Ashen Dragon

Red Dragon opened its bloodthirsty maw and bit down mercilessly at the Chimera's neck.

Its incredibly sharp dragon teeth pierced through the Chimera's scales, tore through its tough hide, and deeply embedded into its flesh and blood.

Blood splattered, and the Chimera's head threw back as it let out a piercing wail. The once formidable flame breath abruptly ceased.

"Aah—"

The Chimera's dragon-like wings flapped wildly, struggling to ascend, while its robust and sharp lion claws swung at the Red Dragon in midair, hoping to launch a counterattack and break free from its plight.

Cassius unclenched his jaws, agilely dodged the incoming strike, and gracefully flapped his wings, spiraling diagonally above the Chimera.

The tides of battle had turned. The Red Dragon let out a satisfied long howl, diving down swiftly toward the Chimera's back.

"Roar—"

Compared to the bizarrely shaped beast below, the streamlined body of the Red Dragon provided a clear advantage in flight.

The Chimera, suspended midair, was powerless to evade his actions, fluttering its wings futilely, helplessly watching as the Red Dragon's silhouette drew ever closer.

"Got you."

Cassius spread his wings wide, his powerful claws gripping the Chimera's wings tightly.

Panic-stricken, the Chimera lost its balance, flailing its wings erratically. All three of its heads turned back to bite, desperately trying to shake off the Red Dragon on its back.

"Bull's Strength!"

The Red Dragon roared fiercely, the power of the spell surging into his heart and then pumping through every inch of his muscles, making his already powerful limbs bulge exaggeratedly, even emitting steam.

Cassius instantly felt his strength surge immensely.

His claws locked firmly onto the Chimera's wings, nearly crushing its flesh and bones.

"Who gave you the courage—"

"to fly before a True Dragon?"

"Down!"

Cassius said viciously.

He then folded his wings tightly, pressing down with all his weight and strength—

The Red Dragon needed a crushing victory.

The previously struggling Chimera now had no chance of escape under the absolute dominance of his power.

It could only despairingly await its fate.

"Aoo—aah—"

The Chimera first wobbled in the air, struggling, and then, under the Red Dragon's immense pressure, plummeted straight to the ground from a height of more than ten meters.

"Boom!"

The earth roared.

Dust filled the air, rubble flew everywhere, rocks cracked, and the ground was smashed into a massive shallow pit.

And in the pit, the Chimera was particularly miserable, with scars all over and its wings nearly broken.

"Let me show you what true flame really is!"

The Red Dragon pressed against the half-dead Chimera, his mouth slightly open, with scorching fire elements building up in the depths of his throat—the air around his mouth subtly distorted by the intense heat of the impending flame breath.

"Submit."

"Or die."

Cassius stared into the terrified, dejected eyes of the Chimera's lion head and spoke each word forcefully.

Though the Chimera was a vicious and belligerent creature, it still valued its own life. Besides, its dragon bloodline made it naturally submissive to stronger dragons, becoming their evil minions.

Under the threat of death, the Chimera did not hesitate long. Its dragon, lion, and goat heads all struggled to lower, exposing vulnerable necks and letting out deep murmurs to express submission to the stronger dragon.

"Awoo…"

Before strength, all are equal—this was the most straightforward and brutal law of the wild.

"Submit… Master…"

The Chimera could speak simple Draconic, though only managing to utter the words coarsely.

Cassius then loosened his grip on the Chimera and sprayed his accumulated flame breath to the ground less than a meter away.

In an instant, the scorching flames charred the ground and shattered the rocks.

The Chimera, frightened yet more reverent, knew that it stood no chance if hit directly by that flame.

The Chimera slowly climbed out of the shallow pit, its injured wings tightly folded on its back, and its scarred limbs struggling to support its body, the three heads drooping and not daring to look directly at the Red Dragon.

The Red Dragon leaped to a towering rock wall outside the cave, roaring in Draconic from above:

"From now on, this place is mine—

"Cassius' lair."

His voice shook the surroundings, allowing creatures within a few miles to hear it.

Whether it was the feasting gnolls, the marauding ogres, or the snoring bugbears…

They might not realize the change of ownership in this territory yet, but Cassius was confident they would soon understand in one way or another.

He then lightly jumped down the rock wall, his eyes returning to the submissive Chimera below, and said casually:

"From now on, remember this name well, and do not defy me. Lead the way ahead."

"Yes…"

The Chimera nodded slightly and walked ahead, heading deeper into the Giant's Mouth Cave.

Inside the cave was warm, probably due to the abundant fire elements within the mountain, making the Red Dragon feel exceptionally comfortable.

As they traversed the deep passageways, Cassius noticed numerous skeletal remains scattered around—giant skulls, bipedal wyvern wing bones, and even horned humanoid skulls.

"Is it a Campion?

"No, it should be a Tiefling."

Cassius thought to himself.

The Red Dragon continued following behind. After passing through the deep external passage, the cave opened up before him, the space much larger, enough to house a mature Red Dragon.

All around were remnants of feeding, and various other passageways and openings.

The Chimera hesitated momentarily while passing a pile of skeletal remains but then swiftly pretended not to see it and walked forward.

It was deliberately guiding the Red Dragon inside.

However, Cassius keenly observed this anomaly, stopped the Chimera leading the way, and coldly asked in Draconic:

"What are you hiding? What is there?"

"No…"

"Nothing…"

The Chimera turned around, whimpered, and bowed its head in a pleading posture.

The Red Dragon scraped away the pile of bones, revealing a hidden entrance. A glance inside showed thousands of shimmering Gold Coins flickering in the dark cave.

The Chimera, with its dragon bloodline, had inherited the dragon's greed. Hoarding treasure was second nature to it, but to collect so many Gold Coins was quite a talent.

"By dragonkin laws, I shall take half."

"But if you dare conceal from me again…"

"There won't be another chance."

"Yes… Master."

The beast's three heads lowered.

Cassius glanced at it, then entered the cave, feeling the Chimera's dragon head's painfully watchful gaze.

With just one bite, his massive jaws swallowed hundreds of Gold Coins—

Most of the Chimera's lifetime hoard from its constant plundering and slaughter.