After exiting the chief's dwelling, the jackal shot a haughty and meaningful look at the dwarf and the goblin.

  “I told you, your flattery is so clumsy and ineffective that it only makes the chief laugh at you!”

  Coin's face reddened with embarrassment.

  “Only when you cast aside your foolish pride and offer unwavering loyalty to the chief will you truly be able to blend into the Dragon's Lair Tribe.”

  The jackal held a deep disdain for any member of the tribe lacking a branding.

  “Chief said we're all part of the Dragon's Lair Tribe now. Besides, our roots and our children are here. Why...”

  Kolber tried to argue in a solemn tone.

  “Bullshit!”

  Captain Dog snarled, baring his fangs.

  “Kolber, you were once the lord of a city. Honestly, would you believe such words if you were in my shoes?”

  Kolber was left speechless. The jackal's words hit home; after all, if not for that mindset, why had Giant Sand City been so xenophobic before?

  “We're different. We're wholeheartedly working for the chief and the tribe!”

  Coin declared proudly, pointing at the machinery in the goblin camp that was being toiled over even in the evening.

  “Cut the crap. If the chief didn't think your skills and technology were of some use, do you really think the Dragon's Lair Tribe would have taken you in?”

  Captain Dog spoke brusquely.

  “Let me tell you, under the great Chief Gorgin, the Dragon's Lair Tribe will keep growing. If we find a more loyal race of craftsmen in the future, you...”

  Captain Dog extended his finger, gesturing towards the dwarf and goblin camps.

  “You lot who can't offer loyalty to the chief will end up as spare rations.”

  Captain Dog's tone was menacing, and he even reached out to pat Kolber's weather - beaten face.

  Kolber had never expected to be so humiliated by this desert hyena.

  His eyes blazed with fury.

  In terms of strength, he could easily smash the jackal with a single punch, leaving him no chance to utter a sound.

  But he dared not.

  This was Chief Gorgin's watchdog, and Gorgin was an ogre chief he couldn't defeat, not even when invoking the power of the Dwarven God.

  “Wanna hit me?”

  Captain Dog thrust his head in front of Kolber, goading him relentlessly.

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  “Come on, take a swing. If you don't, you're worse than a sand - dwelling cockroach.”

  Coin watched the spectacle with relish and couldn't resist sneering at the stubborn dwarf.

  What a fool!

  Why argue with the chief's lackey?

  Do you still think you're the dwarf leader?

  Let's see how you wriggle out of this.

  If it were a goblin, these insults wouldn't matter, given their flexible moral code.

  Kolber's face turned ashen, and his body trembled slightly.

  Under the scorching mid - day sun, a faint wisp of white vapor seemed to rise from his head.

  “Come on then~~~”

  Captain Dog continued to taunt.

  The sounds of young dwarves playing outside made Kolber clench his teeth even harder.

  “Hmph!” Captain Dog snorted.

  “If you won't hit me, I'll hit myself. Then I'll tell the chief you did it. Let's see who he believes, me, the weak but branded watchdog, or you, the ex - lord of Giant Sand City.”

  With a mocking grin, Captain Dog actually raised his hand and slapped himself.

  Slap.

  Captain Dog's hand, about to strike himself, was firmly grasped by Kolber.

  “What... What the hell are you up to?” Kolber demanded.

  “We're in this situation already. Why are you tormenting me like this?”

  Slap!

  Captain Dog's other paw lashed out, slapping Kolber's face with a sharp crack.

  Kolber's eyes instantly turned bloodshot.

  His breathing grew heavy, and a faint silver glow emanated from his body.

  The goblin winced and quietly sidled away.

  Dwarves were known for their stubbornness.

  If this dim - witted dwarf erupted, his puny frame wouldn't stand a chance.

  “That's it, get angry! Come on! Unleash your power. You dwarves can grow larger, right? Use that talent. Grow big and kill me!”

  Captain Dog sneered, his cold eyes fixed on Kolber, who was struggling to contain his rage.

  Slap~

  Captain Dog raised his hand and landed another slap on Kolber's face.

  “Go ahead, kill me. With so many little dwarves to die with me, my dog's life would be well - spent.”

  Kolber's body stiffened, and he panted heavily.

  “Look at you, getting so worked up after just a couple of slaps.”

  Captain Dog clicked his tongue and shook his head.

  “Either you kill me today or I won't stop slapping you. Make your choice.”

  Captain Dog opened his mouth wide, saliva glistening on his teeth.

  Kolber clenched his fists tightly, remaining silent.

  Slap!

  Another stinging slap.

  Slap!

  Yet another.

  The male ogres who hadn't been chosen by the females were drawn by the commotion.

  They emerged from their shelters, watching Captain Dog's display with their shrewd eyes.

  Although they didn't understand what was happening, they knew this was the chief's dog.

  “Think I can't convince this ogre here to pick a couple of little dwarves and snack on them right now?”

  When the ogre was lured out and heard Captain Dog's words, Kolber finally broke down.

  “What... What do you want!” he cried.

  Slap!

  “Is that how you talk to a second - tier member like me?”

  the jackal retorted, slapping Kolber again with the back of his hand.

  “Chief... Chief said he wouldn't harm my people!!”

  Kolber shouted. Slap! Another slap landed.

  “They belong to the Dragon's Lair Tribe now, not you! Who do you think you are?”

  “But, you promised me!”

  Kolber wailed in despair.

  “You promised me!!”

  Slap!

  “What are you yelling about? What promise?” “

  You promised not to touch my people!! You said you'd keep your word!!”

  Slap!

  “Who promised you?”

  “Your chief!! He said it himself!!”

  Slap!

  “Whose chief?”

  “Ours!! Our chief!! He's our chief!!”

  Slap!

  “The chief could've slaughtered you all and dried you for food but was merciful enough to spare you. And this is how you repay him?!”

  “I...”

  Slap!

  “For days now, I've been sick of you. How many cities in this desert weren't massacred after being conquered?”

  “ Who do you think you're scowling at every day? I'll take the ogres and gobble up your kids right now! Ungrateful wretch.”

  “Ardudu??” At the mention of “eat,” the ogre's eyes lit up.

  “No! You said you'd let us live!” Kolber pleaded.

  Slap!

  “Who said that?”

  “The chief, the chief said it!!! Please, don't touch the children!!”

  Slap!

  “The chief keeps his word. What right do you have to act high - and - mighty, you slave? Turn around and kneel! Kowtow to the chief!”

  Thud. Kolber spun around and dropped to his knees, pounding his head on the ground.

  “Chief!!!”

  The old dwarf's voice was choked with sobs.

  He wept bitterly, his body racked with tremors.