Kareks' Body
Jezal Slack asked with incredible excitement and a hint of madness, "Do you know why I dared to invade the Prime Material Plane in my true form?"
Keosius did not answer.
Clearly, the demon in front of him had no intention of letting him answer, and immediately continued the conversation without giving him any room to maneuver.
"It's sealed here."
"But it's not just me!"
Jezal Slack raised that illusory, bony arm again, and the demonic phantom reappeared behind him.
As the heavy iron chains rattled, the intricate runes emitted a dazzling light, constantly scorching the demon's gaunt body, yet still unable to stop him from unleashing his boundless chaotic power.
The entire floating island began to shake violently, and cracks appeared all over the tall mountain peaks in the distance. Eventually, the mountain shattered, sending up clouds of dust and debris.
When the dust settled, beneath the curtain of emptiness, that colossal, unimaginable figure was revealed.
"How is that possible?"
Keosius stood there, stunned, muttering to himself.
His expression changed drastically, and even his breathing became rapid.
On the horizon of the floating island, a colossal dragon body, as majestic as a mountain, appeared—the very form of the Red Dragon he knew all too well.
The ferocious dragon's head alone was nearly a hundred meters long, and its spine, covered with bone spurs, resembled undulating peaks. If its entire body, buried deep within the floating island's rocks, were revealed, this Red Dragon would probably be a thousand meters long—far exceeding Keosius's imagination of the "Red Dragon" and even the entire dragon race.
This ancient Red Dragon still maintains the posture of trying to break free from the floating island. Its giant claws extend outwards, forming the highest and steepest peak on the island. Even its blood-red maw, comparable to an abyss, is exaggeratedly wide open to the sky.
But heavy chains tightly bound his Sky-Shading wings, and an indestructible rock tightly enveloped his body.
That once awe-inspiring body had long since lost its vitality, even its scales had become dull and lifeless. Its lake-like eyes were also devoid of any movement, like a pool of murky, stagnant water. Only its chest still faintly emitted a surging, weak light.
It turns out that this Red Dragon is the real body of the floating island.
More accurately, it was a god's corpse floating in the Astral Plane! Jezal Slack looked into the distance, as if admiring a magnificent view, his face revealing an uncontrollable excitement and exhilaration.
"Praise be to the Lord of Fire, the All-Nullifier, the World Purger — Kareks."
"He is the Progenitor Dragon symbolizes pure power and destruction. He is the ultimate catastrophe, periodically coming to the Prime Material Plane to unleash the unclean Flames of Destruction upon humanity."
The demon seemed to be reciting an epic poem, or a devout fanatic, its impassioned voice echoing in the void for a long time.
Then, with an expression of utmost confidence, he turned to look at the Red Dragon avatar who was standing there dumbfounded.
"Tens of thousands of years ago, Kareks came to the Astral Plane in an attempt to Purification this Material Plane. I also took this opportunity to descend with him, wanting to carry out the great will of the Abyss."
"Unfortunately, Kareks overestimated his own power and underestimated the cunning of the gods. They devised a plan to seal Kareks away. Kareks had no choice but to abandon his magnificent body and escape with most of his divine power, eventually being banished to the desolate Outer Plane — the Tumultuous Void Tunnel."
"But this body, which carries the Progenitor Dragon Blood that has been almost never weakened, has been left here. Its existence has been concealed by the gods, and its coordinates can only be accessed through the Astral Prism. Even Bahamut and Tiamat are unaware of it."
"Although tens of thousands of years have passed and the divine power has gradually dissipated into the Astral Plane void under the evil curse, one-thousandth of the dragon vein power is still contained within it, and these remaining powers are enough to make you the most terrifying dragon in this Prime Material Plane, at least on the continent of Erezege."
Jezal Slack stared intently into Keosius's eyes, as if looking at prey already caught in a net, and his deep, magnetic voice uttered once more.
"How is it, Keosius?"
"This is my greatest sincerity."
Keosius remained rooted to the spot, his mind racing with a myriad of thoughts. His physical form in the Material Plane was already emitting scorching white smoke, and even his pale golden pupils were trembling slightly.
But he managed to restrain the greed that ran deep in his blood and managed to calm himself down.
Kareks's original body is a treasure that Tiamat would covet, and could even be considered the foundation for godhood.
Would this "Revenge Lord" really give it all away for free, just because of some so-called cooperation?
"Every gift that fate bestows has a price tag attached."
"And behind the gifts of the devil lies an endless blood and chaos."
"This mutilated body is probably not his sincerity, but a gluttonous feast that the devil has been planning for ten thousand years and preparing for himself, and I will only be the most suitable vessel."
That's what Keosius thought.
Red Dragon turned his gaze back to the demon, and looking at that "sincere" expression, a hint of determination appeared deep in his eyes.
However, he did not reveal it easily. Instead, he fully activated his [Silver Tongue] ability, combined with his innate charm that could distort reality, and used his superb acting skills to make a trembling and excited appearance.
Keosius stared intently at the massive mutilated body, his expression one of insatiable greed, like a ravenous wild dog. "Jezal Slack, I acknowledge your sincerity. In exchange for this power, I am willing to Become One with you."
How do I proceed with this so-called cooperation?
He asked impatiently, feigning eagerness.
Jezal Slack finally showed a satisfied smile.
"Don't be impatient, my dear collaborator. I prepared the contract thirteen hundred years ago. You are welcome to abandon this clumsy and ridiculous avatar and come in your true form."
"I have already made significant concessions, and this is the bare minimum of sincerity you should show, isn't it?"
A torrent of energy flowed from the demon's Abyss eyes, and the chaotic energy formed crooked characters in the void, eventually revealing a dark yellow, old contract scroll. The last signature was Jezal Slack, but part of his real name was obscured by mist.
"Good."
Keosius answered directly.
But his panel displayed a dark red message.
[You have obtained the advanced class path: [Contract Sorcerer - Fiend Overlord]][You have formed a pact with a demon from Lower Planes. Such beings crave the corruption or destruction of all things, ultimately including you.][The Devil Lord with whom you have made the pact will become your lord, granting you power.]