Caldera Volcano

Even once in many decades this volcano will erupt. and had to evacuate to cause chaos But in normal times This volcano is also a source of energy for us. The Silverfang Tribe, who have two bodies. which includes a two-legged body and the form of a wolf The lava flowing beneath the ground The mechanical body immediately absorbed it and put it to use.

So we never had to eat if we were near the caldera. If you have to travel far The storage organ is enough to accept a certain amount of fresh lava. And that has kept us alive for years.

We used to be happy in this land. No other living creature can approach the volcano with its poisonous fumes. If you get too close for a long time, you will die. But the bodies of the Silverfang tribe responded to the volcano. We have never offended anyone. No one has ever offended us.

…But that was just the past that I could only think about. In this time, hell has sent demons for us to face… It's called Cerberus. A gigantic metal body with three heads that looked deformed. Yet it looked scary and terrifying at the same time. We are at war with it. Talking of “war” should mean a battle between clans against clans, herds against herds, but this is the battle of our tribe against it alone.

I still remember that day well. Huge fireballs fell from the sky with long beams of light that could be seen from far away. It crashed onto the top of the Caldera mountain with a loud thud. Causing the volcano to erupt faster than normal. I had to lead a group of Silver Fangs into a hasty escape. Many were unable to escape in time and died. When Caldera is calm

We prepare to go home. But he found the house he had always lived in happily. This is no longer the case.

…When things come with fireballs from the sky It's a three-headed mechanical dog demon. It made a shrill sound. Six red eyes stared at him hostilely. We knew immediately that if we didn't get rid of it, You probably don't have to hope to have a happy life anymore.

Having never had an enemy It makes us arrogant that we are talented. It has a strong body that is resistant to heat. and intelligence that is not inferior to anyone else They're born with fangs and the ability to emit light beams. …but those things were meaningless in front of him. I lead my best soldiers into battle. But instead he had to escape unceremoniously.

The three-headed demon burrows deep into the earth to directly absorb the energy from the lava. Don't let it seep through the outer surface like we do. And when it does that From already strong It gets stronger and stronger.

When direct contact was ineffective, Vanakander, who was known as the wisest of the tribe, various tricks various to kill it Over and over it never worked. We have lost so many brave soldiers that some members of the tribe are beginning to doubt the Vanakander's wisdom. Although Rodvitnir and I are old friends with him,

to work unsuccessfully many times I started to feel discouraged.

In the end, Rodvitnir and I decided to settle the matter by duel without telling Vanakander because we already knew it wouldn't allow it. We deployed a few of our most trusted men and attacked it after dark. I'll have Rodvitnir and his party wait. I went in to take a look myself. …Luckily, the demon was sleeping in the lava pool where he had always resided.

An opportunity like this doesn't exist anymore. You must act quickly before the toxic vapors of the lava become a danger. I divided my troops into two groups. The first group is behind it. The second group was waiting at the front. Everyone was silent, no one made a sound.

[Charge beam energy]

We accumulate as much energy as possible. I know that I can only take this action once. If you miss, you won't be able to attack again. Everyone looked into each other's eyes. Waiting for a signal from me As soon as I lifted my head High heat beams from more than ten Silverfangs simultaneously shot towards the demon lord's body. It became a bright light until you could not see anything.

We tried to shoot for as long as possible. To be as effective as possible

Eventually, that light faded. We stared at the same spot. Cerberus is standing. Its body was somewhat destroyed. But that's only a small part. It could be said that it still has no scratches!

The demon dog roared loudly. The three heads turned in all directions. Its red eyes glowed with anger. Its mouth opened wide and a light began to appear within. I know that it will soon shoot out a deadly beam. But this time we did not retreat like last time. I pointed directly at it. Ku Kong roared back to let him know that we were not afraid.

“Who is good at having two legs? Whoever is good at wolf form, go ahead and take it!” I announced wildly. Jumped in with Roadwitnir. It was a ten-on-one fight, with claws, fangs, beams, everything that could be used. We use it all. Cerberus fired its beam in response.

What a more powerful beam of light than ours. The three heads allow it to attack in large numbers at once. One Silverfang comrade died after another. My and Rodvitnir's strength began to fade. I looked into his eyes, and my dear friend nodded.

The next attack is the final attack. And it is an attack that may cost one's life.

Rodvitnir and I stood on opposite sides of the battlefield. Leaping high, he lunged forward, using his claws to attack its head. Claws can only poke. I turned into a wolf and snapped its neck. try to tear But the one that was destroyed might have been my own fang. Cerberus uses his middle head to shoot a beam of light causing me to jump back.

In the aerial view I saw Rodvitnir in the form of a wolf. One of its eyes had become hollow. There was an energy substance flowing from that eye socket. Its face was crooked and torn with claw marks. It tried to attack again. But due to pain and not yet accustomed to seeing with one eye His attacks were not as accurate as before. He was also attacked again.

Although it was unfair to the other Silver Fang comrades. But Rodvitnir is one of my closest friends. It can't die now.

“Step back,” I was forced to announce. All the warriors carried their wounded bodies out of the battlefield. A battlefield with only one opponent

Vanakander was very angry. He didn't speak to us for many days. After that, Silver Fang was forced to harbor a grudge. Travel away from the Caldera and find a remote abode. I had to sneak a few friends back there to scoop up lava to keep the tribe alive for a year at a time. But it could only be done stealthily.

Secretly stealing lava isn't enough. A new member of the herd had not been born for a very long time.

...on the night of the full moon I transformed into two legs and sat on a rock. His eyes looked at the Caldera seen in the distance. Ready to ask questions to yourself

What was wrong with Silver Fang to suffer such a fate?

His five clawed hands clenched together until the metal sparked against each other. My palms are covered in scratches like this.

“Fenrir, are you thinking too much again?”

“Rodvitnir, my friend,” was all I greeted him. I thought of its left eye socket. Only emptiness and twisted scars remain. Rodwitnir once claimed to be fond of them like battle medals. But since then, if it's not necessary I've never seen him take on the form of a wolf with those scars ever again.

“It must succeed sometime,” he said, sitting down next to him. “That one is really strong. But it is not immortal.”

“Huh.” I just laughed. “To win, there must be a better plan. Dozens of better plans have failed!” The voice was so loud that even he was startled: “Forgive me, I didn't mean to yell at you.”

“Hahaha,” Rodwitnir laughed. I remember the old days. that we used to have fun together His laughter wasn't like this. And it would never come back. “A plan? Vanakander will probably come up with another plan soon. I've never seen him come up with a plan!”

“Let's keep it real. We are getting older every day. If there is no heir yet Silver Fang would just end up like this.”

“Or it was God's will.” Rodvitnir's words caused me to turn around and look at him in shock. Liquid flowed from his eyes, “Huh, this brand of lubricant is not good. It keeps flowing out.”

“Really, what did the Sandmen sell to us? Look, mine is flowing out too.”

That night, neither of us spoke another word to each other. I could only sit and look at the moon.

At the hut in the middle of the field Vanakander sitting on two legs His left hand held the circular mirror lens that was attached to his eye. I wonder if our species is one of vision. Why do I need to install lenses again?

“I think doing this will make you smarter,” he said, those eyes staring at the screen in his hand. There are various numbers. that I never understood

“How can it get smarter? Never mind, it's none of my business. And that's why you called me here today. What are your plans?”

“I will cut off its power source.”

“Its energy source is lava streams!” Roadwitnir blurted out what everyone already knew. “It can be directly bathed. How can you cut it?”

“Since the days of Caldera. I told you all to learn to use the map system in your body. Let's just use our instincts.” Vanakander shook his head as if we were being ignorant. “I made a diagram of the lava stream a long time ago.” He opened it on the screen and pointed with his hand. “This is Cerberus. This is the lava stream that reaches it.

Do you see that it doesn't go anywhere? The branches are all far away. If we can block the lava stream The energy reaching it will decrease.”

“And what are you going to use to fill the lava stream?” We'd only been close to that for a few minutes. that the lava storage organ works as it is I have always wondered why it was such a strong organ. If every part of this body were like that part, we would not have to fear Cerberus.

“Fenrir,” Vanakander said my name. I hate the look that tells me I'm stupider than he is. “When you go scoop lava What did you scoop it into?”

“Whatever, a Gralapis box…” was all I could say and my eyes widened. Vanakander looked at me with bored eyes. Rodwitnir still looked puzzled. That guy still doesn't understand.

“Yes,” he said in a low voice. “Gralapis can withstand the heat of lava. We will use that to plug the lava stream.”

“Is that mineral enough to fill a lava stream? Normally, just making a few boxes is hard to find.”

“Fenrir,” he called my name again. But this time, that bespectacled face looked at me with serious eyes. “I don't think this battle will be achieved overnight. I've been exploring the mineral deposits. There's definitely enough of it, but it's going to be a lot of work for our clan. In addition to having to dig it up yourself We might still have to buy it from the Sandmen.”

“Buy that? Do you know how exploitative the Sandman is?”

“Heh heh heh, again, Fenrir,” Vanakander pointed at Roadwitnir, who was still sitting with a confused look on his face. “Now it is your duty, Rodwitnir.”

“Oh.” That person's expression immediately changed from puzzled to pleased. Because its duty is only one. That is, crush it until it's a mess!

“But not just go and take care of them. If it's not necessary, I still want us to be friendly with them. There are many things we need from them.”

Rodvitnir nodded. But I know in my heart I think the opposite. I raised my right hand to touch its shoulder in protest. It laughed before the three of us parted ways.

The next morning, Rodwitnir and I set off early for the Desiron Desert not far away. We used the wolf form because it travels faster than the bipedal form. When entering the desert area It was an empty space as far as the eye could see. We rely on our internal navigation system when our eyes cannot discern where our destination is.

The coordinates given by the sandman for trading require another two days of travel. On the way we encountered a desert worm. His blood is acidic. But I don't have skill. Only the sand is an annoying obstacle. It tends to flow into joints, causing movement to not be as smooth as intended. Extreme temperature changes are also not good for the metal body. But this is all I can tolerate.

The Sandmen's hideout is an ancient ruin of a lost civilization. You have to walk deep underground. It was dark inside, but of course, we could see as clear as day thanks to our race's abilities. Their leader, the Sand King, was waiting for us on the throne as we had arranged.

“Let's start talking,” he said. The gaunt figure looked down at the two of us with cold eyes. “What do you guys want this time?”

“We need Gralapis.”

“Huh, Gralapis like that? You all know the price.”

“I know, but this time I will come to negotiate. Because we need a lot.”

“How much? What are you going to do with it?” His red eyes flashed with greed. Rodvitnir stared hard. I can only hope it doesn't do anything now.

“I will build a wall to fill in the lava that is Cerberus's energy source.”

“Hahaha!” It laughed loudly. Hands with long black nails spread out. “Then you must use our furnace as well. I bet a small tribe like yours would not have the wisdom.”

“Hmph,” Rodvitnir clenched his jaw. I used one arm to block it as a signal not to do anything.

“How much will you charge?”

Another sandman brought a piece of paper with numbers written on it. What I saw made me almost jump and take care of it myself. No need to reach Roadwitnir. I clenched my jaw. At this time, you must restrain yourself first. The wolf friend looked over and wanted to know the price. I haven't told him yet.

“Would you be kind enough to give me another discount? Cerberus is not a threat unique to my kind. But many of our struggles It has been confirmed that there will be times when it will release energy waves that are not good for the bodies of both Silverfang and Sandman.”

“Hahaha.” He laughed again. “I will not be fooled by your bargain! If you can't get this price, you don't have to take it! Go back!” He shouted to the soldiers to come and take us back. We still insist on continuing negotiations. But the Sand King refused. Rodwitnir acted to deal with them. But in the end, I forbid it. Because in order to get a lump of Gralapis Ore

But in the end, I had to beg them to let me forge them anyway. The creature grunted in displeasure but finally listened to reason.

I took the matter to the tribe for discussion. The price that the Sand King demanded was something that none of us could afford. But many of them brought personal property. Because when considering the crisis of the species Even if you have to use all your assets, it can still be said to be worth it. Even if you had to gather that much, you would still not get half of it. But I would like to try to negotiate with him again.

This time, there was not only the Sand King on the throne. But there was also a woman who was holding a baby wrapped in cloth. The Sand King's expression was not as ruthless as before. It still has a gentle side to its heir. The heir that Silver Fang was struggling to have.

Before starting negotiations The Sand King kissed the baby's forehead once more before waving the Queen and her son into a private room to rest. I tried my best to negotiate. Said it was all our property. Silverfank must defeat the enemy. Otherwise, the species will disappear. The Sand King heartlessly refused.

Even though I talked about his offspring It looked back with disdain in its eyes.

“My child, it has nothing to do with your race. The talk is over. You guys go back.” He waved his hand in dismissal. Sandman soldiers holding weapons were walking towards them. But there was a voice.

Woohoo!

Rodvitnir and I turned to look at each other. We have experienced this howling sound many times before. But it shouldn't be popular all the way here. Howl of Cerberus

The Sand King and the Sandmen looked surprised. They turned and looked around. Many people are afraid. But the Sand King raised his hand. “I am here. No one can do anything to you!”

The thin figure turned and picked up a wand from a dry branch, almost as long as his own height, and planted it on the ground. Mouth curled, chanting incantations I saw the surrounding sand begin to solidify. The Sand King created a sand dome to protect his race!

Woohoo!

The howling sounded again. If it's like in the past Cerberus will soon release a wave of energy. It is both poison and heat. spread into the radius around it Silverfangs have metal bodies. Enough to endure But the sandmen are not as strong as us.

…But before, the howling sound was not heard here. The energy wave never arrived.

The sound of the energy wave was strange. Even though I've heard it many times, I still find it strange. It was like the sound of something heavy falling on the surface of the water without the water splashing around. It was a dull sound. that resounded in my head

A bright flash of light appeared. It radiated even into the underground ancient ruins. Galangal remembers it clearly. It was the release of Cerberus's energy wave. But this time it was so powerful that it was able to cross the desert… And what about the closer Silverfang?

Suddenly I felt a severe headache. Even though I've been through this feeling before But it was still almost too much pain to bear. Road Witnir has a similar condition. He sat still with his head in his hands.

Small animals such as insects and scorpions began to appear and struggle. Many of the Sandmen began to have pained expressions on their faces. Some people rolled around on the floor.

The Sand King chanted incantations even as his body fell to his knees. The gaunt hand clung to the staff, trying to conjure magic with the flickering light. His subordinates gradually began to shrink. Spitting out black blood, they fell. I think many of them had already breathed their last.

Intentional or not?… It is a massacre.

The strange sounds from Cerberus had quieted down. The remaining Sandmen went to look at the lifeless bodies lying around. The Sand King rushed to the room where his little son was. Less than a minute later I heard a loud cry. It was a sound of resentment and pain. Both the young son and the queen who had been alive until a moment ago had breathed their last.

The leader of the Sandmen walked out of the room like a soulless person. I saw water flowing from the Sand King's eyes. Normally, I've seen the water in his eyes be clear. But right now, the water was as black as the blood of his tribe. His skinny figure opened his mouth wide and spoke in a tribal language that none of us could understand. Even then, I understood his feelings.

The Sand King collapsed hopelessly on the throne where he had acted so impudent just moments ago. Soon it looked towards us. His eyes conveyed a meaning that only those who had experienced the same fate could understand… The meaning of revenge

“...I'll give you all the Gralapis I have. If you can kill him!”

A week later

After finding out that the Silver Fang tribe members were just sick. No one died. Even though there are some cases that are serious. But the tribe agreed that it was time to deal with Cerberus as soon as possible. Rodvitnir and I brought Vanakander to the furnace. He has a blueprint for a Gralapis cube. It has dowels and grooves so that it can be assembled into a wall.

Vanakander says that transporting a small cube is difficult. It would be more convenient and less noticeable than transporting a large lump of gralapis directly to the caldera. He cooperates with the sandman. Watch for the appropriate angle. and the strongest cubic casting

The Sand King changed his attitude from face to face. It lends transport vehicles used in trade. I'm willing to stop my business to make money that I once liked. All for one purpose... Killing Cerberus Not only that It also gave two pairs of its love swords. “Sai Kaew Sword” that does not break like its name suggests. But it is the sharpest sword I have ever known.

Transport vehicles can only reach the foot of the mountain. I have gathered together less than twenty Silver Fang warriors who are still ready to fight. Divided into front and rear troops. Rodwitnir commanded the vanguard. I control the rear army. We waited until the moonless night. The latter transformed into a silver wolf and sneaked up the mountain with the Gralapis Cube.

Although Vanakander has tried to design it to be easier to transport. However, the weight of this ore still could not change. It was very difficult to stealth. We lost some ore. I can only hope that it will be enough.

I thought back to the day before my departure. We had a big argument with Vanakander. That guy insisted on coming to fight as well. No matter how Rodvitnir and I explained that if the mission failed, There must be warriors left to restore the tribe. Before long, Roadwitnir had to explain with such force that his beloved glasses shattered. Vanakander has calmed down.

Finally we reached the location of the Gralapis Wall drop. We put the cubes together and assembled them. Vanakander's genius design made the walls effortless to complete. The hardest job is to lower it to block the lava stream We bound that wall with the strongest and toughest rope. Half of the rear army transformed into two legs and used their hands to push.

while the other half used their wolf form to drag a giant ore ball forward. This took longer than I thought. By the time he finished playing, the energy within him almost ran dry. and the toxic vapors began to affect us But our mission does not end here. I sent a signal to the vanguard and quickly gathered my troops to join them.

As soon as the signal is received Rodwitnir orders his vanguard to attack. They face off against Cerberus in a pool of lava beneath the volcano. Even though the main source of energy had been cut off, the demon lord still had the energy that he had accumulated over the years. The three-headed wolf king roared with a terrifying sound. But Rodvitnir and his companions knew no fear.

They let out a war cry in response and leapt into battle. My friend revealed the form of a blind wolf to show his enemies that this was the one who had a grudge against him.

Cerberus shoots intense heat beams from its three mouths. Many of his clanmates died instantly. But those who were able to dodge rushed forward to attack. He hopes to use his sharp fangs or claws to kill it. Some use beams of destruction. But we are at a disadvantage because of the little energy left in our bodies. Therefore the light beam is not at full power.

This battle must end as quickly as possible before the toxic lava vapors affect the body. Looking across towards Road Witnir. He nodded in acknowledgment before transforming into a bipedal form and taking out a sand crystal sword just like me.

“Let's do it together!” A voice announced as the two of us leapt towards Cerberus' left and right heads. It shoots out a beam of light that kills us. But that couldn't kill the War General. We dodged the beam in mid-air and turned to increase our cutting power. Immediately, both of their heads fell to the ground.

Rodvitnir and I jumped down to the ground and looked at the middle head. The last remaining head It resounded with anger and pain. Red eyes looked at us with disdain before opening their mouths wide. It accumulated more power each time it released a beam. All four feet moved more steadily than before. I can feel that it will attack with all its might!

“Kill it before it explodes!”

Rodvitnir and I attacked again. Jumped and used the sand crystal sword to sever its head at the same time. We used the maximum power we had, but alas, this time we couldn't cut off its head!

“His middle head is too hard,” I said as I tried to figure out how to defeat him as quickly as possible. Rodwitnir prepared to attack again. I communicated to him that he had to wait for a signal first. Even though it is more powerful than me But Cerberus alone couldn't do anything.

“Look!” Another Silverfang fellow pointed at the Gralapis wall. I turned around and there was a leak, lava was coming out! The cubes lost earlier would have made the wall not as strong as it should have been.

…A silver figure rushed towards the leak. He pressed his body against a wall that was extremely hot, almost melting everything!

“Wanakander. I told you not to come!”

“Hurry up… take care of it…!” A muffled voice came from its mouth.

Deal with it like that? But what should I do? I'm not as smart as you.

I turned left, I turned right Try to find a way to kill it as quickly as possible.

There's nothing here but stone walls and lava, lava! It is a source of energy for us. What if we drink it directly?

It was a too reckless decision. Is there no better way? Is there any guarantee that drinking it will increase your power? Vanakander's body began to melt. That one must be in a lot of pain. But it still tried to endure and not cry out. Now I have to decide. His fist clenched so tightly that he could feel five claws digging into his palm.

“Rodvitnir, drink the lava!” I finally ordered. “I will too!” The remaining Silver Fang friends stared at me in shock. The two of us quickly used our hands to scoop the lava into our mouths. But that alone caused the outer armor to melt. The normally inactive digestive tract is rapidly stimulated and destroyed along with it. I felt intense pain and power at the same time.

It really increases your power.

“Wow!” The two Silver Fang generals leapt up high with sand crystal swords in their hands. He spun down and slashed Cerberus' head again at the old wound. Before it's torn apart Cerberus releases a beam that collects its energy. There was a huge explosion that also sparked the Caldera volcano.

Everyone's bodies were thrown in different directions. I immediately lost consciousness.

two weeks later

I woke up in the hut. The sensation in his right leg disappeared. It must have been hit by lava during a volcanic eruption. In the hands and internal organs that had been in contact with the lava Even though it still works But it was never in good condition like before. I can't eat anymore. It can only receive energy from the lava reservoir. Even though the body is a machine

But we need medical attention. Mechanics cannot repair this body. Just use the prosthetic organ. This is not the same as what is inherited from birth.

Vanakander sacrificed his life in this battle. I think he must have prepared himself since he went to block the wall of Gralapis. Only its lava storage organ remains. I still preserve it very well.

Rodvitnir, like me, was injured from drinking lava. But on the outside, it still had all of its organs intact. Except for that eye

I've always wondered what Cerberus was, and how it suddenly appeared as an enemy of the world. But no matter what I think, there is no answer. The size of a Vanakander When it was still around, I almost died trying to find the answer to this matter. But it's still a mystery. Whether there will be new demons invading again is a question that no one knows the answer to. But we must prepare our defenses.

The Sandmen still trade with us in an exploitative manner as before. The Sand King might be considerate once in a while. When he's in a good mood But for the most part, they still sell everything for huge prices.

We still can't go back to Caldera. Residential areas that have been abandoned for a long time still need rehabilitation. But when there was no Cerberus Lava storage no longer has to be hidden. This gave us enough lava. A few days ago I heard that a new baby had been born. I'll go take a look in a bit.

The Caldera Battle is complete.