Titan King: Ascension of the Giant

Time always seems to accelerate during peaceful days.

One morning, as Orion crawled out of his warm bedding and stepped outside his tent, he was greeted by the sight of snowflakes drifting down from the sky. Winter had arrived.

"Chieftain! You're awake?"

Orion responded with a soft hum to the guard who greeted him.

Two Frost Wolves, now noticeably larger than before, approached Orion, lowering their heads for him to pet and rub.

"They're almost fully grown, aren't they?"

Orion pulled out two Pet Pills and fed them to the Frost Wolves, casually asking the question.

"Not yet, chieftain. Prophet Onyx said they'll need another two years to fully mature."

"Their bloodline is stronger than their parents', so they'll likely grow even larger."

Hearing this, Orion's eyes lit up slightly, and he offered a few words of advice to the guards, Beyn and Torba.

"Don't neglect your own training. When the dark beast tides arrive, make sure you contribute to the horde by slaying as many enemies as possible."

"Don't let Rolan surpass you!"

Beyn and Torba quickly straightened up and replied in unison, "Understood!"

Orion didn't linger with his guards. Instead, he walked over to Rolan, who was standing still in the snow, his shoulders already covered in a thick layer of it.

"Rolan, how much longer until your stance training is finished?"

"Reporting to mentor, just one more quarter of an hour!"

Orion nodded, saying nothing more. He stood beside Rolan in the falling snow, waiting for the youngling to complete his training.

A short while later, Rolan's small body shifted, shaking off the snow that had accumulated on him.

"Watch closely. Today, I'll teach you a move: Dragon Strike!"

The Dragon Strike was, in essence, a basic thrusting technique suitable for tridents and spears.

Of course, as a chieftain and mentor, Orion couldn't teach his disciple a technique without giving it a grandiose name. Thus, the exaggeratedly named Dragon Strike was born.

"Rolan, remember, this move requires you to focus on the power of your waist…"

"After your stance training, practice this move 1000 times daily. No shortcuts!"

---

After finishing Rolan's lesson, Orion returned to the chieftain's tent, where the council elders had already gathered for the meeting.

As he took his seat at the head of the table, Orion gestured for Beyn to pull back the tent's flap.

Orion remained silent, allowing the cold air from outside to fill the tent.

"It's snowing outside, and the cold wind has blown in. Elders, winter has arrived once again."

"The arrival of winter means that perhaps tomorrow, or the day after, we may no longer see the sunrise."

"The polar night is approaching, and with it, the dark beast tides will stir once more. We must remain vigilant!"

This was Orion's annual pre-council speech, a tradition meant to remind the elders of the impending arrival of the mysterious dark creatures.

As Orion finished speaking, the council members began murmuring among themselves.

Orion didn't interrupt, letting them exchange ideas and discuss freely.

---

"Finally, the dark beast tides are here. This year, I'm determined to level up!"

"Ha! You've been saying that for years. When was the last time you actually leveled up?"

"Exactly, Elder Volthun. You didn't level up last year, and I doubt you'll manage it this year either. Heh heh heh…"

"I think Elder Earthshaker has the drive to level up easily this year!"

"And Elder Rockwell too!"

"Elder Dirtclaw, how did your gnoll clan survive the dark beast tides in Thunderwood Forest?"

"…"

The council meeting grew increasingly lively as the elders' discussions became more animated.

This was exactly what Orion wanted to see—council members engaging in open dialogue to better understand each other's perspectives and brainstorm ideas.

Of course, such discussions needed to be kept in check. When the time came, Orion would step in to restore order.

Catching Orion's glance, Rendall stroked his beard and let out a booming shout, silencing the room.

"All right, discussion time is over!"

"You've all had your say. The chieftain has something to address!"

---

Orion smiled as he scanned the room, his gaze commanding silence.

As the tent grew quiet, the sound of breathing became audible.

"I'm curious as well—how do the southern tribes defend against the dark beast tides?"

"Dirtclaw, share your experience with everyone."

The gnoll elder, Dirtclaw, stepped forward, licking Orion's boot before turning to address the other elders.

"Honorable Master, I've never experienced the dark beast tides of the Black Forest, so I dare not speak on them."

"But in Thunderwood Forest, our gnoll clan survived by seeking refuge in Thunderhawk City every year."

Dirtclaw explained that the gnolls avoided the dark creatures by taking shelter under the protection of Thunderhawk City.

However, this protection came at a steep price. Each year, the gnolls had to offer countless magical plants and other resources as tribute.

"In Thunderwood Forest, no tribe dares face the dark creatures without the protection of an Alpha-level powerhouse."

"Even so, under Reynard's protection, our gnoll clan still lost half of our bloodline warriors every year."

As he spoke, Dirtclaw's expression darkened, clearly recalling painful memories.

"The satyrs had it even worse. They were like Reynard's livestock."

"Whenever Thunderhawk City was besieged by multiple Alpha-level dark creatures, Reynard would offer up the satyrs as sacrifices, letting the dark creatures feast on them to ease the siege."

Dirtclaw's tone was tinged with sorrow as he recounted these events.

For tribes like his, survival during the dark beast tides was nearly impossible without protection.

As a result, they had no choice but to comply with whatever demands the Alpha-level powerhouses made.

---

"Honorable Master, I once heard Reynard describe the dark beast tides of Thunderwood Forest."

"The strength of the dark beast tides increases with the number of living beings in an area."

"The more concentrated the life force and blood aura, the more dark creatures it attracts."

"And it's more likely to draw Alpha-level dark creatures as well!"

Dirtclaw's words caused an immediate uproar among the council members.

However, to Orion and the four senior elders, this revelation was unsurprising.

Orion and Prophet Onyx had discussed this possibility in depth and had reached similar conclusions.

But Dirtclaw's next statement left even Orion unsettled.

"Honorable Chieftain, I also heard that Thunderpeak Mountain in Thunderwood Forest once attracted a Legendary-level dark creature during the dark beast tides."

"This is just a rumor, though. I don't know if it's true."

---

The tent fell into a heavy silence.

The mention of a Legendary-level dark creature appearing in Thunderwood Forest was nothing short of astonishing.

Orion couldn't help but wonder how Lord Ariel had managed to deal with such a terrifying entity. His curiosity burned, but he kept his composure.

Exchanging glances with the four senior elders, Orion saw the same shock reflected in their eyes.

"Ahem!"

Orion cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the council members and signaling for Dirtclaw to return to his seat.

He couldn't allow fear to spread among the council, so he quickly addressed the room.

"Legendary-level dark creatures are nothing more than rumors. The Black Forest hasn't seen one in nearly a thousand years!"

Orion's words snapped the council members out of their growing panic. Hope began to return to their eyes.

"However," Orion continued, "our Black Forest horde has grown by tens of thousands of members this year."

"If my predictions are correct, this dark beast tide will undoubtedly bring Alpha-level dark creatures to our doorstep."

As the council members relaxed, Orion immediately pushed them back into focus.

"Therefore, elders, from this moment on, we must remain on high alert!"

"I hereby declare that from today onward, the Stoneheart Horde's bonfires will never go out, and the watchposts will never be unmanned."

"Every member of the horde, except for the younglings, will be mobilized. They will help stoke the fires, cook meat, and clear snow."

"And, of course, every clan member will receive their fair share of winter provisions. No one will be left out!"

Orion's gaze swept across the room, his expression stern and his eyes cold.

"Elders, let me make this clear: if anyone falters during this critical time, I will personally deal with them!"

The council members rose to their feet, shouting in unison:

"For the Stoneheart Horde, we will fight to the death without hesitation!"

"For the Stoneheart Horde, we will fight to the death without hesitation!"

"…"

The council meeting lasted a long time. Most of the discussions were led by Thundar, the Elder of Combat, and Delilah, the Stewardship Elder.

They covered everything from night watch rotations and combat squads to wall defense assignments and logistical support. Only after these matters were thoroughly discussed did the meeting conclude in a heavy but determined atmosphere.

When only Orion and the four senior elders—Onyx, Rendall, Delilah, and Thundar—remained in the tent, Orion's expression turned serious.

"The walls around the underground fissure are now complete. During the dark beast tides, we must station an Alpha-level powerhouse there at all times."

"We need to defend not only against the dark creatures outside the walls but also against any monsters that might emerge from the bottomless abyss."

The elders nodded in agreement, fully supporting Orion's decision.

"Additionally, the southern gate of Blackstone City must also have an Alpha-level powerhouse stationed at all times."

"In other words, we need to ensure that both the underground fissure and the southern gate are always guarded by Alpha-level warriors."

"Onyx, Rendall, Delilah, Lilith, and I will need to establish a rotation schedule starting today."

Orion's tone was heavy. He was grateful that the recent Myriad Races Invasion had allowed both Delilah and Lilith to ascend to Alpha-level. Without them, the horde would have been severely understaffed.
Find adventures on empire

---

"Chieftain, I have a suggestion," Prophet Onyx said, his voice calm but firm. "I don't think you should be part of the rotation."

"With your strength and the mobility provided by Thunderhawk Rayden, I believe you should remain stationed in Moonshadow Valley, ready to provide rapid support wherever it's needed."

Orion narrowed his eyes slightly, considering Onyx's suggestion. It made sense.

"Chieftain, I agree with Prophet Onyx," Delilah added.

"Under normal circumstances, the rotation schedule will allow us to handle a single Alpha-level dark creature at any given location."

"But what if multiple Alpha-level dark creatures appear simultaneously?"

"In that case, we'll need you to provide immediate support."

Delilah's reasoning was sound, and Orion nodded in agreement.

"Very well. I'll remain in Moonshadow Valley, ready to respond to any emergencies."

Orion wasn't a dictator. When a suggestion made sense, he was more than willing to listen.

"However, this means we'll need to adjust the rotation schedule."

"Onyx and Rendall, you two will alternate shifts at the underground fissure. I'll instruct the Spider Queen to assist you."

Orion looked at Prophet Onyx and Rendall, waiting for their nods of agreement before turning to Delilah.

"Delilah and Lilith, you two will alternate shifts at the southern gate."

"I'll also release the abyssal dragon to make its home outside the southern gate. With its presence, Delilah can also oversee the horde's logistical operations."

Delilah thought for a moment and, finding no flaws in the plan, nodded her agreement.

Orion's assignments were carefully considered. Onyx and Rendall were both tanky Alpha-level warriors, capable of engaging dark creatures head-on.

Delilah and Lilith, on the other hand, were more fragile and leaned toward support roles. Pairing them with the abyssal dragon would allow them to maximize their abilities.

---

Finally, Orion turned to Thundar, who had remained silent throughout the discussion.

"Thundar, as I've said before, I'll decide between you and Lorelia based on the situation."

"For the sake of the horde, you need to be prepared."

Thundar stood and looked deeply at Orion and the other senior elders.

"Chieftain, I am neither stubborn nor foolish. I will accept any arrangement you make and will do my utmost to protect the Stoneheart Horde."

"As for Alpha-level resources, I understand that the Spider Queen's advancement is more critical than my own."

Thundar's voice was steady and resolute, his words clearly the result of careful thought.

"I propose that the horde's dark source crystals be prioritized for the Spider Queen."

"Chieftain, this is my heartfelt suggestion."

Under the watchful eyes of Orion, Onyx, Rendall, and Delilah, Thundar continued.

"When I heard that you were considering joining the rotation schedule, I felt deeply ashamed."

"I've failed to ease the burden on you and the other elders. I am unworthy of my position as Elder of Combat."

At this point, Thundar lowered his head.

To be honest, sitting alongside Orion, Onyx, Rendall, and Delilah as the only non-Alpha-level elder, Thundar felt immense pressure.

This pressure didn't just come from within—it also came from the whispers of the horde's members.

Since Lilith's recent ascension to Alpha-level, the murmurs had grown louder. Many questioned whether Thundar still deserved his position as Elder of Combat.

Orion understood the weight Thundar carried.

The fact that Thundar could voice such thoughts today showed that he had a clear and honest heart.

But Orion also knew the power of rumors. Words could kill as surely as blades.