Ashen Dragon

Thick white smoke filled the surroundings, and the monsters couldn't see what was happening above. All they could see was a massive black shadow faintly emerging.

"Roar——"

Ramp let out a dragon-like roar.

As the smoke dispersed, he tore open the discarded hide, supporting himself with both arms as he slowly stood up.

Erezer's first Dragon Vein Ogre was thus born—if the aesthetic tastes of the giant dragons weren't so absurd.

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

He stood over five meters tall, with a width to match. His former kin would look like short dwarves standing before him.

That still stout and hulking body was now covered in bright crimson scales.

The originally stubby fingers had become long and sharp, transforming from humanoid hands into claws with dragon-like features.

Ramp slowly opened his eyes.

His pupils were golden.

Several rows of red horns protruded from his forehead, making his already hideous and frightening head even more ferocious.

If one could cut through his flesh, they would discover that the blood flowing within this ogre mage was scorching hot, filled with frenzied elements. Dragon-like vascular structures were gradually forming within his body.

Compared to an ogre, Ramp would now be better described as a "Giant Dragon Demon."

After all, he could no longer be considered a pure giant subspecies but a dragon vein creature with the true blood of dragons flowing through his veins. His previously short lifespan of a few decades would now extend to several centuries.

Ramp could now even breathe fire.

On Cassius's retainer panel, Ramp's stats had undergone earth-shattering changes.

[Dragon Vein Ogre Mage - Ramp]

Name: Ramp

Race: Dragon Vein Ogre

Giant Dragon Vein Giant (Fire), Neutral Evil

AC: 16 (natural armor)

Attributes:

Strength——20

Agility——10n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Constitution——18

Intelligence——17

Perception——8

Charisma——13

Proficiencies: Reading +6, Arcane +4, Hunting +4, Ruling +4, Herbalism +2, Persuasion +2, Military +2

Senses: Passive Perception 14 feet

Languages: Common, Draconic, Giant

Actions: Slam, Bite, Pound, Claw

Special Abilities: Breath Weapon (Fire)

Combat Equipment: Ring of Wisdom's Study, Secret Technique Ring, Albert's Mithril Bracelet

Occupational Level: 6 Mage

Spellcasting Level: 6

Spells:

Cantrip: Fire Arrow

1st Level: Burning Hands

2nd Level: Searing Ray

3rd Level: Fireball Technique

Challenge Level: 10 (7000xp)

Assessment: "This Dragon Vein Ogre will turn you into roast meat and swallow you whole."

His challenge level had soared to level 10, and key values such as strength, constitution, and agility had seen earth-shattering changes, introducing the special ability of breath attack.

Simultaneously, Cassius could clearly sense that due to the repression from deep within his bloodline, the bond between him and his retainers had become even tighter. They could no longer defy orders.

Even the thought of rebellion would be detected.

"The effect is quite remarkable."

Cassius said joyfully.

However, this outcome was achieved at the risk of Ramp's life and through deep research into the Magic Web.

Cassius knew this wasn't generally reproducible.

"Master, I did it."

The tone was filled with uncontrollable excitement and joy, along with the satisfaction of a mage successfully completing an experiment.

The monster more aptly called a "Giant Dragon Demon" knelt on the giant rock to thank the Red Dragon, then leaped down, causing a rumble on the ground.

"Boss, you're frigging huge!"

"Think of how much more you can eat now!"

The ogres, holding to the principle that "big is good," cheered for their boss's new form. In their simple, brute minds, the only thing they could think of was that getting bigger meant eating more food.

But off to the side, Dolores's face was clouded with gloom.

"Chimera,"

Cassius called out the second name.

The Chimera was the Red Dragon's first retainer, the top combat force of the Ashen Nest.

Moreover, it was already a distant relative of dragons. Cassius wanted to conduct an experiment to see how the "Bloodline Gift" would affect a dragon vein creature.

Even if it failed, the Red Dragon wouldn't feel the slightest remorse. After all, such a chaotic evil beast had no loyalty.

The three-headed monster landed on the giant rock, folding its wings and lowering its heads submissively.

Blood entered the dragon head's mouth.

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

But unlike the ogre, it didn't experience much pain. To this creature, already dragonborn, absorbing dragon blood wasn't that difficult.

The monsters watched quietly from around, noting that the Chimera's reaction wasn't as intense as that of the ogre.

As the blood spread throughout its body, its three heads rose high.

The dragon head even spewed fire uncontrollably.

Though the Chimera had three distinct heads, its will was still unified, with different heads representing its triple-sided personality.

The dragon head drove it to attack, plunder, and hoard treasures. The lion's nature incited a desire to hunt powerful creatures within its territory, while the goat's head made it vicious and stubborn, willing to fight to the death.

The original Chimera had a lion head as the main head.

But as the blood of grace filled its entire being, the dragon head began to expand continuously. Horn-like spikes extended from the back of its neck onto its spine, replacing the lush mane, and scales began to grow where lion skin once covered.

"Roar——"

The Chimera's dragon head raised high, emitting a loud roar.

Its body rapidly swelled, growing visibly by the second.

Though it didn't absorb energy as exaggeratedly as the ogre, it grew to over eight meters before slowing to a halt.

Its dragon head grew much faster than the heads of the lion or goat, thoroughly taking over its personality.

Compared to the previous chaotic, mismatched creature, the Chimera now resembled a distorted Red Dragon, with the goat and lion heads becoming extraneous appendages.

"Roar..."

After fully assimilating the blood, the Chimera again lowered its three heads submissively, letting out a low growl.

Cassius could feel that due to both the increase in power and bloodline suppression, the Chimera was now completely devoid of rebellious thoughts, its only desire being to cling to their master.

As for what the future held, that remained uncertain. After all, loyalty wasn't in a dragon's nature.

Cassius's retainer panel changed once again.

[Dragon-like Chimera]

Challenge Level: 9 (5000xp)

This Chimera's challenge level reached 9, just below Ramp's.

The power of its flame breath had become even more terrifying, and its scaly armor had significantly enhanced its natural armor value. The blades of the Giant Eagle Knights, which once could hurt it, now had little effect.

"How can a mere beast receive the blessing before me..."

Seeing the Chimera receive the blessing first, the face of Great Goblin Dolores grew progressively darker.

But due to the presence of the Red Dragon above, he could only suppress his fury and stand in place, breathing more heavily.