In the near future, the adventurers who believed they had miraculously escaped would spread the red dragon's fearsome renown across the northern lands. They would drum up momentum for the Cinder Nest's upcoming endeavors, drawing the attention of every race across Anzeta and igniting fervent discussions in human cities such as Northwind Keep.
Meanwhile, under Cassius's instructions, the bard would labor day and night without end, penning catchy, resounding ballads extolling the red dragon's mighty presence, carrying them in song to every corner of the north.
Since this was the bard's own eager request anyway, Cassius was more than happy to indulge him thoroughly.
Cassius had no fear of trouble knocking at his door. He currently possessed tremendous confidence in his own strength; at the very least, he could run almost entirely unchecked across the barren expanse of the Great Anzetta Waste.
Moreover, out of that twenty-man party, half of the high-tier professionals had been turned into experience bundles for Cassius.
Cassius sprawled lazily inside the cave, toying with the magical items stripped from Bennett with keen interest.
In the red dragon's massive talons, the Dimension Door necklace could only serve as a tiny ring, barely fitting around his thick knuckle. The Cloak of Shield was like a pocket handkerchief, while the hollow carved wooden staff resembled nothing so much as a toothpick.
Beside him sat a chest holding over a hundred more pieces of gear shimmering with magical auras.
There were swords, shields, staves, and amulets of every category imaginable, many still stained with blood.
In Cassius's eyes, however, there was nothing truly precious among them. Most were merely the lifeblood of ordinary adventurers, ranking at best as "Rare" by the system panel's appraisal.
Take the Whisper Greatsword, for example. In the hands of a player, it could be considered god-tier early-game gear, but to a red dragon, it was entirely negligible.
All of this was loot Langpu had reaped from adventurers over the years. Aside from a few implements kept for his own research, the rest had been delivered straight to Cassius.
That clever ogre had even intentionally dispatched subordinates to circulate tales of the "Treasure of the Cinder Nest" and slipped several falsified maps into trade caravans, purely to lure adventurers to their doom. No wonder he had been able to build a wizard tower of his own.
"Tsk, tsk. Greed truly knows no bounds—a snake trying to swallow an elephant."
Cassius set down the gear in his claw and turned his gaze toward his character panel.
...
[You killed a Human Bow Fighter. Gained 1,100 XP]
[You killed a Church Paladin. Gained 2,900 XP]
[You killed a Shadow Guild Rogue. Gained 2,900 XP]
[You killed a Blood-Melting Warband Warrior. Gained 3,900 XP]
[Your class level has increased to Level 7]
[Choose to level up: True Dragon Sorcerer]
Cassius held his breath, staring fixedly at the panel.
Unlike ordinary sorcerer classes that offered free spell selection, a True Dragon Sorcerer drew draconic spells at random from their own bloodline, which involved a heavy element of luck.
And from his past life to the present, Cassius had never considered himself one of fortune's favored.
[Tracing your bloodline in search of esoteric arts from the ancient dragon race, you have acquired an additional draconic spell: Spook]
"A cantrip that fills your enemies with dread and trembling, making it harder for them to resist your Frightful Presence."
Cassius could not help letting out a sigh. Still, better than nothing; at least it was a somewhat useful spell.
Fortunately, thanks to the perks of his class features, he could also choose a 4th-level spell from his sorcerer spell list.
[You have acquired the 4th-level spell: Polymorph]
This renowned spell needed no introduction. It could transform a creature in sight into a new form, provided the form did not exceed the caster's control or power.
Sensing this conjuration spell taking shape in his mind, Cassius began to cast it.
His casting capability was already capable of touching the fifth layer of the Weave, so mastering a 4th-level spell took him very little time.
"Polymorph."
The Weave was gently strummed by his incantation and bent to his will. Shimmering motes of magical brilliance flared across his body, and his colossal, ferocious frame rapidly shrank, eventually condensing into an ordinary human shape.
However, Polymorph automatically adapted to the caster's biological state. As a juvenile dragon, Cassius naturally ended up turning into—a half-grown boy.
Cassius stared at his new form, his expression turning rather grim.
The human in the mirror appeared to be twelve or thirteen years old, with delicate features, golden eyes, and a mop of flaming red hair. His sharp canine teeth were especially prominent, making him look like a troublesome brat spoiling for a fight.
Yet his gaze was haughty, radiating an uncanny sense of oppression.
*If I really go outside looking like this, my dignity will be completely ruined.*
*Whatever happens, I can never let players see this form, or I'll end up a regular fixture on certain bizarre websites...*
Cassius made up his mind, absolutely resolved never to let players lay eyes on this appearance.
He channeled the spell once more, gradually tweaking his appearance. Fine specks of magical light danced across him, each flicker bringing subtle alterations to his body—shifting colors, elongating his frame, refining his facial features—a feat comparable to the dark art of Korean plastic surgery from his past life.
At last, a composed, handsome young man with black hair and golden eyes materialized in the mirror.
He appeared to be in his early twenties, dressed in a dark red, gold-trimmed formal coat. His high-bridged nose and golden eyes seemed to proclaim noble heritage. Though he carried a touch of arrogance, he exuded an aura of elegance and poise that was difficult to resist.
"Now that's more like it."
Cassius nodded in satisfaction.
He checked his panel.
[Cassius the Sorcerer (Human Form)]
[Challenge Rating: 8 (3,900 XP)]
"In this form, my physical strength and spellcasting capability are both restricted, making me roughly equivalent to a high-tier human sorcerer."
Frowning slightly, the human Cassius dismissed the spell.
Instantly, his body expanded rapidly, and the colossal red dragon once again filled the cavern.
"My true body is still the most comfortable. That feeling of restrained power is unbearable."
Cassius exhaled a plume of hot air with deep satisfaction.
He gazed at the status screen before him. Compared to before his slumber, it had undergone an earth-shaking transformation.
[Dragon of the Flying Flame—Cassius]
[Name: Cassius Claudew Norixius]
[Template: NPC (4 years, 271 days, 5 hours until open beta)]
[Category: Huge Dragon, Lawful Evil]
[Race: Juvenile Red Dragon]
[AC: 24 (Natural Armor, Gilded Scales)]
[Base Attributes:
Strength—26
Dexterity—12
Constitution—23
Intelligence—14
Wisdom—13
Charisma—24]
[Skill Proficiencies: Persuasion +12, Deception +8, Rule +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, Draconic]
[Abilities: Body of Storm's Echo, Maximized Breath (Fire), Targeted Breath (Fire), Gilded Carapace, Bloodline Boon]
[Feats: Gilded Scales, Maximize Breath, Target Breath, Combat Casting, Chieftain's Aura, Fugitive, Silver Tongue]
[Combat Equipment: Eye of the Storm Sovereign, Amulet of Spell Immunity, Dimension Door Necklace, Ring of Nimble Wizard Movement, Staff of the Scorcher, Amulet of Speak with Dead, Lava Spitter, Ring of Blade Warding, Amulet of Silent Steps...]
[Equipped Spells:
Charged Release: Storm of Vengeance
1/week: Control Weather
1/day: Globe of Invulnerability, Dimension Door, Speak with Dead, Burning Hands, Scorching Ray, Blade Ward, Expeditious Retreat]
[Class Level: True Dragon Sorcerer 7]
[Caster Level: 10]
[Spells:
4th Level: Firestride Exhalation, Polymorph
3rd Level: Scales of Energy, Blink, Protection from Energy, Fireball
2nd Level: Sheltering Egg, Enhance Ability, Misty Step, Phantasmal Force, Invisibility
1st Level: Fog Cloud, Charm Person, Magic Missile, Shield, Thunderwave
Cantrips: Spook, Mage Hand, Minor Illusion, True Strike, Prestidigitation, Message]
[Spell-Like Abilities:
1/day: Suggestion]
[Challenge Rating: 15 (13,000 XP)]
[Evaluation: When fire streaks across the sky, beware his coming.]
Chapter 65