The Ironhide Troll roared as Taro rushed forward.
Wind mana exploded around the beastkin's body.
"I'll hold it!"
He jumped toward the monster.
Exactly like the original story.
Exactly the moment he died.
The troll's massive arm lifted.
Its shadow swallowed Taro completely.
Students nearby screamed.
"TARO!"
The monster swung.
BOOM.
Lightning exploded across the clearing.
A blue streak flashed between the trees.
Taro suddenly felt something slam into his side.
"WHAT—"
Both of them crashed into the ground several meters away.
The troll's attack smashed the earth where Taro had stood.
The impact shattered the ground.
Dust filled the air.
Taro blinked in confusion.
Then he looked beside him.
Lysander stood up slowly.
Lightning sparks flickered across his boots.
"…You almost died."
Taro stared at him.
"Dude… you're fast."
Lysander ignored the comment.
Because the troll had already turned toward them again.
Its red eyes burned with rage.
Across the clearing, several students stared in shock.
Lyra whispered.
"…Lightning reinforcement."
Bran raised his shield again.
"Everyone regroup!"
The troll stomped forward.
Each step shook the ground.
Students formed a loose circle.
Weapons ready.
Fear obvious in their eyes.
The system appeared briefly.
Team Coordination Probability: 36%
Precision Strike Opportunity: Possible
Lysander closed the window.
He didn't need the numbers now.
He already knew the target.
The neck joint behind the ear.
But reaching it would be difficult.
Very difficult.
The troll swung its arm again.
Bran blocked the attack with his shield.
BOOM.
The impact sent him sliding across the dirt.
"IT'S TOO STRONG!"
Lyra fired arrows rapidly.
This time she aimed for the monster's face.
One arrow struck the troll's eye.
It roared in pain.
Good.
It could feel pain.
That meant it could die.
Lysander moved again.
Lightning surged through his legs.
His speed increased instantly.
He slashed at the monster's ankle.
CLANG.
The blade bounced off its iron skin.
Too thick.
The troll swung downward.
Lysander rolled aside just in time.
The ground exploded where he had stood.
Students continued attacking.
Magic.
Arrows.
Swords.
But the troll kept advancing.
Slow.
Relentless.
Like a walking fortress.
Taro wiped dirt from his face and stood again.
"…Okay."
"That thing is seriously annoying."
Wind mana surged around him.
He looked at Lysander.
"Got a plan?"
Lysander watched the monster carefully.
He exhaled slowly.
"…Yeah."
Then he pointed upward.
"Get me to its shoulder."
Taro grinned.
"Now that sounds fun."