Chapter 55: You’ve done us proud

Orion gripped his Bone War Trident tightly with both hands and drove it straight into the Voidcrawler's head. Black blood gushed out as the Voidcrawler, still latched onto the Abyssal Dragon's back, thrashed violently in its death throes.Seeing this, Orion didn't hesitate. With swift, precise movements, he stabbed the Voidcrawler's head a dozen more times, ensuring it was truly dead.

Finally, when the creature's massive head went still, Orion exhaled in relief.

ROAR...

However, the Abyssal Dragon's furious roar didn't cease. During the Voidcrawler's violent struggle, its sharp claws had managed to reach the dragon's inner thigh, where there was no bone armor for protection. Several deep gashes now marred the dragon's flesh.

Orion narrowed his eyes. As expected, this centipede-like creature was tough to kill.

With no other choice, Orion yanked his trident free and continued stabbing the Voidcrawler's body. Then, with a burst of speed, he sprinted along the creature's back toward its tail.

*Scrreeech...*

A deep gash, sparking with friction, appeared along the Voidcrawler's back, like a crack in the earth after a drought.

Finally, the Voidcrawler's writhing body went completely still.

The Abyssal Dragon, still enraged, turned its head and clamped its jaws around the Voidcrawler's head, ripping the offending creature off its back.

Orion, standing a bit further back, was panting heavily from the exertion.

The Abyssal Dragon, with a few powerful bites, devoured the Voidcrawler's head. Then, dragging the massive corpse behind it, the dragon lumbered toward the stone walls of the Blackstone Tribe.

Boom. Boom. Boom.

The Abyssal Dragon's heavy footsteps echoed through the valley, each one reverberating in the hearts of every bloodline warrior, including Chieftain Clymene and Elder Rendall.

As they reached the stone walls, Orion raised his trident high, his eyes sharp as he gazed at the giants standing atop the walls.

"WAAAGH!" Orion shouted, pouring all the adrenaline and excitement from the battle into that single cry.

"WAAAGH!"

"WAAAGH!"

The next moment, the entire stone wall erupted in cheers, the battle cry spreading deep into the valley, stirring every giant in the tribe.

---

Inside Orion's tent, Lilith and Lysinthia peeked out from a small opening, trying to catch a glimpse of what was happening outside. Sёarch* The ηovёlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Unfortunately, all they could see was the burning firestones in the square and the darkness beyond the light.

"Lilith, it looks like the dark creatures didn't breach the valley!" Lysinthia whispered.

"Of course not. With Orion here, the Blackstone Tribe are among the strongest in the Black Forest," Lilith replied confidently.

Just then, the Abyssal Dragon's roar echoed through the valley, startling both women.

But soon after, the sound of cheers and celebration reached their ears from the valley entrance.

---

At the valley entrance, the stone gates had been opened, and Orion, along with the Abyssal Dragon, had returned, dragging the massive corpse of the Voidcrawler behind them.

"Chieftain, Elders, the Voidcrawler has been slain!" Orion announced.

Clymene rushed forward, embracing Orion tightly and patting his back.

"Orion, well done! I'm so glad you're safe!" Her voice was filled with relief and pride.

In that moment, Orion could feel the genuine care and concern from his sister.

"Orion, you've done us proud. You truly are the strongest bloodline warrior of the Blackstone Giants!" Elder Rendall, wielding his spiked club, stepped forward to congratulate Orion as well.

Just moments earlier, Rendall had been ready to charge out of the valley with his club to assist Orion. However, Clymene had stopped him, reasoning that the battle was beyond their ability to intervene.

Orion grinned widely. Slaying a hero-level dark creature like the Voidcrawler filled him with a deep sense of accomplishment.

"Chieftain, this creature is yours now. Its claws are sharp and would make excellent weapons."

"Understood. We'll take care of it."

Orion took the Abyssal Dragon into his heart and returned to his post atop the stone wall. It was still his turn to stand guard, and he couldn't afford to be careless.

As for dissecting the Voidcrawler, that task was left to Clymene and Elder Rendall. Orion was confident that the dark source crystal within the Voidcrawler would eventually be handed over to him.

---

Half an hour later, Clymene herself brought some unfortunate news.

"Orion, we couldn't find any dark source crystals in the Voidcrawler's body."

"We suspect that the crystal was in its head."

"But… the Abyssal Dragon already ate the head."

Orion blinked in surprise. He hadn't even noticed when the Abyssal Dragon had devoured the Voidcrawler's head.

Find your next read on M V L

After a moment, he shrugged. It didn't really matter. He had already planned to strengthen the Abyssal Dragon this winter, so it wasn't a total loss. He gave Clymene a wry smile.

Clymene, as the chieftain, could only spread her hands in a helpless gesture before leaving the valley entrance.

With Clymene gone, Orion resumed his watch atop the stone wall.

This time, every bloodline warrior who looked at Orion did so with newfound respect.

There was awe.

There was admiration.

There was fervor.

And for some, there was a hint of embarrassment.

The one feeling most embarrassed was Elder Slate.

When the Voidcrawler had first appeared, Slate had immediately sent someone to notify Clymene and the other elders. It was a clear sign that he hadn't trusted Orion to handle the situation.

But now, none of that mattered.

Orion's solo victory over the Voidcrawler, riding atop the Abyssal Dragon, had completely changed the way the giants viewed him.

Orion had once again earned their respect and established his authority.

From now on, every order and command Orion gave would be followed without question.

"Don't overthink it. We're all here for the tribe. We need to understand and protect each other," Orion said, both comforting the others and easing any lingering tension in Elder Slate's heart.

"Four elders, take your squads and patrol the valley's peaks. We need to ensure no dark creatures skilled in climbing breach the valley."

"I'll hold the gate. Don't worry."

Quickly, Orion issued his orders.

The four elders, relieved that Orion held no grudge against them, nodded and set off to carry out their tasks.

As they left, Slate, Samson, Halvor, and Rumbold whispered among themselves, still marveling at Orion's strength and invincibility.

---

Perhaps the Voidcrawler's lingering presence had scared off other dark creatures, as the rest of the night passed without incident.

At dawn, Clymene arrived at the stone wall to relieve Orion from his watch.

"Go get some rest. You may not have been injured last night, but the Abyssal Dragon expended a lot of energy."

"The Voidcrawler has been fully dissected. I've sent some of the edible meat to your tent, and the rest has been distributed among the tribe."

Orion nodded, clasping arms with Clymene as they exchanged shifts. Before leaving, he left her with a final word.

"Stay safe. Call for me if anything happens."