novelraw Chapter 21 – Reform Basic Forge
Chapter 21 – Reform Basic Forge
The kobolds hadn't experienced such a thrilling victory in a long time. As one of the weakest forces in the entire Silvermoon Forest, small clans like Polikri, with only a few dozen members, usually had to eke out a living in caves.
Their traps were indeed formidable, but they were most effective only in the narrow confines of their caves.
Today's victory was mainly due to Su Nian's two blasts of dragonbreath, which left the bandits completely dumbfounded.
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Even though Su Nian was just a Tier 3 (level 20-30) juvenile dragon, he still roamed the outer Silvermoon Forest with ease.
The human bandits were much weaker than Su Nian had imagined. At least he didn't see the scene where mages were as common as dogs and knights roamed everywhere, perhaps because the Silvermoon Forest was too remote.
After taking out the Gale Bandit Gang, Su Nian paid a similar visit to another group, the Wolf Bandit Gang.
Using the same tactics, the kobolds hid in the surrounding bushes and prepared traps, while Su Nian seized the opportunity to unleash his dragonbreath.
Unfortunately, this time the enemies didn't group together, and Su Nian's dragonbreath only affected about a third of the bandits.
Although he tried to speed up his killing, many bandits still ended up fighting the kobolds.
These kobolds, standing only 60-70 centimeters tall and weighing less than forty pounds, were no match for the bandits.
Their short stature meant their weapons could only hit the bandits' lower weak points, which, apart from causing some non-lethal injuries, only served to enrage the enemies further.
After the battle, Su Nian gained over five hundred system points but lost seven brave kobolds, including the one known as "Underpants Kobold."
Su Nian mourned for it for 0.1 seconds, wishing it had escaped the fate of standing guard outside the Dragon Nest every day.
"Kobolds hate all tall humanoid creatures," Polikri said, spitting on a bandit's corpse.
"But not you, great master," he added flatteringly, wagging his tail.
Kobolds are very united internally. Although they are fierce and aggressive, they do not bully their own kind. Before a battle, they share targets and make plans together, which is fundamentally different from the constantly infighting goblins.
The remaining kobolds carried their fallen comrades' bodies to the fire, and those who were friends began to weep, then tearfully picked up a rib to eat the roasted meat.
"May these children return to the embrace of Kurtumak," Polikri said sadly, as many of the fallen kobolds were ones he had personally raised.
Su Nian lay nearby, studying the modification system, feeling little emotion. If something happened to Anna, he would surely be sad, but kobolds were another matter.
The proud dragon genes influenced him, and the fact that he didn't oppress the kobolds already made him a good Black Dragon.
"Anna believes these kobolds will return to the embrace of the main god because they are brave."
Anna, lying on Su Nian's back, with her big, adorable eyes, seemed touched by the kobolds' sorrowful atmosphere and softly said.
She had no affection for humans and certainly no sympathy for bandits, having long since bound herself to the Black Dragon.
Anna's words drew the attention of all the kobolds, who looked at her with softened gazes.
"System, I want to exchange for a Basic Forge modification."
[Ding! Basic Forge exchange successful, deducting 1000 system points. This modification is extremely painful, please protect your throat.]
Su Nian grinned, about to say "Bring it on," when a tearing pain suddenly erupted from his throat, or rather, from the acid storage sacs within.
The pain was not pure; it was mixed with an itch that could drive a dragon mad. The combination made Su Nian wish he could tear out his own throat.
"Mr. Dragon, what's wrong?"
Anna was the first to notice Su Nian's distress.
She looked worriedly at the Black Dragon writhing in pain on the ground, gently stroking his neck with her soft hands, as if that could alleviate his suffering.
But how could it be effective?
"Roar—cough—"
Su Nian began to cough violently, shaking his dragon head as some acid sprayed out, mixed with crimson dragonblood and a faint hint of sulfur.
Anna was terrified, carefully holding the Black Dragon's neck, her pretty face turning pale with worry and fear. Her beautiful eyes welled up with tears as she trembled, pleading with the kobolds:
"Y-you must help Mr. Dragon!"
"Woo woo woo... Mr. Dragon, what's wrong..."
"Calm down, the master is likely undergoing the Legacy of the Dragon," Polikri reminded Anna in broken Common Tongue.
He watched Su Nian's throat swell, where flashes of red light appeared, and the sulfuric smell grew stronger.
This was something he had never encountered before; Polikri had never seen a True Dragon until now.
But he had a premonition that what was happening to his master was a good thing.
Amidst Anna's kitten-like sobs, the Basic Forge modification ended, and Su Nian recovered from the torment of pain and itch.
If he could see the sac-like organ inside him that stored dragon breath liquid, he would find that the originally dark green organ walls had grown new, bright red cells.
These cells were continuously secreting concentrated magma, perfectly merging with the original gray-green acid to become a teal magma, like ghostly fire from hell.
This was almost impossible, but with the system's help, he had achieved it.
Su Nian's appearance had also changed slightly, with his throat glowing a teal light, pulsating similarly to a Red Dragon's throat, though the Red Dragon's was orange-red.
"I'm fine, Anna."
Su Nian instinctively said, but what came out was a "hiss-hiss" in Draconic, as he had forgotten his vocal cords couldn't yet produce Common Tongue.
With no other option, Su Nian pulled the worried Anna into his embrace, gently nuzzling her face with his dragon head, hoping to soothe her emotions.
"Mr. Dragon, are you alright now?"
Anna gently held the Black Dragon's head, her big eyes carefully observing his condition, her pretty face rubbing against it for comfort.
Honestly, the hard texture wasn't pleasant, but it made her feel more at ease.
Su Nian nodded, just about to lift his head, but Anna held onto it tightly.
Tears stained Anna's cheeks, large drops rolling down as she sobbed:
"M-Mr. Dragon, you're the only one who's been kind to Anna since she was taken... hic... by the dragon..."
"Anna... Anna has no family left, and though she may not live much longer, she doesn't want to lose you..."
[Anna Hathaway's Affection +10, current Affection 50 (Close)]
[Congratulations to the host for reaching the second stage of Affection, gaining Intermediate Devour, special skill can be directly solidified, now solidified]
[Congratulations to the host for gaining 3000 system points]
[Intermediate Devour: Enhances strength and promotes growth by devouring prey, unrestricted by age]
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Trivia (can be skipped)
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The god of kobolds, Kurtumak, resembles a larger kobold.
He stands about 5 feet tall, covered in mottled green-black scales.
His long tail, like a rat's, ends with a poisonous stinger.
Divine Power: Intermediate
Domains: Kobolds, Traps, War, Mining
Followers: Kobolds
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Kurtumak is a savage deity, ever watchful of events in the material world, eager to secure every advantage for his people.
He teaches kobolds that "fair" duels are for fools and the unlucky; retreating and returning is better than defeat, and as long as one kobold lives, revenge must be sought.
Kurtumak often says that revenge is a sweet luxury for kobolds, though it may require a long wait.
He also teaches his followers cunning plans and clever ambushes, believing these far superior to charging in with swords drawn.
Kobolds are named for their dog-like barks, not their appearance.