https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-90-Path-of-the-Crimson-Scales-3-/13676231/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-92-Path-of-the-Crimson-Scales-Complete-/13676233/
Chapter 91: Path of the Crimson Scales (4)
Alje led the two of them to the entrance of Giant's Maw Cavern. Singo gracefully descended atop his Two-Headed Dragon, while Stuffed Bun arrived—late, as always.
“This is it,” Alje said. “I’ll take you to meet the master.”
They stepped inside the cavern, and immediately the air grew thick with heat and the sharp, acrid scent of sulfur and floating rock—like standing at the edge of an erupting volcano.
Stuffed Bun swallowed hard. “Please tell me there’s no more trial waiting for us…”
Singo remained calm. “No. I think this is where our faction leader—the Red Dragon—resides. Did you notice the strange odor? The unnatural warmth?”
“According to my intel,” he added, “dragons can even alter their surroundings.”
Stuffed Bun whistled low. “If this guy ever becomes a boss… he’d be a World Boss. No way anyone survives.”
He had no idea—his guess was spot-on.
Following a narrow, winding tunnel, the path soon opened into a vast chamber.
Before them stood their host—Red Dragon.
A monstrous sixteen-meter-long body lay sprawled across the cavern’s heart, muscles coiled and thick with power, armored in deep crimson scales that gleamed like forged metal at the edges. Upon its grotesque, fearsome head, golden vertical pupils burned with the glow of molten lava. Two massive, bone-white horns swept backward like a crown, radiating ancient authority.
The dragon rested on its vast, mountain-like form, breathing slowly—its body rising and falling with the rhythm of a sleeping volcano. Puffs of white smoke drifted from its hide, and the sheer heat radiating from it made the air shimmer. Just gazing at it was enough to feel the searing pressure of a beast on the brink of eruption.
This was the first time they’d seen their faction’s chieftain in person.
Stuffed Bun stared, stunned. “Whoa…”
He paused, struggling to find words. With his limited vocabulary, all he could manage was:
“Damn… it’s huge.”
Even the two half-grown Two-Headed Dragons were utterly overwhelmed by the overwhelming Bloodline dominance. They collapsed onto the warm ground, pressing their bodies flat, trembling, their throats rumbling with low, panicked growls. No matter how hard Stuffed Bun slapped their sides, they wouldn’t lift their heads.
At the arrival of visitors, Kai Xiusu slowly rose. His golden vertical pupils, now level with the cavern’s ceiling, looked down from nearly eight meters above, piercing and unblinking.
“Again, we meet, Stellarfallen.”
“Have you… truly prepared yourselves?”
Alje knelt, head bowed. “Master, they have completed the trials you set.”
Kai Xiusu narrowed his eyes, lowering his head slightly. “Good. This exceeds my expectations.”
As he spoke, the two felt the hot, sulfur-scented breath of the dragon wash over them—close enough to burn. The sheer presence of the beast sent waves of dread through their minds.
The Red Dragon continued. “Crimson Scale Conqueror—you will be my blade, sharp and merciless. From this moment forward, you shall shed your frail, feeble human shells and become the most loyal claws of Ashen Hollow.”
Stuffed Bun muttered under his breath. “Damn… my handsome face is gonna be wasted here.”
Singo shot him a sharp, low curse. “You want to lose Favor Level? Shut up and stop whining.”
Kai Xiusu ignored them, his voice calm.
“Alje. Begin.”
The half-dragon knight stepped forward, reciting the ancient oath:
“In the presence of the Lord of Ash, the mighty Red Dragon Kai Xiusu, do you swear loyalty? Will you serve as the faithful claw of Ashen Hollow for all your days—without regard for good or evil, right or wrong—burning all who oppose your master?”
“Do you pledge yourself as a Crimson Scale Conqueror?”
The Character Sheet flickered, refreshing with new information.
[Do you accept Faction Subclass Crimson Scale Conqueror? If accepted, proceed with the ritual.]
[Note: Choosing a Faction Subclass locks you into this allegiance. Switching factions will no longer be possible.]
Below, a new set of vows appeared.
“I, Stuffed Bun (Singo), swear eternal loyalty to my lord, Kai Xiusu Claudew Noirikexius. I pledge my soul, my fire, my will—first to serve, first to conquer, first to burn. I shall be the vanguard of the red flame, and the scourge of my enemies.”
Both players dropped to one knee, speaking in unison.
“Very well. Follow me.”
Alje wrapped their eyes with crimson cloth, leading them deeper into the cavern, through hidden tunnels, until they reached a secluded, sacred grotto.
“Bloodline Gift—”
“Half-Dragon Transformation.”
Kai Xiusu whispered the command in silence. A stream of molten dragon blood, glowing like embers, rose from his maw and floated through the air, drawn by his will. Then, it plunged into the bodies of the two players.
The moment the blood touched their flesh, a sizzling hiss erupted—steam burst from their pores. The pain was instant, unbearable.
“Aaagh!” Stuffed Bun screamed, rolling wildly on the ground. “What the hell?! I set my Pain Threshold to 5%—how is this still hurting?!”
“I’m shutting off pain!” Singo gasped, his body burning red, every muscle twitching.
White vapor erupted from their skin, swirling through the air. Beneath their flesh, bones cracked and reshaped—elbows, knees, spine—jutting outward, piercing through skin and fabric, forming jagged, hooked bone spines.
Red scales burst forth at an impossible speed, sprouting across their bodies—chest, arms, even faces—ripping through flesh like blades.
Their human faces, once scanned from reality, were now warped beyond recognition—twisted by draconic bone and scale, barely resembling their former selves. Now, they looked more like monstrous, snarling dragon heads.
Even with the pain system disabled, the transformation terrified Stuffed Bun. His Character Sheet flashed with new data.
[Acquiring data...]
[You have obtained Unique Race Template Half-Red Dragon]
[Note: This race template is permanent. It will be used in all future resurrections.]
[All stats significantly increased. You now possess Natural Armor, Fire Breath, and other Half-Red Dragon abilities...]
Blindfolded, writhing in transformation, Stuffed Bun stared at the endless stream of new information. A wild, exhilarating thrill surged through him. If he could move his mouth, he’d have shouted, “Damn, that’s sick!”
Beside him, Wyvern “Noodles” was undergoing its own metamorphosis. It howled, thrashing, its body growing stronger, its red scales harder, its frame more massive. Veins of molten energy began forming beneath its skin, and its blood pulsed with raw, searing elemental power.
And then—something even more profound began.
[Initiating Dataization...]
[Dataization complete!]
[Verifying parameters...]
[Parameter verification complete!]
[Detection confirmed: Wyvern “Noodles” is your Special Sub-Class Mount. It is now integrated into your Player class system. Should the Mount die, you may resurrect it via the Ancient Ritual Array—provided you offer an item of equivalent value.]
“Mount Resurrection?”
“No way!”
“This class… it’s unstoppable!”
Trapped in darkness, Stuffed Bun scrolled through his Character Sheet, overwhelmed with awe.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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