novelraw Chapter 80: Fighting Above One's Level, But Downwards
Chapter 80: Fighting Above One's Level, But Downwards
The wilderness during the rainy season was saturated by continuous downpours. The once-distinct scents of prey had been scattered and mixed by the rains, becoming difficult to distinguish. Swollen streams erased tracks and traces, leaving pursuers directionless.
Prey carcasses rotted faster in the stifling heat and humidity, making preservation difficult even after successful hunts.
The gnolls of the Redeye Clan.
The lizardfolk of the Rending Claw Clan.
Both independently chose to take advantage of the lull in rainfall, crossing routes controlled by their respective clans to reach a certain stretch of the Serpentine Earth Rift, where they laid ambushes for plundering.
Based on their clans' past experiences.
They knew the rainy season in the Ser Wilderness wouldn't end so quickly. Above the drizzling rain curtains, dark clouds gathered, brewing more violent storms that could descend at any moment. Therefore, whatever they planned to do, it was best started during weaker rainfall.
Strangely enough.
The ogres of the Bonegnaw Clan remained holed up in their territory, not venturing out in large numbers.
Even with one less clan involved.The few caravans passing through the Serpentine Earth Rift were thoroughly exploited and plundered by the gnolls and lizardfolk long before reaching the sections controlled by the Howling Moon Clan. Only large caravans that neither the Redeye nor Rending Claw Clans dared touch made it through - caravans that the Howling Moon Clan similarly lacked the confidence to raid.
"The Redeye Clan and Rending Claw Clan."
"Gnolls and lizardfolk."
Garoth narrowed his eyes, pondering internally.
He hadn't personally investigated these two clans' situations, only gaining some understanding through the Howling Moon Clan.
Individual gnolls were weaker than Graymane werewolves, but the Redeye Clan's overall strength was comparable to the Howling Moon Clan.
Their leader was a warlord.
The Gnoll Warlord - in gnoll society, this wasn't just a position but an actual class.
The strongest and most vicious individuals among gnolls could become warlords through a ritual of consuming other gnolls' hearts. The failure mortality rate was high, but success granted numerous extraordinary abilities.
A Gnoll Warlord could strengthen nearby clanmates, making their attacks deal extra damage or granting movement advantages, filling them with fearless bravery. The warlord itself could also unleash power far exceeding normal gnolls.
Besides the Gnoll Warlord.
The Redeye Clan also had a priest.
Priests differed from shamans.
Shamans communicated with nature spirits, ancestral spirits, and the essences of beasts and plants through meditation and totems to gain supernatural powers. Priests served deities, offering sacrifices to receive corresponding blessings.
The gnoll priest worshipped the gnoll god [Yeenoghu].
This was both a deity and a demon lord.
Blessed by such a being, the gnoll priest lacked survival skills compared to shamans but mastered many brutal sacrificial rituals and divine magics.
It could be confirmed.
Both the Gnoll Warlord and priest were Level 7 lifeforms.
"The Rending Claw Clan and Bonegnaw Clan are larger with stronger forces."
"In that case, I'll start with the Redeye Clan."
Garoth thought to himself.
One should pick the soft persimmon first.
While the Redeye Clan's warlord and priest were formidable in the Howling Moon Clan's eyes, they meant little to Garoth. Though cautious, he clearly understood his own power level.
Against creatures like gnolls.
Even multiple foes of the same life level could hardly threaten a dragon's life.
The Rending Claw Clan and stronger Bonegnaw Clan contained higher-level individuals, but truthfully, with Garoth's current power, he could directly confront them if he wished.
But Garoth disliked that approach.
He enjoyed fighting above his level - just not upwards.
If conditions permitted.
Garoth preferred "over-leveling" against Level 6, 5, or 4 creatures.
He lacked the resolve to challenge stronger opponents, nor did he harbor grand ambitions. Perhaps later, but currently, he adhered to a survival-first principle, simply wanting to live long - and comfortably if possible.
Garoth told the werewolf shaman: "Continue having werewolves stake out ambushes along the Serpentine Earth Rift. Other clans won't threaten you much longer."
"How do you plan to proceed?"
The werewolf shaman asked.
Garoth grinned, baring sharp dragon teeth: "Starting with the Redeye Clan - they'll either perish or become your allies."
Hearing this, the shaman was visibly moved.
As a shaman constantly communicating with nature, he was perceptive. Through their interactions, he'd gradually realized that despite Garoth claiming not to be an evil dragon, he exuded a subtly dangerous aura.
Had they refused submission then.
The Howling Moon Clan likely faced destruction.
He thought, feeling fortunate without regretting their choice.
Garoth hadn't treated them cruelly. The only discomfort was his fondness for having werewolves gang up on him during training, exhausting them - though this also strengthened the pack.
Moreover, Garoth honed combat skills through hunting, never demanding food provisions. When hunting magical beasts, if sated with extra kills, he'd even reward his followers.
Creatures targeted by Garoth were delicacies for the Howling Moon Clan.
Garoth's protection was equally valuable.
His draconic aura deterred beasts that previously attacked the clan and reduced threats from other clans, letting werewolves focus elsewhere. Several female werewolves had recently conceived.
"The Howling Moon Clan stands ready!"
"At your command, we'll become your claws and fangs, your vanguard."
The shaman prostrated again, voice firm in loyalty.
Having received Garoth's protection and gifts, he was prepared to fight for him.
Yet Garoth dismissively shook his head.
"No need for you to fight."
After a pause, he added: "Have the young adults rest well with the best provisions. I want their claws sharper - sharp enough to wound me, to draw my blood."
The old shaman fell silent, speechless.
Were the clan's records about dragons inaccurate?
He wondered.
Had they known dragons were like Garoth, they'd have submitted immediately upon meeting him without needing choices presented!
The wilderness terrain was challenging.
Combined with rainy season overgrowth and muddy expanses, movement was difficult.
Finding the werewolves' ground speed inadequate for pressuring the Redeye Clan - they'd take forever to arrive - Garoth decided to handle it alone.
His purpose in gathering followers wasn't primarily for combat support anyway.
Flapping his wings, Garoth ascended into the drizzling rain, vanishing swiftly into thick storm clouds.
Meanwhile, as he headed toward the Redeye gnolls.
West of the Ser Wilderness, near the Boiling Sea, a giant clan of over a dozen stone giants reluctantly packed their belongings, preparing to migrate north.
"Elder, will we return?"
A young stone giant asked gruffly, gazing back at the turbulent Boiling Sea from high ground.
"When our strength suffices to slay those blue dragons, we'll return to reclaim our territory."
The towering stone giant elder rumbled, voice like grinding boulders - rough and deep.
At Cliff Strait, their clan had fought a blue dragon clan for territory over several years.
As time passed, the stone giants found themselves outmatched. From over thirty members, only eleven remained, mostly juveniles.
Continuing meant risking annihilation.
Reluctantly.
The stone giants abandoned their homeland to migrate north, temporarily avoiding the blue dragon clan's dominance.