Titan King: Ascension of the Giant

With a sharp whoosh!

The black dagger sliced into the slime mold brood mother, but at that very moment, the brood mother burrowed into the main nest.

Blood sprayed everywhere, only to vanish in the blink of an eye.

A loud clang rang out as the black dagger struck the main nest—its surface like a massive eggshell—producing a piercing, metallic screech.

The dagger ricocheted, transforming into a streak of dark light that cut down one of the brood mother's nearby guards in an instant.

Finally, the black dagger faded into the void, disappearing without a trace.

Atop the walls of Bone City,

Alexander's figure was shrouded in a veil of shadow, his form indistinct.

It was an odd sensation—though it was daytime with two suns blazing in the sky, the spot where Alexander stood remained cloaked in darkness, a gloom that even sunlight couldn't pierce.

"What a pity. She didn't die—just took a heavy blow from me!"

"Kind of a shame, really."

Arthas let out a sigh. After finally seizing a rare opportunity, the slime mold brood mother had slipped away yet again.

"But you can rest easier now. My attack carried a potent poison and curse—toxins even a demigod might struggle to purge."

"She's badly wounded. The situation here should turn in your favor soon."

"After this, she'll likely stay holed up in the main nest, too afraid to come out."

"There's no chance to kill her now!"

Alexander was right. Shaken by this encounter, the slime mold brood mother would surely hunker down in the main nest to recover, refusing to emerge no matter what.

"I'm heading back. Word of my departure and this brood mother's injury has probably already reached the other main nest regions."

"Alright, let me know if anything comes up!"

With a ripple of spatial energy, Alexander teleported back to the area he was tasked with defending.

---

In Blackstone City, inside the Horde Hall,

Lilith, Rendall, and Lorelia gathered together, their expressions grim as they faced a sky darkening far too early.

"We've barely had two years of peace, and now the dark beast tides are looming again!"

Rendall let out a wistful sigh. Since the North-South War began, the Black Forest had enjoyed nearly three years free of dark creature disturbances.

In that time, Blackstone City's influence had spread north and south, with roads and wilderness fortresses built to bolster its reach.

The Stoneheart Horde's northern foothold had been developing steadily, step by step.

But the arrival of the dark beast tides would disrupt that rhythm, halting many well-laid plans.

"The supplies and troops sent to Lysinthia City should arrive within the next few days."

"With Clawpincher and Twilight Viper assisting, holding Lysinthia shouldn't be an issue."

"What worries me is Thunderwood Forest. Slagor's there alone—he might not be able to handle it all."

Lilith's right hand rested on her belly as her gaze drifted southward.

"How about I send Rockwell to Thunderwood Forest?"

"With Thunderhawk Rayden's help, he'd make it in time."

Lilith nodded, approving Rendall's suggestion.

"But if Rockwell leaves, who'll help me guard the underground fissure?"

Lorelia spoke up, her tone serious. She held the task Orion had given her in high regard.

In battle, Lorelia might hesitate or retreat, but if fleeing meant failing Orion's orders, she'd carry them out without a second thought.

"I'll take over!"

"Until the dark beast tides recede, I'll handle both the Underground Fissure and Blackstone City. I'll just have to move fast." Rendall said.

Rendall and Lorelia laid out their ideas, but in the end, they deferred to Lilith's judgment.

"Let's follow Arch Elder's advice. Have Thunderhawk patrol more frequently to keep things running smoothly."

"Slagor in Thunderwood Forest is great at strategy and command, but he needs a partner for frontline combat."

"Rockwell heading to Thunderwood Forest to help him hold Thunderpeak Mountain is the perfect fit."

Rendall nodded in agreement.

"No time to waste—I'll go inform Rockwell now!"

Lilith gave her approval, and Rendall hurried off toward the underground fissure.

"Mistress, I'll head back to the fissure too!"

"Go ahead!"

Watching Lorelia depart, Lilith's gaze drifted to the increasingly bustling Blackstone City, her thoughts wandering.

In truth, with Blackstone City's current defenses, no Alpha-level dark creatures could breach it unless a Legendary-tier powerhouse attacked directly.

Orion had turned Blackstone City into a military stronghold in the north, its walls bristling with ever-denser arrow towers as proof.

Beyond Lilith, Rendall, and Lorelia—three Alpha-level figures—a statue of the Slaughter Tyrant stood in the inner city square.

Empowered by faith energy, the Slaughter Tyrant statue was among the strongest Alpha-level entities.

This was why Lilith had chosen to return to Blackstone City to nurture her pregnancy—its defenses far outstripped those of Stoneheart City.

"Dear Orion, when will you come back?"

"Did you know? Your baby is growing inside me."

"…"

---

At the frontline of Valkorath Realm,

After escaping an ambush, Orion faced no further Legendary-tier threats in the subsequent defensive battles.

He smoothly handed over duties to Arthas's subordinates and led his own forces back to Cryptopolis City.

Compared to last time, this post-battle debriefing and loot distribution were quicker and more straightforward.

Gustalon and Onyx, under the envious gazes of many, gleefully accepted their spoils and temporary authority, their faces beaming with delight.

Once they absorbed these gains, Gustalon and Onyx would undoubtedly grow stronger, maintaining their edge over the others.

After the group left the palace, Orion lingered, mulling over the horde's next steps before immersing his mind in the Survivor's Platform, joining the Champions Alliance public channel.

Leonidas: "Alexander, I just heard your presence vanished from the western region. Did something happen?"

Edward: "He and Arthas were gearing up to assassinate a broodmother."

Leonidas: "Assassinate a broodmother? Now? Did you find an opening?"

Leonidas: "What's the outcome? Did it work? Someone fill me in!"

No one answered Leonidas except Deputy Commander Edward.

It wasn't until the assassination concluded that Leonidas got his update.

Alexander: "Close, but no dice!"

Leonidas: "What do you mean 'close'?!"

Leonidas: "Wounded? Failed? Or just a waste of time?"

Arthas: "The broodmother on my end took a serious hit. For now, I'll assess things and support your three regions as needed."

Edward: "Not bad. That eases the pressure a bit!"

Leonidas: "Impressive—actually wounding a brood mother! Arthas, how'd you pull it off?"

Arthas: "The slime mold brood mother sent out a Vine Splitter and three parasitic creatures to take down Hulk, planning to swoop in and convert him quietly. Her scheme flopped, and we seized the moment."

Leonidas: "Holy crap, a Vine Splitter and three parasitic creatures? Is Hulk dead?"

Arthas: "Nope. He took out the Vine Splitter!"