Rise Of The Dual Bound Sovereign

CHP 12: Rock–Scaled Lizard

After traveling for some time, they finally arrived at the camp.

Three figures immediately came into view. All of them wore the same insignia as the one embroidered on the injured man's cloak, making it easy for Azrael to guess that they were fellow mercenaries.

"Marcus... what happened to you?"

One of them immediately rushed over when he saw Marcus's condition.

It was only then that Azrael learned the mercenary's name. Throughout their journey, neither of them had bothered to ask for the other's.

The remaining two quickly followed, concern evident on their faces as they inspected Marcus's condition.

Marcus briefly explained what had happened after they split up and how he had been ambushed by a Four-Eyed Serpent, leaving him in his current state.

Upon hearing this, one of the mercenaries rushed toward the supply tent. A short while later, he returned with a small vial and handed it to Marcus.

Marcus accepted it without hesitation and immediately drank its contents. Almost instantly, the pain in his leg eased slightly.

"This isn't the actual antidote," the mercenary said. "We'll have to get you back to the guild for proper treatment."

Only then did one of them turn his attention to Azrael. "Young friend, thank you for helping our companion," he said sincerely.

"It was nothing," Azrael replied calmly.

"I'm Mason, and these are Edgar and Soren," the man said, introducing the others.

The two nodded toward Azrael in greeting.

Azrael returned the gesture. "I'm Azrael."

"Nice to meet you," Mason said. His expression softened slightly. "I'm sorry, but we'll have to leave immediately. We need to get Marcus back to the guild as soon as possible so he can receive the proper antidote."

"He'll be coming with us," Marcus suddenly said.

"Hm?" Mason looked at him in confusion.

"He needs help getting out of the forest safely, so he'll be traveling with us until we leave the Ten Thousand Beast Forest," Marcus explained.

The others exchanged glances before nodding in understanding.

"Because of Marcus's condition, we'll be taking a shortcut," Mason said. "It's faster, but more dangerous as we'll likely encounter more beasts along the way."

"No problem," Azrael replied with a nod. Not that he had much of a choice.

With the matter settled, Edgar stepped forward and crouched down. Marcus climbed onto his back, and after making sure he was secure, the group quickly set off toward the edge of the forest.

—---------

Two days later...

**THUD!!**

"Awoooo!" A pained howl echoed through the area as a beast was sent skidding across the rocky ground.

It was a Wind Wolf. Possessing an ordinary bloodline, Wind Wolves typically matured to the Mid Rank 3 stage. This particular one, however, was only at the Late Rank 2 stage, clearly not yet fully grown.

The group was currently surrounded by an entire pack, with the alpha having already reached the peak of the Awakened Beast stage.

Seeing one of their own injured, the remaining wolves immediately charged forward in a frenzy.

The battle didn't last long.

Working together, the mercenaries quickly dealt with the pack without suffering a single casualty.

Off to the side, Azrael stood beside Marcus, silently observing the fight and taking in everything he could. Over the past two days, he had spent most of his time doing exactly that—watching, listening, and learning.

Just as the group was preparing to leave after dealing with the Wind Wolves, Azrael suddenly spoke.

"Hey guys..."

Mason turned toward him. "Yeah? What's the matter?"

Azrael narrowed his eyes slightly and pointed ahead. "Is it just me… or is that rock staring at us?"

The group instinctively followed the direction he was pointing. The moment their eyes landed on the "rock," their expressions instantly changed.

About twenty meters away, partially concealed among a cluster of jagged boulders, stood a massive lizard-like beast.

It measured nearly four meters in length. Its body was low and muscular, covered in thick brown scales that resembled layered stone more than flesh. Each scale overlapped the next like a suit of natural armor.

This was a Rock-Scaled Lizard, a beast renowned for its terrifying defense and overwhelming physical strength. Its tail alone was capable of shattering bones.

The creature slowly turned its head, revealing a pair of golden slit pupils that locked onto the group with predatory intent.

It opened its mouth, exposing rows of jagged teeth as a deep growl rumbled from its throat, vibrating through the ground itself.

The next moment, its aura erupted.

An oppressive pressure swept over the area like an invisible tidal wave. Everyone felt their bodies grow heavier, as though the very air around them had thickened.

"Shit... It's a late stage rank 3 demon beast," Soren said grimly, his expression darkening.

Before he could say anything more, the beast moved. The earth beneath its limbs exploded as it lunged forward with terrifying force.

"Split up!" Mason shouted.

The group immediately scattered in different directions.

A heartbeat later, the lizard's massive tail swept through the spot where they had been standing.

**BOOM!!**

The impact shattered the ground, sending rocks and debris flying everywhere. Despite its enormous size, the creature was astonishingly fast.

Seeing its prey evade the attack, it released an enraged roar that echoed throughout the area.

Meanwhile, Azrael had already retreated a considerable distance, supporting Marcus as he moved away from the battlefield.

**"Lightning Arrows!"**

Suddenly, multiple lightning arrows condensed around Soren, and with a wave of his hand, they were sent flying toward the beast.

The attacks struck the lizard beast. However, aside from leaving a few shallow cuts across its scales, they accomplished little.

"Damn it..." Soren cursed through clenched teeth. "Its scales are too tough."

The lizard immediately turned toward him.

Then it charged.

"Attack together!" Mason shouted as he sent multiple fireballs hurling toward the beast. At the same time, Edgar unleashed a barrage of wind blades that whistled through the air behind them.

Soren, on the other hand, retreated a bit as he began forming a huge lightning orb above his palm. He wasn’t naive enough to believe the first barrage would do any real damage, considering the beast’s insane defense.

If they wanted to bring it down, they would need something far stronger.

As the barrage of attacks approached, the Rock-Scaled Lizard abruptly halted.

Earth essence surged from its body and a thick earthen dome instantly rose around it.

**CRASH! CRACK! BOOM!**

The fireballs exploded against the barrier while the wind blades carved deep grooves into its surface.

Chunks of stone were blasted away in all directions, yet the dome remained standing. Only after the attacks were completely exhausted did the earthen barrier begin to crumble.

Rumble…

At that exact moment, Soren had finished forming the lightning orb. Bolts snapped wildly around it, the essence inside overflowing. He had poured so much into it that it had become unstable, and he could no longer control it.