"Not bad at all!"
That was Orion's comndation for the dwarf Tordek.
Tordek was a dwarf at the peak of hero level, yet the force emanating from him seed like it could rival Alpha-level dark creatures. In other words, when facing hero-level dark creatures, Tordek was certain to win.
However, Orion didn't dwell on that point. No matter a dwarven warrior's victory or defeat, the mont one stepped into the arena, it would trigger the crowd's frenzied cheers and a storm of betting.
"Excuse . We, the dragons, would also like to send our dragonblood warriors to the challenge."
Seeing the dwarves make a move, Bloodscale likewise reached a decision. With a motion of his hand, two dragonblood warriors stepped out from behind him and headed side by side to the Colosseum's preparation area.
In truth, facing these two formidable Legendary-level beings left Bloodscale feeling slightly uneasy.
"Bloodscale, how's Jorik been lately?"
Orion sounded surprised. According to the pact he'd established with Glacial Dragon Jorik, there was a high chance Jorik would personally co for this trade. Yet here stood Bloodscale in Jorik's stead.
"Reporting to Giant King: My lord is stuck in Whitecliff and cannot leave so easily."
Orion and Harbek narrowed their eyes the instant they heard this.
"The Sea Tribe's begun their invasion again?"
Harbek was the one asking.
This alone showed that dwarves could be more than just hotheaded—they also tended to be sowhat impatient.
"Yes. Right after the dark beast tides subsided, the Sea Tribe set its sights on the dragons. Countless waves have been stirred up by the Sea Tribe, and the ocean is already approaching Whitecliff City."
Just ntioning the Sea Tribe's invasion brought an edge of anger to Bloodscale's voice. Having said that much, Bloodscale then passed along Glacial Dragon Jorik's ssage.
"Lord Jorik wanted
to warn you: beware the threat from the deep seas. Apart from our dragon territories, the sea tribe is bound to take action in other waters as well."
Orion and Harbek gave no response, both falling into silence.
For the ti being, the Sea Tribe's hidden threat appeared to target only the dragons. In the regions occupied by dwarves, humans, blood elves, and the Stoneheart Horde, the Sea Tribe's incursions amounted mostly to a lot of noise with little follow-through. As long as one remained far from the coastline, it was unlikely to face any attack from the Sea Tribe.
But for the dragons, it was a whole different story. The Sea Tribe would deliberately raise monstrous waves to launch invasion after invasion.
Orion had no knowledge of the grudge between the Sea Tribe and the dragons, nor any clue why the Sea Tribe focused so pointedly on them. Absorbed in thought, Orion suspected the dragon race had hidden sothing significant when forming the Five-Race Alliance.
anwhile, the Colosseum shook with an uproar.
Dwarf Tordek was matched against a hero-level Dark Fiend—a creature that was practically immune to physical attacks from anyone on its level. But Tordek faced the Dark Fiend with unshakable confidence.
Clearly, it wasn't his first ti confronting a Dark Fiend.
"It's a Dark Fiend!"
"That dwarf's up against a Dark Fiend—no way he survives!"
"The Dark Fiend disregards blades, ignores attacks. How's he going to handle that?"
"I'll put my money on the Dark Fiend!"
"Hey, you little dwarf—use that hamr on that damned dark creature! I'm betting on you!"
"…"
Jeers, gasps, and whistles erupted from the stands, fueling Tordek's excitent.
Tordek lifted the flask at his waist and took a strong swig.
"With so booze in , I'll hamr it to death!"
"For the dwarves!"
"For the Bronzebeard Clan!"
He dragged his warhamr forward, its heavy scrape echoing clunk, clunk, clunk.
As soon as the cage holding the Dark Fiend was opened, Tordek launched his charge.
Roar!
The Dark Fiend howled, spotting the enemy rushing toward it. It bared its sharp, serrated fangs and extended its hook-like claws, anchoring them to the ground before springing forward like a coiled spring.
At the sa mont, Tordek leapt the instant he neared the Dark Fiend, hoisting his giant hamr high in midair. The Dark Fiend pounced, only to et the hamr head-on.
Boom!
It was a muffled collision—hamr against Dark Fiend.
"He's done for! The little dwarf's about to die!"
"Oh no, I'm losing my blackstone coins!"
"How foolish, that dwarf!"
"…"
These thoughts fluttered through the crowd the mont hamr slamd against beast. But those ideas were swiftly scorched to cinders by a sudden flash of fla.
Splurt!
Rumble!
Without warning, Tordek spat a mouthful of ale. It drenched the hamr, igniting in a fierce blaze that instantly set the warhamr afla—and with it, the Dark Fiend.
Roar!
A chilling howl rang out as the creature writhed amid the fire, the clang of hamr blows echoing like the pounding of a forge. When the fire finally died and the echoes faded, only the dwarf remained, upright and alone.
"Damn it, my blackstone coins!"
"He won!"
"No way—a dwarf actually beat a Dark Fiend. What on earth was that move?"
"…"
In the stands, the vast majority of onlookers were left speechless by the spectacle. Nico and Kadir were just as stunned, Nico especially.
"Hahaha… I bet correctly again!"
Though Nico had nailed his wager once more, he truly hadn't expected a dwarf to be so savage and wild in battle.
"That much was obvious!
If dwarves didn't have ways to handle the different dark creatures, they'd never have managed to occupy that rich southern territory for so long.
Nico, your stack of Blackstone Coins keeps on growing."
There was surprise in Kadir's eyes, but even more a simring desire—for the very Blackstone coins in Nico's possession.
"Don't even think about it. These coins are the fruit of my foresight and luck. They're mine! All mine!"
Nico knew better than anyone what his friend Kadir's temperant was like. He stuffed the Blackstone coins into his coat, glaring defensively at Kadir.
"Nico, it's ti to stop. Even the keenest insight can fail once in a while. Lady Luck isn't going to smile just on you forever! Warriors who survive the battlefield or the Colosseum can defeat more than death—they can also destroy luck itself."
Kadir reined in the greed he felt for those Blackstone Coins. In his view, any fortune gained through gambling ant little.
"What's a loss here or there? Who hasn't lost a bet before? As long as you win more than you lose overall, you still co out ahead."
Nico brushed off Kadir's lectures. He had his own take on winning, losing, and wealth.
"Are dwarves always this savage?"
Back in the reception hall, Orion withdrew his gaze from the arena and glanced at Harbek, who wore a triumphant grin.
"Savage?
No—that's courage, that's strength, that's ingenuity."
Harbek wouldn't accept Orion's notion of dwarven savagery.
Under his breath, he muttered that dwarves weren't brute beasts—only ogres were, and maybe the giants right in front of him.
"Lord Bloodscale, your draconic warriors are up next!"
Bloodscale nodded confidently. The dragons had fought dark creatures countless tis over the years; both sides knew each other's way of battle all too well.
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