Chapter 18: Leveling Up and News

Chapter 18: Leveling Up and News

A translucent light screen gradually unfolded.

[You killed 【Manticore】, gaining 700 XP]

[You killed 【Manticore】, gaining 700 XP]

[Class level increased to Level 4]

Cassius couldn’t help but feel excited; in the system of 《Erezaghe》, leveling up was actually quite difficult.

For most Professionals, every four levels marked a transformation, allowing for a substantial power boost, practically a minor leap in the early game.

[Choose to level up Sorcerer class]

[You may allocate 2 points to your attributes]

After some thought, Cassius allocated both points to Charisma, enhancing his casting ability.

The attribute points earned early on could only enhance stats below 20, and since the red dragon’s natural Strength was too high, it couldn’t be boosted further.

[Choose to increase Charisma to 18]

[You gained an additional feat - 【Combat Casting】]

【Combat Casting】 (General Feat)

When casting spells or using spell-like abilities in defensive, grappled, or restrained states, you gain a concentration bonus.

[Due to dragon bloodline, you gained an additional dragon feat - 【Maximized Breath Weapon】]

【Maximized Breath Weapon】

Once per day, the dragon can release a fully maximized breath attack, dealing triple the damage of a normal breath attack, requiring 25–45 seconds to charge. Within the prior hour, the dragon must not have used a breath attack, and the energy expended in this attack will prevent further breath attacks for at least two hours.

[Due to dragon bloodline, you gained an additional dragon feat - 【Targeted Breath Weapon】]

【Targeted Breath Attack】

Once per day, the dragon can specify a precise target for its breath attack, rather than applying the usual area-of-effect spread. The dragon can also select up to ten individual creatures to target with short, focused bursts from its breath weapon.

[Gained additional 2nd-level spells 【Step of Illusion】 and 【Phantom Might】]

【Step of Illusion】

2nd-level Conjuration Spell

You become briefly shrouded in silvery mist, teleporting to an unoccupied space you can see within 30 feet.

【Phantom Might】

2nd-level Illusion Spell

You designate a creature within casting range that you can see, creating an illusion rooted in its consciousness.

The affected creature believes in the illusion’s reality and even suffers direct harm from it.

For example, an illusion of fire, an acid pool, or magma can burn the target.

[Gained additional 1st-level spells 【Hypnotic Gaze】 and 【Shield Spell】]

Several spells appeared in Cassius’s mind.

His spellcasting ability improved further, and his presence in the material world grew more pronounced.

Cassius had no doubt that his current casting abilities alone could easily toy with his previous young dragon self.

The interface he hadn’t seen in a while unfolded before him.

【Red Dragon - Cassius】

Name: Cassius Claudious Norrixius

Template: NPC (9 years, 115 days, and 7 hours until server launch)

Category: Large Dragon, Lawful Neutral

Race: Young Red Dragon

AC: 22 (Natural Armor, Gilded Scales)

Base Attributes:

Strength — 23

Dexterity — 12

Constitution — 20

Intelligence — 12

Wisdom — 12

Charisma — 18

Skill Proficiencies: Arcana +4, Deception +4, Persuasion +4, Leadership +8, Stealth +6, Perception +8, Hunting +4, Evasion +4, Knowledge (Future) +4

Damage Immunities: Fire

Senses: Blindsight 10 feet, Darkvision 60 feet, Passive Perception 16

Language: Draconic

Actions: Bite, Claw, Tail Attack, Flight, Enhanced Breath Attack (Fire)

Special Abilities: Maximized Breath (Fire), Targeted Breath (Fire), Gilded Carapace, Bloodline Boon

Feats: Gilded Scales, Maximized Breath Weapon, Targeted Breath Weapon, Combat Casting, Exceptional Aura, Evasive

Battle Equipment: Magic Nullifying Amulet, Swift Mage’s Action Ring, Blazing Staff, Soul Amulet, Lava Spreader, Blade Resistance Ring, Silent Step Amulet, Owl-Beast Perception Mask.

Equipped Spells:

Once Daily – Anti-Magic Field, Speak with Dead, Grease Spell

Twice Daily – Owlbeast Perception, Burning Hands

Thrice Daily – Scorching Ray, Blade Ward

Class Level: Sorcerer 4

Caster Level: 4

Spells:

Cantrips – Mage Hand, Minor Illusion, Precognition, Arcane Trick, Message

1st Level – Fog Cloud, Charm Person, Magic Missile, Shield Spell, Thunderwave, Witch Bolt

2nd Level – Enhance Ability, Step of Illusion, Phantom Might, Invisibility, Scorching Ray

3rd Level – None

Challenge Rating: 11 (7,600 XP)

Assessment: “A red dragon sorcerer with a rare talent who tirelessly pursues power—how terrifying. Typically, dragon sorcerers are driven by a desire surpassing even wealth and power. They strive to master both their inner power and that which stirs within them, seeking out mysterious, perilous knowledge and firsthand experiences with the untouched.”

“When a Challenge Rating exceeds level ten, they gain a unique title.”

“So, I’m already a minor boss,” Cassius thought to himself.

Power must continue to grow.

In legends, Cassius of a previous life signed a contract with a demon, encased in heavy red-black armor, with eyes blazing with vengeful fire from the Abyss.

In a mere ten years, his Challenge Rating even broke past level 20, becoming an indisputable world boss, player’s bane, and a nightmare for novices, leaving countless Professional players defeated under his claws.

Yet, the current Cassius, while seemingly much stronger, was still far from that level of power.

“Where exactly is the rumored ‘Demon of the Mountains’?”

“In the depths of the Anstica Mountains?”

“Or in the northern Carba Mountains?”

Cassius didn’t know, but he wasn’t ready to look yet.

He knew he wasn’t strong enough, and as a seasoned player, he understood the nature of Abyssal demons all too well.

From Version 1.0 to Version 4.0, from the Anzeta Demon Tide to the Dark Moon Cataclysm, practically every main quest involved an Abyssal demon invasion.

They were pure chaotic evil, devoid of morality and utterly unpredictable. They were dedicated to destruction, and in some scholars’ accounts, the chaotic consciousness of the multiverse itself.

One moment, it might drink with you, and the next, it would turn you into minced meat as an appetizer. Compared to demons, even devils from Hell seemed cordial.

He deduced that the Cassius of a past life must have paid an unimaginable price.

“But eventually, I’ll go and take a look.”

“Even if it’s truly a demon, I’ll tear a piece of flesh off it.” Cassius muttered to himself.

With that, he took off from the cliff.

The manticore’s nest continued to burn, the flames gradually dwindling, leaving the massive nest charred.

Mixed within were piles of scorched remains, nearly indistinguishable as either the manticores’ or the unfortunate victims’.

Chapter end