Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Ferocious Han Shuo

"Brian, it's Brian!"
The trainees cried out in astonishment; Fanny was dumbfounded as well, staring at Han Shuo in disbelief. She could never have imagined that Han Shuo, with his slender five-foot-seven frame, could wield such a massive spiked club and withstand the ogre's ferocious blow.
While everyone stood aghast, Han Shuo locked his gaze firmly on the ogre. Freeing his right hand, he pushed Fanny aside and spoke in his simple, honest voice, "Go, quickly."
A panicked scream escaped from Fanny's lips. As her cry rang out, Han Shuo suddenly realized that his right hand had pressed against two soft, ample masses. As he withdrew his hand, he instantly understood he had touched the wrong place.
The trainees beside them all gasped softly, including Gene, who shouted a curse, accusing Han Shuo of outrageous audacity.
Flustered, Han Shuo glanced at Fanny, awkwardly stammering, "I'm sorry, Miss Fanny. I pushed the wrong spot. I really didn't mean to!"
Fanny, furious and ready to berate Han Shuo, suddenly noticed the ogre behind him, its massive spiked club descending upon Han Shuo's head. She quickly warned, "Brian, watch out!"
Still wearing his simple, honest expression, Han Shuo spun around. The spiked club, thicker than his own body, was lifted easily in both hands. With a whistling roar, he slammed it once more against the ogre's club.
A metallic clang resounded, sparks flying once again. Han Shuo stood unmoved, like a boulder rooted to the spot. His slender frame gripping the oversized club, reflected in everyone's eyes, made the trainees look at Han Shuo with newfound surprise and confusion.
"Miss Fanny, get out of there quickly!"
Gene's anxious shout rang out. Fanny, still staring at Han Shuo in shock, finally came to her senses. Her bright eyes lingered on Han Shuo as she backed toward Gene and the others.
At that moment, Han Shuo, after resisting two direct blows from the ogre, felt an urge rising within him—an impulse to unleash all the power in his body. A faint bloodlust stirred in his heart, making him want to beat the ogre into a pulp.
No sooner had Fanny left the area than Han Shuo let out several wild, guttural laughs. The simple honesty vanished from his face, replaced by a fierce, terrifying expression. With a grim look, he raised his massive club and charged straight at the bewildered ogre.
The strongest, burliest ogre seemed unable to comprehend how Han Shuo, so slight, could twice block his heavy attacks. He stood there, dazed, as if lost in thought.
"My God, Brian must have gone mad—he's charging the ogre!" Bella gasped, her face incredulous.
At her words, everyone nodded in agreement, convinced Han Shuo had indeed lost his mind. Even Lisa, who knew Han Shuo liked to feign madness, was baffled and shocked by his sudden frenzy.
"After Brian went mad, he suddenly got so strong. It's unbelievable! Lisa, you're amazing—a Soul Pain spell turns a timid Brian into this wild beast!" Amy cried out innocently, marveling at Lisa.

"Quiet!" Lisa stared intently at Han Shuo, replying to Amy.
At that moment, Han Shuo brandished the enormous club, moving faster than lightning, charging straight toward the ogre. The club howled through the air, gripped tightly in both hands, arcing upward from below and smashing toward the ogre's waist.
Sensing imminent danger, the ogre's confusion turned to rage. He mimicked his previous action, swinging his club to collide with Han Shuo's, as if determined to overpower him entirely.
Thunderous crashes rang out as the two clubs met again and again. The once sturdy and sharp spikes were flattened by repeated impacts. With every clang, the frail Han Shuo and the towering ogre fought more fiercely.
Fanny and the others, who had planned to escape quickly, were stunned by Han Shuo's terrifying power. Instead of fleeing, they remained rooted, staring at him in awe.
Han Shuo, wielding a club utterly disproportionate to his body, faced the massive ogre without a trace of fear. His bare arms, neck, and brow bulged with powerful muscles, veins standing out. At that moment, his expression was wild and ferocious, reckless and brave, overturning everything Fanny and the trainees thought they knew about him.
Magic energy coursed through Han Shuo's body, and as his power erupted, he felt an exhilarating rush. The club became an extension of himself, and with every blow, his stamina grew rather than diminished.
"Ehehehe..."
A few strange laughs escaped Han Shuo's twisted face. After a sudden, forceful strike, the ogre stumbled backward, its once fierce attacks and overwhelming strength waning rapidly.
"My God, is this still the timid Brian?" Bella exclaimed, shaking her head in disbelief.
"I'll never use Brian for magic trials again. He's terrifying when he's mad!" Athena murmured, wearing a look of lingering fear.
Lisa was thrilled, her small fists clenched tight, occasionally shouting, "Hit him!"
Bach and others who bore grudges against Han Shuo glanced at him, their faces pale, their gazes tinged with fear.
"Ehehehe... You can't escape!" Han Shuo cackled, pursuing the fleeing ogre. The massive club swung down with a crunch, breaking the ogre's legs. Han Shuo followed relentlessly, smashing the ogre again and again, as a series of anguished screams erupted from the once ferocious beast.
The ogre's giant, muscular body collapsed, blood spurting from its wounds. Its lead-grey flesh, battered by Han Shuo's blows, became a mangled, bloody mess, barely recognizable.
This storm of savage violence lasted a full minute. When Han Shuo saw the ogre had been battered beyond recognition, he seemed to awaken suddenly, stopping with a start, shocked by his own brutality. He never imagined he could be so ferocious.
It was his first kill, but Han Shuo felt none of the usual fear or guilt. As his expression settled into calm, he turned to Fanny and the trainees, grinned foolishly, and said, "It looks like he's dead?"

To Han Shuo's surprise, all the trainees, along with Fanny and Gene, screamed and stepped back as he turned around. Lisa cried out, asking, "B... Brian, are you... are you feeling better now?"
Han Shuo was baffled for a moment, then scratched his head and said with a sheepish smile, "What happened just now? I don't even know what I did. How did this ogre end up dead?"
"You... you don't remember what you just did?" Fanny stared at Han Shuo, frowning.
Han Shuo nodded honestly, explaining, "Yeah, my head was hurting, and then I forgot everything. When I came to, the ogre was dead in front of me. What happened? Hey, what about the other two ogres—where did they go?"
"They ran away from you!" Bella replied, eyeing Han Shuo strangely.
"Ah, that's impossible! Why would they be afraid of me?" Han Shuo said innocently, utterly confused.
"Brian, you were so terrifying after you went mad, like a different person. It's not just the ogres—even we were scared. Luckily, you're back to normal," Gene said, voicing everyone's thoughts.
"Don't just stand there—pack up quickly! We can't stay here. Two ogres escaped; they might cause trouble for us," Fanny said calmly, seeing the crisis was over and instructing everyone to prepare for departure.
At Fanny's urging, everyone returned to the site, gathering the scattered supplies. This was their first brush with death, and after facing danger, the trainees had grown steadier, wasting no words as they efficiently packed everything.
"I think it's time we leave and end this trial," Gene suggested gravely as everyone finished gathering their things.
After the battle with the ogre, everyone realized their group's strength wasn't as formidable as they'd imagined. The further south they went, the greater the danger. After Gene's proposal, they all exchanged looks, then nodded in agreement.
Silent for a moment, everyone quietly prepared to return to the academy with their hard-won gains, abandoning any thoughts of further adventure.
But just as they were about to leave, a mournful cry suddenly echoed from the south. The group, packed and ready to depart, froze at the sound, excitement and greed lighting up their faces.