Chapter 56: Crimson Scales (Part Three)
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Cassius looked at the information that had refreshed on his panel.
[The NPC faction you created, [Ember Nest], has reached the required standard of overall strength.]
[[Ember Nest] has gained some renown within the Anzeta Wasteland. Located in Giant's Valley, its territory covers half of the Storm Highlands. Rumor has it to be the lair of the red dragon "Flying Flame" Cassius, where the Northwind Eagle Guards met their end. Ogres, wyverns, chimeras, and countless other ferocious creatures gather here, serving their evil lord, ready to unleash an insatiable urge for expansion.]
[You can create a special faction subclass.]
A faction subclass is a unique branch of profession exclusive to each faction.
As a player, one must meet certain faction contribution requirements and professional prerequisites to advance.
For example, the [Northwind Eagle Guards] of the Lackman family required absolute loyalty to the family and proficiency in "giant eagle riding." Many players in past lives joined Northwind Fortress for this.
Many faction subclasses were incredibly powerful, such as the [Lionheart Knights] of the Bosque family, the [Corruption Druids] of the Dark Swamp, and the [Soul Sorcerers] of the Tower of Time.
Cassius had recruited Alger specifically for this highly mobile unit, which made for excellent scouts and aerial forces.
He planned to base the exclusive subclass of Ember Nest on the foundation of [Northwind Eagle Guards].
And Alger would be the first test subject.
In the future, he would serve as a "class mentor," enticing more players to join Ember Nest.
[Note: Granting a subclass requires the target to be a follower of your faction.]
[Target [Alger] is currently your follower.]
[Beginning class construction—]
In the spacious, enclosed cave, Alger and his giant eagle sat in a deep pit per Cassius's instructions.
"Close your eyes."
Cassius commanded.
Now a follower, Alger obeyed without question and closed his eyes.
The giant eagle, dissatisfied, fluffed its feathers, but Alger forced its eyes shut.
"Begin."
The red dragon nodded slightly.
He sliced his palm, allowing a drop of scorching dragon blood to flow out.
"Bloodline Blessing."
"Half-Dragon Transformation—"
Cassius silently incanted.
This was an enhanced bloodline blessing that could bestow a half-dragon template upon humanoids; this dragon bloodline could even be inherited by future generations.
For humanoids, only those with strong, well-trained bodies—like the warrior before him—could endure this trial.
The blood rose like an extension of his limbs, slowly flowing into Alger's mouth.
"Ugh—"
Alger let out a muffled sound of pain.
Yet, this resolute warrior gritted his teeth and stayed silent.
As the searing blood, filled with violent elements, slid down his throat, Alger's skin flushed red, emitting waves of steam, while sweat poured from his forehead.
The blood churned in his stomach like a lake of magma.
"Argh—!"
Alger's eyes squeezed shut, his brow furrowed, teeth clenched against the pain.
But his body involuntarily curled into a ball on the ground.
The dragon blood coursed violently through his veins, pumped by his pounding heart to every part of his body.
Alger's skin had turned a dark red, emitting hot steam, making him look far from human.
"Aaaah—!"
Unable to bear it, he roared toward the sky.
The pain was worse than death, as if his bones and flesh were crushed and reshaped entirely.
Beneath his skin, bones protruded at his elbows, knees, and spine, piercing through the flesh to form sharp barbs. Scales erupted where his skin was torn.
His body grew to nearly two meters tall.
His flesh was brutally altered by chaotic elemental forces, growing countless small, resilient channels—base vessels unique to dragons that transported elemental energy.
His face underwent the most horrifying transformation.
Scales split open his skin, his facial bones pushed forward to form upper and lower jaws. His teeth sharpened, his eyes rolled back, then transformed into reptilian vertical pupils, his skull forced into a draconic shape.
Meanwhile, the giant eagle beside him underwent a simpler transformation.
It received a regular bloodline blessing.
Its beak sprouted fangs, scales grew under its feathers, its body enlarged significantly, and its wingspan extended close to ten meters, transforming into a dragon-eagle hybrid.
As the surrounding steam dissipated, Alger opened his eyes again, now golden with vertical pupils.
His appearance was now more like a dragonborn than a human.
"This is..."
He felt an expanded field of vision, able to see in black and white in the darkness due to a special reflective layer.
Alger lay on the ground, unfamiliar with his new limbs, feeling his strength far surpass his former self.
This two-meter-tall body was not only powerful but contained a fiery magical force.
Power—the most intoxicating of all things.
No amount of pain would be too much to gain this strength.
With power, he could atone for everything he had done.
Alger struggled to his feet and knelt before Cassius.
Now, not only did he submit in form, but he also felt an oppressive force from deep within his bloodline, making resistance impossible, his will unable to overcome the instinct.
"A dragon's minion..."
"This feeling..."
"Isn't so bad."
Kneeling on the ground, face toward the floor, Alger thought to himself.
"Master, thank you for bestowing this power upon me."
"I will bring it to the battlefield, striking fear into the hearts of your enemies."
His words were now utterly sincere.
Cassius could sense Alger's thoughts but merely said:
"Get accustomed to this body. I need you to help me—form a new army."
The panel refreshed again.
[Faction subclass construction completed.]
[Subclass advancement requirements:]
[Join the [Ember Nest] faction.]
[Become a follower of faction leader [Red Dragon - Cassius].]
[Have a base warrior class level of 3 or higher, with a riding skill of +4 or more.]
[Possess a large or larger dragon-blooded creature as a mount and have a certain degree of dragon bloodline yourself.]
[Please name your faction subclass—]
Cassius looked at the kneeling Alger, who resembled a devout follower, his face covered in crimson scales, making him appear particularly ferocious.
[Named: [Crimson Scaled Conqueror]]