Chapter 174: Baya's Retreat
"Slaughter these little creatures and avenge our kin!"
Seeing the hobgoblins reload their rifles, Baya reacted swiftly, swinging his dragonbone pickaxe as he prepared to charge the infantry's line.
Inspired by their leader's ferocity, the frost giants followed suit, raising their weapons as they charged forward with unrelenting momentum.
However, the hobgoblins in the front line rotated to the back while those behind moved forward, seamlessly executing another volley.
This was the staggered volley firing tactic designed by Iron Frenzy for the hobgoblin infantry. With increased firearm efficiency, three ranks of soldiers could maintain a continuous stream of firepower.
At the same time, several chimeras swooped overhead, spewing streams of fire along the frost giants' charge paths, providing cover for the infantry.
The frost giants, unable to close the distance, were forced to endure the relentless assault.
"Ready, fire!"
*"Bang!"*
Another thunderous volley resounded, and several frost giants fell once more.
Baya, protected by his dragon-scale armor, suffered only minor injuries, with a few stray bullets lodged in his arms.
Surveying the battlefield, Baya noticed that many of his bravest warriors had already fallen, while the remaining frost giants hesitated, wary of advancing further.
"Damn it…"
Veins bulged on Baya's scarred forehead as he glared with bloodshot eyes, consumed by fury.
"How dare you challenge the mighty frost giants! I will smear your blood across my body!"
A veteran of dragon hunts, Baya lived up to his reputation.
With a deafening roar, he charged forward, relying on his dragon-scale armor. Wielding a shield in one hand and his dragonbone pickaxe in the other, he stormed through the hail of bullets, tearing into the hobgoblin ranks.
His pickaxe pierced through hobgoblin soldiers with ease, staining its pale surface with blood.
Baya rampaged through the formation like an unstoppable force, killing dozens of hobgoblins within moments of close combat.
"Foolish giant! How dare you provoke the Ember Kingdom!"
Droll, on his plains drake mount, shouted as he charged toward Baya. The enraged frost giant was caught off guard and knocked to the ground.
Yet Baya's combat prowess was undeniable. Rolling to absorb the impact, he quickly positioned himself beneath the drake, slicing open its belly with his pickaxe.
*"Slash!"*
The drake's thick hide was torn apart, spilling fatty tissue and viscera onto the ground in a gruesome mess.
*"Roar—"*
The beast let out a final cry before collapsing sideways, causing the ground to tremble. Droll fell with it, crashing to the ground.
"Chimera! Save me!"
Seeing the frost giant advance, Droll desperately called for help.
The chimera, one of the oldest creatures in Dragon Valley, responded to Droll's plea. Despite being labeled a "beast," it commanded respect, even from Dolo.
Swooping down from the sky, the chimera landed on Baya's back, sinking its claws into his flesh as its dragon head spewed flames.
*"Boom!"*
Flames engulfed Baya, scorching his already burned back into a charred black mass.
By now, Baya looked less like a frost giant and more like a blackened obsidian variant.
Unfazed by the flames, Baya roared in agony and instinctively grabbed the chimera's front limb, pulling it off his back.
*"Thud!"*
The ground shook as the chimera's massive body slammed down, rolling several times before struggling to its feet.
"Come here!"
"Your hide will be my new cloak!"
Baya leapt at the chimera, locking its lion head in a powerful chokehold.
*"Roar—"*
But the chimera, with three heads, retaliated fiercely. Its dragon head bit into Baya's arm and spewed another burst of flames, yet the frost giant refused to let go.
The two titanic creatures wrestled violently, raising clouds of dust and shaking the earth beneath them.
The other two female chimeras attempted to assist but, lacking dragonblood enhancement, were no match for Baya's strength and skill.
Overwhelmed in power and combat technique, the chimera relied solely on its flames for defense.
Seizing an opportunity, Baya locked its dragon head in his arms, attempting to suffocate it and break its neck in a move reminiscent of his brother, the "Bonebreaker."
"Ha! I've got you now!"
Despite the chimera's desperate struggle, clawing and biting with all its might, Baya's grip was unyielding.
"Steady your aim…"
Taking advantage of the stalemate, Droll aimed his rifle at the frost giant, exhaling deeply before pulling the trigger.
*"Bang!"*
The bullet pierced Baya's torso, causing him to bellow in pain and momentarily loosen his grip. This allowed the chimera to escape.
*"Roar—roar—"*
The chimera, breathing heavily, ascended rapidly into the sky, determined to avoid further entanglement with the relentless frost giant.
Watching the retreating chimera, Baya pounded his chest in frustration and let out a guttural war cry.
"Coward! Come back and fight me!"
Limping back to his kin, Baya glanced at the frost giant casualties and the sturdy fortress ahead, his face darkened with anger.
Just then, the sound of a horn echoed in the distance.
*"Woo—"*
Heavy and resonant, the horn was unmistakable to Baya—it was the Eternal Frost Tribe's rallying call, signaling the chieftain, Kassa Eternal Frost, summoning them.
Looking at the fallen giants and the unyielding fortress, Baya's face was grim.
"Damn it, we've lost too many warriors here for nothing."
Temma approached cautiously, advising, "Captain, Chieftain Kassa instructed us to regroup at the sound of the horn. Besides…"
He hesitated.
"Our people have bled enough in this barren valley."
Baya's expression hardened. Narrowing his eyes at Temma, he eventually sighed and relented.
"Retreat. Let's rendezvous with Kassa."
Temma stepped forward to dissuade him, saying, "Captain, Chieftain Kassa has ordered us to regroup immediately when we hear the horn. Besides..."
He paused, his tone becoming somber.
"Our kin have already spilled too much blood outside this barren valley with little to gain."
Baya's expression darkened. Narrowing his eyes at Temma, he eventually sighed and said, "Retreat. Let's go find Kassa."
"There might be repeated chapters tomorrow due to issues with the review process. Please refrain from subscribing until I've made the corrections."