Battle for Giant's Maw

Battle for Giant's Maw

The Red Dragon opened its bloodstained maw and bit down viciously at the dragon head's neck without hesitation.

Its incomparably sharp teeth pierced the Chimera's scales and tough hide, sinking deep into flesh.

Blood spattered everywhere. The head snapped back with a miserable howl, and its previously ferocious Fire Breath came to an abrupt halt.

"Aoo—"

The Chimera's dragon-like Wings flapped wildly as it struggled to fly upward. At the same time, its thick, sharp Lion Claws slashed at the Red Dragon in midair, trying to counterattack and escape its predicament.

Keosius released his bite, nimbly dodged the incoming swipe, beat his Wings lightly, and angled upward above the Chimera.

The tide of battle had now turned. The Red Dragon let out a triumphant Long Cry, then dived down, hurtling toward the Chimera's back.

"Roar—"

Compared to the bizarre body of the beast below, the Red Dragon's streamlined form was clearly more suited to flight.

The Chimera in midair had no strength left to evade him. It could only flap its Wings in vain and turn its heads to watch helplessly as the Red Dragon drew ever closer.

"Got you."

Keosius spread his Wings and clamped both of the Chimera's Wings tightly in his powerful claws.

The Chimera panicked, its entire body thrown off balance. It could only beat its Wings wildly while all three heads bit backward together, trying to shake the Red Dragon off its back.

"Bull's Strength!"

The Red Dragon roared. The spell's power surged into his heart, then pumped through every inch of muscle in his body. His already thick Limbs swelled dramatically, even venting waves of steam.

Keosius immediately felt his strength skyrocket.

His claws locked tightly around the Chimera's Wings, nearly crushing its flesh and even its bones.

"Who gave you the nerve—"

"To fly before a True Dragon?"

"Get down!"

Keosius said viciously.

He then folded his Wings, pressing down with all his weight and strength—the Red Dragon needed an overwhelming victory.

The Chimera, which had been struggling incessantly moments ago, now had no chance whatsoever of escape beneath the grip of absolute strength.

It could only wait in despair.

"Wuu—Aoo—"

The Chimera first struggled unsteadily in the air, then, under the Red Dragon's crushing pressure, plunged straight down from a height of more than ten meters.

"Boom!"

The earth thundered.

Dust billowed, gravel scattered, rocks collapsed, and the ground was smashed into a huge shallow crater.

The Chimera in the crater looked especially miserable. Not only was its body covered in wounds, but its Wings were nearly broken.

"Let me show you what real fire is!"

The Red Dragon pinned the half-dead Chimera beneath him and parted his jaws slightly. Scorching fire elemental energy gathered deep in his throat—the subtly distorted air around the corners of his mouth revealed just how terrifying this Fire Breath would be.

"Submit."

"Or die."

Keosius stared into the terrified, broken-spirited eyes of the Chimera's lion head and spoke each word slowly.

Though Chimeras were brutal and warlike creatures, they still cherished their lives. Moreover, their Dragon Bloodline made them naturally submit to stronger dragons and become servants of evil.

Under the threat of death, it did not hesitate for long. The dragon, lion, and goat heads all lowered with difficulty, exposing their vulnerable necks and letting out low groans to show their submission to the stronger being.

"Aowu..."

Before strength, all were equal. That was the simplest and most brutal law of the wilderness.

"Submit... Master..."

This Chimera could actually speak simple Draconic, though it could only force out individual words.

Only then did Keosius release the claw pinning the Chimera down. He immediately unleashed the long-gathered Fire Breath less than a meter away from it.

In an instant, the scorching flames blackened the ground and blasted the rocks apart.

The Chimera was still shaken, but felt even greater awe. It knew that if it had taken that attack, it would almost certainly have died.

Only then did the Chimera slowly climb out of the shallow crater. Its injured Wings were drawn tightly against its back, its scarred Limbs struggling to support its body. All three heads hung low, not daring to meet the Red Dragon's eyes.

The Red Dragon leaped onto the towering rock wall outside the cave. Looking down from above, he roared in Draconic, "From now on, this place is my—

"Keosius's Lair."

The sound shook the surroundings, allowing countless creatures within several miles to hear it.

Whether Gnolls feasting heartily, Ogres robbing travelers on the road, or Bugbears snoring soundly...

Perhaps they had not yet realized that this territory had changed masters, but Keosius was confident that he would make them understand soon enough, by whatever means necessary.

He then lightly jumped down from the rock wall and turned his gaze back to the Chimera, which stood with its head lowered, awaiting orders. He said casually:

"From now on, remember this name well. Do not disobey me. Lead the way."

"Yes..."

The Chimera nodded faintly and walked ahead, heading deeper into the Giant's Maw cave.

The cave was warm. There must have been abundant fire elemental energy within the mountain, making the Red Dragon feel very comfortable.

As he passed through the deep passageway, Keosius found the scattered skeletal remains of many creatures inside: enormous giant skulls, Wyvern Wing Bones, and even horned Humanoid Skulls.

Cambions? No, they should be Tieflings.

Keosius thought to himself.

The Red Dragon continued following behind. After passing through the deep outer passage, the space before him suddenly opened up. The cavern within was even more spacious, large enough to hold an adult Red Dragon with room to spare.

There were still leftover remains everywhere, along with tunnels and openings of all sizes.

As the Chimera passed a pile of bones, it suddenly hesitated and pondered for a moment. Then it quickly pretended not to notice anything and continued forward.

It was deliberately guiding the Red Dragon deeper inside.

However, Keosius keenly noticed the anomaly. He called out to the Chimera leading the way and asked coldly in Draconic:

"What are you hiding? What is there?"

"No..."

"Nothing..."

The Chimera turned around and whimpered, lowering its heads in a pleading posture.

The Red Dragon pushed aside the pile of bones and discovered a hidden opening beneath it. Looking down through the opening, he could see more than a thousand gleaming Gold Coins faintly sparkling within the dark cave.

The Chimera possessed Dragon Bloodline and had inherited a dragon's greed. Plundering and hoarding treasure was its nature, but being able to gather so many Gold Coins was truly an exceptional talent.

"By dragon custom, I will take half of it."

"But if you dare hide anything from me again..."

"There will not be a next time."

"Yes... Master."

The beast's three heads lowered.

Keosius glanced at it, then entered the cave under the exceedingly pained gaze of the Chimera's dragon head.

With a single bite, his huge maw swallowed several hundred Gold Coins—

the greater part of the Chimera's lifelong savings from killing and plundering.