Bloodline Gift (III)

Thick white smoke filled the surroundings. The monsters could not see what was happening above, only a huge black shadow vaguely emerging.

"Roar—"

Lang Pu let out a dragon-like roar.

As the smoke dispersed, he tore open the discarded husk and slowly pushed himself upright with both arms.

Erezege's first Dragon Vein Ogre Mage had been born—assuming dragons' aesthetic tastes were not quite so absurd.

The monster before them could no longer be called an ogre.

He stood over five meters tall and was nearly as wide. Even one of his former tribesmen standing before him would look like a tiny dwarf.

His still-bulky, muscular body was covered in bright scarlet scales.

His formerly thick, stubby fingers had become long and sharp, transforming from humanoid hands into claws with draconic traits.

Lang Pu slowly opened his eyes.

His pupils were golden.

Several rows of small red horns protruded from his forehead, making his already ugly, terrifying head even more ferocious.

If his flesh were cut open, one would find that the blood flowing through this Ogre Mage was scalding hot and filled with violent elemental power. Base Blood Vessels similar to those of dragons were gradually forming throughout his body.

Compared to an ogre, Lang Pu was now better described as a "Dragon Demon."

After all, he was no longer a pure giant subrace, but a Dragon Vein Creature with Dragon True Blood flowing through him. His original lifespan of only a few decades would also be extended to several centuries.

Lang Pu could now even breathe fire.

On Keosius's follower panel, Lang Pu's stats had also undergone earth-shaking changes.

Dragon Vein Ogre Mage—Lang Pu

Name: Lang Pu

Huge Dragon Vein Giant (Fire), Neutral Evil
Race: Dragon Vein Ogre
AC: 16 (Natural Armor)
Attributes: Strength—20
Dexterity—10
Constitution—18
Intelligence—17
Wisdom—8
Charisma—13
Proficiencies: Reading +6, Arcana +4, Hunting +4, Governance +4, Herbalism +2, Persuasion +2, Military +2
Senses: Passive Perception 14 feet

Languages: Common Tongue, Draconic, Giant Language
Actions: Slam, Bite, Bash, Claw

Special Ability: Breath Weapon (Fire)
Combat Equipment: Ring of Wisdom Research, Arcane Ring, Albert's Mithril Bracelet
Class Level: Mage 6
Caster Level: 6
Spells:

Cantrips: Fire Bolt
1st Circle: Burning Hands
2nd Circle: Scorching Ray
3rd Circle: Fireball

Challenge Rating: 10 (7000 xp)

Evaluation: "This Dragon Vein Ogre will turn you into roast meat, then swallow you whole."

His Challenge Rating had leapt to 10. Key attributes such as Strength, Constitution, and Dexterity had undergone drastic changes, and he had gained the special ability of a breath attack.

At the same time, Keosius could clearly sense that—due to the suppression rooted deep within their bloodlines—the bond between him and his followers had grown even tighter. They could no longer possibly defy his commands.

Even the thought of betrayal would be detected.

"The effect is remarkable."

Keosius said delightedly.

However, Lang Pu had obtained this by risking his life and through his deep research into the Weave.

Keosius knew this could not be universally replicated.

"Master, I succeeded."

His voice contained uncontrollable excitement and joy, as well as the satisfaction of a Mage whose experiment had succeeded.

The monster atop the boulder, now better described as a "Dragon Demon," knelt to thank the Red Dragon. Then he leaped down, making the ground tremble.

"Boss, you're fucking huge!"

"Think how much more you can eat now!"

The ogres, adhering to the principle that bigger was better, cheered wildly at their boss's new form. The only thing their simple, crude minds could think of was that becoming bigger meant getting to eat more.

Meanwhile, Dolo's face was clouded with gloom.

"Chimera."

Keosius called out the second name.

The Chimera was the Red Dragon's first follower and one of Burned-Out Nest's greatest fighting forces.

What was more, it was already a distant relative of dragons. Keosius happened to want to conduct an experiment and see what effect this Bloodline Gift would have on a Dragon Vein Creature.

Even if it failed, the Red Dragon would not feel the slightest regret. After all, a Chaotic Evil beast like this had no loyalty worth speaking of.

The three-headed monster landed atop the boulder, folded its Wings, and obediently lowered its heads.

The blood entered the dragon head's mouth.

The Chimera let out a suppressed growl as the blood boiled within its body.

But it did not suffer like the ogre. For a creature that was already dragonkin, dragon blood was not nearly so difficult to absorb.

The monsters watched quietly from nearby. The Chimera's reaction was far less intense than the ogre's.

As the blood spread throughout its body, all three of its heads rose together.

The dragon head even involuntarily breathed fire.

Although the Chimera had three differently shaped heads, its will remained one. The different heads merely represented three facets of its personality.

The dragon head drove it to attack, plunder, and hoard treasure. The lion's nature stirred its desire to hunt and kill powerful creatures that threatened its territory, while the goat head made it vicious and stubborn, determined to fight to the death.

The original Chimera had been centered around its lion head.

But when the Blood of Grace filled its entire body, the Chimera's dragon head began expanding continuously. Horny spikes at the back of its neck extended from its head down its spine, replacing its luxuriant mane, while scales gradually grew over the areas once covered in lion fur.

"Roar—"

The Chimera's dragon head lifted high and let out a Long Cry.

Its body rapidly swelled, growing at a speed visible to the naked eye.

It did not possess the ogre's outrageous means of drawing in energy, and its growth nearly stopped after it reached a length of more than eight meters.

Its dragon head grew far faster than the lion and goat heads, and its "dragon" personality completely took the lead.

Compared to the contradictory, mishmash monster it had been before, the Chimera now resembled a misshapen Red Dragon, while the goat and lion heads had become burdensome accessories.

"Roar."

Only after the Chimera had finished digesting the blood did it obediently lower all three heads again and let out a soft growl in unison.

Keosius could sense that, whether due to its increased strength or the suppression of its bloodline, the Chimera had completely abandoned any thoughts of rebellion. It only wanted to cling wholeheartedly to his thigh.

As for what the future held, that was hard to say. After all, dragons had no trait called "swear to follow unto death."

Keosius's follower panel had also changed.

Dragon-like Chimera

Challenge Rating: 9 (5000 xp)

This Chimera's Challenge Rating had reached 9, second only to Lang Pu.

The Chimera's Fire Breath had become even more terrifying, and the scales covering its entire body had caused its Natural Armor to soar. The swords and blades of the giant eagle riders would now find it difficult to harm it.

"How can a beast like that go before me?"

Seeing the Chimera receive the gift first, the hobgoblin Dolo's face grew even darker.

But with the Red Dragon above him, he could only force down his urge to rage and continue waiting where he stood, though his breathing became more hurried.