Burning Tongue

Up ahead, the party could vaguely hear the sounds of scuffles and hisses. They remained where they were, however. There was little need to rush in yet.

[Red Scaled Lizardman]

-Rank - E - Middle

-Growth Stage - 3/3

-Overall Energy Level - 420

-Rank Elevation Not Possible.

[Red Scaled Lizardman]

-Rank - E - Late

-Growth Stage - 3/3

-Overall Energy Level - 480

-Rank Elevation Not Possible.

---

With various alerts from the game system, Michael was able to get a heads up about the closest Lizardmen to the group. He kept the information to himself, turning to look at the party members once more.

"Intruders!" A deep voice suddenly bellowed from the open cavern ahead. "Step out of hiding or feel our wrath!" The voice had a domineering edge to it.

'I guess we've been found out.' Michael thought to himself as he took the first step forward. Upon rounding the corner and coming into the open space, the first thing he was was Lizardmen. Lots of Lizardmen. Dozens of hissing Lizardmen stood forward, baring their sharp fangs and claws to the intruders. Even Michael who usually kept a cool head at all time was slightly intimidated.

At the forefront of the wall of Red Scaled Lizardmen was a larger, more intimidating Red Scaled Lizardman. It stood at at least seven feet, with bulky shoulders, thick arms and legs, and an exceptionally think tail. Michael looked like a simple half grown Lizardman when compared to it.

[Red Scaled Lizardman]

-Rank - D - Early

-Growth Stage - 3/3

-Overall Energy Rank - 670

-Rank Elevation out of reach.

(A/N: Just trying to be a little more clear on differentiating those who have the potential to climb to the next rank, and those who do not. I will use the term 'Out of reach' for those who can reach a higher rank.)

---

'Dammit. Their leader is in the D rank already?' With a slight tick in his mind, Michael realized how deep in trouble they were. If he had known, he would have come with more Lizardmen, but even still, he didn't regret leaving that many Lizardmen back to protect the tribe.

The leader of the red Lizardman scanned the entire party when they stepped out of hiding, before his eyes settled on Michael. There was an aura of command that Michael radiated, one he was quite familiar with because he radiated that same aura. Compared to Michael who stood at the front of the intruding party, the rest of them were simply just small fries.

"Do you know what they're saying?" Eudora, acting as the bridge between her team and Michael's asked from the back of the group.

"You mean you don't understand?" Michael flicked his tail in confusion as he heard her. He thought of different reasons as to why she didn't understand the words of the Red Scaled Lizardmen before settling on a plausible reason.

'Maybe these Lizardmen lack the Interracial Communication Channel Skill.' He thought to himself. 'Not that it matters, at least I can have a proper conversation with these Lizardmen without the listening in.'

"Yellow Scaled Lizards, or should I say Lizardmen... We have had multiple clashes in the past, but don't you think we should put that behind us now that we are greater than what we used to be back then?" The red Lizardman leader spread out its arms wide as it spoke.

Instead of speaking, Michael gestured to Milizaus to step forward and speak on his behalf, as he hadn't experienced any of the fights between the two from back when they were lizards, nor the little time they had spent as Lizardmen.

Upon stepping before the large Red Scaled Lizardman, Milizaus' spine went straight as a rod, his eyes sharp as they waged a small contest between themselves. Eventually, the contest ended with none of them backing down, causing the red Lizardman leader to break out in a wide grin, showing off all his teeth.

"You've grown some spine since the last time we saw each other, haven't you, Milizaus? Is it because of that new leader of yours?" He gestured to Michael who carefully watched what was going on between the two of them. "If I remember correctly, that other leader of yours would have rushed head first into battle by now. He wasn't nearly half as smart as your current leader."

"Our matters do not concern scum like you. What we are here for is to silence you and your aggressive attacks to the humans." Milizaus hissed back sharply, making sure to keep his tone in check.

"Scum? Ha! I think you have forgotten my name." The Red Scaled Lizardman laughed.

"I need not remember names of trash like you."

"Very well then. I shall just remind you... May this name haunt you for all eternity. Remember me, I am Ignis, born of flames, and I shall end you in flames!" Upon his declaration, Ignis opened his jaw wide, exposing the burning red internals. That wasn't what surprised Michael though. What surprised him was the red serrated tongue that was conveniently placed at the bottom of his mouth, under his main tongue.

"DIE!" Ignis roared, before breathing out a scorching wave of fire.

"Scatter!" Michael managed to shout before he dashed to the side himself, only barely managing to pull away Milizaus who seemed to have been frozen in place.

With the sound of a muffled burst of wind, the scalding flames washed over the spot they were once standing at.

"Dammit. I didn't think their leader would be this strong." Michael murmured to himself from his hiding spot. He had already begun to plot his actions, and the most plausible one was also the most stupid one, but also the one that wouldn't get all of them killed as long as the enemy kept to their word.

"Ignis! I have a proposal!" He yelled from behind his spot.

"Oh? A coward of a leader proposes a deal? Let me hear you out then. If I don't like this deal of yours, then I will just wipe you all out." Ignis' voice echoed through the darkness.

"...Let us fight one on one. No interruptions or anything. A fight to the death. If I lose, then my people and everything we have are yours, but it I win, your people an everything they have is mine. Is that okay?"

"Mmm, a decent deal. Saves me the trouble of going all the way to conquer your people by myself. Very well then, I agree to your proposal, little lizard."