Chapter 36: Betrayed

*Chirp, chirp...*A few eerie bird calls echoed through the jungle, causing Kael, who was packing up with his tribe to leave, to freeze in place.

Likewise, the other Ironbone giants also stiffened.

Hidden behind a massive ancient tree, Orion's pupils contracted when he heard the bird calls.

That was a unique communication method among the giants, signaling that something had changed!

In the next second, a cold, murderous glint flashed in Orion's eyes—wild and ruthless.

Orion wasn't facing this small group of Ironbone giants alone without reason. He had confidence.

The Abyssal Dragon was a killing machine, and Orion was eager to see how it would perform when faced with a group attack.

So, Orion quickly retreated into the dense forest behind him.

At the same time, Kael, in the camp opposite, slowly raised his right hand and silently made a gesture for an ambush.

In the next moment, all the Ironbone giants picked up their weapons and silently entered the forest, beginning their hunt for Orion.

Soon, Brogan and Kael regrouped.

"Brogan, we need to kill that small group of Blackstone giants and leave immediately. There might be a larger force nearby!"

Brogan nodded. Although he often clashed with Kael, they always found surprising agreement in critical moments.

Deep in the forest, Orion released the Abyssal Dragon, mentally commanding it to attack the enemy.

The Abyssal Dragon nodded, its massive beastly eyes gleaming coldly, and the horn on its head looked menacing.

Moments later, a giant's roar suddenly echoed from the nearby forest.

The roar was brief, and the forest quickly returned to silence.

Silence—sometimes it carries the scent of death.

This eerie scene stirred a sense of fear in the hearts of the Ironbone giants lurking nearby.

*Roar...*

*Ahhh...*

From a distance, another roar rang out, followed by a scream.

Brogan and Kael regrouped once more, communicating through hand signals.

"The enemy is smart. They're picking off our scattered tribesmen. What should we do now?"

Brogan's face showed hesitation. Since the enemy's warning, the Ironbone giants had already lost three bloodline warriors—a huge loss.

If they retreated now, Brogan would have a hard time explaining it to the Ironbone tribe's chief.

"Keep pursuing. We've been exposed. If we don't capture the Blackstone giants, word will get out, and we might not even make it out of this area."

In truth, Kael was against Brogan's decision. They could still retreat now, though they'd have to abandon all the hard-earned hunting supplies.

But because neither of them wanted to give up the supplies, both Kael and Brogan chose to go all in.

"Alright, we'll do it your way!"

"Brogan, we can't stay scattered. We need to regroup the tribe!"

Brogan nodded, and strange bird calls echoed through the forest once again.

Deep in the forest, Orion had already noticed the unusual behavior of the Ironbone giants.

"Are they retreating?"

That was Orion's initial thought, but when he saw the giants regroup and continue their search, the murderous intent in his eyes grew even stronger.

"No, they don't want to be picked off one by one. They haven't given up on hunting me!"

Realizing this, Orion narrowed his eyes, coldly watching the small group of Ironbone giants approaching.

"Fine, let them all die here!"

*Roar...*

In the next second, a terrifying dragon roar echoed through the forest.

The Abyssal Dragon, hidden until now, knocked down the massive trees concealing it and charged toward the Ironbone giants with deadly intent.

The heavy footsteps, the abyssal aura in the dragon's roar, the sharp teeth, and the scales covering its body—all of it brought back terrifying memories for Brogan and Kael.

"Shit, run! It's the Abyssal Dragon!!"

*Roar...*

But it was too late!

A hero-level Abyssal Dragon's speed was beyond what any ordinary giant could imagine.

As the Abyssal Dragon attacked, its claws and massive jaws became like a harvester, mercilessly reaping the lives of the Ironbone warriors.

Of course, many Ironbone giants were fearless, and quite a few picked up their weapons to fight back.

But their weapons could only leave faint sparks on the Abyssal Dragon's scales—they couldn't even scratch its defenses.

Fifteen minutes later, Orion emerged from the forest, his expression slightly grim as he surveyed the field of giant corpses.

Orion could see clearly that the strongest of the giant warriors had escaped in the chaos.

Jumping onto the Abyssal Dragon's back, Orion said coldly, "Chase them!"

*Roar...*

The Abyssal Dragon's roar echoed through the area, and all the nearby beasts fled in terror.

The Abyssal Dragon's thick legs pounded the ground, its speed increasing with every step.

In the forest ahead, Brogan and Kael, fleeing together, both wore expressions of fear.

The Ironbone tribe had an entrance to the Abyss as well. Both Brogan and Kael had ventured into it when they were younger.

Unfortunately, both had nearly died in the Abyss, so they were all too familiar with the aura and roar of the Abyssal Dragon.

"Damn it, the enemy must be an elder from the Blackstone tribe!"

"This is all your fault, Brogan! I told you we should've left this area earlier, but you wouldn't listen!"

As they ran, Kael cursed at Brogan.

At that moment, the heavy footsteps behind them grew louder, and the terrifying beast's roar seemed to be right in their ears.

Brogan suddenly turned his head and glanced at Kael, a sinister glint flashing in his eyes.

"Brogan, what are you thinking?"

*Bang!*

Brogan didn't respond. Instead, he swung his massive hammer.

*Boom!*

Kael's leg was shattered by Brogan's sneak attack, his knee crushed.

"Kael, don't blame me. I need to get back and report this. The Blackstone giants invaded us first!"

As Kael collapsed to the ground, he instantly understood Brogan's treacherous intent.

This entire venture into Blackstone territory had been driven by Brogan's selfish desires.

But as long as all the other Ironbone giants died here, Brogan could return to the tribe and say whatever he wanted. His word would be the truth.

"By the Titan God, Brogan, you're not worthy of being called a giant warrior!!" Sёarch* The NôᴠeFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

In despair, Kael watched Brogan's retreating figure, his eyes filled with rage and unwillingness.

Even so, Kael still raised his spear, using it to support himself as he stood.

Kael had made his choice!

Kael would fight!

Kael would face the terrifying Abyssal Dragon head-on!

At this moment, Kael only wanted to delay the Abyssal Dragon for a few moments, to buy Brogan more time.

As long as Brogan survived, the Ironbone tribe would have one more bloodline warrior.

A bloodline warrior could make the tribe's life just a little easier during the coming winter and the dark beast tides.

That was Kael Ironbone's obsession now!

Even though Brogan had just betrayed him!