Chapter 121: Ascension and Terrifying Illusions
After fully adapting to his new form, Kai Xiusu felt the surge of raw, overwhelming Strength coursing through his body. He glanced once more at his Character Sheet, now completely overrun with a flood of Experience Points (XP) notifications.
[You defeated 【White Lion Knight – Tariq】, gaining 2,100 XP]
[You defeated 【Northwind Eagle Guard Captain – Narelan】, gaining 1,800 XP]
[You defeated 【Northwind Eagle Guard Captain – Atra】, gaining 1,800 XP]
[You defeated 【Silver Hand – Tel】, gaining 1,200 XP]
[You defeated 【Earl Robert】，gaining 1,200 XP]
...
[You defeated 【Logistical Supplies Soldier】, gaining 0.5 XP]
[You defeated 【Logistical Supplies Soldier】, gaining 0.5 XP]
[You defeated 【Peasant Supporter】, gaining 0.25 XP]
...
Over ten thousand entries had scrolled across the screen.
At the top were high-ranking officers from the Allied Forces—Paladins, Spellcasters, and elite commanders. Below them came the seasoned warriors, then countless ordinary soldiers, and finally, the masses of Civilian Laborers.
Though Kai Xiusu’s life tier was so high that even the weakest creatures contributed negligible XP, their sheer numbers added up—accumulating like grains of sand into a mountain.
“Whoa… that many?” Kai Xiusu couldn’t help but blink in surprise.
The data before him far exceeded his expectations.
In the final Character Sheet summary, he had amassed over 63,000 Experience Points (XP).
Even with the Red Dragon template making Level Up exceptionally difficult, this massive amount of XP was more than enough to push him up four levels in one go.
Yet Kai Xiusu had no intention of doing so.
To accept such overwhelming Strength recklessly would be perilous.
Even the Spell abilities he’d gained during his previous slumber were only just beginning to be fully integrated—still in the early stages of mastery.
---
[Choose to upgrade 【True Dragon Mage】 level]
[Your 【True Dragon Mage】 level up to 8]
[You gain an additional Dragon Heritage Proficiency: 【Hard Landing】]
【Hard Landing】
Prerequisites: Soaring, Flip
When a dragon is struck by damage or a spell powerful enough to prevent flight, a creature rich in Experience Points (XP) can resort to a desperate yet dignified method to preserve its pride. With this Specialization, a dragon can always find the most optimal way to minimize injury during any fall.
Kai Xiusu gave a slow nod. At least this Specialization would be useful in battle.
[You gain a bonus Attribute Point—choose to increase any of your stats by 1 point (including those above 20)]
[Choose to raise Charisma to 25]
Once again, that familiar sensation washed over him—seeping into his flesh, his Spiritual Soul, and his mind.
His influence over reality deepened. At this moment, he felt less like a being and more like a conductor of the Weave of Magic, capable of reshaping the world with a mere thought.
It was said that once Charisma, Intelligence, and other Spellcasting Attributes reached thirty, a Player could touch the Primordial Sea through sheer willpower—ascending to a new, transcendent level of magic far beyond mortal comprehension. But no such Player had ever achieved it in the previous cycle.
Kai Xiusu took a deep breath, savoring the connection to the world around him, silently praying for a truly useful Spell.
Yet he did not invoke any god.
---
[You acquire a 5th-level Dragon Spell: 【Dragon’s Resurgence】]
【Dragon’s Resurgence】
5th-Level Evocation Spell
Golden light erupts from the ground beneath you, forming a radiant column of yellow particles that envelop you in a healing glow. This spell converts Arcane Energy into pure Dragon Life Energy, channeling it to mend the wounds upon your body.
Kai Xiusu exhaled in relief.
A powerful healing spell—precisely the kind of tool he needed in life-or-death battles against formidable foes.
But then another spell appeared—and his expression darkened.
[You acquire a 6th-level Dragon Spell: 【Tiamat’s Terrifying Illusion】]
【Tiamat’s Terrifying Illusion】
6th-Level Illusion Spell
The target sees a horrifying vision of Queen Tiamat, the Dragon Mother. Unless their will is ironclad, they believe the illusion is real—and that they are about to be engulfed by her multi-element breath attack.
Those who fall prey to the illusion see fire, ice, acid, lightning, and poison spewing from the "mouth" of Tiamat, one after another. Even if they resist, they must possess exceptionally strong Mental Will—otherwise, they will be driven mad and die of sheer terror.
Even those with strong wills suffer severe mental trauma. The illusion is so horrific that it lingers in the mind long after.
"Tiamat’s Illusion…"
"Coincidence… or was this deliberate?"
Kai Xiusu’s thoughts grew still, his expression tightening.
Though Anzeta Great Wasteland was merely a forgotten corner of Alerzage, a place of no real significance in the Prime Material Plane…
Kai Xiusu, as the so-called Dragon Queen’s favorite, might have already drawn her attention.
After all, the terrifying vision had appeared in his mind just after he’d entered Alerzage.
Now, as the Lord of Storm Ridge, and soon to inherit the entire Duchy of Lakanman, he was barely at the threshold of being considered a suitable doge for the Dragon Queen.
"This spell is undeniably powerful."
"But I’d be wise not to use it unless absolutely necessary."
He didn’t believe that summoning a true divine illusion would go unnoticed by the goddess herself. To think otherwise was absurd.
Kai Xiusu had no desire to make contact with the Dragon Queen while still weak. To do so would only turn him into a puppet, utterly at her mercy.
"Tiamat…"
"Rather than a pawn… I’d rather be her rebel son."
The thought flashed through his mind—blasphemous, dangerous, and utterly forbidden.
He would never speak it aloud.
Yet the Spell’s casting pattern now burned in his memory—the image of the Five-Colored Dragon Queen, her face twisted in eternal fury, her eyes locked onto him as if she had always been watching.
The weight of her gaze unsettled him.
So Kai Xiusu tried to build a mental fortress within his mind, sealing away the spell—locking it away for now, unused.
If he could, he’d have gladly discarded the 6th-level spell altogether.
Even sealed away, the Illusion left him restless—his mind haunted, unable to find peace.
"Lanpu."
The Red Dragon called forth the Magic Mirror deep within the cave.
With a ripple of magic, Lanpu’s grotesque face appeared in the mirror, his expression one of humble reverence.
Since that nightmarish Cataclysm, he had gained a far clearer understanding of the Red Dragon’s power—and with it, deeper fear.
"My Great Master," he said, bowing low, "what is your command?"
Kai Xiusu spoke with cold precision:
"Find an open, secluded cave within the Storm Ridge territory. Within it, establish a Sanctuary of Her Majesty Tiamat. Send a few gold coins there regularly—offering tribute in her name."
He paused, then added with deliberate emphasis:
"And ensure the location is far from Dragon Vale."
Lanpu accepted the order with a bow.
"Yes, Master."
The Dragonblood Ogre Mage severed the magical link, muttering to himself:
"My Master is truly generous and devout—offering such precious gold coins to the Dragon Queen. No wonder he wields such overwhelming power."
But Kai Xiusu, aware of the Dragon’s insatiable greed, had already decided to substitute gold coins with copper coins—a far less tempting offering.
Of course, it wasn’t out of stinginess.
That was simply a matter of prudence.
(End of Chapter)
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