Reincarnated as a Healer : Why are my powers so filthy?-Chapter 20: Kalthor

The demon's lair deepened, its sulfurous stench thickening as the party pressed through twisting tunnels, the glowing fungi casting sickly green shadows.

Leon's heart hammered, the Crimson Thorn secure in his satchel, its faint pulse a reminder of progress in curing Terya's curse.

One of three done.

Terya's muffled coughs echoed off the cave walls, blood flecking her lips, the web-like mark on her cheek pulsing violently.

Saria led with her sword drawn, her black ponytail swaying, her fiery aura flickering in the dim light.

Tila's shortbow was notched, her eyes darting nervously, while Boren's spear gleamed, his scowl fiercer than ever.

The air crackled with tension, the weight of the cursed kobold and the lair's master looming ahead.

The tunnel opened into a vast chamber, its ceiling lost in darkness, stalactites dripping with moisture.

A crude altar stood at the center, littered with bones and glowing runes, and the stench of charred flesh hit like a wall.

A low, guttural laugh rumbled through the chamber, and the ground shook as a hulking figure emerged from the shadows—a horned, red-skinned ogre, Kalthor, its eyes blazing like coals.

Towering over ten feet, its muscular frame rippled with power, a flaming whip coiled in one massive hand.

"You dare enter my lair?" it boomed, its voice a gravelly snarl, surprisingly articulate for a beast. "I'll feast on your souls!"

Leon froze, his breath catching.

"A talking ogre?" he whispered, his voice trembling. His hands clutched the satchel, the smooth stone inside pulsing faintly, but fear rooted him to the spot.

He had seen a massive beast for the first time, the fear etched in his eyes.

Saria stepped forward, her face a stoic mask, her fiery aura flaring bright.

"Kalthor," she said, her voice steady. "You serve Vraxus. Your reign ends here." She hurled a fireball, the flames roaring toward the ogre, but Kalthor swatted it aside with a flick of its whip, the fire dissipating in a shower of sparks.

The whip cracked, lashing at Saria, who dodged, her sword flashing as she closed the distance.

Terya tried to follow, her sword raised, but her legs buckled, the curse sapping her strength.

She coughed, blood splattering the stone floor, her wind magic failing to spark.

"Damn it," she rasped, leaning on her sword, her green eyes blazing with frustration.

"Tila, Boren, kobolds!" Saria barked, her voice cutting through the chaos as smaller red-scaled kobolds skittered from the shadows, their claws glinting.

Tila's arrows flew, piercing one kobold's throat, while Boren's spear impaled another, his grunts echoing as he held the line.

Leon's heart raced, his eyes locked on Kalthor's whip as it cracked again, grazing Saria's arm and leaving a sizzling burn.

She didn't flinch, her fireballs relentless, but they barely dented the ogre's thick hide.

"Leon!" she shouted, her voice sharp. "Do something!"

His legs trembled, his mind screaming to run, but Saria's courage—her unyielding defiance—lit a spark in him.

I'm not useless, he thought, gripping the stone in his pocket.

He yanked it out, its glow intensifying, and pictured the Flame Arc Terya had taught him.

"Here goes nothing!" he yelled, thrusting his hand forward.

A crescent of fire slashed through the air, grazing Kalthor's arm, leaving a faint scorch.

The ogre roared, more annoyed than hurt, and turned its blazing eyes on him.

"Crap, crap, bad idea!" Leon yelped, ducking as the whip cracked, singeing the cave floor inches from his feet.

He tried again, desperation fueling him, and fired multiple fireballs—small but rapid, like glowing darts.

They peppered Kalthor's chest, doing little damage but drawing its attention.

The ogre swung its whip, and Leon dove, his sneakers slipping on the slick stone.

"Pathetic worm!" Kalthor snarled, raising its whip for a killing blow.

Leon's heart stopped, his hands shaking as he clutched the stone, its heat searing his palm.

In a surge of panic, he hurled it at Kalthor, the motion pure instinct.

The stone glowed mid-air, transforming into a blazing fire bullet, and struck the ogre's left horn with a crack, snapping it clean off.

Kalthor staggered, roaring in pain, its whip flailing wildly.

Saria seized the moment, her sword flashing as she leapt, driving the blade into Kalthor's thigh.

The ogre bellowed, blood oozing from the wound, and she unleashed a massive fireball, the flames engulfing its chest.

The blast weakened it, but Kalthor swung its whip, catching Saria's side, leaving a deep burn that made her grit her teeth.

"Saria!" Leon shouted, scrambling to her.

He knelt beside her, his hands trembling as he touched the burn, the skin red and blistered.

"Hold on," he said, closing his eyes and focusing on his magic.

The memory of her lips, Terya's kisses, and the heat of their training surged through him, his arousal sparking the power in his chest.

A warm tingle flowed into Saria's wound, easing the burn, the skin knitting partially closed.

Her fiery aura flared brighter, recharged by his touch, and she nodded, her face still blank but her eyes sharp with determination.

"Together," she said, standing, her sword raised.

Leon nodded, his heart pounding but his resolve hardening.

He didn't have the stone anymore, but his magic still buzzed, fueled by Saria's presence and his own desperation.

They faced Kalthor, now limping, its hornless head bleeding, its whip slower but still deadly.

Saria charged, her fireball roaring, and Leon followed, picturing the Flame Arc again.

His hand slashed forward, a larger crescent of fire cutting through the air, striking Kalthor's whip arm.

The ogre roared, dropping the weapon, and Saria leapt, her sword plunging into its chest.

"Now!" she shouted, her voice fierce.

Leon thrust both hands forward, channeling every ounce of magic he had.

A combined fire blast erupted, Saria's flames merging with his, a roaring inferno that engulfed Kalthor.

The ogre's screams shook the chamber, its red skin charring as it collapsed, the runes on the altar flickering out.

The ground trembled, then stilled, the air heavy with the stench of burnt flesh.

Leon slumped to his knees, his breath ragged, his body trembling with exhaustion.

"Holy... crap," he panted, his voice hoarse. "We... we did it?" He looked at Saria, who sheathed her sword, her face still expressionless but her posture relaxed, a faint burn mark lingering on her side.

"You did well," she said, her tone flat but carrying a hint of approval. Her eyes flicked to the broken horn, then back to him. "That was... unexpected."

Tila and Boren approached, the kobolds dispatched, their faces streaked with sweat and blood. Tila grinned, her shortbow slung over her shoulder. "How did you do that, Doc!" she said, clapping his shoulder. "You took out a horn!"

Boren grunted, his spear dripping with kobold blood. "Nice throw, kid," he said, his scowl softening slightly. "Didn't think you had it in you."

Terya staggered forward, her coughs quieter but her face pale, the curse still pulsing. "Rookie's got guts," she rasped, her smirk weak but genuine.

"Now... let's find that kobold before I drop dead."

Leon's chest swelled with pride, his exhaustion tempered by the team's praise.

He'd fought a talking ogre, landed a hit, and healed Saria under pressure.

I'm getting there, he thought, his grin shaky but real.

Now where is that Kobold.

I need to cure Terya.

I need to save her life...