Ashen Dragon

When the number of Orc spores reaches a certain threshold, they begin to form mushroom-like structures, and beneath those mushrooms... eggs begin to grow, and inside the eggs are newborn Orcs."

The Ogre raised his hand, and a series of images from the Empire's cultivation zones appeared before Cassius's eyes. In the grasslands and wetlands, enormous green mushrooms grew densely, an overwhelming sight that sent shivers down the spine and filled the heart with unease.

Ramp continued, "In just one month, using the Orc remains you provided, our researchers cultivated 1,200 green-skin Orcs. Physiologically, they are a symbiotic fusion of animal and fungus, somewhat similar to the Phantom Mushroom creatures in the Gloomy Region, but far more powerful."

Ramp once again wielded his Magic Wand, displaying a video clip embedded in his work report "PPT."

"WAAAAAGH!"

Hundreds of green-skin Orcs were seen trapped in cages, screaming chaotically, repeatedly crashing against the barriers, attempting to break free and engage in battle outside.

Outside the cages, Imperial researchers clad in hazmat suits were cautiously cleaning up Orc remains shredded by Bipedal Wyverns to prevent the spores from spreading to the external environment.

Nearby, in the glass isolation chambers, Orcs covered in bloody wounds raged, roared, and struggled on operating tables.

Some had their arms and legs severed, others were split open at the chest, and some unfortunate Orcs had been vertically bisected and turned into biological specimens.

Imperial researchers studied the severed tissues under microscopes with meticulous focus, indifferent to the green blood staining them completely. Their expressions were filled with exhilaration and awe as they marveled at this strange form of life.

Cassius watched the grotesque and horrifying scenes, his jawline subtly twitching. Compared to the screaming green-skin Orcs, the cold-hearted Imperial researchers seemed more like true villains.

"No wonder they're players..."

——Biology on the native Airez was not advanced; most of these Imperial researchers hailed from Earth's biological sciences fields.

They were obsessively fascinated with Airez's "nearly lifelike" ecological systems, spending day and night in game pods, even publishing a dedicated "Airez Biological Encyclopedia."

In the footage, Ramp continued his report: "These green-skin Orcs possess extraordinarily robust physiques, their strength far surpassing ordinary humans, approaching even average Ogres.

Although fiercely aggressive, they are remarkably simple-minded, almost completely oblivious to pain. They can also emit a force field that disrupts spells, making them perfect war tools. It's clear they aren't natural creations."

"So that's how it is..."

Cassius brushed his dragon claw against his chin, his eyes narrowed slightly, lost in thought: "This kind of familiar craftsmanship is likely the handiwork of the Abyss."

Sure enough, as this thought crossed his mind, Ramp spoke up: "Based on our investigation and analysis, the source of these green-skin Orcs' strength is highly likely to be an Abyssal Lord."

As he spoke, Ramp turned another page.

A filthy figure resembling an incomplete human sculpture appeared before Cassius.

Its torso was composed of flat and curled fungal plants coincidentally forming an eerily seductive feminine shape, with four fibrous horns protruding from its brow ridge.

Its lower half consisted of thick, whip-like pseudopods tangled with fungi. Its skin was covered in revolting vortex-patterned lesions in shades of gray, blue, purple, and black.

Its dark eyes squirmed continuously, as though something vile was about to burst forth, exuding an aura of pure chaos and filth.

"What the hell is this..."

Seeing this, Cassius couldn't help but curse, shielding his eyes with his dragon claw.

This grotesque figure went beyond ugly—bordering on surreal horror.

Even dragons, with their incredibly flexible aesthetic tolerance, found it hard to appreciate. Cassius even felt an urge to personally descend into the Abyss and burn this monstrosity to ash.

Ramp's expression turned solemn as he introduced in a heavy tone: "This is the ruler of the 222nd layer of the Abyss, the one we suspect is influencing the Orcs—Fungus Lady Zuggtmoy."

To sustain forces capable of spreading her teachings in the Main Plane, Zuggtmoy invested immense efforts over the years. But evidently, humans rarely harbor any interest in worshiping fungi. Thus, she typically establishes disguised religions controlled in secret by her true followers. Her greatest accomplishment (or perhaps greatest misstep) in the Main Plane was the creation of the Evil Element Temple. This false religion consists of four sects devoted to the evil essence born from four different elements. The sects work cooperatively to combat their enemies, while an inherent balance of power ensures none of them grow too strong and escape Zuggtmoy's control. The prominence of the Evil Element Temple Sect within local human civilization also led to its downfall, as its growth alarmed Eight Leaves—a powerful Wizard Alliance—into action. Eight Leaves crushed the temple's armies in the Emrade Prairie, imprisoning Zuggtmoy in the temple's dungeon. Many years later, she escaped, though she had to abandon substantial power in the Main Plane. Since then, she has remained in her domain within the Abyss, resting and recovering in Shedakra. Zuggtmoy often finds herself greatly outmatched compared to other demon lords similarly interested in the Main Plane. At one time, Rose was her strongest competitor in the Gloomy Region, but since the Spider Queen recently ascended to Divine status, she essentially transcended their rivalry. Conflicts between their followers persist occasionally, though they are minor and far from actual war. Zuggtmoy faces more immediate challenges from Jubilex—the other ruler of Shedakra. The struggle for control over Shedakra's territory between these two lords has been ongoing and evenly matched—Zuggtmoy dominates the surface, while Jubilex controls the lower depths. During Zuggtmoy's recent entrapment in the Main Plane, Jubilex expanded his domain considerably. Zuggtmoy's Priests can access Chaos, Evil, Ooze, and Plant domains. Her Holy Emblem depicts a perfect human Skeleton, out of which a towering mushroom has sprouted. Tight Grip (Ex) Upon succeeding a grapple check, Zuggtmoy can deal 2d6+10 damage, as part of her pseudopod attack. Swallow Whole (Su) Zuggtmoy can consume a grappled creature of medium size or smaller into her body. This includes one medium creature, two small ones, four tiny ones, or sixteen diminutive ones, or 64 fine creatures all at once. To swallow the target, Zuggtmoy must succeed on a new grapple check against the grappled opponent. Each round, fungal enzymes dissolve the victim, causing 1d6 Constitution drain. Zuggtmoy regains 5 hit points for every Constitution point drained. Creatures reduced to 0 Constitution are completely digested. Any equipment carried by the consumed creature is expelled afterward. A swallowed creature is considered grappled, while Zuggtmoy herself is not. A swallowed creature may attack Zuggtmoy internally using any light slashing or piercing weapons aimed at her abdomen (AC26, damage reduction 20/cold iron and good) until dealing 50 damage, creating an escape path. Once the creature escapes, muscle contractions automatically seal this exit; other swallowed creatures must independently forge their own escape routes. Expert Grapple (Ex) To use this ability, Zuggtmoy must strike the opponent with her pseudopod. She can then make a grapple check that does not provoke an Opportunity Attack, pinning the opponent and initiating Tight Grip. If she successfully grapples a medium or smaller target, she may attempt to swallow them the next round. Summon Fungus (Sp) Once per day, Zuggtmoy can automatically summon 2d6 Purple Mushrooms or Phantom Mushrooms. Summon Tanari (Sp)