Chapter 17: Treasure Hunt

Ignis's mission was different from the other knights. They didn't just choose to target the giants because they hated giants more or that giants were closer to the city. In fact, if they had the option, they wouldn't dare to attack the giants, worse in their own territory but it had to be done so Mazal came up with a plan to accomplish his goals. 

He'd use his Bronze Knights as cannon fodder in this operation to distract the giants while Ignis went and retrieved the treasure. The most important thing was the treasure and Ignis had been looking all over for it but no luck. 

"If I had a valuable treasure that everyone knew about and wanted, where would I put it for safekeeping? Bingo! So you're not as dumb as the rumours say." said Ignis softly. 

He finally understood why he hadn't been able to find the treasure he came here for. The old giant took it with him for safe keeping. There's no safer place than on one's body where he or she could keep track of it at all times. 

…

The knights were being completely overwhelmed by the giants so to preserve their lives, they could only use their innate ability as the Diamond-skin race. 

[Diamond Body!]

This was the Diamond-skin race's best defensive ability which turned them into diamonds. They could still see and feel everything happening around them but lost their mobility. Since they couldn't move, their enemy could easily capture and contain them, and wait until the ability lost effect and do whatever they want with them. This ability was forbidden to use recklessly and could only be used in case of emergencies. 

All the knights that were still alive turned into human shaped diamonds, leaving only their leader to face the giants. Jeremy was a smart person so he knew that this was a suicide mission but still followed through with it. It wasn't because he was dumb or anything like that.

He followed through with the suicide mission because he was thankful to City Lord Mazal for everything he had done for him, especially taking care of his family. For Mazal, Jeremy happily led this mission. And since his teammates had turned into diamond statues, he could finally let loose. He'd been on the defensive this whole time and it was time to shine. 

[Earth Shattering Fist!]

He punched the ground so hard the entire giant village began to shake and many giants who were rushing over lost balance and fell to the ground. Due to their massive sizes, they didn't fall into the pits that had opened up. But he wasn't done, not by a long shot. Old giant was the first person to face the full brunt of Jeremy's power. 

[Sky Shattering Fist!]

A powerful punch landed on the old giant's stomach and even though he didn't spit out blood, he still puked a mouthful of saliva. The force of the collision caused a massive crater and sent the other giants flying. 

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! 

Jeremy just kept punching the same spot over and over again while the old giant kept coughing and trying to catch his breath but couldn't. Jeremy was targeting his solar plexus so he couldn't breath in while being attacked. 

[Enough…] said the old giant with great difficulty. His face was flushed red from the lack of air and was reaching his limits. Jeremy, who wasn't listening, punched again but instead of things going as planned, he was sent flying far away. He knew that the old giant had strengthened his body to a greater degree where every attack would recoil. 

[Ruthless bastard! Depriving me of air, DIE!!!] 

The old man appeared above Jeremy with his battle axes covered in red flames and swung them down viciously. 

[World Cleavers!]

[Diamond Body!]

Jeremy could feel the terrifying heat from the red flames so he could only use his last option, Diamond Body, to protect himself from this devastating attack. 

BOOOOOM!!!

An even bigger crater was formed with Jeremy in diamond form lying at the centre of it. The red flames from the axe stuck to his diamond body and continued to burn it. Jeremy experienced excruciating pain but because he currently didn't have a mouth, he could only endure the pain. The old giant slowly approached Jeremy and looked down on him. 

[I don't know why that bastard sent you here but I'll accept the new guests. You can stay here for as long as you want… but as corpses!] Then he swung his axe again. 

Clang! 

Booooom!!!

Dust rose from the collision of the axe and the diamond body. The old man who was standing there felt that something was wrong, very wrong. 

"Old geezer, I can't have you slaughter my people while I watch and do nothing about it. Tell you what, since both groups suffered some casualties, I'll leave peacefully with my men if you give me what I came here for. The Red Refinement Flame." a voice sounded from the dust that was slowly settling down. 

[Hahaha, you're funny. You want me to give up the sacred flame of my clan in exchange for no harm to come to us. Hahaha, look around you. I have you surrounded! How are you going to escape?]

"Are you going to agree to my terms or not and let me tell you something, I have very little patience and a bad temper. So don't waste my time or irritate me." 

The dust fully cleared and Ignis appeared in sight, he was holding the old man's axe with both hands. His upper armour had been destroyed by the impact of the axe. His chiseled muscles in the open for everyone to see. 

[Beautiful…] 

A few female giants couldn't help but compliment Ignis's body which was like a masterpiece from a sculpting master. The old giant was surprised by the fact that Ignis could hold his axe and the fact that he wasn't affected by the red flames. 

[If you can defeat me then everything is yours including my clan and everything in it.]

"Good." said Ignis with a dashing smile. 

Ignis then flung the axe away with so much force that the old giant could only choose one out of two options, let go of the axe and counterattack or don't let go of the axe and do a 360 degree spin. The old giant couldn't believe what was happening but he knew what to do. 

He didn't let go of the axe but opted for the spin and while his body was turning, he attacked with the other battle axe. But it seems that Ignis had expected it as he tilted his body to the side and the axe barely missed him. He then kicked part of the battle axe's handle in the other direction. 

The old giant could only let go of it or he would dislocate his hand but the old giant wasn't done. The other battle axe was kicked far away so Ignis couldn't use it too and the 360 turn took but a few seconds to complete and his attack was already prepared by the time he was done. 

Veins appeared all over the old giant's body and it was obvious that whatever he was doing was affecting his body negatively. He even spit a mouthful of blood while grinning viciously at Ignis. In his eyes, Ignis could clearly see the 'I win' sign hidden within the old giant's gaze.

[Fireball!]

"No you don't!"