I Became a Monster in a Novel

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The fairies twirled around, showing interest.

“Varu varu mota rakshas varu!”

Fairies, as if fascinated, petted and slid down the backs like a slide. When I opened my mouth as if to say “stop,” they promptly zipped inside, shooting out of my empty eye sockets.

“Ahahaha~ hahaha!”

I almost shut my jaw in surprise. Without a hint of realizing how close they were to death, the innocent fairies just giggled in delight.

‘…Is this fun?’

Once things quieted down after a while, the Fairy Dragon bit my ear and tugged at it. As if that would help it get away…

‘Is there somewhere to go?’

“Kyu-rok~!!”

The place the Fairy Dragon led me to was the tallest building in the city. The fairies that followed, along with the Fairy Dragon, began to frolic in the air, until something flew from afar.

‘A butterfly?’

What I initially thought was a butterfly turned out to be something different as it got closer. For one thing, the purple flames enveloping it were quite strange.

[Flame Butterfly (煥蝶)]

[Length: 4.5m] [Weight: 10g]

The Flame Butterfly gestured as if it wanted me to ride it. But could I really ride something that weighs only 10g? That’s lighter than my toenail.

‘Whatever, I’ll just ride it.’

As I got on the Flame Butterfly, the Fairy Dragon and the fairies soared up beside me. Their dazzling flight, scattering glowing dust, felt like a page from a fairy tale.

‘…This feels nice.’

We broke through the surface of the sea, which was supposed to be sky. I was worried about being unable to breathe, but I breathed in without trouble.

The beautiful, multicolored sea shimmered down below. I was flying along with the butterfly, but for some reason, I felt like I was sinking.

‘It’s not like I feel the water pressure or anything.’

Even while I was wondering, the fairies and the Fairy Dragon pulled at their fur and played around. I almost said something only to realize they wouldn’t understand me, so I stopped.

‘They’re cute, too.’

Eventually, we reached an upside-down tree after a long ascent.

The butterfly landed on a branch, seeming to indicate that its job was done. Following the fairies and the Fairy Dragon, I entered a knot on the tree, and inside was a grand palace like one seen only in pictures.

‘…At this point, I’m beginning to lose my mind.’

So I decided to simply accept whatever happens. This clearly wasn’t a world I knew, and the common sense I had didn’t apply here. I followed the fairies down a carpeted path.

‘A throne?’

A large throne. There sat a fairy.

‘Must be a queen?’

With a crown atop her head, that was probably the case.

Unlike the fairies I had seen so far, she waved her hand with a grave expression and aloof gaze. I hesitated to approach, but having already come this far, I stepped closer, and the fairy queen placed her hand on my head.

“Murkha. Varu murkha chhe. Hu rani nathi.”

Then she smiled as if nothing had happened and placed a crown on my head.

‘…?’

As the fairies waved goodbye, I wanted to ask, “What was that?” but before I knew it, everything that included the palace and the fairies disappeared.

‘What?’

I decided to accept it, but there’s a limit. Who wouldn’t be surprised when the setting changes right before your eyes?

‘Where am I now?’

I looked around.

It felt like space, except for the fact that there weren’t any stars.

A voice greeted me from that distant blackness.

【You’ve arrived. I’ve been waiting】

‘System?’

It sounded like a system, but it was definitely an unfamiliar language. Even though it was the fairies speaking, the intent was conveyed clearly.

‘…….’

I stood there speechless for a while. The appearance of the woman, with hair black as pitch and a form made up of galaxies, was closer to what I had imagined a deity to be. It felt as though the stars missing from this space were molded into her form.

【I’ve called you, my dear】

‘My dear?’

Being called “my dear” out of the blue didn’t feel bad. An incomprehensible existence… I reflexively tried to use insight.

‘Different from the awakening evil.’

[Weak Intuition (E) Lv.1 has reached maximum proficiency. Weak Intuition (E) Lv.1 -> Weak Intuition (E) Lv.2]

A strong sense of unease washed over me. The fairy who placed the crown on my head was merely a messenger. This entity was truly the queen and a divine being—a presence I felt I couldn’t dare to perceive.

“Krrr—”

However, despite the warning from my intuition—I used insight. And before I could even grasp her true essence, I lost consciousness and collapsed.

***

“Indeed… it seems like it’s dragon scales.”

Reptilian, snake-like scales may appear like pieces, but in reality, they’re interconnected. It’s tough to break apart unless you intentionally do so. Above all, isn’t the pure magic surrounding the scales proof of their worth?

“You found it well. It wasn’t easy, was it?”

“It wasn’t me; it was Seong-hoon who found it. But what about you?”

The clan leader adjusted his glasses under the giant’s prompting. The masterpiece of the square. An exquisite item that allows D-rank sensations to be used at the cost of the user’s magic power.

“Fairy-type. I appear to look that way too.”

“Does a fairy-type have any reason to help the alpha?”

A fairy-type. Another term for the Fairy Dragon. There have been instances of them playing tricks like stories, but they’ve never harmed humans. Quite the opposite; they had helped humans instead.

“Is there a case in which a fairy-type helped a monster?”

“None. If there were, they would have likely taken down every fairy in sight.”

“That’s a pain. Is this the first case? Or is the alpha special?”

The clan leader closed his eyes and tapped on the table.

“This isn’t a regular bet. The alpha differs from other monsters. It understands human social structures and possesses intelligence beyond that of a person. And who knows how many other abilities it has?”

Can a creature with human intelligence truly be called a monster?

“Since the fairy-type cooperated,…”

Everything about the alpha was a mystery.

It just dawned on me, but maybe the reason the alpha took Hong Yu-ri was to lure the flesh-eating monster. But why? It wouldn’t benefit a monster. It didn’t make sense logically.

“No. It might be the opposite.”

“Opposite? What do you mean?”

“That the flesh-eating monster dying benefited the alpha.”

“Why?”

“To monopolize the prey of the dungeon… but that doesn’t seem right.”

The archer, Seong-hoon, said that it had been eating contaminated prey just fine. The alpha must have poison resistance… or a skill equivalent to that. The flesh-eating monster hadn’t eaten other monsters…

“To eliminate threats? But the flesh-eating monster wasn’t even targeting the alpha from the start. An entity with that much intelligence wouldn’t willingly put itself in danger.”

However, the monk Park Yo-han from the temple said that the alpha saved him. It was hard to believe, but the scar on his wrist was evidently from a wolf’s bite.

“Why? They said they dealt with hunters and Aranea in Gyeongsan. It might just be a genuinely good creature.”

“…But there’s the fact that it attacked Euna, and it attacked Gu Ma-jun even before the dungeon appeared.”

“This is getting more complicated.”

Its actions aren’t consistent. Even if we generously suppose the Skull Wolf might offer help to humans… does the alpha show any signs of saving someone while also killing someone else?

“So, how many skills of the alpha have been identified? Predation. Transformation. Wind and fire. Stealth…”

“Tentacles and regeneration too. And it can also use magic power. Even later we found out it can hide its magic behind stealth attacks… that’s the monk’s skill from the temple itself.”

Skill… At that moment, all of them kept their mouths shut.

Because skill has been the exclusive realm of humans. No, there were precedents where some monsters including orcs used it, but those were demi-humans. The context of a beast, an alpha Skull Wolf, using techniques was entirely different.

“To sum it up, it’s a special-type monster using magic and skills.”

“And that’s not all. I told you? That wolf spoke!”

The giant’s words caused the clan leader’s eyes to widen with shock.

“Are you telling me to believe that?”

“Oh come on. Seong-hoon heard it too!”

Such a confident attitude. Though I found it hard to believe, it might just be true.

“What did it say? Stop. Brats. Threat. Tail… and… Kang-hoon. Survival.”

“Kang-hoon?”

The clan leader’s hand stopped suddenly. Kang-hoon… the name made me think.

“Yeah. That’s our dad’s name.”

“Why would the alpha know your father’s name?”

“I don’t know. That guy disappeared ages ago.”

Kang-hoon. A name widely known as one of the Seven Heroes. He was their father and also the previous Sword Star. However, he had passed away several years ago.

“Let’s put this on hold. The alpha has some kind of unknown secret. We must capture it alive. And Team Leader 3.”

“Yes, Clan Leader.”

“Think you can chase the alpha?”

“It’s impossible. Unless Yu-ri’s here.”

The fingers that were tapping on the table suddenly froze.

“Then start digging into the back of the plateau.”

“You mean the high plateau?”

“Yeah. Did you forget? Who passed the information about the worg in Jirisan to us?”

“Don’t tell me…?”

“Oh come on, brother. Seriously? Are you saying the plateau is now pocketing something?”

“I don’t know. But do you really think they have no connections and that all this is just coincidence?”

The giant flinched at that gaze that seemed to question his perception.

“The most suspicious is the plateau. Dig up whatever info you can about them. Can you do that?”

“Of course. I’ll get right on it.”

“Good. You may leave first.”

As the team leader bowed and left, the giant crossed his arms.

“Are you serious about going against the plateau?”

“Depending on the situation, yes. I don’t wish for that either. But if the plateau has gone corrupt…”

The clan leader stood up and gazed out into the dusk settling in the twilight.

“…There must be a price to pay.”

***

—Despite the cold, foreign sensation, somehow, I felt cozy.

【You’ve awakened】

“Grrr?”

As I opened my eyes to a ticklish touch on my chin, I realized I was resting on someone’s lap. No doubt about it; it was the queen. When I jumped up, she wore a somewhat disappointed expression.

【Why are you making beast sounds? I know you haven’t been corrupted】

‘You want me to speak?’

The queen waited patiently. After a moment of thought, I tried to create a vocal cord from transformation.

“Who are you?”

【The lord of this world】

This world… referred to the incomprehensible place where fairies, dragon worms, and various life forms frolicked.

As expected, the queen showed not a hint of surprise at my words, as if she had anticipated it all along.

“So, are you a god?”

【There are no such beings. Only truth exists】

That was an impossible statement to understand. So, in any case, there’s no god… can I interpret it that way? It seemed to have an outwardly favorable attitude toward me, but there was no guarantee that I could trust that existence. —Although it seemed there was no intention to kill me.

‘If that were the case, she would have killed me while I was unconscious.’

Rather, my mind felt clearer and refreshed, as if I had just enjoyed a long, fulfilling sleep. I couldn’t remain on guard forever. Confirming that my body was fine, I asked her.

“Did you bring me here?”

Before fainting, the queen had claimed to have called me. But it was the Fairy Dragon that had brought me here.

【That’s right. While it was the young dragon that brought you into this fantasy realm, it was all due to my will】

I still didn’t understand the meaning. Was she saying she controlled the Fairy Dragon?

“Then why did I faint?”

【You overreached, didn’t you? It was due to your insufficient ability】

Sudden facts bursting forth pierced my heart. My intuition had warned me, but it was I who chose to use insight.

【My dear, do you know? Those who meet me must ask one question and answer mine】

‘What nonsense is this?’

Thinking back, it seemed I had already asked multiple questions… Ah. So, this means I need to answer her now? Seeing my blank expression, the queen seemed to have guessed it, and she smiled. Although she had a silhouette with no eyes or mouth, I distinctly felt the queen smiling.

【Since you didn’t know, it’s okay to ask again. But please think seriously about my question.】

‘You want me to think rather than answer?’

I still struggled to understand what she was saying. The queen patted my head, but it didn’t feel unpleasant.

【Go ahead. Ask what you wish to know】

Anything… is it really alright to ask? If that’s true, it was an opportunity. —But at the same time, I felt a sense of doubt.

‘Is it really okay to ask?’

Questions often come with the need to provide information.

For example, asking how much something costs carries the implication “I’m interested in that item.” If so… just maybe, if she has ill intentions, she’d be trying to guess my intentions…

‘I don’t know.’

Nonetheless, considering the goodwill she had shown me, wouldn’t it be fine to ask? After all, I had already asked her several questions; why hesitate now?

‘What should I ask?’

There were so many things I wanted to ask.

How she knew me. Why I was reincarnated as a Slime. Where this was and why I was here. What I should do next. How I could return… I sorted through countless questions that arose from my mind, distinguishing between those I could and couldn’t ask.

‘…And.’

I formulated a question that might draw useful information without revealing too much.

【Have you decided?】

As if she penetrated my heart and knew I had made up my mind, the queen smiled.

“Destruction. Do you know about destruction?”

As soon as I uttered the term destruction, the hand that had been stroking me halted.

【What type of destruction do you mean?】

“The end of the world.”

【Seems like they told you a thing or two】

They? I didn’t quite grasp what she meant.

【Yes, I know. Soon, destruction—or rather, the end, will arrive here as well】

“…….”

She seemed to be aware of the altered time axis as well. Originally, this world had perished once. But time had been reversed, and I fell into the point two years prior to the original storyline beginning in 69. What this meant, I didn’t yet know…

‘At least it seems like someone knows this world will end.’

Whether or not she can indeed be called a person is another discussion.

【Then it’s my turn to ask】

“Yes. Please, go ahead.”

Since we’d agreed to ask, it was only fair. I wasn’t planning to get one over her, so I took a deep breath and prepared to answer her question.

【The existence you call the system isn’t a part of the truth】

“…What?”

【Would you reconsider the existence you call the system?】

***

“You called it a question…”

In the end, the queen threw out a topic and vanished. Though it took the form of a question, it was hard to view it as one since she didn’t expect an answer.

‘She did tell me to think seriously.’

The system. Of course, I had pondered that notion before.

All I truly knew was that it wasn’t the same system as that in the original world. The original narrative’s system had no self-awareness. It strongly felt like just a machine… while my system had a more assistant-like quality to it.

‘And.’

It was trying to make me grow.

It coerced me into making choices, displayed probabilities of destruction, and intentionally guided me toward preventing the collapse of this world. It had subtly provided messages laden with information. If it weren’t for that system, I might have died much earlier at the junctions I faced.

‘So, I thought.’

I considered it a benevolent existence. At least, I believed it was helping me. It had given me infuriating missions, including the conditions to reach certain levels, but…

‘Initially.’

I wondered if it was the system that brought me into this world. But it was also the only being I could communicate with here. If there had been no system, I would have gone mad by now in my Slime state. No, I might not have even been able to evolve at all.

‘Unless the author really is the system …’

That would mean it was truly a case of “give and take”, which complicates things beyond belief.

‘I still don’t know.’

At the very least, I shouldn’t have no connection to this.

‘What did the fairy queen mean?’

That the existence you call the system isn’t part of the truth…? I don’t know. There were far too few leads. I needed more clues.

‘Now what?’

As I pondered, the fairy who had been smiling brightly grabbed the crown and placed it atop her own head.

“Did you have a good trip?”

“……?”

“Wolfie wolfie~ heehee! Monster wolf! Did you have a nice chat with the queen?”

Still speaking in fairy, unlike before, I found I could understand her now.

Looking at my status, I noticed a newly added skill, “Fairy Language (F)”.

‘What is this now?’

It must have been a gift from the queen. There was no way I had suddenly mastered the fairy language. Not being able to communicate was terribly frustrating, so I was grateful indeed.

‘For now.’

I felt the need to explore this unknown world further. The queen didn’t bestow such an ability for no reason.

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