"Shadar, fetch me some of your tribe's spellcasters; I want to conduct an experiment!" Saron instructed, noticing Shadar's dazed expression.

"Master, your majestic form is truly incomparable. I am at a loss for words to express my admiration for you!" Shadar bowed deeply as he spoke.

Saron couldn't help but chuckle; this fellow had become quite the sweet talker, and he quite liked it!

"Get those casters, will you?" Saron said with a rare touch of amiability. Indeed, flattery was quite enjoyable.

"At your command, my master!" Shadar scurried off to fetch the female troll spellcasters, still wondering how Saron had managed to undergo such a transformation in half a day's time. Was this what being a true dragon was like? Confused but determined, Shadar decided it was best to remain loyally devoted.

With the help of several female troll spellcasters, Saron gained a better understanding of his Savage Roar talent. When activated, the roar's sonic waves would spread and interrupt all spellcasting nearby. However, the extent of its range depended on his own endurance.

At present, he could use Savage Roar to disrupt spellcasting within a 150-meter radius, but doing so required a rest for his throat afterward, or he could use his Carnivore talent to recover. If he limited the range to about 50 meters, he could use it multiple times.

Saron nodded, pleased with himself. This was quite satisfactory!

"You may rest now," he said to the three exhausted-looking female trolls.

"By your command, master," they replied, wiping sweat from their brows as they quickly left the area.

"Shadar! Take that goblin leader Vex to check on our iron ore vein," Saron commanded.

There was something intoxicating about watching oneself become stronger and stronger.

"Yes, my master!" Shadar responded excitedly.

"But leader Shadar, it's terrible—the half-orcs have launched an attack!"

Just then, a troll warrior came running in, panic-stricken. He cast a respectful glance at Saron and bowed.

"What? Those damned half-orcs dare to provoke us?" Shadar erupted in fury.

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It had always been the trolls who initiated conflicts, but this time the half-orcs had taken the initiative to cause trouble—worse, they had brought the fight right to their doorstep.

"Lord Saron, allow me to take care of those intruders," Shadar said with a bow to Saron.

"Go ahead, our iron ore vein is right next to the half-orc tribe, a confrontation was inevitable," Saron granted Shadar's request with curiosity brewing about the half-orcs.

...

Outside the forest troll tribe.

Hundreds of humanoid creatures stood ready for battle.

"Kruk, thank you and the Iron Hoof Tribe for lending us a hand this time!" a cat-eared girl spoke up crisply.

"Think nothing of it, Winnie. We half-orcs should stick together, or else these folks will bully us to death one day!" Kruk replied with a hearty laugh.

Kruk was a minotaur with a pair of large horns atop his head, hooves for feet, and a tail that swished back and forth.

"They're coming!" Winnie alerted, eyeing the smoke in the distance.

"Damned half-orcs, you've sought reinforcements!" Shadar snarled, eyeing Kruk closely.

Kruk was no ordinary member of the half-orc clans; this could prove troublesome.

"Shadar, we seek no war with you, just a temporary refuge!" the cat-eared girl, Winnie, interjected.

"Hmph! The entire Sunset Forest belongs to us, the forest trolls. You won't take it from us!" Shadar stood his ground firmly.

"Shadar, time has passed and now you're the one-eyed! Hahaha!" Kruk, the minotaur, bellowed with laughter.

"A scar is a troll's badge of honor. I may have lost an eye, but it was for the future of our tribe, something you folks wouldn't understand!" Shadar retorted proudly, his thoughts on Saron's majestic form giving him newfound confidence.

Before Saron's rise, Shadar might have conceded to the combined forces of the Iron Hoof and Rose Tribes.

"Shadar, it seems you are prepared," Kruk announced, signaling his Iron Hoof warriors who took their stance, ready to strike.

Kruk stood over two meters tall, his presence rivaling Shadar's. His large nostrils exhaled two thick plumes of white breath, signifying his readiness for the confrontation ahead.

"Kruk, you got the guts to take me on one-on-one?" Shadar brandished his massive bone club.

"Heh, pretty bold for a guy with one eye!" Kruk was unfazed, pulling his double-headed axe from behind.

Shadar's remaining eye showed a hint of solemnity. To others, it might seem like he underestimated Kruk, but only he knew how formidable his opponent truly was. The minotaur's strength was on par with his own, and his hide was just as tough. Not to mention, the minotaurs had a powerful racial ability - the Iron Hoof Stomp, capable of inflicting massive damage, especially effective in demolishing fortifications. This talent was terrifying in large-scale battles; human cities would crumble before minotaur warriors. And now, there were dozens of elite minotaur warriors here. If they all executed the Iron Hoof Stomp together, while his troll warriors might hold up, the non-combatants would suffer greatly. Hence his provocation for a one-on-one duel.

"Shadar, with one eye you're at a disadvantage. I'll let you strike first," Kruk said confidently.

"You asked for it!" Shadar didn't hold back, swinging his bone club at Kruk with all his might.

Kruk raised his axe in defense against Shadar's club.

Boom!

Kruk was forced back several steps by the impact.

"Shadar, you've gotten stronger!" Kruk noted.

Their styles were straightforward and brutal, a clash of raw power without any fancy tricks. After another exchange, Kruk shifted his stance, readying himself.

"It's time to get serious!" he declared.

"Bring it on!" Shadar replied, even though he doubted his own victory. Good thing he'd been adjusting to fighting with one eye, or he'd have been defeated already.

"Iron Hoof Stomp!"

Kruk stomped his right hoof hard against the ground, creating visible ripples that surged towards Shadar.

Shadar anticipated the minotaur's signature move and leaped up in time, but Kruk was already initiating his next attack.

"Double Iron Hoof Stomp!"

He slammed his left hoof down, sending a wave of force even more intense than the first right into Shadar, who had just landed.

Pffft!

Shadar was sent flying, crashing to the ground with a mouthful of blood.

"Shadar, you've lost," Kruk stated plainly.

"I have," Shadar conceded, wiping the blood from his mouth. Winnie and Kruk exchanged a victorious smile, their goal seemingly within reach.

"But you still won't get the right to settle in Sunset Forest!" Shadar added.

"You going back on your word?" Kruk's eyes narrowed dangerously.

Just as the tension peaked, a deep voice cut through.

"Because he has no right to give it away!"