From the dense foliage, an entire tree hurtled toward them, uprooted and flung as if it were nothing more than a twig.

  "Take cover!" Jamie shouted, diving to the side.

  The massive trunk crashed down amidst the five companions, exploding upon impact and sending shards of wood and showers of leaves in every direction. Jamie threw himself to the ground, rolling to avoid the splintering branches that whipped past him, narrowly escaping being crushed or impaled. The ground trembled beneath the force of the impact, and the deafening sound echoed through the forest like a clap of thunder.

  As the thundering sound subsided, Jamie lifted his head, eyes scanning the direction from which the tree had been hurled. Atop a small hillock, partially shrouded by mist, stood an enormous creature, clutching yet another freshly uprooted tree in its gnarled hands.

  The beast was colossal, its dark, shaggy form towering nearly four meters tall. Its body was covered in thick, matted fur, tangled and woven with vines and coated in patches of moss that gave it a grotesque, greenish hue. Its long arms hung down nearly to its knees, ending in massive hands with fingers like knotted branches. Though ungainly in appearance, there was an undeniable power in the creature's frame.

  Its legs were as sturdy as the trunks of the ancient oaks surrounding them, supporting its bulk with ease. But most terrifying was its face: a twisted mask of primal fury. Deep-set black eyes glared from beneath a heavy brow, devoid of light yet burning with malice and hunger. Crooked, jagged teeth jutted from its wide mouth, and an enormous tongue lolled between cracked lips, dripping with saliva. The creature's breath steamed in the cool air, a rancid fog that curled around its face.

  "A troll!" Aldwin screamed, scrambling backward in terror as he tried to distance himself from the monstrous figure.

  Jamie stared in shock. He had read tales and played games featuring trolls, but he had never imagined encountering one in the flesh or that it would be so ugly. The creature's presence seemed to warp the very atmosphere around it, pressing down like a tangible weight.

  With a guttural roar, the troll hefted the tree in its hands and hurled it once more, this time with a deliberate aim toward Bertram, who stood frozen nearby. The tree spun end over end, a deadly projectile hurtling through the air.

  "Move!" Jamie commanded, his voice slicing through the paralysis of fear that gripped his companions.

  Jamie strained to recall any knowledge about trolls' weaknesses. ‘What are a troll's weaknesses?’ he urgently asked Jay in his mind, hoping for a swift answer. Time was slipping away, and the monstrous creature bore down upon them.

  Jay, the ethereal cat adorned from head to tail in gleaming plate armor, placed a paw thoughtfully under his chin. "What was it again? Let me remember..." he mused aloud, his tone maddeningly casual given the circumstances.

  ‘Are you kidding me?’ Jamie seethed internally, frustration boiling over as he watched Jay ponder. There was no time for leisurely contemplation.

  A thunderous crash shook the forest as another tree was ripped from the earth and hurled towards them. The massive trunk tore through branches, leaves exploding outward like a flock of startled birds. "Look out!" Jamie shouted, throwing himself to the ground as the tree smashed into the earth mere feet away, the impact sending tremors through the ground.

  Bertram narrowly escaped the catastrophic collision, diving aside as splinters and debris showered around him. The thunderous noise echoed, then gradually faded, leaving an eerie silence punctuated only by the groaning of strained wood.

  Aldwin, who had initially retreated in fear of the monstrous troll, turned back at the sight of his brother in peril. Determination hardened his features. Without a second thought, he sprinted towards the beast, his short sword gleaming as he drew it. With swift, precise movements, Aldwin unleashed a flurry of slashes at the troll's elongated arms. Each strike cut deeper than the last, greenish blood spurting forth and spattering the forest floor with each blow.

  The troll bellowed in pain, a guttural sound reverberating through the trees. It swung its massive limbs wildly, trying to swat Aldwin away, but its movements were sluggish, lacking both speed and dexterity.

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  Breathless, Aldwin leapt back, putting distance between himself and the thrashing troll. A faint, proud smile flickered across his face as he observed the damage he had inflicted. But his satisfaction was short-lived. To his horror, the gaping wounds began to close before his eyes. The torn flesh knitted together rapidly, and within moments, there was no trace of the injuries he had so fiercely dealt.

  "Damn it!" Aldwin spat, a mix of frustration and disbelief coloring his voice.

  The troll fixed its dark, sunken eyes on Aldwin, a cruel sneer twisting its grotesque features. Sensing the boy's momentary despair, it gained confidence. With a thunderous roar, the beast lunged forward, each of its heavy steps causing the earth to quake. The ground beneath seemed to buckle under its immense weight, roots and stones trembling. Trees shuddered as it brushed past, some snapping under the force.

  "Aldwin, get back!" Jamie shouted, urgency sharpening his words.

  Thomas, witnessing the imminent danger, sprinted toward Bertram, who was struggling to rise after his narrow escape. Grabbing Bertram's arm, Thomas hauled him to his feet. "Come on, we need to move!" he urged, pulling his companion away from the troll's path.

  Jamie observed the battle from a distance, carefully deciding when, or if, to intervene. On one hand, attacking the troll wouldn't achieve much; the creature would simply regenerate its wounds. On the other hand, this confrontation was an invaluable training experience for his companions. As long as none of them were in mortal peril, it was beneficial for them to face such a formidable foe.

  ‘They need to learn to think on their feet,’ Jamie mused. ‘In a forest like this, there won't be other enemies lurking around to ambush them. But back in the city, any dark alley could pose a far greater threat.’

  "Ah! I remember now!" Jay exclaimed excitedly.

  "Trolls are weak against running water!"

  ‘Running water? For trolls?’ Jamie thought, puzzled.

  "No, wait. That's for vampires," Jay corrected himself, sounding deflated. "Hold on... trolls... trolls... it must be here somewhere."

  Jamie spared a quick glance at the spectral cat. Jay was now seated on the forest floor, two ancient books spread open before him. He flipped through the pages with his paw, appearing deep in concentration. The bard shook his head, striving to maintain focus on the battle and, more importantly, to pretend he couldn't see Jay's antics.

  Turning his attention back to the fight, Jamie noticed Camille moving stealthily away from the main skirmish. She was circling wide, positioning herself behind the hulking troll and carefully avoiding its line of sight. Each step was deliberate, her form barely disturbing the underbrush as she advanced.

  Meanwhile, Bertram and Thomas engaged the troll head-on. They attacked and defended in turns, dodging massive swings and retaliating when opportunities presented themselves. Their efforts did little to harm the beast, but they succeeded in holding its attention, providing a crucial distraction.

  The troll's patience was waning. It let out an ear-splitting roar, its rage intensifying as it swung its enormous limbs with renewed ferocity. The ground trembled under its onslaught. This seemed to be the moment Camille had been waiting for. Breaking into a swift run, she closed the remaining distance between herself and the monster.

  Her footsteps were silent, barely whispers against the forest floor. Within striking range, Camille raised her twin crossbows. She took aim at the creature's broad back and squeezed the triggers. The bolts flew true, sinking deep into the troll's torso.

  The troll recoiled, arching its back in pain as it felt the sudden sting of the bolts. But Camille was far from finished. With a burst of agility, she sprinted forward and leaped, grasping one of the embedded bolts to pull herself onto the troll's back.

  The beast thrashed violently, trying to dislodge the unexpected burden. It twisted and turned, but Camille was quick and surefooted. She climbed higher, her movements precise, until she was perched just behind the troll's head. Her eyes narrowed with determination.

  With her face close to the creature's ear, Jamie could faintly hear the incantation she uttered.

  [Fire Breath]

  In an instant, Camille opened her mouth, and a torrent of flames erupted forth. Like a dragon unleashed, she engulfed the troll's head in searing fire.

  The stench of burning, decayed flesh filled the air. The acrid smoke curled upward, mingling with the canopy above. The other companions grimaced, their stomachs churning at the smell, but Camille remained unwavering. She continued to channel the flames, her focus unbroken, ensuring that every inch of the troll's head was consumed.

  The troll's agonized bellows echoed through the forest, each cry weaker than the last. Its movements grew sluggish as the relentless fire did its work. Finally, with its head reduced to charred remnants, the colossal creature swayed unsteadily before crashing down to the ground with a resounding thud that shook the very earth.

  A moment of stunned silence followed.

  Suddenly, another notification appeared, floating in front of Jamie.

  [The God of War is impressed a bunch of level 1’s and 2’s killed a Troll]

  [The God of Monsters is fuming]

  [You obtained 100 Experience Points]

  [Thomas, Camille, Bertram, and Aldwin obtained 100 Experience Points]

  "I found it!" Jay exclaimed triumphantly. "Fire and acid are a troll's weaknesses. But you can also kill them by severing their head!"

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