This story dates back to a few days ago, when I secretly accompanied the elder chieftain to the border of the valley and the forest for an inspection.

In short, we fell into an ambush.

The strongest Warg was chosen as the leader of the wolves.

The strongest horse was chosen as the stud.

As for me, Bloch, the strongest beastman…

"Bloch..." The chieftain who passed by the bridge looked at me with a mournful gaze.

I stood on the bridge, turned around, and responded with a determined look: "I understand, Chief. I'll stay behind to cover your retreat, you should go!"

I was chosen to die.

"I should have died with you in glory... I'm sorry!" The chieftain said with a bite of humiliation.

"I understand that our people still need you to lead them. Your survival is not living in dishonor, but it's for the greater good! Fight on, taking my share with you!" I raised my battle-axe to the chieftain. "Go now, I'll hold off those long-eared elves!"

"Brave warrior, our ancestors are with you!" The chieftain's eyes were filled with tears, "One day, we will meet again on the plains where our souls return!"

The chieftain finished speaking, turned around, and ran towards the valley without looking back.

As for me, I turned to another direction, looking at the forest at the end of the bridge.

The increasingly clear footsteps indicated that the pursuers have arrived, and several arrows were shot out from the forest.

I held my thick battle-axe horizontally in front of my body, blocking two arrows aimed at my throat while two more pierced my shoulder from above, and the remaining arrows stuck into the bridge surface.

Humph, it didn't hurt at all. The thin arrows of elven archers were like needles to a strong beastman like me.

The elven archers, wearing grey cloaks and silver masks, appeared from the depths of the forest, readying their bows and arrows.

I took a deep breath, gathered my strength, and let out a roar that could shatter the eardrums of a mammoth: "I am Bloch, the warrior of Blood Axe Clan! Who dares to fight me to the death?!"

This roar seemed to shake their confidence, and the archers hesitated.

A bunch of cowards! I'll show you what a real warrior is!

I roared again, charged at them with my battle-axe.

The archers scrambled to reestablish their formation, and the belated second wave of arrows was coming.

I used my battle-axe to deflect the arrows aimed at my vitals, charged across the bridge, and with a strong leap near the forest's edge, left a deep footprint on the ground.

With this jump, I evaded several arrows while also closing the distance to the nearest archer—less than twenty steps, and I could take his head off.

The archer trembled in fear, then screamed and ran away without hesitation, only to trip and fall over a tree root.

Huh? That voice… a female elf?

It turned out that the elven troops, who had always been in conflict with our tribe, were made up mostly of female elves.

But whether male or female, stepping onto the battlefield meant they were all warriors! Such cowardice was a disgrace to the profession of a warrior!

Anger welled up in me, and I charged forward, raising my axe.

Since I was destined to die here, let me fight until the last moment, for dying on the battlefield is every beastman warrior's ultimate desire!

You, are the first offering!

Just as my battle-axe was about to taste blood, an invisible force struck the side of my head.

Suddenly, the world spun before my eyes.

The battle-axe fell from my hand.

I could no longer stand… I felt so sleepy…

As my consciousness faded, I saw the figure of someone wearing a robe and holding a staff not far away.

An elven… mage?

"Finally caught you!" Just before I fell, I heard the mage say with a laugh.

And that's how I became a prisoner of the elves.