Chapter 50 The Bear Clan
As dusk fell, the lingering warmth of the pale yellow sunlight cascaded down from the sky, transforming into a deep twilight.
The pungent smell of sulfur permeated the coniferous valley, and the rising steam refracted the last rays of the setting sun into distorted ripples.
Six sub-adult bears sat around a boiling pool of high-temperature sulfur, their thick fur covered with pyrite crystals, resembling thick rock armor.
The leader of the raging bears, Broken Tooth Gol, was among them.
It is the largest in size, and its fur is a dark yellow mixed with dark red. Many scars can be vaguely seen on its body, and one of its fangs is broken.
These are proof that they once fought against powerful ferocious beasts and monsters.
In the Earth Bear clan, it is a symbol of bravery and glory, a medal to be proud of.
Including Gore.
All the earth bears were stirring the sulfur pool with their claws.
The young bears would add a special metallic ore to this sulfur pool to continuously enhance its special effects.
The verdigris-colored bubbles kept bursting, emitting a corrosive hissing sound.
This is the 'claw tempering' that this Bear Clan has continued for decades. Whoever has the sharpest and hardest bear claws can last longer in this sulfur pool. And after being tempered, the bear claws will become even stronger.
On the rocks in the northwest corner of the hot spring, several bear cubs are peeking out and watching.
Gore stirred the water the most, creating ripples that resembled whirlpools, a feat unmatched by any of the other bears.
As time passed, the sub-adult bears felt excruciating pain in their claws and could no longer endure it. They withdrew from the pool, bowing slightly to their leader to show their awe and respect. After receiving a low growl from the leader, they turned and left. Only old Gore continued to temper his claws with the sulfurous pool water, even pouring the corrosive water onto himself, making a hissing sound.
While the chief was still in the sulfur pool.
Raymond, a two-year-old male bear, sneaked into the area where the female bears were, bared his teeth, and threw a piece of thunderbird wing hidden on his back at one of the female bears.
In the culture of the Earth Bear clan.
Females are not faithful to a fixed mate and may accept the courtship of multiple male bears at the same time, but must buy mating rights with food.
The female bear glanced at Raymond, neither taking back the Thunderbird's wings nor giving it any further attention.
This means rejection.
Although it is not loyal to a fixed mate, it must be loyal to the strongest bear.
The leader, Gore, monopolized all the female bears and strictly forbade them from mating with other male bears. If a male bear was found to be mating with another male bear, he would beat him half to death and drive him out of the territory. The female bear would be punished by having her food supply cut off for a long period of time.
The male bear, overcome with lust, did not leave; instead, he shamelessly sat down next to the female bear.
It subtly rubbed its tail against the female bear's hind legs, teasing her.
It's mating season, and the female bear, aroused by Raymond's advances, is gradually becoming restless and unable to contain herself.
Since she couldn't see Chief Gore anywhere, the mother bear finally wiggled her plump rump, signaling the male bear to follow her into a more secluded thicket.
rustling.
The bushes trembled and shook.
Ten minutes later.
Raymond the bear stood upright and strode out of the bushes with a cheerful gait, only to collide head-on with the leader of the bears.
The leader of the bears remained calm, but a dangerous glint flashed in his brown eyes.
"Raymond, you've crossed the line."
It let out a low, thunderous roar.
"Chief, please listen to my excuses!"
The male bear was greatly alarmed.
Before the words were even finished, a huge bear paw slammed down on its body.
This sub-adult bear, which is over seven meters tall, was sent flying backwards like a kite with a broken string. Its chest fur was disheveled, its flesh was deeply dented, and its bones were shattered.
The bear leader strode forward with a cold, heavy step, launching a fierce attack on the unruly male bear. The male bear dared not resist and could only howl and beg for mercy.
The other male bears remained silent, terrified.
Just a few minutes later, Raymond the bear stopped moving and all signs of life disappeared; he had been beaten to death.
Such things rarely happened before.
When faced with an unruly sub-adult bear, especially one of his own offspring, Chief Gore often chooses to beat it half to death and throw it out of the territory rather than kill it outright.
The old bear seemed unusually irritable today.
"Whoever dares to disobey or challenge my authority again."
I'll snap its neck!
The old bear let out a low growl, its fur rippling, silencing the other bears.
Seeing the fear flash in the eyes of the other bears, especially the males, it nodded in satisfaction.
As it aged, Old Gore's fur was no longer as shiny and bright as it had been in its prime. Some grayish-white, lifeless fur had appeared on its body, and it also felt its strength gradually declining and its physical attributes weakening. This time, the time it took to temper its claws was a little shorter than before.
The knife of time is a hundred times sharper than the teeth of a ferocious beast.
Not all creatures can grow stronger with age like dragons. Gore had passed its peak, and its strength declined every day thereafter.
It felt annoyed and uneasy about this.
In order to maintain its dominant position in the tribe, the irritable creature decided to take a more ruthless approach, even killing its offspring without mercy.
suddenly.
A rustling sound came from the pine forest ahead, making the old bear prick up its ears instantly, stand upright, and turn its head to look.
Another giant bear pushed aside the vines and branches blocking its path and appeared in the old bear's sight.
“My dear father, you are becoming more and more cruel.”
Mobel said, his gaze sweeping over the corpse at the old bear's feet.
"Mobel, you foolish son who disobeyed me, you're still alive."
The old bear grinned, revealing obsidian embedded in its missing teeth.
It felt no threat from Mobel.
Although it is old and weak, it is still much stronger than an ordinary bear compared to its peak.
"What do you want from me?"
"Is this an attempt to challenge my authority and status, or is it a suicide mission?"
Its eyes gleamed with ferocity, and sharp, razor-sharp claws shot out.
Mobel grinned, stood upright with his arms on his hips, and said in a gruff voice, "Of course, it's to kill you, replace you, and then take over all your female bears!"
Upon hearing this, Gore flew into a rage.
It arched its back, braced its hind legs on the ground, and was about to pounce and kill this unfilial son.
However, as soon as Mobel finished his declaration, he turned and ran, sprinting on all fours. Some runes on his limbs lit up, making his body lighter and faster.
"You can't escape, I'll kill you!"
The bear leader roared, its claws shattering the ground as it charged like a cannonball, smashing through all obstacles in its path as it chased after Mobel.
The other bears looked at each other, but did not give chase.
This challenge to the leader is not about defending against external enemies; the other bears need not intervene.
(End of this chapter)
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