Chapter 27: The Giant's Tomb
After leveling up, Cassius leapt down the shadowed cliff, hoping to salvage some spoils from the Bluefoot Drakesnake.
But as he reached the bottom and looked around,
He suddenly realized things were far from simple.
Scattered across the ground with the Drakesnake's corpse were other massive, ancient bones.
Each skeleton was over ten meters long, and from their grim, snake-like skulls and elongated spines, he could tell these remains belonged to Bluefoot Drakesnakes.
There were hundreds of them.
The massive bones covered the entire ground at the base of the cliff, forming a spectacular road of white bones, making the Drakesnake's body blend almost unnoticed among them.
Hundreds of Bluefoot Drakesnakes.
What kind of concept was this?
Just one Bluefoot Drakesnake had pushed the red dragon to his limits to barely claim victory.
Ten Drakesnakes swarming together, with their powerful lightning, would reduce the red dragon to charred remains.
And what about hundreds?
No exaggeration, such a force could easily wipe out an entire human kingdom.
"These bones… some must be thousands of years old, almost turning to dust."
"What is this place?"
Cassius felt a chill run down his spine, exhaling a breath of sulfur-laden air.
Now, he ignored the Drakesnake's corpse, wanting only to uncover the secret of this terrifying bone road.
"Crunch."
His claws pressed down on the ancient skeletons, producing brittle sounds.
The red dragon treaded lightly on this road of bones, stepping slowly into the depths of darkness.
The cliffs on either side rose steeply, almost vertical.
He walked for a long time.
At the end of the path stood a massive stone door.
Thick stone pillars flanked it, carved with inscriptions.
The door bore simple carvings with a primal design, not intricate but exuding a sense of raw power and wildness, barely depicting an eye within a storm.
"Storm Giants?"
Cassius murmured to himself.
The ancient empire of giants had spanned vast distances, with Storm Giants holding the highest rank among them.
Few in number, these Storm Giants lived in remote, hidden corners of the world, reminiscing about their lost glory, known as reclusive and contemplative sages.
He carefully examined the inscriptions on the pillars.
"Ancient Giant Script."
The red dragon didn't recognize this ancient language; it likely perished with the fall of the giant empire.
But a translucent blue panel quietly appeared.
[The wisdom of the sorcerer lets you trace back to more ancient knowledge.]
[The writing before you stirs memories from the depths of your bloodline.]
[The memory of the long, unending war between dragons and giants, etched deeply within your veins, flowing through every vessel in your body.]
Cassius felt a wave of dizziness, falling into a trance.
He saw a terrifying army of dragons, with wings so numerous they darkened the skies.
Giants stood in formation, their massive bodies dominating the horizon.
The two sides clashed, shaking the heavens and earth.
It was a primal, brutal confrontation.
Storm Giants hurled devastating lightning, Cloud Giants summoned rolling clouds, and Stone Giants hefted mountain-sized boulders.
[You have gained valuable knowledge from the ancient times.]
[Skill Proficiencies gained: [Ancient Draconic +4], [Ancient Giant +2]]
When the red dragon awoke, his mind was filled with newfound knowledge.
Cassius read the words inscribed on the pillars aloud:
"I searched for the great relics, reclaiming the remnants lost with the fall of our empire.
In the end, I discovered that the gods abandoned us.
I witnessed the rise and fall of royalty, the triumph and defeat of wars, and grew weary of the endless battles between good and evil.
So, I descended from the skies, sinking into the deep abyss, with the weapons of old guarding my gate.
Mortal traveler from afar, approach humbly.
Do not disturb my rest.
Or else the enraged Storm Giant shall bring forth utter destruction.
This is my final prophecy as a sage.
—Storm Giant Elder Randta, resting here eternally."
Finishing the inscription—or rather, the epitaph—
Cassius's breathing quickened, and he exhaled another cloud of sulfurous smoke.
"This is a tomb of a Storm Giant, and those Bluefoot Drakesnakes were merely its guards."
"How… extravagant."
"Meaning, this tomb may contain immensely valuable treasures."
Deep within his bloodline, Tiamat's greed urged him repeatedly to open this stone door.
"But the epitaph prophesies that he'll bring forth utter destruction."
"Best to be cautious."
Cassius was not a pure-blooded red dragon with only brawn in his head; reason took precedence.
But this didn't mean he would abandon exploring the tomb; rather, he planned to "play it safe" until he fully recovered and prepared before proceeding further.
So, the red dragon temporarily settled down here.
Yes, he settled down.
Cassius returned to the spot where he had fought the Drakesnake, intending to devour its broken body.
The Drakesnake's strength was immense, making its flesh especially chewy with a slight electric tingle—a result of the magical energy infused in its body.
"Tastes like the spicy hot pot I had in my previous life."
Cassius mumbled between large bites.
This was the highest praise the red dragon had given any food in this world so far.
Dragons could easily digest half their body weight in meat each day, converting the food into elemental energy for future use.
This stored energy would be used for his breath weapon and his many growth spurts throughout his life.
Thus, the red dragon spent his time eating Drakesnake meat, studying the inscriptions, and occasionally dozing atop the bone piles.
Days passed this way.
Cave scavengers hid within crevices at the cave's ceiling.
These giant worm-like creatures, blue-black in color, blended seamlessly with the background.
They waited silently in the cave.
When prey neared, they would rise, spread their four hooked tentacles, and expose a snapping, hungry maw.
Yet, as one of them lay still, awaiting prey, a massive, gaping mouth suddenly appeared, yanking it from the cave whole.
The worm's soft, rubbery body struggled for a moment before being shoved into Cassius's powerful jaws.
"Tastes like chicken, nice and crunchy."
Cassius remarked as he chewed on the tough flesh.
What was a terrifying monster for ordinary adventurers was merely a snack for the red dragon.
Now, Cassius's scales were vibrant and glossy, all his wounds healed, his energy replenished, and his spells fully restored.
"It's time to see this so-called 'destruction.'"
Cassius mused to himself while continuing to munch on the cave scavenger.
In his past life's memories, someone had once obtained legendary-level equipment from a cave in the northern lands—this might be that fabled location.
After killing the Bluefoot Drakesnake, he felt as if he had triggered something, sensing a force brewing that might destroy this place completely. Missing this rare opportunity was out of the question.
For a young dragon like him, surrounded by powerful enemies, such a significant power boost was a rare chance indeed.
"Time to risk it all—turn the bicycle into a motorcycle."
Cassius, feeling the energy coursing through his restored body and spell reserves, steeled himself with this thought.