Titan King: Ascension of the Giant

This night, Orion stood atop the undamaged walls of Thunderhawk City, watching the chaos and slaughter unfold below.

Thunderhawk City wasn't just home to the bloodline warriors defending the walls; it was also filled with civilians. The various bloodline warriors rampaged through the city, looting, burning, and killing, and Orion did nothing to stop them.

Because this was what Orion allowed—what he wanted.

Clymene's head had hung on the city walls for nearly a year, a symbol of humiliation. Only the most savage plundering could quell the fury burning inside him.

With Orion's tacit approval, Thunderhawk City had descended into complete anarchy. The warriors who stormed the city began looting everything of value.

For some, Thunderhawk City had become a living hell.

For others, like Gnoll Dirtclaw, it was paradise.

At this moment, Dirtclaw was doing something significant. In front of all the surrendered gnolls, he beheaded Scrag.

And, mimicking Orion, Dirtclaw impaled Scrag's head on his javelin.

"Follow me, boys! Let's loot the best treasures for our great chieftain, Orion!"

"Tonight, any woman you fancy is yours to ravage!"

Strangely enough, Dirtclaw's brutality didn't inspire hatred. Instead, it earned him the loyalty of many gnoll bloodline warriors.

On the walls, Orion watched everything happening in the city below.

Aside from searching for treasures for Orion, many bloodline warriors were indulging in rape and pillage.

Orion imposed no restrictions, no limits on his subordinates' violent urges.

Because, in his mind, this was what they deserved.

"My dear chieftain, here's what you asked for."

Delilah appeared behind Orion, carrying a wooden box and accompanied by a squad of succubus bloodline warriors. Her voice was sultry and soft, with a hint of fervor if one listened closely.

Orion turned, took the box from her, and opened it.

After a year of exposure to the elements, his sister Clymene's head had shriveled, her features barely recognizable.

"Sister, I'm taking you home."

Orion muttered softly, then took the other boxes handed to him by the succubus warriors. These contained the heads of the giant elders—heroes of the giant race.

"You did well this time. I'll reward you when we return."

Delilah's face lit up with a smile, her heart swelling with joy.

No matter how much loot they gathered from this battle, Orion was already satisfied.

Because his primary goal—retrieving his sister Clymene's head—had been achieved.

Moreover, after killing Reynard, Orion had also obtained a Survivor's Chest.

"You should go too. I'm sure Thunderhawk City has plenty of things your people would enjoy."

"As you wish, my dear chieftain!"

Delilah beamed with delight. If it weren't for the tasks Orion had assigned her, she would have already led her people to plunder the spoils.

This was Delilah's first time participating in the [Myriad Races Invasion], and she was eager to claim her share of the spoils.

After Delilah left, Prophet Onyx ascended the wall, escorting a prisoner.

"Prophet, you're not interested in Thunderhawk City's resources?"

Orion asked, glancing at Onyx.

Onyx shook his head, though there was a hint of regret in his expression.

"I'll pass. Those resources aren't of much use to me. But Rockwell, on the other hand, seems quite excited."

Orion nodded, understanding Prophet Onyx's perspective.

Aside from magical plants that could enhance his strength, Onyx had no interest in women, weapons, armor, or slaves.

Orion glanced at Prophet Onyx, then shifted his gaze to the prisoner standing beside him.

He said nothing, waiting for Prophet Onyx to explain.

"This is Elan, the chieftain of the Skytalon Tribe. The Thunderhawk we encountered earlier was one of their tamed beasts."

"He's willing to submit to you, but he has conditions."

At this, Prophet Onyx fell silent, signaling for Elan to speak for himself.

Orion remained quiet, his gaze fixed on Elan.

Elan stood there, just about to speak, when Orion unleashed a powerful aura, overwhelming him.

Thud!

Caught off guard, Elan was forced to his knees by the sheer pressure.

"Prisoners don't get to speak to me while standing."

Orion's voice was cold, the voice of a victor.

This was also a show of dominance.

As a prisoner, Elan had better think carefully before trying to negotiate with Orion.

"If you have something to say, you'd better think it through. My time is limited," Orion said, his tone icy.

Elan, the chieftain of the Skytalon Tribe, now truly felt the weight of Orion's authority, and fear gripped his heart.

"Honorable Orion, I represent the Skytalon Tribe, and we are willing to submit to you. All I ask is that you spare my people."

"To show our sincerity, we are willing to offer all our resources and treasures."

"And if possible, we can even help you form a contract with the other Alpha-level Thunderhawk."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Orion's lips curled into a smile. Now, this was how a prisoner should behave.

To survive, one must offer everything of value.

"Prophet, what do you think?"

Orion had already decided to accept Elan's submission, but he didn't want to say it outright.

Since Prophet Onyx had brought Elan to him, asking for his opinion was a way of showing respect and giving him face.

Prophet Onyx, despite his massive size, was sharp. He immediately understood Orion's intentions.

Before the invasion, the Stoneheart Horde had already considered subjugating the Skytalon Tribe, and now the timing was perfect.

Prophet Onyx felt both excited and gratified.

After steadying his emotions, Prophet Onyx spoke in a measured tone.

"Chieftain, the Skytalon Tribe has a long history, and they are skilled in taming flying beasts. They are a rare and valuable race. Given their small population, it would be a waste to kill them."

"Their submission is a good thing."

Prophet Onyx glanced at Elan, choosing his words carefully.

Then, his tone shifted, becoming much more severe.

"However, to be safe, I suggest you have Elan sign a slave contract."

Orion's expression remained neutral as he exchanged a glance with Prophet Onyx. Then, he turned to Elan and spoke coldly.

"Are you willing to sign a slave contract with me?"

Elan hesitated. In his heart, he had hoped to sign a soul oath with Orion, which would allow him to retain some freedom.

Elan wrestled with his thoughts for a moment, remaining silent.

Orion didn't press him. Instead, he turned his gaze toward the distant flames engulfing Thunderhawk City.

"Some things, once burned, are gone forever."

Orion's words were calm, but they carried a deeper meaning.

Some things, once burned, are gone forever.

Some opportunities, once missed, are lost forever.

As a chieftain, Elan was no fool. He knew that his hesitation had displeased Orion.

"Honorable Orion, I am willing to sign the slave contract."

"Hmm."

Orion responded with a simple grunt, not even turning to look at Elan.

Orion's reaction wasn't what Elan had expected. He had thought the Skytalon Tribe's submission would excite Orion, but it seemed their rarity wasn't as valuable to him as Elan had imagined.

After a long pause, Orion finally turned back and signed the slave contract with Elan.

And true to his word, Orion kept his promise.

"Dace, Otho, go with Elan and release the members of the Skytalon Tribe."

"Yes, chieftain!"

Orion's command to his guards, Dace and Otho, to accompany Elan and free his people, eased Elan's worries.

"Elan's submission is something worth celebrating for our horde!" Prophet Onyx chuckled, standing behind Orion as they both watched the fires and chaos of Thunderhawk City. "Chieftain, the view here is quite beautiful."

"Hmm."

Orion responded with another grunt, saying little, but he agreed.

This was the first victory in the Myriad Races Invasion, and it brought joy not only to Prophet Onyx but also to Orion, who felt a sense of release.

Orion suddenly realized that this world, compared to Earth, was far more vast and thrilling.

The bloodshed and slaughter had given Orion a taste of victory, bathing him in glory.

And this feeling of satisfaction was intoxicating.

"Prophet, Thunderhawk City is just the first step."

"I will follow you to the death! We will make our horde great forever!"

"Good!"

Orion suddenly burst into laughter, pulling the trident with Reynard's head impaled on it from the ground and handing it to Prophet Onyx.

"I've heard you're quite the craftsman. Could you carve me a skull goblet?"

"Chieftain, Onyx would be honored!"

Prophet Onyx's eyes gleamed as he took Reynard's head, already imagining how to preserve the skull to its fullest potential.

---

The next day, the sun shone brightly over the land.

The battle had begun at dusk the previous day and ended before midnight.

But the post-battle cleanup continued well into the early hours of the morning.

Orion had taken up residence in Reynard's castle, establishing a temporary command center.

Rendall, after indulging in his fill of looting, had returned to Orion's side early.

"Chieftain, where do we go next?"

Thunderhawk City had fallen, but Rendall wasn't satisfied. He was eager to know their next target.

"Don't be in such a rush. Let's wait for Delilah to finish tallying the spoils, and then we'll discuss it together."

Just as Orion finished speaking, Delilah entered the command center, a smile on her face.

"My dear chieftain, I've brought you a gift!"

Orion didn't say anything, but his eyes lit up with anticipation as he looked at Delilah.

"My dear chieftain, I've found you a beautiful woman. Her face is exquisite, and her body is quite... alluring."

Delilah giggled, clapping her hands twice.

Two succubus bloodline warriors dragged in a woman bound with ropes and pushed her in front of Delilah and Orion.

"My dear chieftain, this woman was hiding among the captives, wearing a veil. She must have some secrets."

"Her aura is strange too. I couldn't quite figure her out."

Orion narrowed his eyes. If Delilah couldn't figure her out, then this woman was definitely something special.

Orion reached out and personally removed the veil from the woman's face.

How to describe her? She was stunningly beautiful.

But such beauty alone wouldn't have made Delilah envious.

When Delilah had entered earlier, there had been a hint of jealousy in her voice.

"Chieftain, this isn't her real face!"

Delilah stared intently at the woman, unsure what kind of magic she had used to alter her appearance.

But as a succubus, Delilah was well-versed in illusion magic, so she knew this wasn't the woman's true face.

"A member of the Garland Tribe!"

At that moment, Prophet Onyx, who had been dozing off nearby, suddenly opened his eyes and exclaimed.

Orion, Delilah, Rendall, and the woman all turned to look at Prophet Onyx.

"Chieftain, the flower mark on her forehead indicates she's from the Garland Tribe. They're known for their expertise in enchantment magic."

Prophet Onyx's words piqued Orion's interest.

"Last night, the runes glowing on Thunderhawk City's walls—were those their work?"

"Yes, chieftain. That was the result of their enchantments."

Orion vividly remembered that it had taken three Abyssal Flame Bombs from the Abyssal Dragon to bring down Thunderhawk City's walls.

If it had been the walls of Moonshadow Valley, two bombs would have been enough.

At the time, Orion had been puzzled, but now he understood.

"Delilah, I have a task for you. Go through the captives and see if there are any more members of the Garland Tribe."

"If there are, imprison them all."

Delilah smiled seductively, already guessing what Orion planned to do next.

"As you wish, my dear chieftain!"

Then, Orion turned to Prophet Onyx, continuing his inquiry.

"Prophet, tell me more about the Garland Tribe."

Prophet Onyx nodded, glancing at the bound woman with a hint of curiosity.

"Chieftain, the Garland Tribe is a rare race that resides in the south. They are skilled in cultivating magical plants and are masters of enchantment magic."

"In Thunderwood Forest, the Garland Tribe is directly protected by the local lord."

"It's said that every member of the Garland Tribe is incredibly beautiful, and there's a rumor..."

Prophet Onyx hesitated for a moment before continuing.

"There's a rumor that every member of the Garland Tribe is female, and they are born from flowers."

Well, that was something Orion hadn't heard before.

Even Rendall, standing nearby, looked intrigued.

Orion stepped forward, lifting the woman's chin with his hand, his expression curious and domineering.

"You have two choices. The first is to submit to me and be enslaved. If you have any kin, I will spare their lives."

"Look outside at the fires. My warriors need to vent their lust. I'm sure you wouldn't want to choose the second option."