Ashen Dragon

"Damn it, I'm going to burn this thing to ashes!"

"Boom!"

"Rat-a-tat-tat-tat—"

In an instant, artillery roared, bullets, grenades, and shells poured onto the Orc relentlessly, as if without end. The successive explosions flattened the ground it stood on by several feet.

Imperial soldiers even grabbed flamethrowers, spewing scorching fire dragons at the Orc. Flames rampaged, gasoline spilled over, burning its flesh into charred remains.

Yet, Giant Mountain's regenerative abilities were terrifying beyond belief.

It had tens of thousands of Orc corpses as "materials," coupled with the powerful Beastman Force Field. On this chaotic battlefield, it was nearly undying and indestructible.

Under the entanglement of spores and mycelium, Giant Mountain had grown over six meters tall. Its muscles were well-defined, veins intertwined like the roots of ancient trees, and metallic gleams flickered at its claws and fangs.

Nurtured by the corpses of tens of thousands of Orcs and tempered by Imperial artillery, this Orc had transformed into a savage, formidable War Machine.

"Waaaagh!"

Another thunderous roar erupted, and the powerful Beastman Force Field spread outward.

Instantly, bullets and shells flying toward it went limp, as if a pause button had been pressed, dropping to the ground in mid-flight with crisp clattering sounds.

"Hahaha! Imperial people! You can't kill me, and now I'm going to crush you all!"

George shouted while firing, "Release the maximum current! Make sure to immobilize it!"

The nets wrapped around the Orc instantly sparked with dazzling electric light, producing "zzzzzap" sounds as arcs of electricity danced across its body, leaving blackened scars on its skin once again.

Immediately after, a dozen metal balls flew out from the trenches, unfolding midair into dense nets that entangled the Orc, weaving into an impenetrable trap.

After years of combat, Imperial officers and soldiers had developed a complete set of tactics for dealing with large monsters, now applied to Giant Mountain.

Giant Mountain grinned wide, exposing its thick tusks in a savage smile, "Imperial people, you think this trash can trap me?"

The Orc struggled violently, muscles swelling on its arms, veins bulging, unleashing unimaginable power. It grabbed the tangled nets and tore them apart.

"Rippp—"

With a sound like fabric tearing, the webs made of spider silk were forcibly ripped apart by the Orc!

Then, Giant Mountain swung its Warhammer, from which a massive semi-circular steel blade popped out, cleanly slicing through the nets encircling it.

Giant Mountain glanced at George in the distance, tilting its newly regenerated head with a playful gaze and an unmistakable rage in its tone: So it was you... who tried to kill me?

The overwhelming Beastman Force Field pressed down.

Sweat beaded on George's forehead, his heart pounding nervously, his breathing quickened, and his hands trembling slightly as he gripped his blade and firearm.

But George knew that at times like these, he could not show fear or retreat!

If he backed down, his honor, his status, his strength—all that he had painstakingly achieved—would be shattered in an instant.

George was the backbone of this army; if he showed even a hint of fear, it would spread rapidly to the soldiers' hearts, ultimately causing the entire army to crumble!

With this realization, George stared fearlessly at the Orc from above, raised his handgun, and aimed at its skull. "It was my order.

Orcs, you are pests threatening the Empire, and His Majesty Cassius personally commanded that you be eradicated—down to the last one!"

"Bang!"

The trigger was pulled, and a Blast Bullet shot out from the chamber, striking the Orc's skull.

But Giant Mountain's reactions were far faster than George imagined. It positioned its Warhammer in front, blocking the bullet, which exploded midair.

The Orc raised its Warhammer high, leaping fiercely while laughing, "Lucky for me, that's exactly what I wanted! All you Imperial people—will die!"

Such speed!

Watching the Orc leap seven to eight meters high in an instant, George's heart skipped a beat.

This monster was far more agile than it appeared. Its actions were as nimble as those of a highly-skilled human warrior, rather than a six-meter-tall behemoth.

Yet George, his muscles taut and Dragon Blood flowing swiftly within him, had long been prepared. With a decisive backward leap, he fired midair, aiming at the Orc descending with a Jump Slash.

"Boom—"

Giant Mountain landed with a thunderous crash, its Warhammer smashing a massive crater into the ground. The earth shook, sending up fragments of stone and sand.

But George had already evaded the blow, firing another Blast Bullet through the smoke.

"Bang!"

However, on the battlefield, the Orc's instincts were incredibly sharp. With a slight tilt of its head, it avoided the bullet aimed at its brow.

"Boom!"

"Boom! Boom!"

The Orc swung its weapon with immense force, its Warhammer raining down like a storm, leaving crater after crater in the ground, while George narrowly dodged each strike.

"This creature... it's like an untiring beast..." George discarded his handgun after firing three rounds, wielding his Longsword with both hands to deflect and evade the Orc's attacks.

Even if lightly grazed, George felt the force vibrating through his hands, making his grip on the sword falter.

"Lord George, I'll help you!" Several Ogres charged forward aggressively, carrying Giant Shields and wielding massive Battle Axes.

"Hahaha, it's you lot again!"

But Giant Mountain merely let out a maniacal laugh, leaping high once more and coming down with unstoppable momentum and terrifying kinetic energy.

"Boom!"

The Giant Shields shattered, pieces flying everywhere, while the Ogres behind them were crushed into the ground, reduced to mangled corpses.

Giant Mountain continued to swing its Warhammer, relentlessly pursuing George—its primary target for extermination.

As it wielded the Warhammer, it shouted, "Weaklings! Such weaklings! Imperial people are nothing but this! You can't entertain me! Bring your Emperor—that big lizard—and let me play with him!"

"Shut up!"

George longed to ascend to greater heights, but for the Emperor who surveyed all life from atop the clouds, he had always harbored deep reverence and worship.

This was the Emperor who had granted him a second chance at life, transforming him from a lowly serf into an exalted noble and Savior. How could he allow this Orc to blaspheme?

Upon hearing this, George's golden eyes burned with uncontrollable rage, his Dragon Blood boiling, and an overwhelming Dragon's Roar surged from his throat.

"Roar—"

"You damned green-skinned bastard, how dare you insult His Majesty! You're going to die!"

Yet, driven by fury, George stood still in his rage, failing to gain enough distance for safety. The Orc could easily rush forward and crush him.

Giant Mountain's eyes lit up, excitedly shouting, "Hahaha, I can tell—you've lost your cool! That's how you lose your life!"

"Whoosh—"

The Warhammer tore through the air, and flames inexplicably erupted from pipes behind its steel head, carrying devastating momentum as it hurtled toward the Imperial officer.

Giant Mountain was brimming with exhilaration, trembling with excitement. Soon, it would see that arrogant Imperial man smashed into paste, and those soldiers scattering like frightened sheep.

Then, it would snatch the officer's medals from his chest. That shiny golden trinket was rather pretty, Giant Mountain thought gleefully.

"Is it going to end like this...?" George murmured to himself, gazing at the Warhammer cutting through the air toward him.

Suddenly, he felt a peculiar surge of strength welling from within. His Dragon Blood coursed rapidly through his veins, his heart pumping it to every corner of his body—it was a familiar sensation.

"Whoosh—"

The bulges on his back burst open, two Dragon Wings unfurling as he ascended into the air!