Esdras and the group hired a local man to take them to the bog so as not to waste time. But since they were already there they also checked out the recent ambush site.

This was the power of money, with just the right amount many things could become easier.

An overturned cart riddled with small, splintered arrows lies near two fallen trees that block the dirt road. Axes, swords, and more arrows are scattered nearby.

The road is torn up by horse hooves and wagon tracks that appear to turn off abruptly and lead off into the forest.

This is the site of the most recent ambush conducted by the Redpeal goblins. Though all signs point to a fierce battle, there are no traces of blood in the area and no bodies.

The tracks show that another wagon came this way, in addition to the one that now lies on its side. That larger wagon was driven off into the nearby swamp, on a route leading into the bog. There is nothing of value left in the wreckage.

Plumes of gas smelling of sulfur bubble up from this dank bog. The ruins of a large wagon lie half submerged in a long patch of what would otherwise appear to be solid ground.

“This is it, sir. But be careful, the bog is full of Boot-stealing bog holes, the tall grass you see is actually growing in deep mud.”

The guide warned to which Esdras thoughtfully nodded, “you’ve done a good job, here this is for your troubles.” He tossed five copper coins and the guide left smiling.

“How do we deal with the mud?” David picked a stick and threw it in, soon it sunk down into the mud.

“Hmm, Celine you control as much of the water as you can and moved it to the edges of the bog. While David will bring up the mud higher and I will harden it with fire magic.”

“Nice, let’s do it.” David was excited to put his magic to use after so many days of not getting the chance to exercise.

Esdras initially wanted to use fire right away but it wouldn’t work with the mud being so wet.

Celine stepped forward and pointed her hands at the bog, her mana fluctuated and the water in the mud was extracted and pushed away.

David was about to do his thing when suddenly the water extracted increased in volume and turned into two waves. With a shout, the waves were launched out of the bog and into the forest around them.

Esdras and David were surprised, the bog was now completely empty of water. That kind of water manipulation was too great, it was of a similar level to his own control.

“Hey! What should I do now? You mare my contribution useless.” David complained, “how did you do that anyway? You didn’t have to push yourself.”

“I didn’t… it felt easy to me.” Celine herself seemed surprised at her own display, she looked at her hand in wonder.

Esdras frowned, “anyway let us check on the cart quickly.” This was not the time.

The ruined wagon has been well picked over. In the mud around the wagon, they found signs of where small rafts were used to ferry goods from the wagon to the nearby shore.

Although the trail had mostly disappeared they might be able to trace it if they were lucky.

‘At least we didn’t encounter a troll so far.’

Suddenly they heard a loud roaring and rattling coming their way. A foul stench lingers in the air and the roaring got louder and angrier.

“Oh, finally! I will test my spear against a troll! Bring it on!” Calvin was the most excited of them and he seemed happy at this development.

Esdras had an ashen face, ‘I jinxed it! Goddamn!’

It arrived, covered in a coat of rattling bones and wearing the skull of a bull with horns on its head. Red angry eyes glared at them with madness and an obvious bloodlust.

But honestly if one ignored all that, overall it was not intimidating at all. Esdras who had experienced powerful beings didn’t feel that kind of thing from this monster.

Anyway, wasn’t a troll supposed to be over five meters tall? This one was not even three meters tall. Could it be a young troll?

[Name: Wuax]

Rank: 1

Race: bugbear

Class: ——

“What the hell?” Esdras blinked repeatedly to make sure he wasn’t seeing things.

“Come on, start with your strongest spells! I will hold it down!” Calvin roared as he was about to charge.

“Wait stop don’t start with your strongest spells!” Esdras quickly held Calvin back, “it’s not a troll, just subdue it, and make sure not to kill it.”

“It’s not?” Calvin asked dumbfounded.

“Just attack it and see for yourself.” Esdras held his chin and frowned.

Calvin hesitated but still rushed in, David followed closely behind just to be on the safe side and Celine trusted him completely so she didn’t do anything.

After a single exchange of attacks, the ‘troll’ tried to run away. David used an earth spike to trip him over and the troll was captured.

“Let go! Please let Wuax go, I not harm humans anymore.”

Esdras removed the ridiculous bones on the monster to reveal the hairy appearance of a bugbear. A very big bugbear but certainly no troll.

“Tell me why a bugbear is pretending to be a troll. Who put you up to this?” Esdras asked.

“It’s not my doing, Redthorn pays me to scare anyone who comes around the bog. The cunning goblin made me do it. I good, not bad.”

As expected, it was that goblin again. It was too smart for a goblin. Esdras couldn’t help but think of the Convergence.

This event will lead to many changes in this world and the rise and fall of numerous heroes and villains. This is only the beginning, when things start for real this world experience the first catastrophe.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep