Chapter 4: The Escaped Beast
"Ha... ha..."
The young Red Dragon crouched deep within a hidden cave nestled in the heart of the Boka Forest, its entrance concealed by a curtain of thick, swaying branches.
Kai Xiusu wasn’t sure if he’d truly escaped the half-elf Paladin’s pursuit. All he knew was that he’d run—without looking back, without stopping—deeper and deeper into the wilderness.
How long had it been? He couldn’t tell. His body ached, his breath ragged, until finally, exhaustion forced him to collapse into this secluded hollow. Only then did he allow himself a moment of cautious relief.
Out here, survival meant caution above all.
"Probably lost them..." Kai Xiusu panted, his voice still laced with doubt.
The translucent blue hologram flickered open once more—this time revealing a three-dimensional trophy.
Achievement Unlocked: Armor Class Achievement — Escapee Beast
"The hunter is coming. Run. Leave. Never return."
Passive Ability Acquired: Fugitive
+2 Dexterity, +2 Stealth, +4 Athletics
(Note: Years of relentless evasion have honed your skill in escaping. This is not dishonor—it is survival.)
A sensation like a faint, invisible breeze brushed over his body—visible only as a ripple in the air, distorting the light. His form began to shift, subtly, almost imperceptibly.
And Kai Xiusu welcomed it.
Hours passed within the cave as the transformation settled.
"Magic?"
"No... no trace of Elemental Energy."
"More like Psionic Energy."
He peered into a shallow pool of water. His limbs and torso remained powerfully muscled—but now, sleeker, more streamlined. The exaggerated, bulging bulk of a typical Red Dragon had vanished. Even his wing membranes had subtly restructured, allowing him to better catch and ride the faint currents of Elemental Energy in the air.
He felt lighter. Faster.
The Armor Class Achievement System—this was clearly his unique feature. Rewards unlocked by completing specific events. Abilities like Metallic Scales and Fugitive were no joke—potent enough to rival late-game perks in any other game.
But what puzzled Kai Xiusu was his Template.
In his past life, in Alerzage, Player Templates and Monster Templates were entirely separate.
Before the Legend Tier, Player Templates advanced through combat and quests, gaining Experience Points (XP) to level up—so much so that, in the late game, entire armies of over-level 12 super-warriors could be mass-produced, reshaping the battlefield.
Monster Templates, on the other hand, were native to this world—growth came only through age, instinct, and trial by fire.
Yet here, his Character Sheet still existed. That meant something could be done.
The semi-transparent blue screen unfolded once more.
Kai Xiusu noticed the change in his title.
[Wealthy Young Red Dragon]
Name: Kai Xiusu Claudew Noirikexius
Template: Non-Player Character (Server Launch in 10 years, 1 day, 4 hours)
Category: Large Dragon, Lawful Neutral
Armor Class: 20 (Natural Armor, Metallic Scales)
Attributes:
Strength — 21
Dexterity — 12
Constitution — 19
Intelligence — 12
Wisdom — 11
Charisma — 14
Skill Proficiencies:
Stealth +6, Athletics +4, Perception +8, Hunting +2, Escape +4, Knowledge (Future) +4
Damage Immunity: Fire
Senses: Blindsight 10 ft, Darkvision 60 ft, Passive Perception 14 ft
Languages: Draconic, Common
Actions: Bite, Claw, Tail Strike, Flight, Breath Attack (Fire)
Traits: Metallic Scales, Fugitive
Combat Gear:
- Magic Nullification Talisman
- Dexterous Mage's Movement Ring
- Rod of the Scorching One
- Communicator of the Dead
- Lava Splatter
- Blade Resistance Ring
- Silent Step Amulet
- Owlbeast Perception Mask
Challenge Rating: 8 (3,600 XP)
Assessment: "Even a young Red Dragon should never be underestimated. To face it is to invite a nightmare that will haunt you for life. And this one? A wealthy hatchling adorned with over a dozen magical items? One misstep, and you’re already his prisoner."
So the prefix changed?
Interesting.
A tuft of ochre feather drifted down, landing on the tip of his snout. Kai Xiusu sneezed, then exhaled a burst of scalding, sulfurous breath—burning the feather black and sending it spiraling into the shadows.
"The nest’s owner should be returning soon."
Sure enough, a moment later, the entrance erupted in fury.
"ROOOOAAARRR!"
A monstrous beast tore through the branches—its ivory-colored beak dull and unpolished, its powerful limbs covered in coarse, dark feathers. Standing nearly eight feet tall, its massive frame was draped in thick, layered plumage. It dwarfed Kai Xiusu in size.
This was an Owlbear—a brutal predator of the wilds.
A twisted creation from some mad mage’s past, blending bear and owl into a single, terrifying form. Now, these beasts roamed across the continent.
And as the creature charged into the cave, Kai Xiusu’s mind flashed with its stats.
[Based on your own strength, you perceive the following:]
[Adult Male Owlbear]
Category: Large Beast, Always Neutral
Armor Class: 15
Attributes:
Strength — 20
Dexterity — 12
Constitution — 19
Intelligence — 2
Wisdom — 12
Charisma — 10
Proficiencies:
Listen +4, Perception +8, Hunting +4
Senses: Keen Smell 14 ft, Passive Perception 16 ft, Owl Instinct 20 ft
Languages: None
Actions: Grapple, Bite, Charge, Claw Attack
Traits: Masterful Grapple
Challenge Rating: 3 (700 XP)
Assessment: "Owlbears are ferocious predators—aggressive, ill-tempered, and prone to attack anything that moves without warning."
Kai Xiusu spread his wings, already activating a Magic Item to cast Beast Tongue—a spell that allowed him to speak with beasts. He spoke with calm authority:
"Submit to me, Owlbear."
The creature roared in fury, slamming its claws into the ground.
It charged—blind, enraged, driven only by instinct.
With an intelligence of just 2, it could only judge size. It saw a dragon—but not the power contained within. It didn’t know the Aura of Presence had yet to awaken. To it, Kai Xiusu was just another beast.
"Still just a Beast, then?" Kai Xiusu murmured, unbothered. He simply opened his maw.
[Scorching Beam]
Deep within his throat, the Fire Essence Crystal in his staff flared crimson. A surge of magical energy built—unleashed in a torrent of searing flame.
Though young, Kai Xiusu had not yet mastered spellcasting—but his innate Affinity for Fire amplified the spell’s power as it passed through his throat.
"PFFFT! PFFFT! PFFFT!"
Three blazing beams of fire lanced out—striking the Owlbear square in the chest.
The thick, matted fur ignited instantly. The flames spread like wildfire, consuming the beast’s body.
"ROOOOAAARRR—!"
The Owlbear shrieked in agony, rolling on the ground, desperate to extinguish the fire—but it was too late.
And then—Kai Xiusu lunged.
He bit down with crushing force, tearing into the beast’s side. Even his Heart of Magma, buried deep in his core, radiated intense heat, inflicting extra fire damage with every second.
Soon, the cave filled with the stench of charred fur and the rich, smoky aroma of roasted meat.
"Good."
"Though... a bit too dry."
Kai Xiusu tore into the scorched, thick bear meat, chewing with satisfaction.
The holographic screen reappeared.
[Killed Adult Male Owlbear — 700 XP]
[Level Up — 1st Level]
[Due to your Race Trait, leveling up your class will be harder—but your power will grow far greater.]
Achievement Unlocked: Armor Class Achievement — First Blood
"Welcome to this vibrant world."
A cascade of Player Class Medals appeared before him: Warrior, Mage, Sorcerer, Monk—each offering multiple branching Subclasses beneath.
Kai Xiusu froze. Then—joy exploded through him.
He remembered now. In his past life, players only unlocked the Player Class Panel after completing the Tutorial Quest: "Kill a Chicken" in the Unknown Realm.
Dragons craved power.
But learning the skills of humanoid species? That was unnatural.
They were proud. Arrogant. Disdainful of the knowledge of lesser beings.
Most dragons had no path to advancement—only innate spells, raw power, and an insatiable hunger for treasure.
But players? They started weak. Their base stats were built from real-world data imports. In the early game, their attributes were laughable—some even claimed a barbarian with 8 Intelligence as a "record."
But Kai Xiusu?
He could merge the terrifying potential of a Red Dragon with the limitless progression of a Player Class.
A perfect fusion.
The best of both worlds.
(End of Chapter)
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