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Translator: AnubisTL
The border between the Dawn Tribe and the Ironblood Tribe.
Thunder Cliff.
Brunhilde stood atop the cliff, her mammoth-tusk-inlaid helmet gleaming with a faint green light beneath the thunderclouds. The fierce wind whipped against her, billowing her wolfskin cloak like a snapping war banner. Her exposed skin was covered in tattoos, and her muscles, forged like steel, gave her the imposing presence of an iron tower.
She was the chief of the Dawn Tribe, a barbarian who wielded the power of rage.
Before activating her rage, Brunhilde appeared as a composed human leader. Her gaze was steady, her expression calm. Yet, she exuded a peculiar aura—a mixture of disparate temperaments, as if she were not a single person, but a "collective."
In truth, that was largely the case.
If a creature with True Sight looked closely, they would see numerous phantoms drifting around Brunhilde. Each phantom possessed the aura of a leader—some wise and calm, others imperious without anger, still others defiantly unyielding. They were all distinct.
Barbarians had many specialization paths to choose from after Level 3.
There was the Giant Path, the totem warrior Path, the Battle Frenzy Path, and the Wild Magic Path. Among these, the path Brunhilde had chosen was the ancestor guardian.
When the living respect their ancestors' culture and fight for the tribe's survival, the ancestral souls will guide and protect them.
When a barbarian who has embarked on this path enters a state of rage, they can connect with the Spirit World, clearly sense the presence of ancestral souls, and gain various powers from different ancestral souls.
Brunhilde gazed toward the south.
As far as her sight could reach, there was an endless expanse of sky and earth, with sunlight pouring down peacefully. Yet, within this scene, she saw raging fires, the sky ablaze, and the earth scorched to cinders.
"The Ironforged Tribe..."
Brunhilde turned to the orc standing beside her and said, "Ugosh, the Ironforged Tribe is gradually absorbing the Gold Tooth Tribe, growing stronger every day. We can't wait any longer."
The orc's body was tall and imposing, even more robust than Brunhilde's.
He had a sloping forehead, a protruding jaw, prominent tusks, and rough green skin. His height was similar to a human's, but his width far exceeded it.
Due to their racial nature, orcs were naturally predisposed to produce many warriors and barbarians.
Ugosh and Brunhilde were both barbarians.
However, they had taken different paths.
Ugosh's path was that of the totem warrior.
This was evident from the bear skull pauldron, eagle feather cloak, and wolf claw necklace he wore—all symbols of his totem animals.
Barbarians who walked the totem warrior Path relied on beast souls as their guides, protectors, and source of power. In their rage, the beast souls would infuse them with supernatural, magic-like strength.
"The serpentmen of the Venomtail Tribe still haven't given us an answer," the orc said in a gruff voice. "Those indecisive cowards said they need a few more days to consider."
Brunhilde sneered. "Those swamp-dwelling reptiles can't be trusted. They lack blood, courage, and honor, preferring to rely on vile sorcery. They're useless when it counts."
Ugosh nodded heavily. "Once our war with the Ironforged Tribe is over, we'll join forces and crush the Venomtail serpentmen."
"Good! I've had enough of those snakes," the human replied.
The Venomtail Tribe was severely unbalanced, utterly lacking in direct combat capability.
Among them, only the Six-armed Serpent Woman Sword Saint commanded their wariness. While the Venomtail Tribe boasted many warlock shamans, they posed little threat to barbarians of their level. Besides, their own forces included both warriors and warlock shamans, making them more versatile than the Venomtail Tribe.
At that moment, the orc bared his fangs in a vicious grin.
He turned to the human and said, "After this, Brunhilde, are you ready for our final duel? A fight to the finish—to decide the ultimate fate of the Frontierlands."
Brunhilde met the orc's gaze steadily. "Victory will be mine, Ugosh. If you beg for mercy when the time comes, I might spare your life."
Ugosh beat his chest. "Orcs never submit. Death is our glory, but I don't believe you can bring it to me." He made no effort to hide his malice as he added, "You are a powerful opponent, but in the end, I will snap your neck and skin you as a trophy."
Brunhilde and Ugosh.
Both were barbarians, and both were chiefs of their respective great tribes.
They shared a close alliance, yet remained fierce rivals. They had clashed in private countless times, but never entered their rage states, always holding back.
They knew all too well that once a rage-fueled duel began, it would be a fight to the death. Such a conflict would ignite an all-out war between the Dawn Tribe and the Ironblood Tribe—a struggle for absolute survival.
Many tribes coexisted within the Frontierlands.
An all-out war between them would only create an opportunity for other tribes to seize power. It was meaningless.
But they had sworn a pact: when only the Dawn and Ironblood remained in the Frontierlands, they would engage in a sacred and honorable duel to decide who would rule the land.
"That's for later," Brunhilde said. "For now, let's discuss how to deal with the Ironforged Tribe."
"We can't rely on the Venomtail Tribe," she continued. "Those serpentmen are fickle, treacherous, and utterly untrustworthy."
The straightforward orcs shared a mutual disdain for the serpentmen.
Ugosh nodded, his voice a low rumble. "My greatsword thirsts for blood. I cannot wait to claim the heads of dragonkind."
It wasn't just for the future of his tribe, but for his own strength.
If he slew enough dragons, he would likely forge a Dragon Soul Essence Totem, ascending to a new level of power.
"The warriors of the Dawn Tribe are ready for war."
"The fighters of the Ironblood Tribe crave battle, crave bloodshed."
Both spoke plainly, without beating around the bush. After a brief exchange, they quickly reached an agreement: they would no longer wait for the Venomtail Tribe and were determined to wage war against the Ironforged Tribe.
Just then, an urgent message arrived.
Brunhilde's gaze sharpened. She pulled a message stone from her robes and received the transmission.
—The Ironforged Tribe's soldiers are marching toward Blackrock Pass.
Blackrock Pass was one of the key routes connecting the south to the north.
Flanked by steep, rugged mountains teeming with demonic beasts and ferocious creatures, the pass was difficult to traverse. In contrast, the lands before and after it were vast, open plains.
The Ironforged Tribe's army had a clear objective: they were steadily advancing toward Blackrock Pass.
The commotion caused by their march had been detected by the Dawn Tribe's sentries.
A massive legion—composed of countless hyena-men, kobolds, lizardfolk, and a few elite ogres and centaurs—marched across the open plains, closing in on Blackrock Pass step by step.
"Hmph. Instead of consolidating their territory and digesting the Gold Tooth Tribe, they're coming for us."
Brunhilde sneered, "The dragon of the Ironforged Tribe has quite the spirit and audacity."
Ugosh growled, his voice deep and heavy. "If they want war, we will give it to them! Let the Ironforged Tribe learn our strength at Blackrock Pass!"
Blackrock Pass was a natural fortress, easily defended and difficult to assault. The Ironforged Tribe would surely pay a heavy price for any attempt to take it.
"The first battle is crucial," Brunhilde said. "It's a golden opportunity to boost morale and will determine our warriors' fighting spirit for the rest of the campaign. I will dispatch a portion of the warriors from our other strongholds to reinforce Blackrock Pass."
(End of the Chapter)
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