Dragon Core Chronicles

Carl was a regular construction foreman who died of a heart attack and woke up reincarnated as a dragon in a magic-filled world. One crazy starting bonus. Major downside: no thumbs. Being at the top of the food chain is nice, but Carl needs to learn how magic works, which monsters are safe to eat, and why his hoard is so important. Enemy dragons are already incoming, and countless foes want bragging rights for killing a dragon. All Carl wants is to build a life worth living in a world where might makes right.

Through clever construction techniques and ham-fisted applications of force, Carl survived being reborn as a shadow dragon inside the Scoured Mountain. The future looks bright for him and his band of trash-tier minions — until it becomes clear that only one dragon from the clutch gets to be in charge. Every sibling survived. Now they must play a little game where the prize is survival and a questionable promotion. Carl has a head start thanks to the mysterious glowing human trapped inside his domain. He intends to take every advantage he can get.

Carl and his minions defeated all his dragon siblings and killed the Soul Carver. All that remains is to take his rightful place as ruler of the Scoured Mountain — but that plan unravels when the dragon matriarch Selys reveals that her retirement plans involve world domination. Unleashing fiery wings of doom upon the world seems impolite to Carl. Earning the right to truly rule the mountain means fighting to keep it. And there is still the matter of a questionable magical oath sworn to Selys. The situation is spiraling fast. Carl faces a crossroads: guaranteed survival, or a fight they are destined to lose.

Selys is dead and the battle is won — but the war has only begun. Onyx and his minions are seated in her fortress, already working to change the mountain for the better. Not everyone approves of the new regime's radical changes. The fallen Overlord's minions, numbering in the thousands, have chosen to rebel. All they have ever known is fear, blood, and strength. It falls to Onyx — a shadow dragon most infamous for lies and treachery — to teach them a different way.

Carl's forces barely fended off the human army last time. The Nefren Empire never got the memo about one-on-one dragon duels — they are back with reinforcements. For the first time, the forces of the mountain are united: every large bestial grouping gathered under Carl's banner, backed by a Blessing of the goddess Deyra. The full might of a human empire pitted against a united mountain of monsters. It would be a fair fight — if only there weren't so many blasted humans.

Carl and his monstrous allies are pressed against the wall, facing certain death if they defend the Scoured Mountain fortress. The human Empire, with its endless ranks, is closing in. The only option is to break out. Carl is already plotting his counterattack. The key is earning a new Blessing to tilt the scales back in their favor. The local humans know the monsters are growing fast and are doubling down to wipe them out before it is too late. Forget fate and the end of the world. All that matters is his people being the ones still standing when the smoke clears.