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Jezal Slak’s voice was feverish, almost deranged, as he asked, "Do you know why I dared to invade the Material Plane in my true form?"

Cassius did not respond.

It was clear that the demon had no intention of waiting for an answer; he continued without leaving any pause.

"What is sealed here..."

"Is far more than just me!"

Jezal Slak raised his illusory, emaciated arm again, the demonic shadow once more appearing behind him.

As the heavy chains clattered, the complex runes radiated a blinding light, scorching the demon’s skeletal body, yet they could not prevent him from pouring forth an overwhelming surge of chaotic power.

The entire floating island began to shake violently, with deep cracks spreading across the distant peaks until they shattered completely, sending boulders and dust plummeting down in a billowing cloud.

When the dust finally settled, beneath the curtain of the void, an enormous, unimaginable silhouette emerged.

"How could this be..."

Cassius froze, muttering in disbelief.

His expression changed drastically, even his true body’s breathing became heavy.

On the horizon of the floating island appeared the colossal body of a dragon—a red dragon, familiar to Cassius.

The dragon’s head alone was nearly a hundred meters long, and its spiked spine resembled a series of rising peaks.

If its entire body, buried within the rocks of the floating island, were revealed, it would be almost a thousand meters long—far beyond what Cassius thought possible for a red dragon, or any dragon species.

This ancient red dragon remained in a posture as though trying to break free from the floating island. Its gigantic claw stretched outward, forming the island’s highest peak. Even its cavernous maw, resembling a hellish abyss, was left open wide in an exaggerated roar.

But heavy chains bound its massive wings, and indestructible rocks enveloped its body.

That earth-shaking body had long since lost its vitality. Even its scales had dulled, and its lake-like eyes were lifeless, as stagnant as muddy water. Only a faint glow still pulsed weakly from its chest.

So this red dragon was the essence of the floating island.

More precisely, it was a god-corpse floating in the Astral Plane!

Jezal Slak gazed into the distance, as if admiring the grand scene, his face alight with a fervor that was impossible to restrain.

"Praise be to the Lord of Flames, the Nihility, the World’s Purger—Karrikex."

"He is the progenitor dragon god, symbolizing pure strength and destruction. He is the final calamity, periodically descending to the Material Plane to bring the unholy fire of annihilation."

The demon spoke like he was reciting an epic opera, or like a devout fanatic. His impassioned voice echoed in the void, lingering for a long time.

Then, with utter confidence, he turned and looked at the stunned dragon avatar.

"Tens of thousands of years ago, Karrikex descended upon the Astral Plane, intending to cleanse this Material Plane. I took the opportunity to descend alongside him, trying to carry out the grand will of the Abyss."

"But Karrikex overestimated his power and underestimated the cunning of the gods. They schemed to seal him. He had to abandon his mighty body and flee, carrying most of his divinity, eventually being exiled to the desolate outer planes—the Clamorous Hollow."

"But this body, carrying nearly unweakened primordial dragon blood, was left behind. Its existence was hidden by the gods, and its coordinates could only be accessed through the Astral Prism. Not even Bahamut or Tiamat knew of its presence."

"Although tens of thousands of years have passed and those divine powers have gradually dissipated under the malevolent curse, one-thousandth of the dragon lineage still remains.

And this remnant power alone is enough to make you the most fearsome dragon in the Material Plane, at least across the continent of Erezaghe. "

Jezal Slak stared into Cassius’s eyes, as if watching a hunter’s prey already trapped in a snare, and his deep, magnetic voice spoke again.

"So, Cassius."

"This is my greatest offer."

Cassius remained frozen in place, his mind racing with countless thoughts. His true body in the Material Plane exhaled hot white smoke, his golden eyes trembling slightly.

Still, he fought back the greed that surged from his very bloodline, forcing himself to regain a modicum of calm.

Karrikex’s primordial body—a treasure even Tiamat would covet, a possible foundation for ascending to godhood.

Would this "Lord of Vengeance" in front of him really give it away freely, merely for cooperation?

"Every gift from fate has already had a price secretly attached."

"And a gift from a demon is surely laced with endless blood and chaos."

"This corpse is likely not his earnest offering, but rather a grand feast planned for millennia for himself. I would only serve as the most suitable vessel."

This is what Cassius thought.

The red dragon shifted his gaze back to the demon, noting Jezal Slak’s "sincere" expression, and a trace of resolution emerged in his eyes.

But he didn’t reveal it, instead activating his [Silver Tongue] ability, channeling his innate, reality-bending charisma. With expert acting, he put on an excited and trembling facade.

Cassius stared at the enormous remains, like a starving hound, his expression nothing short of ravenous. "Jezal Slak, I... I acknowledge your sincerity. If I could wield this power, I would willingly merge with you."

"How do we proceed with this so-called cooperation?"

He pretended impatience, urgently asking.

Jezal Slak finally smiled in satisfaction.

"Do not be hasty, my dear collaborator. I prepared the contract over thirteen hundred years ago. You may abandon this crude, laughable avatar and come here in your true form."

"I have already made significant concessions, and this is the least sincerity you must show, is it not?"

The deep eyes of the demon swirled with Abyssal currents. The chaotic energies in the void formed twisted runes, eventually materializing into an aged, dark yellow contract scroll, with Jezal Slak’s signature at the bottom—although part of the true name was obscured by mist.

"Alright."

Cassius responded directly.

But his panel refreshed with dark red notifications.

[You have gained an advanced class pathway: [Pact Warlock - Fiendish Overlord]]

[You have made a pact with a fiend from the lower planes. Such beings desire the corruption or destruction of all things, ultimately including you.]

[The demon lord with whom you have contracted will be your patron, granting you power.]