The newcomers sprang into action, moving into a tight formation with a practiced ease that I could only admire. The beastian planted himself firmly in the front, his shield raised and massive sword poised for action. The human rogue darted to the side, quickly knocking an arrow, his sharp gaze flickering toward the tree line. The dwarf stayed at the center, just behind the beastian, gripping his staff with one hand and casting faintly glowing spells with the other. I, on the other hand, stood frozen at the rear, gripping my sword with trembling hands, utterly unprepared for what was about to come.
The snapping of trees grew louder, the ground shaking with each thunderous step. My breath hitched as a massive figure crashed through the tree line with a deafening crack. Splintered wood and shattered branches flew in all directions as the ogre burst into view. A notification popping into my HUD, giving it only a brief glance before closing it.
Creature: Ogre
Rank: C Class
Overview:
Ogres are massive, hulking creatures that embody raw physical power and unrelenting fury. Standing between 9 to 12 feet tall, their thick, gray-green hide is naturally resistant to physical damage, making them formidable opponents even when outnumbered. Known for their brute strength and simple but deadly combat strategies, ogres typically wield crude weapons fashioned from tree trunks, boulders, or scavenged materials. Though not intelligent, they possess a feral cunning, making them dangerous in prolonged engagements. Injuries only seem to enrage them further, driving them into frenzied rampages.
Behavior:
Wisdom of 15 required to access full behavior details.
Abilities:
Wisdom of 15 required to access ability descriptions.
It was monstrous. Towering at least ten feet tall, its gray-green skin was rough and scarred, glistening with sweat and streaks of dark blood. Several arrows jutted out from its chest and neck, one even piercing through its cheek, leaving a trail of blood dripping from its grotesque maw. Its thighs were crisscrossed with shallow cuts, likely from earlier sword strikes, but none of that seemed to slow it down. Its small, bloodshot eyes burned with fury, and its massive fists clenched around a crude tree trunk it wielded like a club.
This thing wasn't just big. It was angry—and it was ready to kill.
With a roar that made the trees tremble, the ogre charged forward, swinging its makeshift club. The beastian braced himself, his shield absorbing the first bone-shaking blow, though the force sent him skidding back.
The rogue loosed an arrow that struck the ogre's shoulder. It barely flinched, snarling as it raised its weapon for another strike. A flash of light from the dwarf's staff distracted it momentarily as a wave of golden energy enveloped the beastian, sharpening his movements and giving him strength to counter the next blow.
"Keep it busy!" the dwarf shouted, his voice strained as he cast another spell. A fiery bolt shot from his staff, striking the ogre's arm and leaving a scorched mark.
The fight was chaos. The beastian held the ogre's attention, taking its crushing blows head-on with his shield while occasionally lashing out with his massive sword. The rogue darted around, keeping his distance and firing arrows that left shallow wounds across the ogre's thick hide. The dwarf alternated between casting buffs on his allies and firing small bursts of flame at the ogre, his spells singeing its skin and drawing its attention just enough to buy time.
I stood rooted to the spot, my body frozen in fear. My eyes were locked on the ogre, its every movement magnified in my vision. The sounds of battle—roars, shouts, the clash of weapons—were muffled, drowned out by the deafening thump of my blood in my ears. I couldn't move, couldn't breathe.
Then it happened. The ogre let out an enraged bellow and swung its massive arm in a backhanded strike. The beastian raised his shield, but the sheer force of the blow sent him flying through the air. He crashed into a tree with a sickening thud and crumpled to the ground, groaning but alive.
"Kalin!" cried the dwarf. They raised there staff chanting some spell under the breath as the staff began to glot.
The ogre's gaze shifted, and it locked onto me.
Time seemed to slow as it lumbered forward, each step shaking the earth. My heart felt like it might explode. All I could see was the ogre, its hulking frame blocking out everything else. My knees buckled, and I stumbled back, helpless as it raised its massive fist high above me.
"Kid! MOVE, DAMN IT!" the human yelled, snapping me out of my daze.
I acted on instinct, focusing on the Dash skill. My body surged forward in a blur of motion, and I ducked under the ogre's legs just as its fist slammed into the ground, sending dirt and rocks flying. I skidded to a stop, panting, as the ogre spun around, confused for a moment before its eyes found me again.
It roared, raising its arm for another backhand. I barely had time to raise my sword as it came swinging. Terror coursed through me, but I activated Dash again, slipping under its legs. This time, I swung my blade as I passed, slicing deep into the inside of its thigh.
The ogre let out a howl of pain, stumbling and dropping to one knee. Blood poured from the gash, glistening in the firelight. I stared at my sword, its edge coated in dark crimson, disbelief and adrenaline coursing through me.
The dwarf finished casting their spell, golden light surrounding the beastian, as they struggled to their feet, shaking off the pain. The rogue fired an arrow that struck the ogre square in the eye. It roared in agony, clutching its face.
"Now!" the dwarf shouted, casting another spell, the light around the beastian intensifying.
The beastian charged forward, his massive sword cutting deep into the ogre's inner thigh. As it faltered, he darted behind it, slashing its ankle tendon. The creature let out a guttural cry, collapsing forward.
The rogue and beastian leapt onto its back, aiming for the kill, but the ogre rolled suddenly, sending them tumbling off. To my shock, the massive creature pushed itself up, favoring its uninjured leg.
It roared again, this time dropping to all fours like a monstrous ape. Before anyone could react, it barreled forward, faster than anyone expected.
It slammed into the dwarf, sending him flying. He landed several feet away with a heavy thud, his staff clattering to the ground. He groaned weakly but didn't get up.
The beastian roared in desperation, trying to draw the ogre's attention. The rogue fired three arrows in quick succession, striking the ogre's face, but the beast charged again, this time toward the rogue. The human dodged deftly, putting more distance between himself and the monster.
But the ogre's eyes shifted to the beastian as he knelt to check on the dwarf.
"LOOK OUT!" I screamed, my voice breaking.
Without thinking, I sprinted forward, sword in hand. The ogre roared, lunging at the beastian and dwarf. I engaged my skill Focus, increasing my dexterity, urging my legs to move faster, gripping my blade with both hands, and activated Dash.
Time seemed to slow as I hurtled forward, my sword aimed at its neck. With all the force I could muster, I drove the blade hilt-deep into the ogre's throat.
The creature's roar turned into a choked gurgle as its massive hands went slack. It collapsed forward, sliding several feet before coming to a stop, its face inches from the beastian and dwarf.
Everything went still. I stood there, trembling, as the others looked at me in stunned silence. The ogre was dead.
[Level Up]
[Level 3]
[Level Up]
[Level 4]
Silence enveloped the clearing, broken only by the steady crackling of the fire and the labored breathing of everyone around me. My legs felt weak and shaky, barely able to support my weight. I still gripped the hilt of my sword tightly, my knuckles white, as I stared at the massive, lifeless ogre sprawled before me. Blood pooled beneath its body, shimmering darkly in the flickering firelight.
Kaldin, the beastian, dusted dirt and debris off his light armor. His sharp, feline eyes settled on me, narrowing slightly. "You okay, kid?" he asked, his rough voice laced with genuine concern.
I scowled, adrenaline and irritation mingling. "My name isn't kid," I snapped, lowering my sword with effort. "It's Obie."
The dwarf, Da'Lean, let out a low chuckle, leaning heavily on their staff. "Fair enough, Obie," they said, their voice still tinged with fatigue. "Name's Da'Lean. I'm the sorcerer of this merry band of fools. The big guy is Kaldin, and the wiry one with the bow over there is Vendal." Da'Lean gestured toward each of them in turn. "Apologies for crashing your camp, but I'd say we owe you one—doubly so for helping us take this beast down."
Da'Lean stepped closer, extending their hand. As we clasped hands, I finally noticed the beard: short, finely groomed, and lighter than I'd expected. Without thinking, I blurted out, "Wait, you're a… female dwarf?"
Her eyes narrowed slightly as Kaldin and Vendal burst into laughter. "Why is everyone always so surprised to see female dwarves?" Da'Lean muttered, exasperated. "You can't tell the damn cats apart, but no one bats an eye at their women. There's a big difference between male and female dwarves you know! Our voices are more refined, and our beards are lighter and finer."
Kaldin smirked. "She's got a point. Nobody ever asks if I'm male or female."
Flustered, I stammered an apology. "Sorry, I didn't mean to offend. I've just… never met a female dwarf before. My village is kind of reclusive." Desperate to shift the topic, I asked, "Are female dwarves common around here?"
Da'Lean shot him a glare before turning back to me. "No offense taken, Obie," she said, though her irritation lingered. "I'm just more annoyed with these two fools. They'll tease me about this until one of them messes up again—and trust me, that won't take long."
"And females arent to common atleast as an adventurer," Da'Lean admitted, "but we're not rare either." She waved a hand dismissively. "Anyway, thanks again for your help. But I've got to ask—what are you doing out here alone?"
I hesitated before repeating the story I'd prepared. "I got separated from some friends on our way to town. We were attacked by jackalopes, and by the time I managed to escape, I realized I was lost. I found the river and decided to follow it, hoping it would lead me somewhere safe."
Da'Lean frowned. "It's dangerous, as you've clearly seen. Wolfpine's about half a day's walk from here" She said pointing down river. You'll come with us; we'll make sure you get there safely."
I opened my mouth to protest but thought better of it. The memory of the ogre and the potential for more monsters silenced my objections. "Alright," I said reluctantly. "Thank you."
"No worries," Vendal said with a grin. "We owe you one anyway."
Da'Lean eyed my tattered and dirty clothes. "Your shirt's practically rags. Vendal, give him one of yours. You're closest to his size."
"What?" Vendal groaned. "Fine, but don't get any tears on it—it's my nice shirt." He rummaged through his pack and tossed me a tan shirt. I caught it and inspected it: wrinkled, stained under the arms, and faintly smelling of mildew, like it had been forgotten in a closet for years.
I slipped it on quickly, suddenly hyper-aware of how skinny and pale I was compared to the trio. My arms were thin, my chest narrow—years of sitting indoors playing video games hadn't exactly done me any favors. Mike used to tease me, calling me "skinny fat," though he wasn't much better himself.
For a brief moment, I thought of Mike and Matt. They'd have thought this world was incredible, at least until the monster attacks… Then again, they probably would've thrived here. Unlike me, they'd love the thrill, the attention. I just wanted to get by unnoticed.
"Damn ogre," Vendal muttered, shaking me from my thoughts. "This was supposed to be a run-of-the-mill goblin extermination. Instead, we get that." He gestured toward the ogre's hulking corpse.
Da'Lean nodded, her expression grim. "Something's been off in the region these past few weeks. First, the magic started fluctuating, and now this." She turned to Kaldin. "I think the fluctuations are increasing. I could feel it tonight. My spells were stronger—more potent than usual."
"Same here," Kaldin added, his tail flicking. "The buffs didn't just sharpen me up. They made me feel like I could run forever."
"Not a good sign," Vendal said, his tone serious. "Between the magic flux and monsters surging out of the mountains, something's brewing."
"Could be hunger driving them down," Kaldin mused. "Or a larger predator pushing them out."
"Or someone's luring them," Da'Lean added, her voice dark. "Either way, it's bad news."
The group fell silent contemplating the implications of all that has transpired. Da'Lean grunted and approached the ogre's body. She drew a knife, cutting off its ear, and muttered something under her breath. A faint shimmer appeared in the air—a glowing rift—and she placed the ear inside. Clasping her hands, she began a to murmur again, this time it sounded like a prayer. Moments later, the ogre's body glowed faintly before dissolving into light. The glow reformed into several small items and a coin pouch.
I stared, wide-eyed. "What just happened?"
Kaldin smirked. "First time seeing a monster looted, eh? Da'Lean prayed to Olkin, the God of Challenges and Beasts."
"Olkin?" I repeated, confused.
"Farmers don't usually pray to him," Kaldin said with a shrug. "Olkin creates monsters to test us, to push us to our limits. If you thank him for the challenge, he rewards you—coins, materials, even magical items."
"Why not just sell the parts instead of turning the whole body into loot?" I asked. "And why not store the entire thing in that rift Da'Lean used for the ear?"
"Her dimensional storage isn't big enough yet," Kaldin explained. "She'll need to hit B Rank for that. Even then, dimensional storage is rare—most adventurers have to save for ages just to afford the spell book. Dimensional bags are an option, but they're hard to find and can only hold about a cart's worth of stuff."
I thought of my bag, the one Jeff had called "bottomless." His warning echoed in my mind: Don't tell anyone about it unless you want it stolen. Great. I apparently I had some kind of legendary item but couldn't use it openly without risking it getting stolen. What sort of BS is that?
Before I could press Kaldin for more about the gods and the process of looting, Da'Lean returned, carrying the spoils from the ogre. My eyes widened as she dropped the materials onto the ground in front of us. There were two massive slabs of meat, their surface still partially covered in the ogre's grayish-green skin, each one as long as my arm. Beside them were two enormous canines, each as thick as my wrist, gleaming faintly in the firelight. A small red potion in a sturdy glass vial rested on top, its liquid swirling as if alive. Lastly, a dark, rugged leather vest rounded out the pile.
Da'Lean rummaged through the coin pouch, the clinking of gold audible as she counted. After a moment, she handed me ten gold pieces, the weight of the coins feeling surprisingly heavy in my palm. "For us troubling your camp," she said with a faint smile.
Before I could thank her, she picked up the leather vest and held it out to me. As I reached for it, a notification appeared in my HUD, and a description of the item materialized before me:
Item: Ogre Hide Vest
Properties:
15% resistance to piercing and slashing attacksCrafted from the durable hide of an ogre, this vest offers excellent protection in close combat.
"And this," Da'Lean said with a sly grin, "is for saving our asses."
I stared at her, dumbfounded, the words catching in my throat. Finally, I managed a quiet, "Thank you."
A giddy smile spread across my face as I ran my fingers over the vest's tough, worn leather. My first loot! I couldn't believe it—I had killed an ogre! Sure, it was mostly dumb luck, and I'd be ogre food without these three helping me, but still. The thought made my chest swell with pride.
Kaldin clapped a heavy hand on my back, nearly knocking me forward. I turned to see him grinning down at me, his sharp teeth gleaming in the firelight. "Hah! You deserve it, Obie," he said warmly. "There's potential in you. Not just anybody would risk themselves to save a group of strangers. When we get to town, if you're interested, I'll introduce you to the guild. We could make an adventurer out of you yet!"
Excitement and nerves churned in my stomach. Me? An adventurer? The idea thrilled and terrified me in equal measure. I thought of the System, how it had probably orchestrated all of this, nudging me toward danger to see how I'd react. If more situations like this were in my future, I needed to be prepared. I needed to train, to protect myself.
I nodded at Kaldin, trying to suppress the mix of emotions in my voice. "I'd like that. But first… I need some rest." The adrenaline that had carried me through the fight was ebbing fast, and exhaustion was creeping into my limbs, making every movement feel heavy.
Da'Lean nodded knowingly, her expression softening. "You get to rest, Obie. We'll rotate watch through the night. Tomorrow's going to be another long day."
"Thank you," I said sincerely, feeling the weight of their kindness.
I grabbed my blanket and pack, crawling into my small army tent. The faint smell of leather and dirt surrounded me as I settled in. The moment my head hit the pillow, I felt my body relax, the tension melting away like snow in the sun.
My thoughts wandered as sleep began to take hold. First priority: don't die. Second priority: make it to Wolfpine. Third priority: become an adventurer.
A small smile tugged at my lips as a final thought drifted through my mind. Somewhere in there, maybe I'll find time to start that harem.
With that, exhaustion claimed me, and I sank into a deep, dreamless sleep.