Ke Xiu Si gazed at the brand-new familiar panel before him; this fellow had truly leaped over the dragon's gate, soaring to the sky.
【Dragon-winged Kobold Sorcerer】
Medium Humanoid (Kobold), Lawful Evil
AC: 16 (Natural Armor)
Speed: 30 ft., Fly 50 ft.
Strength—15
Dexterity—14
Constitution—16
Intelligence—10
Wisdom—8
Charisma—11
Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 8
Languages: general language, dragon language
Proficiencies: Construction +4, Traps +4, Excavation +6, Stealth +6
Traits: Pack Tactics, Fire Resistance
Actions: Dagger, Sling, Claw, Bite
Class Level: Sorcerer 1
Caster Level: 1
Cantrips: Fire Bolt, Light
1st Level: Burning Hands
Challenge Rating: 5 (1700xp)
This Kobold’s Challenge Rating had leaped from a pitiful 1/8 to 5, now capable of confronting a team of well-trained soldiers, barely making it into the ranks of Ember Nest’s high-tier combatants.
Dolo, standing below, watched the transformed Kobold, his arms crossed, his expression quite displeased.
“Jin Ya.”
The Dragon Vein Earth Goblin whispered the name.
Originally, this fellow could have been easily kicked away by him.
But now, the Kobold, or rather, Urds, was nearly two meters tall, could fly, and had mastered spells, becoming a formidable opponent.
Ever since that conflict, this Kobold had firmly latched onto the Ogre Mage's leg; it could be said that in the current Ember Nest, Langpu's position remained unshakable.
Langpu, observing from not far away, merely curved his lips slightly, his eyes flickering, lost in thought.
“Very good.”
The Ogre subconsciously reached to push up the glasses on his nose, only to realize that the delicate silver-rimmed glasses had long been crushed to pieces during his transformation.
He could only regretfully lower his hand, thinking to himself that he needed to snatch a more sturdy pair.
The Blessing Ceremony finally concluded.
Ke Xiu Si slowly spread his wings, letting their shadow cover the many monsters beneath him.
He fully activated Leader Aura, emitting a convincing, absolute influence that made all the familiars present genuinely submit to him from the bottom of their hearts.
“A soldier who doesn't want to be a general is not a good soldier. My Ember Nest only needs the strong, and absolutely no useless good-for-nothings.”
“Continue to fight for me.”
“Prove your loyalty to me with blood and fire.”
“You too can gain great power and endless longevity.”
As beneficiaries, the few familiar leaders who received the blessing were the first to let out a cheer.
The Wyvern spewed scorching flames into the sky, the Kobold spread his newly acquired wings, and Langpu displayed his massive body and hard scales.
With Ke Xiu Si’s tacit approval, or even encouragement, they wantonly displayed their newly acquired powerful strength.
The monsters within Ember Nest also cheered and leaped with joy; whether Kobolds, Goblins, or Ogres, they roared and shrieked madly, an endless longing and fanaticism for power rising within their hearts.
The noisy celebration echoed through the valley, lingering for a long time.
January.
Goose-feather-like snowflakes drifted in the sky, dancing wildly with the howling wind, and the pervasive icy mist reduced visibility outside to less than a hundred meters.
It was now clearly the coldest season in the Anzeta Great Wilderness.
That impressive “Blessing Ceremony” had taken place more than three months ago.
Jin Ya was dispatched to the dark mine shortly after his transformation, leading his more than three hundred kin to dig for gold for the Red Dragon in the warm underground.
When the snow melted next spring, the Kobolds would transport the gold back to Ember Nest.
At the same time, they also received the task of searching for elemental ore—this was Ke Xiu Si looking for energy for the eye of the storm king.
During this period, many creatures heard the news and joined Ember Nest.
The Earth Goblin warlord “Skullface” fled the Northern Kingdom’s pursuit, bringing his army of over a hundred Earth Goblins and a large amount of wealth to seek refuge here. However, just one week later, that unfamiliar Earth Goblin warlord accidentally drowned in a latrine, and his remaining forces naturally fell under the command of the Dragon Vein Earth Goblin Dolo.
Dolo finally had the excellent soldiers he had always dreamed of, rather than those weak, cowardly common Goblins who didn't even dare to go to the battlefield.
Later, more than thirty Half-goat Men came to seek refuge, wanting to spend the winter in the warm Ember Nest.
These Half-goat Men were weak in their own strength, had no concept of good or evil, and were noisy fey driven by curiosity and hedonism. But their pan flute playing was similar to bards, capable of producing certain wonderful magical effects, and thus they were also accepted by Ke Xiu Si.
Even in such a cold season, Ember Nest remained relatively warm.
On one hand, Stormwind Highlands was not at the northernmost tip of Anzetta; on the other hand, the undulating mountains blocked the invasion of cold winds, preserving the few remaining traces of warmth in the valley.
Especially the Red Dragon's dwelling, which was particularly warm.
At this moment, within the Giant Mouth Cave, Ke Xiu Si slowly opened his sleepy eyes, his massive body sprawled across the warmest geothermic spot in the cave.
“Master, I have brought the person you requested.”
Dolo, leading a few Earth Goblin guards, respectfully entered the cave entrance.
The guards were holding a disheveled, ragged human, who was none other than the slave trader Hart, previously captured by the Red Dragon himself.
“Have you completed the task I assigned you?”
“It has been very successful, Master.”
Dolo replied.
After speaking, the Earth Goblin guards on either side pulled out several scrolls from behind and handed them over. They were written in general language, with messy handwriting and some simple drawings.
The Earth Goblins were proficient in all skills related to military and warfare, including interrogation. The task the Red Dragon gave him was to extract all information from this human’s mind and ensure its authenticity.
Hart was just a slave trader who feared death, so Dolo didn't use any special methods; with only the simplest threats, he made Hart spill everything he knew in one go.
“Then withdraw.”
“Yes.”
Dolo calmly retreated with the guards.
Ke Xiu Si gazed at the nervous human before him and said:
“Long time no see, Hart.”
Hart trembled all over, his legs gave out, and he collapsed to his knees on the ground, saying in a trembling voice:
“Keixius, Master of Ember Nest, powerful Red Dragon, I already understand my mistake, and I am willing to compensate for all losses, I only beg you to spare my insignificant and humble life.”
The Red Dragon grinned, revealing his sharp dragon teeth, a smile that made Hart feel a chill down his spine.
Ke Xiu Si said, “Not only do I not need your compensation, but I will also let you go back.”
Hart looked stunned and subconsciously asked:
“Go, go back where?”
“Sige Town. Your Baron and I might have some common language.”
Hart’s mind conjured the Baron’s cold gaze, and he muttered, “Baron, he, he will kill me.”
The Red Dragon slowly and unhurriedly rose, looking down at the trembling human, a playful glint in his golden vertical pupils.
“No, he won't.”