novelraw Chapter 15: The Rampage Bear Leader
Chapter 15: The Rampage Bear Leader
Iron shirts stood tall and dense, and the noon sunlight filtered through the thick foliage, casting mottled shadows on the red iron young dragon’s body.
“My lord, subduing the Earth Rampage Bear pack will help you establish your foothold in the wilderness much faster.”
Mobel said in a rough and coarse voice.
Garoth scrutinized the flattering Rampage Bear offering advice before him, his tail lightly tapping the ground as he pondered.
Mobel’s suggestion seemed loyal but hid selfish intentions.
— It wanted to use Garoth’s hands to eliminate the old Rampage Bear and replace it to become the bear pack leader.
After all, it hadn’t undergone dragon vein transformation.
For such vassals, their loyalty is tied to their interests.
Garoth didn’t mind this.
Sometimes, vassals with desires and selfishness are easier to control; those without any desires are more likely to betray. Moreover,
every intelligent creature has selfishness and pursues its own benefit.
Garoth could accept Mobel’s small ambition.
It was willing to follow him and hadn’t run away while he was gone before, believing that following Garoth meant a brighter future and broader prospects.
However,
appropriate discipline was necessary.
This Rampage Bear appeared honest and simple, with a kind bear face, but it was actually cunning and intelligent—much smarter than his dragon siblings.
“You are my first vassal. Once I subdue the bear pack, I will hand them all over to you for management.”
Garoth gave a half-smile, speaking words that made Mobel’s bear face glow with joy.
“Thank you for your trust, Dragon Lord. I will ensure their loyalty and not disappoint your expectations!”
The Rampage Bear’s eyes shone brightly as it pounded its chest with a thump-thump sound.
“But.”
Garoth suddenly changed tone, his gaze cold and voice low: “You can have the management rights, but you must bear the corresponding responsibilities.”
“If the bear pack shows any resistance or betrayal, I will break your bear legs first.”
Mobel’s bear ears twitched, and a flicker of fear flashed in his eyes.
“Uh… Great Dragon Lord, I suddenly don’t want to be the bear pack leader anymore. After you subdue them, I can coexist with them as equals.”
Mobel scratched his head and showed a bear face full of awkwardness.
“The bear pack still needs a leader. I have decided it’s you. This is not up for discussion.”
Garoth sealed the matter definitively.
Mobel’s face turned sour, conflicted between fear of punishment if he mismanaged and ambition to become the bear pack leader.
When he was caught secretly courting a female bear cub and beaten nearly to death by his father, thrown out like garbage, he swore to reclaim what he lost and dominate all the female bears.
Ten years east of the ridge, ten years west of the ridge, never underestimate a young bear in poverty!
Ambition ultimately overshadowed fear.
“Thank you for your trust. It will be my honor.”
Mobel bowed his head and spoke softly.
The sun slowly tilted west, sinking into the embrace of the distant mountains. Night replaced the dim sunset, spreading boundlessly to cover the sky.
In the thick darkness, the red iron young dragon stretched his wings among the high clouds and soared, the fierce wind brushing his massive, powerful wings that flapped with a sharp whoosh.
Not long after,
Garoth hovered over the mountain ridge, lowering his gaze to survey below.
The mountains were densely covered with coniferous forests, filled with many lush fir trees. The ridges were somewhat low, not towering.
This place was the bear pack’s habitat.
Garoth circled in the sky, his gaze sweeping inch by inch across the mountains and conifers, quickly spotting an unnatural clearing at the foot of the mountain, along with many dark, ominous caves—the bear pack’s den.
Although it was deep night, the bear pack was not resting in the den.
Bears resembling Mobel were in the clearing before the caves,
scratching themselves on rocks, napping on the ground, grinding their teeth with sharp stones... and four or five cubs chased and played with short legs.
Among these Rampage Bears,
one stood out as exceptionally tall and strong.
Its shoulder height exceeded ten meters, with thick bear arms, broad shoulders, and a stout waist, like a bear-shaped small mountain. Even sitting on the ground, it radiated a dangerous aura.
In size, this Rampage Bear surpassed Garoth by a large margin.
Its fur color was unlike ordinary Earth Rampage Bears; besides deep yellow like rock, it mixed in some dark red fur, flickering like flames when the wind blew.
This Rampage Bear seemed to possess fire attributes besides earth.
Its identity was obvious—it was the Rampage Bear leader.
Life Level Detection Technique!
A glimmer flashed in Garoth’s black dragon pupils as he focused on the bear leader.
Life Level: 10
At the same time, the level 10 bear leader seemed to sense something, suddenly lifting its head to look at the night sky. Its gaze pierced through the clouds, precisely locking onto Garoth.
Roar!
Standing up, its mighty body fluffed its fur to appear even more robust and let out a deep, thunderous roar.
It had discovered the red iron young dragon’s presence.
At the roar, the cubs seemed to receive a signal, running back to the den under the protection of their mothers.
The entire bear pack went on alert.
“The level 10 Rampage Bear leader’s perception is sharper than any monster I’ve met before.”
Garoth circled above, looking down at the bear pack, weighing his thoughts.
So far, the highest-level ferocious beasts and monsters Garoth had hunted were level 8.
Some were weak, unable to withstand even one strike from Garoth, while strong ones could tussle briefly, leaving him with minor wounds.
He had never encountered level 9 or 10 ferocious beasts.
Life level can’t fully measure combat power but is a very useful reference.
On average, each life level brings a significant leap. Low-level creatures aren’t necessarily weak, but high-level ones are definitely not easy to deal with—the higher the life level, the stronger the creature.
Level 10... this is the average standard of a 25-year-old adolescent red dragon.
Of course, a level 10 red dragon would be far stronger than an Earth Rampage Bear, but this level comparable to a teenage red dragon still proves the bear leader is a formidable monster.
Against a level 10 Rampage Bear leader, Garoth wasn’t completely confident.
If it came to a fight, he might win in the end.
But injury was unavoidable, and the wounds could be serious.
In fact, serious injuries can stimulate Garoth’s adaptive evolution, but the risks are high. He no longer had a backing or shelter, no retreat. If he encountered a strong enemy while injured, he would be in extreme danger.
The Ser Wilderness was full of dangers.
Powerful monster beasts were everywhere, along with the armies stationed by the Lothrian Federation countries.
Even unintelligent beasts knew to avoid injury while hunting.
Compared to temporary thrills and dangers, Garoth preferred steady development and growth, aiming to live longer. He was still young, just a seven-year-old young dragon, with good talent and a bright future. There was no need to rush.
“Now is not a good time. I can’t guarantee a sure win.”
“I’ll wait a little longer. I’m about to break through to level 8.”
Garoth didn’t linger.
With a sweep of his dragon wings, he soon vanished into the night.
Watching the dragon’s departing figure, the Rampage Bear leader withdrew its gaze.
Its bear face showed no trace of seriousness or tension. It didn’t return to the den but lay down directly in the clearing, dozing comfortably.
Judging from Garoth’s size, it was just a small young dragon.
It wasn’t afraid of a teenage dragon. A young dragon daring to cause trouble here was just asking for a bear paw. If the other party sought death, it wouldn’t mind tasting the saltiness of dragon meat.