Osric and William went to buy some extra stuff the next day before the mission.
Currently in the marketplace of Ashbrook, they were walking and looking at different shops.
William asked.
"What exactly do you plan on buying?"
Osric answered.
"We need long and sturdy ropes to drag the corpse of the Thornback Boar."
"Oh right. I just thought we would skin and cut out valuable parts and carry them in our bags."
Osric looked at William.
"I don't have experience with that. And even if I did. It's better to sell the whole corpse for the highest price and let them do those things."
William nodded.
"Alright. But just so you know, I actually know how to skin animals. I learned from my grandfather."
Osric raised an eyebrow.
"You know how?"
"More or less. A Thornback Boar would probably be tougher though."
"Do you have a skinning knife?"
"Yes. Why? Did you change your mind?"
"No, but it's good to have options."
William agreed and they only had to buy the ropes, which they spent 25 copper on.
—
After buying the rope, the two of them left Ashbrook through the eastern gate once again.
The morning air was cold, and a thin layer of frost still covered the grass along the road.
Neither of them spoke much during the walk.
Both were focused.
After about twenty minutes, the familiar dark edge of the Monster Forest appeared ahead.
Osric slowed slightly as they stepped between the trees.
"Stay sharp," he said quietly.
William nodded.
"Got it."
The deeper they went, the quieter the forest became. Only the occasional rustle of branches and the distant call of birds broke the silence.
Osric's hand rested loosely on the hilt of his new sword.
Even after two days of training, the weapon still felt slightly unfamiliar in his grip.
But it was better.
Sharper.
More reliable.
They moved carefully through the forest while Osric focused on the subtle signals his Heightened Senses picked up.
Tracks.
Broken twigs.
Disturbed soil.
After nearly fifteen minutes of searching, Osric suddenly stopped and raised his hand.
William froze immediately.
Osric crouched down and examined the ground.
Deep hoof marks pressed into the damp soil.
Large.
Fresh.
He looked up and scanned the surrounding trees.
"Thornback Boar," he whispered.
William leaned closer.
"You sure?"
Osric pointed.
The tracks continued deeper between the trees.
"Fresh trail."
They followed it slowly and carefully.
The deeper they went, the stronger the scent became.
A heavy, musky smell mixed with wet earth.
Then Osric stopped again.
Ahead of them, between the trees, something moved.
A massive dark shape.
The Thornback Boar.
Its body was enormous, easily twice the size of a normal wild boar.
Thick bristly fur covered its body, and long jagged spikes protruded along its back.
Two massive tusks curved upward from its lower jaw.
The monster snorted as it dug through the forest floor with its snout.
William swallowed quietly.
"That thing is huge."
Osric nodded slightly.
"Stay quiet."
They crouched behind thick bushes while watching the monster.
After a few seconds, Osric leaned closer to William and spoke quietly.
"I'll hide behind that tree."
He pointed toward a thick oak trunk about fifteen meters away.
"You approach it slowly from the front."
William frowned.
"And then?"
"Make it charge you."
William stared at him.
"You're serious?"
Osric nodded.
"When it charges, stand in front of the tree."
"At the last moment, jump aside."
William looked at the boar again.
"And what if I'm too slow?"
"You won't be."
Osric paused.
"But keep your shield up."
William exhaled slowly.
"Alright."
Osric moved carefully through the bushes and positioned himself behind the thick oak tree.
From there, he watched the boar closely.
William stepped out from the bushes and slowly approached the monster.
The Thornback Boar noticed him almost immediately.
Its head lifted.
Red eyes locked onto him.
For a moment the forest was silent.
Then the boar snorted loudly and pawed the ground.
William raised his shield.
"Come on then."
The Thornback Boar roared and charged.
The ground shook beneath its weight as it rushed forward with terrifying speed.
William's heart pounded as the monster grew closer.
Faster than he expected.
Much faster.
At the last moment, he jumped sideways.
The boar's massive tusks grazed the edge of his shield as it rushed past.
The force of the impact sent William crashing to the ground.
"Shit!"
The Thornback Boar slammed into the oak tree with a heavy thud.
The moment it struck the trunk—
Osric moved.
He burst out from behind the tree and drove his sword forward with all his strength.
The blade pierced deep into the side of the monster's neck.
The Thornback Boar shrieked and thrashed violently.
Osric immediately pulled the sword free and jumped back.
Blood poured from the wound.
But the monster was far from dead.
It turned toward Osric with rage burning in its eyes.
Before it could charge again, William stepped forward and raised his shield.
The boar lunged.
Its tusks slammed into the iron shield with a brutal clang.
William gritted his teeth as the force pushed him backward.
"Now!"
Osric moved instantly.
His sword flashed.
The blade cut deep across the monster's neck.
A thick spray of blood burst into the air.
The Thornback Boar staggered.
Its massive body collapsed onto the forest floor.
The monster twitched once.
Then it went still.
For a moment neither of them moved.
Then William let out a long breath.
"Damn…"
He looked down at his shield where the tusk had scraped across the metal.
"I'm really glad I bought this thing."
Osric wiped the blood from his sword.
"Me too."
The Thornback Boar lay motionless between them.
Their first hunt against a larger monster had succeeded.