Wolf Riders and Manticores

Wolf Riders and Manticores

The heavy wooden gates of Stone Fortress were raised by Ogre guards, and the noisy Kobolds poured into the valley, where they were assigned to dark, damp underground caves—the preferred habitat of these sensitive-skinned creatures.

Fortunately, Giant Gorge was vast enough to accommodate all these followers. Otherwise, with hundreds of Kobolds arriving at once, Langpu, the temporary steward, would have been overwhelmed again.

Keosius flew into the sky and looked down upon these weak creatures.

[Based on your strength, you can see the following information]
Kobold

Small humanoid (Kobold), Lawful Evil
AC: 12
Speed: 30 ft.

Strength—7
Dexterity—15
Constitution—9
Intelligence—8
Wisdom—7
Charisma—8
Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 8 ft.

Languages: Common Tongue, Draconic

Proficiencies: Construction +4, Traps +4, Digging +6, Stealth +6
Traits: Sunlight Sensitivity, Pack Tactics

Actions: Dagger, Sling
Challenge Rating: 1/8 (25 XP)

Evaluation: "Kobolds make up for their physical shortcomings with their talent for digging burrows and crafting traps. Physically frail, they are little more than a snack for predators, and their vulnerability forces them to band together."

Challenge Rating 1/8—these were perhaps the weakest monsters Keosius had ever encountered. The only value in taking them as followers was using them as miners and sappers. If they were sent onto the battlefield, they would likely serve only as cannon fodder.

But for the sake of the gold and the information about that monster, the red dragon still accepted them as followers.

Because Kobolds were so weak, the fact that the mysterious monster in the mine had devoured hundreds of them did not mean much to him. He needed more detailed intelligence and a better estimate of its strength.

Still, a creature that could grow even larger than the red dragon was now could not have been an easy opponent.

With that thought, he summoned the Hobgoblin leader, Dolo.

With Ember Nest at his back, this ambitious Hobgoblin Warlord had put an end to his days of wandering about and evading human pursuit. He had been living quite comfortably. Perhaps it was an illusion, but even his coarse reddish-brown skin seemed to have become a little smoother.

As a result, coupled with the influence of the leader's aura, Dolo grew ever more respectful toward his master. His ugly red face was covered in smiles. "My mighty master, what are your orders?"

"How is the training of your Wolf Riders coming along?"

Wolf Riders were Goblin soldiers who rode Worgs as mounts.

Goblins had a peculiar affinity for wolves and could become excellent companions with them. Wolf Riders were also unquestionably the elite of Goblin armies.

During a hunt, the Hobgoblin Dolo had once said, "I'd rather give up dozens of cannon fodder than lose a single Wolf Rider."

And he had indeed acted accordingly. During that hunt, he allowed more than a dozen Goblins to be trampled to death by a Mammoth in order to save a Worg rider who had been knocked over.

"Very well. The Worgs can hardly wait to taste the blood of our enemies."

Dolo licked his lips, his eyes revealing that inborn thirst for war.

"Send several scout teams to investigate the mine the Kobolds mentioned. Search the surrounding forces while you're at it. Report back immediately once you find anything. Don't suffer excessive losses."

"Your will shall be obeyed."

The Hobgoblin withdrew respectfully, mounted a Worg, raised his whip, and went to summon the Wolf Riders.

I've studied spells for long enough. It's time to sweep through the surrounding area again and raise my level. The red dragon thought to himself.

For some time before this, Keosius had focused entirely on studying spells and mastering his own power. He had even deliberately suppressed the acquisition of experience and the increase of his level.

Although the player interface could improve his strength with ease, Keosius still wanted steadier control over his own power and a deeper understanding of the structure behind spells and the mechanisms by which the world operated.

He needed not only a powerful body, but also the mindset of the strong. Only then would he avoid becoming a puppet of the so-called "system."

The red dragon spread his Wings and soared into the air.

On an unnamed high cliff, two horrifying creatures were tearing apart chunks of flesh.

Their meal—though it had been shredded beyond recognition—could still barely be identified as human, or at least humanoid, from its smooth skin, severed hand with five distinct fingers, and finely made clothing.

They were enormous, over four meters long, with the bodies of lions and a pair of dragon Wings.

Their upright manes extended down their backs, while the ends of their slender tails were covered in clusters of spikes. Most chilling of all were their heads—smooth, hairless faces like those of humans. Amid the blood-drenched scene, they looked especially bizarre.

They were Manticores, infamous monsters with a particular taste for human flesh. Their forms often appeared in human fairy tales meant to scare Kid into sleeping, except these creatures were real.

They liked to snatch humans away to nests atop high cliffs, then savor them slowly.

But this time, a faint mist began to rise over the cliff.

Then the mist grew thicker and thicker, blinding every creature enveloped within it.

Yet the Manticores, those fearsome predators that were greedily feasting, had no idea danger was approaching.

A dark shadow swept through the dense fog, followed by a bright blaze faintly visible even through the mist.

"Fire Breath!"

The red dragon emerged abruptly from the rolling mist with blazing flames held in his jaws. His breath engulfed one of the Manticores, setting its fur and flesh alight. Other than howling in agony, it could do nothing.

It could only roll about in its nest.

But the nest, built from deadwood and dry grass, caught fire as well. The roaring blaze completely consumed it.

Seeing this, the other Manticore let out a strange shriek like human laughter, then beat its Wings and prepared to flee the land of mist and flame.

But Keosius would not give it the chance.

"Quickened Spell: Cat's Grace."

Enhance Ability, mockingly known as a "zoo spell," took effect. The red dragon's massive body immediately became much lighter.

With only a gentle beat of his Wings, he shot across the air and overtook the desperately fleeing Manticore in an instant.

The red dragon showed no mercy. He extended his thick claws and slammed the airborne Manticore hard against the cliff face.

At once, the entire rock wall shook violently, and cracked stones of every size came tumbling down.

The Manticore's breathing was weak as it let out a strange whimper. It was begging for mercy.

"I... submit."

Tears actually ran down that humanlike face as it wore an expression pleading for pity, but to any creature with normal taste, the sight was profoundly disturbing.

Crack!

The red dragon abruptly exerted force with both claws and, without hesitation, snapped the monster's spine.

He released his claws, and the huge, ugly body naturally fell. Small stones tumbled down after it.

A bang came from below the cliff, followed by the sound of shattered rocks striking the ground, then faint sounds of struggling. After that, there was nothing.

The red dragon stood atop the towering cliff, gazing down at the ground concealed by cloud and mist. "In the future, I'll have to conquer human cities and receive the arrival of players. I need followers who can obey management, followers whose wildness can at least be restrained."

"As for Chaotic Evil idiots meant to frighten people, that Chimera is more than enough."

"Besides, this thing is far too ugly."

As the smoke dispersed, Keosius stared at the twisted human face on the ground and could not help complaining.