The heavy wooden doors of Boulder Fortress were pulled open by Ogre guards, and the clamoring Kobolds swarmed into the valley, being settled into some dark, damp underground caves—the most favored habitat for these skin-sensitive creatures.
Fortunately, Giant Canyon is vast enough to accommodate these dependents with plenty of room; otherwise, with hundreds of Kobolds coming in at once, the temporary manager Lang Pu would be in a frantic mess.
Ke Xiu Si flew into the sky, looking down at these weak creatures.
【Based on your strength, you can see the following information】
【Kobold】
Small humanoid (Kobold), lawful evil
AC: 12
Speed: 30 feet
Strength: 7
Dexterity: 15
Constitution: 9
Intelligence: 8
Wisdom: 7
Charisma: 8
Senses: Darkvision 60 feet, Passive Perception 8 feet
Languages: general language, dragon language
Proficiencies: Construction +4, Traps +4, Excavation +6, Stealth +6
Traits: Sunlight Sensitivity, Pack Tactics
Actions: Dagger, Sling
Challenge Rating: 1/8 (25 XP)
Evaluation: “Kobolds compensate for their physical shortcomings with their talent for digging and making traps. Their frail bodies are but a small dish for predators, and they are forced to stick together due to their vulnerability.”
Challenge Rating 1/8; this might be the weakest monster Ke Xiu Si had ever encountered. The only value in taking them as dependents was as miners and sappers. If they were to be sent to the battlefield, they would likely only serve as cannon fodder.
But considering the gold and the information about that monster, the Red Dragon still took them as dependents.
Because the Kobolds were too weak, the achievement of the mysterious monster in the mine swallowing hundreds of Kobolds, in his opinion, did not really explain anything; more detailed information and strength assessment were still needed.
However, a monster that could grow larger than the current Red Dragon was probably not an easy opponent to provoke.
Thinking of this, he summoned the Earth Goblin leader, Dolo.
With Ember Nest as his backing, this ambitious Earth Goblin warlord had ended his days of constant wandering and hiding from human pursuit, living a very comfortable life. He didn't know if it was an illusion, but even his rough reddish-brown skin had become somewhat smoother.
Because of this, coupled with the influence of the leader's aura, Dolo grew increasingly respectful of his master, his ugly red face beaming with smiles: “My powerful master, what are your commands?”
“How is your wolf cavalry training progressing?”
The so-called wolf cavalry refers to Goblin Soldiers who ride dire wolves.
Goblins have a unique affinity with wolves and can become very good companions, and wolf cavalry are also the absolute elite in Goblin armies.
The Earth Goblin Dolo once said during a hunt: “I would rather give up dozens of cannon fodder than lose a single wolf rider.”
And he indeed did so; in that hunt, he allowed a dozen Goblins to be trampled to death by mammoths to save a dire wolf knight who had been knocked over.
“Very good, the dire wolves are already eager to taste the enemy's blood.”
Dolo licked his lips, his eyes revealing that innate craving for war.
“You send a few scout teams to the mine the Kobolds mentioned to gather information, and while you're at it, search for nearby forces. Report back immediately once you find any intelligence; do not incur excessive losses.”
“As you command.”
The Earth Goblin respectfully withdrew, swung onto his dire wolf, and raised his whip to rally the wolf cavalry.
“After studying spells for so long, it's time to sweep the nearby areas again and raise my level,” the Red Dragon thought to himself.
For some time prior, Ke Xiu Si had been focused on studying spells, dedicating himself to mastering his powers, even deliberately suppressing experience gain and level advancement.
Although the player panel could easily Enhance Ability, Ke Xiu Si still wanted to control his own power more stably, understanding the operational structure of spells and the mechanisms of the world.
He not only needed a powerful body but also the mindset of a strong individual, so as not to completely become a puppet of the so-called “System.”
The Red Dragon flapped his wings and soared into the sky.
On an unknown high cliff, two terrifying-looking creatures were tearing at shredded meat.
And their food—though it had been torn beyond recognition, one could still faintly make out from the smooth skin, distinct five-fingered severed hands, and finely crafted clothing that it was human, or at least a humanoid creature.
They were massive, about four meters long, with the body of a lion and a pair of dragon wings.
Their erect manes extended to their backs, and the ends of their slender tails were covered in bushy spikes. Most chilling were their heads—they had smooth, hairless, human-like faces, which looked particularly eerie in the scene of blood-soaked mouths.
They were manticores, notorious monsters particularly fond of human flesh. Their appearance was often written into human fairy tales to scare children to sleep, but they were real.
They liked to drag humans to their nests on high cliffs and then slowly savor them.
However, this time, a faint mist rose on the cliff.
Following that, the mist grew thicker, blinding all creatures enveloped within it.
Yet the manticores, usually terrifying predators, who were feasting heartily, had no idea that danger was approaching.
A dark shadow darted through the thick mist, followed by a bright flame faintly visible even in the fog.
“Flame Breath!”
The Red Dragon, holding scorching flames in his mouth, burst out from the rolling thick mist. The breath attack directly engulfed one of the manticores, causing its fur and body to ignite completely, leaving it with nothing but wails.
It could only roll around in its nest.
However, the nest, made of dead wood and dry grass, also began to burn, and the raging fire consumed it entirely.
Seeing this, the other manticore let out a strange shriek, like human laughter, then flapped its wings, preparing to flee this mist and flame-shrouded place.
However, Ke Xiu Si would not give it that chance.
“Instantaneous: Cat's Grace”
With the Enhance Ability, jokingly called “Zoo Spell,” active, the Red Dragon's massive body immediately became much lighter.
He merely flapped his wings gently and glided through the air, instantly surpassing the manticore that was desperately trying to escape.
The Red Dragon showed no mercy, extending his thick, sharp claws and fiercely slamming the flying manticore against the cliff face.
Immediately, the entire rock wall vibrated with a rumble, and large and small broken rocks tumbled down.
The manticore's breath was weak, emitting a strange whimper—it was begging for mercy.
“I, surrender.”
Tears actually flowed down that human-like face, revealing an expression of pleading for mercy, but this look, to any creature with normal aesthetics, was extremely bizarre.
“Crack!”
The Red Dragon's claws suddenly exerted force, mercilessly crushing the monster's spine.
He released his claws, and the huge and ugly body naturally fell, with small gravel following.
Only a “thud” sound from below the cliff and the sound of falling rocks were heard, followed by a faint struggle, and then silence.
The Red Dragon stood high on the cliff top, gazing at the ground obscured by clouds: “In the future, I will need to occupy human cities and welcome players. I need dependents who can follow orders, at least able to suppress their wild nature.”
“And for frightening people, that chaotic evil idiot, the Chimera, is enough.”
“Moreover, this thing is just too ugly.”
As the smoke dissipated, Ke Xiu Si looked at the twisted human face on the ground and couldn't help but complain.