https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-9-The-Battle-of-the-Giant-s-Mouth/13676032/
Chapter 8: Storm Ridge
The Red Dragon soared freely through the sky, its crimson scales glinting beneath the storm-laden clouds. Far ahead, towering cliffs pierced the heavens—Hurricane Cliff. This was the northern pass of the Aklennia Mountains, a region infamous for its violent storms and howling gales. Stretching southward for a hundred miles, a vast expanse of undulating terrain—riddled with rubble, scattered trees, and frozen tundra—was known as Storm Ridge.
In Kai Xiusu’s previous life, it had earned a grim nickname: Novice’s Cemetery.
Due to intense and unpredictable Elemental Reactivity, the region remained largely uninhabited. Life here thrived in chaos—feral and unbridled. Hill Giants, Wolfmen, Ogres, Goblins, and even Wyverns coexisted in brutal harmony. One misstep could mean being overrun by a horde of malevolent creatures.
But for Kai Xiusu, the Evil Dragon, this was paradise—a perfect hunting ground for leveling up and recruiting loyal followers.
Winter was approaching. The winds carried flecks of snow, and the ground lay bare beneath a thin blanket of light snowfall. Dry, brittle grasses crunched underfoot. The air was sharp with cold, and even the Red Dragon shivered.
With a snort, it exhaled a plume of sulfur-scented breath, turning the falling snowflakes into swirling vapor.
"Need to find a warm enough shelter."
The Cloudspire Peak had been ideal—nestled in the desolate northwest, within the so-called "Land Without Spring," the Anzeta Great Wasteland. Its caves were fed by geothermal heat, and deep within, rivers of magma flowed like veins of fire. Perfect for a creature of flame and fury.
But that was before his mother—his cheap mother—had been slain. Now, the place was likely guarded. Kingdom sentries probably patrolled the entrance, waiting for a rogue dragon to return.
Kai Xiusu scoured the memories of his past life. Then—a thought.
"Perfect. Time to see if I can pick up a subordinate… or grind some XP."
The thought sparked a flicker of energy in the Red Dragon’s eyes. Wings stretched wide, it glided down toward the earth, slicing through the wind.
Giant’s Mouth Cave.
Whoever named it deserved a punch in the face. Probably some bored minstrel with a flair for the dramatic. Maybe the jagged, uneven rocks at the entrance looked like a set of rotten teeth. Or perhaps the cavern’s gaping maw resembled a yawning mouth. Whatever the reason, the name stuck—and fit the crude imaginations of the nearby Ogres and Goblins.
The cave’s owner had changed many times over the years. Now, it belonged to a Chimera.
A creature born of demonic sorcery—crafted by the summoned fiend-lord Dimogogen. It stood seven meters long, a grotesque fusion of beast and nightmare: lion’s forelimbs, goat’s hind legs, dragon wings, and three heads—each a horror in its own right.
It embodied the worst of all three: the dragon’s head drove it to raid, plunder, and hoard treasure. The lion’s head incited a lust for hunting powerful prey, crushing threats to its dominion. The goat’s head made it stubborn, cruel, and relentless—willing to die rather than surrender.
Right now, it lay sprawled near the entrance, lazily licking its wounds. Its massive frame rested on sun-warmed stone, basking in the last dregs of heat.
It was the apex predator of the region, the undisputed ruler of the food chain. The cave floor was littered with skeletons—some humanoid, some monstrous. Armor, swords, and other relics of fallen adventurers were scattered among the bones, proudly displayed as part of its Treasure Collection.
Many had come to challenge it. None had left.
But then—the sound of wings.
A sudden, sharp crack of air broke the silence.
The Chimera roared, rising to its feet in fury, ready to tear apart the intruder—only to see a massive Red Dragon land with a thunderous crack, shaking the earth.
"Submit to me… or die."
The words echoed in Dragon Tongue.
The Chimera knew the language—its bloodline traced back to ancient dragons, though it rarely spoke. It studied the newcomer.
This Red Dragon was young—slightly smaller than itself—but its body was dense with muscle, sinew, and raw power. A worthy foe. But not invincible.
The lion’s head growled low in its throat. The instinct to hunt, to conquer, surged through it. This half-grown dragon was a challenge worth facing.
Kai Xiusu sighed inwardly, shaking his head. Damn. Not intimidating enough.
If only he were a full-grown, twenty-meter-long Red Dragon, coiled across the cave mouth with wings like a stormcloud, radiating fire and menace—no Chimera would dare resist.
Growth is key. I need to grow faster.
He studied the beast before him.
> [Based on your level, you can perceive the following information]
>
> [Chimera]
> Type: Large Monstrous Creature, Chaotic Evil
> AC: 14 (Natural Armor)
> Stats:
> - Strength: 19
> - Dexterity: 11
> - Constitution: 19
> - Intelligence: 7
> - Wisdom: 14
> - Charisma: 10
>
> Proficiencies:
> - Perception +4, Stealth +3, Survival +5
>
> Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 18
> Languages: Dragon Tongue
>
> Actions:
> - Multiattack: Can make up to three attacks in one turn.
> - Bite (Head 1)
> - Horn Attack (Head 2)
> - Claw Attack (Head 3)
> - Fire Breath (30 ft. cone, 5d8 fire damage, DC 15 Dexterity save)
>
> Traits:
> - Contradictory Creature: Its three minds constantly clash, making it unpredictable and erratic.
> - Evil Servant: Driven by malice, it takes pleasure in torment.
>
> Challenge Rating: 6 (2,300 XP)
>
> Assessment:
> "The Chimera is a brutal creature, born of demonspawn. It attacks from above—diving from the sky, spewing fire as it descends. It doesn’t just kill—it plays. It enjoys fear. It lingers over wounded prey, letting them suffer, gasping, before returning to finish them. For it, slaughter is entertainment."
This was the strongest opponent Kai Xiusu had faced since rebirth. A true, living Chimera.
"If you won’t submit… then let’s settle this in the flesh."
His tone hardened. The golden vertical pupils in his eyes narrowed slightly, glowing faintly with the primal fire of a dragon facing a worthy enemy. Muscles tensed beneath his scales, coiled like springs.
The Chimera let out a deafening roar and launched into the sky—its dragon wings flaring wide.
It descended in its favored tactic: a high-speed dive, left head roaring fire.
But to a Red Dragon nearly immune to fire? A foolish move.
The beast lacked knowledge. Lacked wisdom.
The ground-bound dragon remained still—muscles taut, waiting.
"First Strike."
The words slipped from Kai Xiusu’s lips in Dragon Tongue, a whisper laced with magic. A faint purple glow flickered in his eyes.
A cantrip. A simple but deadly trick. It allowed him to anticipate the enemy’s next move—giving him the split-second edge to strike with precision.
The Chimera plunged toward him, fire blazing.
The Red Dragon’s vertical pupils locked onto it—saw the arc of its flight, the shift in momentum.
Then—explosion.
Muscles erupted. Wings snapped open. The seven-meter-long body sprang into the air like a coiled spring, cutting through the firestorm, rising just as the Chimera passed beneath.
The beast tried to twist midair—too late.
The Red Dragon had already gained the high ground.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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