Chapter 65: Awakening (6)
In the not-so-distant future, those so-called Adventureers who believed they’d escaped death would carry the name of the Red Dragon across the Northern Regions, fueling momentum for Ashen Hollow’s next moves, drawing the attention of every race across Anzeta, and sparking widespread debate in Human strongholds like Northwind Keep.
And the Minstrel, under Kai Xiusu’s quiet approval, would tirelessly compose and sing ballads glorifying the Red Dragon’s might—songs so legendary they’d echo through the entire north. After all, it was the Minstrel himself who’d begged for the honor. Why deny him? Kai Xiusu saw no harm in indulging him.
He had no fear of being hunted. His confidence in his own strength was absolute—especially here, in the barren expanse of the Anzeta Great Wasteland, where he could act with near impunity.
Among the twenty-man party, half of the high-level Professionals had already become part of Kai Xiusu’s Experience Pointerience Package.
Lazily sprawled across the cavern floor, Kai Xiusu idly fiddled with the magical gear stripped from Bennett.
The [Dimensional Gate Necklace], once a powerful artifact, now looked like a mere ring—too small to even fit properly on the thick, clawed finger of the Red Dragon. The [Shield Spell Cloak] was reduced to a handkerchief. And the hollow [Inlaid Wood Wand] resembled nothing more than a toothpick.
Beside him, a chest brimmed with over a hundred enchanted items, glowing with residual magic. Swords, shields, staves, talismans—every kind of gear imaginable. Many still bore dried bloodstains.
To Kai Xiusu, however, they were all beneath notice. Nothing here was truly valuable—just the lifeblood of ordinary Adventureers, barely rising above “Rare” on a Character Sheet Assessment.
Take the [Whispering Greatsword], for instance. A god-tier weapon in the hands of a player character, it was nothing more than scrap in the Red Dragon’s eyes.
All of this had been gathered by Lanpu over years of preying on Adventureers. Only a few pieces were kept for his own research; the rest had been sent straight to Kai Xiusu.
The clever Ogre had even gone so far as to spread rumors of Ashen Hollow’s Treasure, distributing deliberately flawed maps to caravans—just to lure fools into their doom. No wonder he’d managed to build a Wizard Tower.
“Ah, greed makes snakes swallow elephants,” Kai Xiusu muttered, setting the gear down and turning his gaze to his Character Sheet.
> [You defeated the [Human Archery Warrior] — 1,100 experience points]
> [You defeated the [Church Paladin] — 2,900 experience points]
> [You defeated the [Shadow Guild Rogue] — 2,900 experience points]
> [You defeated the [Bloodmelt Warband Warrior] — 3,900 experience points]
> [Your class level-up to Level 7]
> [Choose to upgrade [True Dragon Mage]]
Kai Xiusu held his breath, eyes fixed on the screen.
Unlike a standard Sorcerer, whose spell selection is freely chosen, the True Dragon Mage gains Dragon Spells randomly from their Bloodline—a roll of fate, heavily dependent on luck.
And Kai Xiusu, who had never considered himself a lucky man—neither in this life nor the last—knew that all too well.
> [You trace your Bloodline, seeking forgotten magics from ancient dragons — unlock additional Dragon Spell: [Fear Tremble]]
> Zero-level Cantrip: Causes your enemies to tremble in fear, making it harder to resist the Dragon’s Presence.
He exhaled slowly. Not bad—better than nothing. At least it was functional.
But thanks to his Sorcerer’s Traits, he could still choose one 4th-level Spell from his Sorcerer Spell List.
> [You acquire the 4th-level Spell: [Polymorph]]
No need to explain that one. A legendary spell capable of transforming any visible creature into a new form—though the transformation must remain within the caster’s control and not exceed their own power.
Kai Xiusu felt the spell settle in his mind. He raised his claw, and with a soft incantation, wove the spell into existence.
His Spellcasting Ability now reached the Fifth Layer of the Weave of Magic, and a 4th-level Spell was no longer a challenge.
“Polymorph.”
The Weave of Magic trembled at the touch of his Languages, bent by his will. Tiny sparks of magical energy flared around him. His massive, terrifying form shrank rapidly—until he stood before the mirror as a simple human.
But Polymorph adapted to the caster’s nature. And since Kai Xiusu was still a young dragon, the transformation had made him—well, a teenage boy.
He stared at his new reflection. His expression darkened.
The human form in the mirror was about twelve or thirteen—sharp, clean features, golden eyes, wild red hair like flame. His fangs were sharp, predatory. The image of a troublemaking child—except for the eyes. Cold, calculating, radiating an unshakable sense of Oppression.
“If I walk out like this, I’ll lose all dignity,” he muttered.
“No way a Player sees this. Otherwise, I’ll end up on some weird fan site as a meme.”
Determined, he reactivated the spell, adjusting his appearance with subtle manipulations of magic. Tiny pulses of energy danced across his body—each flicker reshaping him: shifting skin tone, elongating limbs, refining his face. It was like a twisted version of South Korean plastic surgery, perfected through magic.
Finally, a new image emerged.
A young man in his twenties, dark-haired, golden-eyed, dressed in a rich, dark-red formal suit edged with gold. His sharp nose and piercing gaze spoke of noble blood. Though a hint of arrogance lingered, there was also elegance, poise, and a quiet authority—charming, unshakable.
“Now that’s more like it,” Kai Xiusu nodded in approval.
He glanced back at his Character Sheet.
> [Sorcerer – Kai Xiusu (Human Form)]
> Challenge Rating: 8 (3,900 experience points)
“Even in this form,” he mused, “my physical strength and spellcasting are limited—roughly equivalent to a high-level Human Sorcerer.”
Frowning slightly, he dispelled the spell.
His body surged back into its true form—massive, powerful, the Red Dragon once again filling the cavern.
“Ah… this is comfort,” he sighed, exhaling a plume of hot breath.
He stared at his Character Sheet—a far cry from the one he’d left behind during his long slumber.
> [Flyflame’s Dragon – Kai Xiusu]
> Name: Kai Xiusu Claudew Noirikexius
> Template: Non-Player Character (4 years, 271 days, 5 hours until public test)
> Type: Colossal Dragon, Lawful Evil
> Race: Adolescent Red Dragon
> Armor Class: 24 (Natural Armor, Gilded Scales)
> Base Stats:
> Strength — 26
> Dexterity — 12
> Constitution — 23
> Intelligence — 14
> Wisdom — 13
> Charisma — 24
> Skill Proficiencies: Persuasion +12, Deception +8, Leadership +8, Stealth +6, Perception +8, Hunting +4, Arcana +4, Escape +4, Knowledge (Future) +4
> Damage Immunities: Fire, Lightning
> Senses: Blindsight 10 ft, Darkvision 60 ft, Passive Perception 16
> Languages: Common Tongue, Dragon Tongue
> Abilities: Storm Resonance Body, Extreme Breath (Fire), Targeted Breath (Fire), Golden Shell, Bloodline Gift
> Feats: Gilded Scales, Maximized Breath Weapon, Targeted Breath Attack, Combat Casting, Leader’s Aura, Fugitive, Charmer
> Combat Gear: Eye of the Storm Sovereign, Magic Nullification Talisman, Dimensional Gate Necklace, Dexterous Mage’s Movement Ring, Rod of the Scorching One, Communicator of the Dead, Lava Splatter, Blade Resistance Ring, Silent Step Amulet
> Rechargeable Abilities:
> - Revenge Storm (once per week)
> - Control Weather (once per week)
> - Spell Nullification Barrier, Dimensional Gate, Converse with the Dead, Burning Hands, Scorching Beam, Blade Ward, Greased Lightning (all once per day)
> Class Level: True Dragon Mage 7
> Spellcaster Level: 10
> Spells:
> - 4th Level: Through Fire and Flame, Polymorph
> - 3rd Level: Energy Scales, Teleportation, Protection from Energy Damage, Fireball
> - 2nd Level: Egg of Protection, Enhance Attribute, Phantom Step, Phantom Force, Invisibility Spell
> - 1st Level: Misty Step, Charm Human, Magic Missile, Shield Spell, Thunder Wave
> - Cantrips: Fear Tremble, Mage Hand, Minor Illusion, First Strike, Magical Trickery, Mental Communion
> Class Abilities:
> - Once per day: Suggestion
> Challenge Rating: 15 (13,000 experience points)
> Assessment: When fire splits the sky, know that he has come.
> Let the world tremble when the flames descend. Rest assured, all is under control.
>
(End of Chapter)
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