Titan King: Ascension of the Giant

Thundar and Earthshaker stood beside Elder Rendall, both looking somewhat ashamed.

Lilith was understandable—she had been personally trained by Orion during last year's dark creature invasion, so it was no surprise they couldn't match her. As for Prophet Onyx, his strength had long been above theirs.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Thundar, however, felt embarrassed that Delilah had surpassed him, her strength now exceeding his own.

Rendall's words, though blunt, were meant to show his concern for the two of them.

"Don't worry, I'm almost there," Thundar said, patting the hilt of his greatsword. He had slain many dark creatures the previous night, and with a few more dark source crystals, he was confident he could claim the next spot after Delilah.

"I have faith in you," Rendall said, giving Thundar a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

"And you, Earthshaker?" Rendall asked, turning to the buffalofolk elder.

Earthshaker smiled and shook his head.

Among the elders, Earthshaker had the weakest foundation. Back in the Wildhorn Tribe, he had been almost entirely sidelined by Torak Wildhorn. At that time, all the hard and dirty work had fallen to Earthshaker.

Earthshaker was clever, though. He knew that as Orion's slave, he had a natural closeness to the chieftain. However, his own strength was lacking, and the buffalofolk were a weaker tribe, so he hadn't even been selected as one of the council elders.

Among the four council elders, Earthshaker couldn't compare to any of them. Now, with Rendall and Prophet Onyx having ascended to Alpha-level, the gap between them had only widened.

"I believe in you," Thundar said, giving Earthshaker a light slap on the back. The two had fought side by side for a long time and had become close friends.

Thundar knew better than anyone how recklessly Earthshaker fought, throwing himself into battle without regard for his own safety.

Earthshaker chuckled, his hand unconsciously reaching up to touch his horns.

In truth, Earthshaker was content with his current life. His people were well-fed, clothed, and safe. He was deeply satisfied with the peace they had found.

Moreover, in the Stoneheart Horde, no one oppressed or restricted him.

Earthshaker felt that the Stoneheart Horde was the best home the buffalofolk could have.

Now, aside from working to improve his own strength, Earthshaker was completely content.

---

Three hours later, in the chieftain's tent, Orion, Rendall, and Onyx sat around a table laden with meat and ale.

Orion raised his cup, toasting with Rendall and Onyx. After they had downed three cups together, Orion began to speak casually as they ate.

"Prophet, from now on, you, Rendall, and I will rotate shifts, guarding and monitoring the southern gate and the underground crevice beneath the eastern mountains."

Previously, due to a lack of manpower, Orion hadn't assigned Alpha-level warriors to monitor the crevice beneath the eastern mountains. But now that Prophet Onyx had ascended to Alpha-level, Orion immediately included it in their patrols.

The reason was simple: the spiked worm was too terrifying. Even now, the thought of it sent chills down Orion's spine.

Prophet Onyx nodded without objection. Protecting the horde and eliminating any potential threats was the responsibility of Alpha-level warriors.

"Also, winter is more than halfway over, and the dark beast tides are nearing their end."

"Make your preparations. In the spring, we'll leave the Black Forest together and see what the outside world has to offer."

Prophet Onyx remained silent, but Elder Rendall spoke up.

"Chieftain, if we all leave, who will guard Moonshadow Valley?"

Orion didn't answer immediately. He sliced a piece of beast meat with his knife, eating it slowly before looking up.

"I plan to leave my wife, Lilith, in charge of defending our home."

"I'll also leave Lysinthia, Thundar, and Earthshaker to assist her."

"As my wife, it's time for her to take on more responsibility for the horde."

Orion's tone was calm. With only the three Alpha-level warriors present, there was no need for pretense.

At that moment, Lilith and Lysinthia were already at the southern gate, taking their turn on night watch.

"Besides, this will give her the chance to accumulate more contributions to the horde before she ascends to Alpha-level."

"In our horde, Alpha-level resources aren't just given to those with strength. They must also have made significant contributions to the horde."

Rendall and Prophet Onyx nodded in agreement. Orion's reasoning was sound.

The three of them had ascended to Alpha-level, and in the future, they would undoubtedly gather more resources. Those resources needed to be used on capable tribesmen, not wasted on ingrates or traitors.

"This expedition will leave Moonshadow Valley vulnerable, but it's also a test for Lilith."

"As my wife, she will have to face even greater challenges in the future."

Rendall and Prophet Onyx nodded again, both deep in thought.

Orion, however, remained relaxed.

He refilled his cup and raised it once more.

"Elder Rendall, Prophet Onyx, trust me—our future lies beyond Moonshadow Valley. Let's drink to a brighter tomorrow for the horde!"

---

That night, in the eastern mountains of Moonshadow Valley, Prophet Onyx took his turn on watch after leaving the chieftain's tent.

Since the Obsidian Golem tribe had submitted to Orion, the eastern and western mountains had been designated as their territory.

The mountains, with their abundance of large rocks, were the perfect environment for the Obsidian Golems.

"Prophet, should we...?" Rockwell, the current chieftain of the Obsidian Golem tribe, approached Prophet Onyx from behind, his eyes gleaming with fervor.

Prophet Onyx stood at the edge of the canyon, staring down into the underground crevice. He didn't turn around.

"Rockwell, you've never been outside. You don't know how many powerful beings there are out there, or how vast the world truly is."

"I know what you're thinking, and I don't blame you."

"When winter ends, you'll come with me on the expedition. You'll see the outside world for yourself."

"When you return, if you still have these thoughts, I'll ask the chieftain to exile you and anyone else who shares your mindset."

Rockwell froze, staring at Prophet Onyx's back, disappointment flashing in his eyes.

"Prophet, you..."

In Rockwell's mind, the Obsidian Golem tribe's natural talents meant that once they ascended to Alpha-level, their strength would rival that of the giants.

Rockwell wasn't suggesting rebellion against Orion. He simply believed that now that the Obsidian Golems had their own Alpha-level warrior, they didn't need to submit entirely to Orion's rule.

But before he could even voice his thoughts, Prophet Onyx had already shut him down.

Without Prophet Onyx, Rockwell didn't have the courage to face Orion on his own.

"Rockwell, wake up!"

"You're a member of the elders now. Alpha-level resources are available to you. Why aren't you fighting for them?"

"Don't you want to become an Alpha-level warrior?"