Chapter 8: Storm High Cliffs
The red dragon soared freely across the sky, while in the distaeep cliffs jutted high into the clouds—the Storm Cliffs.
This was the northern Akard Mountain Pass, a pce where stathered and hurries raged.
Southward, a vast expanse ed slopes filled with scattered rocks, scrub trees, and tundra spread out, all known as Storm High Cliffs.
In his previous life, Storm High Cliffs had a rather grim niame—"The Newbie Mass Grave."
Due to intense elemental activity, the area arsely poputed, allowing tless creatures to thrive wildly.
Hill giants, gnolls, ogres, goblins, and even wyverns roamed these nds. One misstep could nd an adventurer surrounded by hostile creatures.
But for Cassius, an evil dragon, this pce was a sanctuary for leveling up and gathering minions.
With winter nearing, the storms on the High Cliffs had picked up fragments of snow, while the ground was covered in dry, withered grass and patches of thin snow.
Even in the air, the red drago a chill, exhaling a breath of sulfuric heat that turhe drifting snowfkes into vapor.
"I o find a warm enough ir."
The red dragon pondered.
The Cloud Peak had bee—it was in the northwestern region of the Aa Wilderness, known as "The Land Without Spring," but the caves had plenty of geothermal warmth, with magma flows deep inside, suiting a red dragon's need for fire a.
Unfortunately, after his mother’s demise, that pce was no longer safe. The Kingdom might have stationed guards there to prevent an evil dragon from returning.
Cassius tried to recall his memories of Storm High Cliffs and suddenly thought of a suitable location.
"Perfect—maybe I recruit some minions, or… farm some experience."
The dragon, invigorated by the thought, spread his wings wide and glided across the nd.
Giant's Maw Cave.
Who came up with that name was unknown, maybe a bored bard.
Perhaps it was because the uneven rocks at the entrance resembled a giant's rotteh, or because the open cave mouth looked like a gaping maw. But somewhere along the way, the name had stuck.
Nearby ogres and goblins also called it that, which matched their limited imaginations.
The cave’s oct had ged many times, and currently, it was home to a chimera.
The chimera, a creature from myth, was said to have beeed by the demon lord Demon. It bore the hind legs of a goat, the fs of a lion, a pair on wings, and three heads—each from those creatures.
It bihe worst traits of its pos: the dragon head drove it to attack, plunder, and hoard treasures; the lion’s nature roused a desire to hunt any powerful creatures within its territory; while the goat’s head made it vicious and stubborn, fighting to the end.
At the moment, this cave’s master y dozihe entrance, lig its wounds.
The massive seveer-lo sprawled zily on the rocks, basking in the lingering warmth.
It was the most fearsome predator for miles around, sitting at the top of the food , with bones piled in its ir to prove it.
Among them were remnants of humans—armor, swords—testifying that more than a few adventurers had falleo this greedy creature.
But the sound of wis outside interrupted its rest.
The chimera roared in fury, rising to face the intruder, ready to shred it to pieces, only to see a powerful red dragon nd heavily outside.
"Submit to me, or choose death."
The red dragon spoke in Draic.
The chimera, possessing dragon blood, could uand Draic, even if it seldom spoke.
It assessed the creature before it. This red dragon was clearly still young, slightly smaller in size but noticeably stronger.
A formidable oppo, yet not an insurmountable one.
The lion’s head growled low, its instinct to hunt strong creatures ignited, and the juvenile red dragon before it seemed a worthy foe.
Hearing the chimera’s growl, Cassius sighed regretfully, thinking to himself that his size wasn’t intimidating enough. Everything was harder when he couldn’t rely on sheer presence.
If he were a fully grown, twenty-meter-long red dragon blog the entrah his wings, would he really o worry about a chimera’s defiance?
He o find a way to grow stronger quickly.
He, too, scrutihe terrifyi before him.
[Based on your level, you observe the following information]
【Chimera】
Category: Large Beast, Chaotic Evil
AC: 14 (Natural Armor)
Attributes:
Strength — 19
Dexterity — 11
stitution — 19
Intelligence — 7
Wisdom — 14
Charisma — 10
Skills: Perception +4, Scouting +3, Hunting +5
Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 18 ft.
Language: Draic
As: Multiattack, Bite, Gore, Cw, Fire Breath
Traits: tradictory Creature, Evil Servant
Challeing: 6 (2,300 XP)
Evaluation: "The chimera is a creature as brutal as a demon, preferring ambush tactics. It dives from high altitudes, breathing fire before nding to tis attack.
It seeks eai in hunting, relishing the fear and pain of its prey, often toying with it or leaving it gravely injured, only to return ter and finish the kill."
This was likely the stro oppo Cassius had faced since his rebirth—a genuine chimera.
"If you refuse, the’s settle this with brute force."
Cassius grew serious, his golden eyes narrowing with a hint of fervor, the kind a red dragon dispyed when entering a worthy oppo.
His powerful muscles tensed, ready t into a.
The chimera let out a howl and uself into the sky.
Following its familiar routi dove from above, its dragon head unleashing a fiery breath.
But using fire against a fire-immune red dragon was hardly a smart move.
This beast clearly cked knowledge and strategic thinking.
The red dragon on the ground simply tensed his muscles, holding his ground.
"True Strike."
Cassius muttered in Draic, a faint purple glow flickering around his eyes.
This handy trip allowed him to foresee his enemy’s move, setting him up for a lethal terattack, potentially decisive in critical moments.
The chimera’s fire-spewing dive brought it within mere meters of the red dragon.
Cassius’ glowing, slitted eyes coldly tracked its trajectory, pinpointing its movements.
His tensed muscles unleashed a surge of energy.
With wings outstretched, the seveer-long dragon sprang into the air, cutting through the fiery breath to position himself beside the airborne chimera.
The chimera tried to veer mid-air, fpping its wings to ge dire—but it was too te.
