FreeBooksOnline Chapter 398 - 350: Ritual of Power and the Giant Market
Chapter 398 - 350: Ritual of Power and the Giant Market
Kado remained perfectly still, while the charging Ug was sent stumbling back half a step by the recoil.
A thunderous roar erupted from the surrounding Giant Tribe. They never imagined this outsider, one of the "Wandering Brothers," possessed such terrifying Power, enough to withstand a head-on charge from Ug, their tribe’s strongest Warrior.
Ug shook his slightly numb arms, the fighting spirit in his eyes burning even brighter.
He stopped charging in a straight line and began circling Kado, searching for an opening.
His movements seemed cumbersome, yet they held a unique rhythm.
Kado’s expression was calm. His Domain Level perception allowed him to clearly register Ug’s every subtle movement.
He didn’t attack, choosing instead to wait for his opponent to make a move.
Finally, Ug saw his chance.
Roaring, he closed the distance. His arms shot out like iron pincers, aiming to lock around Kado’s waist and hoist him into the air.
This was the most common move in Hill Giant wrestling. Once caught in the hold, the next step was an earth-shattering shoulder throw.
Yet, in the instant before Ug’s arms could lock together, Kado moved.
His movements were faster. Though he reacted second, he struck first. One hand landed precisely on Ug’s shoulder, while the other seized his wrist.
An irresistible Giant Strength surged forth. Ug felt his attack shatter as if it had crashed into an unmovable mountain.
Kado shifted his body slightly to the side and executed a skillful trip.
Kado had awakened the Gravity Domain, and his control over Power far surpassed that of an ordinary Giant. Moreover, he was a quick study. After joining the Black Stone Territory, he had learned not only Continuous Arrow from Ed, but also human Knight Combat Skills.
While he hadn’t yet mastered the Knight Combat Skills, he had learned how to use Skillful Strength—applying minimal force for maximum effect.
BOOM!
Ug’s massive body lost its balance. He carved an arc through the air before crashing heavily to the ground.
The ground trembled violently, sending dust billowing into the air.
The din of the entire tribe ceased in that instant. Every Giant stared wide-eyed, unable to believe what they had just seen.
The entire fight had lasted only a few minutes. One of their tribe’s strongest Warriors had been defeated so cleanly and decisively.
Kado didn’t press his advantage. He simply released his grip, stepped back, and pounded his chest in a gesture toward Ug on the ground.
Ug shook his head and clambered to his feet.
There was no trace of anger or humiliation on his face—only admiration and excitement.
He walked up to Kado, pounded his own chest forcefully, then broke into a wide grin and pulled Kado into a powerful hug.
"You’re strong! Brother Kado!"
At this, the surrounding Giants finally snapped out of their stupor, erupting into cheers more fervent than ever before.
They revered strength, and Kado had earned their respect in the most direct way possible.
Wuba came forward, laughing heartily as he clapped Kado hard on the back.
"Well done! Brother Kado, you are a true Warrior! Welcome to our feast tonight!"
As night fell, a massive bonfire was lit in the center of the tribe’s camp.
Several giant-horned sheep, each the size of a wild buffalo, were spitted over the flames. They sizzled as they roasted, dripping golden fat that crackled in the fire, and a rich, meaty aroma filled the air.
The Giants sat around the bonfire, tearing into huge chunks of meat and gulping down great bowls of liquor.
The "bowls" they drank from were hollowed-out giant gourds filled with a pungent, fiery spirit.
Raylo and Kado sat beside Wuba, enjoying the best of the feast.
A huge leg of mutton, roasted until it was crisp on the outside and tender within, was placed before Raylo. The cut of meat was larger than his own body.
He followed the other Giants’ lead, tearing off a large piece of meat and stuffing it into his mouth.
The taste was surprisingly good. The meat was firm and had been seasoned with salt, carrying a unique, spiced flavor.
’Clearly, it was only Kado’s small group that was destitute,’ Raylo thought. ’His fellow Giants seem to be living much more comfortably.’
Ug sat next to Raylo. He now idolized Kado, and by extension, was incredibly enthusiastic toward Raylo, Kado’s "older brother."
He was animatedly discussing wrestling techniques with Kado, still in disbelief over the shoulder throw.
"Brother Carlo, where did you two wander from?" Ug asked, his words muffled by a mouthful of mutton.
"A place very far away," Raylo replied in a deep voice.
"My brother and I... our tribe was destroyed by Magical Beasts. We’ve been wandering ever since, searching for a new home."
It was a plausible story. It wasn’t uncommon for a Giant Tribe to be wiped out by a Magical Beast horde.
A look of sympathy crossed Ug’s face.
"Aye, life on the outside is hard. Our tribe migrated out of the valley, too."
Raylo’s heart skipped a beat. ’This is my chance.’
He asked with feigned curiosity, "The valley? Is there an even bigger one around here?"
"Of course!"
Ug’s interest was immediately piqued. He pointed with a greasy finger toward the endless, massive mountain range behind their camp.
"In there... that’s the home of all Hill Giants! We call it the Ancestor Valley!"
"Ancestor Valley?"
"Yeah!"
Ug lowered his voice, his tone a mixture of pride and reverence.
"Our ancestors say we Hill Giants were born in that valley. There’s a huge Giant City-State deep inside, and all our tribes branched off from there. Our tribe is one of them."
"Then why don’t you stay in the City-State? It must be safer there, right?" Raylo guided the conversation without seeming to.
Ug sighed and took a long swig of the fiery spirit.
"The City-State is great, but it’s only so big. There are only so many Magical Beasts to hunt, so there’s a limit to how many people it can support. We branch tribes exist to relieve that pressure, to come out to the periphery and make a living. There are more than a dozen settlements like ours on the outskirts of the valley!"
A glint appeared in Raylo’s eyes.
’A dozen or so outer tribes and one core City-State... if that force could be united, it would be a power to be reckoned with.’
"So, do you still have contact with the City-State?"
"Of course!" Ug grinned.
"Every three months, the City-State holds a Giant Market. We all go back to trade the prey we’ve hunted and ore we’ve mined for Weapons, salt, and good liquor!"
Raylo’s heart began to beat a little faster. This was exactly the information he had been hoping for.
’The Giant Market.’
’It’s a legitimate opportunity for Kado and me to enter the Giant City-State.’
"That sounds incredible," Raylo said with genuine admiration.
"My brother and I have been wandering for so long, we’ve never even seen what a Giant’s City-State looks like."
Ug, who seemed to have had a bit too much to drink, slapped his thigh and declared magnanimously.
"That’s nothing! As it happens, in two days, it’s our tribe’s turn to go to the market! I’ll take you two with me, show you the sights!"
A surge of delight went through Raylo. He glanced over at Kado, who was currently arm-wrestling another Giant, then nodded to Ug.
"Then we’re in your debt, Brother Ug."
"Don’t mention it!" Ug laughed heartily.
"We’re friends now!"
Raylo’s gaze shifted to the dark, distant silhouette of the mountains.
’Ancestor Valley, the Giant City-State, and the Catastrophe Level Great Elder Ug mentioned... the one who rules everything and is said to have lived for over a thousand years...’
’Things are getting more and more interesting.’
He raised the giant gourd and, mimicking Ug, downed the fiery spirit in one gulp.
A burning sensation seared its way from his throat down to his stomach.
「The next day.」
The Giant Tribe awoke in the thin morning mist.
The air still carried the lingering aroma of roasted meat and strong spirits, mingled with the fresh scent of the wilderness.
"Brother Carlo! Wake up! We’re going hunting!"
Ug’s booming voice, like a clap of thunder, jolted Raylo from his sleep.
He opened his eyes to see Ug’s massive, enthusiastic face blocking the entrance to their large tent, the morning light streaming in from behind his broad shoulders.