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Finally, the flames ceased temporarily.

Perhaps it was intentional, or maybe due to a lack of reserves.

The red dragon remained suspended high in the sky, coldly watching the wyvern below.

By now, the wyvern was scorched black, battered and in complete disarray, showing none of its earlier bravado.

Yet its inherent recklessness and combativeness prevented it from thinking of escape in its injured state; instead, it was furious and humiliated.

“Roar~”

The wyvern let out an almost maddened roar and vigorously flapped its wings, charging straight up towards the red dragon.

Its thick tail curled slightly, muscles tensed, and the sharp stinger was ready to pierce, injecting deadly wyvern venom upon contact.

Just as it was about to close in,

as it approached the dragon’s scales,

“Thunderwave.” (in Draconic)

“Boom!”

A thunderous crack erupted beneath the clear sky.

From Cassius’s body, a powerful sonic wave burst outward.

The invisible wave instantly knocked the unprepared wyvern several meters away, throwing it off balance and causing it to lose control, spiraling downward.

The goblins watching below quickly covered their ears, and some of the more timid ones hid behind rocks, too scared to look up.

As the wyvern plummeted, Cassius continued testing his spells.

“Witch Bolt.”

A blue spear of crackling energy shot from the red dragon’s mouth, racing toward the wyvern.

The wyvern, unable to dodge, was struck by the energy spear, its scales crackling as the lightning energy left it writhing in extreme pain.

But it wasn’t over. A continuous arc of electricity linked Cassius and the wyvern, delivering a relentless flow of magical lightning that enwrapped the creature in faint sparks.

“Boom!”

The wyvern crashed to the ground, smoke rising from its charred body as it rolled lifelessly.

“It’s... it’s falling!”

“Help—”

“Run—”

The goblins panicked, scattering in all directions. Still, a few unlucky ones were crushed by the wyvern’s massive body, meeting their end.

Cassius paid no mind and descended gracefully.

He walked step by step toward the fallen wyvern.

A dozen wyverns had submitted to him.

This wyvern, however, was unnecessary—a perfect candidate to set an example.

“Grrr...”

The wounded wyvern weakly raised its head, emitting a feeble whimper, attempting to convey submission at the last moment.

But the red dragon extended a powerful claw, pressing down on its slender neck and applying force.

“Crunch.”

The sound of bones snapping echoed sharply.

The wyvern’s head froze in its terrified expression, devoid of life.

The other wyverns, who had come alongside it, were stricken with fear, quickly flapping their wings and gathering around the red dragon.

The wyverns bowed their long necks, lowering their menacing heads, emitting low, groaning sounds to signify their absolute submission to a stronger dragon.

" Cassius Claudious Norrixius, your master.” (in Draconic)

“Roar—”

Standing atop the wyvern’s corpse, the red dragon let out a triumphant roar.

The wyverns, quick to follow suit, raised their heads and screeched, their voices rough and hoarse, as though celebrating the birth of a new ruler.

After a long while, the red dragon finally released the wyvern beneath him, utterly lifeless, and ordered the wyverns to take residence in the cliffside caves within the valley.

“Hang its head on the wall.”

“Extract the venom from its tail and make arrows.”

The red dragon instructed casually.

“Yes, my mighty lord, your power is unrivaled,” the hobgoblin said nearby, flattery in his tone, and promptly ordered the goblins to carry out the task.

“S-sir, I’m afraid it might still be alive...”

The goblins hesitated, fearful, unwilling to approach the massive corpse.

“Useless!”

“What’s the point of you!”

The hobgoblin’s already red face flushed as he waved his whip.

With the accompanying scolding and whipping, the goblins reluctantly overcame their fear and moved closer.

From the distant cave, the chimera watched the dead wyvern, a hint of fear in its gaze.

Langpu gazed at the wyvern’s corpse, marveling at the red dragon’s strength and delighting in the effortless victory.

“Our master will surely conquer this world.”

Beside him, the ogre Big-Head leaned in and whispered, “Boss, there’s so much meat on that big lizard. Can we let the boys have a bite?”

“Ouch!”

Another thump landed on him.

This act of making an example out of the wyvern was quite effective.

Though perhaps the “chicken” here was a bit oversized.

A translucent blue screen appeared in front of the red dragon.

[Achievement Unlocked: Lord of Monsters]

[Lord of Monsters]

“You can’t imagine what I saw. I sneaked into its lair; there was no legendary treasure, only remnants of broken bones. This place is a graveyard for adventurers, but a paradise for monsters. —From the last words of an unknown adventurer.”

Passive Trait Unlocked:

[Monster Leader]

Charisma +2, Command Proficiency +8

Gained [Extraordinary Aura]: Your power compels monsters to submit.

You have acquired the ability [Gift of Bloodline], allowing you to influence creatures within your territory and create bloodline-bound followers.

A mysterious power surged through Cassius’s body.

His Charisma was enhanced.

Here, “Charisma” doesn’t refer merely to human standards of physical appeal; “influence” is more fitting.

Even if you are short and unsightly, possessing an extraordinary leadership aura that inspires soldiers to fight to the death alongside you to conquer the world would surely mark you as highly charismatic.

In Erezaghe, a world filled with magic, intelligence represents memory and logic, perception reflects the ability to receive external information and divine influence, while charisma embodies the power to project influence—whether through speech or innate spellcasting.

As a sorcerer, Cassius’s spellcasting relies on this “Charisma” attribute, wielding his connection to the world to impose on the Weave and shape reality through sheer willpower.

The red dragon felt a deeper connection to the surrounding elements, a greater influence over reality itself, and a new thread of destiny linking him to his followers, allowing him to easily shape the world.

He let out a contented roar, spreading his wings, and flew back into the Giant’s Maw Cave.

Overlooking his gathered followers.

With his roar, the laboring ogres seemed invigorated, lifting massive logs and cheering loudly.

The terrified goblins gazed blankly upward, as if seeing a god.

Even the chimera, lurking in the cave and watching from afar, lowered its head, unable to resist the powerful aura compelling it to submit.

Such was the fearsome influence of the “Lord of Monsters.”

In the distant mines, kobolds felt the call, laying down their pickaxes and instinctively moving in his direction. Lizardfolk in their shadowy camp lit fires and danced their primal dances.

Meanwhile, a terrifying creature slithered deep within the caves, crawling and creeping across the ground.