Chapter Fourteen: The Giant of the Forest

“It seems everyone has calmed down enough to have a proper conversation now!”

The wolf-headed man pressed both hands atop his cane, standing before the dais with an air of composure, as if it hadn’t been he who had just subdued the entire hall.

“My master does not care for noisy guests, so this is your only warning!”

No one dared make a sound; they simply nodded frantically.

If his subordinate was already this formidable, how terrifying must the legendary Vampire Duke be?

“Since you cannot come to any agreement among yourselves, let us settle matters in the most traditional way: through combat!”

“A duel?”

A wave of confusion swept through the crowd—was he suggesting they fight each other in pairs?

Some began to cast wary glances at those around them.

The wolf-headed man let out a chuckle; his lupine features twisted into surprisingly humanlike expressions—a remarkable sight to behold.

“Not a duel, but a gladiatorial contest!” he corrected their misconception.

“Today, you are the gladiators, and your target is that!”

With a flourish of his hand, a blood-red radiance enveloped the area, and within its glow a colossal figure could be seen, bound and struggling.

Seeing that familiar form, several faces turned ashen; instinctively, they moved away from the bloody pillar of light.

Even Murong Xun found his expression darken at the sight, recalling the information he’d seen before.

[Forest Giant!]
[Darling of the woods, surrounded by the aura of life. While in the forest, its regeneration is increased tenfold!]
[Skill One: Creation]
[Skill Two: Rapid Regeneration]
[Skill Three: Boulder Stomp]
[Skill Four: …]
[Skill Five: …]
[Skill ???]
[Skill ???]

A string of question marks left the crowd bewildered. Was this truly an opponent they could hope to defeat?

“Your task is to defeat this projection of the Forest Giant. The one who performs most brilliantly will receive a reward from my master,” the wolf-headed man declared, waving his hand to dissolve the blood-red pillar that shackled the giant.

The creature within was now revealed.

It was a green-skinned giant—the very one they had glimpsed before in the dungeons.

Yet compared to then, it was now clearer than ever.

Over three meters tall, with a savage, fearsome visage and a maw brimming with two rows of razor-sharp teeth.

Blood and scraps of flesh still clung between its lips, and at this proximity, the stench was unmistakable.

This time, the green-skinned giant also gripped a stone axe—crude in design, a simple shard fastened to a stick.

But with such a massive frame, no one dared underestimate it.

“Five thousand out of five thousand health! I can’t gauge its strength exactly, but judging by its size, it’s immense!” someone exclaimed, using a special ability to read the giant’s health. Yet knowing this only deepened the sense of despair.

Five thousand health points, that hulking body, surely terrifying defense, and regeneration to match—how could they possibly prevail?

“You say you’re a chef?”

At that moment, Nightshade quietly edged over to Murong Xun’s side.

“Yes,” Murong Xun nodded.

“Then do you have any delicacies that might tempt this brute?” Nightshade whispered quickly.

The red-haired woman nearby glanced over, intrigued.

“That thing isn’t human. It may not care for human food,” Murong Xun replied coolly.

“So long as it’s extraordinary fare, it will attract any creature. You should try!” Nightshade’s eyes lit up as Murong Xun didn’t refuse outright—there was hope!

“I can’t guarantee success, but I’ll give it a try,” Murong Xun replied, meeting his gaze.

“I just need some time.”

“Understood. We’ll buy you as much as we can!” Nightshade agreed at once—this was no time for haggling.

Meanwhile, the giant had already seized its stone axe, sweeping it in a mighty arc that sent bodies flying. With a casual grab, it snatched up a man and stuffed him straight into its maw.

Two rows of fangs snapped together, sending blood spraying.

Trapped in a sealed arena, there was no escape. Their only choice was to fight back, each using their abilities to try to halt the green-skinned giant and hope to inflict some damage.

In truth, the giant’s defense was not as impregnable as they feared—their attacks left noticeable wounds. The real terror was its monstrous regeneration: any injury healed in the blink of an eye.

Some tried to organize a coordinated assault.

The close-combat fighters and living shields formed the front line, with the mages behind them unleashing their spells, while the support specialists bolstered the vanguard with buffs.

Ironically, those who’d boasted of their support roles earlier now found themselves outdone.

Murong Xun spared only a glance—amazed at the mages’ destructive power—before withdrawing his portable kitchen from his pack and setting to work.

He’d chosen a spot in the corner, where he needn’t fear stray attacks.

Encircled by a ring of living shields, the green-skinned giant found it no easy matter to break through their defenses. Each time it tried to surge forward, it was forced back by the shield-bearers.

With their buffs, the defenders held strong.

“Abao is angry!”

The giant’s voice rumbled like thunder. Suddenly, it stamped a massive foot; the ground trembled, and everyone staggered, struggling to keep their footing.

But it didn’t stop there—a wave of green light radiated from its body, spreading outward.

“What a pity,” murmured the wolf-headed man, no longer on the dais but now standing beside a richly dressed young woman, half a step behind her, bowing slightly.

“Letting the Forest Giant summon its woods—the whole batch of players is doomed. They’ve spoiled my master’s fun; they deserve death.”

The young woman offered no reply; her gaze was fixed, intrigued, on another figure who seemed untouched by the chaos—busy with his own affairs.

“How interesting.”

The wolf-headed man followed her gaze, only to see a young man kneading dough.

He, too, was momentarily stunned.

With danger at their very doorstep, what kind of mind would think to cook? Was he truly hoping to pacify the Forest Giant with food?

But if his mistress approved, then it must be fine.

“The castle still needs a cook. Why not take him?” he remarked, without the slightest intention of seeking her opinion.

“There’s no need,” the young woman replied coolly, turning her gaze away.

To someone of her stature, this so-called battle was no more than child’s play. She had only brought these people from the Mage Tower to sift through them, searching for a few that might be of use.

As for who, exactly, would survive, or how many would perish in the process—she couldn’t care less.

The young man warranted no more than a passing glance; he was not worth her further attention.