Chương 54: Dragon-Fang Flees, Victory is Ours

The Giant Armored Beast didn't scream or even flinch after being struck by five ballista bolts. Li Qinwu realized that the foreign soul's control over the massive body was incomplete—it had likely severed the beast's sense of pain. While this made it an unstoppable tank, it also meant the priest couldn't perceive the "ladder" being built on the beast's flank.

"Brothers, follow me! Whoever climbs up and kills the wizard on that beast will be promoted to Company Commander!" Li Qinwu didn't use system commands; he used the bait of greed. These Tier 3 Goblins, now as intelligent as humans, saw their chance.

"Company Commander"—the highest rank in the tribe, the ultimate escape from being mere "expendables."

"KILL!!" Forty Goblin warriors charged like madmen. From the wooden tower on the beast's back, Great Kobolds hurled massive stones. One Goblin was crushed instantly, his skull shattered even through his iron helmet, turning into "Goblin jam" under the beast's pillar-like legs.

"Throw javelins! Suppress them!" Li Qinwu ordered a volley that cleared the tower's edge. The Goblins began to climb the beast like apes, using the embedded bolts as handholds. Seeing his trump card failing, Dragon-Fang leaped from his Bone Throne. He led thirty elite kin in a desperate counter-charge. Li Qinwu sneered and met him blade-to-blade. The two clashed. Dragon-Fang fought with brute strength, but Li Qinwu fought dirty.

During a close exchange, Li Qinwu scooped up a handful of dirt and flung it directly into Dragon-Fang's eyes.

"Coward! This is not the way of a warrior!" Dragon-Fang roared.

"I demand an honorable duel!" Li Qinwu picked his ear and shouted, "Within three meters!" Hana appeared instantly. After hearing the translation, Li Qinwu grinned and reached behind his back to pull out a pre-loaded hand-crossbow. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

"Tell him I accept." Dragon-Fang charged with a howl, expecting a duel of blades. Instead, he met the sharp click of a trigger at point-blank range. Thwack! The bolt buried itself deep into Dragon-Fang's chest. As the Kobold leader staggered back in shock, Li Qinwu swapped to a second crossbow from his inventory, forcing Dragon-Fang into a clumsy roll. Seizing the opening, Li Qinwu swung his greatsword, severing Dragon-Fang's prized golden tail in one clean stroke!

"AWOOOO!!" Dragon-Fang shrieked in agony. His personal guards rushed in, dragging their "neutered" and bleeding leader into the deep forest while the others held the line with suicidal bravery. Meanwhile, the battle atop the beast ended. A Goblin warrior leaped into the wooden tower, and agonizing screams echoed from within. The purple mist in the beast's eyes vanished.

It stood dazed for a moment, then let out a roar of primal freedom, turning around and crushing Kobold tents like a runaway bulldozer before vanishing into the woods. A blood-soaked Goblin crawled out of a flattened tent, holding the severed head of the runic priest. He grinned toothily at Li Qinwu.

"Hehe! Boss... I did it. I want to be a Company Commander!" Li Qinwu patted his shoulder.

"Great job! What's your name?"

"Boss, you don't remember? I'm Expendable! That's the name you gave me!" Li Qinwu froze for three seconds. He remembered giving out random names early on. Who knew that "Expendable" would become the hero who toppled a regime?

"From today on, you aren't Expendable. You are the 1st Company Commander of the Retribution Legion!" With the leader gone, Li Qinwu hoisted Dragon-Fang's golden tail on a branch and summoned Hana once more.

"Shout it for everyone to hear: Dragon-Fang is dead! His tail is the proof! Surrender and live!" In Kobold culture, a lost tail meant a lost right to lead. At the sight of the golden trophy, the morale of the 2, 000-strong army vanished. Kobolds began throwing down their weapons and rolling onto their backs—the ultimate sign of surrender. [System Settlement: A Heroic Victory!] Prisoners: 760 Denars: 340 Loot: Various stone tools and grain. Li Qinwu didn't care about the meager loot.

He barked orders: "Gobu-Spear, separate the prisoners! Keep the females and the Great Kobolds under tight guard! Gobu-Bow, take Dog-Witch and hunt down Dragon-Fang. He's poisoned—he won't get far!" Standing in the blood-stained center of the tribe, Li Qinwu looked at the horizon. Dragon-Fang was finished. He was now the undisputed warlord of this region. He wanted to laugh, but his fist tightened. The vision of the golden dragon from his nightmare still haunted him.

"This is just the beginning," he whispered.

"I have to kill faster than destiny can move."