Chapter 17: Wolf Cavalry and Scorpion-Lion
The heavy wooden gate groaned open as the Ogre Guard heaved it aside. A chaotic horde of Goblinoids flooded into the valley, herded into dark, damp underground caverns—ideal dens for these sun-sensitive creatures. Fortunately, Giant’s Ravine was vast enough to comfortably accommodate the influx. Otherwise, the temporary overseer, Lanpu, would’ve been utterly overwhelmed by the sudden arrival of hundreds of them.
Kai Xiusu soared into the sky, surveying the pitiful little creatures below.
[Based on your power, you can perceive the following:]
【Goblinoid】
Small humanoid creature (Goblinoid), Lawful Evil
Armor Class: 12
Speed: 30 ft
Strength — 7
Dexterity — 15
Constitution — 9
Intelligence — 8
Wisdom — 7
Charisma — 8
Senses: Darkvision 60 ft, Passive Perception 8
Languages: Common Tongue, Dragon Tongue
Proficiencies: Building +4, Traps +4, Digging +6, Stealth +6
Traits: Sunlight Sensitive, Pack Tactics
Actions: Dagger, Sling
Challenge Rating: 1/8 (25 Experience Points)
Assessment: "Goblinoids compensate for their physical frailty with innate talent in tunneling and trap-making. Physically weak, they’re little more than appetizers for predators. Forced into unity by their vulnerability."
With a Challenge Rating of 1/8, these were likely the weakest monsters Kai Xiusu had ever encountered. The only real value in recruiting them as Followers was as miners and sappers. If pressed into battle, they’d serve only as cannon fodder.
But given their gold and the intelligence they provided about the mysterious monsters deep within the Mine Shaft, the Red Dragon still accepted them into his fold. After all, the fact that some unknown creature had devoured hundreds of Goblinoids was not, in his eyes, particularly meaningful—such a feat could be easily exaggerated. More detailed intel and accurate power assessment were needed.
Still, something capable of growing larger than the current Red Dragon? That wasn’t something to take lightly.
With that thought in mind, he summoned the Troll Chieftain, Dolo.
Thanks to Ashen Hollow as a secure stronghold, this ambitious Dwarf Goliath Warlord had finally put an end to his years of wandering and evading human hunters. Life had become comfortable—so much so that, if Kai Xiusu wasn’t mistaken, even the rough, reddish-brown skin on Dolo’s face seemed slightly smoother now.
Add in the aura of leadership, and Dolo’s devotion to his master only deepened. His grotesque red face broke into a wide, eager grin.
"My mighty lord," he rumbled, "what commands do you have for me?"
"Your Wolf Cavalry—how are they progressing?"
The so-called Wolf Cavalry consisted of Goblin soldiers mounted on Dire Wolves. There was a peculiar bond between Goblins and wolves—natural companionship that made them ideal war partners. The Wolf Cavalry were the elite force in any Goblin army.
Dolo, the great Goblin, had once declared during a hunt: "I’d rather lose dozens of cannon fodder than lose a single Wolf Cavalry warrior." And he’d meant it. On that same hunt, he’d allowed over a dozen Goblins to be trampled by a woolly mammoth, just to save a Dire Wolf rider who’d been thrown from his mount.
"Excellent," Dolo replied, licking his lips with a gleam of battlelust in his eyes. "The Dire Wolves are already eager to taste enemy blood."
"Send out a few scouting parties to investigate the Mine Shaft as reported by the Goblinoids. Scout the surrounding area, gather intelligence. Report back immediately upon discovery—no unnecessary losses."
"As you command," Dolo bowed deeply, then turned and mounted his Dire Wolf, cracking his leather whip to rally the rest of the Wolf Cavalry.
"Spent long enough studying spells," Red Dragon mused internally. "Time to scour the region again and level up."
For some time, Kai Xiusu had dedicated himself entirely to spellcraft, striving to master his inner strength and fully comprehend the mechanics of magic—and the deeper workings of the world itself. Though the Player Panel could instantly boost his power, he preferred a slower, more stable path. He wanted not just strength, but the mindset of a true master—so he wouldn’t become a mere puppet of the System.
With a powerful beat of his wings, the Red Dragon lifted into the sky.
On an unknown high cliff, two terrifying creatures tore at scraps of flesh. Their meal—though shredded beyond recognition—still bore faint traces of humanity: smooth skin, five-fingered hands, and finely tailored clothing.
They were massive—over four meters long—lion-bodied with draconic wings. Their manes flowed like flame down their backs, and their long tails ended in clusters of spines. But the most chilling feature was their heads: smooth, hairless, and eerily human-like. In a scene drenched in blood, the contrast was grotesque.
Scorpion-Lion.
Infamous monsters, infamous for their love of human flesh. Their image had long haunted children’s nightmares in human folklore—only now, they were real.
They often captured humans and brought them to their nests atop the high cliff, savoring their prey slowly. But this time, a faint mist began to rise from the cliff’s edge.
Then it thickened—swelling into a dense, suffocating fog that blinded everything within it.
Yet the Scorpion-Lions, so accustomed to being the apex predators, remained utterly unaware of the danger approaching.
A black shadow shot through the mist. Behind it, a flickering glow burned bright—visible even through the haze.
"Fire Breath!"
Kai Xiusu unleashed a torrent of searing flame from his maw, erupting from the fog like a wrathful god. The blast engulfed one of the Scorpion-Lions, igniting its fur and flesh instantly. It screamed, rolling helplessly across the nest, unable to do anything but burn.
The nest—made of dry wood and straw—caught fire in an instant. Flames roared, consuming the creature whole.
The second Scorpion-Lion let out a ghastly, human-like cackle, then flapped its wings desperately, trying to flee the fog and fire.
But Kai Xiusu would not allow it.
"Instant Cast: Cat's Agility"
The so-called "Zoo Spell" enhanced his body—transforming the Red Dragon’s massive frame into something surprisingly agile. With a single flick of his wing, he shot across the sky, overtaking the fleeing monster in the blink of an eye.
Without hesitation, he slammed his massive claw into the air, pinning the Scorpion-Lion against the cliff wall with brutal force.
The impact shook the entire cliffside. Rocks cracked and tumbled down in a cascade.
The creature whimpered—its voice a strange, broken sound. It was begging.
"I… submit."
Tears streamed down its human-like face—real, glistening tears. The expression of supplication was grotesque, unnatural. To any sane being, it was horrifying.
Crack.
With a single, merciless twist, the Red Dragon crushed the monster’s spine beneath his claw.
He released his grip. The lifeless, monstrous body fell, tumbling into the mist below. A final thud echoed from the ravine, then silence. Only the faintest rustle of struggling stones remained—before even that faded.
Standing atop the cliff, the Red Dragon surveyed the fog-wrapped earth below.
"Future conquests will include human cities. Players will descend. I need Followers who can be controlled—capable of suppressing their wild instincts."
"The chaotic, evil fools? I already have a Chimera for that purpose."
"And besides… this thing is hideous."
As the smoke cleared, Kai Xiusu stared down at the twisted, human-faced corpse lying in the dirt. He couldn’t help but mutter:
"...Seriously, what is this thing?"
(End of Chapter)
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