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[Battle of Shilut]

In a forest clearing, some tall yet simple stone buildings stood, with many Kronans walking among them.

Among these buildings, one stood out as the tallest, adorned with carvings. This was clearly the core building of this Kronan group.

Inside, a fat Kronan who had escaped from Shilut was kneeling on the ground. In front of him, an unusually tall and imposing Kronan sat in the main seat.

The Kronan in the main seat, referred to as the "Ancestor Kronan," looked very surprised.

"Yes, Lord Chief," the fat Kronan said, his voice trembling with fear. "The Ancestor Kronan can spit out rocks, and the land of Rhea was born from their mouths... I always thought this was just a legend, but I saw that kid spit out rocks with my own eyes."

Chief Kronan stood up, pointing angrily: "Why didn't you bring him back? Now that the Aesir are fighting against trolls and frost giants, it is the best time for the Kronan people to rise."

"If he is truly the original Kronan, we must capture him. With him, we can unite the Kronan of Vanaheim, and even our home planet, Rhea!"

The fat Kronan said with a sorrowful face, "We tried to catch him. Though he looks young, his strength is far beyond ours, comparable to an Aesir warrior. Mog died from a single blow, and I barely escaped."

"How young?" Chief Kronan asked in disbelief.

"Yes, it's true. He's no taller than my waist... So I think he must be the Ancestor Kronan. Only the Ancestor Kronan can be so strong," the fat Kronan explained.

Chief Kronan was silent for a moment, then paced, finally saying, "We must capture this child! Where is he?"

"Luo Lei Mountain, about eight days away."

"Let's go now!"

### Eight Days Later

"Crack, clap..."

Shilut was eating stones as usual. His previously injured hand had grown back, though its color was slightly different from the rest of his body.

As he ate, he stopped and turned to look.

An old Kronan was coming up the mountain path. The old Kronan was slightly stooped, with a kind smile on his face.

Despite his appearance, Shilut was on high alert due to his past encounters with the fat and thin Kronans. He stood up immediately, staring at the newcomer.

The old Kronan approached with a smile, still looking kind and easy-going. "Child, what's your name and why are you staying here?" he asked gently.

Shilut said nothing.

Realizing Shilut couldn't speak, the old Kronan took out some candy, trying to entice him.

However, Shilut, unlike the Kronan people who eat ordinary food similar to humans, only consumed stones and gems. Naturally, he wasn't interested in candy.

Unable to communicate and uninterested in food, the old Kronan's attempts at conversation had no effect.

Frustrated, Shilut let out an irritated shout: "Buzz!"

Startled, the old Kronan stepped back repeatedly, then turned and hurried down the mountain.

"How did it go?" Chief Kronan asked, standing with more than a dozen Kronans at the foot of the mountain.

"He truly doesn't know our language. He doesn't speak, nor does he understand... and he isn't interested in candy or other foods," the old Kronan reported. "I'm afraid we will have to use force."

"Is there anyone in the stone house?"

"It doesn't seem like it. But I couldn't get close. As soon as I approached the stone house, he showed strong hostility," the old Kronan explained.

Chief Kronan frowned, then clenched his fist. "Let's go up."

More than a dozen Kronans ascended the mountain and soon appeared before Shilut.

"Buzz!" Shilut jumped up, extremely nervous at the sight of the group, and retreated towards his stone house.

Chief Kronan pointed. "Capture him alive!"

"Yes!" the Kronans responded, rushing forward.

Shilut opened his mouth, releasing a large mudslide that swept across, trapping the Kronans in rocks, immobilizing them.

"Boom!" Shilut then launched a stone fist, hitting a Kronan's chest, scattering gravel.

"Ahhh!" Although not fatal, the attack left a large hole in the Kronan's chest, causing him to fall, screaming.

The remaining Kronans quickly freed themselves from the rocks and charged forward with roars.

Shilut repeated his tactics, spitting out walls and throwing flying stones. Despite their simplicity, these moves were effective, and he fought while retreating. He killed and seriously injured several Kronans, instilling fear in the others.

"This child is powerful," the old Kronan said, his tone tinged with fear, realizing he had almost angered Shilut earlier.

Chief Kronan's face darkened. "But his attacks are unsustainable. His arms are nearly exhausted."

Like the rock golems, Shilut's stone-throwing consumed his own body. However, unlike a puppet, he couldn't endlessly deplete his body. He could only sacrifice his arms at most.

When Shilut threw another stone, it was the last of his right arm, missing the target. Now, without both arms, he could no longer attack.

"You're dead!" some Kronans shouted, disregarding the chief's order, and moved to kill Shilut.

Panicked, Shilut spat out a mudslide and retreated into his stone house. Without his arms, his balance was off, and he nearly fell.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Loud noises came from outside as the Kronans tried to break in.

Desperate, Shilut opened his mouth wide and sprayed debris, quickly forming rocks in front of him, fortifying the stone gate and walls.

Shilut's construction abilities were formidable. Having eaten a lot in the past year, he had ample reserves. Soon, the rocks he spewed filled half of the stone house.

With the stone house backed by the mountain, it became an impenetrable stone shell.