Titan King: Ascension of the Giant

Crack!

Buffalofolk Elder Earthshaker gritted his teeth, enduring the pain as he executed the dissenting members of his tribe, their heads displayed as a grim warning.

His eyes were bloodshot, and his emotions were on the verge of collapse.

"Now, can you all calm down?" Earthshaker's voice rang out, firm and commanding as he scanned the remaining Buffalofolk gathered in the settlement.

"Drakor Wildhorn and Kargen Wildhorn are dead!"

"Chieftain Torak Wildhorn has been slain!"

"Do you want to join them in death?"

"I can make that happen!"

This day was a disaster for the Buffalofolk. Nearly all of their leadership, except for those who had been out hunting with Earthshaker, had been wiped out.

Earthshaker loved his tribe deeply, but for the sake of their survival, he had no choice but to execute those who opposed him, solidifying his authority.

"The Black Forest is on the verge of unification. If we Buffalofolk don't make the right choice, we will be slaughtered, driven from our lands, and left without a home!"

"Orion is an Alpha-level warrior. Following him, as our ancestors once followed great leaders, is an honor, not a disgrace!"

"My people, stay calm. The Buffalofolk are about to face a great change!"

---

At the temporary camp, a succubus scout reported Earthshaker's actions in the Buffalofolk settlement to Orion.

"This Earthshaker is quite interesting," Orion remarked, enjoying the massages from Lysinthia and Lilith. His opinion of Earthshaker had risen.

"My dear Orion, there's something you might not know," Lilith said, her voice soft and teasing as she continued to massage him.

"Oh? Tell me, what's the secret here?" Orion asked, his eyes lingering on Lilith's seductive figure.

Lilith's hands moved gently as she spoke in her sweet, lilting voice.

"The Buffalofolk are divided into two distinct bloodlines. One bloodline carries the surname Wildhorn, while the other has no surname."

"The Wildhorn Buffalofolk are known for their berserk strength and brutality, while those without a surname are more intelligent and composed. This is why the Buffalofolk, despite their tendency to enter berserk states, haven't driven themselves to extinction."

Orion narrowed his eyes, deep in thought.

"So, Lilith, you're saying that some Buffalofolk can actually suppress their berserk state?"

"My dear Orion, you're the smartest giant I've ever met!" Lilith giggled, leaning into his embrace.

Orion smiled, pulling Lilith closer. It all made sense now. No wonder Earthshaker had seemed so composed during their encounters—he wasn't like the other berserk Buffalofolk.

"Once Earthshaker has finished reorganizing the Buffalofolk, we'll return to Moonshadow Valley the day after tomorrow," Orion said, a hint of restlessness creeping into his voice.

For some reason, Orion felt a vague sense of unease, though he couldn't quite pinpoint why.

---

Black Forest, Giant Hunting Grounds

Giant Elder Rumbold, following orders from the council, led a small team of giants on a hunting expedition near Moonshadow Valley. At the same time, they were tasked with keeping watch over the area.

With winter over, many starving tribes might take desperate measures and invade the giants' territory.

Elder Rendall had been particularly cautious, and after Orion left, he immediately put these precautions in place.

Suddenly, a strange birdcall echoed through the forest.

Rumbold's face darkened as he recognized the signal.

Moments later, a giant bloodline warrior burst out of the forest, panic written all over his face.

"Elder Rumbold, bad news! We've spotted a large force of tigerfolk, serpentfolk, and cave spiders heading toward Moonshadow Valley!"

"What? Say that again!" Rumbold demanded, his voice sharp.

"Elder Rumbold, a large force of tigerfolk, serpentfolk, and cave spiders is advancing toward Moonshadow Valley!"

This time, Rumbold was sure he hadn't misheard.

After a few tense breaths, Rumbold turned to the bloodline warrior.

"You, return to Moonshadow Valley immediately and report this to Elder Rendall. Hurry!"

"What about you, Elder?"

"I'll take the rest of the team and scout the situation further."

Rumbold kicked the warrior in the rear, urging him to move faster.

"Now go! Report back!"

"Yes, Elder!"

Rumbold handed the warrior a bone-shaped pendant as a token of authority, then sent him on his way.

---

Half a Day Later, Moonshadow Valley

"Damn those tigerfolk! I knew they wouldn't give up so easily!"

"And those serpentfolk and cave spiders—are they tired of living?"

Elder Rendall paced back and forth in his tent, clutching the pendant in his hand, his frustration palpable.

"Go, fetch Ursa for me!"

Moments later, Rendall's daughter, Ursa, entered the tent, looking confused.

"Ursa, I have a task for you. Go to the succubus tribe and inform Orion that the tigerfolk, serpentfolk, and cave spiders are attacking."

"Why are you still standing there? Go! Now!"

Rendall's voice was harsh, and Ursa, still processing the news, didn't even bother to respond. She turned and sprinted out of the tent without a word.

---

In the Forest, Giant Territory

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

The traps the giants had set earlier were being triggered one by one, killing cave spiders on the spot.

However, the fallen cave spiders were quickly devoured by their own kind, leaving nothing behind—not even bones.

"Retreat! Fall back to Moonshadow Valley!" Rumbold ordered, confirming the invasion by the three allied races. He led his team in a strategic retreat, setting traps as they went.

Thwip! Thwip! Thwip!

Arrows rained down from the forest, striking two giant warriors who had fallen behind. The giants collapsed, and the cave spiders swarmed over them, devouring their bodies in seconds.

"Tigran, we've been discovered!" Arachne, the queen of the cave spiders, hissed.

"Don't worry, Queen Arachne. It's normal for our movements to be noticed when three races are working together," Tigran replied, his tone cold and confident.

"We're not far from Moonshadow Valley now. Even if they know we're coming, there's nothing they can do to stop us."

"Unless they come out of Moonshadow Valley to face us head-on. But if they do that, isn't that exactly what we want?"

"Ha Ha Ha..."

Tigran's laughter was sinister. His son, who had awakened his bloodline power at the age of twelve, had been killed by the giants. Tigran had never been able to accept this, and his heart had long been consumed by hatred.

"The giants' territory is rich with prey. My children are feasting well," Arachne said, her arms crossed over her chest. Her upper body was bare, her large, patterned breasts exposed to the air, making her appear both voluptuous and dangerous.

Despite her seductive appearance, Arachne's words were filled with greed and simplicity.

"We agreed that aside from the giants' land, all the spoils belong to the cave spiders!"

"Don't worry, Queen Arachne. I always keep my word," Tigran replied, though a flash of malice flickered in his eyes, unnoticed by the spider queen.

...

Black Forest, Buffalofolk Territory

Orion stared intently at Earthshaker, making the buffalofolk elder visibly uncomfortable.

"Great Orion, I swear my loyalty to you. My entire tribe will follow you!" Earthshaker declared, his voice filled with sincerity.

Orion remained silent, his gaze shifting to the group of Buffalofolk families gathered at the camp's edge. His expression darkened slightly.

Orion's original plan had been to leave the Buffalofolk in their own territory, where they would hunt and provide resources while also serving as defenders of the land. However, Earthshaker had decided to move the entire tribe to Moonshadow Valley, and Orion, though not thrilled, didn't object.

"Keep your people in line. I don't tolerate disobedient subordinates," Orion said coldly.

"I understand, Chieftain Orion!" Earthshaker replied, bowing his head.

With that, Orion led his forces back toward Moonshadow Valley.

---

Moonshadow Valley, Entrance

After a brief discussion among the remaining elders, Elder Rendall made a decisive call. He would personally lead an elite group of bloodline warriors in a surprise attack on the tigerfolk, serpentfolk, and cave spiders' allied forces.

It was a risky move. If they failed to retreat in time, they could easily be surrounded and slaughtered.

Rendall was a hot-tempered and impulsive giant. Without the presence of Clymene or Orion to restrain him, he acted on his instincts, convinced that his plan would work.

"Listen up! We charge in, hit them hard, and then retreat immediately!" Rendall shouted at the entrance to the valley, rallying his warriors.

"If anyone disobeys or stays behind to fight, I'll cut them down myself!"

His battle cry echoed through the valley, and the giants responded with equal fervor.

"WAAAGH!" "WAAAGH!" "WAAAGH!"

Their morale was high, and they were ready for battle.

---

Half a Day Later, in the Forest

A swarm of cave spiders advanced, triggering traps that unleashed a barrage of arrows and spears. The spiders were met with a hail of projectiles, and then, in a flash, Rendall and his warriors charged into the fray, cutting down the spiders before quickly retreating into the dense forest.

"Tigran, the giants just launched a surprise attack. My children can't handle their strength!" Arachne, the queen of the cave spiders, hissed in frustration.

Tigran squinted, watching the forest where Rendall had disappeared. A dark cloud of doubt settled over him.

Tigran had sensed Rendall's aura during the skirmish. It was unmistakably that of a hero-level warrior, and stronger than his own.

"Could it be… that the giants have also discovered that hunting dark creatures can increase their strength?" Tigran thought, his heart racing with fear. Rendall's power had grown significantly since their last encounter, when the tigerfolk had invaded the Blackstone tribe.

If Rendall had grown this strong, sending the tigerfolk and serpentfolk into battle now would be suicide.

"Tigran, Vhisss, are you two trying to deceive me?" Arachne's voice turned icy, her suspicion growing.

Vhisss, the serpentfolk elder, remained silent, his eyes half-closed as usual.

"My apologies, Queen Arachne," Tigran said, snapping out of his thoughts. "Seeing that giant elder reminded me of our battle years ago. I got lost in thought."

Tigran quickly found an excuse, trying to smooth things over.

"Queen Arachne, now is not the time for us to act."

"That was just a small skirmish, wasn't it?"

"When we reach Moonshadow Valley, our forces will charge together. Vhisss will also unleash his powerful serpent beasts to help us crush the giants. Isn't that a better plan?"

"Those beasts are our trump card. We can't reveal them too soon."

Tigran's silver tongue worked its magic, and Queen Arachne, though still wary, was convinced for the moment.

---

In the Forest

Despite the success of the ambush, Elder Rendall wasn't pleased. The sheer number of cave spiders was overwhelming, and the tigerfolk and serpentfolk were still lurking nearby, waiting for their chance to strike.

What troubled Rendall the most was the discovery of the massive serpent beasts that the serpentfolk had brought with them. These creatures were formidable, and Rendall's unease grew.

Though Moonshadow Valley was protected by Lysinthia's Twilight Viper, Rendall knew that the serpentfolk likely had their own powerful guardian beasts.

"I hope Ursa finds Orion soon. Otherwise…"

Rendall's thoughts were heavy as he led his warriors back to Moonshadow Valley, taking a shortcut through the forest.

As soon as they returned, Rendall sounded the alarm.

Aside from the elderly and infirm, even the female giants were mobilized. Moonshadow Valley was now on high alert, preparing for the worst.

---

Black Forest, Eastern Region, Succubus Territory

Orion hadn't even reached the succubus palace when Succubus Queen Delilah, leading a group of succubus warriors, rushed toward him. They were carrying a giant warrior on a makeshift wooden stretcher. To maneuver this giant warrior through the forest, Delilah had dispatched a full ten succubus warriors.

"Honorable Orion, one of your warriors was found unconscious in the forest by our guards," Delilah said, her voice urgent. "Before she passed out, she kept calling your name."

Orion's heart skipped a beat. He had a bad feeling about this.

He approached the stretcher and immediately recognized the unconscious giant.

It was Ursa, Elder Rendall's eldest daughter, a giantess who had recently awakened her bloodline powers.

Orion checked her breathing. It was steady, but she was clearly exhausted, having pushed herself to the brink.

"Volthun!" Orion called out.

Volthun, the giant shaman, stepped forward and produced a vial of fresh beast blood. He cast a blood magic recovery spell on Ursa.

Fifteen minutes later, Ursa regained consciousness.

The moment she saw Orion, she leaped off the stretcher, her voice frantic.

"Elder Orion, the tigerfolk, serpentfolk, and cave spiders have allied and are invading our territory!"

She paused to catch her breath before continuing.

"Two days ago, they entered our hunting grounds…"

Ursa's words sent shockwaves through the giant ranks.

Even Orion stood frozen for a moment, processing the news.

But that moment of shock quickly gave way to a surge of rage and a murderous aura that filled the air around him.

Orion nodded, placing a reassuring hand on Ursa's shoulder.

"I understand. I'll head back immediately. You rest now."

Ursa, her mission complete, collapsed back onto the stretcher, her body finally giving in to exhaustion.

She had run for two days and nights without rest, using nothing but her own legs to reach the succubus territory. Even as a bloodline warrior, her stamina had been completely drained.

Orion stood still, his eyes closed, his mind racing as he formulated a plan.

After a long moment, he turned and spoke in a calm, measured voice.

"Thundar!"

"At your command!" Thundar, his face grim, stepped forward, his body tense with anticipation.

"You will lead the main force back to Moonshadow Valley, with Succubus Queen Delilah supporting you. Move as quickly as possible."

"Remember, if you encounter any tigerfolk, serpentfolk, or cave spiders along the way, show no mercy. Wipe them out completely."

With that, Orion summoned the Abyssal Dragon, pulling Lilith and Lysinthia onto its back.

"I'll go ahead to provide support. You have three days to catch up."

As Orion's words lingered in the air, the roar of the Abyssal Dragon echoed in the distance, carrying him swiftly back toward Moonshadow Valley.