Thirty minutes passed quickly. The small hunting party gathered near the northern gate of Riverwood. The morning sun had risen higher now, casting long shadows across the road that led toward the forest.
Alex checked the strap on his leather armor and tightened the grip on his dagger. Around him, the other adventurers prepared their weapons and supplies. Six fighters in total.
Bren, the experienced veteran leading the group. Two heavily armed warriors carrying shields and swords. A thin archer with sharp eyes and a longbow slung across his back. Kael, who stood calmly with his dark cloak resting over one shoulder. And finally, Alex.
Bren stepped forward and looked at the group.
"Listen carefully," he said.
His deep voice carried authority.
"Ogres are not goblins or wolves. You don't rush them blindly."
One of the shield warriors nodded.
"They're strong enough to break bones with one hit."
"Exactly," Bren replied.
He pointed toward the road leading north.
"The caravan that got attacked is about two hours into the Northern Forest. That's where we'll start tracking the creature."
The archer asked, "What if it's still there?"
Bren's expression hardened.
"Then we kill it."
No one argued with that plan. Bren gestured toward the gate.
"Move out."
The guards opened the wooden gate, and the hunting party stepped beyond the town walls. The road quickly narrowed as it approached the Northern Forest. Tall trees stretched toward the sky, their thick branches blocking much of the sunlight. The deeper the group traveled, the quieter the world became. Even the birds seemed cautious here.
Alex walked near the back of the group, observing everything carefully. Beside him, Kael walked with the same relaxed posture as always.
"You look calm," Alex said quietly.
Kael smiled faintly.
"Experience helps."
"You've fought ogres before?"
"A few."
Alex frowned slightly.
"And you're still this relaxed?"
Kael shrugged.
"Ogres are dangerous. But they're not unstoppable."
Alex wished he felt that confident. After nearly two hours of walking, Bren suddenly raised his hand.
"Stop."
The group halted immediately. The veteran adventurer crouched down near the road. Alex moved closer and saw what Bren was examining.
Large footprints.
Huge ones.
Each footprint was nearly the size of a shield.
"That's it," Bren said.
"Ogre tracks."
The shield warrior beside him frowned.
"They're fresh."
"Very fresh," Bren agreed.
He stood up and looked toward the trees.
"The caravan should be just ahead."
The group moved forward more carefully now. Every step felt heavier with tension. A few minutes later, they reached a small clearing. And the destruction was obvious. Broken wagons lay scattered across the ground. Wood splinters covered the grass. Several large crates had been smashed open, their contents spilled everywhere.
Alex's eyes widened slightly.
"That thing did all this?"
The archer nodded grimly.
"Ogres enjoy smashing things."
Bren walked through the wreckage, studying the damage.
"Two wagons destroyed," he said.
"The guards must have fled before it finished them."
Alex activated Analyze quietly, scanning the area. The system highlighted several new footprints leading deeper into the forest.
Target Trail Detected
Creature: Ogre
Direction: North-East
Distance Estimate: Close
Alex's heart beat faster.
"Bren," he said.
The veteran looked at him.
"What is it?"
Alex pointed toward the forest.
"The tracks continue that way."
Bren followed his gesture and nodded.
"Good eye."
He turned to the group.
"The ogre didn't stay here long."
Kael glanced at the trail as well.
"It's probably looking for food."
That thought made everyone uneasy. If the creature reached nearby farms, people could die. Bren drew his sword slowly.
"Stay alert from here on."
The hunting party followed the trail deeper into the forest. The trees grew thicker.
The air felt heavier. Then suddenly—
CRACK.
A loud snapping sound echoed through the woods. Everyone froze. Another sound followed.
THUD.
Heavy footsteps.
Massive ones.
The ground trembled slightly with each step.
Alex's pulse quickened.
"Is that…?"
Bren's voice dropped to a whisper.
"Yes."
The veteran tightened his grip on his sword.
"Get ready."
The heavy footsteps grew louder. Branches snapped. Leaves rustled violently. Then something enormous pushed through the trees ahead. The creature stepped into the clearing. Alex's breath caught.
The Ogre was massive. Nearly three meters tall, with grayish skin and thick muscles that looked like solid stone. Its arms were as thick as tree trunks, and its ugly face twisted into a hungry snarl. In one hand, the monster carried a huge wooden club. The ogre sniffed the air. Then its small eyes locked onto the group of adventurers.
For a moment, everything went silent. Then the monster roared. A deep, terrifying sound that shook the forest. Bren raised his sword.
"Formation!"
The battle had begun.