Chapter 53: Nest and Advancement
Ashen Hollow.
"Quick, bring up the Stone Materials!"
"Lord Dolo said we need space for the Trebuchet!"
"Oh, right."
"Hey, why’d you hit me?"
"Idiot—did you block the window?!"
Goblins were still busy reinforcing the defenses, making Rockfort even more impregnable.
Well-trained Great Goblins had replaced them at watch duty, further lowering their status within the nest—but these timid, cowardly creatures dared not complain.
"Open up—we’re coming in!"
The Lizardfolk below the gate called out.
Behind them, a sledge dragged a massive corpse, warm blood still oozing down its sides.
Newcomers, the Lizardfolk had been assigned patrol and hunting duties.
The powerful Lizardfolk chieftain Ake, with his unmatched hunting prowess, led his kin in cornering and killing colossal Long-Haired Boars and Mammoths alike. Meanwhile, the Old Shaman remained in the valley, using Druidic Spells to heal the wounded.
The Semi-Goatfolk were lovers of strong wine, fragrant spices, and dazzling dances.
As soon as they entered Ashen Hollow, they erupted into nonstop, sleepless revelry.
It wasn’t until Lanpu grew fed up and smashed one dancing Semi-Goatfolk with a single swing of his club—then roasted the body into a “barbecued goat man”—that they finally quieted down, though now they slumped in dull, sullen silence.
With their Magic Flutes, they played haunting melodies that drove enemies into panic, confusion, and even hypnotic trance.
Meanwhile, the Ogre Tribesmen once again gathered deep within the valley, and Lanpu’s Literacy Lessons resumed.
The Cannibal Magician was thriving.
A caravan from Sg Town had brought over twenty rare Magic Scrolls—
including practical second-level spells like Phantom Step, Magic Rope Spell, and Human Paralysis, and even a third-level spell: Stink Cloud.
This was a game-changer. No longer was he stuck with only the basic Fireball Spell—a mere peasant mage’s trick.
Lanpu hoarded the scrolls deep inside his cave, posting guards at the entrance, forbidding anyone from approaching. He spent every waking moment studying, poring over the arcane texts with rapt devotion.
"I need to build a Wizard Tower," Lanpu muttered, adjusting his newly acquired golden-rimmed glasses.
Compared to his towering five-meter frame, the cave felt increasingly cramped.
He’d long dreamed of constructing a proper Wizard Tower—something befitting a true mage: a sanctuary to store scrolls and enchanted items, a beacon to spread his name across the land.
He’d even settled on a perfect name:
"The Great Wise One"—grand in scale, wise in intellect.
If only he could also attach tags like "Ashen Hollow" and "Great Blueprint" to it, it would be perfect.
But reality crashed back in with the grumbling, shouting Ogres nearby.
"Boss, what’s up?"
Daitou popped his head out from the side, grinning.
"Why aren’t you talking? You gonna hand out food?"
"I want to eat Green-Skinned Goblins!"
"I want Tiny Human Canned Goods!"
Lanpu’s scaled face darkened with a thick shadow of gloom.
"Shut your mouths!"
He swung the club, and with a single blow—dragon-empowered strength—Daitou’s skull cracked. Tears streamed from his eyes, his forehead swelling instantly.
Thud.
Daitou collapsed like a felled tree.
"Everyone… knows, right?"
A grotesque, toothy smile spread across Lanpu’s scaly, monstrous face.
Ignoring the unconscious ogre, he pulled out a vivid scroll painted by the Semi-Goatfolk artists—depicting goblins with uncanny accuracy.
"Come on—say it with me—"
"Companion."
With Daitou’s fate as a warning, the Ogres fell into reluctant obedience.
One by one, they echoed, softly at first, then in unison:
"Com—pan—ion..."
Lanpu nodded, satisfied. These brutes were finally showing some progress.
But then—
"Delicious!"
The chant was even more synchronized than before, laced with the raw, earthy joy of a farmer reaping a bountiful harvest.
Lanpu’s expression, just returning to normal, instantly turned black again.
His thick arm bulged, veins writhing beneath the dragon scales.
Crack.
His brand-new golden-rimmed glasses shattered under the strain.
Fury burned in Lanpu’s eyes.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
The Ogre Cave echoed with wails.
---
Giant's Maw Cavern
Red Dragon’s lair.
Kai Xiusu stretched his massive frame, inhaling deeply—sensing the sharp tang of sulfur and volcanic rock.
Every Red Dragon, as it neared adolescence, exuded a surge of raw energy.
Impurities in the air mingled with this essence, creating that unmistakable scent.
"Almost time for Hibernation Phase," Kai Xiusu thought.
He hadn’t yet used the Experience Points (XP) earned from the Giant Malevolent Snowman.
Now, he stared at his Character Sheet, preparing to Level Up.
[Choose to increase Sorcerer Level]
[Your Sorcerer Level Up to Level 6]
[Gain an additional Third-Level Spell: Fireball Spell]
The mechanics of Fireball Spell flashed in Kai Xiusu’s mind.
Simple. Brutal. One word: Boom.
As a natural master of fire, the spell came effortlessly.
After just a few attempts, he conjured a blazing fireball and hurled it at the ground.
Boom!
The stone surface blackened and cracked in a wide radius.
"Little wonder there’s a Fireball Cult among sorcerer players in the past—this thing is satisfying," Kai Xiusu chuckled.
[Gain Trait: Advanced Elemental Affinity]
[The ancient blood of Red Dragons grants you fierce power. When casting a spell that deals damage matching your dragon lineage, you may add your Charisma modifier to the spell’s effect.]
Though a pure-blooded Red Dragon of the ancient Tiamat’s loyal faction, Kai Xiusu’s Dragonblood Sorcerer heritage gave him access to far richer spells and stronger traits than most.
Most Sorcerers relied on only a few spells, repeating them endlessly—becoming mere frontline tanks.
Mages, on the other hand, had full spell lists, allowing them to adapt daily preparations.
Thus, at high levels, a well-prepared Mage could outmaneuver a Sorcerer whose repertoire was predictable.
To Kai Xiusu, the standard Dragonblood Sorcerer class felt increasingly inadequate.
Traits like Dragon Wings, True Dragon Presence, and Transform into Dragon?
They were mere decorations—like adding extra wings to a dragon already capable of flight.
Did he really need four wings?
Or have a dragon become a dragon?
Or another layer of terrifying aura?
This was when dual-classing and advanced class progression became vital.
But few human classes suited a Red Dragon.
Warrior? Paladin? Both demanded weapons, armor, and faith—constraints that clashed with draconic nature.
So for now, Kai Xiusu remained undecided.
He’d keep searching—hunting for hidden classes, forgotten evolutions, and true ascension paths.
For now, though, the title of Red Dragon Lord was taken.
So let’s just roll with it.
What do you all think of the new cover?
(End of Chapter)
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