my arms.

Although there was still pain in my body, at least I could stand up and speak. What in the world happened to me?

"Hero-sama! Are you okay?" When I heard El's voice, I remembered what she had said before.

‘Master said that summoned heroes through the gate possess an incredible super-healing ability.’ I was told that when I first came to this world.

After that, there was no occasion where I needed to use this power of super healing, so I completely forgot about it. So, this is what she mean by having a body that won't die so easily, huh?

"Hey! Big guy!"

I called out to the ogre, feeling discomfort in my body and still a little sore from shouting loudly. But this isn’t the time to worry about that. I picked up a sword that had fallen nearby and stared down the ogre.

The ogre also stared back at me, sensing a solid opponent. However, that opponent is still standing

"Buooooo!!"

But the ogre soon roared and charged at me. Seriously? That’s a quick switch! Now, I’m the one who became confused. I had no choice but to turn my back and run, dodging the thick arms swinging mercilessly at me.

I wanted to somehow find an opening to counterattack, but when I looked at the sword calmly, I realized that it had been broken in half. It must have snapped during the first blow that had sent me flying.

However, completely focusing on escaping proved to be effective. If I pay close attention, the ogre's movements are mostly large and slow, and if I keep a reasonable distance, I can easily avoid them.

This should buy me some time. Eva-san and the others were also slowly leaving this place.

"Hey, what's wrong? You can’t catch me like that," I taunted, trying to get his attention. I've never been in a fight before, so I can’t come up with witty words to say at a time like this.

El also flew around the Ogre, distracting him. Now, it all comes down to how long I can continue to avoid his attacks. Just as I thought that, the Ogre suddenly stopped moving.

"Hey, what's wrong, huh? Scared?"

Please be scared! Of course, that's what I am secretly hoping for. However, without paying any attention to my provocation, the Ogre changed direction.

"Wait, wait, wait! Stop!"

It seemed like he had lowered his threat level towards me, who had just been running away. Perhaps his plan is to take down the weaker opponent first, or maybe he is just cool-headed despite his appearance.

Either way, there is no time to be impressed. That Ogre is staggering towards the two sisters. I jumped onto the Ogre's leg from behind. Even just his legs are about the same size as my body.

He didn't care that I am clinging to him and kept walking towards Eva and the others. I desperately thrust the broken sword at his leg, but it only made a small amount of blue blood flow out.

"Grrr!""

As if annoyed, the ogre growled and grabbed my collar, tossing me into the air about three meters. I landed hard on my back, feeling a sharp pain in my bones.

Something inside me moved, as if I had injured another bone. However, while I was down, the ogre continued to advance towards Eva and the others. Its thick hand slowly reached towards Eva.

"No! Don't touch me!" Eva pulled out a knife she had for self-defense and swung it. Her attack caught the ogre's fingertips, creating a small cut from which blue blood dripped.

"Grrr!"

Enraged by the unexpected counterattack from its prey, the ogre raised its arm high, preparing to strike.

"Hiihh" Eva froze in place, watching the scene unfold.

This is bad! My body is starting to recover, but I am still a few meters away from Eva. I won’t be able to make it in time.

"Aaaahhh!"

Still, I screamed, kicking off the ground. The feeling in my body was different than usual. Is it because my injuries are still healing?

"Huh?"

Even I, myself didn't know what had happened. But, in the blink of an eye, I had managed to wedge myself between Eva and the ogre.