Storm Highlands

The Red Dragon soared freely through the sky. In the distance, towering, sheer cliffs thrust into the clouds—that was Hurricane Cliff.

This was the northern Akkad Mountain Pass, a place where storms gathered and hurricanes often raged.

The vast expanse of rolling slopes stretching a hundred miles south from here, filled with scattered rocks, scrub trees, and even tundra, was known as the Storm Highlands.

In his previous life, the Storm Highlands had another name—the "Newbie Mass Grave."

Due to the active and violent elemental reactions, few people lived here. Countless creatures grew wild in this land.

Hill Giants, Gnolls, Ogres, Goblins, and even Wyverns—monsters of every kind lived together here. One careless step could leave one surrounded by evil creatures.

But to Keosius, a dragon, this was a holy ground for gaining levels and recruiting followers.

Winter was approaching, and the hurricanes of the Storm Highlands now carried flakes of snow. The weeds on the ground had withered yellow and dry, while broad patches of thin snow covered the land.

Even the Red Dragon felt a chill in the air. He could not help exhaling a breath of sulfur-scented heat, sublimating the snowflakes around him into vapor.

I need to find a sufficiently warm place to live.

The Red Dragon thought.

Cloud Peak had been quite good before. Although it lay in the Anzeta Great Wasteland in the continent's northwest, known as the Land Without Spring, its cave had abundant geothermal heat, with magma spread throughout its depths. It had suited a Red Dragon's pursuit of fire and warmth perfectly.

But unfortunately, after his cheap mother had been slain, that place was no longer safe. Kingdom Guards might even have been stationed at the cave entrance to prevent an evil dragon from returning.

Keosius did his best to recall memories of the Storm Highlands from his previous life, and suddenly thought of a good place.

Perfect. I can see if I can recruit a subordinate—or grind some experience.

The Red Dragon, troubled by the Cold Wind, immediately perked up. He spread his wings and glided over the land.

Giant's Mouth Cave.

No one knew who had come up with such a terrible name. Perhaps it had been some bored bard.

Maybe it was because the uneven rocks around the entrance resembled a giant's rotten teeth, or because the open cave mouth looked like a mouth. In any case, from some point onward, it had been called by that name.

The nearby Ogres and Goblins called it that as well. At least the name suited their impoverished imagination.

The cave had changed owners many times, and now it belonged to a Chimera.

The Chimera was said to have been created by Demogorgon, a Devil Lord summoned into the mortal world. It had the hind legs of a goat, the forelegs of a lion, a pair of dragon wings, and the heads of all three creatures.

It combined the worst traits of each of its parts: its dragon head drove it to attack, plunder, and hoard treasure; its lion nature stirred its desire to hunt powerful creatures that threatened its territory; and its goat head made it vicious and stubborn, forcing it to fight to the death.

At that moment, the master of the cave was lazily sleeping near the entrance, licking the wounds on its body.

Its massive body, more than seven meters long, sprawled languidly across the rocks, absorbing the lingering warmth rising from them.

It was the most terrifying monster within a hundred miles, standing at the top of the food chain. It only needed to plunder and kill wherever it pleased, as the heaps of bones accumulated in its cave proved.

There were even quite a few human belongings among them—armor, sharp swords, and the like—all treated as collectibles by this greedy creature. It seemed that many human adventurers had been eaten by it as well.

However, the howl of wings outside the cave interrupted everything.

The Chimera let out an enraged roar, rose to its feet, and looked outside. It was ready to tear this ignorant intruder to pieces, only to see a powerful Red Dragon crash down before it.

"Submit to me, or choose death," the Red Dragon said in Draconic.

The Chimera had dragon blood. Though it rarely spoke Draconic, it could understand the language.

It studied the creature before it. This Red Dragon was clearly not yet an adult. It was slightly smaller than the Chimera, but its body was far more robust.

Though it was a powerful opponent, it did not appear invincible.

The lion head let out a low growl. Its leonine nature ignited an intense desire to hunt powerful creatures, and the half-grown Red Dragon before it was undoubtedly an opponent worth testing itself against.

Hearing the Chimera's growl, Keosius shook his head regretfully. Sure enough, if I'm not big enough to intimidate them, everything becomes troublesome. If a twenty-meter adult Red Dragon were perched here, blocking the cave entrance with its wings, would it still dare refuse to submit? I need to find a way to grow quickly.

He was also observing the terrifying monster before him.

[Based on your level, you can observe the following information]

Chimera

Type: Large Monstrosity, Chaotic Evil

AC: 14 (Natural Armor)
Attributes: Strength—19, Dexterity—11, Constitution—19, Intelligence—7, Wisdom—14, Charisma—10
Proficiencies: Listening +4, Scouting +3, Hunting +5
Senses: Darkvision 60 feet, Passive Perception 18 feet

Languages: Draconic

Actions: Multiattack, Bite, Horn Strike, Claw Strike, Fire Breath

Traits: Conflicting Creature, Evil Minion

Challenge Rating: 6 (2,300 XP)

Description: "Chimeras are creatures as brutal as demons. They like to ambush their prey, diving down from great heights while breathing fire before landing to continue their attacks.

They seek amusement purely through hunting. They enjoy their prey's fear and pain, often toying with them or leaving wounded prey barely alive, only to return and kill them after they have suffered enough pain and terror."

This might have been the strongest opponent Keosius had encountered since his rebirth—a genuine Chimera.

"Since you refuse to accept it, let's settle this in close combat."

Keosius gradually turned serious. His golden vertical pupils narrowed slightly, revealing a Red Dragon's fervor at encountering a powerful foe.

The developed muscles all over his body gradually tightened as well. He looked eager for battle, ready to fight at any moment.

The Chimera let out a long cry and flapped its wings into the sky.

It still used the tactic it knew best, diving down from above while the dragon head on its left spewed terrifying Fire Breath.

But using fire against a Red Dragon nearly immune to flames was clearly not a good idea.

It could only be said that this beast lacked both knowledge and combat wisdom.

The Red Dragon on the ground merely tensed his muscles and remained still.

"True Strike," Keosius murmured softly in Draconic. A faint violet magical glow flickered around his eyes.

This was a very practical cantrip. It allowed him to perceive an enemy's movements before his next attack and strike a fatal blow, which could prove decisive at critical moments.

The Chimera dove rapidly through the air, spewing fire as it descended to within several meters of the Red Dragon.

The Red Dragon's glowing vertical pupils watched it coldly, seeing through the direction of its flight.

Then, the energy within his tensed muscles erupted in an instant.

He spread his wings. His dragon body, more than seven meters long, sprang into the air like a coiled spring, forcing its way through the violent Fire Breath and flying to the Chimera's side in midair.

The Chimera hurriedly beat its wings, trying to change direction—but it was already too late.