(TL NOTE: Chapter 74 is missing because the author took a break from the story to update readers about his publishing schedule.)
"You tunneling rat..."
Not understanding the meaning of that inexplicable voice, Smaug was even more furious that this human had managed to slip away from right under his nose.
And just now he had actually been hit, even had his defenses broken—what an utter humiliation!
"Come back here!"
The dragon roared in fury, his belly glowing red again as dragon fire built up, about to spray through the tunnel entrance with deadly intent.
BOOM!
An explosion rang out, blasting a crater several meters wide in the floor. Immediately after, a large pile of TNT was sent flying from underground by the impact, scattering everywhere like deadly confetti.
Some exploded in place, making Smaug lift his claws and hop around. Others flew to the ceiling and blasted down rocks that crashed onto his head, preventing him from lifting it. Still others, more vicious, flew directly onto Smaug's body and exploded, shaking him dizzy. His body swaying left, then right, unable to maintain balance.
"Gah! Ahhh!"
The violent explosions everywhere and falling stones forced Smaug to curl up his body, retract his wing membranes, crouch in place, and tuck in his head for full defense.
Levi was in the conference hall, listening intently to the commotion behind the wall.
The explosions didn't last long. After all, Levi's entire stockpile was just a few stacks of TNT. While it looked like a lot in his backpack, when actually placed down it couldn't even cover much floor space, and it was all used up quickly.
But the destructive power was considerable.
"Is it over?"
Levi quietly slipped back through the tunnel he'd dug, sneakily poking out half his head to look around.
Everything in sight was craters and collapsed rubble from the blasts. The left and right walls still showed traces of impacts from something massive.
"Where's the dragon?"
Knocking aside a piece of debris, Levi walked in, pulling out a torch to shine ahead. In the silence, a small mountain of rubble appeared before him. Whether it was his imagination or not, this small mountain seemed to be moving with a rhythm. Subtle, but steady.
A sense of foreboding arose, and Levi retreated several steps to the tunnel entrance.
Crash!
"Ahhh! Revenge, revenge!"
"I will have revenge!"
Suddenly, the stones piled on the ground were thrust up by a massive object, flying everywhere. Smaug extended his enormous body from within, roaring in fury.
"Death, death to all! Despicable humans, I shall bring you death!"
THUD!
The enraged dragon violently rammed the wall. The massive impact shook the mountain rock, causing even Levi on the other side of the wall to sway and nearly lose his footing.
THUD!
THUD!
The dragon cursed and angrily struck, but no matter how it charged forward, that wall just stood there, immovable, forever blocking its path.
"Impossible!"
How thick was this wall!
Smaug suddenly stopped, his dragon eyes widening.
Something was wrong. This didn't seem like a temporary barrier.
If it were just a wall a few meters thick, forget ramming it so many times. It should have collapsed on the first impact.
This wall didn't look much like a wall, but rather like a mountain that had descended from the sky to block this place.
"Don't waste your energy. You can't break through."
At that two-meter-high small opening, Smaug saw the figure that filled him with rage. He immediately breathed dragon fire at it, not wanting to hear the man speak at all.
However, when the dragon breath passed, that figure was still there, looking quite comfortable, as if only a gentle breeze had passed by.
Creak.
The great maw opened and suddenly lunged forward. Levi quickly dodged, striking back with his sword to knock the dragon's head aside, making Smaug's head ring.
Big show, little damage.
The earlier barrage of explosions hadn't even damaged a single dragon scale. It looked fierce, but the total damage was only about a hundred points.
For a dragon of Smaug's size and hardness, the TNT explosion damage was probably like firecrackers. Actually, forget Smaug. Even Levi himself could tank TNT explosions with barely any health loss as long as he wasn't at the blast center.
Eighteen points of damage to the head only took two drops of health. Hundreds of explosions dealing dozens of damage each couldn't even blast off a single scale. This armor value was definitely higher than netherite. If he could pry off some dragon scales, he could definitely make a very strong set of armor.
While envying the materials on Smaug's body, Levi also felt a headache coming on.
It seemed he couldn't kill it without some technology or extreme measures.
But technology couldn't be made right now, so he'd have to use extreme measures.
"You cannot trap me, despicable human, 'Steve.'"
"The Dark Lord's army has already set out. They will free me, and then it will be the end for all of you."
"I have memorized your scent. You cannot escape. I will hunt you down, forever and ever..."
RUMBLE!
The mountain trembled again.
Far away in Lake-town's narrow prison, Bard suddenly awakened, looking out through the iron window.
"What was that sound?"
The town was still bustling with people coming and going. No one noticed the tremor from the distance, or even if some sensitive people noticed, they paid no attention.
They'd all lived here for so many years, and everyone was fine. What major accident could there be?
Clang, clang.
Bard shook the sturdy door, anxious.
"Did you hear that?"
On the hidden path behind the Lonely Mountain, the dwarves suddenly stopped.
"I heard it. That's a sound from deep within the mountain..." Balin pressed his ear to the rock.
The next moment.
THUD!
Balin closed his eyes and moved his head away.
"That last one nearly deafened me."
THUD!
The mountain shook again, and small stones tumbled down.
"What's happening?"
"The dragon! It must be the dragon. It's awake!"
"What's the situation inside?"
"Did we come here for nothing..."
The dwarves were getting panicked. If Smaug was awake, how could the plan proceed?
"Quiet!"
Thorin shouted, forcing everyone to calm down. Actually, he was the most panicked right now, but as a leader, the emotion he could least afford to show was despair.
Even blindfolded, he had to appear confident.
"We still have time. No need to jump to conclusions so early. After experiencing so much and traveling so far, are we going to retreat without even opening the door?"
"Just because we fear that damned dragon?!"
"We are the sons of Durin. Our purpose is to reclaim Erebor and restore our homeland. We will not rest until we achieve our goal!"
"We have never doubted you, Thorin."
Balin was the first to step forward, followed by the bright-eyed dwarves.
"We will follow you to the death."
"But what exactly is happening inside?"
"We can't advance rashly without understanding the situation."
Faced with everyone's suggestions, Thorin closed his eyes, thought briefly, and took a deep breath.
"Kili, the key and map are yours. You all wait here. I'm leaving for a bit. If all goes well, I'll return before Durin's Day."
Thorin stuffed the items into Kili's hands and immediately headed toward the foot of the mountain.
"Where are you going?"
Kili asked blankly, holding the key.
"To the front gate. The sounds are coming from there."
"I'll find out what's happening."
Thorin gripped the sword at his waist and walked toward the foot of the mountain.
This dwarf who bore the title of king but had never sat on a throne was already being driven nearly mad by his obsession with reclaiming his homeland. Having finally gained some hope, if this still didn't succeed, it would be worse than death.
Bilbo touched the ring in his pocket and called out: "Thorin, I can..."
"Thorin, we'll go with you."
Pressing down on Bilbo's shoulder, the dwarves stepped forward, protecting him behind them.
"We're the same as you, Thorin. Success or death in battle. We'll only choose one of those."
[Chapter Complete]
***
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