The ogre roared in fury after Kael's strike. Dark blood ran down its massive arm where the blade had cut through the thick skin. The wound wasn't deep enough to cripple it, but it was enough to anger the monster. Its small eyes burned with rage.
The creature lifted its enormous club again and swung it wildly toward Kael. But Kael moved like a shadow. He stepped aside with calm precision, the club crashing into the ground where he had been standing only a moment before.
BOOM!
The impact sent dirt flying into the air. Alex watched carefully. He's fast… Much faster than any adventurer Alex had seen in Riverwood so far. Kael didn't waste time admiring the damage he had done. Instead, he retreated lightly, letting the shield warriors move back into position.
"Keep it focused on the front!" Bren shouted.
The two shield warriors raised their defenses again. The ogre swung its club sideways. One warrior blocked the strike, but the force knocked him sliding across the ground. The second warrior stepped in quickly to stabilize the line.
Meanwhile, the archer fired another arrow. This one aimed for the ogre's face. The arrow struck its cheek. Not the eye—but close. The ogre howled again and swatted the arrow away in anger.
"Almost!" the archer shouted.
Bren saw the opportunity and charged. His sword flashed as he slashed across the ogre's thigh. The blade cut deeper this time. Dark blood spilled down the monster's leg. The ogre stumbled slightly.
"Good!" Bren growled.
Alex's system interface suddenly flashed again.
Enemy Condition Updated
Ogre – Level 10
Status: Injured
Mobility: Reduced (Minor)
Alex felt a small surge of confidence.
It's working.
The ogre was strong, but the group was slowly wearing it down. Still, the monster wasn't close to defeated. Not yet. The creature roared again and swung its club downward at Bren.
The veteran adventurer barely dodged, rolling to the side as the club smashed into the earth. Alex saw the moment immediately. The ogre leaned forward slightly after the heavy swing. That same recovery delay again.
"Now!" Alex shouted.
He dashed forward with everything he had. Using the ogre's injured leg as leverage, Alex jumped and climbed halfway up the monster's side. The ogre roared in confusion as the small human suddenly appeared near its shoulder. Alex raised his dagger. He aimed directly for the monster's eye. But the ogre reacted faster than expected. Its massive hand grabbed toward him.
Alex twisted his body and slashed quickly. The blade cut across the ogre's brow instead of the eye. The monster howled and swatted him away. Alex flew through the air and crashed onto the ground several meters away. Pain shot through his back.
"Alex!" Bren shouted.
"I'm fine!" Alex coughed as he pushed himself up.
He was bruised, but nothing felt broken. The ogre wiped blood from its face. Now both its leg and brow were bleeding. Its rage had grown even stronger. The monster lifted its club with both hands. Bren's eyes widened.
"Everyone move!"
The ogre slammed the weapon into the ground with full force.
BOOOOOOM!
The impact shook the clearing. A shockwave of dirt and stones burst outward. Alex barely rolled out of the way in time. One of the shield warriors was knocked completely off his feet. The archer stumbled backward. Even Bren had to retreat several steps.
"Damn it," Bren muttered.
"That thing's getting desperate."
Kael stepped forward again, calm as ever.
"Desperate monsters are the most dangerous."
The ogre pounded its chest and roared at the sky. The forest seemed to tremble with the sound. Alex slowly stood up. Despite the pain in his body, he felt something strange. The system interface flickered again.
Combat Analysis Active
Enemy Endurance: Declining
Victory Probability Increasing
Alex wiped the dirt from his face. We're getting close. The ogre was still terrifyingly powerful. But the battle was beginning to turn. Bren lifted his sword again.
"Listen up!" he shouted.
"We finish this now!"
The group gathered their strength for one final push. But as the ogre roared again, Alex couldn't shake the strange feeling growing inside him. The system seemed unusually active. Almost… Excited.
And somewhere deep within the mysterious system, something else had begun observing the battle as well. Something that had been waiting for a moment like this.