Master of Monsters

At last, the flames temporarily ceased.

Perhaps it had been deliberate, or perhaps its reserves had run low.

Yet the Red Dragon still hung high in the sky, coldly watching the Wyvern below.

By now, the Wyvern had been burned black all over, battered and bedraggled, with none of its former swagger remaining.

But its innate recklessness and belligerence kept it from considering escape despite its injuries. Instead, it flew into a humiliated rage.

"Roar—"

The Wyvern let out an almost crazed roar, then beat its wings with all its strength and flew straight toward the Red Dragon overhead.

Its thick tail curled slightly, its muscles tensing in an instant. The sharp tail spike was ready to pierce its target upon closing in and inject deadly Wyvern Venom.

Just as it was about to pounce.

Just as it touched the Red Dragon's scales.

"Thunder Wave (Draconic)."

"Boom!"

Thunder erupted beneath the clear sky.

Centered on Keosius's body, a powerful sound wave spread outward.

The invisible wave instantly blasted the unguarded Wyvern several meters away, throwing its wings off balance and sending it plummeting uncontrollably.

The Goblins watching from below hurriedly covered their ears. Some of the more timid ones even hid behind rocks, too terrified to look up.

As the Wyvern fell from the sky, Keosius continued testing his spells.

"Wizardry Arrow."

A blue energy spear wrapped in crackling magical power shot from the Red Dragon's mouth, streaking toward the nearby Wyvern.

Unable to evade, the Wyvern was struck by the airborne energy spear. Lightning energy made its scales crackle, plunging its already battered body into agonizing pain.

But it was not over yet. A persistent arc formed at the point of impact, linking the Red Dragon and the Wyvern as it continuously transmitted magical lightning, even wrapping the Wyvern's body in faint electric arcs.

"Boom!"

The Wyvern crashed to the ground, black smoke rising from its body as it rolled weakly several times.

"It, it's falling!"

"Save us—"

"Run—"

The Goblins scattered in terror, but several were still crushed beneath the Wyvern's enormous body, their lives cut short.

Keosius paid them no mind and simply landed with ease.

Step by step, he walked over to the Wyvern.

With more than a dozen Wyverns already submitting to him.

This particular Wyvern was not necessary to him. Rather, it was an excellent target for making an example.

"Rgh..."

The Wyvern struggled to lift its head and let out a feeble wail, trying to express its surrender at this final moment.

But the Red Dragon extended a powerful claw and pressed it against the creature's slender neck, then pushed down hard.

"Crack!"

The sound of breaking bones rang out sharply.

The Wyvern's head still held the same terrified expression, but there was no trace of life left in it.

The dozen or so Wyverns that had arrived together were instantly terrified. They hurriedly beat their wings and flew over, gathering around the Red Dragon.

The Wyverns bent their long necks and lowered their vicious heads. Low whimpers emerged from their throats, displaying a dragonkind's absolute submission to the strong.

"Keosius Claudeu Norikesius, your master. (Draconic)"

"Roar—"

The Red Dragon stood atop the Wyvern's corpse and let out a long cry toward the heavens.

The Wyverns were perceptive enough to raise their heads and roar along with him. Their cries were noisy and hoarse, as though celebrating the birth of a new king.

Only after a long while did the Red Dragon spare the utterly dead Wyvern beneath his feet, ordering the Wyverns to live in the stone caves along the valley cliffs.

"Cut off its head and hang it on the wall."

"Make arrows from the venom in its tail."

The Red Dragon gave the orders casually.

"Yes, my mighty master. None can rival your power." The Hobgoblin waiting nearby fawned over him before ordering his Goblins to get to work.

"M-my lord, I'm afraid it's still alive."

The Goblins cowered, not daring to approach the massive corpse.

"Useless trash!"

"What good are any of you!"

Dolo was so furious that his already red face turned scarlet. He swung the whip in his hand.

The curses and lashes that followed forced the Goblins to overcome their fear and step forward.

Meanwhile, the Chimera in the cave watched the dead Wyvern from afar, a trace of lingering fear in its eyes.

Langpu gazed at the Wyvern's corpse, marveling at the Red Dragon's strength and rejoicing at this Easy Victory. "Master will surely conquer this world."

Da Tou, the Ogre beside him, leaned close and whispered into his ear, "Boss, that big lizard has so much meat. Can our brothers have some?"

"Ow!"

Another blow of the club landed.

This warning to the others proved remarkably effective.

Though this "chicken" had been a little too large.

[Achievement Obtained: Master of Monsters] Master of Monsters

"You will never imagine what I saw. I sneaked into its lair. There was no legendary treasure within, only broken skeletons everywhere. This was an adventurer's graveyard, yet a paradise for monsters." —From the last words of an unknown adventurer

Passive Trait Obtained: Monster Leader

Charisma +2
Rulership Proficiency +8
Extraordinary Temperament acquired. Your power makes monsters submit.

You have gained the ability of Bloodline Gift, allowing you to affect creatures within your territory and create Bloodline Kin.

A wondrous power surged into Keosius's body.

His Charisma had increased.

The "Charisma" here did not simply refer to the superficial appearance humans spoke of. "Influence" was a more fitting description.

Even if you were short and ugly, if you possessed extraordinary leadership and could make soldiers follow you to the death and conquer the world alongside you, then your Charisma attribute would undoubtedly be high as well.

And in Erezege, a world filled with magic, if Intelligence represented internal qualities such as memory and logic, and Wisdom represented receiving information from the outside world and influences such as divine power, then Charisma represented projecting influence—whether through speech to influence others or through innate spellcasting to affect the world.

Keosius's spellcasting as a Sorcerer relied on the attribute of "Charisma." Through his connection with the world, he exerted influence upon the Weave and altered reality with his willpower.

The Red Dragon keenly felt that his connection to the surrounding elements had grown closer, his influence over reality more complete. There also seemed to be an additional thread of fate between himself and his kin, as though every movement could effortlessly change this world.

He let out a delighted cry, spread his wings, and flew back into the Giant's Maw cave.

Looking down upon his followers below.

With that soft cry, the Ogres laboring at their work seemed to be infected by his mood, raising logs high and cheering loudly.

The panicked Goblins also stared blankly up at the sky, as though they had seen the god in their hearts.

Even the Chimera secretly watching from within the cave could not help but lower its head. It felt a powerful presence that made it want to submit willingly.

Such was the terrifying influence of the "Master of Monsters."

Farther away, in the underground mine, the Kobolds seemed to receive a summons. They put down their hoes and unconsciously moved toward a certain direction. In their dark camp, the Lizardmen lit bonfires and began an ancient dance.

And some terrifying creature lurked deeper within the caves, crawling serpentlike across the ground.