Tale of the Red Dragon Without Dragon’s Might
Chapter 183 - 182: Making a Comeback

Tassera’s lair was hidden beneath the ruins of an ancient city swallowed by sand dunes, while Cecilia’s current lair was concealed behind a waterfall...

Grianna didn’t invite him to meet the Cloud Giant together but instead asked him to wait for a moment. Leon saw through her minor schemes immediately but wasn’t petty enough to care. After all, imagine a Silver Dragon inviting a Red Dragon to her lair—that would be genuinely idiotic. He simply waved his claw dismissively.

Grianna leapt off the mountain peak, spread her wings, and disappeared into the clouds. Before Leon could even squint his eyes for a brief moment of rest, she returned swiftly, bringing the Cloud Giant with her. It appeared her lair wasn’t far away; otherwise, there was no way she could have been so quick.

"Long time no see. How did you get so thin?" Leon scrutinized the Cloud Giant. Once adorned in luxurious silks, he now appeared in plain white tunic and trousers, with sunken cheeks and stubble covering his face.

Mankus rubbed his face, exhaling a white mist, and said, "If it weren’t for Grianna’s help—he said he’d help me—I’d already have become a Fog Giant by now."

The social status of Cloud Giants depended on their wealth.

Those foolish or unfortunate Cloud Giants would lose their treasures, eventually falling to the status of forsaken beings called Fog Giants. They would completely lose their social standing, reduced to invaders and raiders, attempting by any means to reclaim their wealth or accumulate new fortunes.

Leon disliked speaking to others while looking up, so he habitually stood up, looking down at the Cloud Giant, and said, "Tell me, what exactly happened?"

"An-g-mog!" Mankus ground his teeth, clenching his fists as veins bulged visibly on his skin. One could almost hear a faint "crackling" as he panted and relayed his tale. The story was quite simple: Angmog demanded his submission, and when Mankus didn’t provide a satisfactory answer, Angmog attacked his castle.

So it really was Angmog. That Red Dragon sure knew how to stir up trouble. Thinking this, Leon said, "I remember you used to boast about how Angmog would leave your castle with no way to return alive if he ever dared to cause trouble."

Mankus frowned and said, "He’s much stronger now than before."

"And how exactly is he stronger?" Leon asked. "What kind of strength are we talking about?"

"Blood Scale Frenzy," Mankus spat out the term. "You’re a dragon as well, so you must have heard of it."

"Ah, the Barbarian Dragon," Leon nodded knowingly.

Dragons had several advanced classes: Carving Skin Dragon, Elemental Dragon, Sealing God Dragon... Blood Scale Frenzy was one of them. It could be entirely understood as a Barbarian Dragon, only far more savage and frenzied than any human barbarian—like how an adult’s rage far eclipsed a child’s tantrum over a broken toy.

"He’s transformed into Blood Scale Frenzy?" Leon swished his tail, knocking a rock down the mountain. "When?"

"I don’t know exactly when. But he’s much stronger than before," Mankus licked his lips and gestured. "With a single swipe, he killed one of the wyverns I painstakingly raised... My griffins and perytons wouldn’t even dare approach him, and even my wife was so terrified she wouldn’t attack him."

It wasn’t that they were weak; the enemy was simply too strong. In the Cloud Giant’s tale, Angmog was ruthlessly ferocious, overpowering even those who were mighty. Leon found the story captivating. If the Brass Dragon told stories half as well, Leon wouldn’t have minded their chatter so much.

"I’m sorry for your misfortune," Leon said, surprising himself with how long it had been since he’d offered comfort to anyone.

Mankus turned to gaze into the distance and said, "I’m sorry for your misfortune as well."

"What misfortune?" Leon asked, puzzled.

"Your Dragon Armor has been completed... Since that piece of armor didn’t require special durability or the personal craftsmanship of the Fire Giant Furnace Master, it was delegated to other Fire Giants and finished quickly—within half a year—and delivered to me," Mankus sighed. "But now the Dragon Armor has been stolen by Angmog, along with your Impermanence Card."

"And then?" Leon asked, feigning ignorance.

Mankus suddenly roared, "We must reclaim it!"

"No, no, no. Not ’we.’ It’s you. I don’t need to reclaim it—it’s you who needs to reclaim it," Leon wrinkled his nose and bared his teeth in a sly grin. "I’m partnering with you. I have no involvement with Angmog... Such a savage Red Dragon—I want nothing to do with him."

Mankus, undoubtedly a clever man, caught Leon’s meaning. Clapping his hands together, he said, "But now I have nothing. If you don’t help me get the items back, I have nothing to give you in return."

"You’re nothing but a shameless scoundrel," Leon muttered, now fully grasping how annoying freeloaders could be. "Your problem can’t involve me."

"I have nothing left, anyway," Mankus tugged at Leon’s clothing, pleading, "If you want anything, just take my life instead."

"You’re short of servants right now. If you work for me for a hundred years, I might consider it," Leon thought aloud. Cloud Giants were far more suitable as stewards than the Efreeti, who were only good at enslaving others. Not only could Cloud Giants fight—they could farm and even assist with birthing giant lynxes. Truly versatile talents.

"I’ll never work! Never in my life!"

Mankus plopped onto the ground and sprawled out in a big "X" shape, muttering, "I don’t get it. You said before that you defeated Angmog. So why are you so afraid of him now? You liar! I can’t believe I trusted you. You’re nothing but his defeated rival!"

"Say whatever you want," Leon retorted indifferently, baring his teeth. "I’m not one to be goaded by words."

Mankus scrambled to his feet, suddenly gripping Leon’s leg tightly. Sniffling, he begged, "Please, please, I’m begging you to help me."

"Don’t you have an ounce of pride?" Leon grumbled, trying to kick the Cloud Giant away. Casting a glance at the Silver Dragon, he said, "Don’t you have Grianna? A Silver Dragon can easily handle a Red Dragon."

"I can’t," Grianna shook her head. "I’ve just come of age. I’m no match for a mature Red Dragon, let alone Angmog in his Blood Scale Frenzy form."

"If you help me, the three of us together can defeat Angmog," Mankus said, looking up at Leon with a pitiful gaze, ready to adapt to any situation.

Unable to kick the Cloud Giant away and unwilling to bite his head off, Leon pondered for a moment and said, "It’s clear we’re partners. There’s no doubt about that. Angmog stole your items—you can’t expect me to reclaim them for you."

"If Angmog took your things, you’ll have to reclaim them yourself—either by rallying your friends or hiring mercenaries," Leon coughed. "I can introduce you to some mercenaries. Maybe they’ll help you deal with Angmog, but their rates are quite high."

Hearing this, Mankus’s eyes lit up. Letting go of Leon’s leg, he sat on the ground and said, "I knew you’d help me."

"Just remember my referral fee." Leon extended his forearm, curling his claws. "A young Blue Dragon skilled in shaping energy and illusions. A cunning young Green Dragon, a poison expert. A loquacious adult Brass Dragon, immune to fire—perfect for dealing with Red Dragons. And a not-so-bright but reliable young Bronze Dragon who wouldn’t run from battle... Take your pick."

"Uh..." Mankus was taken aback. "I—I want a Red Dragon."

"You can’t expect a Red Dragon to fight another Red Dragon, can you?" Leon laughed.

"Stop joking around. You’ll definitely help me," Mankus insisted. "You and Angmog have a feud, don’t you? I remember when Angmog first approached me, he wanted me to be his servant. Of course, I refused and brought up your name. As soon as I mentioned you, he went berserk."

"The real reason Angmog became a Blood Scale Frenzy is probably because of you," Mankus analyzed thoughtfully, brushing his hair back in the strong mountain winds. "A mature Red Dragon losing to a teenage Red Dragon—who could tolerate such humiliation?"

"If he ever finds out where you are, he’ll definitely come for revenge. You’re strong, yes, but Angmog is stronger. He’s already figured out how to deal with you... Right now, Grianna and I can help you. But if you miss this opportunity, no one else will step up."

"Help me—ha! You really know how to flip the script," Leon scoffed.

Red Dragons were notoriously vindictive, and Angmog was likely no exception. Waiting for Angmog to cause trouble before taking action wasn’t an option; the threat needed to be eliminated in its infancy. Exhaling a hot breath, Leon licked his lips and said, "I’ll help you, but how much are you prepared to pay me in return?"

"The Dragon Armor was supposed to be paid for by me, with your Impermanence Card as collateral. Now I don’t want the money anymore," Mankus glanced at Leon, knowing the Red Dragon’s appetite for profit wasn’t easily satisfied, and that he’d have to give up more.

Grianna, by comparison, was far more agreeable. Angmog was a fellow rival and a constant threat to her lair. As long as Angmog was dealt with, she wouldn’t demand any payment.

Leon wasn’t overly concerned with the sum Mankus offered. Close enough was good enough—he wasn’t particularly money-hungry. True power naturally attracted wealth. And besides, he simply wanted to teach Angmog a lesson.

"Let’s go," Leon said. "You both know where Angmog’s lair is, right?"

"I know where he lives," Grianna replied excitedly. The prospect of teaming up with a Red Dragon to take down another Red Dragon was an experience she could hardly believe, yet here it was—absolutely real.

"What’s the rush..." Mankus, still haunted by memories of Angmog’s fury, hesitated. "We need to plan carefully, prepare thoroughly, and ensure nothing goes wrong."