[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-adventures-of-hulim":3,"chapter-the-adventures-of-hulim-the-adventures-of-hulim-chapter-423":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Adventures of Hulim",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1882074,2498,"Chapter 423: The Ambush in the Somodo Mountains","the-adventures-of-hulim-chapter-423",423,"\u003Cp>Eugene scowled in annoyance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nov, how many times do I have to tell you? We’re the regular army, not a bunch of cutthroat thieves! Quit spouting that rogue-like nonsense. And for the record, you brainless oaf will definitely kick the bucket before either of us do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did you say?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before anyone could blink, Eugene and Aznov were at each other’s throats again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the two bicker like children, Charkin snickered to himself, then tugged Hulim aside to speak privately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pay ’em no mind. Whatever you wanna know, just ask me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hulim paused for a moment, then said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There is something I’m curious about.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are you here, Charkin?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charkin scratched his head, thinking back, before replying,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To make a long story short—I used to serve in the Lidyall Royal Army. Retired later to focus on blacksmithing full-time. But now that the great war’s looming on the horizon, folks like me got drafted back into the coalition forces posthaste. That knucklehead Nov over there? Same boat as me—he answered the call too. All went down not long after you graduated, if I remember right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see. That clears up why you’re here. Now, can you fill me in on the intel regarding the Somodo Mountains? I’d like to wrap this up as quickly as possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Somodo Mountains?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two quarreling dwarves froze mid-shout and turned their heads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait a second, lass......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eugene said, his voice tinged with disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t mean to tell me you’re planning to handle this all by yourself, do you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, I wish I could,” Hulim admitted. “But that’d require the Gulos forces to play right into my hands. To pull that off, I’ll need your help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At her words, Charkin, Eugene, and Aznov exchanged a series of meaningful glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Very well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eugene’s expression turned serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lay out your plan. We’ll follow your lead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep within the Somodo Mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A detachment of Gulos forces had set up camp in a hidden valley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanoklian, vice-captain of the Great Demon Mercenary Corps, stood atop a cliff edge, gazing out at the world beyond the mountain range.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mercenary approached from behind, bowing his head in a crisp salute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Vice-Captain! The dwarves are on the move again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanoklian didn’t turn around, his voice cold and detached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Again, huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How many did they send out this time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All of them, sir. The entire legion is marching out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanoklian raised an eyebrow, surprised. He fell silent for a moment, deep in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re committing their full strength?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are they growing desperate...... Or have they finally found a way to break through our lines?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Tanoklian failed to issue any orders, the mercenary ventured a cautious question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh...... Vice-Captain? Should we make our move?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course we should.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanoklian nodded sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No matter what trick those dwarves are pulling, our mission is to pin them down here. Send the word out—activate all ambushes. Every last one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, sir!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mercenary bowed and hurried off to relay the command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a dark shadow loomed over the spot where Tanoklian stood, growing larger by the second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>THUD!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dull, heavy thud echoed behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive black dragon wreathed in demonic flames landed gracefully, its scales shimmering with an eerie red glow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Vice-Captain. Heard the dwarves are on the move again?” A voice rang out, brimming with irritation. “Honestly, can’t they just give up? They know it’s useless, yet they keep trying. Don’t they ever let a guy catch a break?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanoklian finally turned around, his face impassive as he stared at the man who’d dismounted from the dragon’s back—Narzis, the Wind General.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Narzis,” he said flatly, “it’s the same as before. You and the Demonic Flame Dragon go harass their vanguard. No need to engage in a full-on fight—just keep them bogged down. Make sure they can’t advance an inch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Piece of cake,” Narzis replied with a dismissive shrug. “But c’mon—this time, all three of their top brass are leading the charge, right? Me and the dragon can only hold off two of them max.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need to worry about that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanoklian’s tone remained calm and unruffled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This time...... I’m coming out of hiding too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the treacherous mountain paths of the Somodo Mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dwarf legion marched steadily forward, their boots crunching on loose rocks and fallen branches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Charkin—you really think that girl can pull it off? Round them all up, I mean.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eugene asked, his voice laced with worry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charkin shot him a sideways glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? You doubting Hulim’s strength now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not that,” Eugene shook his head firmly. “That’s not what I’m worried about.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My concern is this—all the commanders Gulos stationed here are speed freaks. If they decide to cut and run, we’ll never be able to catch ’em. Not in these mountains.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charkin’s expression darkened as he frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eugene was right. That was the most infuriating thing about Gulos’s setup here. Their leaders were all built for speed—fast enough to dart past their lines and strike at the rear of the dwarf legion whenever they pleased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with Hulim here to back them up, if they failed to take out all those commanders in one fell swoop, the ones who escaped would definitely send word to Gulos’s main army in Ravenrim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the only reason Gulos had left a small detachment here was because their main forces were busy laying siege to Ilz. Their job was just to hold the dwarves back, nothing more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if the dwarves managed to break through this mountain pass, Gulos would definitely send reinforcements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Somodo Mountains were vast and labyrinthine. It would take the dwarf legion days to cross them fully. More than enough time for Gulos’s reinforcements to arrive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if that happened, the situation in the Somodo Mountains would spiral into chaos, with both sides pouring in more troops. The dwarves’ chances of making it to Ilz to reinforce the defense would plummet to zero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long moment of silence, Charkin spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For now, we just have to trust Hulim. Besides—when it comes to raw speed? None of those Gulos lackeys can hold a candle to Ignir.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......You’re right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eugene thought about it for a second, then nodded in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM——!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had the words left his mouth than a deafening explosion roared from the front of the column.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three A-Rank dwarves’ faces paled. They drew their weapons in unison, tensing for battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eugene let out a low snarl, his grip tightening on his greatsword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They didn’t waste any time, did they?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stick to the plan! Draw all their attention to us!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he raised his greatsword high above his head and roared at the top of his lungs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Warriors of Lidyall! Charge—for glory!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“DEATH TO GULOS!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“CRUSH ’EM!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dwarf legion let out a thunderous battle cry, charging headlong at the small band of monsters that had appeared ahead of them. Not a single dwarf showed a hint of panic—despite walking straight into an ambush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, atop a distant mountain peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanoklian watched the dwarf legion’s advance, his eyes cold and calculating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smirked as he saw the dwarves engage the small monster squads, being led by the nose deeper into the mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh. Typical dwarves—brutish and stupid. I was worried for nothing, thinking they’d cooked up some clever scheme.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, Vice-Captain! When do we get to join the fun?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Narzis piped up again, bouncing on the balls of his feet in impatience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me at those dwarves already! Sitting around here just watching our monsters get slaughtered is boring!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanoklian shot him a glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine. Go wild. Do whatever you want. Raise as much hell as you please.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Narzis’s eyes lit up like wildfire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“HAHAHA! FINALLY! Let’s go, Demonic Flame Dragon—time to burn these mountains to the ground!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a maniacal laugh, a violent cyclone erupted around Narzis’s body. He shot into the sky like a bolt of lightning, streaking toward the battlefield at breakneck speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“ROAR!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black Demonic Flame Dragon let out a thunderous roar, spreading its wings and soaring after him, leaving a trail of smoldering ash in its wake.\u003C\u002Fp>",1377,"2026-06-10T06:36:37.918Z",1,"novelbin.me","ce55e8a19dffe437e8eb695d5f85efd222f88bba0ab20918f42630d96f1d3b0e","the-adventures-of-hulim-chapter-424","the-adventures-of-hulim-chapter-422",528,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-adventures-of-hulim-cover.jpg"]