Ashen Dragon

Chapter 66 Awakening (6)

In the near future, those adventurers who thought they had escaped the Red Dragon's wrath would spread its fame across the Northland, setting the stage for the Ashen Nest's upcoming actions, drawing attention from all races in Anzeta and sparking widespread discussion in human cities like Northwind Castle.

And that bard, under Cassius's orders, would tirelessly compose popular poems extolling the Red Dragon's might, spreading them throughout the North.

—After all, this was the bard's own request, so Cassius decided to gratify him thoroughly.

Cassius did not fear others coming after him; he now had immense confidence in his power, at least in the bleak Anzeta Great Wilderness in the North where he could act almost without restraint.

In this twenty-member team, half of the high-level professionals had become Cassius's experience packs.

Cassius lazily sprawled in the cave, playing with various magical items taken from Bennett with great interest.

That Dimension Door Necklace in the Red Dragon's massive claw could only serve as a tiny ring, barely fitting on his thick finger. The Shield Cloak seemed like a handkerchief, and the hollow Carved Wooden Staff looked exactly like a toothpick.

Beside him, in a box, lay hundreds of pieces of equipment shimmering with a magical aura.

There were swords, shields, staffs, amulets, and all kinds of items, many stained with blood.

But in Cassius's eyes, there was nothing particularly precious among them; most were essential lifelines for ordinary adventurers, rated at most as 'rare' according to the board's assessment.

For instance, the Whisper Greatsword, which could be considered divine gear for early players, was nothing but a chicken rib to the Red Dragon.

This was all the loot Ramp had gathered from adventurers over the years; apart from a few magic artifacts he studied himself, he sent the rest to Cassius.

The clever ogre even intentionally spread tales of "Ashen Nest Treasure" and planted several wrong maps in caravans to lure adventurers to their deaths. No wonder he managed to build a mage tower.

"Ah, the greed of men knows no bounds,"

Cassius set down the equipment in his claw, gazing at his panel.

...

[You killed the Human Archer Warrior and gained 1100 XP]

[You killed the Church Paladin and gained 2900 XP]

[You killed the Shadow Guild Thief and gained 2900 XP] Your next chapter awaits on empire

[You killed the Hemolytic Warband Warrior and gained 3900 XP]

[Your occupational level has increased to Level 7]

[Selected to advance True Dragon Sorcerer level]

Cassius held his breath, watching the panel.

Unlike the free choice of regular sorcerers, the spells of a True Dragon Sorcerer were randomly drawn from their bloodline, much influenced by luck.

Cassius believed that from his past life to the present, he had never been the so-called 'Europe King.'

[You traced your bloodline and found a secret technique from the ancient dragonkin, gaining the additional Dragon's Spell Dread Tremors]

"Zero-Tier Cantrip, causes your enemies to tremble in fear, harder to resist Dragon's Might."

Cassius couldn't help but sigh, though it was better than nothing — at least it was a useful spell.

Fortunately, due to the occupational trait bonus, he could select a Fourth-Tier spell from his warlock's spell list.

[You have acquired the Fourth-Tier Spell Shape-shifting Spell]

There was no need for further explanation of this renowned spell, which could transform seen creatures into new forms, constrained to his own control and power.

Cassius felt the evocation spell in his mind and cast it.

His spellcasting ability now reached the fifth layer of the magical web, allowing him to swiftly master the Fourth-Tier spell.

"Shape-shifting Spell."

The magical web stirred at his words and command, sparkling fragments of mana twinkled on his body. His massive, sinister form rapidly shrunk until it became that of an ordinary human.

However, the Shape-shifting Spell automatically adjusted to the caster's condition, so Cassius, being a young dragon, naturally transformed into a half-grown kid.

Cassius looked at his new form with a somewhat dark expression.

The reflection showed a young boy around twelve or thirteen years old with delicate features, golden eyes, and fiery red hair like a flame. His sharp fangs made him look like a little troublemaker.

Yet his gaze held an unexplainable haughtiness, giving off an oppressive aura.

"If I show up like this, I'd be utterly disgraced."

"I can't let players see this form, or I'll become a regular on certain peculiar websites..."

Resolving firmly, Cassius decided never to let players see this shape.

He reactivated his spell, gradually adjusting his appearance. Each twinkle of mana caused a change: color shifts, body elongations, or facial feature alterations, akin to the notorious Korean plastic surgery from his past life.

At last, a young man with black hair and golden eyes, exuding stability and handsomeness, appeared in the mirror.

He looked about twenty, wearing a dark red, gold-edged, lavishly decorated toga. His high nose bridge and golden eyes hinted at his noble status. Although slightly arrogant, he emanated elegance and composure, making him hard to refuse.

"Now this is more like it."

Cassius nodded in satisfaction.

He glanced at his panel.

[Warlock Cassius (Human Form)]

Challenge Level: 8 (3900 XP)

"In this form, my physical strength and spellcasting ability are limited to that of a high-level human warlock."

Human-shaped Cassius frowned and dispelled the spell.

Instantly, his body rapidly expanded, and the colossal Red Dragon re-emerged in the cave.

"The original form is more comfortable; feeling restricted is extremely unpleasant."

Cassius contentedly exhaled a burst of hot breath.

He looked at the panel before him, which had drastically changed since his slumber.

[Flying Flame Dragon - Cassius]

Name: Cassius Claudius Norixius

Template: NPC (271 days, 5 hours until public testing)

Category: Super Dragon Type, Lawful Evil

Race: Young Red Dragon

AC: 24 (Natural Armor, Gilded Scales)

Base Attributes:

Strength — 26

Agility — 12

Constitution — 23

Intelligence — 14

Perception — 13

Charisma — 24

Skill Proficiency: Persuasion +12, Deception +8, Ruling +8, Stealth +6, Perception +8, Hunting +4, Arcane +4, Escape +4, Knowledge (Future) +4

Damage Immunities: Fire, Lightning

Senses: Blind Sight 10 ft, Dark Vision 60 ft, Passive Perception 16

Languages: Common, Draconic

Capabilities: Remnant of the Storm, Maximized Breath (Flame), Targeted Breath (Flame), Gilded Carapace, Bloodline Gift

Feats: Gilded Scales, Maximized Breath Weapon, Targeted Breath Weapon, Combat Casting, Leader's Aura, Fugitive, Smooth Talker

Combat Equipment: Eye of the Storm King, Magic Nullification Amulet, Dimension Door Necklace, Agile Mage's Action Ring, Staff of Scorching, Talk to the Deceased Amulet, Lava Spouter, Blade Immunity Ring, Silent Steps Amulet...

Equipped Spells:

Charge Release: Storm of Vengeance

Once per week: Weather Control

Once per day: Spell Nullification Barrier, Dimension Door, Talk to the Deceased, Burning Hands, Searing Ray, Blade Guard, Oil on the soles of the feet

Occupational Level: True Dragon Sorcerer 7

Spellcasting Level: 10

Spells:

Fourth Tier: Braving the Fiery Pits, Shape-shifting Spell

Third Tier: Energy Scales, Blink Spell, Protective Energy Damage, Fireball Technique

Second Tier: Egg of Sanctuary, Enhanced Attributes, Misty Step, Phantom Force, Invisibility Spell

First Tier: Cloud Mist Technique, Charm Person, Magic Missile, Shield Spell, Thunderwave

Cantrips: Dread Tremors, Mage's Hand, Minor Illusion, Act Before the Enemy, Magic Tricks, Text Transmission Spell

Inherent Spellcasting Ability:

Once per day: Suggestion Spell

Challenge Level: 15 (13000 XP)

Assessment: When a flame streaks across the sky, beware of his arrival.