Red Scale Road (I)

"Crimson Scale: 9800 contribution points. After spending them all, I still have 20,000 left. Not bad."

Steamed Bun was a little stunned. "Isn't it 10780? Why is yours so much cheaper than mine?"

Singo said calmly, "The price is related to the favorability rating. For every point the favorability rating drops, the price will increase by 1%, so..."

Steamed Bun:. Singo said to Keosius, "Lord Keosius, I also want to purchase [Crimson Scale]."

Steamed Bun followed closely behind. "Me too."

Keosius's golden eyes gazed at them as he slowly spoke, "These are the sharpest blades and daggers under my command. Becoming Red Scale Conqueror means you have no other choice but to fight for me."

Are you—are you really ready?

Steamed Bun's gaze was resolute.

"I'm ready!"

The eighteen days of his experience as a slave replayed in his mind like a revolving lantern, which made his will to become the Red Scale Conqueror unwavering.

Keosius took out two crimson scales.

"Then go and prove yourselves to me!"

"I hope you can hold on until then."

As Keosius finished speaking, information was refreshed on their respective screens.

[Advanced Quest: [Red Scale Conqueror] Is now available.] The Red Scale Conqueror are a special group of knights, loyal to the master of the Ember Nest — the Red Dragon Keosius. They patrol the vast Red Dragon's territory as rangers, scouting for any enemies that may arrive at any time—perhaps the kingdom's army, or adventurers attempting to slay the dragon. And when war comes, they will be fearsome conquerors.

As the roar of dragons echoes from afar, the Red Scale Conqueror will descend from the sky on massive and ferocious Dragon Vein Creature, bringing endless flames and utter death to their enemies. [Quest 1: Proceed to Dragon Valley and find [Red Scale Conqueror Instructor - Alger].] "Alger? Another unknown NPC."

"And we need to go to Dragon Valley. Have you seen Charlotte's post about the Magic Coin Guild Master?"

"Um."

"Let's go in through the gate under the city wall later, so we don't end up like them and get wiped out."

The four left the Mysterious Cave and parted ways temporarily. Born Battle Maniac and Xia Ye Qiuyu Yu only needed to wait for the Dragon Blood Blessing to succeed, while Steamed Bun and Singo needed to complete a series of advanced tasks.

The two of them followed the road built by their families to the Stone Fortress.

The Hobgoblin guards stood on the city wall, their crossbows aimed at them, and demanded, "Who are you?"

Faced with the intense interrogation, Single remained calm. "We are relatives from Bator City, here to see Instructor Alger."

Upon hearing this, the Hobgoblin opened the door and let them in, though their expressions were rather mocking as they chatted with their colleagues.

Do you think these two will succeed?

"Let's make a bet. I'll wager one hundred copper coins."

"Betting my ass! Alger's Red Scale Legion has been around for so many years, and he's still the only one left. Do you think I'm stupid?"

"Haha, the unlucky guy who went to test last time was smashed into a meat pie and even got a bite taken by Ogre. Nobody dares to go now, let alone two humans."

Singo and Steamed Bun encountered all sorts of monsters in the valley, Lizardmen, Hobgoblin, Kobold, and even Half-goat Human. They asked for directions as they walked, and finally found Alger's place.

For some reason, when they heard that they were looking for Alger, the monsters all showed a gloating expression on their faces.

"This must be it."

Steamed Bun pointed to the simple cave and said.

"Something's not right. This professional instructor should be a big shot, so why is he living in such a terrible place?"

"Never mind, let's go in and take a look first."

The two recklessly entered the cave.

There was a Fighter sitting on a stone bench, sharpening his sword—but he did not look human.

The creature in front of me was about two meters tall, with strong, hard muscles all over its body. Its skin was covered with dense, crimson scales, and its head was not humanoid, but rather a ferocious dragon's head, with particularly conspicuous golden, reptilian vertical pupils.

Behind his head, a crown of keratinous scales resembled a tangled mess of hair. The hand gripping the longsword was not a purely human hand, but rather more like a dragon's claw, yet more dexterous.

Who are you?

He raised his head, his golden vertical pupils fixed on the newcomer, his gaze containing a chilling aura of danger.

[Red Scale Conqueror - Alger]

Faction: [Burned-Out Nest]

Basic Abilities:? Challenge Rating:? "This is the fourth unknown NPC!"

"Steamed Bun exclaimed softly."

Singo, on the other hand, calmly took out his keepsake—a crimson scale.

"We are here on Lord Keosius's orders to carry out the advancement mission of the Red Scale Conqueror."

A fleeting look of surprise flashed across Alger's golden eyes.

He initially thought it was just another overconfident trial participant, as he had seen many in the past few years. However, this one carried a token, which meant he must be one of the "talented individuals" his master had mentioned. This made him take the matter more seriously.

Alger also wanted to see what kind of talent allowed them to become flying knights in such a short time.

However, after scrutinizing the two with his golden eyes, he found nothing extraordinary about them, and they were even weaker than the monsters in terms of strength.

"Very good, I hope you can survive."

"Come with me."

The two players obediently followed behind Alger.

Steamed Bun muttered to himself, "Why would he say we should live? Could there be some danger in this expensive advanced mission?"

Singo scoffed, "Don't be in such a hurry, you'll find out soon enough."

They ventured deeper into the valley, passing several forks in the road.

"Aww—"

Before even entering, one could hear a continuous stream of chaotic and disorderly roars echoing from within.

Finally, they arrived at a valley filled with fire and heat. Only then did they see the true nature of the place.

On the towering rock face were numerous pits of varying sizes, and many Wyvern inhabited the valley, flapping their wings, swinging their long tails, and opening their blood-red mouths that emitted a foul stench.

The Wyvern either rested on the wall pits, or hovered in mid-air, and several Wyvern even wrestled together, constantly emitting noisy roars.

Alger crossed his arms and said coldly, "This is Wyvern Valley, where Wyvern raise their young. I need you to find your mounts here."

Upon seeing someone approaching, the vertical pupils that had been gleaming with an eerie light in the shadows immediately focused on them.

Alger's Red Dragon bloodline was far more noble than that of the Wyvern, so they still respected him quite a bit.

But the Wyvern showed no mercy to Steamed Bun and Singo. Some even had sticky drool dripping Wyvern their mouths, wanting to make these two delicate humans their dessert.

The Steamed Bun stared in disbelief at the numerous Wyvern.

"Holy crap!"