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In the near future, those adventurers who believe they escaped with their lives will spread tales of the red dragon’s power across the Northern Lands, building momentum for the next actions of Ember Nest and attracting the attention of various Anzeta races. It will also spark widespread discussion in human cities like Northwind Fortress.

And under Cassius’s orders, that bard will tirelessly compose and recite popular verses glorifying the red dragon’s might, spreading them across the North.

—After all, the bard himself had requested this; Cassius would see to it he got exactly what he wished for.

Cassius wasn’t afraid of anyone seeking him out. He had grown exceedingly confident in his power; here in the barren Northern Anzeta Wasteland, he could act almost unrestrainedly.

Of the twenty-member party, half of the high-level professionals had turned into Cassius’s experience points.

Cassius lay lazily in the cave, amusedly examining the magical items stripped from Bennett.

The 【Dimensional Door Pendant】 looked no larger than a tiny ring on Cassius’s massive claw, just barely fitting his thick finger. The 【Shield Cloak】 appeared no more than a handkerchief, while the hollow 【Engraved Wooden Staff】 resembled nothing more than a toothpick.

In a nearby chest lay hundreds more pieces of equipment, glowing with magical light.

There were swords, shields, staffs, and amulets of every variety, some still stained with blood.

To Cassius, none of the items seemed particularly valuable; most were lifelines for ordinary adventurers, items he could only rate as "rare" at best on his status screen.

For example, the 【Whisper Greatsword】 might be considered a divine piece for early players, but to the red dragon, it was nothing but a trinket.

These were items Langpu had accumulated over the years from adventurers, with only a few left for his own research, the rest sent to Cassius.

This crafty ogre had even spread stories about the "Ember Nest treasure," and circulated several false maps through merchant caravans to lure adventurers to their deaths. It was no wonder he’d managed to build a mage tower.

"Tsk, greed beyond measure, just like a snake swallowing an elephant."

Cassius set down the equipment and examined his status screen.

[You killed 【Human Archer】, gaining 1100 xp]

[You killed 【Church Paladin】, gaining 2900 xp]

[You killed 【Shadow Guild Thief】, gaining 2900 xp]

[You killed 【Blood Dissolution Warrior】, gaining 3900 xp]

[Your class level has increased to level 7]

[Choose to advance 【True Dragon Sorcerer】 level]

Cassius held his breath, watching the screen.

Unlike regular sorcerers who choose spells freely, the True Dragon Sorcerer’s dragon spells are drawn randomly from one’s bloodline, with a great deal of luck involved.

Cassius had never considered himself particularly lucky.

[You delve into your bloodline, uncovering arcane knowledge from ancient dragons, gaining the additional dragon spell 【Terrifying Tremor】]

"A zero-level cantrip, inducing fear in enemies and lowering their resistance to Dragon Fear."

Cassius sighed; while not a powerful spell, it was still useful.

Fortunately, due to his class advantage, he could choose a level-four spell from his sorcerer’s spell list.

[You gained the level-four spell 【Polymorph】]

This renowned spell could transform visible creatures into a new form, though the form could not exceed the caster’s control or power.

Cassius sensed the enchantment spell in his mind and cast it.

With his ability to tap into the fifth layer of the magic web, level-four spells were swiftly mastered.

"Polymorph."

The magic web shifted at his command, gathering and bending to his will. A delicate magical glow enveloped him, shrinking his massive, menacing body until he assumed a human shape.

Yet the spell adapted to the caster’s nature, so naturally, Cassius transformed into… a young boy.

Cassius regarded his new form, a bit gloomy.

In the mirror, he saw a boy around twelve or thirteen, with delicate features, golden eyes, fiery red hair, and sharp fangs, looking like a mischievous brat.

But his gaze held a strange, haughty presence.

"Going out like this would be humiliating."

"I absolutely must not let the players see this form, or I’ll end up on some peculiar websites…"

Determined, Cassius vowed to avoid revealing this form to players.

He recast the spell, adjusting his appearance. The soft magical glow flickered over him, shifting his features, changing his coloration, lengthening his form, and even modifying his face—a transformation akin to the plastic surgery sorcery of his previous world.

Finally, a striking young man with black hair and golden eyes, exuding a calm aura, appeared in the mirror.

He looked around twenty, dressed in a dark red suit with gold trim. His noble features and golden eyes conveyed a sense of nobility, with a faint air of arrogance softened by elegance and composure.

"Now that’s more like it."

Cassius nodded approvingly.

He checked his status screen.

【Sorcerer Cassius (Human Form)】

Challenge Rating: 8 (3900 xp)

"In this form, my physical strength and spellcasting are restricted, comparable to a high-level human sorcerer."

In his human form, Cassius frowned, then dispelled the spell.

His body expanded rapidly, his massive red dragon form reappearing in the cave.

"It feels better to be in my true form; being bound by this body is uncomfortable."

Cassius exhaled, releasing a blast of hot air in satisfaction.

He examined his status screen, which had transformed significantly since his last slumber.

【Flame Dragon - Cassius】

Name: Cassius Claudious Norrixius

Template: NPC (271 days and five hours until open beta)

Type: Gargantuan Dragon, Lawful Evil

Race: Young Adult 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, Leadership +8, Stealth +6, Perception +8, Hunting +4, Arcana +4, Evasion +4, Knowledge (Future) +4

Damage Immunities: Fire, Lightning

Senses: Blindsight 10 ft, Darkvision 60 ft, Passive Perception 16

Languages: Common, Draconic

Abilities: Resonant Storm Body, Potent Breath (Fire), Targeted Breath (Fire), Gilded Scales, Bloodline Blessing

Feats: Gilded Scales, Potent Breath Weapon, Targeted Breath Weapon, Battle Casting, Commanding Presence, Escape Artist, Silver Tongue

Combat Equipment: Storm King's Eye, Amulet of Magic Nullification, Dimensional Door Pendant, Ring of Agile Casting, Searing Staff, Amulet of Speak with Dead, Lava Spray, Blade Parry Ring, Silent Steps Amulet.

Equipped Spells:

Rechargeable: Vengeance Storm

Once per week: Control Weather

Once per day: Magic Nullification Field, Dimensional Door, Speak with Dead, Burning Hands, Scorching Ray, Blade Ward, Grease

Class Level: True Dragon Sorcerer 7

Caster Level: 10

Spells:

Level 4: Immolation, Polymorph

Level 3: Energy Scales, Blink, Protection from Energy, Fireball

Level 2: Shelter of the Egg, Enhance Ability, Misty Step, Shadow Blade, Invisibility

Level 1: Fog Cloud, Charm Person, Magic Missile, Shield, Thunderwave

Cantrips: Terrifying Tremor, Mage Hand, Minor Illusion, Thaumaturgy, Prestidigitation, Message

Spell-like Abilities:

Once per day: Suggestion

Challenge Rating: 15 (13000 xp)

Evaluation: When flames streak across the sky, beware his arrival.

Don’t worry, there won’t be much of him in human form.

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